COWAL: some sightings around Glendaruel from Allister Hamilton; 1 Woodcock roding in the evening, Tree Pipits seen carrying food in three locations, 1 family of 5 Whinchats near the top third of the Glen and 2 pairs further down, N of Caravan Park, Blackcaps singing, 2 f Redstarts N of the caravan park; one 500m N and one 0.75 km N.
TIREE: 280 2CY Arctic Terns at The Green, also 14 Little Terns there (John Bowler).
MULL: six Greenshanks at Salen Bay (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman).
Category: Sightings
6th July
MID-ARGYLL: a pair of Crossbills were at Leac na Ban farm, south of Bellanoch (Alex Hamilton per Morag Rea). John Aitchison reports two successful Barn Owl nests in the Crinan and Scotnish areas recently.
5th July
MID-ARGYLL: at least 3 family groups of Grey Wagtails seen around the Moine Mhor area this morning (Slockavullin, Dalvore and Ballymeanoch), an Osprey fishing at the Add Estuary and a Redstart in song at Tayness/Slockavullin (Jim Dickson).
4th July
MID-ARGYLL: at Keills John Aitchison noted 60 mostly juv Starlings being chased by a Peregrine, also 2 Swifts there. Nearby along the coast of Isle of Danna there were 15 Swifts on the move south (Jane Smith per John Aitchison).
MULL: a Greenshank was at Craignure Bay and an adult Slavonian Grebe was at the head of Loch na Keal (Dave Pierce per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: at Knockdow Estate there were 3-4 adult Moorhens with up to a total of 9 young, also 2 broods of Little Grebes (Alistair McGregor & George Newall).
3rd July
MULL: two Crossbills overhead at Glengorm (Stuart Gibson per Alan Spellman).
COWAL: Tom Callan reports a considerable influx of Crossbills around the Otter Ferry area as evidenced by the extent of stripping of Larch cones. Also he had a count of over 80 Goosanders at Loch Riddon on 2 July.
2nd July
MID-ARGYLL: John & Julie Sutton noted a Greenfinch at feeders in their garden at Lochgair, nr Glashan Burn and is there first record there since 2015 and also their first ever garden record of House Sparrow!
MULL: a report yesterday of a 2CY Iceland Gull at Knockvologan (per Alan Spellman).
1st July
NORTH ARGYLL: Moorhens have bred at Benderloch gravel pits (Robin Harvey). Remains a scarce species on the Argyll mainland…
COWAL: a report from Clive McKay of a Honey -buzzard he saw in Cowal yesterday…await more details…
MID-ARGYLL: at Keills, Loch na Cille John Aitchison reports lots of species with young now in the area including a female Red-breasted Merganser with 4 small ducklings, Grasshopper Warbler reeling near the old Chapel with Wheatears nesting there, Red-throated Divers noted on the loch, Spotted Flycatcher towards Tayvallich and 14 Mistle Thrushes and a female Redstart recently.
30th June
MID-ARGYLL: at the Moine Mhor early morning: Short-eared Owl hunting, female Hen Harrier hunting, 2 Linnets, several Lesser Redpolls, a Whitethroat and a family of Whinchats. Also an adult and 2CY male Hen Harrier there recently and 3 Grasshopper Warblers reeling (Jon Close/Jim Dickson).
29th June
TIREE: Common (Mealy) Redpoll family again at Balephuil, also 1 Robin there (John Bowler).
28th June
TIREE: An adult Little Grebe at Loch Riaghain, 1 Robin at Balephuil – also pair Swallow with f/4 there and pair Common Redpoll with f/2+, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits including 1 in full summer plumage at Gott Bay, also 820 Arctic Terns there including 600+ 2CY birds, 1 Great Skua over The Reef and a pair of Greenfinches with f/1+ at The Glebe (not always an annual breeder here). 1 Siskin at Balephuil on 27 Jun – is unusual in summer on Tiree (John Bowler).
ISLAY: the male Velvet Scoter is back at Easter Ellister, seen yesterday, but no female Common Scoter with it (Peter Roberts).
MID-ARGYLL: a Short-eared Owl seen again at the Moine Mhor today (Jon Close).
KINTYRE: I spotted a Jay while driving nr Clachan. I’m not a birdwatcher but thought this was rare (Dave Campbell). Many thanks for this record Dave…they can be a bit secretive and views are often just brief glimpses (Jim D).