Sightings – Page 145 – Argyll Bird Club

8th April

KINTYRE: another summer plumaged ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit was found by Eddie Maguire at the Machrihanish Observatory today.
MID-ARGYLL: Willow Warblers now becoming more widespread e.g. several seen along the Crinan canal today (Colin MacFarlane et al) and around Kilmartin (Malcolm Chattwood et al).
First report of a male Ring Ouzel, in song, at Beinn Buidhe, Glen Fyne today (Graeme Garner).
MULL: first report of a Common Sandpiper with one today at Loch Beg (Bryan Rains/Steve Hiscock).
TIREE: 26 Whooper Swans north at Balephuil– also 1 Willow Warbler (first of spring there), also 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests and 50 Redwings (latter with much sub-song) 3 Goldfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Wheatears and 5 Manx Shearwaters at West Hynish and 1 Swallow at Barrapol (John Bowler).

Scandinavian Rock Pipit – MSBO, Kintyre 8 Apr (Eddie Maguire).

7th April

MID-ARGYLL: A Whimbrel on the shore of Loch Craignish, south of Ardfern this evening (David Jardine).
TIREE: 20 Black Guillemots on dawn count off Ceann a’ Mhara and 5 m Wheatear on shore; 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 18 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Sand Martin at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).

6th April

COWAL: The first record this year of a Wood Warbler seen near Stonefield, Glen Massan this afternoon (Alistair McGregor)
NORTH ARGYLL: A pair of Gadwall at Ardtur pond this evening (David Jardine).

Glaucous Gull – Tiree 6 Apr (Richard Whitson).

5th April

COWAL: A male Brambling joined two Lesser Redpolls in a garden this morning at Knockdow (George Newall). Also an Osprey on the Kilmun side of Holy Loch this afternoon. (Alistair McGregor)
KINTYRE: Today a first winter Iceland Gull at Campbeltown Harbour. (Eddie Maguire)
TIREE: Today, A juvenile Glaucous Gull, 4 Sand Martin, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 PB Brent Geese and 28 Whooper Swans at Loch a’ Phuill; 1m Wheatear, 2 Linnet, 1 Barn Swallow, 1 Goldcrest and 50 Redwing at Balephuil; another juvenile Glaucous Gull and 5 Whoopers at Loch Bhasapol; 75 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Kenovay and 3,850 Golden Plover at The Reef (John Bowler)

4th April

KINTYRE: Today 62 Sanderling and 5 White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO. Also at Westport Marsh: 60 Eurasian Teal, 6 Northern Shoveler (4 males), 5 Little Grebe, 9 Moorhen and 6 displaying Lapwing. (Eddie Maguire). Two Sandwich Terns at Portrigh Bay, Carradale today (Alasdair Paterson).
TIREE: A group of circa 100 Brent Geese [pale bellied] today, with Greylags in a croft field opposite Loch Bhasapol (Stephanie Cope).

Sand Martin – Tiree 2 Apr (Richard Whitson).

White Wagtail – Machrihanish SBO 4th April (Eddie Maguire)

3rd April

KINTYRE: The Black Swan and 5 Whoopers still present at Kilkivan, The Laggan today. Yesterday a Scandinavian Rock Pipit at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire)
TIREE: Amongst a flock of Sanderlings at Balemartin yesterday were three colour-ringed individuals. Two were ringed in Iceland in May 2016 and the third in the Netherlands in Aug 2016. (Richard Whitson)

Scandinavian Rock Pipit – Machrihanish SBO 2nd April (Eddie Maguire)

2nd April

MID-ARGYLL: a first sighting of a Nuthatch on a bird feeder in a garden at Lochgair (John and Julie Sutton). An Osprey was seen successfully fishing at Bellanoch today (Caroline Anderson).
TIREE: Yesterday a House Martin at Heylipol and today Corncrakes at Balinoe and Barrapol (Stephanie Cope).

Ringed Plover and Sanderlings- Tiree 2 Apr (Richard Whitson).

Osprey fishing at Bellanoch Mid-Argyll 2 Apr (Caroline Anderson)

1st April

MID-ARGYLL: an adult Little Gull again at Loch Gilp this morning (Jim Dickson).
KINTYRE: two Greenshanks at Carradale Bay (Ged Connelly per Alasdair Paterson).
COWAL: a hybrid drake American x Eurasian Wigeon found today at the Holy Loch (George Newall, Alsitair McGregor).

hybrid American x Eurasian Wigeon – Holy Loch, Cowal 1 Apr (Alistair McGregor).

31st March

TIREE: some recent photos and reports from Stephanie Cope on Tiree included a Wheatear at Sandaig on 26 Mar, colour-ringed Sanderlings at Sorobaidh Bay on 23 Mar, a sub-adult White-tailed Eagle at Crossapol on 29 Mar and several Glaucous Gulls still around the island. Also a 4.5m headless Minke whale dead stranded in Scarinish Harbour. Many thanks Stephanie.
ISLAY: the drake Green-winged Teal seen again at Gruinart (Richard Belter) and 3 Lapland Buntings at Ardnave (Mark Eden).
KINTYRE: at Westport Marsh today: 8 Greylags, 10 Shelducks, 2 Wigeons, 83 Teal, 5 Shoveler (3 males), a male Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, 7 Moorhen and 9 Lapwing (much display) (Eddie Maguire).

Glaucous Gull and Minkie Whale – Scarinish, Tiree 29 Mar (Stephanie Cope).

Wheatear – Sandaig, Tiree 26 Mar (Stephanie Cope).

Sanderling – Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree 23 Mar (Stephanie Cope).

30th March

KINTYRE: a Black Swan appeared with five Whoopers, a Pink-footed and 40 White-fronted Geese at Kilkivan, The Laggan today (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: a single Barn Swallow at Barrapol (Stephanie Cope).
ISLAY: a single Barn Swallow at Rockside (Bob Davison).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Chiffchaff singing in Benderloch today (Robin Harvey).