NORTH ARGYLL: the Little Egret was showing well at Loch Laich, Appin this morning, but too distant to photograph. Also present were 21 Oystercatcher, 5 Curlew, 7 Redshank, 76 Canada Geese and Common, Herring and Black-headed Gulls (Mike Harrison).
MID-ARGYLL: have just seen a male Goosander feeding in Tayvallich Bay (Amanda Chadderton).
Category: Sightings
25th January
TIREE: off Hynish in S8 with rain 1235-1335hrs: 2 Little Auks, 74 Gannets, 55 Kittiwakes, 45 Razorbills, 43 Fulmars, 42 Shags, 29 GBB Gulls, 18 Tysties, 12 Guillemots and 7 G N Divers (John Bowler).
24th January
MID-ARGYLL: the adult Glaucous Gull again at the head of Loch Gilp this am (Jim Dickson). Karen Taylor has reported 20-30 Waxwings in Minard seen on 21 Jan, so may still be around.
ISLAY: Ian Brooke has said the Green-winged Teal is still at Gruinart (Bob Davison) and the mid-month island International goose counts were: 45,056 Barnacle, 4,694 White-fronted and 581 Greylag Geese.
TIREE/COLL: 1 fem Greater Scaup still at Loch a’ Phuill plus 102 Curlews. Also 2 White-beaked Dolphin off SW Coll (John Bowler).
23rd January
NORTH ARGYLL: the Little Egret was back at Loch Laich early morning (David Jardine).
TIREE: 1 Puffin off Gunna Sound from the Oban ferry is an early record (John Bowler).
22nd January
COWAL: a male Hen Harrier hunting between Millhouse and Ardlamont House (Allister Hamilton).
MID-ARGYLL: now 160 Chaffinches feeding in the garden at Cairnbaan. Also small flocks (up to 40+) of Meadow Pipits, appearing/on the move, in fields around the Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson).
TIREE: a 3CY Iceland Gull (the long-staying bird), 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 1f Scaup, 55 Goldeneye and 2 Gadwall at Loch a’ Phuill. 1 Woodcock at Carnan Mor (John Bowler). Also 2 Linnets at Traigh Bhagh found and photographed by Steph Cope – just the 2nd January record in 100 years on Tiree! (Steph Cope per John Bowler).
21st January
MID-ARGYLL: a 2/3 winter Glaucous Gull at the head of Loch Fyne today (David Jardine).
COWAL: three Nuthatches at Ardkinglass woodland early morning (David Jardine). A Kingfisher was on the shore by Ardkinglass House (Graham Thomas).
TIREE: 14 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay (John Bowler).
NORTH ARGYLL: a Greenshank and 2 Lapwings at An Sailean inlet in the NW corner of Ardmucknish Bay (Robin Harvey).
20th January
KINTYRE: at Campbeltown Loch today, single juvenile Glaucous and Iceland Gulls (Eddie Maguire).
TIREE: a juvenile Glaucous Gull again at Gott Bay today, feeding on a dead dolphin and another Glaucous at Balevullin this pm (Steph Cope per John Bowler).
19th January
MID-ARGYLL: an adult Glaucous Gull showing well at the head of Loch Gilp mid-morning (Jim Dickson).
NORTH ARGYLL: a report from Andy Dale of a single Waxwing in Achinreir, Barcaldine on 1st January, followed by a flock of 10 on 6th January. This flock was battling with a very aggressive mistle thrush over the last rowan tree with berries.
COWAL: three Black Grouse at Craigendive today (Alistair McGregor).
TIREE: a Jackdaw at Loch an Eilein – the first of the winter here (John Bowler).
18th January
MID-ARGYLL: two juvenile Iceland Gulls at Eilean Traighe, Ormsary today (Stu Crutchfield).
17th January
TIREE: now 2 drake Green-winged Teal – 1 at Loch Bhasapol again and a new bird at Loch a’ Phuill. Also a juv Glaucous Gull at West Hynish, 1 Mistle Thrush at Mannal and 8 Pink-footed Geese at Cornaigmore. There was also juv Glaucous Gull at The Reef late yesterday (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: the juv Iceland Gull was back at Eilean Traighe, Ormsary today (Stu Crutchfield). A Kingfisher brightened up a dreich afternoon at Airds Bay, Taynuilt (Mike Harrison).
NORTH ARGYLL: A Grey Wagtail was feeding in a cattle field near Ardchattan this morning (Mike Harrison). No sign of the recent Little Egret at Loch Laich, Appin however a juv Iceland Gull was there (David Jardine).
