Category: Sightings

TIREE: An adult female RING-NECKED DUCK at Loch Bhasapol today (John Bowler).
ISLAY: The male AMERICAN WIGEON is still at Loch Skerrols, 1-2 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS at the Gruinart woodland trail, TODD’S CANADA GOOSE and a 1cy LITTLE GULL at Gruinart (Dan Brown, James How, Peter Roberts et al).

ISLAY: A first-winter (1cy) BLACK-HEADED BUNTING was seen and photographed briefly at Gruinart then flew off west (Dan Brown). Also reports of a BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER in with the Golden Plovers at Gruinart flats, a LEACH’S PETREL at Kilnaughton Bay and the male AMERICAN WIGEON is still at Loch Skerrols.

ISLAY: A male AMERICAN WIGEON was found at Loch Skerrols this morning (Dan Brown).

TIREE: Sea-watch off Aird 0705-0805hrs in NW7-8 with highlights of 2 SOOTY SHEARWATERS and 1 POMARINE SKUA. Also a YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER is still at Balephuil (John Bowler). A LITTLE EGRET was new today at Milton  (Martin Finnigan).
ISLAY: The ROSY STARLING was noted again in Bowmore yesterday and a RING OUZEL was near Bruichladdich yesterday (Naturetrek group per Peter Roberts). Today – male GREEN-WINGED TEAL at Gruinart floods, adult SABINE’S GULL and juv ICELAND GULL at Loch Gruinart & WOOD SANDPIPER still present (Dan Brown per Twitter feed).
KINTYRE: A LEACH’S PETREL and an adult LITTLE GULL past Machrihanish Seabird Obs today – also Velvet Scoter and 4 Long-tailed Ducks (Eddie Maguire).

MID-ARGYLL: A dead Swift was found in an Ardrishaig garden today – specific identity to be confirmed but thought to be a COMMON? (Alan Dykes).
KINTYRE: A Swift was seen at Machrihanish on 22nd Oct (Caroline & Bill Anderson) – identity not confirmed as to COMMON or PALLID.
ISLAY: The HOOPOE in the Bridgend area is still being seen.. The WOOD SANDPIPER is still present at Gruinart and recent reports of both CACKLING and TODD’S CANADA GEESE.

The Argyll total of YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS this autumn currently stands at 33 birds. Please get in touch if you have reports not already submitted – many thanks.

ISLAY: An imm (1cy) YELLOW WAGTAIL of ‘undetermined race’ was seen from the north hide at RSPB Gruinart reserve this morning (Elaine & Eddie Prince).

ISLAY: Adult ROSY STARLING in Bowmore today (per Ian Brooke) – presumably the same bird that has been seen there on and off since 18th June. A CACKLING GOOSE was noted at Grainel today (Steve Percival).
COWAL: An Argyll record site count of 8 LITTLE EGRETS at the Holy Loch today (George Newall, Alistair McGregor). N.b. At least another 6 birds elsewhere in Argyll.
TIREE: Three YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS and a ‘Siberian’ CHIFFCHAFF at Balephuil today. Also record numbers of Blue Tits recently with up to 6 birds at Balephuil (John Bowler).

ISLAY: A TODD’S CANADA GOOSE at Gruinart today (Steve Percival), WOOD SANDPIPER still near the north hide (Richard Belter) and now 2 CURLEW SANDPIPERS at Gruinart flats (per Ian Brooke).
JURA: A report of an adult HOBBY at Ardfin (nr Jura House) today from Louise Muir et al.
MULL: A report of a RED-NECKED GREBE from Eas Force, Loch Tuath (Pam & Arthur Brown)

ISLAY: A CURLEW SANDPIPER was at Gruinart flats this morning (Peter Roberts) and reports of 1-2 CACKLING GEESE – Gruinart/Ballinaby recently.

TIREE: A DUSKY WARBLER was at Balephuil today, skulking but very vocal – a new species for Argyll if accepted by the SBRC (John Bowler).