Category: Sightings

COWAL: An adult MEDITERRANEAN GULL was found today at the Holy Loch (Neil Hammatt).

MID-ARGYLL: A WAXWING was found today in Oban at Millpark Road (David Jardine).

A small number of GLAUCOUS and ICELAND GULLS have been noted over the last few weeks – including:  GLAUCOUS GULLS on TIREE: In Dec 2019 – 3w bird at Loch a’ Phuill (4^th) and then at An Fhaodhail (17^th), a 1cy bird at Gott Bay (21^st Hayley Douglas), a 1cy bird at the Maze (26^th Malcolm Steel), a 1cy bird at The Reef (31^st). In 2020 –  an adult at Loch a’ Phuill Loch a’ Phuill on 4th Jan. In KINTYRE: a 1cy ICELAND GULL > S past Port Righ on 11 Dec 2019 (Alasdair Paterson). In MID-ARGYLL: a 3cy GLAUCOUS GULL at Loch Gilp on 7th & 11th Jan 2020 (Jim Dickson/David Jardine). COWAL: a 3cy GLAUCOUS GULL (originally ID’s as Iceland on 24th Dec 2019) at Loch Striven Dec into Jan 2020 (Neil Hammatt). On MULL: an adult ICELAND GULL at Loch Scridain on 14th Jan 2020 (Bryan Raines/Stephen Hiscock). On ISLAY: GLAUCOUS GULLS – a 1cy at Coull Point on 22nd Dec 2019 (C Mason), a 1cy at Gartbreck on 31st Dec 2019 (G Turnbull), an adult at Bunnahabhain on 9th Jan 2020 (G Turnbull).

ISLAY: An unconfirmed report of 4 DARK-BELLIED BRENT GEESE at Gartbreck on 8th Jan (SNH goose counters per Malcolm Ogilvie).
TIREE: The male + female RING-NECKED DUCKS are still at Loch a’ Phuill (John Bowler).
COLONSAY: The CACKLING GOOSE at RSPB Oronsay – first seen on 17th Oct 2019 has remained present on the island (Andy Knight/Ryan Woodcock).

KINTYRE:  Report of two RUDDY SHELDUCKS at Clochkeil, north Machrihanish yesterday per Catriona Laird. Presumably same two that were on Islay on 16-18 Dec 19.

ISLAY: The drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL is still at Gruinart floods. Little Egret still there as well (David Jardine).

COWAL: A suspected adult type RING-BILLED GULL was noted at the Holy Loch today by Neil Hammatt but further views required to be certain. Neil also saw a 2cy Iceland Gull at the Head of Loch Striven

ISLAY: Two RUDDY SHELDUCK seen with Barnacle geese at Cornabus on the Oa today, found by Ed Burrell. Three previous Argyll records, last in 2008 when three turned up on Oronsay. This species is treated as an escape under Cat BE, although some occurrences in the UK may refer to genuine wild birds.

TIREE: David Jardine managed to get a photo of the male RING-NECKED DUCK at Loch a’ Phuill today.

KINTYRE: Four LESSER type Canada Geese – likely TODD’s nr Campbeltown airport – size of nearby GWF Geese. Also 2 Greater Canada’s there for comparison (Eddie Maguire).

TIREE:  M + F RING-NECKED DUCK again at Loch a’ Phuill. Also a ‘Siberian’ CHIFFCHAFF in the garden at Balephuil (John Bowler).