Category: Sightings

TIREE: 2m and 1f Ring-necked Duck still at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler).

ISLAY: A drake Green-winged Teal was at the distillery pond, Port Charlotte today (Mike Peacock). This appears to be a new bird in addition to the drake at Gruinart floods (per Ian Brooke).

Tiree: Three Ring-necked Ducks (2m, 1f) still at Loch Bhasapol today (John Bowler). An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull N at Balephuil on 17 Feb – first of spring here (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: The Pied-billed Grebe was seen again at Loch Feorlin today – last report was back in early Nov (David Jardine).

Tiree: A male Brambling new today in the garden at Balephuil – an unusual date for here (John Bowler).

TIREE: A Juvenile Glaucuous Gull at Traigh Bhagh this afternoon (John Bowler).
MID-ARGYLL: An adult Lesser Black Backed Gull at Loch Gilp today – first of year there (Jim Dickson).

TIREE: A Juvenile Iceland Gull with Common Gulls on machair SW of Loch a’ Phuill and the 3CY Ring-billed Gull again at Sandaig (John Bowler).

TIREE: A juvenile Glaucous Gull at Balephetrish Bay and a Jack Snipe at Cnu Lochanan (John Bowler).
ISLAY: A drake Green-winged Teal has been at Gruinart the last few days (description required please from finders – per Ian Brooke). Mike Peacock sent through some great shot he took of a Merlin at Loch Gorm today.
KINTYRE: Little Egret was at Kennacraig on 4 Feb at least (Campbell Fox per Eddie Maguire).

MID-ARGYLL: There was a Little Egret at Danna causeway, Loch na Cille (Tayvallich), with sightings on and off there since mid December. There were also 117 White-fronted Geese nearby at Coshandrochaid (Morag Rea). 14 Black Guillemots resplendent in full breeding plumage displaying off sea wall at esplanade about 200m from North Harbour, Oban, and investigating nest holes (Neil Rankine).

MID & NORTH ARGYLL: Fairly quiet bird-wise recently away from Islay & Tiree however Robin Harvey has been out and about – on 4th Feb – Loch Laich, Appin: Bar-tailed Godwit 3, Greenshank 1, Redshank 9, Curlew 12, Oystercatcher 23, Wigeon 58, Little Grebe 3. On 4th Feb – Dalrannoch: 94 Teal and 28 Wigeon and on 5th Feb – Loch Luachrach, Oban: 5 Whooper Swans including one immature, 1 Mute Swan and 7 Goldeneye.
Several reports of Barn Owls recently seen in daylight hours and Christine Blackwell reports that many birds are in poor condition just now and quite vulnerable.

TIREE: The 3CY Ring-billed Gull again showing well at Sandaig today (John Bowler).