Category: Sightings

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).

MID-ARGYLL: A Barn Owl hunting over a field adjacent to the road near Cairnbaan was a pleasant surprise whilst on the way home from work today. (Malcolm Chattwood). A White-Tailed Eagle has been regularly seen at Braevallich (Loch Awe) over recent weeks and on the road between there and Ford 18 Woodcock were seen along the roadside tonight (Alan Dykes).
COWAL:  Yesterday, two White-tailed Eagles were being mobbed by a pair of Hoodies at Otter Ferry followed by a further two single birds this afternoon (Yvonne McCrone).

COWAL: A Little Gull feeding amongst Black-headed Gulls about 200m offshore was spotted at Otter Ferry today (Jeremy Brock).

COWAL:  A spell of wintry weather didn’t deter Alistair McGregor and George Newall from venturing out to complete their WeBS count at Holy Loch which included a pair of Dunlin amongst 32 Ringed Plover, 26 Turnstone and a Red-throated Diver.
TIREE: 3 Ring-necked Duck, 2 Scaup, 6 Gadwall and 147 Whooper Swans at Loch a’ Phuill, 1 Todd’s Canada Goose still at Caoles, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Little Grebe and 2 Pintail at Loch Riaghain (John Bowler)