Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)

03 December. A flock of 16 Red-breasted Mergansers were almost all in pairs at Otter Ferry, Cowal (Tom Callan).

04 December. A total of 6 Black Grouse were seen at  Inveroran (Loch Tulla) North Argyll today. Two flying over the moor in the afternoon and 4 going to roost later (Graham & Danielle Clark). Five Goosanders were at the mouth of Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan).

 

05 December. A flock of ten adult Whooper Swans were on Ederline Loch (Ford) Mid-Argyll today (Karl Pipes).

 

08 December. The winter flock of Common Goldeneyes at the at mouth of Leacann Water (Furnace) Loch Fyne) numbered 88 today (Paul Daw).

 

10 December. The female Surf Scoter was seen again at Hough Bay, Tiree in big surf with a single Long-tailed Duck. A small, possibly vagrant  "lesser", Canada Goose was with 1,400 Barnacle Geese at Balephetrish (John Bowler).

 

11 December. A flock of 58 Eurasian Teal and 48 Eurasian Wigeon were at Drum Point, Cowal (Tom Callan).

 

14 December. Today's goose count around East Tiree found: 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a small Canada Goose (looked good for Richardson's), a Pale-bellied Brent Goose with 1,400 Barnacle Geese at Ruaig, another small Canada Goose with 500 Barnacle Geese at Balephetrish, a Pink-footed Goose with Greylag Geese at Upper Kenovay and 3 Pintails and 17 Shovelers at Loch Riaghain John Bowler).

 

15 December. A European White-fronted Goose at Balinoe was paired with a Greylag Goose John Bowler presumes this is the bird that has been around on Tiree since April (John Bowler). A flock of 9 Pochards on Loch Awe, off Lochawe Village, were a nice surprise during winter atlas survey work today (Roger Broad).

 

17 December.  A flock of at least 120 Eurasian Wigeon were at the head of Loch Gilp today (Karl Pipes).
 
18 December. Five Canada Geese considered to show characteristics of  Lesser Canada Goose (possibly Richardson's) were seen at Loch ‘Pottie’, Mull today (Bryan Rains). Wildfowl seen during the Loch Sween WeBS count included: 9 Mute Swans, 36 Greenland White-fronted Geese (at Loch na Cille), 9 Common Shelducks, 35 Eurasian Wigeon, 16 Eurasian Teal, 45 Mallards, 26 Common Goldeneyes and 22 Red-breasted Mergansers (Paul Daw).

 

21 December. Two Goosanders were at Barr-Beith point, Loch Awe today (Karl Pipes).

 

22 December. Wildfowl seen during the Loch Etive WeBS count today included: 12 Mute Swans, 161 Greylag Geese, 16 Canada Geese, 79 Eurasian Wigeon, 19 Eurasian Teal, 136 Mallards, 23 Common Eiders and 9 Common Goldeneyes (Mike Harrison) and the WeBS count at the Sound of Gigha, Kintyre found: 7 Mute Swans, 39 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 2 Common Shelducks, 12 Eurasian Wigeon, 12 Eurasian Teal, 38 Mallards, 71 Common Eiders, 4 Long-tailed Ducks, 26 Common Scoters, one Velvet Scoter and 31 Red-breasted Mergansers (Katie Pendreigh).

 

23 December. A male and female Mandarin Duck were on the river at Benmore Botanic Garden and 20 or more Common Goldeneyes and 2 Goosanders were on Holy Loch (John Bowler).

 

28 December. A single, rather lost looking, immature Pale-bellied Brent Goose was at the head of Loch Gilp this afternoon (Jim Dickson/Brian John).

 

30 December. Three Common Goldeneyes and 25 Common Eiders were at the mouth of the River Goil (Lochgoilhead) Cowal today (James Towill).

 

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Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)

 

05 December. At least 1,000 Fulmars were at Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree today (John Bowler).

 

08 December. A Bittern was reported near Craobh Haven at 12.10pm today by John & Helen Anderson. Amazingly it was standing right beside the main A816 road (NR 803 086) and they noticed at they drove past but could hardly believe their eyes. They drove back managed to snatch a quick photo on their mobile phone (John & Helen Anderson). Jim Dickson was alerted and after a quick dash up there managed to locate it at 12.55 pm before it walked slowly off and could not be found again. He had time to make sure it was Eurasian Bittern rather than an American Bittern! It was seen again by Bill Allan early on the following morning (9 Dec) but no subsequently. The last confirmed record in Argyll was a dead bird found near Appin in 1999, and this was one of only eight since the first record on Islay in 1864.
Some records take longer to percolate through than others. In mid-January a lady who lives near the Craobh Haven turn off ‘phoned to ask if it was at all possible she had seen a Bittern there in mid-December. She seemed quite pleased when I told her it was…

 

09 December. Eight Fulmars were at the cliffs at Southend, Kintyre today. There is a long established small breeding colony here (Bill Allan).
 
10 December. A Little Egret was showing well in Loch Gilp at lunch-time today and was still present later in the afternoon. It had much darker legs than the long stayer at the Add Estuary in November (Jim Dickson/Paul Daw/Mike Gregory).

 

18 December. A total of 11 Little Grebes were recorded during the WeBS count at Loch Sween today (Paul Daw).  

 

22 December. A total of 23 Little Grebes were recorded during the Loch Etive WeBS count today (Mike Harrison) and the WeBS count at the Sound of Gigha, Kintyre found: 2 Red-throated Divers, 17 Great Northern Divers, 27 Slavonian Grebes and 51 Shags (Katie Pendreigh).

24 December.  A Little Egret at head of Loch Gilp in the late morning today was a different individual from the one on 10 Dec, as this one has extensive yellow legs (Jim Dickson).

 

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Raptors, Rails etc

04 December. A male Hen Harrier was hunting the field behind Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan)

 

07 December. A female Common Kestrel was seen at Ballimeanoch (Loch Awe) today (Karl Pipes).    

 

11 December. A male Common Kestrel was at Lindsaig, Cowal (Tom Callan).

 

13 December. Single Water Rails were seen in gardens at Balephuil and Mannal, Tiree (John Bowler).

 

15 December. A Common Kestrel caught and ate a Song Thrush at Moss, Tiree and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk was at Balemartine (John Bowler).

 

19 December. A male Common Kestrel was at Leanach (E), Cowal (Tom Callan)

 

30 December. An immature White-tailed Eagle was seen from his garden at Balephuil, Tiree by John Bowler today.

 

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Waders

4 December. Thirty-five Turnstones were at the mouth of the Killail burn, Otter Ferry (Tom Callan)

 

10 December. Good numbers of waders on Tiree included: 2,200 Golden Plovers today at Kirkapol/Gott Bay, 131 Ringed Plovers, 85 Sanderlings and 193 Dunlin at Sorobaidh Bay on 9 Dec and 105 Ringed Plovers and 216 Sanderlings (including an Icelandic leg-flagged bird) at Balephetrish Bay on 8 Dec (John Bowler).

 

11 December. At least one Woodcock was flushed during an Atlas Tetrad survey at Ladyfield in Glen Aray, Mid-Argyll today. Other Woodcocks were recorded in all the tetrads surveyed in Glen Aray during Dec.

 

22 December. A total of 17 Common Snipe were recorded during the Loch Etive WeBS count today – an usually high number (Mike Harrison) and totals of 160 Oystercatchers and 45 Eurasian Curlews were found ruing the WeBS count at Loch Riddon (Daphne Campbell).

 

23 December. A Woodcock seen flying over the house at Tullochgorm, Minard, in snowy conditions today (Paul Daw).

 

27 December. Four Northern Lapwings were in the field at the end of the spit at Otter Ferry, Cowal which is unusual (Tom Callan)…

 

28 December. Quite a few Common Snipe have been seen down on the shore in the last week. Six at the Add Estuary and up to 4 at Loch Gilp (first time Jim had seen them there) (Jim Dickson).

 

29 December. Three Common Snipe were on the roadside at Strathlachlan Forest (S), Cowal  with others seen in the open around this time (Tom Callan).

 

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Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks

05 December. What we presume was our faithful returning adult Ring-billed Gull was seen again on the George Street foreshore in Oban at 15:15 today (Stuart Gibson per Alan Spellman).

 

08 December. The Oban adult Ring-billed Gull was seen again this afternoon (Bill Allan).

 

22 December. A Glaucous Gull, probably 1st winter, was seen near Islandadd Bridge, Add Estuary today (Tom Callan/Daphne Campbell).

 

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Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.

 

06 December. Two flocks of at least 50 Wood Pigeons were flushed from area with many Common Pheasant feeders around Otter Ferry, Cowal (Tom Callan).

 

09 December. A flocks of approx 60 Rock Doves was seen at Southend, Kintyre today (Bill Allan).
 
29 December. A Barn Owl was seen at the Auchinellan / Ederline, B840 roadside, Loch Awe today (S Webb., R Regan per Karl Pipes)..
 
30 December  A Barn Owl was seen at Ballimore (Otter Ferry) Cowal  not far from where a Tawny Owl was seen on the 27th (Tom Callan)

 

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Passerines

01 December. Two Eurasian Jays and 8 Common Crossbills were recorded during an Atlas Tetrad survey in Glen Aray today and two more Jays and 18 Common Crossbills were in a nearby tetrad on 11 Dec (Paul Daw).           

 

02 December. This observers’ first Brambling was heard but not seen in a flock of at least 150 Chaffinches at Colachla (Millhouse) Cowal (Tom Callan).         

 

03 December. Four Eurasian Jays were at the water works in Dunoon today (Ronnie Stokes). Reports of Jays seem to have been more numerous than usual this winter. A flock of at least 26 Common Crossbills flew over conifers behind the house at Tullochgorm, Minard (Paul Daw).

 

04 December. A flock of 29 Goldfinches was at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan).

 

06 December. Two Eurasian Jays were feeding under peanut feeders in a garden at Otter Ferry and at least 7 other sightings were made over the following week over a wide area of Cowal (Tom Callan).

 

07 December. An adult male Great Grey Shrike was found by Brian John near Slockavullin at 12.25 pm today and was still there at 15:00. (Brian John/Jim Dickson).

 

09 December. Flocks of approx. 60 Sky Larks, 100 Common Chaffinches, and 40 Linnets were seen at Southend, Kintyre today with a single Yellowhammer (Bill Allan). Approx. 30 Common Crossbills were at St Catherines (Loch Fyne) Cowal with another 7 nearby at Ardkinglas, Cowal (Roger Broad).

 

10 December. More of the ubiquitous Eurasian Jays: three were on the roadside at Ardchonnel, Loch Awe today and  another two flew S/W across Blarghour farm a short while later (Karl Pipes).  Five in such a small distance is quite unusual. 

 

11 December. This morning at least two Eurasian Nuthatches were present at Ardkinglass (Cairndow) as well as 2 Eurasian Jays. A Magpie was seen later at Strachur (Jim Dickson). The two Nuthatches were also seen at the same location on 4 Dec by Bill Allan.  A flock of 18 Fieldfares were at Ladyfield, Glen Aray, Mid-Argyll (Paul Daw).

 

13 December. The Great Grey Shrike was showing very well near Slockavullin this afternoon. A male and female Yellowhammer were seen nearby and 4 Yellowhammers were at Keills Chapel (Loch Sween) later (Bill Allan).
 
14 December. Approx. 100 Redwings in total were on Tiree today - in flocks of up to 15 (John Bowler). The Great Grey Shrike was still at Slockavullin - eight days in a row. Brian John  who has been lucky enough to have it in his garden says “It is quite approachable and does not fly off easily. I have taken dozens of pictures with the best on Saturday when we had a bit of sunshine. The reason is likes this place is probably because we have chickens, and mice, voles etc thrive on the grains etc left by the hens and so there is s plentiful supply of food. There are also dozens of small birds but I have not seen it showing any interest in them. When it is around all the finches / sparrows etc make a commotion but it does not seem in the least bothered. It likes to perch on the tops of small trees or wires and is continually looking around.” Jim Dickson managed to photograph it actually with a small vole/shrew in its beak.

 

15 December. A lone Magpie flew up from the shinty pitch into the trees at Tighnabruaich, Cowal today (Daphne Campbell). A flock of  13 Bullfinches was seen near Loch Arail, Knapdale, Mid-Argyll today (Paul Daw).

 

16 December. The Great Grey Shrike seen again at Slockavullin at lunch-time today (Paul Daw/John Halliday/ Brian John). It was last seen on 20 December by Brian John.

 

18 December. There was a single Eurasian Nuthatch on the nut-feeder at the Ardkinglass Nursery today (Glyn Toplis).

 

19 December. 114 Fieldfares were with 13 Redwings at Camquhart (Glendaruel) Cowal with many smaller flocks of each around at this time apparently finding something to eat on completely frozen ground. A flock of 9 Bullfinches were at Cruach nan Tarbh (Above Glendaruel) Cowal at around 1000 ft above sea level (Tom Callan).

 

21 December. Five Goldfinches were at Balephuil, Tiree with one more at Vaul and a single Pied Wagtail was at Vaul (John Bowler). Two Dippers were at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan).

 

23 December. A highly vocal Eurasian Nuthatch was seen at Ardkinglass again today. Two Eurasian Jays were seen between Inveraray and Loch Fyne Oyster Bar with another 2 Jays at Loch Eck. Three Magpies and at least 20 Bullfinches were at Benmore Botanic Garden, Cowal (John Bowler).

 

25 December. Two Dippers were on the Killail Burn, Otter Ferry today and a single male Brambling was seen in the garden there (Tom Callan).
 
26 December. At least one more Brambling was under Beech trees near the shore at Otter Ferry today (Tom Callan).

 

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Other sightings:

 

28 December. A Spider Crab was caught at Otter Ferry today – an unusual species here (Tom Callan).

 

 

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