Update (number 70) on 22nd April 2008 (sightings for March and April 2008)

Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)

29th March. A flock of 46 Greenland White-fronted Geese was north of the A849 in field just west of Ardfenaig, Mull (NM 3223) and 16 Barnacle Geese were near Fidden Farm (NM 2922; Ron Youngman).

30th March. A flock of 16 Whoopers Swans (ten adults, six immatures) that was on Loch Beg, Mull (NM 5229) in the early morning had left by breakfast time (Ron Youngman).

31st March. A flock of 216 Barnacle Geese was on Inch Kenneth, Mull (Ron Youngman).

2nd April. One of the Black Grouse near Inverfolla, Appin, North Argyll was seeing off a male pheasant in the lekking stance (Mary Gregory)!

5th April. A male Long-tailed Duck and two Common Scoters were seen off ‘West Coast Salmon’, Kintyre (Malcolm Chattwood).

6th April. Eight Common Goldeneyes and 11 Tufted Ducks (five males, six females) were on Loch Leathan near Lochgilphead, five Whooper Swans (two adults, three immatures) were on Lochan Ceann a' Choin, near Ford, and 25 Greenland White-fronted Geese, and seven Whooper Swans were with Canada and Greylag Geese at Barsloisnoch, Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson). Seven Whooper Swans were feeding just over the garden fence at Balephuil, Tiree in a snow/hail storm (John Bowler).

7th April. A pair of Gadwall was newly arrived at Loch Bhasapol, Tiree and 41 Whooper Swans were also there (John Bowler).

8th April. A flock of 84 Greenland White-fronted Geese was counted in Appin, North Argyll (Mary Gregory) and a distant 30-40 geese going north at Achnabreck, near Lochgilphead were possibly also Greenland Whitefronts (Jim Dickson). Three Gadwalls at Loch Gruinart, Islay were very restless (John Armitage).

9th April. Two Red-legged Partridges were seen scratching about in a garden at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll this evening (Mary Gregory) and a male Red Grouse was seen at Creag an Fhithich, near Millhouse, Cowal (David Warden). A flock of c.150 ‘grey’ geese flew north-west in V-formation high over Tullochgorm, Minard this morning at 09.30hrs. They were possibly Greenland White-fronts but their calls too distant to hear clearly (Paul Daw). A single Whooper Swan was at Ardrishaig, Mid-Argyll this afternoon (Jim Dickson).

11th April. Seven Whooper Swans were flying north along the coast at Portnahaven, Islay this morning and a significant proportion of the wintering Barnacle and White-fronted Geese left Islay overnight (John Armitage). Four Tufted Ducks (two males, 2 females) were at Barnluasgan, near Bellanoch, Mid-Argyll and 25 Whooper Swans were in the Add Estuary, mostly sleeping. At least three of the swans were ringed (Jim Dickson). Fifteen Whooper Swans were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree, two Long-tailed Ducks were off Traigh Bhagh and an early brood of ten Mallard ducklings was seen with a female at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler). A pair of Goosanders was on Loch Goil this evening, close to the road in front of the holiday village, with seven Common Goldeneyes further out (James Towill).

13th April. Four Pink-footed Geese, 17 Whooper Swans and three Gadwalls were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler). There were still four Common Goldeneyes in Tralee Bay, North Argyll (Robin Harvey).

14th April. Two Whooper Swans, three Little Grebes and two Tufted Ducks were at Dubh Loch near Loch Seil, Mid-Argyll (Richard Wesley).

15th April. Approximately 50 Greenland White-fronted Geese flew north over Balemartine, Tiree – a big ‘clear out’ of wintering geese was taking place (John Bowler).

16th April. A Black Swan was an unexpected visitor to Loch a' Phuill, Tiree along with 11 Whooper Swans and four Gadwalls, and 30 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Gott Bay (John Bowler).

17th April. A male Goosander was an unusual visitor to Loch Kinnabus, The Oa, Islay (Andy Schofield).

Return to Contents

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

12th March. Three early Manx Shearwaters were seen from Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).

5th April. Three Slavonian Grebes in breeding plumage were seen off ‘West Coast Salmon’, Kintyre (Malcolm Chattwood).

8th April. A Black-throated Diver and two Great Northern Divers were seen at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (David Warden).

9th April. Three Great Northern Divers and 14 Black-throated Divers were seen off Ormsary, Knapdale this afternoon (Jim Dickson).

10th April. A group of nine Black-throated Divers (in various plumages from winter to breeding) was an unusual sight off Lachlan Castle, Loch Fyne. Three Northern Gannets and four Shags were also present and six Great Northern Divers were found in Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (David Warden).

11th April. A total of 28 Great Northern Divers was off Traigh Bhagh, Tiree (John Bowler).

12th April. A tight flock of 15 Great Northern Divers was in Gott Bay, Tiree (John Bowler).

13th April. Four Great Northern Divers were seen at Claonaig, Kintyre, one in winter plumage and three in breeding plumage (Malcolm Chattwood) and two Red-throated Divers in full breeding plumage were at the Powder Dams, Cowal (Daphne Campbell).

14th April. A pair of Little Grebes was seen at Loch Melldalloch, Cowal and another pair was at pond nearby on the following day (15th) (Tom Callan).

16th April. Single pairs of Black-throated Divers were seen at two lochs in the Loch Avich area (Iain Gibson).

17th April. A heronry with four Grey Heron nests visible (three definitely occupied) was seen at Melfort, Mid-Argyll (NM834144, Iain Gibson).

18th April. On the ferry back to Oban from Colonsay this evening a group of six Manx Shearwaters was flying north, at about 20.45hrs when, out of nowhere, a Peregrine took one of the birds. Fortunately for the Manx the Peregrine lost grip and its intended supper fell into the water, whilst the Peregrine raced off towards the mainland (Alan Davis). There was a close encounter with a Great Northern Diver as one flew around the stern of the Islay ferry as it was going astern towards the pier at Port Ellen. Great Northern Divers in breeding plumage were also seen off Ardpatrick Point, Knapdale (four) and in West Loch Tarbert (three) (Malcolm Chattwood).

Return to Contents

Raptors, Rails etc

21st March. A juvenile Northern Goshawk was reported near Coullabus, Islay. A description is being supplied and, if accepted, it will be the first confirmed record on Islay for many years (Jeremy Hastings per Malcolm Ogilvie).

30th March. A female Hen Harrier was hunting the hill north of Loch Beg (NM 5229; Ron Youngman).

1st April. Two returning Ospreys were seen at Loch Ederline, Mid-Argyll (Bill Allan and Karl Pipes).

2nd April. Common Buzzards lived up to their name around Loch Awe this morning. Two were in flight over Eredine village (NM971094), five were interacting in and around a tall conifer by loch shore at Coille Chuil, near Blarghour (NM985131) and three were soaring off steep rock outcrop at Ballimeanoch Farm (NN012178) (Karl Pipes).

3rd April. An Osprey was at a (second) nest site on Loch Awe, Mid-Argyll (Karl Pipes)

5th April. Two White-tailed Eagles were reported at Loch Scammadale, near Oban, at least one of which was an adult bird (Bob Grove). A male Hen Harrier was hunting over Lochgilphead meadows (Jim Dickson).

8th April. A Northern Goshawk was reported on Islay – we are hoping for a detailed description (per Andy Schofield).

11th April. A Merlin flying along the coast at Portnahaven, Islay this morning was probably a migrant (John Armitage).

12th April. A Water Rail was at Balephuil, Tiree (John Bowler).

13th April. Two White-tailed Eagles were reported at Musdale, near Oban – possibly the same birds as those at Scammadale on 5th (per Richard Wesley). An Osprey over The Lodge, Arinagour, Coll at 09.30hrs today flew towards Cliad (Simon Wellock).

14th April. An Osprey flew north-east over Melfort , Mid-Argyll (Robert C Donaldson per Iain Gibson).

15th April. The first Corn Crake of the year on Tiree was calling at Balephuil (John Bowler). An Osprey was fishing in Loch Tulla, North Argyll at about 15.15hrs (Dr Nigel Suess).

17th April. A Red Kite was reported near Loch Gorm, Islay (Andy Schofield).

Return to Contents

Waders

29th March. A flock of 122 Golden Plovers was seen near Fidden Farm, Mull (NM 3021; Ron Youngman).

2nd April. Two Greenshanks were at Ulva Lagoons, Loch Sween (Jim Dickson). A very early Common Sandpiper was reported at Lochdon Bridge, Mull (Richard Atkinson per Alan Spellman).

7th April. Eleven Ringed Plovers and seven Turnstones were seen at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (David Warden).

8th April. Approximately 30 Northern Lapwings were in suitable nesting habitat in the Tayinloan, Kintyre area (Katie Pendreigh) and eight Golden Plovers in summer plumage were along the shores of Loch Spelve, Mull (Alan Spellman).

9th April. A total of c.3,700 Golden Plovers was at The Reef, Tiree and a Jack Snipe was at Ceann a' Mhara (John Bowler). Approximately 45 Turnstones at Otter Ferry were all still in winter plumage (Tom Callan).

10th April. A Common Snipe was drumming snipe above the house at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll this evening. Mary had never heard one there before (Mary Gregory).

11th April. A single Common Sandpiper was seen at East Loch Fada on Colonsay (Alan Davis). Four Bar-tailed Godwits were still at Loch Gilp and two Greenshanks were in the Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson). Approximately 2,000 Golden Plovers were at The Reef, Tiree and 400 were at Loch a' Phuill (John Bowler).

14th April. A flock of 44 Common Redshanks at Loch an Eilein, Tiree presumably comprised migrants (John Bowler).

16th April. Seven Whimbrels were seen north of the pier at Tayinloan, Kintyre (Katie Pendreigh). A Common Sandpiper was seen in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson) and one was also at Stremnishmore, The Oa, Islay (Andy Schofield). Two Greenshanks were seen in Fearnach Bay, Loch Melfort (NM834140; Iain Gibson).

17th April. Two Common Sandpipers were at Ardilistry, Islay and 35 Golden Plovers and two Dotterel were at Ballinaby (Andy Schofield). A few Black-tailed Godwits were around on Tiree, including seven at Loch Bhasapol and four at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler). Three Common Sandpipers were seen in Fearnach Bay (NM834140), Loch Melfort and one was at Loch na Cille (NM841126), Loch Sween (Iain Gibson).

18th April. Scattered groups of Golden Plovers were on Tiree with 4,200 concentrated at The Reef (John Bowler).

Return to Contents

Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks

23rd March. An early Sandwich Tern was at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).

2nd April. The adult Ring-billed Gull was showing very well today on the George Street foreshore, in Oban. It is now into the ninth month for this latest visit, having returned last August for its fourth consecutive winter (Stuart Gibson).

3rd April. A superb second-winter Iceland Gull was at Ardrishaig, just south of entrance to the Crinan Canal, perched on some boulders (Roger Broad).

5th April. A first-winter Glaucous Gull was at The Reef, Tiree (John Bowler).

8th April. Three Sandwich Terns were at Tayinloan, Kintyre (Katie Pendreigh).

9th April. A first-summer Iceland Gull was at Ormsary, Knapdale this afternoon (Jim Dickson) and the adult Ring-billed Gull was present in Oban again (Stuart Gibson). A survey of Black Guillemots at dawn at Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree, found 30 birds - up on last year's total (John Bowler). Two Sandwich Terns were at Port Ellen, Islay together with a first-winter Iceland Gull, and an adult Iceland Gull was at Bunnahabhain (Andy Schofield). Two more Sandwich Terns flew north at Tayinloan, Kintyre (Katie Pendreigh).

15th April. The first Little Tern was seen at Gott Bay, Tiree (John Bowler).

16th April. The first Common Tern was at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler), 12 Sandwich Terns were at Port Ellen, Islay and a Great Skua was at the Oa (Andy Schofield). At least 20 Razorbills were seen flying south through the narrows off Otter Ferry spit (Tom Callan).

17th April. A first-winter Iceland Gull was at Loch Bhasapol, Tiree (John Bowler).

18th April. Two Little Terns were at Gott Bay, Tiree. Single birds have been there daily at since 15 April (John Bowler). A first-winter (or possibly second-winter) Iceland Gull was at the Port Ellen ferry terminal, Islay (Malcolm Chattwood).

Return to Contents

Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.

30th March. Single Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen on Mull, in a wood west of Kinloch Inn, Kinloch (NM 533282) and in a coastal wood near Loch Buie (NM 589240) (Ron Youngman).

9th April. A very early Common Cuckoo was seen at Scalasaig, Colonsay (Alan Davis). A pair of Stock Doves visited the garden at Tayness, Kilmartin, Mid-Argyll where they were seen last summer (Brian John).

12th April. The first local Common Cuckoo was seen and heard at Colintraive, Cowal (Danielle and Graham Clarke).

14th April. The first Common Cuckoo on Mull was seen, but not heard, along the Grasspoint road this afternoon (Alan Spellman).

15th April. Another early Common Cuckoo was seen calling at the Victoria Bridge car park, north-west of Bridge of Orchy, North Argyll at 09.00hrs (Nigel Suess & George Cragg).

18th April. A Common Cuckoo was seen, being harassed by Meadow Pipits, at The Oa, Islay (Malcolm Chattwood).

Return to Contents

Passerines

13th March. A very early Northern Wheatear was reported on Islay (per Andy Schofield).

22nd March. An early Sand Martin was reported on Islay (per Andy Schofield).

23rd March. An early Northern Wheatear was at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).

24th March. A flock of Common Starlings at a garden at Drimfern, Glen Aray, Mid-Argyll had built up to at least 20 birds by this date and a Grey Wagtail was also present (Judith Witts).

31st March. Three Northern Wheatears were seen at the north end of Gleann Seilisdeir, Mull (Ron Youngman) and a Common Raven was seen at its nest site on Kerrara, near Oban (Ron Stevenson).

1st April. A single Barn Swallow was reported at Seil, Mid-Argyll (John Sedgwick) The same day that a group of 20 was at Kilchurn Castle (see Latest Report 69). A Little Bunting has been reported on Islay during the past week (Dave Budworth & Adrian Blackburn per Malcolm Ogilvie).

2nd April. A Common Chiffchaff was singing at Achnabreck, near Lochgilphead, Mid-Argyll and a female Northern Wheatear was at Ulva Lagoons, Loch Sween (Jim Dickson). Sand Martins were reported on Mull (per Alan Spellman).

3rd April. A Northern Wheatear was on the Loch Gilp shoreline nearer to Lochgilphead (Roger Broad) and another was at Tayinloan, Kintyre near Point Sands (Katie Pendreigh). A Redwing was in almost full song at Balephuil, Tiree and scattered small flocks around West Tiree numbered some 150 birds (John Bowler).

4th April. An early House Martin was seen at Kilbride Bay, Cowal and three Sky Larks were singing nearby (Daphne Campbell). Four Fieldfares were at Balephuil, Tiree (John Bowler). A Northern Wheatear was on the golf course at Balvicar, Seil Island (Richard Wesley).

5th April. A Magpie was seen in a garden at Peninver, Kintyre (NR758243) this morning (John Craig per David Lord) – also see 9th April and 12th April. Early spring has become a traditional time for wandering Magpies to be reported away from the core breeding area in the Dunoon area. According to the literature Magpies are very sedentary and there seems to be no mention anywhere of birds wandering in early spring. So, this behaviour is something of a mystery. Approximately 100 Redwings were noted in the Balephuil-Crossapol area of Tiree and 40 Fieldfares were at Crossapol (John Bowler).

6th April. A female Common Crossbill was seen feeding three or four young in the forest near Blarghour Farm, Loch Awe, Mid-Argyll (Delys Marks). Sand Martins had arrived in force in the Loch Awe area, with 65 at Loch Ederline, 15 at Loch Leathan and ten at An Lodan, and a single Barn Swallow was at Barsloisnoch. A total of 115 Meadow Pipits was around Kilmartin, and ten Sky Larks, a Redwing and 11 Fieldfares were seen in Kilmichael Glen, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson). Small numbers, of mainly male, Northern Wheatears were seen on Colonsay (Alan Davis). A Barn Swallow at Bridgend, near Lochgilphead was the first seen there (Malcolm Chattwood).

7th April. A lone early Barn Swallow flew over Bridgend, near Lochgilphead - ten minutes later there were a few snowflakes falling (Malcolm Chattwood). Three White Wagtails were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree with ten Pied Wagtails (John Bowler).

8th April. Two adult Common Crossbills (male & female) were at Achnabreck near Lochgilphead this morning and 15 Redwings were at Barsloisnoch, Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson). Two Northern Wheatears were on the golf course at Balvicar, Seil Island (Richard Wesley). The first Barn Swallow and a singing Willow Warbler were reported on Mull and a Common Chiffchaff was singing at Lochdon (Alan Spellman). Approximately ten Redwings were at Portnahaven, Islay this morning (John Armitage).

9th April. First Chiffchaffs of the year were heard singing at Loch Gair this morning (Paul Daw) and at Kilmory, near Lochgilphead (Malcolm Chattwood) and Otter Ferry (Tom Callan). The first Barn Swallow at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll was seen this evening (Mary Gregory). The first Willow Warblers occurred on Islay with a sprinkling of Sand Martins, Barn Swallows and Northern Wheatears (Andy Schofield). A Magpie was seen at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan) and Magpies have been reported in Cowal during the past week, near Colintraive and in Glendaruel (Arthur French per George Newall). Two Northern Wheatears were at Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree, and a Chiffchaff was at Balephuil (first of spring here), together with c.50 Redwings (John Bowler).

10th April. A Eurasian Nuthatch seen and photographed in a garden at Calgary, Mull was the first record in Argyll away from the mainland and only the sixth for the county (Andrew Mortley). Nuthatches have been spreading northwards in Scotland for some years and we may expect more Argyll records in the near future. A single Barn Swallow was seen at Scalasaig, Colonsay (Alan Davis). A Northern Wheatear was at Tayinloan, Kintyre and a Common Chiffchaff was singing at Largie Woods (Katie Pendreigh). The first Sand Martin was seen at Braevallich, Loch Awe (NM955077; Karl Pipes) and four Sand Martins were at Loch Feochan (Richard Wesley). A gathering of 17 Sand Martins was at a colony at Ormidale, Cowal with at least six burrows being refurbished (David Warden). A group of five Redwings was seen briefly in the garden at Bridgend, near Lochgilphead (Malcolm Chattwood).

11th April. Four Willow Warblers were singing at Corrow Farm near Lochgoilhead, with seven Sand Martins flying overhead. A single Common Crossbill and a pair of Grey Wagtails were in forestry nearby at Gleann Ban and a further six Crossbills were found west of Beinn Tharsuinn. Approximatley 300 Meadow Pipits, a female Northern Wheatear and 17 Hooded Crows were in fields west of Inveronich, Lochgoilhead (James Towill). A trio of Northern Wheatears was at Portnahaven, Islay this morning (John Armitage) and two Willow Warblers were singing at Barnluasgan, near Bellanoch, Mid-Argyll (though possibly fairly widespread by now) (Jim Dickson). A Barn Swallow was reported at Dunstaffnage, Mid-Argyll (per Robin Harvey). Three Northern Wheatears and 40 Redwings were at Balephuil, Tiree and a Siskin on a peanut feeder at Moss, Tiree was a rare sight there in spring (John Bowler). A single Willow Warbler was singing near the New Loch on Colonsay (Alan Davis). A mixed flock of 44 House Martins and Barn Swallows (c.60% House Martins:40% Barn Swallow) were feeding low over Loch Awe, near Blarghour Farm this evening (Delys Marks).

12th April. Two White Wagtails, two Northern Wheatears and two Linnets were at Port Ban, Tiree (John Bowler). A Chiffchaff was singing at Oban Seil, Seil, Mid-Argyll (Richard Wesley). More wandering Magpies - two were at Kilbride Croft, Seil, Mid-Argyll (Richard Wesley). Willow Warblers were widespread around Inveryne Farm, near Kilfinan, Cowal (Tom Callan).

13th April. A Lapland Bunting was located at the Glenforsa track up to the cottage of Kilbeg, near Salen Airstrip, Isle of Mull in amongst a very large flock of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails. It stayed feeding with two Pied Wagtails until 16th April and an excellent photograph was obtained that showed the bird was a first-winter female (Sylvia & Mick Brennan). A White Wagtail and four Linnets were at Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree and two Sand Martins were newly arrived at Loch a' Phuill (John Bowler). A Willow Warbler was singing at Camuslaich, Seil (Richard Wesley) and another was seen singing at Benderloch, North Argyll (Robin Harvey).

14th April. The first Tree Pipit of the year was singing at Tullochgorm (Minard) Mid-Argyll this morning (Paul Daw). A first Barn Swallow for the area was at Tayinloan, Kintyre - it had disappeared after half an hour (Katie Pendreigh) and a Common Chiffchaff was singing at Tighnabruaich, Cowal (Daphne Campbell).

15th April. Two Common Crossbills were seen in Raera Forest near Loch Seil, Mid-Argyll (Richard Wesley).

16th April. Six Barn Swallows and a White Wagtail were at Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree and two Barn Swallows, three Sand Martins and ten White Wagtails were at Loch a' Phuill (John Bowler). A Timed Tetrad Visit near Tullochgorm, Minard for the Breeding Atlas found nine singing Willow Warblers and four singing Common Chiffchaffs (Paul Daw). The first House Martin was back at Aros, Islay and a Barn Swallow was at Loch Gruinart (Andy Schofield). The Eurasian Nuthatch on Mull was seen again today - at Dervaig some two miles from the original sighting (Arthur Brown and Shaun McCullagh). A Northern Wheatear was at Kilmichael Glassary, Mid-Argyll, three Sand Martins were at Braevallich, Loch Awe and five Sky Larks and a Common Stonechat were at Moine Mhor (Karl Pipes). Two Willow Warblers were singing at Loch an Losgainn Mor, near Kilmelford. A male Common Crossbill was singing in Raera Forest, near Kilmelford (NM829151) and another male was flying north-east over NM831151 (Iain Gibson). A pair of Common Crossbills was copulating on the C11 road at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan)

17th April. A late, lone Waxwing was seen and photographed in a garden at Eredine, Loch Awe (Karl Pipes). Co-incidentally another late single Waxwing was seen at Kilmory, Mid-Argyll on exactly the same date in 2003. A female Yellowhammer was an unusual visitor to a garden at Drimfern, Glen Aray, Mid-Argyll (Judith Witts). A flock of 20 Siskins was in the garden at Aros, Islay (Andy Schofield) and no less than 25 Northern Wheatears were at Ceann a' Mhara late this afternoon (John Bowler). Two Northern Wheatears were seen in Fearnach Bay, Loch Melfort (Iain Gibson).

18th April. A very interesting female Crossbill with two white wing bars was photographed in the garden at Eredine, Mid-Argyll (Karl Pipes). Watch this space! Six Sand Martins were flying around the quarry at Auchgoyle, Millhouse, Cowal (NR960698; Jane Mitchell) and a Willow Warbler was singing at the ferry terminal at Kennacraig, Kintyre (Malcolm Chattwood).

Return to Contents

Other

4th April. An optimistic Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was at Balemartine, Tiree (John Bowler).

5th April. Another early Small Tortoiseshell was seen at Balvicar, Seil, Mid-Argyll (Richard Wesley).

20th. A lone Green-veined White butterfly flying in the garden at Tullochgorm, Minard, despite the stiff easterly breeze, was the first of the year here (Paul Daw).