Update (number 75) on 24th August 2008 (sightings for late June-July 2008)

Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)

15th June. A pair of Eurasian Wigeon with a brood of five young, found at a site on Tiree, represents the first confirmed breeding for the island (John Bowler). This is always a rare breeding species anywhere in Argyll.

17th June. A pair of Mute Swans and six small cygnets were on the River Add at Islandadd Bridge, Moine Mhor (Malcolm Chattwood).

20th June. A total of 330 moulting male Common Eiders were counted at Traigh Bhagh, Tiree (John Bowler).

23rd June. A female Goosander was seen with four young along the River Cur at the top of Loch Eck (Peter Woods).

2nd July. Fledged broods of Gadwall and Shoveler were seen at Kilmoluaig Tiree as well as four Whooper Swans (newly arrived) and two drake Wigeon at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler)

7th July. A pair of Wigeon on the Add Estuary was either first of returning birds or failed local breeders (Jim Dickson).

12th July. A flock of 38 Greater Canada Geese was on Loch Glashan, Mid-Argyll (Paul Daw).

14th July. A flock of 21 male Common Scoters was seen heading west just off the Ringing Stone, Tiree (John Bowler).

16th July. A Common Quail was reported calling at Barrapol, Tiree this morning (Simon Wellock per John Bowler).

23rd July. A moulting flock of 420 Common Eiders was counted at Otter Ferry Spit (Tom Callan).

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

17th June. A total of 84 European Storm-petrels flew south in poor visibility off Machrihanish SBO in 3hrs (Eddie Maguire).

29th June. Six Storm Petrels were milling about off Hynish, Tiree in SW5 and rain (John Bowler) and at least 200 Northern Gannets were foraging off Uisaed Point, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).

1st July. Sea-watching off Hynish, Tiree, in S6-7 and rain, produced some 20 Storm Petrels, 45 Puffins, 150 Manx Shearwaters and 250 Razorbills flying past in one hour mid-morning (John Bowler).

12th July. At least four Red-throated Divers were seen on Loch Glashan, Mid-Argyll (Paul Daw).

22nd July. A minimum of around 250 Manx Shearwaters passed through the narrows at Otter Ferry in an hour in a steady stream of groups of 4–14 (Tom Callan). A feeding flock of c.40 Shags was seen between Iona and Fionnphort, Mull (Stuart Milligan).

25th Jul. A pair of Black-throated Divers was on a loch in Mid-Argyll with a three-quarter grown youngster. This is one of three young Black-throated Divers that have survived to probable fledging size in Argyll this year (Paul Daw/Roger Broad).

26th July. A Red-throated Diver was seen on Loch Restil, near the Rest and Be Thankful (Sue Furness).

27th July. The peak count of Manx Shearwaters at Machrihanish SBO for July occurred today, when 5,080 were logged in 3hrs. The first Balearic Shearwater did not appear until 1st August (Eddie Maguire).

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Raptors, Rails etc

May. Corn Crakes were reported calling near Keills, Loch Sween and north of Kilberry, Knapdale in May (Mark Smith per Mary-Lou Atchison/ Hugh Macdonald).

17th June. A male Hen Harrier and a male Common Kestrel were hunting along the ridge above Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).

20th June. Male Hen Harriers have been seen at two sites in Appin, North Argyll in the past week (Mike Gear).

30th June. Two White-tailed Eagles (male and female?) were seen flying over the Sound of Shuna, North Argyll (Mike Gear). An Osprey was seen flying slowly down Loch Glashan, Mid-Argyll this morning (Paul Daw).

1st July. A female Hen Harrier was seen hunting at a site in Appin North Argyll (Mike Gear).

13th July. Two young Ospreys were seen about 1 mile upstream of Islandadd Bridge, Moine Mhor - hanging about in dead trees waiting to be fed presumably and flapping about a bit over the river (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).

15th July. An Osprey was seen catching a fish in West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre at 13.30hrs (per Barbara McMillan). Two adult and three flying juvenile Ospreys were seen near Ford and a further five or more were seen at other points around Loch Awe (Tom Callan).

18th July A group of three Ospreys were seen apparently nest building(!) at the same spot as the two young birds were seen on 13th July (Bill Allan).

21st July. Four Common Kestrels (two males, a female and a juvenile) were seen at Keillmore, Loch Sween. One male, in the teeth of a very strong headwind, flew towards Jura at wave-crest height, eventually disappearing from view. A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen nearby (Karl Pipes).

22nd July. A total of 13 calling Corn Crakes were heard on Iona (Stuart Milligan).

27th July. Two Golden Eagles were seen flying over Ballygrogan, south of Machrihanish (Eddie Maguire).

31st July. Two Ospreys were again seen carrying in sticks to a tree at Moine Mhor. Could be prospecting for a new site next year (Jim Dickson)?

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Waders

17th June. Waders about in wet conditions on Tiree included 25 Sanderlings at Balephetrish Bay and 25 Turnstones with 10 Sanderlings at Hough Bay (John Bowler).

19th June. Fifteen Sanderlings appeared at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

25th June. A count of 28 Dunlin in breeding plumage at Machrihanish SBO was unusual for the time of year as was a flock of 25 adult Black-tailed Godwits, also in breeding plumage (Eddie Maguire).

27th June Seven Common Sandpipers were on passage at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

28th June. A total of 71 Eurasian Curlews flew south past Machrihanish SBO in 5hrs (Eddie Maguire)

30th June. A single Greenshank was seen at Loch Melfort, Mid-Argyll and a Common Sandpiper, which apparently only had one leg, was at Loch Feochan (Jim Dickson).

2nd July. A Curlew Sandpiper in beautiful breeding plumage was in the Add Estuary this evening as well as a Greenshank also in breeding plumage (Bill Allan).

7th July. Nine Common Sandpipers were counted in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson) and an early juvenile Turnstone appeared at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

12th July. Seven Red Knots were at the mouth of Machrihanish Water, Kintyre (Malcolm Chattwood).

13th July. Two adult Red Knots rested at Uisaed Point, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).

14th July. There were 18 Sanderlings at Balephetrish Bay, Tiree (John Bowler) and 12 passage Common Sandpipers were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

15th July. A flock of 73 Curlews were on a cut field at Kenovay, Tiree (John Bowler) and 25 Ringed Plovers were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire)..

18th July. Increasing wader numbers on Tiree today included 260 Sanderlings at Gott Bay and 55 Sanderlings and a Common Sandpiper at Vaul (John Bowler). Three juvenile Whimbrels were resting on the shore at Machrihanish and 15 Sanderlings, ten Dunlins and seven Turnstones flew past heading south (Eddie Maguire).

20th July. Two Common Sandpipers were seen on the shore of Loch Etive at Achnacreebeag, North Argyll (Stuart Milligan).

21st July. A first- summer American Golden Plover (with one Golden Plover) was seen and photographed at the Add Estuary from 16.00hrs. Also seen were three Greenshanks, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Dunlin and a Ringed Plover (Jim Dickson). Nine Greenshanks were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree and 38 Golden Plovers at Sandaig (John Bowler).

22nd July. A flock of 23 Turnstones in breeding plumage were the first returning birds seen at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).

24th July. Five adult Red Knots, three Greenshank and a single Whimbrel were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (Bill Allan).

25th July. Two Black-tailed Godwits were with Curlews and Oystercatchers at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).

26th July. A group of 11 Black-tailed Godwits were at Vaul, Tiree and eight more were at Loch a' Phuill (Bill Allan). Waders at Machrihanish SBO included three Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Dunlins, 19 Sanderlings, a Red Knot, two Common Snipe, a Whimbrel, and nine Turnstones. Totals of 37 Turnstones and 27 Ringed Plovers, included some juveniles, were at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).

27th July. A group of five Common Sandpipers were at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).

30th July. A Green Sandpiper was flushed from the Tayinloan Burn (Katie Pendreigh).

31st July. An excellent day for wader passage everywhere apparently! Waders at Gott Bay, Tiree included 745 Sanderlings and 315 Dunlin (John Bowler). An influx of 15 Common Redshanks appeared in Loch Crinan together with nine Red Knots, three Greenshanks, a Bar-tailed Godwit and up to nine Dunlin (Jim Dickson). Increasing numbers of Common Redshanks were at Otter Ferry with 34 at mid-day rising to 52 by 20.00hrs (Tom Callan). Meanwhile impressive totals at Machrihanish SBO included 290 Oystercatchers, 72 Red Knots, 210 Dunlin, 240 Sanderlings, a single Ruff, eight Black-tailed Godwits, two Whimbrels, 190 Common Redshanks and 75 Turnstones (Eddie Maguire).

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Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks

12th June. Up to eight Arctic Skuas were foraging off Machrihanish SBO. Birds were present daily for much of June an indication of the recently increased frequency of this species in summer (Eddie Maguire).

21st June. Ten Common Guillemots (two adult, eight sub adults) were among other auks off Ardcastle Point, Loch Fyne (Tom Callan).

23rd June. A pair of Great Skuas that had certainly nested at a site on Tiree was still around, but with no signs of chicks. A second pair was on territory at another site on the island, but did not nest (John Bowler). There were also reports of displaying birds at a site on the north coast of Mull and what with the recent nesting on Rum (per Roddy Mavor) Bonxies seem to be on the march southwards. Whether this will be good news for other seabirds remains to be seen!

26th June. At least 30 Sandwich Terns were at Machrihanish SBO. At least 20 pairs of Arctic Terns and six pairs of Common Terns are breeding at Machrihanish this year and c.15 pairs of Common Terns are breeding on the concrete dolphins at the NATO jetty in Campbeltown Loch (Eddie Maguire).

4th July. Approximately 32 Little Terns were counted at the breeding site in mid Kintyre - with several birds bringing in fish (Andy Robinson). A flock of 70+ Arctic Terns that arrived at Machrihanish SBO included a total of 11 second summer-type birds (Eddie Maguire).

6th July. A group of five Little Terns was resting on freshly uncovered rocks on Westport beach, near Campbeltown this morning (David Lord). Three adult Arctic Skuas (two dark, one pale phase) at Machrihanish SBO were among several seen there during the month (Eddie Maguire).

12th July. The first juvenile Sandwich Terns were at the tern colony at Machrihanish. Sadly not locally bred birds (Eddie Maguire).

13th July. A total of 60 Kittiwakes flew south in an hour off Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

15th July. A total of 27 Little Terns (including fledged young) were feeding off Aird, Tiree (John Bowler).

16th July. A single Leach's Storm-petrel performed obligingly for almost an hour at Machrihanish SBO possibly attracted by large numbers of terns, auks and other seabirds (including two European Storm-petrels and three Arctic Skuas) feeding there. The first Common and Arctic Terns fledged from the local tern colony and at least 1,000 auks (Guillemots/Razorbills) flew past in 5hrs (Eddie Maguire).

17th July. An Iceland Gull was newly arrived at Loch a' Phuill, Tireey. This is the second year running that one has appeared here in July (John Bowler). Seven Little Terns flew south past Machrihanish SBO and three more were at the tern colony (Eddie Maguire).

19th July. Two adult Arctic Skuas flew south past Machrihanish SBO followed some time later by an adult Pomerine Skua, the first of the year (Eddie Maguire).

21st July. At least three adult and three first-summer Kittiwakes were seen on Liath Eilean from a boat on Loch Fyne and at least 24 Black Guillemots were counted around Eilean Aoghainn (Paul Daw/Tom Callan).

23rd July. A total of 87 Common Terns (all adults) was counted loitering or fishing at Otter Ferry Spit, Cowal. Some had rings on their left legs (Tom Callan).

24th July. Approximately 700 Kittiwakes flew south past Machrihanish SBO in 4hrs (Eddie Maguire).

26th July. A lone Puffin was seen in the Firth of Clyde half a mile north of Inellan, Cowal (per Daphne Campbell).

27th July. An adult Sandwich Tern at Otter Ferry was the first of the autumn there (Tom Callan) and five Little Terns (including two juveniles) appeared at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

28th July. A dark-phase Arctic Skua was seen harassing a Great Skua that was eating a Common Guillemot chick at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

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Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.

22nd June, Three Common Swifts were over Balephuil, Tiree in the rain (John Bowler).

28th June. Four Common Swifts were seen over Bridgend, Mid-Argyll (Malcolm Chattwood).

30th June. A Common Cuckoo (?male) was seen sitting on fence posts on either side of the drive at a cottage in Appin, North Argyll and flying down to feed in grass (Mike Gear).

8th July. Two Common Swifts were seen over Traigh Bhi, Tiree (John Bowler).

10th July. A single Common Cuckoo was seen at Barsloisnoch, Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson).

12th July. Two Common Swifts were seen flying over Loch Glashan, Mid-Argyll this morning (Paul Daw).

22nd July. A Short-eared Owl was seen flying along Glen More, Mull (Stuart Milligan).

25th July. Six Common Swifts flew north past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

29th July. A flock of 20 or more Common Swifts was circling and screaming over Lochgilphead (Sue Chattwood).

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Passerines

14th June. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen at Castle Sween, Mid-Argyll (Malcolm Chattwood) and a male Pied Flycatcher was reported at Balnamoil, Mull of Kintyre (Phil Broadhead per Eddie Maguire).

19th June. Only 1km outwith the Argyll Recording Area, a long staying male Common Rosefinch was at the Real Food Cafe, Tyndrum (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).

21st June. A total of 34 Siskins was recorded during an Atlas Timed Tetrad Visit at Ballimore, near Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).

22nd June. At least one pair of Pied Flycatchers was present at Bonawe, North Argyll (Bill Allan). This is now a very scarce species in Argyll.

23rd June. Two Rose-coloured Starlings were seen and photographed in a garden at Clachan, Seil, Mid-Argyll (J. & E. Mellor per Jim Dickson). Two male Common Whitethroats were in recent clear-fell site near Otter Ferry and two more were above the fish farm at Largiemore (Tom Callan).

25th June. An adult Whinchat feeding two young and a male Reed Bunting were seen at Drimfern, Glen Aray, Mid-Argyll (Judith Witts).

27th June. A total of nine Whinchats, including recently fledged young, were seen during an Atlas Timed Tetrad Visit near Otter Ferry this morning (Tom Callan).

28th June. A male Common Crossbill was seen briefly at Balephuil, Tiree and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at Kenovay (John Bowler).

29th June. Another Nuthatch on Mull - one was seen at a feeder in a garden just outside Craignure, at 09.00hrs (P. Hall).

30th June. A juvenile Common Redstart was seen at Drimfern, Glen Aray, Mid-Argyll (Judith Witts). Among birds seen during a Timed Tetrad Visit for the Atlas this morning at Largiemore, near Otter Ferry were 46 Barn Swallows and six Bullfinches (Tom Callan).

2nd July. A Rose-coloured Starling was reported near Gartcharran, Loch Craignish (Jan Brown). A family group of five Common Crossbills were at Creag an t' Sionnaich, near Otter Ferry this morning (Tom Callan)

3rd July. A flock of 14 Rooks (mainly adults, but some juveniles) was unusual visitors to Otter Ferry. Numbers had increased to 40 by 15th July (Tom Callan). Among birds seen during a Timed Tetrad Visit for the Atlas this morning in Glendaruel, Cowal were 18 Goldfinches, six Siskins, three Lesser Redpolls and two Reed Buntings (Tom Callan).

5th July. A male Golden Oriole was seen briefly in garden at Balephuil, Tiree at 21.10hrs and a male Common Whitethroat was song-flighting at West Hynish (John Bowler).

8th July. An adult Spotted Flycatcher was seen feeding a chick at Keills, Loch Sween (John Aitchison).

9th July. Seven Common Crossbills were seen at Achnabreck, near Lochgilphead (Jim Dickson).

11th July. A flock of 31 Red-billed Choughs was feeding together at Ardnave Pint, Islay (Malcolm Chattwood).

12th July. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling and a recently fledged young Bullfinch was seen with an adult at Loch Glashan, Mid-Argyll this morning (Paul Daw).

13th July. A family party of five Common Crossbills were at Otter Ferry feeding on European Larch cones (Tom Callan).

17th July. A singing Grasshopper Warbler was photographed on the Crinan Ferry road, Moine Mhor with possibly another one there and an immature Whitethroat (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).

18th July. At least 40 Mistle Thrushes moved through Otter Ferry in a loose flock. They appeared to be mainly juveniles (Tom Callan).

20th July. A juvenile Common Whitethroat was seen in the garden at Tullochgorm, Minard this morning (Paul Daw).

20th July. A single Linnet and five Siskins were seen at Seabank, South Shian, North Argyll, three juvenile Stonechats were at Eriska Bridge and a Yellowhammer was singing at Achnaba, North Argyll (Stuart Milligan).

22nd July. A flock of c.20 Twite were seen on Iona (Stuart Milligan) and a calling Yellow Wagtail (a rare passage migrant in Argyll) flew low over Uisaed Point, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).

26th July. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers was reported at the Cemetery at Millhouse, Cowal (Daphne Campbell) and the first White Wagtail was at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).

27th July. An unseasonable fall of migrants occurred in West Tiree in a southerly breeze accompanied by intermittent thick sea fog. Species included - a Lesser Whitethroat, six Goldcrests (all juveniles), a Lesser Redpoll and a colour-ringed Twite, which had been ringed at Heysham, Lancashire during the 2005/06 winter (John Bowler). The peak July count of Twite at Machrihanish SBO was 12 today (Eddie Maguire). Up to 10 Northern Wheatears on the beach at Gott Bay, Tiree this morning were a surprise. Some looked good for Greenland Wheatear (so probably very early?) (Bill Allan).

30th July. Another Rose-coloured Starling was seen today, this time at Dervaig, Mull (P. & A. Brown per Alan Spellman). There has been quite an influx of Rose-coloured Starlings since early June with records all over Britain (per Birdguides).

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Other

22nd June. A Minke Whale and a Basking Shark were seen and photographed in the Otter Ferry narrows by visitors (per Tom Callan).

23rd June. A Basking Shark was feeding in front of the house in the Kyles of Bute just north of Tighnabruaich for about 15 minutes at around 19.00hrs (Daphne Campbell).

20th July. Excellent views were had of two Pine Martens crossing forestry track at Balcardine Forest, North Argyll (Stuart Milligan).

24th July. An amazing total of 73 Basking Sharks were counted between Baugh and West Hynish, Tiree (Bill Allan).

26th July. A breaching Minke Whale was seen off Balemarine, Tiree (Bill Allan).