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Wildfowl (and gamebirds) |
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Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)
4 August. At least 500 Common Eiders were in the Sound of Gigha together with 214 Common Scoters and 140 Red-breasted Mergansers (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). Three Ruddy Shellducks have been on Oronsay since the start of the month. Like most birds of this species they are presumably escapes or from one of the European feral populations. Nevertheless it is the first Argyll record of Ruddy Shellducks since 1997 when birds were seen on Islay and Tiree ('islaybirds.blogspot' per Jim Dickson).
5 August. At least 77 Canada Geese were at Dunamuck, Bridgend, Mid-Argyll (Malcolm Chattwood).
9 August. A flock of ten Common Scoters flew south past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
10 August. A flock of 46 Red-breasted Mergansers was at Crimean Ferry, Mid-Argyll. At least 70% of them were young birds (Malcolm Chattwood).
11 August. An adult Gadwall with one fledged young was at Kilmoluaig, Tiree.
16 August. Four Pintails were at Machrihanish (Jim Dickson).
17 August. At the mouth of the River Awe, Mid-Argyll, 16 Mute Swans were seen (James Towill).
18 August. A group of 12 Eurasian Wigeon flew south past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
19 August. A complete count of Common Eiders at Otter Ferry found a total of 410 birds (Tom Callan).
23 August. Four female type Goosanders were fishing in a pool on the spit at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan). Two more Goosanders were at the Add Estuary with eight Eurasian Wigeon and two Eurasian Teal (Jim Dickson).
26 August. Five Gadwall were at Kilmoluaig, Tiree (John Bowler).
27 August. A group of 38 Pintails flying south Machrihanish SBO was the largest flock ever recorded there (Eddie Maguire).
29 August. Two Goosanders and 15 Eurasian Wigeon were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson). Four Common Scoters were seen flying past Aird, Tiree (Nick Addey per John Bowler).
Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)
1 August. The first Balearic Shearwater of autumn was seen at Machrihanish SBO. Other singles were noted on 9, 12, and 25 August (Eddie Maguire).
4 August. Two Slavonian Grebes in breeding plumage, were in the Sound of Gigha (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
7 August. Five adult Red-throated Divers were seen near the Cruachan Dam Visitor Centre at Loch Awe at the fish ring, which allows trout that can jump over ring to escape. A juvenile Black-throated Diver had been seen there the previous day (6 Aug) (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
6 August. A total of 7,740 Manx Shearwaters flying south past Machrihanish SBO in 7hrs was the maximum day count for the month. In all some 23,000 were recorded during August (Eddie Maguire).
9 August. During the first of two Clyde Bird Club pelagic trips of 2008, which took place today, three European Storm-petrels noted between Lochranza and Ardlamont Point on the return leg of the journey (including one at NR970583) were arguably within the Argyll recording area (per James Towill). Six Black-throated Divers on the sea at Machrihanish SBO was the maximum count for the month (Eddie Maguire).
14 August. Six Manx Shearwaters were off Glas Eilean, Loch Fyne (Tom Callan).
16 August. A 1hr sea-watch off Hynish in SE wind force 6 with squalls at 1400-1500hrs produced two Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas, 16 Kittiwakes (two juveniles), 35 Fulmars, 360 Manx Shearwaters and 95 Northern Gannets (John Bowler).
18 August. Ten Sandwich Terns were feeding in the ferry narrows at Colintraive, Cowal (Tom Callan) and a total of 22 Grey Herons were at Loch Caolisport (Jim Dickson). A total of 17 European Storm-petrels flew south past Machrihanish SBO in 3hrs (Eddie Maguire).
19 August. Five Red-throated Divers (two pairs in breeding plumage and a juvenile) were off Ballimore, Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
22 August. Eight adult Black-throated Divers were at Skipness, Kintyre (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
23 August. A sea-watch from Hynish, Tiree, in SSE wind force 6-7, found six European Storm-petrels, 202 Fulmars, 493 Gannets, 456 Manx Shearwaters and a Red-throated Diver - all heading southwest (John Bowler).
24 August. Three Little Egrets were found at the head of West Loch Tarbert at mid-day (Julie Goodlet-Rowley/David Rowley)
25 August. When Jim Dickson went to check West Loch Tarbert he found no less than four Little Egrets at the head of West Loch Tarbert. They were always a bit distant and jumpy and had disappeared by the following day. This equals the largest previous group in Argyll (and Scotland) of four birds at Loch Don Head, Mull Oct-Nov 1969. Could this be the start of colonisation?! The first Sooty Shearwater of autumn appeared close inshore at Machrihanish SBO.
26 August. A total of 63 European Storm-petrels flew south past Machrihanish SBO in 4hrs (Eddie Maguire).
27 August. An early morning sea-watch at Aird, Tiree found a Balearic Shearwater, four Sooty Shearwaters as well as two Arctic Skuas and two Great Skuas (Nick Addey per John Bowler). Five Red-throated Divers flying past Machrihanish SBO was the maximum day count for the month (Eddie Maguire).
29 August. Three Red-throated Divers flew past Aird, Tiree this morning (Nick Addey per John Bowler).
31 August. Four Slavonian Grebes were seen in Loch Indaal, Islay (Jim Dickson). A moulting adult Red-throated Diver was, unusually, feeding for a prolonged period in very shallow water less than 5m from shoreline close to high tide at Otter Ferry. At least 20 Northern Gannets were feeding offshore at Otter Ferry, exploiting small fish 'boiling' on surface. (Tom Callan)
Raptors, Rails etc
2 August. A female Hen Harrier was at Balephetrish, Tiree (John Bowler).
3 August. A Moorhen was on the Crinan Canal near the swing bridge opposite Crinan Ferry (Malcolm Chattwood).
5 August. Two Hen Harriers were at The Reef, Tiree (Simon Wellock). A Merlin at Machrihanish SBO was the first of autumn (Eddie Maguire).
7 August. An Osprey was seen flying past the Cruachan Dam Visitor Centre, Loch Awe. A pair that has nested nearby this year has fledged two young (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
9 August. An Osprey was seen flapping across the Mishnish Lochs above Tobermory, Mull (John Addy).
11 August. A mowing survey on Tiree today revealed a brood of six Corn Crakes at Balemartine (John Bowler).
13 August. A Merlin was seen at Heylipol, Tiree (John Bowler).
15 August. Two Common Kestrels were seen at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
16 August. An Osprey was soaring in thermals at Eredine, Loch Awe (Karl Pipes).
18 August. A Hobby was reported chasing Swallows at Salum (Simon Wellock).
19 August. An Osprey was seen perched in bare trees upstream from Islandadd Bridge, Moine Mhor (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
20 August. A male Hen Harrier was seen flying west towards Lerags near Oban and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk was seen flying through a flock of Meadow Pipits at Scammadale (Bob Groves)
21 August. A ring-tailed Hen Harrier and a Common Kestrel were hunting along the Meall Reamhar ridge above Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
23 August. A nice collection of raptors at the Add Estuary this morning included two Ospreys, two Common Kestrels and two Peregrine Falcons (Jim Dickson).
28 August. An adult White-tailed Eagle circling around Carsaig Bay, Tayvallich, Mid-Argyll was not only being mobbed by gulls, but chasing them too! We got a very good view of it - no wing tags - and it was clearly an adult, magnificent but somewhat moth eaten due to moulting of its primary feathers (Morag & Norman Rea). An Osprey was seen at Loch Caolisport, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson).
31 August. A Peregrine Falcon flew through c.40 mobbing hirundines above Otter Ferry this morning (Tom Callan).
Waders
1 August. Waders in the Add Estuary included 20 Red Knot, two Dunlin, 25 Common Redshanks and two Common Sandpipers. A Ringed Plover, two Red Knot, seven Dunlin and 25 Common Redshanks were at Loch na Cille, Loch Sween, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson). A total of 38 Ringed Plovers was in the Otter Ferry area as well as 22 Eurasian Curlews, two Common Sandpipers and 25 Turnstones (Tom Callan). Fifteeen Black-tailed Godwits were at Cornaig, Tiree (John Bowler).
2 August. A total of 24 Black-tailed Godwits was at Cornaig, Tiree (John Bowler) and 15 Black-tailed Godwits were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
3 August. A small tight flock of 14 Red Knot was at Otter Ferry this morning (Tom Callan) and two Red Knot were with 70 Sanderling at Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree (John Bowler).
4 August. A Green Sandpiper was at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler) and four Greenshanks and five Black-tailed Godwits (including a colour-ringed bird) were at Loch an Eilein, Tiree (Jim Dickson). Two Bar-tailed Godwits, three Greenshanks and four Common Sandpipers were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). Ten Black-tailed Godwits and 40 Turnstones were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
5 August. A flock of 23 Black-tailed Godwits was near the Ringing Stone, Tiree (Simon Wellock).
6 August. Wader counts in the Add Estuary included 211 Oystercatchers and 35 Common Redshanks (Jim Dickson). Six Ruffs flying past Machrihanish SBO was a good total for this species (Eddie Maguire).
7 August. Just after dawn, several thousand birds were on the beach at Machrihanish Bay, Kintyre including a record number of Sanderlings. An impressive total of 760+ were scurrying along the strand with other grounded waders including 330 Oystercatchers, 210 Ringed Plovers, 180 Red Knot, 920 Dunlin, two Black-tailed Godwits, five Whimbrels, 60 Common Redshanks and 90 Turnstones. Later in the day, most of these flew south past the observatory (Eddie Maguire). Eight Red Knot were feeding in a tight group at Otter Ferry with 16 Eurasian Curlews (Tom Callan).
8 August. A Wood Sandpiper was flushed from Lossit Burn, Machrihanish and flew off inland calling. This scarce passage migrant is always a good find anywhere in Argyll. Three Greenshanks were also seen at Machrihanish (Eddie Maguire).
10 August. Ten Ringed Plovers and six Dunlin were at Loch na Cille, Loch Sween (Jim Dickson) and a Greenshank was at Ardrishaig, Loch Fyne (Bill Allan).
11 August. Four juvenile Red Knot were with 145 Sanderling at Gott Bay Tiree. The latter included an Icelandic leg-flagged bird which winters in Northern Ireland (John Bowler). Four Greenshanks were seen at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
12 August. Waders at the Add Estuary included 18 Ringed Plovers, five Dunlin, two Greenshanks and two Bar-tailed Godwits (Jim Dickson).
13 August. A single Ruff was with six juvenile Red Knot, 27 Dunlin and 94 Common Redshanks at Loch Caolisport, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson).
16 August. Four juvenile Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson). The total of 274 Sanderling flying past Machrihanish SBO contributed to an excellent monthly total 1,375 during Aug (Eddie Maguire).
17 August. A Common Snipe was seen with young at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll (Mary Gregory).
18 August. A big influx of waders around the coast of Tiree included 800 Sanderling (one leg-flagged bird), 45 Red Knot (one red adult), 370 Ringed Plovers, 200 Dunlin and 15 Bar-tailed Godwits (one red adult) at Gott Bay, and a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper at Milton (John Bowler). Two Greenshanks were seen at the head of Loch Feochan, near Oban; they only stayed a few minutes (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie). A nervous group of 14 Bar-tailed Godwits was at the mouth of Machrihanish Water, Kintyre. Nine migrant Common Sandpipers (including a group of four together) were the last seen during the month (Eddie Maguire).
19 August. A total of 26 Ringed Plovers was counted at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
20 August. Two Green Sandpipers (a scarce migrant in Argyll) were found at Loch Caol, Tiree (John Bowler) and a total of 15 Turnstones were counted at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
22 August. Seven Red Knot and 96 Dunlin were at Loch Caolisport. Twenty-two Ringed Plovers and six Turnstones were at Skipness, Kintyre and 18 Ringed Plovers were at Ardrishaig, Loch Fyne (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
23 August. The first Little Stint of autumn appeared at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
26 August. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen briefly at Loch a' Phuill this morning. It flew around with a flock of 35 Black-tailed Godwits, but then headed south. Approximately 2,500 Northern Lapwings and 1,000 Golden Plovers were around the west end of the island (Nick Addey/John Bowler). Three Little Stints appeared at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
27 August. A flock of 22 Eurasian Curlews was roosting at the spit at Otter Ferry and 41 Turnstones found nearby included many juveniles (Tom Callan).
28 August. Five Red Knot and 63 Dunlin were at Loch Caolisport, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson).
29 August. Waders in the Add Estuary included 13 Ringed Plovers, 17 Dunlin, four Red Knot, four juvenile Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank (Jim Dickson).
30 August. Two juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree. They arrived with seven Black-tailed Godwits but didn't hang around long before circling the loch a few times and flying off high to the south (John Bowler).
31 August. Approximately 1,500 Dunlin were at Loch Gruinart, Islay, as well as single Little Stint and Whimbrel (Jim Dickson). A total of 68 Turnstones were found in the Otter Ferry area as well as a single Dunlin with 17 Ringed Plovers (Tom Callan).
Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks
1 August. A single Sandwich Tern was at Otter Ferry this morning (Tom Callan).
3 August. Four Arctic Skuas at Machrihanish SBO were part of a total of 29 birds during August (Eddie Maguire).
4 August. Two Sandwich Terns were in the Tayinloan, Kintyre area (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan) and around 400 Kittiwakes were in Gulf of Corryvreckan, Jura/Scarba (Angus Keys).
5 August. A single juvenile Little Tern was at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
6 August. A total of 70 Black Guillemots flew north Machrihanish SBO in 7hrs (Eddie Maguire).
7 August. Clive Craik reports “this has been by far the worst year on record for Common Terns in my study area, with none settling to lay at the two largest colonies (Sound of Mull & Loch Melfort). So wandering adults might appear anywhere away from their usual haunts, looking for food I suppose. None in Loch Etive so none on show in Oban Harbour that Stuart [Gibson] reported in 2007. But fair success at the tern raft at South Shian in Loch Creran, where 100 or more adults can still be seen [on 7 Aug], although fewer are breeding. We ringed the last lot of young there. We arrived to find a mink in the trap in the enclosure on the raft where the terns nest. The live mink was surrounded by inquisitive large tern chicks staring goggle-eyed at it! Unfortunately the mink had killed five large young, about a quarter of those present, before entering the trap. But if the trap had not been there all would have been killed and the adults would have deserted, as happened there in 2005 (when no trap was placed).”
10 August. A single Sandwich Tern was at Loch na Cille, Loch Sween (Jim Dickson).
9 August. A ringed juvenile Mediterranean Gull photographed at Machrihanish SBO remained until 14 Aug (Eddie Maguire).
11 August. A single Puffin at Machrihanish SBO was the last of five singles seen during the month (Eddie Maguire).
13 August. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the fish cages south of Inverneil, Mid-Argyll at lunch-time with 80 Black-headed Gulls, and 384 Black-headed Gulls and 85 Common Gulls were at Loch Caolisport (Jim Dickson). An adult Black Guillemot was with a juvenile off Glas Eilean, Loch Fyne (Tom Callan).
14 August. A juvenile Little Gull flew northeast into Machrihanish Bay and 37 Sandwich Terns flew north in poor visibility due to drizzle (Eddie Maguire).
16 August. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull (moulting into first-winter plumage) at Machrihanish Water, Kintyre was seen again on the nearby golf course on 17 & 19 Aug (Jim Dickson/Eddie Maguire). An adult Ring-billed Gull feeding on grass (with Herring Gulls) at Oban High School Community Pitch earlier today was presumably the same returning bird arriving for its 5th winter! (Stuart Gibson).
18 August. Another juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at Loch Gilp at 17.00hrs. This now makes four in Argyll recently, (two juveniles at Machrihanish and one adult at Inverneill) and probably many more about (Jim Dickson)?
19 August. A Sandwich Tern was roosting on Kilmory foreshore, Loch Gilp (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
20 August. Five Sandwich Terns were present in Loch Gair, Mid-Argyll this morning (Paul Daw) and an adult Sandwich Tern was on the foreshore at Kilmory, Loch Gilp (Bill Allan).
22 August. Yet another new Mediterranean Gull (a ringed adult with clean under-wing) was seen near Ardrishaig, Loch Fyne this morning (and again at 16.30hrs), and two Sandwich Terns were at Skipness, Kintyre (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
23 August. A Great Skua was seen between Lady’s Rock and Duart Castle, Firth of Lorn attacking a tern (Dr Chris Edwards).
25 August. A total of 550 Kittiwakes flying south past Machrihanish SBO in 6hrs included at least 19 juveniles (Eddie Maguire).
26 August. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls with darvic leg-rings were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (Nick Addey/John Bowler).
28 August. Two Mediterranean Gulls were reported at Loch Gruinart, Islay (Andy Schofield per Jim Dickson). A Great Skua at Machrihanish SBO was one of only eight recorded there during the month (Eddie Maguire).
29 August. Two juvenile Sandwich Terns were at rest on the shores of Loch Gilp this morning (Paul Daw) and a juvenile Little Gull flew south past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.
3 August. A Turtle Dove arrived in a garden at Bunessan, Mull this afternoon and stayed long enough to be photographed (Pauline Reid per Alan Spellman).
4 August. Three Common Swifts were at Connel Bridge, Mid-Argyll this evening, with a minimum of seven in Oban 5mins later (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie). An early evening count at Burnside Square, Campbeltown found 50 Common Swifts, the peak count for the month (Eddie Maguire). A Great Spotted Woodpecker seen at Kinuachdrachd, Jura was an unusual record for the island although there were reports of one drumming in spring (Angus Keys).
6 August. Ten Common Swifts were flying over Lochgilphead (Malcolm Chattwood).
7 August. A single Common Swift was reported at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler).
9 August. Four Common Swifts were flying over Bridgend, Mid-Argyll. One on the following day (10 Aug) was the last sighting (Malcolm Chattwood).
13 August. A Short-eared Owl was at Heylipol, Tiree (John Bowler).
16 August. A single Common Swift was over Dalintart, Oban at 20.15hrs (Stuart Gibson) and another was at Machrihanish (Jim Dickson).
18 August. Two Common Swifts were seen at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler) and four were at Hynish (Simon Wellock).
21 August. A male, female and juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker were present in the garden at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan). A single Common Swift in Campbeltown was the last of the month there (Derrick Goode per Eddie Maguire)
27 August. A Barn Owl was seen near the fish farm at Largiemore, Otter Ferry this evening (Tom Callan).
28 August. A Barn Owl seen flying over the garden at Tullochgorm, Minard, Mid-Argyll at 18.30hrs was, perhaps surprisingly, the first one seen there in 12 years by the observer (Paul Daw).
Passerines
1 August. A single migrant Northern Wheatear was at Loch Crimean and two were at Loch na Cille, Loch Sween, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson). A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at Balinoe, Tiree (John Bowler) and c.15 Sand Martins were hawking over Loch Melldalloch, Cowal (Tom Callan).
3 August. Four Lesser Redpolls and two juvenile Robins were at Balephuil, Tiree and the colour-ringed Twite was at Carnan Mor again (John Bowler). Garden Bird Watch maxima at West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre in the past week included 60 Common Chaffinches; a Grey Wagtail was also recorded (Barbara McMillan).
4 August. Four Whinchats and six Sky Larks were in the Tayinloan area and flock of 15 Twite were at Loch na Cille, Loch Sween (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
6 August. An adult Lesser Grey Shrike was seen this morning at Balephuil, Tiree. It was very flighty and did not allow a close approach (making photography difficult). It was seen during 11.15-11.30hrs but not subsequently, despite searches (John Bowler). If confirmed it will be only the third ever record for Argyll. A single Northern Wheatear was at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
8 August. A Rose-coloured Starling was still feeding in a local garden with a small flock of Common Starlings at Bunessan, Mull. This bird first appeared at Dervaig on 30 July; it was seen again on 31 July, and was then located at Bunessan on 4th August (per Alan Spellman).
9 August. An adult and two juvenile Robins, two juvenile Goldcrests, six juvenile Willow Warblers, two Lesser Redpolls and a House Martin were seen at Carnan Mor /Balephuil Tiree on a day with fog and low cloud (John Bowler).
12 August. A Short-toed Lark was found at midday on a visit to The Reef, Tiree and was showing well again (and was photographed) at 16.30hrs (John Bowler/Duncan Orr-Ewing RSPB). If confirmed this will be a new addition to the Argyll list. Tiree does it again! A family of Goldfinches (two adults and four young) was eating thistle seeds by the gate at Drimfern, Glen Aray, Mid-Argyll (Judith Witts).
13 August. A Eurasian Nuthatch was again seen in a local garden in Craignure, Mull. This is very probably the same bird that seen at Craignure on 29 June. It could also be the same Nuthatch as that first recorded at Calgary during10th-12th April and then again at Dervaig a few days later (per Alan Spellman). The Short-toed Lark was still present this morning at The Reef - feeding in exactly the same spot as yesterday (John Bowler).
14 August. The Short-toed Lark was still present at The Reef, although getting harder to see, but could not be relocated on 15 Aug and seems to have gone (Jim Dickson/John Bowler). Four Northern Wheatears and a minimum of 30 Pied Wagtails (mostly juveniles) were seen at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
15 August. Two Eurasian Jays were seen in open woodland scrub at Ardchonnell, Loch Awe (Karl Pipes). Six House Martins were seen at Balephuil, Tiree (John Bowler). A Spotted Flycatcher at Machrihanish SBO was a new species for the observatory list (Eddie Maguire).
16 August. A walk along the West Highland Way between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy, North Argyll produced a Spotted Flycatcher feeding fledged young and Barn Swallows attending an occupied nest, both near Auch (NN327355) (Stuart Milligan per James Towill). A juvenile White Wagtail was at Machrihanish (Jim Dickson).
17 August. Barn Swallows with young still in the nest were noted at Inverary, and at least four nests were still in action at Bonawe Iron Furnace, Taynuilt with 60 individuals on lines nearby. Four Ravens flew over Maiden Island north of Oban in the evening - there was a distinct feeling of autumn on the way! (James Towill). Four young Lesser Redpolls at Carnan Mor seems to indicate a pair managed to breed successfully for only the second year on Tiree (John Bowler). A Spotted Flycatcher was seen at Kilchrenan, Glen Nant (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
18 August. Two juvenile Greenland Wheatears were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler), c.500 Barn Swallows were around East Tiree and a female Black Redstart was at Vaul (Simon Wellock). At least 25 House Martins around the house with Swallows at Lagganmore, near Kilninver ,Mid-Argyll were newly arrived (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
21 August. A female Common Whitethroat, three Common Stonechats, a Whinchat and nine Meadow Pipits were at Barr Lagan near Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
22 August. Another Rose-coloured Starling was reported on Islay, but with no details of its location (Becky Williamson per islaybirds.blogspot). It had apparently been present on the island for some days. Will anyone with more information about this bird please contact Jim Dickson (j.dickson@tiscali.co.uk)
24 August. A female/immature Common Redstart was at Carnan Mor, Tiree with 60 Barn Swallows (John Bowler). A single Yellowhammer was at Ardconnel, on the back road between Oban and Connel (Bob Grove).
25 August. A mixed flock of 100 hirundines just north of Loch Melldalloch, Cowal included more or less equal numbers of Sand Martins, Barn Swallows and House Martins (Tom Callan).
26 August. A Common Chiffchaff was singing at Kames, Cowal (Steve Petty).
27 August. A juvenile Common Chiffchaff (first of autumn on Tiree) and a juvenile Lesser Redpoll were at Balephuil, Tiree.
28 August. The Short-toed Lark first found on 12 Aug was again seen at The Reef, but had moved from its previous location. The female/immature Redstart was still at Carnan Mor this evening (John Bowler).
29 August. A flock of 65 Goldfinches was feeding on weed seeds along the shore near Kames, Cowal (Steve Petty). The Short-toed Lark was still present in the drizzle at The Reef, Tiree this afternoon (John Bowler) and a single Yellowhammer was at Carnassarie Castle, near Ford Mid-Argyll (Karl Pipes).
30 August. Twite numbers at Machrihanish SBO during August peaked at over 100 (Eddie Maguire).
31 August. A Pied Flycatcher was in the garden at Balephuil, Tiree with a Garden Warbler, a Common Chiffchaff, five Sedge Warblers, three juvenile Willow Warblers and three Robins. The immature male Redstart was still at Carnan Mor together with a Garden Warbler and two juvenile Willow Warblers (John Bowler). A total of 22 Lesser Redpolls were at Portnahaven, Islay (Jim Dickson). Four Grey Wagtails were seen at the fish farm at Largiemore, Otter Ferry (Tom Callan). A flock of 35 Lesser Redpolls was feeding on birch seed and 30 Goldfinches were feeding on weed seeds on Kames Golf Course. It seems to have been a very good breeding season for Goldfinches, apart from the flocks mentioned, there have also been very many family parties around Kames (Steve Petty).
Other
5 August. At least one Red Admiral butterfly was in the garden at Lagganmore, near. Kilninver, Mid-Argyll. One of very few reports in a year that has generally been poor for butterflies (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie). Numbers of Basking Sharks at Machrihanish SBO during August peaked at ten today. Unusually they were regular there during the month (Eddie Maguire).
15 August. A Bottle-nosed Dolphin with a calf close by swam slowly past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
16 August. Three Basking Sharks were seen off Hynish, Tiree this afternoon (John Bowler).
20 August. An Otter was close to the shore at Otter Ferry Fish Farm (Tom Callan).
31 August. At least six Harbour Porpoises were off Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
Butterflies around Kames, Cowal during August and early September. It’s been a good spell for Peacocks, with up to a dozen feeding on Buddleia bushes, knapweed etc. I have seen only a few single Red Admirals, one Small Tortoiseshell, but no Painted Ladies. There are still some worn Speckled Woods around, even in gardens and along the shore and Green-veined Whites are still plentiful! I saw my first ever Large White in Kames on 27 August and over the next few days there were seen daily, with three on one Buddleia bush on 2 September. (Steve Petty).
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