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Wildfowl (and gamebirds) |
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Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)
1 September. Five Common Scoters flying south at Machrihanish SBO were part of a total of 26 seen during September (Eddie Maguire).
5 September. Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese that had been at Loch Gruinart, Islay since 31 Aug were joined by a colour-ringed bird today. The latter had been ringed as a juvenile at De La Beche Bay, south-west Bathurst Island, Canada on 8 August 2007 and was present at Dundrum Bay, Co. Down, Northern Ireland during winter 2007-2008 (Jim Dickson). Interestingly another Brent Goose, marked with a yellow collar at Bathurst Island on 20 Jul 1975, was seen in Loch Gruinart on 14 May 1979. It had also spent an earlier winter (1975/76) in Ireland, at Strangford Lough and Dublin Bay (Malcolm Ogilvie). A total of 75 Eurasian Wigeon was at Loch Indaal, Islay (Jim Dickson).
8 September. Three Mandarin Ducks were seen on the River Cur at the head of Loch Eck, Cowal (Alex Nicol).
9 September. Four Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Tayinloan, Kintyre (Katie Pendreigh).
13 September. Totals of 25 Eurasian Teal, 118 Eurasian Wigeon and four Goosanders were in the Add Estuary and a juvenile Pochard was an unusual visitor in Loch Crimean (Jim Dickson)
14 September. A total of 74 Eurasian Wigeon was at the head of Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson). At least 80 Common Pheasants were seen on the roadside near Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
15 September. Three Eurasian Teal, 112 Mallards, 77 Common Eiders and seven Red-breasted Mergansers were seen during the WeBS count at Holy Loch Cowal (George Newall).
16 September. The returning white-morph Snow Goose was back (from Iceland?) with 20 Greylag Geese in the field just north of the Craobh Haven turnoff of the A816 Mid-Argyll (NM 8007) (Bill Allan).
17 September. During the Firth of Clyde Eider count, 407 Common Eiders were found between Kilfinan Bay and Otter Ferry fish farm (Tom Callan).
18 September. A single Shoveler in Machrihanish Bay, in the company of nine Eurasian Wigeon, was an unusual visitor (Eddie Maguire).
20 September. A total of 84 Eurasian Wigeon was in the Add Estuary, Mid-Argyll (Malcolm Chattwood). Six Whooper Swans flying south at Machrihanish SBO were the first of autumn, and a flock of 51 Canada x Barnacle Geese were at the north end of Lussa Loch, Kintyre with a single White-fronted Goose (Eddie Maguire).
21 September. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose with yellow plastic leg rings X & 2 photographed today at Machrihanish SBO had been marked as an adult at Skerjafjöður, Iceland on 17 May 2007 and spent the previous winter (2007/2008) at Strangford Lough and Dublin Bay (Eddie Maguire/Graham McElwaine).
22 September. A total of 18 Red-breasted Mergansers was seen in Loch Gair (Paul Daw).
23 September. Twelve Mute Swans, nine Canada Geese, 45+ Eurasian Wigeon and 6+ Eurasian Teal were at Ulva Lagoons, Loch Sween (Paul Daw).
25 September. Nine Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Loch Gorm, Islay on 24 Sep and c.30 Barnacle Geese were at Loch Gruinart (John Armitage).
28 September. A single Pintail flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire)
29 September. The white-morph Snow Goose was relocated at one of it's regular sites, in fields 500m south of Balvicar village, Seil island (NM765165) (Bill Allan).
1 October. At Machrihanish SBO, 18 Barnacle Geese, ten Pintails, one Shoveler and 54 Greater Scaup were seen passing south (Eddie Maguire).
2 October. Seven Brent Geese were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
3 October. The Snow Goose was back at fields 500m south of Balvicar Village - off B8003 road after a couple of days of absence (Bill Allan)..
4 October. Four Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at the west end of Gott Bay, Tiree and 150+ Pink-footed Geese were seen flying south-east. Seven Whooper Swans at Kilmoluaig included two juveniles (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan/Tom Callan). A flock of 26 Whooper Swans flew in off the sea, 40 Barnacle Geese and 183 (in one hour) Greater Scaup flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire). A Red-legged Partridge seen in a garden at Glenbranter, Cowal was the first record for this area (Peter Woods).
5 October. An adult Greenland White-fronted Goose flew in off the sea at West Hynish, Tiree, and 35 Whooper Swans and nine Tufted Ducks were at Loch a' Phuill (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
6 October. A total of 13 Whooper Swans was on the Ulva Lagoons, Loch Sween with a single Mute Swan (Morag Rea). Barnacle Geese on Tireeincluded 20 at Middleton, five at Vaul and four at Aird (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
7 October. A total of 62 Whooper Swans was at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree together with a male Gadwall, an immature Greater Scaup, an immature Goldeneye and 17 Tufted Ducks (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
8 October. A Greenland White-fronted Goose with a red collar number J3H was seen in a flock of 37 birds at Claddach, Islay. It had been caught in west Greenland in July 2008 (John Armitage/Tony Fox). Nine adult Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree, eight Tufted Ducks were at Loch Bhasapol and 85 Barnacle Geese flew south-east at Gott (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
9 October. A pair of Gadwall and two immature Common Goldeneyes were at Loch a' Phuill (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
10 October. A single Gadwall was at Mannal, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
14 October. The Snow Goose was in fields 500m south of Balvicar Village, Seil again, with migrant Greylag Geese (Bill Allan).
16 October. A group of 14 Whooper Swans were asleep on the salt marsh in the Add Estuary this morning, and a total of 96 Greylag Geese were on the north moss at Moine Mhor (Paul Daw).
Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)
Leach's Storm-petrel/Sooty Shearwater/Manx Shearwater. It was a very poor September for these species at Machrihanish SBO, owing to mainly off-shore winds. There were no records of Leach’s or Sooty Shearwater, less than 2,000 Manx Shearwaters and few auks passing south. It was also a very poor year for these species in Northern Ireland with no ideal winds until the 30th Sep, when two Leach's Storm-petrels were at Ramore Head (George Gordon – Northern Ireland Recent Report for September 2008).
31 August. Four Slavonian Grebes were in Loch Indaal, Islay (Jim Dickson).
3 September. A single European Storm-petrel at Machrihanish SBO was the only record during September (Eddie Maguire).
5 September. Five Manx Shearwaters, in a loose group with 20 mixed auks, were seen from the Tarbert - Portavadie Ferry, Cowal (Tom Callan).
13 September. A Red-throated Diver, three Great Northern Divers (still in breeding plumage) and a Slavonian Grebe were seen from ‘West Coast Salmon’, Kintyre (Malcolm Chattwood). The Clyde Bird Club pelagic boat trip recorded 118 Manx Shearwaters between Ardlamont Point and Toward Point (thus taking in the Kyles of Bute) (per James Towill).
14 September. A juvenile Great Cormorant photographed from the hide at Machrihanish SBO with 'FIZ' in green on white plastic ring had been ringed as a chick at Inverbervie, Aberdeenshire on 28/06/2008 (Eddie Maguire). It would be interesting to know the route it had taken to get to Argyll. Single Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Northern Gannet and Great Cormorant were seen in Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan).
18 September. Four European Storm-petrels were noted from the ferry north-east of Coll (Jim Dickson).
19 September. A seawatch at Portnahaven, Islay in a south-west wind during 0745-0945hrs found nine Red-throated Divers flying south (John Aitchison).
21 September. Two Great Northern Divers flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
22 September. A group of six Little Grebes were seen together in Loch Gair (Paul Daw).
23 September. At least nine Grey Herons were standing in a loose group at Ulva Lagoons, Loch Sween (Paul Daw).
27 September. A seawatch during 07.45-10.45hrs at Claddach Islay in fresh a south-west wind found seven Red-throated Divers flying south, a Sooty Shearwater and just 105 Manx Shearwaters (John Armitage).
29 September. A single Balearic Shearwater flying south at Machrihanish SBO was the only record for September (Eddie Maguire).
1 October. Seven Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver and one Leach's Storm-petrel flew south at Machrihanish SBO and 100 Manx Shearwaters flew south in 4hrs (Eddie Maguire). At least 35 Northern Gannets in a tight group were fishing for about 1hr of Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
4 October. Two Great Northern Divers were in Gott Bay, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
5 October. Two Red-throated Divers were seen off Hynish, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
8 October. A Great Crested Grebe in winter plumage at Loch a' Phuill was the first record for Tiree since 1952 (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan)!
Raptors, Rails etc
There was a very interesting late report of a White-tailed Eagle in South Kintyre. A wing-tagged immature bird was seen from a kayak at Borgadalemore Point, near the Mull of Kintyre on 26 July, and what was possibly the same bird was seen next day by the same observers at Glenehervie, south-east Kintyre (D.E Wilcox per Eddie Maguire) The wing tag was on the upper right wing only and was either white or very pale yellow (friend) with a black letter or digit, possibly O. It was thus probably either (yellow O) hatched 2006 on Mull or (white O) hatched 2007 on Western Isles (Roger Broad).
12 September. A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen at Achnabreac, near Lochgilphead (Malcolm Chattwood).
13 September. A late Osprey and a female Hen Harrier were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
14 September. A late Osprey was seen flying over Furnace, Mid-Argyll this morning (Paul Daw).
16 September. Two Golden Eagles were soaring over Lossit Estate, near Machrihanish, Kintyre for over an hour (Eddie Maguire). Two immature/female Hen Harriers a Peregrine Falcon and an Osprey were all seen in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
19 September. An Osprey was seen ay Loch Gilp carrying a fish inland in direction of the Still Lochs!
20 September. A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was seen at Achnabreac, near Lochgilphead (Sue Chattwood) and four Common Kestrels were around Lussa Loch, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).
23 September. A Merlin was seen to catch a Twite at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
25 September. A Red Kite was reported from The Oa, Islay in the morning (Andy Schofield per John Armitage).
30 September. A juvenile Golden Eagle was seen soaring above Meall Reamhar to the east of Strone Road near Otter Ferry, Cowal (Tom Callan).
1 October. A Peregrine Falcon was soaring over clear fell near Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
4 October. A Merlin was seen at Crossapol Bay, Tiree and a Water Rail was at Hynish (Tom Callan/ Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
9 October. Two Coots were seen on Loch Bhasapol, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
11 October. At least two Eurasian Sparrowhawks, two Hen Harriers, three Common Kestrels and three Peregrine Falcons were seen on Tiree during the week 4–11 October (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
Waders
31 August. A maximum of c.1,500 Dunlin was at Loch Gruinart with a single Whimbrel and Little Stint (Jim Dickson).
1 September. A juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found in a flock of 1,500 Golden Plovers at Greenhill, Tiree this afternoon on the mowing survey (John Bowler)
2 September. Totals of 65 Red Knot, 18 Sanderling and 22 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Gruinart (Jim Dickson), and 15 Sanderling and ten Red Knot flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
4 September. Ten Dunlin at Machrihanish SBO were part of a total of just 31 recorded during the month; 39 Common Redshanks were also present (Eddie Maguire).
5 September. An American Golden Plover was found and photographed in a large flock of Eurasian Golden Plovers at Greenhill, Tiree. It was still present on 6 Sep (Keith Gillon).
6 September. Two Wood Sandpipers were at RSPB Loch Gruinart, Islay (Jim Dickson).
8 September. Totals of 26 Ringed Plovers (50% juveniles), 24 Eurasian Curlews, one Common Redshank and 65 Turnstones were in the Otter Ferry area (Tom Callan).
9 September. Two Red Knot and eight Dunlin were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
11 September. Two Grey Plovers, two Bar-tailed Godwits and a Whimbrel flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
12 September. A Common Sandpiper and a Bar-tailed Godwit flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
13 September. Two Greenshanks and 19 Bar-tailed Godwits were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
14 September. Eight Bar-tailed Godwits in winter plumage were at the head of Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll (Jim Dickson).
15 September. Totals of 548 Oystercatchers, 18 Ringed Plovers, 64 Eurasian Curlews, two Common Redshank and 16 Turnstones were seen during the WeBS count at Holy Loch Cowal (George Newall). A juvenile Baird's Sandpiper was an unexpected find at the Add Estuary this afternoon. Also present were three Curlew Sandpipers, 11 Dunlin and four Greenshanks. Two more Greenshanks were at Linne Mhuirich, Loch Sween (Jim Dickson).
16 September. Three Curlew Sandpipers, 14 Dunlin and three Greenshanks were all seen in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson). Ten White Wagtails at Machrihanish SBO were part of a monthly total of 72 on 18 dates in September (Eddie Maguire).
17 September. A juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree, and a Little Stint and nine Ruffs were at Barrapol (Jim Dickson). A Pied Flycatcher was at Barrapol, Tiree (Jim Dickson).
18 September. A big influx of Common Snipe was noted on Tiree – at least 100 scattered individuals (Jim Dickson).
19 September. Seven Dunlin, three Curlew Sandpipers, three Red Knot and two Greenshanks were seen in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
21 September. Three Bar-tailed Godwits flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
23 September. Three Northern Lapwings, nine Golden Plovers and small numbers of Oystercatchers and Eurasian Curlews were at Ulva Lagoons/Loch na Cille, Loch Sween (Paul Daw).
25 September. One or possibly two Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Indaal, Islay (John Armitage).
27 September. Two Black-tailed Godwits were at the Reserve pools at Loch Gruinart, Islay and Common Snipe numbers were increasing there (John Armitage).
4 October. A juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found at Vaul golf course, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
5 October. On Tiree today, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen near Ruaig, a Black-tailed Godwit was at Loch a' Phuill and a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was near Middleton (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
6 October. A Greenshank on the shores of Linne Mhuirich, Loch Sween near Tayvallich had also been present on 21 September. A single Bar-tailed Godwit was at the Danna causeway (Morag Rea).
7 October. A juvenile American Golden Plover at Balevullin, Tiree had been glimpsed briefly the previous day and another juvenile American Golden Plover (brighter coloured) was at Loch a' Phuill (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). Twelve Ringed Plovers, 120 Sanderlings, and eight Dunlin were at Traigh Mhor, Gott Bay, Tiree (Tom Callan).
8 October. A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper (a new bird) was at Loch an Eilein, Tiree, a juvenile Pacific Golden Plover was at Barrapol (Dotterel sized/shaped bird with pale yellow wash on u/parts + tertials = tail tip & small pp projection), and the juvenile American Golden Plover was still at Balevullin (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). A flock of 58 Eurasian Curlews were at Middleton, Tiree, 56 Turnstones were feeding on machair along with Golden Plovers and Lapwings at Balevullin, and a minimum of 80 Turnstones were feeding on the dunes at Traigh Ghrianal with Starlings and Lapwings (Tom Callan).
9 October. Three Red Knots were in Gott Bay, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
10 October. A juvenile American Golden Plover at Sandaig, Tiree was a greyer bird than those seen earlier in the week (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). Two Black-tailed Godwits were with about ten Curlews at Kirkapol, Tiree and two more Black-tailed Godwits were with about 20 Curlews at Crossapol (Tom Callan).
15 October. Waders on the spit at Otter Ferry included a minimum of 480 Oystercatchers, 20 Ringed Plovers, 24 Eurasian Curlews, 12 Common Redshanks and 64 Turnstones (Tom Callan).
Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks
1 September. A single Puffin at Machrihanish SBO was the only record during September (Eddie Maguire).
3 September. A single Great Skua at Machrihanish SBO was the only record during September (Eddie Maguire).
8 September. Three Sandwich Terns were at Killail, Otter Ferry, Cowal (Tom Callan).
12 September. A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was present at Machrihanish SBO during 12-14 September. (Eddie Maguire).
13 September. The Clyde Bird Club pelagic boat trip today recorded 160 Common Guillemots and 28 Sandwich Terns between Ardlamont Point and Toward Point (thus taking in the Kyles of Bute) (per James Towill).
14 September. A single Sandwich Tern and a ‘comic’ tern were at the head of Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll (Malcolm Chattwood). Three Sandwich Terns were seen there later and four Common Terns were in Loch Caolisport (Jim Dickson). A Great Skua flew several times around a boat off the north coast of Jura giving excellent views (Roger Broad).
15 September. Two Sandwich Terns were seen during the WeBS count at Holy Loch, Cowal (George Newall).
16 September. Two Arctic Terns flying south at Machrihanish SBO were the only record of this species during September (Eddie Maguire).
17 September. During the Firth of Clyde Eider count 14 Black Guillemots were found between Kilfinan Bay and Otter Ferry Fish Farm (Tom Callan).
21 September. Five Sandwich Terns were seen at Machrihanish SBO and a single, adult dark-morph Arctic Skua was the only record during September (Eddie Maguire).
23 September. A total of 101 Black-headed Gulls was in the Otter Ferry area (Tom Callan).
25 September. Auks off Otter Ferry included 32 Common Guillemots, and 14 Black Guillemots between Largiemore and Liath Eilean, Loch Fyne (Tom Callan).
27 September. A seawatch at Claddach Islay this morning found a Great Skua, a few Kittiwakes and c.90 auks (John Armitage).
29 September. A Gull-billed Tern was found in the Crossapol area of Tiree by Mike McKee. It was later seen and photographed by Jim Dickson (see recent photographs) and Simon Wellock and remained in the Crossapol/Loch an Eilein area until 3 October. This will be a new species for the Argyll list if accepted by BBRC and is a considerable rarity in Scotland with only nine previous records, usually in the period May-Jul (Birds of Scotland).
1 October. A flock of at least 500 gulls feeding in Otter Ferry bay included at least 350 Black-headed Gulls (Tom Callan).
2 October. An Arctic Tern and two Sandwich Terns flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
4 October. A single Great Skua flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
8 October. Three late Arctic Terns were in Vaul Bay, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
9 October. Two late Arctic Terns were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.
4 September. A Common Kingfisher was seen at Loch Gair, Mid-Argyll (Ian Smith). It was seen there subsequently by others over the following few days.
7 September. A flock of 42 Wood Pigeons was seen at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
17 September. A Common Kingfisher was seen flying over Loch Fyne at Dalchenna, near Inveraray during the Firth of Clyde Eider Count (Paul Daw).
7 October. A Barn Owl was seen at Durran, near Eredine, Loch Awe (NM959080) this evening (Karl Pipes).
Passerines
1 September. Twelve Greenland Wheatears were in the Hough/Kilkenneth area of Tiree with the odd White Wagtail also about (John Bowler)
4 September. A single Common Whitethroat was at Cladville, Islay (Jim Dickson).
5 September. A flock of 65 Goldfinches was at Portnahaven, Islay and other flocks of 30 or more were also seen (Jim Dickson) and a flock of 25 Goldfinches at Kilfinan, Cowal included many juveniles. Approximatly 300 mixed Barn Swallows and House Martins were on overhead wires, also at Kilfinan (Tom Callan).
7 September. Three Common Whitethroats and flocks of 60 Goldfinches, 40 Lesser Redpolls (feeding on birch seed) and 19 Mistle Thrushes were on Kames Golf Course, Cowal. A single Blackcap was in Kames feeding on elderberries (Steve Petty).
8 September. Flocks of 40 Meadow Pipits and 35 Goldfinches were at Kilfinan, Cowal (Tom Callan).
9 September. A group of 14 Mistle Thrushes were on overhead wires near Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
10 September. A flock of 16 Mistle Thrushes flew over Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
12 September. The autumn Dipper arrived on the Lusragan Burn, Connel, Mid-Argyll (Mike Harrison).
13 September. Two White Wagtails were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
14 September. A Northern Wheatear was on the beach at North Connel, North Argyll (Mike Harrison). At least 200 Barn Swallows were on overhead wires at Kilfinan, Cowal and a flock of 30 Meadow Pipits was nearby. A group of 21 Common Ravens between Kilfinan and Millhouse were interacting with a few Jackdaws, three Buzzards, two Sparrowhawks, and at least one Kestrel, and 30 Goldfinches were at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
16 September. At least 20 Mistle Thrushes were flying to and fro with a few Song Thrushes at Glenbranter, Cowal (Peter Woods). Two Lesser Redpolls were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire), and two Northern Wheatears were seen in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
17 September. A single Northern Wheatear was seen at Furnace, Mid-Argyll during the Firth of Clyde Eider Count; and two House Martins and groups of up to 20 Barn Swallows were flying south down Loch Fyne – the last seen in the area (Paul Daw). The last Swallows were also seen in Connel, Mid-Argyll (Mike Harrison). In general the departure of Swallows seems to have been earlier this year (Paul Daw). A flock of 20 Song Thrushes with 20 Mistle Thrushes were at Loch Melldalloch, Cowal, 250 Common Chaffinches and 56 Twite were at Ardmarnock Farm, near Millhouse and four Bullfinches were at Lindsaig, near Kilfinan (Tom Callan).
18 September. Three Northern Wheatears at Machrihanish SBO were the last sightings of the month (Eddie Maguire).
19 September. Two Eurasian Jays, 37 Mistle Thrushes, two Common Crossbills and six Bullfinches were seen in Achnabreck Forest near Lochgilphead and many Goldcrests were heard calling (Jim Dickson). The Rose-coloured Starling was still being reported at Bowmore, Islay but wanders about the area (John Armitage).
21 September. Garden bird watch records at West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre in the past week included a maximum of 50 Common Chaffinches (Barbara McMillan).
23 September. A flock of 17+ Long-tailed Tits was in the stunted conifers near Keills Chapel, Loch Sween and at least five Barn Swallows and two House Martins circled overhead (Paul Daw).
25 September. Four Common Stonechats were seen on Glas Eilean, Loch Fyne, Mid-Argyll (along with five goats!) and 14 Long-tailed Tits were with other tits at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan). The Rose-coloured Starling is still in Bowmore, Islay (John Armitage).
26 September. A flock of 26 Pied Wagtails was feeding on the green at Inveraray, Mid-Argyll this morning. A single Greenland Wheatear and two fine White Wagtails were at South Rinns, Islay and 6-8 Barn Swallows were still in the area (John Armitage). Two Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Blackcap were reported in woodland in the south of Islay (Andy Schofield per John Armitage).
27 September. Numbers of Twite at the feeding station at Machrihanish SBO peaked at 185 (Eddie Maguire).
28 September. A Jay was seen at Sutherland's Grove, North Argyll (Mike Harrison). Garden bird watch records at West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre in the past week included a maximum of 50 Common Chaffinches (Barbara McMillan).
2 October. A Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and two Yellow-browed Warblers have been seen at Balemartine, Tiree in the past couple of days, and two Goldcrests were at Balephuil (Mike McKee/Jim
3 October. A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Garden Warbler were still at Balemartine, Tiree this morning (Simon Wellock).
4 October. On Tiree, a Whinchat was at Balephuil, and a Northern Wheatear and Willow Warbler were at Vaul. A Spotted Flycatcher at Vaul and two Goldcrests at Balephuil were present daily until 11 October (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). A Barn Swallow at Traigh Hough (Bay), Tiree was one of about 25 seen on the island during next six days (Tom Callan).
5 October. A single Redwing at Crossapol, Tiree was the earliest reported so far (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat were at The Lodge, Arinagour, Coll with 30+ Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff at Uig (Simon Wellock).
6 October. A Magpie seen in a garden at Glenbranter, Cowal – was the first one seen there (Peter Woods). A flock of eight Coal Tits at Machrihanish SBO was unusual (Eddie Maguire) (cf birds on Tiree and unusual numbers reported in gardens recently).
7 October. A late Barn Swallow was seen near the Creggans Inn, Strachur, Cowal (Malcolm Chattwood). A Magpie seen at Peninver, Kintyre stayed until 9 October (Francis Hood per Eddie Maguire). A Firecrest was reported very close to the site near Dalmally, North Argyll where they have been reported in previous autumn/winters (Alan Gray). Garden bird watch records at West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre in the past week included a good count of seven Goldfinches (Barbara McMillan). A single Redwing was at Cornaigmore, Tiree, 425 Sky Larks were at An Talla, Crossapol, a Willow Warbler was at The Glebe, nine Greenfinches were at Vaul and two Goldfinches were at Balemartin (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). A ‘Greenland’ type Northern Wheatear was at Machrihanish SBO and on 8 October (Eddie Maguire).
8 October. On Tiree, Common Chiffchaffs were at Balemartin, Vaul and Vaul Bay Cottage, a Willow Warbler was at Balemartin and a Coal Tit (a rare visitor to the island) was at Vaul Cottage (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). A minimum of 100 Sky Larks was at Loch an Eilein, Tiree (Tom Callan) and two White Wagtails were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
9 October. A first-winter Red-eyed Vireo was found and photographed at Croch House Garden, near Caolas, Tiree (see recent photographs). This is the second Argyll record (the first was on Coll in Oct 1992) and only the 9th Scottish record of this transatlantic vagrant (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). A late Barn Swallow was at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
10 October. Single Willow Warblers were at Balemartin and The Glebe, Tiree (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan). At least 700 Common Starlings were in fields around Ruaig, Tiree (Tom Callan).
11 October. A Coal Tit at Gott, Tiree may have been the same as the bird at Vaul on 8 October, and a Spotted Flycatcher was still at Vaul (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
15 October. Departures and arrivals. Two very late Barn Swallows were seen at Connel, Mid-Argyll as well as the first Redwings locally (about 30) (Mike Harrison). Winter thrushes seem to have arrived later than usual this autumn.
16 October. There were plenty of Fieldfares and Redwings around Connel, Mid-Argyll. A mixed flock of about 300, mostly Fieldfares were counted (Mike Harrison). Six Blackbirds and a Song Thrush feeding on Siberian Crab Apples at Tullochgorm (Minard) Mid-Argyll this morning were almost certainly migrants (Paul Daw).
17 October. The first local Redwing was seen at Otter Ferry this morning and later a flock of 20 Redwings flew over church at Kilfinan, Cowal (Tom Callan).
18 October. Two Fieldfares and c.12 Redwings were seen in Dunoon at 10.00hrs this morning (George Newall). A flock of 20+ Redwings flew over Tullochgorm (Minard), Mid-Argyll at 14.00 hrs (Paul Daw).
Other
5 September. Up to five Basking Sharks were seen in the past week in the Wemyss-Portnahaven area of Loch Indaal, Islay (Jim Dickson).
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