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New species for Argyll: The record of a Short-toed Lark at The Reef, Tiree from 12 to 29 August 2008 has recently been accepted by SBRC. This brings the Argyll total to 331 species, with at least four further species currently awaiting decisions by BBRC.
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Wildfowl (and gamebirds) |
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Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)
13 October. A flock of 30 Tufted Ducks was on Loch Nell near Oban (Bill Allan).
14 October. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was seen at Treshnish, Mull (Anand Prasad).
15 October. The white phase Snow Goose was with a flock of Greylag Geese at Balvicar, Seil, Mid-Argyll (Bob Grove).
19 October. Approximately 70 Greenland White-fronted Geese seen at Ardnaclach, Appin, North Argyll were the first of winter here. Three Red-legged Partridges were also present (Mary Gregory)
20 October. Eight Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Fidden, Mull with 60 Barnacle Geese and four Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Six Greenland White-fronted Geese were heading south at Ormsaig, Mull (Bryan Rains). Two Red-legged Partridges have been feeding in a garden at Ardentinny recently (Gerry McGinty per James Towill).
21 October. Five Whooper Swans were at the second Powder Dam near Millhouse, Cowal and two female Goosanders were at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan). Ten Pale-bellied Brent Geese flew south past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
22 October. An impressive 236 Whooper Swans (including 49 juveniles) arrived at The Laggan, Machrihanish, Kintyre – probably attracted by extensive flooding there. The main arrival of Greenland White-fronted Geese also took place (later than usual), with at least 700 birds present (Eddie Maguire). A flock of 14 Whooper Swans flew south down Kilbrannan Sound at Skipness, Kintyre (Paul Daw). Wildfowl at Inverfolla (Appin), North Argyll included 12 Greylag Geese, 60 Canada Geese and 76 Greenland White-fronted Geese and at least 350 Common Eiders (Bill Allan)
23 October. A pair of adult Whooper Swans with four juveniles was on a flooded field at Glenbranter, Cowal (Peter Woods). A count of Common Eiders on Campbeltown Loch found a total of 245 (166 adult males, 17 immature males, 62 female type) (Eddie Maguire).
25 October. Whooper Swans still at The Laggan, Kintyre totalled 159 birds, including 32 juveniles (Eddie Maguire).
26 October. The WeBS count at Loch Sween found six Mute Swans, 50 Whooper Swans, 115 Greenland White-fronted Geese, six Greylag Geese, two Canada Geese, 98 Eurasian Wigeon, 42 Eurasian Teal, two Common Eiders and 13 Red-breasted Mergansers. One of the Whooper Swans was carrying a leg ring 4VT. It had been ringed as an adult at Svanavatn, Skagafjordur, Iceland on 7 August 1995 and seen in several subsequent winters in Co. Donegal and Co. Monaghan, Ireland. This was its first sighting in Scotland (Paul Daw).
27 October. Five Mute Swans in Loch Riddon, Cowal included a pair with one juvenile (Tom Callan). A total of 16 Greater Scaup flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
28 October. The WeBS count on Tiree found a total of 86 Whooper Swans on the island (John Bowler).
29 October. A single Pale-bellied Brent Goose was seen with a large group of Greylags and about 80 Canada Geese on grazing land on the Poltalloch Estate, Moine Mhor (Dave Payne).
30 October. A single Pale-bellied Brent Goose was with 430 Barnacle Geese at Ruaig, Tiree and two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Gott Bay (John Bowler). A total of 33 Greylag Geese were counted at The Laggan, Machrihanish, Kintyre and a female Greater Scaup was photographed on shallow floodwater there (Eddie Maguire).
31 October. The white morph Snow Goose was at the Craobh Haven, Mid-Argyll turn off the A816 (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
1 November. Wildfowl at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree included 79 Whooper Swans, 159 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 17 Goldeneyes (John Bowler) and a high count of 24 Tufted Ducks was made on Loch Pottie, Mull (Alan Spellman). A Red Grouse was seen feeding about 3m from the A886 road south of Newton, Cowal at 07.30hrs (Daphne Campbell). A single Pochard was on Loch nan Druimnean (Kilmelford) Mid-Argyll (Bill Allan).
2 November. Wildfowl counted in the Sound of Gigha in ideal flat calm conditions included 70 Common Scoters, seven Velvet Scoters (including four males), two Long-tailed Ducks and 57 Red-breasted Mergansers (Eddie Maguire/Derrick Goode). A single Common Shelduck was at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal with 59 Greylag Geese, 14 Eurasian Wigeon, 17 Mallards, 57 Common Eiders, three Common Goldeneyes and eight Red-breasted Mergansers. A single Pale-bellied Brent Goose was with 50 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Loch na Cille and eight Mute Swans were with 22 Whooper Swans (including four juveniles) at Ulva Lagoons (Loch Sween) (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie). Six Indian Peafowl (two male/four female) were seen at Otter House, Kilfinan (Tom Callan).
3 November. Four Pochards and 12 Tufted Ducks were on Loch Nell, near Oban (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
5 November. Whooper Swans at Loch a' Phuill totalled 105 (John Bowler/Andy Robinson). Wildfowl at Loch Riddon, Cowal included two Mute Swans, 30 Greylag Geese, 48 Eurasian Wigeon, eleven Eurasian Teal, 20 Mallard, 22 Common Goldeneyes and six Red-breasted Mergansers (Tom Callan/David Warden).
8 November. A single Pale-bellied Brent Goose was at Loch na Cille, Loch Sween again and a single Common Shelduck was at Ulva Lagoons (Bill Allan).
10 November. Five Whooper Swans (including one juvenile) at Drumlemble/Stewarton, Kintyre had been present since 1 November (Eddie Maguire).
11 November. Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese and an adult male Velvet Scoter were in Machrihanish Bay and single Common Scoter and Goosander (female) were seen flying south (Eddie Maguire).
12 November. A female Common Scoter was on Loch Scridain, Mull, ten Tufted Ducks were at Loch Assapol, 32 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Fidden and 12 Tufted Ducks, two Pintails and four Eurasian Wigeon were at Loch Pottie (Bryan Rains). Two Whooper Swans flew overhead at Dunadd near Lochgilphead and landed in the River Add (Brian John). A count of Common Eiders at Otter Ferry, Cowal this morning found 818 birds. Numbers have increased over the past few weeks (Tom Callan).
14 November. A drake Ring-necked Duck was newly arrived at Loch Bhasapol Tiree. Four Pochards and 57 Tufted Ducks were also present (John Bowler).
16 November. A female Surf Scoter at Hough Bay, Tiree was presumed to be last winter's returning bird. The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler). Four Whooper Swans were at the second Powder Dam near Millhouse, Cowal along with three Eurasian Teal and single Eurasian Wigeon and Common Goldeneye (Daphne Campbell). The WeBS count at Loch Sween, Mid-Argyll found 14 Mute Swans, 20 Whooper Swans (including 2 juveniles), 44 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 18 Greylag Geese, 61 Eurasian Wigeon, 18 Eurasian Teal, 11 Common Goldeneyes and 45 Red-breasted Mergansers (Paul Daw).
Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)
21 October. Two Leach's Storm-petrels flew south at Machrihanish SBO. They have been few and far between this autumn (Eddie Maguire).
22 October. The count of six Great Northern Divers at Machrihanish SBO was the maximum for October (Eddie Maguire)
23 October. Two Slavonian Grebes were seen on Loch Etive at North Connel (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
26 October. The count of 12 Red-throated Divers at Machrihanish SBO was the maximum for October (Eddie Maguire)
27 October. An adult Black-browed Albatross was reported flying north (400m out) from the Machrihanish SBO hide at 09.26hrs this morning (Eddie Maguire)! If confirmed this will be a new species for the Argyll list. Three Little Grebes were on Loch Riddon, Cowal (Tom Callan).
1 November. Twelve Red-throated Divers and 35 Great Northern Divers were in Hynish bay, Tiree (John Bowler). Two Great Northern Divers were present in Ardmucknish Bay, North Argyll (Robin Harvey).
2 November. The count of 89 Slavonian Grebes in the Sound of Gigha in ideal flat calm conditions was a record total for Argyll and included groups of 14 and 16 (see recent photos). Totals of 19 Black-throated Divers and 217 Great Northern Divers (including three groups, of 49, 52 and 66 - many still breeding plumage) were also present (Eddie Maguire/Derrick Goode).
3 November. Six Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver and 16 Great Northern Divers were recorded at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
5 November. Three Red-throated Divers, five Black-throated Divers and two Great Northern Divers plus six unidentified divers were in Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan/David Warden).
11 November. During a seawatch during 07.45-10.15hrs off Aird, Tiree in NW7-8 with heavy rain and intense squalls, six Red-throated Divers, 12 Great Northern Divers, 51 Fulmars and 12 Northern Gannets were recorded (John Bowler). A single Leach's Storm-petrel flew south past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
15 November. A seawatch off Aird, Tiree in a WNW6 (08.05-09.05hrs) produced a Red-throated Diver, five Great Northern Divers, 61 Fulmars, eight Northern Gannets and a Long-tailed Duck (John Bowler).
Raptors, Rails etc
27 October. A White-tailed Eagle flew north across Loch Etive and then headed west over North Connel (Mike Harrison).
28 October. A Red Kite was reported at the Mull of Kintyre (Ian Bailey per Eddie Maguire).
29 October. A lucky club member looked up from pruning the currants in her garden at Drimfern near Inveraray to see a Red Kite fly over from north, circle for quite a while then fly off north up Glen Aray (Judith Witts).
30 October. A juvenile Moorhen was flushed from the banks of the Crinan Canal near Islandadd Bridge (Paul Daw).
1 November. A Red Kite flying through Glen More, Mull had been spotted earlier on the Ross of Mull (Alan Spellman). A Water Rail was heard calling in the old gravel pits behind Tralee Beach, North Argyll (Robin Harvey).
2 November. Three Water Rails were at Balephuil, Tiree (John Bowler).
4 November. A Golden Eagle, probably a juvenile, was seen perched on a fence strainer near Muasdale, Kintyre for a while before it flew off (Katie Pendreigh).
5 November. A male Common Kestrel was seen at near Auchnaha (Otter Ferry), Cowal and a female was at Inveryne Farm, Kilfinan, Cowal (Tom Callan). A Merlin was seen at Braids near Killean, Kintyre and another at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
9 November. Two adult White-tailed Eagles flew over a club member’s house in Appin, North Argyll (Mary Gregory).
12 November. A single Moorhen was on the River Add near the car park at Dunadd near Lochgilphead (Brian John).
14 November. Two Coots were at Loch Bhasapol, Tiree (John Bowler).
16 November. Four Hen Harriers were seen at Loch Beg, Mull (Bryan Rains).
Waders
15 October. Wader totals at Otter Ferry, Cowal included 480 Oystercatchers, 20 Ringed Plovers, 24 Eurasian Curlews, 12 Common Redshanks and 64 Turnstones (Tom Callan).
16 October. At least 800 Eurasian Golden Plovers were at The Laggan, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).
17 October. A Grey Phalarope flew south close inshore at Machrihanish SBO. Single Grey Phalaropes were also recorded there on 22, 24, 26 and 28 October (Eddie Maguire)
20 October. The WeBS count at Holy Loch, Cowal found 654 Oystercatchers, eight Common Redshanks and 21 Turnstones despite the windy conditions (George Newall).
21 October. A total of seven Purple Sandpipers flew south past Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
24 October. A total of 28 Sanderlings flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
27 October. A group of 45 Common Redshanks were with the Oystercatchers at the head of Loch Gilp this morning and 164 Oystercatchers, 16 Ringed Plovers and 79 Eurasian Curlews were at ‘Stinky Hole’ Campbeltown Loch at lunch time (Paul Daw). Waders in Loch Riddon, Cowal included 231 Oystercatchers and 102 Eurasian Curlews (Tom Callan).
28 October. The first returning flock of 17 Purple Sandpipers appeared at West Bay, Dunoon, with two Turnstones (George Newall).
2 November. A group of 17 Eurasian Golden Plovers were at Dana, Loch Sween (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie). A minimum of ten Woodcocks were at Carnan Mor, Tiree (John Bowler) and a single Purple Sandpiper at Ardnoe Point, Crimean, Mid-Argyll was an unusual record for this area (Simon Lawrence).
3. November. Five Purple Sandpipers and 24 Sanderlings were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
4 November. Two Grey Phalaropes were seen in Gunna Sound, Tiree (Andy Robinson).
8 November. A Red Knot and three Eurasian Golden Plovers were at Loch na Cille ,Loch Sween (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
10. November. A single Grey Plover flying south at Machrihanish SBO was an unusual record for Nov. Two Red Knots were also present (Eddie Maguire).
11 November. A record count of 14 Grey Phalaropes was recorded during a seawatch during 07.45-10.15hrs off Aird, Tiree in NW7-8 with heavy rain and intense squalls (John Bowler). Eight Turnstones flew south at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
12 November. Waders at Langa, The Laggan, Kintyre included 260 Eurasian Golden Plovers, 240 Northern Lapwings and 162 Eurasian Curlews (Eddie Maguire).
16 November. A total of 157 Eurasian Golden Plovers was counted at Loch Beg, Mull (Bryan Rains). Waders at Hough Bay, Tiree included 80 Ringed Plovers, 120 Sanderlings, 120 Purple Sandpipers, 40 Common Redshanks and 130 Turnstones (John Bowler). The WeBS count at Loch Sween, Mid-Argyll found 20 Oystercatchers, 34 Ringed Plovers, seven Dunlin, 21 Eurasian Curlews and 21 Common Redshanks (Paul Daw). A flock of 38 Northern Lapwings was at Barsloisnoch, Moine Mhor (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks
28 October. An adult pale-phase Pomarine Skua was reported off Port-na-Luing, Coll (Simon Wellock).
8 November. A first-winter Glaucous Gull was at Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree (John Bowler)
7 November. A total of 305 Great Black-backed Gulls was at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler).
9 November. An Iceland Gull (age not given) was at Kames Bay, Loch Melfort, Mid-Argyll (Bill Allan).
11 November. During a seawatch this morning off Aird, Tiree in NW7-8 with heavy rain and intense squalls (07.45-10.15hrs), three first-winter Little Gulls, 1,150 Kittiwakes, a very late Arctic Tern, 148 large auks (mostly Razorbills), two Puffins, a Black Guillemot and a Little Auk were recorded (John Bowler).
12 November. At least 700 Black-headed Gulls and 50 Kittiwakes (including some juveniles) were seen at Otter Ferry, Cowal this morning (Tom Callan).
13 November. A first-winter Glaucous Gull was in Tarbert Harbour this afternoon (Jim Dickson/Bill Allan).
14 November. An adult Mediterranean Gull at Loch Gilp, Mid-Argyll this afternoon was the first there since 22 August (Jim Dickson).
15 November. A seawatch off Aird, Tiree in WNW6 (08.05-09.05hrs) produced an adult Glaucous Gull, 20 Kittiwakes, 14 large auks and a Little Auk (John Bowler).
Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.
15 October. A Barn Owl was seen at Castleton, Lochgilphead (Joy Kirk per Steve Petty).
21 October. A total of 32 Wood Pigeons were at Achnacloich, Loch Etive, Mid-Argyll (Bill Allan).
22 October. A Common Kingfisher was seen on the Lusragan Burn, Connel (Mike Harrison).
27 October. A Common Kingfisher was seen at Ormidale at the head of Loch Riddon, Cowal (Tom Callan). A Barn Owl flew over the road from Kames Golf Club, Cowal at 18.00hrs (Daphne Campbell).
30 October. Approximately 100 Wood Pigeons were flying up Glen Aray this morning. They have been around for several days (Judith Witts).
5 November. A Barn Owl was seen at Heanish, Tiree (John Bowler/Andy Robinson). A Common Kingfisher seen near the head of Loch Riddon, Cowal was probably the same bird as that seen on 27 October (Tom Callan).
9 November. Twenty Wood Pigeons were at Kilninver village, Mid-Argyll (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
16 November. A Long-eared Owl was seen at dusk flying towards the cross road on Moine Mhor (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
Passerines
Coal Tits. Many people have remarked on the exceptional numbers of Coal Tits appearing in gardens in Argyll this autumn. For example at least ten at a time have been feeding on peanuts in the garden at Tullochgorm (Minard) – an unusual number for this location (Paul Daw). A total of 30 were in a garden in Campbeltown Loch in early November (“I have never seen this many in the garden before” - Dr Jim Leask). Also, at least six were at bird table in Peninver, Kintyre in early November (“many more than usual’ - Francis Hood). Bob Furness tells us that numbers were high following two years of good spruce cone crops, but that it has been a poor crop this year, which could well explain the unusual numbers coming into gardens.
12 October. Seven or eight Redwings were seen with a Mistle Thrush at Loch Nell near Oban (Bill Allan).
14 October. At least 12 Long-tailed Tits were at Treshnish boathouse, Mull (Anand Prasad). A Snow Bunting was seen on Meall Mόr (Kenny Macleod per Steve Petty).
15 October. Seven newly arrived Redwings were with six Fieldfares at Inverfolla, Appin, North Argyll (Bob Grove).
17 October. At least 40 Long-tailed Tits were seen by Treshnish House, Mull (Anand Prasad). Twenty Redwings flew over the church at Kilfinan, Cowal (Tom Callan). A loose group of 14 Coal Tits flew south, high over Machrihanish SBO ( a record count) and 28 Goldfinches were at the feeding station there (Eddie Maguire).
18 October. Two lucky observers found a Lesser Whitethroat in their garden at Lagganmore, near Kilninver this morning. It showed well all day (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
19 October. Three or four flocks of 20-40 mixed Redwings and Fieldfares (c.Redwing 90%:Fieldfare 10%) were at Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll (Anne-Lise Dickie). Three Redwings seen at Bridgend, Mid-Argyll were the first seen locally (Malcolm Chattwood). Approximately 20 Fieldfares were seen at Ardnaclach, Appin, North Argyll (Mary Gregory).
20 October. A mixed flock of 40+ Fieldfares and 15+ Common Starlings were at Tullochgorm, Minard, Mid-Argyll at lunchtime (Paul Daw).
21 October. Two Common Crossbills flew over Tullochgorm, Minard calling this morning. Small flocks of 10-20 Redwings were also wheeling around at the time (Paul Daw). Three Fieldfares seen at Bridgend, Mid-Argyll were the first seen locally (Malcolm Chattwood). Two Common Crossbills flew over the second Powder Dam near Millhouse, Cowal (Tom Callan).
22 October. A flock of 75 Common Starlings were counted in a single tree near Skipness Castle, Kintyre and a group of four Dunnocks near the shore were possibly migrants (Paul Daw). A Brambling was seen in a garden at Drimfern near Inveraray where one was present last winter. Approximately ten Fieldfares were also present eating berries of Guelder-rose (Judith Witts). Flocks of c.50 Redwings and 100 Fieldfares were seen near Castles Farm at Loch Awe, feeding on Rowan berries (James Towill) and a flock of at least 450 Redwings was in the Southend, Kintyre area (Eddie Maguire).
24 October. A flock of 60 Redwings was at Airds Bay near Taynuilt, Mid-Argyll (James Towill).
26 October. A late Barn Swallow was seen at Brecklate, Southend, Kintyre (Donald Brown per Eddie Maguire) and the Magpie which has been in the Kilkerran, Campbeltown area since summer was still present.
27 October. Eight Sky Larks and 400 Redwings were at Fidden, Mull (Bryan Rains). A flock of about 30 Fieldfares were finishing off what was left on apple trees in a garden near Kilmartin, Mid-Argyll (Brian John). A party of six Common Crossbills alighted briefly in trees in a garden in Glencruitten, Oban (Bob Grove).
28 October. Three Redwings were on the garden fence at Tayinloan, Kintyre (Katie Pendreigh).
29 October. The first of what proved to be a major influx of Waxwings appeared today when three were seen in Connel at lunchtime, eating crab apples for a few minutes before flying off. The Redwings had eaten all the Rowan and most of the Hawthorn berries, so that was more-or-less all that was left (Mike Harrison). Six Long-tailed Tits were seen in a garden at Drimfern near Inveraray as well as a mixed flock of Redwings and Fieldfares (Judith Witts).
30 October. A single Common Chiffchaff was at The Manse, Tiree and widespread flocks of 50+ Redwings had Blackbirds mixed in with them. A flock of 40 Fieldfares was at Carnan Mor (John Bowler). There were two Bramblings in the garden at Drimfern near Inveraray (Judith Witts). A single Waxwing was at Loch Buie, Mull (Alan Spellman). At least 300 Fieldfares with a few Redwings were at Drum Cottage near Otter Ferry and a loose flock of eight Bullfinches were at the Powder Dams near Millhouse (Tom Callan). Totals of 130 Redwings and 40 Fieldfares were at Stewarton, Campbeltown, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).
31 October. Three Long-tailed Tits seen briefly first thing in the garden at Balephuil, Tiree this morning were unusual visitors to the island. Three Common Chaffinches, a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch were also there. Hundreds of Fieldfares were also about the island with a few Redwings (John Bowler). Approximately 20 Long-tailed Tits were in Machrihanish village (Eddie Maguire). A total of 55 Twite were still present at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
1 November. A group of 12 Waxwings was reported at Craignure, Mull this morning, also large flocks (200 birds) of Redwing and Fieldfare were scattered about the island (per Alan Spellman). A total of 12 Long-tailed Tits were moving slowly through the garden at Otter Ferry with similar numbers of Blue and Coal Tits (Tom Callan). Three Long-tailed Tits, 20 Song Thrushes and six Greenfinches were at Balemartine, Tiree (John Bowler). A late Barn Swallow was seen at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire). Fifteen Redwings and 46 Fieldfares were noted around Campbeltown Loch (Rab Morton).
2 November. A Lesser Whitethroat, a female Blackcap and a pale Common Chiffchaff were at Balephuil, Tiree. Two Waxwings and a Common Chiffchaff were at Carnan Mor and 14 Snow Buntings were at Traigh nan Gilean (John Bowler). A flock of eight Long-tailed Tits flew through the garden at Tullochgorm, Minard (Paul Daw). Small flocks of Waxwings on Mull included 12 at Craignure, six at Tavool and 15 at Dervaig village (Alan Spellman).
3 November. Two Waxwings were seen at The Lodge, Arinagour, Coll with a Lesser Whitethroat, three Siskins and a Eurasian Treecreeper (Simon Wellock). A total of 40 Twite were at Machrihanish SBO (Eddie Maguire).
4 November. A flock of 43 Reed Buntings were on stubble/stunted hawthorns at West Parkfergus, The Laggan, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).
5 November. Two Waxwings were in Rowans near to the nursery within Ardkinglas Estate, Mid-Argyll at 08.20hrs (Glyn Toplis). Two Waxwings, a Mistle Thrush (rare on Tiree), two male Blackcaps and 120 Fieldfares were at Carnan Mor, Tiree, a male Blackcap was at An Airidh and two Waxwings were at Kilkenneth. Eleven Waxwings were feeding on Hawthorn berries near Kilfinan, Cowal together with c.25 Fieldfares and c.25 Redwings and two very vocal Dippers were at Otter House, Kilfinan (Tom Callan/David Warden). Four Long-tailed Tits were at Meningie near Loch a' Phuill (John Bowler/Andy Robinson). A Magpie was seen at Campbeltown Loch again (Rab Morton). Two Eurasian Jays were at Brackley, Carradale, Kintyre, (Eddie Maguire).
6 November. A flock of 40 Waxwings was reported at a roundabout in the centre of Oban (Shaun McCullough per Jim Dickson)! A flock of 15 Waxwings was feeding of Hawthorn berries at Largiemore, near Otter Ferry, Cowal with Fieldfares and Redwings (Tom Callan). A male Brambling was feeding on peanuts at Minard Castle, Mid-Argyll this morning (Reinold Gayre). Another Brambling was at Balephuil, Tiree together with three Long-tailed Tits, eight Goldfinches and two Goldcrests (John Bowler). A single Waxwing was at Balemartine, Tiree (John Bowler).
7 November. Six Waxwings were seen at Eredine, Loch Awe and thrushes there included c.50 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, eight Mistle Thrushes and five Blackbirds (Karl Pipes). At least 20 Blackbirds, 150 Fieldfares and 230 Redwings were at Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal (Tom Callan).
8 November. A male Blackcap was seen on the bushes outside the Cairnbaan Hotel during the Argyll Bird Club autumn meeting (Bob Furness). Another male Blackcap was near Keills Chapel (Loch Sween) with five Long-tailed Tits (Bill Allan). Seven Snow Buntings were at Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree (John Bowler). Five Waxwings were in Connel (Mike Harrison).
9 November. A very late Barn Swallow was at Loch Beg, Mull from early this morning till 11.45hrs (Bryan Rains). A total of 105 Waxwings were found in Connel Village (Mike Harrison).
10 November. A flock of c.40 Waxwings (“it may have been more I just couldn’t count them quickly enough!”) was eating Rowan berries on the trees in the car park of the Operational Services Offices of the Argyll & Bute Council in Manse Brae, Lochgilphead (Lynsey Gibson).
11 November. Numbers of Waxwings at Eredine, Loch Awe had increased to 27 (Karl Pipes). At least 100 Redwings and 100 Fieldfares were at Largiemore, Otter Ferry, Cowal (Tom Callan). At least 100 Common Chaffinches, 16 Greenfinches and four Goldfinches were at Machrihanish SBO and two Snow Buntings flew south over the sea (Eddie Maguire).
12 November. A Great Grey Shrike was seen at Cornaigbeg - the first recorded for Tiree and the first in Argyll since 2003. A Eurasian Treecreeper seen at the same place was the first on the island since 1989 and had rather dirty flanks and so was presumably a UK bird (John Bowler). About 25 Waxwings (see recent photos) were still at Manse Brae, Lochgilphead at about 13:30hrs - though there could easily have been more as the birds were very mobile. (Jim Dickson). Two or three Yellowhammers (two males and a female) a day are being seen in a garden near Kilmartin, Mid-Argyll. This time last year, there were about six or seven (Brian John). A female Blackcap was present at Peninver, Kintyre (Francis Hood).
13 November. Six Waxwings were feeding at Ardfern on the berries of a species of Sorbus spp that is covered in pink berries at this time (Gillie Hind) and five Waxwings were in Connel (Mike Harrison).
14 November. A male Yellowhammer in a garden at Lagganmore, near Kilninver, Mid-Argyll had been seen several times in the past week (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
15 November. A flock of 18 Waxwings was in the garden at Kilmory Guest House, Lochgilphead this morning (Rob Baker). A Snow Bunting was at Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree (John Bowler).
16 November. A flock of 190-200 Waxwings was on Hawthorns opposite the caravan park in Lochgilphead. This is the largest flock recorded for Argyll! A flock of 60 Common Starlings was at Barsloisnoch, Moine Mhor (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie). A Eurasian Treecreeper seen at The Lodge, Arinagour, Coll had pretty pale under-parts. About 20 Goldcrests and 10+ Coal Tits were also present (Simon Wellock).
17 November. There were 15 Waxwings (see recent photos) feeding on Sorbus spp berries in a garden in Kames, Cowaluntil a first-year male Sparrowhawk had a go at them, fortunately unsuccessfully! (Steve Petty).
18 November. A group of 30 Waxwings was feeding at Glenbranter, Cowal (Peter Woods).
Other
27 October. An Otter was seen swimming in a leisurely manner up Kilbrannan Sound, just offshore at Grogport, Kintyre (Paul Daw).
2 November. A late Peacock butterfly was flying around the boathouse at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan).
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