 Page Loading |
Page Loading |
I am putting together a short paper on the distribution of Magpies in Argyll and the possible origins of some of the birds seen away from the main breeding area. I should be grateful for any records of Magpies seen in the county including those seen in the area in and around Dunoon (Paul Daw).
A Common Kingfisher found on Tiree on 3 January was the first ever record for the island.
There was quite an influx of Glaucous Gulls in the last two weeks of January (with smaller numbers of Iceland Gull – usually it’s the other way around) possibly due in part to the recent Atlantic storms? See below for details.
| Table of Contents (Click on chapter to display it below the contents box or SHOW ALL to display or print all contents) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wildfowl (and gamebirds) |
|||||
Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)
01 January. The (unringed) adult white-morph Snow Goose was back at its Craobh Haven fields station today (it had been absent for about 4 weeks) but was, rather unusually, with 20 or so Canada Geese (Bill Allan). A flock of 26 Canada Geese flew down Campbeltown Loch heading East, but probably landed just round the corner at Davaar (Rab Morton).
02 January. Three groups of Greenland White-fronted Geese were found in the Loch Creran area today. One group of around 40 was near Barcaldine Castle and the others were in the North Shian fields. Assumaing the Barcaldine birds didn't cross the loch while Robin was driving around, there were about 125 in all. Along the North Shian road there were 40 Greylag geese, and further along the road there were 205 Canada Geese in various groups, sometimes with White-fronts. Six neck collars on the White-fronts were read and have been reported to WWT (Robin Harvey).
03 January. Three Whooper Swans were on Loch Arail, Knapdale, Mid-Argyll today and 7 Pochards were seen with 17 Tufted Ducks on Loch nell near Oban (Bill Allan).
04 January. The drake Ring-necked Duck was back at Loch Bhasapol, Tiree today, the female Surf Scoter was at Hough Bay with 3 Long-tailed Ducks and a female Gadwall was newly arrived at Loch an Eilein (John Bowler).
06 January. The adult white-morph Snow Goose was back at the Craobh Haven turn-off the A816 today with 40 Greylag Geese (Bill Allan). Late in the day a 1st winter male/female Canvasback was in the flock of Greater Scaup at the head of Loch Indaal, Islay whilst completing routine survey work. The bird was then lost but was re-found in late afternoon when its identity was agreed by other observers (John Armitage/Andy Schofield et al). It was seen briefly again the following morning but has not been reported since. If a description is supplied and accepted by BBRC this would be a new species for Argyll.
07 January. An unusually large count of 32 Long-tailed Ducks was made in Loch Indaal, Islay today (John Armitage). This may well be an all time record count for Loch Indaal (cf. 20 there on 15 April 1997). Four Common Scoters and 18 Red-breasted Mergansers were seen in Loch Scridain, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
08 January. Three Common Goldeneyes were an unexpected find well up the River Ruel, Cowal (near Ardachearanbeg) during a Winter Atlas Timed Tetrad Visit today. A pair of Goosanders were on the same river just S of Clachan of Glendaruel (Tom Callan).
09 January. A 'classic' female Lesser Scaup was found (and photographed) with 4 Greater Scaup and a Coot on Loch Skerrols, Islay today and 48 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Rubha Ban included 3 colour ringed birds (Jim Dickson).
10 January. Approx. 200 Barnacle Geese were present at Inch Kenneth, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
12 January. No less than three Ring-necked Ducks were found on Tiree today. The adult drake was again at Loch Bhasapol (present since November 2008) and two lst winter males were at Loch Riaghain with 6 Pintails and 18 Shovelers. A female Gadwall was at Loch an Eilein together with 31 Whooper Swans and a Barnacle sized 'parvipes-type' Canada Goose was seen with 1,993 Barnacle Geese at Balephetrish, and 5 Pink-footed Geese were at Heylipol (John Bowler).
13 January. Five 14 Whooper Swans and 16 Widgeon were seen on Lochan Ceann a' Choin (near Ford) Mid-Argyll today (Jim Dickson) and a female Common Scoter was in Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (David Warden).
14 January. Wildfowl in Loch Riddon, Cowal today included: 27 Widgeon, 27 Teal and 12 Common Goldeneyes (David Warden).
17 January. Four Common Shelducks were on Loch Laich, Appin, North Argyll today (Robin Harvey).
18 January. Wildfowl found at Loch Creran during the WeBS count today, in less than ideal conditions, included: 44 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 24 Greylag Geese, 70 Canada Geese, 52 Eurasian Wigeon, 4 Eurasian Teal, 13 Mallards, one Common Eider, 2 Common Goldeneyes and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers (Robin Harvey).
19 January. The WeBS count on Tiree today found there were still three Ring-necked Ducks about – the adult now at Loch a' Phuill and the two 1st winter birds at Loch Riaghain (John Bowler). Wildfowl found at Holy Loch during the WeBS count included: 115 Eurasian Wigeon, 85 Eurasian Teal, 103 Mallards, 278 Common Eiders, 18 Common Goldeneyes and one Red-breasted Merganser (George Newall) and at Loch Etive there were: 6 Mute Swans, one Pink-footed Goose, 52 Greylag Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 107 Eurasian Wigeon, 94 Mallards, 22 Common Eiders and 9 Common Goldeneyes (Mike Harrison).
21 January. Wildfowl found at Loch Sween during the WeBS count today included: 4 Mute Swans, 46 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 11 Common Shelducks, 97 Eurasian Wigeon, 38 Eurasian Teal, 21 Mallards, 19 Common Goldeneyes and 27 Red-breasted Mergansers (Paul Daw) and 26 Greylag Geese, 19 Mallards, 54 Common Eiders, 2 female Common Scoters, and 13 Red-breasted Mergansers were found during the WeBS count at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (Tom Callan).
The female Surf Scoter was again at Hough Bay, Tiree at lunchtime today - in with 15 Long-tailed Ducks (John Bowler).
24 January. Birds seen during a Winter Atlas Timed Tetrad Visit near the head of Loch Ruel, Cowal today included: 2 Mute Swans, 12 Greylag Geese, one Common Shelduck, 32 Eurasian Wigeon, 34 Eurasian Teal, 56 Mallards and 2 Common Goldeneyes (Tom Callan).
25 January. The Snow Goose has been present again at the Craobh Haven, Mid-Argyll turn off the A816 for the past 2 days (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
26 January. A small/intermediate-sized Canada Goose ("Todd's"?) was seen again with Barnacle Geese on east side of Loch Bhasapol, Tiree today but the Ring-necked Ducks seemed to have disappeared. A total of 21 Common Shelducks were at Salum (John Bowler).
31 January. A total of 310 Common Eiders were at the gull roost at Rubha Chraiginis, Tiree late this afternoon (John Bowler).
Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)
Little Egret(s) in Mid-Argyll and Cowal.
At about 15:00 on 1st January what was thought to be a heron was seen flying towards Bridgend, Mid-Argyll from the direction of Moine Mhor. After a fraction of a second the observers realised it was actually an egret. They next saw the bird land in the River Add just upstream from the old bridge. As they approached the bird flew off upstream but it was possible to see all-white plumage, pale feet and dark bill and legs. Later, as Malcolm walked upriver, the bird flew back over him and in failing light he could make out dark bill and legs with pale, probably yellow, feet. From previous sightings both in this country and abroad he was pretty sure it was a Little Egret, but couldn't entirely rule out Snowy Egret! The bird then flew over towards Dunamuck before turning left towards Cairnbaan (Sue & Malcolm Chattwood).
This seems to have been the first sighting of the Little Egret that was present around Lochgilphead during the following few days. It was also probably seen on The Meadows, near Lochgilphead on 1st January by Rebecca Helliwell but was quite a long way off and difficult to identify with certainty.
The next sighting was in the fields to the N off Lochgilphead at 13:00 on 2nd January. It soon flew off and was found again at about 13:15 behind Baddens Nursery (Jim Dickson). On 3rd January the Little Egret was putting on a great show by the play-park in Lochgilphead in the morning (Rebecca Helliwell ). It was re-found at mid-day by the cemetery turn off the A816 just N of Lochgilphead (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie) and then flew flew down to Loch Gilp where the river flows into the loch (Jim Dickson). The next sighting was at mid-day on 4th January back at the drainage ditch just under the small bridge near the entrance to Achnabreac Cemetery where it was photographed (Morag Rea & Paul Williams). It was still present in the same area the following morning, in the ditch and in flight nearby, and again just before dusk at 16:00 (Paul Daw/Jim Dickson/John Halliday). The last sighting reported in this area was on 6th January when it was again at Achnabreac but described as 'mobile' (Bill Allan/Jim Dickson).
There was a reliable report of a Little Egret flying south close to the shore in front of the chalets at Balliemore (just S of Otter Ferry), Cowal on 8th January (per Tom Callan). It could well have been the bird from Lochgilphead and, for that matter, the same individual that was seen around Dunoon before Christmas (see Latest Reports 79). On the other hand there has been at least one other Little Egret in the west of Scotland recently so it is possible that more than one has been present in Argyll.
07 January. A Red-throated Diver, a Black-throated Diver, 20 Great Northern Divers and 12 Shags were seen in Loch Scridain, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
13 January. A Black-throated Diver was present in Kilfinan Bay, Cowal today (David Warden).
14 January. A total of 16 Grey Herons was found on Eilean Mor (Burnt Islands), Kyles of Bute, Cowal today (Graham and Danielle Clark).
19 January. Birds found at Holy Loch during the WeBS count today included: a Red-throated Diver, 9 Little Grebes, 8 Shags and 9 Grey Herons (George Newall) and at Loch Etive there were: 19 Little Grebes, 7 Great Cormorants, 42 Shags and 9 Grey Herons (Mike Harrison).
21 January. Birds found at Loch Sween during the WeBS count today included: a Red-throated Diver, 10 Little Grebes, one Great Cormorant, 6 Shags and 8 Grey Herons (Paul Daw) and at Fidden, Mull there were 32 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 80 Barnacle Geese, 2 Canada Geese and 50 Greylag Geese. Four Common Scoters were on Loch Scridain (Bryan Rains).
23 January. Approx. 250 Fulmars were at Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree today (John Bowler).
26 January. Two Black-throated Divers, and 8 Slavonian Grebes were on Loch na Keal, Mull today (Bryan Rains). Five widely scattered Red-throated Divers were seen off Otter Ferry in Loch Fyne today (Tom Callan).
28 January. During a winter Timed Tetrad Visit for the Atlas at Inveraray this morning a Great Crested Grebe in winter plumage was seen just off the pier. As usual, by the time I had the tripod out and the scope mounted it was too far away to get a decent photo, even at 20X... and helpful tourists kept interrupting to ask what I was looking at! (Paul Daw).
30 January. Four Little Grebes and 3 Great Cormorants were seen in the Kyles of Bute at Colintraive, Cowal today (Graham & Danielle Clark).
31 January. At least 430 Shags were at the gull roost at Rubha Chraiginis, Tiree late this afternoon (John Bowler).
Raptors, Rails etc
03 January. Three Moorhens were seen on Loch Luachracht, above Oban, today coming to bread being fed to the ducks (Bill Allan).
09 January. A female Hen Harrier was at Loch Beg, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
12 January. A Golden Eagle was seen today, (through the 'scope) from the house at Colintraive, Cowal, flying NW over Beinn Capuill (Graham and Danielle Clark).
13 January. A Peregrine Falcon was seen flying over Otter Ferry, Cowal today (Tom Callan).
18 January. A Peregrine Falcon was flying south along the A83 near Minard, Mid-Argyll this morning (Paul Daw) and a Golden Eagle was flying over Craobh Haven, Mid-Argyll for about 5 minutes (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
23 January. A male Hen Harrier and a Peregrine Falcon were at Loch Beg, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
24 January. A White-tailed Eagle from the East coast introduction (tagged white 5) was seen at Loch Beg, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
25 January. A Merlin was hunting at the head of West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre today (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
27 January. A male Hen Harrier was seen hunting just outwith the garden at Otter Ferry, Cowal today (Tom Callan).
28 January. A Common Kestrel was seen at Achnabreck, near Lochgilphead today (Karl Pipes) and a female Hen Harrier was at Loch Beg, Mull (Bryan Rains).
29 January. A Eurasian Sparrowhawk was in a garden at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll today and a Common Kestrel has been a frequent visitor there (Mary Gregory).
31 January. Both a male and a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk were hunting through the garden at Otter Ferry, Cowal today (Tom Callan).
Waders
Details have come through of a colour-ringed Turnstone that has been wintering at Milton, Tiree since 1 October 2008. It was 'banded' at Alert, Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada (82.30N 62.20W) on 25 June 2006 and was an adult female caught at the nest at Lower Dumbell Lake on a small river delta (per John Bowler).
03 January. Two Jack Snipe and 2 Woodcock were seen near Milton, Tiree today (John Bowler).
05 January. Two Common Snipe were flushed from the drainage ditch near the entrance to Achnabreac Cemetery, Lochgilphead while searching for the Little Egret (Paul Daw). At Loch Beg, Mull today there were 25 Ringed Plovers, 10 Common Redshanks, a Greenshank and 3 Turnstones (Bryan Rains).
10 January. A mixed flock of 18 Oystercatchers and 18 Curlews were with Common Gulls on the field between Ferry Bank and Ardentraive, Colintraive, Cowal today (Graham and Danielle Clark).
11 January. A minimum of 130 Turnstones were found around the Otter Ferry area of Cowal today (but sadly no colour leg rings!) (Tom Callan) and 102 Oystercatchers were in Blindman's Bay (near Ardlamont Point) Cowal (David Warden).
12 January. A total of approx. 900 Northern Lapwings was at Loch an Eilein, Tiree today and 140 Ringed Plovers, 180 Sanderlings, 55 Purple Sandpipers, and 160 Turnstones were counted in Balephetrish Bay (John Bowler).
13 January. In the Add Estuary today a total of 32 Common Redshanks were found with 13 Bar-tailed Godwits in Loch Crinan (Jim Dickson). Five Woodcock were flushed from the roadside between Otter Ferry and Glendaruel, Cowal at dusk (Tom Callan).
14 January. Two Ringed Plovers were on the Gravel Spit at Colintraive, Cowal today (Graham and Danielle Clark) and three Woodcock were seen near Drum Farm (Kilfinan), Cowal (David Warden).
15 January. Waders at Kirn (Dunoon), Cowal today included 7 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Common Redshanks, and 15 Turnstones; and 27 more Purple Sandpipers were near the crazy golf course at West Bay, Dunoon (George Newall). A total of 33 Curlews was found at Killail (Otter Ferry) (Tom Callan).
19 January. Waders found at Holy Loch during the WeBS count today included: 447 Oystercatchers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 19 Northern Lapwings, 91 Eurasian Curlews, 12 Common Redshanks and 28 Turnstones (George Newall) and at Loch Etive there were: 66 Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 32 Eurasian Curlews and 3 Common Redshanks (Mike Harrison).
20 January. A flock of 40 Eurasian Curlews were in a field by Holy Loch, Cowal today with Common Gulls (Graham & Danielle Clark).
21 January. Waders found at Loch Sween during the WeBS count today included: 23 Oystercatchers, 12 Northern Lapwings, 27 Eurasian Curlews, 4 Common Redshanks and 8 Turnstones (Paul Daw), and at Fidden, Mull there were 15 Eurasian Golden Plovers, 28 Northern Lapwings and 31 Eurasian Curlews (Bryan Rains).
23 January. Two Greenshanks were at Loch Beg, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
26 January. Three Bar-tailed Godwits and 25 Ringed Plovers were at Loch na Keal, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
Two Grey Plovers were at Salum, Tiree today (John Bowler).
27 January. Three Common Snipe were seen in the late evening at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll (Mary Gregory). A flock of 26 Northern Lapwings was with 32 Eurasian Curlews at Kildavaig Farm (near Ardlamont Point), Cowal (Tom Callan).
30 January. A very strange looking partial albino (more white than black) Oystercatcher was seen at Craignish Castle, Ardfern, Mid-Argyll today. The same bird was present there almost exactly a year earlier (4 February 2008) (Bill Allan).
Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks
01 January. The long staying Ring-billed Gull was on the Oban foreshore today (Stuart Gibson).
02 January. The 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was still at Loch Gilp this lunchtime (Jim Dickson), a 2nd winter Iceland Gull was in Asknish Bay near Craobh Haven, Mid-Argyll and a 1st winter Iceland Gull (graellsii type) was was on the foreshore at Oban (Bill Allan).
04 January. The Ring-billed Gull was in the inner bay at Dunstaffnage, Mid-Argyll at noon today. It was later seen flying into the George Street foreshore at Oban at 16.15 (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie)and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Rubha Chraiginis, Tiree (John Bowler).
05 January. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was feeding on a seal carcass at Balephetrish Bay, Tiree today (John Bowler ).
06 January. An adult Mediterranean Gull (the same one as on 05 December last, or another) had reappeared at the head of Loch Gilp at 15:50 today with approx. 1,200 Black-headed Gulls (Jim Dickson). The adult Ring-billed Gull was on the foreshore opposite McTaggart's Restaurant, Oban at 16:00 (Bill Allan). On Islay, a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was present in Loch Indaal and an adult Iceland Gull was at Bunnahabhainn (John Armitage).
09 January. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Rubha Ban, Islay today (Jim Dickson).
12 January. An adult Glaucous Gull was at Balephetrish Bay, Tiree today (John Bowler ).
14 January. Rab Morton found a 1st winter Iceland Gull among gulls he was feeding in the inner harbour in Campbeltown this afternoon. It was still there on 14 January.
17 January. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at The S end of Asknish Bay (Craobh Haven), Mid-Argyll this morning – a quite large individual. The last Glaucous Gull here was pretty small (female?) (Bill Allan).
18 January. First winter Glaucous Gulls were seen at the fish cages at Inverneill, Mid-Argyll and at the old pier West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre, two 1st winter Iceland Gulls were at the ‘squinty bridge’ (5km N of Tarbert) on the A83 with a very pale 1st winter Iceland Gull at Ardrishaig (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
Went down to the shore at Otter Ferry late morning to see what the storm last night had done. As yesterday, there were hundreds of gulls around the area of the spit and further up the loch. What was not there yesterday was a large numbers of Auks (mainly if not all Razorbills). I only watched for about 10-15 minutes during which time I saw at least 100 passing down the loch with smaller numbers going up while others were fishing.
There could obviously have been much higher numbers but as this is fairly unusual at this time of year it would be interesting if there were any other inshore reports (Tom Callan).
19 January. Four Razorbills and 4 Black Guillemots were seen on Loch Scridain, Mull (Bryan Rains).
The adult Ring -billed Gull came to its usual place on George St foreshore, Oban. NM8529 - 16.15hrs as dusk gathered today but there were no white-winged gulls around (usually a favoured spot for them in January) (Bill Allan).
20 January. A 1st winter Iceland Gull was in Oban Harbour this evening (thanks to these recent Atlantic depressions?) and the Ring-billed Gull was on the foreshore – both at 17.00hrs (Bill Allan).
21 January. A "new" 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at the ‘squinty bridge’ (5km N of Tarbert) today and the two 1st winter Iceland Gulls were still there as was the 1st winter Iceland Gull at Ardrishaig (Bill Allan). A very confiding 2nd winter Glaucous Gull seen at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal during the WeBS count could have been the same bird as that at the ‘squinty bridge (above), but given the numbers that have been seen recently could just have well been a different individual (Tom Callan).
23 January. Three Glaucous Gulls (2 adults and one 2nd winter) were found on the west coast beaches of Traighs Ghrianal / Thodhrasdail, Tiree today (John Bowler).
26 January. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull had a lucky escape from the clutches of local White-tailed Eagles at Knock, Loch na Keal, Mull today (see photo – the blood on the bill is from feeding on fish remains, not from the White-tailed Eagle!) (Bryan Rains).
Three Glaucous Gulls were at Balephetrish Bay at lunchtime (one adult and two 2nd winters) and 6-8 Glaucous Gulls were estimated on the island at the time - but no Iceland Gulls (John Bowler).
28 January. Bumper numbers of Glaucous Gulls were found on Tiree with a minimum of 12 (plus one dead bird) around West Tiree at lunch time today - making the most of seal carcasses. These included five together at Balephetrish Bay (1 adult, two 2nd winter and two 1st winter), four at Traigh Hough (1adult, two 2nd winter and one 1st winter) and three at Traigh Ghrianal/Thodhrasdail (2 adults and one 2nd winter) as well as one dead 1st winter bird (John Bowler). Two Iceland Gulls (a 1st winter and a 2nd winter) were at Campbeltown Harbour, Kintyre (see photos) (Jim Dickson)
29 January. A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at the fish farm in Loch Fyne just N of Minard, Mid-Argyll today (Andy Robinson). Another (? 1st winter) Iceland Gull flew over Dubh Loch just N of Inveraray and landed nearby (Roger Broad).
30 January. The adult Ring-billed Gull was on the George St foreshore, Oban again this afternoon (Bill Allan).
31 January. Checking the gull roost at Rubha Chraiginis, Tiree late this afternoon John Bowler found a minimum of 14 Glaucous Gulls (three adults, six 2nd-winter and 5 1st winter). Also at the roost were: 1700 Common Gulls, 430 Herring Gulls, 240 Great Black-backed Gulls and a single adult Black-headed Gull.
Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.
03 January. A single Common Kingfisher was feeding along a deep ditch between Milton and Port Ban, at the eastern tip of Tiree today. It was found on 01 January by a visiting bird watcher and is the first ever record of a Kingfisher on Tiree (John Bowler).
05 January. A Long-eared Owl was recorded at Loch Beg, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
07 January. A Great Spotted Woodpecker has been drumming on the (metal!) electricity pole in a garden at Eredine, Loch Awe that it has used in previous springs (Karl Pipes).
08 January. Four Barn Owls were found in Glen More, Mull today and another was at Loch Beg (Bryan Rains).
11 January. Two Barn Owls have been seen near Cairnbaan, Mid-Argyll on most evenings for the past few days (Jim Dickson).
Passerines
03 January. A single Fieldfare was seen near Milton, Tiree today and a Goldfinch was at Balephuil (John Bowler). A flock of 300 Common Chaffinches was at the Craobh Haven, Mid-Argyll turn-off the A816 today (Bill Allan). Two Treecreepers, 7 Coal Tits and 2 Goldfinches were found during a Winter Atlas TTV count at Braleckan (near Auchindrain), Mid-Argyll (Paul Daw).
04 January. A flock of 12 Goldfinches was feeding under a mature Alder tree in the inner bay at Dunstaffnage, Mid-Argyll at noon today (Bill Allan) and three Snow Buntings were at Hough Bay Tiree (John Bowler).
08 January. Birds seen during a Winter Atlas TTV count near Glendaruel, Cowal today included 8 Robins, 15 Blackbirds, 4 Coal Tit s, 8 Blue Tits, 17 Great Tits and 2o Common Chaffinches and a flock of 29 Fieldfares was seen near Clachan of Glendaruel (Tom Callan).
09 January. A flock of 66 Redwings and five Long-tailed Tits were seen at Kilfinan, Cowal today (David Warden).
11 January. A flock of 9 Mistle Thrushes was seen at Kilfinan, Cowal today (David Warden).
13 January. Twelve Fieldfares flew into a holly bush behind the old shop at Colintraive, Cowal today together with 8 Redwings, to eat the berries , and an impressive total of 13 Goldfinches was at a bird feeder in the garden (Graham and Danielle Clark). A flock of 105 Fieldfares was seen at Stroneskar (near Ford), mid-Argyll and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming and chasing at Barnluasgan (Jim Dickson).
14 January. A Dipper was seen flying along the shore at Colintraive, Cowal towards Milton burn today (Graham and Danielle Clark).
19 January. Two Fieldfares were seen at Kilmoluaig, Tiree today (John Bowler).
20 January. Approx. 30 Blackbirds were seen in a field beside Holy Loch, Cowal today with Curlews and Common Gulls (Graham & Danielle Clark).
21 January. A group of 8 Common Ravens were seen today with Oystercatchers, Curlews and Common Gulls on the field between Ferry Bank and Ardentraive (Colintraive), Cowal (Graham & Danielle Clark). A group of 17 Reed Buntings were feeding on the ground around silage bales at Otter House, Kilfinan, Cowal (Tom Callan).
24 January. Four Goldfinches were at Balephuil, Tiree today (John Bowler).
25 January. A Jay was in a garden at Ardpatrick turnoff, Knapdale, Mid-Argyll today (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
27 January. The first singing Song Thrush of the year was heard at of,, Cowal today (Tom Callan)
28 January. A Grey Wagtail was in a garden at Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll today (Mary Gregory). A White Wagtail was in the Colchester Square car parking area, Lochgilphead and a Pied Wagtail was in the Co-op car park, Lochgilphead (Karl Pipes).
29 January. Six Reed Buntings were at Fidden, Mull today (Bryan Rains).
Other sightings:
25 December. An Atlantic (Grey) Seal was an usual visitor to the Kyles of Bute, at Colintraive today. Most seals here are of the Common (Harbour) variety. A young Common Seal was seen there on 27 December (Graham and Danielle Clark).
14 January. Three Red Squirrels were seen at various places along the shores of Loch Fyne S of Inveraray while carrying out a Winter Atlas Timed Tetrad Visit (Paul Daw).
21 January. Two Otters were seen close too in Loch Craiglin during the Loch Sween WeBS count. They were splashing about close to the shore apparently digging in the mud at the bottom of the loch (Paul Daw).
25 January. Two Sika deer stags were seen between Ardpatrick and Ormsary, Knapdale today (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
Subscribe to Club News