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See "TABLE OF MIGRANTS 2009" for arrival dates of spring migrants.
A full account of the Sound of Gigha field trip on 4 April is available for consultation as well as for the Islay Spring Meeting weekend
.New species for the Argyll list: The description of a Gull-billed Tern found in the Crossapol area of Tiree on 29 September 2008 by Mike McKee has recently been accepted by BBRC. It was later seen and photographed by Jim Dickson and Simon Wellock and remained in the Crossapol - Loch an Eilein area until 3 October. This brings the Argyll total to 334 species, with at least 2 further species currently awaiting decisions by BBRC.
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Wildfowl (and gamebirds) |
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Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)
01 April. A group of 19 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Gott Bay, Tiree today and 2 more were at Arinagour, Coll (John Bowler).
04 April. Five Pink-footed Geese were with Greylag Geese and Greenland White-fronted Geese in a field about a mile north of Tayinloan this afternoon during the club Sound of Gigha field trip. A full account of the Sound of Gigha field trip on 4 April is available for consultation online as well as in the June 2009 issue of The Eider. Eleven Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree (John Bowler).
06 April. Wildfowl seen from Tayinloan today included: 8 Common Shelducks, a single Shoveler, 14 Common Scoters and 6 Red-breasted Mergansers (Katie Pendreigh).
09 April. Two drake Ring-necked Ducks at Loch an Eilein, Tiree had been present daily since 6 April - ;the long-staying adult plus a probable 1st-winter bird and four Pink-footed Geese were at Balevullin (John Bowler).
11 April. A total of 260 Greenland White-fronted Geese headed N over Balephuil, Tiree at 16:30hrs ;(John Bowler) and at least 2,000 Barnacle Geese, flew N over Coll in the evening (Simon Wellock).
12 April. Three Pale-bellied Brent Geese appeared on the spit at Otter Ferry at 09.30 this morning. Very unusual here (Tom Callan) and, on Tiree, a pair of Gadwall were at Kilmoluaig and approx. 1,400 Barnacle Geese departed high from Ruaig at 18:00 hrs Tiree (John Bowler).
13 April. A flock of at least 50 calling Greenland White-fronted Geese flew N over Auchindrain (near Inveraray) this morning (Paul Daw) and John Bowler reported that the Greenland geese on Tiree were thinning out - just 19 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Baugh and 190 Barnacle Geese at Balephetrish.
14 April. A female Mallard was seen with a brood of 12 young near Heylipol Church, Tiree today (John Bowler).
15 April. A group of 52 Barnacle Geese, flew NW over The Reef , Tiree in late afternoon (John Bowler).
18 April. A Mute Swan was sitting on its nest near Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe today (Alan Gray).
19 April. The Snow Goose with Greylag and a few Canada Geese was still in its usual field near Craobh Haven, Mid-Argyll (Anne-Lise Dickie ).
20 April. The WeBS count of the main freshwater lochs on Tiree today found: 440 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at 3 sites in murky conditions (including 8 leg-ringed birds), a drake Ring-necked Duck at Loch an Eilein, a drake Scaup at Loch Bhasapol, single Barnacle Geese at Vaul, Balephetrish and Gott Bay and 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Loch Riaghain (John Bowler). Among wildfowl seen during a Bird Atlas TTV at Lochhead, Loch Ruel, Cowal were 11 Common Shelducks, 2 Eurasian Teal, 4 Common Goldeneyes, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers and a pair of Goosanders (Tom Callan).
24 April. A drake Shoveler was with 8 Eurasian Teal at Westport Marsh near Machrihanish (Eddie Maguire).
25 April. Four Common Scoters were on the sea at Ormsary, Knapdale (Roger Broad).
27 April. On Tiree today, a male Gadwall was at Loch an Eilein and 3 female and a male Gadwalls were at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler). A drake Green-winged Teal was Loch Gruinart RSPB hide today (Tom Callan).
28 April. On Islay some Barnacle Geese (70), Greenland White-fronts (16) and a Pink-footed Goose were still hanging on, as were approx.65 Greater Scaup on Loch Indaal (John Armitage). A pair of Goosanders were seen at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal (David Warden). Six Long-tailed Ducks were off Rubha Glas, Oa, Islay (Tom Callan)
Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)
01 April. A pair of Black-throated Divers were seen on Loch Scammadale, Mid-Argyll today (George Newall), 3 Black-throated Divers were off Ardlamont Point, Cowal (David Warden) and 16 Manx Shearwaters and 70 Northern Gannets were seen from the ferry between Tiree and Coll (John Bowler).
A pair of Fulmars were seen on a ledge at Ardlamont Point, Cowal. Although not within the published range, breeding has been suspected here recently (David Warden).
03 April. A Black-throated Diver in winter plumage was seen at Puilladobhrain, at the north end of Seil Island today (John Anderson).
12 April. A Red-throated Diver was seen in the Sound of Kerrera near Oban today (Richard Wesley).
13 April. Two Red-throated Divers in breeding plumage were in Loch Gilp, off Glendarroch, today (Malcolm Chattwood) and a Great Northern Diver was in Skipness Bay, Kintyre (Graham & Danielle Clark).
16 April. Two Great Northern Divers were seen just outside Oban today (Ron Stevenson).
17 April. At least 40 Great Cormorants were visible on Glas Eilean (Loch Fyne) from Otter Ferry today (Tom Callan).
24 April. Two calling Red-throated Divers flew over the house at Tullochgorm (Minard) today (Paul Daw).
26 April. A pair of Little Grebes in breeding plumage were at Westport March, Machrihanish today and another Little Grebe was still in Campbeltown Loch (Eddie Maguire).
27 April. A pair of Red-throated Divers in breeding plumage were seen just off Otter Ferry today (David Warden).
28 April. A total of 49 Great Northern Divers were counted off Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree today (John Bowler).
Raptors, Rails etc
03 April. A Peregrine Falcon was seen over Colintraive, Cowal today (Graham & Danielle Clark).
05 April. An Osprey was sitting on top of the Inverliever Forest nest platform, across Loch Awe, opposite Eredine today (Karl Pipes).
06 April. A male Hen Harrier was seen hunting over fields near Bridgend, Mid-Argyll today (Malcolm Chattwood) and another Hen Harrier was reported at Tayinloan, Kintyre (Katie Pendreigh).
07 April. The white morph Gyr Falcon was seen again, at Caolas, Tiree this morning and afternoon (John Bowler).
09 April. A male Hen Harrier was seen at Colintraive, Cowal today. Presumably the same bird was seen there again on 22 April ;(Graham & Danielle Clark).
12 April. A White-tailed Eagle with yellow wing-tags was seen talon grappling with a Golden Eagle at Reudle, Mull today. Two pairs of Common Kestrels were also present in this area (Malcolm Ward per Anand Prasad).A Spotted Crake was calling for several hours round about 2 to 3 pm near Drimcruy, Coll (Simon Wellock).
13 April. A male Marsh Harrier, was seen near Dervaig along the Dervaig-Tobermory road on Mull today (Andrew Mortley per Alan Spellman). Three or more Water Rails were calling at Balephuil, Tiree today (John Bowler).
14 April. An Osprey carrying two fish was photographed over Loch Gilp today (Jim Dickson).
15 April. An adult White-tailed Eagle flew over Totronald, Coll at 08:00 today (Simon Wellock).
16 April. An immature male Hen Harrier flew N at Clabhach, Coll (Simon Wellock).
18 April. A male Marsh Harrier was seen perched on fence post as Katie Pendreigh was having breakfast at around 06:30 - it hunted towards south of her field and over the next 2 fields. She was, naturally, very excited! The male Osprey was fishing near Islandadd Bridge, Moine Mhor today. He circled us a few times, went up the river for a few minutes and then climbed a bit and slowly worked his way back down river towards Crinan Ferry (Lynsey Gibson) and an Osprey flew north over Kilbride, Coll at 14:15 today (Simon Wellock). A male Hen Harrier was seen at Evanachan (near Otter Ferry), Cowal (Tom Callan).
20 April. Approx. 10 Corn Crakes were calling on Tiree today (John Bowler).
21 April. Two Peregrine Falcons were observed flying around the harbour at Tobermory, Mull today (Anand Prasad).
22 April. Two Black Grouse were lekking at Ardchonnel near Oban today (Bob Grove).
25 April. A female Peregrine Falcon landed briefly on quarry face at Crarae before moving on (Roger Broad) and an adult Peregrine Falcon was circling over Oban town centre (Bon Grove).
29 April. A Moorhen was found at Westport March, Machrihanish today and was still present the following day. An unusual visitor here (Eddie Maguire).
Waders
03 April. A single Jack Snipe was found at Balephuil, Tiree (John Bowler).
06 April. Three Common Redshanks and 9 Turnstones were seen at Tayinloan, Kintyre today (Katie Pendreigh).
07 April. A total of 3,760 European Golden Plovers were at The Reef, Tiree today (John Bowler).
08 April. Sixteen Northern Lapwings were along the shoreline at port Ban, Knapdale, Mid-Argyll today (Mark Williamson).
14 April. Six Northern Lapwings were still in the Slockavullin, Mid-Argyll area today (hopefully they will stay to breed) (Brian John/Jim Dickson) and 380 Sanderling at Gott Bay, Tiree included two leg- flagged birds – 290 Ringed Plovers were also there (John Bowler).
15 April. Fifteen Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler).
16 April. European Golden Plovers at The Reef, Tiree totalled 5,125 (John Bowler).
18 April. Some of the 34 Turnstones at Otter Ferry today were beginning to moult into breeding plumage (Tom Callan). At least 30 Sanderlings were at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire)
20 April. The WeBS count of the main freshwater lochs on Tiree today found 102 Black-tailed Godwits at 3 sites including one leg-flagged bird and ca 4,500 Golden Plovers (John Bowler). Among waders seen during a Bird Atlas TTV at Lochhead, Loch Ruel, Cowal were 42 Oystercatchers, 17 Eurasian Curlews and 3 Common Sandpipers (Tom Callan). Two Whimbrels and 3 Purple Sandpipers were at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).
21 April. On Tiree, 285 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch Bhasapol this afternoon included 4 colour-ringed birds and five more Black-tailed Godwits were at the Reef (John Bowler). A single Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage, a pair of Common Sandpipers and 27 Turnstones were at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
23 April. Migrant waders at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today included 51 Oystercatchers, 20 Common Redshanks and a single Turnstone. Four Black-tailed Godwits and 15 Whimbrels were noted at nearby Westport Marsh and 5 breeding pairs of Northern Lapwing were also present there (Eddie Maguire).
24-26 April. The most notable species recorded during the Argyll Bird Club Spring Meeting trip to Islay were a Long-billed Dowitcher and a Lesser Yellowlegs seen at Loch Gruinart. There were also 4 Dotterel on the Oa Reserve on the 24/25th and may they have been there longer as at least two had been seen a couple of days previously (John Armitage). An account of the weekend and a full list of species seen during the weekend is published in the Spring Meeting and Field Trip Islay report on the website as well as in the June 2009 issue of The Eider.
27 April. A male Ruff, and the Lesser Yellowlegs were present at Loch Gruinart RSPB hide, Islay today and 36 Black-tailed Godwits and 36 Bar-tailed Godwits were in Bridgend Bay; (Tom Callan).
28 April. A total of 75 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch a' Phuill with 14 more at Loch an Eilein and 2 at Ruaig (John Bowler).
29 April. Approx. 40 Whimbrel were at Uiskentuie, Loch Indaal, Islay today (Tom Callan).
30 April. At least 50 Whimbrels were at Tayinloan, Kintyre today (Katie Pendreigh) and 26 Purple Sandpipers were still near the crazy golf course at Dunoon together with a Dunlin showing characteristics of the nominate race alpina (George Newall).
Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks
01 April. The adult Ring-billed Gull flew into Oban from the NE at 15.00 hours today (Bill Allan) and a Pomarine Skua was seen off Loch Eatharna, Coll (John Bowler). Four Puffins and 80 Common Guillemots were seen from the ferry between Tiree and Coll (John Bowler).
04 April. A second winter Glaucous Gull was found at Balephuil, Tiree (John Bowler).
06 April. Four Arctic Terns were seen at Tayinloan, Kintyre today (Katie Pendreigh).
10 April. A first winter Iceland Gull was present at Tarbert and 28 Kittiwakes over Loch Fyne, off Inverneill included 10 immatures (Jim Dickson).
12 April. A single Great Skua was seen at dawn off Ceann a' Mhara, Tiree as well as 21 Black Guillemots and approx. 2,500 Common Guillemots and 400 Razorbills (John Bowler).
13 April. A first winter Glaucous Gull was at Gott Bay, Tiree (John Bowler).
15 April. An Arctic Skua was at the ‘Roadside Lochs’, Coll today (Simon Wellock) and a second winter Glaucous Gull was at Baugh, Tiree (John Bowler).
17 April. Three Great Skuas on Coll this morning, included two at Grishipoll (Simon Wellock).
18 April. Seven Little Terns were at Traigh Bhagh, Tiree today (John Bowler). At least 12 Sandwich Terns were at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).
20 April. During the WeBS count of Tiree today a second calendar year Iceland Gull was found at Loch Bhasapol and a second calendar year Glaucous Gull at Sorobaidh Bay (John Bowler). 18 Sandwich Terns were at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).
25 April. A very white second calendar year Iceland Gull was seen at Inveraray today (Roger Broad).
28 April. Six Arctic Terns were in Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree today, with 7 more at Loch a' Phuill (John Bowler).
Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.
03 April. Two Tawny Owls were calling around the house at Otter Ferry at night (Tom Callan).
10 April. The Stock Doves have made an appearance again in the garden near Slockavullin, Mid-Argyll. A single has been present for the past few days and today there were two (Brian John). A Short-eared Owl was hunting at dusk on the road between Calgary Beach and Ensay, Mull (Anand Prasad).
22 April. Three Common Cuckoos were recorded during an Atlas TTV at Ardachuple (Loch Ruel), Cowal today, but there seems to be a general feeling that Cuckoos have been less numerous than usual so far this spring (Tom Callan).;
27 April. A lucky birder on Lismore was looking out of her window this evening at about 18:30hrs when they saw a Long-eared Owl sitting in a small ash tree (Cristall Lutyens). This is often thought to be an under-recorded species in Argyll and it’s interested that a pair bred on Seil Island recently
Passerines
See ‘TABLE OF MIGRANTS’ for other arrival dates of spring migrants.
03 April. A male and female Siskin on the peanuts this afternoon in Lochgilphead were the first of spring there (Lynsey Gibson), approx 60 Chaffinches were feeding in a garden at Eredine, Loch Awe with Song Thrushes and Blackbirds in song there (Karl Pipes) and a Magpie was seen at a seed feeder at West Glen near Tighnabruaich, Cowal (Daphne Campbell).
06 April. Six Sky Larks were singing at Tayinloan, Kintyre today and other species present included: 16 Meadow Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits, 12 Pied Wagtails, 2 Northern Wheatears, 20 Linnets and no less than 26 Reed Buntings (Katie Pendreigh).
10 April. Despite their comparative scarcity in Argyll there are still some favoured spots where Yellowhammers appear in good numbers. Brian John has had six or seven (all males) in the garden near Slockavullin, Mid-Argyll every day recently He thinks they are nesting nearby. (Brian John).
11 April. A Magpie was reported at Camquhart (Glendaruel), Cowal today (Arthur French per Tom Callan).; A single Coal Tit at Mannal was very unusual for Tiree in spring (John Bowler).
13 April. A flock of 70 Twite were at Balephetrish, Tiree plus scattered pairs of Linnets and the odd Swallow and Redwing about (John Bowler). Four Common Stonechats, a Common Raven and 40 Rooks were Claonaig Bay, Kintyre (Graham & Danielle Clark).
14 April. A Mistle Thrush was photographed on its nest at on nest Slockavullin, Mid-Argyll (Brian John/Jim Dickson). No less than 30 Blackbirds were counted around Holy Loch, Cowal today – some of these were presumably returning migrants (Graham & Danielle Clark).
15 April. Attracted to the generous selection of bird feeders at Colintraive today were, 5 Greenfinches, no less than 23 Siskins, 12 Goldfinches, 67 Common Chaffinches and 7 House Sparrows (Graham & Danielle Clark). A Brambling with two Common Chaffinches at Mannal, Tiree was the first spring record for the island (John Bowler).
17 April. A large fall of migrants on Coll today included about 120 Northern Wheatears (including 12+ Greenland birds), 30 Willow Warblers and 14 White Wagtails (Simon Wellock). A wandering Magpie was reported near Achahoish, Knapdale (John Hodgson) and 4 Eurasian Treecreepers and 3 Bullfinches were among birds seen during a Bird Atlas TTV at Conchra (Glendaruel), Cowal (Tom Callan). A male Lesser Redpoll in breeding plumage joined Twites and Goldfinches at the feeding station at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory, Kintyre (Eddie Maguire).
18 April. A pair of Pied Flycatchers at Strone (near Otter Ferry), Coll came as something of a surprise to Tom & Shirley Callan this morning. Migrant Pied Flycatchers have been reported in the past in woodland along Loch Fyne so it’s possible small numbers pass through every year but are mostly overlooked. A minimum of 14 Common Stonechats were seen along the road to Strone (near Otter Ferry), Cowal. A few individuals but mostly pairs (Tom Callan).
19 April. Recently arrived migrants on Tiree today included 19 White Wagtails, 16 Swallows and 4 Greenland Wheatears at Sorobaidh Bay and 2 female Blackcaps at Carnan Mor (John Bowler).
20 April. During a Bird Atlas TTV at Lochhead, Loch Ruel, Cowal, 40 Sand Martins, 4 Tree Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 10 Pied Wagtails and single Northern Wheatear and Eurasian Jay were found (Tom Callan).
21 April. The bird feeders at Colintraive attracted even higher numbers today including 7 House Sparrows, 7 Greenfinches, 83 Common Chaffinches, 19 Goldfinches, 32 Siskins and two Redpolls that have generated much discussion. One, at least, of them showed many of the characteristics of Common Redpoll. The whole question of ;Redpoll identification is very complex. It is certainly possible that some of the Redpolls in Argyll that we cheerfully identify as ‘Lesser’ could in fact be ‘Common (or Mealy as they are sometimes called)’. Or they may be a sort of hybrid? (Graham & Danielle Clark).
24 April. Nine Greenfinches, 14 Goldfinches, 5 Linnets and 28 Twite (including 4 colour-ringed birds) were at the feeding station at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today (Eddie Maguire).
26 April. An impressive total of 38 Common Crossbills was found at Doire Darach, Loch Tulla, North Argyll today - 14 red males and a mixed flock of 25 (Roger Broad). Equally impressive was the total of at least 42 Siskins in a garden at West Loch Tarbert. They were accompanied by two Lesser Redpolls – a first for this garden (Barbara McMillan – who says she’ll have to increase her stock of nyger seed!). Lesser Redpolls have also been seen regularly at a garden in Colintraive (Graham & Danielle Clark) and at a garden in Dunoon (Andrew Webster). Makes one wonder if this is a developing trend, similar to the increasing use of garden bird feeders by Goldfinches.
28 April. An obvious influx of White Wagtails (40+) and Northern Wheatears (60+) on Tiree today - most of the latter appeared to be Greenland birds (John Bowler). A group of nine Linnets seen at Kilfinan Bay, Cowal included a female with nesting material (David Warden).
Other sightings:
02 April. A very early Small Copper butterfly was seen twice in the spring sunshine at Ardgenavan (Loch Fyne) this afternoon (Paul Daw).
25 April. An Orange-tip butterfly was seen flying through the garden at Tullochgorm (Minard) today (Paul Daw).
28 April. Three Basking Sharks were off Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree today (John Bowler)
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