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New species for the Argyll list: The description of a Black-browed Albatross seen flying N off Machrihanish Seabird Observatory on 27 October 2008 by Eddie Maguire has recently been accepted by BBRC. This brings the Argyll total to 335 species, with at least one further species currently awaiting a decision by BBRC.
Unexpected breeding records:
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| Table of Contents (Click on chapter to display it below the contents box or SHOW ALL to display or print all contents) | |||||
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Wildfowl (and gamebirds) |
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Wildfowl (and Gamebirds)
02 June. A European White-fronted Goose was at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree today (John Bowler).
04 June. The European White-fronted Goose and a drake Eurasian Wigeon were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree (John Bowler).
7 June. A pair of Common Shelducks with 4 ducklings were at Machrihanish SBO today and another pair near Davaar Island, Campbeltown Loch had 6 ducklings. Six adult Common Eiders at Dunaverty Bay, Kintyre were with approx. 12 ducklings (Graham & Danielle Clark).
09 June. Two broods (12 and 5) of very young Common Shelduck ducklings were at Machrihanish today (Eddie Maguire).
11 June. Two pairs Common Shelducks each with a brood of 4 young were at Otter Ferry today (Tom Callan).
13 June. The annual duckling counts between Machrihanish Water and the Seabird Observatory found totals of 45 Common Shelducks (five broods including one of 14 day old young) and 58 Common Eiders (Eddie Maguire).
15 June. Two drake Common Scoters flew S at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today (Eddie Maguire).
17 June. A moulting flock of 173 Common Eiders at of today were almost all males (Tom Callan).
22 June. Seven Eurasian Wigeon were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree, where they remained until 28 June (John Bowler).
23 June. A total of 46 Greater Canada Geese were at Linne Mhuirich (Loch Sween) today (Tom Callan).
Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)
28 May. A pair of Red-throated Divers in breeding plumage were at Salthouse, Loch Riddon today (Graham & Danielle Clark).
01 June. A gathering of 16 Great Northern Divers (most in breeding plumage) and two Black-throated Divers in non-breeding plumage were present during the afternoon at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).
03 June. At about 16:45 today a large white Egret like bird flew over and landed in the reeds at the far side of Barnluasgan Loch near Lochgilphead. It definitely wasn’t a Grey Heron as it was very white, appeared to have a yellowish bill and was about the same size as a Heron. Frustratingly the sighting was too brief to see nay further details and the bird was not seen again. Possibly a Great White Egret? (Lynsey Gibson). Five European Storm-petrels off Machrihanish were the first of the year (Eddie Maguire).
7 June. Nine Northern Gannets were seen from Feorlan, Mull of Kintyre today and 20 Shags were at Bellochantuy Bay (Graham & Danielle Clark).
13 June. A Little Egret was feeding in a pool near the gatehouse at Bridgend on the edge of Loch Indaal, Islay today. Apparently it had been about a few days but no one had had good views. It was seen again on the 14 and 15 June at the same place. (Chris & Tony Johnson). (Photo by Ina Brooke).
14 June. Two Great Northern Divers in breeding plumage were seen from Machrihanish today and a Red-throated Diver in breeding plumage was at ‘West Coast Salmon’, Kintyre (Malcolm Chattwood).
17 June. Seabirds flying S at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today included: 270 Northern Gannets, 190 Manx Shearwaters and 28 European Storm-petrels (Eddie Maguire).
19 June. Two Red-throated Divers in breeding plumage flew S very close to Machrihanish Seabird Observatory and small numbers of Manx Shearwaters were foraging around the point (Eddie Maguire).
29 June. Two Red-throated Divers were on Loch Tarsan, Cowal today (Tom Callan).
Raptors, Rails etc
01 June. After more than a week not being sighted, the Cowal Osprey was reported this afternoon at around 14.30, this time at Colintraive and a Peregrine Falcon was over Loch Riddon (Danielle Clark-De Bisschop). The Spotted Crake was calling again, very loudly in Iris beds in the bay below Port Ann at 14.00 hours; for 30 minutes in the glorious weather (Bill Allan). A Corn Crake has been reported calling on Gigha recently (per Andy Robinson).
03 June. An immature White-tailed Eagle flew quite low over Bridgend (nr Lochgilphead) today (Malcolm Chattwood).
04 June. A puzzling very dark raptor seen from Machrihanish Seabird Observatory over the hills at Ballygroggan, Kintyre between 10:00 and 11:00 this morning was finally identified as a dark morph Honey-buzzard. There are only about a dozen previous Argyll records of Honey-buzzard, from 1875 to 2003, including four in June. Up to eight Common Buzzards and a single Common Kestrel were also seen there (Eddie Maguire).
03 June. A Spotted Crake was calling at a site in West Tiree during the Corncrake census today. It was heard again on 7 and 11 June (John Bowler).
04 June. An odd, pale buff-coloured, female Hen Harrier was at Balephuil, Tiree today. It was also seen, and photographed, on 8 June (John Bowler).
06 June. A Common Quail was heard calling near Haunn, Mull today. The only other fairly recent record on Mull was 14 June 1997 at Glen Forsa. There were subsequent reports of it calling in the same area so they could be breeding there (Anand Prasad).
08 June. Jim Dickson took some photos of the rings on the Ospreys at Ford today. With their help, Roy Dennis has identified both birds. They were ringed as chicks in 1994 so they should have been around and breeding somewhere for a good few years prior to 2009. The female was ringed at nest near Nethybridge, Speyside by Roy Dennis on 02/07/94 and the male was originally ringed by Mick Canham at a Forestry Commission platform near Dalavich, Loch Awe. The latter was one of a brood of three chicks on 12/07/94 (per Roger Broad). The Honey-buzzard reappeared today at 13:00hrs for approx. 7 minutes and again at 14:40hrs for about 5 minutes. As well as ranging over the uplands, it flew into the extensive Lossit Estate mixed woodlands (Eddie Maguire, John McGlynn & Martin Conway).
11 June. Raptors at Machrihanish today included an adult Peregrine Falcon over the bay, two adult Golden Eagles soaring over the nearby uplands and two male Common Kestrels (Eddie Maguire).
12 June. A Common Quail was heard calling at Barrapol, Tiree today (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott) and a Common Kestrel was seen at Meall Reamhar near Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
16 June. An Indian Peafowl was an unexpected find during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Loch Striven today (Tom Callan).
18 June. Lynsey Gibson was just congratulating herself on attracting 8 Goldfinches to her garden bird feeder in Lochgilphead (having just refilled it for the 3rd time that day!). Two of them were having a right barney which lasted on and off for about 20 minutes when suddenly, out of nowhere, the local Sparrowhawk swooped down and caught both of them. Lynsey was not sure whether it managed to hold on to both of them as it flew off over the Leylandii hedge and out of sight, still with both in its talons.
19 June. The Ospreys on Loch Awe near Fincharn Castle were feeding young today (Jim Dickson).
23 June. A adult Moorhen was seen with three large young at Loch Crinan today (Tom Callan).
24 June. The Cowal Osprey was reported again at Loch Riddon at around 19:00 this evening (Arthur French per Danielle Clark-De Bisschop).
Waders
01 June. A Green Sandpiper was an unusual visitor at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today (Eddie Maguire).
05 June. Five Common Sandpipers were at Loch Riddon, Cowal today (Tom Callan/David Warden)
07 June. A Common Sandpiper was at a nest at Bellochantuy Bay, Kintyre today (Graham & Danielle Clark).
11 June. A gathering of 99 Oystercatchers on the spit at Otter Ferry today were possibly non-breeders (Tom Callan).
13 June. Three Knot and a Greenshank were at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree today. A splendid female Red-necked Phalarope found on the island was not seen subsequently and was probably just a late migrant (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott).
14 June. A Greenshank was seen off Caolas, Tiree today (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott), and 18 Sanderlings and 2 Red Knots were at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).
15 June. Two Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Whimbrel were at Loch Bhasapol, Tiree (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott).
16 June. Twelve Sanderlings and 9 Dunlins were in Machrihanish Bay today (Eddie Maguire).
21 June. An adult Greenshank flying S at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory was an unusual record for June (Eddie Maguire).
27 June. Early returning migrants at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory included 70 Eurasian Curlews and 4 Common Redshanks (Eddie Maguire).
29 June. At least six pairs of Common Sandpipers, all with young, were in the of’ area of Loch Fyne today (Tom Callan).
30 June. Two European Golden Plovers were at The Reef, Tiree today (John Bowler).
Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks
01 June. Two dark morph Arctic Skuas were harassing Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns at Machrihanish today and three Puffins were offshore (Eddie Maguire).
02 June. A second-summer (3rd calendar year) Laughing Gull was photographed on the beach at Sorisdale, Coll today from 1200 onwards. Sadly it had disappeared by the following day (Simon Wellock). Our first record since the 2005/2006 influx).
03 June. At least 3 pairs of Black Guillemots were breeding under the old pier at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan) and 16 Black Guillemots were in Machrihanish Bay (Eddie Maguire)..
05 June. A 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull was seen again at Ruaig, Tiree (John Bowler).
07 June. Five Sandwich Terns and 12 Arctic Terns were in Machrihanish Bay today (Graham & Danielle Clark).
08 June. A 1st-summer Little Tern and a 1st-summer Arctic Tern were at The Reef, Tiree today. First summer terns are very unusual in Britain. Two pairs of Great Skuas have been present on the island during June but with no evidence of breeding (John Bowler). A 1st summer (second calendar year) Iceland Gull was on the shore near the R.C. Cathedral in Oban this afternoon. It was present there for at least two further days (Bill Allan)
12 June. A pair of Puffins attending a presumed nest-site at Ceann a' Mhara represent a first breeding attempt for Tiree! (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott).
13 June. A second-summer Laughing Gull was seen on Loch a' Phuill, Tiree today. Presumably the Coll bird? (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott).
14 June. A Sandwich Tern was seen off Caolas, Tiree (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott) and 14 Sandwich Terns were at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory. About 5-6 pairs of Common Terns and 15-18 pairs of Arctic Terns are nesting at Big Scone Island (Eddie Maguire).
17 June. Seabirds flying S at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today included: one dark morph Arctic Skua, six Common Guillemots one Black Guillemot and a single Puffin (Eddie Maguire).
23 June. At least 200 Common Guillemots and 60 or more Razorbills were fishing in Machrihanish Bay for sand-eels (some flew S carrying eels). At least 8 Sandwich Terns and 20 Black Guillemots were also present (Eddie Maguire).
25 June. At least 25 Sandwich Terns in Machrihanish Bay today included one with a winter plumage head pattern (Eddie Maguire).
29 June. Nine pairs of Common Gulls apparently bred successfully at the old pier at Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
30 June. At least 26 Sandwich Terns passing through Machrihanish Seabird Observatory included 6 immature birds (Eddie Maguire).
Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.
01 June. Common Cuckoos were calling today at Moine Mhor and Glenshallach Oban (Bill Allan) and 3 Common Swifts at Carnan Mor were the first on Tiree this year (John Bowler).
02 June. A Common Cuckoo was calling at Dunamuck (Moine Mhor), Mid-Argyll1 today (Malcolm Chattwood). A total of 25 Common Swifts over Campbeltown in the early evening were probably local breeders (Derek Goods per Eddie Maguire).
03 June. A Common Cuckoo was calling near Lephinchapel, Loch Fyne today (Tom Callan).
04 June. A Short-eared Owl was seen on a glorious evening at Moine Mhor – it could well be breeding there (Jim Dickson) and a single Wood Pigeon was at Traigh Bhi, Tiree today (John Bowler).
06 June. A Common Kingfisher was reported at Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal by Gordon Harrison (per Graham & Danielle Clark).
09 June. A Common Cuckoo was calling in Glendaruel today (Tom Callan).
13 June. A Common Cuckoo was at Carnan Mor, Tiree (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott).
14 June. Two male Common Cuckoos were on the south side of Loch Tulla , North Argyll today (Bill Allan), and a Cuckoo calling at Bridgend was the last heard there this summer (Malcolm Chattwood).
15 June. Eight Common Swifts were seen together over Oban today – there seem to be fewer this year (Bill Allan)
18 June. A very pale Collared Dove has been visiting a garden in Lochgilphead. It has all the marking of a Collared Dove apart from most of the grey/beige parts being white, although there are a few grey/beige feathers here and there. It looks very similar to the bird photographed recently on Tiree by John Bowler (Lynsey Gibson). Perhaps these leucistic birds are not uncommon? We would be interested to hear from anyone else who has seen pale plumaged Collared Doves in Argyll.
24 June. A single Wood Pigeon (unusual visitors to Tiree) was at Ceann a' Mhara today (John Bowler).
25 June. A single Common Swift was seen at Treshnish, Mull today (Anand Prasad).
27 June. A Short-eared Owl was at Crossapol, Tiree today (John Bowler).
30 June. A Turtle Dove was seen at Moss, Tiree today. It had been there since 28 June when 2 birds were present (John Bowler) and a Common Swift was over Beinn an Lochain (near Ensay), Mull (Anand Prasad). A flock of 21 Common Swifts over Inveraray today were almost certainly wanderers from elsewhere (Paul Daw)
Passerines
01 June. A male (red-spotted) Bluethroat was showing elusively in a streamside marsh this morning at Kilkenneth, Tiree. The first record for the island and only the third for Argyll (Elaine Harper per John Bowler). A House Martin and 2 Common Chiffchaffs were at Carnan Mor and another Chiffchaff was at Balephuil (John Bowler).
02 June. A Common (Mealy) Redpoll was at Balephuil, Tiree today (John Bowler).
03 June. A pair of Lesser Redpolls were nesting at The Manse, Tiree (John Bowler) and a Tree Pipit was in display flight near Otter Ferry (Tom Callan).
04 June. A pair of Common Redstarts at the Poltalloch gatehouse were feeding young and at least 5 Whinchat territories were noted around Moine Mhor (Jim Dickson) and two pairs of Lesser Redpolls were nesting at Carnan Mor, Tiree (John Bowler). Fifteen Goldfinches were at the feeding station at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).
05 June. At Corra, Otter Ferry three pairs of Barn Swallows were nesting (similar to recent years) and 6 House Martin nests were found (up from 3 last year, although two of the nests later fell down) (Tom Callan). Two Lesser Redpolls and 6-10 Linnets were seen around Treshnish House, Mull (per Anand Prasad).
07 June. Six House Martins were feeding on the beech at Machrihanish, Kintyre today a White Wagtail was at Dunaverty Bay, a Common Chiffchaff with a recently fledged young was at Carskiey, 40 Hooded Crows were in Bellochantuy Bay, a Linnet was at Polliwilline and 2 Twites were at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Graham & Danielle Clark).
08 June. Birds found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Auchindrain (near Inveraray) today included: 5 Tree Pipits, a Common Stonechat, 2 Sedge Warblers, a Common Whitethroat, two Spotted Flycatchers and 2 Lesser Redpolls (Paul Daw).
09 June. A Eurasian Jay was at the head of Loch Striven today (Graham & Danielle Clark).
10 June. A Eurasian Jay was seen at Dunamuck (Moine Mhor) today (Malcolm Chattwood).
11 June. Two Tree Pipits, 19 Meadow Pipits, 25 Wrens, 42 Willow Warblers and three Eurasian Treecreepers were among species found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Conchra, Glendaruel today (Tom Callan)
12 June. During a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Lochhead, Loch Riddon, 40 AOBs (apparently occupied borrows) were found at a Sand Martin colony and two Tree Pipits, a Dipper, two pairs of Whinchats, a Common Whitethroat, 37 Willow Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher and two Lesser Redpolls were among the other species (Tom Callan).
13 June. A Spotted Flycatcher was at Carnan Mor, Tiree on 13 & 14 June (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott). Evidence of breeding at Haunn, Mull included recently fledged Grey Wagtail and Northern Wheatear, a Common Whitethroat carrying a faecal sack and a male Linnet calling from a nest (Anand Prasad)
14 June. A Jay was seen on the south shore Loch Tulla, North Argyll today (Bill Allan) and a male Common Chiffchaff and a Lesser Redpoll were at The Manse, Tiree (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott).
Three nest holes were in use at a Sand Martin colony at ‘West Coast Salmon’, Kintyre (Malcolm Chattwood) Birds found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Ardachuple, Loch Riddon included, 4 Tree Pipits, 41 Wrens, 2, Whinchats, 21 Song Thrushes, 5 Grasshopper Warblers and 69 Willow Warblers (Tom Callan). Three House Sparrows at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today were rare visitors! (Eddie Maguire).
15 June. A female Hawfinch was reported at Frachadil House, Calgary at 13:15 (Andy and Helen Mortley per Alan Spellman). This is a ‘first’ for Mull.
Birds found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Achnagoul (near Inveraray) today included: a Common Cuckoo, 8 Tree Pipits, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, and 2 Eurasian Jays (Paul Daw).
16 June. What was thought to be a juvenile male Common Rosefinch in song was seen near bird feeders at Kellan Lodge Mill (just east from Killiechronan), Mull. Up to 22 Siskins, and 3 Yellowhammers were seen in the same garden (Ben Dickinson per Alan Spellman).
17 June. A Spotted Flycatcher and a singing Wood Warbler were recorded at the Aros River estuary, Mull today (Anand Prasad).
20 June. Yet another report of Lesser Redpolls coming to garden bird feeders. The first Lesser Redpoll was seen in a garden at Creich (nr Fionnphort), Mull in early May, Since then numbers feeding on nyger seeds, and occasionally peanuts, have increased to a minimum of 3 males and 3 females and more recently some juveniles (one of which had a metal ring on its right leg). Goldfinches (up to 12 or more), Siskins and Yellowhammers also visit the garden. Thanks to Bob Lawson for these details. A male Twite accompanied by 4 recently fledged young and a Linnet and a Greenfinch also accompanied by young were at the nyger feeding station at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory. A flock of 145 Common Starlings, mostly juveniles, were foraging for kelp fly maggots on piles of rotten seaweed (Eddie Maguire). A Eurasian Jay was at Kyles View, Stronafian, Cowal (Graham & Danielle Clark).
21 June. An impressive Garden Bird Watch total of 28 Siskins were found in a garden at West Loch Tarbert this week included many juveniles (Barbara McMillan). This chimes with other reports of exceptional numbers of Siskins, including many young birds, seen in Argyll gardens elsewhere.
22 June. A previously unreported Sand Martin colony on a burn near Dunstaffnage, Mid-Argyll had approx. 38 nest holes (although possibly not all were occupied) (Mary Macintyre).
23 June. A Lesser Whitethroat in song was reported at Lochbuie, Mull today (Ashley Saunders per Alan Spellman).
An 1st year male Common Rosefinch in song was seen at the entrance to the Bunnahabhainn Distillery, Islay this afternoon (Peter Roberts per John Armitage). It was also seen there, again singing loudly, on 27 June (Chris & Tony Johnson).
25 June. Birds found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Creag an Daimh (near Otter Ferry) today included a Sand Martin colony with 32 AOBs, 2 Common Stonechats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Common Whitethroats, 28 Willow Warblers and 3 Lesser Redpolls (Tom Callan). Three House Martins were seen at Balephuil, Tiree (John Bowler).
26 June. An adult Magpie was seen associating with pigs in Lochgilphead this morning (Dave Payne),
Birds found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Dalchenna (near Inveraray) today included: 3 Blackcaps, 3 Common Chiffchaffs, a Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Bullfinches (Paul Daw).
27 June. Birds found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at Loch Tarsan, Cowal today included a Grasshopper Warbler, 60 Willow Warblers and 2 Eurasian Jays (Tom Callan).
A single Robin at Balephuil, Tiree was either very late or very early migrant (John Bowler).
28 June. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at Balephuil, Tiree today (John Bowler).
29 June. Two Spotted Flycatchers were seen near Largiemore, Loch Fyne today (Tom Callan).
30 June. A pair of House Martins were nest-building at Island House, Loch an Eilein today. The first documented breeding attempt for Tiree - although not so surprising given the large numbers recorded here this spring (John Bowler). Even the feeding station at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory is now attracting Lesser Redpolls – a male was photographed there today together with a colour-ringed Twite (Eddie Maguire).
Birds found during a Bird Atlas late breeding visit at and around Inveraray Castle today included: a Tree Pipit, a Dipper, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Garden Warblers, a Wood Warbler, no less than 5 Spotted Flycatchers, a recently fledged Eurasian Treecreeper and a pair of Reed Buntings (Paul Daw).
Other sightings:
Late May – early June. The Painted Lady invasion continued with literally thousands on Coll during this period (Simon Wellock). Similar numbers were reported from Tiree at the same time (John Bowler).
01 June. A Minke Whale was showing well for all on the Paddle Steamer Waverley day-trip to Tiree today also "many, many" Basking Sharks off Tiree and Coll (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
04 June. Three Pearl Bordered Fritillaries (a very scarce butterfly species) were photographed near Blarghour Farm, Loch Awe today. Four Orange-tips were also present (Karl Pipes).
09 June. About 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were in Machrihanish Bay today (Eddie Maguire).
12 June. Approx. 20 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen close too near the fish cages at Portavadie, Cowal (Tom Callan).
14 June. A dead White-beaked Dolphin was found at Traigh Bhi, Tiree today (John Bowler/ Andy Robinson/Martin Scott), a Basking Shark was off Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire) and at least 50 Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies were at the head of Loch Nell (Bill Allan).
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