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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)
22 August. A count of 137 Red-breasted Mergansers was made in Loch Caolisport this morning (Jim Dickson).
Seabirds, Divers, Grebes, Shearwaters, Herons etc. (and other seawatch species)
07 August. Two Sooty Shearwaters were found this morning off Machrihanish Seabird Observatory in several rafts of around 1,000 Manx Shearwaters. Most of these birds were sitting on the sea all morning in very calm, sunny, conditions.
12 August. The first significant inshore movement of Manx Shearwaters occurred today. The total for 3hrs was 1,700 >S. The first Balearic Shearwater this autumn also made an appearance (Eddie Maguire).
13 August. A second Balearic Shearwater was found at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory in a southerly movement of Manx Shearwaters (1,240 flying S in 3hrs) this morning. (Eddie Maguire & Hugh Nichol).
16 August. A notable 4 Balearic Shearwaters were recorded during a large movement of Manx Shearwaters (2, 400 >S in 5 hrs from 07:00) at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory this morning (Eddie Maguire) and a single Sooty Shearwater headed SW at Hynish, Tiree (John Bowler).
18 August. A seawatch from Hynish, Tiree at 17.20-18.20hrs in SSW6 with frequent poor visibility found a Sooty Shearwater, 304 Manx Shearwaters, 24 European Storm-petrels and 206 Northern Gannets (all birds heading SW) (John Bowler).
21 August. A minimum of 350 Manx Shearwaters flew SW down Loch Fyne at Otter Ferry late in the afternoon (Tom Callan).
23 August. During a southerly gale today, an exceptional movement of Manx Shearwaters was noted in Loch Gilp (Ardrishaig to Inverneill) with a minimum of 3,000 in 1 hour (15:00-16:00) 15+ Gannets and 3 Fulmars were also seen (Jim Dickson).
29 August. Two Leach's Storm-petrels were seen from the ferry between Coll and Tiree today (David Bryant)
Raptors, Rails etc
12 August. An Osprey was seen from the window flying past Rhugarbh Croft, Appin, North Argyll today (Mary Gregory).
13 August. An Osprey was seen near Islandadd Bridge carrying a fish S across the Add over the Cairnbaan corner of the estuary (Bill Allan).
25 August. An adult White-tailed Eagle was seen soaring just N of Tibertich (near Ford, Mid-Argyll) this morning (Karl Pipes).
26 August. A female Corn Crake with seen with 3 mid-sized chicks at Balephuil today (John Bowler)..
29 August. A male and a female Hen Harrier, a Peregrine Falcon and a Merlin were all noted at Tayinloan today (Katie Pendreigh).
Waders
01 August. A flock of 118 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree included an Icelandic leg-ringed bird, also present were a Red Knot in breeding plumage, 8 Greenshank, 50 Dunlin and 10 Sanderling (John Bowler).
04 August. An unprecedented flock of 133 Black-tailed Godwits at Machrihanish SBO at 07:45hrs this morning included a green-flagged bird. Totals of 170 Oystercatchers, 40 Red Knots, 58 Sanderlings, 85 Dunlins, 5 Whimbrels, 80 Common Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks and 37 Turnstones were also noted (Eddie Maguire).
09 August. Waders noted between Tayinloan and Rhunahaorine Point today included: 3 Oystercatchers, 20 Ringed Plovers, 20 Northern Lapwings, 35 Dunlins, 37 Eurasian Curlews, 6 Common Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks and 4 Common Sandpipers (Katie Pendreigh).
13 August. A group of 18 Dunlin at Loch na Cille, Loch Sween included several juvs (Bill Allan).
15 August. A male Ruff was found on floodwater on the golf course at Machrihanish this morning (Eddie Maguire).
16 August. A excellent variety of waders at Loch Gruinart, Islay today included: 170 Ringed Plovers, 2 Red Knots, 66 Sanderlings, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 1,740 Dunlin, 24 Bar-tailed Godwits and 14 Black-tailed Godwits (James How).
21 August. A juv. Ruff and 81 Black-tailed Godwits (including a leg-flagged bird from the Solent, Hants. Were at Balemartine, Tiree (John Bowler). After heavy rain, floodwater at West Parkfergus, The Laggan, Kintyre attracted a flock of around 60 Common Snipe (Eddie Maguire).
22 August. A nice selection of waders at Loch a' Phuill today included: 260 Northern Lapwings, 2 Ruffs, 148 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 25 Common Redshanks, 7 Greenshanks and a juv Wood Sandpiper (John Bowler).
23 August. A good selection of waders around Loch Crinan today included: 12 Ringed Plovers, 7 juvenile Red Knots, 4 juvenile Sanderlings, 14 Dunlins, 30 Common Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Turnstone (Jim Dickson).
24 August. Waders at Loch a' Phuill, Tiree included: 7 Red Knots, 3 Ruffs, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 165 Black-tailed Godwits and 28 Whimbrels. Flocks of 270 Ringed Plovers, 457 Sanderlings and 180 Dunlins were at Loch Bhasapol (John Bowler).
25 August. Waders noted between Tayinloan and Rhunahaorine Point today included: 3 Northern Lapwings, one Red Knot, 32 Dunlins, 6 Common Snipe, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Whimbrel, 9 Common Redshanks and at least one Greenshank (Katie Pendreigh). There was also a decent fall of waders at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory including: 12 Sanderlings, 230 Dunlins, 3 Ruffs, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 30 Eurasian Curlews, 85 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks and 38 Turnstones (Eddie Maguire).
26 August. A single Green Sandpiper was with 5 Red Knots, 4 Whimbrels and 125 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch a' Phuill after late this afternoon (John Bowler).
29 August. A Grey Phalarope was seen from the Tiree ferry in the Sound of Mull today (David Bryant)
30 August An adult Pacific Golden Plover found by Keith Gillon at Loch a' Phuill this morning and was later relocated at Sandaig/Middleton later (John Bowler).
31 August. A juvenile Spotted Sandpiper was found on the road between Heylipol and Heylipol Church this morning (Keith Gillon per John Bowler). It was photographed and if confirmed will be only our second Spotted Sandpiper since one was found at Loch Indaal on 5 June 1984.
Skuas, Gulls, Terns and Auks
06 August. A juvenile Long-tailed Skua came in off the sea at 0930 at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory and drifted off slowly E, inland, over The Laggan for Clyde waters (Eddie Maguire).
12 August. An adult Pomarine Skua flew S at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today (Eddie Maguire).
15 August. Two Great Skuas were seen flying S at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (Eddie Maguire).
17 August. A group of 22 Sandwich Terns at Kirn, Dunoon today included at least 5 immature birds (Tom Callan).
18 August. A seawatch from Hynish, Tiree at 17.20-18.20hrs in SSW6 found an Arctic Skua, 5 Great Skuas, 44 Kittiwakes (inc 7 juvs), 3 Arctic Terns and 9 Puffins (all birds heading SW). One of the Puffins was entirely buffy-grey-white - presumably leucistic - and very striking! (John Bowler).
19 August. An adult Roseate Tern was photographed close to Big Scone Island, Machrihanish, Kintyre this afternoon. Other tern species there included 26 Arctic (6 juveniles), 14 Common (4 juveniles) & 4 Sandwich (all adults) (Eddie Maguire).
20 August. A second-winter Mediterranean Gull was found and photographed at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today. This constitutes the 11th record at the observatory (Eddie Maguire).
23 August. During a southerly gale today, a Great Skua, 6 Kittiwakes and 4 Razorbills were seen with an exceptional movement of Manx Shearwaters in Loch Gilp (Ardrishaig to Inverneill) (Jim Dickson).
26 August. An adult and a 1 juv/1w Sandwich Tern were in Loch Gilp with 25 Kittiwakes, of which 13 were juv/1winters (Jim Dickson).
27 August. A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was photographed at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory today (Eddie Maguire/Jim Dickson)
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28 August. A seawatch at Keills at the mouth of Loch na Cille (Loch Sween) recorded 2,800 Kittiwakes in one hour and a single Arctic Skua was also seen. The following day (29 Aug) 1,200 Kittiwakes were recorded there in 50 minutes as well as a single Great Skua and 800 Manx Shearwaters (Jim Dickson).
29 August. A slightly puzzling Mediterranean Gull at the Squinty Bridge fish cages (near Inverneill, Loch Fyne) today was eventually identified as a 2nd winter bird but with virtually all white primaries (Anne-Lise Dickie/Bill Allan). A second winter Little Gull (the first this year) and a Great Skua flew S at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory early this morning and around 360 Kittiwakes and 900 Manx Shearwaters also flew S in 3 hours (Eddie Maguire).
Doves, Owls, Woodpeckers etc.
09 August. There was an obvious early evening increase in the number of Swifts to c. 60 over Burnside Square, Campbeltown (Derrick Goode).
13 August. A Short-eared Owl was seen in the Add Estuary this morning (Jim Dickson).
22 August. Two Short-eared Owls were in the Add Estuary today, a pale bird and a normal type (Jim Dickson).
Passerines
06 August. A single male Common Crossbill was at Crossapol, Tiree (John Bowler).
08 August. A flock of at least 20 Meadow Pipits was at Killail, Otter Ferry today and 2 Spotted Flycatchers were nearby (Tom Callan).
12 August. A Lesser Whitethroat was seen in a garden on the outskirts of Campbeltown this morning (Neil Brown).
13 August. The Ardkinglas Nuthatch was back again today. Seen and photographed on and around the nut feeder at the Nursery within the Estate for about an hour and a half this morning (Glyn Toplis). Late summer visitors in small area of stunted spruce at Moine Mhor, Mid-Argyll included: 2 Grasshopper Warblers (still reeling a bit), at least 6 Sedge Warblers and 2 Common Whitethroats (Jim Dickson).
17 August. At the feeding station at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory, Twite numbers increased to 64 (including 2 with colour-rings) with approx. 25 Goldfinches were close by (Eddie Maguire).
22 August. Four Whinchats were at Loch Caolisport this morning and two were in the Add Estuary (Jim Dickson).
27 August. A Lesser Whitethroat was seen close to in Lower Soroba Road, Oban this afternoon (Bill Allan/Anne-Lise Dickie).
28 August. A loose flock of 40 Mistle Thrushes was moving through at Otter Ferry today. Some were apparently being pursued by Chaffinches! (Tom Callan).
29 August. A flock of ca100 Linnets was seen Kilberry Inn, Knapdale today (Anne-Lise Dickie/Bill Allan).
Other sightings:
15 August. During a walk from Ardlamont Point northwards along the Kyles of Bute shore Steve Petty experienced the best day for butterflies in Argyll that he could remember. In the herb-rich areas along the shore 12 species were seen, even though it was mainly cloudy. These included Green-veined Whites and Painted Ladies (the most abundant with more than 100 of each), Peacocks (30+), Small Tortoiseshells (10+), Small Coppers (10+), Meadow Browns (six), Red Admirals (five), Scotch Argus (three), Grayling (three), Speckled Wood (one), Common Blue (one, very worn) and one male Large White amongst all the Green-veined Whites! As well as Painted Ladies, it seems to have been an exceptional year for Green-veined Whites.
21 August. A dead 2.0m long Leatherback Turtle was found at West Hynish, Tiree today (John Bowler).
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