Argyll Bird Report 1999

ORNITHOLOGICAL REVIEW OF 1998

Introduction

The systematic list below includes entries for 217 species, not including escapes or races. Two of these species (Cory's Shearwater & Little Egret) were recorded in 1997 but not in 1998. The record in question was omitted from a previous Argyll Bird Report, due to lack of supporting evidence.

This leaves a total of 215 species recorded in Argyll during 1998 (cf revised totals of 207 in 1997 (+ Cory's Shearwater & Wryneck), 213 in 1996, 204 in 1995 (+ King Eider), 213 in 1994 and 213 in 1993 ), with claimed sightings of two other species currently under consideration by the BBRC. Three of the 217 species, namely Pied-billed Grebe, Lesser Scaup and Booted Warbler are additions to the Argyll list which now contains 311 species.

Perhaps surprisingly, the following were not recorded in Argyll during 1998 and so have been omitted from the list below: Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus, Spotted Crake Porzana porzana, Sabine's Gull Larus sabini, Stock Dove Columba oenas, Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus and Tree Sparrow Passer montanus. Some of these may simply have been overlooked, but there have been no records of Nightjar since 1993 and it is the second successive blank year for Tree Sparrow.

January to March

The year began with gales and heavy rain and much of the first half of January was wet. Towards the end of the month there was a dry cold spell when grebes were much in evidence. As well as single Great Crested Grebes at West Loch Tarbert Kintyre on 19^th and Blairmore Cowal on 20^th, Loch Indaal Islay had a peak count of 25 Slavonian Grebes on 22^nd together with a Red-necked Grebe on 23^rd, there were 20 Slavonian Grebes at Loch na Keal Mull on 25^th and Outer Loch Etive N Argyll had a peak count of 18 Little Grebes on 17^th.

Among the wildfowl a 'Green-winged' Teal from North America, in Loch Indaal Islay on 20^th and 26^th Jan, continued a recent run of records of this species there. At the same site, Pintail numbers reached a peak of 45 on 22^nd while 1,110 Scaup on 18^th was the highest count there since 1993.

There have been very few reports of Ptarmigan in recent years so it was good to hear of 'several' in the vicinity of the BT masts above Craignure Mull during Jan and 2 on Beinn Fhionnlaidh N Argyll on 25^th Jan. Good news too for Turnstones. Analysis of NEWS count data shows a marked decline in numbers on the west coasts of Britain over the last 10 years but after a poor year in 1997, numbers on Islay were back to normal levels with a total of 139 at Lochs Gruinart and Indaal in Jan.

Apart from some heavy rain in the middle of the month Feb was mostly relatively fine and quite mild. However right at the end of Feb and into early Mar we had a cold snap with some snow, even on low ground.

The usual concentration of Great Northern Divers north of Gigha was recorded as 67 birds on 16^th Feb. Notable counts of waders at this time included 48 Grey Plovers at Loch Gruinart Islay on 16^th Feb and an impressive 73 Snipe at Loch Bhasapol Tiree on 15^th. In Gunna Sound off Tiree, on 20^th Feb, 8 Little Auks was the highest number seen at any one location during the year

The whole question of how to treat the various races of the Herring Gull is still very much under discussion, with many textbooks now treating the Yellow-legged Gull as a separate species (Larus cachinnans). Be that as it may the individual seen at Soa Point Tiree on 23^rd Feb was the first Argyll record to be accepted by SBRC.

After the early cold spell the second half of Mar was mainly fairly mild with reasonable amounts of dry weather.

It is always difficult to be certain of numbers of 'white-winged' gulls because of wandering individuals but it seems likely that during Mar at least 10 Iceland Gulls and 7 Glaucous Gulls were present in Argyll.

On 7^th Mar an impressive gathering of Black-throated Divers were present in Loch Caolisport and 44 were counted there. Good numbers of Whooper Swan were recorded passing through, from the middle of Mar onwards, with flocks of 66 over High Barnakill Mid-Argyll and 80 over Croggan Mull on 21^st and a total of 263 on the freshwater lochs on Tiree on 24^th. Towards the end of the month, 12 Yellowhammers in a garden at Connel Mid-Argyll on 29^th was the highest count of the year - some indication of the small numbers present in Argyll.

Early migrants included a Chiffchaff in Coullabus Wood Islay on 27^th Mar, a Swallow at Balephetrish Tiree on 28^th and a Sand Martin at Claggain Islay on 30^th.

April to June

Despite a number of dry and even sunny days, the first half of Apr was dominated by cold N or NE winds. Later in the month conditions were mostly milder with rain and bright intervals.

After the early birds in late Mar the main arrival of Chiffchaffs took place during the first week in Apr. Arrival dates for most summer migrants seemed to be fairly average this year apart from Willow Warbler (first recorded in Coullabus Wood Islay on 5^th Apr - with the main body of birds arriving between 12^th and 19^th) and Grasshopper Warbler (first at Taynuilt, N Argyll on 18^th, with one at Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll on 21^st the earliest ever recorded there).

The first of four Spotted Redshanks seen during the year was at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 7^th Apr and 2,700 Golden Plover at The Reef Tiree on 20^th Apr was a good count for a species usually only reported in relatively small numbers elsewhere.

The only Apr rarity of note was a Hoopoe found on Tiree on 28^th April (and seen again on 21^st May).

As usual May was generally a good month with much fine sunny weather but, towards the end, cool NE winds returned.

Among the later migrants arriving at this time were Swift at Connel on 10^th May and Spotted Flycatcher at Taynish NNR on 13^th but a highlight of the month was a beautiful male Red-backed Shrike trapped at Aros Moss CES on 15^th. The star rare species however was Blue-winged Teal. The male bird at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 16^th May was only the second Argyll record and it (or possibly another individual) obligingly stayed for a week at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve later in that month. A Sooty Shearwater seen in the Sound of Mull on 31^st May was our first spring record since 1983.

In Jun there was again plenty of dry weather and some sunshine but, until the end of the month at least, temperatures were below average.

The early part of Jun was a very good period for unusual birds, many first discovered by visitors to Argyll. On 1^st our second Red-backed Shrike of the year (a female this time and only the 6^th individual since 1980) appeared on Mull and on the following day a King Eider in full breeding plumage was found by a visitor at Bellochantuy Kintyre. Two days later (on 4^th) a Quail was calling and a Green Sandpiper (rare in spring) was seen, both at Heylipol Tiree, a Curlew Sandpiper in summer plumage was at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree and a Wryneck was seen and heard calling (again by a visitor) at Slockavullin Mid-Argyll. The latter was our first record for the species since 1991. A male Common Rosefinch was singing at Balemartine Tiree on 7^th and our first 'new species' of the year, a Pied-billed Grebe, was first seen (by yet another visitor) at the Mishnish Lochs Mull on 8^th.To round off this 'purple patch' a Bee-eater (our 5^th for Argyll) was found at Tynacoille Islay on 11^th, the fifth record of the species in Argyll.

The breeding season

Despite the general perception that the summer weather was poor, the worst did occur until the latter part of Jul onwards, by which times many species had already bred successfully.

Divers in Argyll experienced their usual mixed fortunes this year. Four out of 5 monitored pairs of Red-throats producing one fledged young each while 10 known summering pairs of Black-throats reared only two young to fledging.

Among the wildfowl Mute Swans again had a bad year with 11 pairs at the monitored sites producing no young at all and only 6 pairs successfully producing young (3 of which were at sites where mink were controlled). On Loch Eck Cowal 18 pairs of Mandarins used the nest boxes provided and the population appears still to be on the increase.

A survey of selected 10km squares in Argyll found that 52 young fledged at 18 monitored Hen Harrier territories, but this is only a partial picture as less than half the identified territories were monitored. Golden Eagles had an average year with 22 successful nests producing 27 fledged young but the fortunes of our local Ospreys improved considerably after such a disappointing season last year. An additional pair bred and all four were successful producing a total of 9 young.

A nation-wide survey of Corncrakes found that 38% (225) of the total of 589 calling birds were on the Argyll islands. Declines since 1997 were noted in the core breeding area and numbers on Islay were at their lowest level in recent years. However numbers increased substantially on Iona, Oronsay and Colonsay.

A pair of Coots with 4 well grown young were found on Kilmory Lake Mid-Argyll on 6^th Jul, our first breeding record since 1994, and one wonders how often isolated pairs may be overlooked.

At Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve numbers of breeding pairs of Lapwing and Redshank were both down from previous years but Curlew were up slightly since last year. Common Sandpiper is the only wader for which there are really widespread breeding records with reports of pairs from many hill lochs and along all suitable shores of the sea-lochs. A pair of Great Skuas bred for the second year on Coll and a pair raised a single chick on the Treshnish Isles Mull, the first confirmed breeding at the latter site.

Our breeding Terns had a poor season with total numbers of fledged young of both Common and Arctic Terns down on last year. Little Terns on Tiree fledged very few young with adverse weather conditions and disturbance both playing a part.

Black-headed and Common Gulls seemed to hold their own with numbers of fledged young at monitored sites broadly similar to last year. Lesser Black-backed Gulls appear to have increased slightly but Herring Gulls had a bad year with many large colonies failing completely after mink predation of eggs and chicks.

The various surveys carried out on Barn Owls reveal that a minimum of 108 young were fledged showing that Argyll is a key stronghold for this species.

Swifts were recorded in likely breeding areas in Campbeltown, Dunoon and Lochgilphead but not, surprisingly, in Oban.

After many years of suspected breeding in Cowal our first confirmed breeding record for Green Woodpecker eventually came from Kintyre this year. The increase in records generally would seem to indicate that the species is slowly spreading in Argyll.

It was a good year for Sand Martins with numbers up at all the regularly monitored sites and record counts in some cases. Two species especially affected by hard winters, Wren and Stonechat, both continued their recovery from the severe conditions of 1995/96 with numbers at monitored sites up by ca 20% on 1997. Both Flycatchers species had good breeding seasons with high numbers of young Pied Flycatchers fledged from the nest box schemes and a record number of territories of Spotted Flycatchers at Taynish. The latter species does not, so far, seem to have suffered the severe decline here that has been experienced further south.

A survey of breeding Choughs in Scotland showed that all but one of the active pairs were on the Argyll islands. The total of 59 pairs found breeding revealed a continued fall in numbers since the increases of the mid 1980s. This decline was especially evident on Islay and may be related to changes in cattle rearing practice. Numbers on Colonsay/Oronsay increased slightly.

There were widespread reports of Common Crossbill from all mainland areas and from Mull; singing males in Mar and May, and adults seen with young much later in the year, suggest a prolonged and quite successful breeding season for this unpredictable species.

July and August

After the first week of Jul the weather deteriorated markedly with long periods of rain and relatively few brighter intervals. This pattern continued through until the end of the first week in Aug after which it became warmer and humid followed by some fine weather with good periods of sunshine at the end of the month.

It is well known that large numbers of petrels and shearwaters pass southwards off the coasts of Argyll in autumn but the count of 11,364 birds passing Tiree on 12^th Aug gives some indication of the true scale of this movement. Perhaps not surprisingly two of the three Balearic Shearwaters of 1998 also occurred at this time, one off Tiree on 11^th and one off Machrihanish on 12^th Aug.

Although Shags are a common species in Argyll the count of 1,126 in Gunna Sound, off Tiree was notable. Velvet Scoter on the other hand seem increasingly scarce in Argyll and the 4 in the Sound of Gigha on 26^th Aug were the only birds seen apart from two singles later in the year.

It was a good autumn for wader passage and Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll had its highest counts on record for several species (e.g. 75 Dunlin on 15^th Aug). Whimbrel reached a peak on 14^th Aug when 76 were counted at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve and the first autumn Spotted Redshank appeared at the same location on 19^th. Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were also well represented with 18 of the latter species at Loch Gruinart on 29^th Aug and 6 juvs at Loch Crinan on 30^th. The only real rarity among the autumn waders was also seen at Loch Gruinart: a Pectoral Sandpiper on 29^th Aug was our first in four years.

Late Aug was a good time for unusual birds and on 28^th a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was identified at Caolas Tiree. This rare species is becoming some thing of an Argyll speciality with nine records now since 1980, although this is the first juvenile. A Yellow Wagtail at Kilmartin Mid-Argyll on 29^th Aug was one of only two recorded in Argyll during the year.

September and October

September was notable for the absence of the gales which often bring interesting seabirds close to land at this time. The last third of the month was particularly warm and dry and this pattern lasted into the first week of Oct. Then the weather broke down with squally showers and gusty NW or SW winds. Although mild at first it became much colder in the latter half of Oct and some showers included hail and thunder.

Manx Shearwaters were still passing through in large numbers during early Sep but the sight of 75 Sooty Shearwaters sitting on the sea off the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse on 8^th must have been arresting.

A female Goshawk seen near Glengorm Castle Mull on 27^th Sep was our first record of this species since 1993.

This year's On 19^th-21^st Sep the club took part in the annual co-ordinated count of Eiders in the Firth of Clyde. This found a total of 4,771 birds in the Argyll part of the area a fall of 16.5% from 5,715 in 1997. In 1998 the west coast and islands were also counted, for the first time. This found 1,896 birds making a grand total for Argyll of 6,667.

At the end of Sep a remarkable influx of Pink-footed Geese into Argyll occurred with flocks of 100 or more appearing at various locations over Mull and the mainland during Sep 30^th-1^st Oct.

Good wader numbers continued into Sep with 12 Ruffs at Middleton Tiree on 9^th, 17 Little Stints at Cairnain Islay on 18^th and 11 Greenshank at Kinloch Mull on 28^th. The 25^th Sep was a typical date for the Grey Phalarope seen at Loch a 'Chumhainn Mull. Sep also produced our second and most unexpected new species of the year, a Booted Warbler at Balemartine Tiree on 20^th. A Lesser Whitethroat was in the same vicinity at this time.

Oct began well with an American Wigeon (our 4^th) at Loch Craignish Mid-Argyll on 1^st, followed, on 2^nd by a Yellow-browed Warbler (only our 3^rd accepted record) at West Hynish Tiree. A few days later many observers were granted the astonishing sight of no less than 4 juv. Spoonbills, which were first seen at Bridgend Islay on 8^th. A late Whitethroat was still present at Lower Killeyan Islay on 4^th Oct and the first Fieldfares were reported at Ardentinny Cowal on 18^th.

At the very end of the month, on 29^th, our only Lapland Bunting of the year was spotted at the Laggan Kintyre.

November and December

Nov was very changeable. It began cold and showery and then there were gales during the second week of the month. The latter half of the month was mainly cold with overnight frost but with a fair amount of sunshine on some days. Cold weather in early Dec was followed by a milder period during the second week. It then became colder again and on the evening of 26^th there was a severe gale causing widespread damage and loss of power supplies.

Early Nov was a productive time, especially for wildfowl. On 5^th a count of 54 Shoveler at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve was a new record for the site and on the following day an odd looking duck on Ardnave Loch Islay was finally identified as a 1^st year female Lesser Scaup. This is the first time this transatlantic visitor has been identified in Argyll. Then on 11^th Nov a 'redhead' (female/juv.) Smew was found on Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll, only the second Argyll record of this species since the long staying bird on Islay was last seen in 1989.

Nov was also good for unusual gulls. On 7^th a 2^nd winter Mediterranean Gull seen at close quarters on Campbeltown Loch Kintyre was only our third Argyll record since 1980. Two days later on 9^th, at Machrihanish SBO a westerly gale brought approx 2,000 Kittiwakes inshore as well as 2, or possibly 3, 1^st winter Little Gulls. Then on the afternoon of 28^th a 1^st winter Laughing Gull was found in the company of a Common Gull at Cliad Coll; the only other record of this species was a bird on Islay in 1974.

Also late in Nov came the first of our two remarkable winter records of Ring-Ouzel. This one was at Lochdon Mull on 19^th and was followed by one at Cruachan Reservoir N Argyll on 29^th Dec.

Two notable counts were made on Loch Etive in early Dec: 82 Goldeneye off Glennoe Jetty on the inner loch on 5^th and 31 Little Grebes in the outer loch. on 6^th.

A further unusual count in early Dec was 760 Oystercatchers found in Holy Loch on 3^rd, the highest single count at one site in Argyll in recent years.

A 1^st winter Surf Scoter at Balephetrish Bay Tiree on 11^th Dec continued our recent run of records of this scarce species.

Two species in unusual places at unexpected times were a Grey Phalarope that flew in and landed on the sea off Traigh an Luig Islay on 14^th Dec and a Leach's Petrel found dead outside the Oyster Bar at the head of Loch Fyne Mid-Argyll on 15^th.

Lastly it was a good winter for Snow Buntings in Argyll with small numbers reported widely and flocks of 32 at Corran Ban Islay on 8^th Dec and ca 70 in the A 'Chleit/Tayinloan area of Kintyre on 27^th.

Return to Contents

BIRD RECORDING IN ARGYLL

Advice to contributors

When submitting records, sightings should be listed in Voous order (as in this report) and should include the following details:

Species name. The commonly used English name is usually sufficient (British Birds - List of English Names... versions acceptable if preferred) but scientific (Latin) name is helpful if reporting sub-species.

EURING Code No. - if possible (helps to speed up computer input).

Date. Please give specific date whenever possible (rather than 'June' or 'Spring') as this makes the record much more valuable and enables us to relate it to other records received.

Grid reference if known (six figure ref. preferred but a four figure ref. is often sufficient).

Location. Used in conjunction with the above to avoid ambiguity e.g. there are umpteen Loch Dubhs in Argyll but mistakes can also occur with grid refs!

Number of individuals. Precise number whenever possible or, failing this, an estimate. Even a rough estimate is more useful than 'many', 'large flock', 'several' or 'few', which are too subjective to have much value.

Sex and age - if known

Other interesting comments are always welcome e.g. indications of breeding, behaviour, food, interactions with other birds/animals etc. Individual anecdotes add value to what can otherwise be rather a 'dry' report.

Rare birds

Details of rarities should be sent in as soon as possible after the sighting, if possible on a standard form (available from Recorder). They will be judged locally by the Argyll Bird Records Committee (whose members are listed on p. 00), sent on to the Scottish Birds Records Committee (SBRC), or sent on to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), as appropriate.

The list below details rare species whose occurrence in Argyll needs to be fully documented. It is made up of the ABRC list of Argyll rarities (in lower case) and the SBRC list of Scottish rarities (in capitals), but excludes the large number of UK rarities assessed by BBRC. Asterisked species have occurred in Argyll.

No record of any of the species and plumage phases listed below will be published unless adequate supporting details (including a description) are available. In addition, brief details may be requested for occurrences of scarce species not on the list where the circumstances appear to warrant this.

List of SBRC and ABRC species and subspecies, 1998

Black-necked Grebe*
CORY'S SHEARWATER*
GREAT SHEARWATER*
MEDITERRANEAN SHEARWATER* #
Bittern*
LITTLE EGRET*
PURPLE HERON
WHITE STORK*
SPOONBILL*
Bean Goose*
European White-fronted Goose*
GREEN-WINGED TEAL*
Red-crested Pochard*
RING-NECKED DUCK*
SURF SCOTER*
Smew*
Ruddy Duck*
HONEY BUZZARD*
MONTAGU'S HARRIER
Goshawk*
ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD*
HOBBY*
CRANE*
Avocet*
STONE CURLEW *
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER*
KENTISH PLOVER
Temminck's Stint*
PECTORAL SANDPIPER*
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER*
Red-necked Phalarope*
Long-tailed Skua (except adult)*
MEDITERRANEAN GULL*
Sabine's Gull*
RING-BILLED GULL*
HERRING GULL (yellow-legged race michahellis)
Roseate Tern*
Black Tern*
Little Owl
BEE-EATER*
Wryneck*
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER
SHORT-TOED LARK
WOODLARK
Shore Lark*
RICHARD'S PIPIT*
TAWNY PIPIT
WATER PIPIT
NIGHTINGALE*
Bluethroat*
CETTI'S WARBLER
AQUATIC WARBLER
MARSH WARBLER
Reed Warbler*
ICTERINE WARBLER*
MELODIOUS WARBLER
DARTFORD WARBLER
BARRED WARBLER*
Lesser Whitethroat*
PALLAS'S WARBLER
Yellow-browed Warbler*
FIRECREST*
RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER*
BEARDED TIT
Marsh Tit
Willow Tit*
Crested Tit*
Nuthatch*
Red-backed Shrike*
WOODCHAT SHRIKE*
SERIN
Scottish Crossbill
COMMON ROSEFINCH*
Hawfinch*
CIRL BUNTING*
ORTOLAN BUNTING
LITTLE BUNTING*

# Because of the frequency of records in Argyll, the SBRC has recently delegated decision making on this species to the Recorder. Normally a description will not now be required although the ABRC reserve the right to request one if the circumstances seem to require it.

INTERPRETATION OF THE SPECIES ACCOUNTS

In the species accounts below, English and scientific names are as in the latest Scottish Bird Report; the sequence of species follows the Voous order as in the same report.

Each species heading in the report contains the following information:

Common name Scientific name Gaelic name EURING code

e.g. RAVEN Corvus corax Fitheach 1572

Each heading is followed by a summary of the bird's known status and distribution within Argyll, together with any other relevant information. Significant 1998 records are then listed in approximate chronological order. For scarcer species, records for 1998 may be followed by late records or recent acceptances from earlier years.

For the purposes of this report, Argyll is divided into 11 areas, which are named on the accompanying sketch map (p00). Because very few records have been received from Lismore in recent years, it is no longer considered a separate area but has been merged with North Argyll. Note that, for the moment at least, boundaries of the Argyll recording area remain unchanged despite local government reorganisation in 1996.

Records of rarities in the systematic list are accompanied by the names of the observers, starting with the finder(s)/identifier(s) (or, in the absence of this information, the person who first reported the bird to me), followed by the observer(s) who submitted details of the record, if different. All these records are also accompanied by an asterisk, to indicate acceptance by the relevant rarities committee. Summarised data from many surveys of breeding birds are also accompanied by the initials of the observers or organisations responsible, in order to help readers who are interested in obtaining more detailed information.

An attempt has been made to ensure that all place names in the systematic list feature on the 1:50,000 (Landranger Series) Ordnance Survey maps. An exception is The Laggan (Kintyre) which refers to the roughly triangular area west of Campbeltown, bordered by the B843, the A83, and Machrihanish Bay. Campbeltown Airport (previously RAF Machrihanish) is in this area. The Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (SBO) is situated at Uisaed Point on the western outskirts of Machrihanish (NR628209). In Mid-Argyll, Kilmichael Glen extends north eastwards from Kilmichael Glassary at NR85/93. On Mull, the Mishnish Lochs are the series of lochs extending from NM46/52 to NM48/53.

On Islay, the term 'Loch Gruinart' may refer to the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) reserve at Loch Gruinart, or to parts of the loch lying outside the reserve. When a distinction has been made by the observer and when presenting counts of breeding pairs within the reserve, the term 'Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve' is used. The same applies to the use of the terms 'Moine Mhor' and 'Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve (NNR)' (Mid-Argyll); I have used the former term to cover an area extending west to the landward edge of Loch Crinan and north to Barsloisnoch.

Tables 1 to 4 are derived from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) goose counts. Tables 5 to 28 are based principally on data from the Wetland Birds Survey (WeBS), The Islay Bird and Natural History Report 1997 and John Halliday's (SNH) Moine Mhor NNR and Loch Crinan Bird Reports 1997, although higher counts have been included where available. In these tables 'Loch Etive (Outer)' refers to WeBS counts covering the area from Connel Bridge to Taynuilt and 'Tiree' refers to WeBS counts covering the four main freshwater lochs on the island viz. Loch an Eilein, Loch Bhasapol, Loch Riaghain and Loch a 'Phuill. For certain species numbers on Tiree may be higher, at any given time, elsewhere on the island: where available appropriate counts are cited in the main text.

Special studies carried out in 1998

Regular monitoring of certain species and groups of species in Argyll continued in 1998; examples are the goose counts carried out by SNH, the monthly wildfowl and wader counts (WeBS) at several sites, monitoring of breeding birds of prey on Cowal by Arthur French and David Anderson and the Common Birds Census (CBC) carried out on two plots at Taynish NNR (Mid-Argyll) by John Halliday. Other single-species studies, either new in 1998 or continued from previous years, are referred to in the species accounts.

Three further multi-species studies are summarised here to avoid repetition of details in the species accounts.

(1) Breeding Birds Survey (BBS)

The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which started in 1994, gives all birdwatchers a chance to take part in important survey work. Its objective is to extend and improve the monitoring of population changes of common breeding birds. It is now counts birds annually in more than 2,000 randomly chosen one-km squares in the UK, using a line-transect method. If you have a few hours to spare each year and wish to take part in the BBS, please contact your local BTO Representative (see p. 3 for details) or Richard Bashford at the BTO, National Centre for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, (01842) 750050 or e-mail: r.bashford@bto.org.

In 1998, 16 such squares were surveyed in Argyll. They were located in Kintyre (NR68/29), Colonsay (NR35/88, NR38/95), Cowal NR92/75, NS08/84, NS12/80), Mid-Argyll (NM82/24, NM83/19, NN01/04, NN06/15, NR77/70, NR79/92), Mull (NM30/21, NM39/39, NM44/21), and N. Argyll (NN10/35). They are the same 16 squares as those surveyed in 1997.

New recruits are always needed for the BBS. If you think you might be interested but are not sure how much time it would take or how expert you need to be, or would like to know the location of the squares needing coverage, the BTO representatives listed on p.3 or your Recorder Paul Daw would be happy to talk to you about it.

In the systematic list below, BBS data are quoted for species which are widely distributed or for which little other information was available.

(2) Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) study of seabird breeding success [J. C. A. Craik]

As part of a wider study of seabird breeding success, selected species were monitored in a study area along the west coasts of Kintyre, Mid-Argyll, and N. Argyll (including Lismore), and at additional sites in Loch Fyne (Cowal/Mid-Argyll) and Mull. Further details can be found in ABR 11.

(3) Systematic sea-watching at Machrihanish SBO (Kintyre) [E. J. Maguire].

Movements of seabirds, wildfowl and waders past this site is monitored regularly during certain months of the year. With a few exceptions, all individual birds flying past were identified and logged. Hours of observation during each month were as follows (c = casual observations):

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Mach. SBO

c

c

c

c

c

c

26

34

41

60

26

c

This information can be used, in some cases, to convert total counts in the systematic list to hourly rates, and vice versa. The vast majority of birds flew south during all months.

More comprehensive data for Machrihanish SBO can be found in Maguire (1999).

(4) NEWS

The European Non-Estuarine Coastal Waterfowl Survey (NEWS) took place in Dec 1997/Jan 1998 and several coastal areas of Argyll were covered. This survey was a follow up to the 1984/85 winter shorebird count which was (until NEWS) the only comprehensive survey of the non-estuarine coastline (coverage 90%) of the UK. The aim of the new survey was to repeat this and to cover as much as possible of the East Atlantic Flyway of Europe, so as to produce total population estimates for wader species and possibly ducks. Pilot studies had suggested significant decreases in numbers of certain wader species and the results of the main survey were expected to give a clearer picture of current trends.

Counts were carried out within a seven hour period commencing 3.5 hrs before low water and finishing 3.5 hrs after low water and took place between 1^st Dec 1997 and 31^st Jan 1998 (although counts on Tiree carried over into Feb). The priority was to record waders on the inter-tidal habitat. However, wherever possible, wildfowl, divers, grebes and Cormorants were also counted and the areas of sea immediately adjacent to the coast as well as inland areas easily visible from high water mark were covered.

Counts for Argyll covered most of the mainland shoreline (including sealochs) and the islands, except for Loch Etive, Jura and Colonsay for which no data was received. In certain cases the boundaries of the sections for which counts were made were such that coastline outside the Argyll recording area was included. For this reason the total counts quoted in the main text include birds recorded in Gare Loch and the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe north to North Ballachulish. The counts nevertheless give some indication of winter populations of certain species that are not normally censused.

Categories of the British list (as revised by the BOURC - Jan 1998):

Category A. Species that have been recorded in an apparently natural state at least once since 1^st Jan 1950.

Category B. Species that would otherwise be in Category A but have not been recorded since 31^st Dec 1949.

Category C. Species which, although originally introduced by man, either deliberately or accidentally, have now established breeding populations derived from introduced stock that maintain themselves without necessary recourse to further introduction.

C1. Naturalised Introductions Species that have occurred only as a result of introduction e.g. Mandarin Duck, Little Owl.

C2. Naturalised Establishments Species with established populations as a result of introduction by man, but which also occur in an apparently natural state e.g. Canada Goose.

C3. Naturalised Re-establishments Species with populations successfully re-established by man in areas of former occurrence e.g. Red Kite, Capercaillie.

C4. Naturalised Feral Species Domesticated species with populations established in the wild e.g. Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon).

C5 Vagrant Naturalised Species Species from established naturalised populations abroad (none accepted yet although most Ruddy Shelducks occurring here must fall into this category).

Category D. Species that would otherwise appear in Categories A or B except that there is reasonable doubt that they have ever occurred in a natural state.

Category E. Species that have been recorded as introductions, transportees, or escapes from captivity, and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self-sustaining.

Symbols and abbreviations

Species status categories
R	Resident and sedentary
B	Breeding species; breeding and wintering ranges may differ
S	Summer visitor; breeds unless otherwise stated
P	Passage migrant
W	Winter visitor
I	Introduced species; recorded in Argyll, may or may not breed here
V	Vagrant; fewer than 5 records since 1980
Others
*	Record accepted by relevant rarities committee
ABR	Argyll Bird Report
ABRC	Argyll Bird Records Committee
ARSG	Argyll Raptor Study Group
AOB	apparently occupied burrows
AON	apparently occupied nest-sites
AOS	apparently occupied sites
b/-	brood of...young
BBRC	British Birds Rarities Committee
BBS	Breeding Birds Survey
BOURC	British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee
BTO	British Trust for Ornithology
ca	circa = approx..
c/-	clutch of...eggs
cf	confer = compare
CBC	Common Birds Census
CES	Constant Effort (ringing) Site
inc.	including
JNCC	Joint Nature Conservation Committee
max.	maximum (the highest of 2 or more counts at a given locality during the period being analysed)
NCC	Nature Conservancy Council
NEWS	European Non-estuarine Coastal Waterfowl Survey
NNR	National Nature Reserve
n/r	not recorded (in tables of counts, where no count was made)
SAMS	Scottish Association for Marine Science
SBO	Seabird Observatory
SBR	Scottish Bird Report
SBRC	Scottish Birds Records Committee
SNH	Scottish Natural Heritage
WeBS	Wetland Bird Survey

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Divers and grebes

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata Learga ruadh 0002

B W P Widely distributed but sparse breeding species. Breeding recorded in 26% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The highest count during the early part of the year was on Loch Indaal Islay, where 35 were counted on 23^rd Jan. There were still 29 there on 26^th Apr. The only other record of more than 10 birds was at Hynish Tiree where there was a maximum count of 16 on 7^th Mar.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 69.

Breeding. Pairs (all presumed to be breeding) were found on just 6 lochs on Coll. No follow up information available for breeding success (RSPB). In Mid-Argyll, the Ederline/Eredine survey area had five pairs attempting to nest (four using rafts) and laying eggs. Of these four successfully produced one fledged young each, one (not using a raft) late in the season, apparently at the second attempt [DM] . On Colonsay, a pair were present in the breeding season but at a different loch from the regular site. An adult and two juveniles were present, in Jul, at one location on Islay. Breeding season records were also received from six sites on Mull and one each in Cowal and on Tiree.

During the latter part the year most records came from the islands and seldom exceeded single figures. However 11 were recorded on Loch Indaal on 8^th Nov while at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre 19 flew past in 3 hrs on 30^th Sep and 15 in 6 hrs on 11^th Oct.

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Learga dhubh 0003

B W P Scarce, though probably under-recorded in winter. Breeding now only in Mid-Argyll and N. Argyll.

Counts in Loch Caolisport, of 21 on 28^th Jan and 44 on 7^th Mar were the highest for this species in the last few years and on the latter date there were also 7 on Loch Buie Mull. Otherwise records of one or two birds came from Colonsay, Islay, Mid-Argyll and Tiree during this part of the year. On 8^th May, 21 were counted offshore at Skipness, Kintyre.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 28.

Breeding. 10 summering pairs were monitored, including a pair of birds that summered (but did not breed) at a loch where breeding has not been recorded for many years. Breeding was confirmed at 8 sites (3 natural/5 rafts); chicks were hatched at just 2 sites (both rafts) and both young survived to fledging.

In the latter part of the year 5 adults were seen on Loch Arail Mid-Argyll on 31^st Jul and (presumably the same) 5 birds in Loch Fyne near Ardrishaig on Mid-Argyll on 2^nd Aug while the highest count was 14 birds in the Sound of Gigha on 26^th Aug . Otherwise there were records, until early Dec, of up to three birds (mostly singles) from Islay, Kintyre, Mull, N Argyll and Tiree.

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Muir bhuachaill 0004

W P The Argyll coast is an important wintering locality. Summer-plumaged birds regularly recorded Apr to early Jun in all areas except Cowal. Pre-migratory gatherings occur off some coasts in late Apr and early May. A few individuals summer.

Maximum counts for favoured localities during the period Jan-Apr were: 11 in Loch na Keal Mull on 25^th Jan, 35 in Loch Indaal Islay on 26^th Jan, 10 in Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll on 1^st Feb, 67 counted north of Gigha, from the Islay - Kennacraig Ferry, on 16^th Feb, 12 off Ardnave Islay on 2^nd Mar, 14 in Loch Buie Mull on 6^th Apr and 44 in Hynish Bay Tiree on 27^th Apr. Birds were also recorded in single figures off Colonsay and in N Argyll.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 160.

There were still 34 birds in Hynish Bay on 20^th May but by 23^rd only 3 remained.

In late May and Jun summering birds were present at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre, 3 locations off Mull, 2 off Tiree, 2 off Colonsay in Loch Indaal Islay.

Numbers seemed slow in building up in the latter part of the year. Eight were seen in the Sound of Gigha on 30^th Sep, 10 flew past Frenchman's Rocks Islay in 2 hrs on 11^th Oct, 16 passed Machrihanish SBO Kintyre in 7.5 hrs on 25^th Oct and 12 were off Port Charlotte Islay on 31^st Oct. By Dec there were 15 in Hynish Bay Tiree on 12^th and 31 were counted between Machrihanish and Westport Kintyre on 20^th.

PIED-BILLED GREBE Podilymbus podiceps 0006

V No previous records for Argyll and only four records for Scotland.

This very elusive bird was found on Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs) Mull at 1330hrs on 8^th Jun by N. McKee a visitor from Northern Ireland. He watched for just 10 seconds before it dived out of sight and failed to re-appear. Nevertheless he was, fortunately, able to put together a description and also reported the sighting to the local birding community. However despite frequent searches no-one was able to locate the bird again until a group from Norwich, on a birdwatching holiday, managed to see it, at the same sight, for two periods of about 10 and (later) 15 minutes on the morning of 15^th Jun. Mark Cocker , the leader of the group also submitted a record form. Both descriptions were accepted by BBRC but the bird was not seen on any other occasions.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Spagriton 0007

B W Uncommon. Breeds widely, mainly on small, low-lying eutrophic lochs. Breeding recorded in 18% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Small numbers gather in sheltered coastal waters in winter.

The highest counts for the early part of the year were a maximum of 10 in Campbeltown Loch Kintyre during January and 18 on Outer Loch Etive N Argyll on 17^th Jan. Otherwise 1 - 4 birds were reported from various locations in Cowal, Islay, Kintyre, Mid-Argyll (several sites), Mull and Tiree with 5 on Loch Allan Islay on 5^th Feb.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 27.

Breeding. Confirmed breeding was reported from East Loch Fada (b/3), Mid Loch Fada (b/3) and Dubh Loch (b/2) Colonsay , 'Blue Lake', Corlarach Cowal, Loch nan Geadh (nr. Claonaig) Kintyre (b/2+), Camas Daoine Loch (b/2), and Loch nam Breac Buidhe (b/3), (both in the Ederline/Eredine area) Mid-Argyll , Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs) Mull (b/3) and Loch Bhasapol Tiree (b/1). In addition a pair probably bred at Lochan Taynish Mid-Argyll and birds were seen during the breeding season at one other loch in both Cowal and Mid-Argyll and at 3 lochs on Islay.

Once again exceptional numbers were recorded on Outer Loch Etive during the latter months of the year. Numbers rose steadily from 18 on 12^th Sept, to 21 on 4^th Oct, 23 on 7^th Nov and reaching an impressive 31 by 6^th Dec. Elsewhere 1 - 5 birds were recorded at various places in Cowal, Islay, Kintyre, Mid-Argyll, Mull and Tiree.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Gobhlachan laparan 0009

W P Uncommon, with 2-6 records annually since 1984. Recorded in all months except Jun.

A typical year, with three (or possibly four) records. The first was in the entrance to West Loch Tarbert Mid-Argyll on 19^th Jan and the following day one was off Blairmore (Loch Long) Cowal. Later in the year one was on Loch an t-Sailein Islay on 14^th Oct while one on Loch Indaal on 16^th Oct was possibly the same bird.

However the NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 24. Two of these were reported from Mull and the remaining 22 from the Gare Loch/Loch Long/Dunoon section, which includes places outside the Argyll recording area.

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Gobhlachan ruadh 0010

W P Less than annual. Of 14 records during 1980-96, 12 were during the period Sep-Mar, with one in May and one in Jun.

There were two records; one in Loch Indaal Islay on 23^rd Jan and the other in Loch na Keal Mull on 31^st Mar.

SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Gobhlachan mara 0011

W P Regular wintering species in sea lochs and sounds, particularly West Loch Tarbert (Kintyre), Sound of Gigha (Kintyre), Loch Indaal (Islay) and Loch na Keal (Mull).

The only substantial counts were of 25 in Loch Indaal Islay on 22^nd Jan and 20 in Loch na Keal Mull on 25^th Jan. The only other sites where birds were reported between Jan and Apr were Loch Ba Mull, Gunna Sound and Salum Bay Tiree, and Loch Caolisport and Loch Fyne Mid-Argyll, with up to 8 birds present at any given site at one time.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 20.

The first returning birds were in Loch Indaal where of 12 were counted on 2^nd Sep and numbers there built up 24 (off Bowmore) on 31^st Oct before falling to 21 on 8^th Nov and 17 on 7^th Dec. The maximum count for Loch na Keal Mull during this period was 9 on 30^th Sep while the Sound of Gigha had 10 on 30^th Sep. As last year there were freshwater records with a single bird on Loch nan Druimnean Mid-Argyll on 29^th Nov and up to two, during Nov and Dec, on Loch Bhasapol Tiree. Other single birds were seen off Oronsay Colonsay, at Port Appin N Argyll and off East Kames (Loch Fyne) Mid-Argyll .

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Procellariiformes and Pelecaniformes

FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Eun crom 0022

B W P Common but localised breeding species in all areas except Cowal and N Argyll. Large numbers on passage off western headlands.

Breeding. Counts at sample census cliffs on Colonsay in June gave: 523 AOS at Uragaig (cf 577 in 1997), 52 AOS at Kiloran Bay (cf 54 in 1997) and 23 at Turnigil (cf 22 in 1997). At Sanda, Kintyre there were 500 AON (cf 480 in 1997 and 460 in 1996) and breeding success appeared to be good. The other continuing monitoring programme, at Lunga (Treshnish Isles) Mull, produced a total of 579 AON (cf 570 in 1997 and 641 in 1996). 17 nests were found at Port an Duine Mairbh (Iona) Mull.

In autumn 310 birds flew south past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre in 7hrs on 16^th Aug. At Frenchman's Rocks Islay 382 passed in 3hrs on 25^th Aug, with 68 in 2hrs there on 30^th Aug, 321 in 3hrs on 2^nd Sep and 132 in 2hrs on 3^rd Sep.

CORY'S SHEARWATER Calonectris diomedea 0036

V Five accepted Argyll records involving a total of seven birds, mostly in Aug or Sep. 1997 One was seen with Manx and Sooty Shearwaters from the Oban-Colonsay ferry, approx. 6 miles west of Scarba, on 20^th Sep [JDi]*.

SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Fachadh dubh 0043

P Large numbers sometimes recorded off headlands during Aug-Sep; very few records outside the period Jul-Oct

One seen in the Sound of Mull, from Craignure, on 31^st May was the first spring record for Argyll since 1983.

In autumn the first birds reported were at Machrihanish SBO Mid-Argyll on 16^th Aug. From this date until 2^nd Sep a total of 35 birds were recorded with a maximum daily count of 24 on 25^th Aug. Perhaps the most remarkable record though was off the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse on 8^th Sep, when 75 birds were counted sitting on the sea or flying short distances before alighting again. The only other large gathering was approx. 20 birds seen off the west coast of Mull from a boat between Coll and Colonsay on 24^th Sep. Otherwise up to 9 birds were reported from Frenchman's Rocks Islay (3 dates), north of Gigha [Kennacraig- Islay ferry] (2 dates), Sound of Mull (2 dates) and Hynish (3 dates) and Port Fada (2 dates) Tiree. The last birds of the year were one seen flying SW past Machrihanish SBO on 14^th Oct and 5 flying north past West Hynish Tiree on 23^rd Oct.

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Fachadh ban 0046/1

B P Very localised breeding species. Colonies confirmed only on Sanda (Kintyre) and Treshnish Isles (Mull). Another colony may await discovery on or near Garvellachs (Mid-Argyll). Large numbers on passage, especially during Aug-Sep.

The first birds of the year were reported from Tiree where 5 were seen offshore at Balevullin on 21^st Mar, followed by 57 off Balemartine on 24^th Mar and 162 passing offshore in 10 minutes at Hynish on 5^th Apr. A most unusual freshwater record came from Mull on 23^rd May when one was seen to fly in over the west end of Loch Ba and land on the water.

Breeding. 1998 Presumed breeding birds were seen at night on Lunga, Treshnish Isles Mull in late Jun/early Jul and one bird was found in a burrow. Sanda Kintyre had 160 AOB in June and 27 nestlings were ringed there. A total of 550 birds in one large raft and two small subsidiary rafts seen offshore of the Garvellachs on 5^th Jun reinforce suspicions that there is another breeding colony in this area.

Large numbers of this species passing offshore in autumn is a typical sight but 11,364 birds counted passing the NW coast of Tiree in one hour on 12^th Aug was an astonishing total (not to mention an astonishing counting achievement). Almost as impressive, and at the same location, were the counts of 4,464 in one hour on 18^th Aug and 5,778 in an hour on 21^st Aug.

At Frenchman's Rocks Islay the maximum daily count was 1,554 in 3 hrs. on 2^nd Sep and at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre 590 flew past southwards on 12^th Sep. The last records of the year were in Oct with a single birds at Frenchman's Rocks on 10^th and at Balevullin Tiree on 25^th.

An individual ringed on Sanda on 15^th Jul 1989 was found dead on the Scilly Isles (591km south) on 24^th Jul 1998. And two ringed as nestlings at Copeland Bird Observatory, N. Ireland were trapped while breeding on Sanda in 1998.

MEDITERRANEAN SHEARWATER Puffinus yelkouan 0046/2

P Extremely rare in the past (only 2 accepted Argyll records prior to 1992), but a recent large increase starting in 1992/93. Recorded in autumn (Aug-Dec), usually with Manx Shearwaters. Only recently (1991) separated taxonomically from the Manx Shearwater. It has now been further split, by some authorities, into two species: Balearic Shearwater P. mauretanicus and Yelkouan (or Levantine) Shearwater P. yelkouan.

There were 3 records of this species during the year, all seen in the company of Manx Shearwaters. One flew west off Balevullin Tiree during a large passage of Manx Shearwaters on 11^th Aug, one flew south at MachrihanishSBO Kintyre on 12^th Aug and two were seen off Frenchman's Rocks Islay on 3^rd Sep.

1997 The following records for Machrihanish SBO Kintyre have been accepted by SBRC since the publication of ABR 14: one on 9^th Aug, one on 13^th Aug, 2 on 14^th Aug, one on 18^th Aug, one on 22^nd Aug, two on 25^th Aug, one on 29^th Aug, one on 5^th Sep, 2 on 8^th Sep and 2 on 13^th Sep. All were seen flying south with Manx Shearwaters.

STORM PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus Paraig 0052

B P Very localised breeding species; large colonies known only on Sanda (Kintyre) and Treshnish Isles (Mull). Breeding birds first come ashore in late May or Jun. Most sightings away from breeding colonies are during Jul-Sep.

There were no reports of birds seen prior to the breeding season.

Breeding. 1998 On the Treshnish Isles Mull, birds were heard churring from burrows on Lunga and Fladda. There was no count of breeding birds but 741 new birds were ringed and there were 99 re-traps. From a sample of 97 birds mist netted, only one bird did not have a brood patch whilst six birds were noted to be carrying eggs. On Sanda Kintyre an estimate of 150 AOB was made and 204 adults were ringed. Birds were also reported as 'apparently breeding' on Staffa Mull.

Up to 4 birds were seen offshore from Hynish/Balemartine Tiree on 8 dates in Jul, 15 were seen off Balevullin Tiree on 15^th Aug and there was a peak hourly count of 24 at Hynish on 19^th Aug. The only September records received were all from Tiree and included 5 passing Aird Cornaigmore on 1^st, 4 off Hynish on 6^th and 10 passing Aird Cornaigmore in 4 mins on 16^th. At Machrihanish SBO Kintyre 178 flew south in 7 hrs. on 13^th Aug ( a record daily count for this site), one on 15^th Aug, 20 in 7 hrs on 16^th Aug and one on 19^th Aug. The last birds of the year were singles, off Hynish on 24^th Oct and at Loch Beg Mull on 29^th Oct.

Among birds re-trapped on the Treshnish Isles in 1997 were 16 first ringed as adults on Sanda and birds ringed at Portland Bill, Dorset (714 km S) and Blasket Islands, Kerry, Eire (557km SW) both almost exactly four years previously. An individual trapped as an adult at St. Abbs, Borders on 20^th July 1997 was controlled just four days later on Sanda. Had it come overland or did it travel all the way round the coast in such a short time?

LEACH'S PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa Gobhlan mara 0055

P Scarce, but regular in autumn off western headlands following strong westerlies.

Rather fewer than usual reported. The only records for Sep were a single bird in the Sound of Islay seen from the ferry to Colonsay on the morning of 16^th and two birds seen there later the same day, on the return journey. Machrihanish SBO Kintyre had 16 flying south in 6 hrs on 11^th Oct and one on 27^th Oct and a single bird was seen offshore at Hynish Tiree on 20^th Oct. A more unusual record w as that of a bird found recently dead near the Oyster Bar at the head of Loch Fyne Mid-Argyll on 15^th Dec.

GANNET Morus bassanus Sulaire 0071

S P W Does not breed in Argyll; nearest colonies are Ailsa Craig (40 km east of Mull of Kintyre) and the Shiant Isles (140 km north of Mull). Common inshore from May to Sep, and often seen high up sea-lochs. Scarce in winter.

Single birds were reported in Jan, at Hynish Tiree on 1^st and at Kintra Islay on 29^th.

and 10 (all adults bar one) were seen flying south down Loch Fyne at Minard Mid-Argyll on 5^th Feb. Subsequently numbers built up through Mar and Apr but no large flocks were reported until 86 were counted feeding offshore at Balemartine Tiree on 30^th May. Reported from all areas, apart from N Argyll, during the summer months in groups of up to 100 birds.

Daily counts of birds passing Frenchman's Rocks Islay included 589 in 3 hrs on 25^th Aug, 245 in 2.5 hrs on 27^th Aug, 287 in 2 hrs on 30^th Aug, 599 in 3 hrs on 2^nd Sep, and 453 in 2 hrs on 3^rd Sep. The last birds reported there were 20 moving SW in 30 mins on 10^th Oct. Of 1,243 birds passing Machrihanish SBO Kintyre between 22^nd Jul and 9^th Nov, 1,134 (91%) were adults and only 4 were juveniles. The last birds reported were a juvenile at Machrihanish SBO and 13 passing Sanaigmore Islay on 25^th Oct and an adult at Machrihanish on 9^th Nov.

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Sgarbh 0072

R W Breeds in Kintyre, Cowal, Mid-Argyll, Mull and N. Argyll. Less numerous than Shag. Small numbers occur on some inland waters, often moving to the coast in autumn.

Counts of more than ten birds during the early part of the year came from: Loch Indaal Islay (max. 22 on 18^th Jan), Eilean Aoghainn (Loch Fyne) Mid-Argyll (max. 38 on 24^th Feb), Rubha Chraiginis Tiree (max. daily count 53 on 7^th Feb) and Loch Creran N Argyll (max 27 on 17^th May).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 727.

Breeding. In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area 111 pairs bred at 4 colonies (colony size varied from 3 to 51 pairs) and fledged at least 157 young (cf. 100-110 from 102 pairs in 1997). Cormorants continued to be absent from the former large colony at Corr Eilean (Sound of Jura) Mid-Argyll. There were 31 active nests on Sanda Kintyre (cf. 23 in 1997) and nesting success appeared excellent with broods of three common. Late hatching chicks did not do so well however, with 6 being found dead.

During the latter part of the year, the only sites with counts exceeding 10 birds were: Gunna Sound Tiree (41 on 6^th Aug), Holy Loch Cowal (max 13 on 23^rd Aug), Loch Creran (max. 43 on 6^th Sep, Loch Indaal (max. 20 on 30^th Oct and 4^th Nov) and Loch Crinan/River Add estuary Mid-Argyll (max. 14 on 5^th Nov).

SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Sgarbh an sgumain 0080

R W Very common coastal species, but rare inland.

The only counts of more than 20 birds during the early part of the year were 58 in Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll during the NEWS survey in late Jan, 41 in the vicinity of Port Ellen Islay on 28^th Jan and in Loch Indaal Islay with a max. of 41 on 15^th Feb.

Breeding In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area at least 351 pairs bred at 8 colonies (cf. 310 pairs at 7 colonies in 1997). Fledging was not assessed at 2 colonies. At 6 colonies with 269 pairs, at least 250 young fledged. At Corr Eilean (sound of Jura), where 45 nests were counted but 100-200 adults (apparently failed breeders) were present, no young fledged for the first year on record. One mink was seen and killed at the Shag colony but others were apparently present. Elsewhere, there were 427 nests on four of the Treshnish Isles Mull, and 564 active nests on Sanda Kintyre, where breeding success was again considered good. Counts at sample census sites on Colonsay yielded 8 nests at Uragaig (cf.11 in 1997) and 42 nests at Pigs Paradise, mean clutch size 2.15 (cf. 35 in 1997, mean 2.61).

During the latter part of the year, by far the largest gathering was the 1,126 birds counted in Gunna Sound Tiree on 7^th Aug. The only other sites with single counts exceeding 50 birds were Hynish Tiree (max. 175 on 22^nd Jul), Oronsay Colonsay (max. 86 on 7^th Nov), Loch Indaal Islay (max. 61 on 6^th Sep) and the north end of the Sound of Iona Mull where 60+ were feeding with gulls on 22^nd Sep.

At Frenchman's Rocks Islay 119 flew past in 3 hrs on 25^th Aug, 63 in 2.5 hrs on 27^th Aug with smaller numbers recorded up to 3^rd Sep. Of 1,110 birds passing Machrihanish SBO Kintyre from 22^nd Jul to 9^th Nov 360 (33%) were adults.

A bird ringed as a nestling on Sanda on 24^th Jun 1997 was found dead on Tiree (a distance of 163 km) on 13^th Apr 1998.

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Ardeidae

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Corra gheal bheag 0119

V No Argyll records prior to 1958 but several since, mostly in spring and autumn. Could be seen more frequently now that breeding colonies have become established in southern England and Ireland.

1997 One was seen near the shipyard on the north bank of Campbeltown Loch Kintyre on 18^th May. It could not be found the following day [EO,EJM]. (One recorded on Islay on 12/13^th Jun 1997 was detailed in last year's report).

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Corra ghritheach 0122

R Widespread, breeding in all areas. Breeding recorded in 7% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Counts of more than 10 or more birds were made during the early part of the year at Loch Don Mull (max. 14 on 11^th Jan), Oronsay Colonsay (max. 22 on 13^th Jan), Salum Bay Tiree (14 on 13^th Feb), Loch Etive (Outer) N Argyll (max. 12 on 15^th Feb & 14^th Mar), Loch Sween Mid-Argyll (max. 13 on 15^th Feb), Inverlussa (Loch Spelve) Mull (12 on 17^th Mar) and Loch na Lathaich Mull (14 on 9^th Apr ). In addition the NEWS survey count gave a total of 21 for the whole of Tiree in Feb.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 379, of which 246 were counted on Mull.

Breeding. At Garvard on Colonsay, 8 nests held a total of 26 eggs with max. 10 young being reared and two nests at Mid/West Loch Fada produced at least one young. No nests were found at the former heronry sites at Loch Cholla and Scalasaig. Two pairs on Oronsay Colonsay had one young each on 9^th May. No other breeding records were received.

The only sites with counts of 10 or more birds during the latter part of the year were Holy Loch Cowal (max. 11 on 25^th Jul), Carnain (Loch Indaal) Islay (12 on 29^th Aug), Loch Etive (Outer) (max. 24 on 12^th Sep), inner Loch Scridain/Loch Beg Mull (max. 11 on 11^th Oct) and Loch Don Mull (max. 12 on 6^th Dec). In addition at least 30 birds were reported roosting at Ederline Farm Mid-Argyll on 31^st Oct.

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia 0144

V Six previous Argyll records. The most recent records were individuals on Islay in 1978 and at Dervaig, Mull in 1994.

On the morning of 8^th Oct three regular birdwatching visitors to Islay scanning the shores of Loch Indaal from Bridgend hide were astonished to see no less than four large white long-legged birds with spatulate bills which were obviously Spoonbills. Closer examination from the Whinpark viewpoint revealed extensive pink on the bills indicating that they were juveniles. An excellent photograph provided later by the finders shows the birds feeding as a close group and they were seen in this way by many other observers until 12^th Oct. After this a single bird was present until 19^th Oct (C. M. & A. A. Johnson, P. F. Young et al.)*.

At about this time 4 single birds of this species were found in N. Ireland, one on Bute and one in Ayrshire (per A. Murray).

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Swans and geese

MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Eala 0152

R Widespread but uncommon breeding species, both inland and at sheltered coastal locations. Scarce breeder in Kintyre; absent from Colonsay. Breeding recorded in 25% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Emigration from some breeding localities in winter.

During the first part of the year the highest count reported for Oban Harbour Mid-Argyll was 51 on 18^th Feb. The highest all island count for Tiree at this time revealed a max. of 27 on 11^th Apr most of which were at Loch a 'Phuill. The only other sites with counts of more than 10 birds were Ardrishaig Mid-Argyll (13 on 13^th Jan), Port Ellen Islay (max. 20 [inc. 4 imm.] on 17^th Jan), and Loch Etive (outer) N Argyll (max. 11 on 14^th Mar).

Breeding. In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area 3 pairs reared 11 large young: all 3 were in areas where mink were successfully controlled to protect breeding seabirds. Three further pairs were seen in late June or July with small young - outcome unknown. 11 pairs reared no young : 6 or 7 of these are known to have laid or nested. On 31^st Oct the pair in Dunbeg Bay (with 3 young) were challenged by a pair that had nested near Fort William and had four large young in tow. The male apparently saw the intruders off as they were not seen here again, although the family did appear in Oban Harbour on 23^rd Dec. Elsewhere, the only reports from Islay were of two pairs at Loch Gruinart in May (outcome unknown) and a pair seen Claggain Bay in Aug with 3 large young. Eight pairs were reported nesting on Mull in May but by Aug only one young with a pair of adults near Craignure was recorded and the 5 cygnets hatched at Loch Don had all disappeared. Tiree fared rather better, with one failure from 4 pairs and broods of one, 6 and 7 all surviving until at least until Aug. In Mid-Argyll a pair with 3 young were present in the Crinan area from July to at least Sep and a nesting pair were on Loch a' Choire Mid-Argyll in May (outcome unknown). An adult was seen on Holy Loch Cowal with 5 young until at least late Aug, a pair at the mouth of the River Ruel Cowal had one cygnet on 22^nd Aug and a pair with 3 juvs. were in Campbeltown Loch Kintyre from Oct to Dec. Thus by the end of the summer at least 41 young are known to have been reared in the whole of Argyll (but data from Islay, at least, incomplete).

A male swan was seen at head of Loch Feochan on 23^rd Jun associating with two white geese. As the observer approached the swan flew out to sea. The geese followed it on foot and swimming until they were with it again!

The highest counts during the second half of the year were: max. 24 on Loch Etive (outer) on 4^th Oct, 16 (inc.3 juvs) at Scoor Mull on 14^th Dec, 12 at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll on 17^th Oct, 17 in Loch Sween Mid-Argyll on 11^th Oct, max. 51 at Loch Craignish Mid-Argyll on 7^th Dec, max. 50+ in Oban Harbour on 24^th Dec and 65 on Loch a' Phuill on 8^th Nov (although the WeBS count for all of Tiree reached 69 on 6^th Dec). No other sites had counts exceeding 10 birds.

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Eala bhan 0154

W P Common passage species; small numbers winter. A few birds summer in most years and breeding has been recorded.

Apart from a total of 22 birds on Tiree on 15^th Feb no more than 4 birds were recorded at any one site until about the middle of Mar: most of these on Islay and in Mid-Argyll. Much more numerous and widespread on spring passage. Starting with 10 flying north at Loch Don Mull on 13^th numbers in Mar soon built up, with 74 flying north over the Reef Tiree on 18^th, 20 over Loch Tulla N Argyll on 20^th, 66 flying NW over High Barnakill Mid-Argyll on 21^st, approx. 80 over Croggan (Loch Spelve) Mull also on 21^st and on 22^nd , 40 at Kilchrenan Mid-Argyll, 16 flying NW over Loch Don and 11 flying in from Ireland at Portnahaven Islay. On Tiree numbers built up to an impressive total of 263 on Lochs Bhasapol, an Eilein and a' Phuill on 24^th Mar. After 20 at Aird of Kinloch Mull on 26^th Mar and 25 over Glen Cannel Mull on 5^th April

numbers fell quickly until a single bird was over Loch Assapol Mull on 19^th Apr.

From May to Aug summering birds were reported at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve/Ardnave Loch Islay (an immature bird), Loch Bhasapol Tiree (where 4 1^st years with 2 adults in May fell to 2 1^st years and 2 adults by Aug) and Mid/East Loch Fada Colonsay (one from at least 10^th - 24^th Jun).

The first returning birds were at Loch Don, where 3 were seen on 15^th Sep and 8 on the following day and 9 on 19^th. Islay's first birds were 5 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 26^th Sep. In early Oct small parties of up to 10 birds were reported from various sites on Colonsay and in Mid-Argyll and up to 22 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve. On Tiree numbers in Oct peaked at 94 on 16^th. Extensive flooding of fields at The Laggan Kintyre attracted an unprecedented gathering there. From 29 (inc. 7 sub-adults) on 16^th Oct numbers built up to a peak of 142 (inc. 37 sub-adults) on 28^th - a record count for this area. Meanwhile on Islay, a total of 83 were recorded during the SNH Goose count on 27^th/28^th Oct.

By contrast the only counts exceeding 10 birds during Nov were, curiously, all on the 8^th when 18 (inc. 4 1^st years) were at Ulva Lagoons (Loch Sween) Mid-Argyll, 11 in Loch Indaal Islay, and the monthly maximum of 110 on Tiree. By Dec 6^th the total for Tiree had peaked at 129 and the only other site with more than 10 birds in Dec was Scoor Mull with 16 on 14^th. Smaller numbers were seen at various other locations on Coll, Colonsay, Islay & Mull and in Kintyre and Mid-Argyll during Oct-Dec.

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE Anser brachyrhynchus Geadh gorm 0158

P W Variable numbers on passage, with occasional large flocks. Relatively few winter.

Between Jan and Apr up to 4 individuals were seen at 8 locations on Islay and 4 on Tiree while 6 birds were with Greylags at Inion (Loch Etive) N Argyll on 14^th Mar. Subsequently 3 were seen with the Greylags on Loch Etive at various times from Jun to Dec.

A single bird was with Greylags on Tiree on 22^nd Aug and the next occurrence on the island was 77 flying in off the sea at Carrastaoin on 15^th Sep.

At the end of Sep there were indications of an extraordinary influx into Argyll. It started with the 100 birds reported flying NE over Loch Don Mull on 28^th Sep and these were followed, on 30^th, by 350 flying E over Tobermory Mull in 20 mins., 300 in groups of 20-100 at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll together with 250 considered as probably this species over Loch Don. The following day, 1^st Oct, 184 flying east over The Laggan Kintyre at Bleachfield Farm was the largest recorded count in this area. On Tiree 107 flew over Heylipol on 2^nd Oct and at Connel Mid-Argyll 100 geese in two flocks flying over on 4^th calling noisily are considered also to have been this species. At Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve a max. of 189 on 5^th Oct followed by slightly smaller numbers from 6^th-13^th could have been part of this movement but would also tend to fit in with the 'normal' pattern of passage through Islay at this time of the year. Unusual numbers were also recorded at this time from the Firth of Clyde and Malcolm Ogilvie (in corres.) 'suspect(s) it coincided with easterly winds bringing the birds further west than their usual route which brings them in to eastern Scotland at that time.'

After this, apart from 14 at Kintra Islay on 28^th Oct, no more than 9 birds were recorded at any one site until the year end.

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Geadh bhlar 0159

W I Birds are of the Greenland race A. a. flavirostris. Argyll holds about 40% of the world population of this race in winter, mainly on Islay. A small introduced population breeds on the Rhinns of Islay. Birds of the European race A. a. albifrons occur as vagrants. On Islay, there were 12,418 birds in Jan (cf 11,853 in 1997). Also in Jan, a dead bird was found at Drumlemble Kintyre on 4^th that had been ringed at Sondestrom Fjord, N. W. Greenland in 1992.

A co-ordinated count in late Mar/early Apr produced a total of 17,669 in Argyll [Table 1]. In Kintyre birds were at The Laggan (800), Clachan (203) and Tayinloan (1,142) and in Mid-Argyll at Danna (99), Keills (240), Ulva (102) and Moine Mhor (28) [SNH Goose Project]. The main spring departure took place from mid-Apr onwards and 350 migrant birds were passing over Tiree on 18^th. The last birds at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay were 70 on 27^th Apr and single birds were at Oronsay Farm Colonsay on 5^th May and Loch an Eilein Tiree on 9^th May.

Breeding. Three pairs of introduced birds bred in the southern part of the Rhinns of Islay, but only one brood of 2 young was seen. Elsewhere, the only breeding season record was of a single bird first seen with Greylags at Heylipol Tiree on 19^th Jun and later at Caolas on 22^nd Aug.

The first returning birds were 8 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 21^st Sep with up to 25 there until the end of the month. Elsewhere birds did not appear until early Oct with 30 over Heylipol on 2^nd the first of the season for Tiree. The co-ordinated count carried out in mid-Nov gave a total of 17,735 birds in Argyll [Table 2] (cf 18,077 mid-Nov 1997). As in spring, most of the Kintyre birds were at The Laggan (1,215) and Tayinloan (1,182), the remainder (196) being at Clachan; 537 of those counted in Mid-Argyll were on the Tayvallich peninsula, the remaining 35 being at Moine Mhor [SNH Goose Project].

Ageing of samples on Islay in the second winter period showed that 19.03% were young birds (cf 10 year av. of 16.05%), with a mean of brood size (n = 161) of 4.09 (cf 3.63 in 1997). A sample of virtually the whole population at Tayinloan gave a similar percentage of young birds (20.2%).

Table 1. Numbers of White-fronted Geese in Argyll areas, 30^th Mar - 3^rd Apr 1998

Kintyre	Mid-Argyll	Mull	Coll	Tiree	Colonsay	Oronsay	Islay	Jura
2,145	469	27	1,052	1,464	163	125	12,224	n/r

Table 2. Numbers of White-fronted Geese in Argyll areas, 14^th/18^th Nov 1998

Kintyre	Mid-Argyll	Mull	Coll	Tiree	Colonsay	Oronsay	Islay	Jura
2,593	572	0	727	1,299	94	24	12,426	n/r

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Geadh glas 0161

R W P I Increasing breeding population on Colonsay, Mull, Tiree and Coll. These may be native birds that have colonised from the Outer Hebrides, while introduced birds breed in Mid-Argyll. Breeding recorded in 6% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

In late Mar/early Apr, a total of 3,334 was recorded in Argyll during the SNH co-ordinated goose count, 54% of these birds being on Tiree [Table 3]. However there were significant numbers at 2 sites not covered by this survey, viz.: Muckairn (Loch Etive) Mid-Argyll (up to 100 in the bay during winter) and Ardyne Farm Cowal (c.250 late Jan-early Mar). And larger numbers were recorded at two sites earlier in the winter, viz.: Moine Mhor Mid-Argyll (max. 320 on 12^th Jan) and Tiree (total for island 2,417 on 17^th Feb. A migratory flock of c.90 flew north over Loch Ba Mull on 6^th Apr.

Breeding. Confirmed breeding records came from Coll, Colonsay, Islay, Mid-Argyll, Mull and Tiree. Colonsay (excluding Oronsay) had 6 breeding pairs which produced a total of 18 goslings (+ 18 feral birds with 3 goslings). The only reports from Islay were of an agitated pair on Ardnave Loch (31^st May), a pair with b/10 on Loch Gorm (5^th Jun) and a pair with b/4 on Loch Corr (7^th Jun). In Mid-Argyll, 2 pairs bred at Kilmaronaig (Connel) and a hatched nest was found (25^th May), a nest with c/4 was found on Eilean an Ruisg (Loch Feochan) (13^th May), the remains of 4/5 hatched eggs was found Bach Island (Sound of Kerrara) and, in the Loch Etive area, a nest with c/4 was on the Abbot's Isles (13^th May) and 3 pairs with 13 goslings were in the bay near Stonefield on 16^th Jul. On Mull, 6 pairs were breeding on the south side of Ulva Island, 3 pairs with 15 goslings were on Loch Peallach in Jun, 2 pairs had small goslings on Loch Don on 6^th Jun, a pair with b/4 at Achnadrish on 29^th May and at Ban Eileanan a nest with hatched eggs was found on 25^th May. Also a 'small number' of breeding pairs were reported from the Treshnish Isles in Jun. A survey on Tiree in Jun located 426 goslings in 116 broods (mean brood size 3.67 - cf 3.42 in 1997) and a suggested total breeding population of 150-200 pairs. An adult which had been ringed on North Uist found on Tiree with a mate and gosling, a possible indication of the origin of the Tiree birds there.

On 31^st Jul, 34 passage/wintering birds appeared at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay and numbers there had built up to 189 by 24^th Aug. On Tiree 2,807 were found during an all island census on 22^nd Aug. In mid-Nov, the co-ordinated goose count produced a total of 5,203 in Argyll [Table 4] (cf 2,675 in 1997). Of this total 54% were on Tiree and all the Mid-Argyll birds were at Moine Mhor [SNH Goose project]. The last sizeable count at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve was 154 on 26^th Sep. Other counts later in the winter included 29 on Oronsay Colonsay on 10^th Oct, 41 at Blarcreen (Loch Etive) on 4^th Oct, 350+ near Ballure Kintyre on 7^th Dec and 385 at The Laggan Kintyre on 26^th Dec.

During 1998, 240 birds were ringed on Coll and Tiree.

Table 3. Numbers of Greylag Geese in Argyll areas, 30^th Mar to 3^rd Apr 1998

Kintyre	Mid-Argyll	Mull	Coll	Tiree	Colonsay	Oronsay	Islay	Jura
201	254	nil	953	1,797	79	30	20	n/r

Table 4. Numbers of Greylag Geese in Argyll areas, 14^th/18^th Nov 1998

Kintyre	Mid-Argyll	Mull	Coll	Tiree	Colonsay	Oronsay	Islay	Jura
461	203	246	645	2,822	129	nil	97	n/r

SNOW GOOSE Anser caerulescens Geadh ban 0163

I W A small introduced population breeds on Coll and on Mull, wintering mainly on Coll. Stragglers among wintering Greenland Whitefronts on Islay and Tiree may have a wild origin.

An adult bird of unknown origin seen with Greenland White-fronted Geese was present at Barrapol Tiree from at least 17^th Feb to 16^th Apr. Interestingly a single Snow Goose was seen with White-fronts passing over the Outer Hebrides on 18^th Apr, at the same time as our birds were departing Islay/Tiree [per AJL].

Breeding. On Coll a group of 15 birds were present (6 white phase and 5 blue phase adults together with 4 goslings).

Once again a single adult appeared with Greenland White-fronts and was present in the Barrapol/Loch a 'Phuill Tiree area from at least 19^th Nov to 6^th Dec. On 29^th Nov 38 birds were counted in the Crossapol Bay area of Coll. These included 11 blue-phase birds as well as a single white-phase gosling. Of 7 birds ringed on the island during the summer 4 were still present [AJL].

CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Geadh dubh 0166

I W Resident population on Colonsay, introduced in 1934. Regular breeding in Mid-Argyll since 1992, and occasional breeding attempts elsewhere. A transatlantic origin seems probable for at least some of the medium-sized and small individuals seen in winter goose flocks on Islay

In Jan possibly vagrant small or medium sized birds were reported from Islay as follows: one medium-sized bird (possibly race parvipes). with Barnacle Geese at Traigh Gruinart on 19^th Jan, one small stubby billed, pale bird (possibly hutchinsii) with Barnacles at Loch Skerrols on 22^nd Jan and one medium sized bird, again with Barnacles, at Ardnave Loch on 26^th Jan . Elsewhere 26 were on Oronsay Colonsay on 12^th Jan, 12 at Kilchrenan Mid-Argyll on 1^st Mar and 16 on Loch Leathan, Mid-Argyll on 9^th Mar.

Breeding. Breeding was confirmed on Colonsay and in Kintyre and Mid-Argyll. On Colonsay (including Oronsay), 7 pairs with broods totalling 21 young, together with a further 28 failed/non-breeders, were found in Jun. In Mid-Argyll pairs were present at Loch nan Eilean and Dubh Loch (Eredine) on 2^nd May with a bird sitting on a nest at the latter site, a pair were reported breeding at Cam Loch (Knapdale) and a pair with 8 large goslings were at Eilean Inshaig, Ardfern on 11^th July. A pair with two goslings were found at Peninver Kintyre in Jun. A moulting flocks of 66 adults plus two broods of young were seen on Oronsay on 8^th Jul and 60 birds on Loch Ederline Mid-Argyll on 24^th Jul also included some immatures.

In the second winter period, possible vagrants accompanying migrant geese of other species on Islay included: small individuals at Carnain on 6^th Nov, at Ballinaby on 18^th Nov and at Grainel (Loch Gruinart) on 8^th Dec as well as a medium sized bird at Kintra on 28^th Dec. Apart from 26 on Oronsay on 15^th Oct the were no reports of flocks of 'large' birds during the latter part of the year.

BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Cathan 0167

W I Very large numbers of birds from the Greenland population winter on Islay, with smaller numbers elsewhere. A few birds occasionally summer, and at least some of these are probably injured. A few introduced birds also breed on the Rhinns of Islay

An all island count for Islay in Jan gave a total of 32,392. Peak winter counts elsewhere included 225 at Balmeanach Mull on 2^nd Jan, 410 at Danna Island Mid-Argyll on 8^th Feb, 421 on Oronsay Colonsay on 3^rd Feb and 1,359 on Tiree on 22^nd Feb. By the time of a co-ordinated goose count on 30^th Mar - 3^rd Apr numbers on Islay had fallen to 31,099 (cf 32,398 in 1997), but still accounted for over 93% of the Argyll total of 32,841 birds (cf 35,053 in 1997). The remaining birds were on Coll (653) Tiree (1,089), and Oronsay/Colonsay (436) [SNH Goose project]. No birds were reported, during Jan-Apr, elsewhere in Argyll. The main spring departure took place from mid-Apr when a remarkable 6,280 were counted passing over Tiree on 18^th while 1,000 were heading NW over Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 27^th. The last birds seen were 2 on the beach at Balevullin Tiree on 30^th May.

In late summer, 2 birds were seen grazing on Gunna Coll on 23^rd Jul and (possibly the same) 2 at Balephetrish Hill Tiree throughout Aug. A single bird was present at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 24^th Aug.

The first wintering birds arrived on Islay on 12^th Sep, when 18 were at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve with numbers there building up rapidly to 870 on 5^th Oct. The main arrival began on 10^th Oct when 82 flew over Tiree, 42 were on Oronsay and 560 arrived at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve. By contrast single birds were seen on 2 dates in late Sep on the west coast of Iona Mull, near Tobermory Mull on 6^th Oct at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 11^th Oct and with White-fronts at Tayinloan Kintyre on 14^th Oct. A co-ordinated count was carried out in mid-Nov: Islay had 33,544 birds (cf 32,812 in 1997) and accounted for 93% of the Argyll total of 36,178 (cf 34,123 in 1997), with the remainder on Coll (415), Oronsay/Colonsay (463), Tiree (1036) and at Danna Island Mid-Argyll (720) [SNH Goose project]. An all island count on Tiree on 30^th Dec yielded a total of 1,185.

Ageing of a sample of 10,254 birds on Islay showed that breeding success in 1998 had been above average with 12.84% of young birds (cf 10 year average of 10.54%) and a mean brood size (n=178) of 2.28.

BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla Geadh got 0168

W P Uncommon passage migrant. Very few winter. Most birds seen in Argyll are of the light-bellied race B. b. hrota, which breeds in Greenland and arctic Canada, wintering mainly in Ireland. Birds of the dark-bellied race B. b. bernicla occur occasionally, and there has been one record of the Black Brant B. b. nigricans.

Except for one with Barnacle Geese at Ruaig Tiree on 18^th Feb, all records in the period Jan-Mar were from Islay, where up to 7 were seen, mainly around Loch Indaal. Birds on spring passage were recorded in Apr on Oronsay Colonsay (59 on 16^th) and over Loch an Eilean Tiree ( 17 on 24^th). The last spring records were 4 in Loch Indaal on 26^th Apr and one at Loch Corran Islay on 27^th.

The first birds of autumn were on Islay where 33 were at Portnahaven on 6^th Sep. The species was widely reported in the following days with 12 at Hynish Tiree on 8^th, 107 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 9^th, 3 at Lagganulva Mull on 11^th and singles at Arrinagour Coll on 11^th and Sound of Iona Mull on 13^th. At MachrihanishSBO Kintyre one was present 10^th - 12^th Oct and 64 flew past southwards on 14^th Oct. Up to 5 individuals were reported from various locations on Islay until mid-Dec. Otherwise, one was with Greenland White-fronted Geese at Tayinloan Kintyre throughout Nov and 6 were at Loch na Cille Mid-Argyll on 11^th Nov.

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Ducks

SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Cra-gheadh 0173

B W Widespread breeding species, especially on sandy coasts. Breeding recorded in 39% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). The majority are absent from Aug to Nov when they migrate to moulting grounds.

At Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay, numbers peaked at 264 in Feb (cf max. 271 in Jan 1997) [Table 5]. Elsewhere, the highest counts during Jan - Apr were at Oronsay Colonsay (max.35 on 16^th Jan & 20^th Mar) and at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll where 44 in Apr was the highest spring count in recent years. No other site had counts exceeding 20 birds.

Breeding. On Colonsay (inc. Oronsay), a total of 25 pairs with 8 broods totalling 34 young were seen in Jun. Islay had 4 broods of young at Loch Indaal and 5 pairs were present at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve one of which had a brood of 6 young. On 28^th May a pair with b/3 were reported from Iona Mull and 3 broods of young were seen in Loch Crinan, Mid-Argyll on 9^th Aug.

After single juveniles were recorded at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 16^th Aug and at Grasspoint Mull on 25^th Aug none were reported until 11^th Oct when 5 were at Loch Indaal. By Dec numbers at Loch Gruinart and Loch Indaal had built up to 148 [Table 5]. The only other site with more than 10 birds later in the year was Salum Bay Tiree with 15 on 31^st Dec.

Table 5 Maximum monthly counts of Shelduck at two sea-lochs on Islay in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	68	201	148	144	86	62	0	14	0	2	51	107
L. Indaal	82	63	71	57	61	21	12	0	0	5	17	41

MANDARIN Aix galericulata 0178

I Has bred regularly at Loch Eck (Cowal) in recent years. The recent expansion of the Argyll population (whose origin is unknown) suggests that it is well on the way to becoming self-sustaining.

A female with chicks was seen at Creggans Cowal in May and 18 pairs used the nest boxes provided on Loch Eck Cowal. During Mar at least 50 birds were seen coming to a pond at Glenbranter Cowal to feed (D. Anderson).

WIGEON Anas penelope Glas lach 0179

B W P Scarce and irregular breeding species. Common winter visitor to all areas.

In the early part of the year numbers at Loch Gruinart and Loch Indaal Islay peaked at 587 birds in Jan [Table 6] (cf 464 in Jan 1997). The only other sites with counts of more than 100 birds were Loch Etive (Outer) N Argyll (max. 101 on 14^th Mar) and Loch Don Mull (max. 120 on 7^th Jan). Flocks of 50 or more were reported from 5 other lochs: Loch Craignish Mid-Argyll, Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll, Loch Sween Mid-Argyll, Loch Spelve Mull and Loch Creran N Argyll.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 1,488.

Breeding. Breeding occurred at Loch Tulla N Argyll where at least 2 broods of young were seen with 3 females on 13^th Jun. Two pairs were present at Loch Scammadale Mid-Argyll from 4^th to 8^th May and at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve a maximum of 7 loafing males were present in Jun, but with no proof of breeding in either case.

Later in the year numbers at Loch Gruinart and Loch Indaal built up to a peak of 639 in Nov [Table 6]. However the peak count for all sites listed in Table 6 was 1,748, in Oct (when there were also peak counts in Loch Sween and Loch Laich) . Other sites with counts of more than 100 birds were Campbeltown Loch Kintyre (105 on 25^th Dec), Loch Sween (max., 140 on 11^th Oct), Loch Etive (Outer) (max.105 on 6^th Dec) and Loch Laich N Argyll (max. 110 on 17^th Oct).

Table 6 Maximum monthly counts of Wigeon at two sea-lochs on Islay, Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll), Holy Loch (Cowal) and for Tiree in 1998 (i.e. all sites which regularly held 100+ birds).

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	175	300	280	20	4	7	0	0	75	222	223	40
L. Indaal	412	207	111	30	0	0	0	0	297	389	416	381
L. Crinan	160	151	91	0	0	0	0	0	56	658	213	110
Holy Loch	187	140	39	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	105	130	121	96
Tiree	n/r	259	217	21	0	4	10	17	122	349	156	291

* totals for L. Gruinart should include WeBS counts for 'Floods' and read Nov 278 Dec 235

AMERICAN WIGEON Anas americana 0180

V Three previous records, all of single males: one on Islay - Nov 1989, one in Campbeltown Loch (Kintyre) - Feb-Apr 1992 and one on Tiree - May 1992.

A male bird was found with a flock of moulting (Eurasian) Wigeon in Loch Craignish Mid-Argyll on 1^st Oct, while the observer was carrying out a coastal survey of Eiders. This constitutes the fourth accepted record for Argyll (S. C. Votier)*.

GADWALL Anas strepera Lach glas 0182

B W P Scarce but regular on passage and in winter, with most recent records from Kintyre, Islay, Mid-Argyll and Tiree. Breeding confirmed on Tiree in 1986, 1987 and 1989, and probable on Islay during 1992-94.

The only records were from Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay from Feb to Jun, with a maximum of 5 (inc. 3 males) on 4^th Mar.

Breeding. Despite the presence of two loafing males in May/Jun there was no evidence of breeding.

TEAL Anas crecca Crann lach 0184

B W P Widespread but uncommon breeding species. Common winter visitor. Breeding recorded in 20% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

At Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay, numbers in the early part of the year peaked at 727in Mar [Table 7]. The only sites (other than those in Table 7) with counts of more than 50 birds during the early part of the year were, Holy Loch Cowal (max. 99 on 2^nd Jan), Loch an Raoin Islay (80 on 7^th Jan) and Loch Don Mull (max. 80 on 11^th Jan).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 1,107.

Breeding. At Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve at least 3 broods of young were seen in Jun, two pairs were at Loch Riaghain Islay on 30^th May and at least 4 pairs were located on lochs on Tiree. A pair bred successfully at Loch Leathan Mid-Argyll and 6 pairs at five hill lochs in the Eredine/Ederline area of Mid-Argyll in early May were considered to be breeding.

During the latter part of the year, numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart peaked at 1,594 in Dec, due to a near record count at the latter site[Table 7]. Other than those listed in Table 7 the only counts of 50 or more birds were from: Breachacha Loch Coll (90 on 29^th Nov), Ballure Kintyre (50 on flooded fields on 29^th Nov), Loch Lussa Kintyre (230 on 8^th Nov) and Loch Don Mull (max. 70 on 15^th Nov).

Table 7 Maximum monthly counts of Teal at two sea-lochs on Islay, Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll) and Tiree in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	523	523	638	286	4	29	0	c.120	300	1177	1054	1429
L. Indaal	187	107	89	27	4	2	0	50	41	101	107	165
L. Crinan	145	96	43	4	0	0	0	0	50	44	c.50	110
Tiree	n/r	105	144	8	4	2	5	23	22	185	67	278

NEARCTIC RACE ('Green-winged Teal') A. c. carolinensis

V There have been some six or so accepted records of this North American vagarnt since 1980, mostly on Islay.

A single drake was seen on Loch Indaal Islay on 20^th and 26^th Jan (S. C. Votier)*.

1996 A single drake was at Gruinart Flats Islay on 15^th Oct. This and the indivuals seen at this location every winter since 1992/93 could possibly be the same returning bird (TapR)*. Another drake was seen with Common Teal overwintering at a wildfowl collection, at Easter Ellister Islay on 1^st Dec (J. Dawson)*. Away from Islay, a drake was present at An Faodhail Tiree from 27^th Nov until 4^th Mar 1997. From Feb 1997 onwards it was seen to be paired with a female Common Teal (MW and CRM per RAB)*.

1997 see 1996

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Lach 0186

B W P Common breeding and wintering species. Breeding recorded in 67% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay peaked at 197 in Jan [Table 8]. Other than those shown in Table 8 the only count exceeding 50 birds during the early part of the year came from Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll (max.62 on 19^th Jan).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 1,160.

Breeding. Birds were recorded in 5 of 16 BBS squares (cf 3 of 16 in 1997). On Colonsay 4 broods totalling 20 young were found in June while three pairs bred successfully on Sanda Kintyre. An estimated minimum of 25 pairs bred at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve and at least 5 broods of young were seen. On Tiree the earliest evidence of breeding, a pair with just a single duckling, was at Balinoe on 17^th Apr and at least 3 more broods were seen subsequently. There were scattered records in Jun of confirmed breeding by lone pairs elsewhere in Mid-Argyll and on Mull.

The total of 140 birds at Loch Crinan on 18^th Aug was the highest count there in recent years while the peak count at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart was 257 in Sep [Table 8]. Other than those shown in Table 8 the only sites holding more than 50 birds later in the year were Ormsary (Loch Caolisport) Mid-Argyll where 78 were roosting at the high water line on 7^th Oct and Lochan Luing Kintyre with 70 on 4^th Nov.

Table 8 Maximum monthly counts of Mallard at two sea-lochs on Islay, Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll), Outer Loch Etive (N Argyll), Holy Loch (Cowal) and Tiree in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	46	78	22	11	23	8	0	c.150	220	89	65	34
L. Indaal	151	71	29	12	17	42	22	29	37	47	84	169
L. Crinan	100	5	13	9	10	18	5	140	16	65	96	31
L. Etive	42	77	37	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	54	112	134	135
Holy Loch	114	18	19	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	58	149	122	80	117
Tiree	n/r	24	32	40	60	65	65	55	150	203	64	91

* totals for L. Gruinart should include WeBS counts for 'Floods' and read Nov 91 Dec 107

PINTAIL Anas acuta Lach stiuireach 0189

B W P Very scarce breeding species. Localised in winter, with a regular flock on Islay.

In Jan, 22 were counted in Loch Indaal Islay on 18^th and numbers reached a peak of 45 on 22^nd. After this numbers declined [Table 5] with a last spring record of 6 on 26^th Apr. Elsewhere on Islay, the most seen at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve in spring was 4 on 7^th Apr and a pair were at Gartmain on 1^st Mar. The only other records came from Tiree, where 10 were at Loch Riaghain on 17^th Feb falling to 8 by 15^th Mar and a pair at were at Loch an Eilean on 11^th Apr with a single female there on 29^th Apr.

Breeding. Breeding was not attempted or suspected with no sightings on Islay or Tiree from May to Jul.

During the latter part of the year, numbers at Loch Indaal peaked at 32 on 7^th Dec [Table 9] but there were no Islay records away from there and Loch Gruinart. On Tiree the first returning bird was a female at Loch a'Phuill on 25^th Aug and the max. there was 5 on 4^th Oct. Numbers at Loch Riaghain Tiree totalled 10 on 6^th Dec. The only other records were of single females flying south past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 17^th and 21^st Oct.

Table 9 Maximum monthly counts of Pintails at two sea-lochs on Islay in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	2	2	2	4	0	0	0	0	5	5	1	0
L. Indaal	45	23	15	6	0	0	0	2	2	16	18	32

* totals for L. Gruinart should include WeBS counts for 'Floods' and read Oct 6.

1997 Correction ABR 14 should read: On Tiree, a pair bred successfully rearing 5 young' (not 7 pairs).

GARGANEY Anas querquedula Lach crann 0191

S Rare. Bred in Kintyre in 1994 and may have bred on Islay in 1993.

A pair were present at Loch Bhasapol Tiree on 26^th Apr and a drake, still there on 2^nd May, was seen subsequently at Loch Riaghain on 16^th May and at Loch an Eilean on 20^th May. At Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay a male was seen on 11^th May and 2 males on were there on 14^th May. There was no sign of a female or evidence of breeding. The only other record was of a pair in eclipse plumage at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 7^th Aug.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL Anas discors 0192

V The only previous record for Argyll is of one on Tiree in 1986.

A male was present on the evening of 16^th May at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree. It was not seen there subsequently [MW]. Amazingly a male was also seen on flooded fields at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay from 24^th to at least 30^th May and was seen displaying on 25^th (ASC, MP , FR, CRM, MAO et al)*. There must be at least a possibility that these records both refer to the same individual.

SHOVELER Anas clypeata Lach a'ghuib leathainn 0194

B W P Uncommon. Most records from Islay and Tiree.

The majority of records during the year came from Loch Gruinart Islay and from Tiree with both sites having unusually high numbers [see Table 10]. The only records from elsewhere were of two on Oronsay Colonsay on 3^rd May and two again on 5^th May.

Breeding. At Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay, 8 males were seen in Jun and taken to indicate 8 breeding pairs. Two broods of young were seen there on 10^th Jun. On Tiree 5 broods of young totalling 20 ducklings were seen in Jun. A female was seen on Loch Breac Colonsay on 6^th Jun but there was no evidence of breeding.

During the latter part of the year, numbers at Loch Gruinart peaked at 54 on 5^th Nov; a new record count at this site. Apart from the counts from Tiree shown in Table 10, and 4 at Loch Indaal Islay on 7^th Dec, the only sighting elsewhere was once again on Oronsay where one was present on 15^th Aug.

Table 10. Maximum monthly counts of Shovelers at Loch Gruinart, Islay at the four main freshwater lochs on Tiree in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	44	29	25	10	15	8	0	3	21	43	54	0
Tiree*	n/r	19	31	6	16	13	9	6	6	18	16	18

* Mostly on Loch Bhasapol and/or Loch a 'Phuill.

* totals for L. Gruinart should include WeBS counts for 'Floods' and read Dec 38

POCHARD Aythya ferina Lach mhasach 0198

W No confirmed breeding in recent years. Wintering flocks generally small.

The highest count during the early part of the year came from Loch Bhasapol Tiree where 39 were present on 15^th Feb. The only other site with more than 30 birds was Loch Skerrols Islay with 35 on 14^th Jan and 36 on 22^nd Jan. Elsewhere the flock at Loch Leathan (Kilmichael Forest) Mid-Argyll peaked at 15 on 24^th Jan and none were reported there after 10^th Feb, when there were 10. The last spring record was 9 birds on Loch nan Druimnean Mid-Argyll on 6^th Mar.

The first returning bird was a male on Loch Nell Mid-Argyll on 21^st Sep. After one on Loch Riaghain on 1^st Oct most Tiree records were from Loch Bhasapol where number reached 16 on 22^nd Nov and peaked at 21 on 6^th Dec. The only other records were: 2 on Loch na Druimnean on 5^th Nov, 10 on Loch Ballygrant Islay on 20^th Dec and 3 on Lussa Loch Kintyre on 28^th Dec.

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Lach thopach 0203

B W Scarce breeding species. Breeding recorded in 12% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Common winter visitor.

The highest count during the early part of the year was on Tiree on 15^th Mar, where 94 out of a total of 130 were on Loch Bhasapol [see Table 11]. The only other sites with counts of more than 10 birds were Loch Skerrols Islay (max. 20 on 1^st Mar), Loch Leathan (Kilmichael Forest) Mid-Argyll (max. 20 on 12^th Jan) and Mid Loch Fada Colonsay (11 on 3^rd May).

Breeding. On Tiree, 7 broods totalling 32 ducklings were located and 5 breeding pairs were found on Colonsay in May/June. Pairs were also seen in the breeding season at a Camas Daoine Loch Mid-Argyll, Loch a' Choire (Ford) Mid-Argyll, Loch Scammadale Mid-Argyll and Loch Gorm Islay.

During the latter part of the year the peak counts were, on Tiree with 106 on 6^th Dec (inc. 68 at Loch Bhasapol) and 19 at Ardnave Loch on 10^th Nov [see Table 11]. The only other counts of more than 10 birds were, 12 on Loch Ballygrant Islay on 8^th Oct, max. 11 on Lochan Taynish Mid-Argyll in Nov and 17 (all drakes) on Dubh Loch (Glen Shira) Mid-Argyll on 3^rd Nov. Single drakes at Lochan Luing and Loch na Beiste Kintyre on 4^th Nov were unusual records for this area.

Table 11 Maximum monthly counts of Tufted Ducks at Ardnave Loch (Islay) at the four main freshwater lochs on Tiree in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Ardnave L.	n/r	n/r	10	n/r	2	0	n/r	2	8	17	19	9
Tiree	n/r	99	130	82	32	13	9	5	4	49	56	106

SCAUP Aythya marila Lach mhara 0204

W P Large wintering flock at Loch Indaal (Islay). Scarce elsewhere. Occasionally summers.

Numbers at Loch Indaal Islay peaked at 1,110 on 18^th Jan (the highest count there since 1993), with 271 still present on 26^th Apr [Table 12]: the last record there was on 17^th May when 21 were counted. The only other records during the early part of the year were: on Tiree where 2 drakes were on Loch Bhasapol from 15^th Feb to the end of Mar and the one until the end of Apr and 12 at Gott Bay on 7^th May and on Oronsay Colonsay where 3 were seen on 20^th Mar.

There were no records in Jun or Jul.

The first returning birds were 9 seen flying south past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 25^th Aug. Numbers at Loch Indaal built up from 15 on 31^st Aug to a peak of 1,010 on 7^th Dec [Table 12]. The only other records were from Tiree, where one or two birds were located in Oct and Nov with a max. of 3 on 6^th Dec.

Table 12 Maximum monthly counts of Scaup at Loch Indaal (Islay) in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Indaal	1,110	1,040	310	271	21	0	3	15	50	298	870	1,010

LESSER SCAUP Aythya affinis 0205

V No previous records for Argyll.

On 6^th Nov, C. Bradshaw, who was visiting Islay, found an odd looking duck among the flock of Tufted Ducks on Ardnave Loch. On closer inspection he became convinced that the bird was in fact a 1^st year female Lesser Scaup. The following day local bird watchers also obtained lengthy views and came to the same conclusion (MAO, CRM, ASC). What was presumably the same individual was seen on several occassions subsequently and a further description was submitted for a sighting at the same location on 9^th Dec (AJL). Both this and the description provided by C. Bradshaw were later accepted by BBRC. The bird was later seen at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 16^th Dec and the last reported sighting in 1998 was at Ardnave Loch on 31^st Dec.

EIDER Somateria mollissima Lach lochlannach 0206

B W P Common in all areas. Breeding recorded in 66% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Large flocks of moulting drakes and first-year birds gather at some sites during Jun to Aug. Many Argyll breeding birds winter in the Firth of Clyde.

During Jan-Apr, flocks of 100 or more birds were reported from Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll (150 on 19^th Jan), Balephetrish-Salum Tiree (151 offshore on 19^th Feb), Eilean Aoghainn (Loch Fyne) Mid-Argyll (130 on 28^th Feb), Kilfinichen (Loch Scridain) Mull (max. 150 on 25^th Mar) and Loch Indaal Islay (max. 160 on 26^th Apr).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 3,283 of which 2,092 were in the Loch Long/Gair Loch/Dunoon area.

Breeding. On Colonsay a census in Jun, found 20 males and 45 females without young as well as 35 females with 33 broods totalling 94 juvs. (mean brood size of sample on Ardkenish peninsula = 2.62 [cf 3.06 in 1997]). In addition, reports of females with broods of young came from many sites in Cowal, Islay, Kintyre, Mid-Argyll, Mull and Tiree.

A co-ordinated count of Eiders in the Firth of Clyde which took place 19^th-21^st Sep gave a total of 4,771 for the Argyll part of the area (cf 5,715 in 1997). A count of the west coast and the islands which took place at the same time found 1,896 birds there, making a grand total of 6,667 for the whole of Argyll. On average there were about 1.3 to 1.4 males per female (56-58%). Most of the concentrations were in Cowal, where more than 300 were counted between Otter Ferry-Creagan Dubh (884), mouth of Loch Goil-Ardentinny (600), Bull Rock-Toward Pt. (450) Ardentinny-Holy Loch (425) and Toward Point-East Loch Striven (332). Elsewhere 350 were in Campbeltown Loch Kintyre and the total of 528 for Mull included 394 in Loch Scridain.(C. Waltho/R.W. Furness).

Numbers at Loch Indaal Islay peaked at 212 on 9^th Aug [Table 13]. Significant counts later in the year included 300 in Loch Spelve Mull on 6^th Oct, 197 off Hynish Tiree on 24^th Oct, 201 in Holy Loch on 3^rd Dec. and 449 in Campbeltown Loch on 8^th Nov. Of 1,932 birds recorded at the latter site between Aug and Dec, 67% were male.

Table 13 Maximum monthly counts of Eider at Loch Indaal (Islay) in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L. Indaal	67	82	73	160	111	161	187	212	181	171	119	78

KING EIDER Somateria spectabilis 0207

V Seven Argyll records dating back to 1889, all of single males. The most recent was in 1993.

On the afternoon of 2^nd Jun a male in full breeding plumage was found by a visitor at Bellochantuy Kintyre with a group of Common Eiders. It was seen several times in the following week and last recorded on 10^th Jun (R. Taylor/E. J. Maguire)*. With the acceptance of the earlier records below, this becomes the tenth record for Argyll.

1995 An adult male was found among a small flock of Common Eider close to Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 26^th Mar. It was relocated on 1^st Apr at the same site but not seen subsequently (E. J. Maguire/A. Lambert)*.

1993 An adult male flew past Machrihanish SBO on the morning of 3^rd Nov in the company of 9 Common Eiders (E. J. Maguire)*. This brings the total number of records in 1993 to three.

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Eun buchainn 0212

W P Uncommon winter visitor, most numerous in Kintyre, Islay, Tiree and Coll. Usually marine but occasionally seen on inland lochs. Occasional summer records.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 36, all but 2 of which were off Coll. No other counts during the early part of the year reached double figures but small numbers were seen regularly in Balephetrish Bay Tiree, peaking at 8 on 21^st Mar. The remaining reports, involving up to 6 birds, were in Loch Indaal Islay, Campbeltown Loch Kintyre and, again on Tiree, at Traigh Chornaig, Traigh nan Gilean and Sandaig. The last birds of spring were 4 (inc. 2 males) at Balephetrish Bay on 3^rd May.

Apart from an adult female at Ganavan Mid-Argyll on 21^st Jul there were no further records until October when one was in Loch Indaal on 11^th.Following this, again, only small numbers were reported, the maximum single count being 9 (inc. 5 males) in the Sound of Gigha on 4^th Nov. Up to 3 birds were recorded at Ardnave Loch, Claggain Bay & Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay, Balemartine & Balephetrish Bay Tiree and, more unexpectedly, in Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll where a female was seen from 29^th Nov to 2^nd Dec. Four in Loch Indaal on 7^th Dec was the last record of the year.

COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Lach bheag dubh 0213

B W P Very rare breeding species in Islay and Mid-Argyll. Present throughout the year in the Sound of Gigha (Kintyre) and at Loch Indaal (Islay). Scarce winter visitor elsewhere, although birds may be present well offshore.

During the early part of the year there were few records away from Loch Indaal Islay where numbers at peaked at 57 on 26^th Apr [Table 14]. In Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll there were 8 on 7^th Mar and 6 (3 pairs) from at least 4^th to 11^th Apr. The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 67, inc. 17 in Loch Caolisport. The only other report was of a single bird at the north end of Loch Awe Mid-Argyll on 24^th Jan.

Breeding. On Islay, there was a maximum of 6 pairs, plus an additional female, at the usual breeding site on 5^th Jun. In Mid-Argyll, a pair were reported near the usual site on 30^th May and at the locality in N Argyll where a pair bred last year, a single female was seen behaving as though she had a clutch of eggs in late Jun and was still present, with a brood of 2 young, on 6^th Sep.

Numbers during late summer/early autumn were low again at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre where a total of only 11 birds were recorded on 4 dates between 24^th Jul and 25^th Oct. The Loch Indaal flock peaked at 68 on 11^th Jul [Table 14]. Birds were present regularly in the Sound of Gigha until a t least late Nov, with a maximum count of 44 on 26^th Aug. Only small numbers were recorded elsewhere, with up to 7 birds at Loch Caolisport, Loch Buie & Loch Scridain Mull and Balephetrish Bay & West Hynish Tiree.

Table 14. Maximum monthly counts of Common Scoter at Loch Indaal (Islay) in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L. Indaal	38	47	52	57	48	49	68	63	59	49	38	47

SURF SCOTER Melanitta perspicillata 0214

V Only 7 Argyll records, mostly in spring.

A first winter bird (probably female) was present in Balephetrish Bay Tiree on 11^th Dec [AJL/RAB/MW]*.Prior to 1996 the last record was on Islay in 1990 but there have now been records in each of the last three years. (A further record from Islay is awaiting a decision from ABRC).

VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Lach dubh 0215

W P Scarce but regular on the west coast of Kintyre and at Loch Indaal (Islay), with birds present during most months at the former location.

The only records were, 4 (inc. 3 males) in the Sound of Gigha on 26^th Aug and single males flying north past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 18^th Sep and 11^th Oct.

1997 A female was in Loch an t-Sailein Islay on 29^th Dec.

GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Lach bhreac 0218

W Common. Birds regularly present from late Sep or Oct to Apr or early May, with occasional summer records.

The highest count on a single day during the early part of the year was 66 on Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 18^th Mar [Table 15]. However the NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 362 of which 73 were recorded in Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll from 25^th to 30^th Jan. Other than those shown in Table 15, the only sites holding more than 20 birds were, Kilnaughton Bay Islay (max. 54 on 22^nd Jan) and Loch Sween Mid-Argyll (max. 47 on 15^th Mar).

The only record between the end of Apr and early Oct was of a single bird off Blairmore (Loch Long) Cowal on 5^th Jun.

The first returning bird was at Loch Bhasapol Tiree on 3^rd Oct but numbers did not really build up until early Nov. The total of 82 birds seen off Glennoe Jetty (Upper Loch Etive) N Argyll on 5^th Dec is the largest single count of this species in Argyll in recent years. The only site not listed in Table 15 holding more than 20 birds during the second winter period was Loch Sween (max. 21 on 13^th Dec).

Table 15. Maximum monthly counts of Goldeneyes at three sea-lochs; Loch Indaal (Islay), Loch Etive [Outer] (N Argyll) and Holy Loch (Cowal) and from Tiree in 1998. No birds were reported from these sites between the end of Apr and early Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr		Oct	Nov	Dec
Loch Indaal	11	14	6	2		11	21	12
Loch Etive	11	31	34	0		15	11	17
Holy Loch	13	26	9	0		0	8	11
Tiree	n/r	37	66	1		1	44	64

SMEW Mergus albellus Sioltaich breac 0220

W Rare visitor

A 'redhead' was found in Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll on 11^th Nov and stayed until at least 14^th Nov [MJG/PD/JDi]*. This is only the second record of this species in Argyll since the long staying bird on Islay was last seen in 1989. It occurred at about the same time as a major influx into England was reported.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Siolta dhearg 0221

B W Common. Breeding recorded in 52% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Large moulting flocks gather at some sites during Jul-Aug.

The only single day count of more than 30 birds, during the early part of the year was in Loch Indaal Islay (max. 31 on 18^th Jan) [see Table 16]. However the NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 470 including 37 in Loch Caolisport 25^th- 30^th Jan.

Breeding. Adults with recently hatched young were reported from several sites in Cowal, Mid-Argyll and Mull and 4 broods of young were seen on Loch an Eilein & Loch a 'Phuill Tiree. This species is noted for large clutches of eggs and broods of young, but if the 18 or 19 newly hatched chicks seen with a female at Dunstaffnage Mid-Argyll on 25^th Jun all came from the same nest this would probably constitute a new British record. Perhaps even more remarkably, there were apparently still many survivors from the brood on 22^nd Aug, when 12 large young were seen with an adult bird nearby, at Dunbeg.

A flock of moulting birds formed at Skipness Kintyre in late June and numbers reached 66 on 26^th Aug. Later in the year, numbers at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay peaked at 35 on 12^th Aug while Loch Indaal reached 191 on 6^th Sep [Table 16]. No other sites reported counts exceeding 30 birds during the latter part of the year.

Table 16. Maximum monthly counts of Red-breasted Mergansers at two sea-lochs on Islay and Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll) in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L. Gruinart	3	6	6	8	13	1	0	35	18	15	10	17
L.Indaal	31	25	27	49	17	38	71	179	191	69	52	62
L. Crinan	10	1	13	12	6	5	5	14	27	0	6	20

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Siolta 0223

B W Scarce breeding species, mainly in Mid-Argyll, with an estimated 40-50 pairs. Many (but apparently not all) drakes leave Argyll waters to moult at the end of May, and may gather at Loch Awe (Mid-Argyll) beforehand.

Counts of 5 or more birds during Jan to mid-Apr were: 7 at Loch Ba Mull on 26^th Jan, 8 at Loch Leathan (Kilmichael Forest) Mid-Argyll on 1^st Feb and 6 in the Aros Estuary Mull on 22^nd Feb. Records of 1-4 birds came from Mid-Argyll (7 other sites), Mull (5 other sites), Cowal (2 sites) and N. Argyll (2 sites).

Also the NEWS count gave a total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) of 20, all on Mull.

Breeding. The only confirmed breeding records were from Lock Eck Cowal where 9 females, using nest boxes, hatched 53 chicks. There were records of females or pairs during the breeding season in Cowal (one site), Mid-Argyll (3 sites), Mull (5 sites) and N. Argyll (one site).

There were no records between late Jun and 11^th Oct when 3 flew south past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre, followed by 7 there on 14^th Oct and one on 25^th Oct. The only other records during the second winter period were: a 'redhead' at Dubh Loch (Glen Shira) Mid-Argyll on 3^rd Nov, 2 at Loch Beg Mull on 8^th & 15^th Nov, no less than 3 singles at different sites on Islay 20^th Nov - 20^th Dec and 8 (5 male/3 female) on Lussa Loch Kintyre on 25^th Dec.

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Birds of Prey

RED KITE Milvus milvus Clamhan gobhlach 0239

I V Genuine vagrants have occurred in the past, but most recent Argyll records refer to birds released in Highland Region as part of a re-introduction project begun in 1989. Further re-introductions commenced in Central Scotland in 1996. All records are requested, ideally with details of activity and presence/absence of wing tags.

A wing-tagged bird seen in the Heylipol area of Tiree on 26^th/27^th May had fledged from a nest the Highland region in 1997. There were reports of a bird in NW Mull in early Oct and two were seen near Loch Tarsan Cowal on 3^rd Nov. In neither of the latter cases were wing-tags seen.

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Haliaeetus albicilla Iolair mhara 0243

I Formerly resident breeder in Argyll, but released birds currently placed in Category D of the British list. A total of 82 birds imported from Norway was released on Rum between 1974 and 1985 as part of the NCC's re-establishment programme. An additional 59 chicks, also from Norway, were released in northern Scotland by SNH between 1993 and 1998. All records are requested, ideally with details of age, activity and presence/absence of wing tags.

Breeding. In Scotland, there were 17 pairs or trios holding territory (cf.13-15 in 1997) and 15 clutches were laid. Nine successful pairs (including two pairs from the second phase of the release programme) fledged a total of 13 young. But for the fact that 2 nests of established pairs were robbed of eggs, the success rate would almost certainly have been even higher. The second phase of the release programme came to an end in 1998; 59 birds having been released in North Scotland since 1993 (RSPB).

Wandering or dispersing birds were reported from Islay (immature seen at Loch Gruinart and Smaull in Sep) and Mull (including an adult seen thermalling above cliffs at Caliach Point in Aug, before plummeting in a vertical dive to take a Fulmar from the cliff face). Mainland records came from, Mid-Argyll (immature with blue wing tags [1997 release] at Oban harbour and an immature near Minard Point [Loch Feochan], both in Aug) and N Argyll (immature with blue wing tags at Ardmaddy in Feb and 2 reports from Appin in Mar).

MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Clamhan loin 0260

P Scarce but now more or less annual, with records in 11 of the 13 years 1985-97. Most records are in May.

At least two individuals were seen on Islay. A female/immature first seen near Bowmore on 27^th May was subsequently reported in the Loch Gruinart area until 5^th July. Possibly the same individual (sex not stated) was on the Oa Peninsula on 6^th Jul. Then an immature male appeared at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 3^rd Aug and was seen there regularly until 27^th Oct.

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Breid air toin 0261

B W P Sparse but widespread breeding species. Breeding recorded in forty-eight 10 km squares in Argyll. A total of 471 Argyll chicks was fitted with wing-tags during 1990-93, as part of a national study by RSPB; details of all sightings of these birds are requested, even if the letter/digit on the tag cannot be read

Numbers in the early part of the year at the two roosts at Moine Mhor Mid-Argyll were well down on previous years, with a total of only 4 in Jan and Feb. However the roost at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay fared much better with a peak count of 17 on 20^th Jan and 11 were still present on 20^th Feb. There were no reports at this time from Aros Moss Kintyre but a male and 2 ringtails were roosting there in late May/early Jun. Away from the usual breeding areas, a male was seen regularly on Oronsay Colonsay from early Jan to late Mar and both a male and a ringtail were reported on Tiree during the same period.

Breeding : A national survey carried out by the RSPB jointly with the Raptor Study Groups located 52 territorial pairs (in study areas and randomly selected 10 km squares) in Argyll and Bute. Based on this data, 124 pairs (66-189 pairs at 95% confidence level) are estimated for the whole county. This represents 25% of the total estimated Scottish population. Of those that were fully monitored 18 successful territories fledged a total of 52 young (young/successful territory 2.88). In most cases where causes of nest failure were established, they were natural (e.g. fox predation). On Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve 5 pairs fledged a total of 12 young (RSPB). Adults were reported from at least 14 locations on Mull during Apr/May.

Oronsay Colonsay had a male and a female on various dates between early Aug and late Dec. and a male and a female were at different locations on Tiree on several dates from 9^th Sep to the year end. The Loch Gruinart roost held up to 8 birds in Oct and Nov and, in Dec, the two Moine Mhor roosts also held a combined total of 8 birds. No birds were seen the Aros Moss roost during this period.

GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis 0267

V? Last confirmed reports were in Cowal and on Mull in 1993.

A female was seen near Glengorm Castle Mull on 27^th Sep.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Speireag 0269

B W P Widespread. Breeding recorded in 36% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Birds were reported from every area of Argyll except Gigha and Jura, often as visitors to gardens and bird tables. Prey items recorded included Chaffinch and Brown Rat.

Breeding. The species was recorded in one of 16 BBS squares (6%), (as 1997). In the Cowal study area 10 of 12 occupied sites were known to be successful and fledged 33 young (3.3 young/successful territory) (ARSG). A pair at Fearnoch, Mid-Argyll fledged young in late Jul. No other breeding records were received.

BUZZARD Buteo buteo Clamhan 0287

B W Common in all areas. Breeding recorded in 78% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. The species was recorded in 7 of 16 BBS squares (44%), (cf 6 of 16 in 1997). On Colonsay, including Oronsay, 48 known territories were checked and a minimum of 20 pairs were considered to have bred. Of these, a minimum of 14 pairs laid eggs and 13 of these hatched young [DCJ]. 31 occupied territories were located in the Loch Eck and Glen Branter study area Cowal. From these, 23 pairs are known to have fledged a minimum of 29 young. Elsewhere in Cowal 40 occupied territories were located but the outcome here was unknown [DA, AF]. The 16 territories known to have produced young in SW Mull fledged a total 25 (P. Haworth). Elsewhere, there were two nests at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay and 3 young were successfully fledged from 2 nests on Tiree. A pair breeding at a cliff site on Treshnish Isles Mull hatched two young in Jun, one of which fledged prematurely and fell into the sea.

Some indication of how numerous the species is in Argyll is given by two records; of 16 birds seen in the air simultaneously from the top of Beinn Bheula Cowal on 8^th Aug and 22 birds counted during a goose survey on Coll on 29^th Nov.


GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos Iolaire 0296

B W Breeding recorded in 39% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Immatures tend to wander in winter and may be recorded in areas where breeding does not occur.

Breeding. 61 known territories were checked and 54 were occupied. From these, 22 successful nests fledged a total of 27 young, again including five sets of twins. At 1.22 per successful pair productivity was similar to last year (1.23 in 1997). A dead eagle was found near to a known nest site in Mid-Argyll that has had a singular lack of breeding success in recent years. Earlier in the year a forest ranger's dog died nearby from poisoning and analysis showed that the eagle had died from the same cause. Despite extensive enquiries by the police no further action was possible (ARSG).


OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Iolaire iasgach 0301

S P Very scarce breeding species; recent re-colonist. Occurs more widely on passage.

There were no reports of birds prior to those seen at one of the regular nest sites on 2^nd May. Later in May single, presumably passage, birds on were reported at Glenbranter Cowal on 9^th, Loch Finlaggan Islay on 10^th and Tobermory Mull on 11^th.

Breeding. 1998 A far better season than 1997, when no young were produced. In addition to the 3 well established Argyll sites a new pair were located. All 4 pairs bred successfully and reared a total of 9 chicks, 6 of which were colour ringed. Additional birds were seen at several locations during the breeding season including some that stayed for several weeks (ARSG). Several times during the summer, individuals were seen fishing in the River Add estuary Mid-Argyll and in the Holy Loch Cowal.

After mid-Aug birds were reported from West Loch Tarbert Kintyre on 17^th, Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 18^th and Holy Loch (2) on 23^rd Aug. A very late bird was seen at Loch Don Mull on 11^th Oct.

KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Clamhan ruadh 0304

B W P Widespread but uncommon. Breeding recorded in 41% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Marked decrease in breeding population reported from Kintyre in recent years. Population in some other areas appears to fluctuate from year to year. Emigration from some areas in autumn (e.g. Mull).

Away from known breeding areas, singles were seen regularly from Jan to Oct on Oronsay Colonsay and throughout the year on Tiree, where two were present during Dec.

Breeding. Recorded in 2 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (cf 3 of 16 in 1997). In Cowal, 26 occupied territories were located; of these, 14 sites fledged a minimum of 70 young. A very high productivity rate (5.0 young/successful nest) despite falling vole numbers [DA, AF]. Ten occupied territories were located on SW Mull and the 5 territories known to have been successful fledged a minimum of 18 young (3.6 young/successful nest) (P. Howarth) Once again the pair on Colonsay are thought to have failed this year.

MERLIN Falco columbarius Meirneal 0309

B W P Scarce breeding species, probably under-recorded.

During Jan-Apr individuals were reported regularly on Oronsay Colonsay, Tiree (up to 3 birds)and at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay. There were also records from 5 other localities on Islay, 6 sites on Mull and 2 in Mid-Argyll.

Breeding. Of the 9 regular territories checked 4 were apparently vacant in 1998. Of the 5 occupied territories only 2 (both of which were in new areas; on the Ross of Mull and on Islay) were known to be successful and fledged a minimum of 7 young (ARSG). Birds were also seen during the breeding season on Colonsay and in Cowal and Mid-Argyll.

Following the first autumn migrant at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 15^th Aug several individuals were seen in the area, especially during Oct. During the second winter period birds were again seen regularly at, Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve until mid Nov, Oronsay Colonsay (regular records until the year end) and on Tiree where up to 4 individuals were present during Oct. The only other records during this period were from Coll and Mull.

PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus Seabhag 0320

B W P Sparsely distributed but widespread breeding species, found in all areas. Breeding recorded in fifty-two 10 km squares in 1991 survey [RSPB et al.].

Breeding. Of 16 known territories monitored in Cowal, 11 were occupied. Seven sites were successful, fledging a total of at least 17 young. Failure, at all the remaining 4 sites, occurred at the egg/small young stage.[DA, AF]. Elsewhere in Argyll 26 further sites were monitored. 21 were occupied and, of these, 7 known successful nests produced at least 16 fledged young [ARSG per RAB].

Birds were reported during the breeding season from all Argyll areas except Gigha and Jura.

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Game birds

RED GROUSE Lagopus lagopus Coileach fraoich 0329

R Sparsely distributed. Breeding recorded in 20% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. The species was recorded in 3 of 16 BBS squares (19%), (cf. 1 of 16 in 1997). A minimum of 5 calling males were recorded at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay in Jun and a female was sitting on a clutch of 7 eggs at Margadale Hill Islay on 9^th Jun. Other records were received from Jura, Mull, Mid-Argyll and N Argyll.

PTARMIGAN Lagopus mutus Tarmachan 0330

R Very localised, generally above 800 m. Breeding recorded in 5% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). All records required.

In Jan 'several' were reported in the vicinity of the BT masts above Craignure Mull and 2 were seen on Beinn Fhionnlaidh N Argyll on 25^th. The only other records were in Oct, when 2 were on the summit of Ben Buie Mull on 16^th and one was on Creach Bheinn N Argyll on 18^th.

BLACK GROUSE Tetrao tetrix Caoileach dubh 0332

R I Local. Populations in some areas may derive from released birds. Recent increases as a result of birds colonising forestry plantations may obscure general steep decline in numbers. Breeding recorded in 21% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. Birds were recorded in 3 of 16 BBS squares (19%), (cf 2 of 16 in 1997). In late Mar, 5 males were reported at Clashgour (Loch Tulla) N Argyll, 4 were lekking near Tarbert Kintyre and single males were seen near Kilmartin Mid-Argyll and at Easter Ellister Islay. A single male displaying on Dunadd Moss on 17^th Apr was the first record for Moine Mhor Mid-Argyll since 1991, a male was seen near Cour Kintyre on 29^th Apr and an individual was reported north of Kilmelford Mid-Argyll on 7^th May. Lastly, a series of reports from Cowal in late Apr/early May gave a total of 24 males at 9 different locations.

Later in the season up to 3 birds were reported from: near Lussa Loch Kintyre on 14^th May, near Achahoish Mid-Argyll on 19^th May, near Cairndow Cowal on 28^th May, Eredine Forest Mid-Argyll on 29^th May and between Kennacraig and Claonaig Kintyre on 20^th Jul.

CAPERCAILLIE Tetrao tetrix Capull coille 0335

R Very rare. Small population Mid-Argyll, and known to have bred Cowal in 1993.

Three males using the only regular Capercaillie lek site for this species in Mid-Argyll during spring all appeared to be hybrid Capercaillie/Black Grouse [per RAB]. Females were recorded during Mid-Mar at 3 locations in Cowal [DA].

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa Cearc thomain dhearg chasach 0358

I Birds (some hybrids with Chukar A. chukar) introduced to several areas. Although this species is in Category C of the British list, populations in Argyll do not appear to be self-sustaining.

The only birds reported were one at Foreland House Islay on 16^th Mar and 4 in the vicinity of Kilkivan Quarry (Machrihanish) Kintyre during Aug.

GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Cearc thomainn 0367

R I Very localised distribution. Introductions, which take place in several areas, do not appear to result in self-sustaining populations. All records required.

The only records came from Islay where 12 near Cluanach on 24^th Sep and 31 on several dates in mid-Nov at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve presumably derived from releases.

QUAIL Coturnix coturnix Gearradh gort 0370

S Rare and irregular visitor.

Breeding During the breeding season single calling birds were heard on Tiree near Heylipol on 4^th Jun and at Mannal on 22^nd Jun. The only other record was of a bird calling at Upper Kilchattan Colonsay on 13^th Jun.

PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus Easag 0394

I Long-established, widespread and common resident. Birds also annually reared and released on many estates. Breeding recorded in 41% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. The species was recorded in 6 of 16 BBS squares (38%), (cf 2 of 16 in 1997). In Jun, a total of 16 calling males were found on Colonsay (cf17 in 1997) and an estimated 20 males were calling at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay. A pair with a brood of young was also reported from Moine Mhor Mid-Argyll in Jun. A late brood of 7 two week old young were seen at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 5^th Sep.

No large flocks were reported.

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Rails

WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Snagan allt 0407

B W P Scarce, but under-recorded.

Single birds were recorded in the Loch a 'Phuill area of Tiree Jan-Mar.

Breeding. The species was recorded in 1 of 16 BBS squares (6%). In May, calling birds were heard at 3 sites on Colonsay and at 6 localities on Tiree. At least one pair probably bred at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay and one was heard calling near Keills (Loch Sween) Mid-Argyll on 27^th Jun.

During the second winter period singles were at Loch Bhasapol Tiree on 7/9^th Aug and 8^th Nov, at Aros Moss Kintyre on 26^th Oct and near Strachur Cowal on 24^th Dec.

CORNCRAKE Crex crex Traon 0421

S Localised distribution. Breeding mainly on Islay, Colonsay, Iona (Mull), Tiree and Coll.

The first confirmed record of spring was at Cornaigbeg Tiree on 23^rd Apr and on 28^th April the first birds on Colonsay and Islay were reported.

Breeding. A full survey of singing male Corncrakes was carried out for the whole of Britain in 1998 by RSPB with the assistance of SNH. This located a minimum of 589 males, 23% higher than the last full survey in 1993. 225 of these birds were found in the Argyll Islands (38% of the national total) but there were no records from the Argyll mainland during the survey (see Table below). Annual counts are carried out in the core areas for Corncrakes (including the Argyll Islands), which hold the majority of the British population. After four increasingly successful years, the 1998 core area count showed a disappointing 15% decline from the 1997 total. This decline was least evident in the Inner Hebrides where the overall total was very similar to 1997. Indeed areas like Iona, Colonsay and Oronsay showed substantial increases and the recolonisation of Mull was an encouraging development. Numbers on Islay, however, fell to their lowest level in recent years (RSPB/SNH per RAB).

Table 17. Numbers of calling Corncrakes in Argyll areas in 1998, with revised 1997, 1996 and 1995 totals for comparison

Area	1995	1996	1997	1998
Coll	37	40	42	40
Tiree	140	117	136	136
Mull	0	0	0	2
Iona	4	5	8	12
Colonsay & Oronsay	12	8	8	14
Islay	14	7	17	4
Total	207	177	211	208

In addition 3 calling birds (one on Fladda, 2 on Lunga) were reported from the Treshnish Isles Mull, where censuses are not carried out annually.

A female with 5 tiny chicks was found at Balemartine Tiree on 24^th Aug and the last birds reported were at the same location: 2 live birds on 12^th Sep and one dead bird (killed by a cat), recovered from the beach on 23^rd Sep.

MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Cearc uisge 0424

R Very localised. Breeding recorded in 16% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. At least 2 pairs bred at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay, and pairs also bred at Skipness Kintyre, Silver Craigs Mid-Argyll and Benderloch Gravel Pit N Argyll. In addition breeding was suspected at Loch Bhasapol Tiree.

Birds were also recorded at 3 other localities on Tiree in the early part of the year and at; Corsapol and Loch Ballygrant Islay in Mar, Loch Ederline Mid-Argyll on 23^rd Jan, Loch Cearn a Choin Mid-Argyll in Nov, Lochan Luing Kintyre on 4^th Nov and at Muircroft (Oban) Mid-Argyll on 16^th Nov.

COOT Fulica atra Lach a bhlair 0429

B W Scarce breeder and uncommon winter visitor. Breeding recorded in only two 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The usual flock on Loch Bhasapol Tiree numbered 12 birds on 24^th Jan, which had decreased to 10 by 15^th Mar. The only other records during the early part of the year were singles at Loch Ederline Mid-Argyll on 23^rd Jan, at Loch Ballygrant Islay on 2^nd Mar and at Loch na Keal Mull on 3^rd Apr.

Breeding. A pair with 4 well grown young on Kilmory Lake Mid-Argyll on 6^th Jul was the first confirmed breeding record for Argyll since 1994.

On Loch Bhasapol, later in the year, numbers increased from a single bird present on 24^th Oct to 6 on 23^rd Nov and 10 throughout Dec. Elsewhere single birds were present in Nov; at Muircroft (Oban) Mid-Argyll on 16^th, on Loch Skerrols Islay on 18^th and at Kilmoluaig Tiree on 23^rd.

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Waders

OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Gille brighde 0450

B W P Widespread and common. Breeding recorded in 70% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay peaked at 1,003 in Mar (cf peak of 944 in Apr 1997), [Table 18]. Most of the monthly maxima were higher than last year. The only other sites with counts of more than 100 birds during the early part of the year were Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll (max. 150 on 19^th Jan), Crossapol Tiree (max. 176 on 8^th Mar), and Machir Bay Islay (max. 165 on 17^th Feb).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 4,799 birds, of which 2,121 (44%) were in the Loch Gare/Loch Long/Dunoon area.

Breeding. The species was recorded in 2 of 16 BBS squares (13%). Nine territorial pairs were located on the Treshnish Isles Mull but only one brood of young was observed. On Sanda Islands Kintyre at least 20 pairs were judged to have bred (cf 11in 1997) and 57 pairs were counted on The Reef Tiree during a survey in Jun. Records of one or two breeding pairs came from 5 sites in Mid-Argyll and one on Mull.

On 23^rd Jun 127 were in Finart Bay Cowal.

Southward passage was observed at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre in Jul (e.g. 140 flew past in 3 hrs on 24^th) and Aug (total of 745 on 6 dates - max. 320 in 2hrs on 16^th).

The WeBS count total of 291 at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll on 9^th Aug was the highest count there in recent years and the remarkable total of 760 birds in Holy Loch on 3^rd Dec is the highest single count in recent years for any individual site in Argyll. Other counts exceeding 100 birds came from Blairmore (Loch Long) Cowal (132 on 21^st Jul) and Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll (max. 208 on 14^th Dec).

Table 18. Maximum monthly counts of Oystercatcher at two sea-lochs on Islay, Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll), Holy Loch (Cowal), on Oronsay (Colonsay) at the four main freshwater lochs on Tiree in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	219	322	382	288	228	240	n/r	132	67	58	106	133
L. Indaal	496	441	621	492	414	437	412	398	381	210	381	480
L. Crinan	36	64	53	91	48	49	80	291	43	39	38	35
Holy Loch	450	355	214	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	434	668	690	760
Oronsay	49	103	19	84	88	75	121	42	41	38	41	83
Tiree	n/r	64	173	68	32	65	104	27	0	0	0	0

RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Trilleachan traghad 0470

B W P Widespread and common. Breeding recorded in 55% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

During the early part of the year, numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay peaked at 172 in Apr [Table 19]. On Tiree 240 were counted on the four main beaches in Feb and numbers peaked in Apr when 307 were counted in Balephetrish and Vaul Bays on 26^th. Other sites with counts exceeding 50 birds were, Ledaig Point N Argyll (max. 70 on 23^rd Jan), the west coast of Iona Mull (60 on 12^th May) and Oronsay Colonsay (max. 96 on 24^th Jan).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 1,115, of which 476 (42%) were on Tiree.

Breeding. The species was recorded in 1 of 16 BBS squares (6%). On Colonsay and Oronsay, at least 36 breeding pairs were located in Jun (cf 39 in 1997) and a survey of the Reef Tiree revealed a total of 51 breeding pairs. The only other count of breeding birds was on Sanda Islands Kintyre where up to 6 pairs bred and 3 pairs were seen with young.

Numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart peaked in Oct with 225 while Oronsay/Colonsay had 190 birds on The Strand on 14^th Nov [Table 19]. Southward passage at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre peaked on 13^th Aug when 78 flew past in 7 hrs. On Tiree numbers built up to the impressive total 344 birds at Balephetrish and Sorobaidh Bays on 6^th Dec. Other sites with counts of 50 or more birds were, Ledaig Point N. Argyll (max. 60+ on 14^th Oct) and Traigh nam Barc Colonsay (71 on 15^th Oct).

Table 19. Maximum monthly counts of Ringed Plover at two sea-lochs on Islay and Oronsay in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	48	1	30	51	7	8	n/r	16	162	148	88	0
L. Indaal	51	61	48	121	101	47	38	117	43	77	40	91
Oronsay	96	7	61	7	4	22	5	36	50	0	190	79

DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus Amadan-mointich 0482

P B? Scarce migrant, mostly in late Apr and May. Has bred in N. Argyll in the past and may still do so.

The only records were of 3 at The Reef Tiree on 22^nd Apr, with a single there on the following day.

GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Feadag 0485

B W P Sparse but widespread breeding species. Upland afforestation has greatly reduced available breeding habitat in some areas. Breeding recorded in 28% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Numbers at The Reef Tiree increased through the first winter period to reach a peak of 2,700 on 20^th Apr. The only other locations with counts of more than 50 birds during Jan-Apr were Loch Don Mull (60 on 26^th Jan), Oronsay Colonsay (max. 88 on 28^th Jan), Loch Gruinart Flats Islay (300+ on 1^st Mar), Ardnave Islay (800 on 2^nd Mar) and Fionnphort Mull (150 on 14^th Apr). The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 892, all on Coll, Islay and Tiree.

Breeding. Recorded in 2 of 16 BBS squares, (cf 4 of 16 in 1997). Otherwise the only records of birds on territory were in North Knapdale Mid-Argyll and at Killiemor Mull.

Numbers at the main sites for this species peaked in Oct, when an island census of key areas on Tiree gave a total of 980 on 1^st, 580 were recorded at The Laggan Kintyre on 18^th and the WeBS count at Loch Gruinart Islay totalled 1,014 on 23^rd. The only other sites with maximum counts of 50 or more birds were: Corran Bay Islay (300 on 19^th Oct), Loch Indaal Islay (max. 320 on 8^th Nov), Oronsay Colonsay (max. 109 on 8^th Nov) and An Leth-onn (Loch Beg) Mull (50+ on 15^th Nov). By Dec numbers had declined in most places but there were still 590 around Scarinish Tiree on 15^th.

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Trilleachan 0486

P W Uncommon passage migrant, mostly to islands. A few winter, mainly on Islay.

By far the highest count during the early part of the year was 48 birds at Loch Gruinart Islay on 16^th Feb. After 3 at Loch Indaal Islay on 18^th Jan and one at Loch na Cille Mid-Argyll on 19^th Jan all the remaining records were from Tiree, with one at Traigh Thodhrasdail on 24^th Jan, one at Ard Mor on 14^th Feb, 5 at Balephetrish Bay on 11^th Apr and one at The Reef on 11^th May.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 34, mostly on Islay and Tiree.

In autumn, the first returning bird was moving south at Traigh nan Gilean Tiree on 15^th Aug, as were singles at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 10^th and 16^th Sep. Thereafter, one was in the Aros Estuary Mull on 30^th Sep, 2 were off Gartmain Islay on 9^th Oct, up to 4 were in Loch Indaal on various dates between 11^th Oct and 7^th Dec, one was at Oronsay Colonsay on 19^th Oct, 4 were in Loch Gruinart on 30^th Oct, one was in Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll from 20^th Nov until late Dec, 8 were at Traigh Nostaig Islay on 15^th Dec and 2 were at Miodar Tiree on 25^th Dec with one still there on 31st.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Carracag 0493

B W P Localised breeder and widespread wintering species. Breeding recorded in 48% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

During the early part of the year numbers peaked in Feb, when 639 were in the Loch Gruinart area Islay 24^th and 1,583 on Tiree on 15^th [Table 20]. The only other site with a count exceeding 50 birds was Oronsay Colonsay (max. 91 on 23^rd Mar).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 865.

Breeding. Recorded in 3 of 16 BBS squares (19%). A total of 169 pairs bred at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay; well down on the 232 pairs which bred in 1997 (cf 221 in 1996 and 263 in 1995). The first chicks at The Reef Tiree were seen on 20^th Apr and a total of 269 breeding pairs were found there. Elsewhere up to 7 breeding pairs were found; at 2 sites on Islay, one site in Mid-Argyll, 7 sites on Mull and pairs with young were also found on Oronsay Colonsay.

In autumn, numbers in the Loch Gruinart area and at Loch Indaal reached a peak in Oct with a total of 455 [Table 20]. On Tiree a whole island count totalled 780 on 29^th Aug and 320 were in the Scarinish area on 15^th Dec. At The Laggan Kintyre the autumn maximum was 400 on 12^th Nov. The only count exceeding 50 birds elsewhere was at Ballure Kintyre where 56 were in flooded fields on 29^th Nov.

Table 20. Maximum monthly counts of Lapwing at two sea-lochs on Islay at the four main freshwater lochs on Tiree in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	280	639	5	13	22	n/r	n/r	1	55	376	162	390
L. Indaal	0	11	42	4	5	6	0	43	49	79	100	110
Tiree	n/r	1,583	436	104	31	72	261	136	9	231	87	180

KNOT Calidris canutus Luatharan gainmhich 0496

W P Uncommon passage migrant with main passage Aug-Sep. A few winter.

Only small numbers were recorded during the early part of the year. No more than 9 were seen in Loch Indaal Islay (on 15^th Feb), with 6 there on 17^th May being the last. The only other records were 4 at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll on 17^th Jan, 4 on Oronsay Colonsay on 24^th Jan, 2 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 16^th Feb and 27^th May, 6 at Loch Craignish Mid-Argyll on 17^th Feb, 8 at Gartmain Islay on 6^th Mar, 6 at Hynish Tiree on 25^th May and 2 at Loch Don Mull 27^th - 31^st May.

Two at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 24^th Jun were presumably non-breeding birds.

In Jul the first returning birds were 2 in Loch Indaal on 11^th, followed by 22 at Gott Bay Tiree on 21^st and singles, still in breeding plumage, at Tayinloan Kintyre on 20^th and 28^th and at Ardmore Tiree on 29^th. At Machrihanish SBO Kintyre a total of 87 flew past on 15 dates between 24^th Jul and 28^th Sep, with a highest day-count of 30 in 4 hrs on 15^th Aug. Numbers in Loch Indaal reached 50 on 31^st Aug and 15^th Sep, with 25 there on 18^th Oct, 19 on 8^th Nov and 32 on 7^th Dec. Small flocks were widely reported elsewhere during the latter part of the year with counts of more than 10 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve (max. 34 on 6^th Sep), Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll (max. 13 on 15^th Aug was the highest count on record there), Gott Bay Tiree (max. 32 on 26^th Aug) and West Parkfergus Kintyre (12 on a flooded field a mile inland on 29^th Oct). Single birds were at Gott Bay and Miodar Tiree on 30^th Dec.

SANDERLING Calidris alba Luatharan glas 0497

W P Main passage in May and Aug. Some winter, mainly on Islay and Tiree. Occasionally recorded in summer.

Good numbers were recorded Feb-May on Tiree. Records there were concentrated in the Balephetrish/Vaul/Gott Bay area with monthly maxima of 220 on 24^th Feb, 146 on 14^th Mar, 215 on 26^th Apr and 240 on 5^th May. On Islay 30 were at Traigh Nostaig on 2^nd Mar, 30 at Killinallan on 7^th Mar, 6 at Loch Gruinart on 7^th Mar and 4^th Apr and 11 in Laggan Bay on 21^st May. Records elsewhere came from: Iona Mull (2, one in winter and one in summer plumage, on 12^th May), Ardalanish Bay Mull (43 on 24^th May) and Oronsay Colonsay (one on 27^th May).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 663, of which 364 (55%) were on Tiree.

Five individuals at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 4^th Jun was an unusual summer record.

The first returning birds were 2 in Loch Indaal on 11^th Jul and up to 6 birds were recorded regularly here until 8^th Nov. Birds were also recorded regularly at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve with a maximum of 38 on 10^th Nov. Tiree also had impressive numbers of this species in the latter part of the year and 409 were counted in the major bays on 23^rd July. Later on, Balephetrish/Gott Bays had 239 on 29^th Aug, 249 on 1^st Oct and 122 on 28^th Nov. The last large count of the year on Tiree was 183 at Sorobaidh & Balephetrish Bays on 6^th Dec. At Machrihanish SBO Kintyre, a total of 240 were recorded flying past southwards on 15 dates 24^th Jul - 28^th Oct (max. day-count 80 in 4 hrs on 15^th Aug). The only other sites with more than 10 birds were: Oronsay Colonsay (max. 15 on 19^th Jul), Traigh Nostaig Islay (30 on 15^th Aug), Laggan Bay Islay (19 on 23^rd Aug) and Ardnave Point Islay (12 on 19^th Oct). A single bird at West Parkfergus Kintyre on 26^th Dec was an unusual location and date.

LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Luatharan beag 0501

P Scarce but annual, with the majority of records in autumn.

A good year for this species with eight records involving at least 25 birds. The first was seen on 4^th Jun at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree.

The next sighting was not until 29^th Aug when 2 were at Carnain (Loch Indaal) Islay: 2 juvs reported at the same site on 2^nd Sep may well have been the same birds. On 8^th Sep 2 were in the River Add estuary Mid-Argyll and 2 more were at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 10th. Carnain seems to have been the favoured locality as 10 were seen there on 15^th Sep increasing to at least 17 on 18^th Sep. The last report was a single at Machrihanish SBO on 5^th Oct.

These records occurred at about the same time as a notable fall of migrants involving especially this species and Curlew Sandpiper took place on the east coast of Scotland.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos 0507

P Less than annual. Seven accepted Argyll records during 1980-1995.

A juvenile seen at Rubha Luidhneis (Loch Gruinart) Islay on 29^th Aug is our first confirmed record since one on Mull in 1995 (P. Robinson).

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Luatharan crom 0509

P Scarce but more or less annual, with the majority of records in autumn.

As with Little Stint it was an excellent year for this species in Argyll.

The only spring records were of an adult at Ardalanish Bay Mull on 24^th May and one (with Dunlins and a Little Stint) in summer plumage at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 4^th Jun.

The first autumn birds were on 28^th Aug when 18 were at Loch Gruinart Islay. Two days later, on 30^th, 6 juvs. were in Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll and one moulting adult was at Port Fada Tiree. In Sep 5 were at Carnain (Loch Indaal) Islay on 2^nd, 4 at Loch Crinan on 9^th and 2 at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 10^th - all present at the same time as Little Stints. On 11^th Sep no less than 46 were counted at Loch Gruinart and the following day saw the last birds; 5 at Carnain.

PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Luatharan rioghail 0510

W P Widely distributed along rocky coasts from Sep to May.

Most records during the early part of the year were from Tiree starting with 2 at Hynish on 1^st Jan and 21 at Urvaig on 2^nd. In Feb the highest coastal day count there was 107 and 31 were on Eilean Ghreasamuill on 14^th. Numbers had declined by Mar when the largest flock counted totalled 15 and the last birds seen were 6 at Crossapol on 26^th Apr. Up to 9 birds were in Loch Indaal Islay from Jan onwards and the last record there was 8 on 26^th Apr. The only reports from elsewhere were 5 at Eilean Aoghainn Mid-Argyll on 19^th Feb, 8+ at Staffa Mull on 14^th May and 2 adults at Eilean Mor (McCormaig Islands) Mid-Argyll on 20^th May.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 369, none of which were recorded from mainland coasts.

Two were at Staffa Mull on 6^th Aug but no more were reported until Oct, when a single bird was at Portnahaven Islay on 27^th and 7 flew south past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 29^th. A few birds were in Loch Indaal Islay from 8^th Nov until the year end with a maximum of 12 on 7^th Dec. The only other records were 20 at Kirn (Dunoon) Cowal on 17^th Nov and 56 in small groups around Caolas and Miodar Tiree on 25^th Dec.

DUNLIN Calidris alpina Graillig 0512

B W P Very localised breeding species. Breeding recorded in 20% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Numbers highest on passage, except on Islay where several hundred birds winter.

The highest single count for the early part of the year was 1,070 for the whole of Tiree on 9^th May and 418 were in Balephetrish Bay alone on 26^th Apr. Numbers on Oronsay Colonsay peaked early with 320 on 16^th Jan while, on Islay, the highest total for Loch Gruinart and Loch Indaal was 304 in Feb [Table 21]. Elsewhere, 170 were at Traigh Nostaig Islay on 2^nd Mar and 50 adults in summer plumage were on Iona Mull on 20^th May.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 896, of which 633 (70%) were on Islay and Tiree.

Breeding. On Tiree 30-40 pairs were considered to have bred on The Reef and 4 pairs bred at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve. Other breeding pairs were reported from Loch Gorm Islay, Oronsay Colonsay and Ardmaddy (Loch Etive) N Argyll.

The peak count for autumn migration at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre was 144 flying past southwards in 7 hrs on 13^th Aug and a total of 860 were recorded on 19 dates, 24^th Jul - 16^th Oct.

Numbers on Islay reached a peak in Nov with a total of 620 at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart on 8^th & 10^th respectively [Table 21]. On Tiree 423 were in the 5 main bays on 26^th Jul but numbers then declined sharply until late Nov when a day count of 276 was achieved for the whole island on 25^th. Thereafter 253 were in Balephetrish and Sorobaidh Bays on 6^th Dec and 238 in Gott Bay and Caolas on 30^th Dec. The only other site with more than 50 birds during the second winter period was Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll (max. 75 on 15^th Aug).

Table 21. Maximum monthly counts of Dunlin at two sea-lochs on Islay and on Oronsay in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	143	103	15	8	40	6	n/r	301	292	269	440	228
L. Indaal	89	201	142	61	101	12	39	111	67	43	180	180
Oronsay	320	111	47	6	13	2	1	35	3	0	12	60

RUFF Philomachus pugnax Gibeagan 0517

P Scarce but annual passage migrant, more numerous in autumn.

The only spring records were singles at Loch an Eilein Tiree on 25^th and 26^th Apr, a male at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 17^th May and 2 at Balemartine Tiree on 25^th May.

All the autumn records came from Islay and Tiree. The first on Tiree were 5 at Loch a 'Phuill on 5^th Aug with 2 there on 9^th Aug. At Middleton there were 4 on 17^th Aug with one on the following day and 12, the largest autumn flock, on 9^th Sep. Elsewhere, up to 3 birds were at 5 localities on Tiree from 23^rd Aug to 29^th Sep. In Oct, 7 were at the Airport on 1^st, with 5 at Loch a 'Phuill on 18^th and 2 there on 23^rd. The last record was one at Heylipol on 1^st Nov.

At Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay there were 9 birds on 1^st Sep, followed by 5 on 5^th, 2 on 6^th, one on 9^th and 2 on 17^th Sep. The only other Islay records were one at Ardnave Loch on 25^th Aug and 3 at Carnain on 3^rd Sep.

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Gobhrag bheag 0518

W P Scarce but probably under-recorded.

During the first winter period 6 were recorded at Airds Bay (Loch Etive) Mid-Argyll on 17^th Jan and singles were seen at, Loch Beg Mull on 15^th Mar, Cnoc Mor (Saligo) Islay on 31^st Mar and Reudle Mull on 16^th Apr.

Later in the year singles were at Carnduncan Islay on 6^th Oct and at Loch Breac Colonsay on 15^th Oct. At least 2 were on The Reef Tiree on 23^rd Nov and 3 were seen on Corlarach Hill Cowal in Dec.

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Naosg 0519

B W P Widespread and locally common. Breeding recorded in 51% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

By far the highest count Jan-Apr was an impressive 73 recorded at Loch Bhasapol Tiree on 15^th Feb. The only other large count at this time was 29 on Oronsay Colonsay on 1^st May. otherwise up to 4 birds were reported from widely scattered sites on Colonsay, Islay, Mull, Tiree and in Mid-Argyll.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 293.

Breeding. Recorded in 3 of 16 BBS squares (19% ). A circuit of the Colonsay road network at dusk on 13^th Jun located 35 drumming birds (cf 30 in 1997) and a census on The Reef Tiree in Jun revealed 87 displaying birds. At Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay an estimated 49 males were drumming during the breeding season. Elsewhere, at least 5 drumming males were heard on the Treshnish Isles Mull in late Jun/early Jul and a nest with 4 eggs as well as a brood of 4 were found. Birds were also reported in suitable habitat during the breeding season, from Islay, Oronsay, Iona Mull, Mull (mainland) and 5 sites in Mid-Argyll .

During the latter part of the year 40 or more were recorded at various sites on Tiree during Aug - Nov with a maximum of 51 at Middleton on 18^th Aug. Once again up to 4 birds were widely reported but the only other counts of more than 10 birds were 40 at Kilmun Hill Cowal in Sep and 11 near Iona Abbey Mull on 22^nd Sep.

WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Coileach coille 0529

B W P Widespread but under-recorded. Breeding recorded in 35% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

During Jan-Mar one or two birds were reported from: Islay (10 sites) Mid-Argyll (4 sites) Mull (3 sites), Oronsay Colonsay and Tiree.

Breeding. A circuit of the Colonsay road network at dusk on 9^th and 13^th Jun located 9 roding birds (cf 4 along the same route in 1997). The only other report of roding birds was of 'several' at Aird of Kinloch Mull.

The first record of a migrant bird was one at Sorobaidh Bay Tiree on 4^th Oct. Thereafter one or two were reported from Coll, Colonsay, Islay, Mid-Argyll and Mull until the year end.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa Cearra ghob 0532

P Regular in recent years on Islay and Tiree, both in spring and in autumn. Scarce elsewhere.

Numbers on spring passage were down on last year, with records only from Tiree. The first birds were 6 at Loch an Eilein on 21^st Apr followed by 4 at Loch a 'Phuill on 23^rd Apr. After this there were birds at Loch an Eilein on most days until 7^th May with a peak of 25 on 5^th May. The next record was not until 21^st May when 6 were at Loch an Eilein and 7 at An Fhaodhail, followed by one at Loch Bhasapol on 30^th May.

There were 3 Jun records, all on Tiree: 4 at Loch Bhasapol on 4^th, 2 at An Fhaodhail on 7^th and one at The Reef on 15^th.

The first returning birds were 23 on 8^th Jul at Loch an Eilein followed by one there on 14^th and 21 flying over Gott Bay Tiree on 26^th Jul. Next, a flock of 15 birds were seen on Oronsay Colonsay on 29^th Jul.

In Aug birds were seen on Tiree on 7 dates, with a peak of 32 at Loch a 'Phuill on 6^th. Elsewhere, there were 2 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 12^th followed by one on 20^th and 18 on 24^th, 7 flew past Machrihanish SBO on 13^th with 6 on 16^th, 2 were on Oronsay on 13^th and on 19^th and 15 were at Ardnave Loch Islay on 25^th and 30^th.

Most Sep records were on Islay with 2 at Gartmain and 10 at Craigens on 1^st and a maximum of 11 at Loch Gruinart on 9^th and 17^th. Two were at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll on 2^nd, with a single bird there on several dates up to the end of the month and 3 were at Loch a 'Phuill on 6^th. The last birds were 3 at Loch a 'Phuill on 4^th - 7^th Oct and singles at Loch Gruinart on 19^th and 26^th Oct.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Cearra ghob mhor 0534

W P Uncommon passage migrant, with most records in autumn. Wintering birds on Islay and small numbers elsewhere. Regular on Islay in summer.

Numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay at the beginning of the year peaked at 228 in Feb, (cf 165 in Feb in 1997) [Table 22]. The only other site with a count of more than 10 birds during Jan-May was Gott Bay Tiree (max. 34 on 10^th Mar). Smaller numbers were recorded from Oronsay Colonsay, Loch Don Mull, Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll and Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 44.

There were 44 birds in Loch Indaal on 13^th Jun [Table 22]. Other Jun records were, singles at Loch Don Mull (on 2^nd), Heylipol Tiree (on 9^th) and Oronsay (on 23^rd) and 9 at Milton Tiree on 24^th.

The only autumn records at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre were one on 10^th Sep and 12 on 11^th Oct. Other sites with counts of 10 or more birds were Gott Bay Tiree (max. 22 on 21^st Aug) Loch Don (max 30 on 24^th Sep) and Oronsay (max. 13 on 20^th Dec). Single-figure counts came from other sites on Coll, Colonsay, Islay, Kintyre and Mid-Argyll.

Table 22. Maximum monthly counts of Bar-tailed Godwits at two sea-lochs on Islay in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	37	160	26	4	0	0	n/r	3	12	48	54	68
L. Indaal	43	68	57	49	35	44	40	14	19	41	65	45

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Eun bealltain 0538

P A regular migrant in small numbers, with main passage late Apr to May and late Jul to Aug. Summer records not infrequent.

The first three spring records were all of single birds at Loch Don Mull, on 7^th, 16^th and 20^th Apr, followed by 6 at Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll on 22^nd Apr. Records were frequent after this, with flocks of 10 or more reported from, Loch an Eilein Tiree (max. 28 on 1^st May), Heylipol Tiree (max. 33 on 4^th May), Tayinloan Kintyre (max 32 on 6^th May) and Loch Gruinart Islay (19 on 18^th May). A total of 45 were counted over the whole of Tiree on 9^th May. Small groups of up to 7 birds were widespread, with reports from other sites on Colonsay, Islay, Mull and Tiree. The peak period was 24^th Apr to 18^th May with a few to the end of May.

Records of single birds in Jun and early Jul came from Colonsay (on 6^th and 8^th Jun ), Heylipol Tiree (on 15^th Jun), Oronsay Colonsay (on 27^th Jun) and Hynish Tiree (on 3^rd Jul).

Returning migrants first appeared on 24^th Jul (one at Cornaigmore Tiree) followed by one on Oronsay and 5 at Rubha Chraiginis Tiree on 25^th. By far the highest total of autumn was the count of 76 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 14^th Aug. At Machrihanish SBO Kintyre, 6 flying south on 31^st Jul was the only autumn record.. The remaining reports, all in single figures, came from Colonsay, Islay, Mull and Tiree, the last being a single bird at Loch Don Mull on 26^th Sep.

CURLEW Numenius arquata Guilbneach 0541

B W P Common. Breeding recorded in 50% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Numbers generally, reached a peak in Feb, with a total of 646 at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay and 191 at Holy Loch Cowal [Table 23]. The only other localities with counts of more than 50 birds during the early part of the year were Kintra Islay (54 on 29^th Jan), and Tiree where 281 were counted between Sandaig and Hynish on 16^th Feb.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 2,563.

Breeding. Recorded in 1 of 16 BBS squares (6%). The only count of breeding birds was 38 pairs at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve (cf 31 in 1997).

Numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart in the latter part of the year peaked during Dec, with a total of 808 and at Holy Loch on 25^th Oct with 163 [Table 23]. The maximum day count at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre was 318 on 18^th Sep. Other counts of 50 or more birds were max. 92 at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 29^th Jul, 60 moving north at Sandaig Tiree on 5^th Aug, 52 at Crossapol Farm Tiree on 22^nd Aug, max. 65 at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll on 2^nd Sep, max. 82 at Tayinloan Kintyre on 29^th Nov and 85 at Ceann Fachachd Coll also on 29^th Nov.

Table 23. Maximum monthly counts of Curlew at two sea-lochs on Islay and Holy Loch (Cowal) in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	249	450	324	151	67	195	n/r	344	237	181	340	203
L. Indaal	322	196	156	67	47	61	219	417	505	401	282	605
Holy Loch	104	191	42	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	86	163	123	139

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Gearradh bhreac 0545

P Rare, with only 9 records during 1980-97: 3 in May, 4 in Aug one in Sep and one in Oct.

A very good year for this species with four records, all on Islay. In spring one was at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 7^th Apr and another was there on 19^th Apr. The first autumn record was an individual at Loch Gruinart on 19^th Aug and a juv. was at Gartmain on 17^th/18^th Sep.

REDSHANK Tringa totanus Cam ghlas 0546

B W P Localised breeder. Breeding recorded in 40% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Widespread passage migrant and wintering species.

The highest count during the early part of the year came from Tiree where 85 were seen between Heanish and Scarinish on 7^th Feb. Apart from those listed in Table 24, no other sites had counts exceeding 20 birds.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 763, of which 414 (54%) were on Tiree.

Breeding. Recorded in 3 of 16 BBS squares (19%). A total of 85 pairs bred at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve (cf 95 in 1997 and 114 in 1996), on Colonsay (excluding Oronsay), 11 pairs were found (cf 12 in 1997) while on Oronsay itself 7 pairs were located. A census on The Reef Tiree gave a total of 48 pairs breeding but at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll only one successful pair was in evidence. An adult was seen with chicks at Fidden Mull on 9^th Jun.

Southward passage was observed in autumn at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre, with 40 flying past in 26 hrs watching 24^th-31^st Jul and 115 in 34 hrs during Aug (max. 27 on 24^th). Also 45 were in Machrihanish Bay on 18^th Sep and up to 35 wintered there.

. Numbers at Loch Gruinart Islay peaked at 120 on 6^th Sep and in Holy Loch Cowal at 70 on 8^th Oct [Table 24]. The only sites, other than those in Table 24, with 20 or more birds during the latter part of the year were: Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll (max. 25 on 13^th Oct), The Strand Colonsay (max. 29 on 20^th Dec) and Heylipol Tiree (max. 32 in flooded fields on 25^th Dec).

Table 24. Maximum monthly counts of Redshank at two sea-lochs on Islay, Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll), Holy Loch (Cowal) and at the four main freshwater lochs on Tiree in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	19	5	16	33	16	32	n/r	1	120	13	40	80
L. Indaal	14	13	20	12	10	9	12	12	12	12	14	14
Loch Crinan	28	11	14	1	0	2	5	37	6	26	20	16
Holy Loch	35	42	10	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	n/r	56	70	15	46
Tiree	n/r	7	21	74	48	61	18	1	2	1	3	0

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Deoch bhuidhe 0548

B W P Very scarce breeding species (only in Mull and N. Argyll in recent years). Breeding recorded in 4% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Small numbers on passage with a few birds wintering in some localities.

During Jan-Apr, birds were regularly seen at various sites on Mull (max. 4 at Loch Don on 16^th Apr) and on Oronsay Colonsay (max. 5 on 20^th Mar). Singles were also at Balephetrish Bay Tiree on 19^th Feb, Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll on 22^nd Feb, Loch Craignish Mid-Argyll on 12^th Mar, Loch Gruinart Islay on 4^th Apr , Loch Gorm Islay on 12^th Apr and Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 24^th & 28^th Apr.

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 11, all but one of which were on Mull.

Breeding. One was present at the usual breeding site on Mull on 5^th May and again in Jun and a single bird was singing at the traditional site in N Argyll on 14^th May.

The only other Jun records were a single at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 10^th and one calling at sea level by Loch Etive N Argyll on the 17^th.

From 3^rd Jul until the year end records of up to 4 birds were widespread, from sites in Kintyre, Mid-Argyll and N Argyll as well as on Islay, Mull and Tiree. Larger numbers were at: Gruinart Flats Islay (max. 5 0n 28^th Jul), Loch a 'Phuill Tiree (max. 5 on 29^th Jul), Loch an Eilein Tiree (max. 5 on 26^th Aug), Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll (max. 7 on 31^st Aug), Kinloch Mull (11 on 28^th Sep) and The Strand Colonsay (max. 7 on 29^th Dec).

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Luatharan uaine 0553

P Scarce but more or less annual. Majority of records in autumn (mostly mid-Jul to mid-Oct); very rare in spring.

One at Heylipol Tiree on 4^th Jun was an unusual spring record.

The remaining records, all singles in Aug, were at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 7^th and 9^th, Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 10^th and Heylipol on 18^th.

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Luatharan coille 0554

P Scarce and less than annual. Recorded in 10 of the 18 years 1980-97, with 7 of the 12 records in spring.

One was at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 18^th May.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Luatharan 0556

S P Widespread and common breeding visitor. Breeding recorded in 68% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The first bird of spring was a single at Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll on 10^th Apr, followed by one at Loch Ba Mull on 19^th Apr. The main arrival was during the period 23^rd Apr-3^rd May when birds were reported from many sites in Mid-Argyll ,Mull and Tiree.

Intriguingly, one was recorded during the NEWS survey. (Dec 97/Jan 98) in the Loch Linnhe area although we have no precise date for this.

Breeding. Recorded in 2 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (13%). Four territories were identified at Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll and breeding pairs were located at 14 hill lochs in the Ederline/Eredine Forest area of Mid-Argyll. At least one pair bred on the Treshnish Isles Mull and on Colonsay a total of 30 pairs were found in Jun (cf. 26 in 1997).

During a WeBS count on 14^th Jun, 22 birds were counted in the Inner Loch Scridain/Loch Beg area of Mull

A late bird at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 18^th Sep was the last record.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Trilleachan beag 0561

W P Widespread and common, mainly from Aug to May. Summer records not unusual.

After the poor showing in the early part of 1997 numbers this year were back to respectable figures with a peak count at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart Islay of 139 in Jan, (cf peak of 22 in Apr in 1997) [Table 25]. Other sites with peak counts exceeding 30 at this time were: Ledaig Beach N Argyll (35 on 25^th Jan) and, on Tiree, Ruaig-Caolas (217 on 6^th Feb), Loch a 'Phuill (max. 43 on 15^th Feb), The Reef (max. 176 on 8^th Mar).

The NEWS count total for Argyll (Dec 97/Jan 98) was 1,346, of which 887 (66%) were on Tiree.

There were 3 Jun records: one on the west coast of Mull on 5^th, 30 on Oronsay Colonsay on 9^th and 3 at Crossapol Tiree on 24^th..

At Machrihanish SBO Kintyre, 40 on 25^th Aug was the highest day-count of autumn there. Numbers at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart built up to 172 in Dec (cf peak of 174 in Nov in 1997) [Table 25]. The only other counts exceeding 30 birds were 32 at Gott Bay Tiree on 31^st Oct, 53 in Campbeltown Loch Kintyre on 6^th Nov and 80 between Caolas and Salum Tiree on 31^st Dec.

Table 25. Maximum monthly counts of Turnstone at two sea-lochs on Islay in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	78	90	61	51	0	0	n/r	0	0	73	77	152
L. Indaal	61	43	44	21	4	0	11	16	6	31	58	20

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius Liathag allt 0565

P Irregular, associated with autumn gales. All but 4 of 36 records during 1980-96 were in the period mid-Sep to mid-Oct.

An individual at Loch a 'Chumhainn Mull on 25^th Sept was a typical date for this species but not so one that flew in and landed on the sea at Traigh an Luig Islay on 14^th Dec.

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Skuas

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus Fasgadair donn 0566

P Scarce but annual, with several records most years. Majority seen in autumn.

Three adults flying south off the mouth of Campbeltown Loch Kintyre on 19^th Jun was an unusual late spring record.

The first record of autumn was an adult flying south past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 31^st Jul, followed by another adult on 13^th Aug and a third on 10^th Sep. The last record there was a first winter bird on 17^th Oct. Elsewhere, single birds flew south past Frenchman's Rocks Islay on 27^th Aug and 2^nd Sep, one flew west past Aird Cornaigmore Tiree on 13^th Sep and a juvenile was seen off-shore at Balevullin Tiree on 17^th Oct (the same day as the last record at Machrihanish SBO).

ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Fasgadair 0567

S P The commonest skua in Argyll, regularly seen in small numbers near large seabird colonies. Small breeding colonies on Jura and Coll. Passage birds regular and widespread in spring and especially autumn.

The first spring record was a dark phase bird attacking Manx Shearwaters, seen from the ferry SE of Tiree on 1^st May. Other Tiree records in May included a dark phase individual passing Hynish on 3^rd May, and single pale phase birds off Mannal on 9^th, chasing Arctic Terns at The Reef on 15^th and harrying terns off Gunna Sound on 25^th. Elsewhere in May, 3 flew over Oronsay Colonsay on 21^st, one flew over Loch Ba Mull on 23^rd, 2 were at Treshnish Point Mull on 23^rd and 2 flew over Oronsay on 26^th.

Breeding. On Coll 20 pairs were located breeding in three separate areas. No information was received from Jura.

In Jun and early Jul individual pale and dark phase birds were seen daily in Gunna Sound, dark phase birds were seen at Pigs Paradise Colonsay on 11^th and 13^th Jun, 'small numbers' of pale and dark phase birds were seen daily around Treshnish Isles Mull 27^th Jun - 4^th Jul and singles were seen from Oronsay on 2^nd, 4^th and 5^th Jul.

Southward passage past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre was again sparse: 3 adults (2 dark/1 pale) on 31^st Jul and 2 adults (1 dark/1 pale) on 13^th Aug were the only records. Tiree had single birds on 9 dates in Aug with 2 on 18^th Aug and late records on 11^th Sep and 10^th Oct. On Islay single birds were seen at Frenchman's Rocks on 25^th and 27^th Aug, followed by 2 on 2^nd Sep and 5 on 3^rd Sep and one was in Laggan Bay on 23^rd Aug. Elsewhere, one was at Duart Point Mull on 28^th Aug, 4 passed Craignish Point Mid-Argyll on 31^st Aug, one was over Oronsay on 11^th Sep and a very late dark phase bird was seen from the Oban-Craignure ferry on 12^th Nov.

GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Fasgadair mor 0569

S P Uncommon passage migrant and summer visitor. Bred unsuccessfully on Coll in 1989.

There were no records until May when singles were seen at Balemartine Tiree on 13^th, off Staffa Mull on 14^th, over Loch Ba Mull on 23^rd and over Loch Riaghain Tiree on 26^th.

Breeding. Once again a pair bred on Coll: eggs were laid but the final outcome is not known. On the Treshnish Isles Mull, a pair had a single chick in late Jun and another pair were present but with no proof of breeding. This is the first proved successful breeding record for the Treshnish Isles although breeding has been suspected for the last year or two.

In Jul 2 were at Grasspoint Mull on 7^th and 2 circled over Gott Bay Tiree on 23^rd. The only autumn migrant at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre was one on 31^st Jul and at Frenchman's Rocks Islay 3 flew past southwards on the 27^th Aug followed by singles on 2^nd Sep and 10^th Oct. One was in Loch Indaal Islay on 31^st Aug. Singles were recorded on Tiree on five dates and 2 on 3 dates in Aug, followed by singles on 11^th and 13^th Sep and a late bird on 11^th Oct. The last record was one seen from the ferry, 5 miles north of Tiree on 23^rd Oct.

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Gulls

MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus 0575

V Only two records since 1980: one on Mull in 1992 and a 1^st winter bird at Machrihanish SBO in 1995.

A second winter bird was seen at close quarters, dip-feeding in Kildalloig Bay (Campbeltown Loch) Kintyre on 7^th Nov [EJM]*.

LAUGHING GULL Larus atricilla 0576

V The only previous record was on Islay in 1974.

On the afternoon of 28^th Nov a first winter bird was seen, in the company of a Common Gull, at Cliad Coll. This is only the second Argyll record of this transatlantic vagrant [A. J. Leitch]*.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus Crann fhaoileag 0578

S W P Irregular, with several records most years but none in others. Typically seen Aug or Sep, but summer records (usually involving first-year birds) and winter records not infrequent.

An adult was seen at Loch Don Mull on 28^th May and at least 2, possibly 3, first winter birds were sheltering from a gale at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 9^th Nov. 1997 A first winter bird was off Ardnave Point Islay on 28^th Dec.

BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus Faoileag a'chinn duibh 0582

B W P Patchily distributed breeder. Breeding recorded in 16% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Scarce in many areas in winter.

During the early part of the year, the only sites (other than those in Table 26) with counts of more than 50 birds were, Balephetrish Bay Tiree (max, 285 on 25^th Apr) and Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll (392 counted during NEWS survey 25^th-30^th Jan). Breeding. Recorded in 1 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (6%). In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area, 318 pairs bred at 8 sites (7 in Mid-Argyll, and one in Kintyre ), varying in numbers from one to 125 pairs, and fledged a total of ca 75 young (cf. 284 pairs at 6 colonies raised 133-138 young in 1997). Only 3 of the colonies held more than ten pairs each and productivity at 4 of the colonies was known to be zero. The only other record of breeding birds was 2 pairs on Oronsay Colonsay. During the latter part of the year, the only counts exceeding 50 birds are those shown in Table 26. Table 26. Maximum monthly counts of Black-headed Gulls at two sea-lochs on Islay, Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll) ) and at the four main freshwater lochs on Tiree in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	0	73	70	28	3	25	n/r	80	194	43	40	1
L. Indaal	2	7	11	49	83	44	63	21	83	67	12	10
L. Crinan	1	2	33	10	9	34	163	104	31	20	0	32
Tiree	n/r	18	40	n/r	176	284	76	0	0	1	16	0

COMMON GULL Larus canus Faoileag 0590

B W P Widespread and common breeding species. Breeding recorded in 45% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The highest count during the early part of the year was 879 at Loch Indaal Islay on 16^th Feb and numbers at Loch Gruinart Islay peaked at 416 on 18^th Jan. The only sites other than those in Table 27 with counts exceeding 100 birds were: Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll (464 recorded during NEWS count 25^th-30^th Jan), Port Ellen Islay (200+ on 28^th Feb), Loch Sween Mid-Argyll (max. 107 on15th Mar) and Balephetrish Tiree (170 on 25^th Apr). Breeding. Recorded in 6 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (38%). In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area, 978 -998 pairs were noted breeding at 32 colonies (one to 336 pairs in size). Breeding success was measured at 27 colonies holding 897 pairs, which fledged 622 young. At 10 of these colonies where mink were removed before the breeding season, 641 pairs fledged 538 young (0.839 young/pair). At the other 17 colonies, where mink were not controlled, 256 pairs fledged 84 young (0.328 young/pair). Thus mink control raised fledging success by 2.56 times. Elsewhere, 10 pairs are considered to have bred on the Treshnish Isles Mull (2 broods of young found), no dead chicks were found from the 38 active nests were found on Sanda Island Kintyre indicating a good breeding season. The colonies on hill lochs in the Eredine/Ederline forest area Mid-Argyll were largely deserted by mid-Jun with no sign of successful breeding. In autumn the only records of numbers in excess of 100 (excluding Table 27 sites) were roost counts made at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree (104 on 10^th Oct) and Breachacha beach Coll (686 on 31^st Nov).

Table 27. Maximum monthly counts of Common Gulls at two sea-lochs on Islay, Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll) and at the four main freshwater lochs on Tiree in 1998.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	334	879	220	46	40	117	n/r	159	368	255	112	238
L. Indaal	416	322	97	313	121	119	119	271	272	70	114	140
L. Crinan	75	80	63	0	3	10	46	55	17	16	25	65
Tiree	n/r	186	201	n/r	26	49	20	0	5	12	34	51

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus Faoileag bheag 0591

S P Widespread breeding species, generally present from Mar to Sep. Breeding recorded in 20% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). A few remain in winter.

Up to 3 birds were seen on Islay at Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart, on Oronsay Colonsay and at the entrance of West Loch Tarbert Kintyre, during Jan - mid-Feb. Returning birds appeared on Tiree from late Feb and numbers built up during the first 2 weeks of Mar. By 29^th Mar 33 were at Loch Crinan Mid-Argyll with 62 at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 11^th Apr and 40 in Loch Indaal Islay on 26^th Apr. Breeding. Recorded in 5 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (31%). In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area approximate counts were made at 11 sites: together they held 780-920 pairs. Two of the sites held single pairs: at the other nine sites, colony size ranged from 20 to ca, 400 pairs. Many chicks fledged at the 3 largest colonies. There were 96 active nests (cf 66 in 1997)on Sanda Kintyre in June and pairs are still colonising new areas. Elsewhere, 5 pairs bred on the Treshnish Isles Mull, and 277 individuals were counted at 3 colonies on Oronsay. Of 738 passing Machrihanish SBO Kintyre in Sep/Oct 434 (59%) were aged as adults. Most birds had left by the first week in Sep, there were no records after 4 at The Laggan Kintyre on 17^th Oct and one there on 22^nd Oct.

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus Faoileag an sgadain 0592

B W P Widespread and abundant breeding species. Breeding recorded in 33% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Some evidence for immigration into Argyll in winter; colour-ringing studies have shown that these birds are probably from the Clyde and NE England.

During the early part of the year, the only counts exceeding 200 birds were at, Loch Indaal Islay (max. 261 on 15^th Feb) [Table 28], Eilean Aoghainn Mid-Argyll ( max. 276 on 21^st Mar), and Loch Caolisport Mid-Argyll where 329 were recorded during the NEWS count 25^th-30^th Jan. Breeding. Recorded in 11 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (69%). In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area, 5,128 pairs were noted breeding at 45 sites (colony size 1-c.500 pairs). 37 of these pairs (< 1%) were at colonies of less than 10 pairs. Breeding was monitored at 16 colonies of ten or more pairs each, holding a total of 1,964 pairs. 799 young were reared to flying. At 6 of these 16 colonies, with a total of 987 pairs (50%), no young fledged. Mink were definitely responsible at 5 of the sites and probably at all 6. Some relatively large colonies failed completely because of mink, notably Eilean nan Caorach (404 pairs) and Inn Island (281 pairs), both off Lismore. A third colony close to Lismore, Eilean Loch Oscair, held 81 pairs and also failed completely because of mink. This is the third successive mink-caused whole colony failure at this colony, which has declined from 287 pairs in 1994. Other counts of breeding birds came from; Treshnish Isles Mull (181 nests, cf 97 in 1997), Oronsay Colonsay (450 individuals counted at 3 colonies) and from Sanda Islands Kintyre where 710 active nests represents considerably less than half the number breeding there a decade ago. In autumn, the highest counts were: 301 at Loch Indaal on 6^th Sep, 469 at Loch Gruinart on 9^th Sep [Table 28], 500+ at Loch Feochan Mid-Argyll on 21^st Sep, 665 at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree on 6^th Dec and 300 at Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll on 8^th Dec. No other site recorded numbers exceeding 200 birds. Table 28. Maximum monthly counts of Herring Gulls at two sea-lochs on Islay and Loch Crinan (Mid-Argyll) in 1998

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
L.Gruinart	56	165	195	49	144	161	n/r	93	469	36	98	7
L. Indaal	209	261	152	120	129	17	38	159	301	140	202	222
L. Crinan	66	86	168	34	61	33	33	96	89	23	5	83

Aug total for L. Gruinart should include count for 'Floods' and read 121

YELLOW LEGGED RACE (YELLOW-LEGGED GULL) Larus (argentatus) cachinnans

V No previous accepted records for Argyll. Now treated as a separate species by many authorities (inc. British Birds) but not yet accepted as such by the BOU.

An individual seen roosting with Herring Gulls at Soa Point Tiree on 23^rd Feb was identified as belonging to the Mediterranean race michahellis (A. M. Hachenberg/A. J. Leitch)*.

ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Faoileag liath 0598

W Scarce but normally at least 5 records annually, and sometimes many more.

A total of about 15 birds was recorded during the early part of the year. At Oban Mid-Argyll a 2^nd winter bird was seen on several dates from 6^th Jan to 10^th Mar and one seen on 1^st May described as 2^nd winter/3^rd summer could have been the same individual. Two 1^st winter birds were seen there on 24^th Feb and one 1^st winter was present 4^th-14^th Apr. On Islay a 1^st winter bird present at Bowmore in Dec 1997 was seen throughout the winter and when last seen on 22^nd Apr was described as being in 1^st summer plumage. Other Islay records included a 1^st winter at Port Ellen 8^th Mar-22^nd Apr, two 1^st winter birds at Octovullin on 22^nd Mar and a 'near adult' at Kinnabus on 13^th May. Tiree had a 2^nd winter at Hynish 18^th Feb-29^th Mar and a 1^st winter at West Hynish on 28^th/29^th Mar. A 2^nd winter bird at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree 19^th-27^th Apr might have been the same individual as that seen at Hynish earlier. On Mull 1^st winter birds were at Tobermory on 24^th Feb/22^nd Mar and Loch Spelve on 5^th Mar and 24^th May while 2^nd winters were at Loch Buie 27^th & 30^th Mar and at Scarisdale Rocks 27^th & 31^st Mar. There were 5 records in the second half of the year: 1^st winter birds at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 19^th Oct and at Bowmore Islay on 30^th Dec, a 2^nd winter bird at West Hynish Tiree on 18^th Nov and, in the Oban area, a 1^st winter at Moleigh rubbish dump on 30^th Oct and around the harbour on 17^th Dec.

GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Faoileag mhor 0599

W Scarce but normally at least 5 records annually, and sometimes many more.

There was a total of about 14 records during the year. On Tiree there were 1^st winter birds at: Mannal on 24^th Jan, West Hynish on 8^th Feb, Carnan Mor on 8^th Mar and Loch a 'Phuill on 25^th Mar. Some or all of these records could refer to the same bird. A 3^rd winter bird was seen at West Hynish on 28^th/29^th Mar and (another?) at The Reef on 21^st May. A 2^nd winter bird was at Holy Loch Cowal on 15^th Mar. On Islay, 1^st winter birds were at Octovullin on 22^nd Mar and at Ardmore Point on 5^th Apr, a 2^nd winter was at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 14^th May and the wing of a 1^st winter bird was found at Corran Bay on 27^th Mar. Mull had at least 3 individuals: a 1^st winter at Tobermory on 21^st Mar, a 4^th winter/adult at Loch Beg on 30^th Mar and a 2^nd winter/summer in the Sound of Mull, off Tobermory on 28^th Apr. An unusual summer record was a 2^nd year bird seen regularly in Campbeltown Loch Kintyre in Jun and Jul. Apart from an unaged individual in Loch Indaal on 10^th Nov none were reported during the latter part of the year. 1997 A 1^st winter bird was at Port Ellen Islay on 29^th Dec.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Farspag 0600

B W Common and widespread. Breeding recorded in 22% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The only sites with counts of more than 50 birds during the early part of the year were: head of Loch Feochan Mid-Argyll (170+on 18^th Feb) and Loch a 'Phuill Tiree (max. 136 on 15^th Mar). Breeding. Recorded in 8 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (50%). In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area, 338-354 pairs were noted breeding at 37 sites (colony size range 1-68 pairs). 18 of these sites held only single pairs. The breeding success of 228 pairs at 25 colonies was monitored: they fledged 289 young (1.26 young/pair). Other counts of breeding birds came from Treshnish Isles Mull (136 AON), Sanda Islands Kintyre (32 active nests) and Oronsay Colonsay (10 individuals at breeding colony). Of a sample of 302 birds passing Machrihanish SBO Kintyre 18^th Sep-12^th Nov, 228 (75%) were non-adults (mostly 1^st winter). During the latter part of the year counts of more than 50 birds came from: Loch Crinan (max. 69 on 9^th Aug), head of Loch Feochan (220 on 30^th Oct), Loch a 'Phuill (max. 385 at roost on 1^st Nov), and Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll (max. 88 on 14^th Dec).

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Ruideag 0602

B P Strictly marine. Main colonies are on Islay, Colonsay, Treshnish Isles (Mull) and Tiree.

The only record for the early part of the year away from the islands was a 1^st summer bird at Inveraray Mid-Argyll on 25^th Apr. On 30^th May, 105 were bathing and collecting grass and mud at Loch a 'Phuill Tiree and c. 1,000 were loafing in Kiloran Bay Colonsay on 7^th Jun. Breeding. There were 674 nests on the Treshnish Isles Mull (cf 735 in 1997). On Colonsay, the Uragaig sample colony totalled 121 pairs (cf 96 in 1997), and the sample ledge at Pigs Paradise held 14 nests (cf 16 in 1997) with a mean clutch size of 1.86 (cf 1,75 in 1997). A single nest on Glunimore was the first breeding record on the Sanda Islands Kintyre since 1994. In Aug, 122 passed Frenchman's Rocks Islay in 5 hrs on 25^th and 368 in 2.5 hrs on 27^th. Significant counts later in the year included 200 roosting on rocks on Oronsay Colonsay on 30^th Aug, c. 2,000 feeding off the west coast of Tiree on 23^rd-25^th Oct and c. 2,000 passing inshore off Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 9^th Nov during a westerly gale.

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Terns

SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Stearnag mhor 0611

B P Very rare and irregular breeding species. Uncommon passage migrant.

The first definite record of the year was one at Portnahaven Islay on 19^th Apr. Ones or twos were seen at Campbeltown Loch Kintyre Loch Indaal Islay and Tayinloan Kintyre during the following week, with 5 at Blairmore (Loch Long) Cowal on 28^th Apr. In May singles were seen at Tayinloan Kintyre, Balemartine Tiree, Loch an Eilein Tiree and Campbeltown Loch.

Breeding. There were no indications of breeding in Argyll. The only summer record was 2 birds at Vaul Bay Tiree on 20^th Jun.

Autumn passage was more marked with one at Loch Riaghain Tiree on 21^st Jul, 2 off Dunoon Cowal on 4 dates 25^th Jul - 14^th Aug, 2 at Hynish Tiree on 27^th Jul with 3 there on 16^th Aug, 6 at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 12^th Aug, one at Campbeltown Loch on 20^th Aug, 2 at Sorobaidh Bay Tiree on 29^th Aug, one Frenchman's Rocks Islay on 30^th Aug and 3 immatures at Loch Gilp Mid-Argyll on 31^st Aug. In Sep, one was at Loch Indaal Islay on 2^nd and an adult with 2 juvs was in Machrihanish Bay Kintyre on 10^th. The last of the year was one flying south past Machrihanish SBO on 11^th Oct.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Stearnag 0615

S P Locally common breeding species, considerably more numerous than Arctic Tern, at least on small islands close to the mainland. Breeding recorded in 14% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The first birds of the year were on Tiree with 3 at Loch Bhasapol on 3^rd May, followed by 2 at Loch an Eilein on 5^th. One at Garmony Point on 14^th May was the first report from Mull and 7 were at Loch Indaal Islay on 17^th May.

Breeding. In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area, 826 pairs were counted breeding at 9 sites (colony size 1-649 pairs). They fledged 476-495 young, c.400 (81-84%) of these at the largest colony (cf. 695-915 young from 889 pairs at 7 sites in 1997). Only 4 of the colonies held more than ten pairs. Mink are now controlled annually at the largest colony and it is likely that this has ensured its continued existence after mink killed hundreds of young there in 1989 and in some later years. Elsewhere, annual mink control has attracted Common Terns back to breed in at least one sea-loch. At South Shian (Loch Creran) 3 pairs bred on an adapted mussel raft and fledged 5 or 6 young. Elsewhere; 20 pairs were present in Crossapol Bay Coll, at least 3 pairs were breeding on Colonsay, birds were recorded in the season on Tiree but breeding was not confirmed, a single juv. fledged from the few pairs which nested at Machrihanish Kintyre and, on Islay, a pair attempting to breed at RSPB Loch Gruinart were washed out by high tides. The traditional mixed Common/Arctic colony on Sgeirean na Giusaich, Treshnish Isles Mull was vacant in late June and showed no signs of having been occupied earlier in the season.

Four were at Oronsay Colonsay on 2^nd Jul and passage had begun in earnest by 24^th Jul when 22 passed Machrihanish SBO Kintyre in 3.5 hrs, followed by 55 in 3.5 hrs on 27^th Jul. No juveniles were noted among the Machrihanish birds. The only other records at this time were from Hynish Tiree where 2 were seen on 28^th Jul and one on 31^st Aug was the last of the year.

ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Stearnal 0616

S P Locally numerous breeding species. Breeding recorded in 25% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Confusion with the last species has tended to lead to over-recording of Arctic Tern and under-recording of Common Tern at colonies.

The first birds of the year arrived on 24^th Apr when one was seen on The Reef and 3 at Loch an Eilein Tiree. Twenty birds were present in Loch Indaal Islay on 17^th May but by far the highest count at this time was 380 in Gunna Sound Tiree on 20^th May.

Breeding. In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area, 112 pairs bred at 7 colonies (1-34 pairs in size) and fledged 60-84 young (cf 96-126 young from 270 pairs at 11 colonies in 1997). Only four colonies held more than ten pairs. On Islay, 27 pairs were breeding at a site in Loch Indaal and 5 pairs attempting to nest at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve were washed out by high tides. Tiree had 105 pairs breeding on the Reef and pairs are know to have bred at several other localities on the island. A colony on Colonsay held at least 45 pairs in mid Jun, 20 pairs were present at Coll RSPB Reserve and a pair on Sgeir an Eirionnaich, Treshnish Isles Mull in late Jun were, from their behaviour, possibly breeding.

The peak count later in the season was 340 on rocks off Hynish Tiree on 22^nd Jul. Numbers passing Machrihanish SBO were relatively low: 16 in 3 hrs on 24^th and 34 in 3.5 hrs on 27^th Jul were all adults. On 28^th Jul 34+ were seen passing Tayinloan Kintyre and the last birds reported were 10 off Crossapol Tiree on 31^st Aug.


LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons Stearnag bheag 0624

S P Scarce breeding species confined to Islay, Tiree and Coll. Scarce elsewhere on migration.

The only records early in the season were from Tiree, where one was at Balephetrish on 6^th Apr followed by 2 on 11^th Apr.

Breeding. On Coll, there were 4 pairs at two colonies. A complete census on Tiree located 48 pairs breeding in 4 colonies: all but 10 pairs were on The Reef. Only 7 chicks are known to have fledged, with coastal sites suffering much disturbance from walkers and, to a lesser extent, from vehicles. Although many eggs hatched at the main colony on The Reef, the chicks disappeared before fledging. Common gull predation and adverse weather conditions are thought to have been the main reasons for failure here. 35-45 pairs bred on Gunna Coll where a minimum of 10 young are thought to have fledged (RSPB). The maximum count at The Big Strand Islay was 30 individuals on 21^st May.

The only autumn records away from Tiree were 3 over Oronsay Colonsay on 13^th Jul and 2 adults passing Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 12^th Aug. The last birds reported were 2 juveniles at Gott Bay Tiree on 19^th Aug.

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Auks

GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Eun dubh an sgadain 0634

B W P Highly colonial, locally abundant breeding species. Adults with small young appear on the sea far from colonies in late summer; regularly seen in sea-lochs in winter.

Breeding. In all 6,791 birds were counted on the Treshnish Isles Mull in late Jun (cf 7,516 in 1997). On Sanda Islands Kintyre, an estimate of 2,600 birds was made in late Jun and the numbers of young present again indicated an excellent breeding season. A total of 92 birds was recorded on the new sample cliff at Uragaig Colonsay (cf 128 in 1997).

At MachrihanishSBO Kintyre this species was more numerous than Razorbill with 632 recorded flying past in 30 hrs watching 11^th - 25^th Oct.

(See below for movements of auks (Guillemot/Razorbill) past sea-watching sites.)

RAZORBILL Alca torda Falc 0636

B W P Locally common breeding species, although less numerous and with smaller colonies than Guillemot. Regularly seen in sea-lochs in winter.

Breeding. The 1,589 birds counted on the Treshnish Isles Mull in late Jun, represent a further increase in number here (cf. 1,348 in 1997 and 850 - 1,000 in 1996). The estimate of 3,000 birds on the Sanda Islands Kintyre in late Jun was similar to last year and the good numbers of young present again indicated an excellent breeding season. A total of 20 birds were counted on the new sample cliff at Uragaig Colonsay (cf 26 in 1997).

An adult ringed on Lunga (Treshnish Isles) Mull on 28^th Jun 1994 and found, a victim of oiling, at Bognor Regis, West Sussex on 10^th Feb 1997 was released after cleaning 8 days later at Berry Head .

At MachrihanishSBO Kintyre this species was less numerous than Guillemot with 228 recorded flying past in 30 hrs watching 11^th - 25^th Oct.

See below for movements of auks (Guillemot/Razorbill) past sea-watching sites.}

AUK sp. (GUILLEMOT/RAZORBILL)

In addition to the above 1,350 Guillemot/Razorbills which could not be identified as to species were recorded flying southward past Machrihanish SBO Kintyre in 30 hrs watching 11^th - 25^th Oct.

BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grylle Gearra-breac 0638

B W Common coastal breeding species. Breeding recorded in 38% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. 1998 In the Argyll part of the SAMS study area, 85 adults were seen at 16 sites (number at each site varied from 1 to 19). 6 large young were seen from 4 broods (3 sites), and the outcome of two clutches at one site was unknown. In 1998 Black Guillemots were confirmed to have disappeared from 7 sites: Dubh Sgeir, Lismore; Fladda, Sound of Luing; Belnahua, Sound of Luing; Eilean Inshaig, Loch Craignish; Eilean nan Coinean, Sound of Jura; Eilean Fraoich, Sound of Jura and Liath Sgeir Mhor (near Crinan). Mink were definitely the cause at the first six of these and very probably at all seven. The large colony near Gigha (81 birds in 1997) was not visited in 1998. Elsewhere, the 188 individuals seen on the Sanda Islands Kintyre in late Jun may indicate something of a recovery after the low point (attributed to the depredations of mink) of only 155 birds in 1997. Numbers on the Treshnish Isles Mull (44 individuals) had returned to a more typical total after only a single bird was seen in 1997 (cf. 30 pairs in 1996).

At Machrihanish SBO Kintyre the first juv. appeared on 28^th Jul and 54 flew past southwards in 7 hrs on 16^th Aug. No large post breeding flocks were reported.

LITTLE AUK Alle alle Colcach bheag 0647

W Irregular, usually seen during sea-watches or after severe gales.

In the early part of the year the only records were of a lightly oiled bird found dead at Sorobaidh Bay Tiree on 15^th Feb and 8 flying through Gunna Sound Tiree on 20^th Feb.

Later in the year single birds were reported from: Frenchman's Rocks Islay on 11^th Oct, Balemartine Tiree on 21^st Oct and 7^th Nov, Machrihanish SBO Kintyre on 29^th Oct and 9^th Nov and off East Kames (Loch Fyne) Mid-Argyll on 20^th Nov. The last of the year was one found dying in a garden at Ganavan Mid-Argyll on 18^th Dec.

PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Buthaid 0654

B P Very localised breeding species with main colonies on Sanda (Kintyre) and Treshnish Isles (Mull). Occasionally recorded in winter.

The first reported birds of the year were 4 off Gunna Sound Tiree on 14^th Apr. Breeding. On Treshnish Isles Mull, 1,662 pairs were counted in late Jun/early Jul (cf 1,866 in 1997). There were 240 birds counted on the Sanda Islands Kintyre in late Jun, mostly on Sheep Island and Glunimore. The 4 accessible nests that are monitored all contained well grown young.

Up to 11 were seen passing off Hynish Tiree from mid-Jul to the end of Aug. The last of the year on Tiree were 2 flying past Aird Cornaigmore on 14^th Oct. One seen off Tralee Beach N Argyll on 25^th Dec was an unusual mid-winter record.

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Pigeons and Cuckoos

ROCK DOVE Columba livia Calman creige 0665

R I Resident breeder except in Cowal, most numerous in the islands. Breeding recorded in 33% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Large flocks often gather on arable fields outwith breeding season. Feral Pigeons recorded from most areas, but no information on population size.

During the early part of the year, the only sites with counts exceeding 50 birds were: Sunderland Farm Islay (120 on 7^th Jan) and Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay (60 on 25^th May).

Breeding. The sharp decline in numbers on the Sanda Islands Kintyre continued and only single pairs on Glunimore and on Sanda were found compared to 10 or so pairs in former years (cf 4 pairs in 1997). A single pair was noted in a cave on Lunga (Treshnish Isles), Mull.

Flock counts during Jun included: 102 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 5^th, 27 at Port Mor Colonsay on 6^th, 35 at Fidden Mull on 9^th and 74 at the Airport Tiree on 17^th..

Flocks of more than 50 birds in the latter part of the year were reported from: Middleton Tiree (56 on 18^th Aug), Barrapol Tiree (83 on 29^th Aug), Heylipol Tiree (max. 102 on 4^th Oct) and Scarrabus Islay (68 on 18^th Oct). On 23^rd Nov 250 birds were counted on Tiree between Heylipol and Crossapol.

Records of Feral Pigeons came from: Dunoon Cowal, Kiloran Bay Colonsay, Tayinloan Kintyre, Connel Mid-Argyll and Oban Mid-Argyll (32 in harbour area on 9^th Dec).

WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Calman fiadhaich 0670

>B W Common resident breeding species except on some islands, such as Mull, where more numerous in winter. Breeding recorded in 48% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

A group of 20 birds were seen roosting in a single tree at Bishop's Glen (Dunoon) Cowal on 20^th Feb. One at Cornaigbeg Tiree on 28^th Apr was outside the normal range for this species.

Breeding. Recorded in 7 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (44%), (cf 4 of 16 in 1997).

A small influx was noted in Nov, when flocks of 30-60 birds were reported from several locations in Cowal and Mid-Argyll where the species is not normally numerous.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Calman a chrios 0684

B P Sparse but widespread distribution throughout Argyll. Evidence of continued immigration involving small numbers of birds each spring. Breeding recorded in 23% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The only count in double figures during the year was 10 at Imeraval Islay on 28^th Feb.

Three at Heylipol Tiree and 5 at Crossapol Tiree on 29^th Apr as well as 6 flying north at Balemartine Tiree on 29^th May were probably spring migrants. Three birds were seen flying across Gunna Sound from Tiree to Coll on 26^th May.

Breeding. Recorded in 1 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (6%). Birds were present at Crossapol throughout the year (max. 9 on 13^th Aug), but there was no reported evidence of breeding.

TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Calman tuchan 0687

P Scarce, but several records annually. Majority recorded during May-Jun.

There were only 2 reports of spring migrants: one at Balemartine Tiree on 17^th May and one at Rockside Islay on 24^th May.

CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Cuthag 0724

S P Common. Main host species is Meadow Pipit. Breeding recorded in 41% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The first bird of the year was calling at Loch Don Mull on 20^th Apr. The next records were at Kilmartin Mid-Argyll and Easter Ellister Islay on 23^rd Apr and birds were widely reported during the following week.

Breeding. Recorded in 12 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (75%), (cf 9 of 16 in 1997). There were 3 territories in CBC plots at Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll (as in 1997).

One seen at the north end of Iona Mull on 16^th Jun was the last reported bird of the year.

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Owls

BARN OWL Tyto alba Comhachag 0735

B W Scarce breeding species, but probably under-recorded. Breeding recorded in 11% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). All records required.

Breeding. On Cowal 10 of the 17 nests located were on crags and no fledging details were obtained. The remaining 7 pairs (nesting in boxes and buildings) fledged 20 young [DA, AF]. The Forest Enterprise scheme, in West Argyll District, monitored 60 barrels put up for Barn Owls from Loch Awe to Kintyre. They located 15 successful pairs which reared a minimum of 37 young [Forest Enterprise: BB, JW, AM]. A survey of nesting sites in Kintyre estimates an average of 30 breeding pairs per annum during 1995-98; of the nests located 75% were in buildings and the average success rate during this period was 78.4% (where success is defined as at least one young fledged from a brood). In 1998, 20 occupied territories were located (on non FE land) from which 8 successful pairs produced a minimum of 17 fledged young. [R. A. G. Angus 1999]. On Islay, 29 sites was checked of which 16 had pairs and one a single bird. At least 47 eggs were found in the 13 clutches examined, from which 34 young are believed to have fledged. Brood size at fledging was below the long-term average probably due to the cold wet weather during the rearing period [MAO].

Single individuals were reported from 4 sites on Mull, at two of which the birds were, unfortunately, dead. A bird ringed as a nestling on Islay in July 1997 was found dead at Gullane, east of Edinburgh in March 1998, a very long journey for a Barn Owl [MAO].

TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Comhachag dhonn 0761

R Widespread and common, but absent from Tiree and Coll. Breeding recorded in 43% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. In the Glen Branter study area Cowal, 44 pairs laid at least one egg each. Only 25 of these pairs reared any young (a total of 35), while 8 failed at the egg stage and 11 at the chick stage. The high failure rate was attributed to falling vole numbers and poor April weather. Nine pairs elsewhere on Cowal were monitored: 2 of these pairs failed and 7 pairs reared a total of 15 young [DA, AF].

Other records during the year came from: Cowal (2 sites), Islay (5 sites), Mid-Argyll (5 sites) and Mull (5 sites).

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Comhachag adharcaiche 0767

R P W Very scarce, but almost certainly under-recorded. All records required.

Breeding. Two fledged broods with at least 3 young in each were found on Colonsay on 13^th Jun (DCJ/JJ). One pair reared 2 chicks in an old crow's nest near Otter Ferry Cowal (DA, AF). There was a report of calling chicks being heard on Danna Mid-Argyll in Jun but no further details were obtained.

One was disturbed from a roost on Aros Moss Kintyre on 28^th Sep.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Comhachag chluassach 0768

B W P Widespread breeder. Numbers fluctuate and distribution varies with abundance of small rodents, especially field voles Microtus agrestis. Breeding recorded in 30% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Widespread emigration in autumn.

More than one observer remarked on the paucity of sightings of this species during the year. There were no reports until Apr when birds were recorded on Mull at: Scoor (one on 4^th), Glen Aros (one on 11^th and on 17^th) and Glen More (4 on 17^th and singles thereafter). The only other records at this time came from Islay where there were 2 at Bolsay on 13^th Apr and singles at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 22^nd Apr and 5^th May.

Breeding. Recorded in 1 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (6%). Six breeding sites were located on Cowal : one pair failed, two pairs reared 6 chicks and the outcome for the other 3 pairs is unknown (DA, AF). An adult was seen carrying prey at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 6^th Jun and what appeared to be a family party, of up to 5 birds, was seen from the road between Kennacraig and Claonaig Kintyre on several dates in Jul.

Singles were seen on Mull in late Jun, over the sea off Duart Point on 24^th and at Loch Spelve on 26^th and 2 were hunting at Octofad Islay also on 26^th. Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve had one or two birds on three dates in Jul.

Later in the year, a roost on Aros Moss Kintyre had 5 birds on 28^th Sep (these birds were roosting in Willow scrub (Salix) up to c. 2 metres from the ground), one was on the coast near Benderloch N Argyll on 25^th Oct and a bird was hunting over Danna Island Mid-Argyll in early Nov.

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Swifts to woodpeckers

SWIFT Apus apus Gobhlan mor 0795

S P Localised breeding species, mainland only; natural nest sites have been used in Kintyre. Breeding recorded in 4% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Regular passage migrant in all areas.

The first birds were seen at Connel Mid-Argyll on 10^th May, followed by singles at Dunoon Cowal on 13^th, The Reef Tiree on 14^th and Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay also on 14^th. Five were seen flying over Lochgilphead Mid-Argyll on 15^th, 3 over Blairmore (Loch Long) Cowal on 18^th and one at Croggan Mull on 29^th.

Breeding. In Campbeltown Kintyre 8-10 pairs were present at the usual breeding sites and 35 were counted flying over the town on 27^th Jul. Up to 12 were seen regularly in Dunoon Cowal, and up to 6 over Lochgilphead. The only record from Oban Mid-Argyll was 15 over the harbour on 5^th Jun.

During Jun and Jul up to 5 birds were also reported from Oronsay Colonsay, Islay, Mull (inc. Treshnish Isles) and Tiree.

Following the 15 migrants flying over Skerry Fad Fell (Machrihanish) Kintyre on 15^th Aug there was a gap until 31^st Aug when 2 were in the Loch Gruinart area. Finally there were a series of Sep records: singles at Loch Bhasapol Tiree on 2^nd and 7^th, one at Frenchman's Rocks Islay on 2^nd, 2 at Port Charlotte Islay on 3^rd, one at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve on 4^th, 2 at Cornaigmore Tiree on 5^th and lastly, one at Balemartine Tiree on 8^th.

KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Biorra cruidein 0831

W P Most records are in autumn and winter, and may represent dispersing juveniles.

Single birds were seen over Loch Etive near Connel Mid-Argyll on 7^th and 18^th Feb and again, later in the year on 12^th Dec. One was seen near Ardoran (Loch Feochan) Mid-Argyll on 18^th Sep and on Islay, one was at Loch Ballygrant on 23^rd Oct and again on 12^th Nov. The last bird of the year was at Holy Loch Cowal on 20^th Dec.

BEE-EATER Merops apiaster 0840

V Apparently no Argyll records prior to 1958 and only 4 since: 2 near Ballygrant (Islay) in Jun 1981, one at Lochgoilhead (Cowal) in Jun 1986, one at Lochdon (Mull) in Jul 1993 and one at Fidden (Mull) in May 1995.

The lucky finder of the bird at Tynacoille Islay on 11^th Jun was treated to close-up views of it catching and eating a large insect (probably a bumblebee). He and his companions (who had only been birding for a year) were able to see the bright red eyes without the aid of binoculars (MAO)*.

HOOPOE Upupa epops 0846

P Scarce. Recorded in 10 of the 18 years 1980-97 with a total of about 18 records: more often in spring than in autumn.

One was flushed from the roadside near Cornaigmore Tiree on 28^th Apr. After apparently disappearing it was relocated at almost exactly the same spot 3 weeks later on 21^st May. It was observed going to roost at nearby An Airidh on 21^st and 22^nd May and last seen on 23^rd [AJL/MW].

WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Geocair 0848

V Only 3 records since 1980: one at Bousd (Coll) on 13^th Oct 1984, one on Sanda (Kintyre) on 6^th Oct 1987 and the latest at Torlochan (Mull) on 9^th/10^th Jun 1991.

On the afternoon of 4^th Jun two visitors from Wales heard an unfamiliar call from beside the Kilmartin Burn near Slockavullin Mid-Argyll. When they caught sight of the bird they were fairly sure it was a Wryneck but telephoned the bird recorder to obtain confirmation. Fortunately it was still there calling and clearly visible the following morning and it's identity was confirmed. It was last seen on 6^th Jun [R&DM/PD/JHa]*.

1997 One was seen near the Forestry Commission offices at Cairnbaan Mid-Argyll on 11^th Sep (P. Quelch)*.

GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Snagardach 0856

R. Rare but recorded regularly in Cowal during 1992-94 and 1996/7. All records required.

Singles were seen in Cowal, at Knap, Gairletter and Glen Fyne during Mar and one was in the Glenbranter area from at least Mar-May. Recorded for the second year in succession in Barcaldine Woods N Argyll , where 'yaffling' was heard on 23^rd Apr and an adult was seen on 18^th Jun.

Breeding. A brood of at least 2 young were heard calling for food at Escart Kintyre during late Jun/early Jul. Adult birds have been recorded here in the past but none was seen on this occasion. Although breeding has been suspected in Argyll in the past this is the first confirmed record.

One was seen near Ardentinny Cowal in Sep and birds were seen and/or heard at Tiroran Mull on 5 dates between 8^th Sep - 30^th Oct.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Snagan daraich 0876

R Widespread on the mainland and Mull. Breeding recorded in 31% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Breeding. Recorded in 2 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (13%). (cf 1 of 16 in 1997). Drumming was heard at: Bellanoch, Minard Woods, Moine Mhor NNR and Tighnahoran - all in Mid-Argyll - and at Skipness Kintyre. Adult birds were seen at nest holes in alder carr by Crinan Canal Mid-Argyll, at two separate sites in Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll and at Sutherland Grove N Argyll..

Other records during the year came from Mid-Argyll : at Achnabreck and Glen Croe and also from Blairmore in Cowal, Bridgend Woods Islay, Port Righ Kintyre Grasspoint and Pennygown on Mull and Connel Airfield N Argyll .

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Larks and swallows

SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Uiseag 0976

B W P Widespread and common breeding species. Breeding recorded in 79% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Emigration of many birds in winter, with remaining birds mainly in coastal and low-lying localities.

The only counts exceeding 50 birds during the early part of the year were 200 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 25^th Jan and 131 in Whitehouse/Cornaig area of Tiree on 7^th Feb.

Breeding. Recorded in 11 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (69%), (cf 12 of 16 in 1997). Only 1 territory was identified in the coastal CBC plot at Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll (cf 5 in 1997). Elsewhere, 5 singing birds were holding territory on Lunga (Treshnish Isles) Mull in Jun and 6 pairs were found on Sanda Islands Kintyre (cf 3 in 1997). A whole island survey of Oronsay Colonsay on 24^th May revealed a total of 186 birds.

In the latter part of the year numbers on stubble fields at Cornaigmore Tiree rose from 110 on 3^rd Oct to a peak of 350 on 7^th Oct, falling again to 45 by 17^th Dec. The only other locality with a count of 50 or more birds was Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve (max. 211 on 5^th Nov).

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Gobhlan gainmhiche 0981

S P Uncommon and localised breeding species. Breeding recorded in 24% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). All breeding records required.

The first birds of the year were 3 at Claggain Islay on 30^th Mar and 3 were excavating nest holes at Killbeg Mull on the 7^th Apr. By the end of Apr birds had also been reported from Islay, Kintyre, Mid-Argyll and N Argyll.

Breeding. Recorded in 1 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (6%). Numbers again increased at the two large colonies from which counts of occupied nest hole were received viz. 110 at Kilmichael Glen woodyard Mid-Argyll (a new record count, cf 100 in 1997 and 52 in 1996) and 314 at North Connel sandpit (cf 245 in 1997 and 173 in 1996). Birds also bred at Little Eachaig River (nr. Dunoon) Cowal (15-20 nest holes), at Kilchiaran Islay (15 nest holes), near Tervine Fish Farm Mid-Argyll (c.6 nest holes), at Laggan Bridge Islay (6+ pairs, no count of nests), at Gorten Mull (12+ birds, no count of nests), and at Killbeg Mull (no count).

Parent birds were still feeding young at Kilchiaran on 1^st Sep and the last birds seen were 4 there on 15^th Sep.

There were no reports during the year from Coll, Colonsay, Gigha, Jura or Kintyre.

SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Gobhlan gaoithe 0992

S P Widespread and common. Breeding recorded in 76% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The first record of the year was one at Balephetrish Tiree on 28^th Mar followed by singles at Claggain Islay on 30^th Mar, at Ardchonnel Mid-Argyll on 4^th Apr and at Quinish Mull on 8^th. The main arrival occurred during the week 18^th-25^th Apr, when birds were widely reported. Late movements were again reported from the Portnahaven area of Islay where 300 were seen on 13^th Jun.

Breeding. Recorded in 7 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (44%). (cf. 9 of 16 in 1997 and 3 of 21 in 1996). A pair at Tiroran Mull successfully raised 3 broods of young, the last of which did not leave the nest until 22^nd Sep.

The only count of more than 50 birds was 55 at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 20^th Aug.

Most birds had left by the end of the first week of Oct and the last seen on Islay was a single at Bruichladdich on 24^th Oct. The last record of all was one in Tobermory Mull which stayed from 1^st to 6^th Nov.

HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbica Gobhlan taighe 1001

S P Common breeding species on mainland; less numerous on the islands and no recent breeding records from Colonsay, Tiree and Coll. Breeding recorded in 48% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

The only Apr records were on Tiree: the first at Balinoe on 23^rd , followed by 2 at West Hynish on 24^th and one at Balemartine on 29^th. The main arrival took place from 6^th to 14^th May. Four birds seen at Mannal Tiree on 31^st May were late spring passage migrants or wandering birds.

Breeding. Recorded in 1 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (6%).

Seven birds were seen at East Loch Fada Colonsay on 7^th Jun. The species is normally scarce on the island .

At Kintallan Mid-Argyll 26 were counted gathering on telephone wires on 3^rd Sep and by 19^th Sep, when a few were seen at Tayinloan Kintyre, most had departed. There were late records from Otter Ferry Cowal (3 on 22^nd Oct) and the head of Ardmaddy Bay Mid-Argyll (2 on 11^th Nov).

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Pipits and wagtails

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Riabhag 1009

S P Common breeding species on the mainland. Also widespread on Jura and Mull, but very scarce on Islay. Breeding recorded in 54% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91).

Two at Tighnahoran (Loch Caolisport) Mid-Argyll on 10^th Apr were the first followed, by singles at Loch Sween Mid-Argyll on 13^th and at Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll on 15^th. Birds were not, though, widely reported until late Apr when (e.g.) one was at Lagavulin Islay on 29^th.

Breeding. Recorded in 6 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (38%), (cf 5 of 16 in 1997). At Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll, there were 12 territories in the woodland CBC plot (cf 15 in 1997 and 10 in 1996) and an adult with 2 juvs at Claggain Islay on 1^st Jul was an unusual breeding record for the island.

The last birds at Dunoon Cowal were recorded on 23^rd Sep and a late straggler was on The Reef Tiree on 21^st Oct.

MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Snathag 1011

B W P Abundant breeding species. Breeding recorded in 94% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Emigration of many birds in winter, with remaining birds mainly in coastal and low-lying localities.

The 50+ seen at Minard Mid-Argyll on 9^th Apr and 45+ at Connel Mid-Argyll on 11^th Apr were presumably returning to breed on the higher ground.

Breeding Recorded in 15 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (94%), (cf 14 of 16 in 1997): making this, unsurprisingly, the most widespread breeding bird recorded by the BBS in Argyll. At Taynish NNR Mid-Argyll, there were 6 territories in the coastal CBC plot (cf 5 in 1997) but on Sanda Islands Kintyre numbers were down again to 20 pairs (cf 25 pairs in 1997), rather than the usual 40 or so.

Birds moving south later in the year were seen at Heylipol Tiree (150 at end of Aug) and High Lossit Kintyre (800 passing in 4 hrs on 18^th Sep).

ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus Gabhagan 1014/2

R P W Common resident breeding species. Breeding recorded in 67% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Scarce passage and winter visitor elsewhere.

Breeding Recorded in 3 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (19%), (cf 2 of 16 in 1997). The number of pairs on the Sanda Islands Kintyre was down again, with 24 found compared to the usual 30.

A flock of 30 birds near Culdamph (Iona) Mull on 13^th Nov may have been migrants.

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava Breacan buidhe 1017

P Scarce and less than annual; recorded in 12 of the 18 years 1980-97. Birds of the Blue-headed race M. f. flava occur from time to time, and there has been at least one record of the Grey-headed race M. f. thunbergi (in 1985).

Just two records this year: single juvenile/females at Kilmartin Mid-Argyll on 29^th Aug and at Loch Gruinart RSPB Reserve Islay on 5^th and 6^th Oct.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Breacan bain tighearna 1019

B W P Widespread breeding species. Breeding recorded in 61% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Some emigration in winter.

Breeding. Recorded in 1 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (6%).

Reported only from Cowal, Islay, Kintyre, Mid-Argyll and Mull during the year.

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrellii Breach an t-sil 1020

B W P Widespread and common breeder. Breeding recorded in 87% of 10 km squares (BTO Atlas, 1988-91). Emigration from most areas in winter. Returning birds generally arrive late Feb to early Mar; departure Aug-Oct.

A roost of 25 birds was found in the harbour area of Oban Mid-Argyll on 24^th Jan and 50+ were recorded on Tiree during a goose census on 30^th/31^st Mar.

Breeding. Recorded in 7 of the 16 BBS squares surveyed (44%), (cf 6 of 16 in 1997). Four pairs were found on Sanda Islands Kintyre (as 1997).

Flocks of 22 birds at Claonaig Kintyre and 20+ at Ruanaich (Iona) Mull on 13^th Sep as well as 20+ at gathering on boats at Dunstaffnage Mid-Argyll on 20^th Sep were presumably migrants. There were several records from sites in Kintyre during Nov/Dec.

WHITE WAGTAIL M. a. alba

P Usually recorded in spring. Extent of autumn passage obscured by identification difficulties.

The first bird of the year was at Ardnave Point Islay on 21^st Apr followed by one at Balemartine Tiree on 23^rd Apr. On Oronsay Colonsay, one was present on 24^th Apr followed by 7 on 25^th,while on Tiree, 7 were at Vaul on 26^th Apr, 6 at south end of Sorobaidh Bay on 28^th and passage reached a peak with 47 at Loch a 'Phuill on 2^nd May. Also on 2^nd May, 10 were seen at East Ardskenish Colonsay and on 10^th May one was at Claddach Islay and 6 were recorded at Loch an Eilein Tiree. One at Calgary on 29^th May was the only record from Mull.

In autumn, the first birds at Machrihanish SBO Kintyre were 3 on 8^th Aug and the maximum count was 8 on 18^th Sep. One there on 28^th Sep was the last of the year. The only other records at this time were from Tiree, where a male was at Loch Bhasapol on 26^th Aug and 3 were at Croch House (Caolas) on 28^th .

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