News from 2007 - Click here to read 2007 news and updates

Recent News - Compiled by Eddie Maguire (Warden)

2008

Machrihanish Seabird Observatory 

November News

The daily presence of Red-throated Divers included 6 on the sea on 3^rd and 12 >S / 6hrs on 11^th (NW force 7).  A single Black-throated Diver was present on 3^rd and one >S on 11^th.  Great Northern Divers were very regular and max count was 16 on 3^rd.

The NW wind (force 7) on 11^th also produced a single Leach’s Petrel flying S at 1100hrs (immediately after a squall) (Eddie Maguire & John McGlynn).

‘FIZ’, the colour-ringed first-winter Cormorant ringed at Inverbervie, NE Scotland and present in this area during September/October was seen again on 11^th and 24^th.

Two Mute Swans appeared by the Observatory on 6^th and were still present on 24^th.

Whooper Swans, 5 including a juvenile, were ranging between Drumlemble/Stewarton, The Laggan 1^st –10^th.  On 20^th, just after dusk, ca 50-55 (calling loudly) were flying very low over the Co-op car park, Longrow, Campbeltown (Derrick Goode).  In addition, one was at Lintmill, The Laggan 19^th-20^th then 12 appeared there on 23^rd.  

Seven Greylag Geese flew S on 11^th.  Two late Brent Geese (pale-breasted) were feeding on eel-grass at Machrihanish Bay on 11^th, then, on 16^th, a flock of 50 (pale-breasted) flew N (an unusually high number of birds for mid November and also, a most unusual flight direction).

Goldeneye peaked at only 7 on 3^rd.  Common Scoter were noted on three dates with 3 >S on 5^th, one >S on 11^th and a flock of 8 female types >S on 20^th.  An adult drake Velvet Scoter, a very scarce passage visitor at the Observatory, was found consorting with Common Eiders on 11^th.  Eventually it flew S (Eddie Maguire, John McGlynn & Derrick Goode). 

The only Goosander seen was a redhead flying S on 11^th.

On 2^nd, an adult Golden Eagle was flushed from a fox carcase on the Mull of Kintyre road.  Two Ravens were close by (Mike Taylor).

A Merlin was at Braids E of Killean on 5^th.  One was at Observatory 5^th, 9^th and 10^th.

Up to 20 Red-legged Partridges were regular below a bird table at Rhunahaorine during November (releases from Largie or Killean Estates).  In addition, 150 were released at Torrisdale Castle Estate over the past year but most vanished and ‘only a handful were shot’ (Duncan Semple pers. com.).

Many waders were by Langa Quarry on 12^th including 240 Lapwing, 260 Golden Plovers and 162 Curlews.  By 15^th, Lapwing numbers had fallen to 99 and Golden Plover had soared to 1,170.

Other waders of interest were 24 Sanderlings on 3^rd, a Grey Plover and 2 Red Knots fllying S on 10^th (both are rare here in November) and peaks of both Purple Sandpiper (14 >S) and Ruddy Turnstone (8 >S) occurred on 11^th.

An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull showing characteristics of L. f. intermedius was photographed flying S on 10^th.

A single Barn Swallow flew N at the Observatory on 1^st (Eddie Maguire, Derrick Goode & Donnie McMillan & family).  This was a beautiful day with no wind and a lot of warm sunshine! 

A female Blackcap was at Peninver on 12^th (at birdfeeder; Francis Hood).

Dunnocks visited the Observatory feeding station from 5^th with 2 on 12^th and at least 3 on 19^th-24^th.  Blue Tits too were at the station with 5 on 3^rd and a few regular to 9^th. 

On 5^th, 2 Jays were seen near Brackley, Carradale.

Greenfinches peaked at 16 on 12^th.  Around 100 Chaffinches were at the feeding station on 12^th and this number increased to 160 by 16^th.  Goldfinches were far fewer with a max of only 4 on 12^th.  Twites were far fewer too with 40 on 3, only 8 on 10^th – 11^th then 34 on 12^th.  None by 20^th.

The only record of Snow Bunting was 2 >S over the sea on 10^th (Eddie Maguire & Derrick Goode). 

A remarkable flock of 43 Reed Buntings were on stubble / stunted hawthorns at Westparkfergus, The Laggan on 4^th.  Only 14 were found there on 12^th.

A Memorable Day in The Sound of Gigha

2^nd Nov 2008

With Derrick Goode I checked out this renowned waterfowl haven on an incredibly calm and sunny November day.  We were greeted by rousing yells of Great Northern Divers.  Conditions for viewing/counting the various species were optimum; the sound was like a mirror.  From Rhunahaorine Point N to Ronachan Point we had a fairly high (non record-breaking) count of Great Northerns and logged an astonishing record-breaking total of Slavonian Grebes.

Great Northern Divers were scattered all over, but the largest gatherings were off Ballochroy/Corriechrevie (300-500m offshore).  Groups of 49, 52 and 66 were noted and many were still sporting a lot of breeding plumage.  The final total was 217 (the record count for the Sound of Gigha is 268 on 25^th October 1991; personal observation; see image in our Photo Gallery).

A single pack of Black-throated Divers was seen well off Ballochroy and all were in non-breeding plumage.  Total was 19.

Slavonian Grebes were all over the sound!  One’s and two’s and many small groups 3-5 were seen although two loose gatherings of 14 and 18 birds were noted.  57 were counted between the Caravan Park and Ballochroy and the remainder were off, and N of, Corriechrevie.  Only one bird was S of Rhunahaorine Point and only 3 were noted N of Ronachan Point.

The final total was 89 - a record count for this site and also Argyll (and in all probability Scotland too!).  It now appears likely that, occasionally, there could well be over 100 Slavonian Grebes wintering in, and N of, the Sound of Gigha (see image in our Photo Gallery).

Velvet Scoters can almost be guaranteed here (often in summer too!).  Total was 7 (including 4 drakes) and predictably (personal observations since 1974), all were seen 300-400m offshore from the fish farm (this is the only mainland site where this species occurs regularly although it is a rare autumn passage visitor at Machrihanish Seabird Observatory; personal observations).

Common Scoters are a speciality here too, although a rather low total of only 70 birds were found and the largest group was 22.

Two highly mobile Long-tailed Ducks, including a stunning drake, favoured the sea area between the fish farm and Rhunahaorine Point.

Other species (counts) included Red-throated Diver (11), Common Eider (159), Goldeneye (20), Red-breasted Merganser (57) and Tystie (73).

Finally…a few notes for December…

On 3^rd December, a flock of 25 Twite were noted briefly at the Observatory feeding station (John McGlynn) and ca 14 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were moving S (John McGlynn, Jimmy McCallum & Neil Kelly).

The Seabird Observatory will reopen March 2009.

October News 

A total of 63 Red-throated Divers flew S on 16 dates including 10 on 4^th and 9 on 13^th.  Small numbers were on the sea too; max was 12 on 26^th.  Black-throated Divers were scarce, as usual; singles flew S on 1^st, N on 2^nd and S on 24^th.  A Great Northern Diver was on the sea on 10^th and one flew S on 11^th.  Max on the sea later was only 6 on 22^nd. 

An adult Black-browed Albatross flew N, over the reef Sker’vore, at 0926hrs on 27^th.  The bird disappeared N, rather leisurely, about 10 minutes before a particularly vicious squall arrived.  This has to be the ultimate reward for diligent hours (and often days) of observation when virtually no seabirds were recorded moving in this sea area.

Single juvenile Gannets flew S on four dates 8^th-14^th. 

Manx Shearwaters were scarce; 100 >S / 4hrs on 1^st was the only record this month! 

A Leach’s Petrel >S on 1^st (NW force 6 with frequent squalls) and two >S on 21^st (WNW force 6 with squalls).

An unprecedented 236 Whooper Swans (49 juveniles) arrived at The Laggan on 22^nd (this rates as one of the largest arrivals seen in Argyll).  Counts later were 196 (39 juveniles) on 23^rd and 159 (32 juveniles) on 25^th.  Extensive flooding probably attracted these birds. 

Passage of Barnacle Goose occurred on two dates only with 18 >S on 1^st and 40 >S on 4^th. 

A total of 42 Brent Goose >S on 10 dates with a max of 10 on 21^st.  The only Pink-footed Geese noted were 21 at Westparkfergus on 10^th. 

At The Laggan, 63 White-fronted Geese at Westparkfergus on 10^th-13^th were the first arrivals this autumn.  Main arrival of this species was late (700+ on 22^nd) and coincided with the amazing Whooper Swan influx. 

On 23^rd, two adult White-fronts (in a flock of ca 400) were wearing orange neck collars and acting like a pair.  The collar codes (in black) were J5F and J3F.  These birds were seen at 1115hrs.  A total of 844 were at three sites at The Laggan on 30^th. 

A few Greylags were also seen; four >S on 20^th and 33 were at The Laggan on 30^th. .

A first-rate total of 27 Pintails >S on 4 dates to 28^th (max 10 on 1^st), a Shoveler (scarce passage visitor) >S on 1^st and an unexpected total of 258 Scaup >S on four dates with a very surprising total of 183 / 1hr (immediately after a squall) on 4^th (largest flock ca 80).  A female was photographed on shallow floodwater (definitely a puddle!) at Lintmill, The Laggan on 30^th (2 miles inland).

A Common Eider count at Campbeltown Loch on 23^rd produced 235 including 166 adult drakes, 17 immature drakes and 62 ‘brown’ birds.

Single drake Common Scoters >S on 26^th and 27^th and 2 Goosanders >S on 4^th followed by singles >S on 26^th-27^th (all redheads).

A Red Kite was seen at the Mull of Kintyre on 28^th (Ian Bailey & family). 

An adult male Hen Harrier was at Westparkfergus on 27^th and a ringtail was at the Mull of Kintyre on 28^th.  A Kestrel flew N over the sea on 3^rd and one was regular by the Observatory. 

A Merlin was very busy on 2^nd with seven sightings by the Observatory; eventually it caught a Twite.  Several others were seen at The Laggan.  Sparrowhawks and Peregrines (adults and juveniles) were seen often too.

It was a very poor month for waders.  At Westparkfergus, Lapwings peaked at 170 on 16^th and Golden Plovers peaked at 800+ on 16^th (wary and distant).  10 flew S at the Observatory on 20^th. 

Far fewer Sanderlings were seen this month; 25 >S on 20^th, 28 >S on 24^th and 17 were at Machrihanish Bay on 30^th-31^st.  The only Knots were 2 flying S on 25^th.  The first Purple Sandpiper appeared flying S on 10^th then a total of 14 flew S on three dates 20^th – 24^th including 7 on 21^st.

There was a satisfactory showing of Grey Phalaropes with single birds on five dates 17^th-28^th.  One, very close inshore, on 17^th moved S slowly stopping off for a few minutes to forage over/on the turbulent waters around the reef Sker’vore (Eddie Maguire & Derrick Goode).  One went slowly S on 22^nd (Eddie Maguire & John McGlynn), one was off-passage for an hour or so in Machrihanish Bay on 24^th and one >S (eventually) on 26^th (Eddie Maguire).  Another (photographed) was off-passage by the Observatory for 25 mins on 28^th (Eddie Maguire & Derrick Goode).

A ‘wee’ larid (small gull) was photographed on 20^th.  Initially, it appeared on the Observatory en-suite monitor attached to our digiscoping setup and was promptly photographed.  As far as I am concerned it remains unidentified (a phrygilos). 

The only skua seen all month was a Great flying S on 4^th.

Terns were very scarce too; a total of only 5 Arctics appeared on four dates (to 9^th) and a meagre 2 Sandwich flew S on 2^nd.

Swallows lingered by the Observatory early in the month with 8 on 8^th and one on 9^th.  The latest sighting (so far) was a single at Brecklate, nr Southend on 26^th (Donald Brown et al).

A Greenland type Wheatear (juvenile) was present 7^th-8^th and one was photographed on 13^th.  The only White Wagtails were 2 on 8^th.  Redwing records included 450+ by Southend on 22^nd and 130 at Stewarton on 30^th.  There were fewer Fieldfares with only 18 by the Observatory on 29^th and 40 at Stewarton on 30^th.

On 27^th, a Long-tailed Tit foraging in a lobster creel in our garden was the first Observatory record! .  A flock of ca 20 was at Machrihanish village on 31^st.

Eight Coal Tits flew S on 6^th and two flew S on 12^th.   A very vocal bunch of 14, flying S (very high), on 17^th, was a record-breaking observation for the Observatory.   

On 28^th, 7 Long-tailed Tits, a Great Tit and 2 Blue Tits were by the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse.  

A Magpie was at Peninver 7^th-10^th.  One that summered by Kilkerran, Campbeltown was still present on 28^th (many observers).

The Observatory feeding station attracted loads of birds.  Initially, only niger seed was used to attract hordes of Twite, and over the last two autumns, a grand total of five colour-ringed birds have been photographed!  This autumn, in stages, some 50 kilos of niger and other finch food (including sunflower seeds) was dumped.  This has attracted a variety of species to the vicinity of the Observatory; Twite peaked at 120 on 7^th with 55 still present on 31^st.  Other species using the well-stocked shore ‘diner’ on a daily basis included Goldfinch (max 28 - including 3 grey-pate juveniles on 17^th), Greenfinch (up to 20 regular) and Chaffinch (max 30 on 31^st).  In addition, a Redpoll visited (17^th-22^nd), a few House Sparrows dropped in (3 on two dates only), some Blue Tits came and went (up to 3 birds on 3 dates) and finally, on 27^th, a nervous-looking Coal Tit appeared, and then fled, but with a sunflower seed!    

September News 2008 

Seawatching

September seawatching was extremely disappointing owing to mainly offshore winds; consequently numbers of regular seabird species, and waders, was well down on previous years.

On the negative side, there were no Leach’s Petrels (a September speciality here), no Sooty Shearwaters, very few skuas and no southbound trains of Razorbills and Guillemots.

Lamentably, low numbers of most species was the order of the month!

A rather low total of 66 Red-throated Divers flew S on 17 dates.

Great Northern Divers were rather scarce as well with one >S on 10^th, one on 17^th and 2 >S on 21^st.  

There were only single records of Storm Petrel, Great Skua (both on 3^rd) and Arctic Skua (one on 21^st – a dark morph adult).  

Manx Shearwater numbers were frankly, depressing; < 2000 were logged all month (> 23,000+ last month!)

The only Balearic Shearwater seen was a single >S on 29^th (Eddie Maguire & Iomhar McMillan).

A first-winter Mediterranean Gull, present 12^th-14^th (and photographed), was the 9^th Observatory record (Eddie Maguire).

There were no significant movements of Kittiwakes; 500+ >S / 3hrs on 21^st was the best movement all month (28% of these were juveniles).  

Sandwich Terns (a speciality by the Observatory) were conspicuously scarce with a total of 8 birds appearing on a meagre two dates (3 on 8^th and 5 on 21^st).

Common Tern failed to make the log sheet and 2 Arctic Terns >S on 16^th was the sole record for this species.

A Puffin >S on 1^st.

The first Whooper Swans (6 adults) >S on 20^th followed by 2 (adults) next day.

A single Pintail >S on 28^th was followed by two Goosanders on 29^th.

On 18^th, a drake Shoveler was a good find flying around the bay in the company of 9 Wigeon.  A single Teal was a frequent visitor

A total of 26 Common Scoter were logged on 12 dates including 5 >S on 1^st.

There was a fantastic display by two adult Golden Eagles over Lossit Estate and Ballygroggan uplands on 16^th Sept.  These birds were in view for almost an hour.  A well-publicised pair bred successfully at Carradale (2 eaglets). In addition, single juveniles were reported at two well-known breeding sites in S Kintyre (Jimmy McDonald).   

At long last, a White-tailed Eagle has been recorded in S Kintyre.  We have just received information regarding a wing-tagged immature bird seen at Borgadelmore, nr the Mull of Kintyre on 26^th July.  What was possibly the same bird was seen again next day by the same observers at Glenahervie, SE Kintyre (Dr Douglas E Wilcox and friend kayaking around S Kintyre!). 

Apparently the bird was tagged on the upper right wing only and the tag was either white or very pale yellow with a black letter or digit, possibly 0. 

Roger Broad (RSPB) commented…

‘Yellow 0 (hatched 2006 on Mull) or White 0 (hatched 2007 on Western isles) are both possibilities.  Unfortunately, unless it gets reported again we may never be 1000% certain, but it is still a very good record’.

Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Peregrines and Kestrels were seen frequently.  Merlins were very active too; one caught a Twite on 23^rd.  

On 11^th, a single Whimbrel and 2 Grey Plovers >S (the only records of both species this month).

Other single record species included a noisy Greenshank on 3^rd (heard only) and a Common Sandpiper >S on 12^th.

A disappointing total of 22 Sanderlings >S on 5 dates included 15 on 2^nd (see last months amazing total).

Dunlin passage was very poor too with a very low total of 31 logged on only 7 dates including 10 on 4^th.

After superb rare mid-summer records and an above average autumn showing, Black-tailed Godwits were scarce; 2 birds were off-passage 1^st – 3^rd (both arrived on 30^th August).

Unsurprising numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits (typical for here) included 2 >S on 11^th, one >S on 12^th, one off-passage on 16^th and 3 >S on 21^st.

Very few Red Knots (13 on 3 dates) appeared with most (10 >S) on 2^nd.

Redshanks totalled only 80 on 9 dates with 39 on 4^th.

There were only 7 Turnstones on 5 dates and no Purple Sandpipers.

White Wagtails totalled 72 on 18 dates including 10 on 16^th. 

On 29^th, 22 Redwings >S over Lossit Estate.

Northern Wheatears peaked at 8 on 17^th and the last record was 3 on 18^th.

Twites were present at our feeding station daily and peaked at 185 on 27^th.  As at 5^th October, 2 colour-ringed birds have been photographed.

Other species visiting the seed piles included Linnets (max 8), Goldfinches (max 16), Chaffinches (max 10), Greenfinches (max 18) and a few House Sparrows.  

Two Lesser Redpolls stopped off briefly on 16^th. 

 August News 2008 

A total of 14 Red-throated Divers flew S on 6 dates including 5 on 27^th.

Black-throated Divers were noted on the sea (max six on 9^th) on many dates to 21^st.

Only 2 Great Northern Divers were noted; one, which appeared to be in full summer plumage, flew S on 15^th and an immature bird was on the sea on 19^th.

Last year at this time (25^th August) we reported a single incident of two adult Gannets departing from Campbeltown Loch early evening and bearing W  (high over the town) apparently for The Laggan and presumably arriving at Machrihanish Bay.

This month, Eddie Maguire and Derrick Goode witnessed, on two occasions, Gannets embarking on what would be, for such a powerful bird, a short 7km trek overland from Campbeltown Loch to the Atlantic.  On both evenings 29^th-30^th (at about 1730hrs) we were scanning the sky over Burnside Square hoping for a late Swift!  Instead we found single adults Gannets flying W, high over the town, on a bearing W.  Again, this heading would have taken them over the low-lying fields of The Laggan to Machrihanish.  On both occasions the birds looked very deliberate, and rigidly stayed on this course; they disappeared rapidly W. 

Throughout the month, there were many remarkable inshore movements of Manx Shearwaters; over 23,000 flew S on 24 dates with the highest one-day total 7,740 / 7 hrs on 6^th.  Normally we would log this amazing August total over an entire autumn!

The first Balearic Shearwater on 1^st was on cue; other singles were seen on 9^th, 12^th and 25^th (all flying S with Manxies). 

A Sooty Shearwater, first this autumn, appeared close inshore (>S) on 25^th (poor visibility)

During August, Fulmars are normally quite scarce off Machrihanish; the upper tally was a light passage of only 20 >S / 4hrs on 28^th.    

Storm Petrels were seen inshore on only 8 dates; 5 >S / 1 hr on 1^st, one >S on 2^nd, one >S on 6^th, 17 >S / 3 hrs on 18^th, one on 25^th, 63 >S / 4hrs on 26^th and 2 foraging offshore on 28^th.

Only 2 Shelducks (both juveniles) were seen (>S) on 13^th and 29^th.  Other wildfowl logged included 4 Pintail >S on 16^th, 12 Wigeon >S on 18^th, single female type Teals >S on 4^th and 28^th, a Tufted Duck (Scaup-faced type) off-passage on 21^st and small numbers of Common Scoter on 10 dates including a flock of 10 >N on 9^th. 

One of several major surprises this month was an incredible bunch of 38 Pintail >S on 27^th.  As well as an Observatory record one-day total this is the largest flock ever seen in Kintyre.

Brent Geese were pretty much on time; 9 flew S (and one >N) on 27^th and a single flew S on 28^th.

Raptors were much in evidence; Golden Eagles (1-2) were seen high over the Ballygroggan uplands on fine days.  Peregrines (adults and juveniles) too were hunting regularly (often well offshore) and, of course, there were plenty of soaring Buzzards. 

Sparrowhawks were very active most days around the shore (driving Starlings, Pied Wagtails and Rock Pipits skywards) - see our Photo Gallery. 

A few Kestrels were seen on passage with singles coming in off the sea on 3 dates including 2 together on 15^th. 

The first Merlin appeared on 5^th (normal) and birds were noted flying both N and S on a further 5 dates.   

On 25^th, Julie and David Goodlet-Rowley visited the Observatory and reported seeing (on the previous day) 3 Little Egrets at the head of West Loch Tarbert. 

Eddie Maguire decided to go and hopefully obtain a few digiscoped images of such a significant occurrence and found to his great delight, not 3, but 4 Little Egrets!!!!  What a spectacle.  The egrets were really wary but some of the very distant digiscoped images taken turned out not too bad at all  (see our Photo Gallery).

Apparently this equals the largest flock seen in Argyll (and Scotland). 

This gripping event also constitutes the third record for Kintyre.  The last sighting of this species in Kintyre involved a single bird at Machrihanish Water on 1^st October last year (this was the first sighting of what was reported as a mini Scottish invasion (Angus Murray, Birdline Scotland pers. com.).

Owing to persistent ENE and ESE winds on many dates, often accompanied by heavy rain/drizzle and poor visibility, there was a rousing passage of waders

On 7th, just after dawn, several thousand birds were on the beach at Machrihanish Bay and with them, another impressive spectacle - a record number of Sanderlings.  An astonishing total (for this site) of 760+ were scurrying along the strand with other grounded waders including 330 Oystercatchers, 180 Red Knots, 920 Dunlins, 90 Turnstones, 210 Ringed Plovers, 60 Redshanks, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Whimbrels.  Later in the day, most of these flew S past the Observatory.

Oystercatcher passage was rather poor this year with only 1,053 >S on 18 dates (see peak above). 

Surprisingly, Black-tailed Godwits were logged on 12 dates; birds were present daily 1^st (15) – 8^th (9) with 15 still present on 2^nd and 10 on 4^th.  Singles were also logged on 10^th, 15^th and 20^th and 5 flew N on 18^th.  Finally, two birds were off-passage 30^th–31^st (what a superb showing).

There was an above average showing of Bar-tailed Godwits too; a very nervous pack of 14 was by Machrihanish Water mouth on 18^th, 5 >S with Red Knots on 28^th and a single was travelling S with 24 Curlews on 29^th.

There was also a first-rate showing of Whimbrels with a total of 45 >S on 14 dates including 5 on 7^th and 14^th, 4 on 26^th and 11 on 27^th (this species can often be quite scarce in autumn).

By 18^th, southerly passage of Common Sandpiper appeared to be over when 9, including 4 together, flew S.  None were seen later.

On 8^th, a Wood Sandpiper (a rare passage visitor) was flushed from Lossit Burn (by the old lifeboat station) and flew of inland (calling anxiously) – what a superb site record.

Red Knot numbers were good - very good; a total of 380 birds were logged flying S on 23 dates (see peak count above).

A single Ruff was at Machrihanish on 4^th and on 11^th, 6 flew S past the Observatory - an excellent total for this scarce, mainly autumn, passage visitor. 

The Sanderling total for the month was exceptional; the tot up was 1,375 >S on 16 dates including another excellent total of 274 on 16^th (see peak count above).  

Dunlins were piling past the Observatory too with a total of 2,300 >S on 19 dates (see peak above).

The first Little Stint of the autumn appeared on 23^rd and 3 were present on 26^th.

A total of roughly 14 Greenshanks were logged (mainly >S) on 8 dates 5^th (1) – 20^th (1) with 3 on 8^th and a respectable showing of 4 on 11^th.

Small, very noisy, groups of Redshanks were often passing S and the monthly total was 537 on 15 dates with peaks of 60 on 1^st and 63 on 7^th.

The Ruddy Turnstone total was 241 >S on 18 dates including 40 on 4^th (see peak above).

A very decent total of 29 Arctic Skuas >S on 17 dates with a peak was 4 on 3^rd.   The monthly total included 21 dark morphs, 6 pale morphs and 2 juveniles.

Only 8 Great Skuas were logged flying S (all singles) on 1^st, 3^rd, 8^th, 18^th, 22^nd and 26^th- 28^th.

Two Mediterranean Gulls were found.   A ringed juvenile was present by the Observatory 9^th -14^th (photographed - Eddie Maguire & John McGlynn) and an unringed juvenile (moult well in progress to first-winter plumage) was at Machrihanish Water on 16^th (Eddie Maguire & Jim Dickson - photographed).  The latter individual was also on the golf course, by Machrihanish Water, 17^th - 19^th (photographed - Eddie Maguire).  These are the 7^th and 8^th Observatory records and also the 10^th and 11^th records for Kintyre.  In addition, these are the earliest juveniles ever recorded at the Observatory (and also Argyll).

Two Little Gulls (both juveniles) were seen; one flew NE into Machrihanish Bay on 14^th and the other flew S on 29^th.

After an outstanding early autumn passage (see July News) a single juvenile Little Tern on 5^th was the sole record of this species. 

The first juvenile Kittiwake appeared on 3^rd.  A total of 550 (19 juveniles) flew S / 6 hrs on 25^th.  A further 17 juveniles were logged >S 27^th – 31^st.

Only 10 Common Terns (1 juvenile) were seen on 5 dates and 12 Arctic Terns (5 juveniles) on only 4 dates.

A total of 67 Sandwich Tern (10 juveniles) were logged on 12 dates including 37 > N on 14^th (poor visibility / drizzle).

Puffins were scarce with singles on 5 dates 2^nd – 11^th.

Black Guillemot numbers remained low and the best counts were 28 >S / 1 hr on 4^th and 30 >N / 7hrs on 6^th (apparently the breeding population on RSPB Rathlin Island has declined considerably - Neville McKee pers. comm.).

White Wagtails were also scarce this month; adults appeared on only 6 dates from 20^th and only 2 juveniles were logged (26^th and 29^th). 

A Robin arrived on 29^th and promptly started singing!

On most days, Ravens were, as usual, hanging around the Observatory and the highest count was 12 on 22^nd.

Single Swifts flew S on 7^th, 8^th and 16^th, The highest early evening count of this species over Burnside Square, Campbeltown was 50 on 4^th.  Later, counts were very much lower than last August with a max of only 37 on 12^th and the last, a single bird, was noted on 21^st - same date as last year  (Derrick Goode pers. com.).

On 15^th, a new species for our growing Observatory list was a Spotted Flycatcher doing what it does best on rocks by the shore!  (Photographed – see our Photo Gallery.

There has been a very noticeable increase in House Sparrow numbers especially at The Laggan and Campbeltown.  Over 300 were counted at three sites in The Laggan including 160 at West Parkfergus and 140 in Campbeltown including over 100 at pampas grass in Kintyre Gardens.  

Twite arrived on time this year and promptly accepted our feeding station.  The flock peaked at 100+ on 30^th-31^st. 

Greenfinch too, discovered the feeding station and around 30 have been visiting regularly.

Unusually, Basking Sharks were regular off Machrihanish and peaked at 10 on 5^th.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins were rather scarce and the only sighting was a cow, with a side-hugging calf, going leisurely S, just off the point on 15^th. 

Rock pool raids by our once regular Otter plummeted too with only a handful of sightings (and no photographic opportunities) all month.

RAFOS Award for Warden

Eddie Maguire, warden at the Machrihanish Seabird Observatory, was recently awarded the Royal Air Force Ornithological Society (RAFOS) plaque.

The award was presented to Eddie by the Society for his ‘hospitality, generosity and quality humour’ during a recent RAFOS expedition to the Mull of Kintyre.  The Society was surveying tetrads for a major atlas project by the British Trust for Ornithology.

Campbeltown Royal Air Force Association Chairman Bill Andrew presented the plaque to Eddie (see our Photo Gallery).

 June / July News 2008

June…

There were surprises – notably, a late Brent Goose, lingering Sanderlings and Dunlins, a remarkable arrival of adult Black-tailed Godwits and an extraordinary presence of Arctic Skuas for most of the month.

In addition there was an unexpected claim of two Balearic Shearwaters off the Observatory by a RAFOS BTO Atlas team… 

A pair of Red-throated Divers arrived on the sea with a juvenile on 16^th and a juvenile was present on 27^th.  Three adults flew S on 28^th.

A first-summer Black-throated Diver was regular 6^th –22^nd and an immature Great Northern Diver was regular all month.  

The top Manx Shearwater movement was only 230 >S / 2hrs on 19^th.

Two Balearic Shearwaters were claimed flying S past the Observatory (with Manxies) at 1540hrs on 9^th June (RAFOS BTO Atlas team).  There is no previous county record for this time of year (Observatory data & Birds of Argyll).  This species normally arrives off SW Argyll in early August.  

The first Storm Petrels of the year (7) were offshore on 5^th.  This was followed by 3 > S on 6^th then a good total of 84 >S / 3hrs on 17^th (poor visibility).  One was very close to the point on 27^th giving outstanding views. 

Shag numbers at the roost on Tomain peaked at 90 on 17^th.

Gannets were foraging around the point all month and max count was 200+ on 29^th.

A pale-bellied Brent Goose was in Machrihanish Bay 8^th–10 (a rare June record).  This could well be the same bird that was off-passage during late May.

Small numbers of Common Scoters (mainly flying S) were logged on 8 dates with a max of 12 >S (8 males) on 17^th.

The highest count of Common Eider ducklings was 30 on 16^th.

We have amassed an amazing series of summer records on Arctic Skua.

(Unless stated all were dark phase adults). 

Unprecedented (for June) daily presence 5^th-23^rd with a single on 5^th – 6^th, 3 >S on 7^th, one >N on 8^th, one foraging on 9^th, up to 8 foraging including an immaculate pale phase adult 10^th-12^th, a pale adult on 13^th, one on 14^th, 2 on 15^th and one foraging regularly 16^th-23^rd.

Two birds on 28^th included a pale second-summer type and then, on 29^th, an immaculate pale adult was regularly intercepting local terns, en-route/ carrying sand eels, to the village island colony.   

Locally, the summer status of this species has changed, dramatically, over the last few years.  Along with the diminished local population of Black Guillemots, the numbers of Arctic Skuas seen here in June this year (and in July last year) rate highly as the most profound changes witnessed at the Seabird Observatory.

Sandwich Terns were present daily and max count was 30+ on 26^th.

Common (six pairs) and Arctic Terns (20+ pairs) are seemingly breeding successfully at Machrihanish (many big chicks seen). 

A second-summer / immature Arctic Tern, regular by the colony all month, was joined by another on 29^th.

Unusually, Dunlin were seen on many dates to the end of the month.  Max was 28 summer-plumaged birds on 25^th.

There was a good showing of Sanderling too; birds were present daily 1^st (25)–10^th (9) with 28 on 5^th.  Later, 15 appeared on 19^th and 3 were still present on 20^th.

Southerly passage of Common Sandpiper started early (from 22^nd) with small numbers moving daily.  Max 7 >S on 27^th.  

Turnstones put in brief appearances on two dates; 2 on 1^st and one on 27^th (rare in summer).

A big surprise this month was an early passage / arrival of Black-tailed Godwits with birds logged on a record six dates.  A summer-plumaged adult flew south on 15^th then, on 25^th, a remarkable flock of 25 immaculate summer-plumaged adults arrived on the point (unprecedented for June).  All competed with Starlings gorging on kelp fly maggots!  Three were still present 26^th-27^th with two lingering 28^th – 30^th.  Many were photographed at close range (see Wildlife Gallery).

Small numbers of Curlews flew S (almost daily) on most dates with several good counts including 71 >S / 5hrs on 28^th and 54 >S / 5hrs on 29^th.

A single Whimbrel on 15^th was the sole record (rare in summer).

Puffins were scarce (as usual) with only one’s and two’s on 11 dates. 

Twite were logged daily and max was 12 (including many juveniles) on 12^th.

Additional Kintyre records for June…

Black-throated Diver – an immature was off the S end of Gigha on 3^rd.

Hen Harrier – a male was regular in the Homeston area (reported by many visitors including RAFOS BTO Atlas team).

Common Tern – Campbeltown Loch.  Colony (ca 15 pairs) on concrete dolphin by NATO jetty (a very secure nesting site from ground predators).

Pied Flycatcher – a male was at Balnamoil, Mull of Kintyre 14^th – 16^th (Phil Broadhead). 

Blackcap – on 6^th, a total of 8 territories were found on Gigha with most (6) in Achamore Gardens.  Singing males were also heard near the Village Hall and at Ardminish.

In Kintyre, the total number of territories found during May-early June stands at 158. 

Garden Warbler – an unexpected total of 20 territories were located during May–mid June.

Siskin – flock 30 at Dalsmerran on 11^th.

July…

The chief surprise of the month was a very obliging Leach’s Petrel found foraging inshore in Machrihanish Bay and near the Observatory for at least an hour during the afternoon of 16^th (see Photo Gallery).

Our amazing summer run of Arctic Skuas including pale and dark phase adults, along with a few immatures/sub-adults, continued,

Early in the month, several summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwits remained off-passage and a few appeared later in the month.      

The Little Tern is a scarce (mainly autumn) passage migrant off SW Kintyre; so, a total of 22 birds on four dates was an outstanding total. 

Another scarce, and rather brief delight, was a migrant juvenile Yellow Wagtail on 22^nd.

The peak Manx Shearwater movement was 5,080 >S / 3hrs on 27^th (no Balearic Shearwaters …yet!)

A Leach’s Petrel was well watched (for almost an hour) on 16^th and eventually digiscoped (Eddie Maguire, John McGlynn, Iomhar McMillan and Derrick Goode).  Atypically, the bird appeared on a very bright n’ breezy afternoon (WNW force 5).  Initially the petrel was found, and identified (by its flight jizz), some 650-700m away to the NE in Machrihanish Bay.  Leisurely, it approached the point (within 200m of the Observatory), and from its unruffled, meandering feeding behaviour appeared to be have been attracted inshore by the antics of Gannets (100+), Sandwich (15+), Common (10) and Arctic Terns (30+), auks (500+) and other seabird species, including 2 Storm Petrels and 3 Arctic Skuas, foraging just off the point (see digiscoped image of this petrel in our Photo Gallery).

On 18^th, with poor visibility (drizzle), Storm Petrels featured well; a total of 40 flew S / 5hrs and during a brief period of drizzle on 22^nd, 10 >S / 1hr.

On 5^th, a loose group of 50 Shags, spooked off their roost on Tomain Isle by an Otter, flew N into Machrihanish Bay.  

Common Scoter were scarce with only singles females >N on 5^th and >S on 15^th.  A male flew S on 28^th.

A compact flock of 9 Red-breasted Mergansers flew S on 5^th. 

A pair of Moorhen bred on Crosshill Loch, Campbeltown; they were spotted with a single chick on 30^th (Martin & Leticia Conway).   

Two Golden Eagles soaring high over Ballygroggan uplands on 27^th delighted a few visitors.

On 24^th, a Kestrel was found way out, low over the sea, going N.

Normally, Sparrowhawks do not appear on the shore until early August, so, one on 22^nd, hunting Rock Pipits / Starlings and winding-up the local Oystercatchers, was unusually early.  Possibly this same bird was digiscoped on 27^th.  

Some of last months Black-tailed Godwits lingered on during the first few days with two on 1^st-2^nd and 3 on 3^rd.  All flew off (calling loudly), high to the WSW, at 1030hrs on 3^rd. 

On 7^th, an early juvenile Turnstone was a surprising find.  A boisterous adult was by the Observatory on 17^th and a group of 7 flew S on 18^th.  This species was present daily from 22^nd with a max of 9 on 26^th. 

Two adult Sanderlings appeared 8^th-10^th and 21, including a flock of 15, flew S on 18^th.  Small numbers were seen daily from 26^th (19) then on 28^th, 74 were resting on the point.

On 13^th, the first returning adult Red Knots (2) rested on the point all day.  An adult flew S on 26^th. 

Redshanks were seen daily and the peak count was 40 >S on 10^th.

Southerly passage of Common Sandpipers was evident most mornings with a good tally of 12 on 14^th.

The first juvenile Dunlins (3) were off-passage on 15^th and six adults flew S on 16^th.

There was a light southerly passage of Ringed Plovers on many dates including 25 on 15^th.

Passage of Oystercatchers commenced on 17^th with 45 flying S including a compact flock of 30.  

Three fresh-looking juvenile Whimbrels on 18^th were resting on the shore.

On 22^nd, a Lapwing rested in front of the Observatory for a few minutes. 

Waders on 26^th included 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 90 Dunlins, 19 Sanderlings, a Red Knot, a Whimbrel, 9 Turnstone and 2 Snipe. 

A single Black-tailed Godwit was on the shore early on 27^th. 

A Great Skua flew S on 18^th (poor visibility/drizzle).

More Arctic Skuas were logged including a dark phase adult >S on 3^rd and a pale sub-adult foraging in close association with a dark adult on 4^th.  On 6^th, 3 adults included 2 dark and a pale phase, then a dark adult was regular 9^th- 14^th.  On 16^th, 3 foraging birds included dark and pale phase adults and a pale sub-adult.  On 17^th-18^th a pale adult was very busy in the bay and off the Observatory then, on 19^th, 2 adults - a pale and a dark phase - flew S.

In a NW force 6 (bright n’ breezy) on 19^th, 2 adult Arctic Skuas (a dark and a pale phase) flew S followed a few hours later by an adult Pomarine Skua (first this year) then on 20^th, a pale phase adult Arctic Skua appeared.

On 28^th, a dark phase adult Arctic relentlessly harassed a Great Skua that was eating a Guillemot chick. .

Two juvenile Black-headed Gulls appeared on the shore on 10^th followed, on 15^th, by 2 juvenile Common Gulls.

The best Kittiwake movement was 700 > S / 4hrs on 24^th.

The first juvenile Great Black-backed Gull along with several juvenile Herring Gulls appeared inshore on 21st.  The first juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull was logged on 26^th.

The first (recently fledged) juvenile Sandwich Terns (2) were by the tern colony at Machrihanish on 12^th (9^th July last year) and 5 juveniles were present there on 16^th.  There was certainly no indication of breeding at Machrihanish; so, these records suggest a rapid post-breeding dispersal from, possibly, nearby N Ireland. 

There was an arrival of 70+ Arctic Terns on 4^th including a good total of 11 second-summer type birds.  Then, 140, including breeding birds, were around the colony on 7^th with a very notable showing of 17 second-summer types. Most of these birds remained off-passage by the colony for at least a week.  The first Common and Arctic Tern chicks fledged on 16^th.  On 18^th, a loose flock of 20, including a second-summer, flew S.  

All the Arctic & Common Terns vacated the island at Machrihanish (along with loads of fledglings) on 20^th.

The ‘sterna club’ (a loafing area on the edge of the breeding colony) attracts non-breeding Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns, passage birds and immatures.  We are always searching and listening for Roseate Tern at this hotspot (and at the Observatory), but have had no luck, yet, this year!  However, there was an outstanding early autumn passage of Little Terns (possibly involving as many as 22 birds on four dates) with a total of 10 on 17^th including 7 >S (3 were juveniles) at the Observatory and a further 3 adults were found off-passage later at the ‘sterna club’.  On 22^nd (poor visibility / drizzle), 3 flew S and on 27^th, a further 4 (including 2 juveniles) flew S. 

In addition, we received a report of 5 Little Terns on the beach at Westport on 6^th (per Paul Daw).       

Guillemot and Razorbill chicks were abundant on the sea from 16^th and in- flight identification samples of adults on this date revealed that the majority (6/1) of birds flying S (many carrying sand-eels) were Guillemots (sample = 280).  A total of 1,000+ auk sp. (Razorbills / Guillemots) flew S / 5hrs on this date. 

Black Guillemots remained very scarce.

Puffins were seen on only a few dates late month with singles on 24^th and 26^th and 3 on 27^th.

A Swift was over Machrihanish village on 3^rd, 6 flew N on 25^th and one flew N on 29^th.     

On 22^nd, a vociferous juvenile Yellow Wagtail flew S low across the point.

On 25^th, a juvenile Greenland Wheatear was on the shore and the first White Wagtail appeared on 26^th.

Greenfinches were attracted to the Observatory Twite feeding station and peaked at 23 on 13^th. 

The max number of Twite was 12 on 27^th.

A force 5 ESE with poor visibility/drizzle/rain on 30^th brought a few more Storm Petrels (5 >S) close to the point.  Gannets too (1,715 passed S / 5hrs) were exceptionally close as were Manx Shearwaters (1,800 >S / 5hrs) and Fulmars (28 >S / 5hrs).

Other species fleeing S on this date included 12 Sandwich and 1 Common Tern, a Greenshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit (both first appearances this autumn), 185 Dunlins (including flock 140), 10 Red Knots, 25 Redshanks, 14 Turnstones and 2 Swifts.  

The 31^st was superb for waders.  The ESE near gale with poor visibility and rain/drizzle grounded many species including Oystercatchers (290), Black-tailed Godwits (8), Whimbrels (2), Red Knots (72), Redshanks (190), a Ruff (first this year), Dunlins (210), Sanderlings (240) and Turnstones (75).  In addition, the following species were logged; Manx Shearwaters (3,600 >S / 3hrs), a Teal (>N) and Common Scoters (3 >S).       

Visitors to the Observatory have reported seeing Mink at nearby Westport, at Pennyseorach shore (Southend) and at Innean Bay (5km S of the Observatory). 

On 13^th, Malin Head (Donegal) was seen from the Observatory (first time this year).

Late Winter / Spring News - 2008

Late February / March…

The early part of the year produced an adult drake King Eider that frequented Machrihanish Bay from at least 28^th February to 5^th March (John McGlynn & Eddie Maguire); this is, presumably, the same bird that was recorded here in May / June, twice at Rhunahaorine Point and also at Ormsary, Knapdale last year.  What is surely this same highly mobile individual then appeared at Troon Harbour, Ayrshire on 11^th March and later at Girvan (Angus Murray / Birdline Scotland pers. com.).

Sanderling are a rare winter visitor to Kintyre, so a flock of 33 at Machrihanish Bay on 28^th February was not only an unexpected find, but also a record total for this time of year.  One flew south past the Observatory on 12^th March.

Great Northern Divers were ever present off Machrihanish with a peak of 19 on 29^th March.    Black-throated Diver was, as usual, scarce; a single bird was offshore on five dates 17^th - 27^th March.  

A very respectable total of at least five first-winter Iceland Gulls were in south Kintyre during this period including two regular birds at Campbeltown Harbour / Loch to at least mid April and one at Machrihanish 30^th March – 8^th April.  One was also (habitually) at Tarbert Harbour (Jim Dixon, Eddie Maguire, John McGlynn & Bill Allen). 

Red-throated Divers were prominent with a pack of six immature birds, plus several summer-plumaged adults, often around the point during March.

During March wintering Purple Sandpipers (max 28 on 15^th) and Turnstones (max only 10 on 3^rd) were a daily feature.

The first Manx Shearwaters  (3) flew south on 12^th March.

March migrants at the Observatory included a Lapwing flying N on 16^th, a Sandwich Tern on 23^rd followed by a Northern Wheatear on 25^th, then a Grey Plover stopped off briefly on 28^th (a rare spring record).  On 31^st, five Common Scoters flew S and a pair of Twite arrived.

Additional Kintyre records during late February / March…

A wintering male Blackcap was reported visiting a bird table at Kilkerran Park during February (Andy Mooney).

On 6^th, the first returning adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was found among ca 900 Common Gulls wintering at The Laggan.

A single summer-plumaged Red-throated Diver was on Loch Lussa on 15^th March along with 66 Canada x Barnacle hybrids, 30 Wigeon and 20 Teal.  Fieldfares (28), Redwings (20) and a few Mistle Thrushes were noted by the dam.

Nine Whooper Swans wintered at The Laggan and passage was obvious during late March with 16 by Westport Marsh on 19^th – 24^th and 12 at Kildavie on 24^th.

On 28^th, the first Greenshank was at Westport Marsh and four Sand Martins were feeding low over Loch Lussa. 

April…

Migrants included a Great Skua on 1^st, a Whimbrel on 6^th, a White Wagtail on 8th, a Common Sandpiper on 11^th, 40 Sanderlings on 12^th, 3 Arctic Terns on 15^th, a female Pintail flying around the point then heading N on 24^th and another Grey Plover on 29^th.

The first –winter Iceland Gull that arrived on 30^th March stayed to 8^th.

A movement of auks (Razorbills/Guillemots) occurred on 1^st with around 600 flying S during a four hour period in the morning.  Identification samples revealed that around 88% were Razorbills.  Eight Fulmars and 140 Black-legged Kittiwakes also flew S.

Purple Sandpipers (max 12 on 12^th) and Ruddy Turnstones (max 14 on 28^th) were seen daily and Whimbrels appeared on 10 dates with a peak of 45+ on 27^th.

Migrant raptors are certainly not a daily feature at the Observatory, so, it was unusual to have a couple of Merlins migrating offshore; a blue male flew N on 5^th and on 6^th, a brown bird appeared on the exact same bearing.  Next day, a brown Kestrel took this same route!

White Wagtails were present daily from 15^th and peaked at 25+ on 25^th.

The last Goldeneye of the spring was one flying N on 26^th.

Two pairs of Twite were present on the point all month

Additional Kintyre records during April…

At The Laggan, all wintering geese departed on 15^th April; peak counts prior to this ‘bang on time’ exodus were 1,200+ White-fronted and 260 Greylag on 5^th April.  Five Barnacle and two Pink-footed Geese were also present and had possibly wintered.     

The first Great Northern Divers to appear in almost full breeding plumage (2) were logged on 23^rd.

Superb numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at The Laggan including a total of 220 on 11^th and at the Observatory, 120 adults flew N in 6 hrs on 21^st.

Some first-rate passage visitors were attracted to an almost fully restored Westport Marsh; a drake Northern Shoveler appeared on 1^st, a Greenshank on 7^th with two additional overexcited birds on 13^th.  A lethargic Pink-footed Goose was grounded there 22^nd-5^th May, a female Northern Pintail had a brief stop off on 24^th and on 28^th a pair Tufted Ducks appeared quite happy on the shallow marsh.   A late Greenland White-fronted Goose turned up on 29^th and stayed to at least 5^th May too.  The Gadwall is mainly a scarce autumn passage visitor to Kintyre so it was satisfying to have a pair on the marsh 30^th April - 2^nd May.  Apart from these notable passage visitors, for us, the central attraction at this coastal marsh was the presence of three breeding pairs of locally rare Lapwings!  At least three pairs are also breeding adjacent to the bog (and fantastic reed bed) just S of Tayinloan village.

A Ring Ouzel was near Campbeltown on 2^nd, a Barn Swallow flew in off the sea at Southend on 3^rd and singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were heard at Saddell House and Torrisdale Castle on 6^th.

Willow Warblers were widespread by 10^th April and our first Sedge Warblers finally appeared at Glenadale on 28^th. 

On 27^th, a male Black Grouse was flushed by the roadside on Saddell brae.

A two-hour visit to various habitats around Loch Lussa on 29^th April produced a good total of 34 species including a pair of Red-throated Divers, two female Goosanders, a female Goldeneye, two Greater Canada Geese, two Canada x Barnacle hybrids, many singing Tree Pipits, two pairs of Stonechats, nine noisy Common Crossbills (7 at the N end and a pair at the S end) and, surprisingly, an immaculate looking White Wagtail at the dam (rare inland).  A male Pied Wagtail was nearby!  Other songsters included a Whinchat and a Grasshopper Warbler at the N. end. 

At Skeroblin Loch, just S of ‘The Lussa’, a pair of Little Grebes looked well established on territory and were confidently displaying. 

Aros Moss held many songsters on 30^th including a Common Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, many Linnets and 5 Long-tailed Tits; the following day (1^st May) a Goldfinch was collecting nest material nearby. 

A female Mallard was, as usual, the first duck to appear with a day old brood (6); all were precariously trying to cross the road, for the shore, near Putechan on 27^th April.

On 30^th April 70 Sand Martins, probably all from the nearby sizeable Langa Quarry colony, were foraging low over Westport Marsh.

The Black-billed Magpie is a scarce, mainly spring, visitor to Kintyre, with persistent records of single birds in most recent years.  However, this has been an exceptional spring with up to five individuals present on the peninsula during the month.  One that arrived on 31^st of March was seen by many local folk at various locations in Campbeltown throughout April (Ian McKerrall, Jimmy McCallum et al) and into May (1^st; Tommy Kennedy).  The second was well watched at Glenreasdale, near Skipness (10^th April; Eddie Maguire) and the other was at Drumlemble village (24^th April; Archie Greenlees).  Other records included singles at Calliburn (near Loch Lussa), Carradale and Southend in mid April.  Some, or all of these birds, could be from the nearest breeding population in nearby Northern Ireland, where it is a common breeding species and, apparently, increasing.

May…

Sandwich Terns were ever present with up to 40 birds on many dates then an impressive and unexpected peak of 53 occurred on 20^th!  40+ were still present  22^nd – 27^th. 

Whimbrels too were showing well to 13^th (max 61 on 5^th including a flock of 50) although a very poor White Wagtail passage ended by 12^th and max was only 9 on 5^th.

A Red Knot flew N on 1^st and two, in partial breeding plumage, were off-passage with 17 Ringed Plovers, 30 Sanderlings and two Ruddy Turnstones on 9^th.  The Sanderlings remained off-passage and numbers rose to 41 on 12^th when another two winter-plumaged Red Knot arrived.  . 

Two Common Scoters flew S on 5^th and 11^th and two Little Terns, a rare spring treat for us, were off-passage at the bay 6^th-10^th.  Common (up to eight) and Arctic Terns (up to 20) were regular from 12^th.

On 10^th, a dark morph Arctic Skua came in off the sea and, unexpectedly, continued flying E; when last seen it was still flying E, high over The Laggan, and was almost certainly heading for Clyde waters.

The first in-flight Great Northern Diver was noted on 12^th and the largest pre-migratory pack noted ‘wailing/barking’ was 28 on 11^th; all, including several birds in non-breeding plumage, had gone by 16^th.

Surprisingly, a late pale-breasted Brent Goose remained off-passage at Machrihanish 15^th – 29^th.

On 17^th, a Bar-tailed Godwit, in non-breeding plumage, was an unexpected guest among loafing Sandwich Terns.  

The first Eider duckling (1) appeared on 19^th (20^th May last year) followed just a few hours later by a brood of 10 Common Shelduck (16^th May last year).  Then, on 20^th, another pair of Shelduck appeared with a brood of 18 (surely a crèche?) followed by a day old B/9 on 23^rd.     

On 22^nd a late (ish) Whimbrel was a pleasant surprise and on 23^rd another Red Knot in non-breeding plumage dropped in.  On 24^th, an adult drake Scaup appeared by the Observatory and was present daily to 27^th.  

Three Whimbrels flew N on 24^th.  A very early immature (second-summer) Arctic Tern was well photographed on 24^th-25^th and was still present on 26^th and two more broods of Eiders (B/2 and B/3) also turned up on 25^th-26^th. 

A single Great Northern Diver, in partial breeding plumage, was offshore on 28^th – 30^th.

A daily presence / turnover of Sanderlings from 12^th (with peaks of 52 on 20^th and 67 on 29^th) produced a colour-ringed individual (wearing five rings and a red flag!); this bird was photographed on 28^th-29^th; details of this high-Arctic breeder will appear on our website soon.  This species has put in some very exceptional appearances this spring.   

There was a very noticeable increase in the numbers of Shelduck present in the Machrihanish area this spring. 

Up to 100 birds were present throughout the month and we are hoping for a record appearance of ducklings by mid-June.

On 30^th, another late Whimbrel was a brief visitor to the point, and offshore, a first-summer Red-throated Diver flying S was accompanied by two Razorbills – both following, intimately, right behind!    

 On 31^st, a female Mallard with a well-grown brood of seven appeared by the Observatory.

Two pairs of Twites are breeding nearby; both males were continually singing, especially early in the month, and often (when a female was present) indulged in a brief dash skywards (while singing) followed by a short gliding descent with tail widely spread.  This appealing display took a lengthy 4-5 seconds!  

Additional Kintyre records during May…

Apart from the off-passage Gadwalls (to 2^nd), a Pink-footed and a White-fronted Goose (both left on 5^th) the only notable migrants at Westport Marsh were two Black-tailed Godwits on 1^st; the local Lapwings continually hounded both birds.  An adult male Hen Harrier was quartering the marsh on 15^th.   Shelducks were very regular at the marsh and numbers there peaked at a record 33 on 16^th.

The Campbeltown Swifts (13 birds) were back over the town on 4^th and max seen on the wing was 19 on 22^nd.

Two summer-plumaged Red-throated Divers were on Loch Lussa on 17^th while two pairs of Greater Canada Geese appeared at Peninver on this date with 15 goslings and another B/2 was at Southend on 19^th.  In addition, a large Canada gosling, found by the roadside at Smerby, was taken into care and is coming along fine!

Fiona Rowland, Cnoc Ariach, Southend was delighted when a Turtle Dove appeared in her garden on 28^th-29^th (a very scarce spring migrant here).

On 31^st, a rufous morph adult female Cuckoo (with displaying male nearby) was near Braids (east of Killean).  Red-legged Partridge (30+) were very obvious in this area (apparently at least 2000 have been released on the estate over the past two years).

Sixty + Sanderlings were off-passage at Southend on 28^th.

Small numbers of Sandwich Terns (mainly 1-5) were seen/heard at many coastal sites throughout the month.  Birds were very regular in Campbeltown Loch with a max of 10+ there on 22^nd.

Habitat Surveys, Spring 2008…

At the last Machrihanish Seabird / Wildlife Observatory committee meeting (April) it was agreed that the warden could carry out early morning woodland surveys in Kintyre. 

Throughout May and early June, constant early morning surveys at all the main deciduous woodlands and adjoining habitats turned out to be a real eye-opener.

One of the biggest surprises was the breeding distribution of Blackcap.   

A surprising total of 158 singing males have been located at around 47 sites with the highest densities occurring in the policy woodlands at Carradale House - Dippen (15 males), Torrisdale Castle (12 males), Saddell House (10 males) and Ronachan House (9 males).  Very obvious increases were noted at twelve regular breeding sites.  Within favoured habitats, the numbers of Blackcaps on the peninsula has, without doubt, increased and is now, certainly, at a premium (see distribution map).  

A superb total of 20 singing Garden Warblers have been located and this total may well increase as the breeding season advances.

Wood Warbler numbers are well down (ca 60-80%) with densities at the breeding strongholds of Saddell, Torrisdale and around the shores of West Loch Tarbert at an all time low (one singing bird at each site/area).  One was singing at Crossaig.

Three singing Redstarts were at Saddell, and around West Loch Tarbert. 

Common Crossbills (song and contact calls) were heard at many sites including a prolonged sighting of adult females with several streaked juveniles (at Sally’s Walk, Carradale on 19^th).  The largest noisy flock seen by us was 27 at Homeston on 29^th May; however, a group of RAFOS BTO Atlas fieldworkers had the good fortune to encounter a sizeable flock of about 50 birds at Feorlin, near the Mull of Kintyre (RAFOS pers. com.). 

Fifty species were recorded around Saddell House woodlands in 3hrs on 9^th May including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redstart, Common Crossbill, Bullfinch and Lesser Redpoll.  In addition, a brood of eight (‘short-tailed’) Long-tailed Tits was a good find.   

At Rhunahaorine Point (the top species site so far) 54 species were logged in 3 hrs on 12^th May including 8 Little Tern, Blackcaps, Bullfinches and Lesser Redpolls.

A male Pied Flycatcher, probably a migrant, was one of many songbirds recorded at Killellan Lodge in 2 hrs on 10^th but it was not seen or heard there during another visit on 14^th. 

Some outstanding cumulative distribution totals were 62 Cuckoos at 45 sites, Bullfinches at 31 sites and an unanticipated pleasing total of Lesser Redpolls at 30 sites. 

Other interesting cumulative totals include Great Spotted Woodpecker at 5 sites (Waterside near Southend, Saddell, Torrisdale, Brackley Largieside, and Corranbuie), Tree Pipits at 33 sites, House Martins at 32 sites, Stonechats at 34 sites (including 9 broods), Long-tailed Tits at 12 sites (including 3-4 broods), Treecreepers at 29 sites and Siskins at 39 sites (including many birds at peanut feeders).

Species found to be common in most survey areas included Buzzard (ubiquitous!), Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Meadow Pipit, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Jackdaw, Rook, Hooded Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, and Siskin.

Species found at low density in most survey areas included Grey Heron, Mallard, Cuckoo, Wheatear, Sky Lark, Grey Wagtail, Mistle Thrush, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Treecreeper, Raven, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll and Bullfinch.

Little Grebes were found at three sites with two pairs on Gigha and the other pair at Skeroblin Loch.

Although present, Fulmars have declined considerably at four mainland breeding sites (Keil Point, Glenacardoch Point, Killacraw and Muasdale).  At the main site (Keil Point) the max number of birds seen ashore during May was only 12.  Very few birds were present at all the other sites (3-5)

At present, only two sites are known to hold breeding Mute Swans (Smerby and Lochan Luing) and only a meagre three sites have been discovered for Moorhen including a minimum B/2 at one (Rhu House, W L Tarbert).  The others were at Glenreasdale and Lochan Luing (Rhunahaorine).

Black Guillemots were present at the usual mainland sites (15-20 pairs) in Campbeltown Loch.

Single Tawny Owls were found at Kilchrist Castle on 22^nd (photographed – see our Wildlife Gallery), Oatfield House (calling at 0810hrs!) on 26^th, at Lossit House wood (bird in flight 1045hrs!) on 27^th, a roosting bird (flushed from a Rhododendron stand) at Glencreggan on 31^st and one calling regularly at Waterside, Southend.  In addition, at least three, possibly four territories are in/around Campbeltown.

On 26^th, a new Long-eared Owl site was discovered at Christlach (near Southend)

Carrion Crows were noted at five sites (Southend, Ronachan, Carradale, Cour and Skipness).

At Glenmucklach (near Southend) on 26^th, we had a pleasant encounter with a flock of 27 mainly ‘short-tailed’ Long-tailed Tits.  It was difficult to determine how many adults were in the group (minimum 7), but it seems likely that three broods were on the move!   

During our early morning excursions we have been amazed by the numbers of Goldfinches (foraging) and Pied Wagtails (on territory) by all roadsides throughout Kintyre – both species are truly abundant!  Also, House Sparrows show no signs of a decline, anywhere, being recorded in exceptional numbers in both Campbeltown and Tarbert, in all villages and around most farms.  This species is particularly abundant on The Laggan farmlands.

The numbers of singing Whitethroats and Sedge warblers was excellent.  Both species were found in all areas surveyed.

All our known Sand Martin colonies (19) were visited, and all were found to be active.

Seven new Raven nest sites were also discovered (at Kildonan, Barr Glen, Glenmucklach, Killean (B/3) and Carskiey (all trees nests); the other two were on crags at Torrisdale and Loup hill).  The number of known nest sites in Kintyre (2006-2008) has now reached 71.

All known rookeries are still active; a newly discovered one (30+ nests) at Glenreasdale is exceptional being well isolated from the south and west coast populations (the nearest known rookery to this one is Clachan!).

The largest Jackdaw colony (75+ pairs) in Kintyre continues to thrive at Kilkivan Quarry, near Machrihanish. 

On the negative side…

Kestrels have been noted at only three sites (singles at Glenahanty, Mull of Kintyre and Machrihanish), Curlews at three (Claonaig, Tallatol and Rhunahaorine Point, Lapwings at four (Westport Marsh, N and S Tayinloan and Tallatol) and Redshank at one (S end of Gigha).

The numbers of Redstarts (only three singing males located at Saddell, Achadacaie and Near Mundells yard) and Wood Warblers (only four singing males at Saddell, Torrisdale, Crossaig and by Mundells yard) is actually startling.  Apparently both species are suffering a serious decline!

At least 2 pairs of Twite are breeding close to the Seabird Observatory, a pair was seen right at the north end of Gigha and a few pairs were showing well by the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse.

So far, only one site has yielded Yellowhammers (Southend).

We really enjoyed these (very) early morning woodland surveys and have accrued a vast amount of information regarding the breeding distribution and abundance, of not only many deciduous woodland species, but also many other songsters in a variety of other important habitats. 

Soon, a selection of distribution maps, for a variety of species, will be online at this site.

Common Rosefinch at Ballochroy, Kintyre, May 2008

On 16^th May, we completed an early morning two-hour woodland survey at Ronachan House (40 species logged).  At around 0810hrs we decided to continue looking at some additional varied habitats in the area. 

Eventually we agreed on Ballochroy, just a few miles S of Ronachan.  

Although it was rather late in the morning for a full blast from songbirds our leisurely, attentive, walk up the decent road through the glen did produce a few interesting singing/calling birds including Tree Pipits, Grey Wagtails (alarm calls), Blackcaps (full song; 2), loads of Willow Warblers, a few Whitethroats (2), Sedge Warblers (3), a Long-tailed Tit, several Coal Tits, many Goldcrests, Lesser Redpolls (flight calls) and Bullfinches (contact and flight calls) and a Cuckoo. 

By 1015 hrs, we were on our way back down the glen when Eddie Maguire isolated a totally unfamiliar song. 

The bird continued singing. 

Excited at the prospect of adding a new species to our woodland survey list, we searched the canopy of the tall open deciduous scrub by the S side the stream (a Blackcap, several Sedge Warblers and a Whitethroat were still singing – sporadically - over this wide, fairly open, area).

Eddie soon found the bird.  Well, to be more precise, a red head and throat sticking out of the canopy! 

This was a very bright red head and throat with a relatively short, stocky bill and a dark greyish patch from the bill through the eye to the ear coverts.  Soon, John McGlynn located it. 

The remarkable red head and throat (much brighter than male Common Crossbill) and the extraordinary, totally unfamiliar, rather brief and fluty song left us somewhat puzzled.  We both agreed that the birds head profile was Greenfinch-like with a fairly steep forehead and it was probably about the size of that species (although no size comparison present).

Our process of elimination quickly left us with a rare but highly credible species - Common (Scarlet) Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus.

The bird was about 40-45m from us and we decided to get a bit closer. 

Big, big mistake! 

We stopped after progressing about 5-6m and raised our binoculars; a short period of silence ensued as we searched the canopy, and very soon we realised that the songster had vanished. 

So, where do we go from here? 

Well, this is what we have on the bird…

A bright red head and throat, a greyish patch through a dark beady eye and a stocky, rather short, dark-coloured bill.

This can only be a male Common Rosefinch.

Not much of a description for a rare bird, we agreed; but we also have a full song description (we heard the bird singing about a dozen times although no calls were heard).

With the aid of the voice descriptions in several major field guides we are 100% certain that the bird we heard singing, and partially observed, was indeed an adult male Common Rosefinch (apparently this species can ‘easily elude detection’ – Collins Bird Guide).

The song…

A rather brief, restrained melody consisting of disyllabic whistles, which sounded like ‘whit-wheo’ ‘whit-wheo’, culminating with a single note ‘whoo’.  The complete song - ‘whit-wheo, whit-wheo, whoo’ lasted only a few seconds (try whistling this!).   

In addition, the habitat was ‘bang on’ for this species (see The Birds of Scotland  (2007); Vol 2.  Scottish Ornithologists Club).

We visited the site on subsequent dates hoping that the bird would still be in the area, and singing, but we had no joy.

The current literature suggests that if this record is accepted it will be a first for Kintyre and about a ninth for Argyll.

Finally…

As usual, an Otter has been regular by the Observatory and a dynamic pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins (ca. 10 - 12) have been seen in the bay, although much less regularly than in previous years.  This small pod has been reported more often off Muasdale and around Gigha.

Recent British Birds Rarities Committee decision…

The BBRC has recently accepted a detailed description of a Whiskered Tern that appeared by the Seabird Observatory on 9^th July 2007.  This is the first time this species - which breeds as close as France - has been recorded in Argyll, and remarkably, is only the third individual to be identified in Scotland (Jim Dixon pers. comm.).