Recent News -
Compiled by Eddie Maguire (Warden)
2008
June / July
News 2008
The colour-ringed Sanderling
that was photographed
at Machrihanish Bay (28th-29th
May) was ringed at…
Asenko village (Esiama), Ghana on
18th March 2007.
It was also seen there on many dates
12th October 2007 – 29th January
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 16th and a
juvenile was present on 27th. Three adults flew
S on 28th.
A first-summer Black-throated Diver
was regular 6th –22nd and an immature
Great Northern Diver was regular all month.
The top Manx Shearwater movement was
only 230 >S / 2hrs on 19th.
Two Balearic Shearwaters were claimed
flying S past the Observatory (with Manxies) at 1540hrs on 9th
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 5th. This was followed by 3
> S on 6th then a good total of 84 >S / 3hrs on
17th (poor visibility). One was very close to
the point on 27th giving outstanding views.
Shag numbers at the
roost on Tomain peaked at 90 on 17th.
Gannets were
foraging around the point all month and max count was 200+
on 29th.
A pale-bellied Brent Goose was
in Machrihanish Bay 8th–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 17th.
The highest count of Common Eider
ducklings was 30 on 16th.
We have amassed an amazing series of summer
records on Arctic Skua.
(Unless stated all were dark phase adults).
Unprecedented (for June) daily presence 5th-23rd
with a single on 5th – 6th, 3 >S on 7th,
one >N on 8th, one foraging on 9th, up
to 8 foraging including an immaculate pale phase adult 10th-12th,
a pale adult on 13th, one on 14th, 2
on 15th and one foraging regularly 16th-23rd.
Two birds on 28th included a pale
second-summer type and then, on 29th, 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 26th.
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 29th.
Unusually, Dunlin were seen on many
dates to the end of the month. Max was 28 summer-plumaged
birds on 25th.
There was a good showing of Sanderling
too; birds were present daily 1st (25)–10th
(9) with 28 on 5th. Later, 15 appeared on 19th
and 3 were still present on 20th.
Southerly passage of Common Sandpiper
started early (from 22nd) with small numbers
moving daily. Max 7 >S on 27th.
Turnstones put in
brief appearances on two dates; 2 on 1st and one
on 27th (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 15th then, on 25th,
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 26th-27th with two
lingering 28th – 30th. 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 28th and 54 >S / 5hrs
on 29th.
A single Whimbrel on 15th
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 12th.
Additional Kintyre records for June…
Black-throated Diver
– an immature was off the S
end of Gigha on 3rd.
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 14th – 16th
(Phil Broadhead).
Blackcap – on 6th,
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 11th.
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 16th (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 22nd.
The peak Manx Shearwater movement was
5,080 >S / 3hrs on 27th (no Balearic
Shearwaters …yet!)
A Leach’s Petrel was well watched (for
almost an hour) on 16th 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 18th, with poor visibility
(drizzle), Storm Petrels featured well; a total of 40
flew S / 5hrs and during a brief period of drizzle on 22nd,
10 >S / 1hr.
On 5th, 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 5th and >S
on 15th. A male flew S on 28th.
A compact flock of 9 Red-breasted
Mergansers flew S on 5th.
A pair of Moorhen bred on Crosshill
Loch, Campbeltown; they were spotted with a single chick on
30th (Martin & Leticia Conway).
Two Golden Eagles soaring high over
Ballygroggan uplands on 27th delighted a few
visitors.
On 24th, 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 22nd,
hunting Rock Pipits / Starlings and winding-up
the local Oystercatchers, was unusually
early. Possibly this same bird was digiscoped on 27th.
Some of last months Black-tailed
Godwits lingered on during the first few days with two
on 1st-2nd and 3 on 3rd.
All flew off (calling loudly), high to the WSW, at 1030hrs
on 3rd.
On 7th, an early juvenile
Turnstone was a surprising find. A boisterous adult
was by the Observatory on 17th and a group of 7
flew S on 18th. This species was present daily
from 22nd with a max of 9 on 26th.
Two adult Sanderlings appeared 8th-10th
and 21, including a flock of 15, flew S on 18th.
Small numbers were seen daily from 26th (19) then
on 28th, 74 were resting on the point.
On 13th, the first returning adult
Red Knots (2) rested on the point all day. An adult
flew S on 26th.
Redshanks were seen
daily and the peak count was 40 >S on 10th.
Southerly passage of Common Sandpipers
was evident most mornings with a good tally of 12 on 14th.
The first juvenile Dunlins (3) were
off-passage on 15th and six adults flew S on 16th.
There was a light southerly passage of
Ringed Plovers on many dates including 25 on 15th.
Passage of Oystercatchers commenced on
17th with 45 flying S including a compact flock
of 30.
Three fresh-looking juvenile Whimbrels
on 18th were resting on the shore.
On 22nd, a Lapwing rested
in front of the Observatory for a few minutes.
Waders on 26th 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 27th.
A Great Skua flew S on 18th
(poor visibility/drizzle).
More Arctic Skuas were logged
including a dark phase adult >S on 3rd and a pale
sub-adult foraging in close association with a dark adult on
4th. On 6th, 3 adults included 2 dark
and a pale phase, then a dark adult was regular 9th-
14th. On 16th, 3 foraging birds
included dark and pale phase adults and a pale sub-adult.
On 17th-18th a pale adult was very
busy in the bay and off the Observatory then, on 19th,
2 adults - a pale and a dark phase - flew S.
In a NW force 6 (bright n’ breezy) on 19th,
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 20th, a pale phase
adult Arctic Skua appeared.
On 28th, 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 10th followed, on 15th,
by 2 juvenile Common Gulls.
The best Kittiwake movement was 700 >
S / 4hrs on 24th.
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 26th.
The first (recently fledged) juvenile
Sandwich Terns (2) were by the tern colony at
Machrihanish on 12th (9th July last
year) and 5 juveniles were present there on 16th.
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 4th including a good total of 11
second-summer type birds. Then, 140, including breeding
birds, were around the colony on 7th 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 16th. On 18th, 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 20th.
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 17th including 7 >S (3 were
juveniles) at the Observatory and a further 3 adults were
found off-passage later at the ‘sterna club’. On 22nd
(poor visibility / drizzle), 3 flew S and on 27th,
a further 4 (including 2 juveniles) flew S.
In addition, we received a report of 5
Little Terns on the beach at Westport on 6th
(per Paul Daw).
Guillemot and
Razorbill chicks were abundant on the sea from 16th
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 24th
and 26th and 3 on 27th.
A Swift was over Machrihanish village
on 3rd, 6 flew N on 25th and one flew
N on 29th.
On 22nd, a vociferous juvenile
Yellow Wagtail flew S low across the point.
On 25th, a juvenile Greenland
Wheatear was on the shore and the first White Wagtail
appeared on 26th.
Greenfinches were
attracted to the Observatory Twite feeding station
and peaked at 23 on 13th.
The max number of Twite was 12 on 27th.
A force 5 ESE with poor
visibility/drizzle/rain on 30th 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 31st 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 13th, 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 28th February to
5th
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 11th
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 28th February was not only an
unexpected find, but also a record total for this time of
year. One flew south past the Observatory on 12th
March.
Great Northern Divers
were ever present off Machrihanish with a peak of 19 on 29th
March. Black-throated Diver was, as usual, scarce;
a single bird was offshore on five dates 17th -
27th 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 30th March – 8th
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 15th) and
Turnstones (max only 10 on 3rd) were a daily
feature.
The first Manx
Shearwaters (3) flew south on 12th March.
March migrants at the
Observatory included a Lapwing flying N on 16th,
a Sandwich Tern on 23rd followed by
a Northern Wheatear on 25th,
then a Grey Plover stopped off briefly on 28th
(a rare spring record). On 31st, 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 6th, 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 15th
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 19th – 24th
and 12 at Kildavie on 24th.
On 28th, the
first Greenshank was at Westport Marsh and four
Sand Martins were feeding low over Loch Lussa.
April…
Migrants included a
Great Skua on 1st, a Whimbrel on 6th,
a White Wagtail on 8th, a Common Sandpiper on
11th, 40 Sanderlings on 12th,
3 Arctic Terns on 15th, a female
Pintail flying around the point then heading N on 24th
and another Grey Plover on 29th.
The first –winter Iceland Gull that
arrived on 30th March stayed to 8th.
A movement of auks (Razorbills/Guillemots)
occurred on 1st 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 12th) and Ruddy Turnstones (max
14 on 28th) were seen daily and Whimbrels
appeared on 10 dates with a peak of 45+ on 27th.
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 5th and on 6th, a brown bird
appeared on the exact same bearing. Next day, a brown
Kestrel took this same route!
White Wagtails
were present daily from 15th and peaked at 25+ on
25th.
The last Goldeneye
of the spring was one flying N on 26th.
Two pairs of
Twite
were present
on the point
all month
Additional
Kintyre records during April…
At The Laggan, all
wintering geese departed on 15th April; peak
counts prior to this ‘bang on time’ exodus were
1,200+ White-fronted and 260 Greylag on 5th
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 23rd.
Superb numbers of
Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at The Laggan including a
total of 220 on 11th and at the Observatory, 120
adults flew N in 6 hrs on 21st.
Some first-rate passage
visitors were attracted to an almost fully restored Westport
Marsh; a drake Northern Shoveler appeared on 1st,
a Greenshank on 7th with two
additional overexcited birds on 13th. A
lethargic Pink-footed Goose was grounded there 22nd-5th
May, a female Northern Pintail had a
brief stop off on 24th and on 28th a
pair Tufted Ducks appeared quite happy on the shallow
marsh. A late Greenland White-fronted Goose turned
up on 29th and stayed to at least 5th
May too. The Gadwall is mainly a scarce autumn
passage visitor to Kintyre so it was satisfying to have a
pair on the marsh 30th April - 2nd
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 2nd, a Barn Swallow
flew in off the sea at Southend on 3rd and
singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were heard
at Saddell House and Torrisdale Castle on 6th.
Willow Warblers
were widespread by 10th April and our first
Sedge Warblers finally appeared at Glenadale on 28th.
On 27th, a male
Black Grouse was flushed by the roadside on Saddell
brae.
A two-hour visit to
various habitats around Loch Lussa on 29th 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 30th including a Common
Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, many Linnets
and 5 Long-tailed Tits; the following day (1st
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 27th April.
On 30th 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 31st of March was seen by many
local folk at various locations in Campbeltown throughout
April (Ian McKerrall, Jimmy McCallum et al) and into May (1st;
Tommy Kennedy). The second was well watched at Glenreasdale,
near Skipness (10th April; Eddie Maguire) and the
other was at Drumlemble village (24th 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 20th!
40+ were still present 22nd – 27th.
Whimbrels
too were showing well to 13th (max 61 on 5th
including a flock of 50) although a very poor White
Wagtail passage ended by 12th and max was
only 9 on 5th.
A Red Knot flew N
on 1st and two, in partial breeding plumage, were
off-passage with 17 Ringed Plovers, 30 Sanderlings
and two Ruddy Turnstones on 9th. The
Sanderlings remained off-passage and numbers rose to 41
on 12th when another two winter-plumaged Red
Knot arrived. .
Two Common Scoters
flew S on 5th and 11th and two
Little Terns, a rare spring treat for us, were
off-passage at the bay 6th-10th.
Common (up to eight) and Arctic Terns (up to 20)
were regular from 12th.
On 10th, 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 12th and
the largest pre-migratory pack noted ‘wailing/barking’ was
28 on 11th; all, including several birds in
non-breeding plumage, had gone by 16th.
Surprisingly, a late
pale-breasted Brent Goose remained off-passage at
Machrihanish 15th – 29th.
On 17th, a
Bar-tailed Godwit, in non-breeding plumage, was an
unexpected guest among loafing Sandwich Terns.
The first Eider
duckling (1) appeared on 19th (20th
May last year) followed just a few hours later by a brood of
10 Common Shelduck (16th May last year).
Then, on 20th, another pair of Shelduck
appeared with a brood of 18 (surely a crèche?) followed by a
day old B/9 on 23rd.
On 22nd a late
(ish) Whimbrel was a pleasant surprise and on 23rd
another Red Knot in non-breeding plumage dropped
in. On 24th, an adult drake Scaup
appeared by the Observatory and was present daily to 27th.
Three Whimbrels
flew N on 24th. A very early immature
(second-summer) Arctic Tern was well photographed on
24th-25th and was still present on 26th
and two more broods of Eiders (B/2 and B/3) also
turned up on 25th-26th.
A single Great Northern
Diver, in partial breeding plumage, was offshore on 28th
– 30th.
A daily presence /
turnover of Sanderlings from 12th (with
peaks of 52 on 20th and 67 on 29th)
produced a colour-ringed individual (wearing five rings and
a red flag!); this bird was photographed on 28th-29th;
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 30th,
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 31st, 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 2nd), a Pink-footed
and a White-fronted Goose (both left on 5th)
the only notable migrants at Westport Marsh were two
Black-tailed Godwits on 1st; the local
Lapwings continually hounded both birds. An adult male
Hen Harrier was quartering the marsh on 15th.
Shelducks were very regular at the marsh and numbers
there peaked at a record 33 on 16th.
The Campbeltown Swifts
(13 birds) were back over the town on 4th and max
seen on the wing was 19 on 22nd.
Two summer-plumaged
Red-throated Divers were on Loch Lussa on 17th
while two pairs of Greater Canada Geese appeared at
Peninver on this date with 15 goslings and another B/2 was
at Southend on 19th. 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 28th-29th (a very scarce
spring migrant here).
On 31st, 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 28th.
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 22nd.
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 19th).
The largest noisy flock seen by us was 27 at Homeston on 29th
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 9th
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
12th 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 10th but it was not
seen or heard there during another visit on 14th.
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 22nd
(photographed – see our Wildlife Gallery), Oatfield House
(calling at 0810hrs!) on 26th, at Lossit House
wood (bird in flight 1045hrs!) on 27th, a
roosting bird (flushed from a Rhododendron stand) at
Glencreggan on 31st and one calling regularly at
Waterside, Southend. In addition, at least three, possibly
four territories are in/around Campbeltown.
On 26th, 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 26th, 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 16th 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 9th
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.). |