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Recent News - Compiled by Eddie Maguire (Warden)

2009

Machrihanish Seabird Observatory News

Machrihanish Seabird Observatory News

Compiled by Eddie Maguire

Machrihanish Seabird Observatory

Early November News 2009 

Monday 2^nd November…

A 5hr seawatch in a NW force 5 wind accompanied by light squalls produced 11 Red-throated Divers, 2 Goldeneyes & 3 adult Black-legged Kittiwakes all flying S.

During this same period, an MSBO record one-day total of 114 Purple Sandpipers flew S (the largest flocks were ca.40, ca.30, 18 & 11). 

Four Sanderlings also flew S.

Wednesday 4^th November…

A total of 5 Red-throated Divers, 4 adult Whooper Swans & a Brent Goose flew S during a 4hr seawatch this morning.

A Golden Plover arrived on the point & was off-passage for several hours (photographed).

Purple Sandpipers (12), Ruddy Turnstones (9) & Redshanks (23) were also on the point.

Only 8 Twite appeared today.

At The Laggan 22 Whooper Swans (9 first-winter) were at The Strath & an immature drake Goldeneye (photographed) was (most unusually) on shallow floodwater.

 Thursday 5^th November…

Single Red-throated & Great Northern Divers flew S as did 9 Whooper Swans (including 3 juvenile/first-winter), 5 Brent Geese, a female type Scaup & a drake Common Scoter.

At The Laggan, Whooper Swans had increased to 40 (16 were juvenile/first-winter).

Friday 6^th November…

A 6hr seawatch produced only a few interesting birds flying S including 6 Wigeon, a Goldeneye, 3 Red-throated Divers, a Lapwing & 40 Black-legged Kittiwakes.

At least 7 Great Northern Divers & 2 Shelducks (the latter rare here in November) were on the sea & 10 Purple Sandpipers were foraging on the point.

A few Twites (10) are lingering.

 Tuesday 10^th November…

So quiet!

A smart-looking drake Common Scoter (photographed), off-passage by the old lifeboat Station, was definitely the bird of the day.

 Wednesday 11^th November…

At last, Snow Buntings; 10 birds that flew NE over the MSBO drew attention to their presence by frequent ‘pyew’ call notes along with an occasional trilling ‘trirrrr’.

Sanderlings (15), a few Ringed Plovers & a Dunlin were found in the bay.

At The Laggan, 5 Whooper Swans (all adults) including a yellow colour-ringed bird with DK4 (embossed in black - photographed) were by stubble field floodwater at Strath Farm.

 Thursday 12^th November…

A 3hrs seawatch produced a couple of surprising late migrants flying S including 2 Pintails (female types) & 4 Common Scoters ((all female types).

More regular species going S offshore were 2 Great Northern Divers & 10 Red-breasted Mergansers.

Even more regular were Ruddy Turnstones (9), Purple Sandpipers (14) & Redshanks (17) foraging in the vicinity.

Saturday 14^th November…

An hour or so at the Obs early morning produced very little of note except 5 female type Common Scoters flying S (photographed).

 The MSBO is now closed for the winter.

 October News 2009

 Thursday 1^st October…

A few species were off-passage including Brent Geese (5), Sanderlings (3) & White Wagtails (4).

A Merlin, a Kestrel & 2 Carrion Crows were on the point.

An Otter was offshore at 1140hrs (same time as yesterday).

Friday 2^nd October…

Migrants >S today included 15 Manx Shearwaters & 39 Pink-footed Geese.

Two firsts this autumn were 4 Barnacle Geese & 2 Long-tailed Ducks (all S).  Single Wigeon, Common Scoter, & Red-breasted Merganser also flew S.

A Merlin, a Kestrel & 2 White Wagtails were seen on the point.

By Clochkiel Farm/Langa Quarry, 419 Golden Plovers & 600+ Starlings were on pasture.  

Saturday 3^rd October…

The wind direction was WNW force 7 (gusting 8 with approaching squalls).

During 9hrs seawatching from 0700hrs Eddie Maguire & Derrick Goode logged the following species…

Grey Phalarope; a single bird flew S at 1234hrs (first this year).

Leach’s Petrel; a total of 6 were logged including 3 >S in the morning (first bird at 0922hrs) & the other 3 were off-passage, always in flight but pretty much stationary, with heads to gale, for most of the afternoon.

Great Skua; three singles flew S at 1042, 1145 & 1600hrs.

Other species logged flying S included 2 Whooper Swans, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 110 Gannets, 12 Manx Shearwaters, 166 Black-legged Kittiwakes, a juvenile Arctic Tern, 4 Black Guillemots & 60 Razorbill/ Guillemots.

A female type Scaup was off-passage by the Marine Research Laboratory.

In addition, a Leach’s Petrel was found inland early morning (flying low over pasture) near Stewarton village, The Laggan.

 Sunday 4^th October…

The only movement noted was 30 Barnacle Geese >S.

A Long-tailed Duck & a Grey Plover were off-passage & 5 Red-throated Divers were in the bay.

An Otter appeared at 0930hrs.

 Monday 5^th October…

A Long-tailed Duck & 4 Red-throated Divers were in the bay.

During early afternoon a Raven & 6 Buzzards were found soaring high, well out over the sea.

A single White Wagtail & 30 Meadow Pipits were around the point.

Totals at the feeding station today included 120 Twites & 9 Goldfinches. This activity attracted the attention of a Merlin, several times.

Tuesday 6^th October…

A single adult Whooper Swan >S was the only migrant noted.

Feeding station totals today were 140 Twites (inc a colour-ringed bird), 2 Linnets, 10 Greenfinches & 9 Goldfinches.

 Wednesday 7^th October… 

A sub-adult Long-tailed Skua was a first-rate find inland (in a field of winter barley) at Bleachfield Farm, The Laggan.  This rare passage visitor allowed a fairly close approach & was well photographed.

At the MSBO birds were few and far between.  There were no seabird movements & the only species of note on the shore were 8 Ruddy Turnstones, 2 Sanderlings & 6 Dunlins.

A Sparrowhawk was very active around the point for most of the morning.

 Thursday 8^th October…

Offshore, this was another very quite day.

Twite numbers were up slightly to 160 but only one colour-ringed bird was found.

Raptors included an adult Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk & a Merlin; 2 Kestrels & at least 6 Buzzards were soaring/hunting over the uplands.

 Friday 9^th October…

Owing to a strong ESE gale accompanied by heavy rain nothing was moving offshore.

A female type Long-tailed Duck & 5 Red-throated Divers were on the sea.

 Saturday 10^th October…

A drake Scaup, a Red-throated Diver & 30 Black-legged Kittiwakes flew S.

An Otter was foraging offshore by the old lifeboat Station at midday.

Inland, a single adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was with 2500+ Herring Gulls at Bleachfield, The Laggan & 220 Lapwings were by Westport Marsh.  

 Sunday 11^th October…

Although the wind direction was NW force 5 it was bright & breezy most of the time with only a few light squalls, so no scarce seabird species appeared inshore today.  

During 5hrs seawatching birds flying S included 5 Brent Geese, 14 Scaup, a Red-throated Diver, a juvenile Gannet, a Manx Shearwater, 370 Black-legged Kittiwakes & 20 Ruddy Turnstones.

A very determined Sparrowhawk made several unsuccessful raids to the feeding station where 120 Twites & 12 Goldfinches were regular all morning.

An Otter swam S at 1015hrs.

 Monday 12^th October …

It was a superb autumn day, very warm, & the sea was like glass.

Divers on the sea included 3 Red-throated, 5 Black-throated & 8 Great Northerns.

A single Barnacle Goose & 30 Golden Plovers flew S.

Over the uplands raptors were employing the calm/sunny conditions.  At least 9 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, a Peregrine & a Sparrowhawk were noted.

Feeding station totals were 80 Twites (including a colour-ringed bird), 8 Goldfinches (including a ringed bird), 3 Greenfinches & a Linnet.

An Otter was seen at 1100hrs.

 Tuesday 13^th October…

The only significant observations today included a new colour-ringed Twite & a ringed adult Goldfinch at the feeding station (see summary above).

 Wednesday 14^th October…

Three Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Northern Divers & 7 Black Guillemots were on the sea.

The only waders flying S today were 4 Ringed Plovers & a Dunlin.

Passerine totals at the feeding station were low with only 60 Twites, 6 Goldfinches, 3 Greenfinches & a single Linnet.

A Sparrowhawk was seen several times.

 Thursday 15^th October…

After an hour or so at the MSBO early morning very little was happening so the warden decided to head N to the Sound of Gigha.  This is a very exceptional / important haven for marine waterfowl - & it was not disappointing.

Although it was overcast there was no wind. So, in calm conditions the following totals of selected species were achieved over a 3hr period from the usual mainland viewpoints between Rhunahaorine Point & Ronachan…

 Black-throated Diver - 23 (largest group 12).

Red-throated Diver - 7 singles.

Great Northern Diver - 67 (the main October influx has obviously not occurred yet).

Slavonian Grebe – 63 (including loose groups of 5, 5, 7, 9 & 12).  Some adults were still sporting vestiges of breeding plumage.

Scaup – 28 (a loose group).

Goldeneye – 11 (no adult drakes)

Long-tailed Duck – 16 (including 3 adult drakes / largest group 9).

Common Scoter – 80+ (mainly well offshore / largest group 55).

Velvet Scoter – 8 (including 3 adult drakes).

Red-breasted Merganser – 39.

Black Guillemot – 78 (very widely scattered / one very loose group of 8).

A covey of Red-legged Partridge (16) flew across the A83 at Ballure Farm.

Later, at Westparkfergus, The Laggan there was a fall of 40 Redwings (first this autumn)

At Langa quarry/Westport Marsh, 1,100 Golden Plovers (peak so far) & 160 Lapwings were present.

Friday 16^th October…

Calm, sunny & v. warm – an amazing day!

With high pressure firmly in charge there was no obligation to get to the MSBO early this morning.  Instead, we decided to investigate the N edge of the Laggan (Langa/Westport Marsh) where a remarkable recent influx of Golden Plovers had taken place.

0800-1100hrs – counts included c 1,200 Golden Plovers, 165 Curlews, 78 Lapwings, a Greylag Goose, 60 Mallards, 37 Teal & a superb group of 5 Gadwall (one adult drake).  This species is a rather scarce passage/winter visitor.  Feral Pigeons (130) were loafing on a small ruin there.     

Later, at the MSBO, the BTO ringed Goldfinch (X064531) reappeared at the nyjer feeding station.

Eight Bottle-nosed Dolphins were well appreciated racing N at 1600hrs.

 Saturday 17^th October…

Loads of ‘seagulls’ (an affectionate term approved - tongue-in-cheek - by the late gull expert P. J. Grant) appeared on the shore by the MSBO today.  Totals included 530 Herring Gulls, 160 Common Gulls, 55 Black-headed Gulls, 27 Great Black-backed Gulls & a single adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Offshore it was quiet; there were no seabird movements & only a handful of divers were seen on the sea including 3 Red-throated & 2 Great Northerns.

 Sunday 18^th October…

Offshore, a juvenile Gannet, 2 Red-throated Divers & 40 Black-legged Kittiwakes all >S.

The first Goldeneyes (3 female types) arrived by the Marine Research Laboratory outflow.

An Otter was foraging offshore at 1130hrs.

 Monday 19^th October…

Birds moving S over the sea included a Brent Goose, a Goosander (first this autumn) & 2 Red-throated Divers.

Three Great Northern Divers almost in full breeding plumage arrived today.

At The Laggan farmlands, 26 Whooper Swans (scarce so far this autumn), 9 White-fronted Geese (first this autumn), a single Pink-footed Goose & 2 Teal were the main wildfowl logged.

Off-passage waders included 10 Ringed Plovers, 14 Sanderlings, 3 Dunlins & 18 Ruddy Turnstones.

 Tuesday 20^th October…

There was an ESE near gale resulting in no significant observations!

Wednesday 21^st October…

On the road N to Loch Lussa early this morning we were well rewarded with a very late male Whinchat by Calliburn Quarry.  Five Stonechats (including 2 adult males) were also seen by the side of the road on the way up to the Loch & 20 Ravens & a Sparrowhawk were by Skeroblin Loch.

At the N end of Loch Lussa (the business end) the water level was the very low (where did all that rain go?).  We found 38 Teal, 12 Wigeon & a noteworthy flock of 93 Snipe; the latter were all feeding by the waters edge well away from any cover. 

Back at the MSBO the wind direction was still ESE & the only bird worth noting offshore was a Brent Goose flying S.

Passerines at the feeding station included 40 Twites, 6 Greenfinches, 5 Goldfinches & 11 Chaffinches.

 Thursday 22^nd October…

A flock of 16 adult Whooper Swans flew S.

A summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver flew around the bay several times before alighting offshore.

Waders included 16 Sanderlings, 8 Dunlins, 14 Ruddy Turnstones, 5 Redshanks & 20 Ringed Plovers.

The Starling flock on the point has increased to 600 birds & 2 Kestrels were busy hovering over adjacent rough ground. 

At Langa/Westport Marsh, Golden Plovers were down to 800+ & Lapwings were down again to only 40.  A very obvious snow white ‘albino type’ Starling was seen in a flock of 30.

At Strath/Chiscan, Whooper Swans numbered 54 (including 6 juvenile/first-winter).  Greylag (30) & White-fronted Geese (16) were nearby.

 Friday 23^rd October…

A quick look at the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse/Balnamoil early morning produced a few migrants including 270 Fieldfares, 125 Redwings, 8 Starlings, 80 Goldfinches & 130 Chaffinches.  A Merlin & a Blue Tit were also seen

At the Laggan, the Canada X Barnacle hybrids (c 60) were by Drumlemble.

Also, there was a major influx of White-fronted Geese (719).  A single ‘real’ Barnacle Goose was there & Whooper Swans numbered 40 (including 9 juvenile/first-winter). 

 Saturday 24^th October…

The weather was truly dreadful today; an easterly gale (force 5-6) & heavy rain kept us inside the MSBO all morning. 

Later, a Great Crested Grebe (first-winter) was found sheltering by the old lifeboat station. 

Offshore, the only birds of interest were a juvenile/first-winter Great Northern Diver that came in from the NW & settled in the bay, a female type Goldeneye flying N & a first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull that also came in from the NW.

A few waders were off-passage; Sanderling (12), Ringed Plover (20), Redshank (9) & Ruddy Turnstone (5).

Very few passerines were noted at the feeding station.  Twite numbers were down to a meagre 10 birds & other species included 8 Goldfinches, 8 Chaffinches & 2 Greenfinches.

 Sunday 25^th October…

Overnight, the wind veered to the west (force 6-7); it was overcast with light squalls.

At 0700hrs, seawatching looked promising & as the morning progressed it consistently appeared as if it might develop to at least stirring, but no – that did not happen!

Species logged flying S during this 8hr seawatch included 4 Common Scoter, 3 Wigeon, a female type Pintail, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 12 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 20 adult Gannets, 4 Black Guillemots, 75 Guillemots & 27 Razorbills. 

Late juvenile Arctic Terns flew S at 1115 & 1400hrs.

Black-legged Kittiwakes were inshore on narrow front passage but the final total >S was only 421 / 8hrs; intriguingly, only 68 (17%) were first-winter birds.

The Great Crested Grebe was still off-passage & was well photographed.

Whooper Swans were still by the Strath farm, The Laggan & although the flock size was down to 25 the number of juvenile/first-winter birds remained stable (9 – see 23^rd).

 Monday 26^th October…

The first-winter Great Crested Grebe was still off-passage by MSBO.

 27^th-29^th October…

No observations (Wardens car in garage for a major repair & service!).

Friday 30^th October…

At Strath Farm, The Laggan, Whooper Swans were down to 16 (including 4 juvenile/first-winter).

Saturday 31^st October…

A female type Scaup was found/photographed in the bay.

The number of Twites visiting the feeding station has diminished; the best count today was only 30.

At The Laggan, 64 CanadaXBarnacle Geese hybrids were by Drumlemble School.  At Westparkfergus, 700 Fieldfares & 100+ Redwings were on Hawthorns & a flock of 26 Reed Buntings were foraging on stubble.     

September News 2009

 Tuesday 1^st September…

An early morning southerly movement of Manx Shearwaters amounted to only 380 / 1hr.

Other interesting fly-bys >S included a Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Red Knots, 7 Common Terns (3 juveniles) & a juvenile Arctic Tern.

A male Greenfinch brought 3 fledglings to the feeding station.  70 Twites, 16 Linnets & a few Goldfinches were also present.

 Wednesday 2^nd September…

There was very few birds off-passage today, only a Whimbrel, & fly-bys were few & far between.

A Common Scoter (drake), 11 Redshanks (flock) & 3 Common Terns (1 juvenile) all went S. 

Eight White Wagtails were found on the golf course this morning & Pied Wagtails dispersing from a nearby traditional roost (reedbed at Machrihanish Water) numbered 85 on the fairways.

Around 70 Twite were at the feeding station (4 colour-ringed birds were photographed).

Nearby, at Drumlemble, some of the resident Canada X Barnacle Geese hybrids (18) were seen flying E over The Laggan.

Thursday 3^rd September…

Very little happened today. 

Over the sea, 3 Red-throated Divers (singles) & 3 Sanderlings flew S.

Three drake Wigeon arrived in the bay (the first this autumn).

Three colour-ringed Twites were at the feeding station.

At Drumlemble, the resident Canada X Barnacle Geese numbered 54 (these birds are infertile hybrids, & each year, the flock dwindles in size).

Friday 4^th September…

A total of only 160 Manx Shearwaters flew S / 3hrs.

Other species logged >S included a Red-throated Diver, 12 Shelducks, 6 Redshanks & 7 Sanderlings. 

A Greenshank & a Bar-tailed Godwit were off-passage. 

Two Kestrels (singles) flew N, well out over the sea.

The highest count of Twite today was 80 including 3 colour-ringed birds.

Saturday 5^th September…

Still very much on the quiet side.

Bird of the day was an adult Arctic Skua (dark phase) >S at 1035hrs (so far, this species has been rather scarce this autumn).

Manx Shearwaters numbers are still very low; only 160 >S / 4hrs!

Just a trickle of other migrants were seen flying S including an adult Red-throated Diver, 2 Red Knots, 12 Ruddy Turnstones, 8 Dunlins, a Redshank & 2 adult Common Terns. 

A single Shelduck flew N & 5 Wigeon were off-passage all day.

The only raptor logged was a Sparrowhawk flying N along the shore.

Sunday 6^th September…

Manx Shearwater numbers picked up a bit today with around 500 >S / 5hrs.

Two Whimbrels flew S & 3 Wigeon, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlins & 7 Ruddy Turnstones were off-passage.

There were two sighting of an Otter at 1035 & 1340hrs.

Monday 7^th September…

Again, Manx Shearwaters were in low numbers with only 380 >S / 5hrs.

Also southbound were 3 adult Red-throated Divers (singles), 4 Sanderlings, 8 Redshanks & a Ruff.

An adult Peregrine flew S over the point mid-morning & a Redpoll was found among the usual suspects at the feeding station which included at least 70 Twites.  Two, now regular, colour-ringed Twites were also present.

 Tuesday 8^th September…

Waders were interesting; totals of 47 Red Knots (5 flocks), 40 Redshanks, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruddy Turnstones, 5 Ringed Plovers & a Common Sandpiper all fled S into a force 5 southerly wind.

An adult Red-throated Diver, a juvenile Gannet & 6 Sandwich Terns (1 juvenile) also went S.

The first Manx Shearwater was logged at 1130hrs, just after the wind switched to the W, but by 1500hrs only 280 had been logged.

A Merlin was seen several times on the point.

Feeding station totals were pleasing with 115 Twites (two were colour-ringed), 17 Greenfinches, 21 Goldfinches & 5 Linnets all in attendance.

Wednesday 9^th September…

There was a stiff breeze from the WNW & it was sunny most of the time for most of the day. 

The two main species flying S today were Manx Shearwaters (780 / 5hrs) & Black-legged Kittiwakes (620 / 5hrs).  Aged samples revealed that about 38% of the Kittiwakes were juveniles (61 / 169).

As usual, a few waders went S too including 33 Ruddy Turnstones, 50 Redshanks, 8 Dunlins, 10 Red Knots, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits & a Sanderling.    

A Red-throated Diver (adult), 5 Common Terns (2 juveniles), 3 Black Guillemots & a high-flying Grey Wagtail also went S.

Thursday 10^th September…

No seabird movements, however, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel, at least a dozen White & 2 Grey Wagtails were off-passage.

Around 50 Meadow Pipits were off-passage too, many loafing in front of the MSBO; a few were successfully ‘digiscoped’ at close range (see Photo Gallery).

The number of Twites off-passage has been stable for several days; c. 100 at the feeding station today along with 3 well-known (& well photographed) colour-ringed suspects!

Friday 11^th September…

A single Bar-tailed Godwit was off-passage all day & a flock of 7 Wigeon flew N.

Interesting counts today included 6 White Wagtails, 25 Goldfinches & 80 Twite.

Saturday 12^th September…

It was a beautiful day with not very much happening.

A Golden Plover >S was the only migrant noted.

Two Golden Eagles were over Ballygroggan uplands, briefly, early afternoon.  

At the feeding station, Twite numbered 80+ (including 5 colour-ringed birds).

Sunday 13^th September…

Weather wise it was an amazing day but there were no significant observations.

Monday 14^th September…

With high pressure firmly in charge, the settled weather conditions continues to produce very little of note.

A Whimbrel & 8 White Wagtails were off-passage.

Twite numbers increased to 130+ (including 4 colour-ringed birds).

Tuesday 15^th September…

Grey Herons are seen daily around the point (up to 5) but an interesting & obvious migrant was one ca 1 mile offshore going S.

Later, 9 Brent Geese flew S at 1110hrs (first this autumn) followed by a pack of ca. 50 Pink-footed Geese at midday.  A Pintail went S with the Brents.

The Whimbrel was still off-passage & a Sparrowhawk was very active around the point.

Wednesday 16^th September…

Weather wise, it was a wonderful day. 

Raptors were aloft early afternoon; high over the Ballygroggan Farm uplands (SE of the Observatory) 3 Golden Eagles (2 adults & a juvenile), 11 Buzzards & a Sparrowhawk were well appreciated by regular visitors Pip & Carol Ashley.  Ravens too were tumbling / soaring on seemingly endless thermal currents but the best count was only 6 birds together.  

Down at sea level very little was on the move; a Wigeon flew S, a Red-throated Diver flew into the bay & a Whimbrel was off-passage.

A Robin took up residence today & was singing quite often during the morning.

Thursday 17^th September…

With high pressure still very much in charge very little was moving S over the sea. 

During 3 hrs systematic seawatching (early morning) Manx Shearwater managed just 80 >S & Gannet struggled to reach 38 >S.

A drake Wigeon was found in the company of 24 local Mallards by the old lifeboat station.

Friday 18^th September…

One Manx Shearwater was logged >S over a 5hr period!

A splendid adult Black-throated Diver almost in full breeding plumage was foraging inshore.

Waders were few & far between with only 2 Sanderlings, a Red Knot, 5 Dunlins & a Ruddy Turnstone all flying S.

A Sparrowhawk & an adult Grey Wagtail were seen & 90 entertaining Twite were at the feeding station (including 2 colour-ringed birds).

Saturday 19^th September…

Both Sparrowhawk & Merlin were very much ‘on the go’ around the point; the Sparrowhawk was seen taking a Twite.

Sixty Gannets flew S / 1hr & a Red-throated Diver & 3 Teal also flew S.

A single Sanderling flew S.

Twite peaked at 180 today (2 were colour-ringed).

Bottle-nosed Dolphins were in Machrihanish Bay; surfers reported that around a dozen approached them & they also saw a female with a small calf by her side.  Two of the dolphins apparently got playful & with a flick of the tail, splashed some of the surfers several times!  (per James McCallum).  

Sunday 20^th September…

Two Red-throated Divers flew S & 2 pale-breasted Brent Geese were off-passage (very approachable & well photographed).

A pair of adult Mute Swans appeared by the old lifeboat station.

Pick of the passerines were 4 White Wagtails, 18 Greenfinches & 160 Twites.

 Monday 21^st September…

With continuous rain there was very little moving at sea.

Five Common Scoters (all drakes) flew S early afternoon.

Feeding station totals included 2 Linnets, 8 Goldfinches, 25 Chaffinches & 160 Twites (2 sporting well known colour-ring sequences were present for most of the day).

Tuesday 22^nd September…

The wind was WSW force 5 accompanied with a few squalls.

The first Purple Sandpiper seen this autumn was briefly on the Point.

Seven Red-throated Divers (4hrs), 40 Manx Shearwaters (1hr), 3 juvenile Gannets & a Black Guillemot all flew S.

Two White Wagtails & 450 Starlings were on the Point.

Wednesday 23^rd September…

A Great Skua flew S at 1422hrs.

Manx Shearwaters totalled only 125 >S / 5hrs & Red-throated Divers totalled 44 >S over the same period.

Other noteworthy southerly totals included 31 Brent Geese, 13 Scaup, 3 Golden Plovers & 2 juvenile Arctic Terns.

At The Laggan, c. 3,000 Herring Gulls were in the fields at Bleachfield & Strath farmlands.

Thursday 24^th September…

The Manx Shearwater total today was 144 > 3hrs.

A few Black-legged Kittiwakes were moving S too but reached only 180 / 2hrs (62% were juveniles).

Three Red-throated Divers also flew S & 16 Brent Geese were off-passage including a colour-ringed bird (photographed). 

Other species fleeing S included 2 Golden Plovers, 17 Sanderlings, a single Red Knot & 2 juvenile Arctic Terns.

Friday 25^th September…

Six Lesser Redpolls paused briefly at the feeding station then flew S.

A Merlin was watched hunting Twites (150+) high over the Observatory.

Jimmy MacDonald photographed a juvenile Hobby at Largiebaan, SW Kintyre.

Saturday 26^th September…

Not much happened today.

Off-passage waders included 10 Sanderlings & 5 Dunlins.

A Merlin was seen several times.

The colour-ringed Brent Goose was still of-passage along with 3 others.

Sunday 27^th September…

Seawatching was dreadful (again).

A Sparrowhawk visited the feeding station where passerine totals included 150 Twites (3 colour-ringed birds), 30 Greenfinches & 17 Goldfinches.

An Otter was seen briefly at midday.

A flock of c. 180 Golden Plovers was seen near Westport Marsh.

Monday 28^th September…

There was some passage S over the sea with 2 Red-throated Divers, 33 Brent Geese, 51 Scaup & 8 Golden Plovers. 

A few waders were of-passage including 40 Sanderlings, 30 Ringed Plovers & 18 Dunlins.

Tuesday 29^th September…

Birdwatching was superb today; a good variety was logged including a few scarce seabird species (Eddie Maguire & John McGlynn).

The wind direction was WNW force 6 with frequent squalls & during 7hrs seawatching from 0800hrs we logged the following…

Leach’s Petrel – a total of 10 flew S between 0930-1405hrs (several were photographed).

Pomarine Skua – a dark phase adult (with tail ‘spoons’) flew S at 0940hrs (photographed).

Red-throated Diver – a total of 58 flew S including a loose assemblage of 17 (the largest number seen flying S together at this site).

Brent Goose – total was 39 >S (8 flocks / largest 16).

Also logged flying S were 3 Manx Shearwaters, 40 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 7 Scaup, 3 juvenile Arctic Terns, a Grey Plover & a Whimbrel.

Four Brent Geese, including the colour-ringed bird, were off-passage   

The first Whooper Swans (9) were seen at The Laggan (per Simon Lawrence).

Wednesday 30^th September…

The wind direction was WNW but down to force 3-4 with poor visibility at times & showers.

Brent Geese were travelling S (hugging the coastline); a total of 56 were logged in 5hrs & most passed low over the shore about 35m from the Observatory providing excellent views.  The largest flock was 25.

An adult Arctic Skua (dark phase) was seen chasing a Black-legged Kittiwake.

Other southbound species included 33 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, an adult Whooper Swan, 18 Scaup, 10 Ruddy Turnstones, 3 Redshanks & a Red Knot.

The most obvious passerine migrant was Meadow Pipit; a total of 550 arrived on the Point from the S over a 3hr period.  Most left in a N or NE direction (some were photographed at very close range). 

Skylarks too were moving in the same direction, but only about 60 were logged. 

Other migrants included 4 White Wagtails & 2 Northern Wheatears.

An Otter swam S at 1140hrs.   

A large flock of Golden Plovers (c. 350) was seen swirling high to the NE of Machrihanish village.  

The numbers of Herring Gulls at Bleachfield / Strath farmlands, The Laggan this morning was amazing; 5,000+ was considered a conservative estimate!

ENDS

August News 2009

 Saturday 1^st August…

The first juvenile Lesser Black-backed (6) & juvenile Great Black-backed Gulls (2) flew S.

A Greenshank, a Whimbrel & 2 Red Knot were off-passage.

A total of 13 Shelducks (12 were juveniles) flew S.

Sunday 2^nd August…

The regular early evening gatherings of Swifts over Burnside Square, Campbeltown peaked at 40 today (Derrick Goode). 

Monday 3^rd August…

Poor visibility brought in a few birds; a good showing of Little Terns occurred today with a total of four adults off-passage all morning.

Two female type Pintails & 3 Common Scoters flew S.

Waders were showing well with 50 Sanderlings, 160 Dunlins, 16 Ruddy Turnstones & a Greenshank all off passage.  A total of 18 Common Sandpipers flew S including a loose group of 7.  

Tuesday 4^th August…

Weather – the wind was SSE force 4; it was raining at dawn & fog banks persisted offshore until late morning.  A few Storm Petrels (15) were foraging offshore.

A fall of waders from around 0700hrs included a record count of 133 Black-tailed Godwits along with 5 Whimbrels, 40 Red Knots, 58 Sanderlings, 80 Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks, 85 Dunlins, 37 Turnstones & 170 Oystercatchers.

In addition, a Great Skua flew S at 1035hrs, an adult Little Tern was off-passage, 52 Swifts flew in off the sea & 2 Greenland type Wheatears were on the Point.

Manx Shearwaters have started to appear in small numbers; 160 flew S / 2hrs from 0800hrs & during this same period, 80 adult Arctic Terns flew S.

Wednesday 5^th August…

A modest movement of Manx Shearwaters totalled 340 >S / 3hrs.

The first returning White Wagtail (an adult female) was on the point.

Many Arctic (8+) & Common Tern (3) chicks fledged today at Big Scone Island.   

Thursday 6^th August…

A juvenile Long-tailed Skua came in off the sea at 0930 & after gaining a lot of height, drifted off slowly E, inland, over The Laggan for Clyde waters.

A few waders were off passage including 6 Whimbrels, 8 Ruddy Turnstones, 28 Sanderlings, 44 Dunlins & 37 Ringed Plovers.

A White Wagtail & a Peregrine were seen briefly on the point.

Friday 7^th August…

The first Sooty Shearwaters (2 > N) were found at 1130hrs in several rafts of around 1,000 Manx Shearwaters.  Most of these birds were sitting on the sea all morning in very calm, sunny, conditions.

A Great Northern Diver in partial breeding plumage was found amongst many hundreds of Razorbills & Guillemots that were tending young chicks.

Waders were interesting & included 130 Oystercatchers, 5 Whimbrels & at least 140 Dunlins.  Late afternoon saw the arrival of 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Ruddy Turnstones & around 30 Redshanks.

An adult Peregrine was seen hunting around the point just after midday & an adult Sandwich Tern > N.

A few Greenland type juvenile Wheatears were seen; nominate juveniles (2^nd broods) were also present.

Saturday 8^th August…

Manx Shearwaters managed only 40 >S / 1hr.

A group of 12 Sandwich Terns flew S as did a disorderly pack of 22 juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  About 600 Common Gulls were by Machrihanish Water mouth

Two Whimbrels, 2 Greenshanks & 110 Oystercatchers also flew S.

Passerine counts at the MSBO nyjer feeding station were good today with 25 Linnets, 24 Greenfinch & 22 Twite (including a colour-ringed male).

Sunday 9^th August…

A pleasant surprise was a loose flock of 40 juvenile Common Gulls flying S.

Other migrants flying S included 10 Common Sandpipers, 22 Dunlins, 18 Redshanks & 30 Ringed Plovers. 

Two Whimbrels were off-passage.

There was an obvious early evening increase in the number of Swifts to c. 60 over Burnside Square, Campbeltown (Derrick Goode).

An adult Gannet that was seen flying W, very high over the town hall, Campbeltown at 1830hrs provided additional evidence of this species capability of tackling an overland (sea level) route from Clyde waters to Atlantic feeding grounds (Eddie Maguire / Derrick Goode).

Monday 10^th August…

With only 100 logged >S / 1 hour Manx Shearwater numbers remain exceptionally poor.  

Other southbound species included 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks 60 Redshanks, 35 Dunlins, 4 Ruddy Turnstones, 30 Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrels & the first juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake.

A flock of 45 (Greater) Canada Geese > S were possibly birds from the Yorkshire / Beauly Firth moult migration population that strayed too far W whilst en-route for Yorkshire.

Tuesday 11^th August…

The best birds today were a Greenshank, a juvenile Red Knot & 3 Lapwings that all flew S.

Other migrants >S included 61 Oystercatchers, 35 Redshanks, 73 Dunlins & 110 Ringed Plovers.

A juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake (only the second of the autumn) & 4 juvenile Shelducks also went S.

A Sparrowhawk (first-winter female) & 5 White Wagtails were logged.

Wednesday 12^th August…

With a fresh wind (force 4-5) from the W & occasional showers the first significant inshore movement of Manx Shearwaters occurred.  The total for 3hrs was 1,700 >S.  Other firsts this autumn were a Balearic Shearwater >S at 1000hrs & an adult Pomarine Skua >S at 1235hrs (Eddie Maguire).

The only auks in flight were an adult Black Guillemot > N & an adult Common Guillemot > S (the majority of the latter are moulting & so flightless now).

There was an obvious increase in the numbers of Gannets & sample counts showed that around 600 > S in 2hrs.

A few waders were on the move too; 4 Whimbrels, 135 Dunlins, 30 Sanderlings & 25 Oystercatchers all > S

Derrick Goode reported dwindling numbers of Swifts (only 14 were seen this evening).  Looks as though an early exodus may be on the cards this year?

Thursday 13^th August…

Another Balearic Shearwater was found (0915hrs) in a southerly movement of Manx Shearwaters (1,240 >S / 3hrs; Eddie Maguire & Hugh Nichol).

A total of 360 Oystercatchers flew S / 3hrs including a loose pack of c. 150.

Bar-tailed Godwit made the log sheet today – a juvenile was off-passage for a few minutes mid-morning.

Many other waders were also off-passage including 40 Sanderlings.

An adult drake Common Scoter (photographed) off the MSBO appeared to have a wing injury.  This bird was inshore, swimming steadily N & was obviously experiencing difficulty; a most unusual record (see image in Photo Gallery).

Friday 14^th August…

Manx Shearwaters were well out on the horizon (1,000+).

The only birds worth noting >S today were Teal (3) & Greenshank (3).

Saturday 15th August…

A prolonged shearwater day; around 1,100 Manx Shearwaters flew S / 7hrs from 0700hrs.  Two Balearic Shearwaters were logged too (at 0912 & 1326hrs).

Two Great Skuas were seen  > S at 0820 & 1425hrs.

A male Ruff was found on floodwater on the golf course at 0715hrs; other waders included 3 Red Knots; one (well offshore) managed to escape the clutches of a very determined adult Peregrine.

Sunday 16^th August…

A stirring movement of Manx Shearwaters occurred with a total of 2, 400  >S in 5 hrs from 0700hrs.  With them, 4 scarce Balearic Shearwaters were logged.

Also on passage S were 5 juvenile Black-legged Kittiwakes, an adult Sandwich & 5 juvenile Arctic Terns.

The best of the waders flying S were 9 Black-tailed Godwits & 2 Whimbrels.

A juvenile Peregrine was promptly escorted out of the area by very aggressive adult Arctic Terns.

Around 44 Twite were at the feeding station including a colour-ringed bird.

At least 3 Bottlenosed Dolphins went S.

Monday 17^th August…

Manx Shearwaters featured again, mainly early morning, with around 800 going S in 2hrs from 0700hrs.

An Arctic (dark phase adult) & a Great Skua also went S.

Other species fleeing S included a Teal, a Greenshank & 170 Oystercatchers.

A Sparrowhawk was very active around the point targeting mainly juvenile Starlings.

At the feeding station, Twite numbers increased to 64 (including 2 with colour-rings), around 25 Goldfinch were close by & a migrant Willow Warbler paused briefly.

Tuesday 18^th August…

A total of around 900 Manx Shearwaters flew S / 3hrs from 0700hrs.

Storm Petrels have been scarce in recent weeks so it was pleasing when one appeared quite close inshore & was seen well by visitors.

The only migrant waders flying S were a single Red Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers & 35 Oystercatchers.

A juvenile Red-throated Diver flew N & a Red-breasted Merganser & an adult Black Guillemot (still rather scarce here) flew S.

The first Merlin this autumn was seen & around 60 Twite were at the feeding station  (2 colour-ringed birds were present).

Wednesday 19^th August…

The Bird of the Month was an adult Roseate Tern photographed by Big Scone Island, Machrihanish village at 1600hrs (Eddie Maguire).  Other tern species off-passage included 26 Arctic (6 juveniles), 14 Common (4 juveniles) & 4 Sandwich (all adults).

Nine Black-tailed Godwits flew S at 1345hrs.

An adult Peregrine was seen ‘rounding up’ the Starling flock on the point.

A Greenland type Northern Wheatear flew S across the point.

The Twite flock increased to 90 today (2 colour-ringed birds still present).

Derrick Goode reported a single Swift over Campbeltown.

Thursday 20^th August…

Another Mediterranean Gull (see July News) was found & photographed today.  This individual, in second-winter plumage, constitutes the 11^th record at the MSBO.

Manx Shearwater managed only 17 birds >S / 15 mins mid morning!

An adult Peregrine was seen briefly over the point.

Twite numbers reached only 45 today; many juveniles are still being fed at the nyjer station & 3 colour-ringed birds (including a new bird ringed at Heysham, Lancashire during winter 2008) were photographed.

 Friday 21^st August

Small numbers of Manx Shearwaters were moving S in occasional bursts.  The highest rate of passage was 62 per minute but only 700 passed S in 3hrs.

Southerly totals of waders were 23 Oystercatchers, 16 Curlews, 30 Ruddy Turnstones, 37 Dunlins, 8 Red Knots & 20 Sanderlings.

A total of 8 juvenile Black-legged Kittiwakes, the first juvenile Gannet & 4 Fulmars all flew S.

Twite numbers at the feeding station leapt to 100+ & many juveniles were seen tormenting parents for food.

After the very heavy rain, floodwater at West Parkfergus, The Laggan attracted a flock of around 60 Common Snipe.

Saturday 22^nd August…

Southbound waders proved to be the most interesting event of the day.  All were hugging the coast as they flew S including a single Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 12 Red Knots, 25 Sanderlings, 70 Dunlins, 5 Ruddy Turnstones, 44 Curlews & a single Whimbrel.

Small numbers of Manx Shearwaters were noted & an adult Sandwich Tern flew S.

Sunday 23^rd August…

The second-winter Mediterranean Gull was seen briefly in Machrihanish Bay.

Birds travelling S offshore included an adult Red-throated Diver & 7 Common Scoters with a Teal in tow!

Coast-hugging waders logged travelling S were a single Red Knot, 4 Sanderlings, 10 Dunlins, 5 Ruddy Turnstones, 34 Redshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits & 45 Oystercatchers.

At least 5 White Wagtails & a Greenland type Northern Wheatear were seen.

A flock of 30 Goldfinches were foraging around W Machrihanish.

At The Laggan, heavy rain resulted in a fair bit of flooding.  A large pool that developed in a stubble field between Strath Farm & Chiscan House attracted a grand variety of waders today including a single Greenshank & a Black-tailed Godwit &, a very rare inland visitor indeed – a Red Knot!  Also present were 24 Redshanks & 18 Dunlins.

A fresh-looking ringtail Hen Harrier (probably a juvenile) was seen close by.

Note. Strath Farm is about 3 miles E of Machrihanish & 2.5 miles W of Campbeltown Loch.

Monday 24^th August…

The second-winter Mediterranean Gull was photographed again by the MSBO.

Also, what was probably the same Roseate Tern that was photographed on 19^th reappeared several times during the morning.  It was seen well - foraging off the MSBO with Common (17) & Arctic Terns (30+).

Around 800 Manx Shearwaters flew S / 3hrs early morning.

A Bar-tailed Godwit & 2 Whimbrels were resting together by the MSBO.

A drake Eider flying S (but still mainly in eclipse plumage) was on the wing rather early (usually flightless until late August, occasionally early September).

A compact bunch of 8 Teal flew S.

The stubble field pool at Strath Farm, The Laggan still held a Black-tailed Godwit & a Greenshank.

Tuesday 25^th August…

There was a decent fall of waders today with 3 Ruffs (photographed), 2 Greenshanks, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 85 Redshanks, 230 Dunlins, 12 Sanderlings, 38 Ruddy Turnstones & 30 Curlews.

There were southerly movements of Black-legged Kittiwakes (330 / 3hrs including 56 juveniles) & Manx Shearwaters (380 / 1hr).

An adult Red-throated Diver & an adult dark phase Arctic Skua also flew S.

The number of Twite at the feeding station rose to a relatively early peak of 150.

Wednesday 26^th August…

The Ruffs (3) were off-passage all day along with 2 Greenshanks.

Waders flying S included 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 10 Whimbrels, 40 Redshanks, 110 Dunlins, 26 Ruddy Turnstones & 7 Red Knots.

Two Red-throated Divers flew S. 

Common Terns numbered 38 (including 9 juveniles) & Arctics 25 (7 juveniles).

A male Whinchat was on the point briefly in the morning & 2 Greenland type Northern Wheatears were seen.

At Strath Farm, The Laggan 140 Chaffinches were on stubble.

 Thursday 27^th August…

Another Mediterranean Gull, this time a first-winter plumaged bird, appeared for about 4 minutes in front of the MSBO (photographed)

Waders were very good again with 3 Ruffs still off-passage (in the morning). Also off-passage - a Greenshank, a Whimbrel (heard), 40 Dunlins, 10 Common Sandpipers, 6 Ruddy Turnstones & around 15 Redshanks. 

In addition, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Bar-tailed Godwits & a few Sanderlings flew S.

Two Red-throated Divers flew S

Terns present included at least 2 Sandwich, 6 Common & a few Arctics.

A Merlin came in off the sea & had a go at the Twites but was unsuccessful.

An adult male Peregrine had more luck & was seen flying off with a Starling tucked under his tail!

One or two White Wagtails were on the point & 3 colour-ringed Twites were at the feeding station.

Friday 28^th August…

The very few off-passage waders that were around today included 3 Bar-tailed Godwits & a Greenshank.

Saturday 29^th August…

A second-winter Little Gull (the first this year) & a Great Skua flew S early morning

Around 360 Black-legged Kittiwakes & 900 Manx Shearwaters flew S / 3hrs.

A total of 9 Bar-tailed Godwits flew S. In addition, 12 Red Knots & 3 Sanderlings also went S.

Sunday 30^th August…

Surprisingly, it was very quiet today with no seabird movements.

Two Whimbrels & 2 Sandwich Terns were off-passage.

Monday 31^st August…

Ruddy Turnstones were the main species on view today with around 30 on the shore.

Two adult Sandwich Terns >S.

July 2009

Fascinating details have been received about one of two ringed Goldfinches that were seen / photographed (digiscoped) at the Seabird Observatory on 14^th April 2009.

X446539 – aged & sexed as a first-winter female – was ringed at Brandon, Suffolk (52 26N 0 36E) on 8^th November 2008.  This is some 533 km SSE of Machrihanish (55 25N 5 46W).  When trapped at Brandon, this individual was almost certainly well on its way to winter on the Continent.  

Summary of rare/scarce observations at the MSBO in July…

On 15^th, an adult Black-throated Diver was seen feeding a juvenile in

Machrihanish Bay.

A female type Pintail was present, briefly, on 1^st then a confiding drake

 Tufted Duck was seen regularly 2^nd – 6^th. 

Possibly this same bird reappeared on 13^th & again on 22^nd.

On 7^th, a pristine adult Mediterranean Gull

 – in full breeding plumage – flew S low across the point

(The 10^th Seabird Observatory record; Eddie Maguire & Derrick Goode).

A fly-by adult Little Ringed Plover on 17^th was the 2^nd MSBO record of this extremely rare passage visitor & only the 3^rd Argyll record

(Eddie Maguire).

Other scarce passage visitors this month included a juvenile

European Golden Plover on 13^th & an adult

Little Tern on 14^th followed by 4 adults on 15^th.

There was a good fall of waders on 26^th including

Red Knots (102 adults), Black-tailed Godwits (8 adults)

& Sanderlings (110).

A surprising arrival of 35 Northern Wheatears

(Probably Greenland race) occurred on 29^th.

At Southend on the night of 4^th-5^th, a ‘most unwelcome’ rarity was a noisy Corncrake by Kilmanshennachan Caravan Park! (Eric Spence et al).

Later, it was heard on many dates to at least 18 July.

Wednesday 1^st July…

A fresh-looking female type Pintail was found amongst the local drake Mallards (all in eclipse plumage) & there was a great showing of Common Scoters with a total of 26 >S during the morning including a disorderly pack of 18; the majority (24) were adult drakes.

A juvenile Lapwing (locally rare) was photographed by the Observatory & 6 Common Sandpipers flew S.

Thursday 2^nd July…

Early morning rain grounded migrant Redshanks; a total of 42 were on the shore although most went S before midday.

The bird of the day was an adult drake Tufted Duck found/photographed early afternoon by the old lifeboat station (a rare bird here at any time).

Another rare visitor here was a very active Weasel that appeared by the Observatory for about an hour in the morning.  Rock Pipits & Pied Wagtails continually nailed its progress through heavy ground cover, updating its position regularly, by hovering overhead. 

Friday 3^rd July…

The drake Tufted Duck was still in ‘the corner‘ by the old lifeboat station & two Mute Swans appeared there too.  The juvenile Lapwing was still present.

An adult Red-throated Diver flew S & 4 adult Dunlins flew N.

Three fledgling Kestrels were seen near the Observatory.

Fledgling passerines at the feeding station included 14 Greenfinches & 8 Goldfinches.

Saturday 4^th July…

A flock of 45 migrant Dunlins (all adults) arrived on the point around midday.

The drake Tufted Duck & the Mute Swans were still present.

A juvenile House Sparrow was an unusual visitor to the feeding station.

Over this weekend, holidaymakers at Kilmanshennachan Caravan Park, near Southend complained about a ‘raucous’ Corncrake; it was very vociferous throughout the night!  (Apparently this bird has been present/calling in the area for about a week).

Sunday 5^th July…

A day-old Shelduck brood (4) brought the total number of ducklings hatched in the Machrihanish area this year to 54 from 9 broods - an all time high.  Also, juvenile Shelducks (4), accompanied by both parents, were seen flying for a short distance today.

Dunlins (60 adults) & Redshanks (35; loads of juveniles) were off-passage & a rather early juvenile Black-headed Gull appeared on the shore.

Around 5 Twites, including a colour-ringed bird, a juvenile House Sparrow, 12 Goldfinches (6 juveniles), 17 Greenfinches (7 adult males, 2 females & 8 juveniles) & 10 Linnets (3 adult males, 2 adult females & 5 juveniles) were noted at the feeding station.

Monday 6^th July…

Both the drake Tufted Duck & the juvenile Lapwing were found at their usual spots & another late in-flight drake Eider was noted.

Oystercatcher passage is now underway; 33 flew S as did 25 Dunlins, 18 Redshanks & 8 Curlews.

The juvenile Black-headed Gull was still roughly where it was found yesterday & a female Mallard appeared with a well-grown brood of 4.

At the feeding station, a male Twite was seen feeding a single juvenile.

Many visitors had great views of an Otter.

Tuesday 7^th July…

At midday, a summer-plumaged adult Mediterranean Gull (ghostly-looking with full black hood) flew S, low over the point - the 10^th Observatory record of this species.

Loads of Gannets (100+) were foraging off the point today; sand eels were ‘running’ & other species involved in the feast included Sandwich, Common & Arctic Terns, a few Cormorants, loads of Shags, Razorbills & Guillemots & a few Kittiwakes & Puffins (3).

At least 80 Redshanks (many juveniles) were off-passage along with 20+ adult Dunlins.

The moulting drake Eider saga continues; three eclipse plumaged (dark-bodied birds) flew S today (most of the drakes in this area are now flightless).

Wednesday 8^th July…            

Quiet!  The first returning Ruddy Turnstone (a juvenile) was logged & 40 Oystercatchers flew S.

Sandwich Terns (2) were rather scarce today although 2 second-summer Arctic Terns were resting on rocks near the tern colony.

The Weasel was seen again, very briefly.

Thursday 9^th July…

The only passage noted was a Red-throated Diver flying N & 6 Curlew & 2 Grey Wagtails flying high to the S.

About 180 Gannets were foraging around the point & a juvenile Peregrine was seen chasing Starlings.   

Small numbers of Manx Shearwaters (< 50) were seen well out on the horizon.

 Friday 10^th July…

Absolutely nothing moving over the sea!

A juvenile Peregrine (possibly the same bird that was around yesterday) attempted to catch a juvenile Black-headed Gull; later it caught a Starling.

At least 5 Kestrels were hunting over the uplands.

The Corncrake was still calling at Southend.

 Saturday 11^th July…

A juvenile Greenshank, a second-summer Arctic & 7 Sandwich Terns + 20 Twite (loads of juveniles) were the most interesting events of what was actually, another very quiet day.

 Sunday 12^th July…

Immature (first-summer) Kittiwakes arrived in the area today; around 100 (many very worn-looking) were loafing in the Bay of Storms, just S of the Observatory.

A few Redshanks (20) & Dunlins (18) were off-passage.

Yes – v quiet again; however, Arctic, Common & a few Sandwich Terns were commuting between feeding grounds & the breeding colony all day; many passed only a few metres from the Observatory (taking a shortcut over the point) giving visitors the opportunity to experience the subtle differences in the structure/jizz & calls of these three very regular species.  All birds, including Sandwich Terns (non-breeders), heading in the direction of the colony were carrying a sand eel.

 Monday 13^th July…

After vanishing 6 days ago (see above), what was obviously the same confiding drake Tufted Duck reappeared; it favoured the same area by the old lifeboat station & rested ashore, as usual, on the slipway!

Two firsts this autumn were a juvenile (European) Golden Plover & an adult Red Knot; both were off-passage all morning.

About 50 Redshanks flew S & around 10 Dunlins were on the shore.

Tuesday 14^th July…

New arrivals today included a ringed adult Little Tern (a very scarce passage visitor – photographed), 115 Sanderlings & 70 adult/sub-adult Common Gulls (no juveniles yet).

A few Redshanks & Dunlins were around & an agitated pair of Ringed Plovers was noted with newly hatched chicks.

Wednesday 15^th July…

Persistent / very peculiar pleading calls coming from the sea alerted us to the presence of 2 Black-throated Divers well out in the Bay; one was a juvenile & later it was seen being fed by the adult.

A Common Guillemot with the first tiny chick of the year was offshore.

Waders included a juvenile Greenshank, 2 adult Red Knots, an adult Ruddy Turnstone & 45 Sanderlings.

Four adult Little Terns were found with ca 50 Arctic Terns (3 were second-summer) that were off-passage by Big Scone Island.

Derrick Goode reported 30+ Swifts over Burnside Square, Campbeltown (the highest count of the year – so far).

Friday 17^th July…

A noteworthy record was an adult Little Ringed Plover that flew NE (calling) towards Machrihanish Bay at 1440hrs.  

Another very late brood (4) of Shelduck (2 days old) brought the total hatched in the Machrihanish area this year to 58 ducklings from 10 broods.

Saturday 18^th July…

Single Whimbrel (the first this autumn) & Greenshank (the third this month) were present (the latter flew S later).         

A notable southerly movement of 75 Shags took 2 minutes to pass the point!

The highest count of Gannets foraging around the point was 130.

The Corncrake was still calling at Kilmanshennachan, Southend.

 Sunday 19^th July…

A Whimbrel, probably the one that was logged yesterday, was off-passage all day & a Greenshank (the fourth this month) flew S.

 Monday 20^th July…

Two juvenile Sandwich Terns arrived today (probably from one of several breeding colonies in nearby N Ireland).

The Whimbrel spent its third day on the point.

  Tuesday 21^st July…

Rain for most of the day suppressed any real movements.

Three Manx Shearwaters flew S together.

Another Greenshank (fifth this autumn), a Whimbrel (fourth day) & 4 Turnstones flew S.

There was also some movement of Ringed Plovers; 30 flew S in about 4hrs. The first juvenile Common Gull, much later than usual, was on the shore.

 Wednesday 22^nd July…

An Arctic Skua (dark phase adult) flew S over the point.

Migrant waders flying S included a Snipe, 3 Whimbrel (including one off-passage for the fifth day), 10 Ruddy Turnstones, 8 Dunlins, 15 Redshanks & 60 Oystercatchers.

A drake Tufted Duck was in the bay (this is possibly the same bird that was present earlier in the month).

Thursday 23^rd July…

A total of 24 Common Sandpipers flew S including a group of 5. 

Also logged flying S were 90 Oystercatchers (largest pack 40), 14 Ringed Plovers, 40 Redshanks, 2 Sanderlings & a Whimbrel (6^th day).   

Two noisy Greenshanks flying high to the S brought this months total to 7.

Five House Sparrows paid a brief visit to the feeding station.

 Friday 24^th July…

A few showers before / just after dawn produced a fall of waders.

A striking adult summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwit was grounded for an hour or so (photographed) early morning along with a good sprinkling of other migrants including an adult Red Knot, a Snipe, the Whimbrel (7^th day off-passage), 60 Sanderlings, 18 Dunlins, 30 Redshanks, 28 Ringed Plovers, 15 Ruddy Turnstones & an early autumn peak of 360 Oystercatchers.  All eventually flew S.

Common Gulls arrived in force; a total of 220 were on the shore but only 6 were juveniles.

Saturday 25^th July…

Southbound Oystercatchers totalled 130 including a loose flock of 70.

A few Sanderlings (10), Dunlins (14), Ringed Plovers (26), Redshanks (20) & Common Sandpipers (11) were in the bay.

The Whimbrel was still of-passage. 

 Sunday 26^th July…

Many more migrant waders were grounded by heavy rain…

A superb pack of 102 adult Red Knots were logged along with 8 Black-tailed Godwits (only one juvenile), 110 Sanderlings, 60 Dunlins, 20 Ruddy Turnstones, 60 Oystercatchers & the Whimbrel (9^th day) & a Greenshank (the latter is the 9^th this month).  

A juvenile Greenland race Northern Wheatear was on the point.

Many observers watched an adult Arctic Tern flying out of sight to the W over Campbeltown.  It would appear that this is yet another seabird species embarking on what is a short overland route from Clyde waters to the Atlantic.

Another remarkable observation was a Mink seen in the Marine Research Laboratory bay at Machrihanish.  It was in the sea & confidently swam a distance of some 200m between two points lugging a rabbit!  One has to admit that, rather than hauling the rabbit overland, transporting this rather substantial prey item by sea appeared to be an ingenious energy saving tactic (Eddie Maguire & Derrick Goode).

 Monday 27^th July…

This was a quiet day with very few migrants.

Another Greenshank flew S (10^th bird this month) & 10 Ruddy Turnstones were off-passage.  The Whimbrel was still holding ‘territory’ (10^th day).

Passerines at the feeding station included 20 Greenfinches, 12 Linnets, 10 Goldfinches, 5 Twites, 2 House Sparrows & a Chaffinch.

An early evening assembly of 40 Swifts over Burnside Square, Campbeltown was the peak count this year (Derrick Goode).

A Greenland type juvenile Wheatear was on the point all day

 Tuesday 28^th July…

The 11^th Greenshank of the month settled on the point for a few minutes & was promptly digiscoped before it departed to the S.

Other wader species flying S were 28 Sanderling, 8 Common Sandpipers & an adult Dunlin & an adult Red Knot.

Four adult Black-tailed Godwits were off-passage all day. 

Yes, the Whimbrel was still present (11^th day). 

A Greenland type juvenile Wheatear was photographed.

Two Peregrines (an adult & a juvenile) were seen circling low over High St, Campbeltown at 0700hrs.  The juvenile was continually pleading loudly; both drifted slowly away to the ESE.     

 Wednesday 29^th July…

A very surprising arrival of juvenile Northern Wheatears occurred; between 0850-0935hrs about 35 birds came in-off-the-sea from the NW.  These were big, rusty-looking birds & almost certainly Greenland race.  After a brief respite they all moved on quickly to the S-SW.

Black-tailed Godwits (3 adults) were still present & roughly 40 Twite were in the area. 

Two juvenile Sandwich Terns were resting in the bay & a Grey Wagtail was heard, then seen, flying high to the S.

The Whimbrel was still present!  

 Thursday 30^th July…

More migrants > S including 70 Ringed Plovers (peak to date), 39 Oystercatchers, 14 Dunlins, 7 Common Sandpipers, 11 Ruddy Turnstones & a Whimbrel.

An adult Peregrine was hunting around the point & a late juvenile Shelduck & the first juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull flew S

The ‘local’ Whimbrel was still foraging in the usual area (13^th day).  

 Friday 31^st July…

Owing to a southerly near gale with driving rain very little was moving.

During the morning, a Whimbrel was heard calling near the point & a few Dunlins were present.

In the afternoon, at least 6 Northern Wheatears (Greenland types) arrived on the point.   

 Monday 1st June…

Members of The Royal Air Force Ornithological Society (RAFOS) Expedition to the Mull of Kintyre visited the Observatory for the afternoon & were rewarded with some very interesting sightings.   

An impressive assembly of 16 Great Northern Divers (most in breeding plumage) & 2 Black-throated Divers (both in non-breeding plumage) were present for most of the afternoon.

A Green Sandpiper flew N close to the Observatory & was seen very well by most observers present (this is an exceptional June record).

Two dark Arctic Skuas (adults) were off-passage all day (harassing Common, Arctic & Sandwich Terns). 

Puffins (3) were offshore.

Tuesday 2^nd June…

A single Black-throated Diver (non-breeding plumage) was on the sea & 2 dark Arctic Skuas, probably the birds reported yesterday, were still boldly patrolling the inshore sea area between the Observatory & the tern colony.

Early evening; Derek Goode reported 25 Common Swifts over Burnside Square, Campbeltown.  In view of the date, it seems reasonable to assume that these birds belong to the local breeding population.

Wednesday 3^rd June…

The first Storm Petrels of the year appeared offshore (5 flew S in 6hrs) & the dark Arctic Skuas were still present. 

As usual, low numbers of Black Guillemots (only 16 birds found) were in Machrihanish Bay.  Shelducks with 11 ducklings (just hatched) in tow were in the bay & 2 colour-ringed male Twites (almost certainly breeding in the area) appeared intermittingly at the feeding station.

Another most unusual June record was a female Gadwall on the shore at Glenbarr Water mouth (RAFOS).

Thursday 4^th June…

A Honey Buzzard was found today.  A dark phase individual was soaring intermittently over Lossit Estate/Ballygroggan uplands

The bird was initially thought to be a Black Kite but photographs revealed its true identity (this constitutes about the 13^th record for Argyll). 

Other raptors over the uplands at the same time included up to 8 Common Buzzards & a male Kestrel.  

Goldfinches (15) were at the feeding station.

Saturday 6^th June…

Sanderlings (12) & Dunlins (9) were in Machrihanish Bay.

Monday 8^th June…

A very warm day.  Common Buzzards (5) were soaring high over Lossit Estate / Ballygroggan Farm & the dark phase Honey Buzzard reappeared several times too.

Sanderlings (20), a single Dunlin & an immature Black-throated Diver were in Machrihanish Bay.

Tuesday 9^th June…

Day-old Shelduck broods (12 & 5) were seen.

Dunlins (3) were in the bay & an adult Golden Eagle was soaring well out to the WSW near Ballygroggan Farm.

About 8 Bottlenosed Dolphins were in Machrihanish Bay.

Thursday 11^th June…

An immature Black-throated Diver, 20 Sanderlings & an adult Peregrine were in the bay.

Two adult Golden Eagles were ranging over the adjacent uplands for ca 15 minutes & later, two male Kestrels appeared.

Saturday 13^th June…

The annual duckling counts between Machrihanish Water mouth & the Seabird Observatory (1 km) revealed some very interesting breeding season totals.  Seven Common Shelduck broods totalled 45 ducklings including a remarkable day-old brood of 14 & the Common Eider total was 58 ducklings including a crèche of 22 with six ducks in attendance.

The first fledgling Goldfinch seen this year was at the feeding station all day & later a pair of Greenfinches appeared with 6 hungry fledglings.

A Guillemot carrying a sand eel indicated hatching at a colony to the SW (Largiebaan) or W (Rathlin Island).   

Sunday 14^th June…

A few late migrants were found today.

Sanderlings (18), Red Knots (2 in non-breeding plumage) & Sandwich Terns (12) were in the bay.  The latter species has been present daily (3–5).   

House Sparrows (3) visited the feeding station (a rare event indeed).

The first Basking Shark seen from the Observatory this year was in Machrihanish Bay & an Otter appeared briefly.

Monday 15^th June…

Around 120 adult Common Eiders (including 79 drakes commencing eclipse plumage) were by Machrihanish Water mouth.

Two drake Common Scoters flew S & 7 Ravens were around the Observatory.  Two fledgling Goldfinches were at the feeding station all day.

Red Knots (2) & Sanderlings (12) were still in the bay & Sandwich Terns (8) were loafing by Big Scone Island.

Wednesday 17^th June…

At last, a tolerable summer seawatch; a force 4 WSW wind switched suddenly to the NW (at 1100hrs) accompanied by light rain/poor visibility.  Seabird passage lasted only for about an hour before rain cleared / sun appeared.  The following species were logged flying S during this period…

Gannet 270, Fulmar 18, Manx Shearwater 190, Storm Petrel 28, Arctic Skua 1 dark phase, Guillemot 6, Black Guillemot 1, Puffin 1 & Curlew 37 juveniles.

A ‘dread’ of Common/Arctic Terns, numbering around 40 (mainly Arctics) was over Big Scone Island.  The tern colony appears to be doing well & there seems to be a plentiful supply of sand eels.  About 5-6 pairs of Commons & 15-18 pairs of Arctics are nesting.

Raptors soaring over Lossit Estate & the uplands included a Peregrine, a male Kestrel & 4 Common Buzzards. 

Sanderlings (6) were scurrying around in the bay.  

Thursday 18^th June…

The first fledgling Linnet appeared at the feeding station. 

A day-old brood of Shelducks (5) was by Big Scone Island.  This brings the total number hatched in the Machrihanish area this year to 50 ducklings from 8 pairs 

Up to 60 Gannets were foraging around the point including many immature birds (1 – 4 years old).  

Friday 19^th June…

Two breeding-plumaged Red-throated Divers flew S very close to the Observatory & a total of 40 Curlews (5 flocks) also flew S.  Small numbers of Manx Shearwaters were foraging around the point.

Feeding station totals included 10 Goldfinches, 18 Greenfinches, 6 Linnets & 3 male Twites.

Saturday 20^th June…

At last…a male Twite (unringed) introduced 4 fledglings to the nyjer feeding station.  Hopefully a few of the colour-ringed adult Twites that we believe are breeding somewhere in the adjacent uplands will arrive soon with fledglings in tow.  

A male Linnet with 3 fledglings & a male Greenfinch with 6 fledglings were also present.

Starlings (145), the majority brown juveniles, were foraging on piles of rotten seaweed for kelp fly maggots.

Six Sand Martins flew S.    

Sunday 21^st June…

An adult Greenshank (a noisy fly-by) going S was a first-rate June record. 

More predictable was the arrival of the first ‘portlandica phase’ (second-summer) Arctic Tern that was found amongst a gathering of non-breeding Sandwich Terns (9) at Big Scone Island.  

At this time of year, southerly passage of juvenile Curlews is usual at the Observatory; today a total of 56 flew S (4 flocks / largest flock 20). 

Many more Guillemots are flying S carrying sand eels.

An Otter was watched & photographed; it was eating a large wrasse on the shore. 

Monday 22^nd June…

Fog banks brought visibility down to 200 metres at times.

The only birds seen moving S were 2 Dunlins, 2 Ringed Plovers & 10 Curlews. 

Grey Wagtails (2 juveniles) were on the shore.

Another brood of Eiders (3; just hatched) brought the total number of ducklings this year to 61.  However, it is not possible to easily monitor duckling survival rates in the area as generally, most of the adult females move broods (often in a crèche) well to the N of Machrihanish village (off the dunes > Westport). 

Tuesday 23^rd June…

A Great Northern Diver (in partial breeding plumage) & a Puffin were seen offshore. 

Many more Common Guillemots (200+) & Razorbills (60+) were foraging in the bay for sand eels (some flew S carrying eels).  Black Guillemots numbered 20 & at least 8 Sandwich Terns were around.

Golden Eagle (1), a male Kestrel & Buzzards (5) were soaring over the uplands. 

Thursday 25^th June…

The June doldrums were very apparent today!

Sandwich Terns (20+) were the pretty much in evidence including one sporting a winter plumage head pattern.

Saturday 27^th June…

Early returning migrants flying S included 4 Redshanks & 2 drake Common Scoters.  S passage of Curlews continued with a total of 70 (largest flock 32).

A drake Eider was seen in flight (the majority are at the flightless moult stage now).

Juvenile Goldfinches (3), Greenfinches (6) & Linnets (3) were at the feeding station all day.   

Tuesday 30^th June…

There was a trickle of migrant waders today with 9 Dunlins & 5 Redshanks.

The feeding station produced a male Lesser Redpoll (photographed) & a colour-ringed male Twite.

Sandwich Terns are still passing through; at least 26 were by the Common/Arctic tern colony today including 6 immature birds with winter plumage type head patterns.

Seabird Observatory adds a new species to Argyll list in 2008

The British Birds Rarities Committee Report for 2008 includes details & acceptance of an adult drake King Eider at Machrihanish on 28^th February & 5^th March.

An adult Black-browed Albatross seen off the Seabird Observatory on 27^th October 2008 was also accepted - this is the first Argyll record!!!

 May 2009

Compiled by Eddie Maguire

The first Shelduck brood (b/4) appeared on 10^th followed by a large brood (b/11) on 18^th.  The first Eider brood (b/2) was seen on 23^rd.

The only Red-throated Diver was a single adult >S on 24^th.

A splendid group of 8 Black-throated Divers was seen on 10^th including 3 that appeared to be in full breeding plumage.  A single in non-breeding plumage was offshore on 20^th - 29^th. 

Pre-migratory groups of summer plumaged Great Northern Divers were regular & peaked at 30 on 20^th.  At least 3 were still present on 29^th.   

The Irish White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme reports that a Co. Kerry satellite tagged male crossed from Co. Antrim (N. Ireland) to the Mull of Kintyre at 0900hrs on 21^st May & roosted at Cnoc Moy 6 km S of Machrihanish that night.

On 22^nd May he travelled N through Argyll roosting 1.5 km S of A87 on the S side of Glen Sheil (8.5 km W of Cluanie Inn).

On 23^rd May he moved N again to Loch Carron & then on to Loch Maree.

On 24^th May he again headed N through Sutherland & roosted on the W side of Kyle of Durness (Andy Robinson RSPB / Paul Daw pers. comm.).  

Whimbrels were present daily by the Observatory with a peak of 75 on 11^th. On this date, a remarkable dark-rumped Whimbrel (all brown upperparts) was spotted flying low around the point at 14:24hrs with 5 white-rumped nominate birds.  The dark-rumped one was probably a Hudsonian Whimbrel (numenius p. hudsonicus) but additional, important subtle plumage differences, that separate this New World subspecies from Whimbrel could not be gleaned from this rather brief (but very exciting) low–level fly-by encounter (the birds were below observer so underparts not seen well).  All 5 birds flew off to the N (Eddie Maguire). 

(The three previous Scottish records of Hudsonian Whimbrel were singles at Fair Isle on 27^th May 1955 & 31^st Aug 2007 & Out Skerries on 24^th July 1974).  Other recent British records include singles on Scilly Sept/Oct 2008 & Gwent 15^th May 2009.       

On 4^th, an extraordinary surprise was an impressive low-level display flight & song from a Purple Sandpiper!  Two birds lingered on the point to 10^th.

Summer-plumaged Red Knots (8) were present on 12^th along with a single winter-plumaged Sanderling that stayed until 18^th.   

Summer-plumaged Dunlins appeared on 13^th (34) & 15^th (14) & a single winter-plumaged Red Knot was also present on 13^th. 

Although still daily, the numbers of Whimbrel were fewer later with a max of only 9 on 17^th. 

On 25^th, 18 Sanderlings were off-passage all day, 10 were present on 27^th & 2 flew N on 30^th.. 

A single Ruddy Turnstone was regular to 8^th then later, a flock of 32 arrived on 19^th.  Birds were recorded daily to the end of the month with a max of 25 on 20^th.

The first Arctic Skua was a single dark phase adult >N on 21^st followed by 3 dark adults >N next day & single dark birds were hunting around the point on 24^th & 28^th – 30^th.

An Iceland Gull (first-summer; faded) appeared by the Observatory on 18^th.

Sandwich Terns were daily with high counts of 32 on 14^th & 30 on 21^st.  An unprecedented 80 birds were present on 24^th (a record count for the MSBO & Argyll).  Around forty were still present on 25^th.  Over recent years, spring passage data at the MSBO has revealed that this species has become a more numerous passage & non-breeding visitor to SW Kintyre, especially in late May.  There was firm evidence of overland passage with 7 birds arriving at Campbeltown Loch from the W on the evening of 28^th & 3 were seen leaving the loch on 29^th & disappearing rapidly to the W (Derrick Goode). 

Common (10) & Arctic Terns (25) both arrived on 10^th & immediately settled at the Big Scone breeding site in Machrihanish Bay.

On 7^th – 8^th, large auks were flying S, mainly inshore, on a narrow front  (wind W force 6 > WSW force 5 with showers).  A total of 1,400 were logged on these dates with the main movement 900 / 5hrs on 8^th.  Surprisingly, Common Guillemot was the main species involved on both dates with identification samples revealing that only 10% were Razorbills.

The highest count of Black Guillemots was only 18 on 22^nd.  

On 10^th, high pressure eventually took charge over western Scotland & the ‘cheery screams’ of the first Swifts (9) were heard over Campbeltown (Derrick Goode et al).  

White Wagtails were daily to 20^th but peaked at only 10 on 2^nd.  A late female appeared on 31^st.

The Observatory feeding station attracted a few species including Goldfinch (max 17 on 3^rd & 29^th) & Twite (max counts 22 on 4^th & 14 on 22^nd) along with a few Linnets & Greenfinches. 

This peak number of Twite suggests a small local breeding population of 12-15 pairs (birds were seen mating by the Observatory & many males were feeding females at the station).  In addition, several colour-ringed birds made intermittent visits to the station daily (apparently breeding birds will travel several kms to a good feeding station; David Sowter pers. com.).  Of particular interest, throughout the last two weeks of May it was predominantly males that visited the feeding station.

On 10^th, a male House Sparrow joined the Twite & on 19^th Siskins (8) paid a fleeting visit to the nyjer feeding station before heading off to the N (a male was photographed). 

On 30^th, there was an astonishing S passage of Painted Lady butterflies; many hundreds passed the Observatory, many well out over the sea!  However, this unprecedented influx was surpassed on the last day of the month when an astounding 500+ flew S (mainly mid to late morning) over a 7hr period.  Many stopped off to feed on available flowers heads including scurvy grass & sea pink (see photo Gallery).  Very few were present on 1^st June.

Carradale…

A male Honey Buzzard was seen well over Monieruadh Wood, Carradale on 1^st (description submitted).  Five Common Crossbills were also at Monieruadh including an adult male & juvs.

Westport Marsh…

The Moorhen that was present 1^st – 6^th was finally spotted again on 27^th feeding a small chick! 

Greater Canada Geese were regular with a max of 5 on 13^th & 9 Greylags were present 1^st – 4^th.

A pair of Gadwalls on 9^th – 10^th was a good find (the only record this spring).

There were a couple of surprises on 24^th; two locally rare species, a Coot & Tufted Ducks (2 drakes & a duck) were present.

A total of 18 Ravens were by the marsh on 25^th & a female Twite & a Sedge Warbler were there on 26^th. 

March-April 2009

The warden was back on duty at the Observatory on 11^th March. 

A lot of necessary maintenance was the main focus during March/early April including building a completely new stock-proof fence. 

Many thanks to farmer Malcolm Holder (Ballygroggan Farm, Machrihanish) for generously supplying equipment and most of the materials for this essential task.      

We did some bird watching too! 

The earliest migrant at the Observatory was a male Northern Wheatear on 18^th March (a beautiful day).  White Wagtails put in a first appearance on 30^th March (2) and 6 Sand Martins flew N on 2^nd April. 

Three White Wagtails were by the Observatory on 5^th April and 2-5 were present daily thereafter with 7 on 14^th.

Our first Swallow (6^th) was followed next day by 20+ going N along with the first House Martin.

Sandwich Terns finally appeared on 7^th April (2) and on this date a Chiffchaff was found sheltering in the Observatory garden (photographed).

There was a brief period of rough onshore weather in early April and this produced the first interesting seabird movement of the year.

During a five-hour seawatch on 4^th April (NW force 5 / poor visibility / rain) 60 Fulmars, 1,700 auks (ca 80% Razorbills), a Great Skua (10:12hrs) and 40 Kittiwakes (3 first-winter) all flew south.

On the sea, small numbers of Great Northern (max in March was 10 on 18^th) and Red-throated Divers (<5 and all immature birds) were regular in Machrihanish Bay.

Black-throated Divers were, as usual, scarce off the point with one on 17^th, four on 18^th (March) and one on 7^th-8^th (photographed) and 14^th April (all immature birds).  

Shelduck peaked at 35 on 21^st March.  Greater Canada Geese have never been logged passing the Observatory in spring (or autumn), however, two birds arrived (just for the day!) on 2^nd April and later, seven flew south on 10^th.  

The hybrid Canada X Barnacle Goose flock (now ca. 48) was regular at The Laggan (this flock was close to 70 birds 3-4 years ago and they are all resident on the peninsula).   

The largest group of White-fronted Geese noted was only 560 near Drumlemble School on 22^nd March.  A single Pinkfoot and 7 Greylags were also present.   

Four Northern Shovelers (including 2 fine drakes) were off-passage by the Observatory all day on 15^th April (photographed) and a single pale-breasted Brent Goose was also off-passage on 16^th April (also photographed).

On 27^th March a Kestrel flew resolutely N (well out / very low over the sea).  Merlin(s) were noted frequently around Machrihanish along with Peregrine(s) and Buzzards (max 8 soaring on 17^th March).  On 17^th April an immature Peregrine came in off the sea.  Sparrowhawks were absent from adjacent shore / upland habitats and are obviously back on woodland territories; however, one was high over Main St, Campbeltown on 8^th April and a female was at Westport Marsh on 12^th April.

Although the Marsh was fairly quiet during March on 22^nd there was a drake Northern Shoveler along with 20 Wigeon, 2 Teal and 8 displaying Lapwings.  

On 17^th March 330 Golden Plovers were high over the Observatory and disappeared rapidly to the S. 

Purple Sandpipers (max 16) and Ruddy Turnstones (max 7) were regular by the Observatory (both peaks on 30^th March). 

The first Sanderling appeared on 12^th April followed by a flock of 37 on 13^th / 14^th April.

At least three Iceland Gulls were in Campbeltown Loch mid March (14^th) including a first-winter (photographed), a second-winter (a fly-by; not photographed) and a third-winter (photographed).  The first and third-winter birds were still around the harbour on 30^th March.    

On 5^th April, 190 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on floodwater at Bleachfield (The Laggan).

The Observatory feeding station was well stocked my mid March and attracted a few Twite immediately.  A Snow Bunting (winter male) was present on 18^th-19^th (photographed at close range) and later a male Reed Bunting (5^th April) and a Siskin (13^th April) were both brief visitors.

Regular species at the station included Twite (max 30 on 12^th April), Linnet (max 12 on 6^th April), Goldfinch (a superb flock and peak of 70 on 14^th April including 2 ringed birds), Chaffinch (max 10 on 19^th March) and Greenfinch (max 6 on 5^th April). 

The ring numbers on the Goldfinches were eventually read via the digiscoping equipment.  X446539 was present 14^th-15^th April and X446463 on 16^th April.

A colour-ringed male Twite arrived at the station on 20^th March.  This individual was photographed at the Observatory in 2007 and 2008; it was ringed at Light Hazzles Reservoir, near Littleborough, Lancashire in January 2006…

History of this Twite at the Observatory feeding station…

Autumn 2007 – present daily 7^th – 23^rd October.

Autumn 2008 – present daily 22^nd September – 12^th October. 

                        Spring 2009 – present for about an hour or so on 20^th March.

Light Hazzles reservoir is about 308 km south of Machrihanish. 

Another individual ringed at Cant Clough, near Burnley and present at the Observatory last October reappeared again in early April and was last seen on 21^st April.

The seven colour-ringed Twite seen (and photographed) at the Observatory during autumn 2006 / 2008 were ringed during winter, the majority in NW England (Lancashire).  However, and of particular interest, one was ringed in winter on the W coast of Co. Donegal.   

A further 4 new colour-ringed Twites were snapped in early April this year (details pending) bringing the total number of colour ringed birds photographed at the Observatory to eleven.

A couple of Magpies were spotted; one was near Tarbert on 5^th March (Iomhar McMillan) and one was at Killellan Park on 22^nd March (D. Robertson et al).

On 17^th April the first Whimbrel of the year (a single, very nervous bird) appeared for a few minutes before flying off N.  A remarkably bright breeding-plumaged male Lesser Redpoll (not at all shy) joined the Twites and Goldfinches at our feeding station for most of the day (it was photographed many, many times).

On 18^th April at least 12 Sandwich Terns and 30 Sanderlings were in the area and 5 Greylags flew S.  The numbers of finches at the feeding station decreased considerably with only 17 Goldfinches and 20 Twites along with a few Greenfinches, Chaffinches and Linnets.     

The very colourful male Lesser Redpoll returned to the feeding station on 19^th April and a new colour ringed Twite was photographed there too (the 7^th so far this spring!).

On 20^th another colour-ringed Twite (the 8^th this spring) was photographed, 7 Whimbrels were off-passage and around 18 Sandwich Terns were present.  Three Purple Sandpipers and a pack of Great Northern Divers (11) were also logged.   

A stiff westerly breeze brought in the first Puffins of the year on 21^st April; 6 were found amongst 800 auks (ca 70% were Razorbills) that went south in 5 hrs from mid-morning.  Sandwich Terns (20+) and White Wagtails (12) were the main species on view on this date.  In addition, 6 Siskins flew N (calling) high over the Observatory, a single Whimbrel was off-passage and 35 Twites were at the feeding station including 5 colour-ringed birds (no new colour combinations).    

Whimbrel passage picked up on 22^nd with a compact flock of 16 flying N well offshore and a single bird was still off-passage. 

Male Twites have been singing, and squabbling too, for most of the month (often all day); many were noted feeding females that were begging for food (like fledglings) and coition was noted many times by the feeding station.

Migrants on 23^rd April included 20 Redshanks, 51 Oystercatchers and 20+ White Wagtails.  A single Ruddy Turnstone was logged. 

Westport Marsh also produced a few migrants during this period; on 23^rd, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 15 Whimbrels were there.  Next day, the Black-tails had increased to 5 and also present were a fine drake Shoveler along with 8 Teal and a White Wagtail.  On 25^th, the Black-tailed Godwits numbered 6 then, on 26^th (after heavy rain the previous evening), a pair of summer-plumaged Little Grebes was the main attraction (on this date a summer-plumaged Little Grebe was still in Campbeltown Loch).

With 5 pairs of Lapwings, this important wetland habitat remains the local breeding stronghold for this endangered species.  

In Campbeltown, a Blackcap was singing by Killean Place (High St) on 25^th (not heard at this location in previous years).

On 27^th April a female Long-tailed Duck was found in Machrihanish Bay.

There was no sign of the Little Grebes at Westport Marsh on 28^th April, however, 8 Greylags and 3 Greater Canada Geese were present, and next day (29^th) a Moorhen had taken up residence (a scarce species here indeed!)     

The Moorhen was still at Westport Marsh on 30^th; 6 Teal and 5 Shelduck were also there along with 11 Greylag and 3 Greater Canada Geese.  33 Shelduck were in a field by Stewarton.

On the same date a Brent Goose (pale-breasted), a Common Scoter (female), 3 Whimbrel and 9 White Wagtails were logged by the Observatory.

Finally, a small pod of Bottlenosed Dolphins (max 8-10) was seen offshore on many dates during March-April and a dog Otter was frequently active in the rock pools by the Observatory, predominantly during flood tide periods.

Stop Press…

1^st May.  A Honey Buzzard was soaring over Monieruadh Wood, Carradale at 10:00 hrs (Eddie Maguire).