Bird Sightings from the Isle of Tiree, Argyll: June 2009
Best bird was the second-summer Laughing Gull at Loch a’ Phuill (13th), just the second record for Tiree and presumably the same bird that was seen on neighbouring Coll on 2nd. Other good birds included a male Bluethroat, the first for Tiree, at Kilkenneth (1st), a migrant female Red-necked Phalarope (13th), plus calling Quail (12th) and Spotted Crake (3rd-11th). Scarce island birds included a European White-fronted Goose paired to a Greylag Goose at Balinoe throughout, 2 drake Scaup at Loch Bhasapol (3rd), a Sandwich Tern off Caoles (14th), a rare June Kestrel at Ceann a’ Mhara (12th), Short-eared Owls at The Reef (10th) and Crossapol (27th), a Mealy Redpoll at Balephuil (2nd), up to 2 Turtle Doves at Moss (28th-30th) and a late 1st-summer Glaucous Gull at Ruaig (to 5th).

Other late landbird migrants included 3 Swifts at Carnan Mor (1st), a Cuckoo (13th), 8 House Martins (to 30th), 2 Spotted Flycatchers (to 14th), a Blackcap at Balephuil (2nd), 7 Chiffchaffs (to 14th), and a very late (or early?) Robin at Balephuil (27th).

Late passage waders included 3 Knot at Loch a’ Phuill (13th), single Greenshank at Loch a’ Phuill (13th-15th) and Caoles (14th), 2 Black-tailed Godwits plus 3 Whimbrel at Loch Bhasapol (15th) and 2 Golden Plover at The Reef (30th). The Corncrake census revealed some 386 calling males, whilst other breeding records included the first apparent breeding attempt on Tiree by Puffins at Ceann a’ Mhara, the first-ever breeding attempt on Tiree by House Martins at Loch an Eilein, one pair of Common Sandpipers, up to three pairs of Lesser Redpoll and several Pintail, Shoveler and Gadwall broods.                     John Bowler

There was strong wader passage with peaks at Gott Bay of 1,700 Sanderling (16th), 400 Ringed Plover (12th), 1,600 Dunlin (15th) and 64 Knot (16th), whilst there were 110 Whimbrel and 35 Black-tailed Godwits around the island (10th). Included in the wader passage were 2 fine red Curlew Sandpipers at Gott Bay (15th), 2 Ruff, a Grey Plover at Traigh Bhagh (15th), 55 Black-tailed Godwits and a high total of some 124 Knot. Late Great Northern Divers included a count of 31 (10th), whilst some 14 Whooper Swans lingered into the month. Other scarce waterfowl included a European White-front paired to a Greylag at Balinoe, a late Greenland White-front at Balephetrish (10th), a female Garganey at Balinoe (30th), at least 3 pairs of Gadwall, up to 2 Canada Geese and 25 Pale-bellied Brent (to 11th). Scarce breeders included 1 pair of Common Sandpipers and 4 reeling Grasshopper Warblers. Corncrakes returned in good numbers in the first two weeks of the month with several hundred calling males around the island.                                 John Bowler

Obvious passage included influxes of 440 Pale-bellied Brent (20th), 290 Black-tailed Godwits (21st) and up to 5,125 Golden Plover at The Reef (16th). Corncrakes returned from 9th with some 30 scattered males back by the month-end. The Greenland White-fronts mostly departed on 11th, whilst 1,400 Barnacle Geese departed at dusk from Ruaig (12th) but odd birds remained of both species at the month-end. Some 20 Goldfinches passed through, plus 8 Goldcrests (1st-11th), 9 Chaffinches, 5 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs and 2 Dunnocks, whilst there were 49 Great Northern Divers in Hynish Bay (28th). Further returning migrants included House Martin (7th), Sandwich Tern (7th), Little Tern (14th), Willow Warbler (10th), Blackcap (11th), Cuckoo (17th), Arctic Tern (25th) Grasshopper Warbler (27th), Whimbrel (28th), Sedge Warbler (28th) and Common Sandpiper (29th), whilst up to 4 pairs of Gadwall was a good tally.            John Bowler

There were further influxes of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, plus some 250 Pied Wagtails by 18th, whilst Whooper Swan passage was noted (19th-30th). Up to 3,620 Golden Plovers gathered at The Reef (19th). Scarce wildfowl included one pair each of Gadwall and Pintail, plus up to 10 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay (15th) and two Moorhens at Balephuil all-month.

An all-island count (17th-18th) found a total of 3,725 Barnacle Geese, as well as 979 Greenland White-fronts, 3,363 Greylags, 1-2 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Pale-bellied Brent.       John Bowler

An all-island count (16th & 18th) found 3,362 Barnacle Geese, 691 Greenland White-fronts and 3,592 Greylags plus 6 Pink-footed Geese and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, as well as 137 Whooper Swans, 4,910 Lapwing and 2,960 Golden Plover. Scarce waterfowl included 2 Coot at Loch Bhasapol (26th), a drake Pochard at Loch Riaghain (16th), a Gadwall at Loch an Eilein (16th) and an immature Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill (6th-8th). Raptors included up to 3 Hen Harriers, the odd Merlin, 4 Kestrel, 4 Sparrowhawk and 3 Peregrine throughout. High wader counts included 53 Purple Sandpipers at Salum Bay (14th), 240 Turnstones at Loch a’ Phuill (16th), 145 Ringed Plovers at Balepherish Bay (10th) and 70 Sanderling at Ruaig  (16th).      John Bowler

An all-island count (12th-13th) found 3,118 Barnacle Geese, 690 Greenland White-fronts and 3,620 Greylags plus 5 Pink-footed Geese and a large race Canada Goose, as well as 2,980 Lapwing and 3,120 Golden Plover. Scarce waterbirds included 2 Coot and a Little Grebe at Loch Bhasapol, a Gadwall at Loch an Eilein (4th-19th), 28 Shoveler, 6 Pintail at Loch Riaghain and 3 Grey Plovers. Raptors included up to 3 Hen Harriers, 6 Merlin, 3 Kestrel, 4 Sparrowhawk and 2 Peregrine throughout. High wader counts included 60 Purple Sandpipers at Hough Bay (4th), 160 Turnstones at Balephetrish Bay (12th), 195 Ringed Plovers at Sorobaidh Bay (15th) and 190 Sanderling at Hough Bay (4th).

The best birds were the drake Ring-necked Duck that remained all month at Loch Bhasapol and the female Surf Scoter that remained with up to 13 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay, although the Little Stint at Gott Bay on 16th was the first confirmed winter record for Argyll. Other winter scarcities included a 1st-winter Iceland Gull at The Reef (15th), a Woodcock at Balemartine (15th), at least 3 Water Rails at Balephuil, a Short-eared Owl at Moss (5th), a Dunnock at Balemartine (15th), a late Blackcap at Balephuil (3rd) and a Pied Wagtail at Gott Tip (16th). Some 150 Redwings remained at the end of the month whilst 2 Fieldfares were noted (5th) and up to 8 Goldfinches wintered.

An all-island count (16th-17th) found 2,907 Barnacle Geese, 674 Greenland White-fronts, 3,046 Greylags plus 4 Pink-footed Geese and 1 Pale-bellied Brent, as well as 4,435 Lapwing and 3,415 Golden Plover. Raptors included up to 4 Hen Harriers, 6 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and 4 Peregrine throughout. High wader counts included 85 Purple Sandpipers at Hough Bay (30th), 180 Ringed Plovers at Balephetrish Bay (16th) and 240 Sanderling at Hough Bay (30th).

Best bird was a surprise Great Grey Shrike at Cornaigbeg (12th) – the first record for Tiree. A drake Ring-necked Duck arrived at Loch Bhasapol (14th) and remained to the month end, whilst a female Surf Scoter at Hough Bay (16th-30th) is likely to be the returning bird from winter 07/08. A late influx of warblers involved a Lesser Whitethroat at Balephuil (2nd), at least 5 Blackcaps (1st-5th), 5 Goldcrests (3rd-9th) and 2 Chiffchaffs (2nd) including an abietinus-type bird at Balephuil. Rarer for Tiree however were a Treecreeper at Cornaigbeg (12th), no less than 10 Long-tailed Tits around West Tiree (1st-10th), a Mistle Thrush at Carnan Mor (5th), a Brambling at Balephuil (6th) and a Barn Owl at Heanish (5th). Up to 5 Waxwings were in West Tiree (2nd-6th), Snow Buntings included flocks of 14 at Traigh nan Gilean (1st), up to 7 at Sorobaidh Bay (7th-15th), 3 at Gott Bay (18th) and 1 at Port Ban (28th) and there were up to 4 Pied Wagtails, 5 Dunnocks, and a dozen Goldfinches. Winter gulls included a 1st-winter Glaucous Gull at Sorobaidh Bay (7th) and an adult Glaucous Gull off Aird (15th). Seawatching off Aird in NW gales produced single Little Auks (11th and 15th), a record count of 14 Grey Phalaropes (11th), 3 Little Gulls (11th), 2 Puffins (11th) and a very late Arctic Tern (11th). Scarce seabirds included 2 Grey Phalaropes in Gunna Sound (4th) with 2 Common Scoters there (12th). 

An all-island count (12tht-14th) found 2,345 Barnacle Geese, 3,209 Greylags and 695 Greenland White-fronts plus 4 Pinkfeet and a Light-bellied Brent, together with 139 Whooper Swans, 3,540 Golden Plovers and 2,680 Lapwings. Other waterfowl included 53 Great Northern Divers and 12 Red-throated Divers around SW Tiree (1st), 2 Little Grebes (12th-24th), 2 Coot (29th), 17 Shelduck (from 25th), 91 Tufted Ducks (24th), 45 Goldeneye (24th), 4 Pochard (14th), 23 Shoveler (24th), 391 Teal (24th),15 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay (29th) plus 2 Moorhens and 5 Water Rails. Waders included 120 Purple Sandpipers at Hough Bay (16th), 130 Ringed Plovers at Balephetrish Bay (29th), 130 Turnstones at Rubha Chraiginis (16rd), plus an influx of over 20 Woodcock (2nd-17th). Raptors included at least 5 different Merlins, 3 Hen Harriers, 4 Sparrowhawks, 5 Peregrine and 6 Kestrels.

Best birds were a long-staying Short-toed Lark at The Reef (12th-29th), the first for Argyll if confirmed and a brief adult male Lesser Grey Shrike at Balephuil (6th). More predictable was an adult Hobby at Salum (18th), a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Loch a’ Phuill (26th) with 2 there (30th) and a Balearic Shearwater off Aird (27th). Island scarcities included a Black Redstart at Vaul (18th), a Pied Flycatcher at Balephuil (31st), 1-2 Redstarts at Carnan Mor (24th-31st), 2 Garden Warblers at Balephuil/Carnan Mor (31st), 2 Goldfinches at Kilmoluaig (5th), 2 early Goldcrests at Carnan Mor (9th), an early Chiffchaff at Balephuil (27th-31st), some 13 Swifts including 12 on 18th, 14 House Martins (9th-16th) and Short-eared Owls at Cornaig (5th) and Heylipol (13th-14th). High numbers of Lesser Redpolls, included a newly fledged brood of 4 young in the west of the island – just the second year of successful breeding here.

Sea-watching was generally slow with just 5 Sooty Shearwaters logged (from 19th), 25 Bonxies and 4 Arctic Skuas, although southerlies produced some 182 Storm Petrels off Mannal in 6 hours (23rd) and 3 Common Terns dropped in to Loch a’ Phuill (9th). Wader passage was mixed with good numbers of Knot appearing in flocks of up to 45 birds and peaks of 200 Dunlin at Gott Bay (18th), 2,500 Lapwing (27th), 1,200 Golden Plover (27th), 800 Sanderling at Gott Bay (18th), 370 Ringed Plover at Gott Bay (18th) and 35 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch a’ Phuill (26th). Scarcer waders included an early Woodcock at Cornaigbeg (6th), 9 Greenshanks, 3 Green Sandpipers (4th-20th), 1 Whimbrel (18th) and 2 Ruff at Barrapol (27th). A Pink-footed Goose was at Salum (28th) and a Canada x Greylag hybrid was at Middleton (27th). 6 Whooper Swans remained at Loch a’ Phuill with another at Milton, whilst Red-throated Divers returned offshore from 4th. Returning wintering raptors included regular Hen Harriers (from 2nd), Merlins (from 8th), Sparrowhawks (from 19th) and Kestrels (from 4th), whilst there was an early influx of juvenile Robins (from 2nd). 

The final total of calling Corncrakes was 413 – some 5% up on the 2007 count and a new record high. The Little Terns also did well again, producing some 61 fledglings from 2 sites, whilst fledged broods were noted of Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler and Wigeon – the latter species proven breeding for the first time on the island. Shags had a good breeding year, whilst the auks, Fulmars and Arctic Terns produced only small numbers of young and the Kittiwakes failed completely as they did in 2007.                                         Dr John Bowler

At least 3 Whooper Swans summered, whilst mostly avoiding the rain, Tiree had a generally good breeding season with lots of young waders about. The Corncrake total was around 391 calling males, the same as in 2007, whilst 20 Little Terns fledged from one colony, with other chicks still to come. The auks, Fulmars and Arctic Terns were still on eggs/small chicks at the end of the month, but Shags had another bumper breeding year.
Wigeonl and Great Skua were recorded as breeding on the island for the first time 

There was intermittently strong wader passage with a massive count at Gott Bay (22nd) of 600 Ringed Plovers, 1,300 Dunlin and a record 2,900 Sanderling. Included in the wader passage were 4 Little Stints (17th-29th), a fine red Curlew Sandpiper at Loch a’ Phuill (28th-31st), 1-2 Ruff (28th), a Grey Plover at Loch a’ Phuill (28th), groups of up to 24 Whimbrel and some 31 Knot. There were scattered groups of up to 10 Great Northern Divers in the bays and some 20 Whooper Swans lingered into the month. Other scarce waterfowl included at least 4 pairs of Gadwall, 2 Pinkfeet at Loch a’ Phuill (28th), a Canada Goose at Moss (19th), 8 Pale-bellied Brent (to 6th) and a drake Scaup at Balephetrish Bay (31st). Scarce breeders included Common Sandpipers at 2 sites and 3 reeling Grasshopper Warblers. Corncrakes returned in good numbers in the first two weeks of the month with several hundred calling males around the island.

John Bowler

Best birds were an Osprey at Balephuil (25th) - the second record for Tiree, Bullfinches at Carnan Mor (19th-24th) and Mannal (19th) – the fourth and fifth records, a Blue Tit at Mannal (22nd-23rd) and rare spring Siskins at Moss (11th) and Balephuil (29th). Other spring scarcities included a drake Garganey and a Slavonian Grebe at Loch a’ Phuill (23rd-24th), a Coot at Loch Bhasapol (25th), a 1st-winter Iceland Gull at Loch Bhasapol (17th), a 1st-winter Glaucous Gull at The Reef (5th), a Lesser Redpoll at Balephuil (27th) and a handful of Greenland Wheatears (28th-30th). Scarcer waders included Jack Snipe at Ceann a’ Mhara (9th) and near the Ringing Stone (12th), a Greenshank at Balephetrish Bay (25th) and a Knot at Balephetrish Bay (28th).

Obvious passage included some 140 Pale-bellied Brent through (16th-28th), up to 5,500 Golden Plover at The Reef (23rd), 45 Fieldfares (4th-5th), over 400 Redwings (to 26th) and over 60 Whimbrel plus small groups of Black-tailed Godwits (from 17th) with 42 at Barrapol (30th). Corncrakes returned from 15th with scattered males back by the month-end. There was sporadic passage of Whooper Swans with 41 birds at Loch Bhasapol (7th) and 16 birds remaining at the month-end together with a Black Swan, which arrived on 16th.The Greenland White-fronts departed on 15th, whilst 1,000 Barnacle Geese departed from Ruaig the same evening. 50 White Wagtails passed through (from 7th) plus 15 Goldcrests (2nd-29th), 3 Chaffinches and 7 Goldfinches, whilst there were 28 Great Northern Divers in Hynish Bay (11th). Returning migrants included Linnet (4th), Chiffchaff (9th), Sand Martin (13th), Little Tern (15th), Swallow (16th), Common Tern (16th), Willow Warbler (20th), Whimbrel (23rd), Blackcap (26th), Arctic Tern (28th) and Sedge Warbler (28th), whilst 4 pairs of Gadwall was a good tally (from 7th). 

John Bowler

Tiree Sightings: March 2008

Best bird was the long-staying 1st-winter female Surf Scoter, which remained at Hough Bay until at least 23rd, whilst the male Black Redstart showed again at Scarinish (3rd). Gulls included a presumed 1st-winter Yellow-legged Gull that was photographed at Cornaig (28th-29th), a presumed 3rd-year intermedius Lesser Black Back at Cornaig (28th), a 1st-winter Iceland Gull at Loch an Eilein (17th), an adult Iceland Gull at Cornaig (29th) and up to four 1st-winter Glaucous Gulls at various sites (3rd-31st). Spring migrants were sparse with the predominantly northerly winds but included a Great Tit at Moss (17th), 2 Dunnocks at Kenovay (9th), single Wheatears at Hynish and Baugh (25th), 2 Goldcrests at Balephuil (26th-31st), 3 White Wagtails at Traigh nan Gilean (27th), a Short-eared Owl at Kenovay (31st) and Goldfinches at Meningie (4th), Scarinish (7th) and Baugh (25th).

There were further influxes of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, plus some 50 Pied Wagtails by 17th, whilst heavy Whooper Swan passage was noted from 17th including 208 birds around West Tiree (28th). Up to 3,000 Golden Plovers gathered at The Reef (6th). Scarce wildfowl included 2 Scaup at Loch Bhasapol until 17th, plus up to 16 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay (30th) and a Moorhen at Balephuil (30th-31st), whilst Woodcock were noted at Balemartine (8th) and Balephuil (20th).

An all-island count (17th-18th) found a total of 3,430 Barnacle Geese, as well as 803 Greenland White-fronts, 3,430 Greylags, 4 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Pale-bellied Brent.

John Bowler

The 1st winter female Surf Scoter remained from January with Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay until at least 15th.  More unexpected was a smart male Black Redstart near Scarinish Pier (2nd-6th). Winter gulls included two different 1st-winter Glaucous Gulls at Balephetrish Bay (11th-16th) and Rubha Chraiginis (16th), and a 2nd-winter Iceland Gull at Gott Bay (11th), plus up to 4 adult Black-headed Gulls, a very early Lesser Black-backed Gull at Balephuil (8th) and an all-white Common Gull (1st-12th). A freshly dead Great Skua at Hough Bay (13th) was unseasonal. A pair of Scaup remained at Loch Bhasapol throughout together with a Coot and up to 2 Little Grebes. Long-tailed Ducks peaked at 26 (16th) and up to 3 Water Rails were at Balephuil all month. 

Two Icelandic leg-flagged Sanderlings wintered at Balephetrish Bay. An influx of Goldfinches involved widespread groups of up to 5 birds, there were up to 6 Chaffinches at Balephuil and Hynish, plus flocks of up to 70 Twite. A Woodcock was at Balephuil (2nd), Sparrowhawks were at Balephuil (12th) and Kilmoluaig (18th) and a lone Fieldfare was at Balephetrish Hill (6th). Some 300 Redwings remained mid-month and a group of 45 were in sub-song at Crossapol (7th).

An all-island goose count (11th-12th) found 3,393 Barnacle Geese, 787 Greenland White-fronts, 3,509 Greylags plus 3 Pink-footed Geese, 1 hybrid Canada x Greylag Goose and 2 Pale-bellied Brent, as well as island totals of 123 Whooper Swans, 4,000+ Golden Plovers and 4,000+ Lapwings. A colour-ringed Barnacle Goose at Balephetrish (6th) had been ringed at Caerlaverock in February 2004 and is thus likely to be from the Svalbard population. The Coll flock of around 25 Snow Geese showed well from the Oban ferry as they flew around Soa (19th).                                                John Bowler

Star bird was the 1st winter female Surf Scoter which appeared amongst the Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay (6th) and remained there for the rest of the month, often feeding in the surf just off the beach. Winter gulls included a 1st-winter Glaucous Gull at Loch an Eilein (5th) and a 1st-winter Iceland Gull at Loch a’ Phuill (19th), plus Black-headed Gulls at Aird (9th) and Sorobaidh Bay (15th), and an all-white Common Gull at Loch a’ Phuill (11th-21st). A pair of Scaup remained at Loch Bhasapol throughout together with a Coot and 2 Little Grebes, whilst Shelducks returned en masse, Long-tailed Ducks peaked at 25 (21st) and up to 3 Water Rails were at Balephuil all month. 3 Grey Plovers were at Greenhill/Sandaig (12th) and an Icelandic leg-flagged Sanderling wintered at Balephetrish Bay. A lone Dunnock wintered at Scarinish, whilst finch numbers picked up and included minima of 7 Goldfinches, 8 Greenfinches and 6 Chaffinches in the Balephuil /West Hynish area, plus widespread flocks of up to 60 Twite. 1-2 Short-eared Owls were at Cornaigbeg and Balephetrish, a Woodcock was at Ben Hynish (2nd), a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk wintered at Balephuil. A Rock Pipit feeding on moorland at the top of Ben Hynish (140m) was a long way from the shore (2nd).

Some 30-40 Great Northern Divers were offshore with a dozen Red-throated Divers, plus small numbers of Gannets throughout, including 10 in Sorobaidh Bay (5th). Fulmars returned in increasing numbers to the breeding colonies and a dead Puffin was at Sorobaidh Bay (13th) with 4 live birds off SW Coll (29th). An all-island goose count (14th-15th) found 3,439 Barnacle Geese, 720 Greenland White-fronts, 3,376 Greylags plus 3 Pink-footed Geese, 1 large-race Canada Goose and 2 Pale-bellied Brent, as well as island totals of 135 Whooper Swans, 4,180 Golden Plovers and 4,405 Lapwings. 
John Bowler