Machrihanish Seabird Observatory
March Report 2015
Compiled by Eddie Maguire (warden)
Unless indicated photographs are by the warden
MSBO Photo of the Month
Twite: this bird was colour-ringed at MSBO during autumn 2014 and reappeared 15th – 31st March 2015
Quiz...
Q: What’s up when it’s down - but down when it’s up?
A clue to solving this avian puzzle can be found in one of the photographs in this report
Prize for the first correct answer = MSBO 20th Anniversary DVD
Answer / Reply to – msbowarden@yahoo.com
Vagrant Rock Pipit sub-species now accepted as the Second Argyll Record...
Exceptional news this month: a pipit showing many plumage characteristics of the
sub-species Scandinavian Rock Pipit was photographed at MSBO on 18th May
2014. This has now been accepted by Scottish Birds Records Committee as the
second Argyll record (Jim Dickson / Argyll Bird Recorder pers. comm. / 25th March
2015).
It is interesting to note that the first Argyll record of this sub-species occurred on the
island of Mull on the curious date of 13th May 2011.
The Scandinavian Rock Pipit by MSBO 18th May 2014
Long-tailed Skua record MSBO 2014.
A description of a juvenile >S off MSBO on 25 th October 2014 has been accepted by
Argyll Bird Club (Jim Dickson / Argyll Bird Recorder 31st March 2015).
List of Selected Species
Shelduck
A loose flock of 23 was present on 16th.
Pintail
A drake was photographed on 10th. This is likely the same individual that was on the
nearby Strath Farm floodwater a few days earlier (see Records from around
Kintyre below).
Common Scoter
A drake >S on 7th.
Eider
A welcome – if slight - increase in local numbers was apparent with a peak of 78
birds on 16th.
This species has declined locally. Since the MSBO was established (1993 – with
data from 1989) the spring pre-breeding club has held 200+ birds annually: however,
during spring 2014 < 50 birds were present (a decrease of around 75%).
Red-throated Diver
Regular in small numbers all month but mainly immature. Max count 7 on 11th.
Breeding plumaged adults >S on 19th and 30th.
Black-throated Diver
Single (s) on 10th and 17th.
Great Northern Diver
The commonest diver off Machrihanish at this time of year. Numbers relatively low
this month but often a dramatic increase occurs as spring progresses. Max count
was 14 on 16th.
The first sign that breeding plumage was appearing on some birds was noted on 11th
(white spots appearing on mantle) and a bird with a partial ‘necklace’ was seen on
27th.
Lapwing
Five were resting at the Point on 10th.
Quite scarce / usually a passage visitor in small numbers off / by MSBO.
Lapwing by MSBO 10th March
Purple Sandpiper
The max number seen on the point was 9 on 10th.
Sanderling
Flock 8 >N on 22nd.
Whimbrel
The first bird of spring >N (calling) on 19th.
Greenshank
The first bird of the spring >N (calling) on 17th.
Rudy Turnstone
The maximum number noted was 12 on 14th.
Black-legged Kittiwake
31st – W gale event: a total of 440 >S / 6hrs. All were aged revealing that 280 / 440
(64%) were first-winter.
Iceland Gull
Two birds: a first-winter >S on 8th and a second-winter was photographed on 9th.
First MSBO records this year.
Iceland Gull (second-winter) by MSBO 9th March
Auks
28th - WNW near gale event: a total of 665 >S / 5hrs. Photographic samples (n=
271) of many small ‘trains’ revealed that the majority (87%) were Razorbill and 233 /
236 of these were in breeding plumage. All 35 Guillemots found in the
were in breeding plumage and 2 of these (6%) were bridled variants.
31st – W gale event f6 with regular vicious squalls increasing wind speeds
A total of 347 >S / 6hrs. Photographic samples revealed (again) that
majority (97%) were Razorbill and all were in full breeding plumage.
Guillemot were noted and 10 / 12 were in full breeding plumage.
samples
to f9-10.
the vast
Only 12
Wheatear
The first bird seen at MSBO this year was a male on 25th. Two were seen later the
same day (John Nadin pers. comm.).
Twite
The first spring birds (2) appeared at MSBO feeding station on 13th.
Birds colour-ringed at MSBO during autumn 2010 (2), spring 2011 (1), autumn 2013
(2) and autumn 2014 (1) were regular at MSBO feeding station 15th - 29th.
More MSBO Twite in Northern Ireland.
A bird colour-ringed at MSBO during autumn 2014 was seen at St John’s Point,
County Down on 15th March (George Gordon / Tim Murphy pers. comm.).
Another, ringed during autumn 2013 was at Island Magee, just north of the entrance
to Belfast Loch, County Antrim on 22nd (George Gordon / Cameron Moore pers.
comm.).
Records from around Kintyre
Whooper Swan
Three adults were by Strath Farm, The Laggan 1st -17th.
Late report: these birds were seen near this location during February (Marj Fraser
pers comm.).
Wigeon
Flock 108 on floodwater by Strath Farm / The Laggan on 5th and 53 there on 8th.
Pintail
A fine adult drake was sleeping on floodwater by Strath Farm / The Laggan on 5 th,
seen there again on 6th and photographed in reasonable light on 8th.
Sparrowhawk
A rather large female was circling over Burnside Square in the centre of
Campbeltown on 24th with c. 40 Jackdaws in hot pursuit and c. 60+ feral pigeons
were swirling overhead.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
The first-winter at Campbeltown Harbour was still present on 3rd / 12th / 18th / 24th /
25th / 27th (see January / February Report).
Two adults were on floodwater at Strath Farm / The Laggan on 5th with 5 adults there
next day. 11 adults were by West Parkfergus by Machrihanish on 10th.
Increasing numbers apparent (33) at 4 sites at The Laggan on 15th.
Iceland Gull
Campbeltown: 3 first-winters were seen often - 8th / 15th / 24th / 25th and 27th (Eddie
Maguire / John Nadin / Chris Bradshaw) (two were typical first-winter (biscuit)
plumaged and one was much faded).
However, 4 first-winters appeared later on 25th and included 2 faded plumaged birds
and 2 typical (biscuit) plumaged types (John Nadin et al pers. comm.).
A rather faded first-winter was photographed at Ballochroy, S of Clachan on 23rd
(Chris Bradshaw pers. comm.).
Iceland Gull (first-winter / faded plumage) Campbeltown 3rd March
Iceland Gull (first-winter) Ballochroy 23rd March / Photo Chris Bradshaw
Black Guillemot
At Campbeltown harbour on 25th a local fisherman was amazed at the remarkably
swift demise of a Tystie: the bird surfaced with a tiny crab and was seized instantly
by a Great Black-backed Gull and...Swallowed whole (Raymond Morrison pers.
comm.).
Wheatear
The first one seen in Kintyre this year was on the golf course at Carradale on 20th
(Alasdair Paterson / Argyll Bird Club website) then one was at Peninver on 22nd
(Colin Bradshaw pers. comm.).
Magpie
Campbeltown: resident pair regular all month (Bobby Millar et al pers. comm.).
One at Carradale on 20th has apparently been there for at least a year (Alasdair
Paterson / Argyll Bird Club website).
Raven
Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC: ex RAF / Defence Estates):
nesting (again) on old American military watchtower with bird incubating on 6th.
Also, nesting again at Anderson Park, by Campbeltown.
Access to MACC by permit only.
Note: Campbeltown Airport (no access) borders MACC.
Raven nest: bird incubating on old American military watchtower at MACC 6th March
Yellowhammer
Southend – five birds (inc. 2 males) were still regular in a garden at Millpark all
month (Roy / Susie Bennett pers. comm.).
Drumlemble – a pair visited a garden on 25th (Donald Brown pers. comm.).
Brown Hares by Drumlemble School - The Laggan 1st March 2015
Put ‘em up!
Male on right / male holds ears upright in all photos and appeared to do all the leaping
Courtship involves boxing: this well-known ‘mad March hare’ behaviour
apparently involves an unreceptive female fending off a passionate male!
Iceland Gull (first-winter / typical plumage) Campbeltown 5th March