Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (MSBO) August Records 2016

Compiled by Eddie Maguire (Warden)

Photo of the month...

An Arctic Siberian visitor to Machrihanish – a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper

Summary of the month...

Overland passage of adult Northern Gannets in South Kintyre, August 2016...There was additional compelling confirmation of overland passage by Northern Gannets in South Kintyre. On 15th, an impressive total of 19 adults crossed the peninsula from Campbeltown to Machrihanish. Numerous other sightings during the month confirmed that this passage is, unquestionably, more frequent than previously established. Just over 100 birds were logged embarking on this 9km journey!

In the past (2007-2015), it was established that adult Gannets occasionally fly 9km west over the low-lying Laggan farmlands from Campbeltown Loch. The intend of these birds appears to be an overbearing desire to connect with mass foraging activity by Gannets in, and possibly beyond, Machrihanish Bay (Maguire, 2015). However, coordinated watches at both MSBO and Campbeltown Loch this month have revealed that overland crossings by adults

are far more prevalent, and involve many more birds than previously suspected. During August, an amazing total of 102 adults were recorded carrying out this overland journey on 17 dates. Peak passage occurred on 15th when a total of 19 adults crossed the peninsula. This record one-day passage total coincided with intense foraging activity off MSBO. The scale of the frequency of these overland crossings and startling numbers of adult birds now known to be involved is, without doubt, astonishing. Although this 9km overland trek by Gannets is hardly an Olympic event, it is, indisputably, the only proven incidence of regular overland passage by this species in Scotland.See Maguire, E. (2015): Westerly overland passage of Northern Gannets in South Argyll 2007-2015: The Eider, December 2015 (No. 114 / Editor Steve Petty).

Adult Northern Gannets off MSBO

Record County influx of Curlew Sandpipers at Machrihanish August 2016 A remarkable influx of Curlew Sandpipers descended on Machrihanish 20th – 26th: record County numbers (mainly fly-by’s) appeared during a fall of many other wader species forced down to sea level by rain / poor visibility. A top day count of 80 at MSBO coincided precisely with extraordinary numbers arriving at coastal sites in SE England. A summary of this passage reveals that a total of around 180-190 (mainly juveniles) were logged in the area 20th (18) – 26th (4) with an Argyll record one-day total of 55 on 21st followed by an astonishing record-breaking estimate of at least 80 birds on 22nd. Most were offshore on passage, evidently forced down to sea level by poor visibility / occasional showers. Many more must surely have

occurred as observers at MSBO were, frustratingly, finding numerous flocks of small waders travelling south, all at sea level, but significantly well offshore. Interestingly, the heavy passage off Machrihanish on 22nd coincided with extraordinary numbers arriving at marshes in SE England as revealed by Birdguides... An impressive influx (of Curlew Sandpipers) occurred from 19th when an eastward-moving front collided with a south-easterly airflow across the North Sea. Big numbers began to drop in at east coast sites with counts into the thirties, forties and even fifties appearing at classic locations such as Cley and Titchwell marshes, Norfolk. It was Lincolnshire’s Frampton Marsh, though, that wiped the floor, with a total of 143 on 21st rising to 243 on 22nd and an amazing 258 on 23rd (Ref. Birdguides: Review of the Week 17th - 23rd August / Josh Jones).

Curlew Sandpipers (arrowed) with Dunlins off Machrihanish

Migrants at MSBO during August...Numerous passage visitors included a drake Scaup, a few Common Scoters, an immature Great Northern Diver, Gadwalls, Red Knots, Dunlins, and Ruddy Turnstones. Record numbers of Curlew Sandpipers (180-190) and loads of Redshanks (290 on 20th) were an absolute delight. A few Greenshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Bar-tailed Godwits and Whimbrels put in an appearance and a scarce (very vocal) Green Sandpiper came in off the sea on 23rd and was spotted briefly next day. A scarce Pomarine Skua was photographed on passage on 31st and a single dark adult Arctic Skua was (puzzlingly) only the second MSBO record this year. Scarce gulls put in a welcome appearance too: a juvenile Little Gull was found dip-feeding well offshore on 12th and a juvenile > first-winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull was present 19th – 26th.

Juvenile > first-winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull

List of Selected Species

Greater Canada GooseThree birds were present all morning on 1st.

Wigeon An adult male was present 23rd - 26th.

GadwallA pair was off-passage all morning on 7th.

Greater Scaup A male >S on 31st (a rare species at MSBO in August).

Common ScoterTwo female-types >S on 14th. Four >S on 31st.

Common EiderThe first males (2) seen in flight after eclipse / flightless moult period was on 30 th.

Northern Gannet Westerly overland passage in S Kintyre.On 8th, a large number of Northern Gannets were plunge-diving just NW of MSBO and single birds were occasionally noted appearing (suspiciously) from the east: Gannets are known to fly 9km across The Laggan from Campbeltown

Loch to Machrihanish to join a feeding frenzy. It looked pretty certain that adults were, again, crossing the peninsula.A phone call by the warden instigated a coordinated watch at MSBO (Eddie Maguire / Iomhar McMillan) and at Campbeltown Loch (Rab Morton (RM) / Charlie Robertson (CR)). At 13:52hrs, RM contacted MSBO and announced from his vantage point at the old quay (Campbeltown) that high-flying adults were on their way over the peninsula and had disappeared west over the town. At 14:01hrs 4 adults were seen flying west over the Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish village and another adult arrived from the east via The Laggan at 14:10hrs. Later on 8th, another 8 adults (singles) >W over Campbeltown between 15:00-16:00hrs (CR).. This was the first of many watches carried out this month at both MSBO and Campbeltown and many more birds reported leaving Campbeltown by RM / CR for the west were seen arriving at Machrihanish (EM / IM). The following table displays dates / numbers of adult Gannets crossing W over the Kintyre peninsula via the Laggan from Campbeltown Loch > Machrihanish Bay.

Table.Morning period = M: Afternoon period =A: Evening period = E

Gannets crossing W over Kintyre during August 2016

Date No. of adults Observers Period1st 1 EM E8th 13 RM / CR A/E13th 3 CR A15th 19 RM / CR A/E16th 6 RM / CR A/E17th 5 CR A/E 18th 2 RM A/E 19th 2 CR A 20th 2 CR A 21st-23rd None Poor visibility -24th 1 CR A25 6 RM / CR A/E 26th 3 CR A27th 3 CR A28th 7 RM / CR A/E 29th 11 RM / CR A/E30th 7 CR M/A/E 31st 11 RM / CR A/E Total = 102 adults on 17 dates

Re this overland passage: RM commented... ‘Some of the adults leaving Campbeltown for the west attained such great height that it was a struggle to see them with the naked eye’. CR commented: ‘A few birds starting off on the journey often appeared hesitant. Most eventually committed to the overland crossing and disappeared west over the town’.

At MSBO, heavy inshore passage occurred on two dates: on 11 th, poor visibility promoted a heavy narrow-front inshore passage: a total of 1,800 birds >S / 3hrs from 07:30hrs and another early juvenile was photographed (see July Report). On 12th, similar weather persisted: a total of 2,208 Gannets >S / 3hrs from 07:30hrs.A juvenile >S at MSBO on 28th.: Manx ShearwaterPresent offshore daily / mainly in small numbers (<100). Top counts were negligible for this time of year: ca. 200 / 1hr on 7th and 360 / 3hrs on 11th.

Storm PetrelA blustery NW wind on 8th brought 7 singles >S within sight of the shore - the first record this year.

ShagA total of 90 >N / 30mins on 1st.

SparrowhawkA female was present briefly / photographed on 8 th. This bird / or others, were noted on five dates later.

Sparrowhawk (female) in hunting mode

OystercatcherSoutherly passage totals: Five flocks totalling 140 on 8 th. A total of 62 on 9th. Three flocks totalling 80 on 15th.

Ringed PloverFlock 30 >S on 1st. Flocks totalling 50+ came in off the sea on 20th. A total of 28 >Son 21st, 30 on 22nd, 15 on 23rd, 9 on 26th.

Red KnotSoutherly passage totals: an adult on 2nd was the first returning bird of the autumn. One on 9th, 2 on 11th, one on 13th, flocks totalling 31 came in off the sea on 20th, 33 on 21st, 65 on 22nd, 10 on 23rd, 4 on 24th, 9 on 26th, one on 31st.Summary of passage: during August 158 birds passed S off MSBO on 11 dates.

SanderlingSoutherly passage totals: 63 on 1st, 24 on 3rd, 18 on 8th, 7 on 15th, 2 on 20th, 170+ on 21st, 90 on 22nd, 10 on 23rd, 28 on 24th, 55 on 25th, 16 on 26th, 8 on 31st.Summary of passage: during August 491 birds passed S off MSBO on 10 dates.

Curlew SandpiperA total of at least 18 were logged on 20th: these included 14 >S with other waders during the morning and four off passage by the old lifeboat station.A total of 39 >S with other waders on 21st and 16 were off-passage later (day total = 55): apparently this is a record one day total for Argyll (Jim Dickson pers. comm.). However, this record only lasted for the day! On 22nd a total of 80 were logged including 72 >S with other waders throughout the day. A few more went through on 23rd including 17 >S and 4 off-passage (total = 21). On 24th 10 >S and 4 birds were off-passage. On 25th 3 juveniles were still present then, on 26 th, 3 >S with Dunlins and a juvenile remained on the shore.A summary of this passage reveals that a total of around 180-190 (mainly juveniles) were logged in the area on 7 dates 20 th (18) – 26th (4) with an Argyll record one-day total of 55 on 21st followed by an astonishing record- breaking estimate of at least 80 birds on 22nd (Eddie Maguire / Iomhar McMillan / Miriam Lord et al).

Curlew Sandpiper

DunlinSoutherly passage totals: 28 on 1st, 90 on 3rd, 44 on 8th, 12 on 14th, 28 on 15th, 22 on 20th, 400+ on 21st, 40 on 22nd, 51 on 23rd, 85 on 24th, 64 on 25th and 36 on 26th. Summary of passage: 900 birds passed S off MSBO on 12 dates.

Black-tailed GodwitFour arrived on 20th. Singles >S on 23rd and 26th. Seven >S on 31st.

Adult Black-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed GodwitThree >S on 31st.

WhimbrelA single was present 4th - 8th, 3 >S on 13th and additional singles >S on 18th and 20th.

Redshank Southerly passage totals included 65 on 12th, a grand total of 290 on 20th, 60 on 21st, 33 on 22nd, 40 on 24th, 18 on 25th, 10 on 26th and 17 on 27th. Summary of passage: during August 543 birds passed S off MSBO on 8 dates.

GreenshankTwo birds on passage were photographed on 18th. One >S on 24th.

This Whimbrel took advantage of a 5 day stay

A noisy / very alert Greenshank

Green SandpiperA very vocal individual came in off the sea on 23 rd (Eddie Maguire / Iomhar McMillan) and reappeared briefly on 24th (Eddie Maguire / Miriam Lord).

Common SandpiperSoutherly movements: 12 on 1st including 4 together, total of 7 on 3rd including 3 together, 11 singles >S on 4th and one on 8th. None were logged 9th – 15th. Two on 16th, singles on 18th and 19th, 2 on 20th, one on 23rd and 3 on 24th. None later.

Ruddy TurnstoneMainly light southerly passage almost daily with peak counts of 11 on 14 th, a total of 40 came in off the sea on 20th, 15 on 24th, 12 on 25th, 10 on 31st.

Pomarine SkuaAn adult was photographed >S on 31st. The second record this year.

Arctic SkuaA pale adult >S on 7th. Only the second record this year.

Little GullA juvenile was dip-feeding offshore on 12th.

Mediterranean GullA juvenile arrived in an easterly f3 with continuous rain on 19 th. It was still present on 26th.

Mediterranean Gull – a juvenile moulting into first-winter plumage

Black-legged kittiwakeThe first two juveniles appeared offshore on 7th. NW blustery conditions on 8th

produced the first light inshore narrow-front passage of this species: of 414 >S / 7hrs, 165 of these (40%) were juveniles.

Black-legged Kittiwake (juvenile)

Sandwich TernA pair with a juvenile in attendance were present on 7 th. Four, including a juvenile, were sheltering in blustery conditions on 8th. An adult >S on 9th, 3 adults >S on 12th, 2 adults were present 17th - 25th and 2 adults >S on 31st.

Arctic Tern A juvenile was sheltering on 20th.

Common TernA flock of 50 arrived on 19th (continuous rain). At least 16 were juveniles.

Black GuillemotA total of 22 adults in breeding plumage (including 3 together) >S / 5hrs on 12 th.This is the best passage seen off MSBO for many, many years.

White WagtailOnes and twos present daily from 13th. Later, the best counts included 8 on 20th, 14 on 18th, 20+ on 22nd and 10 + on 31st.

Grey WagtailOnes and twos seen daily: max 7 on 24th.

Grey Wagtail (juvenile)

Visual improvement to the foreshore...A most unsightly clutter of concrete on the foreshore near MSBO was recently buried / landscaped by McFadyens Contractors Ltd...

Before...eyesore on the foreshore

After...a concrete result indeed!

August Records from around Kintyre

Mute SwanA pair with b/4 at Bellochantuy on 23rd (Marjory Fraser).

Canada GooseCampbeltown: a flock of ca. 50 were at the N entrance to the loch on 2nd

(Malcolm Cook pers. comm.). Campbeltown: 15 >W at 17:30hrs on 5th.

Greylag GooseThe Strath Farm (The Laggan): 20 on 13th Campbeltown: 22 >N at 09:00hrs on 23rd.

Northern GannetOverland crossings from Campbeltown > Machrihanish.This established 9km overland route from Campbeltown is employed by adults when large gatherings of Gannets, plunge-diving from height into the sea for shoaling fish, occur off Machrihanish.Gannets flying high over Campbeltown Loch can obviously see the plunge-diving behaviour occurring off Machrihanish and seem compelled to fly west to join the foraging activity. The most birds ever recorded flying west over Campbeltown (19 on15th August 2016) coincided with intense foraging activity off MSBO. This month, a total of 102 adults were reported carrying out this overland passage on 17 dates. See Maguire, E. (2015): Westerly overland passage of Northern Gannets in south Argyll 2007-2015: The Eider, December 2015 (No. 114).

MerlinOne was seen by Drumlemble on 26th (Rab Morton).

Ruddy TurnstoneCampbeltown Loch: 19 on 14th and 22 on 15th (Rab Morton).Campbeltown: on 27th, 3 birds flying around the head of the loch (by the harbour) gained height quickly and headed rapidly west over the town until out of sight (Rab Morton).

GreenshankCampbeltown Loch: Two on 16th (Iomhar McMillan).

Barn OwlMachrihanish village: one at 23:00hrs on 2nd (Dean Rollindson pers. comm.).

Common SwiftCampbeltown: It appears that this species has had a very poor summer here. Surprisingly, the only August sightings over Burnside Square were 5 on 8 th and 3 ‘screaming’ there on 16th.

Grey WagtailStewarton: 9 on 24th (Iomhar McMillan).

House SparrowDrumlemble: 80+ on 16th.

A few more Photographs from MSBO...

Common Sandpiper

Whimbrel

Curlew Sandpipers and Dunlins

A least 10 Curlew Sandpipers with a few Dunlins and a Redshank

Curlew Sandpipers (20+) with a few Dunlins and 2 Ruddy Turnstones

Curlew >S (moulting adult)

Record shot of a Pomarine Skua >S on 31st.