€¦ · web view; the optimal time to witness overland passage of gannets is during august and...

Machrihanish Seabird Observatory Established 1993

October Report 2018Compiled by Eddie Maguire – [email protected]

Mobile – 07895 952640Website – www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk

Photo of the Month...

Eurasian Curlew – foraging by MSBO 1st October

Showcase Scuppered... On 29th September there was a well attended field trip by Argyll Bird Club to MSBO and other birding hot-spots in South Kintyre. The trip was led by Eddie Maguire.

http://www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk/

MSBO October Report 2018 / compiled by Eddie Maguire

Prior to arrival at MSBO, Rab Morton and Charlie Robertson both volunteered to meet the ABC group by Campbeltown Harbour at 11:00hrs. This rendezvous was ideal and would finally present local birders with the perfect opportunity to showcase, for the very first time, a unique ornithological event - adult Northern Gannets flying west on an 8km overland journey high over Campbeltown harbour for the Atlantic. It was agreed with Rab Morton (co-leader of the field trip) that Charlie’s outstanding knack at locating adult Gannets over the harbour (especially high-fliers), and also often predicting their imminent departure, should be exploited to provide the ABC group with what would indisputably be an extraordinary ornithological experience. In the event, this well-planned showcase was disrupted. Rab parted company with Charlie on the harbour around 11:00hrs and went to meet the ABC group. Curiously, he failed to guide them onto the harbour and also failed to inform them of our objective! Consequently, Charlie’s agenda was well and truly scuppered. Nevertheless, between 11:08 and 16:38hrs, he reported a total of 25 adult Gannets flying over the harbour and disappearing west over Campbeltown including 4 between 11:00-12:00hrs - the period that the ABC group were, unknowingly of course, deprived of. Well away from the harbour, the ABC group found some notable species prior to arriving at MSBO including a Long-tailed duck (fem/imm-type) at Campbeltown Loch, 7 Whooper Swans (adults) by Stewarton and an Iceland Gull (2CY) by Drumlemble School – all were firsts in the area this autumn - a respectable start. The ABC introduction on their website declares... “We are a friendly club for anybody interested in wild birds, living in, or visiting, Argyll, irrespective of their level of knowledge, experience or skill”.How very true! Eight affable members arrived at the MSBO early afternoon where everyone settled in and most tucked into lunch.In the WSW f 3-4 wind seabirds were virtually absent apart from Northern Gannets; regular small flocks with crops and stomachs full of fish prey passed south en-route for the Ailsa colony. A few less-experienced members were delighted to have great views of their first juvenile (1CY) Gannets. The flight of the juvenile is unlike that of confident adults; they impart an impression of being indecisive, and appear to ‘tread softly’ as they pass MSBO, unhurriedly, with slow-motion-type progress – well they are sharpening their flying skills and coping with extremes of Atlantic weather systems at the same time! A total of nine youngsters were logged passing south on the day and the final September total was 20 >S on 7 dates from 12th.Best of the rest was restricted to fly-by’s >S including a small group of Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Eurasian Wigeon and 2 Common Scoter bringing the total number of species logged for the day to 46.Re this field trip Malcolm Chattwood emailed the warden later...“I was pleased with the turnout and nearly all had come from north of Lochgilphead and as far as Benderloch. Certainly the impression I gained is that those who hadn't visited MSBO before went away well impressed with your work and the wide range of species that comes past your window as your selection of photos testifies. Whilst the overland passage of gannets might not have featured as highly, I for one certainly took pleasure in the hunt for incoming birds and I am much the wiser for your comments and observations. I'll certainly put forward a repeat for next year's programme and make the Gannet passage a specific feature”.Note; the optimal time to witness overland passage of Gannets is during August and September as there is a substantial increase in the numbers crossing west over Kintyre


during this period. This indicates urgency by breeding adults, almost certainly from the Ailsa Craig colony, to gain rapid access to foraging grounds in the Atlantic as August and September coincide with the final stages of the breeding season when increasing food demands of large chicks reach their peak.MSBO assistant warden Charlie Robertson is looking forward to ultimately sharing this unique Gannet experience with ABC members next year.

Eddie MaguireSelected Species for October...

Whooper SwanFlocks 7 adults >S on 4th, 20 adults >S on 18th and 5 adults in-off-sea on 2th. The Laggan; 8 flying SW over Drumlemble on 4th (Elizabeth McTaggart pers. comm), 10 adults at Bleachfield 8th – 9th, ca. 12 including 2 x 1CY at Killypole Loch on 17 th (Elizabeth McTaggart pers. comm.). Two >W then >S over Kilkivan Quarry on 20th (Elizabeth McTaggart pers. comm), an adult was at Strath on 21st and 14 at Drumlemble on 22nd with 9 still there including a 1CY on 24th - 28th then 6 including 2 x 1CY on 29th - 31st.Campbeltown; 15 >E on 12th and 20+ >W on 20th (Charlie Robertson pers. comm.), 9 adults >W on 25th (Martin Coffield pers. comm.), 6 adults >E over Campbeltown on 27th and 4 adults east there on 28th (Charlie Robertson pers. comm.).

Whooper Swan – adult at The Laggan 21st October

Greater White-fronted Goose (Greenland race)The Laggan; ca. 800 arrived at Strath on 27th; numbers swelled to 1,400 there on 28th then there was a count of 1,150 at Drumlemble on 30th (Tom Lowe per Jim Dickson).


Tayinloan; 600 on 30th (Tom Lowe per Jim Dickson).

Greylag GooseThe Laggan; 5 at Strath on 24th included one with an orange neck-collar; this bird was ringed in Ireland (Irish Greylag Scheme / full details pending). These birds were almost certainly on passage from Iceland to Ireland. Photo below. 210 arrived at Strath on 27th.

Greylags – The Laggan 15:00hrs 24th October / orange neck collar reads B|VC

Pink-footed GooseThe Laggan; 9 at Strath on 27th.

Brent GooseThe first MSBO autumn record was 3 >S on 3rd. A 1CY was resting / foraging on 31st.

Barnacle GooseTwo >N on 17th and 30 >S on 23rd. The Laggan, 12 on 22nd - 23rd. One there on 30th (Tom Lowe per Jim Dickson).

Eurasian TealFive >S on 29th.

Tufted DuckOne on 18th.

Common Goldeneye


The first two arrived back on 24th then there was 16 on 28th.

Common EiderCampbeltown harbour; 147 on 18th included 87 adult males, 8 immature males and 52 apparent females. Another count there on 25th revealed 143 birds including 92 adult males, 10 immature males and 41 apparent females.

Tufted Duck & Common Eider – MSBO 18th October


Common Eiders – off MSBO 5th October

Common ScoterA fem-type >S on 4th. A tight flock of ca. 25 >S on 25th.

Red-throated DiverSoutherly passage; one on 1st, 2 on 2nd, one on 5th, 2 adults on 10th, singles on 11th, 14th and 20th then 5 >S on 22nd. Regular small numbers on the sea; max 5 on 10th.

Black-throated DiverOne on 2nd. One >N on 17th.

Great Northern DiverSoutherly passage; immatures on 1st (1), 2nd (2), 10th (1), 22nd (1),Adults >S included one on 16th and 17th, 2 on 19th, one on 23rd, 3 on 26th and one on 30th.

Northern GannetSoutherly passage of juveniles (1CY); 2 on 2nd, one on 5th, one on 8th, 14 / 6hrs on 9th, 3 on 10th, 6 / 5hrs on 12th and one on 31st.Summary; a total of 28 >S on 7 dates.See also Northern Gannets Crossing Kintyre 2018 below.


1CY Northern Gannets –‘treading softly’ off MSBO 9th October

Little EgretCampbeltown Loch; one on the shore opposite Davaar Island on 10th (Jim Dickson pers. comm.).Carradale; one was at Waterfoot on 31st (Steve Redwood per Jim Dickson).

White-tailed EagleGigha; two adults on 3rd (Steve & Elise O’Donnel / Louise Jones pers. comm.).

Hen HarrierSouthend; a brown type on 30th (Tom Lowe per Jim Dickson).

Eurasian SparrowhawkSingles on 9th, 11th, 20th and 22nd.

Golden PloverCampbeltown Airport ; 20 on 1st.Westport Marsh; 800+ on 26th.

Northern LapwingTwo on 19th and one on 27th.Westport Marsh; 330 on 26th.

Bar-tailed GodwitOne present 14th - 15th.

Sanderling


Four >S on 2nd, 18 >N on 17th, 12 >S on 25th, 30 >S and 6 resting on 30th.

Sanderlings – on passage 25th October

Purple SandpiperTwo >S on 6th, 8 >S on 14th and 2 >S on 22nd.

Mediterranean GullSeveral 1CY birds were photographed; one on 2nd and 8th, likely 2 individuals on 16th and another new 1CY by Machrihanish Holiday Park on 20th. Possibly one or two of these birds were present earlier in the autumn following 2 x 1CY in September and August; however, there may also be some passage birds involved. In addition, an immaculate summer-plumaged adult occurred in June and a 2CY in May.Truly a bumper year!


Mediterranean Gull – 1CY off MSBO 8th October

Mediterranean Gull – 1CY by MSBO 11:02hrs 16th October


Mediterranean Gull – 1CY >S off MSBO 12:12hrs 16th October

Mediterranean Gull – 1CY by Machrihanish Holiday Park 14:55hrs 20th October

Herring GullThe Laggan; the leucistic adult was regular by Drumlemble throughout the month.


Black-legged KittiwakeThe only movements noted were a loose flock of 10 (all 1CY) >S on 2nd and a 1CY >S on 23rd.

Feral PigeonMachrihanish Airbase; ca. 250+ at the Gaydon Hanger on 2nd.

Barn SwallowLate records; a loose flock of 6 >S over the sea on 12th, 2 >S on 15th and 2 >S on 19th.

Meadow PipitLight passage on 18th with ca. 40 >S / 2hrs.

Redwingachrihanish Airbase (MACC); 300+ on 26th. 800+ on 27th.

MSBO; 230 on 30th - 31st.

FieldfareMachrihanish Airbase; 140 on 26th. 300 on 27th.

MSBO; 40 on 31st.

Meadow Pipit – on passage MSBO 18th October


Redwing - MSBO 31st OctoberBlackcapCarradale; one in a garden on 17th (Argyll Bird Club Website).

BramblingCarradale; a female in a garden on 10th and 17th then 11 there on 26th – a record total for this garden (Jim Dickson pers. comm.).

Another Gannet year over... With the Gannet breeding season now over, daily surveillance of adults crossing 8km overland to the west from Campbeltown Harbour (Clyde waters) to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic) during 2018 concluded on 25th October.As in 2016 / 2017, numbers crossing overland diminished rapidly during early October; this fits well with known facts that young Gannets on Ailsa Craig mainly fledge mid to late September (Bernie Zonfrillo pers. comm.). For more info see Factfile below.

Gannets crossing overland during OctoberTable 1. Daily totals of adult Gannets flying 8km overland from Campbeltown Harbour (Clyde waters) to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic) during October along with wind direction/force and departure times of first/last bird.


October

Number

Adultscrossingoverland

Wind

Direction&

force

Campbeltown

Departuretimes of

first / last bird


1st 1 W 3 - 4 14:002nd 2 W 5 14:473rd 1 W 3 09:574th 0 SW 3 - 4 –5th 1 W 3 14:016th 1 NW 3 14:567th 1 SSW 5 14:128th 3 S 4 12:07 – 12:179th 2 S 4 10:40 – 11:2610th 1 SE 5 16:0811th 0 SSE 5 –12th 1 SSE 6 12:4613th 0 SE 3 –14th 1 W 2 15:5715th 1 S 1 17:4516th 0 S 3 –17th 0 W 3 –18th 0 W 2 –19th 0 W 2 - 3 –20th 0 W 2 - 3 –21st 0 NW 3 - 4 –22nd 0 WNW 4 - 5 –23rd 0 NW 5 –24th 0 NW 5 –25th 0 WNW 5 –

Total 16S

From March to October 2018 a total of 1,221 adult Gannets crossed overland on 161 / 239 days of surveillance.

Table 2. The numbers of adult Gannets crossing west over Kintyre during March to October 2017 compared with the 2018 monthly data.

2017 March April May June July Aug Sept Oct

Monthly totals 2 23 131 126 274 408 491 6Cumulative

totals 2 25 156 282 556 964 1,455 1,461


No. days ofObservation 27 29 22 24 31 24 30 20

2018 March April May June July Aug Sept Oct

Monthly totals 6 45 78 336 121 247 372 16Cumulative

totals 6 51 129 465 586 833 1,205 1,221No. days ofObservation 31 30 31 30 31 31 30 25

Northern Gannet off MSBO


Figure 1. South Kintyre, Argyll showing the westerly overland route (8 km / 9 minute flight) taken by adult Northern Gannets from Campbeltown Loch (Clyde waters) to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic). Direct marine routes with approximate distance from Campbeltown Loch to Machrihanish and the Ailsa Craig colony are also shown.

Factfile...

South Kintyre is the only accredited location in the UK where Gannets routinely cross overland during the breeding season, often in significant numbers, presumably to gain rapid access to foraging grounds.

Only adults have crossed the low-lying 8km overland route from Campbeltown to Machrihanish Bay and to date, the overland passage is strictly one way – to the west (Clyde > Atlantic).

Gannets flying to the west over Campbeltown look aerodynamic and are evidently at minimal weight which must obviously be a huge advantage when crossing west over S Kintyre.

Gannets employ powered flight (sustained flapping) to cross the 8km at around 35 mph and the crossing has been timed on a regular basis at a constant 9 mins.

After foraging successfully, Gannets are burdened significantly with fish prey, are visibly bloated and evidently at top weight; therefore, it is unlikely that they would attempt to fly overland from Atlantic to Clyde. The return journey to the Ailsa colony from Machrihanish is strictly a marine route via Mull of Kintyre relying heavily on assisted passage by alternating powered flight in concert with dynamic soaring (wave power) to accomplish this.

There is a substantial increase in the numbers of Gannets that cross west over Kintyre in August and September (see 2017 / 2018 data in Table 3 above); presumably this indicates urgency by breeding adults from almost certainly the Ailsa colony to gain rapid access to foraging grounds in the Atlantic as this period coincides with the final stages of the breeding season when increasing food demands of large chicks reach their peak.


The record number that crossed overland to the west in a single day was 67 in September 2017.

The largest flock recorded crossing to the west was 16 in September 2017. Wind direction appears to have little / no influence on the numbers that embark on this

low-lying overland shortcut to the Atlantic. Wind strength does not dissuade crossings either; a high total of 50 birds >W on 19 th

August 2017 in a WNW force 6. Gannets have never been recorded crossing overland to the west during the main winter

period November - February

A paper by Eddie Maguire / Charlie Robertson relating to studies of monitoring the overland passage of this species during 2017 entitled ‘Northern Gannets crossing overland in South Kintyre, Argyll’ was recently published in the Seabird Group Newsletter (Number 137 / February 2018) and in Argyll Birds Club’s Newsletter The Eider (Number 123 / March 2018).

A few more photos...

MSBO 1st October


MSBO 21st October

Herring Gull – Campbeltown pontoon 15:30hrs 4th October Colour ring 4B3:C – ringed Pladda Island / S Arran as a breeding adult on 1st June 2014

This is the first report of this bird since being ringed over 4 yrs ago (Clyde Ringing Group)


Herring Gull – Campbeltown pontoon 15:20hrs 19th October

Colour ring A:E52 – ringing location and other details pending

Great Black-backed Gull – Campbeltown pontoon 15:16hrs 20th October Colour ring 9K1:C – ringing location and other details pending


European Shag – off MSBO 28th October

Bottlenose – off MSBO 28th October


Sanderlings & a Dunlin – MSBO 30th October

Argyll Bird Club News... Field trip to Sound of Gigha, Kintyre on 27th October

Notes by Jim Dickson

Weather – Bright & sunny, cloud cover 1/8 with a cold northerly wind.

Ronachan Point – highlights/some species noted – Sparrowhawk, 5-6 Great Northern Diver, 3-4 Black Guillemots, a few Common Guillemots further out, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Oystercatcher, notable movements of Meadow Pipits & Skylarks heading north low across the Sound of Gigha with groups of up to 20-30 of each every few minutes…totals observed over next 2 hours roughly 100+ Skylark and 120 Meadow Pipit however presumably many more passing when we were looking at other things.

Ballochroy pull-in watch point: 3 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Common Scoter, several Great Northern Diver (many still largely in summer plumage), 2 ad (a pr) Golden Eagle, 30 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Greenfinch.

West Coast Salmon pull-in – 10+ Common Scoter, 4 Slavonian Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, 2 Rock Dove.

Ballure – scan of fields – 800+ Greenland Whitefronts, several Greylags, 2 Barnacle Geese, several Jackdaw, Song Thrush.

Tayinloan to Point Sands Campsite – Several Black Guillemot, 2 Great Northern Diver, 2-3 Stonechats, 4 Greenfinch, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Siskin, GBB’s eating dead Common Seal, 10 Pied Wagtail, Great, Blue & Coal Tits, 1 Treecreeper, 49 Lapwing, 3 Goldcrest, - also 5 Fieldfares as leaving Tayinloan village.

Total 54 species.


Goldcrest / Photo Jim Dickson

Sound of Gigha - Some of the ABC group / Photo Jim Dickson

ends

€¦ · web view; the optimal time to witness overland passage of gannets is during august and...

Documents