Recent Sightings
Bird Sightings
The aim of this page is to keep everyone, residents and visitors alike, up to date with what "unusual" birds are about. Observers are asked to contact me on info@arranbirding.co.uk. The intention is to keep the page up to date so that others can benefit from the sharing of observations. In the event of rarities being found, further details will be required from observers.
arranbirding.co.uk has complete discretion as to what information is added to these pages. In particular, any details which might reveal breeding sites of vulnerable species will be excluded. No information will be published which may in any way put birds at risk.
Species
Details
Marsh Harrier. On Monday 8 September in the morning there was a report of a Marsh Harrier, female type, flying in off the sea straight over Rubha Salach picnic area on the east coast before heading south. This is only the second Arran report of this rare vagrant species this year. (The illustrative photograph was taken recently by Jim Crawford at Lochwinnoch RSPB. )
White-tailed Eagle. On Monday 8 September there was a report in the morning of a juvenile White-Tailed flying along the shore below Levencorroch heading inland and eastwards. This is the thirteenth Arran report of this vagrant species this year
Knot. On Saturday 6 September two Knot were feeding among kelp at the waters edge by Drumadoon Point. This is the only the second autumn record of this regular passage migrant. The first record was in Pirnmill on 1st August. Last year there was one autumn record. In the last five years there have been thirty records. This is a good time of year to be looking out for passage migrants on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season.
White Wagtail. On Friday 22 August two White Wagtail were photgraphed on Kildonan Shore. This is the first autumn record of this this regular passage migrant. Last year there were five autumn records. This is a good time of year to be looking out for passage migrants on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season. White Wagtail is a tricky bird to distinguish from the much more common Pied Wagtail. For more information follow this link.
Arctic Tern. On Friday 22 August there was a report of four Arctic Tern on the shore at Silver Sands. This is the second report this year of this regular summer visitor. The last report was on 24 May. Last year there were seven records associated with the small breeding colony on Pladda. For more information on Arctic Tern on Pladda click here.
Sanderling. On Friday 22 August there was a report of a Sanderling on the shore at Blackwaterfoot. This is the third report this year of this regular passage migrant. The last report was on 29 May. Last year there were twenty-five records from nine locations of this Arctic breeding species. This is a good time of year to be looking out for passage migrants on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season.
Black-tailed Godwit. On Thursday 21 August there was a report of a Black-tailed Godwit on Sliddery Shore. This is the first report this year of this uncommon passage migrant. Last year there were two records, one in September and one in Octobert. This is a good time of year to be looking out for uncommon passage migrants on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season.
Rook. On Thursday 21 August there was a report of a Rook seen from Sliddery Shore flying towards Kintyre. This is the first Arran record since March and only the sixth record this year of this regular winter visitor. For more information on Rook on Arran click here.
Bar-tailed Godwit. On Thursday 21 August a single Bar-tailed Godwit was photographed at Kildonan. That same afternoon there was a report of a single Bar-tailed Godwit at Machriewaterfoot. These are the first reports this year of this uncommon passage migrant. Last year there were five records and one of these was in August. This is a good time of year to be looking out for uncommon passage migrants on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season.
Greenshank. On Thursday 14 August a Greenshank was photographed at Cordon. This is the second record this year. Last year there were only two records. This is a good time of year to be looking out for this uncommon passage migrant on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season.
Dunlin. On Friday 8 August there was a report of one Dunlin at Sandbraes. This is a good time of year to be looking out for Dunlin on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season. This is the second record this autumn and only the ninth record this year For more information on Dunlin on Arran click here.
Osprey. On Thursday 7 August there was a report of an Osprey over Kingscross. This is the fourth report of this uncomon passage migrant on Arran this year. All have been on the east of the Arran.
Storm Petrel. On Friday 25 July there was a report of up to ten Storm Petrel flying off the south coast of Arran. This is a good time of year to be looking out for Storm Petrel.This is the first report this year. Last year there were four reports. For more information on Storm Petrel click here.
Marsh Harrier. On Thursday 24 July there was a report of a female type Marsh Harrier flying over Machrie Moor near Balnagore Farm. The last report of this species on Arran was in August 2022. For more information on this 2022 record click here.
Kingfisher. On Saturday 12 July there was a report of a Kingfisher flying up the burn at Sandbraes. This is a good time of year to be looking out for Kingfisher on Arran as birds are dispersing after the breeding season. For more information on Kingfisher on Arran click here.
Swift. On Wednesday 4 June there was a report of a Swift flying over Corrie. This is the first Arran report this year of this summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on the 22 May. Last year there was only four records of this species on Arran. The earliest report of Swift on Arran is 1 May 2009. For more information on Swift click here.
Arctic Skua. On Monday 2 June there was a report of a dark phase Arctic Skua in Brodick Bay. This is the second Arran report this year of this uncommon passage migrant. Last year there were two autumn reports of this species both of a single bird.
Osprey On Sunday 25 May there was a report of an Osprey flying north across Lamlash Bay. This is the first Arran report this year of this summer visitor. Last year, 2024, there were reports in the early part of the year in February, March, April as well as May. Throughout last year there were ten reports from ten locations. The breeding pairs on Bute continues to do well.
Spotted Flycatcher On Thursday 1 May there was a report of Spotted Flycatcher in Glenashdale Woods. This is the first Arran report this year of this summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on the 14 May The earliest report is 21 April 2011.
Wood Warbler. On Monday 28 April there was a report of a Wood Warbler singing in Corrie between 8.30am and 10.30am but no sign of it after that. This is the first Arran report this year of this summer visitor. Last year, 2024, there were no reports of this species which seems to be in decline. In 2023 there were only six reports. The earliest report is 25 April 2019. There was a second report at Glenashdale Woods on Thursday 1 May.
Hobby. On Friday 25 April there was a report of a Hobby at Drumadoon Point. Hobby is a summer visitor to England and Wales and a rare vagrant to Arran. A report of this sighting has been completed and submitted to the Clyde Bird Rarities Panel for its consideration.
Whinchat. On Thursday 24 April there was a report of three Whinchat singing in Glen Rosa. This is the first Arran report this year of this summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on the 21 April. The earliest report is 1 April 1988.
Tree Pipit. On Thursday 24 April there was a report of Tree Pipit singing in Glen Rosa. This is the first Arran report this year of this scarce under-reported summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on the 20 April. The earliest report is 7 April 1990.
Arctic Skua. On Monday 21 April there was a report of two Arctic Skua in Sannox Bay. This is the first Arran report this year of this uncommon passage migrant. Last year there were two autumn reports of this species both of a single bird.
Whitethroat. On Monday 21 April there was a report of Whitethroat singing in Silver Sands. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on the same date, 21 April. The earliest report is 13 April 2016.
Sedge Warbler. On Sunday 20 April there was a report of Sedge Warbler singing in High Clachaig. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 28 April. The earliest report is 14 April 2011.
Grasshopper Warbler. On Sunday 20 April there was a report of Grasshopper Warbler reeling on Corriecravie Moor. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was also on 20 April. The earliest report is 12 April 2011.
Garden Warbler. On Friday 18 April there was a report of Garden Warbler singing in Sannox. This is the first Arran report this year of this scarce summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 20 May. The earliest report is 12 April 1995.
Whimbrel. On Sunday 13 April there was a report of four Whimbrel on Cleats Shore. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 18 April. For more information on Whimbrel on Arran click here.
Common Sandpiper On Friday 11 April there was a report of a Common Sandpiper on the shore at Blackwaterfoot and a report of two Common Sandpiper on the shore at Rubha Salach. These are the first Arran reports this year of this regular summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 8 April. The earliest Arran report was on 22 March 2019.
Cuckoo On Monday 7 April there was a report of a Cuckoo calling near the distillery in Lochranza. It was heard in the late morning and again in the afternoon. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 17 April. The earliest previous Arran report was on 8 April 2017.
White Wagtail On Sunday 6 April there was a report of a White Wagtail on the shore at Porta Buidhe. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 3 April. The earliest Arran report was on 17 March 2021.
Sandwich Tern On Friday 4 April there was a report of a Sandwich Tern by the shore at Clauchlands. On Tuesday 8 April there was a report of a Sandwich Tern by the shore at Porta Buidhe. These are the first Arran reports this year of this regular summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 3 April. The earliest Arran report was on 23 March 2019.
House Martin On Tuesday 1 April there was a report of House Martin visiting nest boxes in Sliddery. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 6 April. The earliest Arran report was on 12 March 2017.
Sand Martin On Monday 31 March there was a report of two Sand Martin flying in Lochranza at the distillery end of the village. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 1 April. The earliest Arran report was on 18 March 2009.
Willow Warbler On Monday 31 March there was a report of a Willow Warbler by the shore at Corriecravie. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on the same date, 31 March. The earliest Arran report was on 14 March 2019.
Magpie On Sunday 23 March in the morning there was a report of a Magpie by Gate Cottage on the Machrie Moor Road. While Magpie is widespread on the adjacent mainland, it is a vagrant here on Arran. There were no reports in 2024, eleven reports in 2023 ( one bird did an island
tour in March) and two reports in 2022
Wheatear On Thursday 20 March there was a report of three Wheatear on the shore at Sliddery, two males and a female. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 17 March. The earliest Arran report was on 13 March 2005.
Swallow On the morning of Thursday 20 March there was a report of a Swallow perched on an overhead wire on the road through Auchenhew on the south of Arran. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. Last year, 2024, the first report was on 7 April. The earliest Arran report was on 18 March 2019.
Ring Ouzel On the morning of Wednesday 19 March there was a report of male Ring Ouzel in Glenree. This is the first Arran report this year of this scarce summer visitor. Last year there was only one report of Ring Ouzel, a male singing on Cir Mhor on 24 March.
Chiffchaff. On the morning of Friday 14 March there was a report of Chiffchaff singing in Kingscrossy. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 18 March.
Manx Shearwater. On Friday 7 March there was a report of six Manx Shearwater off Kildonan. This is the first report this year of this oceanic species. It is the earliest ever report for Arran. The previous earliest report was 26 March in 2018. Last year the first report of Manx Shearwater was on 1 April. For more information on Manx Shearwater click here.
Surf Scoter. On Monday 3 March a female Surf Scoter was reported by Nathan Pickering and Lizzie Bruce with a group of Eider on the sea off Pirnmill. The bird was still in the same area on Sunday 9 March. Photos taken by Lizzie, in challenging circumstances, show the features of a female Surf Scoter, the big bulbous bill, the off white at the base of the bill and behind the eye, and white on the nape. This large sea duck is a native of North America and this is only the second ever report of this species on Arran. For more information on the first report click here.
Long-tailed Duck. On Thursday 27 February there were reports of Long-tailed Duck in the same location, just off Pirnmill, as the report on 12 February. On Thursday 27 February there was a single male in the morning and a single female in the afternoon. For more information on Long-tailed Duck click here.
Long-tailed Duck. On Wednesday 12 February there was a report of a pair of Long-tailed Duck just off Pirnmill giving good views in the late afternoon. This is the first Arran report this year of this rare vagrant. Last year there was one record also in February, 11 February. It was also off Pirnmill. Last year it was a single bird, a female.
Red Kite. On Monday 10 February there was a report of a Red Kite flying over Brown Head. This is the first Arran report this year of this occasional visitor. There were eight reports in 2024 with three in February. The last Arran report was one over Brodick Country Park on 9 April 2024.
Barnacle Goose. On Wednesday 29 January there was a report of a Barnacle Goose on Cleats Shore with twelve Canada Geese. This is the first Arran report this year of this occasional winter visitor. There were no reports in 2024. The last Arran report was a group of thirty-three off Pirnmill on 6 June 2023.
Common Scoter. On Wednesday 22 January there was a report of a Common Scoter off Pirnmill. This is the first Arran report this year of this occasional visitor. In 2024 there were nine records of Common Scoter.
Goldeneye. On Friday 3 January a female Goldeneye was photographed on Mossend Pond. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular passage migrant and winter visitor. The last Arran report was two males and a female on 15 December 2024 also on Mossend Pond. In 2024 there were only ten reports of this wintering species.
Purple Sandpiper. On Thursday 2 January there was a report of two Purple Sandpiper on the shore at Silver Sands, Kildonan. This is the first Arran report this winter of this regular passage migrant and winter visitor. The last Arran report was four on 9 April 2024 also on Silver Sands.