Arran Bird Report 2018
Reports
With a great team effort, the Arran Natural History Society has got the annual bird report in outlets throughout the island for the Easter holidays. With a stunning photograph of a Red-breasted Merganser by Alex Penn on the front cover, it is yet another eye-catching annual report. The Arran Bird Report 2018 is a "must" for anyone interested in the birds of Arran. It includes information on all species seen on Arran, a month by month summary of what was around last year, the impact of weather on birds, information on ringed birds, reports on some of Arran's bird projects plus some wonderful photographs. The uniqueness of Arran is reflected throughout the report, including the number of UK protected birds that share our island with us, as well as the differences between here and the adjacent mainland.
Over three hundred contributors sent in over eighteen thousand records on one hundred and fifty-two species, one of which had only been recorded for the third time on Arran, namely Little Egret. This is the thirteenth annual report that I have compiled. The first one was compiled by Maggie H. Dunn in 1980. There have been many changes over the years. For example the first report was five pages long, cost 25p and had contributions from forty-five people who recorded one hundred and forty-one species, including King Eider and Roseate Tern, neither of which appear in the latest annual report. There has been a bird report every year since then. The complete collection of annual reports is available for access from the archivists at the Arran Heritage Museum.
Maggie Dunn did the reports from 1980 until 1991. The last two years were jointly with Tristan ap Rheinallt. Tristan did it himself in 1992. From 1993 until 2005 Audrey Walters compiled the annual reports. I took over in 2006. 2019 will be the 40th consecutive annual Arran Bird Report. That is quite an achievement. In contrast the production of annual bird reports from adjacent areas is becoming problematic. For example the last Clyde report was produced in 2015 and that was for 2008 and the last Ayrshire report was produced in 2017 and that was for 2014. Hopefully with the on-going support of its many contributors, both residents and visitors, the Arran Bird report will continue.
This latest version of the annual bird report is now available from shops and other outlets throughout the island for the bargain price of £5.00 or through the Arran Natural History Society by contacting arrannaturalhistorysociety@gmail.com Make sure you get your copy. Only a limited number have been produced.
Enjoy your birding