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
Redwing. On Wednesday 9 October there was a report of twenty-three Redwing in Lochranza. This is the first Arran report this autumn of the regular winter visitor and passage migrant. The last report was two at Auchencar on 2 April.
Little Egret. On Thursday 3 October there was a report of a Little Egret on Cleats Shore. This is the first Arran report since one at Cordon on 20 June. There have been increasing annual reports since this species was first recorded on Arran in 2013. In 2020 there were twenty records and in 2023 there were one hundred and thirty-seven records.
Wigeon. On Thursday 3 October there was a report of six Wigeon on Cleats Shore. This is the first Arran report this autumn of the regular winter visitor and passage migrant. The last report was two at Clauchlands on 17 April.
Yellowhammer. On Sunday 29 Septembert there was a report of a Yellowhammer on the track between High Newton and Fairy Dell. This is the first report of this species, which used to breed on Arran, since one in Sliddery in April. Last year there were six records fron three locations with again none in the breeding season.
Pink-footed Goose. On Wednesday 25 Septembert there was a report of a skein of around fifty Pink-footed Geese flying over Kildonan. This is the first Arran report this autumn of the regular winter visitor and passage migrant. Other than the over-summering bird that hangs around Lamlash Bay, the last report of this species was a skein of around one hundred and fifty birds flying over Holy Isle on 24 April.
Brent Goose. On Monday 23 Septembert there was a report of a Brent Goose on the rocks in front of Whiting Bay Primary School. On Thursday 19 September there was a report of a single Brent Goose in Lamlash Bay. These are the first Arran reports this year of this occasional winter visitor. Last year there were three reports from two locations including a single bird in Sandbraes Whiting Bay from 15 -22 October.
Rook. On Saturday 21 Septembert there was a report of two Rook on Cleats Shore. The last Arran report received of this regular winter visitor was two on Kilpatrick Farm on 19 February this year . Last year there were twenty-six reports from nine locations.
Black-tailed Godwit. On Tuesday 27 August there was a report of a Black-tailed Godwit flying along the shore at Kilpatrick. This is the first report this year of this uncommon passage migrant. Last year there were three reports from three locations all in the autumn.
Bar-tailed Godwit. On Monday 26 August there was a report of a Bar-tailed Godwit flying along the shore at Kilpatrick. This is only the third report this year of this uncommon passage migrant and the first one this autumn. The last report was two in Auchenhew Bay on 2 May. Last year there were seven reports from six locations.
Sanderling. On Tuesday 20 August there was a report of four Sanderling at Blackwaterfoot along with twenty-five Turnstone, twenty-one Ringed Plover and three Redshank, a sign that the annual migration of northern breeding birds is underway.
Turnstone. On Tuesday 20 August there was a report of twenty-two Turnstone at Dougarie along with ninety-two Ringed Plover, a sign that the annual migration of northern breeding birds is underway.
Golden Plover. On Tuesday 20 August there was a report of fifty-nine Golden Plover at Machriewaterfoot along with fifty-five Ringed Plover and eighteen Turnstone, a sign that the annual migration of northern breeding birds is underway.
Swift. On Sunday 11 August there was a report of a single Swift flying over Sliddery. This is only the third report received of this summer visitor this year. The last one was on 28 May over Mayish in Brodick. That was again a single bird. Last year I received fifteen reports of Swift on Arran including groups of up to fourteen. For more information on Swift on Arran click here.
Storm Petrel. On Friday 9 August there was a report of four Storm Petrel seen from the evening ferry from Brodick to Ardrossan. Two were within half and hour of the ferry leaving Brodick and two were further into the crossing. On 28 July there had been a report of a single Storm Petrel again seen from a boat on the sea between the Cock of Arran and Little Cumbrae. The last Arran record was in 2023. For more information click here. Before that the last record of Storm Petrel on Arran was ten years ago with two in Brodick Bay on 10 July 2013. Storm Petrel are around. Look out for them in the late summer from headlands and while on the ferries. Flat calm seas or days with strong on-shore winds are best. They are a special bird.
Whimbrel. On Monday 15 July a Whimbrel was photographed on a shore in Kildonan. Whimbrel is a regular passage migrant, mainly in the spring. Last year of the fifty Whimbrel reports received. forty-seven were in the spring. Three were in July. These July birds are either non-breeding or failed breeding birds on their way from breeding grounds in the north in the north to wintering grounds in West Afica.
Kingfisher. On Monday 15 July there was a report of a Kingfisher in Brodick. This is the first Arran Kingfisher report this year. The last report received was on 27 December 2023 again from the Brodick area. For more information on Kingfisher on Arran click here.
White-tailed Eagle. On Friday 28 June two adult White-tailed Eagle were photographed moving through Machrie Bay. This is the fifteenth Arran report this year of this vagrant species. Last year there were nine reports.
Greenshank. On Wednesday 26 June a Greenshank was phographed in Catacol Bay. This is the first Arran report this year of this uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor. Last year there were twelve reports, mainly in the autumn.
Little Egret. On Thursday 20 June there was a report of a Little Egret feeding at Cordon. The last Arran report received was on 19 April at Carlo. This may be an indication of birds beginning to return from established breeding areas.
House Sparrow, an albino. On Monday 10 June an albino House Sparrow was photographed on the south of the island. It was pure white with an absence of colour in the bare areas and pink eyes. While over the years I have had a number of reports of leucistic birds of various species with varying amounts of white on the feathers, including all white birds , this is the first albino that I have had reported to me.
Knot. On Friday 31 May a juvenile Knot was on the shore in front of the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot at early morning high tide along with other waders including Sanderling and Dunlin. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular passage migrant. The last Arran record was from Silver Sands on 21 October 2023. There were seven reports last year.
Little Stint. On Tuesday 28 May the Little Stint was, as yesterday, on the shore in front of Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot where it was photographed. To see some of the photographs taken and learn more about this long distance migrant click here. The bird was last reported on evening of Thursday 30 May.
Little Stint. On Monday 27 May a Little Stint was on the shore in front of the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot feeding on rotting seaweed along with twenty Sanderling and eight Dunlin. The Little Stint was smaller. It was in breeding plumage while the group of Dunlin and Sanderling had birds in breeding and in non-breeding plumage. This is the first Arran report this year of this uncommon passage migrant. The last Arran record of this uncommon passage migrant was twenty-two years ago in September 2002.
Swift. On Wednesday 22 May there was a report of two Swifts flying over Sliddery in the mid-morning. This is the first Arran report this year of this summer visitor. It does not breed on Arran but flies vast distances in search of aerial food. There were fifteen records last year. The first one was on 7 May.
Garden Warbler. On Monday 20 May there was a report of a Garden Warbler in North Sannox. This is the first Arran report this year of this scarce summer visitor. There were only three records last year. The first one was on 12 May.
Sanderling. On Sunday 19 May there was a report of fourteen Sanderling at Drumadoon Point. This is the largest group in recent years of this regular passage migrant. This is the third record this year. Last year there were twelve reports from six locations.
Spotted Flycatcher. On Tuesday 14 May there was a report of a Spotted Flycatcher at Whitefarland. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 18 May.
Bar-tailed Godwit. On Thursday 2 May two Bar-tailed Godwit were photographed on Porta Buidhe shore, Kildonan. This is the first Arran report this year of this uncommon passage migrant. The last Arran record was on 3 November 2023 on the shore at Lenamhor. Last year there were seven reports from six locations.
Sedge Warbler. On Sunday 28 April there was a report of a Sedge Warbler singing by Silver Sands in the morning and a report of one singing in Feorline in the afternoon. These are the first Arran reports this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was also on 28 April.
Whinchat. On Sunday 21 April there was a report of a Whinchat on Machrie Moor. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 11 May.
Whitethroat. On Sunday 21 April there was a report of a Whitethroat singing in Sliddery. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 28 April.
Tree Pipit. On Saturday 20 April there was a report of a Tree Pipit singing by Whiting Bay Golf Course. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 07 May.
Grasshopper Warbler. On Saturday 20 April there was a report of a Grasshopper Warbler reeling in Burrican by the Ross Road. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 22 April.
Whimbrel. On Thursday 18 April there was a report of three Whimbrel on the shore at Kildonan. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular passage migrant. For more information on Whimbrel on Arran click here.
Cuckoo. On Wednesday 17 April there was a report of a Cuckoo on High Newton. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 19 April.
Common Redstart. On Saturday 13 April there was a report of a Redstart calling at Largiebeg. This is the first Arran report this year of this scarce summer visitor. Last year there was one Arran report on 11 May.
Common Sandpiper. On Monday 8 April there was a report of two Common Sandpiper on Merkland shore. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 17 April.
Swallow. On Sunday 7 April there was a report of two Swallow in East Bennan. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 6 April.
House Martin. On Saturday 6 April there was a report of ten plus House Martin flying around the Lagg Hotel. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 11 April.
Sandwich Tern . On Wednesday 3 April there was a report of a Sandwich Tern resting on the shore in Whiting Bay. This is first Arran report this year of this regular passage migrant. The first Arran report last year was also on 3 April.
White Wagtail . On Wednesday 3 April there was a report of a White Wagtail on the shore at Porta Buidhe. This is first Arran report this year of this regular passage migrant. The first Arran report last year was also on 3 April.
Manx Shearwater . On Monday 1 April there was a report of five Manx Shearwaters in Whiting Bay. This is first Arran report this year of this regular passage migrant. The first Arran report last year was on 8 April.
Grey Plover. On Monday 1 April there was a report of a Grey Plover on Silver Sands, Kildonan between four o'clock and five o'clock. This uncommon passage migrant was photographed. This is the first Arran report of Grey Plover since there was one on Cleats Shire five years ago on 26-27 April 2019.
Sand Martin. Around midday on Monday 1 April there was a report of four Sand Martin flying along Kilmory Shore. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 28 March.
Willow Warbler. On Sunday 31 March there were two reports of Wilow Warbler singing one at Auchencar and one at North Newton. These are first Arran reports this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 5 April.
Great Skua. On Saturday 30 March there was a report of a Great Skua in Brodick Bay in the late afternoon. This is the first Arran record this year of this uncommon passage migrant. Last year there were two reports from two locations.
Red Kite. On Saturday 30 March there was a report of a Red Kite over Whitefarland in the morning. This was the third Arran record this year of this occasional visitor. The two previous records were also on the west coast of Arran. Last year there were two reports from two locations.
Ring Ouzel. On Sunday 24 March there were two reports of a male Ring Ouzel from two locations in the northern mountains. One male was singing. This is the first Arran report this year of this scarce summer visitor and passage migrant. Last year there were eight reports from six locations.
Chiffchaff. On the morning of Monday 18 March there was a report of Chiffchaff singing in the woods in North Kiscadale, Whiting Bay. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 23 March.
Wheatear. On Sunday 17 March there was a report of a male Wheatear in a coastal field in Thunderguy. This is the first Arran report this year of this regular summer visitor. The first Arran report last year was on 21 March.
Grey Heron ( leucistic). On Friday 15 March a leucistic Grey Heron was photographed in Lochranza. Grey Heron showing leucistic colouration have been reported intermittently in and around Lochranza since July 2017. For more information on this condition click here. Leucistic Grey Heron should not be confused with other white heron species like Great White Egret and Little Egret.
Garganey. On Monday 11 March there was a report of a pair of Garganey on the shore at the east end of Auchenhew Bay in Kildonan. This is only the third Arran record of this summer visitor. For more information on Garganey click here.
Osprey. On Thursday 29 February there was a report of an Osprey in Brodick Bay giving good views from Fisherman's Walk. This is the first report this year of this pasage migrant and summer visitor. In 2023 there were six records from five locations. All single birds. The first record in 2023 was on 11 March.
Red Kite. On Monday 26 February there was a report of a Red Kite in the afternoon flying above the twelve apostles in Catacol. This is the first report of this occasional visitor this year. In 2023 there were two records both of single birds. The last record was one by Clauchan Water on 20 October 2023. In 2022 there were five records.
Common Scoter. On Thursday 15 February there was a report of a female Common Scoter off Fairy Dell in the north of Arran. This is the fourth report of this occasional winter visitor this year.
White-tailed Eagle. On Monday 12 February a sub-adult White-tailed Eagle was photographed by the coast near Shannochie. This is the fourth report of this vagrant species this year.
Long-tailed Duck. On Sunday 11 February there was a report of a female Long-tailed Duck on the sea off Pirnmill. The last Arran report of this Arctic breeding species was a male off Porta Buidhe on 5 January 2021.
Nuthatch. On Tuesday 30 January there was a report of a Nuthatch in Strathwillan. In 2023 one bird at Cnoc na Dail on 10 October was the only record. There were no records in 2022. In 2021 one over-wintering bird generated forty reports. This species is moving north through the UK. More information here.
Common Scoter. On Wednesday 3 January there was a report of a single Common Scoter off Pirnmill. This is the first report this year of this under-reported species. The last autumn record of this occasional visitor was on Friday 17 November 2023, a male in Catacol Bay. The previous report was a report of five Common Scoter off Machriewaterfoot on 4 May 2023.