September 2021

Bird Sightings

The weather in September was almost identical to August in terms of mean temperature and rainfall. In comparison to last September, it was warmer and drier. September was generally dry and settled. September is the start of the peak migration season when many birds are on the move. The weather was conducive for watching this migration.

Birds on migration included: twenty-one White Wagtail on Sliddery Shore on 2^nd, four Common Scoter off Pirnmill on 6^th, twelve Dunlin at Drumadoon Point on 8^th, two Sandwich Tern in Brodick Bay on 10^th, one Knot on Cleats Shore on 12^th, one Whimbrel and seven Wheatear on Cleats Shore on 18^th, one Sanderling at Drumadoon Point on 23^rd and two reports of Arctic Skua in Brodick Bay one on 7^th and one on 23^rd.

At this time of year birds begin to flock together, often in preparation for migration. Reports included: one hundred Goldfinch by Torrylinn shore on 8^th, one hundred and twenty Kittiwake at Blackwaterfoot on 10^th, seventy Starling on Silver Sands on 11^th, 100 Shag by Pladda on 12^th, one hundred and forty-four Golden Plover and ninety Ringed Plover at Machriewaterfoot on 12^th, three hundred Linnet and two hundred Greylag Geese on Cleats Shore also on 12^th, one hundred and fifty Common Gull at Blackwaterfoot on 20^th, thirty-one Oystercatcher at Whitefarland on 24^th and twelve Turnstone on Sliddery Shore also on 24^th.This gives an indication of the numbers of birds that are on the move at this time of year.

In September there were reports of returning winter visitors including: one Wigeon on Sliddery Shore on 2^nd, forty-one Pink-footed Geese flying over Kildonan on 5^th, eight Rook on Cleats Shore on 12^th, thirty Whooper Swan over Drumadoon on 25^th and six Brent Geese at Thunderguy on 29^th. This goose will feature in the next ”Banner” bird note. A number of summer visitors were still around in September including: two Lesser Black-backed Gull at Kilpatrick Point on 1^st, one Willow Warbler at Auchencar on 7^th, one Whitethroat on Cleats Shore on 12^th and two Chiffchaff in Glen Rosa on 20^th. For House Martin, the largest September record was fifty at the Auchrannie on 7^th and the latest one was ten in Corrie on 22^nd. For Swallow the largest group was two hundred in Blackwaterfoot on 9^th and the latest one was four in Sliddery on 30^th. October should see the last of the House Martins, Swallows and other summer visitors departing south.

Around hundred species were recorded on Arran in September. Other interesting sightings this month included: three Common Crossbill in Brodick on 6^th, one Twite on Cleats Shore on 12^th, two Goosander at Machriewaterfoot also on 12^th, a Little Grebe on Cleats Shore on 18^th, two Treecreeper in Glen Rosa on 20^th, twelve Long-tailed Tit at Silver Sands on 29^th and ten Gannet off Porta Buidhe also on 29^th. Gannet will soon be heading south for the winter. To conclude this section, on 17^th people travelling on the school bus had a close encounter with an adult White-tailed Eagle being mobbed by gulls close to Thunderguy.

Finally, my thanks to all the “volunteers” who took part in the Eider survey in September. There will be a brief report on this in the October Notes.