September 2024

Bird Sightings

In comparison to the rest of the summer, September was dry. The latter half of the month saw some of the best weather of the summer with prolonged sunshine particularly on the west coast. This September had less than half the rainfall of last September. September is the start of the peak migration season when many birds are on the move after breeding. The weather was generally conducive for watching this migration.

In September, summer visitors were leaving but some were still around including a Blackcap in Pirnmill on 5^th, three Lesser Black-backed Gull in Lamlash on 18^th, a Whitethroat by Cleats Shore also on 18th, a Whinchat in Glenree on 24^th and five Chiffchaff in Sliddery on 28^th. The largest September group of House Martin reported was thirty on Pirnmill on 6^th and the largest group of Swallow reported was forty over Silver Sands on 13^th. Both species were being reported up to the end of the month. October should see the last of the House Martins, Swallows and other summer visitors departing south.

In September there were reports of returning winter visitors including: a Brent Goose in Lamlash Bay on 19^th and at Sandbraes on 23^rd, fourteen Rook on Cleats Shore on 26th, one hundred Greylag Geese also on Cleats Shore on 21^st and skeins of Pink-footed Geese flying over, including one hundred and twenty-one over Sliddery on 26^th. October should see increasing numbers of these species and others including Fieldfare, Redwing, Whooper Swan and Wigeon. Look out for them.

Species on migration were visible particularly round our coasts including: one Arctic Skua in Brodick Bay on 1^st, six Dunlin on Silver Sands on 3^rd, a male Merlin in Glenree on 4^th, a Whimbrel in Pirnmill on 12^th, two White Wagtail in Porta Buidhe on 15^th, five Redshank in Blackwaterfoot on 17^th, ten Lapwing on Cleats Shore on 21^st, three Wheatear and five Robin at Porta Buidhe on 23^rd and a Yellowhammer, a species that previously bred on Arran, in North Newton on 29^th.

At this time of year birds begin to flock together, often in preparation for migration. Reports included; one hundred Woodpigeon in Cordon on 8^th, seventy Ringed Plover at Dougarie on 11^th, one hundred Kittiwake at Fisherman’s Walk on 14^th, thirty Turnstone at Drumadoon Point on 15^th, seventeen Red-breasted Merganser at Whitefarland on 17^th, two hundred and fifty Linnet on Cleats Shore on 18th, sixty Golden Plover at Machriewaterfoot on 23^rd, fifty Skylark at Lagg Distillery on 25^th,one hundred and forty Meadow Pipit on Cleats Shore on 26th, twelve Twite at King’s Cave on 28^th and four hundred Starling in Kildonan on 30^th.This gives an insight into the numbers of birds that are on the move at this time of year.

Around hundred species were recorded on Arran in September. Other interesting sightings this month included: ten Black-headed Gull in Porta Buidhe on 4^th, a Fulmar and a Manx Shearwater off Fairy Dell on 10^th, two White-tailed Eagle on Balliekine Shore on 11^th, six Black Guillemot off Holy Isle on 17^th, two Dipper by Fisherman’s Walk also on 17^th, one Black-throated Diver off Pirnmill on 18^th, two Snipe in Glenree on 19^th, twenty Gannet off Pirnmill on 21^st, six Goosander in Cosyden on 23^rd, four Red-throated Diver off Pirnmill also on 23^rd, one Red Grouse on Meall Biorach on 26^th, three Little Grebe in Loch Ranza on 27^th, two Shelduck at Merkland Point on 29^th and last but by no means least, four reports of Kingfisher from two locations around Brodick throughout September.

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.