September 2025

Bird Sightings

September was a little cooler than August and the rainfall was very similar to the rainfall of August. The weather was generally conducive for birdwatching at this time of year, when migration is in full flow with many birds on the move. It was the time to expect the unexpected. A female type Marsh Harrier flew over Rubha Salach on 8^th and a Red Kite graced the east end of Torrylinn shore on 17^th. Only the second record this year of these scarce species on Arran.

In September, summer visitors were leaving but some were still around including: one Whitethroat at Clachaig on 3^rd , three Sand Martin also in Clachaig on 4^th, forty Swallow in Lagg also on 4^th, one Spotted Flycatcher at Lakin on 5^th, one Swift over Newton on 7^th ( This species will feature in the next Bird Note), three Common Sandpiper at Clauchlands on 8^th, twenty House Martin in Newton on 10^th, one Garden Warbler in Strathwillan on 15^th, seventeen Lesser Black-backed Gull in Lochranza on 16^th, two Chiffchaff on Cleats Shore on 22^nd and one Willow Warbler also on Cleats Shore on 23^rd. The last record of Sand Martin was on 10^th, the last record of House Martin was 16^th and Swallow were being reported up to the end of the month. October should see the last of the Swallows and other summer visitors departing south.

In September there were reports of returning winter visitors including: twenty four Rook on Cleats Shore on 14^th, twenty Wigeon at Clauchlands on 15^th, one Purple Sandpiper at Clauchlands Point on 18^th, three hundred Pink-footed Geese over Auchangallon on 19^th and four Fieldfare at the Narachan on 28^th. . October should see increasing numbers of these species and others including Redwing, Goldeneye and Whooper Swan. Look out for them.

Species on migration were visible particularly round our coasts including: one Arctic Tern in Whiting Bay on 2^nd, one Bar-tailed Godwit on Silver Sands on 3^rd, five Knot in Cosyden on 9^th, one Merlin on Cleats Shore also on 9^th, two Dunlin in Clauchlands on 16^th, two Wheatear on Sliddery Shore on 17^th, one Black-tailed Godwit in Blackwaterfoot on 18^th, five Sanderling at Drumadoon Point on 20^th, twenty-seven Golden Plover on Cleats Shore on 22^nd, two White Wagtail in Porta Buidhe on 25^th and two Whimbrel in Pirnmill on 30^th.

At this time of year birds begin to flock together, often in preparation for migration. Reports included; one hundred and twenty-five Chaffinch and one hundred and fifty Linnet on Cleats Shore on 4^th, one hundred Manx Shearwater off Pladda on 8^th, eighty Ringed Plover at Drumadoon Point on 9^th, one hundred and sixty Starling in Kildonan also on 9^th, sixty Woodpigeon on Clauchlands Farm on 10^th, one hundred and four Shag on Hamilton Rock on 16^th, thirty Razorbill in Brodick Bay on 18^th, one hundred and fifty Common Gull in Lochranza on 20^th, sixty Gannet off Imachar Point on 22^nd, seventy-five Skylark on Cleats Shore also on 22^nd, five hundred Guillemot in Brodick Bay on 23^rd, twenty-three Turnstone in Sandbraes on 24^th and forty-four Oystercatchers in Sandbraes on 27^th. This gives an insight into the numbers of birds that are on the move at this time of year.

Over hundred species were recorded on Arran in September. Other interesting sightings this month included: a juvenile White-tailed Eagle patrolling southern shores on 8^th and 9^th, five Little Grebe in Loch Ranza on 9^th, three Red-throated Diver off Pirnmill on 13^th, two Dipper at Clauchlands on 15^th, fifteen Black-throated Diver in Catacol Bay on 20^th, one hundred and fifty Kittiwake in Pirnmill also on 20^th, and twelve Long-tailed Tit on Lamlash Golf Club on 26^th. In September there were six reports of Kingfisher from round Brodick Bay including one seen flying up Strathwillan burn on 13^th while the observer was waiting for a bus. In addition there were eighteen reports of Little Egret including five in Cordon on 15^th, the largest group reported on Arran so far.

Finally, my thanks to all the “volunteers” who took part in the Eider survey in September. The largest group reported was seventeen off Pirnmill on 23^rd. There will be a brief report on this in the October Notes.

Enjoy your birding.