Bird Watching (UK)

SCOTLAND

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Highlights In associatio­n with ‘Mega’s in August included the long-staying American Whitewinge­d Scoter in Aberdeensh­ire, Syke’s Warbler on North Ronaldsay, Orkney, and a Swinhoe’s Petrel trapped on Fair Isle, Shetland, which was ringed there in 2013.

ARGYLL

ISLAY: Gruinart logged a Grasshoppe­r Warbler (2nd), two Hen Harriers, (6th), 12 Golden Plovers, two Knot, 26 Dunlin and 200 Mallards (22nd) and 102 Teal (26th). Ospreys were at Gartmain (1st), Bun an Uillt (23rd) and over Gortan (25th). Ballygrant had a Crossbill and Barn Owl. A Spotted Flycatcher and Merlin were at Bowmore. Kilchoman had a Sparrowhaw­k (11th), 14 Mistle Thrushes, 20 Choughs and a Whitethroa­t (15th) and a Marsh Harrier (28th). A Sooty Shearwater was with Manx Shearwater­s in the Sound of Islay (23rd), with 30 Kittiwakes (30th). A Coot was on Loch Gorm. There were 42 Choughs, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, two Hen Harriers and a Peregrine at Ardnave (24th). A Great Skua was at Claddach Loch (25th). A Great Crested Grebe was at Port Charlotte. Two Great Skuas, 3,023 Manx Shearwater­s, 35 Sooty Shearwater­s and 363 Gannets were off Frenchman’s Rocks (31st). TIREE: An early Spotted Sandpiper was at Balephetri­sh Bay (14th-22nd). A Pacific Golden Plover was at Middleton (29th-31st). Ospreys were at Milton (4th) and at Loch a’ Phuill (5th). A Hobby was at Barrapol (28th), with a very early Redwing there (30th). A Med Gull was at The Green (19th). A Pied Flycatcher was at Carnan Mor (24th). A Black-throated Diver was off Soa (11th). A Golden Eagle was at Ruaig (11th). Two Robins returned. An early Goldcrest was at Balephuil (24th). There were three Cuckoos (12th-18th), a trickle of Willow Warblers, Greenland Wheatears (from 29th) and White Wagtails (from 15th). Passage waders included a bumper 42 Curlew Sandpipers (from 19th), including a flock of 23, 17 Ruff (from 13th), 18 Knot (from 9th), four Whimbrels, nine Greenshank­s, 195 Black-tailed Godwits, two Grey Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 350 Ringed Plovers and 411 Sanderling. Summering birds included two Whooper Swans, a Woodpigeon, Dunnock and Great Northern Diver. Two pairs of Moorhens bred, as did Tiree’s second-ever pair of House Martins. Three Sparrowhaw­ks, four Merlins and four Hen Harriers hunted. The all-island count (29th-30th) found 2,357 Greylags, 3,135 Lapwing and 650 Golden Plovers. Seawatchin­g produced a record 23,530 Manx Shearwater­s in two hours off Aird (8th), with movements per hour of up to 395 Gannets, 380 Fulmars, 82 Kittiwakes and 234 Puffins. There were 27 Sooty Shearwater­s, 20 Storm Petrels, 18 Great Skuas, ten Arctic Skuas, a Pomarine Skua (8th) and eight Common Terns (15th). James How (Islaybirds.blogspot.co.uk) and Dr John Bowler (john.bowler@rspb.org.uk)

BORDERS

HIGHLIGHTS: Up to six Ospreys showed regularly at Watch Water in the Lammermuir Hills, with singles at Yetholm Loch (8th & 23rd) and Tweed Bridge, Coldstream (18th). Seawatchin­g at Rotten Brae, Eyemouth (6th) produced 275 Gannets, 23 Shags, 120 Kittiwakes, 11 Fulmars, five Sandwich Terns and 10 Oystercatc­hers. Paxton House (4th) had a Wood Sandpiper and Kingfisher, with 14 Cormorants and 146 Swifts (11th). Hirsel (18th) had four Tufted Ducks, 20 Coots and 18 Little Grebes. Hule Moss (Greenlaw Moor) had five Sanderling, a Wood Sandpiper and 288 Swallows (14th), with two Ruff (21st) and Red Kite (24th). A Peregrine flushed 24 Tufted Ducks, 43 Teal and two Ringed Plovers there (27th). Greenlaw Pool (Foulden) had 11 Ruff. A pair of Golden Eagle successful­ly raised two young in the region. James D Lough

CENTRAL REGION

HIGHLIGHTS: A Little Stint was at Skinflats (5th), with a Med Gull there (17th). A Little Gull was at Kinneil Lagoon (8th). A Curlew Sandpiper at Powfoulis was a site first (19th). Six more were at Skinflats Pools (21st). A Honey Buzzard flew over Bo’ness (23rd). CLACKMANNA­NSHIRE: A Green Sandpiper was at Tullibody Inch (11th). Two Swifts were over Dollar (26th). FALKIRK DISTRICT: Four Pinkfeet were either over-summering birds or early returnees (25th). KINNEIL: A Bar-tailed Godwit, 571 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank were noted (4th). A Shoveler, 658 Black-tailed Godwits and two Greenshank­s were present (18th). A Little Egret was seen several times (19th-27th). POWFOULIS: There was a Ruff, 25 Sandwich Terns and a Swift (14th). A Little Egret, Shoveler and Greenshank were seen (20th). A Ruff was present (28th). SKINFLATS POOLS: There were six Shovelers (9th), Greenshank­s (14th and 28th), a Ruff (21st) and Whimbrel (28th). STIRLING DISTRICT: A Nuthatch was at Cambusmore (14th) with four at Doon Hill, Aberfoyle (18th). Neil Bielby DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY HIGHLIGHTS: Ospreys were at Threave, Loch Doon, Caerlavero­ck, Wigtown Bay, River Annan and Mull of Galloway. A Great White Egret (22nd-31st) and Marsh Harrier were at Caerlavero­ck. Green Sandpipers were at Cumstoun and Caerlavero­ck. Greenshank­s were at Crook of Baldoon, Piltanton, Carse Bay and Caerlavero­ck. Curlew Sandpipers were at Piltanton and Powillimou­nt. The Solway coast held five Med Gulls, 60 Sandwich Terns, Common Sandpiper, White Wagtail, Whimbrel, 100 Golden Plovers, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone, Whinchat, Wheatear, 50 Linnets and Meadow Pipits. Twenty Fieldfares were at Laurieston (23rd). Little Egrets were at the River Nith, Crook of Baldoon, Piltanton and Garlieston Bay. Three Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits, 1,000 Teal, Wigeon, Pintails and Shovelers were at Caerlavero­ck and Crook of Baldoon. A Bar-tailed Godwit was at Southernes­s (23rd). A Scaup, and hundreds of Shelducks, Pintails and Greylags were at Airds Point (30th). MULL OF GALLOWAY/RHINS: Gannet, Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Manx Shearwater, Little Ringed Plover, Reed Warbler, Peregrine, Sparrowhaw­k, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whitethroa­t, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, Linnet and hirundines were noted. Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe and Red-throated Diver were on Loch Ryan. OTHER SITES: Red Kites were at Threave Estate/castle Douglas. Snipe, Lapwing and Raven were at Caerlavero­ck. Nuthatch and Little Grebe were at Eskrigg. Oystercatc­hers and Curlews were in Kirkcudbri­ght Bay. Goosanders were at Powillimou­nt and Airds Point. Dunlin, Lapwing, Snipe, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Wheatear, Whitethroa­t, Redstart and Whinchat were at Powillimou­nt/carse. Knot, Dunlin, Oystercatc­her and Redshank were at Southernes­s and Mersehead. Tawny Owls were widespread. Pam Woods (Dumfriesan­dgallowayb­irding@yahoogroup­s.com)

FAIR ISLE

HIGHLIGHTS: A Ring-necked Duck (23rd) was our second record. A Swinhoe’s Petrel trapped (14th & 15th) and heard again (23rd) had originally been caught in 2013. There were Greenish Warblers (19th, 23rd & 28th), a Blyth’s Reed Warbler (28th), Rose-coloured Starling (31st) and Booted Warbler (28th-31st). WILDFOWL: Maxima included 11 Greylags, a Tufted Duck, 129 Eiders, a Long-tailed Duck, 89 Oystercatc­hers, 122 Ringed Plovers, 35 Golden Plovers, eight Lapwings, 17 Knot, eight Sanderling, two Little Stints, 25 Purple Sandpipers, 38 Dunlin, 19 Ruff, 47 Snipe, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Whimbrels, 14 Curlews, seven Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, three Greenshank­s, a Wood Sandpiper, 59 Redshanks and 95 Turnstones. There were two Red-throated Divers, four Sooty Shearwater­s and a Pomarine Skua seen from the Good Shepherd, and two Manx Shearwater­s. Storm Petrel ringing was conducted on 11 nights with a total of 1,279 birds caught, maximum 312 (15th). Three Leach’s Petrels were also caught. There were eight Cormorants, 11 Herons and Slavonian Grebes (19th and 24th). A Hen Harrier, four Kestrels, two Merlins and a Peregrine hunted. There were eight Black-headed Gulls, 199 Common Gulls, 44 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Common Tern (1st), an Arctic Tern, an oiled Long-eared Owl and the last six Swifts (29th). Three Wrynecks arrived (from 19th), with a Red-backed Shrike (21st-26th), 48 Sky Larks, 20 Pied Wagtails, 106 White Wagtails, a Grey-headed Wagtail on four dates, a Grey Wagtail (27th), 10 Tree Pipits, 702 Meadow Pipits and 193 Rock Pipits. Maxima included 16 Swallows, two Sand Martins, a House Martin, three Wood Warblers, five Chiffchaff­s, 183 Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, seven Garden Warblers, four Barred Warblers, six Lesser Whitethroa­ts, five Whitethroa­ts, a Grasshoppe­r Warbler, three Sedge Warblers, five Reed Warblers and four Icterine Warblers. There was one summering Blackbird, with the first migrant (29th), two Fieldfares (from 18th), a summering Redwing, joined by another (from 28th), three Spotted Flycatcher­s, a Black Redstart, two Redstarts, 253 Wheatears, 19 Pied Flycatcher­s, four Bramblings, two Linnets, 192 Twite, a Crossbill, and a Common Rosefinch (from 23rd), with two (28th-29th). Lee Gregory

FIFE

HIGHLIGHTS: A Corn Crake was at Boarhills (28th). A Black Tern was at Ruddons Point (28th). A Greenish Warbler was at Kilminning (20th). CENTRAL FIFE: Letham Pools had Osprey, five Water Rails, Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshanks, Greenshank­s, Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff and two Whinchats (27th). Wilderness had Little Ringed Plovers, Ringed Plovers, Knot, Little Stints, Wood Sandpipers, Green Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwits, Common Sandpipers, Greenshank­s, Dunlin and Ruff. A Little Stint was at Pathhead (13th). A Green Sandpiper visited Linkswood Pool. Dysart had Great and Pomarine Skua (20th). Med Gulls were at East Wemyss (five, 24th), Dysart and Buckhaven. Four Whinchats were in Glen Vale. A Pied Flycatcher was in Beveridge Park (27th). EAST FIFE: A Marsh Harrier was at Crail (24th). A Little Stint was at Balcomie Beach with Curlew Sandpipers (20th-21st). Another Curlew Sandpiper was at Tayport (28th). Little Stints, Common Sandpipers, Greenshank­s and Ruff were in the Eden Estuary. Whimbrels were at Balcomie and Fife Ness (30th). Great Skuas, Arctic Skuas and a Long-tailed Skua passed Fife Ness (28th). Whinchats were at Kilminning. Nine Wheatears were at Balcomie (27th). Med Gulls were at Anstruther and St Andrews. Balcomie held a Garden Warbler, 10 Willow Warblers and Pied Flycatcher (20th). Pied Flycatcher­s were at Wormiston and Fife Ness. WEST FIFE: Four Common Sandpipers were at Loch Gelly (21st). Valleyfiel­d Lagoons held 11 Greenshank­s (23rd). Two Whimbrels were at Culross (14th) and five Ruff at Loch Gelly. A Barn Owl was at Cowdenbeat­h (16th). Med Gulls visited Aberdour and Kelty. Some 167 Tree Pipits flew over Ferryhills in three hours (14th). A Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher­s were also there. David Heeley (dw.heeley@btinternet.com)

HIGHLANDS

HIGHLIGHTS: The long-staying Black Duck remained at Strontian. Hobbies were at Cromdale (16th), Nethybridg­e (23rd) and Insh Marshes (all month). Sabine’s Gulls were at Neist Point (30th), Staffin (all month) and Chanonry Point (29th). A Honey Buzzard was near Marybank (16th). A Nuthatch was at Dundonnell (25th) and a Lesser Whitethroa­t at Dornie (8th). An Icterine Warbler visited Tarbat Ness (20th-21st).

BADENOCH AND STRATHSPEY: A Marsh Harrier at Insh Marshes and a Kingfisher at Kingussie were seen throughout. A Green Woodpecker was at Feshiebrid­ge (5th).

EASTER ROSS: A Quail was at Tain (1st). Sea-watching at Tarbat Ness produced maxima of 15 Common Scoters, a Sooty Shearwater (13th), 250 Manx Shearwater­s (29th), three Arctic Skuas (22nd), five Pomarine Skuas (31st), two Puffins (25th), 90 Black Guillemots (27th), 44 Arctic Terns (13th) and 750 Kittiwakes (22nd). Also there were 18 Whimbrels (20th), 27 Black-tailed Godwits, a Purple Sandpiper (21st) and two Pied Flycatcher­s (22nd).

INVERNESS-SHIRE AND BLACK ISLE: A Kingfisher was at Udale Bay (21st). A Curlew Sandpiper (21st) and four Arctic Skuas (29th) were at Chanonry Point. A White-tailed Eagle was near Beauly (19th). A Stock Dove was at Castle Stuart (4th). Fort George had a Grey Plover (9th) and six Arctic Skuas (20th). Maxima at Whiteness included 200 Bar-tailed Godwits, 540 Knot, 235 Dunlin, 66 Sanderling, 106 Common Terns and 235 Sandwich Terns. Also seen was a Brent Goose (from 13th), Pochard (3rd), two Ospreys (21st), a Grey Plover (13th-14th), Little Stint (13th), a Curlew Sandpiper (from 19th), with two (from 28th) and a Short-eared Owl (28th).

NW & SUTHERLAND: The Balnakeil area held Marsh Harrier (26th-28th), 15 Black-tailed Godwits (21st) and six Ruff (22nd-23rd). A Merlin was at Stoer Head (4th & 25th). A Curlew Sandpiper was in the Bay of Culkein (23rd). Ten Sooty Shearwater­s passed Rubha Reidh (30th). There were 55 Puffins off the Summer Isles (1st). The Glaucous Gull remained at Ullapool. A Long-eared Owl was at Glascarnoc­h (11th). Little Stints (4th & 17th) and 175 Sanderling were at Dornoch.

SKYE AND SW: Some 1,216 Manx Shearwater­s and two Storm Petrels passed Neist Point (7th). A Leach’s Petrel was off Staffin (20th). A Grey Plover was in Balmeanach Bay (21st). Broadford Bay held 21 Whimbrels (7th), six Greenshank­s (4th) and 120 Twite (15th). On the mainland, a Mandarin was on Loch nan Eala (to 18th). A Curlew Sandpiper (26th-27th) and Ruff (from 27th) were at Traigh. Tom Wells

LOTHIAN

HIGHLIGHTS: Musselburg­h scrapes held single Wood Sandpipers (2nd-8th & 17th) while an Egyptian Goose was briefly at the Eskmouth (5th). Green Sandpipers were recorded at Musselburg­h (5th, 17-19th), Tyninghame (11th-15th) and Scoughall (20th). A Little Ringed Plover was at Aberlady and a Little Tern at Tyninghame (7th). An adult Spotted Sandpiper showed very well at Fluke Dub, near Dunbar (15th-21st). A Wryneck was at White Sands (20th). A summer-plumage Black Guillemot was in Gosford Bay (22nd). Sea-watching on the 27th produced Black Terns at Musselburg­h and Scoughall, Sooty Shearwater­s at Aberlady and Barns Ness and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua past Barns Ness. Scoughall also featured a Cory’s Shearwater (28th). Marsh Harriers were seen widely including at Aberlady (7th & 13th), Tyninghame (10th, 19th and two on the 29th), White Sands Quarry (20th), Scoughall (20th-30th), Harperrigg (25th) and Innerwick (30th).

MUSSELBURG­H AREA: Peak wader counts on the scrapes included two Little Stints (5th-8th), four Greenshank­s (16th), 24 Ruff (20th), 19 Black-tailed Godwits (22nd) and seven Curlew Sandpipers (22nd). The scrapes also featured an adult Little Gull (5th-17th), a Med Gull (17th), an Osprey over (21st) and three Little Egrets (22nd). A Red-necked Grebe (6th-24th) and a Black-throated Diver (10th-30th) were seen. An Arctic Tern (26th), 10 Arctic Skuas (27th), three Bonxies (28th) and a Pomarine Skua (28th) passed offshore.

ABERLADY AREA: A Little Stint and Shoveler were present (7th). A Roseate Tern (13th) and Osprey (21st) were seen from Gullane Point. Three Curlew Sandpipers were noted by the timber bridge (28th). Up to seven Little Egrets were in the area throughout.

TYNINGHAME AREA: Waders included 18 Greenshank­s (4th-6th), 10 Whimbrel and four Little Stints (6th), three Black-tailed Godwits (14th), four Ruff (21st) and two Curlew Sandpipers (24th-26th). A Merlin and two Yellow Wagtails (6th) and a juvenile Redstart (10th) were seen. Scoughall held Lesser Whitethroa­t and Whinchat (15th), two Scaup (27th), five Arctic Skua and two Bonxies (30th).

BARNS NESS: Two Ruff were at White Sands Quarry (6th) which also held Red-necked Grebe (10th). A Pied Flycatcher and two Whinchats were at Barns Ness (20th). A Curlew Sandpiper influx (21st-25th) included singles at Barns Ness and Thorntonlo­ch, two at Torness and three at White Sands. A Little Stint was at Torness (28th). Sea-watching at Barns Ness on the 28th produced five Bonxies, 18 Arctic Skuas, 15 Manx Shearwater­s and 40 Brent Geese.

OTHER SITES: Cramond featured nine Greenshank­s (2nd), five Common Sandpipers (6th), six Whimbrels (7th) and five Bonxies (29th), with an Osprey at Hound Point (9th). A Med Gull (2nd), two Roseate Terns (9th) and 24 Red-necked Grebes (22nd) were in Gosford Bay. A Quail sang near Kingston (14th). Those looking for the Spotted Sandpiper (15th-21st) at Fluke Dub also recorded an Osprey, a Merlin, three Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, a Med Gull, and four Yellow Wagtails. Jim Nicholson

ORKNEY

HIGHLIGHTS: A Black-throated Diver was off Wester Sand, Holm and three Great Northern Divers off North Ronaldsay. The Brough of Birsay logged up to 6,300 Fulmars per hour plus 42 Manx Shearwater­s. There were 43 of the latter off North Ronaldsay, plus a peak of 81 Sooty Shearwater­s, a Fea’s Petrel (1st), Cory’s Shearwater (25th), Great Shearwater­s (30th and 31st), a Balearic Shearwater (31st), 28 Storm Petrels (7th) and 3,002 Gannets (30th). The Ring-necked Duck was seen again on the Loch of Bosquoy. A Buzzard was unusual on North Ronaldsay. Water Rails were there and at The Loons. Wader maxima included 1,117 Golden Plovers, a Grey Plover, a Dotterel at Skelwick, 173 Knot, 90 Sanderling, 13 Little Stints, two Curlew Sandpipers, 33 Purple Sandpipers, 226 Dunlin, a Baird’s Sandpiper at Eve’s Loch, Deerness (17th), 35 Ruff, 182 Snipe, 61 Black-tailed Godwits, 64 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Whimbrels, three Greenshank­s, a Spotted Redshank, two Green Sandpipers, two Wood Sandpipers, three Common Sandpipers and 351 Turnstones. Arctic Skuas were seen in good numbers. A Long-tailed Skua was off Point of Ayre and a Pomarine Skua off Burwick. A Little Gull was at the Hope, a Med Gull in Birsay Bay and a Glaucous Gull at the Peedie Sea. A Cuckoo was at The Shunan. Six Wrynecks were on North Ronaldsay and one at Ness Burray. North Ronaldsay logged peaks of two Tree Pipits, 310 Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, eight White Wagtails, a Black Redstart, two Redstarts, five Whinchats, 138 Wheatears, a Grasshoppe­r Warbler, Marsh Warbler, two Reed Warblers, two Icterine Warblers, a Blackcap, 73 Willow Warblers, five Chiffchaff­s, a Wood Warbler, two Red-backed Shrikes and 27 Pied Flycatcher­s. A Sykes’s Warbler there (28th), was only the 13th British record. Three Barred Warblers were on North Ronaldsay, with another at East Denwick. Greenish Warblers were on Papay, North Ronaldsay, Evie and South Ronaldsay. Goldcrests bred at Happy Valley. A Tree Sparrow was in Deerness. Goldfinche­s continue to colonise the St. Ola/firth/orphir area. Similarly, redpolls look as though they are becoming truly establishe­d with 20 at Longhouse, St. Ola, ‘good numbers’ at Muddisdale, 14 in the Scorradale/linnadale area of Orphir and four on North Ronaldsay. Two Common Rosefinche­s were on North Ronaldsay and one on Papay. Two Lapland Buntings on Papay’s North Hill were early. Eric Meek

OUTER HEBRIDES

HIGHLIGHTS: A Western Sandpiper was at Aird an Runair, Balranald (31st). A Semipalmat­ed Sandpiper was off Balgarva, South Uist (18th-20th).

OTHER SITES: A Great Crested Grebe was on Loch Sandary (1st). Sooty Shearwater­s were regular off Ardvule with 91 (31st), when four were off Griminish Point and 15 off Aird an Runair. Nine were seen from the Ullapoolst­ornoway ferry (24th), with eight off Barra (23rd). Storm Petrels included 34 past Ardvule (10th) and 95, plus three Leach’s Petrels seen from the Ullapool-stornoway ferry (24th). An Osprey was at Loch Bee (14th). The Crane remained in the Loch Mor/loch Fada area. An influx of Curlew Sandpipers involved at least 50 individual­s (from 20th), including 14 on Baleshare (23rd). Little Stints were at Balivanich (23rd-26th), Stoneybrid­ge and Bornish (27th). A Wood Sandpiper was at West Loch Ollay (20th-21st). Green Sandpipers were at Creagorry, Mingulay and Loch Sandary. A Spotted Redshank was at Berneray (18th). Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at the Butt and Balranald (31st). A Little Gull flew south at Ardvule (26th) and an Iceland Gull was at Borve Point (18th). A Turtle Dove was at Balranald (31st). A Grey Wagtail was at Brevig (4th). A Hawfinch was at Morghan, Barra (6th). Steve Duffield (www.western-isles-wildlife.co. uk)

PERTH AND KINROSS

HIGHLIGHTS: Loch Leven logged 10 Ospreys (20th), a Little Ringed Plover (22nd), Wood Sandpiper (20th), 1,000 Mallards and 2,000 Coots (20th), 200 Pintails (26th), four Ringed Plovers (31st), 10 Black-tailed Godwits (16th), a Turnstone (2nd), Knot (22nd), 11 Ruff (31st), five Dunlin, four Common Sandpipers (20th), three Greenshank­s (25th) and 7,000 Sand Martins (31st). There were 46 Little Grebes, 140 Mallards and 290 Teal at Carsebreck (16th), plus three Red Kites (31st). Five Grey Partridges were at Orwell, Loch Leven (12th). Two Hen Harriers and a Merlin were at Glendevon (13th) with a Hen Harrier near Trochy (14th). A White-tailed Eagle visited Megginch (12th). Lapwings included 200 at Carsebreck and 286 at Port Allen (31st). Kingfisher­s were at Port Allen (7th and 22nd) and Carsebreck (16th). A Redstart visited a Milnathort garden (27th). A Tree Pipit was at Battleby (17th). Nine Twite were at Ben Lawers (10th). Scott Paterson (pkrecorder@the-soc.org.uk)

TAYSIDE

HIGHLIGHTS: A Black Tern was at Arbroath (28th), with Med Gulls there (1st & 28th) and 58 Little Gulls (26th). A Red-necked Grebe was on the Lurgies (2nd). A Ring-necked Parakeet was in a Kirriemuir garden (2nd). There were 37 Manx Shearwater­s, six Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, Whimbrel and two Little Terns at Fish Town (1st), with a Hobby (20th-22nd). A Black-throated Diver was at Back Water Dam (3rd). A Roseate Tern was at Seaton of Usan (29th). A White-rumped Sandpiper, Little Stint and Little Ringed Plover were at Montrose Basin. Forfar Loch (9th) held a Little Ringed Plover and Osprey (18th). A Nuthatch came to feeders at Letham Grange (14th). Six Curlew Sandpipers were at Rossie Spit (24th). A Pied Flycatcher was at Mains of Usan (21st). Three Quails were at Fern Brechin (26th),

LOCH OF KINNORDY: Two Marsh Harriers, Osprey, Buzzard, 20 Mistle Thrushes, two Sedge Warblers, 60 Lapwings, four Mute Swans with eight cygnets and Water Rail were present (11th). The feeding station attracted Tree Sparrow, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Siskin. Two Ospreys, a Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit were seen (27th).

MONTROSE BASIN: Maxima included 11 Cormorants, 152 Mute Swans, 105 Shelducks, 50 Wigeon, 21 Teal, 1,493 Eider, 57 Goldeneye, 64 Goosanders, 932 Oystercatc­hers, 1,028 Lapwings, 26 Knot, 233 Dunlin, 50 Black-tailed Godwits, 323 Curlews, 1,434 Redshanks, 13 Greenshank­s, two Turnstones, a Guillemot, 93 Sandwich Terns, 419 Common Terns and a Gannet. The Lurgies (10th-12th) held an Osprey, Kingfisher, 13 Pinkfeet, three Ruff, two Water Rails and four Common Sandpipers. A Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Ruff were on the Slunks (28th).

OTHER SITES: Craig Mill Den (2nd) held a Sedge Warbler, two Tree Sparrows and two Grey Wagtails. Lunan Bay logged 40 Gannets, Velvet and Common Scoters, 19 Sandwich Terns, four Fulmars, 141 Sandwich Terns, 16 Common Terns, 85 Kittiwakes, a Whimbrel, two Stock Doves, two Knot, six Sanderling and four Oystercatc­hers. Arbroath Harbour held three Turnstones. Forfar Loch (3rd) held five Great Crested Grebes with three young and 12 Little Grebes with five young. The East Haven coast (20th) held three Little Gulls, two Ruff, two Whimbrels and 100 Gannets. Barry Buddon (21st) had two Whinchats, Wheatear and Kestrel. Craig Mill Den (23rd) had Dipper, two Grey Wagtails, Kestrel and Spotted Flycatcher. Riverside Nature Park (27th) had Kingfisher, five Curlew Sandpipers, Ruff, two Ospreys, Sparrowhaw­k and Whitethroa­t. Bob Mccurley

 ??  ?? King Eider, Murcar GC, Aberdeensh­ire, July
King Eider, Murcar GC, Aberdeensh­ire, July

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