LOCHGILPHEAD
A superb sea loch with waders and wildfowl
Having made a great many trips to Islay, I have often seen this loch at its best with a low tide. Even with a high tide, the Wigeon can be close up to the town, and there always seems plenty of waders. With luck, not too many to stop you reaching the ferry at Kennacraig on time!
WHERE TO WATCH
1
Approaching Loch Gilp from the A83 from Glasgow, there are a few ‘pull-overs’ on your side of the road. The estuary is very shallow at this point, so look out for a lowering tide to have the best results. Winter gives you a large flock of Wigeon around here, so check through them just in case there is an American Wigeon lurking. Check the Teal for anything unusual.
2
A lay-by opposite some houses is ideal for a scan. This is the place to look for waders around the mud. Local birds include Redshank, Oystercatchers and Lapwing, but autumn can see passage wading birds, especially Dunlin and Ringed Plover, moving through.
3
Even at the Green, with the town shops close by, birds can be seen often at very close range. Gulls are a good way of adding yet more species to your day list, with local Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Great Black-backed worth looking for, but the classic ‘white-wingers’ have also been found in winter, such as Iceland and Glaucous Gulls. Check the Black-headeds for the odd Mediterranean Gull but even Bonaparte’s Gull has been found here. Yellow-legged and a possible American Herring Gull have also been recorded lately.
4
Moving out of town towards Ardrishaig, the birds keep coming, with more waders such as Curlew, Turnstone, Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit worth looking for. Gulls have included Ring-billed and Little Gull, with Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrels seen on passage in spring, especially.
5 You are finally getting out into deeper water, so start looking for Cormorants and the odd diver driven from Loch Fyne. Goldeneye are found in winter and the odd grebe and even scoter. Scan further out (especially with a scope) and you might find your first Great Northern Diver or a wind-blown Gannet going through.