Over 100 species of birds recorded on Arran in April
April is the month when spring migration gets under way, with arrivals and departures of birds, all seeking their best breeding territories. This April was an interesting, almost ‘four season’ month with a wide range of temperatures and other weather conditions. While there were short, dry, settled spells, it was wetter than April 2015 and the end of the month saw northerly winds and snow on the hills. The impact on migrating birds heading north seemed to be to hold them up. For example, there were widespread reports of wheatear including 36 in Sliddery on 23 April. Many of these were the larger Greenland wheatear waiting for more southerly winds to help them head for Greenland and northern Canada.
While a number of the regular migrants did arrive in April, it seemed to be only the pioneers. Even by the end of the month the bulk of the migrants had still to arrive. Here are April ‘firsts’ with the 2015 arrival date in brackets for comparison: Manx shearwater off Largymore on 2nd (April 12), swallow in Sliddery on 2nd (April 7), white wagtail in Auchenhew Bay on 10th (April 6), willow warbler in Auchenhew Bay on 10th (April 4), house martin in Bennecarrigan Farm on 11th (April 9), whitethroat in Sliddery on 13th (April 21), common sandpiper in North Sannox on 14th (April 14), cuckoo in High Kildonan on 18th (April 12) and tree pipit on Maol Donn on 20th (April 20).
In April some of our wintering birds were still around including: six fieldfare in Sliddery on 3rd, one rook in Sandbraes also on 3rd, 110 barnacle geese over Kildonan on 10th, 48 pink-footed geese and two whooper swan in Sliddery on 10th and a redwing in Kilmory on 13th.
April is an ideal time for watching migration particularly around the coast. Examples included: a greenshank at Merkland Point on 5th, three great northern divers in Sannox Bay on 12th, six white wagtail on Cleats Shore on 17th; 21 whimbrel and a dunlin in Blackwaterfoot on 30th and a great skua in Brodick Bay also on 30th.
On Monday, April 25 there was an unusual spectacle for four observers. There were courting smew in the mouth of the river off Sannox picnic area. There was initially an adult male displaying to a red-headed female. These were later joined by two other red-heads. This is the first Arran record of this northern breeding saw-billed diving duck since November 2004.
Away from the coast other unusual arrivals were reported including: a ring ouzel on Goatfell on 10th and a common redstart in Monyquil on 18th and 22nd. This is the first Arran record since 2012. On Wednesday, April 6 there was a report of a nuthatch at feeders in Brodick Castle grounds. On the same day there was a report of a nuthatch at the rear of the Corrie Hotel. This species is spreading its range north and this may be the year that it first colonises Arran. Further records are welcomed.
The signs of migration were also evident from the garden records in April. There were a number of lesser redpoll garden records including four in Cordon on 8th. In addition there were many widespread garden records of goldfinch, with 30 in Shan- nochie on 26th being the largest group seen at one time. Siskin were similar, with 14 in Lamlash on 30th being the largest group seen. There could be thousands of birds on the move through Arran at this time. The most unusual garden record was a hawfinch reported in Pirnmill on 21st and Lochranza on 22nd. Heading north? There was one record in 2015.
With all this movement there were over 100 species of birds recorded on Arran in April. My thanks to the many people who have been in touch to share their sightings in what has been a remarkable month. Those of common birds are as welcome as those of rare ones. May should be an equally interesting month with the arrival of more summer visitors including grasshopper warbler, whinchat, sedge warbler, spotted flycatcher, garden warbler, wood warbler, swift and, hopefully, even corncrake and nightjar.
Finally, spring is a great time to be birding, as most birds are getting on with the business of breeding. The business of breeding involves attracting a mate by song, courtship display and ritual, defining a territory, nest building, and generally establishing relationships. Please take a moment to report any signs of breeding birds to me. Already there have been reports of blue tits nest building and blackbirds carrying food.
Please remember that under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or used. Enjoy your birding. Please send any bird notes with ‘what, when, where’ to me at Kilpatrick Kennels, Kilpatrick, Blackwaterfoot, KA27 8EY, or e mail me at jim@arranbirding.co.uk I look forward to hearing from you. For more information on birding on Arran purchase the Arran Bird Report 2015 and visit this website www.arranbirding.co.uk