Sightings sought for the 2018 Arran Bird Report
There are a number of historical publications on the birds on Arran including, Birds of Arran written by Robert Gray in 1872 published by Bell and Bain of Glasgow and The Birds of the Island of Arran written by J.A. Gibson in 1956 published by Bute Newspapers Limited.
While historical publications are interesting, Arran bird records are sparse until the Arran Natural History Society published its first annual Arran Bird Report in 1978. These reports provide a unique record of the bird life of this special island over the last 40 years. All are available at the archives section of the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum and more recent ones are available as a free download from http:// www.arranbirding.co.uk/ annual_bird_reports.html
Responsibility
In 2006, the responsibility for writing the annual Arran bird report fell to me. To do this effectively I appreciate that I require the support of a great many people. I have been encouraged that in 2018, I received almost 20,000 bird sightings from around 300 contributors. Some of these contributors are residents and some are visitors. All share an interest in the birds of Arran. Their sightings will form the basis of the Arran Bird Report 2018.
This is a beginning of the year prompt to encourage all Banner readers to share their Arran bird sightings with me.
All contributions are welcome. I am not just interested in rare or unusual birds, but common birds: where there are significant numbers of common birds, which birds come to the garden at different times of the year, where breeding birds have been seen, when our summer or winter visitors have arrived or departed, and what sightings have given individuals particular pleasure.
I know that a number of people keep, for their own interest, all sorts of bird notes and I would encourage these people to share this information with me, so that the basis of our annual Arran Bird Report can be as comprehensive as possible.
Best wishes for 2019 and enjoy your birding.
Please send all sightings for 2018, giving ‘what, when, where’, by Monday 7 January 2019 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 Atlas 2007-2012 as well as the Arran Bird Report 2017 and visit this website www. arranbirding.co.uk