All your birding answers in the 2022 Arran Bird Report
Where are most bird species seen on Arran? How many different types of owl are on Arran? When was the last Ptarmigan seen on Arran? For all your birdwatching questions on Arran, the best place to start is the annual bird report.
Following a great team effort, Arran Natural History Society has again got the annual bird report in outlets throughout the island for the Easter holidays. With a stunning photograph of a coal tit by Brian
Couper on the front cover, it is another eye-catching annual report.
The Arran Bird Report 2022 is a ‘must’ for anyone interested in the birds of Arran.
It includes information on all species seen on Arran, a month-by-month summary of what was around in 2022, information on ringed birds and reports on some of Arran’s bird projects.
It is in full colour and is beautifully illustrated with photographs from more than 20 photographers. The uniqueness of Arran is reflected throughout the report, including the number of UK protected birds that share our island, as well as the differences between here and the adjacent mainland.
The annual report is jam packed with information.
This year it starts with a tribute to Maggie Dunn, Arran Natural History Society’s first bird recorder, and finishes with information on the Arran Birding website, a comprehensive resource for local and visiting birders.
The number of contributors, the number of species reported and the number of records received in 2022 were all back to similar pre-Covid 19 pandemic figures.
In 2022, another pathogen impacted on the birdlife of Arran. On July 12, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 arrived on the island.
Its impact features in the annual report. This publication showcases the fascinating birding year of 2022.
Here is a flavour of some of the highlights.
Arran’s first cattle egret was reported.
Several species were recorded after an absence of a number of years including yellow-browed warbler after 15 years and turtle dove after seven years. There were also increasing reports of a number of species including kingfisher, little egret and white-tailed eagle.
In addition, the whimbrel with the little leg flag, A2, was seen yet again in the spring in Kildonan.
A2 was in virtually the same week on virtually the same shore as it had been for the previous five years.
There was a winter report for the first time. A2 was reported wintering on the coast at Bank a’ Arguin.
Perhaps next year there will be a report from its breeding ground. The annual Arran Bird Report is available from these outlets: Arran Active, Brodick telephone 302113; the Book and Card Centre, Brodick, telephone 302288; the Harbour Shop, Blackwaterfoot, telephone 860215; the Wee Bookshop, Corrie, adjacent to the village hall, telephone 810531; Pirnmill Shop and Post Office, telephone 850235 and The Pillar Box, Whiting Bay, telephone 700205. It is priced £9.99.
It is also available directly from the distribution organisers for Arran Natural History Society priced £9.99 plus £1.70 post and packing at arrannaturalhistorysociety@gmail.com Make sure you get your copy. Only a limited number have been produced.
Enjoy your birding and keep safe. Please send any bird notes with ‘what, when, where’ to me at Kilpatrick Kennels, Kilpatrick, Blackwaterfoot, KA27 8EY, or email 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 2022 and the Arran Bird Report, the first 40 years. Plus visit the website http://www.arranbirding. co.uk/index.html