Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (MSBO)September Records 2014

Compiled by Eddie Maguire (warden) Full-time assistant warden Iomhar McMillan

Unless stated photos in this report are by the warden.

Ringing Storm Petrels in the 1970’s

This photo was taken (by Eddie) when we were resident on Sanda Island, off SE Kintyre, Argyll studying a small breeding colony of Storm Petrels. Commitment to the project led to the development of a technique that presented many ringers, throughout the UK, with the unique opportunity to tape-lure / trap the wandering non-breeding population of this enigmatic seabird during mid-late summer at many mainland promontories (The Birds of Scotland: Forrester et al 2007).

The following photo was taken on Ailsa Craig. This expedition was a resounding success: we tape-lured the first ever Storm Petrels to be caught / ringed on the island.

Photo by Bernie Zonfrillo Note - not sure who the guy on the left is. Starting second left – George White, Eddie Maguire, Davie Carnduff, Tommy Daniels, Rab Morton and Bernie Zonfrillo.

Summary of the month at MSBO...

UK Twite Study Project 2010-2014...Clyde Ringing Group / MSBO are extremely grateful to Argyll Bird Club and Sanda Island BO for generous financial assistance towards the Twite study at the Observatory: this will cover all costs (colour rings / nyjer seed) necessary for the continued success of the project this autumn.So far this month, we have colour-ringed 195 Twite. Additional species trapped in the pull net / ringed included 139 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet and 4 Chaffinch. Total birds ringed = 340.

Where’s the birds?A westerly storm event is the catalyst for positive seabirding expectations at MSBO. The drama of thousands of southbound seabirds along with likely sightings / photographs of semi-rarities, the possible, unpredictable, occurrence of a major rarity

and expected periodic identification challenges all contribute towards an immense sensation of excitement. However, much of the month was dominated by a slow-moving high pressure system, culminating with an easterly airflow. Of interest, on 30 th Sky News weather report announced that this September was the warmest and with the lowest rainfall since records began in 1910! The only distinguished fly-by’s were an Osprey and an adult Mediterranean Gull: these were considered modest compensation for our constant daily diligence during what was unquestionably, an unusual and extremely lean birding period.Away from MSBO, notable sightings included a Kingfisher at the mouth of Coney Glen water, Southend and a remarkable flock of c. 500 Linnets at Killiegruar, Glenbarr.

MSBO photo of the month...

A colour-ringed Twite

Photographed by MSBO feeding station on 6th and controlled on 24th (ring number L945710)

Ringed at Heysham BO Lancashire (UK Twite Study Project)

Selected Species List

Black Swan (escape from captivity)

Campbeltown Loch. The bird that arrived in the loch last month was still present on 19th and seen later at Peninver (Marjory Fraser / John McLellan et al pers. comm.).

TealFlock 10 >S on 16th.

Teal on passage off MSBO during period of low light

ScaupA drake arrived in Machrihanish Bay on 4th and was present for several hours.

Common ScoterA total of 14 >S on five dates including 9 on 15th.

Red-throated DiverAll southerly movements: three on 5th. Twelve on 15th. A loose flock of 9 birds flew S high over MSBO on 17th. Six on 19th. Nine on 29th.

Great Northern DiverOne >S on 29th.

GannetThe first juvenile >S on 26th.

OspreyOne >S on 2nd.

SparrowhawkSeen daily – likely several (or more) birds involved. Prey noted taken included Twite and Starling.

Sparrowhawk

KestrelOne by MSBO on 8th. One Machrihanish golf course on 20th.

LapwingFour >S on 3rd. Three were resting on the point on 30th.Westport Marsh: six on 22nd.

SanderlingSeven >S on 4th. Flock 100 Machrihanish Bay on 10th.

Red Knot Four were ranging offshore on 12th. Eventually they >S.

Red Knot ranging N and S off MSBO

GreenshankOne on 14th.

Common SandpiperAll records: singles >S on 5th and 26th.

WhimbrelOne 1st - 2nd (present since late August). One >S on 6th.

Whimbrel

Sandwich TernUnusually, rather scarce: only nine records of mainly singles. Max was 5 >S on 9th.

KingfisherOn 2nd, a male appeared just a few feet from a well camouflaged fisherman at the mouth of the Coney Glen Water, Southend (Bobby McLean pers. comm.).Another record involved one at Trench Point (N bank of Campbeltown Loch) on 17 th (Ian McGillveray pers. comm.).

Northern WheatearA Greenland-type juvenile was present on 16th / 17th.

White WagtailSeen almost daily: no significant numbers / observations.

White Wagtail

GoldfinchA total of 139 were trapped / ringed (the vast majority were juvenile).

LinnetFlock c. 500 at Killiegruar, Glenbarr 16th – 20th (Pip Ashley pers. comm.).

TwiteA total of 195 were trapped / colour-ringed.One photographed at MSBO on 6th was colour-ringed at Heysham BO in Lancashire: it was controlled at MSBO on 24th (further details pending).

Campbeltown: an unusual sighting on 20th was a flock of 30 on the sea wall of the loch opposite the Royal Hotel (40m W of the Tourist Office). The birds eventually flew S high over the town centre (Eddie Maguire). A flock of 20 was on the sea wall on 30th.

A few more photographs taken at MSBO during September

Enjoying exceptional weather (except Eddie - centre): Leticia & Martin Conway / Carol & Pip Ashley

18 mile photograph

Altnacarry: the east Lighthouse on Rathlin Island / off the N Antrim coastThis light is 18 miles WSW of MSBO - photo taken early morning in flat light / cool air conditions

Equipment: Nikon D7100 / 300mm f4 / 1.4X teleconverter. Settings: aperture priority / f8 / ISO 400

Starling

Grey Wagtail

Northern Wheatear

Sparrowhawk

Herring Gull (juvenile)

Red-breasted Merganser