Machrihanish Seabird Observatory (MSBO) July Records 2016

Compiled by Eddie Maguire (Warden)

Photo of the month...

Ruff 19th: a colourful adult male still largely in breeding attire

26th July: the Wardens 70th Birthday / Photo Heather Swinson

Summary of the month...The breeding success of Common Eider at Machrihanish positively improved this summer: the May/July number of broods recorded was 11 with a final total of 37 ducklings (mean brood size = 3.4). The survival rate of ducklings appears to be excellent too with several large crèches, guarded by many adult females, apparent in the bay. Breeding Sandwich Terns? The earliest ever juvenile recorded here was found by the small Arctic Tern colony on 3rd - 4th. In view of this very early date and the presence of many apparent adults around the colony all spring / summer it seems likely that, just maybe, it was locally bred. At least 9 juveniles were present later (note that birds from colonies in nearby N Ireland ((Co Antrim / Co Down)) are capable of rapid dispersal).

Sandwich Tern (juvenile) 26th

Surprisingly, a Northern Gannet in juvenile plumage >N on 19th. This distinctive age category has never been recorded off MSBO at this time of year. The earliest juvenile seen here in autumn 2015 was on 24 th September and in 2014 it was 26th September (expected dates).In The Birds of Scotland Forrester et al (2007) state... ‘First fledging on Ailsa Craig has exceptionally occurred on the last day of July... most fledge in September’. In view of the fact that the juvenile off MSBO on 19 th July was flying N it has to be considered probable that it originated from one of the Gannet colonies south of MSBO: breeding sites to the south include Scar Rocks (N entrance to Solway Firth), Irelands Eye (Dublin) and Grassholm (S Wales). Ailsa, the nearest colony to MSBO (ca. 45km), is also a possibility.

After fledging, juvenile Gannets are supposed to fly S (Forrester et al 2007).

Migrants off MSBO...The first southbound Arctic Skuas (2) logged this year were seen on 8th. Fly-by migrant waders were the main feature late month. Thunderstorms / overnight rain on many dates before / after dawn during the period 19 th – 29th

brought many hundreds of early returning passage wader species down to sea level including Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Dunlins, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Redshanks, a few Greenshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Whimbrels and a cracking breeding plumaged male Ruff. Dunlins were the commonest fly-by species: a summary of the passage reveals that a total of 806 Dunlins were logged >S on 11/12 dates 19th-30th. A total of some 400 Sanderlings fled S during the same period. Near precise flock counts were achieved from photographs.

A notable passerine... A regular visiting birder found a singing male Common Rosefinch at Ballochgair (just N of Peninver) on 11th. This is the third Kintyre record. Previous records of this rare visitor include an immature singing male at Ballochroy, mid W Kintyre (May 2008 / the first Kintyre record) and a well photographed juvenile at MSBO (November 2014).

List of Selected Species

MallardSurprisingly, a newly hatched sea-going b/10 appeared on 10th.

Common EiderA late b/2 appeared on 14th. The May/July number of broods recorded now stands at 11 with a total of 37 ducklings (mean brood size = 3.4).

Common ScoterA flock of ca. 50 males >S at 11:05hrs on 4 th. Ten >S (including 7 adult males) on 20th.

Some of the Common Scoter flock >S (all males) 4th

Red-breasted MerganserA flock of 9 redheads >S on 2nd.

Northern GannetA total of 620 >S / 3hrs on 3rd.A bird in very obvious juvenile plumage >N on 19 th. This is the earliest (by far) that this distinctive age category has been recorded off MSBO. The earliest juvenile seen here in autumn 2015 was on 24th September!

ShagThe largest group seen foraging offshore was 60 on 17th.

Red-throated DiverAll records are of adults: two >S on 2nd and singles >S on 3rd and 12th.

Manx ShearwaterThe best southerly movements were 350 >S / 3hrs on 2nd and 100 / 1hr on 23rd.

SparrowhawkA female was foraging / causing havoc along the shore on 19 th: the first MSBO record for three months. A female was seen on many dates later.

OystercatcherSmall numbers on passage south from 9th (30). The top counts later were 100+ on 20th, 60 on 22nd, 90 on 25th and 40 on 27th.

LapwingFlock 15 >S on 20th and one on the shore 22nd.

Ringed PloverSmall numbers on passage almost daily with the best southerly movement being 40 on 19th, ca. 60 on 21st, 35 on 22nd, 20 on 23rd and 38 on 24th.

DunlinSoutherly passage totals included 20 on 7 th and 12 on 10th. Daily thereafter with best counts being 55 on 19th, 70 on 20th, 30 on 21st, 25 on 22nd, ca. 130 on 24th, 200+ on 25th, 140 on 26th, 100+ on 28th, 36 on 29th and 20 on 30th. Summary of passage: 806 birds were logged >S on 11/12 dates 19th-30th.

Dunlins (ca. 60 adults) on passage 25th

SanderlingThe first returning bird >S on 16th. Flocks travelling S later included ca. 30 on 21st, 80 on 23rd, 170+ on 25th, 80 on 26th and 44 on 28th. Summary of passage: 400 birds were logged >S on 5 dates 21st-28th.

RedshankSoutherly passage from 2nd (5) with totals of 10 on 6th, 25 on 8th and 50+ on 9th. Small numbers S most days to 19th then 45 on 20th and 30 on 24th.

GreenshankTwo >S together on 23rd.

Black-tailed GodwitThe first autumn record was 2 adults >S on 25th.

RuffAn adult male, mainly in breeding plumage, was present / photographed on 19 th.

Ruff 19th: this colourful male is still mainly in breeding plumage

Ruddy TurnstoneFive summering birds were frequent 1st – 18th. Returning birds appeared from 19th when at least 18 were on the shore then 40+ >S on 20 th. Best southerly passage counts later were 10 on 22nd and 22 on 24th then small numbers (<10) to end of month.

Common SandpiperSoutherly passage from 2nd (5) with totals of 12 on 6th, 28 / 6hrs on 8th (largest loose flocks were 3, 3 and 5). Singles totalling 11 >S on 9th. 15 on 11th. 9 on 14th. Later, 1-5 daily then best daily totals were 12 on 22nd (including 4 together), 7 on 23rd, 14 on 24th, 9 on 26th

and 16 on 28th (3 together).

WhimbrelReturning birds: 2 >S on 7th, one >S on 11th, one on 19th, 3 on 20th and one on 22nd -23rd,An above average autumn showing.

Whimbrel 20th

CurlewFive small flocks totalling 30 >S on 2nd. Regular small numbers daily.

Arctic SkuaDark phase adults: 2 >S together on 8th. One >S on 13th. Strangely, these are the first records of this species at MSBO this year.

Sandwich TernAt least one pair possibly bred at Machrihanish. A total of 30+ on 3rd and 20+ on 4th included a juvenile on both dates (the earliest ever recorded at MSBO). The juvenile was found by the Arctic Tern colony and in view of this very early date and the daily presence of many apparent adults around the colony all spring / summer it seems reasonable to assume that it may be locally bred (however, birds breeding at colonies in nearby N Ireland are known to be very capable of rapid dispersal). Two juveniles were present 7 th- 11th although numbers of this age category increased daily and a total of at least 9 were present on 17 th. Adults (20+) were regular to 21st. All departed overnight 21st – 22nd then later an adult and a juvenile >S on 26th.

Arctic Skua (dark phase adult) 8th / Photo Assistant Warden Iomhar McMillan

Herring GullThe leucistic adult was seen frequently.

Herring Gull (leucistic adult) 8th

Black-legged KittiwakeThe best movement noted was only 90 >S / 1hr on 17th.

Black-legged Kittiwake 17th

Sandwich Tern (juvenile) 7th

Common GuillemotA male with a tiny chick in tow (the first of many) was offshore on 6th.

Willow WarblerMigrants: regular ones and twos around MSBO (on the shore and in nettle beds) early morning from 17th.

This migrant Willow Warbler paused briefly on the Twite trap 18th

Some interesting June Records from around Kintyre

Northern GannetSouthend: 350 >W / 13:40-14:10hrs on 16th (Patrick Prosser pers. comm.).

Grey HeronCampbeltown Loch: the high tide communal roost at the jetty held 10 birds on 26th (Marjorie Fraser).

Herring GullCampbeltown: dwelling house roof-nesting. Three more half-grown broods were found: a b/1 at 15 Davaar Avenue, a b/3 was reported at 63 Crosshill Avenue (for the second year running / Alastair Mitchell pers. comm.) and a b/2 at 60 Longrow South (fledged on 23 rd). See MSBO June Report.

Barn OwlLanga (Kilchenzie): one reported taking Swallow and Jackdaw fledglings (Rory Colville / per Alan & Jane Taylor). Common RosefinchBallochgair (Peninver): a singing male on 11th (Bob Relph pers. comm.). The last

 

Kintyre record of this very rare visitor was one at MSBO in November 2014.

TwiteBreeding: b/4 Southend 19th, b/4 Mull of Kintyre 24th and 2 pairs each with b/4 on Davaar Island 25th (all records Rab Morton).

SOME MORE PHOTOS FROM MSBO...

Hooded Crow with two predated day-old Ringed Plover chicks 2nd

Northern Wheatear (juvenile) 9th

 

Common Sandpiper 28th / Photo Iomhar McMillan

Northern Wheatears (adult male with pleading juvenile) 7th

Greenfinch (juvenile) 7th

Goldfinch 19th

This rock W of MSBO is well known locally as the ‘Chiefs head’ / photo Stu Ryan