Bute Bird Report 2017 Compiled by Doug Menzies (Assisted by R. W. Forrester and I. Hopkins)

Species Accounts

Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - Resident breeding species. A pair with 5 signets at Loch Quien on 5 July (IH), a pair with 2 cygnets on the Kirk Dam on 17 May, but they had disappeared by 24 May (IH) and another pair had four signets at Greenan Loch on 20 July (IH) but a pair there on 1 September with 5 signets (VS). Ten on the sea at Southpark, Ascog on 2 June (NMcK) is unusual.

Whooper Swan - Cygnus Cygnus - Winter visitor in increasing numbers with a winter flock gathering at Kirk Dam. Notable counts include 40 at Kirk Dam on 11 January (IH), 26 in fields at Birgidale Knock on 17 January (IH, JW), 46 at Barnauld Farm on 9 March (IH), 24 Kilchattan Bay and 12 at Barnauld 26 March (IH, PMcT). Still 7 at Kirk Dam on 4 April (DM, IH) and 4 on Greenan Loch on 10 April(DM). Unusually, for the time of year, one was present at Ettrick Bay from 3-8 July (JW) and possibly the same bird was at Loch-na-Leigh on 11th (JW). Birds started arriving again in October, with the first sightings being of 16 at Acholter Farm on 17 October (DM). Winter counts then followed with, 23 including 9 immatures at Greenan Loch on 2 November (RF, DC), 30 at Kirk Dam on 30 November (IH), 50 (including 10 juveniles) at the Kirk Dam on 10 December (IH), then 35 on 15 December (RF) and 31 on 28 December (RF).

Pink-footed Goose - Anser brachyrhynchus – Passage migrant in small numbers, usually in mixed flocks with migrant Greylag Geese. 2 Ballycaul Farm on 7 January (RF), 1 with Greylags at Cranslagvourity on 26 January (DM) , 2 at Ardnahoe Farm on 19 February (IH), and 3 at Kilmory on 13 December (IH) represent a fairly poor year for this species.

White-fronted Goose (Greenland sub-species) - Anser albifrons - Winter visitor. Small flock winters on Bute each year. The largest counts during the early part of the year were at Nether Ardroscadale, with c.130 on 11 March and 127 on 22 March (IH). The first winter arrival was seen at Kilmory Flats on 25 October (IH), followed by 55 seen flying towards Inchmarnock on 2 November (RF, DC). The largest count of the late winter period was c.125 at Ballycaul on 1 December (IH).

Greylag Goose - Anser anser – Resident breeder and winter migrant, with resident population increasing rapidly in number during recent years. Winter counts include c.900 around Bute on day of annual goose count, 8 January (IH). A bird possibly incubating on a ledge above West Kyles on 15 April (IH). Counts that would only include ‘resident’ birds were 330 at Little Kilmory on 11 August (DM) and 250-300 at Ettrick Bay on 23 September (RE). Winter counts included c.1,540 on a ‘round island’ count on 14 December (IH) and c.1,720 seen on a similar ‘round island’ count on 28 December (IH).

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis – A resident breeder with numbers increasing rapidly in recent years. Hybridization with Greylag Geese recorded. Counts include 153 at Kilmory on 13 January, 150 at Little Kilmory on 11 August (DM), 110 at Loch Quien on 1 September (VS), 110 at Ettrick Bay on 23 September (RE), 132 at Kilchattan Bay on 15 December (IH), and 180 on a ‘round island’ count on 27 December (IH) An adult seen with 10 young in Balnakailly Bay on 26 May (IH).

Barnacle Goose - Branta leucopsis – Winter passage migrant, in small numbers. 6 at Ballycaul Farm on 7 January and 5 on 12th (RF), 40 at Kilchattan Bay on 8 January (IH, TD), 6 at Little Kilmory on 27 February (IH, DM, PP), 6 at Nether Ardroscadale on 12 March (DM), 1 at Little Kilmory on 11 August (DM), 6 at Kingarth on 15 October (IH), 1 at Ettrick Bay on 20 October (JW), 8 at Kilmory on 14 December (IH) and 11 at Kilchattan Bay 15 December (IH). This is a ‘better than average’ showing.

Brent Goose – Branta bernicla – Rare winter visitor to Bute. A ‘pale bellied’ bird with Greylags at Little Kilmory on 23 March (IH, DM). This was the first record on Bute since a ‘dark bellied’ bird in 2011, also at Little Kilmory.

Shelduck - Tadorna tadorna – Resident, with increased numbers during winter. Counts at Kilchattan Bay include 9 on 17 January (IH, JW), 26 on 9 March (IH), 12 on 30th and 31 October (IH) and 13 on 27 December (IH). 3 juveniles were at Ettrick Bay on 22 August (IH).

Wigeon - Anas penelope – Primarily a common winter visitor, often in large flocks, recorded at all of the islands fresh water lochs and increasingly around the coast, however numbers at inland lochs have significantly declined over the last ten years. Winter counts include 149 at Greenan Loch on 15 January, 122 on 12 February and 129 on 12 March (RF), 100 at Loch Quien on 16 January (IH, DM), 149 at Greenan Loch on 26 October (RF) and 240 at Kirk Dam on 18 November (RF). Peak count for all lochs was 549 in February (RF,DM,IH). A pair were at Kirk Dam on 1 July (JW) and 4 were there on 12 July (JW)

Gadwall - Anas strepera – Scarce winter visitor with records becoming more frequent. Not recorded in 2017.

Teal - Anas crecca – Common winter visitor. Counts include 347 at Loch Quien on 16 January (IH, DM), 130 at St Ninian’s Bay saltmarsh on 28 September (DM) and 131 at Greenan Loch on 26 October (RF). Peak count for all lochs was 242 in February (RF,DM,IH).

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos – Common resident breeder. Good count at Kirk Dam were 88+ on 19 July (JW) and 140 on 27 July (IH). Other counts included 100+ at Greenan Loch on 16 September (NMcK), 82 at Ettrick Bay on 28 September (DM), c.100 in flooded field at Kingarth on 15 October (IH) and 91 at Greenan Loch on 26 October (RF).

Pintail – Anas acuta- Scarce winter visitor. A single male was seen regularly at Greenan Loch from 7 January until 6 April (RF et al.), present with a second male on 7 March (IH) and one was at Loch Quien on 12 February (IH).

Garganey – Anas querquedula – Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2017.

Shoveler – Anus cypeata – Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2017.

Pochard - Aythya ferina – Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2017.

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula – Common winter visitor and scarce breeder. Counts included 35 at Greenan Loch on 15 January (RF), 50+ at Loch Quien on 1 September (VS), 41 at Loch Quien on 23 September (RE) and 33 at Greenan Loch on 26 October (RF) , peak total count for all lochs was 54 in October (RF,DM,IH). A pair at Greenan Loch on 27 May (IH). Large numbers, possibly including non-breeding birds, were present at Quien Loch throughout the summer, including 38 males and 3 females on 5 July, 45 on 18 July and 50 on 29 August (IH).

Scaup - Aythya marila- Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2017.

Eider - Somateria mollissima – Resident breeder with population decreasing. No significant counts were noted. Annual round island boat trip on 21 September counted only 10 birds (IH,DM,IA) , although there were 26 in Kames Bay on 26 September (IH).

Long-tailed Duck – Clangula hyemalis –Scarce winter visitor. 2 females were at Loch Quien from 15 January until 12 March (IH, DM, JW, RF).

Common Scoter – Melanitta nigra – Scarce winter visitor. At Kilchattan Bay, 7 females/immatures were present on 7 January (RF et al.), 6 on 9 February (IH,DM) and 3 on 19 and 21 February (IH). 1 was at Kames Bay on 19 November (AC) and 1 male at Kilchattan Bay on 15 December (IH).

Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula – Common winter visitor found on both, freshwater lochs and around the coast. No significant counts were noted, with 9 at Loch Fad on 20 February being the largest number on any loch (IH), peak count for all lochs was 16 in January (RF,DM,IH).

Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator – Common resident breeder found in small numbers around the coastal waters of Bute. Counts include 22 at Ettrick Bay on 22 August (IH) and 21 there on 3 September (IH). A round island boat trip on 21 September recorded 54 (IH,DM,IA). An inland sighting was of one at Kirk Dam on 27 October (PMcT).

Goosander - Mergus merganser – Winter migrant with occasional summer records. Winter reports included 12 at Kirk Dam and 6 at Greenan Loch on 14 January (IH), 9 at Quien Loch on 19 January (RF), and male Ardbeg shore 26 January (JW) and 11 at Loch Fad on 22 February (IH). Spring/early summer birds included 2 males at Rhubodach on 2 April (DM), a pair at Ardbeg Point on 9 May (MMcD) and a male at Loch Ascog on 10 June (IH). Autumn and winter reports included 3 ‘redheads’ at the North end of Bute on 21 September (JW), 18 at Greenan Loch on 18 November (RF), and 10 males plus 1 female at Loch Ascog on 10 December (DM). Peak count for all lochs combined was 18 in November (RF,DM,IH).

Red Grouse –Lagopus lagopus – Once abundant but now uncommon on the upland moors of Bute. The only report was of singles seen in Glen More on 11 February and 25 March (JW).

Black Grouse -Tetrao tetrix – Small number resident at North Bute. No records for 2017.

Red-legged Partridge - Alectoris rufa – Introduced for gaming, small numbers occasionally breed. No records for 2017.

Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus – Common resident and uncommon breeder, population mainly comprises of birds released for sport. No comments noted.

Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellate – Scarce breeding species and frequent winter visitor to coastal waters. Sightings included many of single birds on the sea surrounding Bute, plus 2 in Kilchattan Bay on 24 February (TD); at Scalpsie Bay 4 on 11 March (RF), and 5+ on 25 March (DM), 2 in Dunagoil Bay on 2 May (IH), 2 off Kilmichael on 7 May (JW), 3 in St Ninian’s Bay on 7 August (IH) and 2 at Ettrick Bay on 22 August (IH). 2 adults and 2 large chicks were seen at the regular breeding site on 23 July (IH).

Black-throated Diver – Gavia arctica – Uncommon winter visitor. 4 in summer plumage off Marine Road, Ardbeg on 31 August (PP) was the only record.

Great Northern Diver - Gavia immer – Recorded most years as a visitor to waters around Bute with regularity increasing. At Scalpsie Bay a single from 7-16 January (DM, CS, IH, PT), with 3 on 17th (IH, JW), 1 on 1 February (IH, DM), 2 on 11 March (PP), 3 on 12 March (IH, DM), 10 on 24 March (DM), 15+ on 25 March (DM); at Kilchattan Bay I on 24 February (TD), 14 in Inchmarnock Sound on 27 March (IH), 2 at Scarrel on 17 April (JW), one off St Ninian’s Point in summer plumage on 27 April (DM), 1 at Scarrel on 30 April (JW), 5 at Scarrel on 17 April (JW), 2 off Dunstrone Point on 2 May (IH), 1 in Scalpsie Bay on 7 May (RF) and 17 May (RF, IH, DM, BS), 4 off Ardbeg on 31 August (PP), 8 in Scalpsie Bay on 8 October and 1 there on 16 December (IH). The count of 15+ at Scalpsie Bay on 25 March is a record number for Bute.

Fulmar - Fulmarus glacialis – Scarce summer visitor to coastal waters. No records for 2017.

Manx Shearwater - Puffinus puffinus – Common non-breeding species, around Bute during late summer with occasional records from early summer. The first sighting of the year was of c.20 off Dunagoil on 7 June (IH). Counts during the summer included c.50 between Kilchattan Bay and Cumbrae (DM) and several hundred between Ettrick Bay and Inchmarnock (JW) both on 22 July, and 50+ off Ettrick Bay on 28 Aug (RE).

Gannet - Morus bassanus – Common non-breeding species recorded in waters around Bute during summer months. The first sighting of the year was of one in Kilchattan Bay on 9 March (IH). Sightings then became regular with larger counts including 60 at Kilchattan Bay on 16 April (IH). A juvenile was found ‘wrecked’ in a field near Ettrick Bay on 14 October (JW).

Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo – Resident non-breeder present around the coast throughout the year. Frequent inland records at Loch Ascog, Loch Fad, Kirk Dam and Loch Quien. Counts include 8 flying in formation over Kingarth on 14 January (DM) 5 at old pier, Port Bannatyne on 17 October (IH) and a total of 17 counted on round island boat trip on 21 September (IH,DM,IA).

Shag - Phalacrocorax aristotelis – Resident occasional breeder. Common throughout the year around the coast of Bute. Counts included 26 at old pier, Port Bannatyne on 17 October (IH) and 370 counted on round island boat trip on 21 September (IH,DM,IA).

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1 was seen flying from Rhubodach towards Ardmaleish on 27 August (GC). On 8 September one was seen at the Sailing Club in Rothesay Bay at 07.30 (JW) and in Kames Bay at 10.00 (LMcK).

Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea – Resident breeding species. Found around the coast and on all inland lochs. Counts included 12 at St Ninian’s Bay saltmarsh on 1 September (DM).

Little Grebe –Tachybaptus ruficollis –Resident breeding species. A pair with juvenile at Loch Quien on 18 July (IH). A high count of 14 was noted at Greenan Loch on 23 August (IH).

Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus – Occasional breeding species and uncommon winter visitor. Winter records include at Kilchattan Bay 1 on 17 January (IH, JW), 19 February (IH), 24 February (TD) and 1 on sea off Craigmore on 30 March. Birds recently returned to breeding grounds included 3 at Loch Quien on 28 March (DM) and 4 on 12 April (IH), where a pair were seen with 1 juvenile on 18 July (IH). This is the first evidence of breeding on Bute since 2010. The only ‘late’ winter record was one on the sea at Kilchattan Bay on 15 December (IH).

Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena – Scarce passage migrant. No records for 2017.

Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus – Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. At Scalpsie Bay 3 on 27 February and 9 March (DM, IH), 2 on 11 March (PP), 6 on 12 March (IH), 1 in summer plumage on 23 March (DM), and 2 on 25 March (DM). One was at the north end of Loch Fad on 10 December (IH).

Red Kite Milvus milvus – A scarce visitor. No records for 2017.

Hen Harrier - Circus cyaneus – Resident in small numbers, breeding not confirmed this year. There were 5 records in January, 4 in February, 1 in May, 1 in August, 2 in September, 5 in November and 2 in December. All sightings were of single birds (both males and females, plus a few ‘ring-tails’). The pattern clearly indicates an influx during the winter months of November to February, with no birds recorded during the summer months of June and July and only a single sighting noted in both May and August. Reports came from all parts of the island, including several hunting over agricultural land as well as rough pasture and moorland.

Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus – Resident breeding species. Reports throughout the year usually of single birds. No information about likely numbers of nesting birds. Only 1 nest was found, which fledged 5 young (IH,AG).

Buzzard - Buteo buteo – Common breeding resident. 13 nests fledged a minimum of 25 young (IH,AG).

Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos – Scarce, with sporadic breeding. The last recorded breeding being in 2005. A good year for sightings, with an immature over North Bute on 4 January (JW), 2 over North Bute on 19 January (JW), an immature over North Bute on 21 January (JW), 1 in Glen More 3 February (JW, NMcK), 1 at North Bute on 5 and 11 February (JW), in Glen More, 2 adults and later an immature on 12 February (JW, IH), 2 displaying over Glen More on 18 February (JW, PMcT), 2 over Torran Turach on 13 March (RF), immature at North Bute on 9 April (JW), one at Glen More on 22 April (JW), an immature bird at North Bute on 7 May (JW), an immature in Glen More on 30 September (JW, NMcK), 1 high over Port Bannatyne on 8 November (JW), one over Glenmore on 18 November (JW), 1 behind Glecknabae on 3 December (JW), 1 behind Kilmichael on 10 December (JW) and 1 near Kilmichael on 17 December (JW).

White-tailed Eagle - Haliaeetus albicilla – Occasional winter visitor. 1 on a rock on the shore south of Straad, date unsure, but early January (DKa), and an immature bird near Kilmichael on 8 March (JW).

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus – Scarce breeding species and passage migrant. Birds seen regularly fishing at Kirk Dam and Loch Fad and occasionally in flight elsewhere from 2 April right through the summer. These include the breeding male from 2016 (left leg white BN) on 8 April (JW). A ringed bird (Blue 67) was at Loch Fad on 22 April (JW), and an unringed bird was fishing at Kirk Dam on 6 May, but both birds at the nest have been seen to be ringed (JW). One was seen carrying a fish towards Dhu Loch on 11 July (JW). 5 were at Loch Fad on 3 August (JW), believed to be a record count on Bute away from the nest. Two birds were at the usual nest on 1 April (LMcK), and this was followed by regular sightings at the nest, with nest building taking place on 7 and 10 April (IH, DM) and a pair together at the nest on 16 April (IH). The three chicks were colour ringed and seen in the nest on 31 August when one was seen flying (IH).

Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus – Resident breeder. There were many reports of single Kestrels on Bute throughout the year. 2 adults and a juvenile were seen at Scoulag Moor War Memorial on 10 September ((DM), and 2 at Kilwhinloch on 29 September (LMcK). ). 3 nests had a total of 8 young, of these, 2 nests fledged 6 young, but the outcome of the third was unknown (IH,AG).

Merlin - Falco columbarius – Former breeding species found in small numbers during winter. Single birds were seen at Barnauld on 3 February (JW, NMcK), St Colmac on 12 February (JW, IH), Kingarth Sand Quarry on 23 March (IH, DM), Cranslagvourity on 6 April (DM), West Road on 7 April (NMcK) , Loch Quien lade on 23 September (RE), Kildavannan on 14 October (JW), Ettrick Bay on 2 December (JW), Drumachloy on 3 December (JW), Kames Castle on 10 December (JW), Kames Castle on 12 December (MD) and between Ettrick Bay and Kilmichael on 17 December (JW).

Peregrine - Falco peregrinus – Resident breeder. 1 on Trinity Church spire, Rothesay 14 February (LMcK), 10 March (LMcK), with kill on 30 June (LMcK), on 4th, 13th and 24 July (LMcK), on 3rd, 20th, 21st, 22nd , 23rd 24th, and 29th August (LMcK, JW), 2 were present on 1 September (JW), but one again on 2nd (JW), 3rd (LMcK), 8th (LMcK) and 27th (LMcK), on 25 October (JW), on 13 November (PMcT) and on 27 December (PMcT). On 13 July the bird was seen with Common Gull prey (LMcK) and on 16 October a Golden Plover carcass was found under the roost (PMcT). Elsewhere 1 was at St Ninian’s Bay on 2 November (RF, DC) and between Ettrick By and Kilmichael on 17 December (JW). 2 nests had eggs, one failed, the other had at least 2 young, but the final outcome was unknown (IH,AG).

Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus – Resident breeder at Kirk Dam. The only site where recorded during the year was at Kirk Dam, where singles on 19 January (RF), 1 March (JW), 18 March (JW), 27 July (IH), 2 November (RF, DC), 18 November (RF) and 11 December (JW). 3 at Kirk Dam on 1 December (JW) and 2 on 28 December (RF). Several of these birds were heard only.

Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus – Resident breeding species.

Coot - Fulica atra – Resident breeding species usually recorded annually, including at Kirk Dam, Greenan Loch and Loch Quien, but there have been fewer in recent years. Small counts of Coot are rarely reported, but there may be some evidence that numbers have decline. Only recorded on the Kirk Dam and Quien Loch this year, peak count was 9 in February (RF,DM,IH), Previous peak counts include 13 in January 2008, and 98 in October 1998 (RF,DM,IH).

Oystercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus – Common resident breeder recorded year round around the coast of Bute. Counts included 130 at Cranslagvourity Farm on1 February (IH, DM) and 260 at Kilchattan Bay on 5 September (DM).

Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula – Uncommon resident breeder frequenting beaches at Ettrick Bay, St Ninian’s Bay and Kilchattan Bay. Winter counts include c.20 Kilchattan Bay 17 January (IH, JW), c.80 at St Ninian’s Point on 27 April (DM), 55 at St Ninian’s Bay on 23 September (IH) and 39 at St Ninian’s Bay on 15 October (IH). A nest found with three young at Ettrick Bay on 3 July (NMcK)

Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria – Uncommon passage migrant. At St Ninian’s Bay or saltmarsh 4 on 21 January (IH, JW), 130 on 26 April (IG), c.200 on 27 April (DM), 1 on 5 Aug (KF), 1 on 9 August, 2 on 1 September (DM), 45 on 30 October (IH, DM), and 53 on 2 November (RF, DC). A few were near the tearoom at Ettrick Bay on 30 April (JW) and 1 was at Ettrick Bay on 14 May (JW).

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola – Uncommon passage migrant. 1 at St Ninian’s Saltmarsh on 28 (DM) and 29 September (IH) is the only individual recorded.

Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus – Resident, scarce breeding species. Counts include 30+ at Quien Loch on 1 September (CS), 80 at Quien Loch and 104 at Greenan Loch on 18 November (RF), and 80 at Loch Ascog on 14 December (IH). Three were displaying at Greenan Loch on 26 March (IH).

Knot - Calidris canutus – Recorded in small numbers annually on Bute. 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 1 August (IH) is the only sighting recorded.

Sanderling - Calidris alba – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 3 at Ettrick Bay on 14 May (JW) is the only sighting recorded.

Dunlin - Calidris alpine – Winter visitor and recorded during most months in small numbers. Counts include c.50 at St Ninian’s Point on 27 April (DM), 17 at Stravannan Bay on 13 August (IH) and 16 at St Ninian’s Bay on 1 September (DM). During summer I was at St Ninian’s Bay on 17 July (IH).

Jack Snipe – Lymnocryptes minimus – Scarce winter visitor, recorded less than annually. No records for 2017.

Snipe - Gallinago gallinago – Resident breeder.

Woodcock - Scolopax rusticola – Resident and winter migrant in variable numbers. During winter always seriously under recorded, but sightings include 1 near Woodend, Loch Fad on 14 January (IH), 1 North Bute 19 January (JW), 1 Lenihall 27 February (IH,DM) and 3 at Stravanan Glen on 28 December (IH).

Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa – Recorded less than annually on Bute. One in Rothesay Bay on 24 April (JW). At St Ninian’s Bay 5 on 1 August (IH), 1 in summer plumage on 2nd, 1 on 7th (IH) and 2 on 3 September (IH). One in summer plumage at Meikle Kilmory on 3 August (DM, IH). At Kilchattan Bay 2 on 10 August, 8 on 15 August and c.38 on 23 August (IH). The flock of c.38 at Kilchattan Bay on 10 August is the largest count ever recorded on Bute.

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica – Passage migrant and winter visitor. Counts at Kilchattan Bay include 36 on 17 January (IH, JW), 75 on 15 December (IH) and 130 on 27 December (IH). There were 10 at Ettrick Bay on 21 February (IH).

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus – Uncommon passage migrant recorded in small numbers most years. The first birds of the spring passage were 2 at Kildavannan shore (DM, IH), 4 at Scarrel shore (JW) and 5 Ascog (JW) all on 20 April. Counts then included 10+ at Scalpsie Bay on 30 April (DK). There continued to be reports during May, with the largest count being 8 at Scalpsie Bay on 7th (RF).

Curlew - Numenius arquata – Resident breeder, large wintering flocks. Counts include 60 at St Ninian’s Bay on 2 August (IH), 63 at Kildavanan on 28 August (RE), c.120 at St Ninian’s Bay on 16 December (IH) and c.250 at Cranslagvourity Farm on 18 December (IH).

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos – Common summer breeding migrant. The first spring record was a single bird at St Ninian’s Bay on 18 April (DM, IH), followed by one at Ardmaliesh on 19th (VS) and 2 at Kildavannan Shore (DM, IH) and 2 Scarrel shore (JW) all on 20th.

Greenshank –Tringa nebularia – Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. 1 at Ettrick Bay on 18 August (RE) was the only record reported.

Redshank - Tringa tetanus – Common throughout the year, with small numbers breeding. Counts included, 21 St Ninian’s Bay 27 February (PP).

Turnstone - Arenaria interpres – Common winter visitor and passage migrant. There were no notable winter counts in the early part of the year. 6 at St Ninian’s Point on 27 April were possibly migrants passing through. Counts in the latter part of the year included 11 at St Ninian’s Bay on 1 September (DM).

Kittiwake - Rissa tridactyla – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 1 off Kerrycroy on 2 September (IH) is the only report.

Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus – Resident, former breeder, large flocks during winter.

Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus – Scarce visitor to Bute with records increasing. 2 adults Kilchattan Bay 8 February (DM).

Common Gull - Larus canus – Common throughout the year, with large visiting flocks recorded during winter. Counts included 2,000+ Achavoulaig, Glen More 27 February (IH, DM), c.1,200 at Loch Ascog on 12 March (DM) and 700+ at St Ninian’s Bay on 6 September (IH, DM).

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus – Common summer migrant and breeding species with occasional wintering birds recorded. The first noted spring arrival was 2 birds at Kilchattan Bay on 28 February (IH, DM). The last report was of one at Kilmory Flats on 25 October (IH).

‘Stuart’ a satellite tagged adult male, trapped and tagged at Castle Semple Loch, Renfrewshire on 29 June, headed to the west side of Little Cumbrae, where it was believed to have a nest. For the rest of the summer, Stuart moved about widely from Little Cumbrae, regularly returning to Castle Semple Loch, but also visiting Bute on at least six occasions, being recorded at Loch Ascog, Loch Fad and Quien Loch among other places. He left the area on 9 September at the start of a migration that took him to Portugal via Ireland and then on to Morocco, which he reached on 13 October. Stuart remained in Morocco for most of the winter, but returned to Scotland in 2018. This satellite tagged bird which was regularly flying to Bute, probably in search of food, whilst raising a family on Little Cumbrae, gives us a first insight into the life of a Lesser Black-backed Gull (Hannah Riley - ‘Tag-n-Track Lesser Black-backed Gull Project’).

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus – Common resident breeder. Counts included 300+ at St Ninian’s Bay on 6 September (DM, IH) and 140 following a fishing boat into Rothesay Harbour on 25 October (DM).

Iceland Gull – Larus glaucoides One in Rothesay Bay, close to Pavilion on 5 May (JW).

Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus – Common resident breeder in small numbers.

Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis – Summer passage visitor. The first Sandwich Tern of spring was seen in Rothesay Bay on 2 April (PP). This was followed by 8+ off Ardbeg Point on 6 April (JW) and then regular sightings of single figure counts throughout the summer. Counts included 3 adults and 2 juveniles together at St Ninian’s Bay on 17 July (IH), 6 at St Ninian’s Bay on 1 September (DM), 14 at Ardbeg Point on 1 September (JW), 8 at Kilchattan Bay on 3 September (IH), and on 6 September there were 15 at St Ninian’s Bay and 29 at Ettrick Bay (IH, DM).

Common Tern Sterna hirundo Adult and fledged juvenile at Ettrick Bay on 22 August (IH). The young bird was probably from a off-island nest.

Arctic Tern – Sterna paradisaea – Former breeding species now recorded less than annually 1 seen off Kerrycroy on 14 April (PK).

Guillemot - Uria aalge – Present year round in coastal waters around Bute, more common in summer. A large count was 30 in West Kyle, opposite Tighnabruaich on 15 April (IH) and a count of 47 was made on a round island boat trip on 21 September (IH,DM,IA). A dead bird was found at the Sailing Club, Rothesay Bay predated by a seal on 18 October (JW).

Razorbill - Alca torda – Found in small numbers throughout the year in the waters around Bute, most common during winter and spring. 4 in Inchmarnock Sound on 9 April (IH), 2 in West Kyle, opposite Tighnabruaich on 15 April (IH) and 1 at Ettrick Bay on 12 September (IH, DM).

Black Guillemot - Cepphus grille – Resident in Rothesay Harbour and Rothesay Bay in small numbers. Breeding at Rothesay Harbour in recent years. The first returning birds to Rothesay Harbour were noted on 24 March, with 11 present (DM). A pair with three chicks were at a nest under Victorian Toilets on 7 July (JW). 33 were counted on a round island boat trip on 21 September (IH,DM,IA).

Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon - Columba livia – Feral Pigeon is a common resident breeder. No records of Rock Dove.

Stock Dove - Columba oenas – Uncommon resident breeder. 2 at Kilbride Farm on 12 February (JW), 2 at Barnauld and 2 at Woodend, Loch Fad on 1 March (DM, IH), 1 at Mount Stuart on 17 May (RF, IH, DM, BS) and 2 at St Ninian’s Bay on 28 September (DM).

Woodpigeon - Columba palumbus – Common resident breeder.

Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto – Common resident breeder.

Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus – Uncommon summer migrant and breeding species. The first spring record was one at Port Bannatyne Golf Course on 15 April (PTr), followed by one at Dhu Loch on 22 April (JW), 1 at Cairn Ban on 23rd (JW) and 1 at Birgidale Knock on 25th (PMcT). There were then regular reports of singing birds during May.

Barn Owl - Tyto alba – Uncommon resident breeder. 1 at Greenan Mill on 20 March (IG) and 1 at Kames Castle on 14 May (JW). A family party, of 2 adults and 3 young were watched at Port Bannatyne on 8 June (JW). One found roosting at St Colmac Church in the early evening on 28 August (RE) and 1 Ambrisbeg Quarry on 27 September (IH).

Tawny Owl - Strix aluco – Resident breeding species. Records include 1 at Stewarthall on 24 March (DM), 1 at Bogany Wood on 3 May (NMcK) and 1 in the area of Academy Apartments on both 27th and 29th October (DMa). The only nest found had 3 chicks on 16 June (IH,AG).

Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus – Scarce resident and occasional breeder.

Swift - Apus apus – Migrant breeder with colonies at Craigmore, Rothesay town center and Ardbeg. The earliest reports were of one at Rothesay Castle on 5 May (PP), then on 6 May, up to 3 were seen at Loch Fad, Barone Hill and over Rothesay (JW, DM, RF). Birds were noted at regular sites until 4 at Craigmore on 9 August (DM).

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis A former breeder, but more recently a scarce, less than annual visitor. One at Castle Moat, Rothesay on 19 September (PP), then during November at Rothesay Harbour on 8th and 9th (JW), at Kirk Dam on 12th (LMcK), the Sailing Club, Rothesay Bay on 15th and 16th (JW), at Port Bannatyne Marina on 19th (JW) and Kirk Dam on 29th (JW), 1 December (JW), 10th (IH), 14th (JW, MD, LMcK), and 28th (JW, BS).

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major –Resident, found in most areas of mature woodland. Single birds were observed at various localities throughout the year. During the last week of March drumming recorded from Loch Ascog (CS, VS), Lovers Walk (MMcD), Stewart Hall (IG) and Craigberoch Wood (IG). An adult was at a nest sight in Balnakailly Wood containing calling young on 15 June (DM).

Magpie - Pica pica – Resident breeding species in small numbers with stronghold around Kilchattan Bay. Reported in ones and twos throughout the year, with a count of 4 behind Eastlands Road, Rothesay on 1 February (RF).

Jay - Garrulus glandarius – Resident breeding species in small numbers with strongholds in woods at Plan Road, Balnakailly Forest and Mountstuart. Reports include, 1 at Kirk Dam (JW) and 5 at Woodend on 1 March (DM), 1 at Mountstuart Waterworks on 4 June (MD), 1 at Craigmore Gardens on 20 June (NMcK), 1 at Chapelton Wood on 17 October (IH), 2 near Kirk Dam on 27 October (PMcT), 1 at The Hermitage on 30 November (LMcK) and 1 at Loch Fad on 3 December (MMcD).

Jackdaw - Corvus monedula – Common resident breeder. Pre-roost flock of c.600 at Kingarth (IH).

Rook - Corvus frugilegus – Common resident breeder. An albino was at Ardbeg on 4 June (per The Buteman). A bird was seen carrying nest material on 26 February (IH).

Carrion Crow - Corvus corone – Common resident breeder.

Hooded Crow - Corvus cornix – Common resident breeder.

Raven - Corvus corax – Common resident breeder in small numbers. A family party of 7 seen from trig point on Scoulag Moor on 30 August (DM). Breeding was proven at 12 sites, 11 were successful, and fledged a minimum of 34 young (IH).

Goldcrest - Regulus regulus – Common resident breeder found in most areas of woodland.

Blue Tit - Cyanistes caeruleus – Common resident breeder.

Great Tit - Parus major – Common resident breeder.

Coal Tit - Periparus ater – Common resident breeder.

Skylark - Alauda arvensis – Common summer breeder and winter visitor. Winter counts include c.60 at Wee Bay, Kilchattan Bay on 17 January (IH, JW).

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia – Common summer breeding species with established colonies on Bute at Kilchattan Bay sand quarry, Glen More (2 sites), Barnauld Burn and Quogach Burn. The first spring record was one at Loch Fad on 28 March (JW). Summer counts included 300-400 at Loch Quien on 5 July (IH).

Swallow - Hirundo rustica – Common summer migrant and breeding species. The first spring arrival was noted on 3rd April at Greenan Loch (LMcK), followed with one the next day at Barnauld (DM, IH). The last 2 of the autumn were noted at Little Barone on 4 October (NMcK).

House Martin - Delichon urbicum – Common summer migrant and breeding species. The first to be noted were 2 at Crichton Road on 20 April (DM). The last noted was at Loch Quien on 24 September (IH).

Long-tailed Tit - Aegithalos caudatus – Resident breeder. A party of 8 at Glecknabae on 24 October was the largest group noted (DM).

Wood Warbler - Phylloscopus sibilatrix – Scarce summer migrant breeder recorded less than annually. 2 singing in Balnakailly Wood on 14 May (DM), was the only record.

Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita – Common summer migrant and breeder. 2 singing on 20 March at Ardencraig House was first spring record (PP). These were followed by 1 singing at Gortans on 24th (JW) and by 25th 5 were heard at Mountstuart (RF) and 1 at Westlands Road (PMcT).

Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus – Common summer migrant breeder. The first spring arrival noted was one on Inchmarnock on 9 April (IH), followed by one at Gortans on 11th (PP) and several more at Scalpsie viewpoint on 16th (IH) after which they became widespread.

Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla – Widespread summer migrant breeder, also occurring in very small numbers most winters. The first spring arrival was a singing male near Shalunt on 6 April (RF), followed by one on Inchmarnock on 9th (IH). The species was then regularly recorded throughout the summer. A juvenile was noted at Wester Kames on 12 August (JW).

Garden Warbler - Sylvia borin – Recorded less than annually on Bute. One was singing at Mount Stuart on 5 May (RF).

Whitethroat - Sylvia communis – Common summer migrant breeder. The first report was of a bird singing at Lubas Farm on 2 May (IH).

Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia – Widespread summer migrant breeder, in small numbers. The first spring arrival was one reeling at Ambrisbeg on 22 April (CMcK), followed by one at Gortans on 27th, one at St Ninian’s Bay on 28th (LMcK) and one reeling at Westlands Road on 9 May (VS).

Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenobaenus – Common summer migrant breeder. The first spring arrival was not noted until 28 April when one was at St Ninian’s Bay (LMcK), with the next report on 1 May when one was at Bruchag (IH), followed by several reports as the month progressed.

Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulous – Recorded less than annually on Bute. No records for 2017.

Nuthatch - Sitta europaea One singing at Balnakailly Wood on 14 May (DM).

Treecreeper - Certhia familiaris – Common resident breeder found in all wooded areas.

Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes – Common resident breeder.

Starling - Sturnus vulgaris – Common resident breeder. Counts include c.1,000 at Ballycaul 21 February (IH) and c.200-300 roosting in hedge at Grosvenor Road, Rothesay on 16 November (DM, NMcK).

Dipper - Cinclus cinclus – Uncommon former breeding species. Winter records include 2 at Drumacloy Burn on 7 January (BS, JW, NMcK), 1 at Drumachloy Burn on 3 February (JW, NMcK), 1 Lade at John Street, Rothesay 15 February (NMcK), 3 seen from Kilbride Bridge at Ettrick Burn on 4 April (DM), 3 at Drumachloy Burn on 27 October (JW), 1 at Drumachloy Burn on 18 November (JW), 1 at Drumachloy Burn on 2 December (JW) and 2 at Drumachloy Burn on 16 December (JW).

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus One at Ballianlay on 21 April (JW). This record of a probable migrant is the first record on Bute since 1996. The species was an irregular breeding species on Bute, with the last breeding recorded in Glen More in 1984.

Blackbird - Turdus merula – Common resident breeder found throughout Bute.

Fieldfare - Turdus pilaris – Common winter visitor. Counts include c.40 in Glen More on 21 January (IH, JW), c.80 were near Milton Farm on 26 January (IH), 23 at Cairn Baan, Glecknabae on 12 February (JW, IH) and 24 at Ettrick Bay on 8 March (JW). The first autumn arrivals were a few at Cranslagvourity on 20 October (JW), followed by larger groups and the largest reported sighting of 120 at Kilchattan Bay on 15 December (IH).

Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos – Common resident breeder.

Redwing - Turdus iliacus – Common winter visitor. 8 at Kames Castle on 25 March (JW). The first sighting of the new winter was of a single bird at Stuarthall on 8 October (JW), followed on 20 October by flocks at Cranslagvourity, the grounds of Kames Castle (JW) and Flexi-tech (NMcK),

Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus – Widespread resident breeding species, in small numbers. There was an unusually large count of 23 at St Blane’s on 11 October (JW), which may have involved migrating birds. This was the only count above five noted during the year.

Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata – Scarce summer visitor and breeder. The first spring arrival was not noted until 17 May near Ettrick Bay (RF, DM, IH, BS). Summer sightings included 1 at Croc an Raer on 3 July (IH), a pair with two young at Kames Castle on 5 August (KF) and two adults with 5 juveniles at Wester Kames on 19 August (JW).

Robin - Erithacus rubecula – Common resident breeder. A leucistic bird was noted at Piperhall on 30 October (BS).

Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca – Scarce summer visitor and breeder. No records for 2017.

Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus – Recorded less than annually on Bute. One was at Balnakailly on 5 May (JD) and one female was in a garden at Crichton Road on 13 May (DM).

Whinchat - Saxicola rubetra – Scarce summer visitor and breeding species. One male and 3 females were in Glen More on 14 May (DM) and a pair were ‘alarming’ near Bull Loch on 17 June (IH).

Stonechat - Saxicola torquatus – Uncommon resident breeder.

Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe – Common summer migrant and breeder. First spring arrivals noted were 2 at St Ninian’s Bay on 26 March (JW) and 1 at Drumachloy on 28th (DM). Autumn records include 5 on shore at Ardbeg on 5 September (JW). The last to be noted was at St Ninian’s Point on 28 September (DM).

Dunnock - Prunella modularis – Common resident breeder

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus – Common resident breeder. The largest reported gathering was a flock of c.200 in a hedge near Kerryfearn Cottage on 18 December (IH).

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea – Widespread but uncommon breeding resident. Singles at Lubas Farm on 5 March (IH), Quogach Farm on 23 March (IG) and Barnauld on 24 March (DM). From April a few pairs started being seen, such as north of Kilbride Bridge on 4 April (DM) and 2 pairs at Kames Castle on 22 July (KF). At this time, singles were noted at Wooden, Loch Fad on 18 April (IH) and on Balnakailly Burn on 4 May (IH). The new winter produced sightings that included 1 at Castle Street, Rothesay on 5 October (LMcK), 1 at Lovers Walk on 17 October (IH) and 1 in Castle Street, Rothesay on 14 December (LMcK).

Pied Wagtail - Motacilla alba – Common resident breeder. A total of 10 migrant White Wagtails M. a. alba were seen at St Ninian’s Point and saltmarsh on 27 April (DM).

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis – Summer visitor in small numbers. The first spring record was one at Woodend, Loch Fad on 18 April (IH), with the next reported from St Ninian’s Bay on 28th and a further report of one at Chapelton Plantation on 6 May (RF). One was at a nest containing very small young at Balnakailly Wood on 15 June (DM).

Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis – Common resident breeder. Counts included c.200 at Drumreoch on 5 September (DM),

Rock Pipit - Anthus petrosus – Common resident breeder.

Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs – Common resident breeder. Flocks included c.50 at Mid Ascog Farm on 19 November (LMcK).

Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla – Occasional winter visitor. Singles at Cranslagvourity on 20 October (JW) and Ettrick Bay on 11 November (JW).

Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris – Common resident breeder.

Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis – Common resident breeder. Counts included 10 at feeders in Eden Place, Rothesay on 3 April (IH) and 120-140, including many juveniles, at St Ninian’s Point on 1 September (DM).

Siskin - Carduelis spinus – Common resident breeder in small numbers. Winter counts included c.25 at Kirk Dam on 7 January (IH, DM et al.). Sightings at feeders in Crichton Road during late winter including 6 on 30 March and 9 on 6 April (DM). A ringed bird was at a feeder in Crichton Road on 7 May (DM).

Linnet - Carduelis cannabina – Common resident breeder. Counts include c.35 near Kilbride Farm 1 February (IH, DM), c.300 in stubble field near Kingarth Airstrip on 10 April (DM), c.90 in mixed flock with c.30 Twite at Drumachloy Farm on 17 April (DM, IH).

Twite - Carduelis flavirostris – Resident breeder in small number with winter influx. c.80 in mixed flock with Linnets at Ettrick Bay on 27 March (JW) and 73 there on 2 April (JW), c.30 with Linnets at Drumachloy Farm on 18 April (DM, IH), 30 at St Ninian’s Point on 27 April (DM), 25 in Stravannan Bay on 13 August (IH), 14 at St Ninian’s Point on 1 September (DM), 12 at Ettrick Bay on 23 September (RE) and 15 at St Ninian’s Bay on 2 November (RF, DC).

Lesser Redpoll - Carduelis cabaret – Common resident breeder in small numbers. There was an absence of reports during the first three months of the year, followed by 2 at feeders in Eden Place on 3 April (IH). One caught and released at Crichton Road on 13 April 24, 2020 was ringed as an adult male on 13 December 2015 at Hollesley Heath, Suffolk (Grid. Ref. TM 3545).

Common Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra – Occurs throughout the year in small numbers, probably breeding most years. A male at Meikle Grenach Wood on 31 May (IH). A male was found dead on a doorstep in a Rothesay garden on 5 June (LM).

Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula – Common resident breeder in small numbers. Records include 3 males at Balmory Gate House on 15 February (LMcK) and 2 at Mid Ascog on 30 November (LMcK).

Snow Bunting – Plectrophenax nivalis – Scarce winter visitor. No records for 2017.

Yellowhammer - Emberiza citronella – Previously a resident species, probably no longer breeds, although still usually occurs in small numbers during winter. Winter records include 1 male at The Straad on 7 January (RF et al.) and 11 March (Bird Group Outing).

Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus – Resident breeding species. Winter counts include c.150 near Cairn Ban, North Bute on 2 January (JW), the largest flock ever recorded on Bute. Migrant Arrival Dates 2017

Gannet 9 March Kilchattan Bay Osprey 2 April Loch Ascog Common Sandpiper 18 April St Ninian’s Bay Lesser Black-backed Gull 28 February Kilchattan Bay Sandwich Tern 2 April Rothesay Bay Cuckoo 15 April Port Bannatyne Golf Course Swift 4 May 2020 Rothesay Castle Sand Martin 28 March Loch Fad Swallow 3 April Greenan Loch House Martin 20 April Crichton Road Tree Pipit 18 April Loch Fad Redstart 5 May Balnakailly Wood Wheatear 26 March St Ninian’s Bay Grasshopper Warbler 22 April Ambrisbeg Sedge Warbler 28 April St Ninian’s Bay Garden Warbler 5 May Mount Stuart Whitethroat 2 May Lubas Farm Wood Warbler 14 May Balnakailly Wood Willow Warbler 9 April Inchmarnock Chiffchaff 20 March Ardencraig House Spotted Flycatcher 17 May Ettrick Bay

Contributors AC - Alan Carter JW - John Williams AG - Alan Gilmour KF - Kathleen Fearn BS - Billy Shields LM - Linda Mellor CMcK - Cathy McKirdy LMcK - Liz McKirdy CS - Chris Shelley MMcD - Margaret MacDonald DC - David Clugston NMcK - Neil McKirdy DK - Donald Kinnear PMcT - Paul McTaggart DKa - Danny Kane PP - Paul Power DM - Dougie Menzies PT - Peter Tupman DMa - Denise Maranucci PTr - Paul Tritschler EC - Emma Cooper RE - Ray Eddie GC - Graham Clark RF - Ron Forrester IG - Iona Gray TD - Tina Duncan IH - Ian Hopkins TS - Tim Stobart JD - John Day VS - Viv Shelley