Bute Bird Report 2014 Compiled by Doug Menzies (Assisted by R. W. Forrester and I. Hopkins)

This is the third annual Bute Bird Report. This report is a record of bird sightings on the , including and the Burnt Islands, for the period 1 January to 31 December 2014. It is produced principally from records submitted to the Bute Bird Group web site and logged on its recent sightings pages. It updates The Birds of Bute (2012), which detailed all bird records on Bute to the end of 2011 and follows the Bute Bird Report 2013 (2014). Thanks are given to all contributors of records for this report.

This report includes species that were not recorded on Bute during 2014 but have been recorded in recent years on more than five occasions.

During 2014 a total of 147 species were recorded on Bute. This is 2 species less than were recorded in 2013. Notable omissions from this year are Woodcock, which undoubtedly occurs in small numbers and Golden Plover a bird that is usually seen at some time during the year. The Bute list now stands at 215 species.

One of the highlights of this year was a pair of Garganey first observed on Greenan Loch by Ian Hopkins on 23 April. This pair was seen frequently by a number of local birders until they were last recorded on 28 April. This was only the 2nd Figure 1: Garganey (male) at Greenan record of this species Loch on 23 April, D Menzies. for Bute, the first being a male photographed at the Kirk Dam on 27 April 2000 by Norrie Mulholland. The Green Woodpecker from Kildavannan on 04 June is only the 3rd record of this species for Bute, the last being from 2009 and a Red Kite found at Ettrick Bay on 15 April is a 5th record of the species for the island but the 3rd to be found at Ettrick Bay.

Another bird of note was Bute’s first record of a Red-breasted Goose. This bird, of unknown origin, was found by Neil McKirdy in a field with Greylag Geese at Mecknock on 05 June. The bird was watched for several hours before it flew off north. It was later reported at a number of sites in Argyll and elsewhere in the west of . As this birds provenance is unknown it is listed in an appendix under Cat E at the end of the species accounts.

Species Accounts

Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - Resident breeding species. The Castle pair hatched 5 signets on 23 April (NMcK). A pair at Greenan Loch raised 2 young (RF). Other records include a winter flock of 17 at Kirk Dam on 08 December (DM).

Whooper Swan - Cygnus cygnus - Winter visitor in increasing numbers with a winter flock gathering at Kirk Dam. Last date for spring – 3 at Kirk Dam on 18 April (DM). Arrival date for Autumn - 7 at Kirk Figure 2: Whooper Swan at Loch Quien Dam on 12 on 14 September, D Menzies. October (IH). Other records include - 23 at Kirk Dam on 11 February (PP), 34 at same site on 22 February (IG), 23 at Ashfield Farm on 09 March (IH) and 16 at Kirk Dam on 30 March (IH). End of year records include - 16 at Kerrrymenoch Farm on 19 October (IH), 18 at Loch Quien on 28 October (DM) and 12 at St Ninian’s Bay on 12 November (IG).

Pink-footed Goose - Anser brachyrhynchus – Passage migrant in small numbers, usually in mixed flocks with migrant Greylag Geese. Records include - 5 with Greylag Geese at Ettrick Bay on 19 January (IH), 1 at Kilchattan Bay on 12 October (BBG) and 2 near Cranslagvourity Farm on 26 November (BS).

White-fronted Goose (Greenland sub-species) - Anser albifrons - Winter visitor. Small flock winters on Bute each year. Flock of 131 at Ballycaul on 14 December (IH) included a bird with a collar “X3J” ringed in Wexford, Ireland, in the winter of 12/13.

Greylag Goose - Anser anser – Resident breeder and winter migrant visitor, with resident population increasing rapidly in number during recent years. Hybridization with Canada Geese recorded with 2 hybrids in Greylag flock at Langalbuinioch on 29 September (IH). Records include – c.1000 at Langanbuinioch on 29 September (IH). Maximum, island count of c1300 on 30 December (IH).

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis – A resident breeder with numbers increasing rapidly in recent years. Hybridization with Greylag Geese recorded. 170 at Kilmory on 26 November was a high count (IH).

Barnacle Goose - Branta leucopsis – Winter passage migrant, in small numbers. Records include - 2 with Greylag Geese at Cranslagvourity Farm, Ettrick Bay on 7 January (DM), 46 in flight over Ardencraig House on 27 January (PP), 4 at Upper Ardroscadale on 15 March (BBG), 1 with Greylags at Langalbuinoch on 29 September (IH) and 36 at Kilchattan Bay on 12 October (BBG).

Brent Goose - Brantabernicla – Rare winter visitor to Bute. Not recorded in 2014.

Shelduck - Tadorna tadorna – Resident, with increased numbers during winter. Records include 34 in fields at Straad on 30 March (IG) and 9 at Kilchattan Bay 30 December (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. 60 at Ettrick Bay on 11 February (IG), 194 at Loch Quien on 26 February (IG) and 6 still at Greenan Loch on 06 April (IH). 130 at Greenan Loch on 19th January was highest count of the winter at this site, a continuation of the recent trend following regular peak counts of 1,000 plus during the previous decade (RF). First arrival – A female at Loch Quien on 28 August and 6 at same location on 02 September (DM).

Gadwall - Anas strepera – Scarce winter visitor with records becoming more frequent. A female at Greenan Loch on 01 October (DM) and 3 (2 males and a female) at the same location on 11 October (RF), 2 at Kirk Dam on 12 October (BBG).

Teal - Anas crecca – Common winter visitor. 26 at Loch Quien on 26 February (IG), 6 at Greenan Loch on 05 August (DM), 140 at Greenan Loch on 01 October (DM) and 104 at Greenan Loch on 05 December (RF).

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos – Common resident breeder. Female with 8 young at Greenan Loch on 24 April (DM). Other Records include 66 at Greenan Loch on 05 August (DM) and 160 at St Ninian’s Bay on 08 September (IG).

Pintail – Anas acuta- Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2014.

Garganey – Anas querquedula – Scarce winter visitor. Pair at Greenan Loch on 23 April (IH) recorded daily until 28 April (IH, DM). This is only the second record of this species on Bute.

Shoveler – Anus cypeata – Scarce winter visitor. A male observed regularly at Kirk Dam between 19 January (RF, BS) and 11 February (PP), a female on Greenan Loch on 24 September and again on 09 November (DM) and a pair at Kirk Dam on 12 October (IH).

Pochard - Aythya ferina – Scarce winter visitor. Male at Loch Quien on 27 August (IH).

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula – Common winter visitor and scarce breeder. Records include – 35 at Greenan Loch on 19 January (RF), 26 at Greenan Loch on 06 April (IH), 106 on Loch Quien on 31 July (IH), 2 at Greenan Loch on 05 August (DM), 48 at Greenan Loch on 07 (RF) and 08 November (IH), and 1 (male) on the sea in Rothesay Bay off sailing club on 30 September (DM).

Scaup - Aythya marila- Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2014.

Eider - Somateria mollissima – Resident breeder with population decreasing. On 07 September DM witnessed a Grey Seal kill and partially eat 3 drake Eiders during the course of 20 minutes, 100 meters offshore at Ascog. The remains of a further 2 dead drake Eider were seen floating nearby, being scavenged by Great Blackbacked Gulls. During a round island bird count on 14 September only 23 birds were seen (IH). Other records include – 68 off Ascog on 01 August (RF), 35 at on 30 September (IH) and 50-60 at Kilchattan Bay on 29 December (IH).

Long-tailed Duck – Clangula hyemalis – Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2014.

Common Scoter – Melanitta nigra – Scarce winter visitor. Not recorded in 2014.

Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula – Common winter visitor found on both, freshwater lochs and around the coast. Records include - 4 at Greenan Loch on 19 January and 3 at same location on 15 February (RF), 1 male and 3 females at Kirk Dam on 11 February (PP) and 2 females at Kames Bay and a male at Loch Ascog on 09 November (DM).

Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator – Common resident breeder found in small numbers around the coastal waters of Bute. Records include – 15 at saltmarsh, St Ninian’s Bay on 06 September (IG), 44 near Ardmaleish on 25 October (IH), and 25 at St

Figure 3: Red-breasted Merganser at Craigmore Pier on 23 October, D Menzies. Ninian’s Bay on 11 November (IG).

Goosander - Mergus merganser – Winter migrant with occasional summer records with Greenan Loch, Kirk Dam and Loch Ascog the favoured freshwater sites. Records include 8 males at Greenan Loch on 13 January (IH), a pair at Kirk Dam on 16 February (PP), 3 males and 2 females at Kirk Dam on 22 March (DM), 2 pairs at Kirk Dam on 29 March (IH), 4 at the mouth of the Drumachloy Burn on 09 May (IH), a female at Greenan Loch on 01 October (DM), 2 pairs at St Ninian’s Bay on 25 November (RF) and 9 at Loch Ascog on 3 December (IH).

Red Grouse –Lagopus lagopus – Once abundant but now uncommon on the upland moors of Bute. 2 on north side of Kilbride Hill on 22 July (RF) and 4 between Windy Hill and Kames Hill on 29 September (IB).

Black Grouse -Tetrao tetrix – Small number resident at North Bute. Female at North Bute on 18 April (PP).

Red-legged Partridge - Alectoris rufa – Introduced for gaming, small numbers occasionally breed. 1 at Gallachan Farm on 04 June (IH) and 1 at Kingarth Cemetery on 6 July (IH).

Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus – Common resident and uncommon breeder, population mainly comprises of birds released for sport.

Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellate – Scarce breeding species and frequent winter visitor to coastal waters. Resident pair at North Bute had one chick on 5 July (IH). Other records include – 1 at Ettrick Bay on 19 January (IH), 3 in breeding plumage at same location on 29 May (DM), 7 at Ettrick Bay on 22 September (IG), 1 at Ettrick Bay on 12 October (BBG), 2 at Scalpsie Bay on 17 November (DM) and 4 at same location on 26 November (IH).

Black-throated Diver – Gavia arctica – Uncommon winter visitor. 3 at Dunstrone Point, including 1 in summer plumage, on 27 April (IH), 2 at Ettrick Bay on 27 and 29 May (DM).

Great Northern Diver - Gavia immer – Recorded most years as a visitor to waters around Bute with regularity increasing. 2 off St Ninian’s Point on 25 April (RF), 2 off Ardscalpsie on 12 May (IH), and again in Scalpsie Bay on 22 May (AC), 1 at Scalpsie Bay and 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 17 November (DM).

Fulmar - Fulmarus glacialis – Scarce summer visitor to coastal waters. No records for 2014.

Manx Shearwater - Puffinus puffinus – Common nonbreeding species found around Bute during late summer with occasional records from early summer. A small group off Dunagoil on 21 July (IH), c.400 in Rothesay Sound from Craigmore on 19 August (DM).

Gannet - Morus bassanus – Common non-breeding species recorded in waters around Bute during summer months. First record for year – 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 15 March observed during Bute Bird Group field trip. Other records include – 6 at St Ninian’s Point on 19 October (IG).

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.

Shag - Phalacrocorax aristotelis – Resident occasional breeder. Common throughout the year around the coast of Bute. 4 nests with young on Inchmarnock on 17 July (IH). A round island bird count on 14 September recorded 162 birds (IH).

Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea – Resident breeding species. Found around the coast and on all inland lochs.

Little Grebe –Tachybaptus ruficollis –Resident breeding species. Records include - 5 at Loch Quien on 26 February (IG), an adult with 2 large young on Loch Quien on 31 July (IH), 1 at Loch- naLeigh on 07 September (IH) and 7 at Greenan Loch on 11 October (RF).

Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus – Occasional breeding species and uncommon winter visitor. Last recorded breeding in 2010. Records include - 1 at Kilchattan Bay on 23 February (IG), a pair displaying on 22 March at Loch Quien (DM), 1 at Ettrick Bay on 28 November (DM) and 1 on Loch Ascog on 08 December (IH).

Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena – Scarce passage migrant. 1 at St Ninian’s Bay first recorded on 17 November (DM) and seen frequently until 05 December (DM). Between 28 December and 01 December 2 were present at this location (DM, IG).

Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus – Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. 1 at Loch Ascog on 03 December (IH) and 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 05 December (DM).

Red Kite Milvus milvus – A 5th record for Bute. 1 at Ettrick Bay on 15 October (EG). The 2 most recent records of Red Kite on Bute, in January and December 2010, were also at Ettrick Bay.

Hen Harrier - Circus cyaneus – Resident in small numbers, breeding not confirmed this year. Records include a female at St Ninian‘s Bay on 29 September (IG), a male at Greenan Loch on 15 November (BBG) and a male and female/ juv, not together, at Scoulag Moor on 13 December (RF).

Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus – Resident breeding species. 1 Mobbed by crows at Ballochgoy on 10 September (PMcT).

Buzzard - Buteo buteo – Common breeding resident. 13 monitored nests fledged a minimum of 24 young (IH & AG).

Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos – Scarce, with sporadic breeding. 3 flying high over Bute from East Kyle at Stuck Farm (DM, IH), 1 behind Glecknabae on 19 April (PP), 1 mobbed by Osprey, over Loch Ascog on 09 August (PMcT) and 2 adults over Lenihuline on 03 September (RS).

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus – Scarce breeding species and passage migrant. First record for year was 1 at Balnakailly Bay on 13 and 14 March (GC). Other records include bird with metal ring observed at Kirk Dam on 12 April (JW), pair at nest site on 26 April (WR) and on same day 1 observed roosting on tree at Kirk Dam (LMcK). 3 were recorded at Kirk Dam on 01 July (JW) and 1 was seen fishing in the sea at St Ninian’s Bay on 03 August (IG). The Bute pair were successful and 1 chick was ringed on 23 July.

Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus – Resident breeder. Records include one seen frequently at Straad/ St Ninian’s Bay area (IG) and 1 at Lord James’s Ride on 03 November (LMcK). ). A pair at Ettrick Bay reared 4 young, which were ringed (IH & AG).

Merlin - Falco columbarius – Former breeding species found in small numbers during winter. 1 at Port Bannatyne Park on 14 May (JW), 1 at Drumreoch on 28 October (DM), 1 at Greenan Loch on 11 November (IH) and again at the same location on 19 December (TS), and 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 23 December (IH)

Peregrine - Falco peregrinus – Resident breeder. During 2014 there were a number of records of a Peregrine in Rothesay town center with regular sightings of a roosting bird on a tenement building at Battery Place and probably the same bird perched and eating prey on the Trinity Church spire. These records include 1 roosting at Battery Place, Rothesay on 4 January and again on 18 January (P McT), 1 chasing a Jackdaw at Barone Park Farm on 7 January (PP), 1 on spire at Trinity Church on 9 January (RC), 1 over Rothesay Harbour on 19 February (PP) and again 1 roosting at Battery Pl on 17 September (PT) and 12 October (PMcT). Other records include 1 at Greenan Loch on 01 May (JW), 1 at Skerral on 22 June (LMcK), 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 06 September (IG) and 1 at Lord James’s Ride on 03 November (LMcK). Breeding was recorded at a site at the south end of Bute, where 2 young were fledged. There were 2 further occupied sites on Bute, the outcome of which are unknown (IH).

Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus – Resident breeder at Kirk Dam. 1 observed from causeway at Kirk Dam on 7 January (PP), 2 seen from Kirk Dam bird hide on 29th January (RF), 1 heard at Kirk Dam on 27 August (RF), 1 heard at Loch-na-Leigh on 07 September (IH), 1 calling at Kirk Dam on 11 September (DM) and 1 at same location on 28 December (PP).

Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus – Resident breeding species. Records include an unusual sighting of an immature bird at Gortans on 05 November (JW). Two immature birds seen at the dam 1 km east of Meikle Kilmory on 23 August, where breeding had probably taken place (RF).

Coot - Fulica atra – Resident breeding species recorded annually at Kirk Dam, Greenan Loch and Loch Quien.

Oystercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus – Common resident breeder recorded year round around the coast of Bute and at the larger freshwater lochs. Records include c. 400 at Kilchattan Bay on 4 August (IH) and c.320 at Ettrick Bay on 07 November (DM).

Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula – Uncommon resident breeder frequenting beaches at Ettrick Bay, St Ninian’s Bay and Kilchattan Bay. Records include – a flock of 56 at Ardbeg Point on 4 January (PP) and 60 at St Ninian’s Bay on 24 August (IG).

Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria – Uncommon passage migrant. Not recorded in 2014.

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola – Uncommon passage migrant. 6 at St Ninian’s Bay on 23 April (IH), 1 in summer plumage at saltmarsh, St Ninian’s Bay on 28 August (RF) and Figure 4: Grey Plover at St Ninians Bay again 1 at St on 06 January, D Menzies. Ninian’s Bay from 13 November until the end of the year (IG).

Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus – Resident, scarce breeding species. 20 at Greenan Loch on 08 April (DM), 180 at Kilmory on 08 November (IH), 29 at saltmarsh, St Ninian’s Bay on 12 November (IG), c.250 at Kilmory on 18 November (IH) and 51 at Drumreoch on 13 December (RF).

Knot - Calidris canutus – Recorded in small numbers annually on Bute. 1 at saltmarsh, St Ninian’s on 28 August (RF), 3 at St Ninian’s Bay on 03 September (DM) and 1 at Kilchattan Bay on 17 September (DM).

Sanderling - Calidris alba – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 4 at Ettrick Bay on 28 April (DM). One of these birds was colour ringed and identified as a bird ringed as an adult at Zackenburg, Greenland on 06 July 2007. 1 at Scalpsie Bay 28 September (holidaymaker via IH).

Dunlin - Calidris alpine – Winter visitor, recorded during most months in small numbers. 17 at St Ninian’s Bay on 26 November (IH) and 61 at the same location on 05 December (DM).

Jack Snipe – Lymnocryptes minimus – Scarce winter visitor, recorded less than annually. 1 at St Ninian’s saltmarsh on 15 March observed during a Bute Bird Group field trip.

Snipe - Gallinago gallinago – Resident breeder. Records include - 5 at Loch Quien on 12 January (IH), 10 at saltmarsh St Ninian’s Bay (IG), 1 at Greenan Loch on 03 October (DM) and 2 near Bicker’s Houses on 18 October (IB).

Woodcock - Scolopax rusticola – Resident and winter migrant in variable numbers. No records for 2014.

Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 9 St Ninian’s Bay on 21 August (IH).

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica – Passage migrant and winter visitor. Records include - 26 at Ettrick Bay on 01 February (IH) and 28 at same site on 11 February (IG), 5 at St Ninian’s Bay on 23 April (IH), 3 at Kilchattan Bay on 02 September (DM), 18 at Ettrick Bay on 28 November and 05 December (DM), and 17 at Kilchattan Bay on 30 December (IH).

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus – Uncommon passage migrant recorded in small numbers most years. 1 heard at Ardscalpsie Point on 24 April (IH), 2 at The Straad on 25 April (RF), 1 at Rhubodach on 11 May (IH), 3 at Ardscalpsie on 12 May (IH) and 1 in flight over Gallachan Farm on 11 June (RF).

Curlew - Numenius arquata – Resident breeder, large wintering flocks. Records include 92 at Loch Quien on 23 February (IG), 70 at Greenan Loch on 08 April (DM) and c.260 at Largievrechtan Farm on 14 December (IH).

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos – Common summer breeding migrant. First record for year – 1 at Craigmore on 28 April (PP).

Greenshank –Tringa nebularia – Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Only record for 2014 – 1 at south end of Ettrick Bay on 30 September (DM).

Redshank - Tringa tetanus – Common throughout the year, with small numbers breeding. Records include - 12 at St Ninian’s Bay on 03 September (IG).

Turnstone - Arenaria interpres – Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Including a flock of 48 at Ardbeg Point on 4 January (PP), 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 03 September (IG), a group of 20-30 at Craigmore on 26 October (DK) and 24 at the saltmarsh, St Ninian’s on 08 November (IG).

Kittiwake - Rissa tridactyla – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 22 off Bruchag Point on 18 January (IH, DM) and a juvenile off Ardbeg on 19 January (DM, JW).

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

Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus – Scarce visitor to Bute with records increasing. Adult at Ettrick Bay on 19 January (RF,BS).

Common Gull - Larus canus – Common throughout the year, with large visiting flocks recorded during winter.

Lesser Blackbacked Gull - Figure 5: Common Gull at Ettrick Bay on Larus fuscus – 29 October, R Forrester. Common summer migrant and breeding species with occasional wintering birds recorded. First record – 2 at Rothesay Town Centre on 11 March (IH).

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus – Common resident breeder. Breeding on rooftops in Rothesay town centre (DM).

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

Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis – Summer passage visitor. 1 in Rothesay Bay (BR) and 1 in West Kyle off Ettrick Bay (DM, IH) on 10 April and 2 at St Ninian’s Bay on 14 April (BR). In late summer, when regularly seen the highest counts were 17 at Kilchattan Bay on 28 August and 22 at same location on 02 September (DM).

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.

Razorbill - Alca torda – Found in small numbers throughout the year in the waters around Bute, most common during winter and spring. Records include 4 off Ardbeg on 19 Jan (DM, JW), 8 off Rothesay Harbour on 26 January (DM), 1 offshore and 3 dead on shore at Ettrick Bay on 23 February and 1 dead on shore at Ardbeg on 09 March (both MMcD).

Black Guillemot - Cepphus grille – Resident in Rothesay Harbour and Rothesay Bay in small numbers. Breeding suspected at Rothesay Harbour. 10 at Rothesay Harbour on 25 April (DM), 16 at same location on 02 June (MH). 23 during a round-island count on 14 September (IH, DM).

Puffin - Fratercule artica – Scarce species with only 5 previous records around Bute. One found dead on shore during beach survey on 26 February (IG, BS).

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. Not recorded in 2014.

Woodpigeon - Columba palumbus – Common resident breeder. c.130 near Loch Quien on 7 February (IH).

Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto – Common resident breeder.

Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus – Uncommon summer migrant and breeding species. First record for year – 1 calling at Gortans on 24 April (NMcK). Other records include – 2 at Gortans (KMcA, GMcA) and 1 at Ascog (PK) on 27 May, and 3 at Gortans on 11 June (JW).

Barn Owl - Tyto alba – Uncommon resident breeder. 1 hunting at Ballochgoy on 23 August (PMcT) and 1 perched on fence at Ballycaul on 03 September (DM, IH, IG). 2 pairs fledged 4 young each, 1 pair fledged 2, (IH, AG).

Tawny Owl - Strix aluco – Resident breeding species. Records include – 1 at Kingarth, near hotel, on 14 April (BR), 1 at Ballochgoy on 22 May (PMcT), 1 with 2 young at Glecknabae on 23 May (PP), a juvenile bird at Kildavannan Cottage on 20 July (EG) and 1 at Mountstuart on 15 December (BS).

Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus – Scarce resident with no confirmed breeding records. Not recorded in 2014.

Swift - Apus apus – Migrant breeder with colonies at Craigmore, Rothesay town centre and Ardbeg. First record for year – 2 over Rothesay Harbour and 2 over Craigmore on 07 May (DM, NMcK) 20+ over Rothesay on 29 July (PMcT) and 30 over Bridge St, Rothesay on 07 August (PMcT).

Green Woodpecker – Picus viridis – a 3rd record for Bute. 1 heard then seen to rear of Kildavanan Cottage, Ettrick Bay on 04 June (EG).

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major – Resident, found in most areas of mature woodland. An early record of one heard drumming at wood to rear of Bush housing estate on 10 February (LMcK).

Magpie - Pica pica – Resident breeding species in small numbers with stronghold around Kilchattan Bay. Records from other locations include 1 at Mountstuart on 10 April (BS), 3 at Gortans on 16 November (JW), 3 at Eastlands Road on 14 December (RF) and 4 at Ballochgoy on 16 December (PMcT).

Jay - Garrulus glandarius – Resident breeding species in small numbers. Records include – 1 at Bogany Wood on 28 February (PP), 1 at Woodside Cottage on 07 April (IG), pair mating in grounds of Mountstuart on 11 April (BS), 4 at Balnakailly on 29 October (DM) and 3 at causeway, Loch Fad on 08 December (IH).

Jackdaw - Corvus monedula – Common resident breeder.

Rook - Corvus frugilegus – Common resident breeder.

Carrion Crow - Corvus corone – Common resident breeder.

Hooded Crow - Corvus cornix – Common resident breeder. There are a significant number of birds that indicate interbreeding with Carrion Crow to be found on Bute.

Raven - Corvus corax – Common resident breeder in small numbers. 12 monitored pairs fledged a minimum of 23 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.

Figure 6: Blue Tit at nest box, Balnakailly - Alauda Skylark on 28 May, D Menzies arvensis – Common summer breeder and winter visitor. Several displaying in song flight at Scoulag Moor on 26 March (DM), evidence of small scale migration at Kingarth on 29 September (IH) and 12 at Drumreoch on 28 October (DM).

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. First record for year – 4 at Barnauld Burn on 04 April (DM). Other records include - 100+ at Greenan Loch on 25 April (DM).

Swallow - Hirundo rustica – Common summer migrant and breeding species. First record for year – 2 at Ettrick Bay on 02 April (CG). Other records include - 4 at Greenan Loch on 08 April (DM) and 1 at Glen More on 16 April (LM).

House Martin - Delichon urbicum – Common summer migrant and breeding species. First record for year – 1 at Rothesay Academy on 08 April (PMcT). Other records include - 6 young still at nest site Craigmore, Rothesay on 03 September (DM).

Long-tailed Tit - Aegithalos caudatus – Resident breeder. Records include - 8 at causeway Kirk Dam on 7 January (PP), 1 at Rothesay Golf Course on 10 May (LM), 6 at Kirk Dam on 11 September (DM), 11 at the same location on 08 December (IH) and 20 at Barone Road, Rothesay on 19 December (TS).

Wood Warbler - Phylloscopus sibilatrix – Scarce summer migrant breeder recorded less than annually. First record for year – 1 singing at Balnakailly Forest on 26 June (DM, IH).

Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita – Common summer migrant and breeder. First record for year – 1 singing at St Brides Road, Rothesay on 31 March and again on 01 April (PMcT). Other records include - 1 singing at Ardencraig on 02 April (PP), 1 singing at Ardencraig House on 05 September (PP) and 1 at Ballochgoy on 20 September (PMcT).

Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus – Common summer migrant breeder. First record for year – 1 singing at Barone Road on 02 April (PMcT) and 1 at Ballochgoy on 03 April (PMcT).

Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla – Widespread summer migrant breeder, also occurs in very small numbers most winters. 1 singing at Ardencraig Road on 07 April (DM).

Garden Warbler - Sylvia borin – Recorded less than annually on Bute. First record for year - 1 singing at Glecknabae on 15 May (DM). This bird was recorded at this location until 28 May (DM, Figure 7: Garden Warbler at Balnakailly IH). on 14 May, D Menzies. 1 near Piperhall Sawmill, Mountstuart on 02 June (DM) and 1 at Lime Tree Ave, Mountstuart on 03 June (MH).

Whitethroat - Sylvia communis – Common summer migrant breeder. First record for year – 1 at Barone Park Farm on 06 May (JT). Records include 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 08 September (IG).

Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia – Widespread summer migrant breeder, in small numbers. First record for year – 1 reeling at recycling center, Westlands Road on 22 April (PP). 1 reeling at Gortans on 24 April (NMcK) and 2 at Glen More on 11 June (DM).

Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenobaenus – Common summer migrant breeder. First record for year – 1 singing at Greenan Loch on 23 April (DM). Other records include 1 with young at Quogach Farm on 23 June (IG).

Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulous – Recorded less than annually on Bute. No records for 2014.

Treecreeper - Certhia familiaris – Common resident breeder found in all wooded areas. Records include – 2 at Mountstuart Estate on 07 March (IG) and 1 at Gortans on 16 November (JW).

Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes – Common resident breeder.

Starling - Sturnus vulgaris – Common resident breeder.

Dipper - Cinclus cinclus – Uncommon former breeding species.

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

Fieldfare - Turdus pilaris – Common winter visitor. c.100 at Ballianlay on 20 January (PP), 10 at Ballianlay on 06 April (IH) and 3 still in Glen More on 22 April (IH, DM). Arrival for winter was first recorded on 03 November with 20 at Townhead, Rothesay (CC). Other records include c.100 at Stravanan 8 November (IH).

Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos – Common resident breeder.

Redwing - Turdus iliacus – Common winter visitor. Records include – c.40 near Stuck Farm on 16 October (IH) and 4 at Lord James’s Ride on 03 November (LMcK).

Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus – Widespread resident breeding species, in small numbers Records include 4 immature birds at Mountstuart on 03 June (MH)

Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata – Scarce summer visitor and breeder. First record for year – 1 at Balnakailly Forest on 19 May (DM). Other records include - a pair at Ascog on 27 May, 1 at Mountstuart on 03 June (MH) and 1 at Ballianlay on 04 June (MH).

Robin - Erithacus rubecula – Common resident breeder.

Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca – Scarce summer visitor and breeder. First record for year - A female Balnakailly Forest on 11 May. On 02 June while checking the nest boxes in Balnakailly Forest a box containing 6 Pied Flycatcher eggs was recorded. On 26 June the nest was again visited, the nest appeared abandoned and the eggs had failed to hatch. This follows similar results in 2012 and 2013 when 5 and 6 eggs failed. The 2013 and 2014 attempts were at the same box with the 2012 attempt being in a box located in the same area of forest (DM, IH).

Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus – Recorded less than annually on Bute. First record for year - 1 at Balnakailly Forest on 24 May (IH). A male with newly fledged young at Balnakailly Forest on 26 June (DM, IH).

Whinchat - Saxicola rubetra – Scarce summer visitor and breeding species. 1 at St James’s Ride on 22 May (AC) and 3 pairs at Glen More on 11 June (DM).

Stonechat - Saxicola torquatus – Scarce resident breeder.

Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe – Common summer migrant and breeder. First record for year – 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 15 March observed during Bute Bird Group field trip. Other records include – 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 21 September.

Dunnock - Prunella modularis – Common resident breeder.

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus – Common resident breeder.

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea – Uncommon breeding resident. Records include – 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 14 April (BR), 1 at Quogach Burn on 29 June (IG), 1 at Montclare Gdns on 18 September (IH), 1 at Rhubodach on 29 September (IH), 2 at Ascog shore on 07 September (DM), 4 at Loch Ascog on 16 November (PMcT) and 1 at Ardbeg bus depot on 11 December (IH).

Pied Wagtail - Motacilla alba – Common resident breeder. 1 of the continental race White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) at Scalpsie Bay on 21 April (RF), 2 at St Ninian’s Bay on 25 April (RF) and 4 at Greenan Loch on 25 April (DM). Breeding confirmed with an adult with young at Straad on 24 June (IG).

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis – Summer visitor in small numbers. First record for year – Several singing at Balnakailly Forest on 02 May (DM). Other records include – 1 at St James’s Ride, Scoulag on 22 May (AC).

Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis – Common resident breeder. Several in display flight on Scoulag Moor on 26 March on 26 March (DM).

Rock Pipit - Anthus petrosus – Common resident breeder.

Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs – Common resident breeder.

Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla – Occasional winter visitor. The only record for 2014 is of 3 at Ettrick Bay on 03 December (TS).

Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris – Common resident breeder. Records include – a flock of 33 at Ardbeg Point on 4 January (PP).

Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis – Common resident breeder.

Siskin - Carduelis spinus – Common resident breeder in small numbers. Records include 6 at Bogany Wood on 16 January (PP), 9 at feeders in Mountstuart garden on 09 April (BS), 1 at feeders, Eden Place Rothesay on 13 April (IH).

Linnet - Carduelis cannabina – Common resident breeder. Records include – 150 in stubble field at Little Kilmory Farm on 04 September (IH).

Twite - Carduelis flavirostris – Resident breeder in small number with winter influx. Records include a flock of c.70 at the Straad on 19 January (DM, JW), 22 at the same location on 20

January (PP) and Figure 8: Twite at St Ninian's Bay on 10 again 25 at same November, D Menzies. location on 15 March (DM), 2 at Drumreoch on 26 March (DM), 4 on Inchmarnock on 17 July (IH), 4 at Ettrick Bay on 08 September (IH), 7 at St Ninian’s Bay on 10 November (DM) and 6 at Ettrick Bay on 21 November (IH).

Lesser Redpoll - Carduelis cabaret – Common resident breeder in small numbers. Records include 1 at feeders, Eden Place, Rothesay on 13 April (IH), 1 at Gortans on 16 November (JW).

Common Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra – Occurs throughout the year in small numbers, probably breeding most years. Records include – 4 at Rhubodach Forest near Bull Loch on 29 October (DM) and 3 at the war memorial, Scoulag Moor on 13 December (RF).

Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula – Common resident breeder in small numbers. Records include – 5 at St Brides Rd on 11 January (PMcT), a pair with fledged young at Mountstuart on 03 June (MH), 1 with 4 young at Ardencraig on 27 June (PP) and 13 at Rhubodach Forest on 26 November (RF).

Snow Bunting – Plectrophenax nivalis – Scarce winter visitor. 5 birds at Ettrick Bay on 08 November were reported as possible Snow Bunting, the observer obtained only a brief view hence the uncertainty (MA).

Yellowhammer - Emberiza citronella – Resident in small numbers with population increasing during winter with visiting birds. 1 at feeders in Ascog Garden on 09 March (PK), 1 on hedgerow at Plan Road on 07 November (DM) and 8 near Quogach Farm on 26 November (DM).

Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus – Resident breeding species. Records include 40 at Drumreoch on 26 March (DM).

Figure 9; Reed Bunting at Barone Park on 18 April, R Forrester

Category E Record

Red-breasted Goose - Branta ruficollis – First record for this species on Bute. 1 at Mecknock on 05 June (NMcK). This bird had been recorded around the west of Scotland for a period of months prior to and after the Bute record. Its origins are uncertain.

Migrant Arrival Dates 2014

Gannet 15 March St Ninian’s Bay Osprey 13 March Balnakailly Bay Common Sandpiper 28 April Craigmore Lesser Black-backed Gull 11 March Rothesay Town Sandwich Tern 10 April Rothesay Bay Cuckoo 24 April Gortans Swift 07 May Rothesay Harbour Sand Martin 4 April Barnauld Swallow 2 April Ettrick Bay House Martin 8 April Rothesay Academy Tree Pipit 02 May Balnakailly Forest Redstart 24 May Balnakailly Forest Wheatear 13 March St Ninian’s Saltmarsh Grasshopper Warbler 22 April Westlands Road Sedge Warbler 23 April Greenan Loch Garden Warbler 14 May Glecknabae Whitethroat 26 April Meikle Kilmory Wood Warbler 26 June Balnakailly Willow Warbler 2 April Barone Road Chiffchaff 31 March St Brides Road Spotted Flycatcher 19 May Balnakailly Forest Pied Flycatcher 11 May Balnakailly Forest

Contributors AG- Alan Gilmour BBG - Bute Bird Group BR – Bob Russon BS – Bill Stein CC – Colin Clark CG – Callum Geddes DK – Donald Kinnear DM – Dougie Menzies EG – Evelyn Gray GC – Graham Clarke GMcA – Graham McArthur IB – Ian Brown IG – Iona Gray IH – Ian Hopkins JT – Jenny Toop JW – John Williams KMcA – Kenny McAdam LM – Linda Mellor LMcK – Liz McKirdy MA – Malcolm Alexander MH – Malcolm Hutchieson MMcD – Margaret McDonald NMcK – Neil McKirdy PK – Phil Kirkham PMcT – Paul MacTaggart PP – Paul Power PT – Paul Toop RC – Ross Crichton RF – Ron Forrester RS – Richard Schofield TS – Tim Stobart WR – Willie Robertson