Argyll Bird Report 22 2008
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The Twenty second ARGYLL BIRD REPORT With Systematic List for the years 2008/2009 Edited by Tom Callan Assisted by Paul Daw Systematic List by Paul Daw, Bob Furness and Tom Callan Assisted by Malcolm Chattwood, Jim Dickson, Mike Harrison and Nigel Scriven ISSN 1363-4386 Copyright: Argyll Bird Club Feb. 2012 Argyll Bird Club Scottish Charity Number SC008782 January 2012 Founded in 1985, the Argyll Bird Club aims to promote interest in and conservation of Argyll’s wild birds and their natural environment. The rich diversity of habitats in the county supports an exceptional variety of bird life. Many sites in Argyll are of international importance. The Club brings together people with varied experience, from complete beginners to experts, and from all walks of life. New members are particularly welcome. Activities Every spring and autumn there is a one-day meeting with illustrated talks and other features. These meetings are held in conveniently central locations. Throughout the year there are field trips to local and more distant sites of interest. Publications The annual journal of the Club is the Argyll Bird Report, containing the Systematic List of all species recorded in the county during the year, together with reports and articles. The less formal quarterly newsletter, The Eider, gives details of forthcoming events and activities, reports of recent meetings, field trips, articles, and shorter items by members and others. Website www.argyllbirdclub.org Honorary Secretary: Katie Pendreigh, The Whins, Ferry Road, Tayinloan, PA29 6XQ. Tel. 01583 441 359 E-mail: [email protected] To apply for membership, please (photocopy and) complete the form below and send to our Membership Secretary: Sue Furness, The Cnoc, Tarbet, G83 7DG. Tel. 01301 702 603 E-mail: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I/We wish to apply for membership of the Argyll Bird Club. Name(s): Address: ___________________ Postcode Telephone number(s) __________________ E-mail ________________________ Please make cheques payable to “Argyll Bird Club”. If you wish to pay by standing order, which reduces our administration and costs, please ask the Membership Secretary to send you the appropriate form. Annual subscription (please tick): Ordinary £10 Junior (under 17) £3 Family £15 Corporate £25 2 Argyll Bird Club Officials and Committee as at Feb 2012. Chairman Nigel Scriven, 2 Allt na Blathaich, Loch Eck, Dunoon PA23 8SG Vice-Chairman Mike Harrison, 8 Ferryfield Drive, Connel, Oban PA37 1SP Secretary Katie Pendreigh, The Whins, Ferry Road, Tayinloan, PA29 6XQ Treasurer Prof. Bob Furness, The Cnoc, Tarbet, Loch Lomondside, G83 7DG Committee Tom Callan, Malcolm Chattwood, Paul Daw, Mike Harrison, Andy Robinson, David Warden, and Mark Williamson. Membership Sue Furness, The Cnoc, Tarbet, G83 7DG Secretary Argyll Bird Dr John Bowler, Roger Broad, Jim Dickson (Secretary), David Records Committee Jardine, Dr Malcolm Ogilvie and Simon Pinder Editor of Argyll Bird Tom Callan, Corra, Otter Ferry, Tighnabruaich, Argyll PA21 2DH Report Editor of The Eider Mark Williamson, Port Ban, Kilberry, Tarbert, Argyll PA29 6YD (newsletter) Other useful addresses S.O.C. Recorder for Argyll: Paul Daw, Tigh-na-Tulloch, Tullochgorm, Minard, Inveraray PA32 8YQ Secretary Argyll Bird Records Committee: Jim Dickson 11 Piper Road, Cairnbaan, Lochgilphead, PA31 8UF Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) Organiser for Argyll mainland & Mull: Paul Daw, Tigh-na- Tulloch, Tullochgorm, Minard, Inveraray PA32 8YQ. B.T.O. Representatives for Argyll: North Argyll, Mull, Coll, Tiree & Morvern: Arthur Brown/Rod Little. E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]. Islay, Jura and Colonsay: John S. Armitage, Airigh Sgallaidh, Portnahaven, Islay, Argyll PA47 7SZ. E-mail: [email protected]. Argyll South, Bute and Gigha: Jim Cassels. E-mail: [email protected] R.S.P.B. Conservation Officer, Argyll & Bute: Andy Robinson, RSPB S&W Scotland RO, 10 Park Quadrant, Glasgow, G3 6BS 3 Contents Preface. Paul Daw 5 Systematic List for 2008/9 - Introduction 6 Swans 18 - 19 Geese 20 - 27 Ducks 27 - 42 Game birds 42 - 44 Divers & grebes 44 - 47 Fulmar, shearwaters, petrels 48 - 50 Gannet, cormorants, egrets, herons 50 - 54 Raptors 54 - 65 Rails 66 - 67 Waders 68 - 88 Skuas, gulls, terns 88 - 100 Auks 100 - 102 Pigeons & doves 102 - 104 Cuckoos & owls 104 - 108 Nightjar, swift, kingfisher, woodpeckers 108 - 110 Skylark, swallows, pipits, wagtails 110 - 115 Waxwing to wheatear 115 - 118 Thrushes 119 - 122 Warblers 122 – 128 Goldcrest, flycatchers, tits, treecreeper 128 - 131 Orioles, shrikes & crows 132 - 135 Starlings, sparrows, finches 135 - 143 Buntings 143 - 145 Escapes & introductions 145 - 146 Rejected and Pending records 147 - 148 References, acknowledgements & contributors 149 - 151 Index 152 - 155 4 PREFACE Once again there is quite a delay between the dates of the observations which go to make up this report and its publication. As always we have to wait for the records to be submitted before we can start. And then the writing of the species accounts and editing of the text is a very time consuming job (as those of you who have tried it will know) and has to be fitted in between other demands on our time. We intend to involve more club members in the work of compiling species accounts for future reports to try to spread the work load. If you think you might be able to help with this please contact the Paul Daw or Tom Callan. Most of the key people concerned with producing the report have also been heavily involved with field work for the BTO 2007-11 Bird Atlas project. Records arising from Atlas work have already made a large contribution to the following species accounts. It will be fascinating to see the final picture of current distribution and population density of birds in Argyll when the Atlas is finally published. One of the elements of atlas work has been the focus on the breeding status of our birds. This is something that has sometimes been lacking in records sent in by members in the past. If we want to continue to monitor the health of our bird populations we need this information. Can I encourage everyone to include as much breeding information as possible in the records they send in. This is important even the common species like House Sparrow and Song Thrush and ideally comprises records of confirmed breeding such as nests, eggs, recently fledged young and adults feeding young etc. The breeding codes are available from BTO and are included in the Argyll Bird Club automated record system available from the Recorder (see page 6). As always you are strongly encouraged to use this method for submitting all your bird records. The status and welfare of our birds is a constantly changing picture due to climate change and other environmental pressures. A current example is the spread of Nuthatches to Argyll as a breeding species. The more information we have at grass roots level the readier we and the conservation organisations will be take whatever measures we can to help our birds to prosper. The Argyll Bird Club has recently been taking practical measures to encourage local birds by purchasing and installing nest boxes and helping with finance for tern nesting rafts. Anyone who wishes to help with this work should contact the Chairman or other member of the ABC Committee listed on page 3. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all those concerned with the writing of this publication, to our editor who has spent many hours maintaining the high standard we aim for in this report and to all those who send us their observations and records. What follows is the fruit of all your efforts. Paul Daw February 2012. 5 Argyll Bird Report 22 Systematic list for 2008-2009 Paul Daw Tigh-na-Tulloch, Minard, Inveraray, Argyll, PA32 8YQ Tel. 01546 886260 E-mail: [email protected] INTRODUCTION The following systematic list includes entries for 223 Category A, B and C species recorded in Argyll during 2008 and 235 such species recorded in 2009 (cf. average 216 species during the years 1993 – 2007). The number of species recorded in 2009 is by far the highest annual total since the Argyll Bird Report began in 1980. I suggest that this is, at least in part, due to the enthusiasm with which a small band of local birders look out (and write descriptions of!) rare birds, especially on islands such as Islay and Tiree. Six new species were added to the Argyll list (viz. Black-browed Albatross, Cattle Egret, Gull-billed Tern, Short-toed Lark, Blythe’s Reed Warbler and Ortolan Bunting), which stood at 337 species seen up to Dec 2009. Records for 8 category E species in 2008 and one in 2009 are also listed, as are 5 additional races* in 2008 and 6* in 2009. * Including Feral Pigeon. BIRD RECORDING IN ARGYLL If all records are received in an approved standard format it is very quick and easy to add them to the database. To make it easier for club members (and others) to do this we have devised a user friendly automated bird record template. You simply enter the basic information about the birds you have seen and the template produces a standardised Excel file of records that can be automatically e-mailed to the Recorder. With just a little practice you can also use it to keep your own bird records. To use this system you will need a PC with Excel software and an internet connection. The software comes complete with full instructions and I am also happy to talk people through the system on the phone if help is needed. Why not try the Argyll Bird Record System out and save myself and the kind people who have assisted me with processing bird records over recent years (Tom Callan, Morag Rea, Mary Gregory and Jane Mitchell) literally hours (indeed days!) of our time.