Bute Bird Report 2012 Doug Menzies, Ron Forrester, Ian Hopkins

This report is a record of bird sightings on the Isle of Bute, including Inchmarnock and the Burnt Islands, for the period 1 January to 31 December 2012. 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. Thanks are given to all contributors of records for this report.

2012 was another good year for birding on Bute. Bute Bird Group continues to provide a focus for local birders and through organizing a regular program of field trips and indoor meetings promotes birding on the island. 148 species were recorded during the year, which is slightly up on 2011 when 147 species were recorded. The Bute bird list now stands at 214 species with the inclusion of two new species during 2012. The new additions to the Bute list are Lesser Yellowlegs and Goshawk.

Perhaps the highlight of the year was the presence of an adult, non-breeding Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes, a vagrant American wader, which was found in a flooded field south of Little Kilmory Farm on 30 September. It stayed at this location for four days and during this period was observed by a good number of local birders, feeding in the shallow floodwater in the field adjacent to the road. This species is on the British Birds Rarities Committee list of reportable species and a report has been submitted to them for consideration.

There have been a number of anecdotal reports of possible Goshawk, Accipiter gentilis, sightings on Bute in recent years and due to the difficulties involved in identifying this species they have remained unconfirmed. However in 2012 there were two separate sightings by credible independent observers that would appear to substantiate the presence of this species, at least as an occasional visitor, to Bute.

The pair of Ospreys returned to the nest site at Barnauld on 11 April for their second summer on the artificial nest constructed in 2011 and on 9 July Ian Hopkins ringed two chicks at the nest. This year coloured rings were used (Blue 71 and 72) and with luck we may get updates on the movements of these birds from observers able to Figure 1: Pied Flycatcher (female), Balnakailly record details of the leg rings. Wood, 4 June, © Doug Menzies.

In March of this year 30 bird nest boxes, provided by The Argyll Bird Club, were located in Balnakailly Wood. This project was a success as 11 of these boxes were used by three species, including one box that attracted a pair of Pied Flycatchers. (See appendix A)

Other noteworthy records from 2012 are the multiple sightings of Nuthatch, over an extended period, in the Mount Stuart area indicating the possibility that Bute may have a new resident species, a fourth record of Little Gull for Bute and the first record of Tree Sparrow on Bute since 2000 and only the second in 100 years.

Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - Resident breeding species. The Rothesay Castle pair laid 10 eggs and raised 9 cygnets after one was found dead in John Street, Rothesay on 23 August (IH). Breeding also confirmed at Kirk Dam where 2 chicks hatched but signets did not survive (IH). Pairs present on Greenan Loch, Loch Quien and Loch Fad although no breeding recorded. Maximum of 18 on the Kirk Dam on 11 March (IH).

Whooper Swan - Cygnus Cygnus - Winter visitor with numbers increasing. Last date for spring: 4 at the Kirk Dam on 16 April (DM) – Arrival date for autumn: 2 at Loch Quien on 30 September (IH). Frequently observed at the Kirk Dam and Greenan Loch with a high count of 62 including immature birds, at the Kirk Dam on 6 February (IH). 40 at Kirk Dam on 15 March (IH), 32 at Greenan Loch on 18 March (IH), 12 at Greenan Loch on 1 October (IH), 25 over Straad on 21 October (IG) and 48 (including 11 immatures) at the airstrip Plan Road on 22 October (DM). A summering bird was recorded frequently at Ettrick Bay between 4 July (CG) and 30 August (IH, NM, DM). This bird is believed to have been predated by a fox as a headless corpse was found at Ettrick Bay on 1 September (IH).

Pink-footed Goose - Anser brachyrhynchus – Passage migrant in small numbers, usually in mixed flocks with migrant Greylag Geese. 1 in flock, with Greylag Geese, at Ballianlay on 17 January (DM), 9 at Meikle Kilmory on 25 January (IH), 5 at Largizean on 23 October (IH) and 2, again with Greylags, on 11 November in fields at Kilmory.

White-fronted Goose (Greenland sub-species) - Anser albifrons - Winter visitor. Small flock winters on Bute each year. 110 in fields at Ballianlay on 17 January (DM) and c.190 at Ballycaul on 18 March (IH). First date in autumn 18 at Upper Ardroscadale Farm on 9 October (IH), 33 at Ballycaul Farm on 12 October (DM) and c.160 in flight from Loch Dhu on 18 November.

Greylag Goose - Anser anser – Resident breeder and winter migrant, with resident birds increasing rapidly in number during recent years. Hybridization with Canada Geese recorded. Large counts include c.1200 at Ballianlay on 17 January (DM), total of c.1750 on 10 March (IH), c.300 Ettrick Bay on 29 August (resident flock) (DM), and 990 recorded on Bute at various locations during national goose count on 11 November (DM).

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis – Resident breeder which has increased rapidly in numbers during recent years. Hybridization with Graylag Geese recorded, 3 hybrid Geese at Loch Quien on 2 October (DM), 103 at Greenan Loch on 13 February (DM), 6 adults with 11 half-grown young at Ettrick Bay on 11 June (IH), 15 at Kilchattan Bay on 29 August (IH), c.250 at Kilchattan Bay on 31 August (GMcD), 135 at Loch Quien on 21 October and 177 near airstrip, Plan Road on 22 October (DM).

Barnacle Goose - Branta leucopsis – Winter passage migrant, in small numbers. 9 at Ballianlay on 17 January (DM), 8 at Loch Ascog on 10 March (IH), 15 at Loch Quien on 21 October (DM) and 1 with Canada Geese at Mecknoch on 11 and 23 November (DM).

Shelduck - Tadorna tadorna – Resident, with increased numbers during winter. Peak counts: 19 at St Ninian’s saltmarsh on 30 January (DM), and 23 at Largizean Farm on 30 March (IH).

Wigeon - Anas Penelope – Primarily a common winter visitor, often in large flocks: recorded at all of the islands fresh water lochs. Last spring departure date, 2 on 2 April at Kirk Dam (IH). First autumn arrival date, 12 at Ettrick Bay and 1 at Greenan Loch on 28 August (DM, IG). Maximum counts from lochs (WeBS data), 296 at Greenan Loch on 11 March (RF); 420 at Loch Ascog on 17 January (DM); 14 at Loch Fad on 17 January; 226 at Kirk Dam on 18 November; and 270 at Loch Quien on 17 January (IH).

Gadwall - Anas strepera – Scarce winter visitor becoming more frequent. 2 males at Kirk Dam on 8 February (RF), 1 male at Loch Quien on 12 September (IH), 2 males at Loch Quien on 12 October (DM), 12 (2 family groups 8 and 4) at Loch Quien on 12 October (DM). 2 Kirk Dam on 2 November (IH), 2 Loch Quien on 4 November (IH) and again on 23 November (DM), and 1 male at Kirk Dam on 29 and 30 November (PP, DM).

Teal - Anas crecca – Common winter visitor. 139 at Loch Quien on 17 January (IH), 44 at Loch Quien on 12 October (DM), and 154 at Greenan Loch 18 November (RF).

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos – Common resident breeder. 151 at Loch Ascog on 12 February (DM), 135 at St Ninian’s Bay on 5 September (IH), 111 at Little Kilmory on 12 October (DM), 203 in ‘wet’ field at Meikle Kilmory on 17 October (RF), and 252 in fields at Cranslagvourity Farm on 2 November (DM). A drake with abnormal red and green head pattern reminiscent of Teal was present at Kirk Dam between 2 and 5 November(DM, IH), and two with this abnormal head pattern were seen at the same loch on 30 November (DM).

Pintail - Anas acuta – Scarce visitor recorded less than annually. Pair at Greenan Loch from 11-15 March (RF, IH, DM).

Pochard - Aythya ferina – Scarce winter visitor. 1 male at Greenan Loch on 11 March (RF, IH), and 2 males at Greenan Loch on 15 March (DM).

Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula – Common winter visitor and scarce breeder. Breeding was confirmed for the first time since 1997 by a pair seen with 5 chicks on Greenan Loch on 21 August (IH, DM). Peak counts recorded were 88 at Loch Quien on 29 August (IH) and 41 Greenan Loch on 14 October (RF).

Scaup - Aythya marila – Scarce winter visitor. 1 male at Greenan Loch on 11 March (RF, IH) until 18 March (IH).

Eider - Somateria mollissima – Resident breeder, with increased numbers in winter. Population decreasing. Annual September ‘round island’ count produced 63 males and 25 females (IH).

Long-tailed Duck - Clangula hyemalis – Scarce winter visitor. 1 female or immature at Loch Quien on 18 October (IH, RF) and again on 23 November (DM).

Common Scoter - Melanitta nigra – Scarce winter visitor 1 female at Scalpsie Bay on 14 and 15 January (DM, IH).

Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula – Common winter visitor. 12 at Greenan Loch on 15 January (RF), 17 on Loch Quien on 11 March (IH), 1 immature at Kirk Dam on 26 April, and 7 at Loch Quien on 29 October (DM).

Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator – Common resident breeder in small numbers, found year round in the coastal waters of Bute. 1 at Kirk Dam on 7 February (DM, IH), was an unusual inland sighting. The largest count was 19 at Kilchattan Bay on 5 September (IH).

Goosander - Mergus merganser – Uncommon winter migrant. Records included 12 on Greenan Loch on 15 January (RF, WeBS), 8 at Greenan Loch on 28 January (DM), 4 at Kames Bay on 31 August 2012 (IH), 1 at mouth of Drumachloy Burn on 19 October (RF), 6 at Loch Ascog on 3 November (PMcT), a pair at Loch Quien on 2 December and 2 males at Loch Fad on 4 December (DM).

Red-legged Partridge - Alectoris rufa – a few survivors of the population released for sporting purposes persist. Breeding has not been recorded since 2001. The only record was of 1 at Ardscalpsie on 12 April 2012 (PMcT).

Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus – Common resident and occasional breeder, population mainly comprises of male birds released for sporting purposes.

Red-throated Diver - Gavia stellate – Breeding species and winter visitor to coastal waters. Pair raised 1 chick at North Bute nest site. 4 wailing off Ardscalpsie on 2 May (IH).

Great Northern Diver - Gavia immer – Recorded less than annually in waters around Bute. 1 at Scalpsie Bay on 15 January (IH). 1 in summer plumage at Ettrick Bay on 6 May (DM) and at Ardscalpsie Point on 9 May (IH).

Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis – resident breeding species. 14 on Greenan Loch on 21 September (I H), and 7 in Kames Bay on 31 October (IH).

Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus – Occasional breeding species, last proved to nest in 2010 and uncommon winter visitor. 3 on sea at Kames Bay on 9 August (PMcT), 1 at Loch Quien on 15 May (IH), and 1 at Loch Quien between 8 and 12 October (DM, IH).

Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus – Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. 1 at Stravannan Bay on 14 January (NMcK), 1 at Loch Quien from 8 to 23 October (DM), and 1 at Kildavannan on 19 October (RF).

Fulmar - Fulmarus glacialis – Scarce summer visitor to coastal Figure 2: Slavonian Grebe at Loch Quien on 22 waters. October, © Doug Menzies. Singles at each end of Inchmarnock on 28 April (IH).

Manx Shearwater - Puffinus puffinus – Common non-breeding species, around Bute during late summer with occasional records from early summer. c.70 off Dunagoil on 1 July (IH), and c.300 off Craigmore on 9 August (DM).

Gannet - Morus bassanus – Common non-breeding species, in waters around Bute during summer. First records – in Rothesay Bay on 2 March (SS), and at Kilchattan Bay on 10 March (DB).

Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo – Resident non-breeder present around coast throughout the year. Frequent at Loch Ascog, Loch Fad and Loch Quien.

Shag - Phalacrocorax aristotelis – Resident occasional breeder. Common around the coast throughout the year. 2 occupied nests on Inchmarnock on 28 April (IH).

Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea – Resident breeding species. Peak count: 10 at St Ninian’s saltmarsh on 22 October (DM).

Hen Harrier - Circus cyaneus – Resident breeding species, in small numbers. A nest containing 5 small young, located at north end, was predated prior to fledging (IH). Male at Gortans on 16 April (JW), male at Quogach Farm on 22 July (IH), male at Loch Dhu on 6 October (PMcT), 1 ringtail at Scoulag Moor on 7 October (IH) and again on 11 November (DM).

Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis – Scarce visitor and new to Bute List. There have previously been several unconfirmed reports of this species on Bute. 1 female at Kerrycroy, August (PL), and 1 at Balnakailly Wood on 9 October (BS) are the first and second confirmed records for Bute.

Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus – Resident breeding species.

Buzzard - Buteo buteo – Common breeding resident. 10 monitored pairs fledged a minimum of 21 young, giving a figure of 2.1 young per successful nest (IH).

Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos – Scarce, with sporadic breeding. During 2012 several sightings of an immature Golden Eagle were made at various locations on Bute. These may have been of the same bird exploring the area around Bute and Cowal. Sightings of this bird were at Drumachloy on 1 January (SK); at Ardscalpsie on 25 March (AF); at Scoulag Moor on 12 April (BS); at Gortans on 3 May (JW) and at Gortans on 3 July 2012 (JW).

White-tailed Eagle - Haliaeetus albicilla – Occasional winterer visitor, immature birds. 1 was recorded on 22 January at Straad (SM), at St Ninian’s Bay on 28 January (DM) and again on 29 January at Nether Ardroscadale (IG); 1 at St. Ninian’s on 18 March (Susan Robertson); 1 at Glecknabae on 10 September (MJ, IA) and at Ettrick Bay on 18 September (PMcT).

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus – Scarce breeding species and occasional passage migrant. 1 pair bred at nest site near Loch Fad, fledging 2 chicks on 27 July (IH). First date observed: 1 on 24 March at nest site (JMcI). The pair was first recorded at the nest on 11 April (BS), and during the summer both birds were observed fishing at Kirk Dam, Loch Fad, Loch Ascog and Loch Quien (JW, PMcT, JMcI, IH, DM). The last record for the year was of 1 at Loch Quien on 16 September (RMcK). 1 (non-resident) over North Bute, being mobbed by Peregrine on 25 July (IH, DM, PMcT). Another probable migrant was observed from a fishing boat as it flew from near Kilchattan Bay heading down the Clyde towards Little Cumbrae on 15 August (RF, IH, DM et al.).

Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus – Resident breeder. Pair at St Ninian’s saltmarsh on 30 January (DM), and again at same location on 5 February, and 1 at St Ninian’s on 10 April (IH). Another was seen flying over Crichton Road, Rothesay on 23 November (RF).

Merlin - Falco columbarius – Former breeding species found in small numbers during winter. 1 near Westlands on 21 January (PT), 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 3 February (PMcT), 1 at Loch Quien on 9 October (IH), 1 at Ettrick Bay on 10 October (DM) and a female at Kames Castle on 25 November (JW).

Peregrine - Falco peregrinus – Resident breeder. Breeding recorded at South Bute where 1 chick fledged (IH), and a pair fledged 2 young at North Bute site (IH). 1 at St Ninian’s saltmarsh on 30 January (DM), 1 over Rothesay Bay on 15 July (RF), 1 at Scoulag Moor on 11 November (DM). A bird ringed as a chick on Arran on 1 June 2004, was found dead near Kilchattan Bay on 27 April 2008 (TS).

Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus – Resident breeding species. Numbers appear to have increased during 2012, in comparison with recent previous years at Kirk Dam, Greenan Loch and Loch Quien. 8 at the Kirk Dam on 8 November (DM)

Coot - Fulica atra – Resident breeding species Recorded on Loch Quien, Greenan Loch, Kirk Dam and Loch Fad (DM), 19 at Loch Quien on 9 October (IH).

Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus – Resident breeder at Kirk Dam. Seen and heard frequently at Kirk Dam especially during the last quarter of the year when up to 5 birds were recorded on occasion (IH,DM). The population at the Kirk Dam may well exceed 10 pairs (DM).

Oystercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus – Common resident Figure 3: Water Rail at Kirk Dam on 4 December breeder. © Doug Menzies. 270 at Kilchattan Bay on 29 August (IH).

Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula – uncommon resident breeder. 22 at Ardbeg Point on 17 September (IH), 39 at Ettrick Bay on 22 October (DM).

Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria – Uncommon passage migrant. 2 at Ettrick Bay on 17 January (DM), 1 at St Ninian’s Bay on 5 February (IH), 40 in field at St Ninian’s Bay on 10 April (IH), 48 at Drumreoch on 27 April (NM) and 14 at the same location on 9 May (DM).

Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus – Common resident, breeding in small numbers. Pair with small chick on Scoulag Moor on 31 May (IH), and 65 at Stuck Farm on 21 October (DM).

Knot - Calidris canutus – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 1 at Kilchattan Bay on 29 August 2012 (IH), 1 at Ettrick Bay on 9 November (DM), and 1 at Kilchattan Bay on 23 November 2012 (DM).

Dunlin - Calidris alpine – Winter visitor and recorded during most months in small numbers. 4 at Ettrick Bay on 9 May (DM), and 7 at Ettrick Bay on 9 November (DM).

Jack Snipe – Lymnocryptes minimus – Recorded less than annually. 1 at saltmarsh St Ninian’s Bay on 21 October (DM).

Snipe - Gallinago gallinago – Resident breeder. c.30 at St Ninian’s Bay saltmarsh on 28 January (DM), and 3 at Greenan Loch on 29 October (DM).

Woodcock - Scolopax rusticola – Resident and winter migrant in variable numbers. 1 at Greenan Loch on 28 January (DM), and 1 at Gortans on 8 November (JW).

Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 1 at Greenan Loch on 8 September (IH).

Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica – recorded in small numbers from September until April at Ettrick Bay and Kilchattan Bay. 2 at St Ninian’s Bay on 5 September (IH), 1 at Kilchattan Bay 0n 5 September (IH), 11 at Ettrick Bay on 9 November (DM) and 27 at Kilchattan Bay on 23 November (DM).

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus – Uncommon passage migrant recorded less than annually. 1 off Inchmarnock on 28 April (IH), 1 at Ardscalpsie on 2 May (IH), and 19 at Ettrick Bay on 6 May (DM). 1 at Kilchattan Bay on 14 July (IH) was an unusual summer record.

Curlew - Numenius arquata – Resident breeder, large wintering flocks. 714 counted by B.B.G. on all-island count on 14 January, 260 at Ettrick Bay on 27 January (IG), 130 at Greenan Loch on 18 March (IH), 90 at Loch Quien on 13 August (IH), c.250 at St. Ninian’s Bay on 9 October (IH) and 95 at Loch Quien on 12 October (DM).

Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos – Common summer breeding migrant. First summer arrival: 1 at Rubha an Amair on 1 April (NM). Figure 4: Lesser Yellowlegs, Little Kilmory on 2 October, © Doug Menzies. Greenshank - Tringa nebularia – Scarce passage migrant. 1 at Loch Quien 13 and 14 August (IH, DM).

Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes. Vagrant and new to Bute list. 1 at flooded field south of Little Kilmory (NS044595) between 30 September and 4 October (IH, DM et al.).

Redshank - Tringa tetanus – Common resident and occasional breeder. 14 at St. Ninian’s Bay on 11 February (IH), 9 at St Ninian’s Bay on 12 October (DM).

Turnstone - Arenaria interpres – Common resident and winter visitor. c.30 at Ardbeg Point on 8 October (IH), 19 Ettrick Bay on 22 October (DM)

Kittiwake - Rissa tridactyla – Recorded less than annually on Bute. 1 seen from fishing boat between Bute and Great Cumbrae on 15 August (RF, DM).

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

Little Gull - Hydrocoloeus minutus – Scarce visitor to Bute with only 3 previous records. 1 in flight near Craigmore Pier on 10 May (RF).

Common Gull - Larus canus – Common resident with large visiting flocks recorded during winter. c.3000 in recently slurried fields near Lower Ettrick farm on 19 March (IH).

Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus – Common summer migrant and breeding species with occasional wintering birds recorded. Breeding recorded on rooftops in Rothesay Town center (DM). First spring arrival: 1 at Ascog Bay on 6 March (NM). Largest count noted: 130 at Kilchattan Bay on 29 August (IH).

Herring Gull - Larus argentatus – Common resident breeder. Breeding on rooftops in Rothesay town center (DM). c.300 birds down the west side of Inchmarnock, mainly immatures, no sign of nesting, on 28 April (IH).

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

Sandwich Tern - Sterna sandvicensis – Summer passage visitor. 2 at Rothesay Harbour on 18 April (DM), 2 at Ardbeg on 19 April (IA), 12 at Rothesay Bay on 30 April during severe weather (DM), 1 at Pointhouse Crescent, Ardbeg on 22 May (IA), 2 over Rothesay Harbour on 17 August (DM), 3 (2 adult and immature) at Ettrick Bay on 28 August and adult catching fish for immature at Ettrick Bay on 29 August (DM).

Guillemot - Uria aalge – Frequent in coastal waters around Bute, more common in summer.

Razorbill - Alca torda – Found throughout the year in small numbers, in waters around Bute. 1 close to shore at Hawk’s Neb, Kilchattan Bay on 24 November (DM)

Black Guillemot - Cepphus grille – Resident in Rothesay Harbour and Rothesay Bay in small numbers. Up to 12 at Rothesay Harbour in June (DM).

Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon - Columba livia – Common resident breeder (Feral) no records of Rock Dove.

Woodpigeon - Columba palumbus – Common resident breeder. Large counts include c.300 at Drumreoch on 7 October (IH), and c600 at airstrip, Plan Rd on 11 November (DM).

Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto – Common resident breeder.

Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus – uncommon summer migrant and breeding species. First date, calling male at Woodend, Loch Fad on 15 April (AMcF). 2 calling on moor above South Wood of Lenihuline on 6 May (DM), and 3 calling at Loch Dhu on 25 May (MMcD).

Barn Owl - Tyto alba – Uncommon resident breeder. 1 at Ballycaul on 21 January (PMcT), 1 near Scoulag Farm on 22 January (RMcK), 1 at Croc an Raer on 10 September (SH), 1 at Ballycaul on 14 September (PMcT), 1 at Stable Cottage, Mount Stuart on 16 September (BS), and 1 at Gortans on 26 September (JW).

Tawny Owl - Strix aluco – Resident breeding species. 1 at Grosvenor Road, Rothesay on 3 October (DM).

Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus – Scarce resident, no confirmed breeding records. 1 at Scoulag Moor on 13 July (IH, PMcT), and 1 Gortans on 25 October & 3 November (JW).

Swift - Apus apus – Migrant breeder with colonies at Craigmore and Ardbeg. First date: 1 on 9 May at Craigmore (DM). Largest count: 19 over Rothesay Harbour on 3 July (DM). Last date: 1 over Craigmore on 16 August (RF).

Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis – Scarce visitor. 1 at Kirk Dam regularly between 7 February (LMcK, MMcD, DM) and 15 February (PMcT). 1 on sea wall at Kames Bay in March (SR), 1 at Loch Ascog on 26 September 2012 (AMcG) and again on 27 October (PMcT).

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major – Fairly common breeding resident found in most areas of mature woodland. 2 at Eastlands Road, Rothesay on 25 March (MMcD), and 1 at Balnakailly Wood on 28 April (DM).

Skylark - Alauda arvensis – Common summer breeder and winter visitor. 1 heard singing on 10 March (IH). Largest count: c.250 in stubble field at Drumreoch on 11 November (DM).

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia – Common summer breeding species with large established colonies on Bute. First date: several over Loch Fad on 29 March (IH).

Swallow - Hirundo rustica – Common summer migrant and breeding species. First date: 1 at Barnauld 25 March (NMcK). 10 at Kingarth hotel on 10 April (DB). Last date: 1 at Greenan Mill on 9 October (IH).

House Martin - Delichon urbicum – Common summer migrant and breeding species. First date: 1 at Barnauld 25 March (NMcK), c.150 at Loch Quien on 8 September (IH).

Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis – Summer visitor in small numbers. First date: 5 singing/ displaying males at Balnakailly Wood on 28 April (DM).

Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis – Common resident breeder. Flock of 50+ at Glenmore on 15 August (IH).

Rock Pipit - Anthus petrosus – Common resident breeder.

Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea – Uncommon breeding resident. 1 at Ettrick Bay burn on 15 July (KMcA), 1 at Battery Place Rothesay on 4 October (VS) and 2 at Kirk Dam on 23 October (DM).

Pied Wagtail - Motacilla alba – Common resident breeder. Large counts: 73 at a night roost on pontoons at Rothesay inner harbour on 29 March (DM), and 70 at putting greens, Rothesay on 6 September (IH).

Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulous – Recorded less than annually on Bute. Figure 5: Waxwing at Flexi-Tech, Townhead on c.30 at Flexi-Tech Townhead, Rothesay from 8 November 8 November © Doug Menzies. (c.70) to 12 November (IH, DM, LMcK), 50+ at Craigmore Park (NMcK) and later near junction of Crichton Road and Eastlands Road on 15 November (RF, VS). 15 at cotoneaster hedge, in garden Eastlands Road on 22 November (RF).

Dipper - Cinclus cinclus – Uncommon visitor. 1 at Balnakailly Burn on 29 April (IH), and 1 at Drumachloy Burn, Ettrick Bay on 4 and 22 October (IH).

Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes – Common resident breeder.

Dunnock - Prunella modularis – Common resident breeder.

Robin - Erithacus rubecula – Common resident breeder.

Whinchat - Saxicola rubetra – Scarce summer visitor and breeding species. 2 males at North Bute near Bull Loch on 19 July, and pair near Bull Loch on 25 July (IH, DM, PMcT).

Stonechat - Saxicola torquatus – Scarce resident after population was all but wiped out during the severe winters of 2009/10, however signs are that they are recovering with several records throughout 2012. Pair at North Bute near Bull Loch on 19 June (IH, DM), female at Ettrick Bay on 1 September (DM), 3 (2 males, 1 female) at Ettrick Bay on 10 October (DM), 2 at the Gortans on 25 October (JW), pair at Hawk’s Neb, Kilchattan Bay on 23 November (DM) and pair at New Farm on 24 November (DM).

Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe – common summer migrant and breeder. First date: 1 at Plan Road on 24 March (NM) and 2 at Glencallum Bay on same day (RF, IH).

Blackbird - Turdus merula – Common resident breeder.

Fieldfare - Turdus pilaris – Common winter visitor. c.60 at Glenmore on 1 April (IH).

Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos – Common resident breeder.

Redwing - Turdus iliacus – Common winter visitor. 3 at Scarrel on 23 October (DM).

Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus – Widespread resident breeding species in small numbers.

Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia – Widespread summer migrant breeder. First dates: 26 April at Kirk Dam (DM, IH, IG), a reeling male at Bull Loch on 27 April (DM), 2 reeling at Shalunt on 11 May (BS). Late record: 1 reeling at recycling centre Westlands Road on 5 and 12 July (DM, RF).

Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus schoenobaenus – Common summer migrant breeder. First date: 29 April singing male at St Ninian’s Bay (DM).

Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla – Widespread summer migrant breeder. Wintering records few but increasing. Winter records: female at feeders frequently between 1 and 3 January, Crichton Road, Rothesay, (DM), male at feeders Crichton Road, Rothesay on 15 January (DM), female at feeders Grosvenor Road, Rothesay on 18 March (NMcK), and male at Ettrick Bay on 22 March (DB). Summer records of birds in suitable breeding habitat include: 2 singing males at South Wood of Lenihuline on 6 May (DM) and 1 singing at Skippers Wood at East Princes Street, Rothesay on 5 July (DM).

Whitethroat - Sylvia communis – Common summer migrant breeder. First date: 3 May a singing male at Drumreoch (DM).

Wood Warbler - Phylloscopus sibilatrix – Scarce summer migrant breeder recorded less than annually. First date: a singing male on 6 May at South Wood of Lenihuline (DM). There are two further summer records: singing male at North Wood of Lenihuline on 29 May (RF), 2 Figure 6: Wood Warbler, South Wood of singing males at Balnakailly Wood on 2 June (DM, IG). These Lenihuline on 6 May © Doug Menzies. three records represent the most recorded on Bute for several years.

Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita – Common summer migrant and breeder. First date: a singing male on 18 March at Westlands Road (PMcT). Several singing in woods at Woodend, Loch Fad on 26 April (DM, IH, IG), 1 singing at Westlands Road on 5 July (DM) and 1 at Balnakailly on 12 July (IH).

Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus – Common summer migrant breeder. First date: 11 April at the causeway, Loch Fad (NM).

Goldcrest - Regulus regulus – Common resident breeder. 9 at Gortans on 25 October (JW).

Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata – Scarce summer visitor and breeder. First date: 25 May in Stravannan Glen (IH), 1 at Balnakailly Wood 2 June (DM) and 1 near Edinbeg Farm on 5 July (IH).

Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca – Former breeder not recorded since 1997. In March 2012 thirty nest boxes, donated by Argyll Bird Club, were erected in Balnakailly Wood, North Bute, the location of a previously successful nest box scheme. On 2 June the nest boxes were checked and one was found to contain 5 eggs believed to be those of Pied Flycatcher (DM, IG). On 3 June IH watched the box for activity and observed what he believed to be a Pied Flycatcher attending the box and on 4 June DM managed to confirm that the box was being attended by a female Pied Flycatcher. No males had been observed in the area. On 19 June IH and DM again inspected the nest box and discovered that the eggs had failed to hatch and that the nest had been abandoned. This is the first record of Pied Flycatcher on Bute since 1997. The only other known breeding records were all from Balnakailly Wood between 1994 and 1996.

Long-tailed Tit - Aegithalos caudatus – Resident breeder. Records include: c.20 at Loch Fad on 6 February (LMcK), 8 at Loch Fad on 26 September (PMcT), 7 at Lovers Walk, the Meadows on 4 October (MMcD), c.10 loch Ascog on 27 Figure 7: Nuthatch at feeder, Mount Stuart on October (PMcT) and 12 at Gortans on 8 November (JW). 4 October, © Doug Menzies.

Blue Tit - Cyanistes caeruleus – Common resident breeder.

Great Tit - Parus major – Common resident breeder.

Coal Tit - Periparus ater – Common resident breeder.

Nuthatch - Sitta europaea – Scarce visitor. Although there was only 1 previous Bute record, there were several reports during 2012: 1 at feeders in Ascog Garden on 20 August (PK), 1 found stunned after flying into a window at house in Mount Stuart on 31 August, which recovered and flew off shortly after (AF), 1 at feeders in Mount Stuart garden on 4 October, and 2 at same feeders on 13 November (BS).

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

Jay - Garrulus glandarius – Resident breeding species in small numbers though increasing. Records include: 3 at Kirk Dam on 6 February (DM), 2 near Kilbride Farm on 15 February (IH), 1 seen flying from Skipper Wood to near Crichton Road, Rothesay on 19 April (RF) and 3 at Stable Cottage, Mount Stuart on 16 September (BS).

Magpie - Pica pica – Resident breeding species in small numbers though increasing. Breeding believed to have occurred at Wee Bay, Kilchattan Bay. 2 at Stable Cottage, Mount Stuart on 6 September (BS) and 1 at the Straad between 21 October and 9 November (DM, IG).

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.

Raven - Corvus corax – Common resident breeder in small numbers. 12 pairs monitored fledged at least 25 young, giving a mean of 2.08 per successful nest (IH).

Starling - Sturnus vulgaris – Common resident breeder.

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus – Common resident breeder.

Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus – Scarce visitor. 1 at feeders in Crichton Road, Rothesay garden on 8 May (DM). This is the first record for Bute since 2000 and only the second in 100 years.

Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs – Common resident breeder. Large count: flock of c.250 at Lochend Farm on 11 November (DM).

Figure 8: Tree Sparrow, Crichton Rd on 8 May, Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla – Occasional winter © Doug Menzies visitor in small numbers. 1 male in flock of Chaffinch at Gallachan Farm on 20 November (DM) and 1 female at feeders Crichton Rd on 22 November (DM)

Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris – Common resident breeder.

Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis – Common resident breeder.

Siskin - Carduelis spinus – Common resident breeder in small numbers. A bird found dead at Kildavannan on 29 June had been ringed as a 2nd year male at Kames, near Tighnabruaich on 29 April 2010 (IG).

Linnet - Carduelis cannabina – Common resident breeder. Counts include: 32 at Kingarth airstrip on 5 October (IH), 30 at Loch Quien bird hide on 9 October (DM).

Twite - Carduelis flavirostris – Resident breeder in small number with increase in winter. c.5 in Linnet Flock at Loch Quien on 9 October (DM), c.30 at Ettrick Bay on 10 October (DM), and 10 at St Ninian’s Bay on 9 November (DM).

Lesser Redpoll - Carduelis cabaret – Common resident breeder in small numbers. 6 at South Wood of Lenihuline on 6 May (DM).

Common Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra – Resident probable breeding species with increase to population in winter. 8 at war memorial Scoulag Moor on 1 February (DM), 9 at Rhubodach on 18 March (IH), ‘large flock’ at war memorial Scoulag Moor on 24 October (PL) and 5 at same location on 24 November (DM). Figure 9: Crossbill at war memorial, Scoulag on 1 February © Doug Menzies. Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula – Common resident breeder in small numbers. 2 at Eastlands Road, Rothesay on 17 April, and pair at Flexi-Tec, Townhead on 8 November 2012 (DM).

Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis – Scarce passage migrant. 1 male on road at Westlands Farm on 20 November (DM).

Yellowhammer - Emberiza citronella – Resident in small numbers with population increase in winter. Singing male near Little Kilmory on 9 May (DM), 4 near Little Kilmory on 4 October (DM), 6 at Quogach on 21 October (DM) and 2 at the Gortans on 25 October (JW).

Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus – Resident breeding species. A flock c.40 recorded at Ballycaul on 19 January (IH).

Contributors IA – Iain Andrews LMcK – Liz McKirdy DB – David Brown NMcK – Neil McKirdy AF – Ann Foster RMcK – Robert McKirdy RF – Ron Forrester PMcT – Paul McTaggart CG – Callum Geddes DM – Doug Menzies IG – Iona Gray NM – Norrie Mulholland IH – Ian Hopkins SM – Stuart Murray MJ – Mark Jenkins PP – Paul Power PK – Phil Kirkham SR – Susan Robertson SK – Stuart Kerr BS – Billy Shields PL – Philip Lovel SS – Stewart Stirling GMcD – George McDonald TS – Terry Southall MMcD – Margaret MacDonald VS – Viv Shelly AMcF – Alastair McFarlane PT – Peter Tuppman AMcG – Andy McGregor JW – John Williams JMcI – Johnie McInairnie

Appendix A

Balnakailly Wood Nest Box Records 02 June 2012

Figure 10: Nest box number 5 containing Pied Flycatcher Nest, Balnakailly Wood, 2 June ©Doug Menzies.

Box Number Content Species Notes

5 5 eggs Pied Flycatcher no sign of adult 9 6 eggs Great Tit adult on eggs 16 Nest chicks fledged 17 8 eggs Great Tit adult on eggs 18 4 young Blue Tit 19 5 eggs Great Tit 23 6 young Great Tit 24 Nest chicks fledged 25 6 young Blue Tit 26 7 eggs Blue Tit adult on eggs 30 Nest chicks fledged