The Twenty first ARGYLL BIRD REPORT With Systematic List for the years 2006/2007 Edited by Tom Callan Assisted by Paul Daw Systematic List by Paul Daw Assisted by Bob Furness (seabirds) Tom Callan and Malcolm Chattwood ISSN 1363-4386 Copyright: Argyll Bird Club Feb. 2010 Argyll Bird Club Scottish Charity Number SC008782 February 2010 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 Mar 2010. Chairman Nigel Scriven, 2 Allt na Blathaich, Loch Eck, Dunoon PA23 8SG Vice-Chairman vacant Secretary Katie Pendreigh, The Whins, Ferry Road, Tayinloan, PA29 6XQ Treasurer Prof. Bob Furness, The Cnoc, Tarbet, Loch Lomondside, G83 7DG Committee Richard Allan, Tom Callan, Malcolm Chattwood, Danielle Clark, Paul Daw, Mike Harrison, Andy Robinson, David Warden, and Mark Williamson. Membership Sue Furness, The Cnoc, Tarbet, G83 7DG Secretary Argyll Bird Dr Tristan ap Rheinallt, Roger Broad, Jim Dickson (Secretary), David Records Committee Jardine, Dr John Bowler, Dr Malcolm Ogilvie 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. 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: Sue Dewar, Auchnacroish House, Torosay, Craignure, Isle of Mull, Argyll PA65 6AY Islay, Jura and Colonsay: John S. Armitage, Airigh Sgallaidh, Portnahaven, Islay, Argyll PA47 7SZ. Argyll South, Bute and Gigha: Richard Allan, An Grianan, Easdale Road, Isle of Seil, Oban PA34 4RF R.S.P.B. Conservation Officer, Argyll & Bute: Andy Robinson, RSPB S&W Scotland RO, 10 Park Quadrant, Glasgow, G3 6BS 3 Contents Editorial Tom Callan 5 Systematic List for 2006/7 - Introduction 6 Paul Daw/Bob Furness/Tom Callan/Malcolm Chattwood Swans 18 - 20 Geese 20- 28 Ducks 28 - 43 Game birds 43 - 45 Divers & grebes 45 - 48 Fulmar, shearwaters, petrels 48 - 51 Gannet, cormorants, egrets, herons 51 - 54 Raptors 54 - 65 Rails 65 - 67 Waders 67 - 94 Skuas, gulls, terns 94 - 106 Auks 106 - 108 Pigeons & doves 109 - 110 Cuckoos & owls 111 - 114 Nightjar, swift, kingfisher, woodpeckers 114 - 116 Skylark, swallows, pipits, wagtails 116 - 121 Waxwing to wheatear 121 - 125 Thrushes 125 - 128 Warblers 128 - 134 Goldcrest, flycatchers, tits, treecreeper 134 - 138 Orioles, shrikes & crows 138 - 142 Starlings, sparrows, finches 142 - 149 Buntings 149 - 152 Escapes & introductions 152 - 153 Rejected and Pending records 153 - 155 References, acknowledgements & contributors 155 - 156 Index 157 - 160 4 EDITORIAL I regret that once again on behalf of the team I must apologise for not being able to publish this report until three years after the last date included in it. Part of the problem is actual compiling of the data base, the writing of the species accounts and the editing, each of which takes considerable time and effort. Another important reason for the delay, in the last three reports at least, is the delay by some in the sending of records to Paul, our hard working Recorder. It is difficult, if not impossible, to compile the species accounts until we receive these records. To proceed without them would make the report of much less value. We are now half way through the third year of the BTO 2007-11 Bird Atlas project. It has been interesting that although this report only includes the first early winter surveys in 2007 it has already resulted in an increased number of records compared to previous years. Could I ask that anyone who is doing TTVs for the atlas also send their records for each TTV to Paul. Atlas records for the breeding season (Apr to Jul for most species) require the inclusion of BTO breeding status codes. Use of these codes makes the records both more valuable and more interesting and we would be most grateful if they could be used in future. This leads me to another way of making records more interesting and that is by adding comments to at least some records. Many examples come to mind such as: if feeding was observed, what was being eaten: was the location/ behaviour / plumage etc unusual? An example would be that I had a record of a Greenfinch in my garden a couple of days ago, nothing unusual in that, but my comment that this was only my third bird in the garden this year makes the record interesting. Another example would be that some books say that our Common Crossbills should be feeding mainly on older Spruce cones whereas virtually all my records are of birds on young Larch cones. I would hope that most would agree that inclusion of such comments makes for a more interesting and readable report. News of our user new friendly recording system and other helpful information is given on page 7 under Bird Recording in Argyll. As we move into spring 2010 I fear that we may find that our resident birds have suffered badly over the last three frozen months. Our recording and commenting on these species, with our knowledge over the years, should prove interesting. Finally my thanks to all concerned with this publication and especially to all those who send us their observations and records. Tom Callan March 2010 5 Argyll Bird Report 21 Systematic list for 2006-2007 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 219 Category A, B and C species recorded in Argyll during 2006 and 230 such species recorded in 2007 (cf average 215 species during the years 1993 – 2005)*. Three new species were added to the Argyll list (viz. Marsh Warbler, American Herring Gull, Whiskered Tern), which stood at 331 species seen up to December 2007. Records for 2 category E species in 2006 and 2 in 2007 are also listed, as are 4 additional races in 2006 and 4 in 2007. * A description was supplied for a Red-footed Falcon seen at Tod Hill Kintyre on 12 Jul 2005. This was subsequently accepted by BBRC and brings the total for that year to 220. For the information of readers we have included at least a status summary in the text of all species on the Argyll list except those in Category B (see beginning of the systematic list). To save space we have dispensed with the month by month Ornithological Review for this issue. 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 Committee member Danielle Clark has devised for us 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. All you need to do to get your hands on this brilliant and time saving system is to e-mail Paul Daw [email protected] with details of the operating system you are using (e.g.