Bird Sightings in August
News of recent sightings from Arran Birding:
There has been a recent report of Osprey and Sooty Shearwater on Arran.
Osprey On Monday 14 August in the morning an Osprey was photographed flying above the hill at Rubha Airigh Bheirg on the west coast. The image was captured by photographing into direct bright sunshine. It is a good record shot. This is the fifth sighting this year of this passage migrant. Before this sighting there was one in each of March, April, May and June. Their nearest known breeding ground is the Isle of Bute.
Sooty Shearwater On Friday 11 August an all dark looking shearwater was observed and photographed in Machrie Bay. The birds flight was completely different from the more familiar Manx Shearwaters which were also in Machrie Bay. That together with the shape of the bird and its colour lead the observer to the conclusion that it was a Sooty Shearwater. The rare bird record form with a full description of the observation together with supporting photographic evidence will be submitted to the appropriate rarities committee for consideration. If confirmed this will be the first Arran report of this rare vagrant from the southern hemisphere since September 2009.
Images accessed at http://www.arranbirding.co.uk/recent-sightings.html
Please continue to keep in touch. August marks the end of the breeding season for some birds. It can be an interesting time looking out for breeding species dispersing from their breeding areas including Black-headed Gull, Little Egret, Great Skua, Greenshank, Kingfisher, Sanderling, Sandwich Tern, Turnstone and Whimbrel.
For more information on recent sightings click this link
The aim of the page is to keep everyone, residents and visitors alike, up to date with what “unusual” birds are about. Observers are asked to contact info@arranbirding.co.uk.
Where to watch birds on Arran
Habitats of the North
To get a flavour of the habitats in the north of the island take the B880 hill road, ‘The String’, to the west; fork right onto unclassified moor road to Machrie Bay; then by A841 main road north along the shore to Lochranza, east over ‘The Boguillie’ pass and back along the shore to Brodick.
Habitats of the South
To get a flavour of the habitats in the south of the island take B880 hill road, ‘The String’, west to Blackwaterfoot on the coast; then south 10km along A841 to an unclassified road, ‘The Ross’, up the Water of Sliddery valley, over the moors to Lamlash and back along A841 to Brodick. Alternatively continue past “The Ross” road end through the villages of Kilmory, Kildonan, Whiting Bay, and on to Lamlash and Brodick.
On both routes hills, moor, shore and sea can be scanned. There are many lay-bys and pulling in places. Walking tracks lead into the interior from several locations. Maps and guide books are available from Tourist Information Office at Brodick Pier and local shops.
Around the Villages – for more information on birds that can be seen in the village areas and short walks in each location see the Arran Birding website page here. The walks have been selected to take you into a range of habitats providing opportunities to see a wide variety of birds.
