machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.ukmachrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk/reports/August Re… · Web viewThere was a substantial increase in the numbers of Gannets that crossed west over

Machrihanish Seabird Observatory Established 1993

25th YearAugust Report 2018

Compiled by Eddie Maguire – [email protected] Mobile – 07895 952640

Website – www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk

Photo of the Month...

Mediterranean Gull – a 1CY MSBO 19th August

Introduction...

http://www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk/

MSBO August Report 2018 / compiled by Eddie Maguire

The August Report includes many significant visible migration counts (many from photographs) of fly-by waders, records of other species and summary photographs (22) along with sightings from around Kintyre by an increasing number of contributors.

Throughout August, daily surveillance of Northern Gannets crossing 8km overland to the west from Campbeltown Harbour (Clyde waters) to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic) was sustained. This unique ongoing MSBO project will continue through to October.

Special thanks to the following who gave permission for their photographs to be used to enhance the August Report; Andy Pollard / Cuckoo at the Mull of Kintyre and Jo Goudie / Bar-tailed Godwit at the MSBO.

List of Selected Species...

Common ShelduckThe only records were 5, all 1CY, on 16th and 2 x 1CY present 27th - 29th.

Common ScoterA flock of 8 dark-bellied adult females >S on 14th. Flock 30 - majority males - >S on 20th.

European Storm-Petrel SE Kintyre; 8 tape-lured / trapped by Corphin Bridge 02:00 - 03:30hrs on 4th included a control (Rab Morton / Nigel Scriven pers. comm.).

Red-throated DiverSoutherly passage totals; adults – 2 on 14th, one on 18th, 7 / 2hrs on 20th, 4 on 21st, 3 on 24th

and singles on 27th and 30th.

Hen HarrierHomeston; a male on 4th (Andy Pollard pers. comm.), a brown-type on 12th and then 2 brown-types there on 25th (Brian Morton et al). Machrihanish Holiday Park; a brown-type on 24th (David Millward pers. comm.).

Eurasian SparrowhawkSingles on 8 dates 14th – 31st. Campbeltown Loch; one on 25th (Rab Morton pers. comm.).


Sparrowhawk - MSBO 31st August

Peregrine FalconCampbeltown; an adult was on the east spire of the Lorne and Lowland Church, Longrow on 2nd and 16th then photographed leaving there on 17th (Eddie Maguire). Seen there again on 19th (Brian Morton pers. comm.) and 30th. Adult(s) seen frequently from MSBO although no juveniles yet.


Peregrine – Adult high on Lorne & Lowland Church / Campbeltown 17th AugustPhoto taken from Burnside Square in low light / drizzle (a heavily cropped image)

A nest-box here may prove appealing to this species

Common KestrelMull of Kintyre; one on 2nd (Andy Pollard pers. comm.).

Eurasian OystercatcherSoutherly passage totals; 27 on 2nd, 154 on 3rd (14 flocks / largest 25), 118 on 4th, 62 on 5th, 84 on 8th, 70 on 9th, 93 on 10th, 22 on 12th, 60 on 13th, 21 on 14th, 50 on 15th, 38 on 18th, 71 on 19th, 39 on 20th, 27 on 23rd and 16 on 24th.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 972 >S on 16 dates.

Golden PloverFlock 180 in-off-sea on 17th. Machrihanish Links; 2 on 26th.

Common Ringed PloverSoutherly passage totals; 33 on 2nd, 16 on 4th, 20 on 11th, 12 on 14th, 26 on 17th. Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 107 >S on 5 dates.Gigha; 140 Ardminish Bay on 5th (David Jardine per Argyl Bird Club Website).

WhimbrelSoutherly passage totals; one on 1st and singles on 4th, 9th and 14th, 2 (singles) on 15th, flock 14 and a single bird on 16th, 3 on 17th, one on 22nd, 2 on 24th and singles on 25th, 28th and 30th. Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 30 >S on 12 dates.


Whimbrel – a 1CY MSBO 4th August

Eurasian CurlewSoutherly passage totals; 2 on 1st, 22 on 2nd, 8 on 3rd, 9 on 4th, 7 on 8th, 3 on 10th, 12 on 15th, 5 on 21st, 7 on 22nd, 9 on 23rd, 28 on 24th, 20 on 27th, 6 on 28th, 12 on 29th and 30 on 31st.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 179 >S on 15 dates.

Bar-tailed GodwitFlock 6 foraging on the shore on 16th; all >S later. One >N on 18th, 3 >S on 19th, one on 20th.

Black-tailed GodwitSoutherly passage totals; flock 18 on 2nd, flock 39 on 4th, 8 on 8th, 7 on 18th, 144 on 19th

(largest flock 60), 30 on 20th, 9 on 21st.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 255 >S on 7 dates – a well above average showing.Machrihanish Links; 4 foraging on 4th, one there on 26th and 2 on 27th.


Bar-tailed Godwit – 1CY by MSBO 16th August - Photo / Jo Goudie

Black-tailed Godwit - Machrihanish Links 4th August


Ruddy Turnstone Southerly passage totals; 6 on 1st, 17 on 2nd, 26 on 6th, 3 on 7th, one on 9th, 5 on 10th, 8 on 16th, 3 on 17th, singles on 18th and 24th.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 71 >S on 10 dates. Campbeltown Loch; max count was 30 on 25th (Rab Morton pers. comm.).

Red KnotSoutherly passage totals; 9 on 2nd, 12 on 4th, one on 7th, 6 on 8th, one on 13th, 2 on 23rd.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 31 >S on 6 dates.

RuffMachrihanish Links; one on 12th was first recorded locally this year.A 1CY male was photographed by MSBO on 16th. This bird was sexed on size when compared to nearby Common Redshank and Ruddy Turnstone. One >S on 28th.

Ruff - 1CY male by MSBO 16th August

SanderlingSoutherly passage totals; 270 on 2nd (11 flocks / largest ca. 90), 115 on 4th, 6 on 5th, 30 on 6th, 18 on 7th, 48 on 8th, 11 on 12th, 6 on 18th, 40 on 21st, 18 on 23rd, 60 on 27th, 36 on 29th.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 688 >S on 12 dates.


Sanderling and a Dunlin - on passage MSBO 27th August

DunlinSoutherly passage totals; 170 on 2nd (8 flocks / largest ca. 90 / see photo below), 43 on 3 rd, 52 on 4th, one on 5th, 47 on 6th, 8 on 7th, 40 on 8th, 12 on 9th, 28 on 10th, 70 on 11th, 220 on 12th (6 flocks / largest 140+), 80 on 13th, 26 on 14th, 12 on 15th, 146 on 16th (4 flocks / largest ca. 70), ca. 90 on 17th (2 flocks / largest 70), 33 on 18th, one on 27th.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 1062 >S on 18 dates.Gigha; 70 Ardminish Bay on 5th (David Jardine per Argyl Bird Club Website).

Dunlin - ca. 90 birds on passage MSBO 2nd August


Common SandpiperSoutherly passage totals included 5 on 1st, 7 on 2nd, 6 on 4th, one on 5th, 2 on 6th, 2 on 7th, one on 8th, 2 on 10th, 5 on 16th, singles on 21st and 27th.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 33 >S on 11 dates.

Common GreenshankTwo >S on 6th, one >S on 8th, at least 3 present on 11th then singles >S on 24th and 31st.

Greenshank – MSBO 31st August

Common RedshankSoutherly passage totals; 65 on 2nd, 97 on 4th, 40 on 7th, 33 on 9th, 10 on 11th, one on 12th, 39 on 16th, 12 on 23rd, 22 on 29th and 55 on 31st.Summary of August passage at MSBO; a total of 374 >S on 10 dates.

Sandwich TernTwo adults 3rd - 4th, one adult on 6th, 2 adults and a 1CY on 10th, an adult on 16th, 3 adults >S on 19th, 2 adults and 2 x 1CY >S on 20th, 2 adults >S on 26th.

Mediterranean GullA 1CY was photographed on 19th, then on 20th, a 1CY – judged to be a different individual - was photographed >S over the point. These are the 3rd and 4th MSBO records this year following an immaculate adult in summer plumage in June and a 2CY in May.Of interest; elsewhere in Argyll, 2 (both 1CY) were at the Loch Crinan, Mid Argyll on 23rd

August (Jim Dickson pers. comm.). This indicates a very recent small influx into the county


Mediterranean Gull – 1CY >S off MSBO 20th August

Black-legged KittiwakeThe first 1CY >S on 4th.

Black-legged Kittiwake – 1CY off MSBO 22nd August

Common CuckooMull of Kintyre; a 1CY was photographed on 2nd (Andy Pollard pers. comm.).


Cuckoo – 1CY Mull of Kintyre 2nd August (Photo / Andy Pollard)

Common SwiftCampbeltown; 21 over Longrow on 6th.

White WagtailThe first returning bird appeared on 8th. An adult and a 1CY were present all day on 21st. Three >S on 23rd then 34+ >S on 27th - these birds arrived from the north over ca 4hrs as singles or in small groups 2 – 6 and rested briefly before moving on south. There was a similar pattern of movement to the south in the following counts; 12 on 28 th, 18 on 29th, 7 on 30th and 22 on 31st. Summary of late August passage at MSBO; a total of 96 >S on 6 dates.

Common StarlingStewarton; flock 800+ on 3rd.

Common LinnetFlock 5 on 30th was the sole record.

TwiteTwo at MSBO feeding station on 7th were the first returning birds. Thirty >S over the sea on 8th. One on 22nd, 3 on 23rd, 4 on 24th, 2 on 25th, 9 on 30th.

Some more photos taken during August...


Black-tailed Godwit - Machrihanish Links 4th August Note metal ring on adult

Ruff – 1CY male by MSBO 16th August


American Mink MSBO 19th August

Hybrid Crow Corvus corone x cornix – this bird is a daily visitor at MSBO


Eurasian Siskin – a 1CY Lossit Estate 25th August

Peregrine Falcon – adult on Lorne and Lowland Church / Campbeltown 30th August


Eurasian Curlew – a fresh 1CY MSBO 28th August

White Wagtail – 1CY MSBO 29th August


Northern Gannets Crossing Kintyre

An ongoing MSBO Project

Monitoring westerly overland passage of Gannets...August; a total of 247 adults crossed west overland from Campbeltown Loch in SE Kintyre for the Atlantic on 29 / 31 days of observation.

Northern Gannet – >S off MSBO 27th August Adults en route for colony with full crops and stomachs

Table 1. Daily totals of adult Gannets flying 8km overland from Campbeltown Harbour (Clyde waters) to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic) during August along with wind direction/force and departure times of first/last bird.


August

Number

Adultscrossingoverland

Wind

Direction&

force

Campbeltown

Departuretimes of

first / last bird

1st 0 S 3 –2nd 1 Calm 08:503rd 4 W 2 11:54 – 19:094th 8 W 2 08:44 – 18:135th 5 S 3 18:40 – 20:126th 8 S 2 14:07 – 19:317th 14 W 2 - 4 10:02 – 19:578th 8 W 3 11:57 – 13:019th 2 SW 2 - 3 19:05 – 19:4010th 2 WNW 16:45 – 16:5011th 6 SE 4 - 5 13:00 – 16:5012th 0 SE 2 - 3 –13th 16 SW 2 - 3 11:22 – 20:2514th 6 SW 2 12:35 – 18:5115th 15 WSW 2 11:00 – 19:5216th 2 WSW 3 - 4 18:48 – 19:2317th 5 WSW 3 11:06 – 19:1918th 3 W 3 - 4 13:58 – 17:2019th 6 NW 3 11:10 – 14:5220th 6 Calm 14:42 – 18:3321st 11 S 2 - 3 11:40 – 19:5822nd 8 NW 3 10:05 – 20:3723rd 1 WNW 3 - 5 19:2524th 11 NW 4 - 5 12:40 – 19:1325th 12 N 1 12:35 – 19:4026th 5 S 6 - 7 13:55 – 19:1827th 24 NW 4 - 5 12:52 – 20:2428th 13 WSW 5 - 6 14:25 – 19:5229th 7 NW 4 13:51 – 19:1030th 9 WNW 2 - 3 12:51 – 20:1331st 29 SSE 2 - 3 11:45 – 20:20

Total 247

From March to August 2018 a total of 833 adult Gannets crossed overland on 122 / 184 days of surveillance. The table below compares the numbers of adult Gannets that crossed west over Kintyre during March to October 2017 with the 2018 monthly totals so far.

Table 2.


2017 March April May June July Aug Sept OctMonthly totals

2 23 131 126 274 408 491 6Cumulative

totals 2 25 156 282 556 964 1,455 1,461No. days ofObservation 27 29 22 24 31 24 30 20

2018 March April May June July Aug Sept OctMonthly totals

6 45 78 336 121 247Cumulative

totals 6 51 129 465 586 833No. days ofObservation 31 30 31 30 31 31

Northern Gannets crossing over south KintyreFactfile...

South Kintyre is the only accredited location in the UK where Gannets routinely cross overland during the breeding season, often in significant numbers, presumably to gain rapid access to foraging grounds.

Only adults have crossed the low-lying 8km overland route from Campbeltown to Machrihanish Bay and to date, the overland passage is strictly one way – to the west (Clyde > Atlantic).

Gannets flying to the west over Campbeltown look aerodynamic and are evidently at minimal weight which must obviously be a huge advantage when crossing west over S Kintyre.

Gannets employ powered flight (sustained flapping) to cross the 8km at around 35 mph and the crossing has been timed on a regular basis at a constant 9 mins.

After foraging successfully, Gannets are burdened significantly with fish prey, are visibly bloated and evidently at top weight; therefore, it is unlikely that they would attempt to fly overland from Atlantic to Clyde. The return journey to the Ailsa colony from Machrihanish is strictly a marine route via Mull of Kintyre relying heavily on assisted passage by alternating powered flight in concert with dynamic soaring (wave power) to accomplish this.

There was a substantial increase in the numbers of Gannets that crossed west over Kintyre in August and September last year (see 2017 data in Table 2 above); presumably this indicates urgency by breeding adults from the Ailsa colony to gain rapid access to foraging grounds in the Atlantic as this period coincides with the final stages of the breeding season when increasing food demands of large chicks reach their peak.

The record number that crossed overland to the west in a single day was 67 in September 2017.

The largest flock recorded crossing to the west was 16 in September 2017. Wind direction appears to have little / no influence on the numbers that embark on this

low-lying overland shortcut to the Atlantic. Wind strength does not dissuade crossings either; a high total of 50 birds >W on 19 th

August 2017 in a WNW force 6. Gannets have never been recorded crossing overland to the west during the main winter

period November - February


Figure 1. South Kintyre, Argyll showing the westerly overland route (8 km / 9 minute flight) taken by adult Northern Gannets from Campbeltown Loch harbour (Clyde waters) to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic). Direct marine routes with approximate distance from Campbeltown Loch to Machrihanish and the Ailsa Craig colony are also shown.

A paper by Eddie Maguire / Charlie Robertson relating to studies of monitoring the overland passage of this species during 2017 entitled ‘Northern Gannets crossing overland in South Kintyre, Argyll’ was recently published in the Seabird Group Newsletter (Number 137 / February 2018) and in Argyll Birds Club’s Newsletter The Eider (Number 123 / March 2018).

25 years old!

MSBO 25th Anniversary on 11th September 2018

Documents

machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.ukmachrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk/reports/August Re… · Web viewThere was a substantial increase in the numbers of Gannets that crossed west over