Breeding season under way as more than 110 bird species visit Arran in May

In addition to the "firsts" reported in the April notes, here are some May "firsts" with the 2023 arrival dates in brackets for comparison: spotted flycatcher, Whitefarland on 14th (18th); garden warbler, North Sannox on 20th (12th) and swift, Sliddery on 22nd (7th).

To date there have been no reports yet this year of Arctic tern, common tern, corncrake, lesser whitethroat, nightjar, quail or wood warbler.

Species who breed further north continued to pass through including: 17 whimbrel at Porta Buidhe on 1st; two bar-tailed godwit in Auchenhew Bay on 2nd; three black-throated diver off Cosyden on 18th; seven great northern diver in Machrie Bay, also on 18th, and a white wagtail in Pirnmill on 24th.

On Blackwaterfoot shore over a number of days, waves of Arctic breeding shore birds provided a spectacle in their breeding plumage as they stopped off to feed.

These included eight turnstone on 24th; eight dunlin on 27th; 30 sanderling on 30th; one knot on 31st as well as the little stint, the first Arran report in 22 years.

This species featured in a recent Banner article. It was reported among the other shore birds between 27th and 30th inclusive.

The single whooper swan that has not migrated north but over-summered on Arran since 2018, was joined by a second whooper swan at Clauchlands on 29th. This second bird may be the solitary bird that was reported in the Shiskine Valley throughout the winter.

In May, breeding was well under way for many species. Encouraging signs included reports of golden eagle, golden plover, hen harrier, red-throated diver, short-eared owl and long-eared owl all holding breeding territories.

Activity was reported from all the monitored heronries on the island and a small number of areas held small numbers of breeding lapwing.

The number of coastal cliffs holding nesting fulmar continues to seriously decline. By contrast, black guillemot colonies seem to be thriving.

The cordoned-off area at Porta Buidhe is again proving to be a safer breeding area for shore birds and the use of notices on other stretches of Arran’s shores seems to be having a positive effect.

Other breeding records included: great spotted woodpecker drumming by Stronach Wood on 2nd; curlew and skylark holding territories on Machrie Moor on 15th; a pair of Canada geese with five young on Sliddery Shore on 21st; a female mallard with eight young on Mossend Pond on 24th; a pair of shelduck with four young at Shannochie on 25th; a pair of mute swan with six young at Cordon on 29th and roding woodcock over Lakin Farm on 31st.

The sand martin colony at the entrance to Glen Catacol seems much reduced as a result of natural changes to the sand bank there.

In May, more than 110 species were recorded but there were no confirmed reports of little egret.

Again, there seems to be an absence of little egret on Arran during the breeding season.

Here are some other highlights: four crossbill over Brodick Golf Course on 1^st; two red grouse on Dearg Choirein on 6th; a little grebe on Mossend Pond on 9th; four red-throated diver off Pirnmill on 14th; an osprey flying over the Ross on 16th; 60 guillemot and 20 gannet in Machrie Bay on 18th; a pink-footed goose in Auchenhew Bay, also on 18th; two leucistic grey heron photographed in Lochranza on 27th; a juvenile white-tailed eagle over Corriecravie, also on 27th, and six lesser redpoll in Shiskine on 31st.

With long daylight hours, it is a great time of year to be birding. Most birds are getting on with the business of breeding. Please take a moment to report any signs of breeding birds to me, but please also remember that under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is being built or used.

Do not hesitate to report any criminal activity to the local police. Particularly take care on our shores and please keep dogs on their leads at this time of year. 

Enjoy your birding.

Please send any bird notes with “what, when, where” to me at Kilpatrick Kennels, Kilpatrick, Blackwaterfoot, KA27 8EY, or email me at jim@arranbirding.co.uk. I look forward to hearing from you. For more information on birding on Arran purchase the Arran Bird Report 2022” and visit the arranbirding website www.arranbirding.co.uk/index.html