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Waste nore ares inet oats er Simm pitt Psimec eae Rdope Sew sronpescse, Noam yoweeen Ce ee Dynes, rasneruee ate Wye praww anit 55 ia ew a Seu te ed Naevius Pine dtecrny, eer enw ane Fanner ere SS aes eM Hrewawyens sm we heb, BOP SPU myn manage fa meeciatyaaen ee SS ¥iemen'ge Gece Ns cyeeres ene Su awe a we eee SMM oa nan aatdeade MAY Wb ALS ye wns, Spree et ae ere “Stunde e gs witee ns wey fyereatrar warden hy Samrenyymrsusts tyes ea wae gk Pruners ~ Res St eae pee: Bh azarae vay wares nes 9 9 AE (Cant we Bom. an ten mado cg Tab rae . 3 ade Weer ce eens ere Os rie a etm rites nn Opes Yi phere hare amrrenes 22 aanree aro eae steers eooeaire z. ak Van inres Mestre y Soph em edeye oa, eens Fonte vee ieee oe ier ake wine wre cwaswnturccae Pasay ett inGs borer yx er ities ee goa Sheva Sa Syckwn et iy - earn. aye phon tha We bee Saerin taal Pare r at ete perm nuit abe ob uacgny rahe bah oh gent Paks beh, bow poarees orth? yay ob dae sg any Foy bm he bn aisen >» 24) wenn Fy error) Mo Syl Fe PRR Y~. a er Ae vn Fgh amg ame ee Jonye pe carrey Fp MAENY 3m wan je od don ee i= passe MEd? rp wheceore The monthly journal jor every birdwatcher ritish Birds Was For a free sample copy write to Mrs Enka Sharrock, Fountains, Park Lane, Blunham, Bedford MK44 3.N7, England DS. 2 WO \ 1996 Scottish -3 SEP..1998 PURCHASED TRING LIBRARY peas re eae Bird Report Editor Ray Murray Scops Owl hite- throated Sparrow Siskin Skylark Puffin Crane- Lesser Scaup Great Northern Diver- Turnstone Pipit ' _ Great Red-backed Shrike-Velver Scoter Shearwater Black-headed Bunting - Chiffchaff Red-necked Waxwing - Lesser Crested Tern Phalarope Brent Goose - Alpine Swift Swainson's Black-browed Albatross - Raven Thrush hooper Swan-Reed Warbler Blackpoll Tawny Owl - Pied Wheatear Warbler Sandhill Crane - Bullfinch Gadwall Red-breasted Merganser White Golden Plover - Little Crake V Stork Arctic Redpoll - Laughing Gull ely Pheasant - Sanderling - Pochard Long- ; Melodious Warbler -SurfScoter _. : , tailed White- Song Thrush - Blue-winged Teal __ Little Ringed Plover - Eider Skua tailed Greater Black-backed Gull Common Scoter- Purple Heron Stellers Teal Eagle Spoonbill - Oystercatcher Rufous Turtle Dove - Sabine's Gull Eider Common Tern WoodWarbler - Ivory Gull Nishtingale - Black Grouse - Killdeer Mute Water Pipit Short-eared Owl - ite Stork - Grasshopper Warbler - Nightingale Scaup Marsh Harrier - Slavonian Grebe - Capercaillie - Arctic Redpol Common White-rumped pane pipe seer nO Owl -Greenish Warbler Sandpiper py oudpiseon - White- winged Black Tern - Booted Warbler Woodcock Roller - Tawny Owl - Ptarmigan- Red-breasted Flycatcher, Blue Black-throated Diver - Gannet - Black Redstart - Water Pipit _ Tit Two-barred Crossbill - Corn Bunting - Great Grey Shrike Arctic _Subalpine Warbler - Little Ringed Plover - Scottish Crossbill Tern Rock Dove- Herring Gull - Buff-breasted Sandpiper- Redshank _ Guillemot Spotted Redshank - Snow Goose - Black-winged Night Heron Snow Bunting - Snipe- Hen_Harrier- Pratincole Marsh Warbler _Grey Partridge- Red Kite- Eye-browed Thrush ; ‘Melodious_ Red-crested Pochard - Rough-legged Buzzard ° Corn- Ring- Warbler Pectoral Sandpiper- Jackdaw- Subalpine Warbler crake billed Jay Scarlet Rosefinch - Golden Oriole - Shore Lark Gull Siberian Rubythroat - Long-billed Dowitcher Chough Blackcap - Stonechat - Beared Tit : Bee-eater Black-eared Wheatear -Glaucous Gull uail Common Gull_ Green Sandpiper - Re dleneed Partridge - Bittern, _ Goldeneye Pacific Golden Plover- Lesser Grey Shrike Golden Raven - Long-tailed Tit- Common Crossbil Oriole _ Thrush Nightingale - Sedge Warbler Greenshank_ Snipe Grey Plover - Greylag Goose Rock Coal Dunlin Great Crested Grebe Gannet Pipit Tit Fulmar _ Firecrest -Greenfinch - Short-toed Lark Barnacle Linnet Artic Ruddy Duck - Night Heron - Pectoral Sandpiper Goose Robin Tern _ Hoopoe- Bean Goose - Goosander- Marsh Warbler, Me e Wood Warbler - Jackdaw -. Nuthatch - Yellow Wagtail Shear- Kite Kumlien's Gull - Black-headed Gull - Sand Martin water Tawny Wren Rose-coloured Starling - Cormorant - Hawfinch Owl Ring Black Kite - Pink-footed Goose - Goshawk Tree Quzel Montagu's Harrier - Brambling - Redshank Pipit Rook Razorbill - Deon ceneee Gull - Cuckoo Storm Harlequin Duck- Kestrel - Curlew Sandpiper Petrel Yellow Wagtail -Red Grouse -Bewick's Swan Common Crossbill - Willow Tit - Curlew Woodchat Shrike - Dunnock - Fieldfare_ Lanceolated Warbler -Red-throated Pipit Nightjar - Shore Lark - Citrine Wagtail bigeon - Lesser- White-fronted Goose Wood Sandpiper - Little Grebe - Siskin King Eider - Reeed Warbler Ruddy Duck - Grey Phalarope Great Booted Warbler Tit Dipper Jay eal Published by The Scottish Ornithologists' Club £ 4: 50 % Scottish Bird Report 1996 Editor: Ray Murray Assisted by: David Kelly The Scottish Bird Report is published by the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club and is available free to SOC members. It is on sale to non-members: contact 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh for current prices. The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club was formed in 1936 with the aim of encouraging all aspects of | ornithology in Scotland. The club has nearly 3000 members and some 14 branches around Scotland which | meet in Ayr, the Borders, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, New Galloway, Orkney, St. Andrews, Stirling, Stranraer and Thurso, each with its own programme of field meetings and winter lectures. The club organises an annual weekend conference in the autumn and a one-day bird-watchers’ conference in the spring. : Club members receive the quarterly newsletter Scottish Bird News, the twice yearly journal Scottish Birds and the annual Scottish Bird Report. The SOC’s offices and Library are in Edinburgh. The Waterston Library is the best ornithological reference library in Scotland, and is open during office hours and at other times by arrangement with the Librarian. The Club acts as the coordinating body for ornithological recording in Scotland, appoints local recorders, and in addition to the Scottish Bird Report, publishes a number of Local Bird Reports via the branch network. A comprehensive stock of local bird reports is held at headquarters and may be purchased by mail order. SOC annual membership subscription rates AGM ay a5. Gace i cca soir cu toca soaieratons cdect eed ee aalendeniesseice euaaen ea ducent veeusumnnonses Ors acte ee eee Ree ame nen Rete Oe £15.00 Family @ adults and-any ‘children under 18) living at the’same address 4:..27. 23 -cee ee on eee Jumior (under lS or Studemt Umder 25) eich wsectee smc cee caste ce cceeee Reena eee seoecomee ee eee eee £7.00 Pensroner/ Win wag edi. isc 2 0 seo c sac Sue ok salsa sac ass Oca ce cabh ms seee NU Raeah Gngtion seer nee Nt ete NE mE ee Se £10.00 Pensioner Ramily-@ adults living at the same address) 0 2-o..sssu. see neeess cones caeeeeae eee £14.50 DIT eee co es cs soisa sede hea peianaiscasawe sees wees bute caoamaclte! eau adam u nada autor gree ateecement cee sate kaa ee meaner ee mes £360.00 | Fratnnaat yy Tei 22sec co ce seas cttw cnc es hoses wc code nese Soaew ces oe cae Sate aos ESOS EB or S eee Ree eee eee £540.00 | All subscriptions may be paid by Banker’s Order and Covenant if desired. Subscriptions paid this way will greatly assist the club. Published by the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT Printed by Douglas Gauld & Co. Limited, Shanwell Court Industrial Estate, Shanwell Road, Tayport, Fife DD6@ 9EA | | | i HIS SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT © a Number 29 : “ July 1998 | = Edited by Ray Murray 4 Bellfield Crescent, Eddleston Borders EH45 8RQ Published by the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT ISSN 0036 9144 2 Scottish Bird Report 1996 a EE a SP RP SSP I POS A SN Scottish Bird Report Number 29, July 1998 Contents Editorial 3 Introduction “ Abbreviations 4 Notice to Contributors 5 Acknowledgements 5 Scottish Birds Records Committee 6 Species List for 1996 7 Escapes and Introductions 70 Soft-plumaged Petrel Pterodroma sp. in sea area Fair Isle, the first record for Scotland by Richard W. White 71 A review of the status of Little Ringed Plover in Scotland by R.D. Murray 72 Local Bird Report Areas, SOC Recorders and Local Bird Reports IS Ptarmigan ERS BER Sones Sz vas igh +. : Steven Brown 7 ft iin an af Wy, hy Ge Z UIE. Wee be R.D.Murray [Ed] 3 TAA Tae Ie We NS YOR CRE OD NTE OY na SIN SOL ROE FAN on ON i NaS are SS A ae Ee a OM RE OM A CN My Me Editorial The documentation of Scottish ornithology in 1996 represented here in the Scottish Bird Report, a distillation of the vast database of records found in the various local bird reports of Scotland, is dependent on the efforts of a relatively small band of enthusiastic recorders, compilers and local report editors. Their dedication in presenting an account of each years' records usually passes unnoticed. However there are signs lately, typically in the late appearance of bird reports, that many, if not all ,are becoming overstretched in their ability to handle the data that forms the basis of each area report and then presenting it in a form that is both readable and entertaining to birders. These difficulties could be helped by all observers through the prompt submission of records. Many bird reports are often delayed by the late submission of critical data from just one or two observers, or worse still, from professional organisations. With many areas now routinely handling up to 10,000 records annually, volunteers to assist in handling the data would be welcome, with or without a computer, or experience in using a computer. Bird report editors can always accommodate volunteers to help compiling the species accounts. It is fairly easy and routine once a model has been established, the problem for the one or two compliers of most bird reports is simply the actual length of the systematic list. Even the more mundane chores like proof-reading can be shared, freeing the editor for other tasks. I may add that this appeal extends to the Scottish Bird Report, a task that I am finding increasingly difficult to cope with unaided, in addition to other publications. Most recorders and bird report editors could do with help, so please offer to assist in whatever way you might be able to contribute. It will be appreciated. 1996 in Scotland started in deep frosts that almost succeeded in freeezing many rivers, and even the sea in some areas. This freeze-up, which extended to much of northern Europe, caused some mortality among certain wintering species or forced their exodus to milder areas. It also caused an influx of birds from areas that were even colder than we were. Hence early 1996 was good for European geese, ducks & grebes forced from out of Scandinavia and Russia by the freeze-up, along with Arctic & Mealy Redpolls, Waxwings & Little Auks. Good falls of migrants seemed to occur about the 20th of the month, with good falls around the 20th May, 20th August, 20th September and 20th October. The first was distinctive in the numbers of Red-backed Shrikes, Willow Warblers, Redstarts, Wheatears, Bluethroats and Grey-headed Wagtails. In August Icterine, Barred & Reed Warblers occurred in good numbers, while Reed & Yellow-browed Warblers were prominent in September. In October it was Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Redwings to the fore. Amongst the rarities that inevitably seem to turn up were Scotland's first Soft-plumaged Petrel off Shetland in June and first Pallid Swift at North Ronaldsay in October. The second Caspian Plover occurred in Shetland in June, while there were also the third records of Lesser Scaup in Caithness and Semi-palmated Sandpiper in Shetland, the fourth records of Black-winged Pratincole in Angus & Dundee in August, Swainson's Thrush on North Uist in October and Blackpoll Warbler on Lewis in Oct as well as the sixth records for Upland Sandpiper and Terek Sandpiper. Also for the archives was Scotland's first Veery on St.Kilda in October 1995. Amongst the breeding population we can see significant changes in a number of southern birds, Ruddy Duck, Marsh Harrier, Little Ringed Plover, Reed Warbler and Nuthatch, that seen intent on colonising Scotland, while Grey-headed Wagtail bred for the first timeafter a huge fall in the spring. Amongst those species where man has decided to lend a helping hand, the Red Kite & White-tailed Eagle are doing well with continued releases, while the Corncrake appears to be benefitting from positive habitat management. Ray Murray, July 1998. 4 Scottish Bird Report 1996 A SS SS a SA RRND SNE Introduction This is the 29th Scottish Bird Report to be published by the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club. It covers the whole country and was compiled from material published in local area reports. It is on these local area reports that the SBR is based. We have reports from all areas for 1996. Local areas are named and mapped on the inside back cover of the SBR with a full list of the recorders, the areas they cover and a source for buying the local bird reports that the SBR is based on. It must be emphasised that I can only publish what is submitted to the local recorders and appears in the local area reports. Accounts for any area are what has been observed, and reported, in that year, not a summary of what is actually there! They are, in effect, samples, some of which are more comprehensive than others. As asummary it is felt appropriate to abbreviate the area names as much as possible. Many of the recording areas are referred to by the briefest abbreviation possible for comprehension. These are listed, along with an area map, at the back of the SBR. Other abbreviations used are listed below. All sites names are followed by the recording area abbreviation the first time they appear in any species account, but not subsequently. Only selected records are given. Precedence is given to peak counts, details concerning breeding populations and migration patterns. All national rarities and semi-rarities are included where the BBRC, the SBRC or local records committee have vetted the description. Any records still pending will be added to future reports. If more details are required on any records published here, the first source should be the Local Bird Report and then the Local Recorder. Minor mistakes have occurred in the past in the details of dates and with the spelling of names. While every effort is made to ensure these do not occur, minor mistakes will not be corrected in future editions of the SBR. The precise details of records and corroboration of records should always be made via the local area bird report. The sequence and scientific names in the species list follow the Voous sequence. (See Voous, K.H. 1973-1977. List of Holarctic Bird Species. Ibis 115: 612-638 & 119: 223-250.) In the 1996 SBR the references to the Common Bird Census index for each species has been dropped. These figures did not seem to match the trends that were being seen in area reports from Scotland. The newer BTO scheme, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) should yield better results, as many more Scottish plots are included, but the scheme needs a few years to data before any meaningful index can be established. I was unable to obtain any data from the WeBS scheme this year. Accordingly there are no area totals for the wader populations of the major estuarine areas in Scotland in the 1996 Scottish Bird Report. Two conventions are used to indicate breeding success: MBS - mean brood size, is used when the data comprises counts of broods, the MBS calculated by dividing the number of young by the number of broods; MBP - mean breeding production, is used when the breeding population is known, the number of young being divided by the number of pairs attempting to breed. MBP includes pairs that were unsuccessful and so will almost always have a lower value than MBP which only counts successful outcomes. Abbreviations Description required m,mm male (s) MCS mean clutch size /hr hourly rate for passage fff female (s) MBS _ mean brood size RSG __ Raptor Study Group pr(s) pairs (s) MBP _ mean breeding production m, Km _ metres, kilometres. (34) equivalent figure for juv juvenile Km? _ square kilometres previous year imm immature Res Reservoir AON _ apparently occupied nest Ist-w __ first-winter plumage, etc. Pt Point AOT apparently occupied territory Ist-s _ first-summer plumage, etc. L./P. Loch, Lake/ Pond c/2 clutch of two eggs, etc. N,SE _ flight direction R. River or Reservoir br2 brood of two young, etc. max maximum, minimum etc. BBS _ Breeding Bird survey R.D.Murray [Ed] 5 a a a a STL AST TSO LE a Ren IE SN EY em eS (Pe PE PR CR Notice to Contributors All records should be sent to the appropriate SOC Local Recorder. They should be on one side of a sheet of paper only, and if possible in the Voous order (as in this report). Some Local Recorders can cope with computer-based data and welcome material on a floppy disc (always accompanied by hard-copy). You should ask the Local Recorder concerned for the particular arrangements if this option is available. Observers are directed to the Local Bird Reports for the type of information required. All notes for the previous year should be sent in promptly to Recorders by the end of January, but more frequent submissions are welcome. Monthly or quarterly submission spreads the workload of the Recorder. Acknowledgements I would still like to appeal for any help in the compilation of the SBR. The deadline for publication is increasingly hard to meet and spreading out the workload by having several compilers of smaller portions of the sytematic list seems a solution. Please write if you feel you could assist. Kate Thompson is thanked for forwarding materials published by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on seabird populations, Tim Stowe passed on the newsletters for White-tailed Eagle and Corncrake while Lorcan O'Toole forwarded the Red Kite Newsletters. I would like to thank all of the Local Recorders and Bird Report Editors involved in producing the local area reports throughout Scotland that form the basis of the SBR. Please support them by not only contibuting records but by buying your local (and perhaps neighbouring!) area reports. Anyone who contributed any record to Scottish Recorders in 1996 is thanked for their help in building up a picture of Scotland 's birds for that year. So please keep your records coming. Unlike last year there has only been one change to the list of Scottish Local Recorders: Chris Booth stands down as recorder for Orkney and Tim Dean takes over. With considerable experience from the recording set-up in Cumbria, Tim is welcomed and Chris is thanked for many years of work - some 18 years if my arithmetic is correct ! I would also like to welcome the return of the Outer Hebrides Bird Report after an absence of several years. Best Artwork in a Scottish Local Bird Report Award As in the 1995 Scottish Bird Report, an award will be made to the best artwork in a Scottish Local Bird Report. This is restricted to those artists that allow there work to be used in the SBR, and also excludes professional artists, as it was felt that amateurs should be encouraged. Curlew Peter Donnelly Orkney Bird Report The four winning artists were Peter Donnelly, Steven Brown and Andrew Stevenson. Work by Peter Wilson, Angus Hogg & Brent Hurley was also short-listed. My thanks to all of them for use of their work. All local bird report editors are desperate to get their hands on artwork and would be grateful to hear from anyone with material for publication. So please try to make a contribution. If you have admired any of the artwork shown in the SBR ,or any local area report ,the artists are usually only too willing to sell their material or to receive a commission to draw specific birds. Contact : Peter J. Donnelly at "Purtiback", North Ronaldsay, Orkney; Steven Brown at 118 Leadside Crescent, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 ONT; Andrew Stevenson at Millhouse, Ishival, South Uist, Outer Hebrides HS8 5ST; Brent Hurley at 30 Crosswood Crescrent, Balerno, Midlothian. 6 Scottish Bird Report 1996 The Scottish Birds Records Committee The Scottish Birds Records Committee was set up by the SOC in 1984 to consider records of species not rare enough in Britain to be dealt with by the British Birds Rarities Committee, but which were rare in Scotland. The Committee examined 140 records for 1996, Some 117 (84%) were accepted while 22 were found to be unacceptable (in most cases they were considered possible but not proven). | record remains pending. A three-tier system of ajudication on records now exists in Scotland (the BBRC being responsible for British rarities, the SBRC for Scottish rare birds and local records committees for lesser rarities and local rarities) In addition to BBRC's list of British rarities, there are a number of species which are rare in Scotland and all records of species appearing on the SBRC's List require to be substantiated by the acceptance of a written description. Records of species appearing on the SBRC List are not being published in the Scottish Bird Report unless they have been assessed and accepted by either SBRC or one of the local committees. The SBRC List having remained unaltered since 1994 has been revised from 1998, with the intention that there will be no further changes for al least three years. The changes take effect from 1998, and are inclusive of birds seen in that year. Many species which might be common in some areas are rare elsewhere in Scotland and local committees are now examining records of species which are rare within their local area (e.g. Marsh Tit anywhere outwith Bor- ders). Local Recorders can usually supply a list of additional local species requiring descriptions for their recording areas. In 1997 Ken Shaw, having served since 1990, retired from the committee by rotation. Ken, who latterly was Chairman, has been extremely valuable to the working of the Committee. Colin Crooke has been welcomed on to the SBRC in Ken's place and Pete Gordon has taken over as Chairman. The present Committee consists of Pete Gordon (Chair- man), Eric Meek, Kevin Osborn, Dave Clugston, Bruce Forrester, lan Andrews, Colin Crooke and Ron Forrester (Secretary). All records should be sent to the SBRC via the Local Recorder who should forward correspondence to Ron Forrester, Secretary, SBRC, 31 Argyle Terrace, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, PA20 OBD. S.B.R.C. List 1998 All the species listed below require to be vetted either by the Scottish Birds Records Committee or one of the local area records committees that now cover most of Scotland. If a record comes from an area without a committee, the Local Recorder will forward the description to the SBRC. Species in lower case should normally be dealt with locally, species in upper case should be received by the SBRC for consideration, unless there is some local dispensation for particular species. Note that in the species text of the Scottish Bird Report, all species with names prefixed by an asterisk require a description of some sort to be forwarded to the appropriate Local Recorder. Records will not normally be publsihed in the Scottish Bird Report unless they have gone through some vetting procedure via the Local Recorder. CORY’S SHEARWATER Pectoral Sandpiper AQUATIC WARBLER GREAT SHEARWATER Buff-breasted Sandpiper Marsh Warbler Mediterranean Sharwater Mediterranean Gull* Icterine Warbler* Little Egret RING-BILLED GULL MELODIOUS WARBLER PURPLE HERON HERRING GULL yellow-legged forms DARTFORD WARBLER White Stork michahellis & cachinnans Barred Warbler* Spoonbill Bee-eater Pallas's Warbler* Green-winged Teal LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Firecrest Ring-necked Duck SHORT-TOED LARK Red-breasted Flycatcher* FERRUGINOUS DUCK WOODLARK BEARDED TIT Surf Scoter Richard's Pipit * WOODCHAT SHRIKE Honey Buzzard* TAWNY PIPIT SERIN MONTAGU’S HARRIER WATER PIPIT Common Rosefinch* ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Nightingale CIRL BUNTING Hobby* CETTI’?S WARBLER Ortolan Bunting* Crane* SAVI’S WARBLER LITTLE BUNTING STONE CURLEW * Dispensation has been granted to the Local Recorders in Shetland & Orkney that these species can Little Ringed Plover be accepted at their discretion without full written descriptions. A similar dispensation has been KENTISH PLOVER granted to the Argyll Local Recorder in respect of Mediterranean Shearwater. R.D.Murray [Ed] 7 Species List for 1996 Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata Lower than usual Jan-Feb counts, esp. in N. Best counts mostly Mar with influx into Firth of Clyde in early Mar. 179 Clyde Est. Clyde, 126 Turnberry shore Ayr, 122 Kinshaldy F, 84 Aberlady L, 55 Donmouth NE, 50 L.Ryan D&G & 41 West L.Tarbert Arg in Mar; 222 Finnarts-Ardrossan Ayr 30-31 Mar;126 Clyde Est. & 67 Delnies M&N in Apr. Movements: 172N Arbroath Cliffs A&D 26 Apr and 103N Peterhead NE 4 May with 200 Murcar NE 6 May. First back on fresh-water Shet on 24th Feb; High 3 Mar. Breeding: Shet 58 pairs (56) at monitored sites, maintaining the higher than average numbers since 1994. Success was a little lower at MBS 1.38, still above average (1.36) but poorer than the exceptional 1.57 in 1995. MBP was average at 0.57 chicks/breeding pair; Ork success was lower than average at MBP 0.43 with 40 young reared from 91 sites (57 failed). Again success was poor on Mainland and lower than 1995 on Hoy. Based on Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997 and local reports. Caith 2 sites failed, 1 probably predated; High 3prs Eigg, reared 2 young, 3prs Handa, with 2br4 ; M&N 1 on freshwater in Jun but breeding unlikely; P&K failure at the only site checked; Forth 3prs, one nested but failed; Arg 22-34prs were located, but only 6 of 14 pairs were successful; Clyde 2prs at 3 sites Good passage Arg: 452 in 82hrs Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Sep-Nov, max 93 on 27 Sep, with 44 (8hrs) Machrihanish 30 Sep; 61S Rubha Ardvule OH 23 Sep-11 Oct; 33S Eyemouth B 21st Sep; 80N/7S Fife Ness F 22 Sep; 56S Peterhead 28 Sep; 9N/54S Girdleness NE 29 Sep; 30S Turnberry Ayr 5 Oct; Winter: 200 Donmouth NE in Sep; 125 Spey Bay M&N, 70 Murcar NE, 94 Ruddons Pt. F, 51 South ForthL & 50 Lunan Bay A&D in Oct; 93 Ardmore Pt. in Nov; 44 Gailes-Ardrosson Ayr & 38E Chanonry Pt.H in Dec. Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica Mostly 1-2 birds with few good counts: max 7 Troon shore Ayr, 4 L.Eriboll H and 4 Sinclair's Bay Caith in Jan; 17 Troon & 4 L.Ryan D&G in Feb; 114 Doonfoot- Balkenna Ayr & 41 Balkenna- Dipple Ayr in Mar; 9 Largo Bay F & 7 L.Scridain, Mull Arg in Apr. 1 inland at Cocksburn Res. Forth 26 Jan. Breeding: High 83 sites monitored, 73 with pairs of which 38 fledged young, MBP 0.52 (mean 0.49); P&K 5 sites, 1 known success, =~ > Arg 10prs at 10 occupied sites, 3prs did not breed, 4 were successful at 6 sites where bred, 0007777 see: Bi 5 B 9 Z eee SPO eee oe KE y) young (4 onrafts); Forth 4prs at 3 sites, 2 Wot LES ID nested but failed; Clyde 3 pairs at 2 sites, but only 1 unsuccessful attempt; Ayr only 1 bird present; D&G single at 2 sites. White-billed Diver Steven Brown eae re Total of 120 monitored sites in Scotland, had 96 occupied sites, fledging 47 young, MBP 0.49. RSPB research in High indicates MBP 0.68 for raft nests, compared to 0.41 in natural sites. Highland Bird Report 1996:14. Early birds Ork, Caith, Clyde Fife & Bord in Jul/Aug but 30 Inverasdale H 12 Aug & 17 Gruinard Bay H 24 Sep. Sep/Oct passage N.Isles & E.coast, mostly 1-2 birds but high counts of 5S Diel's Dyke Ayr 29 Oct; 27 Chanonry Pt.H,11 Burghead Bay M&N, 5 Troon shore, 4 Castlehill Caith in Oct; 23 Troon in Nov; 9 L.Coalisport Arg in Dec. 1 inland L.Earn Forth 27 Dec. Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 57 Bring Deeps Ork & 18 Sandwick, Unst Shet in Feb; 54 Irvine shore Ayr & 22 L.Scridain, Mull Arg in Mar; 75 Gruinard Bay H, 25 Rerwick Head Ork & 24 Quendale Bay Shet in Apr; 26 between Colonsay & Garvellachs Arg, 22 Ketla Ness, Burra Shet & 20 Dunnet Bay Caith in May; still 7 Stronsay Ork & 5 Dunnet Bay in Jun. Mostly 1-3 birds E. coast & Solway; max 5 Rattray Head NE in Feb. Inland singles Loth Mar & May. Jul-Aug birds: 6 Shet , 5 Ork, 9 OHeb, 20 Caith, 3 High, 2 M&N, 4 NE, 2 A&D, 3 Fife & 11 Arg, max 13 Dunnet Bay 25 Jul. Arrival W.coast Aug-Sep, few elsewhere until late Oct. 9 Baleshare, N.Uist OH 29 Aug. Early build-up Arg from mid Sep: 39S (82 hrs) Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg Sep-Nov; 42S Rubha Ardvule, S.Uist OH 23 Sep- 11 Oct; 12 Claggain Bay, Islay Arg 30 Oct; 45 Dunnet Bay 13 Nov; 12S Machrihanish Arg 5 Nov. 50 Dunnet Bay, 67 Bring Deeps Ork 17 Dec; 25 Bringness Bay Ork & 24S Kennedy's Pass Ayr 21 Dec; 25 Bay of Firth Ork 22 Dec; 78 L.Ewe H and 32 Gruinard Bay 29 Dec. Again only 1-3 birds on N.Sea coasts. *White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii 1 Sound of Harris, Berneray OH 10 Feb; 1 Peterhead NE 24-30 Mar; Ist-w to 2nd-s N.Ronaldsay Ork 21 Apr; ad Mousa Sound Shet 5-May; ad Tiumpan Head, Lewis OH 6-7 May; Ist-s Mill Bay, Stronsay Ork 25 May; Ist-s Bay of Ireland, Stenness Ork 1 Jun. Sele peti 8 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 11-21 wintered Clyde Est. Clyde Jan-Feb; 9 Findhorn Bay M&N in Jan; 4 sites Ayr coast, max 30 Bogside and 6 Troon harbour; 10 L Etive Arg & 9 S.Kessock H in Feb. Also | Invergowrie Bay A&D in Jan; 5 Largo Bay F in Apr. 8 Seafield P. L in Jan in near-coastal site. Inland: 14 R.Clyde at Burnfoot-Crookboat Clyde & c.10 at 7 sites R.Tweed B in Jan; 17 R.Leven Clyde in Feb. Return from early Feb in S, Mar-Apr in N. Breeding: Sites Pairs Broods Young MBS MBP Ork 4 5 3 5) 1.60 Caith 2 2 - - - - Highland 2) 2 2 2 1.00 M&N 21 25 - - - A&D 5) 6 - - - Fife 16 33 + 79 2.30 Forth 2 4 3 6 2.00 Lothian 11 24 22 >12 2.00 - Borders 37 40 29 63 DEN 1.58 Argyll 8 8 3 5) 1.67 - Clyde By) 98 - - 2.00 1.20 Ayr 18 27 8 17 DAD - D&G 4 7 1 2} 2.00 - New sites noted Shapinsay Ork and Tiree Arg, the latter with first confirmed breeding for island. Autumn: 22 Carlingwark D&G in Aug; 46 Hogganfield L. Clyde, 42 Kilconquhar L. F, 33 Cameron Res. F and 18 Gladhouse L in Sep; 15 Linkswood F & 12 Lindean Res. B in Oct. Other Aug-Oct peaks: 6 Ork, 10 High, 8 NE, 14 A&D, 10 Arg. 32 Hogganfield L., 18 Kincorth M&N,16 Douglas Water Clyde,15 Bellanoch Arg, 12 Seafield P. in Nov; 12 Bogside Ayr, 8 Ness Mouth H & 8 Holm Ork in Dec. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 69 S.Forth L, 44 Blackness Forth & 37 Ardmore shore Clyde in Jan; 253 Kinneil Forth, 38 Endrick Mouth Clyde, 33 Culross F & Stevenson Pt. Ayr in Feb. In areas where scarce, | Balgarva, S.Uist OH in Jan; also 2 in Caith, 10 High, 6 M&N and 5 Arg during Jan-Mar. Best early inland assemblies: 22 Castle L. D&G 6 Apr, 23 Kinghorn L. F 20 Apr. Breeding: Sites Pairs Broods Young MBS MBP M&N 1 1 0 0 : : NE Scot 2 5 4 4 100 0.80 A&D 3 12 6 =r 140 P&K 4 >4 4 ? ? 2 Fife 10 30 2 4l Se ey) Forth 6 9. 4 8 2.) 2100 Loth 6 14 6 OC ian Om Bord 2 2 D 5.) 250i 250 Clyde 23 37 10 16 160 0.50 Ayr 3 6 1 Tiiienl.00) 0/16 D&G 5 c.21 4 D 2.00 - 50 Lunan Bay A&D in Aug; 537 S.Forth, 268 L.Ryan D&G, 94 Ardmore Pt. Clyde & 34 Kinneil Forth in Sep; 114 Carsethorn D&G in Oct; 341 Southerness D&G, 150 Mersehad D&G & 120 Seafield L in Nov; 21 GulrO ss De sea aol a Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Good early-year influx, probably from frozen Baltic, both on sea and freshwater. Jan-May totals: 1 Fair Is., 9 Shet, 2 Ork, 6 Caith, 6 High, 6 M&N, 12 NE, 4 A&D, P&K, 17 Fife (not Largo), 7 Loth (not shore), Arg, 20 Clyde, 18 Ayr, 2 D&G. In many areas best winter since 1978/79. Sites J FM A M:J. J A .S-O ND Largo Bayh 2) 122 A eel ales las “1 ee laean Mus'burgh 2, 3: 5 WO), -0 “fle 2. 5): 10/2, 46 Gosford L -9. 1°40 .- ~- 3 12 42 41 21-12 12 AberladyL 6 2 15 13 - - - - - 16 11 14 Fresh-water records: L.Spynie M&N 23 Mar-2 Apr, Morton Lochs F 5 May; L.Gelly F 16 Jun. Usual pair summered Bord 1 Apr-26 Jun for 9th year running, but once again no proof of breeding. First back Fife 30 Jul, Bord 24 Aug. Passage Sep/Oct, with singles seen Fair Is, M&N, NE, A&D (2), Arg & Ayr. Best movements Kinshaldy F where 5 on 28 Aug, 16 on 7 Oct & 4 on 26 Oct. Nov/Dec singles Shet, High, M&N, NE, Bord & Ayr. Best counts were 4 Burghead Bay M&N; 3 Tay Est. F 21 Dec. Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus Excellent Jan-Mar as birds Jeft frozen Baltic producing exceptional 59 Shet, 4 Fair Is, 7 Caith, 44 High, 3 M&N, 10 NE, c.9 A&D, 5 P&K, 3 inland Loth & c.28 Ayr & record counts in Clyde. These extra birds did not signifi- cantly boost the numbers seen at the regular areas. Sites 2d oF, MAMA SO NER Largo Bay F SM Pwiisue NO waj= sh =< 8 = 10 Kinshaldy F - - 36 24 =) 145 228""= Ardmore Pt.Cly 7 49 50 18 0 ape Daa Sa SLO Gosford Bay L We pve as Dish Mea S642 MusselburghL 19 8 26 17 O 3) pial4 228 Also 14 Balgarva, S.Uist OH , 12 L.na Keal, Mull Arg & 10 Balnakeil H in Jan; 14 Echnaloch Bay Ork in Feb; 40 Tresta Voe Shet, 31 L.of Harray Ork, 29 Kirkwall Bay Ork, 23 L.Ryan D&G in Mar. Breeding: Caith 2prs, 1 reared 3 young, first proven for many years; High 47prs (53) reared only 16juvs, MBP 0.35 (mean 0.62), 13prs L.Ruthven fledged 8juvs; M&N 8prs (worst since '87) raised just 2 young (worst since '72); Arg 1-3 birds L.Ba, Mull Mar-early Apr; single birds summered Carron Valley Res. Clyde/Forth & Monikie A&D. Return 26 Aug Bord; Ork& Arg 26-31 Aug; Shet, D&G, Fife & Clyde 1-15 Sep. 37 L.Indaal Islay Arg in Oct. Normal winter. Max counts: 12 Waulkmill Bay Ork in Nov; 22 Inganess Bay Ork, 21 L.Ryan in Dec. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Present Meigle-Wemyss Bay Ayr/Clyde 1 Jan-19 Mar, max 4 on14-25 Feb; wintered as usual L.Ryan D&G, max 4 on 24 Feb; 3 Ruddon's Pt. F 2 Jan, 2 on 27 Feb & 30 Mar. Singles Musselburgh L 1 Jan & 7 Apr, Ferny CC SP a EL R.D.Murray [Ed] 9 Ness L 14 Jan-23 Mar; Tayport F 22 Feb; Rattray Head NE 24 Feb; Tentsmuir F 24 Mar; Croy Bay Ayr 30 Mar. Breeding: NE 1-2 L.of Strathbeg 24 Apr-12 May with 2 Meikle L. 12 May; A&D first back L.of Kinnordy on 31 Mar, 6prs bred, hatching 9 young of which just 2 fledged, last 1 seen 11 Aug; Bord seen 2 sites 21st Apr- 29 Aug with only singles at one site but 3 ads at other which hatched 3 young and fledged 2 of them. Dispersing juvs seen Forfar L. A&D 19 Aug (from Kinnordy) & L.Ardinning Clyde 24 Aug. 3 returned L.Ryan 10 Sep but only 1 seen there in Dec; 1 Lunderston Bay Clyde 4 Nov. Black-necked Grebe Andrew Stevenson from Ayrshire Bird Report *[Black-browed Albatross] Diomedea melanophris Albatross sp. seen Dunnet Bay Caith 20 Jul was perhaps this species. No sign of the Hermaness bird. Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Breeding: Jn contrast to recent trends the numbers of AOS decreased between 3-7% in SE & NW Scotland although there was a 7% increase in Shetland in line with long-term trends. Numbers had doubled on the Flannan Is. since the last count in 1988. UK breeding success averaged 0.48 chicks fledged per site, alittle better than the 1986-95 mean of 0.42. There was a highly significant increase in productivity in many colonies since 1995 when heat-indiced stress killed chicks in the hot summer. However, some colonies in Shet & N.Scotland suffering from May gales showed little improve- ment since 1995. Thompson et al. JNCC 1997. 43,000 AOS Fair Is, 23% increase since 1990; 7 nests at L.of Strathbeg NE. Inland breeding: Fife 55prs at 2 quarry sites; Loth c.20prs at 4 sites Loth but numbers declining. Inland vagrants; 2W Cupar F 29 May; | Airthrey Forth 13 Jun; 1 Bridge of Allan Forth 22 Aug. 36 records of birds past Kinneil Forth 9 Jun-29 Sep, max 12 W on 9 Jun, supports ideas of trans-Scotland movements between Forth & Clyde, as do movements at Cloch Pt. Clyde. Max passage rates of 440/hr Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg in May with 108/hr in Aug; 500/hr Brora H in Aug; 1,500/hr W Strathy Pt. H, 170/hr noted Eyemouth B in Sep; 127/hr Turnberry Pt. Ayr in Nov. ‘Blue’ phase birds, mostly singles, reported: 10 Shet; Fair Is from Aug-Nov; Ork, Apr-Nov; 7 Caith, small numbers NE, 1 Fife, 3 Arg, 1 Ayr. Max 6 Kinnaird Head NE in Mar, 5 N.Ronaldsay Ork in Sep & 6 Fair Is in Nov. | incubating on Mull Head, Deerness Ork in Jun. *Soft-plumaged Petrel sp. Pterodroma madeira | feae / mollis 1 seen 130km WNW of Unst Shet at 60° 56.6' N, 03° 5.37’ W on 25 Jun. First record for Shetland and Scotland. See White, Scottish Bird Report 1996: (this issue) for full account of observation. *Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 1 Mull of Galloway D&G 5 Jun; 1 Kinghorn F 13 Jul; 1 Butt of Lewis, Lewis OHeb 7 Aug; 1 Girdleness NE 6 Sep; 1S Coul Pt., Islay Arg 5 Oct. First for D&G. *Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis 1 at sea50 mls W of Barra Head OH 12 Jan; 1 Grass Pt., Mull Arg 15 Jul; 1 Strathy Pt. H 10 Sep; 1 Lothbeg Pt. H 13 Oct. Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 1 South Head Caith 20 Jan is a very unusual date. 1 Fair Is 11 Jun; 1 Kinnaird Head NE 21 Jun; 2N Eyemouth B 30 Jun. Few Jul records but 14 Eyemouth- St.Abbs B 2-15 Jul, max 7N on 2 Jul & 5 N.Ronaldsay Ork 29 Jul. Small numbers from early Aug with 9N Girdleness NE 5 Aug but more only from late Aug/early Sep. 21 Rubha Ardvule, S.Uist OH 1 Sep; 18 Fair Is 2 Sep; 6 East Haven A&D 6 Sep; 24 Is of May 9 Sep; 250 Strathy Pt. H 10 Sep (8hrs) with 250 there 11 Sep (4hrs); 10 Eyemouth, 7 Fife Ness F & 7N Peterhead NE 12 Sep; 43 Lothbeg Pt. H & 15N/3S Fife Ness 19 Sep. Larger scale passage late Sep-early Oct: 43 Sumburgh Shet 21 Sep; 200 Grutness Shet (2.5hrs), 50 Fair Is on 25 Sep; 182 N.Ronaldsay 26 Sep; 109 Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 26 Sep; 14 Rubha Ardvule 27 Sep; 728 N.Ronaldsay 30 Sep, with 786 there 1 Oct (356 in 1 hr) & 853 on 8 Oct. 96 Strathy Pt. 9 Oct; 21N South Head 13 Oct. Few thereafter, mostly 1-3 birds. Last D&G, Bord & Fair Is 19-30 Sep; M&N, A&D, Caith, Is of May, High & OHeb 4-14 Oct; Ork & Ayr 5-6 Nov; Loth & Fife 12 Nov; Arg & NE 16 Nov. Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 21 Canna H 14 Mar & 2 Scarnish, Tiree Arg 16 Mar were early. Apr records: NE, Fife (2), Bord & Ayr (2). Breeding: Occupancy continued low at the Rum H, sample sites with strong suggestion of gradual decline. Possibly similar trend on Canna H at just 31% occupancy (40% in 95). Productivity was very poor on Canna with MBP of 0.13 (0.25 in’95), rat predation was evident. Rum showed better success with 87% of sampled burrows being occupied and 72% of these fledging chicks. Thompson etal. JNCC 1997. 10 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Shet 10 burrows Fetlar (9) with 9 chicks noted (MBP 0.9), 12 burrows Wick of Tresta; Ork 20-30 calling birds at one colony on Hoy; High 100-200prs Eigg; Is of May max 15 birds perhaps prospecting in Aug near Low Light; Arg 200-700prs Lunga, Treshnish Is, Mull and evidence of breeding at Dutchman's Cap. Passage on the N&E coasts: Mostly 1-9 birds noted May along whole coast, max 102 Strathy Pt. H 22 May. Stronger numbers in Jun, max 176 Fishtown of Usan A&D 3 Jun, 285E Fife Ness F 16 Jun, 200E Fife Ness 23 Jun & 132 Eyemouth B 30 Jun. Better in N in Jul: 122 Peterhead NE 8 Jul, 250 Fishtown of Usan 15 Jul & 169N Girdleness NE 16 Jul. Aug & Sep were quieter with best counts 418 Strathy Pt. 5 Aug, 200 Kinghorn F 16 Sep & 150 Collieston NE 20 Sep. June passage at Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg was also strong, with mean of 257/hr. Movements peaked in Aug there at 317/hr (340 in '95 & 336 in '94) but was poor in Sep at 49/hr with 169/hr in Sep (169 in '95 & 100 in '94. Max movement was 2,788 in 4hrs onIst Aug. Elsewhere on W coast & Isles: 550/hr Corsewall Pt. D&G 12 Jun; 7,462 Mull of Galloway D&G (5.5hrs) 29 Jun; 1,500 Ardrossan 5 Jul; 1,636 Cloch Pt. Clyde 3 Aug; 2,640 Cloich Pt. 22 Aug; 2,000 (4hrs) Machrihanish Arg 23 Aug; 1,000 Ardrossan 26 Aug; 2,000 Rubha Boraige Moire, Tiree Arg (15 mins) 30 Aug; 865N Rubha nan Caorach, N.Uist OH (thr) 13 Sep. Last regular Bord, D&G, Is of May & Clyde 12-29 Sep; Caith, A&D, M&N, High, Shet, Loth & Fife 5-29 Oct; Ork & Arg 3-6 Nov; Ayr 19 Nov. 1 Fife 25 Nov but very late birds Rattray NE 17 Dec; 4 Kinghorn & 1 Barns Ness L 20-25 Dec. 1 found exhausted Killin Forth 6 Jun was ringed on Skomer Aug 1994. *Mediterranean Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan 1 between Ailsa Craig & Girvan Ayr 3 Feb may have overwintered (see 1995 Nov records from Ayr). 3 St.Abbs B 21 Jun; 1 Pentland F. off HoyOrk 28 Jun; 1 Mull of Galloway D&G 29 Jun, others 28 Jul & 7 Aug; 1 on 3 dates Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 1-18 Aug; 1 Machrihanish Arg on 8 Aug, with 1-2 there on 4 dates 19-28 Aug; 1-40n6 dates Frenchman's Rocks 2-30 Sep; 1 Girdleness NE 7 Sep;1 Strathy Pt. H 13 Sep; 1-2 Coul Pt., Islay Arg 17-18 Sep; 1-2 on 4 dates Machrihanish 24-30 Sep with 1-3 on 4 dates Frenchman's Rocks 7-27 Mediterranean Shearwater Steven Brown from Fife Bird Report Oct; 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 7 Oct; 1 Lothbeg Pt. H 13 Oct; 1 Machrihanish on 19 Oct; probably 1 bird Turnberry Point Ayr 27 Oct-9 Nov; 1 Machrihanish on 3 Novy; 1 Kinghorn F 20-22 Dec, probably the same bird St.Abbs B 23 Dec. Becoming more regular, especially off W coast. The winter records are a novel feature. See Ogilvie, Fife Bird Report 1996: 124-125 for notes on Dec bird. [1992] singles Machrihanish 20 Aug, 29 Aug & 11 Sep. [1994] 8 on 3 dates Machrihanish 19 Aug-11 Sep. [1995] 11 on 6 dates Machrihanish 25 Aug-1 Oct. Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 1 Lothbeg Pt. H 1 Jan. 10 Staffa Arg 27 May; 1S Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg &1S Turnberry Ayr 31 May were the first reports; then Fair Is, Shet, D&G, High & Ork 1-15 Jun. 69 N.Ronaldsay Ork 16 Jun with 22 there 21st Jun & 22N Peterhead NE 22 Jun. Jun records also from Bord, Ayr and D&G (3) Breeding: stable 150-220 occupied burrows Sanda Arg . 5,040prs Treshnish Is, Mull Arg with 1,008prs Lunga & 3,120prs Fladda. From Thompson et a.l JNCC, 1997. Shet: a late visit to Mousa revealed a reduction on 1995 numbers, breeding confirmed on Fore Holm, Scalloway: Ork bred Auskerry & Holm of Papa Westray (the latter held 3,613 nests in '95); High 30+prs Eilan Hoan. Few passage birds in Jul away from breeding areas with records from NE, Ayr and D&G (6). 60S Frenchman's Rocks10 Jul with 16 S Machrihanish Arg 11 Jul. As usual tape-luring revealed the presence of more birds with 1,021 trapped Fair Is.; 227 trapped on one night N.Ronaldsay 18 Aug. Small numbers trapped Caith (35), Is of May (20), Fife (4) & Bord (9). : R.D.Murray [Ed] 11 142 past Frenchman's Rocks Jul-Sep. 34 were seen in same period at Machrihanish. A very lean autumn with max 10 Rubha Boraige Moire, Tiree Arg | Sep & 3S Turnberry Pt. Ayr 24 Sep. 1 seen feeding Cloch Pt. Clyde 5 Aug. 2nd for Renfrewshire. Elsewhere only 1-3 recorded, except 1-4 N.Ronaldsay on 7 dates 3-18 Oct. 7 Lothbeg Pt. 13 Oct. Last regulars Shet 30 Sep, Fair Is 11 Oct; Ork, High & Arg 3-7 Nov. Latest: 1 found dead Culzean Ayr 10 Nov and | killed by a lorry Kirkoswald Ayr 19 Nov. Leach's Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 4 N.Ronaldsay Ork 18 Jun was the only pre-Jul report. Breeding: Shet 17-20 occupied burrows at Rumna Stacks (20). Essentially stable there in the 1990s, although 50prs were estimated in 1981. Thompson et al . JNCC 1997. 1 N.Ronaldsay 17 Jul, the sole summer report other than tape-lured birds at Fair Is (2) & Ork (2+). 1 Machrihanish Arg 29 Sep with 2 more there 30 Sep with 1 on 4 Oct; 2W Strathy Pt. H 28 Sep, 2W on7 Oct; 4 Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 30 Sep with 3 singles there in Oct and 4 on 27 Oct; | picked up alive inland at Kilmacolm Clyde & 1 Dunnet Bay Caith 4 Oct; 1 Coul Pt., Islay Arg 6 Oct; 1 Tiree Arg 9 Oct; 1 Lothbeg Pt. H 13 Oct; 1 Arbroath A&D 14 Oct; 1 Lamb Holm Ork 15 Oct. Last 1 Machrihanish 6 Nov. Gannet Morus bassana Breeding: numbers on Shetland & Fair Is. increased by 13%, in line with recent trends although lack of space may influence this in future. Numbers of chicks at Troup Head NE increased to 290 (146 in 95 & 184 in 94). Several birds on cliffs at Am Balg, Sutherland H. Productivity showed no significant differences, averaging 0.69 across UK monitored sites (1 in England). The highest was at Ailsa Craig at 0.73. Thompson et al. JNCC 1997 Fair Is. 1,090 AOS; Ork 1 bird sat on Fowl Craig, Papa Westray on 3 occasions; NE 385 AOS Troup Head; D&G >1,200 prs estimated at Scar Rocks. Max hourly rates at seawatching sites: c.250/hr Cloch Pt. Clyde 14-18 Aug; 5,000/hr Eyemouth B 8 Sep; 2,000/hr Fife Ness F 16 Sep; 344/hr past Frenchmans' Rocks, Islay Arg 25 Sep; 489/hr Lossiemouth M&N 5 Oct; 6,000 Lothbeg Pt. H, 630/hr N.Ronaldsay & 765/ hr South Head Caith 13 Oct. Increasing numbers in winter Loth. 8 juvs Skinflats Forth Sep-Oct flew W towards Clyde. 1 dead inland at Roseisle M&N in Mar. © Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Max roost counts: 94 Alloa Forth, 60 L.Clunie P&K & 25 L.Earn P&K _ in Jan; 98 L.of Strathbeg NE & 71 Girdleness NE in Mar. Also 406 Clyde Est. Clyde, 130 Ayr harbour Ayr, 120 Skinflats Forth,118 Montrose Basin A&D, 117 Bogside Ayr & 60 Tweed census B in Jan; 30 S.L.Lomond Clyde in Feb. Breeding: Cold spring weather probably depressed breed- ing numbers. An all-Shet survey showed little change from 1995 suggesting some stabilisation while a small decline in indicated in Ork. There was some decline in most Scottish colonies but within the normal inter-year variation expected although some Ayr colonies showed larger than expected (32%) decreases as did Caith (50%). Productivity was generally moderate to good with c.229 fledging from 120 nests at 5 colonies in W.Scot (1.9/pr), 2.29 chicks/nest at N.Sutor H, 2.60 at Ceann Leathad Caith and 2.7 across Shet. Thompson et al. JNCC 1997. Shet 212 nests (215); M&N poss. new site at Covesea; NE new site L.of Strathbeg, 5 fledged from 2 nests; F. of Forth 399 nests on 5 islands (373); Bord 35 nests (51), MBS 2.40; Arg 93prs at 4 sites, MBS 2.2; Ayr 217 nests, with 2 new colonies; D&G 92 nests at 3 sites. Movements: 13N/49S (2hrs) Eyemouth B 14 Sep; 50S Fife Ness F 12 Nov; 16N/6S Peterhead NE 22 Dec. Winter: 110 Meikle Ross D&G and 80 Methil F in Aug; 206 Barassie shore Ayr, 115 L.of Strathbeg & 80 Girdleness in Sep; 296 S.Forth L, 241 M.V.Captyannis roost Clyde & 96 Montrose Basin in Oct; 404 Clyde Est., 112 Ayr, 104 Croy shore Ayr in Nov; 73 Skinflats, 70 L.Clunie, 64 Higgins Neuk Forth & 42 southern L.Lomond in Dec. Birds resembling continental race P.c.sinensis: juv Gills Bay Caith in Jan; ad Thurso Caith in Feb; 2 L.Spynie M&N Apr & Jun. Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Breeding: Despite the weather, many colonies showed limited increases, possibly due to the low levels reached in the previous year. Monitored sites had increases of 29% in SW Scot, 7% in Shet but decreases of 1% in SE Scot & 5% in NW Scot. This latter decrease was mostly influenced by acrashin Lochaber Arg from 100 pairs ('94&'94) to 13 pairs, none of which fledged young. The crash was attributed to the arrival of Mink. Productivity showed a UK mean of 1.42 chick fledged /nest, close to long-term averages, mostly up on the 1995 figures, especially from the miserable levels of 1995 in SE Scot. Thompson et al. JNCC 1997. Movements: 830N Peterhead NE 18 Feb; 1,130N there 2 Mar & 55N there 4 May; 460/hr Eyemouth B 14 Sep; 1,200 past Anstruther F 20 Oct with 2,710 there 8 Dec. 140 Bay of Creekland, Hoy Ork in Feb; 157 Portgordon shore M&N in Apr; 770 Kincraig Pt. F, 150 Bay of Creekland, 122 Croy Ayr in Nov; 200 Hynish Bay, Tiree Arg & 98 Clyde Est. Clyde in Dec. Bittern Botaurus stellaris 1 Duddingston L 2 Jan-26 Mar; 1 L.of Strathbeg NE 3 Jan-25 Feb; 1 Bogton L. Ayr 8-15 Jan , 2 on 23-25 Feb & 1 to 28 Feb; 1 Lady L. Clyde 25 Feb- 23 Mar; 1 dead Whitecraigs Clyde 4 Mar; 1 Cairnfield M&N 27 Mar; 1 L.Nahinie Ayr 6 Apr. 1 The Loons Ork 29 Oct; 1 returned to Duddingston 27 Nov-15 Dec. The Whitecraigs skin is in Glasgow Museum. 12 Scottish Bird Report 1996 *Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax lad R Whiteadder near Allanton B 21 Apr; 1 juv Strathaven D&G 21-25 Jul. was suspected to be an escape or feral bird from Edinburgh Zoo. 8 records in and around Edinburgh L. *Little Egret Egretta garzetta Singles Dumfries D&G 3 Feb; Rough Firth D&G from 1994 still present Mar/Apr and again in Oct; Drummore shore D&G 16 May; Ythan Est. NE 16-18 May & 9 Jun- 28 Aug, visiting L.of Strathbeg 6-8 Jun; Meikle Water, Stronsay Ork 1 Jun; Alexandria Clyde 3 Jun; Aberlady L 10 Jun; Broadford Bay, Skye H 12 Jun; Newton Stewart D&G 28 Aug. 1 L.Nam Magarlan, N.Uist OH 9 Dec. Note western bias of records: Sth for Loth, 6th for NE. Little Egrets Brent Hurley Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Counts: 46 R.Deveron NE census, 33 Little Kenmure L. D&G & 22 Tweed Haughs B in Jan; 50 Bogside Ayr & 44 L.Venachar Forth in Feb; 23 Longman H in May; 71 Montrose Basin A&D, 36 Bogside & 35 Longhaugh Pt. Clyde in Aug; 33 Binsness M&N & 19 L.Scridain, Mull Arg in Sep; 46 Clyde Est. Clyde in Oct; 27 Little Kenmure L. in Nov; 41 Hunterston Ayr in Dec. Breeding: (min figures) Area Colonies Nests Area Colonies Nests Orkney 1 7 Loth 2 19 Caithness 1 7 Borders 9 87 Highland 4 45 Argyll i DD, Moray&Nairn 2 25 Clyde PST) North-east 3 20 Ayrshire 12 29 Fife 5 36 D&G 3 24 Forth 1 34 49% of 73 birds that passed Machrihanish Arg Jul-Oct were adults (33% in '95). *Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1 ad L.of Strathbeg NE 10-13 Jun. 3rd record for NE. *White Stork Ciconia ciconia 1 Eaglesham Clyde 9-13 Jun.1 Helmsdale H 19 Oct, also seen Clynelish H 20 Oct, another bird Muir of Ord H 19-20 Oct. 1 of these Duncanston H 22 Oct-Nov. 1 Livingston, Cockenzie & Tyninghame L 7-9 Apr was ringed and had escaped from a zoo in England. *Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1 Caerlaverock D&G 26 Apr; 1 L.Ken D&G 16 May; 1 Musselburgh& Aberlady L 26 May; 1 L.of Strathbeg NE 3 Jun-14 Aug; another Caerlaverock 16 Jun had been colour-ringed at Vlieland in Holland in 1992. It left Caelaverock 16 Jun and seen at Burness, Sanday Ork the same day. It then moved to Stronsay Ork until 22 Jun when it flew to Strathbeg, arriving the same day to join the long-stayer and another that arrived at Strathbeg16 Jun. The 3 remained there to 14 Aug. In view of the rapid movements of the ringed bird the 3 at Montrose Basin A&D 1-4 Jul, 5 at Tayport F 23-27 Jul, 1 at Tyninhghame 28-30 Jul & 2 at Montrose 2-3 Aug may have involved the Strathbeg trio. 2 left Strathbeg on 14 Aug, flying to Montrose, where they remained until 2 Sep. The last left Strathbeg on 3 Sep. Mute Swan Cygnus olor 130St.Margaret's L. L, 128 Cromarty F. H, 120 Kincaple F, 109 Tweed Haughs B, 96 Ayr Ayr in Jan; 219 L.of Harray Ork, 63 Ythan Est. NE in Feb; 105 Lochend L. Clyde in May. The good 1995 breeding season was reflected in the 30% juvs in 542 aged birds in Bord. Breeding: Territorial Pairs ___Nests__Broods_ Young _MBS_MBP Shetland 5 5) 2 2 - Orkney ? ? 14 51 3.64 - Caith 4 4 3 10 3.33 2.50 High 7 1 7 - - M&N 19 14 z 35 - - North-east 14 6 9 35 3.89 2.50 A&D 21 10 8 48 6.00 2.29 Fife 26 ? 20 81 A05. 3212 Forth 26 19 17 35 2.06 1.35 Lothian 65 62 40 170 4.25 2.74 Borders 104 73 51 211 4.14 2.15 Argyll 30 20 18 >23 3.29 - Clyde 114 u 54 207 3.83 1.82 Ayr 32 18 16 65 4.06 2.03 D&G 8 8 6 29 4.83 - Note that areas with more systematic coverage have lower success - they record more failuress. Casual recording misses complete failures & smaller broods. It is best to compare the same areas between years. In Oct-Dec 18% juvs in 361 aged birds Bord suggests a below average breeding season. 161 Leven Marshes Clyde in Jun; 155 Hogganfield L. Clyde in Jul; 532 in Clyde moult census, 356 Montrose Basin & 210 L.Bee, S.Uist OH in Aug. 177 L.of Strathbeg NE in Sep; 271 Tweed Haughs & 121 Dornoch F. H in Oct; 189 L.of Harray in Nov; 235 Old England L. P&K, 207 Montrose Basin, 168 L.Gelly F & 124 Tweed at Ruther- ford B in Dec. R.D.Murray [Ed] 13 Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus Max 13 Caerlaverock D&G in Jan, with 9 there in Feb & Mar; 5 Tyninghame area L 2 Jan-16 Apr; 3 Teviot Haughs B 6-20 Feb, 1 to 2 Mar; 1 Kincaple F 7 Jan-25 Mar; 3 Rossie Bog F 9 Jan; 1 Pitscow NE 13 Jan-17 Feb; 7 Edenmouth B 13 Jan with 5 to 21 Jan;1 Scotlandwell P&K 30 Jan; 4 Blashaval, N.Uist OH 2 Feb; 1 L.of Strathbeg NE 23 Feb-14 Apr; 1 Yonderton Clyde 29 Feb; last 8 Caerlaverock 11 Mar; 1 Folly L. B 10 Mar- 1 Apr; 4 Peppermill Dam F 1-2 Apr. Last at Strathbeg 14 Apr. First 3 Is of May & 1 Machrihanish Arg 6 Oct; 1 L.of Strathbeg 12-13 Oct; 3 Caerlaverock 1 Nov; 9 Ballo Res. F 2 Nov, with 13 there 10 Nov & 2 on 18-21 Nov; 12 Lochhouses L 22&27 Nov, 1 on 2 Dec; 1 Teviot Haugh & 1 Lees B 14 Dec. Whooper Swan Cygnus cygus 176 Pitscow NE in Jan, 243 L.of Strathbeg NE and 215 Caerlaverock D&G in Feb & 153 Strichen NE in Mar were the only sites with >100 birds. Herds of 25-100: Ork (4, max 41), Caith (2,max 87), High (8,max 94), M&N (max 31), NE, P&K (3, max 90), Fife (max40), Forth (3, max 44), Loth (max 63), Bord (3, max 95), Arg (max 25), Clyde (3, max 97), Ayr (2,max 30) and D&G (5). Aged counts: 17% juvs in High, 27% Bord,22% Ayr. Most left by mid-Apr with last birds Loth, D&G, Clyde, P&K, Forth & Fife 21-28 Apr; A&D, Fair Is, NE & Bord on 8-14 May; Arg 29 May. Breeding: Shet usual pr raised br2; Ork 3 summered at 2 sites; Caith br3, first successful breeding; High terri- torial pr Insh Marshes did not breed;Clyde 2 prs Endrick Mouth were flooded out. 4 summered High, 3 in D&G, 2 in NE, A&D and Ayr with singles Forth & Bord. First birds virtually simultaneous across Scotland with Shet, Fair Is, Ork, Caith, High, NE, A&D, Forth & Arg on 29-30 Sep and D&G, P&K, M&N, Is of May, Loth, Bord, Clyde & Ayr on 1-3 Oct. See Bowler Birding World 9:365-367 for account of satellite- tracking of birds between Iceland & Scotland. Main arrival in mid-Oct in N and late Oct in S, peaking mid-Nov in S as birds moved on southwards. Winter monthly max include: 117 L.Eye H & 105 L.of Strathbeg in Oct; 326 L.of Wester Caith, c.300 Hythie NE, 210 Caerlaverock, 190 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg, 150 Black Cart Water Clyde, 120 Deerness Ork, 119 Ardivachar Pt., S,Uist OH in Nov; 116 Crighton Farm D&G in Dec. Area WeBS peaks include 191 Shet, 111 Bord & 361 Clyde, all in Nov. Breeding success (%juvs/ad): Shet 20% juvs, Bord 22%, Clyde 32% & Ayr 30%. Bean Goose Anser fabalis Taiga Bean Goose A.ffabilis C. Scotland flock: Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec Monthly peaks: 123 123 De LOS dy 27 hal 277, Max 123 Blackhill Farm Clyde 28 Feb. Last 2 Fannyside L. Clyde 17 Mar. First 4 Fannyside L. 10 Oct; max 127 L.Eilrig Forth 6 Nov & 127 Hillend Farm 1 Dec. Also seen Carron Valley Forth/Clyde & Avon valley Forth. More birds than usual eslewhere, perhaps due to frosts, several were long-stayers: InJan: 9 L.of Winless Caith, 5-8 Fair Is, 3-5 Burrafirth Shet, 4 Dunbar L, 2 birds Auchorn Caith, Belton L, Lochhouses L & L.Ken D&G with singles Lunna Shet, Sellafirth, Yell Shet, N.Ronaldsay Ork and Knightsward F. In Feb: 11 Glencaple D&G, 8 Nydie F, 7 Tyninghame L, 6 Waughton L, 5 Peat Inn F, 3 Fair Is & Montrose A&D, 2 L.Heilen Caith, Ingleston A&D, Aberlady L, & Carnwath Clyde]and singles Sandwick Shet, Stronsay Ork, Holm Ork Harpsdale Caith. In Mar: 8 Drongan Ayr, 7 Tankerness Ork, 2 Gadloch Clyde & singles Sandwick Ork & Priorletham F. 1 Hillwell Shet in May. 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 9 Oct; 1 Birsay Ork 17 Oct; 1 L.of Lintrathen A&D 19 Oct; 1 Martnaham L. Ayr 25 Dec. Birds not (sub) specifically identified were seen at L.of Strathbeg in Feb & Mar Tundra Bean Goose A/f-rossicus (serrirostris) 1 Auchorn Caith 20 Jan; 1 Burrafirth Shet 29 Jan, later Haroldswick 27 Feb; 3 Tyninghame L 2 Feb with 4 on 9 Mar; 1 dead Donmouth NE 3 Feb; 1 Gillingshill area F 4-10 Feb; 1 Mochrum L. Ayr 4 Feb; 1 Milltimber NE 7-12 Feb; 2 Toab Shet 11-27 Feb; 2 St.Fergus NE on 24 Feb; 1 Maryburgh H 9 Mar; | L.Ospisdale H 5 Apr. In autumn, | Brora H 17 Oct. See Bourne, North-east Scotland Bird Report 1996: 69-70 for note on identification. Pink-footed Goose Resort Maxima 1996 : Jan-Apr & Sep-Dec (no data from WWT) an Feb Mar Apr Se Oct Nov Dec Strathbeg NE 10,550 10,300 19,500 23,000 12,900 41,000 27,000 15,400 Montrose A&D 10,500 nc nc nc 5,000 12,000 12,000 nc L. Leven P&K nc nc 3,000 3,000 41 6,000 5,620 640 Strathallan P&K nc nc nc 5,700 650 40,500 nc nc Aberlady L 3,000 5,540 150 105 1,100 12,430 6,200 1,800 West Water B 4,800 4,400 6,000 nc 2,000 55,000 7,710 ne Hule Moss B 82 0 18 0 320 19,400 2,900 0 Caerlaverock D&G 5,890 2,500 1,000 3,000 70 3,000 15 800 Wigtown Bay D&G 3,000 1,186 7,229 0 0 0 23 255) 14 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrynchus Peaks away from main resorts: 6,700 Stirling Carse Forth, 6,000 Glencaple D&G in Jan; 3,000 Bavelaw L, 2,500 Druim M&N in Feb; 3,500 L.Kindar D&G, 3,000 Milltown M&N, 3,000 Millmoor Clyde, 2,800 Stirling Carse in Mar; 5,500 Udale Bay H, 3,000 Delny H & 2,500 Newburgh F in Apr. Last Fife & Arg 25-28 Apr; Loth, Bord & Clyde 6 - 7May; A&D, M&N, Ork & Ayr 13-14 May; Shet 19 May; Forth & Caith 27-30 May; NE 6 Jun. Pricked birds: Kingston M&N, L.of Strathbeg (12), Ythan NE (6 ), Montrose Basin (5) with singles Canna H, Eden Est. F, West Water & Wigtown Bay. Feral birds; 3 Duddingston L all year, 1 onnest in spring; 1 Gunknowe L. Ball year but pair Douglas Estate Clyde 18 May-7 Jun were unusual. First 12 Dunnet Bay Caith 13 Aug; then 2 West Water 28 Aug, with 9 there 3 Sep; Loth 4 Sep; Fair Is, M&N, NE, D&G, P&K, A&D, Ork & Fife 8-14 Sep; Shet, Arg, Forth & Clyde 29-30 Sep. Despite early arrival, adverse weather delayed the main influx until early Oct. Large counts away from the main roosts and feeding areas include: 6,200 Gladhouse L, 4,700 Haddo NE, 4,500 Ythan Est., 4,000 Wether Hill F, 3,057 Cowie Forth & 2,500 Inverugie NE in Oct; 4,500 Meikle L. NE, 3,300 Cameron Res. F, 2,700 Peterhead NE in Nov; 4,000 Milltown & 3,000 Alves M&N in Dec. Elsewhere Sep-Dec max were 500 Shet, 300 Fair Is, 176 Ork, 500 High, 60 Arg, 2,000 Clyde & 62 Ayr. White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Greenland Whitefront A.a. flavirostris Arg: 12,132 Islay in Jan (10,417). 17,347 in main Arg census late Mar-early Apr with 11,784 Islay, 2,348 Kintyre, 1,387 Tiree and 724 Coll. Ork 110-145 The Loons Jan-Apr with 152 Eastabist in Feb & 166 Skelday in Mar, also 53-62 Stronsay late Mar-1 Apr. OHeb 84-99 L.Bee, S.Uist Jan-Mar; Caith 150-250 L.Heilen-L.of Mey in Jan-Feb, max 350 on 24 Mar; High 60 Ardnish, Skye in Feb; M&N max 39 Ardovit/ Drainie in Feb; 120 Endrick Mouth in Feb ing to max 250 there 24 Mar Clyde ; D&G max 362 L.Ken 30 Mar, max 525 W.Freuch in early Apr. A few seen Jan-Mar on Fair Is (max 8), NE (6), A&D (6), P&K (2), Fife (1), Forth (5), Loth (4), Bord (2) & Ayr (6). Last regular birds on Ork 12 Apr, last regular D&G, High & Caith 27 Apr. Most left Arg 20 Apr-5 May with last 3 L.Gruinart, Islay 13 May. Last 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 20 May & 2N Girdleness NE 6 Jun. Breeding: 3prs introduced Islay Arg bred in S.Rhinns, raising 4 young. One bred witha Greylag on the Treshnish Isles, Mull Arg. Imm summered Endrick Mouth. First 1 Harpsdale Caith 1 Sep; 6-7 birds Fair Is. & Fetlar Shet from 12-13 Sep; 23 SE Strathy Pt. H 27 Sep. First Arg, Clyde, P&K, Loth, D&G, Ork & OHeb 1-13 Oct. Arg 18,809 birds in mid-Nov (19,075):12,964 Islay, 2,526 Kintyre, 1,047 Coll, 1,455 Tiree. Ork max 120 The Loons in Nov; Caith 207 Assery26 Dec; High max 70 Broadford, Skye in Dec; Clyde max 200 Endrick Mouth in Nov; D&G 135 L.Ken in Oct. On Islay just 6% first-winters (20%), suggested very poor breeding success. A few seen Oct-Dec elsewhere M&N (max 9), NE (4), P&K (1), Forth (1), Loth (3), Bord (1) & Ayr (6) - no large flocks. European Whitefront A.a. albifrons Significant influx in Jan with Baltic freeze-up, boosting numbers that were already high after a good autumn. Arrival mostly N/NE in mid-Jan, early Feb elsewhere as birds moved on and further arrivals appeared. 14 Spiggie Shet, 34 Fair Is & 36 N.Ronaldsay Ork 21 Jan. Largest numbers at L.of Strathbeg NE with max 84 Jan, rising to 162 in late Feb, dropping to 133 in Mar. 23 Northfield Caith, 17 Buckhaven F & 11 Ravenstruther Clyde in Jan; 66 Kilconquhar L. F , 65 L. of Tankerness Ork, 64 Knightsward Farm F, min. 59 E.Lothian L, 43 Spiggie, 32 Winless Caith, 23 Arbkie A&D & 22 L.Watten Caith in Feb. There was much dispersal from these sites as flocks broke up in early Mar other than at L.of Tankerness which still held 58 on 22 Mar. Other areas, max 2 P&K , 6 Bord, 6 Ayr & 7 D&G, with none Arg & OHeb. Last A&D, D&G Shet & Clyde 4-14 Mar; Fair Is, Ayr & Fife 22-28 Mar; Caith 1 Apr; NE 5 Apr, Ork 12 Apr. Latest 6 Bemersyde B 13 Apr. * Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus Ad Glencaple D&G 2-3 Jan. Greylag Goose Anser anser Jan-Apr maxima: 3,394 Mainland Ork, 2,300 L.of Lintrathen A&D & 2,200 L.Spynie M&N in Jan; 4,200 L.of Skene NE, 2,567 Maybole Ayr in Feb; 9,053 Mainland Ork in Mar; 2,198 in Arg census in Apr with 1,302 on Tiree; 3,617 Caith census 30/31 Mar; 2,500 Scrabster Caith & 2,000 Tyninghame L in Apr. Elsewhere flocks 1,000-2,000: High (1, max 1,000), M&N (3, max 2,000), NE (max 1,000), Fife (3, max 1,550), Forth (2, max 1,535), Bord (3, max 1,510), Ayr (max 1.786) and D&G (max 1,500). Breeding: Sites pairs broods young MBS Shet 4 c.16 c.26 126 c.4.8 Ork 4 c.19 >14 ? ? Caith 4 c.1l >8 25 3.1 High 7 >67 >10 26 : NE 1 2 2 8 4.0 Loth 11 39 39 196 5.0 Bord 4 Y 7 21 3.0 Arg >6 >43 - >158 Clyde 12 25 8 44 5.5 Ayr 9 14 6 25 4.2 Arg count of 2,202 Tiree in Aug included juvs. R.D.Murray [Ed] 15 First migrants from mid-Sep with main influx mid-Oct when record 1,500 Fair Is 12 Oct. Monthly max include 11,630 L.of Strathbeg, 4,848 Ork, 4,400 L.Spynie, 2,600 Montrose Basin, 2,500 L.Watten Caith in Oct; 19,490 L.of Strathbeg, 9,714 Ork, 4,000 Durran Caith, 3,716 Arg census & 2,500 Killimster L. Caith in Nov; large scale departure in NE where max 1,600 Strathbeg but 5,500 L.Spynie in Dec. Lower numbers elsewhere with few flocks 1,000-2,000 birds: High ( max 1,132), Fife (max 1,242), Bord (2, max 1,526), Clyde (max 1,200) & D&G (max 1,017). Snow Goose Anser caerulescens Feral birds: Arg 43-46 Coll Jan-Apr. 3 Eorrabus, Islay 11-25 Jan & 3 The Laggan 10 Feb-10 Apr were feral birds. Nocount at Mull breeding sites but 2prs bred Coll. 49 Coll Nov-Dec. 1 R.Endrick Clyde on 30 Mar-22 Apr; 2 Kilmardinny L. Clyde 20 Apr. An apparent blue-phase bird Covington Clyde 26 Feb may have been a Barnacle x Snow hybrid. Probable genuine vagrants: Ad white-phase: 1 West Murkle Caith 23 Jan-2 Feb; 1 Rhinns, Islay Arg 6 Apr returned L.Gruinart 1 Oct into 1997. Canada Goose Branta canadensis Resident flocks: NE 11-22 Meikle L.; P&K 189 Marlee L.Oct, 131 L.Monzievaird, 70 Muthill, 37 L.Freuchie; Forth 24-32 Vale of Coustry; br2 Hutchison & 2-4 birds at 2 other sites; Loth 20-26 Duddingston, 3br9 noted; Bord 4-6 birds at 2 sites, did not breed; Arg 16-20 Peninver, Kintyre with 2 broods; 8prs & 20 young Colonsay; 50 ads & young L.Ederline; c.24 seen at 4 other sites; Clyde 17 sites held c.28prs and 15br51, with 7prs Rossdhu and 5 broods southern L.Lomond; max counts -164 Gadloch, 86 Endrick Mouth, 74 Rossdhu & 134 south L.Lomond; Ayr 4-9 Barcraigs Res., 2 L.Maberry; D&G 3br14 raised at 3 sites; max 140 L.Ken, 122 Kirk L., 75 L.Kindar, 73 Hightae L. & 37 Milton L.. Yorkshire-Highland migration 48 Is of May, 40 Kippo F & 14 Lossiemouth M&N 28-31 May; 47 Wether Hill F, 33 L.of Kinnordy A&D, 32 St.Abbs B, 20 Devon valley Forth & 18 Aberlour M&N 2-5 Jun. 30W Edinburgh L 10 Jun. High flocks built up from late May, peaking 115 Conon Is. 1 Jun, 230 Redcastle Pier 22 Jun and 450 Tarradale 25 Jul. Few after mid-Aug. Inautumn, 32 Dun's Dish A&D early Aug, 115 Harperrig L & 36 Hoselaw B in late Sep . Probable influx of birds from Scandinavia during the Baltic freeze in Jan-Mar: max counts of 11 L.of Strathbeg NE & 10 Kincaple F in Jan; 25 Rattray Head NE in Feb; but smaller parties of 1-5 widespread in Shet, Fair Is & Ork where usually rare. Some evidence of them return- ing north in Mar-early May. Possible genuine vagrants, typically accompanying other Greenland-breeding species. 2 medium birds with Brents Lossiemouth-L.Spynie M&N 6-14 Jan; 1 medium & 2 small birds Islay Arg Jan-Apr with 1 medium & 1 small bird there Oct-Dec. 1 parvipes/tarveneri West Water B 19 Oct; 1 small Lecropt Forth 9 Nov; 1 small The Laggan Arg 18-20 Nov; | small Tayloan Arg 18 & 29 Nov; 4 small Tiree Arg Nov-Dec. Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Solway flock: Solway population D&G censused in Apr at 17,500, 15.7% juvs. 6,283-11,140 Caerlaverock Jan-Apr. Main departure 20 Apr-5 May but 5,450 still there early May. On passage: 45 Is of May 28 Apr; 32 Fife Ness F & same (?) Fishtown of Usan A&D18 May, 270 Newmains B 21 May, 30 Newmains 5 Jun. I Jun stragglers: 1 M&N,5 NE, 1 A&D & 1 Bord may have been feral birds caught up in the Canada Goose moult movements. Also M&N, A&D in Aug. First 7 Is of May 5 Sep and 2 L.of Strathbeg NE 14 Sep; then M&N, Fife, Forth, Bord & Ayr 20-22 Sep with first Caerlaverock 20 Sep. Gradual build-up there to 6,900 by 29 Sep, coincident with build up of temporary flocks elsehwere: max 554 L.of Strathbeg 28 Sep, 52 Montrose A&D 30 Sep, 18 West Water B 6 Oct; 1,629 L.of Strathbeg 15 Oct; 186 Findhorn M&N 19 Oct. Passing birds: 300 Kingsbarns F, 270W Kinneil Forth & 200 Kilrenny F 28 Sep; 209 Earlston B 6 Oct; 192 Arbroath A&D 15 Oct; 276 Auchmithie A&D 26 Oct. Smaller numbers Clyde (max 30) & Ayr (max 30). 13,900 Caerlaverock in Oct with 10,460-14,990 there Nov-Dec. Aged flocks revealed 16.1% juveniles. Subsiduary flocks definitely building up with 136 still at Strathbeg into Dec, up to 22 West Water into Nov-Dec and 10 L.Ken D&G, with singles M&N and Fife. W.coast: 31,099 Islay Arg 10-11 Jan. 28,781 in Argyll census late Mar: 26,068 Islay, 1,465 Tiree, 544 Coll & 309 Oronsay. Main departure Islay mid-late Apr, last 2 L.Gruinart 14 May. First Islay 22 Sep. 33,500 Argyll census 20 Nov when 31,044 Islay, 1,458 Tiree, 556 Coll & 429 Colonsay. Max 35,013 Islay 3 Dec. A little below average breeding success with 11% juvs and MBS 2.3. Sutherland: 350-700 Balnakeil H Jan-Mar, max 800 on 18 Apr. Max 150 Eilean an Roin Beag H Jan-Mar with 500 there 27 Apr. Nov-Dec max 40 & 70 respectively. Elsewhere on W.coast: 354 Kirkibost & 450 Vallay, N.Uist OH on 18 Nov. Orkney flock: max 1,138 S.Walls in Jan, c.1,000 Feb- Apr with last 21 Apr. Fewer elsewhere, max 42 Tankerness in Feb. Limited movements into May, last N.Ronaldsay 18 May. c.12 birds Caith Jan-Apr. 1 Dale Caith 16 Sep; 14 Stronsay 25 Sep when 9 Fair Is and 293 through Shet 26 Sep when 600 through Fair 16 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Is, it is possible that these and later birds were bound elsewhere as S. Walls arrival not until 4 Oct. Slow build- up to 1,000 there by 17 Nov. 3 flocks of 20-29 birds Musselburgh, Bavelaw & Dunbar areas L in Feb may have been continental birds forced out by the conditions in Europe. Breeding: Arg 3prs feral birds bred Easter Ellister, Islay but no young reared; Clyde pinioned feral pr reared br1 at Kilmardinny L.. Brent Goose Branta bernicla Pale-bellied Brent B.b. hrota. Area Ja ReMi CA CMa eer BAC gS Ol 2 Ni aD 1 NéIsles P27) eons = lee i ae ee 2S OP ele) eee N3Scot a9) 2 eae ee AOS) line NE Scot 288 117 101. -109 ~- - - 60 21 27 17 E/C Scot 40 83 65 3 44 - - 1 100 62 32 54 SE Scot 192 115 1 Soi S28 WaScott sei <6 826)232)" 268 4-9 ar 2 139569) 2:88 SW Scot 31 29 29 29 4 - =) hela 12 16 Table includes unraced birds Good numbers attracted to E.Scotland during Baltic freeze-up including 20 off sea Boddam Shet 1 Jan; 111 Tyninghame L & 20 Coldingham B 2 Jan; 11-33 Nairn Bar M&N Jan-Feb; 18 Don Est. NE 2 Jan; 17-25 Ythan Est. NE 2-15 Jan; 46 Aberlady L & 15 Musselburgh L 3 Jan; 150N Girdleness NE 24 Jan; 75-81 Fraserburgh NE late Jan-early Feb; 5-10 Eden Est. F Jan-Feb, max 29 on 6 Mar; 22W Tayport F 22 Feb; 15N Fife Ness F 1 Mar; 24 Gott Bay, Tiree Arg 24 Apr; 40N Dundee A&D 3 May. Regular birds L.Indaal, Islay Arg where 6 wintered and L.Ryan D&G with 27 in Jan & 20 there until Apr. First 3 Collieston NE 28 Aug; Fife 30 Aug; Loth 8 Sep; D&G, High, Caith, Bord & Arg 17-28 Sep; Ork, Ayr, Fair Is & Shet 1-8 Oct. 24 Ruddon's Pt. F & 11N Girdleness 19 Sep; 42 Belhaven L 21 Sep; 22 Eden Est. F 22-25 Sep; 400S Ardnamurchan H, 230 Rhuba Ardvule, S.Uist OH, 50 Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg, 126 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg and 56S Machrihanish Arg 28-29 Sep; 479 Frenchman's Rocks 4 Oct; 54 Eden Est. 26 Oct. Small numbers wintering: L.Indaal, Islay Arg (8), L.Ryan D&G (13-16); Nairn Bar (27), Eden Est. (21- 30). Dark-bellied Brent B.b.bernicla 2 Belhaven L & 1 Coldingham Bay B 2 Jan; 1 Nairn Bar M&N 2-24 Jan; 1 Invergowrie P&K 3 Jan; 1 Ythan Est. NE 4 Jan; 12 Aberlady L 20 Jan; 1 West Mainland Ork 26 Jan-11 Feb; 5 Fraserburgh NE 26 Jan; 4 Belhaven 28 Jan; 1 Musselburgh L 8 Feb; 2 Tyninghame L 14 Feb; 1 Carlingheugh Bay A&D 17 Feb; | Clynelish H 22 Mar-1 Apr. 1 Ythan Est. 16-25 Aug; 4 Is of May 12 Sep; 1 Mussel- burgh 28 Sep; 6 Eigg H in Oct, 4 to 27 Oct; 1 Mersehead D&G Oct-Dec; | Invergowrie 20-26 Dec; 1 Aberlady 21-22 Dec. Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Winter-spring: 1,064 Highland Firths H,480 Wigtown Bay D&G, 409 Montrose Basin A&D, 209 Mersehead D&G, 188 Maidens shore Ayr, 98 Aberlasy L in Jan; 828 Highland Firths, 727 Eden Est. F, 374 Forth Est. Forth, 105 Culross F in Feb; 350 Clyde Est. Clyde, 259 L.Indaal & L.Gruinart, Islay Arg, 93 Tankerness Ork in Mar; 106 Findhorn Bay M&N in Apr; 378 Caerlaverock D&G in May; 108 Findhorn Bay & 106 L.of Strathbeg NE in Jun. Main moult flock reached 4,750 at Kinneil Forth in Aug with dispersal away in Sep with 1,095 Skinflats Forth, 1,000 Valleyfield F & 596 Montrose Basin in Sep. Winter: 3,060 Caerlaverock & 431 Clyde Est. in Nov; 810 Eden Est., 732 Forth Est. & 467 Wigtown Bay in Dec. Breeding: (only identified pairs and broods) Area Sites Pairs Broods Young MBS Orkney 20 >39 24 121 5.0 OHeb 4 >5 >5 *66 5.0 Caith 4 7 6 36 6.0 High 3 6 3 >7 : M&N 2 ? ? 36 - NE 3 >13 ? 40 - A&D 5 >5 >5 *40 6.3 Fife 6 >14 u *98 S\57/ Is of May 1 4 - - Lothian 6 >8 >8 *89 6.5 Borders 2 2 1 6 Argyll 2, 36 3 14 4.7 Clyde Is. 2 D; 2 12 6.0 Clyde 6 >20 c.15 *Q2 6.1 Ayr 16 >21 >12 *85 4.9 D&G 3 3 1 8 - No details from P&K. *- count includes creche totals. Mandarin Aix galericulata Breeding: Bord single prs seen at 3 sites on Eye Water; Arg 4prs laid 55 eggs and hatched 47 young in Tawny Owl boxes L.Eck; 2 other broods at Glenbranter House & Strachur House that may have nested in natural sites; High 3prs nested Farr, Strathnairn; 1f shot, 1f predated by Pine Marten, | brood hatched. Elsewhere: 1f Kingston M&N 10-14 Feb; pr Tomich H 15 Mar; 1f Stoneywood Mill NE 7-18 May; Im Rouken Glen Clyde 25 May-26 Sep; 1f Carlingwark D&G in Jul & Sep; 1m Kinloch NE 29 Sep-2 Oct; 1m Banchory Devenick NE 19 Oct. 3rd record for M&N, 4th for D&G. Wigeon Anas penelope Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov _ Dec L.of Harray Ork 1998 990 ~=—1068 - 2384 2290 Widewall Ork 800 2500 750 - 400 1500 Brora shore H 650 177 - 429 - 1602 Domoch F. H WA alghul - 11615 Stew lit Cromarty F.H 5125 4334 - 8516 - 8430 Beauly F. H 475 1010 - 1452 Soy) Inverness F.H 1680 2701 - 4947 - 5459 Strathbeg NE 450 1000 645 750 305 1000 LL Sa a ST I ST R.D.Murray [Ed] Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec L.of Skene NE 800 760 nc ne ne nc Findhonm M&N_ 1091 725 ne 1158 760 1204 Loss Est. M&N 1500 1040 500 260 821 830 Montrose A&D 1650 - 627 2460 2735 - Carsebeck P&K 1175 1220 - - - 874 Eden Est. F - 1023 500 410 - 1373 Tyninghame LL 1080 810 S088 101s 1080; , 929 Clyde Est Clyde 397 485 369 861 659 Soe Caerlav'ck D&G 1300 722 576 736 682 . 579 Also 2,210 L.of Broadhouse Ork, 1,500 L.of Isbister Ork in Jan; 830 L.Eye H & 560 Bogside Ayr in Feb; 484 L.Indaal, Islay Arg in Mar; 2,700 L.of Tankerness Ork, 1,500 L.of Harray in Sep; 1,760 L.Ryan D&G, 1,192 L.Indaal & L.Gruinart, Islay Arg, 1,100 Wigtown Bay D&G & 650L.Ussie H in Oct; 1,270 L.of Lintrathen A&D in Nov; 792 Whiteness Head H, 650 Bogside in Dec. Breeding: Shet bred 4-5 sites; Ork 9 sites, 12prs bred at 6; Caith 2 sites; High 28prs Insh Marshes (39); M&N 2prs at 2 sites, 1 with br2; NE 2 broods Braemar; A&D 12prs at 5 sites with 4 broods; Fife pr+br6 Ballo Res. with 7 ads L.Gelly in Jun; Bord 5 sites, br3 seen; Arg Aprs at 2 sites, br5 L.Awe; Clyde | site; D&G 3 sites but no evidence of breeding. * American Wigeon Anas americana lm Montrose Basin A&D from 1995-21 Feb; Im Aberlady Bay L 1995-22 Mar; 1m Flemington M&N 16 Mar-9 Apr; Im L.of Strathbeg NE 20-22 Mar, presumably same there 11-20 Apr; 1m Carsebeck P&K 27 Apr. 1f Hogganfield L. and Springburn Park Clyde 14 Sep- 31 Dec; 1m L.of Gards Shet 1-10 Oct, probably same at N.Ronaldsay Ork 12-18 Oct; 1m L.Leodasay, N.Uist OH 10 Nov-1997; 1m Kilconqhuar L., Ruddon's Pt. & Cameron Res. F 17 Nov-22 Dec. 1 hybrid (with Wigeon) L.of Kinnordy A&D 17 Nov (L.Loirston NE bird from 1995 ?). Photo: Aberlady bird, Birding World 9: 147. american Wigeon Peter Donnelly from Orkney Bird Report wean 2 Pret eR TES 2S te eta ttes 17 Gadwall Anas strepera 9 Gartloch Pool Clyde in Jan; 20 N.Ronaldsay Ork in Feb; 13 Gartloch Pool in Mar. Elsewhere counts: 2 Shet, 3 Fair Is, 2 Caith, 6 High, 3 M&N, 1 NE, 4 Fife, 3 Loth, 2 Bord, 6 Arg, 6 Ayr, 4 D&G. Spring max: 22 Gartloch Pool & 12 Musselburgh L in Apr;12 Birney L. F in May; 17 Strathbeg NE in Jun. Breeding: Ork S5prs, 2 broods N.Ronaldsay, br9 Shapin- say; High br3 N.Sutherland; NE 2prs Strathbeg; A&D 17prs at 4 sites, 12prs & 48 young L.of Kinnordy; P&K pr at one site; Fife brood NW Fife; Loth br3 Bavelaw, Ist breeding Lothian since 1961; Bord pr may have bred Bemersyde; Arg br2 L.Gruinart, Islay -/ st breed- ing for island; Clyde 9br67 Baron's Haugh with br4 Gartloch & br11 Strathclyde L.. Autumn: 88 Baron's Haugh in Aug; 147 Baron's Haugh in Sep. 23SE Strathy Pt. H 1 Oct. 70 Forfar L. A&D, 41 L.of Kinnordy & 18 N.Ronaldsay & 13 Lochore Meadows F in Oct; 41 Baron's Haugh in Dec. Teal Anas crecca 2,590 Highland Firths H, 1,100 Mersehead D&G, 821 L.Gruinart/L.Indaal, Islay Arg, 678 Caerlaverock D&G, 531 Forth Est. Forth, 452 Carsebeck P&K, 440 Bogside Ayr, 350 L.of Mey Caith, 330 Balgray Res. Clyde , 330+ Eden Est. F in Jan; 3,813 Highland Firths, 370 L.of Strathbeg NE, 350 St.Fergus L. NE in Feb. Breeding: Shet br7 at | site; Ork bred 10 sites; Caith 2br12 noted; High 77prs Insh Marshes (88); M&N 5br15 at 5 site, present 4 others; NE 5br21 at 4 sites; A&D present 6 sites with 10prs L.of Kinnordy; P&K 14prs +9 broods Stathallan, bred 2 sites at 650m Forth 1 site; Bord 13+prs at 10 sites, br8 only; Arg 28prs L.Gruinart, Islay; Clyde c.23at 12 sites, but only 1 brood; Ayr 24prs at 17 sites with 7br37; D&G 30prs L.Ken in Apr but only 12prs later and just 3 broods. Winter: 1,000 L.Eye H in Sep; 3,664 Highland Firths, 2,300 L.of Strathbeg, 1,599 L.Gruinart/L.Indaal, 1,129 Hule Moss B, 720 N.Ronalday Ork in Oct; 4,320 Mersehead, 1,071 Caerlaverock, 640 L.of Lintrathen A&D, 368 L.of Kinnordy in Nov; 1,580 Mersehead, 1,468 L.of Strathbeg, 725 Clyde Est. Clyde & 609 Forth Est. in Dec. * Green-winged Teal A. c. carolinensis 1 L.of Gards Shet 1995-14 Apr; 1 Bogside Ayr 1995- 27 Feb; 1 Balgray Res. Clyde 3 Jan-13 Apr, with 2 there 23 Mar; 1 Eden Est. F 14 Feb & Shelly Pt. F 5-6 Mar; 1 L.of Strathbeg NE 27 Apr & 10 May; 1 Bogside- Doonfoot Ayr 17 May. 1 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg 15 Oct; 1 Tiree Arg 27 Nov- 1997; 1 L.of Strathbeg 2-4 Nov & 2-7 Dec; | Shelly Pt./ Eden Est. 12 Nov-15 Dec; 1 Lochportain, N.Uist OH 19 Nov; | Waulkmill Glen Res. Clyde 26 Nov was pre- sumably a returning Balgray bird. Bird with hybrid features seen Donmouth in Jan & Strathbeg in May. 18 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 3,588 Highland Firths H, 1,149 Tweed Haughs B, 444 L.of Strathbeg NE, 437 L.Spynie MK&N, 431 Clyde Est. Clyde, 400 Bogside Ayr, 350 Carlingwark D&G and 332 Mill Dam, Shapinsay Ork in Jan; 398 Forth Est. Forth & 360 Widewall Bay, S. Ronaldsay Ork in Feb. 2,529 Clyde WeBS counts in Jan. Breeding: 1st broods: 22 Apr High, 26 Apr Bord, 30 Apr Ork,15 May Shet. Fair Is br3; Ork bred 13 sites ; High 173prs Insh Marshes (217). Area Broods Juvs MBS Area Broods Juvs MBS Ork 10 ? - Fife 50 259-2 FairIs 1 3 3.0 Forth 4 ? - Caith q/ 43 6.1 Loth 34 3944.2 M&N 19 ? - Bord 76 410 5.4 NE 34 (100: 29= Clyde 231°, 937.41 A&D = 26 125 = 5.4" Ayr 18 INO Ost 600 Gadloch Clyde in Aug; 1,149 Tweed Haughs, 585 Caerlaverock D&G, 500 Nith Est. D&G, 456 Carron Valley Res. Clyde in Sep; 486 Clyde Est., 400 Egilsay Ork in Oct; 820 Mill Dam, Shapinsay, 540 L.of Lintrathen A&D in Nov; 3,151 Highland Firths, 1,450 L.of Stragbeg, 601 Forth Est., 568 Kilconquhar L. F, 450 Balgavies L. A&D, 400 L-Ryan D&G in Dec. 3,596 Clyde WeBS total in Oct. Pintail Anas acutaa Jan-Apr max: 1,028 Nith Est. D&G, 813 Highland Firths H, 254 Bayfield H, 195 Caerlaverock D&G, 89 Finninness D&G, 88 Montrose Basin A&D, 60 Beauly F. H, 57 Castle L. D&G in Jan; 102 Wigtown Bay D&G, 52 L.Indaal/L.Gruinart, Islay Arg, 47 Skinflats Forth in Feb; 32 L. of Strathbeg NE in Mar. Breeding: Shet 2prs Fetlar but no evidence of breeding; Ork 12 sites held 16prs, only 1 nest & 3 broods seen; High 3prs Insh Marshes, cl10 found & 1 young fledged, 1f on nest L.Insh; NE 2-3prs but no evidence; Loth 1m in Aberlady in Jun; Arg c.6prs at 3 sites on Islay, Mull & Tiree with 2br7 Tiree; D&G pr at site but no evidence of breeding. Autumn: 1,150 Caerlaverock, 40 L.of Strathbeg in Sep; 467 Highland Firths, 40 N.Ronaldsay in Oct; 950 Merse- head D&G, 800 Carse oo D&G, 66 Montrose in Nov; vee teat Blue-winged Teal & Teal 5 Pete Wilson Highland 2,950 Caerlaverock, 252 Bunchrew H, 217 Wigtown Bay, 79 Luce Bay D&G, 52 Skinflats in Dec. Garganey Anas querquedula Up to 37 in spring, 4 in autumn. Area Mar Apr Apr May May Jun 1-30 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-16 N.Isles 8 9 9 4 8 5 N.Scot 1 - - 8) - - NE Scot 4 1 1 3 5 3 E/C Scot 1 1 5 6 2 2 SE Scot - - - 2 5 - W.Scot - - 3 6 5 SW Scot 1 - 2 5) 2 1 1996 15 11 20 29 Pai 13 1995 0 5 6 33 16 3 Early influx: 1 Balfour Mains,Shapinsay Ork 17 Mar; Lieurary Caith 26 Mar; 7 Fair Is 18-30 Mar; 2 Tugnet M&N & 1 L.of Kinnordy A&D 24 Mar; 1 Bridgestone D&G 30 Mar. Max counts: 4 Grangemouth Forth on 28 Apr; 4 L.of Kinnordy 11 May; 3 L.of Strathbeg NE 12 May-1 Jun; 4 Gadloch Pools Clyde 19 May. Breeding: Ork breeding suspected N.Ronaldsay; NE pair linged Strathbeg; A&D 2 prs L.of Kinnordy, 1 bred raising br1, /st record for area; Clyde pr +2m Gadloch Pools in May, the female at least summered and a failed breeding attempt seems likely. 18 (min4 mm) Blackford P.,Edinburgh L 5 Aug suggests several others bred successfully somewhere else in Scotland. Autumn: f Gadloch last seen 13 Aug; 1 Musselburgh L 8-12 Aug, with 2-3 there on 20-26 Aug; | Seafield P. L 9-10 aug; 1f Wards P. Clyde 20 Aug; | L.of Spiggie Shet 24 Aug; 1 Baron's Haugh Clyde 8-9 Sep; 1 L.of Spiggie 22 Sep; 1f Castlehill Caith 30 Sep. See Gibson, Clyde Bird Report 10:143 for note on possible breeding. * Blue-winged Teal Anas discors 1m Munlochy Bay H 30 Mar; 1m Douglas Estate eCibie 12-19 May; Im Bavelaw L 21-22 May. Probably same individual - Ist for Clyde, 2nd for Lothian. See Hurley & Hurley, Lothian Bird Report 1996 for details of Lothian bird. Bird Report a R.D.Murray [Ed] 19 Shoveler Anas clypeata Winter max: 24 Forfar L. A&D in Jan; 49 Mill Dam, Shapinsay Ork, 25 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg, 18 Baron's Haugh Clyde in Mar; 35 Caerlaverock D&G, 18 L.of Strathbeg NE in Apr. Breeding: Ork 13-14prs present 8 sites, 4br17 seen; OHeb br3 L.nam Feithean, N.Uist; Caith 3-Sprs at 3 sites, min | juv; A&D 7prs Kinnordy with 18 young, lpr Dun's Dish; Loth S5prs Bavelaw 2br17 seen; Bord c.6-9prs at 4 sites, 3br16 Folly L. & br4 Ploughlands P.; Arg 17prs L.Gruinart, Islay reared several broods, an- other site Islay and poss.bred L.Bhasapol, Tiree; Clyde 6prs at 5 sites, br10 Baron's Haugh & br7 Merryton; Ayr br4 Knochshinnoch; D&G 6prs L.Ken. Aug-Dec max: 380 L.of Strathbeg NE, 39 Bemersyde B in Sep; 50 Montrose Basin A&D, 29 Baron's Haugh Clyde in Oct; 70 Hirsel B, 57 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg, 54 Hule Moss B, 39 Garnqueen Clyde in Nov; 34 Caerlaverock D&G in Dec. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 1m+3f Martnaham L. Ayr 2 Jan with 1f there to 4 Jan; 2m Forfar L. A&D 8 Sep with 3m there 9 Sep; 1m Martnaham L. 19 Oct, joined by f 30 Nov, both there into 1997; 1m Kilconquhar L. F 24-26 Oct; 1m Balgavies L. A&D 26 Oct; 1m L.of Strathbeg NE 29 Oct-4 Nov. pr Linlithgow L. L 1-3 Nov, m rto 17 Nov. Pochard Aythya ferina Jan Feb Mar Sep/Oct Nov Dec Boardhouse Ork 69 49 ne 855 913 719 L.of Harray Ork 530 1103 293 ne? — 542° “ltd L.Watten Caith =2 150 - 180 - 580 Kilconquhar L.F 150 - - 170 - 682 L.Gelly F 28 - - 260) = 353 - Linlithgow L.L Balgray Res.Cl 1336 1315 674 34 alell 1 754 Ork WeBS, 250 Girvan shore Ayr, 172 south L.Lomond Clyde in Jan; 217 Invergowrie Bay A&D, 130 Pitscow NE, 107 Cameron Res. F in Mar; 300 Balgray Res. Clyde in Apr. Breeding: A&D 2prs bred L.of Kinnordy but broods failed, br5 Rescobie L.; P&K prbred | site; Fife 4prs reared 21 young at 2 new sites; Loth unmated birds at 2 sites; Bord c.11 prs at 7 sites, 4br12 seen; Clyde single mm at 5 sites; Ayr 1f perhaps paired with Tufted Duck; D&G Im only. Autumn/winter: 1,864 L.Gelly F in Aug was very unusual; 1,518 L.Gelly in Sep; 314 Lochore Meadows F, 300 L.of Skaill Ork in Oct; 500 St.John's L. Caith, 193 L.of Hundland Ork, 168 L.of Strathbeg NE, 122 Monikie Park A&D in Nov; 2,151 Ork WeBS, 588 Clyde WeBS, 450 Largo Bay F in Dec. * Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris 1 Carlingwark L. D&G 19 Jan-20 Feb. 10th for area. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Largest flocks: Jan Feb Mar Aug-Oct Nov Dec L.ofStennessOrk 20 41 64 12 127 458 L.of Harray Ork 475 800 365 NC SS5* WSU Beauly/Inv.F. H 547 474 - 225 - 629 L.Ussie H LP 36e20133 - 268 - 39 Dinnet L. NE LA ie 32 Re 57. 132 e501290 128 Kilconquhar L.F 164 - - V4) 296, (788 LinlithgowL.L 129 .92 119 33977 285 “158 Leith Docks L 568 300 4 - BalgrayR.Cly 161 72 61 GGT 33 Hogganfield L.Cly 78 75 88 185 130 =100 Martnaham L.Ayr 58 152 76 130) 2128 98 Other good counts include: 220 Forfar L. A&D in Jan; 348 Cameron Res. F, 343 Gladhouse L, 318 Meikle L. NE, 280 L.of Tankerness Ork, 233 L.of Strahbeg NE, 189 Lochwinnoch Clyde in Aug; 178 Lindores L. F, 150 Portmore L. B in Oct; 320 Monikie Park A&D, 224 L.Gelly F in Nov; 450 Largo Bay F & 200 St.Margaret's L. L in Dec. Breeding: Sites Pairs Broods Young MBS ? Orkney 2 i 10 ? Caith 1 1 1 8 8.0 High 9 Sy 3 11 3.0 M&N 13 >15 6 30 6.0 NE 5 >30 30 32 4.3 A&D 5 SIH) >7 >31 - Fife 10 >23 >23 149 5.6 Forth 5 6 3 14 4.7 Lothian 10 >22 22 >40 3.6 Borders 34 111 38 222 5.8 Clyde 24 >37 Sy) 143 3.9 Ayrshire 11 Dy 5 25 5.0 Hybrid with Ring-necked Duck noted Fair Is 1 Nov. Scaup Aythya marila Peak site counts: Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov Dec L.of Harray Ork 8 260 - 50 20 5 L.of Stenness Ork 361 119 323 Sees 229 Dornoch F. H 126 0 - d/ = “122 Cromarty F. H 233 RDS - 99 - 81 Methil F 384 326 323 - - 40 L.Indaal Arg 420 970 260 200 740 800 Clyde Est. Cly 100 98 134 0 2 28 Ayr-Prestwick Ayr131 127 100 7 Sy) 122 Auchebarvie Ayr 130 156 97 12 44 60 Other large counts: 156 St.Andrews Bay F in Jan; 424 W.Wemyss F, 86 Montrose Basin A&D, 73 Ythan Est. NE in Feb;240 L.Indaal, Islay 1 May; 2,000 Carsethron D&G in Oct; 160 Southerness D&G, 23 Montrose Basin in Nov; 2,000 Carsethorn, 1,320 L.Ryan D&G in Dec. 70S Machrihanish Arg 30 Sep. 3 L.of Clikimin Shet 26 Jul was only Jun-Aug record. 1m Scaup x Tufted hybrid returned Auchenbarvie Ayr 29 Jan-10 Mar for 4th year. Another L.of Asta & L.of Clikimin Shet 13 Sep-3 Oct. 20 Scottish Bird Report 1996 * Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Ad m St.John's L. & L.Watten Caith 1-19 Feb, return- ing St.John's L. 28-31 Dec. First for Caithness, third for Scotland. Eider Somateria mollissima Winter-spring max: 6,000 Tay Est. F/A&D, 2,268 Ciyde Est. Clyde, 1,940 Montrose Basin A&D in Jan; 1,475 Girvan shore Ayr in Feb; 16,800 Tay Est, 9,800 Barry Buddon (flock of) A&D, 2,231 S.Forth L, 1,330 Ythan Est. NE in Mar. 3,216 Ythan Est. & 2,258 Leith L in Jun; 3,124 Barassie shore Ayr in Jul; 3,100 Girvan shore, 1.492 Girdleness NE in Aug; 5,355 Shet census (including Fair Is) in Aug (16,500 in'77, 11,800in'84 & 7,000 in'93). 7,861 Clyde Est.,6,110S.Forth, 2,100 Montrose Basin, 1,200 Gailes shore Ayr in Sep; 2,500 Methil F in Oct; 1,500 Largs shore Ayr, 1,500 Girvan shore in Dec. Breeding: first broods: Ork 16 May, Ayr 19 May, Shet 27 May, Clyde 28 May, Caith 19 Jun. Ork 39 young from 40 nests Hoy; Caith 67 young, including 17br52; High 20prs Handa fledged just 2 young, 87 nests Nigg, just 8 broods & only 14 fledged; M&N 8br31 noted; NE just 31 young from major colony Ythan Est. thought to be due to poor condition of adults after the winter period; A&D 250 ducklings Montrose Basin; Is of May 1,070 nests, 3% down on '95; Fife only 5-8 young at Eden Est.; F.of Forth 1,626 nests Firth of Forth (including Is of May & Loth); Loth eae e) a cas —-% P23 ae: NY EN te ye ee Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Site Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov _ Dec Shet max 157 ofp 60 67 - 156 Ork max 137 180 200 S250 700 Burghead M&N 450 . = +970 - 385 Methil F DAS = 2207 312 - - 142 S.Forth L 146 73 141 IO 2B 416 * note RSPB funding for Moray Firth counts ceased in 1995. Others: 250 Peninerine, S.Uist OH in Jan; 500 Lothbeg Pt. H, 80 Rattray Head NE in Feb; 69 Peterhead NE in Mar; 1,710 Methil, 750 Wide Firth Ork, 467 Holm Sound Ork, 420 Lothbeg Pt., 260 Kingston M&N, 195 a ee) 178 young noted; Arg 54 young Colonsay, 8prs fledged 14 young L.Gruinart & creche of 22 at Machrihanish; Clyde 63 broods with 149 young (MBS 2.4); Ayr 438prs Horse Is., total 638 young seen MBS 4.7 where identifiable. Note: RSPB monitoring in Moray Firth ceased in 1995. *King Eider Somateria spectabilis 1m Tresta Shet from 1995 to 26 May, returning 14 Sep into 1997; 1m Mousa Sound Shet from 1995 to 26 Apr, returning 17 Nov; 1f L.Ryan D&G from 1995 to 4 Mar; single m Tayport F-Broughty Ferry A&D on various dates 22 Jan-24 Mar with 2m on 22 Feb, 1m returning Tayport area 26-28 Nov; 1m off Ythan Est. NE5 Mar- 28 Jun, probably also at Peterhead 4 May;1f Aberlady Bay L.27 Jun-10 Jul; 1m Hopeman-Lossiemouth M&N 13-Oct-22 Dec. Photos: Aberlady f Birding World 9:256 and Ythan m Birding World 9: 486. * Steller's Eider Polisticta stelleri Left wing of ad m found on Fetlar Shet on beached bird survey 31 Mar. First for Shetland, 14th for Britain. Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus 2f Kennedy's Pass Ayr 13-27 Apr. First record for Ayrshire, 13th-14th birds for Britain. See Murphy, Ayrshire Bird Report 1996: 72 for account. Photos: Birding World 9; 126 & 474, British Birds 90: 474. Harlequin Ducks Andrew Stevenson Ayrshire Bird Report Winner of Best Artwork in a Scottish Local Bird Report L.of Tankerness Ork, 120 Carnoustie Bay A&D, 107 St.Andrews Bay F, 100 Lunan Bay A&D in Apr; 95 Peterhead in May. Jun-Aug singles Haroldswick Shet & Montrose Basin A&D. 470E Chanonry Pt. H 12 Oct, with 869W there 27 Nov & 396W on 7 Dec. Also: 400 Dunnet Bay Caith & 36 Don shore NE in Oct; 117 Aberlady L in Nov; 115 S.Yell Sound Shet in Dec. Inland birds: Methven L. P&K in Jan;L.of Mentieth Forth in Mar; Martnaham L. Ayr in May; Balgavies L. A&D in Oct; L.of Lowes P&K in Dec. R.D.Murray [Ed] Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Site Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec M&N max 390 - = (800... 312 - 500 Largo B. F - 488 1444 - - 296 - St.AndrewsF 988 OO. S2) - 4159 Aberlady L 1O0RT 710% 430" 1047 313-139) 147 Counts well down NE and A&D. Elsewhere on E.coast: 1,700 Murcar shore NE, 200 Musselburgh L & 100 Delnies M&N in Jun; 200 Murcar in Sep; 850 Gosford shore L in Dec. On W.coast max:62 Doonfoot Ayr in Jan; 73 L.Indaal, Islay Arg in Mar; 150 Balcary Pt. D&G in Sep; 80 L.Indaal in Oct; 40 Maidens shore Ayr in Dec. Max movements were 42N/27S Peterhead NE 27 May and 110N Eyemouth B 3 Jul. In contrast 56S past Machrihanish (254hrs) Jul-Nov. Breeding: Caith 3prs at 1 site; High apparent decline Sutherland, 3ff with 2br4 W.Ross; P&K seen 4 sites , bred at one; Arg 13prs Islay, pr Mid-Argyll. Inland: 1f Aird Meadow Clyde 17 Aug; 1f Bemersyde B 29 Sep-1 Oct; 1f Fannyside L. Clyde 17 Oct. Hybrid Common x Surf Lossiemouth & Burghead MA&N in Feb for 2nd year. *Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata Forth: 1mSt.Andrews Bay F 3 Jan; 3m+1fRuddon's Pt. Largo Bay F 1 Jan-20 Apr with 3m to 12 May, with max 4m+1f there 3 Mar-20 Apr. Last 1m there 18 May. 1m Musselburgh L 2-22 Feb. Im Largo Bay 13 Oct, 2m+1f there 9 Nov-1997. Im St.Andrews Bay 23 Nov-1 Dec. Moray Firth: 1m Burghead area M&N 22-23 Jan, 2m there 2 Feb & 17-21 Feb, 1 Dornoch H 25 Feb-3 Mar. 1m Cairnbulg NE 11-13 Feb; 2m Murcar NE 30 Jun-1 Jul with 1m there to 4 Jul. 2m Burghead 4 Oct-31 Dec. Others: 1f Lagganulva, Mull Arg 21-28 Apr; 1m flew S Mains of Usan A&D 29 Oct; 1m Inganess Bay Ork on 10 Nov-3 Dec with If there 9-19 Dec. 6th for Argyll. Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca Site Jan Feb Mar Oct Nov _ Dec Inganess Ork - - - Sil Di, 27 M&N max 183 - - 150 - - Largo Bay F - 76 189 23 - 55 St.Andrews F 42 - - 154 942 - S.Forth L 25 53 123 2 98 644 Mussleburgh L 8 500 37 75 23 147 Note: cessation of Moray Firth counts from late 1995. Also 560 Aberlady L & 30 Sinclair's Bay Caith in Feb; 260 Largo Bay & 21 Echnalcoh Bay Ork in Apr; 50 Murcar NE Jun-Sep; 300 Kinnaber A&D in Jul; 250 Musselburgh L, 153 Burghead Bay M&N, 66 Inganess Bay in Aug; 500 Kinnaber in Oct; 550 Gosford shore L & 25 Sinclair's Bay in Dec. Max 11S Fife Ness F 7 Jul; 11N Fife Ness 8 Sep; 10S Peterhead NE 16 Oct. Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Site peaks Jan Feb Mar Apr Oct Nov _ Dec Stenness Ork 107. 167 128 - 97 350 Highland Firths H 553-772 - - 147 - 631 Skene NE 145 110 50 - nc nc nc Leven F 2100 - 884 - - - - S.Forth L 243 281 73 28 Qypol33inw201 Tweed HaughB 264 174 259 - 6 208 201 ClydeEst Clyde 439 584 939 146 13. 642 922 Doonfoot Ayr 494 612 408 - SaelOD en eae) Dipple Ayr 648 535 462 16 = 2251001665 Also 310 Invergowrie Bay A&D, 301 in R.Deveron survey NE, 156 R.Clyde at Abington Clyde, 150 Mont- rose A&D in Jan; 143 Balgray Res. Clyde in Feb; 370 Stannergate A&D, 160 Monfieth A&D in Mar; 442 Eden Est. F in Apr; 140 Mugdrum Is. F in Nov; 166 L.Ryan D&G in Dec. breeding: High SOff laid 494 eggs in boxes at Insh & Abernethy, 37 hatched 280 young with MBS 7.6, about 25 others nested in Speyside; M&N 1f with fledged juvs on 16 Jul; P&K 2 broods. Summering L.of Strathbeg max 97 in Jul; also Ork (10), Caith (4), Fife (5), Bord, Clyde (8), Ayr and D&G. Smew Mergellus albellus Area Jan Feb MarApr-May Oct Nov _ Dec N Isles 1 2 2 - - - 1 N Scot . 4 4 - - - - NE Scot 9 8 7 1 - 3 5) E/C Scot 2 8 2 4 - - 1 SE Scot 2 2 2 - - - - W.Scot 14 11 6 1 - - 1 SW Scot 6 14 12 6 - 2 5 1996 34 49 35 12 0 5 13 1995 14 17 15 9 0) 6 22! Best counts: 8 L.of Strathbeg NE 27 Jan and 25 Feb; 6 Martnaham L. Ayr 10-23 Feb; 3 Lochwinnoch Clyde 8-9 Jan; 3 Carlingwark D&G 17 Mar-8 Apr. Last Kilburnie L. Ayr 28 Apr; first L.of Strathbeg 27 Nov. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Site J F M A O N D L.Stenness Ork 62 93 78 - 18 22 58 Highland F. H 158 184 - - 316 - 330 Delnies M&N 5 3 ee Als 64 0 4 Ythan Est .NE 40 39 23 24 29 28 24 S.Forth Loth Tin 162) 9229) 6220" 214) 180 e140 Clyde Est. Clyde 138 175 292 - S69) 122230 Also: 130 Yell Sound Shet in Jan; 101 Tresta Voe Shet in Feb; 105 L.of Tankerness Ork in May; 125 Rhuna- haorine Pt. Arg & 85mm Balintraid H in Jun; 300 Luce Bay D&G, 168 Montrose A&D, 156 Laggan Bay, Islay Arg in Jul; 242 Dipple Ayr, 200 Sallachan Pt. H, 187 Largo Bay F in Aug; 217 Barassie Ayr, 133 Bogside Ayr in Sep; 548 Nairn/Culbin Bars M&N in Oct. Breeding: Shet bred 3 sites; Ork 16ff at 8 sites, 10br58; High Sprs Insh Marshes, 3br20, 9prs Alness, 2br19 at 2 other sites; M&N 4 sites with 4br17; A&D 3 sites with 3br32; Forth br3 Killin; Clyde 4 sites, 5br40& creche of 23 Ardmore Pt.; Ayr 99 sites with 5br19 noted. 22 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Goosander Mergus merganser Increased levels in Clyde area census 13-22 Jan where 697 birds found 13-22 Jan, max 339 Strathclyde L., well above the WeBS total of 128!. This compares to a much reduced 521 (794) noted R.Tweed B census 21 Jan due to ac.third of river being frozen, max 171 Hirsel B roost 20 Jan. 91 R.Deveron census NE 21-24 Jan. Elsewhere max counts: 38 L.of Skene NE, 30 Lochore Meadows F in Jan; 106 Lochmaben D&G, 80 Roughrigg Res. Clyde, 68 L.Ken D&G, 34 Martnaham L. Ayr in Feb; 55 Hillend Res. Clyde, 46 Portmore L. B, 42 Cobbinshaw L, 40 R.Forth nr. Teith Forth in Mar Pre-moult and moult flocks: 198 south L.Lomond Clyde, 84 Hirsel, 34 Inverurie NE in May; in Jun; 204 Tay Est. F & 70 Tyninghame L in Jul; 184 southern L.Lomond, 90 Montrose Basin A&D, 62 Speymouth M&N, 50 Endrick Mouth Clyde, 31 Eden Est. F in Aug; Breeding: High 8prs Insh Marshes (7); NE 3br21 noted Dee & Glen Tanar; A&D a few birds on N.Esk ; Forth 4br24 noted; Bord 10br104 noted including br16, good MBS10.4 (6.1); Arg 10 sites, with br7; Clyde record total 22br139 (MBS 6.3), including 1st record for Glas- gow and br17; Ayr 18 sites with 4br28 . 135 Endrick Mouth, 91 Cults Res. NE, 64 Balmaha Clyde, 47 Galafoot B in Sep; 64 Gart L. Forth, 50 Bemersyde B in Oct; 120 Strathclyde L., 56 Hogganfield L. Clyde, 55 Donmouth NE in Nov; 132 Castle L. D&G, 130 Hirsel, 97 Auchenreoch D&G, 84 Stanely Res. Clyde in Dec. Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Jan singles Forfar L. A&D (2), Gartmorn Forth, Bishop L. & Hogganfield L. Clyde & Hunterston Ayr. First Bord 8 Feb, Fife 1 Mar, NE 11 Apr, D&G 25 Apr. 2f L.of Asta Shet in Jun Area Sites mm ff bred broods Ork 1 2 0 - - NE 3 7 2 1 br5 A&D 5 29 13 6 2br6 P&K 4 ? ? >I brl Fife 6 >20 >20 4 4br10 Forth 1 1 0 - - Lothian 4 6 1 - - Borders 9 DF, 17 8 8br33 Clyde 15 c.28 en: 13 13br45+ Ayr 1 1 0 = = D&G 1 1 1 2 - Total 50 112 71 >33 29br100 Usual autumn dispersal, including records from M&N, Ayr and D&G. Few NE, A&D after Aug suggesting some early movement S. Max counts: 25 Folly L. B 10 Aug; 48 Kilconquhar L. F 17 Aug; 30 Forfar L. 29 Aug; 104 Kilconquhar L. 20 Oct; 24 Woodend L. Clyde 24 Oct; 15 Hogganfield L. 18 Nov; 29 Kilnconquhar L. 21 Nov. A few birds in Dec: Ork (1), NE (4), Fife (4), Forth (2), Loth (1), Clyde (6) & Ayr (1). *Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Singles Dowlaw B 20 May; Rendall Ork 23 May; Stronsay Ork 26 May; Auchgendennan Glen, Arden Clyde 2 Jul; Stronsay 6 Sep; 1 Longnidry L 15 Sep; L.of Kinnordy A&D 9 Sep. 3 in spring, 1 in summer, 3 in autumn. [1995] 1 Sumburgh Shet 25 Jun. Red Kite Milvus milvus 22 territories were occupied in 1996, the same as in 1995. Eggs were laid by 17 pairs of which 16 fledged 39 young, the most successful outcome to date. The average brood size remained similar to previous years, as did overall produc- tion. All 15 pairs that bred in 1995 survived to breed in 1996, almost all remaining faithful to their partners. While 72% of the successful nests in 1995 were re-used in 1996, none of the 4 unsuccessful nests were occupied again. 92 93 94 95 96 Territories 1 5 16 22 22 Nests with eggs 1 5 8 15 M7 Nests with broods 1 3 6 11 16 Young fledged 1 7 13 26 39 Mean Brood Size 1.0 2.3 2.2 2.4 2.4 1996 Raptor Round Up SOC, SRSG'S & SNH. Away from the release area birds were reported from Shet, Caith, NE (3), A&D (3), P&K, Loth, Bord (2), Clyde (2), D&G (4) during Jan-May and in Shet, OHeb,NE (5), Bord, Arg (3), D&G (4) during Aug-Dec. Two new communal roosts were located, one had up to 18 birds using it regularly, the other with held 20-22 birds. All 3 roosts were used concurrently. New release in Forth area of 19 wing and radio-tagged juvs 1 Aug. These formed a communal roost but only 8 were present in Dec. Dispersing birds were recorded in Ayrshire, Stranraer, Cumbria, N. Yorkshire & Antrim. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla There were 12 pairs or trios holding territory in 1996, including 2 trios of males ‘paired’ with two females. All 12 territories produced a clutch of eggs but only § hatched. One trio, with two nests, may have failed through the male giving neither female sufficient assistance in incubating. The other 2 nests failed at incubation for no apparent reason. Of the 8 nests that hatched young, 7 managed to fledge young, the only failure being when the chick died 2-3 weeks after hatching for no apparent reason. The pair in the territory first occupied in ‘95 were successful as were the Scottish-bred pair that had failed on several occasions. This raised the known successful pairs to 8 in 1996. 55 young have now fledged successfully since 1985. Ten new chicks were obtained from Norway, all were successfully released. 90 91 92 93 94 95 9% Sites occupied 12) 10 AlOy ealO) ate nic eae Sites with 2/3 birds 9 9 8 Se LO LO ale Numbers of clutches 9 8 0 6 8 oF a2 Clutches hatched 2 4 4 4 4 6 8 Broods fledged 2 4 4 4 4 5 ih Young fledged 2 7 7 5 5 7 & Sea Eagle Project: Newsletter 1996 RSPB, JNCC & SNH and 1996 Highland Bird Report. ———— R.D.Murray [Ed] 23 Reports of wing-tagged birds in the High, OHeb & Arg. Away from the main range birds were seen in Ork (2), M&N (1), NE (2), A&D (1), P&K (1), Clyde (1) and D&G (1). Remarkably the Clyde record referred to a Ist-year flying over Hillhead, Glasgow 28 Mar ! Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus First 1 P&K 9 Apr; 2 L.of Strathbeg NE 13 Apr. Then D&G 14; A&D, Loth, Shet & Fife 18-20 Apr; Ayr, High, Clyde, M&N, Bord 24-28 Apr. Area Apr May May Jun Jul Aug. Sep 15-30 1-15 16-31 1-30 1-31 1-31 1-30 N Isles 3 - 4 2D 1 1 - Highland 1 3 4 3 3 3 3 NE Scot* 6 5 4 3 - - - E/C Scot’ 4 - 5 - 5 3 SE Scot DD 2 2 2 2 1 W Scot 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 SW Scot 2 2 2 1 - 1 - * Numbers approximate, “ numbers omit summering areas. High nested, br2 fledged - first breeding for Highland; NE 4 birds (3f+1m) present 6 dates Strathbeg in May but only 1m in Jun; A&D 25 records Montrose Basin in year,but immature sand adult ff only; Loth 1f sum- mered; D&G lone m built nest , juv Torrs Warren in late Aug raised speculations of local breeding. Last Caerlaverock 16 Sep; Insh 27 Sep; L.of Kinnordy A&D 30Sep; Foula Shet 1 Oct & 17-18 Oct. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus At roosts: Ork 11-14 at 2 sites Jan-Mar/15-41 at 3 sites Oct-Dec; High 8 Insh Marshes Feb, 9 there Nov; Arg c.15 at 3 sites Jan-Mar with c.23 at 3 sites Oct-Dec; D&G 7-11 at a roost. Breeding: RSG territories sites sites sites young MBS occupied __laid_ _hatched__ fledged Orkney 28 28 14 - 18 - Highland 19 19 13 13 40 Bul NE 15 y e >5 >12 2.4 Tayside 33 ? B v 45 - SE 4 ? ? 1 4 4.0 Argyll 34 30 ? 24 83 3.5 S Strathclyde 37 2 ? 15 55 37 D&G 2D 18 ? 11 36 3.3 Despite the presence of an extra 20 females, another poor season Ork, only half of the pairs hatching young and higher than usual mortality removing a third of chicks. One brood of fledged 5. The usual pattern of success on unmanaged moors and failure on managed estates continued in High. Productivity in NE is very low and the downward trend in numbers since 1989 is ascribed to persecution. The main reason for failure in Tay was due to weather while on Islay, Arg uncontrolled moor burning had an impact. In S.Scotland persecutionis rife, half of allnesting attempts inS.Straythclyde failing due to human interference and the numbers of perse- cuted nests in D&G showing a worrying increase. 1996 Raptor Round Up: SOC, SRGS, SNH. Caith pr bred but no young later; Clyde Is 4prs Bute fledged 15 young, a ‘few' on Arran. *Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus Im N.Ronaldsay Ork 20 May. 1m Carnan, S.Uist OH 22 Sep. First records for Orkney & Outer Hebrides. See Gray, Orkney Bird Report 1996:76 for note on Orkney bird. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis High seen 6-7 sites, 2prs fledged 5-6 young; M&N seen 5 sites, 3 nests found, 2 failed & another raised br3; NE prs at 13 sites 21 nests found, 10 fledged 26 young; Tayside RSG: 1 nest fledged 4 young; Bord 14 nests produced 35 young, another 8 sites failed through per- secution, disturbance and natural failures; Ayr 8 known sites but no further monitoring; D&G 12 known sites. Singles Fair Is in Apr; A&D in Jan & Apr; Clyde in Mar & Aug. No records from Shet, Ork, OHeb, Is of May, Forth, Loth & Arg. Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 4 Jan records in Shet. Breeding: Ork bred 4 sites, 2 were successful raising 2br8, present 3 other sites but breeding not confirmed; High ; Fife 2br8 reported; Arg 7 sites Cowal all fledged young; pr bred L.Gruinart, Islay: of at 2 prs mid-Argyll, 1 failed when f killed at window, br4 at other; Clyde 4br9 recorded; Ayr in a late season 21 monitored sites yielded 18 nests, 2 were displaced by Buzzards. 75 eggs were laid in 16 nests. 3 nests failed at the egg stage, 2 were robbed and another failed to hatch so fewer eggs (73%) hatched than in 1995 (85%). Nevertheless 13prs fledged 46 young (MBS 3.54). The MBP was 2.19, similar to 1995. Males chicks outnumbered females by 25:21. 28 other territories known in Ayr. Reported from 56 sites in NE , 56 in Fife, 45 in Loth & 79 in Bord. Bird/days: Clyde (4 obs); Caith & Bord (all records). re MuvAC UME ea Aw Ss ON: Datslotal Cathie Sie 4a Sore Se ele Oe 3S 60 Clyde 18 15 16 18 19 10 11 15 22 13 14 10 181 Bord 10) 5453510, 26 10 1112 20 9 97 132 Buzzard Buteo buteo Ork 2-3 prs bred Hoy with 2br2; Caith breeding behav- iour at 8 sites; High 83prs monitored, 81 laid, of which 68 hatched, 67 nests fledged 135 young, MBS 2.02, MBP 1.63, an area of E.Ross has increased from 40- 54prs in 2 years due to inflilling, with nests only 550m apart; M&N 365 records through year; NE 200 records from 100 sites, probably bred 24 sites; A& D 386 records, including 132 of 2 or more birds, 15 breeding records received; Fife 20 prs known to have bred with c.20 unconfirmed, 6br13 Saline; Loth noted 88 sites (75); Bord spread to S & W into Cheviots and Merse, 50 nests had MBS 2.16 ; Arg 21prs Colonsay, min.12 hatched young with MBS 1.88; in Cowal 21prs reared 21 young in study area but 36 other nests known of which 26 24 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Buzzard Breeding: Andrew Stevenson Occupied Laid Hatched Fledged Young MBS Ayrshire Bird Report Scotland 104 93 76 74 155 2.1 Pal in fledged at least one chick; 13prs nested Coll, 3prs raised 5 young Islay, 2prs Mull, 7prs mid-Argyll reared 10 young; Clyde 10prs seen with min.17 young; 32 territo- ries in S.Lanarkshire , 25 occupied by pairs & 7 by singles; Clyde Is 20prs bred Bute; Ayr c.102prs at 71 sites, 7prs reared min 10 young. 17 Lownie Hill A&D in Feb; 16 Abernethy H & 15 Comrie F in Mar; 22 Insh Marshes H & 15 L.of Strathbeg NE in Sep were highest counts. 4 pale morphs, "Rough-leg look-a-likes" Knockarthur H in Sep & another Kyle of Durness H in Oct. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Breeding: RSG Occupied Laid Hatched Fledged Young MBS Highland 99 ? 2 36 44 1.2 North-east 18 8 7 6 7 182 Tayside 25 ? ? 9 12 Vy Central 9 ? ? 3 3 1.0 Argyll 54 37 ? 25 29 1.2 Success was generally poor due to bad weather in the early part of the year. Success was the worst in 10 years in NE. Productivity remains low in Tayside with many ranges occu- pied by singles, immatures or remaining empty although the success of territories where birds do breed is average. Success was more limited west of the A9. Productivity was lower than the mean in Highland, especially in the west. The best success was in the east, Skye and the small islands where natural food is more abundant than on the west mainland. 1996 Raptor Round Up: SOC, SRGS, SNH Bord pr that fledged 1 juv in 1994 failed; Arran: 2prs were successful; Clyde 2prs but only 1 bred, which failed; D&G 2prs raised br1. Osprey Pandion haliaetus Singles Donside NE 3 Mar; Daer Res. Clyde 23 Mar, then D&G, M&N and Forth 30 -31Mar; A&D, Bord & Ayr 3-6 Apr; Fife, Shet & Ork 14-26 Apr; Caith 20 May. Highland 58 52 43 42 91 DED NE 7 v ? 4 8 2.0 Tayside 28 28 24 24 49 2.0 Argyll 3 3 ? 72 2 1.0 An increase of 5 nests over 1995 Several other sites had birds for afew days and 5 other pairs were known but did not nest. It is now becoming difficult to keep track of all attempts. 4- 5 nests were robbed, 13 failed at the egg stage, including a pair that was shot out in Tayside. Several failures were due to high winds in May. 2 pairs failed at the chick stage. A further 8 young were translocated to the Rutland Water experiment in England. 1996 Raptor Round Up: SOC, SRGS, SNH & local reports. Sightings of 1-3 birds in May and Jun continue in S.Scotland but no sure sign of breeding has yet occurred. No autumn birds in N.Isles. Last Caith, Clyde, Loth, Forth & Fife 13-25 Aug; NE, Bord, Ayr & Arg 6-15 Sep with last 1 Findhorn Bay M&N 24 Sep. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 wintered Shet, 15 there Mar-May. Breeding: Ork breeding confirmed at 7 of 12 sites, rearing 6br19 (MBS 3.2); High 24 nests had 97 young flying from 21, MBS 4.6; NE 7br26 (MBS 3.7) Deeside; Fife confirmed at 7 of 14 sites, rearing 7br16+ Loth noted 7 sites, 3br9 noted; Bord confirmed at 14 sites, 6prs known rear 21 young (MBS 3.5); Arg confirmed at 19 sites, 9br34 reported (MBS 3.8); Clyde c.10 territo- ries with 3br7 reported; Ayr 29 territories, 2br7 outwith study area. In the Ayrshire study area 37 territories were occupied from the 46 checked, 80% occupancy (50% in 1995). 90% of clutches were laid in Apr with 2 hens laying on Ist Apr, the earliest-ever recorded in the study. Average clutch size was very high at 5.45 (mean 5.0) and 81% of eggs hatched , again higher than the mean of 74%. 6 failed at clutch stage, 2 due to the weather, 2 to human robbery and I through the male being predated by aGoshawk! Productivity was extremely highwith a total of 127 young fledged, an MBS of 4.7 and an MBP of 3.5 for all attempts. Pairs were present in 28 sites in Highland, mostly in Suther- land & E.Ross. 71% were in nest-boxes. Mean clutch size was 5.1, a little lower than 1995 as was the MBS at 4.6 (4.7 in 1995). MBP was 3.9 and failures were mostly at the egg and early-chick stage. 1996 Raptor Round Up: SOC, SRGS, SNH and Riddle, G. (1997) in Ayrshire Bird Report 1996. Bird/days: Clyde (4 observers) & Bord ( mainly 3 observers, serious counted started in May) JF MA M_Jj__Jj..A-.S 0. N-_D _ Total Clyde 45 38 58 32 39 46 33 44 48 35 59 73 552 Bord . 5-10 10 10: 24 35 31 44 936,525.29 33 292 *Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Ist-s f Stronsay Ork 19-20 May. Ist-s m Fetlar Shet 18 Aug. R.D.Murray [Ed] 25 Merlin Falco columbarius Breeding: RSG upied Laid Hatched Fledged Young MB Shetland 19 18 16 16 56 3.5 Orkney 20 19 16 8 19-27 c.2.9 Highland 19 14 13 11 35 3.2 North-east 33 - - 28 >93 33 Tayside 40 - - 21 54 2.6 South-east 34 16 - 12 = = Argyll 1 1 - - - - S.Stra'clyde 10 - - 8 >17 S21 D&G 9 - - 8 >24 >3.0 There were a larger number of sites where the outcome was not known in 1996, either through traditional sites not being used (Argyll, M&N) or througha reduced observer effort (SE, S.Strathclyde). The recent population decline in Donside NE seems to have been reversed while Deeside seems stable after falling in recent years. Success was better than usual in Highland, despite mixed waether conditions. The losses in Highland to possible pesticides poisoning appear to have stopped as no unhatched eggs were found this year. 1996 Raptor Round Up : SOC, SRSG & SNH. See Cosnette & Rebecca, North-east Scotland Bird Report 1996: 71- 79 for review of status in area. *Hobby Falco subbuteo 6 in spring, 3 in summer, 4 in autumn. Singles Ollaberry Shet 3 May; Lethans Muir F 12 May; L.Ken-Laurieston D&G 19 May;Foula Shet 21-24 May; L.of Strathbeg NE 31 May; N.Ronaldsay NE 16 Jun, 11 Jul & 18 Jul; L.of Strathbeg 27 Jul; Kenmure Holms D&G 15 Aug; L.Gelly F 21-26 Aug; Mersehead D&G 23 Aug; Cumloden D&G 17 Sep. * Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus Intermediate-phase Point of Ayre, Deerness Ork 18 Dec & presumably the same at Tankerness Ork 23 Dec. Peregrine Falco peregrinus Breeding: RSG Occupied Laid Hatched Fledged Young MBS Shetland 1 1 1 1 4 4.0 Orkney 26 12 - 10 19 2.4 OHeb 8 - - 8 14 1.8 Highland 36 33 28 26 56 2.0 North-east 65 - - 31 >72 2.3 Tayside 82 - - 44 104 2.4 Cent 30 - - 22 43 2.0 South-east 52 - - 26 70 2.7 Argyll a - - 12 20 1.7 S.Stra'clyde 17 - - 11 23 2.1 D&G 80 60 - 47 69 iS) While the poor spring weather may have put birds off in thew &SW, persecution still appears to be important. In parts of NE, High & M&N land-use determines success. Half of 16 MEN grouse moor sites were vacant and only 1 of the 8 occupied sites was successful. A similar state of affairs exists in NE. In S.Scotland additional pressure is produced by nest robbery. Human interference is thought to have caused 17 of the 29 losses in SE while in S.Strathclyde and D&G another 11 were robbed, shot out or destroyed. The lack of natural nests sites in some areas has led birds to move onto human- built structures with pairs now nesting on a gas tower at Ravenscraig, Motherwell Clyde, as well as the Forth Bridge. Such sites may ultimately be safer than many natural sites. New areas are still being colonised, such as the Black Isle H and it is good to report that birds have returned to Shet where the last successful breeding was in 1990. 1996 Raptor Round Up: SOC. SRSG & SNH and local reports. Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus High 21mm/14ff in 1km? Abernethy reserve in spring with additional 49 young in autumn, with 3.5 chicks/ff (2.9); elsewhere in Abernethy 5.6 chick/ff:3prs Handa reared 18 juvs; M&N populations in upper Moray es- tates remains at a very low level, productivity was poor and was reflected in bags had ratios of 2 ads:1 1st-w; NE generally good success; Bord estates on neighbouring parts of the Lammermuirs reported 'not good' & 'good numbers’; Ayr high winter survival with good breeding season, ascribed mainly to good moor management and removal of sheep, one moor reporting 300 brace shot. Usual scatter of records, best counts c.50 Glen Tanar NE in Jan and 40 Ladyside B in Dec. Brood reports include: Shet br4; Ork 2br12; Caith br4; Bord 3br19; Clyde 2br12; Ayr 3br18. Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus Caith 1-2 birds Scaraben; High Cairngorm/Ben Macdui area had mean 3.5 chicks/f from 17ff and just1 broodless, 19 other sites in breeding season, 29 other sites in year; M&N 8 sites, with 4br1 1 noted; NE 13 sites including 40 Lochnagar in Oct, population currently increasing within cycle; A&D only 2 records, in Glen Isla; Arg 2 records from N.Arg & Mull; Clyde 2m Ben Lomond with br2 later in year; Clyde Is 4 sites on Arran. Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix Reported : (mostly at leks) * not including Abernethy reserve Sites —=mm ff Sites _mm ff High *15 101 19 Bord 47 189 16 M&N 9 14 6 Arg 38 83 - NE IO SH S75) Clyde 12 51 25 A&D 9 c¢.32 12 ClydelIs 1 6 é Forth 7 51 2 Ayr 30 79 3 Loth 5 8 2 D&G 18 32 D) Abernethy Forest Reserve H: 13 leks, 129-143 birds in Apr-May (47-50 in '92). Big increases in both sexes occurring since 1995 with 27 ff (19) & 17mm (6), compensating for lower breeding success of 2.7 chicks/ f (4.8). Highland Bird Report 1996. Study in Cowal Arg: 32 leks with 71mm, 78% in forestry areas & 22 on unplanted ground next to forestry. Mean lek: 2.2mm, largest lek 7mm. In 21% of leks a single m was the sole occupant. Argyll Bird Report 1996. Largest leks: 45mm+1f Muttonhall B, 30mm Bracklin Falls Forth and 25mm Glentress Water B. Fife 2 singles seen in Feb & May. 26 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus High continued increase Abernethy Forest with 41mm +29ff at 7 leks (15+5 in'89, 37+25 in'95), brood counts had mean of 1.7 chicks/f (1.4), 51 in autumn drive (50), also bred 2 other sites; M&N 8 sites, min 21mm+’7ff , 2 broods noted; NE 11 sites; Poor beeding season Glen Tanar with unsustainable production levels, Nov census shows drop from 75 in '95 to 44 in '96; welcome return of records from Donside; A&D 5 records from potential site, but no proof; P&K 2 broods noted; Forth singles at 2 sites; Arg f L.Tulla was well ouside normal range; Clyde 27 in L.Lomond islands census, maintains levels of last few year, although m/f ratio was 2:1; D&G 1m Castle Douglas Feb & May must be an escape. Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa (includes Chukar and Red-leg x Chukar hybrids) The combination of warmer summer and continued releases appear to be responsible for increases noted in M&N (7 records), NE (26), A&D (47), Fife (9) and D&G (manymore than usual). Increases High ascribed to increase in releases. Levels stable in Arg (1), Clyde (1) & Ayr (6). Fewer reports Loth & Bord. Best counts: 27 Moor of Geboch D&G in Oct; 25 Balmedie NE in Nov; 22 Dykehead A&D in Dec. Br8 Moor of Genoch was the only breeding record. The only Chukar-type were in Ayrshire (4 records) & Bord (1 record). Grey Partridge Perdix perdix A good season and increasing numbers of records from NE, Ayr and D&G. Caith max 23 Raggra were captive- bred; M&N 24 coveys noted, max 26 Welhill in Dec; NE >100 records from 55 sites, 1Oprs in 350ha. Alford, max 24 Crimond in Sep; A&D 97 records, max 23 Montrose Basin in Apr; Fife 95 Leuchars Airfield in Jan, 30prs in summer with 120 in Aug; also 8-9prs Eden Est.; Forth max 40 Bogton in Dec; Loth 6prs Aberlady (5), max 29 S.Middleton in Oct; Bord max 19 Nettlingflat in Oct; Clyde 23 breeding season records, including 6br26+, max 25 Eaglesham in Sep; Ayr 40 sites in breeding season, including 5br38, max 18 Little Mosside & 18 Kilburnie L. in Feb; D&G some releases of captive-bred stock, max count 22 High Three Mark. Quail Coturnix coturnix Birds present each month and total known to have occurred. May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Total N&W Isles 6 8 5 1 3 1 24 N Scot - 1 1 1 3 - 6 NE Scot - 4 3 1 - - 8 E/C Scot 1 3 4 5 8 = Di SE Scot - 8 6 2 1 - 16 SW Scot D, 6 3) - - - 11 1996 Oi SOF e220 nowdS 1 86 1995 Ne 49) AA 138 3 0 76 First singles Linwood Clyde 7 May; Fair Is & Stronsay Ork 21 May; Coalden F 23 May but mostly early Jun. Best counts were 3 St.Abbs B 10 Jul & 3 flushed by combine Greenland Mains Caith 9 Sep; elsewhere just 1-2 birds. Confirmed breeding Little Fithie A& D where br6 on 9 Sep; possibly bred Stronsay. Last records Fetlar Shet & St.Abbs 20-21 Sep and Foula Shet 20 Oct. Poor year: bad spring , better autumn. Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Arg Colonsay -14 calling mm (17); Forth 20 territo- ries/km? Doune (9.4); Loth 20prs Aberlady (19). Small young seen Ordiquhill NE 1 Sep, a late date. 2,000 released near L.of Strathbeg NE in Aug is typical of releases on large estates but observers rarely bother to submit records near release areas. Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus Mull Arg population of 12 birds is not self-sustaining and requires winter feeding and periodic release of new stock to survive. Other records of i-2 birds from from Kirroughtree D&G in Jan, the Warren D&G in May; Lugar Ayr & Palnure D&G in May Water Rail Rallus aquaticus c.38 Jan-Feb records from 33 sites across country, max 3 Lochore Meadows F in Feb, otherwise 1-2 birds. More records in Mar but no notable passage. Breeding: Ork 5 sites held min 9prs or singles, 3 young seen N.Ronaldsay & br3 Longhouse, St.Ola; OHeb juv seen Carinish, N.Uist; Caith 5 at 2 sites; High 7prs Insh Marshes (14), no young seen, 3+prs L.Achnacloich; M&N 4 sites; NE broods seen L.of Strathbeg, birds at 3 other sites; A& D 3prs L.of Kinnordy; Fife juv Carriston Res; Forth | site; Loth 7 broods Bavelaw, also 2 other sites; Arg 2 calling L.Gruinart & 2 L.Fada, Colonsay; Clyde 92prs and 13 singles noted from 26 sites during tape-lure survey, with 26prs Bishop L., 9prs Newshot Is., 8prs Baron's Haugh, 6prs Possil Marsh; Ayr 8 sites with min 2 juvs noted at one; D&G 4 sites. In autumn mostly passage singles noted Sep-Dec, but up to max 12 Knockshinnoch Ayr 6 Sep,4 N.Ronaldsay on 14 Sep & 4 Fair Is 25 Sep. c.50 Nov-Dec birds from 27 sites: max 8 L.Gruinart & 5 Kilconquhar L. F in Dec. *Spotted Crake Porzana porzana 2 Endrick Mouth Clyde were very early on7 Apr. Up to 3 singing L.Gruinart, Islay Arg in May, last head 1 Jun; reported 1 site Easter Ross H & 3 sites in NE (through increased observer effort) Autumn singles at Wick Caith 11 Sep; Sumburgh Shet 20 Sep; Fair Is 21 Sep; Sandvoe, N.Roe Shet 27 Sep. 1 dead Oxwell Mains L mid-Sep. R.D.Murray [Ed] 27 Corncrake Crex crex First singles Uig H 12 May. Singing birds 1993 1994 1995 1996 Orkney 6 20 39 44 Lewis,OHeb 106 89 96 104 Harris, OHeb 4 7 8 5 N.Uist OHeb 66 51 53 66 Benbecula,OHeb 17 19 23 27 S.Uist,OHeb 50 49 58 80 Barra/Vatersay OH 26 40 44 58 Skye, High 8 9 9 21 Canna, High 3 2 0 0 Rum & Muck High 2 1 0 0 Eigg High 1 2 0 0 Tiree, Arg 111 126 140 Ailes Coll, Arg 20 25 Sy) 40 Mull & Iona+,Arg 5 4 5 7 Colonsay/Oronsay A 10 6 12 8 Islay Arg 8) 14 7 Total 446 463 537 583 Numbers have increased for 3rd successive year, with an 6.5% increase over 1995. Numbers now exceed the 1988 census total of 540 males. The improvement suggests that the implementation of the Corncrake program by the RSPB, SNH and SCU has been successful. The take-up by farmers and crofters of the conservation measures still seems to be spread- ing. The only significant decline was on Tiree where there were less birds in areas of sub-optimal habitat, although the core areas were fully occupied. The factors behind this drop, which was shared to some extent in Islay and southern isles of the Inner Hebrides, are not known. Corncrake Newsletter 1996. RSPB,SNH. First singles Maeness, Egilsay Ork 3 May; Douglas Estate Clyde & Foula Shet 25 May; Udny NE 31 May. Elsewhere: Shet bred 1 site withpassing singles at 2 others; Caith 3 calling 2 sites, young seen Skarfskerry; High 5+mm Durness, 2mm Scourie & | Black Isle; NE 5 sites but no evidence of breeding. Few autumn birds with singles Shet (1), Fair Is (5), Ork (3), Arg (3) & Bord (1). The latest dates were a fresh remains in a Peregrine kill at Tay Bridge A&D 3 Oct; Fair Is 12 Oct; N.Ronaldsay Ork 23 Oct. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Max: 24 Baron's Haugh Clyde & 21 Birnie L. F in Jan; 24 Culzean Ayr in Feb; 33 Teviot Haughs B in Mar. Breeding: Sites Pairs _Broods MBS Shet 1 3 - - Ork 28 >35 - - Caith 3 3 2br2 1.0 High 2 5 - - M&N 15 c.36 NE 7 >18 - ‘ A&D 10 >30 ?br36 - Fife 11 >22 ?br64 c.2.9 Forth 8 20 5br15 3.0 Loth 17 48 18br37 2.0 Bord 85 159 = 68br 156 2.3 Arg 6 11 - - Clyde 57 169 ?br42 - Ayr 31 60 12br25 2a D&G 5 13 1br5 - First young: D&G 5 Apr; Forth 12 May; Bord 22 May. 12 nests L.of Strathbeg NE, 36 young L.of Kinnordy A&D; 27 young Folly L. B; 25prs Tweed & Teviot around Kelso B; 20prs Forth & Clyde Canal Clyde. Max autumn/winter counts : 26 L.of Strathbeg in Aug; 25 Lochore Meadows F & 21 N.Ronaldsay Ork in Sep; 26 Baron's Haugh Clyde in Oct; and 32 Forfar L. A&D, 26 R.Clyde at Merryton Clyde in Dec. Coot Fulica atra Winter: c.16 Shet Jan-Mar where usually 3-7 birds. Several seen on sea Caith during Jan frosts. 937 L.Gelly F, 859 Linlithgow L. L, 400 Forfar L. A&D,211 L.Lomond Clyde, 122 Kingorn L. F & 120 L.of Skene NE in Jan; 153 Lochend L. Clyde in Feb; 166 L.of Harray Ork in Mar. Breeding: Sites Prs Broods MBS Sites Prs Broods MBS Ork 10 19 7br20 2.9 Fife 11 >39 ?br126 c.2.4 Caith 2 2 - - Forth 6 15 4br8 2.0 High 1 10 - - Loth 17 >44 10br33 3.3 M&N 10 13 - - Bord 92 389 158br440 2.8 NE 3! 24 ?brl5 - Clyde 74 289 57br156 2.7 A&D 3 27 ~~ ?br38 - Ayr 14 30 6br21~ 3.5 288 young actually seen Clyde (those listed above for MBS calculation were assigned to particular broods) Winter: 920 Forfar L., 426 Kilconquhar L. F in Aug; 1,006 L.Gelly, 486 L.of Strathbeg NE, 350 Lindores L. F in Sep; 797 L.of Harray, 580 Linlithgow & 400 Gladhouse L in Nov; 900 Forfar L., 685 L.Gelly, 290 Monikie L. A&D, & 248 Hogganfield L. Clyde in Dec. *Crane Grus grus 6-10 in spring, 3 in autumn, some far-travelled Singles N.Ronaldsay Ork 21-27 Apr; Brora H 29 Apr; Calbeck Hill, Unst Shet 2-3 May, then Brow 4 May, Nesting 14-15 May, Exnaboe 26-28 May, Lerwick & Fetlar 29 May and Laxfirth 30 May into Jun; Blackdog NE 14 May; L.of Wester & Auchorn Caith 13-15 May; 1 Burray, Wideford Hill and Birsay Ork 18-28 May; Glen Moriston H 20 May; Fair Is 25 May; singles Borrowstown & Achunabust Caith 20 May, met at Borrowstown 21-22 May. 1 Berwickshire coast B at Dowlaw Dean, Lumsdaine & Coldingham L. 28 Jul-7 Sep. 1 off sea Kinnaird Head NE 7 Sep, later seen Sandhaven-Strathbeg 8 Sep-6 Oct and at Colliston 19 Oct before Strathbeg 31 Oct. Oystercatcher Haemtopus ostralegus Site counts: 7,440 Highland Firths H, 5,009 S.Forth L, 4,014 Clyde Est. Clyde, 5,514 Wigtown Bay D&G, 3,828 Mersehead D&G in Jan. 2,747 Montrose Basin A&D in Feb. First inland Clyde 2 Feb; Bord 11 Feb; M&N, Loth Caith & Ayr 15-18 Feb; Forth and A&D 21-24 Feb; NE 4 Mar. Arrivals Shet 3 Feb, Ork & Fair Is 20-21 Feb. 28 Scottish Bird Report 1996 N.Isles peaks 390 Millsands, Tankerness Ork 30 Mar; 160 Fair Is 25 Apr; 413 Quendale Shet 25 May. Non-coastal flocks: 210 Vale of Coustry Forth 27 Feb; 572 Forfar L. A&D 29 Feb; 120 Drummoak NE 4 Mar; 316 Cloddach M&N 9 Mar; 150 Cobbinshaw R. L & 140 Teviot Haughs B 10 Mar; 271 Duneatonfoot Clyde 23 Mar. Breeding: Shet 138prs Fetlar; Fair Is 74prs (71); Ork 90prs N.Hill, Papa Westray (74); Caith 20prs Thurso R., Halkirk to Thurso; High 89prs Eigg (90) were successful, 30prs Insh Marshes, 16 broods seen, 16prs Handa; M&N 8prs Tomintoul, 4-Sprs/58ha Findhorn saltmarsh; P&K 58prs Strathallan (63); Is of May 23prs (30); Forth 17prs/km? Doune; Loth/Fife 24prs on 7 Forth of Forth islands; Bord 19br39 (MBS 2.05) noted, 15prs Gala Water WBS (12), 41 prs in24km: of Eddleston valley (1.7prs/km:); Arg 65prs Coll reserve (78) & 18prs L.Gruinart, Islay (9); Clyde 78prs & 5br9 at 23 sites noted; Ayr 155prs at 48 sites + 6br11 including 18prs Horse Is. (11), 17prs W.Airds Moss, 10prs Hunterston (8); D&G 34prs L.Ken, 22 successful; 25prs Beattock gasworks; 12 nests Kirkton, 3 failed. Roof-top nests noted M&N(2), NE (34), A&D (5), Fife, Bord (1) & Clyde (1). The 34 roof nests NE produced 87 eggs, hatched 53 chicks of which 31 are assumed to have fledged. Educated roof nesters in A&D appear to select school roofs ! Max passage Machrihanish Arg 180 (Shrs) 8 Aug & 172 (2hrs) Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 21 Aug. 3,500 Newbie D&G in Aug; 9,000 Carse Bay D&G, 1,780 Eden Est. F in Sep; 15,000 Caerlaverock D&G, 1,949 Wigtown Bay in Oct; 5,129 South Forth, 2,980 Montrose Basin in Nov; 9,183 Highland Firths & 4,934 Clyde Est. Clyde in Dec. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 1 Mussleburgh L 31 Jan-25 Feb, another Musselburgh on 22 Apr; 2 Carnish, N.Uist OH 23 Jul. *Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni 1 juv Monikie A&D 14-16 Aug. First for A&D and third for Scotland. Photo: British Birds 90: 473 & Birding World 9:264. * Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 2 displaying Tweed gravel island B 14-18 Apr, rising to 5 there 21 Apr but only 1 by 27 Apr; 1 L.of Strathbeg NE 27 Apr and intermittently 10-18 May & 4 Jun; 1m Donmouth NE 29 Apr, joined by 1f 26 May, laid c/3 by 7 Jul but deserted, m last seen 28 Jul; 1 Musselburgh L 7 May; 1f Monikie Park A&D 7-10 May, with 1m there 23 May, If there 25 May, lfon2 Jul; 1 Mersehead D&G c.15 May; 3 Rattray flashes NE 17 May; | Castle Loch, Lochmaben D&G 18 May; 1 Girdleness NE 24 May; 1 Aberlady Bay L 5 Jun; 1m at un-named site Fife 5 & 12 Jun, 1f there 2 Jul; 1m+4 juvs Spey shingles opp. Tugnet M&N 5-10 Aug, m+3juv to 17 Aug; 1 juv Strathbeg 24 Aug; 1 Musselburgh 27 Aug. Yet another record year with c.20 birds. New to M&N and A&D, 3rd for Borders; first-ever breeding inconsecutive years for Scotland at Donmouth; 6th-7th breeding records for Scotland. See Rowland & Cook, Moray & Nairn Bird Report 1996: 79 for note on first record for M&N. See Murray, Scottish Bird Report 1996 for review of status. Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Site max: 500 South Ford OH, 337 Highland Firths H, 176 Clyde Est. Clyde in Jan; 262 S.Forth L, 125 Stevenston Pt. Ayr in Feb; 120 Valleyfield F in Mar. First inland/territory: M&N and Ork 16-17 Feb; Bord & Forth 25-27 Feb; Shet 6 Mar; Clyde 23 Mar. Spring site peaks: 226 L.Gruinart & L.Indaal, Islay Arg in Apr; 1,800 Newbie D&G, 396 Tay Est. F, 327 Goose- pools F, 283 Ythan Est.NE, 238 Nairn/Culbin Bars M&N, 143 south Forth, 113 North Ronaldsay Ork & 104 Dunnet Caith in May. Breeding: Shet 89prs Fetlar, 9prs Noss; Fair Is 17 prs (14); Ork 42prs with 15prs N.Hill, Papa Westray (8); Caith 9prs noted; High 7prs Eigg (8), 4prs Handa; M&N c.18prs at 8 sites with 5prs Cloddach Quarry (5), 4prs Lein laid 7 clutches,2 hatches but none fledged; NE 10prs at 5 sites; A&D c.8 sites;Fife c.17prs at 6 sites with 20-24 young from 5prs at Eden Est., but no success from 8prs Valleyfield; Forth 4prs at 3 sites; Loth c.15prs +2 singles at 9 sites, but only 2 broods seen; Bord 14 prs+4 singles at 12 sites, 4br10 noted; Arg 21prs Colonsay (20), 13prs Coll RSPB reserve (12); Clyde 12 sites, with 24prs, 4br9 noted; Ayr 12 sites, 24prs, 2br3 noted. Autumn/winter: 460 Dipple shore Ayr, 421 S.Forth, 335 L.Gruinart/L.Indaal, 330 Goosepools, 292 Aberlady/ Gullane L, 235 Virkie Shet, 213 Ythan Est., 200 Tay Est., 145 Newton Ayr, 116 North Ronaldsay in Aug; 200 Montrose Basin A&D, 176 L.Paible, N.Uist OH, 120 Sanday Ork,100 Traigh Bhaigh, Tiree Arg in Sep; 590 Highland Firths, 150 Aberlady, 133 Doonfoot Ayr in Oct; 100 Drummore D&G in Nov; 227 Clyde Est. in Dec. Tof the Arctic race C.h.tundrae near summit Carn Ban Mor H 29 May (similar records on Cairngorms summits in past). * Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus 1 f Skelberry Shet 3-4 Jun. First for Shet, 2nd for Scotland. Last Aberlady Bay L in 1988. Photos: Shetland Bird Report 1996; British Birds 90: 473; Birding World 9: 491. See Robertson, Birding World 9:219-220 for account of record. =D R.D.Murray [Ed] 29 Caspian Plover Steven Brown = - pa B Tee 4 Se ere ge “t= Dotterel Charadrius morinellus First 1 Green Hill F & 6 Carryhabbie Hill M&N 27 Apr; then Arg & Clyde 30 Apr; Clyde Is., Ork & Ayr 2-5 May; D&G, Loth, Forth & NE 8-10 May; OHeb 21 May. Main movement 1-12 May with trips of >10 seen NE (3) & Clyde (1); max 16 Lowther Hill Clyde 13 May. High 11mm Cairngorm study area; M&N 4 bred at 3 sites; NE noted 5 sites, yound seen at one; A&D br? at 1 site; P&K noted 4 areas, bred at 2. Autumn: still on hills to at least 6 Sep M&N; also 1-2 birds Brings, Rousay Ork, Montrose Basin AX&D & Fetlar Shet 18-25 Aug; Brough of Deerness Ork & Fair Is 24-25 Aug; Skerries Shet 26 Oct. * American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica 1 ad Stove, Deerness Ork 8-22 Sep, another ad 9-11 Sep. 7th-8th for Orkney. Photo: Birding World 9:355. * Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 1 juv/1st-w Castle, Stronsay Ork 5-10 Oct. 4th record for Orkney. Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Early-year numbers generally low, due to frosts?, until passage in Apr with site peaks of 1,740 Wigtown Bay D&G, 958 Eden Est. F, 940 Aberlady L, 400 Prestwick Ayr inJan; 350 Widewall Bay, S.Ronaldsay Ork & 393 Musselburgh L in Feb; 2,500 The Reef, Tiree Arg, 1,100 Herston, S.Ronaldsay Ork, 1,000 Swartland Ork, 800 Rattray NE, 800 Caerlaverock D&G, 500 Harland Caith, 330 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg in Apr: Few "northern" altifrons-types with 7 Netherton Farm Clyde 3 Jan & 4 on 8 Apr; 75 Blairdrummond 30 Mar; 13 Meadownay Ayr 28 Apr. Inland reports Bord 24 Feb; NE 4 Mar; Ayr 10 Mar. Largest flocks: 438 Auchterarder P&K 13 Mar; 180 L.Rannoch P&K 30 Mar; 320 Monikie A&D 23 Apr. Breeding: Ork 16prs N.Hoy (21), 16prs Birsay moors (16); Caith only 2 sites noted; High lpr Ben Bhuide, Eigg (5); M&N only Ipr Glen Avon estate, noted 5 other sites; A&D only noted at 2 sites ; P&K 20 prs at 1 site, juvs seen 2 other sites; Bord c.35prs at 11 sites; Arg | site Mull; Clyde c.10prs in 4 areas; Ayr 32prs at 14 sites; D&G 19 birds at 3 sites. Autumn/winter peaks more normal: 1,288 Ythan Est. NE, 1,000 N.Ronaldsay Ork in Aug; 1,500 Balcomie F, 700 Arbroath A&D in Sep; 5,000 Ythan Est., 3,500 Aberlady, 3,180 Barassie Ayr, 3,000 Genoch Moor D&G, 2,200 Gosford Bay L, 2,000 Newport F, 1,200 Egilsay Ork, 1,100 L.Ryan D&G, 1,100 Deerness Ork, 800 Skitten Caith, 724 Montrose Basin A&D, 460 Tynet M&N in Oct; 2,500 Eden Est., 2,000 Luce Bay D&G, 800 L.Gruinart, Islay, 476 Eyemouth B in Nov. Max Dec count 980 Caerlaverock. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Area & site max: 510 Eden Est. F, 303 Tyninghame L, 101 Caerlaverock D&G, 47 Montrose A&D, 42 Nairn/ Culbin M&N in Jan; 209 South Ford OH in Feb; 702 S.Forth L in Mar; 172 Goosepool F in Apr. Max elsewhere: Shet 2, Ork 2, Caith 1, Forth 1, Arg 30,Clyde 23, Ayr 8. Summering: 62 Aberlady L & 11 Eden Est. First Forth, NE 26 Jul; Fair Is, M&N,Ayr, Bord, Shet & Ork 7-15 Aug; Clyde, Caith & Arg 8-9 Sep. 380 Tay Est.A&D, 311 S.Ford, 210 Goosepools in Aug; 526 Goosepools, 84 Catasay, Sanday Ork, 40 Kinneil Forth in Sep; 624 S.Forth & 500 Goosepools in Nov. Max autumn/winter in Shet 1, Fair Is 1, Caith 2, M&N 37, NE 30, A&D 31, Bord 4, Arg 22, Clyde 7, Ayr 6. 30 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Counts lower than usual, due to frosts: 1,550 Ythan Est. NE, 1,400 East Ferry Clyde, 602 Eden Est. F, 600 Dunglass B in Jan;1,112 Clyde Est. Clyde, 692 L. Gruinart, Islay Arg in Feb; 680 Strathbeg NE & 702 S.Forth L_ in Mar; 1,000 Inner Tay Est. A&D in Apr. Few wintered inland. Return M&N, Bord, Loth & Ayr 14-16 Feb; P&K, Clyde & Forth 24-27 Feb; High | Mar. Best movement: 1,100 E Croy area (2hrs) Ayr 22 Feb. Largest inland Feb/Mar flocks were small: 664 Strathallan P&K, 400 Ardivot M&N, 230Meadownay Ayr, 221 Tweed Haughs B , 170 The Meetings Clyde. Breeding: Shet 8-10prs Foula; Fair Is 7prs (9); Ork 16prs N.Hill, Papa Westray (20), 7 Hoy reserve (7); Caith 15prs Halkirk-Thurso along R.Thurso; High 88prs Insh Marshes, good season; M&N 46prs (178ha) Moyness; NE 495prs located in survey of best sites, averaged 3.8prs/km:, suggesting an overall density of 1 pr/km: for whole area; A&D 30 pulli ringed Riverside Park, Dundee; P&K 215prs Strathallan (213) had mixed success with many failures on 3rd week of May after several cold wet days, MBS 1.5 (1.5); Fife 11prs reared 19 young in west; Loth 10prs Aberlady (18); Bord 41br97 noted, MBS 2.37 (2.61), 106prs in 24km/? Eddleston valley (4.4prs/km?) ; Arg 221 prs L.Gruinart, Islay (263), 109prs Coll reserve (140), reduced num- bers blamed on poor Apr weather; Clyde 130prs from 35 sites, including 10br21; Ayr 172prs from 48 sites with 6br21, MBS 3.5 (2.0) noted, with 45prs Airds Moss; D&G 73prs at 9 sites with 38prs L.Ken, of which 32 bred. Season deemed poor in NE, P&K, Bord & Arg. Post-breeding flocks from early-mid Jun. Autumn/winter flocks: 1,700 L.of Strathbeg in Jul; 2,195 Ythan Est. NE, 1,270 Folly L. B in Aug; 2,000 Bogside Ayr, 2,000 Baron's Haugh Clyde, 1,800 Spiringhall B, 1,500 Montrose Basin A&D in Sep; 1,942 S.Forth L, 1,500 Caerlaverock, 1,000 Doonfoot Ayr in Oct; 2,000 Ellon NE, 1,690 Strathallan P&K, 1,640 Lecropt Forth, 1,300 Moor of Genoch in Nov; 2,300 Clyde Est. Clyde, 1,360 Kinneil Forth, 1,100 L.of Strathbeg NE in Dec. See Francis, North-east Scotland Bird Report 1996: 81-85 for account of breeding survey. Knot Calidris canutus Best site ccunts: 6,500 Montrose Basin A&D, 5,550 Kinneil Forth, 4,800 Buckhaven Bay F, 3,046 S.Forth L, 2,000 Findhorn Bay M&N, 3,000 Caerlaverock D&G in Jan; 7,967 Highland Firths H, 4,000 Leven F, 1,000 Skinflats Forth in Feb; 1,150 Burghead shore M&N in Apr. Most birds left by Apr with peak 1,000 Findhorn M&N in Apr. Last Caith, High & Arg 6-29 May; M&N, NE 8-9 Jun; Fife & Ork 18-21 Jun. Few in Jun/early Jul but up to 44 Aberlady L & 34 Montrose Basin may have summered. First M&N, Clyde, Caith, Ork, NE, High, Ayr, Shet, Forth, Fife & Bord 16-27 Jul; Arg & Fair Is 1-6 Aug. Max Aug-Dec: 445 Peterhead NE, 285 Virkie Shet in Aug; 1,015 Musselburgh L in Sep; 4,000 Caerlaverock, 3,000 Kinneil, 1,814 Highland Firths, 1,799 S.Forth, 520 Montrose, 400 Methil F, 304 Findhorn Bay M&N in Dec. Inland records: 1-5 Endrick Mouth Clyde in Aug-Sep; 1 Insh H 11 Sep. Sanderling Calidris alba Few in Jan/Mar: 320 Berneray OH, 100 Aberlady L, 89 Donmouth NE, 84 N.Ronaldsay Ork & 64 Ruddon's Pt, F’. Elsewhere max: Shet 1, M&N 25, Arg 12, Ayr 5. Spring max: 62 Ruddon's Pt. ,61 Balphetrish Bay, Tiree Arg, 57 Nairn/Culbins Bars M&N in Apr; 400 Ardivachar Pt., S.Uist OH, 300 Tay Est. F, 296 N.Ronaldsay in May. First Shet 13 Jul; Arg, Ayr, Ork 16-18 Jul; NEand M&N 21-23 Jul; Caith & Fair Is 26-29 Jul. 185 flew past Machrihanish Arg (243hrs) Jul-Sep, max 31 on 15 Aug. 129 Lossiemouth M&N, 90 Donmouth in Jul; 178 Aberlady, 40 Virkie Shet, 40 Peterhead NE & 38 Balnakeil H in Aug; 80 Little Sea, Sanday Ork, 60 Dunnet Caith, 40 Barassie Ayr, 38 Balkenna Ayr in Sep;150 N.Ronaldsay, 115 Ardivachar Pt., 107 Nairn/ Culbins Bars in Oct. Winter: 109 Ruddon's Pt., 83 Leven F & 80 Tentsmuir F in Nov. * Semi-palmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Juv Pool of Virkie Shet 11-22 Sep. First for Shetland, third for Scotland. Previous records: Fair Is, May 1992 & Stronsay Ork, June 1993. Little Stint Calidris minuta 1 Rattray NE 9 May & 21 May; 1 Aberlady L 14 May; 1 Goospools F 17 May; 1 Musselburgh L 20-23 May, with 2-3 there 7-9 Jun; 1 Ladybank F & 1 Tyninghame L 5 Jun; 3 L.of Strathbeg NE 6-8 Jun; 1 Goosepools & 1 Monikie A&D 7 Jun; 2 Gluss Shet 9 Jun. Area Ma un ul Au Se Oct Nov N&W Isles* - 2 - 17 169 21 - N.Scotland 24 7 E/C Scot 1 3 4 117 23 NE Scot* 2 3 6 11 131 38 SE Scot 2 4 1 W.Scot 3 32 3} - SW Scot - - - 3 112 13 1 1996 5 12 7 42 701 127 1 1995 8 6 10 ef © Sis7/ 23 1 1994 10 9 8 21 99 3 - Numbers approximate, due to turnover & area summaries First 3 Meikle NE 17 Jul. Passage shows signs of initial arrivals in N&W Isles and NE before sweeping south- wards, quitting N.Isles first,with S.Scotland last. rm EE)! ——_SeEoEHSS&fF R.D.Murray [Ed] Mostly singles Aug, max 7 Ardivachar Pt., S.Uist OH, 3 Virkie Shet & 3 Howmore, S.Uist OH 15-22 Aug. 1-8 birds widespread late Aug-early Sep but large numbers from mid-late Sep with 34 Bu L., Stronsay Ork, 18 L.Paible, N.Uist OH, 15 Endrick Mouth Clyde, 15 Machrihanish Arg, 13 Skyeburn D&G, 11 Springhall B, 10 Virkie, 10 Carsebeck P&K, 8 Barassie Ayr & 8 Balgray Res. Clyde 20-25 Sep. Later peak 26-30 Sep when 48 Cobbinshaw Res. L/Clyde, 26 L.of Strathbeg, 25 Kingston M&N, 24 Musselburgh, 15 Is of May, 15 Longannet F, 13 Findhorn Bay M&N,12 Kinnaber A&D, 10 Eden Est. F, 10 Lees B, 10 Kinneil Forth with small numbers remaining to 5-10 Oct. Mostly singles 10-27 Oct. Last 1 Cunninghamhead Ayr 7 Nov. Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii 1 L.of Hillwell Shet 26-28 May. Breeding: High 2prs usual sites, seen displaying 22 & 25 May with f going on nest | Jun. Last ad on 22 Jun. None in autumn. * White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Ad Montrose Basin A&D 30 Jul-1 Aug; ad Westhaven & Carnoustie A&D 20-21 Aug; juv Eve's Howe, Deerness Ork 8-14 Sep. Ist & 2nd for Angus& Dundee, 9th for Orkney. Photo of Carnoustie bird: Birding World 9: 297. *Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Juv Fair Is 1-2 Oct; 1 Ardivachar Pt., S.Uist OH 24 Oct. 3rd for Fair Isle, 2nd for Outer Hebrides. Photo of Fair Isle bird: Birding World 9: 420. *Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos 2 in spring, 10-11 in autumn. 1 L.of Kinnordy A&D 6 May; 1 L.Stiapavat, Lewis OH 23 May. 1 L.Paible, N.Uist OH 4 Sep; juv L.of Huesbeck Shet 5-7 Sep; juv Eve's Howe Ork 5 Sep-2 Oct, also seen at L.of Banks 26 Sep; single juv St.Serf's Is., L-Leven P&K 11 Sep, 27 Sep & 24 Oct, assumed to be 1 bird by SBRC; juv Musselburgh L 19-20 Sep; juv R.Tweed at Springhall B 22 Sep; juv Doonfoot Ayr 24 Sep; juv Kinloch NE 28 Sep-4 Oct; 1 Gaddon L. F 7-8 Oct. See Oliver, Fife Bird Report 1996: 120-121 for note on Fife bird. Pectoral Sandpipers in Scotland 1968-96 With 169 records since 1968 the Pectoral Sandpiper is the most regular of all the trans- Atlantic vagrant waders. It has been annual since 1973 and averages 7 birds each year. 1996 was the best year since the record year of 1988. Birds are four times more frequent in autumn than spring. EF spring I autumn Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Area May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov N&W Isles 3 2 6 69 11 2 N.Scotland~ - 2 - - 23 NE Scot - - - 32 3 E/C Scot - } 45 19 SE Scot 1 1 1 42 17 W Scot - 5 51 5 - SW Scot 1 - 1 127 20 1 Total 5 5 2 15 389 75 3 1995 17 4 6 13524) 15 1994 3 1 2; 27 199 13 Numbers approximate, due to turnover & area summaries. Average spring with 1 Newbie D&G7 May; 1 Aberlady L 13 May; 2 Balranald, N.Uist OH 14-17 May; 1 Aird na Runair, N.Uist OH 16 May. 2 St.John's Pool Caith 6 Jun; perhaps same birds 2 L.of Tankerness Ork 8 Jun; 1 Aberlady 23 Jul was early, followed by singles D&G, Shet & Fife 27 Jul-26 Aug, max counts 3 L.Paible, N.Uist OH 15 Aug & 5 L.Indaal, Islay Arg 16 Aug. Best numbers mainly 12 Sep-1 Oct, peaking c.22 Sep with max 30 Browhouses D&G, 16 Bogside Ayr, 15 Milton Is. Clyde, 14 Matpow L., Stronsay Ork, 14 L.of Strathbeg NE, 11 Cramond L, Musselburgh L & Inver- gowrie Bay A&D, 10 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg & 10 Edenside F. A few into mid-Oct, in Ork, NE, A&D, Arg and D&G. Latest Stronsay 22 Oct & Edenside 29 Oct. Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima 81 Loth coast (63), 50 Banff NE, 25 Fair Is, 22 St.Andrews Bay F, 21 Arbroath A&D in Jan; 180 Ackergill Caith,166 Fraserburgh shore NE, 140 Inveruguie NE, 120 Burwick, S.Ronaldsay Ork, 100 Deerness Ork, c.100 Lossiemouth M&N, 86 Lerwick Shet in Feb; 135 Girdleness NE, 83 Ayr Ayr in Mar; 100 Lossiemouth, 60 Scurdie Ness A&D, 42 Ruddon's Pt. F in Apr; 116 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 70 Scatness Shet, 40 Is of May, 33 Fife Ness F in May. Last M&N, Caith, High, Arg & Fair Is 4-17 May, Ork & Shet 23-28 May. Summered Girdleness (2). Breeding: High 2 singles acting as if accompanying broods at usual site 8 Jul. First back Ayr 5 Jul; Shet 11 Jul; Is of May 1 Aug; High & M&N 5-16 Aug. 40 N.Ronaldsay in Aug; 22 Foula Shet in Sep; 145 Girdlenness, 130 Deerness, 112 Fraserburgh, 110 Ayr, 71 N.Ronaldsay, 52 North Head Caith in Nov; 22 Fair Is in Dec. Reduction in numbers, M&N, Fife & Loth. 32 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Dunlin Calidris alpina Site max: 11,143 Highland Firths H, 4,700 Caerlaverock D&G, 4,500 Kinneil Forth, 2400 Clyde Est. Clyde, 1,902 Nairn/Culbin Bars M&N, 1,550 Eden Est. F in Jan; 8,831 Forth Est. Forth, 3,700 Skinflats Forth, 2,780 Findhorn Bay, 2,031 S.Forth L, 2,000 Montrose Basin A&D, 1,200 Ythan Est. NE in Feb; 2,190 Caerlaverock in Apr. Breeding: Shet 5prs Noss; Ork 43prs Hoy, including l6prs Hoy reserve (21), 16-18prs Birsay Moors & 11prs at other sites; Caith single prs at 2 sites; NE 1 site; Bord singles at 2 sites; Arg 4prs L.Gruinart, Islay (6), lpr Coll reserve (7), also 3 other sites; Clyde 2 sites; Ayr c.16prs at 6 sites. 3,040 Dundee A&D in Oct; 8,277 Caerlaverock in Nov; 7, 356 Highland Firths, 5,180 Forth Est, 2,310 Findhorn Bay, 2,300 Kinneil, 1,991 S.Forth L, 1,533 Clyde Est., 1,500 Browhouses D&G, 1,296 Ythan Est. in Dec. * Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus 1 Alturie Bay H 29 May. * Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis Record 18 birds, all autumn: 1 Aberiady/Musselburgh L 9-13 Aug; 2 L.Paible, N.Uist OH 4 Sep, 4 on 5 Sep; 1 at sea 73mls SW of Rockall 11 Sep; 2 juvs Hough, Tiree Arg 6 & 13 Sep; 3 juvs Ardnave, Islay Arg 8 Sep; 1 Bixter/Twatt Shet 12-22 Sep; 1 Balcomie F 12 Sep, 3 there from 13-19 Sep & 1 until 22 Sep; 1 ad Stove, Deerness Ork 18-21 Sep; 1 Baleshare, N.Uist OH 22 & 25 Sep; juv N.Ronaldsay Ork 22 Sep. Quite whose jurisdiction the 11 Sep bird is in is rather questionable - Scotland, Ireland or N.Ireland ? Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Scotland 1968-96 1996 was, by far, a record year, after many lean years since the 1970s peak and a blank in 1990. Bi ssiveni I spring 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 Ruff Philomachus pugnax Very few Jan-Mar birds: singles OHeb, NE, A&D, Ayr and D&G with 11 Musselburgh L Jan-Apr; 2 Rattray NE, St.Monance F & Tyninghame L in Jan with 5 St.Monance & 2 Powillimount D&G in Feb. Last 3 Musselburgh 4-7 May. Very light spring passage, all singles except 2 Folly L. B 24-30 Apr & 12 May. JecCho MWA IMS eA SOL NaeD N& WIs. - Sees AP ena) sys) WAU Wed D2 = N.Scot - Soe ae ome enter Tf SPAT, gf a8). hs NE Scot 3 eA SMe SS) 6) <5 163° 26. 23. -2- - E/C'Scot 13 5) = oe eS 4! 1 SE'Scot G18) 79> VO) Wl (Os Sr A9 eS 3e Sil eae 5 W.Scot - = Plus sraeclin Mike = tan? Oban Sie Gey e= SW Scot. 144) ey Dae ys Oe Sie Sie lOve 2 al 1996 20 18 12 16 14 10 32 651 376114 16 7 1995 15 13 10 17 23: 2 11 187 658 132 23 23 NB numbers very approximate, especially Aug/Sep. First returned in Jun included 6 Meikle L. NE 30 Jun. Good numbers widespread in Aug with max counts of 51 Ythan NE, 40 Quendale Shet, 34 Virkie Shet, 25 L.KenD&G, 23 Baleshare, N.Uist OH, 18 Musselburgh, 16 Papa Westray Ork, 16 Dingieshowe, Deerness Ork, 16 Fair Is, 10 Eden Est. F & 10 L.an Eilan, Tiree Arg but many records of 1-9 birds. Smaller numbers in Sep, max counts include 12 Kinloch NE, 12 Cobbinshaw L, 11 Lochlea Ayr in Sep. Most passed by end-Sep but 23 Ythan Est. 13 Oct. A few lingered to early Nov. Extremely few wintering: 5 Musselburgh & singles into late Nov/Dec at Maidens Ayr & Vaileyfield F. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Max counts: 5 Culbin Forest M&N, 3 Brownmuir Ayr, 3 Forfar L. A&D in Jan; 3 Cocklemill Marsh F, 3 Seton L, 3 Backrow Marsh, East Kilbride Clyde in Feb; 7 Cunning Park Ayr in Mar; 4 Kenmure Marsh Clyde in Apr. Otherwise 1-2 birds noted Jan-Apr: 6 Ork, 1 Caith, 2 High, 5 M&N, 2 NE, 2 A&D, | Fife, 1 Forth, Loth (11), 2 Arg, 11 Clyde, 1 Clyde Is, 3 Ayr & 3 D&G. Little sign of passage with last birds D&G, NE, Loth, Ayr & Arg 18-28 Mar, Ork 27 Apr; latest 1 Merryton Haugh Clyde 12 May. Autumn arrival: First 1 Cambus Pools Forth 12 Aug; then NE & Ork 12 Sep; Shet, Ayr & Fair Is 14-15 Sep; M&N, Is of May, Loth & Arg 28 Sep-11 Oct; A&D, Clyde, OHeb & Fife 14-20 Oct. Best passage counts: 3 Deerness Ork 20 Sep; 4 Foula Shet 28 Sep; 14 N.Ronaldsay Ork 14 Oct; max 11 Fair Is 18 Oct; 8 Foula 21 Oct. Nov-Dec: | Shet (1 site), Fair Is, 6 Ork, 5 High, 2 M&N, 1+ NE, Fife, 3 Forth, 2 Loth, 5 Arg,7 Clyde,5 Ayr and 4 D&G. None A&D and Bord. 3 Donmouth NE & 3 Knochquhassen D&G in Nov,and 3 Cathkin Braes Clyde in Dec were the best counts. Snipe Gallinago gallinago Max counts: 170 Cunning Park Ayr, 100 Bogside Ayr, 82 Culbin Forest M&N, 43 Watersound, S.Ronaldsay Ork, 40 L.of Saintear, Westray Ork, 40 Forfar L. A&D, 19 Cathkin Braes Clyde in Jan; 29 Littleton Res. Clyde, 28 Aberlady L, 27 Rossie Bog F in Feb; 55 Inverugie NE, 40 Fair Is, 17 Lees B in Mar; 29 The Lurgies A&D & 24 Kenmure Marsh Clyde in Apr. R.D.Murray [Ed] 33 Breeding: first display: Ayr & Bord 9-10 Mar; High, Shet, Clyde & Caith 17-25 Mar. Shet 79mm Fetlar, 5prs Noss; Fair Is 17mm (30); Ork 26prs at 4 sites, stable 6prs N.Hill, Papa Westray; M&N c.9prs at 3 sites; NE noted 14 sites, with 16-17prs at 7 sites in suvey; High 297prs Insh Marshes (380), 15prs Eigg (19); A&D noted 3 areas; Fife 4 sites in Lomond Hills; Loth 9 sites; Bord 26mm at 14 sites, 6mm Hule Moss(7); Arg >32pr L.Gruinart (39), 52 Colonsay (39), 73 Coll (164), 8prs Treshnish Is, Mull; Clyde 8prs at 6 sites; Ayr 92prs at 23 sites, 25prs W&SE Airds Moss. Autumn: 162 N.Ronaldsay, 100 Foula Shet, 69 Knock- shinnock Ayr, 54 Lochlea Ayr in Aug; 110 Fair Is, 28 Aros Moss Arg in Sep; 369 N.Ronaldsay, 200 Eve's Howe, Deerness Ork, 150 Aird Meadows Clyde, 100 Fair Is, 78 Monikie Park A&D, 52 Cloddach M&N, 36 Grangemeouth Forth, 34 Ythan Est. NE in Oct. Winter max: 79 Spiggie Shet, 42 Bankhead Pool Ayr, 41 Dunwoodie D&G in Nov; 90 Newshot Is Clyde, 49 Inverugie NE, 42 L.Ryan D&G in Dec. * Great Snipe Gallinago media Record influx of 9 birds:1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 3-6 Sep; juv Fair Is 18-19 Sep, moribund 20 Sep; 1 Scatness Shet 18-19 Sep; 1st-w Fair Is 20-21 Sep, found dead 24 Sep; ad Out Skerries Shet 20 Sep; 1 Fair Is 20-30 Sep; 1 N.Ronaldsay 23 Sep; juv joined ad present on Out Skerries 28 Sep; Ist-w N.Ronaldsay 17 Oct. Skin of Fair Isle bird of 20-21 Sep now in National Museum of Scotland. Photos: Skerries bird in Shetland Bird Report & a Fair Isle bird in Fair Isle Observatory Bird Report 1996 20:9. * Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Imm N.Esk at Kinnaber A&D/NE from 1995 remained to 21 Feb. Ad L.of Garda, Scatness Shet 17-18 May, also at L.Spiggie 18 May. Fifth for Shetland. Photo of Scatness bird, Birding World 9:168 & 10:38. Woodcock Scolopax rusticola After late 1995 influx shooting parties bagged 120 Logan D&G, 77 Philroth NE & 72 Carnbulg NE on single days in early Jan, as shooters get only 1 bird in 6, very much large numbers must have been present. 16 dead on beach Tarbet Ness H in Jan. Elsewhere max counts were 6 Rattray NE, 5 Kincraig Pt. F & 5 New Galloway D&G in early Jan were the only reports in excess of 1-3 birds Jan-Mar other than 17 seen on the L.Lomond islands flushed during Capercaillie drives in mid-Mar. Spring passage was moderately poor in the N_Isles. Breeding: First roding Bord 23 Mar, NEandA&D 29-31 Mar, D&G and Clyde 9-10 Apr. High 3prs Insh Marshes, 2prs Eigg; M&N 3 sites; A&D 8 sites; Fife c.12 birds at 8 sites; Forth 7 sites; Loth just 8 sites; Bord 32 at 15 sites, 9 Duns Castle (8) & 5 Folly L.; Arg 10 Colonsay (7); Clyde c.11 at 5 sites; Ayr 2 sites. Poor autumn passage late Oct-early Nov: max 15 Fair Is, 15 Is of May, 10 N.Ronaldsay, 6 Auchmithie shore A&D, 5 Usan shore A&D & 5 Foula Shet 24-26 Oct. Otherwise a return to more normal winter with mostly 1-3 birds except: 100+ Eigg Nov/Dec; 5 Glen Tanar NE & 4 Dunduff Ayr in Nov; 8 Redland, Firth Ork in Dec. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 71 Eden Est.F in Mar, rising to 222 in Apr. 32 Forth Est. Forth Jan-Mar, peaked110 in Apr. Elsewhere mostly 1-5 birds recorded Jan-Mar. Max counts mostly Apr/early May on return to Iceland: 141 L.Bhasapol/L.Riaghain, Tiree Arg; 60 Caerlaverock D&G, 52 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg, 50 Carsebeck P&K & 35 Monikie A&D. 8 killed under power lines Glen Lochay Forth may have been part of Tay flock flying to W.coast (to Islay ?) prior to moving north. Breeding: Shet 3prs at main sites all hatched young and at least 2 chicks fledged, another pair held territory elsewhere; Ork 4 ads at site, including pr that hatched 2 young; Caith 1 St.John's Pool late May-early Jun; NE 4 summered L.of Strathbeg. Monthly max Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Eden Est. F 69 80 162 139 100 = 165 Forth Est. Forth 15 85 73 76 70 78 Montrose A&D 20 75 70 52 - C7 Bogside Ayr 2 48 4 1 1 0 Caerlaverock D&G - - 69257 eal82) Good autumn, other counts include: 38 Doonfoot in Jun; 47 Musselburgh L, 46 Dun's Dish A&D, 39 Lochlea Ayr, 33 L.of Strathbeg, 22 Tiree, 21 Baleshare, N.Uist OH & 15 Fair Isin Aug; 55 Longman H, 40 Browhouses D&G, 20 L.Eye H & 14 Cramond L in Sep; 54 Muirton Pools H, 52 Powfoot D&G, 40 Ythan Estuary. NE & 16 Longhaugh Pt. Clyde in Oct. Generally higher numbers wintered. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Winter max counts: 3,528 Highland Firths H, 1,100 Monifieth A&D, 1,066 Nairn/Culbins Bars M&N in Jan; 3,245 Highland Firths in Feb; 1,396 S.Forth L Elsewhere area max were Shet 5, Ork 90, Caith 2, NE 53, Fife 488, Forth 248, Arg 342, Clyde 37, Ayr 54, D&G 1. Most left end Mar, last Clyde & Caith11 May; High, A&D, Ayr 18-24 May; Forth & Shet 4-5 Jun. 1-10 birds summered L.of Tankerness Ork, Ythan & Strathbeg NE, Eden Est. F, L.Indaal, Islay Arg. Returned Clyde, High, Arg & Forth 4-12 Jul, NE, Caith, Ayr & Shet 17-20 Jul, M&N and D&G 27-30 Jul. 400 Newbie D&G in Aug; 1,500 Monifieth, 750 Lama Ness Ork & 304 Sanday Ork in Sep; 927 S.Forth in Oct; 440 Monifieth in Nov; 1,619 Highland Firths, 424 Findhorn Bay M&N, 420 Nairn/Culbin , 240 Millsands Ork, 223 Forth Est. Forth in Dec. 34 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 7 Jan was unusual. First Ythan NE 10 Mar; Ork & High 1-4 Apr; D&G, Ayr, Arg, Fair Is, A&D, Loth, Clyde, Caith, Is of May, Fife and Shet 16-22 Apr; M&N, Bord, Forth and Clyde Is 25- 30 Apr. Peak counts: 46 Ythan 24 Apr; 170 Barrock area Caith, 32 Lochlea Ayr, 30 Redpoint H & 30 Iona Arg 1-2 May; 200 Broadlean Caith, 80 Ythan NE, 74 Culkein Bay H, 40 L.Indaal, Islay Arg and 21 St.Fergus NE 3-8 May; 49 Irvine Ayr, 38 Tankerness Ork, 30 Arbroath A&D, 23N Fife Ness F & 20 Caerlaverock D&G 12-16 May. Breeding: Shet 81 AOTs Fetlar, also bred Noss; Ork 12prs Birsay Moors (7 in '94) reared 15+ young; High pr bred E.Sutherland again. Summer records Arg (2). Passage from late Jun, quieter autumn. 40 Redcastle H 7 July, 70 Stronsay Ork 25 Jul; 56 Ythan 30 Jul; 32 Musselburgh L 8 Aug; 27 Tyninghame L & 25 Lossie- mouth M&N 10 Aug; 52 Sand Water Ork 11 Aug; 26 Haroldswick Shet 22 Aug; 45W Kinneil Forth 24 Aug; 26W Is of May 3 Sep. Last Clyde & Caith 23-28 Aug; Bord, Forth, Fair Is, Shet 19-29 Sep; A&D, NE and M&N 1-14 Oct; Loth, High & Fife 23-28 Oct. Latest 1 Dunstaffinage Arg 13 Nov. Upland Sandpiper Steven Brown Brite 7a SE ROSS: a Si ig f 4 GNA: WAS NU EARS z > ic 3B) ly NS woe Basis ara SSN ANC Se BPS 5,0, %% 22 ; 44, Curlew Numenius arquata Lower numbers than usual with peaks: 2,594 Highland Firths H, 1,114 Clyde Est. Clyde, 1,000 Bockan, Sandwick Ork, 800 Ouse, Shapinsay Ork in Jan; 1,030 Widewall Bay Ork, 735 S.Forth L, 700 L.of Banks Ork, 574 Forth Est. Forth, 520 L.of Strathbeg NE in Feb; 1,135 Clyde Est., 688 Doonfoot Ayr in Mar. Inland: 153 wintered Merryton Clyde. First birds on territory: Ayr & Ork 16-17 Feb; A&D, Clyde, Loth & Bord 23-29 Feb, High & Forth 8-10 Mar. Max flocks: 336 Clydesdale Clyde, 300 Castle L. D&G, 200 Innerleithen B 22-26 Mar. Breeding: Shet 84prs Fetlar, 3-4prs Foula; Fair Isrecord 8prs (7); Ork further drop to 1lprs N.Hoy (18), 9prs N.Hill, Papa Westray (8), 26prs Hobbister; High 76prs Insh Marshes; M&N fewer Glen Avon; NE 53-54prs at 15 sites during Lapwing survey; P&K 25prs Strathallan; Bord 4prs Hule Moss (8), max 23 birds in E.Loch BBS plot, 115prs Eddleston valley (2.9prs/km:); Arg 37prs L.Gruinart, Islay (42); Clyde 65prs at 29 sites with 12prs Fallside area Ayr 213prs at 58 sites with 54prs W&SE Airds Moss; D&G 8prs L.Ken. Autumn/Winter: 2,000 Work, St.Ola Ork, 1.000 Ythan Est. NE, 826 L.Gruinart/L.Indaal, Islay Arg in Jul; 1,600 Mersehead D&G, 1,150 Dalmeny L, 908 Eden Est. F, 620 L.of Strathbeg in Aug; 1,278 Montrose Basin A&D, 890 Doonfoot Ayr, 670 Ardmore Clyde, 600 Mill Dam of Rango Ork in Sep;666 Wigtown Bay D&G in Oct; 3,096 Highland Firths, 1,130 Widewall Bay in Nov; 1,500 Glencaple D&G in Dec. * Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda 1 Foula Shet 2-15 Sep. 2nd for Shetland. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Summary: Average spring, good autumn. Jew MAM F uiwAaaS ss OS NisD N&W Is =n i Hees) maa ems ee US ior - N Scot DA Hie doen ADO a Dna NE Scot se halal = aon 3 grime) alto leeaem] E/CScot. Wes viens yee 1 ee Le Sel) ee Ove SE Scot 1 Re Vo. wo Si Ang = W.Scot~ - - - = sie - SW Scot - 1 1 =i, SOs ol -__- Total Me PA AB A? Ge WV AS Cy Oil ills eh al 1995 ODI EE A 9 ES ete) W/o @) 1994 Al 2, Bie So ams oS) o4e 10h eal Jan-Mar singles: Balnakeil H, Munlochy H, Breakish, Skye H, Caerlaverock D&G, Aberlady L & Skinflats Forth. Spring singles: Foula Shet, Unst Shet, L.of Strathbeg NE, Eden Est. F, Gartloch Pool Clyde & Threave D&G, 21 Apr-30 May, mostly early-mid May. First returnees at Belhaven L 15 Jul & Eden Est 19 Jul. Mostly 1-3 birds, but best count 4 Eden Est. 26 Sep & 5- 16 Oct. 1 Kinneil Forth 16 Aug-27 Dec. R.D.Murray [Ed] 35 Redshank Tringa totanus Max counts: 2,318 Highland Firths H, 1,465 Forth Est. Forth, 718 Dipple shore Ayr in Jan: 985 S.Forth L, 820 Invergowrie Bay A&D in Feb; 1,833 Clyde Est. Clyde, 1,008 Ythan Est. NE, 687 Montrose Basin A&D in Mar; 580 Eden Est. F, 500 Fraserburgh shore NE in Apr. Odd inland records P&K, Loth, Bord & Clyde but wintering occurred at Millichen Clyde (max 11) & Tweed & Teviot haughs B (10-16). Arrival on territory: Bord from 3 Mar; Forth 11 Mar; Loth 16 Mar, Clyde 18 Mar; Caith 26 Mar. Breeding Shet 41prs Fetlar, 2-3 Foula; Ork 16prs Hoy (14), 13prs L.of Hundland, 12prs at 3 other sites; Caith 20prs along Thurso R., Halkirk-Thurso; High 128prs Insh Marshes (143); M&N c.19prs at 8 sites, 6-8 Findhorn Bay; NE 34-37prs located in Lapwing survey; P&K 29prs Strathallan (28); A&D 5-7prs with 3br Riverside Park, Dundee; Fife bred Eden Est., 2prs Rossie Bog; Loth stable 6prs Aberlady, 6prs Bavelaw (4); Bord 46 birds on territory middle Tweed and lower Teviot, 41prs at 25 other sites; Arg 114prs L.Gruinart, Islay (107), 33prs Coll reserve (56), 13prs Colonsay (8); Clyde 34prs at 21 sites, 4prs Douglas middle pond; Ayr 38prs at 21 sites with 12prs W&SE Airds Moss; D&G c.35prs at 7 sites with 24prs L.Ken. First passage early Jul. Best totals: 1,600 Montrose Basin, 1,562 Ythan & 1,121 S.Forth in Aug; 4,717 Invergowrie, 1,100 Erskine shore Clyde in Sep; 1,303 S.Forth & 1,197 Eden Est. in Oct; 2,092 Clyde Est., 1,000 Carse Bay D&G in Nov; 3,044 Highland Firths H, 1,839 Forth Est. in Dec. Inland wintering at Cart-Clyde junction Clyde (19) & Lees B (5-8). * Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis [1994] Ad L.Sandaray, N.Uist OH 8-9 Oct. Greenshank Tringa nebularia 65 Jan-Feb birds (61): Caith, 3 High, M&N, NE, A&D, 4 Fife, 12 Loth, 9 Arg, 19 Clyde, 11 Ayr & 3 D&G, max 13 Finlayson Pt. Clyde , 8 Tyninghame L & 8 Hunterston Ayr in Feb. Spring passage light. Mar-Jun birds 11 Shet, 2 Fair Is, 8 Ork, 16 Caith, 19 High, 2 M&N, 7 NE, 8 A&D, 22 Fife, 4 Forth, 6 Loth, 2 Bord, 5 Arg, 15 Clyde,14 Ayr & 1 D&G. Max 5 L.Indaal, Islay Arg 31 Mar; 5 Cardross Bay Clyde 16 Apr; 6 Edenside F 19 Apr. Breeding: Caith 5prs at 4 sites; NE bred 1 site; P&K 3 broods at 2 sites; Arg probably bred Mull. Passage from late Jun, peaking mid-Aug with max counts: 7 Tyninghame 29 Jun; 14 Finlayson Pt. in Jul; 43 in Clyde area, 34 at 9 sites in Shet, 25 Tyninghame, 20 Montrose Basin A&D, 19 Ythan Est. NE, 14 Lochar Water D&G, 12 Bridgeend, Islay Arg, 11 Bogside Ayr, 11 R.Tweed at Lees B in Aug; 43 Browhouses D&G & 30 Tyninghame in Sep; 18 Eden Est., 10 Torry Bay F in Oct. 16 Finlaystone Pt. Nov with 7 there Dec; 10 Hunterston, 10 Glencaple D&G & & Tyninghame in Dec. 47 Dec birds (39): singles Shet, Ork, High, M&N, 7 Loth, 7 Clyde, 12 Ayr & 17 D&G. * Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes 1 Musselburgh L 14 Jul. Second for Lothian. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 1 Kirkton & 1 Kingholm D&G in Feb, 1 Kingholm in Mar & 3 Kirkton in Apr. Apr singles Fair Is 21-25 Apr & L.of Strathbeg NE 23 Apr. May singles: 2 Shet, 4 Ork & singles High, NE, Bord, Clyde with early Jun singles Shet & Clyde. Breeding: High at least 1 bird close to '95 site seen on 5 dates 17 Apr-29 May, breeding attempt suspected. Singles Clyde 22 Jun & Fair Is 29 Jun were first of autumn. Then Jul singles from Shet, Ork (3), M&N, NE, Fife, Loth, D&G. Main passage Aug. Good, early, autumn. Passage heavier in N.Isles and lighter in S than 1995. Mostly 1-3 birds with best counts: 5 Fair Is 19 & 21 Aug; 4 Baron's Haugh Clyde 22-24 Aug; 4 Foula Shet 28 Aug. Last birds mostly Oct. Winter singles seen L.of Strathbeg 23 Nov & 5 Dec, Dumfries D&G 12 Nov & Kingholm 26 Dec Summary Joe Mesa Maw Jee ea cA eS tO Nesp! INSIslesigg cae en ec 2a a AD Ole ak coke f= N Scot Re ante ie 2D Stl = NE Scot Tipe 16 1 E/C Scot a et SE Scot 1 eet L7/ By 2 WScot - - See eH i= 2 ae pare ke SWéScoti Gas ele Selene ae Sole OM eS. earlier Total On TAN 4 141300 383i 33 1995 Crees Oe ee 5s Ope 584 She 2 1994 1 Oi i SI 2 Seeali2 a 391 88 ce eG Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1 Caerlaverock D&G 10-12 Apr. In May 4 Shet, 2 Caith, 3 NE, 3 A&D & 2 Loth with singles M&N, NE, P&K, Bord & Ayr, max 4 N.Ronaldsay Ork & 2 Mill Dam, Shapinsay Ork 20-21 May. 2 singles NE 7-12 Jun, 1 Ork 28 Jun-2 Jul. 1 summered Ladybank F. Breeding: Caith 1 sang Broubster 26 May, but did not linger; High 3prs at usual Ross site, 4-5prs in Badenoch, lpr syspected Lochaber, none Sutherland. First singles NE & Fife 21 Jul, Ayr 23 Jul but most appeared early-mid Aug. Poor year in S but excellent in N.Isles. Max counts on Shet - 6 Fetlar, 4 L. of Heusbeck & 3 L.of Spiggie 11-13 Aug. Elsewhere only 1-2 birds. A few singles in Sep in Shet (2), Ork (2), Caith, A&D, Loth and D&G (2) with late birds Stronsay Ork & L.of may Caith 1-2 Oct & Caerlaverock 24-25 Oct. 36 Wood Sandpiper Summary JURE Mac AGMer yh eye Ave SaOoeEND N Isles - i 158) lore 2S ue Zeal: ge T= N.Scot IOP Ge aoa Pole col - NE Scot - SELLa Sc See Datla Ome E/C Scot - Arey ala) moran sel = SE Scot - 3) el Awan - W.Scot —— | py ae eal SW Scot - Seiki sn Coniay line nay Yel - - 1996 ORO Oras 38 a 3 Ol 0 1995 OOP R IMS 4 23a rr4a See 8i One ONO 1994 OF OR sO) lee S618 18) eel Oae 0) 0 * Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 1 R.Leven Clyde 22-30 Sep. First for Clyde & sixth for Scotland. See Gibson, Clyde Bird Report 10: 143-144 for note, for photo see: Birding World 9: 378. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 Auld Brig Ayr 21 Feb probably wintered. First Drumgirnan Ayr 3 Apr; NE & Bord 5-6 Apr; A&D, P&K, D&G, M&N, Loth, Clyde Is and Arg 9-15 Apr; High, Forth, Fife, Clyde & Ork 18-20 Apr; Caith, Shet &Fair Is 24-28 Apr. Peak counts: 8 Egilsay Ork 28 Apr; 10 The Mound H 1 May; 8 Cults NE 4 May; 7 Burnmouth B 23 May. Breeding: Shet 4prs at 2 sites Ork 13prs (15) with Sprs L.of Swannay (6), first young 3 Jul; Caith 6prs R.Thurso, Halkirk-Thurso; High 32prs Eigg (31), 16prs Insh Marshes; M&N bred again on estuary at Kingston; NE 19prs noted; Fife pr bred Lomond Hills; Loth 22+prs at 17 sites; Bord 25% drop Dewar study to 21 prs of which 14 were successful, most late nests failed, 4prs Gala Water WBS (6), 44prs at 11 other areas; Arg 27prs Colonsay (13), 16prs in 26km: of Eredine Forest: Clyde 63prs at 30 sites, 6prs Culter Waterl Sprs at 32 sites. 147 seen on 47km canoe trip Wandel-Bonnongton on R.Clyde Clyde 11 Jul. Main passage late Jul-early Aug: peaks 30 Montrose Basin A&D, 24 Ballentrae Ayr, 16 Caerlaverock D&G & 14 Endrick Mouth Clyde 22-23 Jul; 12 Tyninghame L 28 Jul; 32 Machrihanish Arg | Aug; 15 Aberlady L 6 Aug; 15 Eden Est. F, 10 West Water Res. B,10 Fair Is, 10 Kingston 5-10 Aug. Last Clyde, Bord, High, Ayr & Forth 8-15 Sep; NE, D&G, Fair Is & Ork 20-25 Sep; A&D, Arg 28-30 Sep; Loth 13 Oct; Shet & Fife 21-24 Oct. Late 1 Ashfield Forth 17 Nov. 2 Ross Bay D&G 13 Dec may have wintered. * Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia 1 Papil Water, Fetlar Shet 17-18 May. 2nd for Shetland. [1984] 1 L.Indaal, Islay Arg 5 Jun. First for Argyll. Scottish Bird Report 1996 Turnstone Arenaria interpres 855 South Forth shore L, 324 Portgordon-Stathlene M&N,124 Montrose Basin A&D, 189 Irvine shore Ayr, 189 Turnberry shore Ayr in Jan; 471 Elliot- Monifieth A&D, 326 Highland Firths H, 133 Doonfoot Ayr in Feb; 222 Girdleness NE in Mar; 380 Rosehearty- Fraserburgh NE, 359 Portgordon shore, 350 S.Forth, 154 Ythan Est. NE in Apr; 102 Girdleness in May. Jun peaks: 35 Ythan, 32 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 20 Fetlar Shet. Smaller autumn numbers than usual. 115 Is of May in Jul; 200 Is of May, 142 Lossiemouth NE in Aug; 789 S.Forth, 320 N.Ronaldsay, 170 Sanday Ork, 134 Girdleness in Sep; 125 Fair Is in Oct; 323 Fraserburgh, 160 Elliot in Nov; 311 Highland Firths, 273 Portgordon shore, 146 Montrose, 139 Peterhead NE, 110 Dipple shore in Dec. Inland: 1 Forfar L. A&D 12 May, 2 there 25& 28 May. 1 Balgray Res. Clyde 8 Aug, 2 there 23 Aug. 1 Endrick Mouth Clyde 10 Aug. * Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor 1st-w Edenside F 12-13 Oct. 4th record for Fife. See Dean & Lambert, Fife Bird Report 1996: 122-123 for note. Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus First Fetlar Shet & L.Mor, Benbecula OH 11 May, with 3 there 18 & 25 May; singles N.Ronaldsay Ork 29 May, Lochmaddy, N.Uist OH, L.of Banks Ork 21 Jun & Swona Ork 30 Jun. Breeding: Shet 31-33 males Fetlar, the highest number since 1968. Ist chicks 13 Jul, last juv seen 19 Aug, 2 prs elsewhere Shet bred successfully. 1 Haroldswick Shet 11 Jul was the only other record after Jun. [1995] 1 Machrihanish Arg 9 Sep. Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Singles Kinnaird Head NE 12 Jan-21 Jan; Ackergill Caith 21-24 Jan (was predated); Seafield L 28 Jan, possibly same bird Musselburgh L 29 Jan; 1 Thurso Caith 2 Feb; 1st-w Turnberry & Girvans Mains Ayr 17- 19 Feb: 1 Clunie-Scatness Shet 2-4 Jun. Once again good autumn passage Argyll where 15 birds seen- 1S Coul Pt., Islay 17 Sep; 1S Machrihanish 27 Sep; 2 Machrihanish & 1 Frenchman's Rocks, Islay 28 Sep; 1 L.Gruinart, Islay 29 Sep; 4S Frenchman's Rocks 30 Sep; 1 seen off NW Mull 2 Oct; 1 L.Sween 16 Oct; 1 Frenchman's Rocks 19 Oct; 2 Machrihanish 6 Nov. Elsewhere: 1 Is of May 5 Sep; 2 Lothbeg Pt. H 13 Oct; 2 Dunnet Bay Caith 19 Oct; 1 Turnberry Pt. 3 Nov; 1 Kinnaird Head 17-20 Nov. 2nd record for Is of May. R.D.Murray [Ed] 37 Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1 Kinnaird Head NE 28 Jan was the only early-year bird. Spring passage through Solway and around N of Outer Hebrides and N Isles, usually poorly observed. The Fife records show that the Solway birds are occasionally seen having crossed Scotland overland. Solway-Forth: 60 Annan D&G 26 Apr with 40 there on 27 Apr; 2W Fife Ness F 28 Apr, 1 there 10 May; 1 Aberlady L 2 May; 4 Cardross D&G 12 May. N&W coast: 1Scarnish, Tiree Arg 5 May; 6N Wats Ness Shet 6 May, with 4 on 8 May. 1 Brora H 12 May; 2N Aird an Runair, N.Uist OH 23 May; 1 Wats Ness 27 May; 1 Walls Shet 2 Jun. Area Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec N&WIsles_ 1 - 7 20 5 1 N.Scot - 2 10 83) e210 4 2 MorayF. - - - - - - - NE Scot* = - - 3 18 12 2 - Forth* 1 14 57 11 3 9 W.coast 4 4 9 10 4 - Total 1 7 31. 174 = =263 18 12 1995 ti 44 649 172 ~~ 107 28 4 1994 13 Se LOM 877, 013 26 9 *some duplication possible between Is of May, Fife, Lothian & Bord observations/NE approximate (also includes A&D) Extremely low numbers, further drop from 1994 peak. 1 Eyemouth B 5 Jul; 3 from Oban-Mull ferry Arg 14 Jul; 1 Grass Pt., Mull Arg 15 Jul; 2 Brora 19 Jul. A thin scatter of Aug records High, NE, Bord, Arg & D&G. Good Sep/Oct numbers almost only on N coast. 23 Chanonry Pt. H 6 Sep; 10 Strathy Pt. H on 11 Sep; 18 Brora H 20 Sep; 88 Lothbeg Pt. H & 48 South Head Caith 13 Oct. Mostly 1-2 elsewhere: few notable counts: 23 Hound Point L 3 Sep; 7 Musselburgh 7 Sep; 3 St.Abbs B 9 Sep; 8 Collieston NE 20 Sep; 7 North Ronaldsay Ork 11 Oct; 6 Peterhead NE 17 Oct; 6 Machrihanish Arg 19 Oct. A few Nov birds in Shet, Ork (3), High (4), NE (2), Arg (2) & Ayr (2) with singles Brora H 19 Dec & Kinghorn F 20 & 24 Dec and 4 Musselburgh 23 Dec. Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus No winter records. First Handa H 11 Apr. Then Fair Is & Ork 15-17 Apr; A&D, Loth, Shet, Ayr, Caith & NE 20-28 Apr; Fife, Arg, D&G & Bord 1-12 May. Passage very light, max 4 Peterhead NE 3 May. Breeding: Caith 7prs at 3 sites; High 29prs Handa; Arg 3 birds on Jura, 2-8 on Lunga, Treshnish Is. Overall numbers continued to decline at Shet monitored sites to 115 AOTs (143 in'94), numbers are more stable on Fair Is. Decline was also seen on Hoy Ork with 98 AOTs (211 in’92, 408 in $2) and at N.Hill, Papa Westray Ork with 139 AOTs (151 in '92). It is likely that these declines reflect difficulties in the food supply and pressure from Great Skuas. Numbers on Handa H are more stable at 29 AOTs. Productivity remained good in Ork & Shet. Predation by Great Skuas was reported at several sites, especially on Hoy where there was no success. Omitting Hoy, productivity was 0.65-1.30 on Ork and 0.72-1.26 on Shet. Low numbers were thought to be fledged on Handa. Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. Area Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov’ Dec N.coast 14 4 14 25 9 - - MorayF. 1 1 22 22 43 NE Scot* 1 10 21 35 6 - 1 Forth-Tay 7 26 193 457 26 4 Clyde/SW 11 8 15 8 6 3 - Total 34 49.265... 547 90 i 1 1995 23 100 474 736 76 19 0 1994 + 58 936 1017 #650 30 4 * min numbers Extremely low numbers, declining from peak in ‘1994. Peak counts: 21S Peterhead M&N 7 Aug; 18 St.Abbs B 22 Aug; 22N South Head Caith 27 Aug; 15N Girdleness NE 7 Sep; 17W Strathy Pt. H 11 Sep; 105 Hound Pt. L 12 Sep; 20N Girdleness 16 Sep; 18 Hound Pt. 17 Sep; 22 Eyemouth B 19 Sep; 11S Fife Ness F 22 Sep; 16W Lossiemouth M&N 5 Oct; 18W Chanonry Pt. H 12 Oct; 4ON South Head 14 Oct. Low total of 49 (130hrs) Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg Jul-Oct, max 7S on 4 Oct; and 39 Machrihanish Arg (299hrs) Jul-Oct. Cross-Scotland passage: 12W Grange- mouth Forth on 11 Aug with 11W there 21 Sep. Last mostly early Oct but movement N coast 13-14 Oct when 8N/1S South Head Caith. Also 1 Ork, 4 Arg & singles Ayr 1-7 Nov, Frenchman's Rocks 16 Nov & Blackness L 22 Nov. 4E Kinghorn F 20 Dec. * Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus 1 Kilconquhar L. F 7 May and 2 N.Ronaldsay Ork on 21 May appear to be the only spring records. Area Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov’ Dec N.Isles 1 1 1 4 2 - - N.coast 1 - - - - - - MorayF. - D - 13 1 2 - NE/A&D~ - 1 - 4 1 - - Forth/Tay - - 1 2 - - W.coast 1 - Total 2 4 3 24 4 2 1995 1 Dat2i2 13 1 0 1994 24 De ADB 1G eID 3 Note: some duplication between Fife & Lothian totals likely. As in other skua species an extremely poor year. Singles Rubha Reidh H 17 Jun; N.Ronaldsay 29 Jun; Fair Is 5 Jul; Peterhead NE 30 Jul; Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 2 Aug; Eyemouth B 26 Aug; Sound of Papa, Sandness Shet 30 Aug; Fishtown of Usan A&D 4 Sep; Kinghorn F 7 Sep; Brora 8 Sep; Girdleness NE 9 Sep; Tyninghame L & Kinghorn 12 Sep; N.Ronaldsay 15 Sep; Lunan Bay A&D 21 Sep; Cove Bay NE 22 Sep; L.of Brindister Shet 26 Sep; N.Ronaldsay 7 Oct; Chanonry Pt. H & Girdleness 12 Oct; N.Ronaldsay 24 Oct; Fortrose H 11 Nov; Burghead M&N 25 Nov. The only multiple records were 2 Brora H 29 Jul; 12 Embo H & 3 Musselburgh L 3 Sep; 2 N.Ronaldsay 30 Sep. Nw O/|S] 1 38 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Great Skua Catharacta skua Few early-year records: 2 Brora H 2 Jan, 1 Lothbeg Pt. H 6 Jan; 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork and 1 Lossiemouth M&N 7 Jan; 1 Kinnaird Head NE 27 Jan. First Fair Is 28 Mar; Shet & Ork 30 Mar-1 Apr; NE 6 Apr; A&D, High & Arg 18-26 Apr; Loth & Fife 2-4 May. Few Apr-early-Jun records away from colonies Breeding: Arg probable pr Fladda, Treshnish Is., Mull. Increase in Shet at monitored sites to 246 AOTs (228 in '95) and Ork to 112 AOTs (111 in’95). Slight drop Fair Is. Census in Ork recorded 2,119 AOTs an 11% increase over 1992 (1,900 AOTs). 213 AOTs found Hirta, St.Kilda OH with 16 on other islands of the group. Stable 116 AOTs Handa H. Pellet analysis on Fair Is showed an equal reliance on fish and bird prey. Productivity continues high on Shet, Fair Is & Ork, ranging from 0.41 on S:Hoy Ork to 1.13 on Fetlar Shet. Cannibalism of chicks by adults was a major influence on some colonies. From Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. 100 Heldale Water Ork 29 May;150 Sandy L., Hoy Ork 23 Jun; 50-100 Lerwick harbour Shet 5 Aug were only significant counts away from colonies. Area Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec N.coast 2 34 968 1380" % 137 - MorayF.*_ - 6 49 32 86 NE/A&D* 14 1 44 50 30 - W.coast* 3 6 3 37 10 1 2 2 Forth/Tay 2 12 97), 1105 18 1 - 3 9 0 1995 + 59 469 487 94 5 1994 + 27 480 439 266 8 * - min numbers ‘\- Arg seawatching sites not included except in total (81). Lower numbers than usual, c.60% of normal. Peaks: 14N Peterhead NE 7 Aug; 22N South Head Caith 27 Aug; 10 Barns Ness L 28 Aug; 9 Fife Ness F 4 Sep; 20N Girdleness NE 7 Sep; 64 Strathy Pt. H 11 Sep; 10 Eyemouth B 13 Sep; 12 N.Ronaldsay Ork 6 Oct; 52 Lothbeg Pt. H, 40N South Head, 9 Peterhead 12- 14 Oct. 81 Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg (130hrs) Jul-Oct, max 16 (6hrs) 27 Sep, also21 Machrihanish Arg (299hrs) Jul-Oct. Last Clyde Is..M&N, Ayr & Is of May 5-11 Oct; A&D, D&G, Clyde & Bord 14-27 Oct; Fair Is, Caith, Shet,Ork, High, Loth, Arg & NE 2-12 Nov. Last 1 Largo Bay F 15 Nov. 0 3 1 * Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Min 9 in Jan/Mar, I in summer & 19 in Sep/Dec. Probably 3. 2nd-w Cramond-Musselburgh shore L various dates 9 Jan-4 Mar; ad Donmouth NE 29 Jan & 28 Feb; as Seafield L 7 Feb; 2nd-w Barassie Ayr 7,22 & 26 Feb; Ist-w Donmouth 27 Feb; 2nd-w Donmouth 8 Mar; 2nd-w Lochlea Ayr 25-30 Mar. Breeding: single ad in Black-headed Gull colony P&K 15 Apr-23 May. No hint that it bred or was paired. 2nd-s Elliot A&D 15 Jul; ad Leven F 6 Aug; 1 L.Ryan D&G 17 Aug; ad St.Abbs B 23 Aug; 2nd-s Doonfoot Mediterranean Gull Peter Donnelly Orkney Bird Report Ayr 25 Aug; 2nd-s Aberlady L 1 Sep; ad Musselburgh L7 Sep; ad Mill Bay & Meikle Water, Stronsay Ork 22- 25 Sep; ad & 1 st-w Doonfoot 24 Sep; Ist-w Musselburgh & 1 L.Ryan 28 Sep; Ist-w Musselburgh 25 Oct; ad Kinnaird Head/Sandhaven/L.of Strathbeg/Donmouth/ L.of Skene NE 26 Oct-29 Nov; ad Cramond 28 Oct; as Musselburgh 14 Nov-1997; 2nd-w Musselburgh 4 Dec; ad Doonfoot 9 Dec; ad Kinghorn F 21-24 Dec. First for Orkney - 25 Aug bird had been ringed in Hungary. Second for Borders. See Holloway, Orkney Bird Report 1996: 77 for note on Orkney bird. * Laughing Gull Larus atricilla lst-s to 2nd-w Fetlar Shet 24 Jul and Ist-s Dornoch H 13 Aug-12 Oct. First for Highlands, third for Shetland. Photo of Dornoch bird, Birding World 9: 474 * Franklin's Gull Larus pipxcan Ist-s Foula Shet 6-7 Jul. Third for Shetland. Little Gull Larus minutus Summary J F M AM J J A S ON D N&Wis; 6° 3.9 I 24) 4 ot), EOE - N.Scot De Sy Se BO 4 al - INE|SCOtS Sire Ga ie lie ee ee an) ee ee ee E/C Scot*21 98 163 141 5 53 91 740 377425 86 2 SEIScotl uss! Wee ole Oa Sie Malena Wicoast® 6° 5). 20 ae 9 29S eR ae? San Dele — Data in bird/days. * data very minimal, only main records included. Tay area: 20 Tay Est. F/A&D in Jan; 60 off Kinshaldy F 1 Feb;100 Lucky Scalp F 26 Mar; 140 Rescobie L. A&D 22 Apr; 36 Elliot Links A&D 2 Jul; 326 Monikie A&D 19 Aug; 182 (2hrs) Fife Ness F 31 Aug; 770S Arbroath A&D (30mins) at dusk 11 Sep with 1,038S (1hr) there 25 Sep; 250 fed off Fife Ness 13 Sep. Outwith the Tay area mostly 1-2 birds, the exceptions being 3 Curragh shore Ayr in Jan and 3-4 L.of Strathbeg NE May-Aug. R.D.Murray [Ed] 39 — eee eee C7 Sabine's Gull Steven Brown Fife Bird Report * Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini Ad L.an Tiumpan, Lewis OH 4 Feb; 1 Is of May 6 Jun; ad Sanda Arg 28 Jul; ad Fife Ness F & ad Musselburgh L 24 Aug; ad at sea Little Minch 29 Aug; ad Aberlady L31 Aug-9 Sep; ad St.Abbs B 9 Sep; 5 ads Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 24-30 Sep; 1 Corsewall Point D&G 29 Sep; ad Musselburgh 7 Oct; ad Fife Ness 11 Oct; juv Kinnaird Head NE 17 Oct-2 Nov; juv Aird an Runair, N.Uist OH 19 Oct; ad Kinnaird Head 25 Oct; 1 Balintore H 31 Oct. Some duplication likely with the ad in Firth of Forth, probably 16-20 birds. 5th for Borders, 6th for Fife. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Breeding: Ork 14 sites with c.1,140prs, 460 young seen at 5 sites with c.880prs, MBS 0.52; High 1,170prs Insh Marshes (900); M&N c.293prs at 8 sites, at 5 sites counted 1994/95 rise from 220 to 293prs; NE c1,500prs at 14 sites, 850prs L.of Strathbeg reared min 150 young; Fife Redmyre (c.1,000prs) totally failedn again; Forth 4-5prs Ashfield raised 4 young (120prs); Loth 4 sites but 2 abandoned, only N.Esk had success, 700 young; Bord estimate of stable 14,000prs Bemersyde with 51% juvs amongst 1,000 counted 6 Jul; 2,464 nests at 7 other sites; Arg 312prs at 13 sites, of which 270 prs at 10 sites fledged c.109 young; Clyde 1,707prs at 16 sites with 450prs Barscube Hill (440), 240prs Cochno L. (400), while Gilshaw L. (40) was abandoned; Ayr 533prs at 11 sites with 240 Hunterston (300), 143prs Clydeport reared 139 juvs; D&G 900prs L.Ken (500). Roosts: 4,600 Invergowrie Bay A&D, 4,000 Doonfoot Ayr, 3,500 Castle L. D&G, 3,000 Balgray Res. Clyde in Jan; 5,000 Finlaystone Pt. shore Clyde in Feb; 5,800 Hule Moss B in Mar; 3,500 L.Garten H, 3,000 Kingholm Quay D&G in Apr. 5,800 Meikle Craigs Ayr, 2,000 Invergowrie Bay in Aug; 9,000 Doonfoot, 4,000 Tullibody Inch Forth, 3,500 Hirsel L. B in Dec. Also 18,000 feeding Clyde Est. Clyde in Dec. * Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Winter 94/95: Ad Stromness Ork 1995-3 Apr; ad Ayr Ayr 8-9 Feb. 6th for Ayrshire. Winter 95/96: ad Stromness 24 & 26 Dec. 3 other records had not been submitted to SBRC. Common Gull Larus canus Breeding: Fair Is: 6prs with 6 young (5/3); Ork 23 sites held c.1,961prs, c.830 birds Birsay Moors reared 200 young; High 55prs Eigg (73), 30prs Dornie, W.Ross where mink predation apparent, 14prs Handa & Canna; M&N 2sites withc.24prs; NE 2,400 nests Boulterstone, with 1,000 juvs, bred 8 other sites; Forth 64 nests Upper Glen Devon Res.; Loth bred 2 sites; Bord c.54 nests at 2 sites; Arg c.1,054prs at 45 colonies, 27 colonies with 753-777prs reared 380-492 young (MBS 0.49-0.65), better than '94; Clyde 133prs at 18 sites with 52 nests L.Thom (128), 18prs Eaglesham (20); Ayr 118prs at 16 sites. 312prs N.Hoy Ork shows a big drop from 498prs in 1986, while 250prs S.Walls Ork shows a smaller drop from 287prs in 1986. Mink-trapping in Arg saw the mustelids removed from 6 colonies that held 477prs. These reared 330-440 chicks (0.69-0.92/pr). 12 colonies with 399prs and no Mink control managed just 0.2/pr Thompson et al. JNCC 1997 Roosts & feeding flocks: 6,000 Doonfoot Ayr, 3,500 Ardrossan Ayr & 3,000 L.Heilen Caith in Jan; 8,000 West Linton B, 4,000 Nairn M&N in Feb; 3,000 Houton Ork, 2,500 Covington Clyde in Mar. 9,600 Meikle Craigs Ayr & 4,000 Gladhouse Res. L in Aug; 3,980 Carlingwark D&G in Sep; 3,600 L.of Lintrathen A&D in Oct; 11,000 Doonfoot, 6,800 West Water B in Nov; 2,500 Nairn in Dec. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Jan/Feb max counts: 89 Balgary Res. Clyde, 27 Baron's Haugh Clyde, 23 Hogganfield L. Clyde, 9 Doonfoot Ayr 17-21 Jan. 1-8 birds reported Jan from Ork, M&N , Fife (5), Forth (4), Loth (8), Arg, Clyde (16), Ayr (4) & D&G (2). 40 Scottish Bird Report 1996 First arrivals Forth, Ayr, D&G, Ayr & NE 16-20 Feb; A&D, Ork & Bord 25-28 Feb; M&N, High, Shet & Caith 6-15 Mar. Big counts mostly in W: 450 Balgray Res. 17 Mar; 322 Doonfoot 25 Mar; 500 Drummore Ayr 29 Mar. In contrast 167 Cameron Res. F 7 Apr & 120 E.Kinkell, Black Is. H 25 Apr were the only big E.coast counts. Breeding: Shet pr bred Foula; Ork 27 nests Papa Westray (36), c.445ads Birsay Moors reared several hundred young; Caith 24prs at 3 sites; High 36prs Castle Is, Eigg (40), 40prs Canna; M&N c.215prs at 3 sites; NE bred 6 sites, max 200prs; Forth roof-nesting at 3 sites; F.of Forth 2,534 nests on 8 islands including 1,641 Is. of May, 467 Fidra, 196 Inchmickery, 140 The Lamb & 60 Bass Rock (3 major islands not counted); production Is of May was an average 0.88; Fife 35prs Mossmorran; Arg c.1,088prs at 15 sites, at 5 monitored sites 543-795prs reared 100-200 young; Clyde Is 300prs inland moor, 200-300prs St.Ninian's Bay, Bute; 150prs Pladda Is, Arran; Clyde 670prs at 11 sites, 3 ‘natural’ sites held only 13prs, the remainder on roofs and man- made sites, a 29% increase over '95, 300prs Elderslie reared 180-200 young; Ayr min.1,702prs at 23 sites with 1,166 nests Horse Is (1,429); D&G S56prs at 3 sites. 100 Millichen Clyde & 280 Drochil B in Jun are indicative of large numbers of non-breeders summering well inland. Roosts: 1,288 (15% juvs) Doonfoot 6 Aug; 1,000 roosted Barcraigs Res, Clyde 6 Sep; 3,400 Strathclyde L. Clyde 7 Nov. Last Shet, Caith & NE 28-29 Sep; A&D, M&N, Fair Is & Ork 20-26 Oct; High & Bord 3-10 Nov. Fewer Dec: single records D&G, Fife, Arg, D&G; 3 Forth, 4 Loth, 3 Ayr, 6+ Clyde, max 14 Cramond L 9 Dec & 23 Waulkmill Glen Res. Clyde 27 Dec. Lf.intermedius: | Seafield L 3 Mar; 1 St.John's L. Caith 20 Mar, with 2 there 5 May; | Castlehill Caith 28 Sep; 4 St John's L. 29 Sep; 1 Nairn M&N & 1 Aberlady L 23 Oct; 1 Belhaven L 24 Oct. Lf. fuscus/intermedius: 3 Doonfoot 1 Mar. Lf fuscus: 1 Leith Docks L 3 Jan, 7 Cramond L 13 Feb and 1 Tyninghame L 17 Mar. Herring Gull Larus argentatus 6,000 Kinneil Forth, 4,000 L.Broom H, 3,570 Doonfoot Ayr, 1,800 Banff NE in Jan; 1,300 Invergowrie Bay A&D & 1,000+ Brora H in Apr were the highest early- year counts. Breeding: Shet successful season with expansion noted; Ork c.342prs at 12 sites, 130birds Birsay Moors reared 50+ young; High 1,226prs Canna, 335prs Eigg, 356prs at 5 other areas; M&N c.136prs at 3 sites; NE only 6 sites noted; A&D roof nesting spreading; F.of Forth islands 5,224prs on 9 islands (3 not counted) with 2,060 Is of May, 1,401 Fidra, 240 Bass Rock, 196 Inchmickery, 195 Inchgarvie; 16% increase Is of May; Fife 16+ nests Mossmorran; Forth 4 roof nests; Bord 358 AONs (398) St.Abbs continues see-sawing trend; Arg 4i sites with 4,613-5,263 nests, 28 monitored sites with 3,044- 3,240prs fledged 1,616-2,083juvs (MBP 0.50-0.68); Clyde Is 450-550prs at 3 sites; Clyde 19prs at 5 sites, all on roofs; Ayr 2,444prs at 19 sites, 1,000prs Lady Is., 777prs Horse Is. (953), 482prs Finnarts Pt. (727). 21% decline seen in closely monitored Arg colonies. While Mink may have overall impact, other factors may have an effect. Productivity in Arg was similar to recent years. How- ever in colonies with no signs of Mink predation success rates ran at 0.58-0.79, compared to 0.16-0.23 in sites where Mink were present. Success on Canna H was lowest on record at 0.25. On Is of May productivity at 1.23 was average. Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. Max winter counts: 4,000 Lendalfoot Ayr & 3,500 Meikle Craigs in Aug; 4,500 Cambus Forth, 3,585 Blackshaw Bank D&G in Sep; 3,200 Doonfoot, 3,000 Girdleness NE in Nov; 4,500 Kinneil Forth in Dec. Record. 13,000 storm-blown Fair Is 4 Dec L.a.argentatus dark Scandinavian race 2 L.Garten H 17 Feb; 1 Musselburgh L 21 Dec. Ad of the form formerly known as omissus (with yel- low-legs) Lady Is. Ayr 2 Mar. Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides J FMA M J JASON D Niisles.; 12.13.93) 13) 29.6 Ae ae a a Oaeed W.lIsles ..= 2°20 "= oh Oe cisely ee N:Scot 160-7 16." 4— 3) Oe Deer NE Scot® °22. 4543 oles = eee lee ee te) ee E/@ Scot. 2:573-% 1 25-4 Fee ee SEScot - - - = - - - ~henthonitee W.-Scot (7 1) -- 03) 521 =o orl Voce = slgrra se a SW. Scot!..8 94.8) 74s ek © a ese ele 1996 41 31 4432 14 4 3 3 1 6 16 19 1995 D3), 36.38. yl Sie On Osgl Ope Oe Oras 1994 43 O95 32 9c 8 icc Daan? weet lieeeel eee Oana, JS) *records not fully detailed. Birds present each month, there will be some duplication between months for long-stayers. ay Kumilien's Gull ca; Andrew Stevenson Ayrshire Bird Report R.D.Murray [Ed] 41 Moderate year, mostly 1-2 birds reported. Best: 5 Lerwick Shet 21-24 Feb, with 3-4 birds there on several occasions Jan-May; 4 Scarbster Caith 13 Jan; 4 Boddam NE 17 Feb; 3 Tiree, Arg Mar-Apr. Note no Ork records autumn/winter. Probable Iceland x Herring hybrid Scrabster 28 Apr. Photo: 1st-w Lerwick in Feb: Birding World. 9: 84 *Kumlien's Gull L.g. kumlieni Ad Ayr Ayr 3-29 Feb & 29-30 Nov; 3rd-s L.of Tingwall Shet 12 Jun. See Hogg, Ayrshire Bird Report 1996: 5-7 for account of Ayr bird which as an adult shows less differences from 'normal' Icelands than it did as an immature when it had more similarities to Kumliens. Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus c.222 records (289 in 1995). ver MAM) J “AS “OUND INpiSlcsmemla i 94 7 96" 2 1—" 18" 14-6 WVAISIeSitr= Wriarna erae e D en So Dae N.Scot AM SEUOW Setanta Sie eat rd INFeScotcm4asr) 6-2 Symloe NS = ree plo 2iie4eos5 CAScotel anion gai Ali tie i aS be DES SE eScotaimled Sieh sen cists lee = Spt ole Din 2D WES COtMM em. Tice ee ee a ke dls SW Scot 6. 5,.5..2..1 Ste aes lye gli Sp 3 1996 30 41 2914 16 9 2 6 5 14 29 27 1995 ASmA0moesile 22-210 de 6) 6. 22.35) 3) 1994 Soe) 24, 13 6 6, 5 14 27 13° 21 *records not fully detailed. Note no records from Fife. Poor year. Max: 3 Fraserburgh NE 10 Mar; 3 Lerwick Shet 14 Mar; 9 Fair Is 4 Dec (after storm). Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 498 Kinnaber A&D, 400 Girdleness NE, 142 Doonfoot Ayr in Jan; 230 Whalsay Shet in May. Breeding: Shet 67 AOTs (75); Fair Is big drop Sheep Rock, apparently driven out by Fulmars; Ork c.2,397prs at 11 areas, 192prs Birsay Moors + 150 young; High 33prs Handa, 324prs Eilean Hoan, 104prs Nigg, 71prs Canna, 16prs Eig (12), 9prs Clynelish (42); M&N pr Covesea; NE noted 2 sites; A&D pr Ethie Haven; F.of Forth Is. record 24prs on 7 islands; Arg 281-319prs at 34 sites, 13 monitored sites: 94-106prs reared 87-97 young; Clyde Is. 42prs Pladda, Arran; Clyde 16 nests at 2 sites, with | roof nest; Ayr 5 sites, 202 nests, c.150prs Lady Is, 34prs Horse Is (103), 1 6prs Finnarts shore (28). 645prs Hoy Ork, compares with 3,400prs in 1974 & 1,600 in 1984, decline, perhaps influenced by interactions with skuas. Elsewhere on Ork the declines were not so marked. Increased numbers were seen in at Lunga Arg and at Nigg H. Mink appear to have little impact compared to other seabirds with 0.87-1.03 at uneffected colonies. Productivity at Nigg was 1.49, the lowest on record. Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997 900 Inverugie NE, 700 Eigg, 536 Goosepools F in Aug; 688 Kinnaber, 680 Ythan NE in Sep; 2,000 L.of Strathbeg NE in Nov; 500 Longannet F in Dec. 2,000 storm-blown birds Fair Is 4 Dec. Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Movements: c.9,000 Dunnet Bay Caith 27 Mar; 2,800S Peterhead NE 11 Apr, with2,400S there 22 Apr; 7,000N/ 1,000S Peterhead 19 Aug; 4,922 (6hrs) Machrihanish Arg 27 Oct. Hourly rates: 2,000/hr Brough of Birsay Ork 1 Jun; 7,800/hr St.Abbs B 7 Aug; 3,000 Brora H 20 Sep; 1,022/hr N.Ronaldsay Ork 6 Oct; 2,000/hr South Head Caith 14 Oct; Mean hourly rate French- men's Rock, Islay Arg 103/hr in May, 148/hr in Jun but peaked at 660/hr in Oct. Unusual numbers of inland record Loth: 23 Whiteadder Res. 20 Jan, with 11 there 9 Dec; up to 50 Auldcathie tip in Sep; 9 Gladhouse Res. 13 Oct. Breeding: With a late season the marginal decreases seen in E coast colonies may be more apparent than real, if late nesters had any impact. While there was little change in monitored sites in Shet, there were declines elsewhere in the islands as were there in Ork, SW and parts of NW. The latter area showed substantial declines in St.Kilda OH . Only at the Lochaber Arg colonies was there any increase, reversing a long-term downturn there between 1982-93. The largest monitored numbersinhabit SE where the Forth colonies showed a 10% drop, representing a loss of over 2,000prs. Area % pop MBP MBP MBP MBP change 1993 1994 1995 1996 Shet -1,7 0.37 0.40 0.54 0.66 Ork -8.9 0.91 1.14 1.22 1.14 N Scot - 0.98 0.96 1.23 0.50 NW +12.7 0.68 1.05 1.14 1.05 NE -28.4 0.23 0.41 0.66 0.26 SE -10.0 0.21 0.39 0.51 0.65 SW -7.6 0.37 0.40 0.78 0.86 There was no evidence of food shortages. British productivity averaged 0.76 and showed little overall change, Ork and NW fitted this pattern. However the gradual improvement over recent years in several areas (Shet, SE & SW) from the low level of the early 1990s continued. Great Skua predation causes variablity in success rates in Shet according to whether Bonxies are present or not. SE production crept up to mod- erate success with St.Abbs B showing good success at 1.06. Similarly the W coast colonies had their best success for decades with 0.86 on Ailsa Craig Ayr, 0.95 on Canna Arg & 1.59 on Handa H. Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis First Aberdour F 13 Mar; Caith 16 Mar; OHeb 24 Mar; M&N, D&G, Ork, NE, Loth & Ayr 28-30 Mar; Shet, High, Arg, A&D, Bord & Clyde 3-11 Apr. 56 L.of Strathbeg NE 2 Apr; 130 Ruddon's Pt. F 21 May were first big parties. Movement: 110N/240S Peterhead NE 23 Apr; 213W Delnies M&N 26 Apr. Breeding: Declines were noted at all monitored colonies in Scotland, L.Ryan D&G falling from 80prs to 19prs, the L.of Strathbeg NE numbers similarly dropping from 48 prs to 375prs, while the Forth of Forth colonies fell to only 2prs. Success was low at Strathbeg NE at 0.21 while the few Forth pairs failed totally. Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997 42 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Ork 22prs Toftend had good success with 21 hatching; M&N no nests Kingston due to dog-walkers; NE 70 fledged Strathbeg, 700 displaying Sands of Forvie did not breed; Loth pr bred at mainland colony but failed; Arg 2prs Machrihanish (12), 2 Portnahaven may have bred; Ayr 40prs Hunterston (8); D&G 19prs L.Ryan (80) but shingle site subject to enhanced erosion from new high-speed ferries. Stable 14 records Shet & 5 reports Fair Is (2). 30% juvs in 2 aged flocks (687 birds) Fife 8-10 Aug with 41% juvs (150 birds) NE 14 Aug. Few in autumn: 102/hr Eyemouth B 29 Jul; 100+ Chanonry Pt. H 10 Aug; 400 Musselburgh L 18 Aug; 630 Aberlady L 22 Aug; 1,178 Goosepools F 28 Aug; 80 Ythan NE 14 Sep. Inland: 2 Glasgow Clyde 25 Jun; 5S Balgray Res. Clyde 29 Jul; 2 Johnstone Clyde 4 Aug; 3 arrived high overhead from NE at Doonfoot Ayr 5 Aug were though to have overland migrants; 3 Carron Valley Clyde & 2 Birnie L. F 6 Aug. Last birds D&G, Arg & Forth 22-29 Sep; High, Bord, A&D, Ayr & Fife 2-14 Oct; Clyde & Loth 23-27 Oct; NE 10 Nov. Winter: 1 Stronsay Ork 10 Dec; 1 Kinghorn F 21 Dec. Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii 2 Ythan Est. NE 6 May; 2 Ruddon's Pt. F & 3N Fife Ness F 18 May; 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 29 May. Breeding: 8prs (17) bred at 2 sites in Firth of Forth but the main colony was completely flooded and abandoned. A single pair at the other site hatched 2 young but neither fledged, although one suvived until just before fledging. A second pair were present at this site but did not settle to breed. Thompson et al. JNCC 1997 & local reports. In addition to a larger than usual number of records in the Firth of Forth, max 4 Fife Ness 24 May & 27 Jul, wandering singles, perhaps from failed Forth colony, were at Berneray OH 1 Jun; Hunterston Ayr 18 Jun; Doonfoot Ayr 11 Jul; Eyemouth B 20 Jul; Fair Is 24-26 Jul. Last : 1 Methil Docks F 15 Sep. 2nd records for Fair Isle & Borders. [1994] 1 Machrihanish Arg 27 Jul. [1995] 1 Machrihanish Arg 22 Jul. Common Tern Sterna hirundo First 1 L.of Spiggie Shet 4 Apr; then NE, Loth & Forth 11-12 Apr; Ayr, High, M&N, Fife, OHeb and Clyde 17-21 Apr; Arg, Caith, A&D & Ork 26-29 Apr; D&G, Is of May, Clyde Is, Fair Is & Bord 4-17 May. Main arrival 25-30 Apr. 96W (30mins) Kinghorn F 27 Apr. Breeding: A picture of stable (Forth, W.coast) or slightly increasing numbers (N & NE) emergedin 1996. Areas inArg, where trapping has removed Mink, have been recolonised. Productivity was good at Arg sites with Mink trapping (1.3), with failures due to otters, foxes & raptors, but poor (0.1) where Mink were not controlled. 4 sites failing completely. Elewhere productivity was very low. Predator control was instigated at St.Fergus NE but despite several ferrets and stoats being caught, poor weather conspired with human disturbance and a lack of food to allow just 3 young to fledge from 184prs. High tides washed out colonies in the F. of Forth while 3 individual gulls that specialised in predating terns caused devastation on the Is of May. Area % population change MBP 1995 1996 1995 1996 N.Scot -36 +25 0.13 0.08 NE Scot -36 +11 0.55 0.07 NW Scot +9 na 0.00 0.33 SW Scot +9 na 0.41 0.35 SE Scot -16 -14 0.67 0.02 Scotland na na 0.40 0.18 Note values with ranges have been reduced to single median figure Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. Shet 9prs Fetlar (47) raised 1 young; Fair Is 5prs reared 3+ young; Ork 116 (134) birds at 6 sites, only 4 juvs noted; Caith 1 site; High 250+prs at 5 sites; M&N 152prs at 3 sites, no success; NE 327prs at 6 sites reared only 24 young, 122prs Strathbeg (123); Forth 102prs Grangemouth reared 25 young; F. of Forth 855prs (711) bred, 508 on Lothian mainland, 234 on Is of May, 85 on Fife islands, 19 on Lothian islands; Arg 1,153prs at 31 colonies, largest site, 464prs, suffered Otter & mink predation, 875prs fledged 291-363 young; also 47 birds at 6 sites Islay, 84 birds Tiree, 53prs Coll; Ayr 57prs Hunterston (50); D&G 17 nests L.Ryan (12). Best counts: 247 L.of Strathbeg NE 21 Jul; 100 Whiting Ness A&D 8 Aug; 101 Ruddon's Pt. F15 Aug; 200 Sallachan H 22 Aug; 176 Goospools F 28 Aug; 110 Musselburgh L 27 Sep. Last birds Clyde & Clyde Is 4-9 Aug; Shet, Caith, Bord, Fair Is, High, Ork & Arg 1-29 Sep. Late birds A&D, NE, Fife & Ayr 12-17 Oct. Latest 1 Musselburgh 20 Oct. Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea First birds: 1 Kinnaird Head NE and 3 Castlehill Caith 11 Apr; M&N and Ork 15 Apr; Shet, OHeb, High., Fair Is & Fife 20-27 Apr; A&D, Is of May, Loth, Bord & Arg 3-11 May. 200 Scatness Shet 5 May was the only large party. Breeding: While Fair Is had the highest numbers for 11 years, numbers fell at Brora H, possibly due to former human disturbances. Island colonies in Arg showed slight increases while 1 ,000km of mainland shore had at drop from c.295prs in 1995 to c.184 prs in 1996,a37% decrease. Numbers inNE showed an increase, the rise in Kinloss M&N matching the drop at Brora. Numbers were stable in the five Forth colo- nies, the Is of May holding 531 of the 544prs. Productivity was low in the NJsles with bad weather and flooding contributing although clutch size was lower than in recent years. Failures were mostly in the egg or small young stage. Fair Is was more successful, 900 young fledging from 1,250 nests. Elsewhere mainland success was extremely low with several total failures for no apparent reason or problems with predators as on the Is of May with gulls. R.D.Murray | Ed 43 Area % population change MBP 1995 1996 1995 1996 Shet - - 0.52 0.25 Ork - - 0.79 0.17 N.Scot -55 -59 0.02 0.03 NE Scot +3 +24 0.68 0.00 NW Scot - - - 0.75 SW Scot - -38 0.90 0.61 SE Scot +12 -11 0.21 0.97 Thompson et al . JNCC,1997 Shet 3,624 nests at 23 sites, 921 young; Ork 3,480prs fledged just 293 chicks; Caith 7 sites, c. 330prs, disasterous season; M&N 550 nests Kinloss (380) failed totally; F.of Forth 531prs Is of May (608), had good success, 13prs coastal Lothian failed; Arg see above; Ayr 23prs Meikle Craigs failed; D&G 12prs (20 in '94), also 11 nests Genoch. Large flocks; 272 L.of Strathbeg NE 13 Jul; 345 Eden Est. F 22 Jul; 120 Cairnbulg NE 28 Jul. Very light passage continiues Machrihanish Arg with only 42 birds (45 in '95, 1,153 in '94). Last birds Loth, Fife and Bord 14-21 Sep; A&D, M&N 2-6 Oct; Ayr and OHeb 11-15 Oct; Caith, Ork and NE 18-22 Oct. Latest: 1 Scalloway Shet 1 Nov & 1 Rosskeen H7 Nov. Little Tern Sterna albifrons First 7 Meikle Ross D&G 30 Mar, a very early first date. Then Arg 17 Apr; A&D, NE & OHeb 25-28 Apr; M&N, Caith, High & Ork 5-12 May. Breeding: 9/prs found in Arg survey, similar to 1987 when 91-102 found. Despite prospectors, none nested L.Ryan D&G. Only 4 sites were occupied between Fraserburgh & English border, most in Foveran NE (28prs) and at Eden Estuary F (40prs). Chicks fledged from 3 colonies on E coast 28nests were washed out at Foveran and although they relaid at Forvie there was no success. Successful Eden Est.with 55- 74 fledging , possibly due to presence of both an Arctic Tern colony and electric fencing that may have reduced predation. Area 1995 Pairs 1996 1995 MBP 1996 N Scot 19 5 0.16 0.00 NE Scot 22 30 0.45 0.07 SE Scot 21 55 0.33 1.19 SW Scot 17 0 0.65 0.00 Scotland 79 90 0.39 0.73 See Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. Caith Dunnet site (Sprs) deserted after storm, moved to rape field, deserted when sprayed; 1 6prs Reiss, 5 young, 6prs Murkle; M&N 2prs at | site, 1 reared; NE 53 birds Ythan, 7prs failed; A&D 4prs bred Elliot Mouth with 22 ads + 4 juvs in Jul; Fife 63ads (32) Eden Est. reared 55- 78 young; Loth pr failed; Arg 45prs at 3 sites fledged 5 young Islay, 62 nests at 10 sites Tiree, mostly away from shore, 6prs Coll; D&G L.Ryan abandoned Last Ork 24 Jun; A&D, Caith and Ayr 11-29 Jul; High 6 Aug; Fife 15 Sep. Last 1 Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 24 Sep. 1 ringed Ballantrae Ayr Jul 1983 was controlled in Hallan, Sweden in May 1994. Black Tern Chlidonias niger Juvs Musselburgh L 27 Jul, Higgins Neuk Forth 4 Aug, Kinneil Forth 10 Aug, 1 Annachie Lagoon NE & 1 Brora H 11 Aug; juv Kinnaber A&D 16 Aug. Main influx 20-25 Aug when 1 OHeb, 5 NE, 1 A&D, 1 Forth, 7 Fife, 10 Loth, 1 Clyde & 1 Ayr, max 6 Hound Pt. L, 4 Tayport F 24 Aug & 3 Peterhead NE 23 & 25 Aug. 1 ad Eyemouth B 14 Sep, with 1 juv Clachan, N.UistOH 16 Oct. Area 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-16 Jul Jul Aug Aug Sep Sep _ Oct N/WIsles - = = 1 - : 1 N.Scot - - 1 - - NE Scot 1 6 E/C Scot - 2 12 4 - SE Scot 1 1 11 6 1 SW Scot - - 2 - - - 1996 0 1 5 32 10 1 1 1995 0) 1 8 24 9 1 2 41 in 1993, 34 in 1994, 49 in 1995 & 50 in 1996. Guillemot Uria aalge Only 140 found dead Shet in Jan/Feb (1,072 in 1994); 1,741 found dead E.Ross/Sutherland Jan-Mar. Breeding: Breeding delayed in Ork & N.Sea colonies, Is of May 7-10 days late. Lowest nests were washed away on N.Sutor H and re-lays protracted the season. The NW colo- nies were normal . There were significant (20%) increases on HandaHl & St.Kilda OH and numbers on Canna Arg reached peak levels Increases were also evident in SW. Numbers remained stable on Shet but increased on Ork plots. Bass Rock L had a 20% increase from the 1980s but the Is of May where dult suvival was the lowest onrecord, hada significant 9% drop, possibly due to the winter wreck. The season was generally productive with average or abiove average success. On Handa 0.82 was the best in 9 years of monitoring while Papa Westray Ork at 0.81 was exception- ally high. Figures elsewhere were very simular to 1995. Area % population change MBP 94 95 96 94 95 96 Shet -5 -3 -3 0.74 0.73 0.76 Ork + - +19 0.72 0.77 0.81 N.Scot - - - 0.73 0.76 0.72 NE Scot +16 +23 0 - - NW Scot 0 -6 +8 0.70 0.69 0.80 SE Scot +4 +29 -9 0.79 0.81 0.82 Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. First egg Sule Skerry Ork 24 Apr, St.Abbs B 28 Apr. First chick St.Abbs 31 May, Pentland Firth Ork 1 Jul. Is of May 24,468ads (25,754); Arg 7,650 birds Lunga, Mull (6,600); D&G 2,220 Mull of Galloway (2,027), 820 Scars Rocks (770). Passage : 900/hr Pt. of Ayre Ork 15 Jan; 533/hr Eyemouth B 7 Jun; 1,200/hr N.Ronaldsay Ork 1 Oct; 3,000/hr Burrow Head D&G 12 Oct. Signs of cross-Scotland movements in storms 27-29 Jan with 1 Inversnaid Clyde, 1 L.Arklet Clyde , 1 Drip Camp Forth, 4 Lecropt Forth, 8W Blairdrummond Forth, 1 Holmhead, Moffat D&G; with 1 Duck Bay Clyde 4 Feb. 44 Scottish Bird Report 1996 * Brunnich’s Guillemot Uria lomvia 1 Kilchoan Bay, Ardnamurchan High 27 Mar. 2nd for Highland. Another live one ! Razorbill Alca torda Breeding: Comparisons with colonies last counted several years ago showed increases, as on Noss Shet and Eilen Mor, Flannan Is OH. Most Shet sites showed little change as did those on Hirta, St.KildaOH & Fowlsheugh NE. Colonies on Canna Arg were at the lowest level since the mid-1908s while St.Abbs B showed a drop to 1988 levels. The Is of May had a 20% decline in birds attending plots as well as in the whole colony count. Winter mortality therehad been high here following the Feb wreck. Productivity was good on Fair Is at 0.72 (mean 0.61) but a second year of poor success on Is of May at 0.63 (mean 0.72), losses occurred at the egg stage. Area % population change MBP 94 95 96 94 95 96 NW Scot - -14 - 0.75 0.00 - NE Scot +43 -22 -13 0.00 0.40 - SE Scot +19 +17 -21 0.69 0.62 0.63 Shet +3 +13 -4 0.64 0.49 0.72 See Thompson et al. JNCC, 1997. F.of Forth 3,405 birds Is of May, 405prs on 6 other islands; Arg 925 birds Lunga, Mull (640); Ayr 14 birds, 2 nests Portandea-Cove D&G 348 birds Mull of Gallo- way (328), 42 Scar Rocks (44). Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle Breeding: The population of E coast Shet dropped by 7% at monitored sites. The fall may be associated with the large numbers of oiled seabirds found in winter which included Black Guillemots. The only increase (13%) occurred on the coast effected by the "Braer" incident which continue to recover. The increases associated with recovery from the oiling in Yell Sound in 1979 seem to have levelled off. Small increases were seen on Fair Is. Mink continue to cause problems in Arg with 4 sites abandoned and the first fatalities occurring on Sanda, off Kintyre. Production on Fair Is was low at 0.55. While values of 0.47- 0.65 at Papa Westray Ork were similar to 1995, they were much lower than the 0.89 of 1994, with GBB Gulls observed to be responsible for 30% of losses. Elsewhere on Ork production was good with 1.42 on N.Ronaldsay & 1.43 on Auskerry. Thompson et al. JNCC 1997. High 150 off Eigg in Apr, lpr bred between Helmsdale & The Ord; M&N usual pr Tronach Head with pr at new site at Bow Fiddle Rocks; Arg c.30prs Treshnish Is., Mull; 67-70 birds at 13 widespread sites in study area; Clyde Is 10prs Pladda, a few prs elsewhere on Arran; Clyde potential breeding population of 132 birds in survey with 66prs probably limited by available breed- ing sites, 7prs were confirmed as breeding; Ayr c.32prs noted with 16+ young, 57 seen Finnarts Pt. shore; D&G 36 L.Ryan in Apr with 46 Mull of Galloway in Jun. 152 seen Inner Clyde Clyde census 14-15 Sep. In F.of Forth singles seen Fife (8), Isle of May (1), including 3 seen Apr-Jun, but only 2 Loth & none Bord.. Little Auk Andrew Stevenson Ayrshire Bird Report Little Auk Alle alle High numbers in Moray Firth & NJsles in Jan with good numbers in Forth in Nov. Winter 95/96: 11N/285S Peterhead NE 3 Jan; 200 Tarbert Ness H 4 Jan. Big movement 6-7 Jan seen Ork, High &M&N, 10,100+ Brora/Lothbeg H (5,200/2hrs), 500/hr Pt. of Ayre Ork, 123E Lossiemouth M&N & 50 Scapa Flow Ork. 100 Cairnbulg NE 14 Jan; 40 (1hr) Kinnaird Head NE 21 Jan. Elsewhere numbers were small, mostly involving singles. Late records: 1 Collieston NE 22 Apr; 1 Whiteness Voe Shet 26 Apr; 1 dead Elie F 4 May. Area Jan Feb Mar Sep Oct Nov Dec N&W Isles 712 13 - - 1691 479 100 N.Scot 11379 a - - 162 122 611 NE Scot 853 3 - - 8 826 54 E/C Scot 7 2, = - 3 2055 4 SE Scot 110 1 - = 12 1322 18 W Scot 1 1 - - 6 16 - SW Scot - 1 - - - 15 - N.Isles & NE numbers very approximate. Winter 96/97: First 1 N.Ronaldsay 1 Oct. Movements late Oct-late Nov in N.Sea, max counts - 1,252 (2hrs) Pt. of Ayre 29 Nov, 50 Scapa Flow 1 Nov, 150SE Kinnaird Head 2 Nov, 314 Peterhead 5 Nov, AOON/53S Fife Ness F, 120 Musselburgh L & 102 Aberlady L 12-13 Nov. Then 532 Arbroath A&D, 470/ hr Kinghorn F, 470 Aberlady, 406 Musselburgh & 154 Kinnaird Head 23-26 Nov. 528 Brora 18 Dec. Inland: 1 R.Annan, nr. Beattock D&G 1 Nov; 1 dead Knoweside Hill Ayr 13 Nov; 1 Elgin M&N 19 Dec. Puffin Fratercula arctica 1 Lothbeg H 1 & 6 Jan; | Balintore H 28 Jan; 1 Gruinard Bay H 27 Feb; 1 Newtonhill NE 7 Mar. First birds off breeding areas: Loth 6 Mar; Bord & Shet 31 Mar; Caith 2 Apr; Arg 7 Apr; Ork 11 Apr. 1 flew up Clyde Est. Clyde 5 Apr. Breeding: Few complete counts were made: 1,643 burrows on Lunga, Treshnish Is. Arg, unchanged from 1994/95. Sample counts on Is of May suggests a slow increase. On Eilean Mor, FlannanIs.OH samples at one site showed little change, the other suugest a large increase in burrow density. Production on Fair Is was good at 0.80 (mean 0.74) while the Is of May hada late and poorer season with 0.79 (mean 0.84). Thompson et al. JNCC 1997. R.D.Murray [Ed] 45 Shet predation of chicks at Sumburgh by cats only slightly reduced; less activity Foula and likely problems with food; F.of Forth Is c.24,000prs (22,000) Is of May, present 7 other islands with 819 burrows on 4 islands and 575 birds offshore at 3 others; Bord 74 birds ashore Fast Castle; D&G 12-15prs Mull of Galloway. Peak movements: 684 Eyemouth B (3hrs) 27 Jun700/hr Fife Ness F 18 Jul with 900/hr there 6 Aug. 820 (49hrs) passed Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg in Jun/Jul, max 13S/2N (4hrs) 10 Jul. 49 Grangemouth Forth, unusu- ally far up the Firth, were first record for area since 1970. Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Columba livia "Pure": Shet 200 Dale of Walls in Oct; Fair Is 70 in Oct; Ork 670 L.of Boardhouse & 580 Quoys in Feb; OHeb 200 L.Paible, N.Uist in Oct; Caith 200 Acharole in Jan, 300 Sandside in Oct; 300 Raggra in Nov; High prs seen 5 areas; Arg 107 Uragaig, Colonsay in Dec. "Feral": 23 Fetlar Shet in Jun. 344 on Berwickshire cliffs B in Jan; 500 Town of Inchinnan Clyde & 400 Anstruther F in Oct; 500prs Inchcolm F &150 Forres M&N in Nov. Stock Dove Columba oenas Average year N.Isles: 2 records Shet, 2 Fair Is & 9 Ork. 277 Musselburgh L & 120 Windygates F in Feb were the only flock counts >100. Smaller flocks of 20-70 seen M&N, NE, Fife (7), Forth,, Clyde (7), Ayr and D&G. Breeding: High sites; M&N 14 sites; NE 12prs at 6 sites; Fife 3prs Kippo; Loth 7 sites, stable 6prs Roslin Glen; Bord 32 sites; Arg 1 site; Clyde 7 sites; Ayr 42prs at 34 sites. Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Winter-spring: 3,000N Leuchars airfield F in Jan; 3,000Balmakin F, 3,000 Philipstoun L & 2,100 Redford A&D in Feb; 4,000 Nisbet B, 3,000 Leuchars in Mar. Also flocks 1,000-2,000 in A&D (2), Fife (3), Loth (5) & Bord. Elsewhere max counts - Ork 85, Forth 400, Clyde 250. Breeding: Shet 3 birds and egg remains Kergord; High 20prs Insh Marshes; Loth 29prs Aberlady (22), 15prs Roslin (19); Clyde 30prs Cathkin Braes (8), 21 prs Linn Park (16). Winter: few large flocks 2,000 Coldstream B in Oct; in Nov & 4,000 Ellon NE, 2,500 Magdalene Hall B, 2,000 Balcarres F in Dec. Flocks of 1,000-2,000 in Bord. Elsewhere max counts - Ork 35, High 180, M&N 800, Clyde 346, Ayr 400 and D&G 600. Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Max counts: Shet 12 Lerwick; Fair Is 10 on 30 May; Ork 25 Finstown in Mar; Caith 32 Hill of Rattar in Jul; High 16 Altbea in Dec; M&N 22 Kinloss in Jan; NE 38 Stonehaven in Dec; A&D 16 East Seaton in Apr; Fife 35 Windygates in Nov; Forth 45 Cambus in Nov; Loth 51 West Craigie in Sep; Bord 32 Charlesfield in Sep; Arg 29 Bruichladdich, Islay in Jul; Clyde Is 5 Lamlash, Arran in Sep; Clyde 50 The Ford, Eaglesham in Sep; Ayr 110 Springside in Oct. Bred Eigg H for first time. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Good spring, early average autumn. First 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 7 May; then singles Newmains B, Dornoch H, Lochcarron H, Rattray NE, Girdleness NE & Firth Ork 16-19 May. Max 6 Fair Is 1 Jun. 1 lingered Rattar Caith 15 Jun-17 Jul. May Jun Jul Aug Sep 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 N.Isles 2 14 32 9 3 2 1 - 5 3 W.Isles - 1 - - - - - - - 1 N.Scot 3 9 2 3 1 - - 1 - NE Scot - 5 1 - - - - - 2 1 E/C Scot - 1 D 1 = - 1 - SE Scot 3 3 - - - - - - W.Scot - p} 1 - - - - 2 SW Scot - 2 1 1 - - - - - - 1996 2 29 50 14 6 3 1 0 11 4 1995 1222 6 1 2 g} 1 Oss 12 Last singles N.Ronaldsay 2-17 & 24 Oct; Stronsay Ork 11 Oct; Is of May 15 & 18 Oct; Sumburgh Shet 19 Oct. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 Glen Doll A&D 3 Apr; D&G, Loth, Clyde Is, High, Ayr & Arg 16-21 Apr; M&N, Forth, NE & Bord 25-30 Apr; Fife and P&K 4-5 May; Is of May, Caith, Ork, Fair Is & Shet 13-19 May. Passage N.Isles tol4 Jun with total15 Shet & 39 Ork, max 9 N.Ronaldsay Ork 19 May. Main arrival 10-20 May. Breeding: Caith 20 sites; High 13mm Eigg, 12 juvs seen; 5Sprs Insh Marshes;11 other sites, 2 juvs seen; M&N 5 Dava area; Fife 15-19mm at 15 sites; Forth 9 sites, 2 juvs; Loth 2 juvs; Bord 35m at 30 sites; Arg found in 9 BBS (42%) plots; Clyde Is min 3 sites; Clyde 67m at 27 sites, with 31 in L.Lomond catchment,max 6 Craigton L., 2 juvs seen; Ayr 34 at 27 sites, 2 juvs; D&G 19 territories in Newton Stewart forests, 9 in restocks. Last territorial ads mid-Jul in Bord & NE 19 Jul, mid- Aug in P&K, Fife & Forth. Juvs mostly late Jul to mid- Aug, last Lochdon, Mull Arg 9 Sep. Very few passage birds on mainland but movments N.Isles 7 Aug-4 Sep with 9 Shet, 4-5 Fair Is & 4 Ork. Barn Owl Tyto alba Caith 1 record in Sep; High 12 sites checked, 10 occupied, 8br23 fledged, 2 other pairs known, seen c.24 other sites; M&N Sprs bred, also 5 other sites Apr-Jul & 14 winter sites; NE 3prs , 1 reared br2, singles 4 other sites; P&K 1 record; Fife 2 records; Forth 8 sites, perhaps 2prs present; Loth bred 2 sites, seen 12 sites; Bord seen 47 sites (99), confirmed | site; Arg 20prs & 4 singles Islay, 16prs bred with 15br45+ (MBS2.8), 46 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Cowal 6br17 monitored, also 11 natural sites; 4 nest-box prs mid-Argyll only managed br2; Clyde Is 4prs bred Arran with br2 in nest-box, br3 seen Bute; Clyde 10 summer sites, Sprs reared 16+ young, noted 7 other sites; Ayr hard winter killed many, 12 territories vacant, 7prs bred in 11 occupied territories, MBS 2.86, 15 other sites where 3 nests, 2br7; D&G high winter mortality in forests (lots of snow-no voles) 17 of 48 sites occupied & only 12 bred, MBS 1.4, no Ist-w birds bred; 62 young reared Stranraer, MBS 2.5 similar to 1995; 10 bred in 20 territories Dumfriesshire with MBS 3.0. * Scops Owl Otus scops 1 Settiscarth, Firth Ork 18-26 Oct. ae for Orkney. Photo: Birding World 9: 381. wee Scops Owl Winner of Best Artwork Peter Donnelly in a Scottish Local Bird Orkney Bird Report Report Award * Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca 1m (2nd-w) seen wandering in Eastern Highlands prob- ably 13 Jun-18 Sep with confirmed sightings Ben Avon NE/M&N 2 Jul; Bena’ Bhuird NE 10 Jul; A'bhuideanach Bheag P&K 12 Jul; Carn SgulainH 3 Aug; Ben Macdui NE/M&N 17 & 25 Aug. 1m Keelyang Hill Ork 27 Oct. 10th summer with a bird on the Cairngorms. Photo of Cairngorm bird, Birding World 9: 337. Little Owl Athene noctua Pr regularly seen Ruthwell D&G late May-18 Jun; then singles Trows B 7 Jun; Westruther Moor B 11 Aug; Mersehead D&G 12 Aug; & Southfield B 20 Sep. Tawny Owl Strix aluco Caith 3 sites; High 42 nests known to HRSG, 37 were successful, rearing 71 young, MBS 1.92, MBP 1.7; M&N just 6 of 25 Lossie & Speymouth Forest boxes occupied, only 7 reared (MBS1.2); NE 32 nests recorded (11), 32 in boxes, a late season with low clutch size (2.6), 7 nests failed, 65 eggs hatched and 54 young fledged (MBS1.6); A&D 4 box nests , MBS1.2, a ground nest was abandoned after being taken over by a Pheasant!; Fife bred at least 8 sites, 4br9 (MBS2.3), noted 11 other sites; Loth 17prs bred 15 sites, 10br14 noted, seen 14 other sites; Bord 65 territorial at 48 sites, 8br18 noted; Arg 10 sites, 3br6 noted; Clyde Is noted 4 sites; Clyde 33 sites, breeding noted 7 sites, 4br5 seen; Ayr 8prs S.Ayrshire study site (5) , MBS 2.1, 52 birds at 40 other sites with 15br31, MBS 2.1; D&G 20 forest nests had MBS 1.4; pr with dead chick found at 500m nr. Moffat. Long-eared Owl Asio otus Winter roosts: 1 Shet, 6 Ork, Bord, Arg & 2 Clyde: 18 Strand Shet in Feb was largest roost. Otherwise singles seen Fair Is, M&N and Ayr. Mar-Jun singles - Shet 4, Fair Is 4. Breeding: Caith | site; High 4 of 6 sites were occupied, rearing 8 young; 2br4 Insh Marshes; also 3 other sites with br3 at one; M&N present 8 sites, bred at 3; NE bred 3 sites; A&D singles 1 site; Fife bred 4 sites; Forth 4 sites, 2br7 noted; Loth 2 sites; Bord 4 sites, min 3br4; Arg br3 Colonsay& 3 sites Cowal; Clyde Is 2 records; Clyde 6 sites, 2 singles & 7prs, 4br9 noted; Ayr 10prs at 6 sites with 6br18 with Sprs Carrick Hills. No evidence of coastal passage on mainland other than 4 Is of May Sep-Oct.. Influxes N.Isles with c.16 Shet, 7+ Fair Is, c.12 Ork Sep-Dec with max 5 Fair Is 26 Oct & 4 Graemeshall Ork 1 Noy. 5 Queenamidda Ork in Nov/Dec was only large roost. Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Very few Jan-early Mar: 5 Bogside Ayr, 4 Cameron Res. F, 4 Carroch Hill D&G in Feb were the only reports of >3 birds. 2prs resident Eigg H. 1-3 seen Ork, Caith (5), Fife (21), Forth (4), Arg (2), Clyde (4),Ayr (16). On territory from early Mar. First birds N.Isles 18 Mar-4 Apr in with 8 singles Apr/ May records Shet, 1-2 on 16 dates Fair Is, 1 on 5 dates N.Ronaldsay Ork. 5 on NE coast17-21 Apr. Breeding: Ork 54prs Mainiandin survey, 1-2prs Stronsay & S.Ronaldsay; Caith 16 sites, no young noted; High br2 Eigg, pr Ruthven; M&N 3 sites, no evidence of breeding; NE 6 sites, no proof; A&D 2 sites, no proof; Fife none bred, up to 4 lingered Leuchars; Forth 2 sites, no evidence; Loth 2 sites, none bred; Bord 10 sites, none bred; Arg 12 sites, br6 L.Beg, Mull was only success noted; Clyde Is 1 pr possibly bred; Clyde 11 prs or singles at 7 sites, no hint of breeding; Ayr vole R.D.Murray [Ed] 47 AoutT Patsin Swnrer, MoRiBuw0, Norm RonNArdsa4 hLiGhTWouse PARK BROON ‘SADDLE : 26-10-46 CONTRASTING STRONGLY with RUMP kutensiv— Walle on Fotl HEAD ~ 4 t- Lakst. Wurte PATCH en cuwW & THAsAT Pallid Swift Peter Donnelly Orkney Bird Report numbers high C.Ayrshire, 10prs successful, 10 other prs in same area had 2br6; crash in S.Ayrshire forests as voles vanish; D&G vole crash, none bred and birds very scarce, br1 Stranraer, the only proved breeding. Poor Sep-Nov passage- 8 Shet, 7-8 Fair Is ,4 NE, A&D, Is of May. Up to 10 Campbeltown airport Arg Aug-Sep & 6 roosting Hollandmey Caith in Nov, the only big records. Other 8 Ork & 2 Arg, just singles Caith, M&N, Fife, Forth, Bord & Ayr. None NE, A&D, Clyde, D&G. Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus First 1 Summerhill D&G 7 May; 1 Sumburgh Head Shet 20 May; 1 Waulkmill NE 23-24 May. Not found on territory until mid-Jun. /2th for Shetland. Breeding: High 1 Abernethy 12 Jun; Clyde Is 2 singles calling Arran; Ayr 1 Dailly 16-30 Jun; D&G 2 The Bennan mid-Jun, 4mm churring nr. Penninghame 4 Jun. Photo of Shetland bird, Birding World 9: 168. Swift Apus apus Early 1 Duddingston L 16 Apr, as were Fife, D&G, Ayr, Bord & Clyde 19-21 Apr. More normal first dates P&K and A&D 24-28 Apr; M&N, NE, Forth, Caith, Arg & Clyde Is 9 May; High, Shet, Fair Is & Ork 11-18 May. Main arrival 1-4 May in E, 8-10 May in W, 15-20 inN. Best counts: 110 Innerleithen B 2 May; 400 Tweed Haughs B, 350 St.Abbs B, 150 Lindores F 2-22 May. Breeding: few useful records. Best Jun-Aug: 300 L.Gelly F 5 Jun; 210 N.Craigs Res. Ayr 5 Jul; 2,000+S Mull of Galloway D&G 18 Jul; 400 Ballencrieff L 30 Jul; 360 Duns B 2 Aug; 200 Georgetown Clyde 3 Aug; 150 Arkleston Clyde 14 Aug. Lastregulars Arg 18 Jul; High, Shet, D&G, Caith, Forth, Fife & Clyde 6-20 Aug; Ork, Ayr & Bord 25-31 Aug; Clyde 6 Sep. Sep records NE (2), Bord & Clyde with late birds Loth & NE 16-17 Oct; singles St.Andrews F & St.Abbs 25 Oct & Lossiemouth M&N 7 Nov. 35mm BarEeen LONGEST R Dad LonbesT TAu FEATHERS ( common Sune 4-5 — 1S mm Suatow TA fof 23.-5.- (common Switt 25-36 wn) 1h OUTERMOST PRIMARIES Rance PLN. 97 THAN COVERTS Q Resr oF FUGA, FEATHERS * Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 1 found moribund North Ronaldsay Ork 26 Oct. First record for Scotland. Skin in National Museum of Scotland. Photo: Birding World 9: 421. For full account see Grey, Orkney Bird Report 1996: 77-78. Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 Millstream, Stronsay Ork 27 Apr. 6th for Orkney. Breeding: some mortality due to severe frosts and frozen rivers in north: High 1-2prs bred both R.Spey & R. Ness, also Fort Augustus in Sep; M&N seen 2 sites; NE 1 site on Dee, 2 on Don but absent inland Don & Urie, no evidence of breeding; A&D increase in records, 5 in breeding season (only Ipr), 7 in winter; P&K bred Almond nr. Perth, seen 8 sites in winter; Fife no proof but increase in records, singles at 14 sites, prs at 2 sites; Forth 6 sites in summer with br3 seen, 7 other sites in winter; Loth 6prs, br5 at one,, seen 5 other sites; Bord 16 sites in summer, bred at 3, also 8 other sites in winter; Arg 1 site in summer, 2 in winter; Clyde Is 2 winter sites; Clyde 8 sites with 6prs & 2 singles seen but just 1 nest at 8 sites - seen total of sites in winter; Ayr 3prs on R.Ayr, 1 bred, also 7 sites in winter; D&G 5 Nith in Dumfries 5 Jun was probably family party. Hoopoe Upupa epops 3 in spring, 4 in autumn. Singles Glenfinnan H 23 Apr, Blackstoun Clyde 8 May, L.Achanalt H 7 Jun. Singles seen Maryton A&D 19 Aug; Newmachar NE 11-14 Sep; Drumshalloch NE 17 Sep; Fair Is 25 Sep. Wryneck Jynx torquilla 31 in spring, c.18 in autumn. Good spring on N.Isles with 9 birds Fair Is 8-21 May; 10 singles Shet 13-23 May, mostly singles but 2 Bressay 20 May; 8 birds Ork 18-23 May, max 2 N.Ronaldsay I a NE SIO OOF A ET EE SEE ET) 48 18 & 20 May. Also 1 Is of May12 May. Only 3 mainland singles Noss Head Caith, Girdleness NE & St.Abbs B 18-20 May. Breeding: High sang Findhorn Valley 22 May, Strath- spey 12/13 Jun & Dunachton 24 Jun. Poor autumn. 1-3 Fair Is most days 23 Aug-9 Sep, perhaps 8-9 birds. 4 singles Shet 10-24 Aug at Fetlar, Noss & Skerries; 4 Ork 24-27 Aug, 2 Stronsay 24 Aug. Last 1 Fair Is 17 Sep. Green Woodpecker Picus viridis High 6 sites Speyside, also Farr & Invergordo; M&N noted 4 sites, no success; NE c.5 sites, with 1 Milltimber, first there for 26 years; A&D 4 sites, proved Dundee; Fife 38 sites, breeding proved at 3; Forth 15 sites, bred Plean; Loth regular 5 sites, singles 22 sites; Bord 37 sites, proved Glemormiston; Arg | Tororan, Mull in Jan, 4 records from Cowal; Clyde 18 sites, bred Lochwood; Ayr 3 sites; D&G 4 sites, juv seen Penpont. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major High Sprs Insh Marshes, prs L.Brora & Magdale; M&N bred 2 sites; NE 5 summer sites + 1 in winter, 1 L.of Strathbeg 23 Nov may have been of continental origin; A&D 5 sites, bred Dundee; Fife noted 12 sites, bred at 5; Forth 12 sites, young seen at 2 sites; Loth seen 45 sites (30), bred at 9 sites; Bord reported 58 sites, with 58prs at 45 sites in breeding season, proved at 5 sites; Clyde 29 AOTs at 23 sites, proved at 2 sites; Ayr 41prs at 32 sites, proved at 3; D&G Iprs Wood of Cree (7+). 1 Thurso Caith 26 Sep may have been a migrant. *Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla 4 in spring, 8 in autumn. Singles Aberlady L.21 May; Fair Is 29 Apr, Sumburgh Head Shet 25 May & Fetlar Shet 2 Jun; 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 19 Sep; 1-3 birds Fair Is 19 Sep to 7 Oct (4 in total); singles Foula Shet 1 Oct, Fetlar 13 Oct & Sumburgh 15-17 Oct. Second for Lothian. * Wood Lark Lullula arborea 1 Mid Dale Shet 19-25 Oct & Sandwick Shet 22 Nov. Skylark Alauda arvensis Only 9 big Jan/Feb flocks noted, perhaps due to frosts causing large scale movements in Dec'95: 1,000 Maidens Ayr 2 Jan; 480 Eden Est. F 6 Jan; 500 Lees B 7 Jan; 550 Currie L 7 Feb, with flocks of 100-400 seen High, Loth (2), Clyde & Ayr (3). Return to hills 7-26 Feb in High, M&N, NE, Clyde & Bord. Few spring flocks >200 birds: 250 Killinallan, Islay Arg 1 Mar & 7 such flocks Fair Is, max 340 on 8 Mar. Breeding: Ork 21prs N.Hoy (27); High 20prs Insh Marshes, fewer on Eigg; M&Nc.25prs on 56ha saltmarsh Scottish Bird Report 1996 Findhorn Bay; Fife c.16prs Eden Est.; Forth 3.6prs/km: AOTs Doune, 35% of '95 value; Loth 48prs Aberlady (47); Bord 20-26 on E.Loch BBS plot; Arg present on only 52% of 21 BBS plots; Clyde 20prs Cathkin Braes (25); Ayr 123 AOTs Polquheys & 95+ W.Airds Moss; D&G mean 35prs/km: Knockghassen Moor & 38prs/ km: Craigeach Moor. Very low numbrers noted through autumn/winter period: max counts: 300 Foula Shet in 27 Sep; 270 Fair Is on 13 Oct; 100 Fife Ness F 14 Oct; 208 N.Ronaldsay Ork on25 Oct; 370 Craigie Ayr & 150 Earlston B 26 Nov. 750 Tyninghame L, 650 Chapeldonan Ayr, 330 Newton- hill Moor NE & 180 Portencross Ayr were the only Dec flocks >100 birds. * Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 18 Sep with 2 there 22-23 Sep and 1 Foula Shet 1 Oct. Sand Martin Riparia riparia First Castle L. D&G 24 Mar; NE, Loth, Clyde, NE & Forth 25-31 Mar; Fife, Bord, M&N, High, A&D, P&K, Shet & Arg 3-6 Apr; Caith, Ork & Fair Is 16-20 Apr. Best counts: 1,100+ Ruthven H 9 Apr; 60 Tweed at Wark B 13 Apr; 200 Shewalton Ayr 17-19 Apr; 250.L.o' the Lowes Ayr & 345 Birnie L. F 20-21 Apr; 800 Linlithgow L. L 23 Apr; 520 L.Brora H & 500+ Migdale H 28 Apr; 500 Gladhouse L 30 Apr; 1,000 Rescobie L. A&D | May. Breeding: Improvements continue. Caith c.73prs at 5 sites; High 115 holes Insh (54); M&N c.247 burrows at 10 sites; NE 435 burrows at Annfield, poor success is suggested, only 20% juvs birds ringed in Aug; Loth 493 burrows at 10 sites; Bord 981 nests at 13 sites, 3 increased, | declined; Arg 207 nests at 6 sites where 168 in 1994/5; Clyde record 10,201 nests in 30 'sites' (78 colonies)max 3,033 R.Clyde Wandel-Bonnington ; Ayr 402 nests at 13 sites with 2 in concrete bridge pillars and 2 in coal slag-heap. Vast roost Bothwell Park Clyde with 7,000 on 20 Jul, max 20,000 on 2 Aug , 6,000 on 21 Aug but only 90 by 4 Sep. The large count elsewhere was 1,000 Carlingwark D&G 10 Aug. Last D&G, Loth, P&K, A&D, High & Forth 1-14 Sep; Shet, Bord, Arg, Ayr, Caith & Clyde 17-22 Sep; Ork & Fair Is 26-27 Sep; last 1 L.of Strathbeg NE 30 Sep. Swallow Hirundo rustica First Caerlaverock D&G 31 Mar; Clyde Is 1 Apr; High 5 Apr; Clyde, Bord, A&D, Shet, NE, Arg, Ayr & Fife 8 Apr; M&N, Forth, Loth, Fair Is, Caith & Ork 9-19 Apr. Widespread arrivals 13-15 Apr in S when 500 Musselburgh L & 100 Coldstream B; 17-21 Apr further N with 160 Cameron Res. F. Further movements peaking 16-23 May when 200 Peppermill Dam F on 20 May & R.D.Murray [Ed] 49 5,800 through Hule Moss B (2.5hrs) 22 May. Breeding: Shet 8prs (8), 2nd-broodFetlar; Ork census 189prs (115), 295% increase since '87; Caith 3rd brood Haster15 Sep; High fewer Eigg but good season, E.Ross numbers stabilised after 5 years of decline; A&D 14prs Glen Esk (12) with MBS 4.0 (5.0); Forth 7.2 AOTs/km: Doune (67% of '95); Loth 15 sites W.Fenton, 10 with 2nd broods. Increases noted Bord, Clyde and D&G. 41% juvs in 64 aged birds Bord 29 Aug-9 Sep. Best counts: 700 Martnaham L. Ayr 1 Aug; 500 Dirleton L 9 Aug;1,000 L.of Kinnordy A&D, 900 L.Garten H , 600 Ham Caith & 500 Musselburgh L 18-22 Aug; 450 Graemeshall roost Ork 31 Aug; 7,000 roost Newshot Is. Clyde & 1,000 roost Forfar L. A&D 7 Sep;1,500 roost Lochfoot D&G, 1,500 Doune P. Forth & 1,000 Folly L. B 10-15 Sep. Still 94 Kilconquhar L. F 3 Oct & 25 Crantit, St.Ola Ork 11 Oct. Last M&N, P&K, Clyde Is, High, A&D, Bord, Caith & Fife 9-22 Oct, Is of May, D&G, Shet, Arg & Ayr 26 Oct-1 Nov; NE 10 Nov. Latest 4 Hamilton Clyde 16-17 Nov & singles Scapa & Tankerness Ork 17 Nov. see Adam, Orkney Bird Report 1996: 69-71 for Orkney census data. House Martin Delichon urbica First 3 Lantonside D&G 20 Mar were exceptionally early. Then A&D 6 Apr; NE, Bord, Clyde Is, Clyde, Fife, Loth & Ayr 11-14 Apr; Caith, Ork, High, Shet, M&N, Arg, Fair Is & Forth 16-24 Apr. Despite the early arrival few big parties seen until mid- May: best counts were 32 Birnie L. F 26 Apr, 50 St.Abbs B 5 May; 70 Fair Is 20 May; 120 Hogganfield L. Clyde 23 May. Breeding: Ork 1 site; High bred Balnakeil; M&N 29 nests Buckie High School (25); Fife c.80 nests Saline; Forth 19.2 nests/km:? Doune; Loth 33nests Tranent (25); Bord 31 nests Eddleston (16); Arg pr bred Ulva, Mull; Ayr 20-25prs Dreghorn (40-50), 7 nests Pen- whapple (6); D&G good year. 200 Doonfoot Ayr 6 Aug; 280 Saline 8 Aug; 450 Thankerton area Clyde 21 Aug; 240 Eddleston 30 Aug; 220 Traquair B 2 Sep; 200 Newton Mearns Clyde 17 Sep. Last A&D, Fair Is, Shet, Caith & Ork 21-30 Sep; P&K, D&G, Arg, High, Ayr & Forth 2-7 Oct. Most left early Oct; a few stragglers M&N, Fife, NE, Bord & Clyde 17-23 Oct. 5 Blackridge L 29 Oct with last 1 Uphall L 31 Oct. *Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae 28 in autumn: 1-4 daily Fair Is 17 Sep-1 Oct (probably 5 birds); 1 Stronsay Ork 17 Sep; 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork on 19 Sep; 1 Scatness Shet 20 Sep; 1 Northdale, Unst Shet 21 Sep; 2 Skerries Shet 27-28 Sep, 1 to 4 Oct; 1 Fair Is 7 Oct & 17-19 Oct; 1 Is of May 14 Oct; 1 N.Ronaldsay 14 18 & 22 Oct; 3-5 Fair Is 22-26 Oct with 2 to 28 Oct and | to 1 Nov. 5 N.Ronaldsay 25 Oct; 1 Foula Shet on 31 Oct-5 Nov; 1 Kincraig Pt. F 14-15 Nov. * Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1 ad Is of May 11-14 Jun. 7th for Is of May. | juv/1st-w Skerries Shet 20-30 Sep. 6th for Shetland. *Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 25 Sep; 1 Aithsetter Shet 28 Sep- 1 Oct; | Kergord Shet 20 Oct. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis First Connel Arg & Is of May 7 Apr; Loth 8 Apr; High 9 Apr; Bord 13 Apr; D&G, Ayr 17-19 Apr; Clyde, P&K, Fair Is, M&N, NE & Fife 20-22 Apr; Forth, Shet & Ork 24-27 Apr; Caith 14 May. 12 Wormiston F 21 Apr was a large number for so early in spring. Large-scale influx N Isles 18-23 May: 200 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 175-200 Fair Is,40 Skerries Shet, 20 Spiggie Shet & 10 Is of May. 5 St.Abbs B & 4-6 Denburn Wood F were largest mainland counts. Breeding: Caith 2 sites; High 1 6prs Insh Marshes (11); M&N 9 at 7 sites; NE 15+ Glen Tanar in May; A&D 3-4prs Montreathmont; Fife 3 sites; Loth 7prs at 5 sites; Bord 22 at 13 sites; Arg noted in 29% of BBS plots, 10 prs Taynish (9); Clyde 31 at 14 sites; Ayr 48-50 terr at 22 sites with]2 Glen Afton (7-12). Very quiet departure with no autumn records Caith, M&N, Fife, Forth, Bord & Arg. Last NE 27 Aug; P&K 30 Aug; A&D, High, Clyde & Ayr 6-7 Sep. Thereafter small numbers on passage N.Isles & Is of May in late Sep/early Oct, mostly 1-2 birds but 15 Fair Is 22-24 Sep and 6 Skerries 27 Sep. Last Is of May, Fair Is & Shet 7-14 Oct; latest 1 N.Ronaldsay 26 Oct. *Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi 1 Foula Shet 16 Sep; 1 Fair Is 19-21 Sep; 1 Sandvoe, N.Roe Shet 27-29 Sep, died after hitting wires. Almost annual on Shetland & Fair through 1990s. Photo: Fair Isle bird in Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 1996, British Birds 90: 512 & Birding World 9:381. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Very few Jan-mid Feb records are birds driven away by severe weather: 1-3 birds noted Shet, Ork (3), NE (few), Bord (2). None noted High, M&N, A&D, P&K, Forth, Arg & Clyde. 25 Kincraig Pt. F & 5 St.Abbs B 2 Jan were perhaps the last of a hard-weather exodus. 25 Fort George H, 1 Pennyland Caith & 5 Hill of Dinnet NE 25 Feb-5 Mar but widespread movement not noted until 17-25 Mar with first D&G, P&K, Bord and passage over East Kilbride Clyde & Ayr coast where 300N (30min) Doonfoot 18 Mar, 400 (1hr) Bracken Bay & 250N (2hrs) Girvan Mains 23 Mar with smaller numbers as far as 40 Dunnet Head Caith (40) and N.Ronaldsay Ork (6). Apr flocks: 211 N.Ronaldsay 7 Apr; 150 Eigg H 13 Apr; 1,000/hr Aberlady L 14 Apr;max 250 Fair Is 17 &19 Apr; 110 Cameron Res. F on 21 Apr. 165 Fair Is 14 May were late. 50 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Breeding: Ork 7prs N.Hill, PapaWestray; High 50+prs Insh Marshes; M&N 14prs Findhorn saltmarsh (56ha.); NE 25prs L.of Strathbeg, 20prs Forest of Birse; P&K 33prs Vane Farm (62); Loth 36prs Aberlady (32), 34prs Bavelaw (26); Bord 39 E.Loch BBS plot; Clyde 20prs Cathkin Braes (16); Ayr 127prs Polquheys area, 102 W.Airds Moss; D&G 72prs/km Craogeach, 66prs/km? Knockquhassen, 37 contacts in 3 upland BBS plots. Autumn passage: 250-300 regular at Is of May & Fair Is late Aug-early Nov. 250 Foula Shet 4 Sep; 200 Shiplaws B 14 Sep; 217 ringed Balmedie NE 14 Sep with no re- traps from the 203 ringed there 15 Sep; 300 Knochycoid Ayr 15 Sep; 4,000 Shiplaws (3hrs), 700 Fair Is, 683 N.Ronaldsay, 400+ Foula, 250W Anstruther F (2.5hrs), 143W Kinghorn F (30 mins) 28-30 Sep; 750 Fair Is, 500S (ihr) Irvine Ayr & 350 Foula 1 Oct. Later max include 525 Fair Is & 175 N.Ronaldsay 4 Oct. Few Dec records: none Shet, M&N; 1-3 records Caith, High, NE, Bord & Clyde; and small numbers Fair Is, Ork, A&D, Ayr, D&G. Max100 Scaur Pt. D&G 4 Dec & 26 Ythan Est. NE 24 Dec. *Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus 1 in spring, 2 in autumn, all N_Isles. Singles N.Ronaldsay Ork 19 May; L.of Spiggie Shet 23 Sep & Gruting, Fetlar Shet 22 Oct. [1995] 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 15 Sep. Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus 63 Gullane-Bilsdean L, 58 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 47 Fast Castle coast B & 36 East Ackergill shore Caith in Jan; 68 Fraserburgh-Rosehearty NE, 36 Portgordon shore M&N & 18 Turnberry Pt. Ayr in Feb; 88 Sandside & Newark, Deerness Ork in Mar. Reappeared Balnakeil H 25 Mar after exodus in frosts. Breeding: High c.20prs Eilean Hoan; Is of May 25prs; Bord stable 10prs St.Abbs Head, 8prs Green Stane; Ayr 34prs Finnarts Pt.-Dowman Hill (26), 26+prs Belchreuchan Port-Bennae Head; D&G 5prs Mull of Galloway. 25 Maidens shore Ayr 9 Nov; 70 Newark-Pt. of Ayre Ork 13 Nov; 100 Fraserburgh shore 18 Nov; 30 Birsay Bay Ork 26 Nov. Scandinavian Rock Pipit A.p.littoralis Singles Scoughall L 16 Mar, with 10 there 23 Mar; Sandside Bay Caith 2 Apr; Barns Ness L 13 Apr; Dun- glass B 24 Apr; Scatness Shet 5 May; N.Ronaldsay Ork 16 May. *Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Singles Curragh Ayr 13-21 Jan; Broxmouth L 14 Jan; Tyninghame L 14 Jan to 11 Feb; Maidens Ayr 28 Jan to 7 Apr; Dipple Ayr 6 Mar; Doonfoot Ayr 23 Mar; N.Ronaldsay Ork 7 May. 1 Doonfoot 28 Oct; 1 Maidens 9 Nov-1997; 1 Barwhin Water Pipit Angus Hogg Pt. Ayr 17 Nov, 2 there 24-29 Nov, moved to Maidens 22 Dec-1997; 1 Croy Ayr 25 Nov-2 Dec. The dominance of Ayr is obvious, others must be present elsewhere but pass unrecorded. [1982] 1 Mull Arg 19 Feb is now rejected by SBRC. [1984] 1 Oronsay Arg 23 Jul has been withdrawn by observer. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Differential arrival with early records from breeding grounds, while passage birds arrived at least 2 weeks later. Significant influx, mainly N.Isles 20-22 May. 1 Mussleburgh L 11 Apr; 7 Springhill B , 3 Musselburgh and singles Barns Ness L & Norham B 21 Apr. Wide- spread Tweed nesting areas & 1 Skinflats Forth 26 Apr. First Is of May 28 Apr; NE, D&G 6-8 May; Fair Is, Ayr & Fife 11-15 May; Caith, High, Shet & Ork 16-21 May. Totals away from breeding areas: Shet (41), Fair Is (7), Caith, High (2), NE (c.11), Fife (2), Is of May (5), Bord (2), Arg, Ayr, D&G (3). Best: 30+ Spiggie Shet, 10 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 5 Fladdabister Shet & 4 Burray Ork 21 May. Breeding: Forth pr Skinflats 2-3 May with 1f Cambus Pools 5 May, no evidence of breeding; Loth br2 Barns Ness; Bord: 2prs Teviot Haughs, br4 on 26 Aug; c.15 territories on Tweed Haughs but c.8 addition males noted holding temporary territories in May; Clyde juv noted Endrick Mouth 23 Jul, probably not locally bred; Ayr Im Aiket Castle 4 Jun was first for many years. Singles Birness NE 12 Jun; L.of Strathbeg NE 12 Jul; Collieston & Newburgh NE 26 Jul. 1-20n 6 dates St.Abbs B 2-20 Aug, max 10 Barns Ness 9 Aug, 5 Belhaven L 31 Aug with singles Folly L. B, Lees B, Skateraw L, Dunbar L 1-19 Sep , with last St.Abbs 1-21 Sep. Elsewhere birds are as likely to be flava or one of the other races as flavissima. Singles Lerwick Shet 18 Aug, Is of May 23 Aug & Foula Shet 6th Sep. A few mid-Sep when | Balcomie F, | Is of May & 4 N.Ronaldsay. Later singles Skerries Shet 27 Sep, Cumleswick Shet 1 Oct &Fair Is 28-20 Oct. Ayrshire Bird Report R.D.Murray [Ed] 51 Blue-headed Wagtail M f,flava 1 flava-type Fatlips Castle in May B breeding with presumed flavissima partner. Singles Musselburgh L 20-23 Apr & 27 Apr with 1 L.of Strathbeg NE 7 May. A few were caught up inthe massive influx of continental birds in late May (20 May- 2 Jun, mostly 20-22 May) when 6 Shet, 8 Fair Is, 2 Ork, 1 High, 2 NE, 1 Loth & 1 Bord. Grey-headed Wagtail M f.thunbergi Unprecedented influx of c.257 birds 19-25 May, mostly N.Isles. c.67 Shet, with 52 Spiggie, 4 Scatness, 3 Fetlar, 3 Cunningsburgh, 2 Whalsay & singles Noness, Sumburgh Head & Hillwell; c.126 Fair Is; c.46 Ork, with 31 N.Ronaldsay, 12 Stronsay & 3 Graemeshall, Holm; 12 NE, with 10L.of Strathbeg & singles Girdleness & Balmedie; 2 Fife at Colinsburgh; 1 Loth at Barns Ness; Bord 2 at St.Abbs. Singles appeared a little later at Douglas Estate Clyde 27 May , Musselburgh 28 May and on Tiree Arg 2 Jun. Pair bred Fair Is, with all of br4 fledging 17 Jul, with last 1 seen 2 Sep. First-ever breeding in Britain ? 1, perhaps 2, Culkein, Stoer H 27 Aug. *Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola 1m Fair Is 26 Apr. Juv-1st-w Fair Is 16-25 Aug; juv Foula Shet 20 Aug; juv-lst-w Quendale Shet 24 Aug-3 Sep; Ist-w N.Ronaldsay Ork 27 Aug. First spring record for Fair Isle & earliest for Britain. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Winter reports: Ork, (2), NE, Forth, Bord (4), & Clyde. Arrival: Forth 17 Feb, Clyde, Bord 25 Feb; Forth 3 Mar; D&G 6 Mar. Slightly better spring N.Isles with singles Shet (2) & Fair Is (4) and Ork (5). None Is of May. Breeding: Reduced populations noted several aareas as a result of high moratility in hard winter. Shet & Ork none; Caith 4 sites; High stable 3prs Insh; A&D 4prs Glen Esk had MBS 4.0; P&K decimated, with very few in summer although good breeding season; Forth many sites vacant; Bord 7prs at 2 WBS sites (12); Clyde 25prs at 21 sites; Ayr 38prs at 26 sites; D&G 7prs in forestry restocks. Poor autumn N Isles with just 8 Shet, 3 Fair Is & 3 Ork. Elsewhere, mostly 1-2 birds although 15 R.Tweed Galafoot-Lowood B (1km) 15 Sep. Last Eigg H 5 Nov. Dec records: M&N (4), A&D, Bord & Clyde (3). Wintering Dundee A&D where feeding on insects gathered from mossy guttering on roofs. Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba None Shet, Fair Is & P&K but 5-8 Ork, 6 Caith in Jan- Feb when max 30 roosting Inverness H, 32 Galashiels B & 25 Millichen Clyde. Max Mar/Apr counts: 200 Grangemouth Forth 18 Mar, 250 Galashiels 29 Mar, 128 Kilconquhar L. F 11 Apr. Light passage N.Isles max: 13 Fair Is 13 Apr & 35 N.Ronaldsay Ork 17 Apr. Breeding: Shet 3-5 sites (3); Fair Is 3prs (3); Ork c.55prs with c.30prs Stronsay; Is of May 4prs bred; Bord 10prs at 2 WBS sites (7). Even poorer autumn numbers, better in SE, but still poor:\25 BroraH, 160 Irvine Ayr, 300 L. Watten Caith, 220 St.Boswells B 22-30 Aug; 150 Goosepools F, 100 Thurso Caith, 400 Nisbet B & 110 Peebles B 17-25 Sep; 110 Moffat D&G 5 Oct; 200 Bridge of Don NE 19 Oct. Last Shet 20 Oct, Fair Is 30 Oct, Caith 22 Nov. Only 1 Ork in Dec. Few and very poor winter roosts: max 30 Glenrothes F & 14 Tweedbank B in Dec. White Wagtail V.a.alba 1 Lerwick Shet 22-23 Jan was most unusual. First Fairls 24 Mar. Bord 26 Mar; Ork, Clyde Is, Caith & Ayr 3-9 Apr; Arg, D&G, Loth, A&D, High, Clyde & NE 17-25 Apr. Best counts: 18 Cardross Bay Clyde 18 Apr; 92 Ballantrae Ayr, 50 Musselburgh L & 11 Tweed Haughs B 21 Apr; 11 Donmouth NE 25 Apr; 60 Ardmore S.Bay Clyde & 44 Turnberry shore Ayr 29 Apr; 48 Kirkconnel D&G 30 Apr; 30 Dipple Ayr 1 May; 48 Ardkenish, Colonsay Arg 5 May; 12 Aird an Runair, N.Uist OH 6 May; 12 Fair Is 18 May. Breeding: Shet family parties seen Sumburgh in Jun/Jul & Norwick in Aug; Bord 1 Folly L. 11 May-9 Jun. Few N.Isles were assigned to race but most likely were M.a.alba: 80 Fair Is 14 Aug; 20 Quendale Shet 24 Aug; 65 Fair Is, 19 Fetlar Shet & 13 N.Ronaldsay Ork 27-29 Aug. Small numbers W.coast, max 10 Frenchman's Rocks. Islay Arg 21 Aug; 4 Machrihanish Arg 27 Aug; 6 Traigh an Luig, Islay Arg 31 Aug. Last Clyde Is, NE & Arg 2-12 Sep; Clyde & Bord 21-26 Sep; Ork 4 Oct. Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus Big invasion mid-Jan, with many staying on, espcially in Glasgow, followed by smaller influx mid-Nov. Jan_Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec N/WIs. 92 25 3 13 3 - - 54 NScot 940 405 312 32 - - SME 25 53 NE Scot 960 691 526 191 33 - - 1S9Ka29. E/C Scot 675 357 224 38 - - - 143 211 SE Scot 1623 964 1976 373 12 - - 442 1445 W Scot 109 60 8 - - - - 149 11 SW Scot 822 2775 1024 378 27 - 1 50 1093 1996 5221 5227 4073 1025 75 0 4 1552 2942 1995 42 19 20 8 - - 41 144 7 NB: numbers approximate, especially city counts where duplication inevitable Winter 1995-96 A scattering of records from Dec '95 in first fortnight throughout then arrivals from c.15 Jan long E.coast, reaching W.coast, large towns & cities late Jan/early Feb. Larger counts include: 74 Broughty Ferry A&D 10 Jan; 50+ Methil F 16 Jan; 55 Mosstodloch MA&N, 87 Hopeman MKN, 74 Nethy Br. H, 85 Kinloss M&N 21-24 Jan; 54 Aberdeen NE, 150 Elgin M&N, Melrose B, 70 Stirling Forth 24-31 Jan; 136 Kilgraston 52 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Road, Edinburgh L 25 Jan; 250 Livingston L 30 Jan; 150 Charing Cross, Glasgow Clyde 6 Feb; 74 Earlston B, 70 Glencarse P&K, 150 Airdrie Clyde, 83 Cults NE 10-12 Feb; 200-250 Motherwell Clyde &200 Kelvinside, Glasgow 17-19 Feb; 66 Dunfermline F 26 Feb; 200 East Kilbride Clyde & 138 Aberdeen NE 9 Mar; 120 Bridge of Don NE 26 Mar-1 Apr. Max counts elsewhere: 22 Ork ,20 Arg, 19 D&G, 12 Shet, 7 Caith, 5 Fair Is in Jan; 37 Ayr in Mar. Last D&G, Bord & Arg in Mar; P&K, High, A&D, Ayr & Fife 7-23 Apr; Ork, NE, Loth, Shet & Clyde 3-8 May; M&N 12 May; Fair Is 15 May. 1996-97 First 3 Clynelish H 14 Oct; 1 Cumnock Ayr 22-23 Oct; then Hoy Ork & St.Andrews F 3 Nov; Shet & OHeb 5-6 Nov; M&N, P&K, Loth, NE & Caith 9-13 Nov; Clyde, A&D, Clyde Is, Forth & Bord 15-20 Nov. Best counts: 45 Dunstaffnage Arg, 32 Kirkwall Ork, 200 Lochaline H, 23 Dundee A&D 9-16 Nov; 80 Stirling 21 Nov; 66 Aberdeen late Nov; 89 Invergowrie A&D, 110 Glasgow Cross, Glasgow, 44 Inverkeithing F 7-13 Dec; 232 Sauchiehall St., Glasgow & 300 Springburn, Glasgow 19-31 Dec; 450 Granton, Edinburgh 26 Dec. Max elsewhere: 26 M&N, 25 Ayr, 25 P&K,17 Shet, 17 Caith, 8 Bord & 1 OHeb. None Fair Is and D&G. Dipper Cinclus cinclus Breeding: Some decline noted Bord, Arg in face of frozen rivers in early year. High very low numbers E.Ross; A&D 29 nests had MBS 3.9 (3.5), all fledging; Fife 21 sites, confirmed 6 sites; Bord 7prs on 8kms R.Lyne (12), 6prs at 2 WBS sites (8), 12br51 in Peeblesshire, MBS 4.25 (4.14); Clyde 12 along 47km Clyde, Abington-Douglas Water; Ayr 51prs noted. Black-bellied Dipper C.c.cinclus 1 Gillingshill F 13-28 Jan; 1 Fair Is 23 Mar. The continental race, doubtless driven to milder areas by the winter freeze. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Despite suspicions that the hard winter will have caused widespread mortality, fewer counts show significant drops in breeding populations than might have been expected. Some evidence of emigration during frosts. Fair Is 35-40mm (34-35); Ork 19prs Trumland Wood, Rousay (22); High Eigg population dropped 55% by frosts, 30prs Eigg; NE 30mm Strathbeg; P&K 13prs Vane Farm (38); Fife 12prs Eden Est.; Is of May first breeding since 1957; Forth 13prs Lower Devon (14), 4.8prs/km: Doune CBC (11), 16mm Mine Wood is 75% of 1995 levels but as just 14% of ringed mm survived the winter, recruitment from elsewhere is suggested; Loth 13prs Aberlady (18)17prs Bawsinch (25), 25 Roslin Glen (28) ; Bord 4prs St.Abbs (6); Arg 25prs Taynish CBC (44); Clyde 10prs Merryton (11), 10prs Cathkin Braes (13). Few autumn passage birds: 23 N.Ronaldsay Ork on 18 Sep & 17 there 15-26 Oct; max 14 St.Abbs 13 Oct. Dunnock Prunella modularis Jan-Feb singles Shet (1) & Ork (9). First migrants Fair Is 4 Mar, Shet 27 Mar, N.Ronaldsay Ork 20 May, max 5 Fair Is 14 Apr.Very poor spring. Breeding: Ork 4prs Hoy (5), Mainland 9 sites (5), TrumlandWood, Rousay 7prs (8); Fife 7prs Eden Est.; Forth 7.2prs/km? Doune CBC(9.6), stable 6prs lower Devon; Loth 28prs Aberlady (26), 3prs Bawsinch (7), 6prs Roslin Glen (5), 15prs Hadfast valley (11); Bord 6prs St.Abbs (9); Clyde 3prs Baron’s Haugh (8), stable 13prs Merryton, 12prs Cathkin Braes (8). Reasonable autumn passage Shet & Fair Is although few Otk: good numbers through Sep, peaking Oct: 40 Fair Is 19 Sep & 16 Oct, 17 Whaisay Shet 17 Oct and 17 Foula Shet 23 Oct. Also 13 St.Abbs B 15 Sep; 15 Rattray NE 15 Oct, 60 Donmouth NE 20 Oct. No Dec records Shet & Fair Is but seen 6 sites Ork. Robin Erithacus rubecula Wintering N.Isles - 8 Shet (24) & c.30 Ork (28). Light spring passage, with 18 Fair Is 15 Apr; 10 birds at 5 sites Shet 20-26 Apr but only max 4 N.Ronaldsay Ork 14 & 20 Apr. 11 ringed Is of May 6-13 Apr. 90% Jan/Feb population lost Eigg H to frosts. Breeding Ork 13prs Hoy (25), 11 sang Trumland (11); High 20+prs Insh Marshes (30), 20% decline Eigg; P&K 21 Vane Farm (15); Forth 3.6prs/km: Doune CBC (6.0), 2prs lower Devon (5); Loth 13prs Aberlady (8), 7prs Bawsinch (8), 15prs Hadfast valley (16), 22prs Roslin Glen (27); Arg 10prs Taynish (17); Clyde 18prs Cathkin Braes (16), 9prs Merryton (12). ‘Light passage from mid-Sep with 40 Coldingham L. B 21 Sep; 30 Fair Is 25 Sep; 18 St.Abbs B 14 Oct; "large numbers" Rattray Head NE & 18 Girdleness NE 15 Oct; 60 Fair Is, 29 N.Ronaldsay and 25 Fetlar Shet 16 Oct; 15 Whalsay Shet 16-20 Oct; 50 Latheronwheel Caith, 40 Fair Is & 30 Donmouth NE 20 Oct. 4 Shet, 4 Fair Is in Dec. *Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia 2 in spring, 1 in autumn Ist-s Fair Is 20 May with another Ist-s 23 May-1 Jun; 1 Wick Caith 23 May. Ad m Fishtown of Usan A&D 17-28 Aug. First for Angus & Dundee. *Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos 1 Balmedie NE 20 May; 1 Fair Is 24 May; 1 Is of May 8 Jun. 6th record for North-east Scotland. R.D.Murray [Ed] 53 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Substantial influx mid-May. First 2 Fair Is 10 May; then 2 Is of May 17-19 May; 1 Stronsay Ork 18 May; daily Fair Is 18 May-27 Jun, max 5 on 21 May; 4 singles Shet at Noness, Northdale, Sumburgh & Fetlar, 5 Staxigoe/Noss Caith & 5 Girdle- ness NE 19 May; singles Ork at Burray, Deerness & Stronsay, Shet at Skerries & Noss, Collieston NE, Thurso Caith & St.Abbs B 20 May; 8 N.Ronaldsay Ork 20-27 May, max 3 on 21 May; 2 Sumburgh Head Shet & 1 Fife Ness F 21 May; 8 further singles Shet at Sumburgh (2), Skerries (2), Spiggie, Quarff, Gulberwick & Foula and at Stronsay, Helmsdale H, Clochan M&N & Kincorth NE 22-27 May; 1 Foula5 Jun; 1 Hermaness Shet 14-24 Jun; last 1 Fair Is 3 Jul. Total c..58 birds with 16 Shet, c.15 Fair Is, 13 Ork, 8 NE, 2 Is of May and singles High, M&N, Fife & Bord (c.79 in '95). Autumn: 1 Fair Is 7-8 Sep; 1-3 daily Fair Is 15-27 Sep; 1 N.Ronaldsay 19 Sep, another 20-21 Sep; 1 St.Abbs 25 Sep; 1 Sumburgh Head 26 Sep; 1 Foula 27-29 Sep; 1 Fair Is 7-9 Oct; 1 Girdleness 15 Oct; 1 Fair Is 18-25 Oct; 1 Fetlar 19 Oct. c.14 in autumn. White-spotted Bluethroat L.s.cyanecula 1m trapped Newshot Is. Clyde 16 Jun. Third record for Clyde, first for Renfrewshire. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochrurus Not surprisingly with the severity of frosts singles _ Ackergill Caith & 1 Voe Shet 21 Jan were the only winter records. First migrants Campbeltown Arg 1-3 Mar, Lerwick Shet 6-7 Mar; N.Ronaldsay Ork 21 Mar; L.a'Phuill, Tiree Arg 30 Mar. Then 2 Is of May 7 Apr; High, A&D, NE 9-13 Apr; M&N, Loth, Fair Is & Bord 21-23 Apr. Light Apr-May passage, mostly 1-2 birds, with 15 Shet, 1-3 intermittently Fair Is, 4 Ork, 4 High,1 M&N, 7 NE, 7 A&D, 2 Fife, 5 Is of May, 2 Loth & 5 Bord. Jun singles with 3 Shet, 1 Ork, 1 Is of May & 1 Bord. Jul singles at Elgin M&N 7 Jul & Fair Is 16 Jul. The single Aug record, a yellow-gaped juv at Musselburgh L 4 Aug, was interesting, raising the possibility of Scottish breeding. Just 2 Sep records with 1 Fife Ness F 21 Sep & 1-2 Fair Is 22-27 Sep. Widespread movement 15-30 Oct, heavy in N.Isles but light on mainland, with 27 Shet, max 5 Skerries; 1-4 Fair Is, max 7 on 16 Oct; c.12 Ork, max 6 N.Ronaldsay & 3 Stronsay; & 3 Is of May. On mainland mostly singles 15-30 Oct at Noss Head Caith, Edinburgh L, St.Abbs B, Campletown, Ardtalla, Islay Arg, West Freuch D&G, St.Annes D&G, but 4 Stranraer D&G & 4 Drummore D&G 22-23 Oct. Late birds Foula Shet 6 Nov & Sandwick Shet 26 Nov, with 1 Newton Stewart D&G 7-14 Dec. Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Very early birds Lumsdaine B & Achentoul H 5 Apr; North Berwick L 8 Apr & St.Abbs B 16 Apr were well before first D&G, Ayr 19 Apr; Clyde, High, A&D, Arg, Shet, Fair Is & Forth 20-26 Apr; Is of May 1 May; M&N, Ork, Caith & Fife 11-19 May. Arrived on broad front c..24-27 Apr but only common early May. Few on passage in Apr but major influx 18-22 May when min 120 Shet, with 30 Whalsay, 25 Fetlar & 22 Sumburgh; max 220 Fair Is on 21 May; 300-400 Ork, with max 167 N.Ronaldsay & 100 Stronsay; c.44 Caith, max 30 Noss Farm; NE, 'many' but 19 Collieston- Girdleness; 80-90 A&D, with max 15 Ethie Mains & 15 Windyhills; c.31 Fife, max 16 Fife Ness; Is of May c.30 seen; Loth 6 Skateraw & 4 Scoughall; Bord c.35, max 12 St.Abbs & 8 Coldingham L.. Most moved on quickly and there wer few Jun records from migration points. Redstart Andrew Stevenson Ayrshire Bird Report oe f "@ Breeding: Caith 1 site; High 10+prs Insh Marshes (14) M&N 11 at 6 sites, 3prs Culbin Forest had MBS 6.0; A&D 3prs Glen Esk (4), MBS 6.0 (4.0); Fife lpr Cleish Hills (2), 1f another site; Forth 38 nests Trossachs (49), 32 successful; Loth 12prs at 6 sites; Bord 100 AOTs at 48 sites with 14 Dawyck (5) & 10 Williamhope; Arg 5prs Taynish (6), 4prs N.Argyll boxes reared 21, MBS 5.3; Clyde 10 AOTs at 8 sites; Ayr 82prs at 41 sites, with 6prs Glen Afton (11), 4br13 noted; D&G 3br18 noted. Last on territory: Forth 27 Aug; Bord 1 Sep. 6 N.Ronaldsay, 6 Skerries Shet, 5 Fetlar Shet, 4 Fife Ness & 3 Rattray NE 18-19 Sep; 25 Fair Is & 10 St.Abbs 23 Sep; 5 Foula Shet 26 Sep; 3 N.Ronaldsay 15 & 18 Oct. Last Clyde, Loth, Bord & Fife 17-24 Sep; A&D 15 Oct; latest singles 27 Oct, Is of May, Swining Shet & N.Ronaldsay Ork. 54 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Exceptionally early birds at Newton Stewart D&G on 17 Mar, Tarras Water B 2 Apr & Foulshiels L 7 Apr. First D&G, Bord, Clyde, Ayr, Arg, Fair Is 22-24 Apr; High, A&D, P&K, Shet & Is of May 26-28 Apr; NE, Fife, Forth & Ork 2-7 May. Major influx 17-22 May: 60+ Shet, max 20 Sumburgh, 16 Fetlar, 14 Skerries; max 100 Fair Is; min 150 Ork with max 62 N.Ronaldsay & 35 Stronsay; 17 Caith, max 10 Noss Head; c.27 A&D, max 10 Windyhills; 5 Is of May; 7 Fife Ness F; 14 St.Abbs B. Breeding: Ork | singing male; High 30+prs Eigg with 25 in area where just 14 in '95; NE 1Oprs in lkm Greendams; Fife 6 sites, with 9mm Wether Hill; Loth 27prs at 8 sites; Bord 62 territories at 38 sites; Arg found in 38% of BBS plots, (18% in'95), 11 prs L.Gruinart, Islay (8) & 5 Colonsay (3); Clyde 25prs at 17 sites, 6br14 noted; Ayr 54mm at 27 sites; D&G 20mm Moffat Water. Generally very light passage with very few (or none) noted Caith, M&N, NE, A&D & Fife. Small influx N_Isles 24-30 Aug, c.20 Shet & 20 Fair Is; 6 N.Ronaldsay 18 Sep; 4 St.Abbs 29 Sep. Most gone by late Sep with a few singles into Oct. Last Clyde, Loth, High, Ayr & Bord 15-29 Sep; Forth, Fife & Ork 12-15 Oct; Arg, D&G, Fair Is, Shet 20-23 Oct. Stonechat Saxicola torquata Severe winter weather caused widespread mortality and set back the recent spread and increase innumbers. Few seen Jan/Feb with records from Ork (14 sites), Caith, High, M&N (3), Fife (4), Loth (4), Clyde (2). 12 Lettrick D&G 9 Feb, in snow. First arrivals: Shet, High, Loth, Fife & Fair Is 6-10 Mar; Clyde 15 Mar; Forth, Caith & Bord 21-31 Mar. 7 Shet & 7 Fair Is in spring. Breeding: widespread decreases. Ork 58prs (80), with 30prs Hoy (47); Caith only 2 sites (7); High Sutherland/ E.Ross numbers decimated by frosts, 4prs Eigg (10); M&N 8prs (35), with 3prs (21) on inland sites; NE many sites cvacant, especially in hills, great drop in colour-ringed pulli to 28 (40-62 1992-95); A&D Ipr (14), disappeared from glens; P&K big decline; Fife 1 site; Forth 3 sites (11); Loth 9 areas, with first Aberlady since 1975; Bord 4prs with 1 single (5+3); Arg found in only 19% of BBS plots (41% in '95), 8prs Colonsay (22), 3prs L.Gruinart, Islay (10+); Clyde Is bred 7 sites; Clyde 10prs (24) at 8 sites; Ayr some hills population eliminated, fared better on coast, but 28prs (32) seen at 21 sites, 8br27 noted, MBS 3.38 (2.75); D&G only coastal sites held prs. Usual Sep-Nov movements, mostly 1-2 birds on coast with no significant numbers recorded. Dec records from Ork (9 sites), M&N (2), Fife (2), Loth & Ayr (2). None Shet, Fair Is, Caith, High, A&D, Forth, Bord & Clyde. 1 very brightly-coloured ad m Fair Is 13-21 Apr was not rubicola/hibernans, but left as indeterminate race. *Eastern Stonechat S.t.maura/stejnegeri Singles Skerries Shet 19-21 Sep; ad m N.Ronaldsay Ork 23-28 Sep, with f/imm there 26 Sep. [1994] 1 f/imm Skaw, Unst Shet 14 Oct. [1995] 1f Fetlar Shet 9-12 May. Now 8 records for 1994 & 6 for 1995. Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe First Feolin, Jura Arg 14 Mar & Mull of Galloway D&G 17 Mar. Ayr, High, Fair Is & Clyde Is 23-24 Mar; Bord, A&D, Fife & Clyde 28-31 Mar; Ork, M&N, NE, P&K, Caith, Loth, Shet, Forth & Is of May 1-6 Apr. Small numbers early Apr but wave of birds 16-23 Apr when 100 Foula Shet, 600 Fair Is, 61 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 62 Aberlady L, 50 Skateraw L, 36 St.Abbs, 25 Leuchars F & 15 Rattray NE. 28 Cathkin Farm Clyde 27 Apr. 82 N.Ronaldsay 8 May. Another wave 20 May: ‘hundreds' E.Mainland Ork, 406 N.Ronaldsay, 200 Stronsay Ork, 100 Noss Head Caith, 20 Girdleness, 16 Scurdie Ness A&D & 24 Fife Ness. Breeding: Ork 14prs N.Hoy reserve (16),10prs elsewhere on Hoy (15), 17prs Papa Westray reserve (11); High 11prs Cove; NE moderate to good season; P&K excellent season, many broods; Is of May Ipr bred (2); Forth 12prs Inverlochrig; Loth 28prs Moorfoot valley (18); Bord 73prs at 42 sites, 9br33 noted, MBS 3.7 (3.5); Clyde 47 territories at 17 sites, 10prs Culter Gien (12), 3br8 noted; Ayr 68 territories at 35 sites, 13br37 noted, MBS 2.8 (2.5). Exodus from hiils and first birds moving through was mainly in late Jul. Good numbers N.Isles with 400 Fair Is, 130 N.Ronaldsay, 100 Sumburgh Head Shet & 100 Foula 27 Aug; 194 N.Ronaldsay & 100 Foula 28-29 Sep. In contrast mainland numbers were very light: max 12 Leuchars & 7 St.Abbs 22-23 Aug, 5 Noss Head 20 Sep & 10 Girdleness 1 Oct. Last Forth 4 Sep; Clyde 2 Oct; D&G, A&D, Fife, M&N, Ayr, Loth, Is of May & Is of May 20-30 Oct; Bord, Shet, Arg & NE 7-10 Nov. Last Eigg H & N.Ronaldsay 27-28 Nov. Greenland Wheatear O.0./eucorrhoa Few: | Musselburgh L 27 Apr; 250+ Redpoint H 2 May; 3 Colonsay Arg 4 May; 4 Greenan Ayr 14 May with 2 on 16 May; 2 Dipple Ayr 14 May; 1 Aberlady L 24 May. 1 Frenchman's Rocks, Islay Arg 23-28 Sep. * Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus 1 Skipport Plantation, S.Uist OHeb 6 Oct. First for Outer Hebrides. * Veery Catharus fuscecens [1995] 1 Newton, N.Uist OHeb 20-22 Oct. First for Scotland & Outer Hebrides, third for Britain. R.D.Murray [Ed] 55 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 3 winter records. 1 Turnberry Ayr 27-29 Jan, same as Culzean 30 Dec '95; 1 Bridge of Don NE 29 Jan-1 Feb; 1 Burntisland F early-Feb to 15 Mar. First arrivals Syradale Ork & Monachyle Glen Forth 29 Mar; P&K, Loth & Bord 30 Mar; A&D, Clyde & Fair Is, Fife & Is of May 6-13 Apr; Ayr, Shet & High 19-26 Apr. Main influx 15-18 Apr in S. Few seen at migration points: c.25 Shet, 18 Ork, 2 Caith, 1 NE, 2 A&D, 2 Fife, 3 Is of May, 2 Loth & 1 Bord. Mostly singles but 10 Fair Is & 5 Foula Shet 20 May in fall. Breeding: Highc.18 at 14 sites; M&N 9 at 6 sites; A&D 13prs Invermark, Glen Esk with stable MBS 3.5, all fledging; Forth 4 sites; Loth 11 at 5 areas; Bord 32 at 26 sites; Clyde 7 at 4 sites; D&G 2 sites. Last breeding area records mid-Jul in High, M&N, Forth & Bord. Best autumn numbers were seen from inland localities with 6 Ben Vorlich Clyde on 31 Aug; 3 Quinag H 6 Sep; 5 Stac na h-Iolaire, Cairngorm H 21 Sep; 8 Peebles B 23 Oct. Passage on coastal areas was again light with 5 Shet, 12 Ork, 5 Caith, 2 High, 10 NE, 3 A&D, 5 Fife, 6 Is of May, 4 Bord, 2 Arg & 1 D&G.. Main movement 13-23 Oct, mostly 1-2 birds, but 9 Fair Is 13 Oct, 7 L.of Strathbeg NE, 5 N.Ronaldsay & 4 Holyrood Park L. Last P&K 29 Sep; Ork, Shet, Caith, A&D, Loth, M&N, Is of May & Fife 18-30 Oct; NE 3 Nov; Arg & Bord 12- 14 Nov. Latest 1 Manse Wood, Eigg H 29 Nov. Blackbird Turdus merula Mid-Jan influx N.Isles, escaping frosts: 80 N.Ronaldsay Ork,40 Whalsay Shet & 35 Fair Is. Jan/Feb roosts: 132 Fochabers M&N & 50+ Castle L. D&G. 55 Fair Is 19 Mar; 88 N.Ronaldsay 23 Mar & 50on 14 Apr; 20 St.Abbs B 4 Apr; 100 Is of May 6-13 Apr. Breeding: first fledged Loth 15 Apr, Ork 23 Apr, Clyde 7 May, Bord 10 May & Shet 18 May. Shet 3prs Foula; Ork 12prs Trumland (15), 6prs N.Hoy (5); High stable SOprs Insh Marshes, 21% drop on Eigg CBC; P&K 10prs Vane Farm; Fife 11prs Eden Est (7); Forth 9prs lower Devon (10), 18prs/km? Doune (19.2); Loth 12prs Aberlady (9), 7prs Bawsinch (9), 29prs Roslin Glen (27); Arg recorded 24% BBS plots (53% in '95); Clyde 13prs Merryton (9), 11prs Baron's Haugh (14). Very large movement 18-23 Oct: 5,000 L.of Strathbeg NE, 3,000 Stronsay Ork 24 Oct, 2,500 Lumsdaine B, 2,000 St.Abbs B, 1,000 Is of May, 1,000 L.of Strathbeg & 440 N.Ronaldsay Ork. 500 St.Abbs 29 Oct. Max 450 Fair Is & 130 Foula Shet 23-25 Oct but widespread movement: 200 Inverugie NE 23 Oct, 100 L.Garten H 24 Oct, ‘hundreds’ Mull of Oa, Islay Arg 29 Oct. Roosts: 51 Tweedbank B on 30 Nov; 25 Elgin M&N on 26 Dec. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Movements from '95 continued as birds fled frosts: 3,000 Aberlady L, 1,000 Raggra Caith 2 Jan; 11,300 Lecropt Forth, 1,500 Acharole Caith, 1,500 Saline F, 1,129 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 1,100 Skirza Caith, 1,000 Bencarrigan, Arran Clyde Is & Manor B 14-16 Jan; 2,000 Wick area Caith and 1,000 Widewall Ork, Glen Esk A&D & Brotherston B 21-23 Jan; 1,000 Gillinghshill F 2 Feb; 1,000 Troon shore Ayr 7 Feb; 1,200 Graeme- shall, Holm Ork 26 Feb; 2,000 Costa Ork 4 Mar. Jan-Feb flocks of 300-999 birds: 3 Shet, ‘many’, Fair Is, Ork, 11 Caith, 3 High, M&N, 1 NE, 5 A&D, 1 P&K, 9 Fife, Forth, 4 Loth, 6 Bord, 3 Clyde, 4 Ayr, D&G. Late Mar-May area counts were better than usual: 150 Shet, 200 Fair Is, 150 Ork, 300 Caith, 200 High, 50 MEN, 120 A&D, 320 P&K, 40 Is of May, 120 Fife, 103 Forth, 200 D&G. Peaking over S & C Scotland: 1,100 Marchmont B & 1,000 East Kilbride Clyde 24-25 Mar; 500 Hermand Wood L 6 Apr; 1,000 Auchengray Clyde 4 Apr; 2,000 Auldhouse Clyde, 1,000 Straheven Clyde, 700 Smailholm B, 600 Newmains B, 500 Coulter Clyde 11- 15 Apr; 380 Bardarroch Ayr 17 Apr. Last M&N, Clyde, P&K, A&D in Apr; D&G, Loth, Is of May, Fife, Ork & NE 6-25 May. Mostly singles Shet & Bord 6-7 Jun; Arg & Caith 16-18 Jun. Breeding: High 2 ads & possible juv Speyside, 2 juvs Loth 19 Sep are late enough to have been migrants; Bord with Jun records nearby, 7 Linkum shore 15 Jul suggests summering; Ayr 1 Darnaconnor 13 & 29 May, perhaps paired to a Mistle Thrush. Jul singles Busta & Virkie Shet with 8 Shet,2 Caith & singles Fair Is, Ork, NE & Is of May in Aug. Small initial arrival 17-21 Sep with 200 Invergowrie A&D, 25 Foula Shet, 24 N.Ronaldsay with birds Caith, NE, Is of May (4), Loth & Bord. Main movements from13 Oct, peaking 20-25 Oct. 500 Castletown Caith 15 Oct; 3,000 Euchan D&G, 1,200 Fife Ness F & 1,000 Saline F 18-19 Oct; 4,500 Clynelish H, 4,000 L.of Strathbeg, 3,000 Is of May & 2,000 Comrie F 23-24 Oct; 2,000 Meadownay Ayr,1,500 Martnaham L. Ayr & 1,000 Octofad Arg, Leorin, Islay Arg & Blackford P&K 26-28 Oct; and many parties of 200-600 birds A&D, Forth, Loth & Clyde. Passage continued at much lower level in Nov as most passed on quickly. Best Nov counts were: Fair Is 5, Ork 75, Caith 50, High 700, M&N 700, NE 125, Fife 600, Bord 400, Clyde 400, Ayr 400. Few left in Dec, max 300 Aberlady 11 Dec & 220 Knockentiber area Ayr 21 Dec. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Wintering: 6 Shet, c.11 Ork,4 M&N,4P&K &5 Bord First on territory M&N, Forth 10-11 Feb, High 17 Feb, D&G, Bord & Clyde 21-28 Feb; Caith 21 Mar. 56 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Passage: c.50 Shet, max 3 Foula 20 May; max 20 Fair Is 20 May; max 14 N.Ronaldsay Ork 20 May; 8 Is of May 13-23 Apr; 5 Is of May 18-21 May Breeding: first fledged Caith 15 May; Bord & Ork 17- 18 May. Ork 10prs Hoy (6), 2prs Trumland, Rousay (5); High 11% increase in Eigg (-30%); Fife 12mm Bankhead, Glenrothes; Forth lpr Lower Devon (3); Loth 4prs Aberlady (5-6), 9prs Roslin Glen (7);Arg found in stable 47-48% of BBS plots; Clyde 5mm Baron’s Haugh (3), 9mm Merryton (4), 7mm Cathkin Braes (3). Light passage mostly from early Sep with wave thorough mid-Sep but large falls mid-Oct. 400 Fair Is, 100 Is of May, 37 St.Abbs B & 27 N.Ronaldsay 23-24 Sep; 50 Auchmithie A&D 13 Oct; 300 Fair Is 16 Oct; 2,000 Stronsay Ork, 1,200 L.of Strathbeg NE & 100 Girdleness NE 18 Oct; 2,000 Is of May, 600 Strathbeg, 60 St.Abbs 23 Oct. Very scarce thereafter: single Dec records Shet, High, Forth, Bord with 2 M&N andc.10 Ork, max 10 Dalmeny L 7 Dec. Redwing Turdus iliacus Small numbers accompanied Jan Fieldfare influx with 400 Fair Is 5 Jan; 200 Merryton Clyde 7 Jan; 150 Whinnyfield NE 13 Jan; 200 Cargilston Ayr, 120 Haltree B 21 Jan; 303 Pollok Clyde 23 Jan; 100+ Craigie Park Ayr, 100 Lade Braes F 7 Feb; 500 Olrig Caith 20 Feb; 121 N.Ronaldsay Ork 28 Feb. More flocks >100 in SW than elsewhere. Max counts other areas were 45 Shet, 60 High, 60 M&N, 75 A&D, 95 Forth, 40 Arg, Better spring passage in late Mar/Apr: 100 Thainstone NE 29 Mar; 350 Piersknowe B, 200 Auchengray area Clyde, 200 Is of May, 120 Symington B,112 Dunkeld P&K & 100 Kippen Forth 4-12 Apr; 125 Fair Is, 100+ Tiree Arg & 100 Foula Shet 15-18 Apr. Last Forth & Ayr 4-9 Apr; Caith, P&K, M&N, Arg, Clyde & NE 16-20 Apr; A&D, Fife & Is of May 19-24 May; Bord 31 May; last Ork & Fair Is early Jun. Breeding: Shet 6 territories, some of which did not persist, 1 seen carrying food but no further proof; High 20 singing mm at 10 sites, another seen carrying food Wester Ross, br3 Badenoch & Strathspey, singing males Strath Carron, Glen Calvie, Alladale & E.Sutherland; P&K males sang 7 sites but no further proof. First 2S W St.Johns Caith 5 Sep; High, Is of May, Clyde, A&D, NE, Ork, Shet, Fife, Bord13-21 Sep; M&N,Forth 1-8 Oct; D&G, P&K, Arg & Ayr 11-15 Oct. Small wave 19-21 Sep but best numbers mid-Oct when 4,000 Fair Is 11 Oct; 1,000 Is of May 13 Oct; 6,000 Foula, 3,000 Sumburgh Shet 15-19 Oct; 8,000 Clynelish H 15 Oct; 3,000 Drymen Clyde 16 Oct; large arrival 18 Oct, 1,000/hr off sea at Rattray NE with estimated 60,000 Strathbeg NE, 5,000 Brora H, 3,000 Fife Ness F & 2,000 Dunnet Caith; 3,265 Carsebeck P&K, 2,000 Dalnavert H, 1,000 Flenders Clyde, 1,000 Saline F 19 Oct; 5,000 Is of May, 2,552 N.Ronaldsay & 2,000 Lumsdaine B &1,500 Fair Is 23 Oct; 4,000 Southend Arg 24 Oct; 3,000 Stronsay Ork 25 Oct; 4,000 The Laggan Arg & 1,000 Forfar L. A&D 27 Oct. A few large flocks <500 in early Nov but most gone mid-Nov. Best Dec flocks: 170 Knockentiber Ayr & 80 Helensburgh Clyde 21-22 Dec. Redwing Andrew Stevenson Ayrshire Bird Report Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus A few arrived N.Isles with general thrush passage, total c.11 Ork, 'several’ Fair Is & 14 Shet during Jan/Feb, an unprecedented influx for the islands. 12 Craigurd B 27 Jan; 60 Pollok Clyde 16 Mar; 12 Glen Buchat NE 31 Mar were best of Jan-Apr counts. Breeding: High 4prs Eigg(3), only 1 successful, 10+prs Insh Marshes (15); Fife 4br14 noted; Bord Sprs Dawyck; Arg 3prs L.Gruinart, Islay, 3prs Colonsay; Clyde stable 5prs Chateauherault; 6prs Cathkin Braes (3). Much better success suggested by large and more common autumn flocks: 35 Milky Law B 8 Jul; 43 Linn Park Clyde 29 Jul; 50 Carbach M&N 1 Aug; 32 Daldowie Clyde 19 Aug; 80 Rouken Glen Clyde 11 Sep; 34 Gladhouse L 15 Sep; 30+ Kinbrace H 28 Sep; 50 Rynettin H 1 Oct; 38 Clynelish H 2 Oct; 40 Buchlyvie Forth 6 Oct, with flocks 20-30 birds in High (4), M&N, Fife (2), Forth, Loth, Bord (4), Clyde and D&G. *Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola | juv/1st-w Fair Is 17 Sep. 10th record for Fair Isle, 17th for Britain. See artwork from record in British Birds 90:498. *Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata Ist-w Fair Is 13 Sep. Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia First | Dipple Ayr 16 Apr. Then Arg, D&G, Fair Is, Clyde, NE, Loth & Bord 19-24 Apr; Ork, Forth, P&K, Is of May, Caith & Clyde Is 26-30 Apr; M&N, High, R.D.Murray [Ed] A&D 2-6 May. Light passage, mostly 1-2 birds, but 3 Greenan Ayr 3 May; 3 Coldingham L. B 25 May. Breeding: After early-May, sites with singing males: Sites mm Sites mm Sites mm Caith Dyer PP Fife 9 10 High 6 21 M&N 8 8 Forth 6 6 Argyll ? 16 P&K Rod Loth 20 29 Clyde 28 53 A&D GO Bord Sie Ayr 37 69 Highest numbers as always in W with just 1-2 birds at all sites in E: High 12mm Insh Marshes (17), 3 L.Carron; Arg 15mm mid-Argyll; Clyde 9mm Strathclyde Park (11), 2mm Baron's Haugh (2); Ayr 8mm Blaweary area (5), 4mm Knockshinnoch (4). Last Arg, Loth, Bord & Fife 16-28 Jul; M&Nand A&D 4-6 Aug; Shet 28 Aug NE & Forth 14-16 Sep; Clyde, Is of May, D&G 21-22 Sep; last Fair Is 29 Sep. As usual, extremely poor autumn with few, just single birds Shet & Is of May, none Ork & 1-3 birds Fair Is Aug-Sep. 2 possible migrants NE coast Aug-Sep. *River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis [1995] 1 Foula Shet 14 Sep. Additional bird makes 5 records for 1995. *Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinoides 1 Fair Is 24-31 May. Fifth record for Fair Isle. Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus First Aberchirder NE 12 Apr. D&G, Bord , Loth, Fair Is, She t & Clyde 20-21 Apr; A&D, Ayr , M&N, Arg & Forth 23-25 Apr; High, P&K, Fife & Ork 28 Apr-7 May. A few late Apr but most by mid-May, max: 28 Castle L. D&G 8 May; 15 St.Abbs B & 12 Fair Is 19 May; 15 Ardmore Pt. Clyde & 8 N.Ronaldsay Ork 23 May. Breeding: a mixture of rises and declines at monitored sites but numbers generally improved. Shet 2prs Brow fledged young, first breeding for Shet,; Ork total of 77mm with 20mm Graemeshall L. (22); High 50+prs Insh Marshes, 13prs Eigg (16); M&N 24mm L.Spynie (34); NE 90prs Strathbeg; A&D 38prs L.of Kinnordy; P&K 4prs Vane Farm (10); Fife 49mm Cameron Res. (51), 41mm Eden Est. (56); Forth 49mm R.Devon (54); Loth 89 at 12 sites, 44 Aberlady (37), 13 Bavelaw (8); Bord 1 6prs St.Abbs (14); Arg 33prs L.Gruinart (17) & 31prs Colonsay (34), prs Taynish (11); Clyde 200prs Lochwinnoch (121 in '94); 27prs North Haugh (30), 22prs Baron's Haugh (22), 13prs Merryton (20); Ayr 269mm; D&G 53mm Lochfoot. Record 559 ringed L.Gelly F, but a poor ad/juv ratio at Turnhouse L. Few seen migration points; max counts 8 daily Fair Is 17-27 Sep and just singles seen E.coast. Last Forth 29 Aug; P&K, NE 7-8 Sep; Fife , Loth & High 15-17 Sep; A&D, Arg, Bord & Is of May 19-22 Sep; Ayr, Ork, Fair Is &Clyde 25-29 Sep; D&G 2 Oct. Last 1 Quendale Shet 26 Oct. Sf *Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola 1 Fair Is 19 Sep had been ringed in Lithuania 11 days earlier; | Fetlar Shet 1 Oct 2nd for Shetland, 12th for Fair Isle. See Birding World 9:388-389 for further details of Fair Isle bird, photo: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report for 1997. *Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum 2 in spring, 3 in autumn. 1 Fair Is 4-6 Jun, another there 11-13 Jun. 1st-w North Ronaldsay Ork 22-27 Sep; 1st-w Fair Is on 24 Sep; 1st-w Graemeshall, Holm Ork 16-19 Oct. 4th & 5th for Orkney, 10th/11th-12th/13th for Fair Isle. See note on Fair Is birds, Votier & Riddington, Birding World 9: 221-223. Photos: Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report for 1996 & Birding World 9:339. *Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris 7 in spring, 3 in autumn,. 5-6 Fair Is several dates 3-15 Jun, 2 on 3 Jun; 1 Foula Shet 10-11 Jun; 1 Virkie Shet 14-15 Jun. Singles Is of May 14 Aug, Stronsay Ork 24-28 Aug & St.Abbs B 22 Sep. Second record for Borders. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 16 in spring and an excellent 147 in autumn. Singles Is of May 18-21 May; Foula Shet, Collieston NE, Donmouth NE, & Girdleness NE 19 May; Honeygeo, S.Ronaldsay Ork, Drums NE & E.Muchalls NE 20 May; Sumburgh Shet 21-23 May; Kingsdale Ork & Whinnyfield NE 22 May; Virkie Shet; Kergord Shet 24 May; N.Ronaldsay Ork 26-30 May; Stronsay Ork 1 Jun; Norwick Shet 2-15 Jun; 1 Fair Is 3 Jun. Breeding: Dramatic increase D&G with 5-7mm singing un-named site Stewartry where 23 birds trapped. Ad & fledged young also trapped Caerlaverock. Autumn: Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct 1-15 __16-31 _1-15__16-30__1-15_16-31 Shetland 5 17 3 16 2 6 Fair Is 2; 15 4 8 - - Orkney - 20 - 1 - 1 NE+A&D 1 2 1 2 - Fife+IM - 2 - 4 1 - SE Scot 1 1 D, 1 1996 8 57 9 31 3 8 1995 7 3 90 29 14 4 1994 6 48 42 D2 3 2 Numbers Ork, Shet & Fair Is very approximate. Another good year with pattern of autumn records again different from previous occasions. Most prevalent in N.Isles in Aug, arrivals mid and late month; peaking 24-29 Aug when 10 Fair, 6 Graemeshall, Holm Ork, 5 Foula, 4 Skerries Shet and several cases of 1-2 birds. A few singles on mainland over same period. Next wave 23-29 Sep when 1-4 Fair Is, 4 Skerries, 2 Whalsay Shet and once more scattered 1-2 birds on mainland. A few singles N.Isles into Oct with 1 Aberlady L 20 Oct & latest 1 Channerwick Shet 26 Oct. 58 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin First Dunbar L 24 Apr; Bord & Shet 29 Apr; D&G, Ayr, Clyde, A&D, NE & Clyde Is 6 May; Forth & Fife 10-11 May; Arg, High, Is of May, Ork & Fair Is 15-19 May. Widespread in S 12-14 May. Influx 18-22 May: 10 Spiggie Shet; 25 Fair Is; 19 N.Ronaldsay Ork & 'scores' E.Mainland Ork; 9 Dowlaw B; 3-4 Caith, NE & Fife. Breeding: M&N 11mm at 10 sites; Fife 17 sites with 7mm Lochore Meadows: Forth 4 AOTs Devon; Loth 32 at 25 sites; Bord 50mm at 31 sites (81/54), 6mm Hirsel (8); Clyde 78mm at 33 sites (73/31), 7mm Midross (7); Ayr 106mm at 46 sites (137/51); D&G 64% drop in hourly capture rate Dumfries CES. Last on territory early Jul with first migrants early Aug. Good numbers N.Isles but very light passage on mainland. Wave of birds 24-27 Aug with 8 Skerries Shet, 30 Fair Is, 13 N.Ronaldsay; 8 Foula Shet 6-7 Sep; more 18-19 Sep -14 Fetlar Shet & 7 N.Ronaldsay. Only 1-2 birds E.coast mainland sites throughout. Last Clyde 1 Sep; Loth, Bord, A&D, Arg & Fife 22-29 Sep; NE & Fair Is 15-19 Oct; Shet & Is of May 29 Oct; latest 1 Graemeshall Ork 5 Nov. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Jan-Feb total of c.97 birds (48) with 1 High, 9 M&N, 20 NE, 2 A&D, 8 Fife, Forth (6), 16 Loth, 7 Bord, 6 Arg, 12 Clyde, 6 Ayr and 4 D&G. Also 1-15 Mar with 1 Shet , 3 High 3 Fife, 3 Forth, 2 Loth, 2 Bord, 5 Clyde, 2 Ayr. Return obscured by wintering birds but first migrants Shet 10 Apr; Bord, Clyde & Fair Is 15-18 Apr, D&G, Ayr, Is of May, Ork & High 20-24 Apr; Arg 3 May. Passage very light, mostly 1-4 birds, with most birds returning directly to territories. Best counts: 15 Fair Is; 10 E.Mainland, 9 N.Ronaldsay & 8 Graemeshall, all Ork 20-21 May. Breeding: Ork 8 sang but no evidence of breeding; Caith 5 sang, 1 bred; High 12 sites; M&N record 36 at 18 sites, 4 Fochabers (7); NE 12 sites; A&D 11 sites; Loth 49 at 10sites, 11 Roslin (12) ; Bord 78 at 39 sites (67 at 38), 9 Duns (5), 8 Hirsel (8); Clyde 95 at 36 sites; Ayr 143 at 49 sites (156 at 41), 20 Culzean (21). Light movements in Aug/early Sep with moderate mpassage 18-24 Sep when: 12 Foula & 10 Fetlar Shet; 25-30 Fair Is; 11 N.Ronaldsay; 6 Pease Bay B. Further movement 15-20 Oct when: 16 Whalsay, 12 Fetlar & 12 Sullom Shet; 50 Fair Is; 25 N.Ronaldsay, 20 Stronsay Ork; 6 Girdleness NE; 16 Is of May; 6 St.Abbs B. Trickle into Nov, 32 noted in Dec (27): 1 Shet, 2 Ork, 1 Caith, 4 High, 4 M&N, 4 NE, 2 A&D, 4 Fife, 2 Forth, 1 Bord, 1 Clyde, 1 Ayr but 5 Bavelaw L 20 Dec. * Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Singles Sumburgh Shet 13-14 Aug, Rattray Head NE 24 Aug & 1 Is of May 4 Sep. Sixth for North-east. [1995] 1 Mid-Dale, Walls Shet 24 Sep-1 Oct. * Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis Singles Foula Shet 21 Jun; Fair Is 8 Sep; Denburn Wood F 22-24 Sep; Is of May 24 Sep; Voe Shet 27 Sep- 7 Oct. First for Fife, 38-39th for Shetland. See Culshaw, Fife Bird Report 1996: 117-118 for details of Fife bird. Photo of Fair Isle bird, Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report for 1996. * Pallas's Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 12 records. 2 N.Ronaldsay Ork 15 Oct, another 16 Oct, 1 Stronsay Ork 15 Oct; 1 Noss Caith 16 Oct; 1 Bressay Shet 25 Oct; 1 Voe Shet 26-28 Oct, with another 30 Oct- 1 Nov; 2 Whalsay Shet 26 Oct, with 1 to 27 Oct and another 30 Oct; 1 Windwick, S.Ronaldsay Ork 27 Oct. * Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus c.105 birds, return to good numbers, after a poor 1995, Shetland, as usual, received the bulk of the records. First 1 Fetlar Shet 14 Sep; Bressay & Fair Is 15 Sep. Good numbers in fall 18-23 Sep with 21 in Shet, mostly 1-2 birds but 6 Fair Is 19 Sep & 3 Foula 20-21 Sep. Steady trickle trough Shet to end Sep, few elsewhere. 3 Scalloway Shet 1 Oct. 1 Stranraer D&G 5-6 Oct was 6th for area. Another influx 15-20 Oct. Fewer thereafter with most passed through by 25 Oct. Last 1 Eswick Shet 8 Nov. 10-16 17-23 24-30 1-7 8-14 15-22 23-30 31-6 7+ Sep Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Oct _Nov_ Nov N. Isles Ort 32-26 6 1 9 8 - 1 N.Scot - 1 - - - 1 - - - NE Scot 6 - - 2 - - - - E/C Scot - q/ - - - 4 1 - - SE Scot 2 1 - - - - - - SW Scot - - - 1 - - - - - 1996 9 48 17 4 3 14 9 0 1 1995 5 13 10 19 5 3 1 1 0 Yellow-browed Warbler Brent Hurley * Radde's Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi Singles N.Ronaldsay Ork 15 Oct; Voe Shet 19 Oct; Sandwick Shet 19-20 Oct; Geosetter Shet 19-20 Oct. 6th for Orkney, 9-1 1th for Shetland. | 4 R.D.Murray [Ed] 59 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix First Auchendennan Clyde 21 Apr; Bord 22 Apr; P&K, D&G, Clyde Is & Arg 24-26 Apr; Forth 30 Apr; Ayr, Ork, Loth, Fife & High 5-12 May; M&N, Is of May, Ork, Caith & Fair Is 15-24 May. First birds on territory. A few in 18-24 May fall, 3 Shet, 4 Fair Is, 5 Ork, 1 Caith, 2 Fife, 2 Is of May & 1 Bord, max 3 Fair Is 24 May. Breeding: High 40 at 13 sites, 9 Inveran, 6 Insh (8); M&N 3 at 3 sites; Forth 4 sites; Loth 6 sites; Bord 20 at 7 sites, 5 Plora (5); Arg 10 Taynish (8), 8 Croggan, Mull; Clyde Is 10 Merkland, Arran; Clyde 50 at 26 sites, 8 Rossdhu, 5 Inchcailloch (14); Ayr 34 at 15 sites. Departure largely un-noticed. Few in autumn, mostly 1- 2 birds,very few E.coast. 26 Shet,8 Fair Is, 13 Ork, 2 OHeb, max 5 Fair Is 29 Aug. Last NE & 26-27 Jul; P&K, Fife & Fair Is 13-31 Aug; Is of May 7 Sep; Ork, OHeb & Bord 21-24 Sep. Last 1 Fetlar Shet 27 Sep Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 2 singles Edinburgh L Jan-Feb; 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork on 11 Jan may have been fleeing the winter frosts, while birds singing Creetown D&G 4 Mar & trapped Glenurquhart H 10 Mar may have survived the winter frosts. Tight arrival with first Linn Park Clyde 29 Mar; then Ayr & Clyde Is 30 Mar; D&G, Fife, NE, Forth, Loth, Arg & Bord 1-3 Apr; M&N, P&K , A&D and Caith 4- 8 Apr. Most arrived on territory. Coastal passage very light: 8 Finnarts Bay Ayr 21 Apr; 7 Fetlar Shet 22 Apr; 8 Fair Is 13 May; 5 Fife Ness F 19 May; 10 E.Mainland Ork 20 May. Breeding: Ork spring males, on passage, sang 23 sites but f with brood patch trapped N.Ronaldsay; High sang c.20 sites; M&N 36 snag (45); A&D 12 sites; Fife 24 sites; Loth 36 sites; Bord 71 at 35 sites with 7 Hirsel (9), 8 Monteviot & 7 Duns; Clyde 89 at 44 sites with 9 Chatelherault (10), 12 Bothwell Castle (5); Ayr 150 at 54 sites, 20mm Culzean (21). Light autumn passage, mostly mid Sep and mid-Oct with few on E.coast. Best numbers N.Isles, max 15 Fair is 23 Sep; 22 N.Ronaldsay Ork & 7 Whalsay Shet 15- 20 Oct. Larger numbers than usual into Nov. Last M&N, P&K, Forth 2-29 Sep; Bord, High, Loth & Ayr 14-29 Oct; Caith, Clyde, O. Heb, Arg, A&D, Fair Is, NE, Ork & Fife 4-17 Nov; D&G, Shet 26-30 Nov. Several Dec records : 2 Shet, | Fair Is, 4 Ork, 1 High, 1 Fife, 1 Forth, 2 Loth, 1 Ayr,1 D&G. Area Jan Feb Mar Nov Dec N&W Isles 1 - 1 34 Tf N/NE.Scot E = 1 3 1 E./C Scot = = - 3 2 SE Scot 2, - - 2 W. Scot - 6 - SW Scot = = 2, 2 2 1995 3 0 4 48 14 1996 8 5 >20 36 9 Eastern Chiffchaff P.c.abietinus/tristis 1 tristis trapped Fair Is 22 May. Influx tristis/abietinus birds N.Isles; late Oct & mid- Nov with ‘several’ Shet, 4-7 Fair Is (4 trapped), 1 Holm Ork.1 Ardlair H 1 Oct; 1 Oronsay Arg 7 Nov; 1 Clachan OH 8 Nov; 1 Windy-hills A&D 12 Nov; 2 trapped Culterty NE 15 Nov; | Fair Is 20 Dec. See Mcgregor, Birding World 10:70 for discussion of tristis birds in NE, with reply by Penninton in 10:153-154. Photo of Dec tristis on Fair Isle, see Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report for 1996. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus First Colvend D&G 30 Mar; Loth, NE & Fife 4-5 Apr; High, Clyde, M&N, Forth & Is of May 6-9 Apr; Bord, Ayr & Fair Is 12-14 Apr; P&K, Ork, A&D, Shet & Clyde Is 17-20 Apr; Caith 27 Apr. First main wave 18- 23 Apr in S; with 40 St.Abbs B, 30 Dowlaw B, 30 Knockshinnoch Ayr, 25 Finnart's Bay Ayr & 20 Is of May. Major influx 18-22 May when 750 Fair Is 18 May & afresh 600 on 21 May; 150 Spiggie & 100 Sumburgh Shet; 539 N.Ronaldsay, 80 Stronsay Ork; 50 Girdleness NE; 200-300 Usan A&D; 80 Is of May; c.85 Fife coast F; c.150 Berwick coast B. Breeding: Ork 16prs Hoy (12), 4mm Trumland Wood, Rousay (4); High 20% increase Eigg,many young, 200prs bred Inveran, 5Oprs/knv Clynelish Moss ; P&K 85prs Vane Farm (65); Fife 41 Cameron Res. (40); Forth 12prs lower Devon (14), 8.4prs/km? Doune (3.6); Loth 55prs Bavelaw, 24 Aberlady (25); Arg 82 Taynish (65); Clyde Is 23 Merkland, Arran; Clyde 17prs Merryton (13), 17prs Baron’s Haugh (20); Ayr 15 Culzean (16); D&G 11% increase in hourly/handling rate Dumfries CES. Only 85 juvs ringed (262 in'95) Ordiquhill NE. Excellent 61% of 95 birds handled Turnhouse L were juvs. Passage from mid-Jun, very light on mainland & N.Isles. Max: 35 Fair Is 5 Sep; 30 Is of May, 15 Dowlaw, 14 N.Ronaldsay & 12 Skerries Shet 18-21 Sep. Last Forth, A&D, P&K, High, Arg, Ayr & Caith 16-29 Sep; Is of May, Clyde, Loth FairIs & NE 1-17 Oct; Bord 23 Oct. Last 1 Windwick, S.Ronaldsay Ork 28 Oct. Goldcrest Regulus regulus Jan-Feb records: none Shet & 6 Ork (6). Passage Ork 3 Apr, but very light, max 7 N.Ronaldsay 23 Apr. Elsewhere: 20 St.Abbs B 4 Apr; 16 Dunninald Den A&D 11 Apr; 20 Is of May 13-26 Apr. Breeding: Ork 10prs Hoy (8); High 18% increase Eigg; Clyde Sprs Linn Park (5), 2prs Baron’s Haugh (3). Extremely light autumn passage: 55 Berwickshire coast B & 20 Ethie Mains A&D 21-22 Sep; 50 Cruden Bay & 40 Drums NE, 30 Ethie Mains, 25 St.Abbs 13-14 Oct; 50 Fetlar & 40 Quarff Shet, 30 Fair Is, 66 N.Ronaldsay & 40 Stronsay Ork 15-17 Oct. Only | Ork in Dec & none Shet. 60 Scottish Bird Report 1996 *Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus 1 Girdleness NE 14-16 Oct. 1 in tit flock Newton Mearns Clyde 8 Dec. First for Renfrewshire, 16th for North-east. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata First Laurieston D&G & St.Abbs B 28 Apr; Loth & NE 5-7 May; Fair Is, Arg & Forth & Ayr 11-13 May; High, Fife, Clyde, M&N, Ork, Shet, Is of May & Caith 16-20 May. Most birds in S arrived directly on territory but big fall 18-22 May with c.50 Shet, max 4 Whalsay; 20 Fair Is; 8 N.Ronaldsay Ork; 20+ Is of May; 8 Dowlaw B. Breeding: reasonable numbers M&N, NE and in S, but scarce P&K, Fife, Arg. Ork | lingered, did not breed; Caith 9prs; High 1 Oprs Insh Marshes (14); Bord 78prs seen 52 sites, max 8 Dawyck & 5 Hirsel, 5br15 noted; Arg 2prs Taynish (3); Clyde 32prs at 24 sites; Ayr 172prs at 70 sites; 15 Kenmure in Aug suggests good season. Passage from early Aug, peaking 18-23 Sep when only 2 Shet, 10 Fair Is, 1 Ork, 1 NE, 2 Fife, 3 Is of May, 2 Bord, max 5 East Haven & 3 Hatton A&D. Last Forth and P&K 25-30 Aug; Caith 4 Sep; High & Arg 13-16 Sep; NE, D&G, Ayr, Clyde, Bord, Ork, Loth, Shet & Is of May 21-29 Sep; Shet & Fife 10-15 Oct; Last 1 Mains of Usan A&D 27 Oct. *Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva 4 in spring, 40 in autumn. Singles Balcomie F 19-21 May, Fair Is 26 May & N.Ronaldsay Ork 2-3 Jun & 7 Jun. Fall 17-25 Oct when 4 Is of May & singles Quendale, Voe & Sumburgh Sheet; 3 Fair Is; N.Ronaldsay; Drums, Girdleness & Cruden Bay NE; Barns Ness L; St.Abbs B. Singles Voe 1 Oct; Fair Is 12-13 Oct,1 Ethie Mains A&D 14-16 Oct; Voxter Shet 18 Oct; Fair Is 20 & 24 Oct; Cruan, Firth Ork 28 Oct. Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca ° First L.Ken D&G 19 Apr. Then Fair Is, Clyde & Bord 24 Apr; P&K, Ayr, Forth, Loth & NE 27 Apr-6 May; Fife, A&D, Arg, High, OHeb, Ork, Shet, Clyde Is & Is of May 18-20 May. Most on territory early May before large passage of migrants 18-22 May when: c.140 Shet, max 26 Whalsay, 25 Foula; record 125 Fair Is; c.150 Ork, max 67 N.Ronaldsay, 30 Stronsay,15 Flotta; c.40 Caith, max 15 Noss Farm; c.20 NE; 9 A&D; 9 Fife; 5 Is of May; 7 Loth; 21 Bord & a few High and OHeb. Breeding MBS MBS Nest-box schemes prs nests juvs _1996 1995 Newtonmore High 5 3 15 5.00 - Glen Esk A&D 3 3 12 4.00 - Trossachs Forth 65 60 ? - 4.63 Inversnaid Clyde 19 17 89 5.24 6.20 Sallochy Clyde 14 12 2, 6.00 6.00 Comer Clyde 5 4 19 4.75 6.00 Tarbert Clyde Is 14 11 65 5.90 6.50 prs nests juvs _1996 1995 N.Bute Clyde Is 5) 4 16 4.00 - Bonawe Argyll 11 8} 19 6.30 6.20 other Argyll 7 7 27 3.88 6.00 Glentrool D&G 16 - - 5.90 - Beattock D&G 5 5 31 6.20 - * Pine Marten predation NE 2 sites, success at Braemar; Loth 2 sites; Bord 7 at 6 sites; Ayr 21prs at 11 sites; D&G stable 60prs Wood of Cree. No breeding reports M&N and Fife. First of autumn migrants: Ork 21 Jui; Is of May, Fair Is, Shet,NE & Bord 6-11 Aug. Poor autumn: max 7 Fetlar Shet 12 Aug; 12 Fair Is ,6 Foulaand 5 NorthRonaldsay 24-26 Aug; 25 Fair Is, 5 Fetlar17-18 Sep. Last Clyde, Arg & Caith 16-30 Aug; Fife, A&D, NE, Is of May, Bord, OHeb, Loth, Ork & High 20-29 Sep; Shet & Fair Is 9-15 Oct. 1 Sumburgh Shet on 25 Nov. * Bearded Tit Panarus biamarcus 4 Tay area P&K 1 May. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Breeding: OHeb successful Stronoway Woods: High Aprs Eigg reared 20+ young, 1Oprs Insh Marshes; Forth 3br30 noted Dunmore; Bord 17prs at 14 sites; Clyde 37prs at 16 sites, 7prs Baron's Haugh (5), 6prs Ross, 6prs Strathclyde Park; Ayr 5br28 at 3 sites. Max flocks: <15 in Caith, Arg; 15-25 in M&N, NE, A&D, Forth; 26-40 in Fife, Bord (2), Clyde, Ciyde Is, Ayr and D&G. Biggest : 50 Insh Marshes H in Aug; 48 Longniddry Bents L in Oct; 60 Kilmuir H in Dec. The smaller than normal flock size suggests poor winter survival and a poor breeding season. *Marsh Tit Parus palustris Bord 21 sites is an improved total, with 12 sites in breeding season and 12 sites outwith the breeding season, proved to breed at Abbey St.Bathans, Monteviot & Hirsel. No records from Loth. 1 Arbroath A&D 4 Jun was thought to possibly be the nominate Scandinavian race. First for A&D. Willow Tit Parus montanus Bord 1 Hirsel in Apr; br3 Todheugh in May; I Paxton House in May; Clyde pr bred Strathclyde Park, fledged 7 Jun; 1 Shawburn Wood in Apr, 4 Cathkin Braes and 1 Drumpellier Park in May; family party Greenhead P. in Aug, Baron's Haughin Aug & Dec; Ayr 2prs L.Dornal, prs L.Nahine, High Altercannoch, Guelt Wood & Knockshinnoch, with 2 Bogton L. in Jan, 1 Rozelle in Feb, 1 Muirkirk in Apr, 2 Craigengillan & Feoch Bank in May, Martnaham L. in Dec; D&G common L.Ken with 4prs Wood of Cree, 2-4prs Castle L. also seen Skaith & Hightae L. R.D.Murray [Ed] 61 Crested Tit Parus cristatus High 2 L.an Eilen in Jan; 5 Kinrive in Mar; 2 Millbuie in Apr; 14 Abernethy & 4 Calrossie in May; several Forest Lodge, 2 Glen Garry & 1 Contin in Oct; 7 Colony Wood, Biack Isle & 4 R. Cannich in Nov; 6 Fyrish & 5 L.Garten in Dec. M&N rise from 10prs in boxes Culbin Forest to 23prs with new box design with although MCS 5.2 (5.6), predation reduced brood numbers to give just MBS 2.4 (5.3), none bred in Lossie Forest boxes (3). 2 Mulben in Jul-Aug; 1-2 Kinloss in Sep; 14 Culbin Forest in Dec. See Francis, North-east Scotland Bird Report 1996: 86-87 for account of winter survey in the Rothes, Huntly & Keith areas. Coal Tit Parus ater 35 Redmyre F in Feb; 42 L.Tulla Arg in Oct; 56 Monadh Moor H 23 Nov; 31 Overmills Ayr in Dec. Breeding: High 10% increase Eigg, very successful; M&N none bred at Culbin (2) and 2prs at Lossie (6), MBS 8.0 (8.5), casualties of the frosts?; Loth 5prs Roslin (7); Clyde 37prs at 11 sites, 8prs Linn Park (9), 5prs Cathkin Braes (5). Poor passage noted St.Abb’s B , max only 40n 17 Sep; only 1 Is of May 17 Apr. None N_Isles. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus 59 Tweedbank B & 66 Dawyck B in Jan were the best early-year counts. 112 ringed Craigurd B 4 Feb (72). Breeding: Conflicting results from different areas with winter frosts and poor springs causing poor breeding success & declines in some areas of N & E. Elsewhere in S&W, reasonable numbers or increases. Nest-box schemes MBS MBS Nests Young 1996 1995 Dunbeath Caith 35 178 Dull 6.2 Lossie Forest M&N 16 46 2.9 7.4 Culbin Forest M&N 7 22 Bw 2.0 L.Spynie M&N 13 67 De ev Invermark A&D 19 87 4.6 7.8 Breafoot Bay F 9 59 6.6 8.7 Beattock D&G 6 52 8.7 - High 10% increase in Eigg (a 150% increase in 3 yrs, probably due to reduced winter mortality through feeding); M&N low clutch size & very small young at fledging suggests poor spring condition of adults; NE bad season due to poor spring condition, although later vbroods more successful, 11 caught Ordiquhill (51 in '95); P&K 19prs Vane Farm; Forth 12prs/km? Doune (4.8), 5 lower Devon (10); Loth 27prs Roslin (21), 8 Hadfast (7); Arg 24prs Taynish (18); Clyde 25prs Cathkin Braes (20), 14prs Marryton (11). 1 Grainbank, St.Ola Ork 28 Mar. Autumn dispersal Berwick coast B 21 Sep, 35 St.Abbs, 45 Coldingham L. & 10 Dowlaw Dean. 40 Kippo Wood F in Dec was the best late-year flock. Major influx in Shet from 17 Oct, but mostly Nov, involving c.15 birds, max 3 Baltasound in late Nov. Great Tit Parus major 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 6 Apr.1 Lerwick Shet 10-11 Apr, 2mm there 14 Apr. 1 Norwick Shet 21 Oct- Dec. Early-year counts: 18 Tweedbank B in Jan; 17 Chateau- herault Clyde in Mar. Breeding: MBS MBS Nest-box schemes Nests Young 1996 1995 Lossie Forest M&N 27 111 4.1 5.9 Culbin Forest M&N 1 6 6.0 0.0 L.Spynie M&N 11 58 5.3 6.4 Invermark A&D 18 Wg 4.2 3.8 Braefoot Pt. F 8 53 6.6 8.00 High 50% increase Eigg, good success; M&N 2 cases of boxes with both Blue & Great Tit eggs, all young reared; P&K 8prs Vane Farn; Forth 8.4prs/km? Doune (2.4), 2 lower Devon (4); Loth 15prs Roslin (12); Clyde 12prs Cathkin Braes (20), 13prs Linn Park (12), 9prs Merryton (7). No large late-year counts. Nuthatch Sitta europaea Bord expansion & population increase continues with 18prs + 9 singles at 15 sites (17prs+4 singles in '95). Pairs seen at known or likely breeding sites Site 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Hirsel 2 3 5 6 6 Floors Castle 1 2 5 6 6 Lennel - - 1 - 1 Langlee - - - 1 2 Monteviot - - - 1 2 Galashiels - - - 1 3 Coldstream - - 1 2, Singles seen Lauder & Hawick at nut-feeders in Apr, and Duns Castle, Paxton House & Denholm in Jun. Filmed at nut-feeder at Ashkirk in Oct. 1 killed when flew into shop window Galashiels in Aug. D&G 2 at nut-feeder Langholm in Feb; | sang Bennan, Treecreeper Brent Hurley 62 Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Breeding: High 8prs Eigg (4) all successful, 1 juv seen Canna in Jul, c.10prs Insh Marshes; M&N 7prs in nest- boxes Culbin (12), MBS 2.0 (3.8), 2pr Lossie Forest (1) with MBP 3.0, small clutch sizes and poor success; A&D 3prs bred Kinnordy; 7prs Roslin; Arg 5prs Taynish (3); Clyde 7prs Linn Park (5), 2prs Baron's Haugh (5) & Aprs Cathkin Braes (2); Ayr 12prs Kilkerran. 7 Hirsel B in Jan & 18 Broomfield Ayr in Oct. 1 South Walls Ork 16 Sep was first Orkney since 1988. Golden Oriole Orviolus oriolus 7 in spring, 2 in autumn. Singles Clousta Shet 25 May; Scalloway Shet 27 May; Lerwick Shet 2 Jun, another there 5 Jun; Fair Is 3 Jun; Stronsay Ork 6 Jun; Savoch, Strathbeg NE 20 Jun & Ardvey, Harris OH 22 Jul. 1 Lerwick 14-19 Aug & 1 Njugals Water Shet 23 Aug. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 90 birds in spring, 1 in summer & 29 in autumn. Singles Fair Is 18 May; Noss Head Caith, Girdleness NE & Redheugh B 19 May. Good influx 20-25 May, max 5 N.Ronaldsay & 5 Stronsay Ork 20 May; 4 Balcomie F 21 May; 7 Fair Is 24 May. A few into Jun May-Jun '96 May June 1-10 11-20 21-31 1-10 11-20 _—-21-30 Shetland 0) 1 19 5 1 1 Fair Isle 0) 1 9 D, 0 0 Orkney 0 10 12 3 0 0) N.Scotland 0 1 2 0 1 0 NE Scot 0 D 11 0 0 0 E/C Scot 0 4 4 1 0 0) SE Scot @) 3 0 0 @) 0 1996 0 22 Si 11 2 1 1995 0 0 26 7 0 0 If summered Quarff Shet to 20 Aug; 1 St.Kilda OH in Jul. Influx 5-15 Aug : 3 Shet, 2 Fair Is, 2 NE, & 1 Is of May. Then quiet autumn, mostly N.Isles: 6 Shet late Aug & 5 Fair Is 26 Aug. Only 1 Shet, 1 Fair Is, 2 Ork & 1 Is of May in Sep before 3 late birds at Newbarns A&D 15 Oct; Whalsay Shet 26 Oct & Eswick Shet 28 Oct. * Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor 1 Crail F 5 Sep. Third record for Fife. Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Only 3 inwinter: | dead at window Comrie P&K 22 Jan, 1 Inverinan Arg 27 Jan & 1 Tulloch Moor H 8 Mar. Comrie skin now in Perth Museum. 4 spring singles Rackwick, Hoy Ork | Apr;Boddam Shet 14 Apr; Papa Westray Ork 21 May, Twageos, Lerwick Shet 1-2 Jun. 1 St.Abbs B 21-22 Sep; 1 Kinloch NE 29 Sep; 1 Boddam Shet 19 Oct; 1 Foula Shet 21 & 24 Oct;1 Fair Is 23-24 Oct; 1 L.Eye H 18 Nov; 1 Forgan F 23 Nov, moving to East Newport H 7 Dec; | L.Kinord NE 1 Dec; 1 St.Mary's L. B 28 Dec. Scottish Bird Report 1996 * Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 1f Gartochard Clyde 17-20 May; Girdleness NE 6 Jun; ad Strath Halladale H 25 Jun. Juv Balnakeil H 13-14 Sep; juv Kilnaughton Bay, Islay Arg 16 Sep. First for Argyll, first and second for Sutherland, second for North-east & Clyde areas. See Cronin & ap Rheinallt in Argyll Bird Report 13:92-95 for note on Argyll record. Jay Garrulus glandarius High 3 autumn records at Farr, Fort William & Glen Urquhart; M&N reported 11 sites with br2 Whiteash Hill, the first confirmed breeding record; NE mostly seen Donside & Deeside but autumn records Laurencekirk & Haddo, max 5 Kirkhill & Drums in winter; A&D br3 seen Downfield; Fife 23 sites, con- firmed breeding Ladybank, 28 Devilla Forest in Aug; Forth 18 sites; Loth bred 2 sites, seen 17 sites; Bord 29 sites; Arg 8 sites, bred Barcaldine; Clyde 31 sites; Ayr 28 sites, bred Catrine; D&G 10 Hills Wood. Magpie Pica pica Caith seen 3 sites, seen Shebster all year; High 16 sites, 1 nr Bonar Bridge was unusual; A&D increase to 15 sites; P&K records from Tulliemet, Fealar, Shinagag & Ballinluig were unusual; Fife 8 records to E of main range in NE; Bord 33 sites, still spreading in face of persecution by keepers; Arg | Balcardine, away from usual areas; Clyde 7-8prs Cathkin Braes (5-6); Ayr 7- 8prs Knockbentier (4-5); D&G still signs of spread. Largest counts: 50 Kilmarnaock-Knockbentier Ayr Jan/ Feb; 72 at roost Airthey Forth 13 Feb; 240+ Giffnock Clyde 20 Feb; 65 Balgonie Clyde 27 Feb; 73 at roost Duddingston L 28 Mar; 44 Colzium Clyde 17 Nov. Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Arg Islay : survey of The Oa showed big decline with only 6prs+1 non-breeder (23prs+15-20 non-breeders in 1986), 5br10 seen in Jul. No other Islay data. 1O0prs+11 non-breeders Colonsay with min 8 young reared. Pr bred Mull, but failed as they have since 1989. 3 high over Machrihanish 10 Aug, heading to Mull of Kintyre. D&G resident bird Muil of Galloway somehow found a mate and reared 2 young, one of which was later seen injured before vanishing. [1995] single Dunglass B/L, later rejected by SBRC. Jackdaw Corvus monedula Up to 11 Tingwall area Shet Jan with 6 there in Jul and 3-6 to Dec. Seen 5 other sites in early year, 4 later in year. 1-4 Fair Is Apr/May. Breeding: Ork further decline Stronsay; High stable 10- 12prs Eigg, few young, |2prs Insh Marshes (10); Forth R.D.Murray [Ed] 63 stable Doune; Bord 30prs bred in rabbit burrows Carham. Roosts: 6,500 Balnacoul M&N in Jan: 5,000 Assery Caith & 4,000 Meiklemoss NE in Dec. No large flocks. Continental race C.m.monedula: 2 Westerwick Shet on 19 Apr with 1 on 8 May & 21 Jun; 4 Strand Shet 13 Oct with 3 on 20 Oct; 1 Doonfoot Ayr 23 Dec. 1 Strand 13 Oct-12 Nov showed features of eastern race C.m.soemmerringii. Rook Corvus frugilegus Fuller details due to BTO sample survey of colonies. Breeding: Shet total 109 lower Hoove & 56 Greenlea, 6 nests had MBS 1.5 (1.4); Ork full survey showed 1,898 nests, all but 19 (on Rousay) on Mainland, a 34% increase since 1987; Caith new colony noted Thurso; High 95prs Insh Marshes (80); NE further decrease (18%) to 298 nests Udny Wood (363); Fife 1,481 nests in 21 colonies; Bord 4,427 nests counted in 76 colonies; Arg full census Kintyre gave 2,514 nests at 41 colonies (an 80% increase since 1,397 at 24 in 1989); 316 in all 8 colonies Islay (211 in 12 rookeries in 1985); Clyde 3,018 nests in 41 colonies in BTO sample counts; full survey Dunbartonshire, W.Strirlingshire & part of N.Lanarkshire gave 6,829 nests. Roosts: only 9,000 Meikleness NE in Dec (15,000 in '93) was the only sizeable count. were the only large roost counts. See Corse & Adam (1997) Orkney Bird Report 1996 for full detail of Orkney Rookery survey. Carrion Crow Corvus corone Carrion Crow C.c.corone Shet 12 winter/spring (7) records & 8 in autumn/winter (5) with | hybrid and a juv in Aug; Ork 1 bird bred (3), paired with Hoodie; Forth 7.2prs/km: Doune (3.6); Bord 7prs St.Abbs (9); Clyde 9 nests Cathkin Brae (6). Flocks: 200 roost on Hogganfield L. island Clyde in Nov; 107 Cameron Res. F in Dec. Hooded Crow C.c.cornix Scattered reports: M&N (3), NE, A&D (2), Fife (2), Forth, Loth (9), Bord (3), Clyde (14), Ayr (4) and D&G (3). Hybrids recorded in Shet, Ork, M&N, Forth, Loth (9), Bord (3), Clyde (22), Ayr (7), D&G. Breeding: Ork 9prs N.Hoy (20); Arg 5prs L.Gruinart, 4 failed by to redation by Raven & Buzzard. Raven Corvus corax Breeding: Sites Occup. Sites Nest Young checked nests failed success MBS Fetlar Shet - 10 - - 17 - Mainland Ork - 33 16 22 69 3.1 Hoy Ork - 12 1 6 20 3.3 Eigg I&R - 6 - 6 17 2.8 Forth 22 17 9 8 16 2.0 Colonsay Arg - 5 - 5 14 2.8 Coll Arg - 9 1 6 24 4.0 Ayrshire - 27 - 14 42 3.0 Loth pr had 2 failed attempts, noted 10 other sites; Bord now noted 26 sites, confirmed at just 2; Arg 4prs Mull; D&G pr bred Beattock, a new area. Max counts: Shet 120 Lerwick dump in Jun; Ork 101 roosting St.Ola in May; Caith 30 Halsary in Jul; High 52 Kinbrace in Sep; P&K 307 in Jan roost census; Arg 252 Bridgend, Islay roost in Sep-Dec; D&G max 68 at un-named roost in Dec. [1995] survey W.Dunbartonshire, W.Srirlingshire & L.Lomondside Clyde found 13prs + 7 territorial non breeding pairs - recolonisation of lowland area continues, including keepered area. Starling Sturnus vulgaris Fewer really large winter roosts: 5,000 Peterhead NE in Jan & 3,000 Strathaven Clyde in Apr were the largest with 1,500-2,000 recorded Ork, Fife, Clyde (2), D&G. "Thousands" Mainland Ork 20 Mar, max 1,500 N.Ronaldsay Ork 27 Mar. 103 found dead on Stonehaven beach NE after 3 very cold days. Breeding: Fair Is 265 nests in complete survey where fine early season gave good clutches but poor Apr reduced MBS 2.5 (+15% failed), although later nests had better success; Ork 60 AONs N.Hill, Papa Westray (48); High 40prs Eigg (40), 30prs Insh Marshes (20); NE 37 nest-boxes Culterty had MBS 4.39; Forth 15.6prs/ km? Doune (12); Bord 67 nests Eddleston (51) + 6 late/ 2nd broods; Clyde 10prs Merryton (9). First fledged Bord 22 May, Clyde 24 May, Forth 4 Jun. 50% juvs in 120 aged birds Lamberton B 24 Jun. Fewer large flocks than usual: 1,600 N.Ronaldsay & 1,400 Eyemouth B in Jul; 5,300 juvs roosted Aird Meadows Clyde, 2,000 Noss Head Caith & 2,000 Kirkwall Ork in Sep; 2,000 L.Spynie M&N in Oct; 3,000 Meadownay Ayr , 3,000 Princes St., Edinburgh L 3,000 Gretna D&G in Nov. *Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus 4 birds: ad Carradale, Campbeltown Arg 30 Jul-2 Aug; juv Montrose Basin A&D 27 Aug; 1st-w N.Ronaldsay Ork 24 Oct; juv Clinkhammer, Sanday Ork 10-15 Nov. [1995] 1 age uncertain South Boisdale, S$. Uist OHeb 18-24 Jun; ad Spittal of Glenshee A&D 29-30 Jun; Ist- w Skerries Shet 8-29 Sep. Additional records changes 1995 total to 13 birds. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Breeding: Fair Is 95-124 birds in census, c.60prs; NE low success, in some areas nil; Forth 14.4prs/km? Doune (22.8). Fledging from: M&N 18 May, Ork 25 May, Forth 7 Jun. Flocks: 250 Northolme, St.Ola Ork, 200 Coaltown of Balgonie F & 200 Lyleston, Ardmore Clyde in Aug; 550 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 300 Sandyford Ayr, 250 Highfield Ayr & 200 Tressness, Sanday Ork in Sep. 64 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Breeding: High confirmed Inverness, Docharty Farm, Dingwall & Cromarty; M&N good success, bred Longmorn, Clackmarras & Duffus Castle; NE confirmed Udny, Longside (20prs), Inveruguie & Alford, probable Cruden Bay & Balmedie; A&D bred Roundyhill & Craigmill; P&K Blairgowrie study - poor year with just 51 juvs ringed (78), declines continue elsewhere; Fife bred 7 sites in NE; Forth 3prs bred Dunmore; Loth bred 4 sites, 6prs Hadfast (5); Bord prs seen 5 sites; Clyde 15prs at 9 sites; Ayratlas fieldwork reveals more sites than thought, 26 sites with 58prs; D&G 3 sites. Max area flocks: 100 Newmains B, 55 Hermiston L, 50 East Yonderton Clyde & 40 Alturlie H in Jan; 36 Miltonhill M&N in Feb; 55 Coble shore F, 40 Drumgley A&D in Apr; 20 Crossbanks D&G in Aug; 50 Alness H & 44 Warwickhill Ayr in Oct; 70 Inverugie NE in Dec. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Few birds. Only 2 large flocks (10 in '95): 1,000 Whim B & 1,000 Blackstoun Clyde in Jan; only 6 flocks of 400-500 birds (9 in'95) in P&K (2), Forth, Loth, Clyde and D&G; and 13 flocks of 200-400 birds (9 in '95): Caith, M&N, NE (2), A&D (3), Bord (2) & Ayr (4). Passage virtually non-existent N.Isles. Breeding: Ork 10prs Trumland Wood, Rousay (8); High 22% increase Eigg, very successful season , >100prs Insh Marshes; P&K 45prs Vane Farm; Fife 18prs Eden Est.; Forth 33.6prs/km? Doune (34.8); Loth 35prs Aberlady (32), 30prs Roslin (42); Bord 9prs St.Abbs (10); Arg 35prs Taynish (25); Clyde 12prs Cathkin Braes (14), 27prs Merryton (21). Moderate passage N.Isles, peaking mid-Oct: max 45 Fair Is 27 Sep; 92 Unst Shet & 40 Deerness Ork 17 Oct. Extremely poor numbers E coast with best counts: 20 Is of May in Oct; 70 Dowlaw B 14 Oct. Very poor winter: 2,000 Kingussie H, 1,000 Straiton Ayr in Nov; 1,000 Bankend D&G & 860 Mullen M&N in Dec. Flocks 400-500: Caith, P&K (2), Loth & Clyde. Flocks 200-400: Caith, High, Forth, Loth (2) & Bord. Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Few birds, large flocks distinctly scarce, mostly in Jan. Only 7 flocks (9) of >400 birds: 700 Strathclyde Park Clyde, 600 Birks of Aberfeldy P&K, 600 Whitmuirhall B, 600 Johnstone Clyde & 500 Moffat D&G in Jan; 3,000 Penicuik L in Feb; 1,000 Worm Law Clyde in Apr. 11 flocks (6) of 200-400: High, NE (3), Loth (2), Bord (3), Ayr, D&G and 5 flocks (3) of 100-200: NE (2), Forth, Bord & Ayr. Last M&N, D&G, Ayr, NE & Fife in Mar; A&D, P&K, Clyde & Forth 2-13 Apr; High 17 Apr; Is of May & Bord 27 Apr; Loth 4 May; Caith, Shet & Ork 20-26 May. Max N.Isles 135 Fair Is, 70 Foula Shet, 70 Fetlar Shet; 50 N.Ronaldsay Ork 22-25 Apr. ‘ a SE ST A OE REE 3 Brambling Andrew Stevenson Ayrshire Bird Report Breeding: no hint of summering. First back: Is of May 17 Sep; Shet, Fair Is, Ork & Bord 18-23 Sep; A&D, High, Loth, Arg & NE 6-12 Oct; Caith, D&G, Fife & Ayr 15-23 Oct. Light movement Sep, max 53 St.Abbs B 23 Sep & 125 Fair Is 26 Sep. Progressively heavier passage Oct with 136 Whalsay Shet, 1,000 Fife Ness F, ‘hundreds’ NE coast, 500 Is of May & 260 Clynelish H 16-20 Oct. Numbers fell to end-Oct as birds quickly passed on. Another thin winter period with very few big flocks with 500 Dunkeld P&K and 500 Eskdalemuir D&G in Dec. Flocks of 200-400: Caith, P&K, Loth & Ayr (2) and flocks of 100-200: Caith, A&D, Arg and D&G. Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Just 2 birds Shet in Jan-Apr. Better numbers Ork where max 70 Finstown in Jan with 24 Orphir & 20 Kirkwall. A great dearth of large winter flocks with none >300 birds and just 8 flocks of 100-300 birds in Caith, NE (2), A&D (2),Loth, Bord and D&G; the largest being 250 Kintore NE & 250 Maud NE in Jan. Breeding: Ork breeding confirmed at 2 sites and sing- ing males noted at another 18 sites (10); High 13prs Eigg (10), 8prs Insh Marshes (6); Arg Sprs L.Gruinart, | Islay; Clyde lpr Baron’s Haugh (5), 2prs Merryton (3). | Better passage, up to 13 at sites in Shet & 25 Fair Isle. | Only 1 big post-breeding flocks; 200 Merryton 20 Jul. Little hint of any substantial arrival on E coast. Much better numbers in autumn/winter flocks (only 8 flocks in '95) suggests better breeding season than last year: 400 Irvine Ayr in Nov with 24 flocks of 100-300 seen Caith (3), High (3), M&N (3), NE (3), P&K (2), Fife, Loth (2), Clyde (4), Ayr (2), D&G. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Largest flocks: 80 Clatto A&D, 60 AuchnacloichM&N & 60 Baldragon A&D in Jan; 80 Blackstoun Clyde, 60 Littleton Res. Clyde in Feb; 220 Culhawk A&D in Mar; 143 roosting Aberdeen NE in Apr Flocks of 20-59 noted in M&N, NE, A&D (2), P&K, Fife (4), Forth, Loth, Bord (3), Clyde (2), D&G. 5 spring singles Shet, 5 Fair Is & 3 singles Ork. Breeding: Caith 6 sites, confirmed at Newton, Wick, Stemster & St.Johns; NE good success noted; Forth 3.6prs/km: Doune (7.2), 3prs lower Devon; Clyde mean R.D.Murray [Ed] 65 autumn large flock size (67) suggests good season. Post breeding flocks quite small (<50) in Jul/Aug with only 120 Kingholm D&G & 70 Merryton Clyde larger. Autumn/winter: 110 Whitrighill B, 100 Skateraw L, 100 Swansfield B in Sep & 120 Possil Marsh Clyde in Oct were the only flocks >99. Flocks 50-99 noted A&D, Fife (3), Loth (2), Bord, Clyde (3), Ayr (3), D&G (2). | Only 2 late year birds N.Isles: 4 Voe Shet in Sep & 1 N.Ronaldsay in Oct. Siskin Carduelis spinus Moderate numbers overwintered, mainly in E, poor cone crop lowered numbers in SW. Max Jan/Feb: 250 Craigneuk B, 100 Brodie M&N in Jan; 400 L.Tummel P&K, 150 Tillyfourie NE, 100 Hirsel B & 100 Valleyf- ield F in Feb. Higher numbers in Mar with returning birds: 245 Piersknowe B, 180 Culbin M&N, 150 Milltimber NE, 140 Newton M&N in Mar. 139 ringed Craigurd B Mar-May hints at good northwards overland passage. None Is of May and just small numbers N Isles where c.50 Shet, c.48 Ork and only 5 dates Fair Is. Breeding: Ork br4 Finstown in Aug; High 30 prs Insh Marshes (30), 30prs Eigg (12), pr bred Canna; M&N 25 newly fledged ringed Clochan17-31 May; D&G poor spruce crop forced May birds to feed on willow pollen. Post breeding: 200 Dumfries D&G, 200 Finnich Glen Clyde, 110 Eigg H and 100 Glen Tig Ayr in Aug; 200 Caerlaverock D&G, 155 Inveran H, 120 Gallowberry B in Sep. Passage was light on E. coast: max 36 Is of May 17 Sep but moderate passage N.Isles, peaking late Sep with 130-150 Fair Is, 80 Foula Shet, 50 N.Ronaldsay Ork & 50 Queenamidda Ork 26-29 Sep. More in winter: 400 Aberfeldy P&K, 200 Insh Marshes in Oct; 140 Peebles B in Nov; 200 Longannet F, 140 Lennox Ford Clyde in Dec with flocks of 50-130 in NE (2), P&K (3), Fife, Forth (2), Bord, Clyde (4), Ayr (2) and D&G. Linnet Carduelis cannabina Only 8 large flocks (13): 750 Kinneil Forth, 700 St.Fergus NE, 600 Pitarthie F, 500 Blackstoun Clyde, 450 Greenan Ayr, 450 Eyemouth B, 300 Auchnacloich M&N & 300 Roseisle M&N, all in Jan. Just 5 flocks of 200-300 noted A&D, Fife, Loth (2) & Clyde (11 in'95). Light passage in N.Isles: c.35 Shet, daily Fair Is, max 7 on 27 Apr; max 65 N.Ronaldsay Ork 22 Apr. Breeding: Ork 6prs Hoy (9); Loth 28prs Aberlady (19), 8prs Hadfast (6); Bord 10prs St Abbs (11); Clyde 3prs Merryton (3) reared 2br5, 5prs Cathkin Braes (3). Autumn/winter flocks fewer :only 3 of >500 birds (11): 500+ Portmahonack H in Sep; 600+ Mintlaw NE & 550 Thornhill Forth in Nov. 28 flocks of 200-500 noted (23) from High (2), M&N (6), NE, A&D, Fife (5), Loth (3), _ Bord (5), Clyde, Ayr (2) and D&G (2). Few N & W.Isles :11 birds Shet, 3 Fair Is & 2 OHeb. Twite Cardue/is flavirostris 1,700 (2 flocks) Blackford P&K, 400 Braco P&K, 200+ Lyth Caith, 200 Girvan Ayr, 150 Kinneil Forth, 150 Aithsdale, S-Ronaldsay Ork, 120 Tyninghame L, 120 Dipple Ayr & 100 Aberlady L, all in Jan, the only flocks of >100 noted. Max elsewhere: 15 Fair Is, 70 High, 9 M&N, 18 NE, 20 A&D, 5 Fife, 75 Arg, 30 Clyde and 50 D&G. Breeding: Ork decline noted but still common Papa Westray & Westray, 9prs Hoy reserve (12); High fewer Eigg, late but moderately good season; min. 1 5prs Canna; NE bred 3 sites; Forth 1-2prs at 5 sites; Loth 2-4prs Pentlands; Arg 40prs Colonsay (39); Clyde pr Glen Douglas; Ayr 1m+3ff Portandea; D&G 2-3prs bred Mull of Galloway, bred Crammag Head & sang Ruthwell. Fewer than usual Oct-Dec: 700 Blackford, 300 Newark & 300 South Walls Ork in Nov; 600 Raggra Caith, 300 Windbreck Ork, 300 Watten Mains & 300 Sortat Caith in Dec. Flocks 100-299 noted Shet, Fair Is, Ork, OHeb (3), High, NE, P&K and Arg (3). Redpoll Carduelis flammea Lesser Redpoll C.f.cabaret Jan-Mar flocks: 250 Whitehillocks A&D, 200 Netherton Braes Clyde in Jan; 300 Broubster Caith, 200 Bruar & 125 L.Tummel P&K in Feb. Flocks 50-100 noted: M&N (2), NE, Fife, Forth, Bord & Clyde. 6 Shet & 5 Ork seen on spring passage. Breeding: Caith 4 sites; High 12prs Insh Marshes (15), 14prs Eigg (10); P&K 10prs Vane Farm; Bord 12 sites; Clyde noted 8 sites; Ayr c.51prs noted. Little passage E coast. 3 Fair Is & 5 Ork in autumn. Few Oct/Dec: 350 Insh Marshes, 200+ Balnagard P&K, 200 Coulin H in Oct; 100 Lennox Forest Clyde in Nov; 130 L.Brora H & 100 L.Tarf H in Dec. Flocks of 50-99 noted Loth (2), Arg & Clyde (2). Areas with big flocks suggests Highland area had good season. Mealy Redpoll Carduelis f. flammea 300 Newtonmore H, 240 Lennox Forest Clyde, 150 Arnhall Moss NE in Jan; 1,000 Garlogie NE, 150 Kintore NE in Mar. Flocks 40-99: High (3), A&D (3), Loth & Clyde. Best counts elsewhere: 12 Shet, 15 Fair Is, 15 Ork, 1 Caith, 15 M&N, 25 Fife, 7 Bord, 6 Ayr. Most gone by Mar but afew through N.Isles in Mar-Jun. Breeding: Ork br! Berriedale, br4 Hoy Lodge, singing mm Herston, S.Ronaldsay; OHeb 2m Stornoway Woods 3-4 Jun; High pr displaying Durness 27 May. Small scale passage, mostly N.Isles Sep-Nov. Many records of 1-3 birds, max 10 Foula Shet, 10 Fair Is & 6 N.Ronaldsay Ork 23-26 Oct. Movement also seen High with 5-10 Clynelish 29 Oct & 24 Nov. None claimed elsewhere on mainland Spring birds on Fair Is were mostly Scandinavian flammea, while in autumn the Greenland/Icelandic races Cf. rostrata/islandica predominated. i AN a TE BL I OE EY PE 66 Scottish Bird Report 1996 *Arctic Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni Remnants of the invasion in late 1995 still widespread. 1 Vane Farm P&K 2-4 Jan, with 2 on 4 Jan & another 17-22 Jan; 5+Arnhall Moss NE 8-14 Jan; 2 Aboyne NE 8 Jan; 10+ Garlogie NE 13-14 Jan, 48 there 21-23 Mar; 2 Rossie Moor A&D 16 Jan; | The Bell L 2-21 Jan; 1st- w Lochore Meadows F 1 Feb, another 12 Feb; 4+ Tarfside A&D 2-3 Feb; 1m Inverurie NE 26 Mar. 1 Fair Is 13-17 May (perhaps C.h.exlipes); 1 Eorophaidh, Lewis OH 21 May; 1 Scatness Shet 27 May. 1 Foula Shet 1-7 Oct; 1 Stronsay Ork 23 Oct. c.83 birds for 1996. First for Fife, 3rd &4th for A&D See Shaw & Dicks in Fife Bird Report 1996: 113-116 for notes on Ist & 2nd Fife records. See Riddington & Votier in Birding World 10: 117-149 for notes and photos of Iceland and Greenland birds on Fair Is. Photo: British Birds 90: 507. [1995] 1st-w m Fair Is 4-10 Nov and 1 Rattray Head NE 11 Nov. Total now 103 for 1995. Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Low, although improved, numbers in 1996. Few Jan-Mar , best counts: 27 L.Tummel P&K, 27 Glentress B, 18 Newtyle M&N in Jan; 20+ Tayport F in Feb; Max elsewhere: 2 Caith, 5 High, 8 Forth, 8 Loth, 3 Clyde & 6 Ayr. 18 flocks D&G Jan-Mar had mean 3.2. Breeding: Young noted Whitelee &Glen Afton Ayr in Feb/Mar; Harperigg L, Wedder Hill & Strathaven Clyde in May/Jun; Overvilla & Tillyfourie NE in Jun; Clynelish Hin Jul. Juvs seen Culbin, Roseisle & Whitcash M&N and lower Deeside NE where 12 broods had MBS 1.91. Apr-Jul records more widespread during post-breeding dispersal. Best counts: 20 Glen Afton Ayr in May, 'very common’ Black Wood P&K in Jun; 40 Acharn H in Jul. Later in year evidence of breeding at Galloway Forest D&G in Nov and Tarfessock Ayr in Dec. A few possible immigrants: 4 Shet & 3 Ork in Jun/Jul & 4 singles N.Isles Aug-Nov. A few NE coast mid-Oct. Best late year counts: 26 Abington Clyde in Sep; 200 Mabie Forest D&G, 48 Bruar P&K, 45 Pitlochry P&K, 40 Cardrona B & 28 Lennox Forest Clyde in Nov; 20+ Lochluichart H & 20 Beattock D&G in Dec. *Scottish Crossbill Loxia scotica High young seen Calrossie, Carrbridge, L.Garten, L.Morlich, Essich and Abernethy in May & Jun and at Tulloch in Dec. Mean of 12 in monthly counts at Abernethy, varying between 2 in Mar & Apr and 48 in Dec. Also seen Glen Aldie, Tromie Bridge, L.Migdale, Clynelish Moss, West Clyne and L.A'Chroise. NE a good cone crop upper Deeside allowed many to breed and numbers to increase - 13 nests had MCS 3.6 and 17 broods MBS of 2.05. Flocks of up to 100 noted Inver in Oct. Glen Tanar, max 12 in May, also 8 Derry Lodge in Jul. M&N none identified with confidence. See Jardine & ap Rheinallt in Argyll Bird Report 13: 92-95 for review of records in area. [Parrot Crossbill] Loxia pytyopsittacus Pair feeding fledged young at an un-named site High on 6 Jun with 4 seen same area 13 Jun. Crossbill research has revealed a population that matches the features of this species as breeding in Scotland. However as this species is a BBRC bird, and these records have not been scrutinised by the BBRC, the records remain square-bracketed until these diffi- culties are resolved. *Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus c.45 in spring, c.54 in autumn. First 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 19 May. Influx 20 May-10Jun, withc.13 Shet at Fetlar, Norwick, Voe, Scatness, Virkie, Baltasound & Foula; 8 Fair Is; c.19 Ork at N.Ronaldsay, Stronsay, Herston, Rackwick, Nether Stove, Finstown & Stromness). Mostly singles but max counts: 3 Stronsay 23 May; 2 Fetlar & 2 Foula 1-7 Jun. Several sang. Singles N.Ronaldsay & Foula recorded several days into mid-Jun. Mainland: singles Is of May 20 May-10 Jun; Kingussie H 22/23 May; Burnside of Geddes M&N 5-7 Jun, found dead; Eigg H 12 Jun; Noss Farm Caith 15-16 Jun. Autumn: 1 Herston S.Ronaldsay 20 Jul. c.21 Shet at Whalsay, Quarff, Skerries, Skaw, Foula, Norwick, Swining & Sandvoe; c.20 Fair Is; c.8 Ork at Papa Westray & N.Ronaldsay. Passage to mid Sep with no obvious fall, mostly 1-2 birds, max 3 Fair Is 7 & 9 Sep. Late birds Sandvoe 28 Sep, Fair Is 4-7 Oct & 14 Oct, Skerries 20 Oct. Elsewhere: singles Is of May 8-10 Sep, found dead; Clynelish H 15 Sep; Tiree Arg 21 Sep; Hillof Rattar Caith & Bacomie Farm F 22 Sep; North | Locheynort, S.Uist OH 5 Oct; Oronsay Arg 7 Nov. First record for M&N. Skin of M&N bird now in Royal Museum of Scotland. See Proctor 1997, Moray & Nairn Bird Report 1996: 80 for note of record. Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhulla Breeding: High 17prs bred Eigg (14), fair number of juvs, 6prs Insh Marshes (2): Arg 3prs bred Taynish (1); Clyde 42prs noted,1-2prs Baron’s Haugh (3), 2br5 seen; Ayr 10prs noted, including 6br20. Largest winter flocks: 48 Scone P&K, 30 Munlochy H, 25 Craogvinean P&K, 20 East Lomond F, 20 Ettrick B in Jan; 25 Blair Athotl P&K in Feb; 46 Doire Darach ~ Arg in Oct; 35 Dunduff Ayr in Nov; 74 Mulben M&N, 35 L.Garten H, 25 Glen Tanar NE, 25 Craigmead F, 22 | Colony Wood H and 18 Long L.of Lundie A&D in Dec. Jan-Mar: 2 Shet, 1 Fair Is & c.13 Ork. 1 Fair Is in May. Arrival N.Isles from mid-Oct with c.49 Shet, 8 Fair Is & | c.29 Ork. Many were of the northern race P.pyrrhula. | Northern birds seen N.Lochenort, $.Uist OH 2 Dec and amongst flock of 46 at Doire Darach 19 Oct. R.D.Murray [Ed] 67 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Breeding areas: 3 Hirsel B 2 Jan, with 2 there 29 Mar; 20 Scone Palace P&K 3 Feb; 4 Monteviot B 26 Feb, with | there 1 Jul; 1 Floors Castle B 7 Apr; 1 Gatehouse D&G 29 Apr-Dec; pr feeding juv Aberdeen NE 31 Jul- 8 Aug; split cherry stones suggest birds still present Banchory NE, although none seen. Passage birds: singles Trumland, Rousay Ork 22 Apr, Veensgarth Shet 24-28 Apr & Herston, S.Ronaldsay Ork 23 May. Autumn singles Sandwick Shet 6-8 Aug; N.Ronaldsay Ork 25 Sep & 15 Oct; Quarff Shet 14 Oct, 16-17 Oct & 22-25 Oct; Stronsay Ork 17 Oct & 24 Oct- Nov; Queenamidda Ork 19 Oct; Swining Shet 27 Oct; Ollaberry Shet 28-30 Oct; Finstown Ork 18 Nov. 4 Harriet Planation, L.Fleet H 13 Oct. Remains in Peregrine eyrie Glen Esk A&D in summer. *Blackpoll Warbler Dendroica striata 1 Stronoway, Lewis OHeb 26-29 Oct. _ The first record for OHeb and the 4th for Scotland. Previous records were at Whalsay Shet 30 Sep-3 Oct 1985, Sumburgh Shet 6 Oct 1990; Fair Isle 30 Sep 1991. *White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis 1 Garso, North Ronaldsay Ork 23-27 May. 1 Voe Shet 26 Sep-7 Oct. The first record for Orkney and sixth for Shetland. See Stansfield 1997, Orkney Bird Report 1996: 78-79 for details. Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Poor winter/spring, especially in S. Max flocks include: 200 Grindigar Ork, 174 N.Ronaldsay Ork,130 Toab Ork, 120 Holm Ork, 67 Lossiemouth M&N, 45 Brora H, 40 Garths Ness Shet, 40 Badryrie Caith, 35 Fair Is, 31 Nairns Bars M&N in Jan; 340 Newhall Ork, 30 Lerwick Shet in Feb; 27 Forvie NE in Mar. Virtually no birds in S & C Scotland: none Bord, just single records P&K, D&G, Fife & Ayr, 2 records Forth & Clyde , 3 records A&D, Arg & 7 records Loth. Other than 18 Moffat D&G in Feb, only the high parts of P&K, Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponica Few wintering records and very poor spring. 4 Tyninghame L 6 Jan, with | there 18 Jan. 1 N.Ronaldsay Ork 14 & 15 Apr; 1-2 most days Fair Is 24 Apr-20 May, max 4 on 1-2 May & 5 on 5 May. 1 Quarff Shet 30 Apr. First Fair Is & N.Ronaldsay 30 Aug. Almost daily Fair Is to 5 Nov, max 10 on 27 Sep & 20 on 2 Oct. Frequent N.Ronaldsay where seen 12 days Sep/Oct, 2 on 3 Sep, 2 on 19 Sep, 3 on 16 Oct, 2 on 17 Oct. Frequent Foula Shet, almost daily 10 Sep- 17Oct, max 5 on 14 Sep, 6 on 22 & 24 Sep and 1 Oct. Elsewhere: 2 The Reef, Tiree Arg 8 Sep; 2 Fetlar Shet 13 Sep; 1 Tyninghame & Baleshare, N.Uist OH 22 Sep; 1 Banna Minn Shet 30 Sep; 1 Aberlady L 7 Oct; 2 Egilsay Ork 10 Oct; 3 Barns Ness L 13 Oct; 1 Fetlar 13 Oct & 4 there 16 Oct; 2 Girdleness NE 14 Oct; 1 Is of May on 17 Oct; 1 Whalsay Shet 18 Oct; 1 Sullom Shet & 1 Fife Ness F 20 Oct; Ist-w Musselburgh 23 Oct-29 Dec; 1 Skateraw L 28 Oct; 2 at Ring of Brodgar Ork 21 Nov and single Carnan, N.Uist OH 7 Dec. White-throated Sparrow Peter Donnelly Orkney Bird Report A&D and Clyde had flocks of any size with 7 Ben Lomond Clyde in Jan, 50 Cruach Ardrain Forth and 40 Meall Tarmachan P&K in Feb. Spring passage was light in N.isles, max 5 Skaw, Unst Shet 8 Apr; 'sporadic' Fair Is ; 2 N.Ronaldsay 22 Apr. Breeding: High 11mm (12) in the Cairngorms study area, represents a v ery slight drop in numbers.; NE seen on 7 hills summits with confirmed breeding on 3 tops. Also 1 Rousay Ork 1 Jul. 68 Scottish Bird Report 1996 First return migrants: 1 Hermaness Shet 8 Sep, followed on Ork 10 Sep; Fair Is 15 Sep; Bord, Is of May, Arg & High 20-28 Sep; Ayr, Loth, A&D, NE, Caith & Fife 6- 15 Oct. Excellent passage N.Isles with 100 Foula Shet 29 Sep; 95 N.Ronaldsay 2 Oct; 77 Fetlar Shet 10 Oct; 110 Foula 12 Oct; 780 N.Ronaldsay, 220 Fair Is, 180 Foula & 70 Sumburgh Shet 23-28 Oct; 500 Shapinsay Ork, 500 Harray Ork, 480 Dunrossness Shet, 400 Holm Ork, 350 Fetlar, 300 Fair Is, 300 Sumburgh, 200 Spiggie Shet & 7 other flocks Ork of 100-250 birds 17-26 Nov. Also 200 Barrock Caith,200 Ardivachar, S.Uist OH, 154 Methlick NE, 150 Freswick Caith, 100 Quoys of Reiss Caith, 76 Ardnave, Islay Arg & 50 Redcastle A&D in Nov; 104 Delnies M&N,100 Foveran NE & 60 Nairn Bars in Dec. Few reached S & C Scotland Oct-Dec with none Forth, Bord & Clyde and just 1 D&G. Seen 8 sites Fife, max 25 Outhead 29 Oct with 1-7 seen to Dec. 9 sites Ayr, max 20 Musselburgh L in Nov: & 40 White Scaurins 5 Dec. * Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephala 1 Insh Marshes H 27/28 Jan was accepted by BBRC as a hybrid Yellowhammer x Pine Bunting. Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Few big flocks with 150 Ormiston L & 140 Greenside B in Jan & 150 Bavelaw L in Feb were the only flocks >100 birds. Next best was 90 L.of Skene NE in Feb. Flocks of 40-99 were reported from Caith, M&N, NE (2), A&D (3), Forth, Fife (4), Bord (3), Clyde (2) & Ayr (2). Few spring singles N.Isles, 1 Shet, 3 Fair Is, none Ork. Breeding: High 4m Scourie; P&K 9prs VaneFarm (11); Forth stable 19.2prs/km: Doune; Loth 10prs Hadfast valley (9); Bord 6prs St Abbs (5); Clyde 9prs Merryton (6); Ayr 15prs Springside-Knockbentier (14). N.Isles passage: 8 N.Ronaldsay & 3 Fair Is Ork 24 Oct with 4 singles Shet & 6 Ork. Autumn/winter: 162 Maggicknockater M&N & 100+ Keltonbank D&G in Dec were the only counts >100 birds: flocks of 40-99 noted M&N (2), Fife (2), Bord, Ayr (5) and D&G (2). Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana 31 in spring but only 4 in autumn. Fall 18-27 May: | Fair Is 18 May, c.7 there 19-24 May & singles 25 May & 27-29 May; | St.Abbs B 19 May; min.11 Ork 19 May-25 May with 4-6 N.Ronaldsay, 4 Stronsay & 1 Graemeshall, Holm; c.11 Shet 20-27 May with 3 Skerries, 2 Fetlar & singles Baltasound, Bressay, Foula, Scatness & Quendale Mill; 1 Handa H 28 May. Poor autumn: | Is of May 27-28 Aug; 1 Hermaness Shet 17 Sep; 1 Scatness 20-24 Sep; 1 Durigarth Shet 21 Sep. Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica 8 in spring, 3 in autumn 1m Fair Is 11-12 May; 1f Fair Is & 2 f N.Ronaldsay Ork 20 May; If FairIs & 1m N.Ronaldsay 24 May; 1f Foula Shet 17 May, another there 24-26 Jun. Ist-w m Is of May 18-21 Sep, another there 21-22 Sep; 1 Skaw, Unst Shet 24-26 Sep. Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 1 in spring, 11 in autumn, all but one on N. Isles. 1 Fair Is 1 May; 1 Dowlaw Dean B 22 May; 1 Skerries Shet 24 May. Singles Fair Is 7 Sep, 19-22 Sep & 26-28 Sep; Sumburgh Head Shet 18 Sep, another 25 Sep-1 Oct; Jarlshof, Sumburgh Shet 20 Sep; Dale of Walls Shet 23 Sep; Skerries 27-30 Sep, another 20 Oct; Cunningsburgh Shet 1 Oct; 1 N.Ronaldsay 22 Oct. Photo of the May Fair Is bird: Birding World 9: 173. [1995] 1 Skelberry Shet 19-39 Sep. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola 1 spring & 4 autumn records. 1m Sumburgh Airport Shet 20-22 May. lf/fimm Fair Is 23-24 Aug; 1f/1st-w Fair Is & 1f/1st-w N.Ronaldsay Ork 4-5 Sep;1f/imm Foula Shet 22 Sep. Photos of Sumburgh bird: Birding World 9: 173. Black headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Ad f Skaw, Unst Shet 8-12 Jun; another ad f Fetlat Shet 11-20 Aug. /3-14th records for Shetland. [1995] 1m Kinlochbervie H 19 Aug. Reed Bunting EmberLa schoeniclus Extremely few birds wintered as 21 Broadwood Farm Clyde 9 Jan & 18 Nairn Bars M&N 4 Feb were the | largest Jan-Mar flocks reported. Passage N.Isles peaked with good influx 18-25 May when max 80 Fair Is, 33 Spiggie Shet,21 N.Ronaldsay Ork, 17 Foula Shet & 15 Sumburgh Shet 22-25 May. 6 Is of May & 3 Dowlaw B at same period. Breeding: Ork 13prs Hoy (11 in '94), 23prs Birsay Moors; High c.50prs Insh Marshes (64); NE 30prs L.of Strathbeg; A&D 10prs L.of Kinnordy, 6prs Elliot Links; P&K 8prs Vane Farm (13), 1Sprs Carsebeck (15); Fife 12+prs Eden Est. (18), 7prs Cameron Res. (9); Loth | 46prs Aberlady (41), 22prs Bavelaw; Bord 53mmat35 | sites; Arg 15prs Colonsay (10), 4prs Coll reserve; | Clyde 134mm at 57 sites, 11 prs Merryton (10), 4prs Baron’s Haugh (6); Ayr 112mm at 50 sites. Passage N. Isles peaked Oct /Nov: 25 Fetlar & 10Spiggie Shet, 35 Fair Is & 26 N.Ronaldsay 16-24 Oct. Only a few large winter flocks, only in W: 150 Forest Plantation Clyde and 60 L.Gruinart, Islay Arg in Nov; 60 South Craig Ayr and 55 Portnahven, Islay Arg in Dec. Flocks of 20-50 birds were reported only from Caith, M&N, NE, Is of May, Loth & Clyde. R.D.Murray [Ed] 69 Corn Bunting Milaria calandra Breeding: Ork 1m Stronsay,only report; High 1 Tarbet Ness was only report; M&N min 22 mm at 13 sites; NE noted 3 areas, including one where housing now domi- nates, absent another site; A&D 4mm noted a 1 site; P&K 1 L.Leven in Jun;Fife 90 singing mm, mostly in E. Fife (120); Forth 1m Skinflats; Loth 4 singing mm at 3 sites; Loth 5 sites E.Loth & 2 in W.Loth; Bord just 1 site plus an inland record in Aug; Arg just 1m Tiree, other 1995 sites there unoccupied; Ayr probably bred Little Bunting Steven Brown Winner of Best Artwork in a Scottish Local Bird Report Award SRS Ln pa = Sandyford, last in area 1993; D&G 4 sites. Winter area max: 151 Howe of Teuchar NE, 113 Methlick NE, 45 Gassmoston F,, 26 Drunkendub A&D, 15 Clochan M&N in Jan-Apr; 27 Knaven NE, 8 Longmomn M&N in Oct-Dec. With no records Shet, Caith & Clyde and just 2 records Ork, 1 High, 1 P&K, 1 Forth,2 Bord & 1 Arg, the decline continues. Winter flocks also disappearing. ~I 0 Scottish Bird Report 1996 Escapes and Introductions Observers are ask ed to submit all records. Escapes amongst birds that occur in the wild are included in the main species accounts. Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chiliensis 1 Musselburgh L 20 Feb. Black Swan Cygnus atratus 1 Echnaloch, Burray Ork Jan--Oct, wandering to St.Mary's L., Holm & S.Ronaldsay; 1 Tyninghame L 2 Jan-3 Mar; 1 Kirklandhill L 9 Jan, 2 Feb & 8-27 Dec; 1 Charleston H 21 Jan; 1 flew across Leuchars airfield F 22 Jan. 1 L.Ken D&G Feb-1997, seen Threave Oct-Nov. | Muirtown Basin H 13 Feb. 1 Ythan NE 1-4 Mar. 1 Lossie Est. M&N 6 Mar; | Ratho L 6 Mar-16 Apr. 1 Findhorn Bay M&N 11 Mar-11 May; 1 L.Spynie M&N 17 Mar. 1 Ardersier H 23/24 Mar. 1 Cambus Pools Forth 19 Jul; 1 Tain Bay H 23 Jul, same? Longman H 24 Jul. 1 Endrick Mouth Clyde 1 Aug-31 Dec, 2 on 17-29 Sep; 1 Edderton Bay H 6 Aug. 1 Lentran H 13 Oct. 1 Drummond P. P&K 17 Nov, then Stronan L. 25 Nov. 1 L.Heilen Caith 18-21 Nov. 1 Easter Lovat H on 12 Dec. Chinese Goose Anser cygnoides 1 Kirk L. D&G all year. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus 1 Rattar, Mey & Skarfskerry Caith 10-31 Mar. 1 Tyninghame L 20 & 24 May & Broxmouth L 25 May; 1 Meikle L. NE 26 May. 1 L.Ereacha, Melvich H 24 Jul &1 Aug. 3 Summerston Clyde 3 Aug. 1 Dounreay Caith 10-12 Oct. Ross's Goose Anser rossii 1 Caerlaverock D&G 18-22 Nov, later Mersehead into 1997. Emporor Goose Anser canagicus Ad Fairlie Ayr 26 Jan, 18 Sep & 15 Nov; different bird Lady Is Ayr 13 Jun. Wood Duck Aix sponsa Ad m Tomich H 15 Mar; 1 Pressmennan L. L 20 May; ad m Avoch H 6-7 Sep. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 1 Eden Est. F 10 Apr; 1 f Findhorn Bay M&N 6-24 May & 14 Jun & 19-26 Sep; 1 Regaule M&N 11 May;1 Garleston D&G 25 May; 1 Eden Est. 16-22 Sep; 1 Montrose Basin A&D 7 Oct. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura 1995 Lothian bird which moved to Skateraw L in Dec 1995 moved again to Pease Bay B on 29 Jan and remained there to at least 6 Mar. This was presumed the same as appeared at North Third Res. Forth from about May, remaining there into 1997. It was trapped Mar 1997 and returned to its owner in Duns B who had lost it in Apr 1995. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis 1 Scone P&K 10 Oct was an escaped local falconers bird. Saker Falco cherrug 1 Moorfoot Hills at Blackhopebyres B 16 May, possibly same as another in Cheviot Hills at Whitton L. B 15 Aug. Lanner Falco biamarcus 1 Newburgh F 5 Jul. Barbary Dove Streptopelia ‘risoria’ 1 Crosshill Ayr from 1992 was still present to 8 Aug but not thereafter. Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus 1 Dunbar L 14 Jan; 1 Musselburgh L 27 Feb & 22 Oct; 1 Fochabers M&N early Apr. 1 Newton Farm Clyde 21 Jun. 1 Is of May 31 Jul was thought to originate from Crail F. 1 Tayport F 22 Aug. Peach-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis 1 Forres M&N 26 Jun. Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus 1 Pollok Country Park Clyde 8 Oct. Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 1 Knockman's Wood D&G 2 Jun. Eagle Owl Bubo Bubo 1 calling Fairy Glen/Rosemarkie H for several weeks from early Jan; 1 associating with caged Eagle Owls, L.Ruthven H Apr, intermittently to 17 Nov. Japanese Waxwing Bombycilla japonica 1 Lerwick Shet 19-27 May. Photo Shetland Bird Report & Birding World 9:213. Pallas's Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus [1995] 1 St.Kilda OH 29 May. — —————— R.D.Murray [Ed] 71 Soft-plumaged Petrel Pterodroma sp. in sea area Fair Isle the first record for Scotland by Richard W. White Between 5 June and 13 July 1996 I was aboard the RRS Charles Darwin conducting seabird and cetacean surveys for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee ‘Seabirds at Sea’ team. Up to 25 June there had been relatively few bird sightings of note, a few Leach's Petrels Oceanodroma leuchora and Long-tailed Skuas Stercoracius longicaudus were the highlights. On 25 June the first two survey periods (0400-0530 & 0700-0800 hours) had provided some excitement in the form of a single Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus. At the start of the third period at 0900 there was an increased number of Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis attending the vessel. Shortly afterwards I noticed (with the naked eye) a smaller, darker ‘shearwater’ amongst the Fulmars about 300 metres ahead and to the port side of the ship. Raising my binoculars expecting to record the first Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus of the day, I was suprised to see a small shearwater/petrel with dark underwings, gleaming white underparts, dark upperwings and grey nape/ crown and rump/tail. The bird flew alongside the boat, coming within 150 metres with a most graceful, buoyant flight, flying from just level with the sea up to about 15 metres. and following a meandering course to the southwest. It was on view for about a minute or two. The following points were noted in that time. Soft-plumaged Petrel Steven Brown Size: about that of Manx Shearwater, although none were avilable for comparison, and about two-thirds that of the surrounding Fulmars. Upperparts: upperwings dark. On occasion the primaries and secondary coverts appeared darker than the rest of the wing, giving a 'W' pattern across the wings. At other times they appeared uniform brownish black. Tail pale grey, as was the nape and crown. The grey extended from the nape to the sides of the breast but did not appear to form a breast band. A distinct area of dark feathering occurred around the eye. Underparts: Gleaming white body contrasting markedly with very dark underwings that did appeared to lack pale areas. The dark underwings and the contrast with the white body were perhaps the most striking single feature of the bird. Structure: generally similar to a shearwater but with a distinct impression of being fromt heavy and more tapered to the rear. Also the wings appeared more angled at the carpal joint that on Manx Shearwater or Fulmar. Jizz: A very graceful, buoyant flight with frequent changes in height above the sea and direction of travel although the overall movement was consistently southwest, into the wind. 72 Scottish Bird Report 1996 a aE AT ET EE EEN OT Ea ET) Due to the briefness of the sighting and my lack of previous experience of soft-plumaged petrels, I make no attempt to identify the bird beyond the generic 'soft-plumaged petrel' sp. The absence of the breast-band would indicate the likelihood that it was from one of the north Atlantic populations, Zino's Petrel P.madeira or Fea's Petrel P.feae. In general birds of the south Atlantic Soft-plumaged Petrel P.mollis population have well marked breast-bands (Harrison, 1993). Additionally, P.madeira is a summer breeder and so would not be expected so far north in the breeding season. The populations of P feae, which breed in autumn in the Desertas or in mid-winter in the Cape Verde Islands, would not be quite so closely tied to the Macronesian area off West Africa at the time of this sighting (Graham, 1990). Given this, as well as the extreme rarity of P.madeira, with a global population of perhaps 8-30 pairs (Zonfrillo, 1994 & Tucker & Heath, 1994), it is most likely that this bird was P.feae, the Cape Verde Petrel. The position of the boat at the time was 60° 56.56'N, 03°05.37'W, about 130 kilometeres northwest of Lerwick Shetland. This establishes a new northerly latitude record for the species group. This record becomes the first for Scotland. Ackowledgements I would like to thank Andrew Ferguson of Amerada Hess and the Atlantic Frontier Environment Network for arranging my participation on the cruise. Dr. Jim Reid (JNCC) commented on and improved an earlier draft of this note. References Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds, an identication guide. Beckenham, Crook Helm. Tucker, G.M. & Heath, M.F. 1994. Birds in Europe: their conservation status. Cambridge: BirdLife International ( BirdLife Conservation Series no.3) Warham, J. 1990. The Petrels. Their ecology and breeding systems. London Academic Press. Zonfrillo, B. 1994. The soft-plumaged petrel group. Birding World 7: 70-71. A review of the status of the Little Ringed Plover in Scotland by R.D.Murray The number and nauture of the reports of Little Ringed Plover in 1996 suggest that the status of the bird in | Scotland has changed significantly enough since 1986, when Valerie Thom's "Birds in Scotland" was published, to warrant a brief review to update the history and status of the species in our country. The Little Ringed Plover has shown signs of range expansion through much of the 20th century in northern Europe, spreading considerably in Ger- many, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine and Romania and also showing population increase in Belgium and France. (Yeatman 1976, Snow & Perrins 1997). In this context the first breeding in Britain at Tring in 1938 can be viewed as part of a larger scale event. The English Midlands were quickly colonised throughout the 1940s and 1950s and this general area remains the stronghold of the Little Ringed | Plover in Britain from which it has spread to other | parts of the country. There has been considerable spread in recent dec- ades, large parts of Wales and northwest England | being colonised between 1968-1991 (Gibbons efal. | 1993). In anational survey in 1984 (Parrinder 1989) — lf the summering population wof England and Wales | was estimated to be 608 pairs. This was updated by | Gibbons et al. in the New Atlas to 825-1,070 pairs for the 1988-91 period. R.D.Murray [Ed] 73 Figure 1. Little Ringed Plover records in Scotland 1968-96 — * breeding record Jul-Sep birds HB Apr-Jun birds The species colonised mostly man-made habitats associated with areas where the ground has been grossly disturbed and produced surfaces well-cov- ered by sand and gravel. These include gravel-pits, sand quarries, open-caste coal mines, rubbish dumps, industrial sites and dumps, as well as reservoirs and sewage works. Natural sites are only occasionally used. Prior to 1968, when the Scottish Bird Report was first published, there were only a handful of records from Scotland. There were several old isolated occurrences at Aberdeen in 1894, North Uist in 1908 and Skye in 1949, before three records in autumn 1965 in Whalsay (Shetland), Fair Isle and Aberlady, which were followed by a record from Hamilton in July 1967. These latter records were the beginning of the modern era for the Little Ringed Plover in Scotland. By the time that Thom's Birds in Scotland was 2 . eideeseee Ste FSS nk G8r 69570) 712, 73 74.575. 76.77.1738. 79 80 8) 82. 83 84.85) 86 87 88.89, 90,91 92: 93. 94.95» 96 published in 1986, she could only describe the Little Ringed Plover as a vagrant that occurred less than annually in tiny numbers (0-3) in any year, despite having bred once in 1968. While Thom's description may have been appropri- ate for the mid-1980s, the status of the species has since changed materially. Figure 1 shows the occur- rence of the species between 1968-96. Since the mid-1980s it has become annual and since 1990 no fewer than five birds have present in every year, reaching a maximum in 1996 of 21 birds. The majority of records are in the spring between mid-April and early June, the peak period being in May when approximately 60% of all records have occurred (see Figure 2). A few appear in summer, presumably failed breeders moving around in late June and July. A small number pass through in autumn, typically singles, spread thinly between July and late September. Little Ringed Plover Steven Brown Scottish Bird Report 1996 Figure 2. Little Ringed Plover arrival dates in Scotland 1968-96 6-23 1-7 16-2 24-31 8-15 June g-15" May Little Ringed Plovers have occurred in many parts of Scotland as the map in Figure 3 shows, ranging from Fetlar in the north to Dumfriesshire in the south. There is however definite clustering in the central valley of Scotland, where many records have occurred on industrial sites in Clyde and Fife. Other clusters are evident around Aberdeen on the estuaries of the Don and Ythan and in Lothian at the natural estuary sites Aberlady and Tyninghame and the man-made site at Musselburgh. Figure 3. Little Ringed Plovers in Scotland 1968-96 Apr-Jun records only* proved breeding @ * placing of the symbols is approximate in some _ cases s) 24-30 1-7 spring single 1 16-23 1-7 16-23 1-7 16-23 8-15 24-31 8-15 24-30 8-15 24-31 July August September The most significant change is in the breeding status. Breeding is now more frequent, having changed from one definite and one probable record in the 20 years between 1968-87, to five definite and three probable records in nine years between 1988 and 1996. Both man-made and natural sites have been used for nesting. Breeding remains sporadic but with sites in Dum- fries & Galloway and at Donmouth being used in consective years, not necessarily suc- cessfully, the outlook for further breeding in the future looks excel- lent. The Little Ringed Plover can now be considered to be an annual scarce and very scarce autumn pas- sage migrant and occasional breeder. While the spread of the Little Ringed Plover might have been included as part of a group of species whose north- wards expansion may have been re- lated to global warming (Moss 1998), there is little doubt that this wader has instead taken advantage of new habitats created by man in the form of industrial workings that resemble it's original waterside habitat. pair only © References Gibbons, D.W., Reid, J.B. & Chapman, R.A. (1993). The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. BTO, Poyser. Moss, S. (1998). Predictions of the effects of global climate change on Britain's birds. British Birds 91: 307-325. Parrinder, E.D. (1989). Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius in Britain in 1984. Bird Study 30: 147-153 the Western Palearctic. Concise Edition. Oxford, Oxford University Prress. Yeatman, L. (1976). Atlas des Oiseaux Nicheurs de France. Paris. Te eee Snow, D.W. & Perrins, C.M. (1998). The Birds of |— R.D.Murray [Ed] ES ra EE EES SEES RODS DPE OO NON PEE AOD GTO I) END OT IN ORM RT NES Me Rn aeRO Sw PY ea ee | LOCAL BIRD REPORT AREAS, SOC RECORDERS and LOCAL BIRD REPORTS The areas listed below in bold capitals are the areas referred to throughout the systematic list. The number assigned to each recording area is in reference to this map. The fullest details for most areas are available in the Local Bird Report, listed below. Map 1 i) 10 11 12 Ng Recording Area SHETLAND Shetland Islands, except Fair Isle FAIR ISLE ORKNEY Orkney Islands OUTER HEBRIDES Western Isles CAITHNESS former Caithness District of Highland HIGHLAND excluding former Districts of Caithness and Nairn MORAY & NAIRN Moray and Nairn NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND Aberdeenshire and City of Aberdeen ANGUS & DUNDEE Angus and City of Dundee PERTH & KINROSS Perth & Kinross FIFE Mainland, Inchkeith, Inchcolm and small islands, but excluding the Isle of May ISLE OF MAY FORTH Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, and Stirling (excluding Clyde basin) Local Recorder Kevin Osborn 20 Nederdale, Lerwick Shetland ZE1 OSA The Warden Bird Observatory, Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU Tim Dean Echnaview, Burray, Orkney KW17 2SX Brian Rabbitts 6 Carinish, Lochmaddy North Uist, HS6 SHL Peter Miller 10 Harrold Cottages Reiss, Wick, Caithness KW1 4RU Colin Crooke 6 George Street Avoch, Rosshire [V9 8PU Martin Cook Rowanbrae, Clochan Buckie, Banffshire AB56 5EQ Andy Thorpe & Andy Webb 30 Monearn Gardens Milltimber, Aberdeen Grampian AB1 0OEA Mike Nicoll Natural History Museum Barrack Street, Dundee DD1 1PG Ron Youngman Atholl Bank, East Moulin Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5HY Douglas Dickson 2 Burrelton Court, Glenrothes Fife KY7 4UN Ian Darling 579 Lanark Road West Edinburgh EH14 7BL Dr.Cliff Henty 7B Coneyhill Road, Bridge of Allan Stirlingshire FK9 4EL TS Local Bird Report Shetland Bird Report Ian Sandison 9 Burnside, Lerwick Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report Fair Isle Shetland ZE2 9JU Orkney Bird Report Mildred Cuthbert Vishabrack, Evie, Orkney. Outer Hebrides (Western Isles) Bird Report (from Recorder) Caithness Bird Report Julian Smith St.John, Broch, Dunnet, Caithness Highland Bird Report (from Recorder) Moray & Nairn Bird Report (from Recorder) North-east Scotland Bird Report Dave Gill Drakemyre Croft, Cairnorrie, Methlick, Aberdeenshire AB41 OJN Angus & Dundee Bird Report (from Recorder) Fife Bird Report (from Recorder) Isle of May Bird Observatory Report (from Recorder) in Forth Naturalist & Historian L. Corbett, University Library University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA Scottish Bird Report 1996 Map 14 Recording Area ARGYLL Argyll & Bute -except Isle of Bute and former W.Dunbartonshire Local Recorder Paul Daw Tigh-na-Tulloch, Tullochgorm Minard, Argyll PA32 8YQ Local Bird Report Argyll Bird Report Bill Staley, 16 Glengilp Ardishaig, Argyll PA31 8LB 15 CLYDE ISLANDS Bernard Zonfrillo Clyde Islands Bird Report Arran, the Cumbraes 28 Brodie Road, in Clyde Birds and Bute Glasgow G21 3SB (see below) 16 CLYDE S.Lanarkshire, Inverclyde Iain Gibson Clyde Birds N.Lanarkshire, City of Glasgow 8 Kenmure View, Howwood (from Recorder) E.Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Johnstone, Renfrewshire E.Dunbartonshire, W.Dunbartonshire PAY IDR Argyll & Bute (former Dunbartonshire area), Stirling (Clyde drainage) iy/ AYRSHIRE Angus Hogg Ayrshire Bird Report S.Ayrshire, E.Ayrshire, 11 Kirkmichael Road, Crosshill (from Recorder) N.Ayrshire (excluding Arran Maybole, Ayrshire KA19 7RJ and the Cumbraes) 18 LOTHIAN Ian Andrews Lothian Bird Report Edinburgh, E.Lothian, Midlothian 39 Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh David Kelly, High Street W.Lothian and the islands of Bass Midlothian EH21 6UW Prestonpans, E. Lothian EH32 7AX Inchmickery, Craigleith, Fidra etc. 19 BORDERS Ray Murray Borders Bird Report Scottish Borders 4 Bellfield Crescent, Eddleston, Michael Bickmore, Moss Side Peebles EH45 8RQ Hartwoodburn, Selkirk, TD75EY 20 DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY Steve Cooper former Nithsdale, Annandale WWT Eastpark Farm & Eskdale Caerlaverock, Dumfries DG1 4RS former Stewartry & Wigtown Paul Collin Dumfries & Galloway Bird Report Gairland, Old Edinburgh Road Joan Howie, 60 Main Street Minnigaff, Newton Stewart St.John's Town of Dalry Wigtownshire DG8 6PL Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire Also Forth Islands Bird Report Records to Fife and Forth Seabird Group Forth islands Lothian recorders (as above). c/o Vane Farm, Kinross, (except Isle of May) Tayside KY 12 7LX Abbreviations for recording areas used in text: Shet Shetland M&N Moray & Nairn F Fife Arg Argyll FairIs Fair Isle NE North-east Scotland | L-Loth — Lothian Clyde Clyde Ork Orkney A&D Angus & Dundee B-Bord Borders Ayr Ayrshire OH-OHeb Outer Hebrides P&K Perth & Kinross Forth Forth D&G Dumfries & Caith Caithness Galloway Abbreviations in tables: the data for recording areas has been combined as follows: N.Isles Shetland, Fair Isle & Orkney W.Isles Outer Hebrides N.Scotland Caithness & Highland NE Scotland Moray & Nairn, North-east Scotland W.Scotland Argyll, Arran & Bute E/C Scotland Angus & Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Forth & Fife SE Scotland Lothian & Borders SW Scotland Clyde, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway LT nn Scottish 1 Local Bird Report : Areas See pages 75 & 76 for full details sat yeaa Fest Ramen were r nee ei set ae i Dini opened ore ‘ fond an ser Cygne tne Meelsece veo coy, oe a ecieest Toa eg : Segoe > prpadentoteek TTI : oe 8 neal Capea Ben ban Rs eke tet ik steer at anal de Speerenhrs Fapecepene, ‘ ere eens Paper ehineek Ae ROD Salen Amend te eecetr tenella ; wig Ste reg Sie ; : weteanssoeae earn é thn pete eh asesne . peavlag Fphecerr pace ores oe : : seal: Beha satay es na Tinta ates teed an ae frm Spe ene : 2 ; Taek dri rene Neem nena mien Serene aes Shs as a sre Sates din at . =n : 4 2 mecped eninens PORTE re pode fgouenn 2 : ‘ : ade tan sy : oF wane wisratoe see Oe ree Seema -s ae as im = opie e Sieh late ee . 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