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Scottish Bird Report 1988
The Journal of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club
Editor: Angus Hogg
Scottish Bird Report and Scottish Birds are both published by the Scottish Ornithologists’
Club. Scottish Birds is available to members of the SOC free, but the Scottish Bird Report
is now a separate publication, on sale to SOC members for £3.50.
The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club was formed in 1936 to encourage all aspects of ornithology
in Scotland. It has local branches in most parts of the country, and each has its own programme
of field outings and winter meetings. The Club’s headquarters are at 21 Regent Terrace,
Edinburgh EH7 SBT. In addition to housing a considerable library, 21 Regent Terrace also
acts as the Scottish Bird Bookshop, with one of the largest ornithological book stocks in
Britain. Much of the business is by mail order, but personal callers are welcome during normal
office hours.
Current subscription rates for the SOC are shown below.
SOC annual membership subscription rates.
7X(0 (01 | Saar enen sr Se PM GLa nA URN RAPE MN OO on SotcbodSegana: £12.00
Junior Cinder 18;.-or student. under 25)° so0...s oe. sees hoes sce tse eee ee £5.00
Family (husband, wife and children under: 18) < 22.00. G5 85,00000c00...06de socees ots sesiens £18.00
ihe InGiviGual x eect geen ce ese £240.00 FAMILY Arig eee £300.00
Pensioner Individual .............c0000 £7.00 FQMIUY. cc hse So ee eae £10.00
SCOTTISH BIRD REPORT | Fae ae
1988
Edited by Angus Hogg
Kirklea, Crosshill, Maybole, Ayrshire KA19 7RJ
Assisted by Malcolm J. Ware
CONTENTS
Introduction — the Year’s Events
SBRC Announcement
Acknowledgements
Notice to Contributors
Species List
Additions/corrections
Scottish Local Bird Reports
List of Observers
Local Recorders for 1989
Published by the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club
21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 S5BT
November 1989
Printed by Ritchie of Edinburgh.
1
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Goh ae a ea
INTRODUCTION
1988 — The Year’s Events
323 species were recorded in Scotland during 1988, and the year provided up
to 7 potential new candidates for the Scottish list. The Caspian Plover at
Aberlady caught many unawares, and did not stay long enough to be seen by
all the local hopefuls. Similarly, the Hudsonian Godwit near Cruden Bay evaded
all but a couple of alert birders, while the Blyth’s Pipit stayed on Fair Isle long
enough for the small but dedicated band of twitchers to make the long haul
north. A real surprise was the arrival of a superb Daurian Redstart on the Isle
of May, and North Ronaldsay firmly established itself as a birding ‘hot spot’
with both Spanish Sparrow, and Pallas’s Rosefinch. Fair Isle, not to be outdone,
responded in the autumn with our first Blackburnian Warbler.
Of course, the year had other, more mundane happenings! Surf Scoters
became almost uncountable in the Forth, both Pacific and American Golden
Plovers put in appearances, a much sought-after Least Sandpiper stayed long
enough to satisfy most ‘listers’ and the Northern Isles provided another fine
selection with Needle-tailed Swift and the pipit brigade weighing in with Olve-
backed, Pechora and Red-throated. Pied, and Desert Wheatears graced Orkney
and Shetland, while rare warblers included Pallas’s Grasshopper (or is it PG-
tips?), Lanceolated, Paddyfield, Great Reed, Booted, and a flood of Subalpines.
A good year for shrikes too, and second-ever appearances of Red-eyed Vireo
and Northern Oriole — 1988 can hardly be blamed for not giving us a chance
to at least ogle at one rarity.
Less rare, but no less spectacular was the host of Red Kites around early
in the year — did they know the RSPB was looking for conscripts? There was
also a much better showing for Marsh Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard, and
Long-tailed Skua. Autumn saw a very large influx of both Little Stints and
Curlew Sandpipers, while the Waxwing invasion everyone had been anticipating
for some years, finally happened, and Long-tailed Tits also ‘invaded’ the
Northern Isles. Quail was proved to have bred, but our raptors stole the show
again with both Osprey and the reintroduced White-tailed Eagle making
considerable progress. Meanwhile the Perth population of Mandarins continued
at a low ebb, while other rare breeders like Wood Sandpiper, Wryneck, Redwing
and Brambling persisted in low numbers.
Arrivals and last dates for summer visitors
Arrival Last Date
Osprey 5 Mar 20 Nov
Whimbrel 27 Feb* 23 Nov*
Common Sandpiper 3 Feb* 23 Nov*
3
Cuckoo 5 Apr 3 Oct
Swift 22 Apr 31 Oct
Sand Martin 19 Mar 23 Oct
Swallow 27 Mar 20 Nov
House Martin 3 Apr 18 Nov
Tree Pipit 1 Apr 26 Oct
Redstart 1 Apr 11 Nov
Whinchat 23 Mar 13 Nov
Wheatear 19 Feb 5 Nov
Sedge Warbler 20 Apr 18 Oct
Whitethroat 19 Apr 22 Oct
Garden Warbler 22 Apr 10 Nov
Willow Warbler 27 Mar 20 Nov
Spotted Flycatcher 29 Apr 27 Oct
* Records may well have involved overwintering birds.
REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
With effect from 1990 one member of SBRC will retire annually, with
nominations being invited from SOC members to fill the vacancy. Roger Broad,
who has given excellent service to the committee since its inception in 1984,
will retire from it in November 1990. The committee at present consists of
Bernard Zonfrillo (chairman), Roger Broad, Alan Brown, Roy Dennis, Angus
Hogg (SBR editor), Brian Marshall, and Ron Forrester (secretary). An
announcement regarding this forthcoming vacancy will appear in Scottish Bird
News.
Two species, Great Shearwater and Rough-legged Buzzard continue to pose
problems for observers, and a high rate of submitted records are rejected. The
committee would like to see the description of all Scottish records of these two
species, and therefore both have accordingly been placed in ‘block capitals’
below.
The updated list of species on the SBRC list appears below. It would be
appreciated if, in all instances, observers would submit records via the
appropriate local recorder. Apart from those records listed below which SBRC
would prefer to see, the committee is always willing to examine records of species
not on the list below. Such records may be particularly unusual, or difficult
to evaluate, but in all cases, the committee will advise the local recorder of its
decision, and this can then be passed on to the observer. All correspondence
for SBRC should be addressed to Ron Forrester, 1 Kirkdene Grove, Newton
Mearns, Renfrewshire G77 5RW.
SBRC LIST 1989
CORY’S SHEARWATER
GREAT SHEARWATER
Balearic Shearwater
PURPLE HERON
White Stork
Spoonbill
FERRUGINOUS DUCK
Honey Buzzard
Red Kite
MONTAGU’S HARRIER
ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD
Hobby
Crane
STONE CURLEW
Little Ringed Plover
KENTISH PLOVER
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Long-tailed Skua
Mediterranean Gull
Sabine’s Gull
RING-BILLED GULL
*Roseate Tern
fT Little Owl
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER
WOODLARK
{RICHARD’S PIPIT
TAWNY PIPIT
Water Pipit
Nightingale
CETTI’S WARBLER
SAVI’S WARBLER
AQUATIC WARBLER
*Marsh Warbler (trapped preferably)
*Icterine Warbler
MELODIOUS WARBLER
DARTFORD WARBLER
*Barred Warbler
*Yellow-browed Warbler
*Firecrest
*Red-breasted Flycatcher
NUTHATCH
T Marsh Tit
+ Willow Tit
T Crested Tit
Bearded Tit
+ Chough
SERIN
*Scarlet Rosefinch
CIRL BUNTING
Ortolan Bunting
KEY BLOCK CAPITALS SBRC would like all records to be submitted. All other species
to be submitted at the discretion of the local recorder.
East coast and Northern Isles records to be judged locally.
Elsewhere, to be submitted at the discretion of the local recorder.
Northern Isles records to be judged locally. Elsewhere, to be
submitted at the discretion of the local recorder.
+t : Records from normal breeding range to be judged locally.
Elsewhere, to be submitted at the discretion of the local recorder.
*
++
LOCAL REPORTS
Since most recording areas in Scotland now publish a local report and since,
by necessity, SBR only covers the most significant ornithological events in a
Scottish context, a list of local reports appears at the back of SBR. These reports
would prove invaluable to anyone carrying out research on a more local level, ©
or simply wishing to visit a particular region of Scotland. Most of these reports
are available from the SOC at 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, or from the address
shown. Please write or phone for report prices.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many Scottish and visiting birders have contributed to this year’s SBR, and
the prompt submission of records is greatly appreciated. This year I’ve been
fortunate to have the able assistance of Malcolm J Ware as assistant compiler,
and he kindly handled the second half of the systematic list. As always, my
thanks are due to the network of local recorders for all their hard work, and
for their patience in handling enquiries. Special thanks are due to Roy Dennis
for the provision of data on rare breeding birds, and to Mike Rogers and Tim
Sharrock for their assistance with rarities decisions. Thanks also to Ron Forrester
of SBRC for his help with the Scottish ‘‘rarities’’. In addition, many other local
Scottish clubs with the same broad aims as SOC have contributed material and
particular thanks must go to Shetland Bird Club, Fife Bird Club, and Argyll
Bird Club members, as well as members of many local RSPB branches.
Photographs and drawings are always welcome, and I’m grateful this year to
the following for their kind assistance: — Sam Alexander, John Busby, Mark
Darling, Tim Marshall, Eric Maughan, Andrew Stevenson, and Bernie Zonfrillo.
Departing local recorders include Alan Brown, Ian Andrews, Nick Dymond
and Nick Riddiford who deserve long service medals for their efforts. Nick
Riddiford has passed on the Fair Isle recorder’s job to Paul Harvey, Nick
Dymond has handed on to David Suddaby, Alan Brown has handed over to
Peter Gordon, and Ian Andrews has left the rest of Lothian in the capable hands
of Mike Leven. The Western Isles, for many years the sole domain of Peter
Cunningham, has now received an extra pair of willing hands to assist with
recording. Tim Dix has agreed to deal with the Uists, while Peter continues to
govern his northern fastnesses — welcome to your respective hot-seats! Finally,
welcome back to Tony Mainwood, who has kindly stepped in to help with the
recording work for Sutherland. A full list of local recorders and their recording
areas appears at the back of this issue.
NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS
All records should be sent directly to the appropriate recorder, but in cases of
difficulty they can be sent to the editor. All records should be on one side of
a sheet of paper only, well spaced and, if possible, in the Voous order (as in
this report). Observers are asked to consult this and previous reports for the
kind of information required. To avoid duplication of records, names of
observers present should be given where appropriate. All notes for the year must
be sent promptly to recorders by the end of January, but more frequent
submissions will be welcomed if this proves more convenient. Please contact
your local recorder if in doubt.
SPECIES LIST
Abbreviations and symbols used in the text
* all known records given
ft of escaped or doubtful origin
@ subject to BBRC or SBRC acceptance
N, NE, S etc direction of flight
AOS’s apparently occupied sites
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata Breeding: Shetland had a poor year with monitored sites showing
50% below average success rate, 12 breeding attempts produced only 5 young on Hermaness; Orkney
breeding success was down on Hoy, while 13 young were reared on Mainland monitored lochs;
Highland 2 young were reared at sites in Caithness District, a poor year on Rhum where only 3
young from 13 prs; Tayside pairs were present on 2 lochs; Central a pair reared 2 young at one
site; Strathclyde the success rate was poor in Kintyre and mid Argyll where only 9 out of 33 sites
produced young to fledging, also poor on Arran where no successful breeding, and 2-3 prs in Clyde
area but none in Renfrewshire. Peak counts/passage: Highland 142 at Chanonry on 12 Jan; Grampian
peaks were 129 at Blackdog/Ythan on 18 Sep, and 235 in Spey Bay in Oct; Fife had a passage
of 35S at Fife Ness on 23 Sep; Lothian the highest count was 72 at Gullane on 21 Mar; Strathclyde
40 between Ballantrae and Turnberry on 20 Mar, and 43 in L Indaal Islay on 21 Nov. An albinistic
bird was noted off St Abbs, Borders on 19 Nov.
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica Still experiencing poor success and little change suggested:
Highland 4 sites were located in Caithness District and 2 young produced, a pair produced | young
from an artificial island site; Tayside 3 pairs bred, producing 3 young; Central a pair lost 2 eggs
at one site; Strathclyde 6 sites with eggs failed in Argyll, but a pair reared 2 in the SW. Peak
counts/passage: Orkney 13 off Stronsay on 17 Sep; Highland an extraordinary count of 80 was
recorded in Sinclair’s Bay on 5 Apr; Grampian 15 were in Burghead Bay on 4 Oct; Fife 30 in Largo
Bay on 2 Apr; Strathclyde 22 in Turnberry Bay on 9 Apr.
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Winter-spring peaks: highest numbers in the North where Shetland
had 33 at Quendale on 25 Apr; Highland 27 in Dunnet Bay on 27 Apr; Grampian had low numbers
with a maximum of 7 at Rattray on 24 Apr; Strathclyde 42 around Gigha from 31 Mar-4 Apr.
Summer records included singles in West Isles. Autumn: Orkney Scapa Flow count gave 49 in Oct
and 107 in Nov.
* White-billed Diver Gavia adamsii Shetland adult at Whalsay Ferry from 1 Jan-12 Apr, and again
from 3 Nov (BM, NDP, WS et al); Highland adult at Achnahaird Bay from 31 May-4 Jun (DMR,
DH et al); Grampian adult N at Peterhead on 9 Oct (MI); Lothian adult at Gullane Pt-Yellowcraig
from 19 Mar-17 Apr (MG, IJA, PRG et al).
Little Grebe Zachybaptus ruficollis Breeding: now believed extinct as a breeding species in West
Isles; Grampian/Highland Moray and Nairn Districts had a good year with 21 prs recorded on
15 waters; Tayside had 22 prs at 8 sites; Central 5 prs reared only 11 young from 11 nesting attempts
at Airthrey; Lothian 9 sites held up to 24 prs; Borders 16 sites held 10 prs and 7 singles, with 6
broods (totalling 13) seen; Strathclyde 16 prs were reported from mid-Clyde Haughs, elsewhere
in SW 24 prs were reported from 17 sites. Counts/passage: in Shetland Spiggie held a maximum
of 4 on 5 Nov; Lothian had 22 at Gladhouse on 31 Aug.
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Breeding: Grampian the Moray District pair failed, but
another pair probably reared 2 at Sand Loch, with a further pair present at Strathbeg; Tayside
a good year at L Leven, but poor elsewhere; Lothian 5 sites held up to 24 prs; Borders 7 sites held
6 prs and 2 singles with 1 brood seen; Strathclyde 10 prs at Lochwinnoch, in SW 3 sites held 6
prs; Dumf & Gall up to 21 prs recorded at 6 sites. Counts/passage; Shetland 1 off Fair Isle on
14 Apr; Orkney had singles on L of Harray from 29 Sep-2 Oct, and on Burray on 27 Nov; Highland
singles in Inverness area in Feb, and Oct-Dec; Tayside 96 in Lunan Bay on 22 Aug, and 168 on
L Leven on 17 Sep; the Forth estuary in Central had 693 on 17 Jan, and the Lothian peak count
was 150 at Silverknowes on 4 Jan and 27 Sep; Strathclyde 2 in L Indaal, Islay on 23 Feb were
unusual; Dumf & Gall 69 between Heston Is and the mainland on 12 Dec.
7
Great Crested Grebe Threipmuir M. Darling
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Winter-spring period; Shetland 1 on Bressay on 9 Mar;
Grampian 1N at Peterhead on 2 Jan; good numbers were seen in the Forth with Lothian returning
68 from Greencraig-Gullane on 21 Mar; Strathclyde 3 in Ayrshire between 4 Jan and 3 Apr. 4
appeared in summer, on 25 Jun, at Gosford, Lothian. Autumn: Shetland had another single in
Bressay Sound on 2-3 Nov; Orkney | between Echnaloch and Scapa Flow from 13 Oct-end Dec;
Highland singles in Sandside Bay on 24 Sep, Dunnet Bay on 8 Oct, Harrow harbour from 16-30
Oct, Fortrose-Avoch on 4 Nov, Kilmuir on 24 Nov, and Jemimaville on 25-27 Nov;
Highland/Grampian singles at Findhorn Bay on 4 Sep and Nairn Bar on 14 Nov; Tayside singles
on L Leven on 11 Sep, and at Broughty ferry on 26 Dec; Fife 6 in Largo Bay on 16 Oct; Central
1 at Kinneil on 18 Aug; Lothian the Forth peak reached 19 at Gosford on 18 Aug; Strathclyde
1 off Ayr on 15 Nov.
*** See Additions and Corrections section at back.
Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus Breeding: in Northern Scotland the area south of the Great Glen
held 27 prs, with 24-25 prs breeding and rearing 24 young; in Badenoch & Strathspey 7 prs reared
14+ young. Counts/passage: Shetland had low numbers; Orkney Scapa Flow had 18 in Oct, building
to 43 in Dec; Lothian the Gosford peak was 43 on 20 Feb, and an adult was seen on 3 lochs from
21 Apr-11 Aug; Borders a single was also present at inland sites during the summer; Strathclyde
35 in L Indaal, Islay on 13 Mar, but low numbers in SW with 7-8 in mid-Clyde area, Ayrshire
and Arran, and only 2 on L Ryan, Dumf & Gall.
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Breeding: at L of Kinnordy, Tayside a pair reared 2, and
elsewhere in Central Scotland 2 prs each had 2 juvs in Aug, with 2 further sites tenanted by single
prs for at least part of the summer. Counts/passage: Grampian | at Meikle on 21 May; Tayside
1 on L Leven from 9-16 Oct; Lothian had 3 singles between Gullane and Musselburgh, | in Feb,
the others in Oct and Dec; Strathclyde had 1 at Cuil Bay, Argyll on 28 Jan, 2 at Ardmore on 30
Jan, 1 there on 12 Mar, and 1 at Largymore, Arran on 5 Sep; Dumf & Gall L Ryan had 6 on 7 Oct.
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Breeding: Shetland productivity at monitored sites on Fair Isle was 0.38
chicks/nest; Orkney a count of individuals at 5 colonies showed an overall decrease of 1.8%;
Grampian 239 prs at St Cyrus indicates an increase, while 177 AOSs between Hopeman and Covesea
showed a slight drop; Fife 316 AOSs were found at St Andrews, while the Isle of May had a poor
year with only 60 young counted in early Aug; Lothian 845 sites were recorded at 7 coastal locations,
and 55 at inland ones; Borders 344 AOSs at St Abbs was a slight increase (338 in 1987); Strathclyde
259 AOSs on Arran which, like Ayrshire, showed a very poor success rate. Blue-phase birds: most
were recorded in the North with 8 at Sumburgh Head Shetland on 20 Oct, and good numbers in
Grampian at peak passage times. Passage peaks: Shetland 1200/hr past Sumburgh Head on 13
8
Feb, 1800/hr on 30 Aug; Highland 2000W/hr at Sandside Head on 14 Sep; Grampian 3300N in
2 hrs at Peterhead on 9 Jun. An inland record of 3SW over East Kilbride, Strathclyde on 17 Aug
was unusual.
* Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis Strathclyde 1 between Coll and Tiree on 18 May (DP). Large
Shearwater (Cory’s/Great) C diomedea/P gravis Strathclyde 1N at Troon on 27 Aug.
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus Recorded between 2 Mar and 19 Nov. Max counts/passage:
Shetland Sumburgh Head peak was 63 on 5 Sep; Orkney Ist off North Ronaldsay on 13 Jul, and
a passage rate of 228N/hour on 24 Aug, 500 off Sanday on 26 Aug, last 1 was off North Ronaldsay
on 27 Oct; Grampian an early individual was off Peterhead on 2 Mar, but numbers were generally
low, with 26 off Lossiemouth on 24 Sep, and 33-34 recorded off Peterhead in Sep and Oct, a late
bird flew N at Rattray on 19 Nov; Fife c70 birds were recorded, the maximum being 35N from
the Isle of May on 14 Sep; very few records in Lothian and Borders; Strathclyde the highest count
was 70 between Coll and Mull on 19 Sep, 12 in Ayrshire from 17 Jul-3 Sep.
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus Breeding: Shetland 3 occupied burrows were found at small
Yell colony; Orkney 3 calling birds at one site and c20 at another between 30 Jul and 6 Aug; Highland
first ashore Eigg and Rhum on 18 Mar - seemed to be fewer at former site. Counts/passage: Highland
1200 in L Snizort on 5 Sep, 2 at Drumnadrochit on 13 Sep; Grampian early singles appeared off
Peterhead on 17 Jan and 30 Mar; Fife 600 seen from Isle of May on 5 Oct; late singles (perhaps
same) appeared in Fife, Lothian, and Borders on 20-21 Nov; Strathclyde summer peak in the Clyde
was 3000+ off Troon on 24 Jul, while 1400 flew S in 2% hrs off Western Islay on 27 Jul. Balearic
mauretanicus: Orkney 1 off North Ronaldsay on 28 Sep; Grampian | off Peterhead on 28 Aug,
2 on 29 Aug; Tayside 1N Arbroath on 21 Jul; Borders 2S at St Abbs on 9 Aug; Strathclyde singles
were noted at Troon on 14 Aug, perhaps the same later on 14 Aug at Turnberry Pt, another S
there on 26 Sep, and a late individual there on 8 Oct.
Storm Petrel A. Stevenson
Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus Tape-luring: Orkney 47 tape-lured on North Ronaldsay on 10
Aug; Highland 114 were tape-lured at Noss Head during Jul/Aug; Grampian 15 were caught at
Collieston during Jul and Aug; Fife 21 were controlled on Isle of May on 18-19 Aug; Borders 2
caught at Dunglass on 21 Aug; Strathclyde c53 birds were ringed on Ailsa Craig in Aug.
Counts/passage: Highland a large movement averaged 60/hr at Back of Keppoch on 28 Jul, 1 in
Glencripesdale on 15 Oct; Grampian 93 were seen off Peterhead over three dates in Jul; Strathclyde
highest count in the Clyde was 149S in 1% hours past Ayr on 26 Jul.
Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Counts/passage: Shetland singles were caught on Whalsay
on 5 Aug and 4 Sep; Orkney 5 recorded between 18 Aug (when | tape-lured on North Ronaldsay)
and 8 Nov; Highland singles off Eigg on 19 Jul, off Mallaig on 26 Jul, trapped at Noss on 13 Aug,
at Chanonry on 16 Aug, 3 in Dunnet Bay on 29 Sep, and 1 at Castlehill on 29 Sep; Grampian
1 was tape-lured at Collieston on 19 Jul, 2 singles were seen at Fraserburgh and Aberdeen on 9
Oct, the latter being found dead on 17 Oct; Tayside 1 was found dead at Wester Kinloch, Blairgowrie
on 8 Oct; Lothian 1S at Barns Ness on 12 Oct; Strathclyde 69 in Ayrshire between 3 Sep and 9
Oct, with the peak reached on 9 Oct when 28S past Turnberry Pt, 1 died after a Magpie attack
in Rutherglen on 9 Oct; Dumf & Gall 3 Sep and 9 Oct were also peak passage dates with 11, and
10S respectively at Corsewall Point.
Gannet Sula bassana Breeding: Shetland 488 nests on Fair Isle represented a 60% increase and
breeding productivity at monitored sites was 0.78/nest; Lothian continued expansion at Bass Rock;
Dumf & Gall increase to 830 nests on the Scare Rocks. Counts/passage: Shetland 1200/hr at
Sumburgh Head on 13 Feb; Orkney ‘‘thousands’’ on passage in Bu Sound on 19 Oct; Highland
1200W off Duncansby on 18 Sep, and 1800N at South Head on 20 Oct; Grampian monthly peak
was 8927 at Peterhead during Jun, and 3110 passed N there on 8 Oct: Strathclyde many more than
usual were reported from Inner Clyde in Sep, 9000N in 1 hour past Whiting Bay, Arran on 15 Sep.
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Breeding: Shetland 356 nests at 7 sites had an average brood size
of 3.0 chicks/nest; Lothian 371 nests counted on 4 Forth islands included 137 on Carr Craig; Borders
29-32 nests were counted near Fast Castle; Strathclyde 55 nests on Corr Eilean, McCormaig Isles,
up to 97 nests at Ayrshire colonies; Dumf & Gall 431 nests were counted at 4 colonies. Counts:
Shetland 165 in the Sullom Voe/South Yell Sound area on 27 Nov; Orkney 118 in Scapa Flow
in Nov; Highland 850 at Munlochy on 7 Jan; Grampian 156 at Strathbeg on 27 Feb, and 120 at
Speymouth on 23 Oct; Tayside 106 at L Leven on 6 Feb, Fife 420 at Wormit on 13 Jan, Central
230 at Kennetpans on 30 Dec, Strathclyde, 270 at Greenock roost on 3 Sep; Dumf & Gall 246 at
Caerlaverock on 9 Dec.
Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Breeding: Shetland 11 areas in southern Shetland held 1380 nests
compared to the 1985/86 total of 1117 nests, but while success at Sumburgh was high with 1.44
young fledged/pair, a count at sites in Hermaness suggested a drop of up to 60% since 1974, breeding
productivity on Fair Isle was 1.3 chicks/nest; Highland Canna showed a slight decrease to 1447
nests; Fife 89 adults and 549 pulli were ringed on Isle of May; Lothian 8 Forth locations held 922
nests; Strathclyde 217 nests were counted on McCormaig Isles. Counts/passage: Shetland 1070 in
the Sullom Voe/South Yell Sound area on 27 Nov; Orkney the Scapa Flow count gave 2195 in
Nov; Fife 2000N in 1 hour at Anstruther on 21 Nov; Strathclyde increase noted in Inner Clyde
in autumn, | appeared on Hogganfield L on 18 Sep, and 1000 between Kildonan and Bennan, Arran
on 14 Dec.
* Bittern Botaurus stellaris 5 birds were seen during the year. Highland 1 near L Gaineimh from
29 Nov-6 Dec and at Houstry on 20 Dec, died on 21 Dec (SAMM); Grampian 1 was at Strathbeg
on 4 Oct (GE), and another was found dead near Banchory in Dec (CS); Lothian | at Duddingston
on 18 Feb had stayed from 1986 (LLJV et al); Strathclyde 1 on Aird Meadow on 6 Nov (JR).
ee Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Lothian Edinburgh Zoo’s feral colony held 29 birds on
21-22 Nov, of which 23 were adults, and 18 birds were colour-ringed.
* Little Egret Egretta garzetta Shetland | at Spiggie on 6 Apr (AS); Strathclyde 1 near Ayr on
9 Jun (ASt), 1 at L Craignish from 10 Jun-10 Sep (NH, RP, RAB).:
* Great White Egret Egretta alba Strathclyde 1 Ballachuan L, Seil on 29 Apr (DD, DG et al).
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Breeding: Orkney 9 nests were found with most eggs hatched by 6 May;
Highland Altnaharra had 9 occupied nests, 7 nests at L an Tioram, and 4 prs had 12 young at
Inverewe; Tayside 3 sites held 18 nests; little overall change was suggested in the South, where Lothian
had 34-38 prs at 11 sites, Borders had a high return of 151 nests, Strathclyde c72-77 nests were
recorded in Argyll, and elsewhere 133 prs were counted in 20 heronries. The only high counts included
26 at Hulma Water, Shetland on 23 Dec, while Orkney had 33 in Scapa Flow in Nov; Tayside had
32 at Montrose Basin on 3 Aug; and Lothian had 35 at Tyninghame on 23 Aug.
t * Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber Shetland | at Virkie on 27 May (LM et al) stayed till
31 May. Its origin remains unknown.
+ * Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis Strathclyde 1 at Irvine on 23-24 May.
Mute Swan Cygnus olor Breeding: Tayside 19 prs were recorded at 14 sites; Lothian 110-112 young
fledged from 34 prs; Borders 30 sites held 33 prs, 25 prs bred, producing 19 broods with 86 young
fledging; Strathclyde a minimum of 29 prs attempted breeding in Argyll, and 23 prs were recorded
in Ayrshire with a good success rate; Dumf & Gall had a mixed season in Stewartry District. Counts:
Orkney 598 on L of Harray on 27 Nov included 149 juvs; West Isles 2 adults on L Ordais, Lewis
on 29 Oct were unusual; Highland 117 on L Scarmclate on 20 Jan; Grampian 200 on Strathbeg
on 3 Sep; Tayside peaks included 191 on L Leven on 3 Jul; Borders 268 on the Tweed estuary
in Jan; Strathclyde 139 in the Clyde estuary on 10 Aug; Dumf & Gail 100 on Carlingwark L on 17 Jan.
10
* Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus Low numbers during the winter-spring period: Shetland
the Scatness bird from 1987 stayed till 6 Feb; Tayside 1 on L Leven on 2 Jan; Central 2 at Drip
7 Feb; Strathclyde | in the Libberton area on 4-9 Jan. 1 in L Indaal, Islay on 22 Jan; Dumf &
Gall the Caerlaverock peak was only 6 on 28 Jan, with the last 1 there on 19 Mar. Autumn numbers:
Tayside 2 near Cleish on 28 Oct rose to 15 by 3 Dec, 6 at Mid-Cambushinnie on 6 Nov, and 15
flew SW over Carsebreck on 13 Nov; Fife 8 at Ballo Res on 21 Nov; Central 4 on L Watston on
15 Nov, 3 at Thornhill on 21 Nov; Lothian 2SW at Seafield Pond on 29 Oct; Borders 2 at Lees
on 19 Nov, then at the Hirsel on 6 Dec, with 16 there on 11 Dec; Dumf & Gall 2 were back at
Caerlaverock on 26 Oct, staying till at least 7 Dec.
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus Summering birds were present in Shetland (3), Orkney (3), Highland
(6), Tayside (1), Strathclyde (9), Dumf & Gall (3). Winter-spring: Orkney 384 on L of Harray on
7 Mar; Highland 196 at Insh on 1 Apr; Central 116 at Thornhill on 21 Jan; Strathclyde 115 at
Inchinnan on 14 Jan, 101 on Tiree on 24 Jan, and 120 on Staneley Res on 28 Jan; Dumf & Gall
the Caerlaverock peak was 159 on 4 Feb, with the main departure from 29 Mar-4 Apr. Autumn
arrival started on 25 Sep in Shetland and Orkney, although a juv appeared at Alva, Central on
13 Sep, and Lothian had 3 at Seafield Pond on the same day. Shetland 240 were counted on 6
Nov, with the proportion of juveniles being 21% and the m.b.s. 2.2; Orkney exceptional nos on
L of Harray peaked at 1010 on 30 Dec, while the flock held 475 adults and 54 juvs on 27 Nov;
Highland 258 at L Eye on 16 Oct, 200+ at Shalmstry on 17 Oct; Grampian 305 at Strathbeg on
4 Nov, and 116 at L of Skene on 23 Dec; Tayside Cleish had a maximum of 185 on 11 Nov; Central
152 at Drip on 5 Nov; Borders peak was 316 at the Hirsel in Nov; Strathclyde 136 (inc 32 juvs)
on Tiree on 9 Nov, 205 at Inchinnan (inc 27 juvs) on 27 Dec; Dumf & Gall arrived back at
Caerlaverock on 25 Sep, with 218 there on 13 Nov, 130 at Leswalt on 23 Nov.
* Bean Goose Anser fabalis Winter: Highland singles at Longman Bay on 5 Jan and Tarradale
on 21 Feb; Tayside 1 near Methven on 27 Feb; Central/Strathclyde the Carron Valley flock peaked
at 105 on 5 and 21 Feb. Autumn: Shetland 1 at Scatness on 3 Dec; Orkney 2 on North Ronaldsay
from 23-28 Oct; West Isles 2 on South Uist on 15 Nov; Highland 26+ at St John’s Loch on 22
Oct; Tayside 3 appeared between Carsebreck and Greenloaning on 2 Oct; Fife 7 flew SW at Fife
Ness on 18 Sep; Strathclyde/Central Carron Valley had 56 on 16 Oct; Dumf & Galli had singles
at Kinmount on 15 Sep, and Lochmaben on 16 Oct.
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus Highland 3500 at Udale on 23 Apr, 4000 at Tarradale
on 26 Apr, and 8800 at Nigg Bay on 27 Apr; Grampian very high numbers with 21,650 on the
Ythan on 17 Apr, and 20,850 at Strathbeg on 20 Apr, with another 3000 at L Spynie on 22 Apr;
Tayside the Carsebreck peak was 6250 on 13 Mar, and the main roost held 6900 on 19 Mar; Central
5000 at L of Menteith on 5 Apr; Borders 12,070 at West Water, and 5000 at Hule Moss on 17
Jan; Strathclyde 5000 at Wiston on 16 Jan; Dumf & Gall high numbers again with 6800 in the
Annan-Caerlaverock area on 19 Feb, and 5720 in Wigtown Bay on 20 Mar. A few birds summered,
including up to 22 at Cults L, Dumf & Gall on 11 Jun, and autumn arrival started mostly in the
period from 8-16 Sep in most areas, although 6 appeared at Scatness, Shetland on 16 Aug. Autumn
counts: Highland 631SE over Sandside Bay on 18 Sep; Grampian Strathbeg had its highest numbers
yet with 30,200 on 7 Oct; Tayside the main roost held 40,000 on 8 Oct, while the National Count
on 12/13 Nov produced a total of 42,260; Fife 17 over Kirkcaldy on 8 Sep, and Cameron Res held
10,000 on 29 Oct; Central 6500 over L Mahaick on 12 Nov; Lothian peak counts were 11,000 at
Fala Flow on 11 Oct and 11,000 at Aberlady on 24 Oct; Borders West Water held a record 40,000
on 8 Oct; Strathclyde 8500 at Carmichael on 22 Oct.
White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Winter-spring: Orkney 60 at The Loons on 18 Jan; Highland
160 at Broubster on 4 Jan, and 200 flew NW over Dounreay on 19 Apr; Strathclyde 150N over
Dunure on 5 Apr, 899 NNW over Tiree on 19 Apr; Dumf & Gall 310 at L Ken on 26 Jan was -
the highest count. Autumn: Shetland a small flock at Sullom Voe (19 birds on 24 Oct) looks like
becoming a regular feature; Orkney 24 at The Loons on 1 Oct rose to 73 on 6 Nov; West Isles
2 flocks totalled 96 from 17 Oct; Highland Ist seen on 18 Sep at Barrock, 182 at L Heilen on 23
Nov; Strathclyde 330 at Endrick Mouth on 20 Nov, complete counts on Islay gave totals of 7558
on 6-7 Feb, and 7800 on 7 Nov indicated a good breeding season with over 20% young; on 9 Nov
Tiree had 518-543 birds and Coll had 526-534; Dumf & Gall arrival of 22 at L Ken on 8 Oct, with
a peak of 340 on 6 Dec, 400+ in the West Freugh area on 17-18 Dec. Eurasian albifrons: Shetland
1 at Muness from 9-14 Apr; Grampian 2 at St Fergus on 21 Feb and 19 Mar; Tayside 2 near
Tibbermore on 8 Apr; Lothian up to 7 at West Fenton from 2-23 Jan, 1 there on 22 Dec; Dumf
& Gall 2 at Kinmount on 26 Jan, and another at Mersehead on 16 Apr.
1]
T * Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus Strathclyde 1 on Islay on 2 Nov carried leg rings
suggesting escaped origin.
Greylag Goose Anser anser Breeding: successful nesting was again recorded on both Shetland where
2 prs reared at least 11 young on Unst, and Orkney where 1 pair was almost certainly feral; in
West Isles the species is increasing in Lewis/Harris, and 1409 were counted on Uists; Highland
the resident Eigg flock now numbers 28, increasing in Speyside also with 12 at Boat of Garten
on 15 Aug; Tayside the feral population seems to be declining in the Tummel area, but L Leven
produced 48 young; Dumf & Gall a complete count gave 1469 birds in Jun. Winter-spring: Highland
Caithness District held 5000 in Mar; Grampian 9700 at Strathbeg in Feb; Fife 2500 in Lomond
Hills area on 22 Feb: Strathclyde 1500 at Endrick Mouth on 7-8 Jan, and 1000 at Tarbolton on
23 Feb were the highest counts in mild winter conditions; Dumf & Gall 1000 at Kenmure on 3 Jan,
and 1435 at Lochmaben on 3 Mar again reflects the low numbers in the SW. In the autumn Highland
had 16,500 at L Eye on 25 Oct, and 12,000 at Munlochy on 16 Nov; Grampian showed a big increase
in numbers with the peak count at L Spynie being 13,070 on 22 Oct, while Skene held 15,000 and
the Dinnet lochs held 25,342 in Nov; Tayside the National Count on 12/13 Nov produced a total
of 15,566 and 7200 were on Drummond Pond on 18 Dec; Fife 4000 near Cupar on 6 Nov; Lothian
the Whiteadder peak was 1500 in Nov; Borders 3600 at Hoselaw L in mid-Nov.
+ * Bar-headed Goose anser indicus Escapes appeared in West Isles at Stornoway from 1987 till
Mar, in the Drem area, Lothian in Dec, and at Lochinch, Dumf & Gall in Jun and Sep.
T * Snow Goose Anser caerulescens Strathclyde 13 nests were counted on Haunn, Mull, but a high
level of predation was encountered. The usual pattern of records no doubt included some genuine
migrants: Shetland 1 at Spiggie from 21-26 Oct; West Isles 2 in South Uist 25 Apr; Grampian up
to 9 birds were recorded in the region in the Jan-Jun period, and a further 6 during Sep-Dec; Tayside
had singles at Montrose on 1 Apr, 24 Oct and 30 Dec, with 2 at Balgavies L on 8 Nov, and 1 at
Strathearn from 19 Nov-4 Dec; Fife 1 near Cupar from 5-10 Nov; Lothian 4NW at Barns Ness
on 5 May, and an adult Greater in the Congalton/Aberlady area from 11-13 Dec; Borders 3N over
St Abbs on 7 May, and 1 at Greenlaw on 12-15 Oct; Strathclyde 2 on Islay
from 1987 stayed till 21 Apr, 2 back on Islay from 8 Sep-end Dec, 50 were counted on Coll on
21-28 Mar; Dumf & Gall 1 in Wigtown Bay on 20 Mar, and 2 at L Ken on 16 Aug rose to 3 later
in the month.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis Breeding: Highland 7 adults and 5 young were seen at Skibo
on 21 May; Strathclyde 39 ads and 14 young were counted on Colonsay, still breeds at
Barcraigs/Rowbank where B/5 on 21 Aug; Dumf & Gall a complete count gave 362 in Jun, and
609 in Sep, with breeding becoming more widespread. English moult migration: the Beauly Firth,
Highland flock peaked at 369 on 21 Jun. Counts/passage: Orkney | on Stronsay from 23 May-18
Nov; Grampian a ‘‘small’’ race bird was at Kinord on 14 Jan, and Lossiemouth had a bird showing
characters of either B c parvipes or B c hutchinsii on 16 Apr; Tayside had a local flock peak of
128 at Kercock on 5 Oct; Fife 36 at the Eden estuary on 7 Jun; Lothian 46 at Tyninghame on 17
Aug; Strathclyde 2 small-race birds on Islay from 1 Jan-9 Apr, and up to 3 were present from
10 Oct-end Dec.
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis Solway flock: Caerlaverock held 11,500 during winter 1987/88,
88 had returned by 25 Sep and the peak for winter 1988/89 was 12,100 with 12% young; Islay
flock: peak count was 20,230 on 28-29 Mar, with a major departure on 19 Apr, first 5 back on
22 Sep, and a complete count on 5 Dec gave 20,870, with the flock indicating a poor breeding season
and only 12% young; the Scapa Flow, Orkney flock peaked at 600 on Switha on 11 Feb, while
the highest autumn count was 800 on South Walls on 19 Nov; Grampian had 100N over Peterhead
on 30 Apr, and 100S at Rattray on 23 Oct; Tayside the Carsebreck peak was 20 on 20 Nov. Autumn
passage commenced from 21 Sep in Shetland, 102 on Fair Isle on 2 Oct; Grampian 58 at Strathbeg
on 7 Nov; on 25 Sep a steady passage in Lothian and Borders brought 447 over the area from
Tyninghame-Musselburgh, with a further 46 at Balgray Res and 59 over Troon, Strathclyde.
Brent Goose Branta bernicla D = dark-bellied B b bernicla, P = pale-bellied B b hrota. Summary
of year’s records:
J -F M -AUCM: -J'*3J “AS” O-N-D
Shetland-Highland 3 23> M1522 4219 68 45 2
Grampian-Fife - 2 it QRs 2 | ates | 4 87185 21 15
Central-Borders Di Lay ai 1 42 43 14 1
Strathclyde/D&G PD ROCP 108 VES a 2530 TQ Dery
Peak counts included: Highland 86 in L Ewe on 22 Sep, 33 at Longman on 22 Sep, and 23 in Thurso
Bay on 22 Sep; Grampian had 25P and 1D at Lossiemouth on 20 Sep; Tayside 117 on R South
Esk on 12 Oct; Fife 26 at the Eden estuary on 25 Sep; Strathclyde 39P on Tiree from 17-22 Apr,
60P at Ardrossan on 22 Apr, 95P in L Gruinart, Islay on 8 Sep, 108P on 22 Sep.
Brent Goose pa A. Stevenson
+ * Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Highland/Grampian had a rash of records with 4 at
Balmedie on 7 Aug, and 2 at Strathbeg on 16 Aug. 2 were again in the Mosstodloch-Lhanbryde
area from 3 Sep-early Oct, and 4 appeared between Rashierieve and Middlemuir on 27-28 Sep,
with 1 till 18 Dec; Tayside a 9 appeared at Montrose Basin on 15 Jul.
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Breeding: Shetland generally poor; Grampian 20 adults and 43 ducklings
on the Ythan on 17 Jul; Strathclyde a good season was suggested in the SW. Counts: Highland
184 in Munlochy Bay on 12 Jan, and 247 in the Dornoch-L Fleet area on 27 Jan; Grampian Findhorn
Bay held 140 in May, showing a considerable decline in recent years; Tayside 310 at Montrose Basin
on 7 Nov; Fife 842 on Eden estuary on 17 Jan; Central 2400 in Kinneil moult flock on 16 Aug;
Strathclyde 174 in L Gruinart, Islay on 20 Apr; Dumf & Gall Wigtown Bay held 385 on 21 Feb,
while the Caerlaverock peak was 570 on 21 Oct.
+ * Mandarin Aix galericulata The decline in the Tayside population seems to be continuing with
the maximum count being only 5 on 13 Nov, outside the normal Perth area a pair appeared at |
Rossie Hill on 27 Mar; in Borders the ist confirmed breeding occurred with up to 4 prs on the
Eye Water: elsewhere records included Orkney 2 Gc’ on North Ronaldsay from 13 May-8 Jun,
with 1 till 10 Jun; Grampian GC’ at L Davan on 21 Jun.
Wigeon Anas penelope Breeding: Highland only 3 records of breeding were submitted in Caithness
District; Highland/Grampian 9 lochs held single prs in Moray and Nairn Districts; Tayside breeding
was proved at 6 lochs and a good season was suggested; Borders had a poorer year, with fewer
broods seen; Dumf & Galla 9 with 8 young was seen on L Ken on 14 Jun. Counts/passage: Orkney
the L of Harray peak was 7455 on 30 Dec; Highland 3430 in Nigg/Munlochy areas on 17 Jan,
9924 in Cromarty/Longman areas on 16 Oct, and 4000 at Edderton on 6 Nov; Grampian 1400
at L Spynie in Jan, and Strathbeg held 830 in Nov; Tayside 5030 in Montrose Basin on 11 Dec;
Fife 971 on the Eden estuary on 17 Jan; Lothian the Tyninghame peak was 933 on 25 Oct; Dumf
& Gall peak counts were 1000 at L Milton on 6 Feb, and 1896 at Caerlaverock on 9 Oct.
13
* American Wigeon Anas americana Tayside GO at L Leven from 13 Nov-end Dec (JS) ¢; Dumf
& Gall 1 at Caerlaverock on 5 Oct awaits details (Wildfowl Tr) @.
Gadwall Anas strepera Breeding: information scanty, but the species bred on Orkney where | nest
on North Ronaldsay; Highland a pair reared 5 young at one site; Tayside 7 prs reared 20 young
at L of Kinnordy; Fife where prs bred at a minimum of 2 sites, and Strathclyde where 5 young
were reared at Baron’s Haugh. and 2 9Q were seen with broods of 3 and 6 on Tiree. Counts
were mostly of low numbers but L Leven, Tayside had 154 on 17 Sep; elsewhere the maxima included
11 on L of Harray, Orkney, on 7 Mar, 7 at Newburgh, Grampian on 10 Apr, 14 at L Gelly, Fife
on 25 Aug, 7 near Ayr, Strathclyde on 8 Jan, while the Caerlaverock, Dumf & Gall peak-.was 10
in Feb-Mar.
Teal Anas crecca Breeding: Borders 29 prs were recorded, 12 broods totalled 24+ young; Dumf
& Gall suggestion of decline in numbers, with poor success. Counts: Shetland 200 at Sullom Voe
on 1-2 Jan was exceptional; Highland 611 at Alturlie on 17 Jan; Grampian the Strathbeg peak
was 2350 on 2 Nov; Tayside 500 on L Leven on 17 Sep; Fife 462 at the Eden estuary on 17 Jan;
Central 1843 on the Forth estuary on 8 Sep; Strathclyde 430 at Baron’s Haugh on 20 Dec; Dumf
& Gall the Caerlaverock peak was 1130 on 9 Oct. Nearctic carolinensis: Fife G’ at the Eden estuary
on 16 Feb (NE).
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Breeding: Shetland Ist ducklings were seen on 14 May; Borders 66
recorded broods held 386+ juveniles; Strathclyde 31 broods totalled 242 young in the SW, and
a good success rate was indicated. Counts: Highland 900 at L Fleet on 27 Jan; Grampian 3300
at Strathbeg in Dec; Tayside 1100 on L Leven on 17 Sep, and 893 on Perth Bridge-Almondmouth
stretch on 17 Dec; Central 1563 on the Forth estuary on 8 Sep; Borders 973 on Tweed Haugh in
Oct; Strathclyde 760 at Gadloch on 13 Sep; Dumf & Gall Caerlaverock held 2100 in Sep.
Pintail Anas acuta The species remains a very scarce breeding bird, with Orkney having up to 10
prs breeding, and Strathclyde having 4 prs breeding in Argyll. Counts/passage: Highland 74 in
Nigg Bay on 17 Jan, and 76 at Longman on 16 Oct; Tayside 87 at Montrose Basin on 21 Feb;
Fife 35 at the Eden estuary on 14 Dec; Central the Skinflats/Kinneil flock peaked at 61 on 11 and
29 Dec; Dumf & Gall peaks included 350 at Southwick and 300 at Carsethorn on 9 Oct, while Wigtown
Bay held 325 on 16 Oct.
* Garganey Anas querquedula Up to 22 birds in spring, and 3 in autumn: Shetland GC at Hillwell
from 21-23 May; Orkney GC and2 99 on Stronsay on 10 May and 2 Jun, another o' on Stronsay
on 26 Jun; West Isles 2 at Balranald on 28 May; Highland co in Dunnet Bay on 25 Apr, 9 at
Boat of Garten on 28 Jul; Grampian a pair at Cults on 16 May, a Gat Cotehill on 23-24 May,
and 2 prs at Rattray from 24-29 May; Tayside a pair at Montrose Basin on 24 Apr; Fife singles
at Kilconquhar L on 27 Jul, and at L Gelly from 12-15 Aug; Lothian C at Aberlady on 21 and
28 May; Strathclyde co at Endrick Mouth on 28 Mar, 2 Gc’ on 29-30 Mar; Dumf & Gall o at
Caerlaverock on 15 and 24 Apr, and another co at Kildrochat on 3-4 May.
Shoveler Anas clypeata Breeding: Shetland a pair bred at Hillwell; Orkney up to 23 prs noted on
6 islands; Tayside recorded breeding at 3 sites; prs also recorded breeding in Caithness District,
Highland (4), Lothian (1-2), Borders (1-2); Strathclyde up to 6 prs bred at New Cumnock, 5 prs
on Tiree, 2 prs at both Lochwinnoch and Baron’s Haugh, and a slight improvement in Dumf &
Gall where up to 2 broods seen on L Ken. Counts: Tayside 200 at one location on 20 Sep, and
300-400 on L Leven in Sep; Fife 62 on Kilconquhar L on 27 Oct; Borders the Hirsel had 116 on
25 Sep; Strathclyde 14S at Turnberry Pt on 4 Sep, 51 at Baron’s Haugh on 28 Oct; Dumf & Gall
69 at Caerlaverock on 2 Oct.
* Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 2 birds were recorded: West Isles G’ on the Monachs during
Nov, but on South Uist on 24 Nov; Central co at Gartmorn Dam on 10 Jan.
Pochard Aythya ferina Very few breeding records for this species: Highland Q with B/1 on St
John’s Loch on 17 Jul was the first proven record for Caithness District for 30 years; Fife 3 broods
totalled 16 at Kilconquhar L; Borders a pair with B/2 at the Hirsel on 24 Jun. Counts: Orkney
the L of Boardhouse peak was 758 on 18 Jan, and L of Harray held 1372 on 30 Dec; Highland
470 on L Scarmclate on 14 Feb, 410 on St John’s Loch on 27 Nov, and 237 on L Eye on 11 Dec;
Tayside 1270 on.L Leven on 10 Jan and 820 there on 19 Nov; Fife a very high count was recorded
with 1009 at L Gelly on 18 Sep; Strathclyde 334 at Strathclyde Country Park on 14 Feb; Dumf
& Gall recorded low numbers with a peak of 75 on L Ken in mid Nov.
14
* Ring-necked Duck A ythya collaris Shetland 1st w Q at Easter L from 2-6 Nov (CFM et al); Orkney
juv/Ist w on L of Harray on 11-13 Oct (ERM); Highland c on L Insh from 2 Oct-5 Nov, also
at L Morlich on 5-6 Nov (ZB, RW et al).
* Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Lothian adult co at Edgelaw Res on 29-30 Oct (LLJV).
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Breeding reports indicated patchy success: Grampian/Highland proved
breeding at 6 lochs in Moray and Nairn Districts, while Tayside had a good season with 36 broods
at Carsebreck; Central 9 prs bred at Airthrey, and 43 fledged from 8 broods; Borders 67 prs were
recorded, and 17 broods held a total of 80 juveniles; Strathclyde a slight improvement in success
rate was suggested in SW. Counts: Orkney the L of Harray peak was 1920 on 30 Dec; West Isles
GC on St Kilda on 25 Apr; Highland 500 at Longman on 17 Jan; Tayside 3180 on L Leven on 17
Sep; Strathclyde 360 at Strathclyde Country Park on 24 Jan.
Scaup Aythya marila Breeding: Highland a 2 with B/4 in Jul was the first confirmed breeding
since 1939. Summer birds included 5 in Shetland, 5 in Orkney, 2 in Highland, 2 in Tayside, 1 in
Borders, and up to 20 in Strathclyde. Counts: Orkney 137 on L of Harray on 7 Mar; Highland
185 at Udale on 14 Nov; Fife 460 at Leven on 24 Jan; Lothian an extremely low peak of 19 was
reached at Musselburgh on 4 Nov; Strathclyde 1230 in L Indaal on 16 Dec; Dumf & Gall the
Carsethorn flock increased greatly to 4000 on 16 Feb, and L Ryan had 600 on 20 Feb.
Eider Somateria molissima Grampian another poor year at Forvie where 1500 prs produced only
40 young. Despite a good hatch in Jun, bad weather in Jul was associated with a decline in chick
numbers; Tayside c200 prs at Barry Buddon. Some areas experienced better fortunes: Fife the
estimated Isle of May breeding population was put at 600-700 nests, with a maximum of 171 ducklings
seen on | Jul; Lothian Aberlady held an estimated 443 prs, 68 young being seen on 16 Jun. Counts:
Shetland a count of birds in moulting areas produced only 7700 (cf 13,811 in 1977); Grampian
3467 on Ythan estuary on 5 May; Tayside/Fife c10,000 were estimated at the mouth of the Tay
in Dec; Lothian peak count was 5500 between Yellowcraig and Kilspindie on 20 Mar.
* King Eider Somateria spectabilis Shetland adult cat Tresta and Reawick from 1987 was off
North Havra on 6 Jul (PVH) and Westerwick on 20 Aug (MH), adult o& at Holm of West Sandwick
on 25 Apr and Whale Firth from 25 Apr-1 May (PVH, MH, DRB, DS), adult o& at Haroldswick
on 25 Apr (MS), 2 in Colgrave Sound on 8 Feb (PVH, MH, RJT), 9 at Sumburgh Head from
14 Jun-18 Sep (MH et al), of off Fair Isle from 21 Sep-15 Nov (PMP), and @ in Ronas Voe from
5-8 Nov (MH et al); Highland adult ch between Embo and L Fleet from 14 Feb-at least 9 Jun (BB,
King Eider OC Ythan May 1988 S.M.D. Alexander
15
JRD et al), and 8 Nov-at least 3 Dec (PGA et al); Grampian adult C at Ythan estuary from 17
May-28 Jun (RAS, KDS), also at Balgownie on 28 Aug, and off Murcar on 20 Sep (MGW, SJA
et al); Fife adult Go at Tayport from 1987 to at least 14 Apr (JSN et al); Lothian 9 at Aberlady
from 13-17 Jul (DJB et al).
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis Summer records included 1 in Shetland, 1-3 birds in Orkney,
3 in Highland, 2 in Grampian, | in Lothian, and | in Strathclyde. Counts: Shetland the Bluemull
peak was 451 on 8 Feb; Orkney 837 were counted in Scapa Flow in Nov; West Isles noted a large
decrease in Broadbay, Lewis wintering flock; Highland 286 at Chanonry on 14 Feb; 300 at Avoch
on 18 Mar, and 200+ in Dunnet Bay on 21 Oct; Grampian a very high estimate of 7000 was made
on the Burghead Bay flock on 14 Nov; Fife 650 at Leven on 12 Mar; Lothian’s autumn arrival
was from 25 Sep, and Aberlady-Gullane held a record peak of 770 on 15 Nov; Strathclyde c40
Feall Bay, Coll on 8 Nov. More autumn records from inland localities during Oct-Dec were noted
in Highland and Grampian e.g. 6 on L Garten on 21 Oct, and a notable influx occurred in SW
Strathclyde from end Oct, with at least 30 individuals recorded.
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Breeding reports coming from the usual areas included: Shetland
a minimum of 5 dco and 3 QQ were present at the usual sites but only 2 young were reared;
Highland 12 broods were reported from 36 prs, and at least 2 other lochs held prs; Tayside 2 99
and 3 Co at the usual site in May; Strathclyde 6 prs were recorded at Argyll site in Jun but no
young seen. Counts: Grampian/Highland had 1500-2000 off Murcar in May, 750 between Collieston
and Blackdog in Sep, and 600+ off Nairn/Culbin Bars in Dec; Fife 5000 at St Andrews on 3 Feb;
Lothian 1900 at Gosford on 23 Apr; Borders 200 in Pease Bay on 19 Nov; Strathclyde 58 in Irvine
Bay on 21 Feb, 88 in L Indaal, Islay on 23 Mar, 2 at Langbank from 13-19 Nov were unusual
for area; Dumf & Gali 100 in Luce Bay on 17 Jul.
* Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata A somewhat confusing situation surrounds the exact numbers
in the Forth: Orkney o off Wyre on 29-30 May (SJA, JO); Highland co at Dornoch on 3 May
(PGA, SJH), G& in Talmine Bay from 5-8 Jun (A & BC, PKD), juv/1st winter in L Fleet on 16
Oct (PGA); Grampian co’ in Burghead Bay from 20-25 Feb, and again on 28 Sep (RP), a Co off
Murcar on 21 May was followed by 2 G&G on 22 May (RAS, SAR, RDS); Tayside 1-2 OO in
Lunan Bay from 21-26 Aug, @ on 21 Aug (MSS et al); Fife 2 Gc’ in Largo Bay on 4 Jan, o
on 17 Mar, 3 OO on3 Apr, 9 on 17 Mar, 3 Apr, and 1-3 Go from 18 Nov-28 Dec (DED, MR,
JSN, JGS et al); Lothian 2 do and @ at Gosford on 16 Jan-26 Mar, and 9 Apr-12 May, with
3 do and 9 on 23 Apr, and 3 do and 2 99 on 24-26 Apr, a Go on 13-14 May (AB et al),
a CO on 27 Aug, 2 do on 3 Sep, 3 Go’ on 24-25 Sep, and o& on 5S Nov (PRG, RHH et al).
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca Counts: Grampian low numbers at main areas with 500 at Blackdog
on 28 Aug, and 177 in Burghead Bay in Dec; Tayside 500 in Lunan Bay on 27 Sep; Fife 250 in
St Andrews Bay on 6 Jan; Lothian Gosford peak was 200 on 12 Mar.
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Breeding: the best year yet in Northern Scotland 87 nests contained
51+ clutches, with 44+ successful broods and 427+ ducklings hatched. A small number of non-
breeders summered. Counts: Highland 440 at Longman on 17 Jan, 1568 at Ness on 6 Feb; Grampian
400 at Girdleness in Jan; Tayside 500 at Balmossie on 7 Mar; Fife 600 at Leven on 12 Mar; Strathclyde
390 at Doonfoot on 4 Jan, and 492 from West Ferry-Woodhall on 20 Mar.
Smew Mergus albellus A summary of the year’s records shows
Jo ¥F -M:-A°M 323° AS S2Oj;EN} dD
Shetland-Highland DA OS REN Vay 4 Kot
Grampian-Fife 2 eS hs 1 1
Central-Borders PART cae ei Wetsen | 12
Strathclyde/D&G 105 11 6. 2. 1 1 9 14
As in recent winters, the Strathclyde numbers have been higher than elsewhere, with Strathclyde
Country Park having 6 on 14 Feb, and 3 in Nov and Dec. In Highland a hybrid Goldeneye x
Smew was again present at Kessock from 7 Jan-27 Mar.
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Breeding: Grampian 30 prs produced about 20 young on
the North Esk; Strathclyde good productivity suggested. Counts: Orkney Scapa Flow survey found
364 in Nov; Highland 2840 at Invergordon on 7 Mar, 329 off Delnies on 19 Sep, 900 at Whiteness
on 16 Oct; Tayside 200 at Balmossie on 14 Feb; Fife 1100 at Kinshaldy on 8 Nov; Central 137
on the Forth estuary on 21 Feb; Lothian 560 at Musselburgh on 21 Oct; Strathclyde 120 were in
L Indaal moult flock on 26 Jun.
16
Goosander Mergus merganser Breeding: Grampian a good season was suggested; Tayside breeding
was noted at 11 sites; Dumf & Gall persecution appears heavy and poor success was noted in Glenkens,
with the post breeding flock on L Ken only 41. Counts: Highland the Beauly Firth peak reached
1900 on 17 Jan, with 3000 ‘‘sawbills’’ present there on 21 Nov; Grampian 92 on L of Skene in
Feb, and the Speymouth moult-flock reached 87 in Aug; Tayside 110 at Balmossie on 20 Aug;
Fife 225 at Tayport on 6 Sep; Lothian 59 at Tyninghame on 12, and 22 Aug was a high count
for the area; Borders 256 were culled by the Tweed Salmon Commission, and the highest number
seen was 197 at the Hirsel on 6 Nov; Strathclyde 106 in Strathclyde Country Park on 17 Jan, 72
on 30 Nov, 59 on Martnaham L on 4 Dec.
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Breeding: Tayside 3 prs bred at L of Kinnordy with 4 young fledging,
3 prs hatched 10 young at Dun’s Dish, elsewhere in Region 2 prs were present at a loch in Central
Perthshire and 1-2 at 4 other sites in the period spanning Apr-13 Nov, but no evidence of breeding;
Strathclyde a pair bred at Aird Meadow, but the brood of 2 disappeared soon after 23 Jul. Others
included a of at Hillwell, Shetland 3-5 May, Orkney a 9 on North Ronaldsay from 3-5 May, up
to 9 birds in Fife at 4 sites from 3 Feb-12 Nov, and 1 appeared offshore at Kinneil, Central on
21 Feb; Strathclyde pr at Endrick Mouth on 24 Apr, GC on Tiree from 8-13 May.
Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Shetland singles on Fair Isle from 25-31 May and 1-9 Jun both
died from Fulmar oiling, another from 4-10 Jul survived, and 1 was at Hermaness on 7 Jul; Orkney
singles noted at Stenness on 9 May, on Westray on 25 May, and between Rendall and Rousay from
7-22 Jul; West Isles 1 over South Ford on 30 Apr; Highland 1 over Reay on 30 May; Grampian
1 over the Cairngorm plateau on 3 Jul; Fife 1 on the Isle of May on 20 Oct; Borders 1 over Reston
on 16 Sep.
* Red Kite Milvus milvus Shetland, like Orkney, had an unprecedented spring influx with singles
at Virkie on 14 Feb, on Fair Isle from 26 Mar-10 Apr, between Quendale and Sumburgh from
27-31 Mar, and Muckle Roe on 27 Mar; Orkney had singles on Sanday on 4 Apr, Shapinsay on
5 and 6 Apr, Finstown and Orphir on 7 Apr, Rendall on 12 Apr, and St Ola on 24 Apr; Highland
1 at Calabrian on 30 Apr; Grampian | at Kemnay from 11-28 May; Tayside 1 in the southern end
of the Region of 31 Aug; Borders 1 over Megget Water on 30 Jun; Strathclyde | near Hunterston
on 2 Nov.
* White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Up to 11 territories were maintained, 6 nesting attempts
were made, and one pair successfully reared 2 young. Wandering birds included the following: —
Shetland an immature bird at Baltasound in late Apr, was probably also on Yell on 24 May; Orkney
had an immature between Sandwick and Hoy from 30 Mar and 2 Apr; West Isles had 4 records
possibly involving 2-3 birds; Strathclyde singles at Knapdale on 31 Jul, and Taynish in Nov.
* Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Another good year: Shetland singles on Fair Isle on 5 May
and 5-7 May; Orkney singles on North Ronaldsay on 20 Apr, Hoy on 26-28 Apr, Westray on 4
Sep, and Evie on 8 Sep; West Isles had up to S individuals in the Uists between 17 May and 10
Sep; Highland 1-3 birds at Insh Marshes from 29 Apr-14 Sep, other singles at Lagganbridge on
7 May, and L Pityoulish on 21 May, Caithness District had up to 6 individuals between 17 Aug
and 19 Sep; Grampian had up to 5 birds between 24 Apr and 7 Jun, and singles on 10 Jul and
29 Jul; Tayside had 1 at Lintrathen on 14 May, and up to 4 at 2 sites between 28 Jul and 14 Sep;
Fife Q at Earlshall on 3 May; Central 1 at Tullibody on 2 May; Lothian had 5 birds between 19
Apr and 22 May when 2 were at Craigielaw; Borders singles at Drinkstone on 20 Apr, and Dowlaw
on 22 May; Strathclyde single QQ at Endrick Mouth on 17 Apr, on Islay from 19-24 Apr, Endrick
Mouth on 3 May, Arran on 8 May, Coll on 14 May, and Possil Marsh on 27 May, co on Mull
on 17 Jul; Dumf & Gall single Gc’ were seen at L Ken on 29 Mar, and at Laurieston on 13 May.
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Breeding: in Orkney 38 nests were found on West Mainland, 10 were
successful in rearing 20 young, but 7 nests on another island had only 2 successful results with
3 young reared; Grampian has become scarce with only 13 sites located, and only 1 chick reared;
Tayside bred successfully in a number of areas; Borders successful at 2 sites with 7 young reared;
Strathclyde 49 nests were located in an Argyll survey, 39 of these produced a minimum of 101
young mostly in young forestry, but the species had mixed fortunes elsewhere with Arran having
7 prs rear 21 young, and Ayrshire suffering severe persecution and only 3 young reared from 6
prs; Dumf & Gall again poor with only 2 out of 7 nests found successful. Migrants/etc: Shetland
had up to 18 records in the year — the best since 1973; Dumf & Gall winter roost counts were
low, with the max being 11 in Dec.
17
Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Breeding: in Northern Scotland prs or singles seen at up to 8 sites. A
pair reared 3 young, and other successes were reported from 2 or 3 sites, but disappointing in one
area. In Central Scotland a pair was present at one area during the spring and in Fife a pair bred
but young were taken by falconers. In Southern Scotland population growth appeared to be slowing.
Migrants: 1 appeared on S Uist, West Isles on 27 Oct.
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Breeding: in Orkney 3 prs were recorded, and 2 were successful; in
Grampian of 20 sites checked 12 were occupied and eggs laid at 8, of 39 eggs laid 21 chicks fledged,
a poorer year than 1987. Migrants: Shetland had up to 3 at Kergord during Jan-Apr and again
from 2 Oct-end Dec, main autumn passage on Fair Isle ran from 12-22 Oct including 4 on 18 Oct.
Buzzard Buteo buteo Breeding: in Orkney a pair reared 2 young; in the Grampian W Moray study
area 23 sites were occupied, 18 prs laid and all hatched but poor weather in early Jun resulted in
only 15 broods fledging at an average of 1.8 young/successful pair; in Lothian/Borders a pair reared
2 in Lothian, but fewer seen in Borders; in Strathclyde Arran’s breeding population was estimated
at 18 prs; and Dumf & Gall showed a continued increase on lower ground. Migrants: Shetland
singles at Scalloway on 18 Apr, and Eshaness on 1 Jul; Fife 1 appeared on the Isle of May on
20 Aug; Strathclyde 7S at Balnamoil, Mull of Kintyre on 22 Sep.
* Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus 4 in winter-spring period, 17 in autumn-winter period:
Shetland | in Spiggie/Fitful Head area from 1987 stayed till 3 Apr, 7 singles in autumn comprised
birds on Fair Isle on 6 Oct, at Haroldswick/Norwick on 23 Oct, Compass Head/Boddam on 23
Oct, on Fair Isle on 25 Oct, on Skerries on 26-27 Oct — then at Tingwall from 7 Nov-end Dec,
Scatness on 28 Oct, and Westing on 19 Nov; Orkney an autumn influx brought singles to St Ola
on 24 Oct, North Ronaldsay on 28 Oct, Hoy on 5-6 Nov, St Ola on 13 Nov, while 1 was seen between
Evie and west Mainland from 3 Nov-end Dec; Grampian singles at Buck on 7 Apr, Creag Leek
on 10 Apr, Tor of Troup on 29 Jul, Cabrach on 6 Nov, and Forvie on 23 Nov and 11-31 Dec;
Fife 1 found moribund at Pitlessie on 25 Nov; Strathclyde | at L Gruinart, Islay on 9 Nov, another
at Mull of Oa, Islay on 3 Dec and L Indaal on 5 Dec.
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Breeding: in N Scotland 66 + young were reared frm 88-92 attempts;
in S Scotland the Strathclyde study area in Argyll had 9 prs rearing 12 young from 14 sites where
eggs laid, another 31-35 prs laid eggs at 20+ sites and 16 prs reared 20+ young, | pair reared
1 young on Arran, and 3 prs reared a total of 2 young in the SW. Elsewhere up to 3 immatures
were seen on Orkney between 4 Jul and 14 Nov.
Osprey A. Stevenson
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Breeding: 53 pairs nested, and 38 successful prs reared 81 young, the
highest number so far. Arrival was early on 5 Mar at Speybank, Highland, and some late individuals
included 1 in the Ballinluig-Strathtay area, Tayside till 20 Nov. Migrants: Orkney singles noted
on North Ronaldsay on 5 and 19 May, Evie on 21 May, Orphir on 25 May, Papa Westray on 27
May, Rousay on 30 May and 30 Jun; Lothian had a late bird at Cobbinshaw on 29 Oct; Strathclyde
1 over Crosshill on 17 Mar.
18
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Breeding: in Orkney up to 16 prs were recorded; a pair stayed at
Garynahine, Lewis all year; in Strathclyde another good year in Ayrshire with 4.3 young produced
per successful pair. On Shetland Fair Isle migrants included 7 on 3 Sep.
Merlin A. Stevenson
Merlin Falco columbarius Breeding: in N Scotland 253+ young were reared from 115 attempts;
in S Scotland 81 + young were reared from 25+ successful nests. Migrants: Shetland a poor autumn
passage on Fair Isle ran from 24 Aug-20 Nov with a peak of 4 birds on 2 Nov.
* Hobby Falco subbuteo Up to 14 birds recorded: Shetland 1 at Eshaness on 23 Jun, and 1 on
Fair Isle on 5 Jul; Orkney singles were seen on Sanday on 8 May, Toab on 17 May, near Stromness
on 30 May, North Ronaldsay on 7 Jun, and at Deerness on 4 Sep; Highland singles at Carrbridge
on 10 Jun, Insh House on 15 Aug, Balavil on 20 Aug, and L Garten on 7 Sep; Lothian singles
at Aberlady on 13 Jul, and Tyninghame on 15 Aug, Strathclyde 1 on Sanda on 12 May.
Peregrine Falco peregrinus Breeding: some areas reported continuing problems with egg-collectors,
especially in the South, whilst cold weather in Apr may have resulted in egg failure. Overall, in
Scotland 269+ young were reared from 202+ attempts.
Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus Orkney had a good season; Highland 1000 at Blackmount, Carrbridge
on 11 Feb; Grampian showed a large increase in breeding stock in many areas, with a high emigration
noted from some moors, but numbers in Upper Moray were down after a succession of wet summers
and disease, high counts included 300+ at Lecht on 27 Jan and 1100 in the Cabrach on 11 Feb;
Tayside and Borders reported a good season; Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall showed a slight improvement
in some parts, 250+ on good Crowberry crop on the Campsies on 30 Oct, but the species continues
scarce over most of W.
Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus In Grampian breeding success was generally lower than in 1987, with
highest numbers in E Cairngorms; in Strathclyde continues to breed on Arran, and 1 on Jura on
21 May was the first for many years.
Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix Highland 24 Co’ at Abriachan lek on 15 Mar, 1 on Rhum on 24 May
was the Ist record for the island; Grampian 25 in Forest of Birse on 4 Apr; Tayside showed an
increase on 1987 figures with widespread records; Strathclyde a good season was suggested in the
SW with some birds coming into forest restocks.
Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus Generally, an improvement in breeding success was noted. Highland
a good season recorded in Abernethy; Grampian showed an improvement in breeding success in
Glen Tanar for the first time in 5 years, and big broods were reported elsewhere. This may have
been due to dry weather in early Jun which increased chick survival rate. In Tayside at least one
pair bred in Montreathmont Forest, and in N Fife 2 birds were seen in Mar-May period.
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa (most records of this species refer to Red-leg x Chukar hybrids,
and some of pure Chukar — A chukar). The following areas reported an increase or continuation
in releases: — Highland/Grampian/Tayside/Fife/Borders/Strathclyde.
19
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix Breeding showed good success in the East: Highland Caithness District
appeared to maintain 1987’s improvement, and the Inverness area had a good season; Grampian
a better season in Moray District, and big coveys noted elsewhere; Tayside showed increased records,
45 in Glen Quaich on 26 Aug; Lothian 44 at Straiton on 28 Oct; Borders showed a marked
improvement; Dumf & Gall still reported a decline overall, and numbers/records were also down
in Fife.
* Quail Coturnix coturnix At least one breeding attempt was made, and the deserted nest of this
species was found at Cornhill, Grampian, in Sep. Up to 47 birds reported: Shetland up to 10 birds
in spring between 15 May and 25 Jul but an autumn bird appeared at Voe on 4 Sep; Orkney 2
birds were heard on Stronsay from 29 May till 6 Aug, with 1 seen on 23 Sep; West Isles 2 at Balranald
during Jul and Aug, also heard at 3 other locations in Uists in Jul; Highland 2 at Castle Stuart
on 27 Jul; Grampian 1 at Tarras on 18 Jun, and another at Knaven on 21 Jun; Tayside | near
Dundee from 25 May-4 Jul; Fife 1 on the Isle of May on 16 Jun, and 6 near Leven on 17 Aug;
Lothian singles at Aberlady on 1 Jun, and at Harlaw on 23 Jun; Borders had 5 calling birds between
15 Jun and 10 Aug; Strathclyde singles at Port Ellen, and The Oa, Islay on 3 Jun, Shiskine, Arran
on 7 Jun, near L Doon on 15 Jun, at Dungavel from 17-31 Jul, and at Thankerton on 28 Aug;
Dumf & Gall singles at Stoneykirk on 2 Jun, Islesteps from 16-24 Jun, and Moss of Cree on 29 Jun.
Tt Reeve’s Pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii Lothian the 2 Gc’ at Archerfield were reduced to 1 by a Fox.
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Shetland a few sightings followed recent releases at 2 sites, a Q was
incubating a clutch of 7 eggs at Hillswick on 29 Apr; Lothian 13 territories at Aberlady; Dumf
& Gall 6500 released at Hensol.
+ Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus Strathclyde the feral population on Mull continues to
exist with up to 30 birds, mostly Go reported; Dumf & Gall still had a few near Cairnsmore House,
but remains very scarce.
Water Rail Ralius aquaticus Breeding: Orkney a pair again on North Ronaldsay, and 2-3 prs were
present at The Loons; Grampian present at 4 sites with 5-6 calling at L of Leys; Fife reported good
numbers with 10 at Rosyth marsh on 13 Mar, and 20 at Lindores in Dec; Strathclyde a minimum
of 30 prs were recorded from 9 sites. Migrants: Shetland 2 early migrants were at Fetlar and Ollaberry
on 12-13 Aug and a large Oct-Nov influx brought in singles at 19 sites.
* Spotted Crake Porzana porzana Shetland 2 on Fair Isle on 6 Oct; West Isles 1 calling in Lewis
on 29 May; Highland | calling on Eigg from 13-20 Apr, and 4 calling at Insh Marshes from 1-9
Jun; Strathclyde 1 near Maybole on 26 Jun.
Corncrake Crex crex Breeding numbers showed signs of little change in the Western Isles: Orkney
a survey found between 26 and 32 calling G' , the last record being from N Ronaldsay on 13 Oct;
Highland 26 calling birds recorded on Skye, 1-2 on Canna and | on Rhum; Strathclyde 170-176
birds were recorded in Argyll, with Tiree having 99-103 regularly calling, and Coll, Islay and Colonsay
accounting for a further 56-57. Other records (mostly calling birds or migrants): Shetland calling
singles at Bixter on 16 Apr, on Fair Isle on 15 May, and at Fladdabister from 22 May-26 Jun,
8 late Aug-Sep records were followed by an exceptionally late bird at Baltasound on 9 Dec; Highland
1 at Waterloo on | May, | at Melvich on 21 May, and another at Evelix for several weeks in May-
Jun, about 5 individuals reported from Caithness District between 7 Jun and 26 Jul; Grampian
1 on the Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen on 19 Sep; Central 1 near Denny from 24 Jun-17 Jul; Strathclyde
2-3 called on Arran from 6 May-4 Aug, and breeding may have occurred, singles called at Baldernock
on 8 May, and Carmunnock in May, while an injured bird was caught in Erskine on 20 Oct and
released at Beith on 25 Oct.
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Breeding: Lohtian 28-29 broods were reported but Mink still thought
to be a problem; Borders 83 recorded prs produced 36 broods totalling 94 young; Strathclyde 57 +
prs were recorded from mid-Clyde Haughs, and another 27 prs from 13 sites in Ayrshire.
Counts/passage: Orkney 43 on Crantit Ponds on 4 Dec; Borders 49 at Bemersyde on 9 Aug;
Strathclyde 47 on Bothwell Pool on 13 Nov.
Coot Fulica atra Breeding: Shetland 2 prs nested at Hillwell, a pair reared at least 3 young; Central
27 prs produced 61 young from 35 attempts; Borders 155 prs produced 75 broods totalling 206
young; Strathclyde 64 prs were recorded on mid-Clyde Haughs, and another 44 prs at 13 sites in
Ayrshire. Counts: Orkney peak count was 330 on Loch of Harray on 27 Dec; Highland 190 on
20
L Watten on 5 Jan; Grampian 360 at Davan/Kinord in Nov; Tayside 226 on Drummond Pond
on 17 Jan, and 770 on L Leven on 17 Sep; Fife 500 on Kilconquhar L on 23 Sep; Central 282 on
L of Menteith on 14 Jan, and 280 on Gartmorn Dam on 17 Jan; Lothian 618 at Linlithgow on
13 Dec; Borders 519 at Yetholm on 13 Dec; Strathclyde 430 on Bishop L on 17 Sep.
* Crane Grus grus Shetland | at Haroldswick from 4-8 Apr (ETh et al); Orkney singles on Sanday
from 27 Apr-8 May (RT), S Ronaldsay on 17 Jun (J & R McC), and Westray from 16 Jul-2 Aug
(JSR); West Isles 1 in Lewis in 22 May (per PC); Highland 1 near Fort Augustus from 30 Apr-4
May (CRP); Grampian | between Banff Bay, Strathbeg, and Newburgh from 14 Apr-27 Sep (RDSS
et al), another between Longmorn and Llanbryde from 23 Sep-19 Nov (RL, RAS, MJHC); Tayside
an immature bird near Arbroath from 10-17 May (KH, MT); Fife 1 at Cameron Res from 10-20
Apr, then over Markinch on 28 Apr (MR, NE); Lothian 1 at Aberlady on 7-8 May, and possibly
same on 15 May (BJH, JCH, AM et al); Borders 1 near Greenlaw from 14 May-17 Jun (JM).
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Breeding: Shetland a good season reported, and 51 prs counted
on Fair Isle; Fife 36 prs were present on the Isle of May, at least 13 chicks fledging. Counts/passage:
Highland/Grampian peak counts were 1120 at Fort George on 17 Jan, 1600 at L Fleet on 27 Jan,
2352 in Findhorn Bay in Oct, 1888 at Nairn-Culbin Bars in Oct, and 4527 in Cromarty and Inverness
Firths on 20 Dec; Tayside 2660 at Montrose Basin on 1 Aug; Fife 5200 at the Eden estuary on
14 Sep; Lothian Musselburgh held 1970 in Jan, and Aberlady held 1960 in Oct; Strathclyde 833
in L Indaal, Islay on 23 Mar, 1960 at Erskine on 13 Nov; Dumf & Gall high counts included 25,000
at Caerlaverock on 20 Jan, and 20,000 there on 29 Aug.
* Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Tayside 2 at Montrose Basin on 1 Aug (per RG); Strathclyde 1
at Bogside from 21-23 Apr (BO et al); Dumf & Gall 1 near Corsewall on 12 Jun (AMH).
* Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Lothian 1 at Barns Ness on 16 Apr (IJA).
* Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Central 1 at Kinneil on 16 Aug (DMB); Lothian 1 at
Tyninghame from 2-4 May (IJA, MG et al); Strathclyde at Baron’s Haugh on 23 May (RGN).
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Breeding: Shetland Noss had a good season, 18 prs on Fair
Isle; Lothian substantial decrease to 12 prs at Aberlady; Strathclyde 25 prs reared 15 young on
Arran, but 15 nests containing 49 eggs between Girvan and Ballantrae suffered a high failure rate,
at least 23 prs bred on Colonsay. Counts/passage: Grampian Findhorn Bay’s spring peak was 670
on 15 May, while the Ythan held 359 on 22 May; Fife 458 at the Eden estuary on 17 May; Lothian
340 at Aberlady on 16 May; Strathclyde 300+ on Tiree on 24 May.
* Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus Lothian an adult at Aberlady on 12-13 Jul (MG et al) was
the first for Scotland.
Caspian Plover and Lapwing Aberlady July 1988 j. Busby
21
Dotterel Charadrius morinellus Breeding: Highland/Grampian the season was good in the Cairngorms
with 89% hatching success and 40% fledging success due largely to improved weather. Migrants:
Shetland Fair Isle had up to 10 between 7 and 16 May, | at Hermaness on 29 May, and 1 on Fair
Isle from 29 Aug-4 Sep; Orkney an early bird appeared on Hoy on 13 Apr, followed by 3 singles
between 20 May and 19 Aug; West Isles pair at Balranald on 29 Apr; Highland 1 over Dalnawillan
Lodge on 20 May; Grampian 80 at an autumn gathering site in Cairngorms had largely gone by
late Aug, but late singles appeared on the Ythan on 14 Sep, and at Glen Shee from 6-12 Oct; Lothian
5 at Widow’s Knowe on 7 May, and 1 on Braids GC, Edinburgh on 8 May; Strathclyde 2 on Islay
on 27 Apr, with singles near New Cumnock on 7 May, and at Logan Res on 29 May; Dumf &
Gall had 8 on the Galloway hills on 15 May.
* Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Shetland adult at Uyeasound from 6-13 Nov (PME, JAE
et al).
* American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Shetland juv on Fair Isle on 21 Sep (PMP), another
juv on 22 Sep (PMP, DS); Orkney | on Stronsay from 24-30 Aug (JFH), juv on N Ronaldsay from
21-25 Sep (AB, KFW).
Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Breeding: Orkney up to 60 prs or territories were identified at
5 sites; Highland the Clunes Hills area had a good season; Tayside indicated a decline; Strathclyde
23 prs were recorded in Ayrshire; Dumf & Gall shows signs of further decrease. Counts/passage:
Shetland 1050 in the Uyeasound/Baltasound/Haroldswick areas in early Nov; Orkney 4500 on
Stronsay on 14 Oct; Grampian 3000 on the Ythan on 7 Sep; Fife 1800 at Crail on 22 Oct; Lothian
had a peak of 4000 at Aberlady on 26 Oct; Strathclyde 4000 at Bogside on 19 Oct; Dumf & Gall
1270 in Wigtown Bay on 13 Nov.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Orkney 91 on Sanday from 12-15 May; West Isles 210 at South
Ford on 10 Apr; Grampian/Highland Nairn/Culbin Bars had 47 on 20 Oct; Tayside 200 at Balmossie
on 18 Sep; Fife 404 at the Eden estuary on 9 Dec; Lothian a record regional count of 575 was
recorded at Aberlady on 22 Oct; Dumf & Gall 350 at Caerlaverock on 25 Sep.
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Breeding: Grampian suggested a good season; Tayside had a good season;
Lothian decline at 4 sites from 71-73 prs in 1986 to 46-52 prs; Strathclyde 3000-3500 prs bred on
Tiree, at least 350 prs bred at usual site on Colonsay, and 135 prs in the Camps/Midlock valleys
in the central belt; Dumf & Gall continued decline suggested. Counts/passage: many overwintered
from 1987 due to the mild weather; Shetland had 600 at Hillwell/Spiggie at this time; Orkney had
1000 at Scapa on 3 Jan, and 1000 at Crantit on 27 Dec; Highland 1500 at Castletown on 27 Aug;
Grampian 2000 at Strathbeg on 10 Dec was larger than expected for the time of year; Fife 1000
at Leuchars on 27 Sep; Central 2315 on the Forth estuary on 8 Sep; Lothian 1900 at Aberlady
on 22 Oct; Strathclyde 2248 at Bothwell Pool on 9 Sep, and 3740 at Bogside on 13 Sep; Dumf
& Gall 1952 in Wigtown Bay on 21 Feb.
Knot Calidris canutus Shetland autumn passage began on 12 Jul; Highland/Grampian 1250 at Fort
George on 17 Jan, 1660 at Nairn/Culbin Bars on 11 Mar, and 2000 at Embo on 11 Dec; Tayside
1000 at Westhaven on 23 Nov; Fife 3000 at Largo Bay on 23 Nov; Central 6540 on the Forth estuary
on 12 Dec; Lothian Aberlady held 3350 on 17 Feb.
Sanderling Calidris alba Winter-spring: Orkney North Ronaldsay’s spring peak was 392 on 27 May;
Grampian 133 on the Ythan on 30 Apr; Tayside 600 at Monifeith on 14 Feb; Fife 420 at Tayport
on 27 Mar; Lothian 115 at Aberlady on 27 May; Strathclyde 300+ on Tiree on 31 May. Autumn:
Shetland autumn passage began on 15 Jul; Orkney N Ronaldsay held 400 on 31 Aug; Tayside 450
in the outer Tay on 17 Dec; Strathclyde 66 at Maidens on 24 Jul; Dumf & Gall 60 at L Ryan on 24 Jui.
* Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Shetland an immature at Virkie on 25 Sep (PME, JDD, GWP.
et al) d.
Little Stint Calidris minuta Spring: Shetland 1 on Fetlar on 27 May: Orkney had 6 between 28
May and 26 Jul; West Isles 4-5 on St Kilda on 30 May; Highland 1 at L Scarmclate on 18 May;
Grampian singles at Phingask on 20 Apr, and Don from 10-13 May; Fife 1 at Anstruther on 3
Ds ps
May; Lothian had 4 singles at Aberlady and Musselburgh between 8 May and 16 Jun. Autumn
passage was exceptional, with a monthly breakdown and peak figs below:-
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov x *
Shetland-Highland 5 86 238 5
Grampian-Fife 2 60 236 2
Central-Borders 1 14 111
Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall 48 1
Shetland had a large influx from 2 Sep with 90 in the South Mainland, and 33 on Fair Isle on 5
Sep; Orkney’s peak was 49 on N Ronaldsay on 4 Sep; Highland had 37 at Udale on 5 Sep; Grampian
had 51 at Lossiemouth on 5 Sep, with a further 39 at Findhorn Bay on 9 Sep; Fife 50 at the Eden
estuary on 8 Sep; Lothian 63 at Aberlady on 4 Sep; numbers were generally much lower in the SW.
Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Breeding: up to 3 birds and one clutch was found at one
site in N Scotland. Migrants: Shetland 1 on Fair Isle from 25-26 May, 2 at Baltasound from 27-28
May; West Isles 2 on South Uist on 4 Sep; Highland 1 at L More on 23 May; Tayside | at Kinkell
Bridge on 1 Jun; Lothian 1 at Aberlady on 16 May and another at Musselburgh on 23 May;
Strathclyde singles at Endrick Mouth on 28 May and Kilmarnock from 27-29 Jul.
* Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Grampian an adult at Rigifa pond from 31 Jul-4 Aug (JLS,
JMcK, KDS) was only the 3rd Scottish record of this species.
White-rumped Sandpiper A. Stevenson
* White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Orkney probable adult on North Ronaldsay on 21
Sep (DHH, FMcC).
* Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos Shetland singles occurred on Foula on 16 Sep, on Fair
Isle from 22-30 Sep, at Huxter on 23-24 Sep, on Whalsay on 24-25 Sep, and another on Fair Isle
from 16-19 Oct; Orkney singles were seen at Deerness on 23 Aug, Harray from 25 Aug-3 Sep, and
Deerness again on 5 Oct; West Isles up to 7 birds on South Uist between 19 Sep and 5 Oct; Highland
1 at Sandside Bay on 7 Oct; Grampian | at Lossiemouth from 7-11 Sep.
us
Curlew Sandpiper Aberlady 1988 __ M. Darling
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Spring: Orkney had 6 spring records of 1-2 birds between
5 May and | Jun; Grampian 1 at Findhorn Bay on 19 Apr, 1 at Meikle from 23-25 May, and 5
on the Ythan on 25 May; Lothian 2 at Aberlady on 24 May; Strathclyde 1 in Sorobaidh Bay, Tiree
on 16 Apr, 1 at Barassie from 29-31 May.
Autumn passage was exceptional with a monthly breakdown and peak figs below:-
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Shetland-Highland 1 157 311 17
Grampian-Fife 5 Si sy2 665. Zi de
Central-Borders 95 171 1 1
Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall 1 10 218 14
Shetland had its best ever year with an influx from 2 Sep, and up to 63 on the main islands on
4 Sep, and a further 36 on Fair Isle on 5 Sep; Orkney’s peak was reached with 59 on N Ronaldsay
on 27 Aug; Highland the Caithness District peak occurred on 5 Sep with 44, while Udale had 77
on 10 Sep; Grampian had huge numbers with 285 at Findhorn Bay on 10-11 Sep, and 57 on the
Ythan on 11 Sep; Tayside 80 at Montrose Basin on 8 Sep; Fife 63 at Guardbridge on 11 Sep; Central
80 at Kincardine Bridge on 10 Sep, and a late bird at Skinflats on 12 Nov; Lothian 70 at Tyninghame
on 4 Sep; Dumf & Gail 116 at Browhouses on 16 Sep was by far the highest figure recorded from
the SW. ea
** Figures in the 2 above tables are based on estimates provided.
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima One site in North Scotland had adults present on 10 Jun.
Counts/passage: Shetland 160 at Sumburgh on 9 Feb; Orkney the Sanday shore count produced
509 between 12 and 15 May; Highland 123 at Balintore on 7 Mar, 12 at Dunnet Head on | Aug
were early, and the autumn peak was 120 at Brims Ness on 25 Dec; Grampian 230 at Girdieness
on 20 Jan, and 230 at Buckie on 7 Feb; Tayside 200 at Arbroath on 4 Jan; Fife the Isle of May
held 120-180 birds during Jul-Aug; Lothian Gullane-Tyninghame held 200 in Jan; Strathclyde 100+
at Turnberry Pt on 4 Jan; Dumf & Gall 50 at Southerness on 18 Jan.
Dunlin Calidris alpina Breeding: Shetland 78 prs were noted at 3 sites; Orkney up to 45 prs were
recorded; Highland a minimum of 30 prs nested between L More and Sletill Hill; Borders 7 prs
were recorded. Counts/passage: Highland 1200 at Chanonry on 24 Dec; Grampian heavy passage
on 14-20 Sep when 710N in 1 hour at Peterhead, and 1144 in Findhorn Bay, which rose to 2100
in Oct; Tayside 2500 in outer Tay area in Feb, and 3000 in Montrose Basin on 27 Apr; Fife 1506
at the Eden estuary on 9 Dec; Central 3017 on the Forth estuary on 12 Dec; Lothian Dalmeny
held 1550 on 21 Feb; Strathclyde 1000 at Barassie on 26 Jul; Dumf & Gall Caerlaverock held 6000
on 23 Oct.
24
* Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Shetland 1 on Whalsay from 18-22 May (BM et al)
@; Grampian | on The Ythan from 30 May-3 Jun (AGS et al), and an adult at Kingston from
11-14 Jul (MJHC, RHD et al).
* Buff-breasted Sandpiper 7ryngites subruficollis Orkney 1 on N Ronaldsay from 3-23 Sep (KFW);
West Isles 1 on South Uist on 2 Sep; Lothian 1 at Musselburgh on 8-9 Oct, and 17-22 Oct (LLJV,
IJA et al).
Ruff Philomachus pugnax Winter: Orkney had 2 at Tankerness on 4 Jan, Tayside had 1 at Montrose
on 21 Feb, Fife had singles at Inverkeithing on 2 Jan-6 Mar, Lothian 1-2 birds between Aberlady
and Cockenzie in Jan-Feb, and Dumf & Gall 1 at Caerlaverock in Jan. Spring passage was poor
compared to 1987: e.g. in Grampian Meikle had 3 on 18 Jun. A stronger autumn passage than
in 1987: Shetland had 130 at Catfirth on 3 Sep, with another 30 on Fair Isle on 3 Sep, while Orkney
had 30 on N Ronaldsay/Stronsay on 2 Sep, with the last 2 at Crantit on 3 Dec; Highland 12 at
Castle Stuart on 2 Sep, 30 at Longman on 9 Sep, and 13 at L of Mey on 19 Sep, with 1 wintering
bird at Barrock on 17 Dec; Grampian 48 at Newburgh on 27 Sep, last 2 on the Ythan on 4 Dec;
Tayside 7 at Williamston on 31 Aug; Fife 15 at the Eden estuary on 11 Sep, 1 again at Inverkeithing
from 11 Nov-end Dec; Central 19 at Grangemouth on 8 Sep; Lothian had a peak of 54 at Drem
on 10 Sep, and between 4-6 in Aberlady-Cockenzie area in Nov-Dec; lower numbers appeared in
most of the SW with Strathclyde having 23 at Summerston on 3 Sep, 56 at The Meetings, Carstairs
on 10 Sep, 14 on Gruinart Flats, Islay on 11 Sep, and late birds at Castle Semple L on 8 Nov,
near Prestwick on 15 Nov, and Baron’s Haugh on 4 Dec; while Dumf & Gall had 6 at L Connell
on 9 Aug, and up to 4 in the Priestside-Dumfries area in Dec.
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Much the usual pattern of records gave 12 on the main islands
of Shetland during Jan-Apr and c22 in Oct, while Fair Isle had 10 on 6, 12, and 13 Oct, with 15
on 20 Oct; 9 on North Ronaldsay, Orkney in Oct; 1 on the Isle of May, Fife on 5 May; Central
Kinneil held 11 on 10 Dec; Lothian had 3 at Tailend Moss on 26 Feb and mid-late Dec; Strathclyde
had 13 at Paisley Moss on 14 Jan, 8 on Blantyre Muir on 2 Apr, and 8 there again on 15 Oct.
Autumn arrival was from 13 Sep, but an unseasonal bird appeared at Culbin Bar, Grampian from
13-25 Aug.
Snipe Gallinago gallinago Strathclyde estimated minimum of 1200 breeding prs on Tiree.
Counts/passage: Shetland had a strong autumn passage with 120 on Fair Isle on 2 Sep, 150 at Hillwell
on 25 Oct, 150 at Norwick on 27 Oct; Orkney 299 on North Ronaldsay on 25 Oct; Strathclyde
200+ at Ayr on 16 Oct.
* Great Snipe Gallinago media Shetland 1 on Whalsay on 2 Sep (BM), and 1 on Skerries on 10-11
Sep (ET et al).
* Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Shetland juv on Fetlar on 18 Oct, also at
Baltasound on 6 Dec into 1989 (PME, RM, MGP et al); Strathclyde adult near Irvine from 26-31
Aug (GM, PMcE, BO et al).
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Counts/passage: Shetland the spring passage peak ran from 21-30
Mar with 15 at 2 locations on 24 Mar, the main return movement being in mid-late Oct when Fair
Isle had 200 on 25 Oct; Orkney 23 on N Ronaldsay on 22 Oct; Fife 24 arrived on the Isle of May
between 19 and 21 Oct while Fife Ness had 8 on 21 Oct; Borders 6 at St Abbs on 20 Oct.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Breeding: Shetland 1 pair reared 2 young at usual site; Tayside
prs at 2 sites but no evidence of nesting. Counts/passage: Orkney 22 at Harray on 30 Aug; Highland
19 at Longman on 2 Oct; Grampian the :-Ythan peak was 10 on 24 Apr; Tayside 8 at Strathearn
on 27 Jul; Fife the Eden estuary peak was 155 on 4 Dec; Central 30 on the Forth estuary on 8
Sep; Strathclyde over 55 birds in Inner Clyde area from 5 Jul, peaks including 9 at Gartocharn.
on 24 Jul, 9 at West Ferry on 28 Aug, and 12 at L Indaal, Islay from 21 Aug-8 Sep; Dumf & Gall
84 at Caerlaverock on 18-19 Apr.
* Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica Grampian | at Slains on 26 Sep (RD, JC) was the first
for Scotland.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Counts/passage: Highland/Grampian 1300 at Fort George
on 17 Jan, 1350 at Nairn-Culbin Bars in Mar; Tayside 1500 in the outer Tay in Oct; Fife 1500
at Tayport on 16 Jan; Lothian the Aberlady peak was 2070 on 20 Feb.
PAS)
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Breeding: Shetland had a better season that 1987; Orkney had 9-10
prs breeding or attempting. Passage figures included: Shetland 1 wintering into 1989 at Baltasound
may have been injured; Orkney 27 at Finstown on 19 Aug; Highland 16 at L of Mey on 20 Apr,
21 at Dunnet Links on 30 Aug, and the last 1 was at Moss of Mey on 22 Oct; Grampian had an
early arrival of 7N at Girdleness on 16 Mar, followed by good autumn figures of 47 at Culbin
Bar on 9 Aug, 60 at Auchleuch on 26 Aug, and 44 at Hopeman on 9 Sep; Fife had 28S at Tayport
on 24 Aug; Lothian Tyninghame had an early bird on 27 Feb, with 60 there on 30 Jul, and a late
bird at Aberlady on 23 Nov; Strathclyde’s earliest was 1 on Arran on 1 Apr, while high numbers
delayed by adverse weather on Islay included 63 at L Gorm on 5 May and 117 between L Gorm
and L Gruinart on 18 May; Dumf & Gall had an early bird at Caerlaverock on 28 Mar, and 42
at L Ryan on 24 Jul.
Curlew Numenius arquata Counts/passage: Orkney high counts included 2000 on St Ola on 5 Jan,
3000 on 20 Feb, and 2000 on 24 Aug; Grampian 1107 between Strathbeg and Rosehearty on 2 Feb;
Tayside 1000 at Montrose Basin on 4 Aug; Central 953 in Forth estuary on 15 Feb; Strathclyde
700 at Bogside on 2 Aug, 1256 at Libberton on 6 Aug, 1362 at The Meetings on 28 Aug, and 701
at L Indaal, Islay on 13 Sep; Dumf & Gall 1470 at Caerlaverock on 28 Sep, and 1214 in Wigtown
Bay on 24 Jan.
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Winter-spring: Shetland 1 on Whalsay from 13-15 May; Orkney
1 at L of Stenness from 1 Jan-6 May; Highland | at Tarradale from 22 Feb-6 Mar, 1 at Munlochy
Bay from 13-27 Mar; Grampian had 5 birds between 26 Mar and 15 May; Fife 2 at Tayport on
20 Mar, i on the Isle of May on 16 Jun, and 1 on the Eden estuary from Mar-end Dec; Lothian
1 at Aberlady on 16 Apr. Autumn summary:
end-Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Shetland-Highland 2 1 20 32 6
Grampian-Fife 7 11 25 4 o4 1
Central-Borders 94 12 23 2 1
Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall 6 18
Redshank Tringa totanus Breeding: numbers continue low in Dumf & Gall. Counts/passage:
Highiand 808 at Nigg Bay on 17 Jan, 980 at Longman on 7 Feb; Grampian 2000 in Findhorn Bay
on 28 Aug, and 1266 on the Ythan on 11 Sep; Tayside 1000 at Montrose Basin on 5 Aug; Fife
1345 at the Eden estuary on 11 Aug; Central 3064 on the Forth estuary on 8 Sep; Lothian 619
at Tyninghame on 27 Aug; Strathclyde 500 at Bogside on 11 Sep.
Greenshank Tringa nebularia Breeding: Shetland c5 prs nested; Highland birds present at 6 potential
breeding sites in Caithness District; Tayside recorded at 3 locations. Counts/passage: Shetland a
late bird was at Whiteness from 2-8 Nov; Orkney 14 on N Ronaldsay on 19 Aug; Grampian peaks
were 16 in Findhorn Bay on 11 Aug, and 14 on the Ythan on 11 Sep; Tayside 20 at Montrose Basin
on 23 Aug; Fife 15 at the Eden estuary on 28 Oct; Lothian 18 at Tyninghame on 30 Jul; Strathclyde
peaks included 18SW over Lochwinnoch on 2 Sep, and 16 at Langbank on 16 Sep; Dumf & Gall
20 at Caerlaverock on 22 Oct. Wintering birds: Highland had 12 in Jan/Mar, 7 in Nov/Dec;
Grampian had 8 in Jan, and 4 in Dec; Tayside had singles in Feb and Nov; Fife had 1 in Jan,
and 2 in Dec; Central had singles in Jan and Dec; Lothian had 4 in Jan/Mar, and 7 in Nov/Dec;
Strathclyde had 17 in Jan/Feb, and 15 in Nov/Dec; Dumf & Gall had 6 in Jan.
Green Sandpiper 7ringa ochropus Winter-spring: Shetland had at least 23 birds between 19 Apr
and 27 May, with 10 on Fair Isle on 20 Apr; Orkney up to 6 birds between 21 Apr and 23 May;
Grampian unusual records included 2 at Fintray on 31 Jan, and 1 in Findhorn Bay on 20 Feb,
5 spring singles followed between 4 Apr and 22 May; Strathclyde a wintering bird was at Croftamie
from 10 Jan-23 Feb, 2 singles were seen between 24 Apr-7 May; Dumf & Gall 1 at Dumfries on
5 Jan and 27 Feb. A good autumn passage, spanning the dates from 20 Jun-29 Oct involved about
206 birds, with cSO in Shetland, c25 in Orkney, 2 in West Isles, 11 in Highland, 27 in Grampian,
7 in Tayside, 8 in Fife, 2 in Central, 30 in Lothian, 6 in Borders, 26+ in Strathclyde, and 12 in
Dumf & Gall. Winter: Lothian 1 at Threipmuir on 27 Nov; Strathclyde had singles at Baron’s Haugh
on 6-7 Nov, and Howwood on 11 Dec; Dumf & Gall up to 4 at Dumfries on 9 Nov dropped to '
1 by 14 Dec.
Wood Sandpiper 7ringa glareola Breeding: Highland prs present at 3 sites — bred at one and probably
bred at another. Passage birds: Shetland an excellent year with up to 18 birds between 29 Apr and
12 Jun, in autumn up to 17 birds between 6 Jul and 12 Sep; Orkney singles at Harray on 25 May
26
and Holm on 28 May were followed by up to 18 records between 8 Aug and 20 Sep, and an
exceptionally late bird at Finstown on 23 Dec; West Isles 1 on South Uist on 4 Sep; Grampian
2 at Rashierieve on 9 May, | at Rigifa on 17 May, another on 17 Jul, and 1 at Peterhead on 9
Aug; Tayside 1 at Kinnaber on 23 Apr, and singles at Montrose on 11 Jul and 28 Aug; Fife 1 at
Collessie on 8 Sep; Lothian up to 6 birds at Aberlady from 2-29 May; Borders 1 on the Eye Water
on 7 Sep; Strathclyde had 2 in May, and 6 between 3 Aug and 21 Sep.
Common Sandpiper Lendalfoot June 1988 A. Hogg
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Breeding: Orkney up to 9 prs located; Strathclyde 44 prs
were recorded from the Glen Falloch catchment area, and 59 prs from 15 sites in Ayrshire. An
unusual winter record came from Dumf & Gall where 1 was seen at Kirkcudbright on 3 Feb, while
1 at Almondell, Lothian on 19 Feb may also have been overwintered in Scotland. Counts/passage:
spring arrival was generally from early Apr - in Shetland Fair Isle had a strong passage from 2-13
Sep, with 40 on 2 Sep, the last bird was noted at Grutness on 31 Oct; Tayside 1 in Glenlyon on
6 Apr, 43 at Kinnaber on 22 Jul, and the last 1 at Carsebreck on 9 Oct; Fife 4 at the Eden estuary
on 20 Oct; Lothian a late bird was at Skateraw on 21 Oct; Borders had late singles at St Abbs_
and Burnmouth on 23 Oct; Strathclyde 1 at Linwood on i Apr, 24 at Bogside on 11 Jul. Late singles:
Strathclyde 1 at Balgray Res from 30 Oct-13 Nov; in Grampian | remained on the Dee till 23 Nov.
Turnstone Arenaria interpres Counts: Shetland Fair Isle peaks included 220 on 2 Apr, with 260
on 15 Nov; Orkney Sanday peak was 2591 on 12-15 May; Grampian 541 between Rosehearty and
Fraserburgh on 20 Feb; Lothian 600 from Gullane-Tyninghame in Feb and 400 at Musselburgh
on 4, and 6 May.
* Wilson’s Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor Shetland 1 at Hillwell on 23-24 Sep (PRF et al), and
a juv at Norwick from 10-19 Oct (JHB et al).
7 il
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Breeding: Shetland arrival on Fetlar on 21 May, between
13 and 14 broods were located, 2 prs nested at another site, and another 2 prs frequented another
area but did not breed, the last juvs were present on 10 Aug; no breeding recorded on West Isles;
Strathclyde 3 birds were present at one site from 27 May-7 Jun, with 2 on 19-20 Jun, but breeding
not proven. Passage: Orkney 1 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Jul; West Isles 1 on St Kilda on 31 May;
Dumf & Gall 1 at L Ken on 23 Jun, and another near Corsewall Pt from 2-7 Nov.
* Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Shetland 1 at Grutness on 13 Sep; Orkney singles on N
Ronaldsay on 18-19 Sep, and at Dam of Hoxa on 25 Nov; West Isles 1 on South Uist on 23 Sep;
Highland 1 off Sandside Head on 31 Jan; Grampian 1 at Fraserburgh on 4 Dec; Borders | Mire
L, St Abbs on 3 Apr; Dumf & Gall 1 at Glencaple on 8 Sep.
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus Spring: Shetland 2 on Fair Isle crossing on 6 May, | off
West Yell on 18 May, and 4N at Watsness on 19 May; West Isles a poor passage off Balranald
produced only 18 birds between 9-26 May; Strathclyde a few flocks on Tobermory-Coll crossing
totalled 140 on 12 May. Autumn passage; Shetland c95 birds recorded between 19 Aug and 7 Dec
with the peak being 27 past Sumburgh Head on 20 Sep; Orkney N Ronaldsay’s peak count was
14 on 19 Sep, with 2 late singles off Stronsay between 21 Nov-1 Dec; Highland had 49 between
11 Aug and 3 Dec with peaks of 8 at North Kessock on 19 Sep and 7 in Dunnet Bay on 7 Oct;
Grampian 87 birds were recorded between 21 Aug and 4 Dec, and the biggest passage occurred
on 24 Aug with 27 off Aberdeen beach; Tayside 40 birds between 24 Jul and 19 Nov; Fife 96 birds
recorded between 23 Jul and 10 Dec, the biggest passage being of 33 at Fife Ness on 23 Sep; Central
5 at Skinflats on 13 Nov; Lothian passage lasted from 4 Aug-4 Dec with peaks of 36 at Hound
Pt on 22 Sep, 35 on 12 Oct, and 32W at. Aberlady on 29 Sep; Borders had 5 birds between 16 Aug
and 4 Oct; Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall 3 in the Sound of Mull on 24 Sep, while there was another
good autumn in Ayrshire, with up to 12 birds between 3 Sep and 13 Nov, but only 1 at Corsewall
Pt on 3 Sep.
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Breeding: Shetland a disastrous year with only 6 young reared
from 97 prs attempting, on Fair Isle the breeding population stood at 78 prs with an estimated
1.4 chicks fledged/nest; Orkney 224-225 prs located with Ist fledged young on 10 Jul; Highland
18-22 pairs were located at 9 sites in Caithness District. Migration: Shetland seen from 4 Apr on
Fair Isle; Grampian 78S at Peterhead on 15 Aug was the highest daily figure, the last bird being
off Girdleness on 2 Dec; Tayside 53S at Arbroath on 1 Oct; Fife 136 at Inverkeithing on 12 Oct,
and a late bird at Fife Ness on 10 Dec; Lothian peak was 36 at Hound Pt on 1 Sep; Borders 30S
past St Abbs on 21 Aug; Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall had low passage numbers.
Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus After a poor spring passage, a very heavy autumn passage
ensued with the monthly peaks and noteworthy counts shown below. Shetland an unprecedented
influx in autumn with c106 individuals in Sep, the heaviest passage being on 20 Sep when 29 were
recorded, another 5 were seen on 1-2 Oct; Orkney 1 on N Ronaldsay on 1 Jun and 25 Jul, then
a huge passage of cl63 birds during Sep, the maxima occurring on 18-19 Sep when 63 and 71
respectively; West Isles only 9 off Balranald between 8-18 May; Highland 15 birds were recorded
at North Kessock/Tarradale/Chanonry between 19 Sep and 9 Oct; Grampian about 48 birds appeared
between 13 Sep and 9 Oct, the largest group being a flock of 32 seen off Aberdeen on 23 Sep;
Tayside had 9 between 20 Sep and 16 Oct; Fife had 4 between 25 Sep and 12 Oct; Lothian at least
63 recorded, with 51 at Hound Pt between 14 Sep and 28 Oct; Borders had 3 between 31 Aug and
15 Sep; Strathclyde 2S at Turnberry Pt on 9 Oct; Dumf & Gall an adult found dead at Dornells
L on 6 Oct would suggest that many birds seen flying W at Hound Pt tried to fly overland.
Jul Aug Sep Oct
Shetland-Highland 1 284 6
Grampian-Fife 44 17
Central-Borders 1 24 41
Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall 3
Great Skua Stercorarius skua Breeding: Shetland 392 prs on Noss showed a 1% increase since 1983,
but a very poor breeding season throughout, Fair Isle’s population was estimated at 78 prs; Orkney
up to 280 prs located; Highland 4 prs were found at 2 sites in Caithness District. Winter: Lothian
6 records of Jan birds included 2 at Musselburgh on 13 Jan. Migration: Shetland arrival at Toab |
on 19 Mar, last 1 at Baltasound on 9 Nov; Orkney passage spanned 26 Mar-21 Oct; Highland 112N
in 1 hr at Wick on 21 Aug; Grampian a late bird was at Fraserburgh on 4 Dec; Fife 124 at
Inverkeithing on 12 Oct, and a late bird at Fife Ness on 6 Dec; Lethian 46 at Hound Pt on 12
Oct was the peak count; Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall low numbers in the SW, the peak being 8S at
Corsewall Pt on 3 Sep.
28
* Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus Highland adult at Avoch on 18 Dec; Grampian adult
at Girdleness and Donmouth during Jan-Mar, also a 2nd winter at Girdleness on 21 Mar, and a
2nd summer at Kemnay on 24 Apr, an adult summered in the area, and another at Girdleness on
20 Nov; Fife 2nd summer at Leven on 19 Mar; Lothian 2nd winter at Cramond on 17 Mar, an
adult there on 23 Mar, a 2nd summer at Musselburgh from 6-15 Apr, and an adult at Seafield
on 2 Oct; Strathclyde 2nd winter at Doonfoot on 21-22 Feb, and a 2nd summer/winter at Stevenston
on 22-23 Sep.
Little Gull Larus minutus Summary of records:
Jone Me Ae Mic 0 Ax Si O2. .NexD
Shetland-Highland 2 2 Rhee os | Die, Dual
Grampian-Fife 5 28 44274 1 18 5 6 4393 3270
Central-Borders 2 6 1
Strathclyde/D&G Z ee 30 4 LVN es 1
Peaks: Tayside the main concentrations were at Balmossie with 250 on 10 Apr, and 270 on 27 Dec,
also 388 flew W in 5 hrs at Arbroath on 11 Oct; Fife the Kilconquhar L peak was only 12 on 21 Aug.
* Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini A good year with most in the usual autumn period; Shetland 1 off
Whalsay on 23 Sep; Orkney 1 off N Ronaldsay on 25 Sep; West Isles 5 in the Minch on 30 Aug;
Highland 1 between Ascribs and L Snizort on 5 Sep, 1 at Chanonry from 23-28 Sep; Lothian singles
at Hound Pt on 26 Aug, and Aberlady on 4-5 Sep; Strathclyde adult S at Turnberry Pt on 7 Oct,
2 juvs S there on 9 Oct.
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Breeding: Highland 765 prs were recorded; Grampian a dreadful
year at Forvie where 573 prs reared only 2 chicks; Tayside 6841 prs at L of Kinnordy and 1250
prs recorded at 8 other sites; Lothian 1530 prs at Bavelaw, and 1535 prs recorded at 9 other sites;
Borders 1200 prs at West Water; Strathclyde 1442 prs were counted at 2 Renfrewshire sites; Dumf
& Gall 1000 prs at L of Urr. Counts: Highland 2200 at L Garten on 10 Apr; Grampian Inverugie
held 2000 on 23 Jan; Tayside 2500 at Drummond Pond on 27 Feb; Central 3650 at Alva in Dec;
Lothian 9000 at Musselburgh on 11 Feb; Borders 4750 at Hule Moss on 17 Feb; Strathclyde 20,750
were counted in the Inner Clyde during mid-Feb, and 11,600 roosted on Strathclyde Country Park
on 30 Oct.
* Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Orkney Ist winter at Stromness on 3 Jan, and again from
4-28 Feb, also possibly present till mid-Mar; Strathclyde adult at Doonfoot from 19 Feb-12 Mar,
and 3 adults at Lussa Bay, Jura on 24 Feb.
Common Gull Larus canus Breeding: Orkney 836 prs were recorded; Highland a census revealed
7500 prs in the Mortlach gulleries, with another 1000 present in unsurveyed areas; Grampian 15,000
prs in the Coreen Hills; Strathclyde 157 nests on Arran, and 250 prs at L Thom. Counts: Orkney
10,000 at the Head of Work on 1-2 Feb; Grampian 20,000 on the Ythan on 10 Sep; Lothian 10,000
at Musselburgh on 6 Apr; Strathclyde 13,000 at the Meetings-Covington on 10 Jan.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Breeding: Orkney had 101 prs recorded; Tayside 1200 nests
at one site; Fife estimated 570 prs on the Isle of May; Lothian c552 prs on Forth islands; Strathclyde
15 colonies of roof-top nesters held 510 prs in Inner Clyde area. Counts/passage: West Isles 2 in
North Ford on 30 Jan was unusual; Strathclyde 315 in Strathclyde Country Park on 23 Jan, 2000
there on 30 Oct. Other races: L f fuscus up to 12 birds were recorded between Mar and Oct in
Orkney, Highland, and Strathclyde. L f intermedius: 9 birds were recorded from Jan-Jun in
Grampian, Fife and Lothian.
Herring Gull Larus argentatus Breeding: Highland a big increase again on Canna to 1525 prs; Fife
1700 prs on the Isle of May; Borders 722 prs at St Abbs is an increase from 1987. Counts: Shetland
5000 on Fair Isle on 9 Nov; Highland 1800 at Kinloss in Apr; Tayside 7000 at Arbroath on 13
Jan; Fife 3000 at Collessie on 6 Jan; Central 16,700 at Skinflats on 13 Nov; Strathclyde 7900 at
Strathclyde Country Park on 31 Jan, 6000 between Ayr and Prestwick on 18 Mar.
29
Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides Very scarce in the South, with a general drop in numbers. Summary
of year’s records:
J’ FIOM AM A Ss OND
Shetland-Highland 15 °°44.*33-" 15" S."' Oo 3 7 A lal fess bi |
Grampian-Fife Kannan sent | 1 1
Central-Borders 4 5
Strathclyde/D&G 63) PPh Br! 1 1
Vipjy, i
Kumlien’s Gull Banff 7 a §.M.D. Alexander
Kumlien’s L g kumlieni: Grampian the Banff adult was again present between | Jan and 5 Apr,
and from 27 Dec to the end of the year (GA, GMC, JSN, JGS et al).
Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus Like the previous species, it was scarcer in the South. Summary
of year’s records:
JF. Ms rA MP 325 VA aes O EN D
Shetland-Highland 33. 33: 27- 26 14 °4 23 +479 33-51-11
Grampian-Fife 44 8 2 Repo Vie) bes ea) ene |
Central-Borders SSS ES Size 5
Strathclyde/D&G 86a FS) he Ale Eee 2 ee
Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrids: Shetland 1 at Scatness on 14 Apr, and 1 on Fetlar on 15 aay
Tayside 1 at Arbroath on 13 Nov.
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Breeding: Shetland 84 prs on Noss; Orkney 100 prs were
recorded; Fife 3 prs on the Isle of May.
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Breeding: Shetland had a disastrous season due to food shortage, with
only those pairs nesting in North-western colonies faring marginally better, on Fair Isle a complete
count revealed 19,340 occupied nests, but fledging success was low; Orkney an increase of 6.5%
was found at monitored sites; Fife 7638 nests (highest ever number) on Isle of May; Borders 16,200
nests at St Abbs is another increase. Counts/passage: Grampian 9600N at Peterhead on 30 Sep.
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Breeding: Orkney 136 prs were recorded; Grampian 664 prs
attempted at Forvie, rearing only 0.4 young/pair, while at Strathbeg 404 prs reared 0.7 young/pair;
Lothian 383 nests were counted on Inchmickery. Counts/passage: Shetland 4 records, with 1 on
14 Oct being the latest ever recorded there; Orkney a late bird was off Stronsay on 6 Dec; Highland
380 at Culbin Bar on 9 Aug; Strathclyde 1N at Saltcoats on 21 Mar.
30
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii Breeding: Lothian 21 nests were found on Inchmickery.
Counts/passage: Shetland | on Fair Isle on 12 May; Orkney 1 on N Ronaldsay on 22 May.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Breeding: Shetland another poor season with few fledged young,
similarly 59 pairs on Fair Isle experienced almost complete failure with only 2 young fledging;
Grampian 155 reared 0.56 young/pair; Fife c50 nests on Isle of May had low hatching success;
Lothian 157 pairs at 2 sites; Strathclyde 87-100 pairs at Hunterston; Dumf & Gall 25 pairs at
L Ryan. Counts/passage: Grampian 1 at Donmouth on 20 Mar; Tayside had a late bird on 16
Oct; Strathclyde had its last bird on Islay on 1 Nov.
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Breeding: Shetland another disastrous season, and an increase to
345 prs on Fair Isle saw only 1 young fledged; Orkney 6500 prs nested; Grampian 75 prs reared
c0.48 young/pair; Lothian 81 prs at 2 coastal sites; Strathclyde 25 prs at 2 sites in Ayrshire; Dumf
& Gall 35 prs at L Ryan. Counts/passage: Shetland 1 at Grutness on 5 Oct; Highland 300 at Findhorn
on 13 Aug; Grampian 1 at Forvie on 23 Apr; Fife last one at Inverkeithing on 6 Nov.
Little Tern Sterna albifrons Breeding: Grampian 33 prs at St Cyrus reared c9 young, 12 prs at Forvie
reared 9 young; Tayside 21 prs at Barry Buddon, 11 prs at Elliot; Lothian 24 prs at 2 sites.
Counts/passage: Lothian first one at Musselburgh on 18 Apr; Strathclyde and Dumf & Gall had
singles on Islay and in Wigtown Bay on 11 Oct.
Black Tern Chlidonias niger Summary of year’s records: —
Mex Inds vAY oS: O
Shetland/Highland 4 ST 22
Grampian-Fife 1 10
Central-Borders Dik
Strathclyde/D&G 1 Sie
* White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Orkney 1st summer bird at L of Tankerness
on 16-17 Jun (ERM et al).
Guillemot Uria aalge Breeding: Shetland monitoring at breeding colonies showed a slight decrese
in numbers from 1987, with Troswick Ness worst hit (decreased by 12%), on Fair Isle monitored
breeding sites returned 0.79 chicks/nest; Orkney monitored sites showed a 3.8% decrease from
1987; Fife cl1,220 prs on Isle of May (decrease of 460 prs from 1987); Borders 27,928 were counted
at St Abbs. Counts: Grampian 6400N in 1 hour at Peterhead on 21 Feb; Central 300 at Kincardine
Bridge on 19 Nov.
* Brunnich’s Guillemot Uria Jomvia Highland adult c' found dead at Dunnet on 9 Mar (EWEM,
JMW).
Brunnich’s Guillemot Dunnet Mar 1988 E.W.E. Maughan
31
Razorbill A/ca torda Breeding: Shetland Sumburgh monitoring showed a 18% decline in numbers,
censusing on Fair Isle revealed total of 5114 in late Apr and 3053 in Jun; Fife c2000 prs on Isle
of May; Borders 1502 birds were counted at St Abbs Head.
Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle Breeding: Shetland 1005 adults were counted, while Fair Isle’s
productivity at monitored sites was 0.57 chicks/nest; Orkney had a poor season. Elsewhere: only
5 records from Lothian.
Little Auk A/le Alle Shetiand low numbers in early part of year, a summer-plumaged bird appeared
in Yell Sound on 31 May, and off Ramna Stacks on 17 Jul, 403N in 2 hrs at Boddam on 27 Nov,
and 104S in 1 hour off Sumburgh Head on 30 Nov; Orkney also had low numbers with 10 seen
in Jan; Grampian 15 at Peterhead on 10 Nov, then 43 in 2 hrs at Girdleness on 1 Dec, and 39
there on 2 Dec; Lothian 92E in 2 hrs at Gullane Point on 26 Jan, and 81N in 1 hour at Barns
Ness on 20 Nov; Strathclyde a small wreck of c24 birds on the Ayrshire coast between 9 Feb and
5 Mar.
Puffin Fratercula arctica Breeding: Shetland Noss census produced 1694 nests with poor success,
Fair Isle’s breeding success at monitored sites was 0.75 chicks/nest; Fife a slight decrease was suggested
on Isle of May. Elsewhere: 1 on L Lomond, Strathclyde on 13-16 Jul was unexpected.
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Columba livia Counts: Shetland 309 at Twatt on 11 Jun; Orkney 400
at Hall of Clestrain on 10 Dec; Highland 500-600 at Sandside Farm on 17 Jan.
Stock Dove Columba oenas Counts: Shetland had 8 records in its best ever year; Orkney 1 on N
Ronaldsay on. 4-6 Apr was the first since 1913.
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Counts: Highland 5000-6000 at Duffus, and 2200 at L Loy on
24 Dec; Grampian 2000 at Udny on 2 Mar; Tayside 2500 at Airntully on 28 Oct; Central 2000 at
Menstrie on 22 Dec.
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Counts/passage: Orkney 35 at Crantit on 14 Oct; Highland
41 at Keith on 19 Feb; Strathclyde 287 at Cumbernauld on 10 Aug.
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Breeding: Borders a pair probably bred at Reston. Migrants: Shetland
1 on Fair Isle on 5-6 May, and another on 12 May, then 1-5 daily from 22 May-4 Jun and 15 more
elsewhere during May-Jun, 5 in Jul, and cl15 between 26 Aug and 22 Oct; Orkney recorded from
11 May-5 Oct with 11 birds involved; West Isles singles on St Kilda on 24 May, Lewis on 28 May
and Monachs on 8 Jul; Highland singles at Refaithey on 3 May, on Rhum from 7-14 May, at
Mosstodloch on 17 May, on Eigg from 31 May-2 Jun, with 2 there on 3 Jun, at L Eye on 11 Sep,
Strathy Point from 7-17 Oct, and Thrumster on 22 Oct; Grampian | at Strathbeg on 30 May; Tayside
singles at Arbroath on 2 May, Cortachy on 15 May, Bonnytown on 21 Sep, and Montrose on 30
Oct; Fife 1 at Glenrothes on 21 Apr, 1 on Isle of May on 12 May, with 5 from late May-mid-Jun;
Lothian 1 at Barns Ness on 26-27 Oct; Dumf & Gall a juvenile at Laurieston on 8 Sep.
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Counts/passage: Shetland 2 early birds on Fair Isle on 20 Apr, last one
on Whalsay on 8 Sep; Orkney | on 28 Apr, with the latest record on 9 Sep; Highland 1 at Drynachan
on 27 Apr; Grampian Ist record on 23 Apr, and a very late bird at Auchleudy on 3 Oct; Strathclyde
1 at Dippen, Arran on 5 Apr; Dumf & Gall Ist bird of the year was at Dalry on 21 Apr.
Barn Owl Tyto alba Breeding: Tayside a pair bred in the Dunning area, but remains scarce in the
Region; Fife a pair bred, but also scarce in the Region; Lothian 26 sites reported; Borders minimum
59 sites reported; Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall good numbers bred due to peak in vole cycle. Elsewhere:
Grampian only 3 scattered records during year.
* Snowy Owl Nyctea scandiaca Shetland 3 birds, all 44 , recorded at usual places during the year,
one 9 laid 4 infertile eggs; Orkney a 9 on Evie on 7 May, and perhaps same on Birsay during
the second half of May @ ; Grampian co on Bennachie from 27 Apr-2 May (KDS, et al).
* Little Owl Athene noctua Lothian a single bird was present at the usual site during Jan-Feb and
Sep, Nov; Borders 2 singles noted in Apr and Jul; Dumf & Gall pair bred in usual area.
Tawny Owl Strix aluco Breeding: no significant change in numbers noted.
32
Long-eared Owl Asio otus Breeding: small numbers recorded in Highland/Grampian/Tayside/
Lothian reflects how elusive this species can be; Borders a minimum of 62 territories was recorded;
Strathclyde 20 prs were reported from Inner Clyde area. Counts/passage: Shetland had 4 in spring
period, but 23 during 17-29 Oct; Orkney Berstane Wood held 7 in Jan; Grampian 4 reported in
Region during 13-29 Oct; Fife singles on Isle of May from 25-30 Sep, 16 Oct, 2 on 21 Oct.
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Breeding: Orkney c21 prs were recorded; Borders and Strathclyde
both reported a good season. Counts/passage: Shetland 5 roosting at Spiggie on 21 Mar was
exceptional, 20 recorded in autumn, with a further 1-5 on Fair Isle during Oct; Fife 6 on Isle of
May on 1 Nov.
* Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Breeding: Strathclyde only 1 pair reported from Arran; Dumf
& Gall 3 churring birds in New Abbey area, and 2 at New Galloway. Elsewhere: Shetland had singles
on Whalsay on 2 Jun, and Ollaberry on 1-2 Aug.
* Needle-tailed Swift Hirundapus caudacutus Orkney 1 on Hoy from 28 May-8 Jun (KF, ST et al).
Swift Apus apus Counts/passage: Shetland had late singles on Fair Isle on 6 Oct, and Trondra
on 13 Oct; Highland a very late bird was at Inverness on 31 Oct; Grampian Ist record was at Rattray
on 2 May; Strathclyde Ist bird of the year was at Irvine on 22 Apr.
* Alpine Swift Apus melba Orkney 1 on N Ronaldsay on 12 Aug (PJD et al).
Kingfisher A/cedo atthis Breeding: generally the species seems to be extending its range northwards
again after a run of mild winters — Grampian possible breeding was reported from | site; Tayside
a pair probably bred near Blairgowrie. Others: Shetland 1 at Strand on 13 Aug; Highland 1 at
Portknockie harbour on 15 Oct; Grampian singles at Aboyne on 17 Feb, and Forglen on 28 Mar.
= Hoopoe Upupa epops Shetland best year since 1973 with singles at Quendale on 20-21 Apr, on
Fair Isle on 13 May, at Exnaboe on 18-19 May, and 12 individuals in autumn, with the last being
on 3 Nov; Orkney had 2 singles between 14 and 22 May, and another 2 singles between 22 and
29 Oct; West Isles 1 on Lewis on 8 May; Highland singles at Thrumster on 6 May, Whitebridge
on 8-9 May, at Achnalochy on 3 Oct, Dalchuly on 8-9 Oct, Crathie on 11 Oct, Dunnet Forest from
15-24 Oct, Tarvie on 20 Oct, and Insh marshes on 29 Oct; Grampian 1 at Dunecht on 7 Jun; Tayside
1 at Lunan Bay from 14-16 Oct; Lothian 1 at West Barns from 24-28 Oct.
Wryneck Jynx torquilla Breeding: Highland a pair nested; Grampian 2 Gc’ were heard calling
within 2 mile of each other at one site in Jun. Passage: Shetland had a good year with the Ist
on Fair Isle on 27 Apr, and a max of 6 on 15 May, elsewhere another 10 were reported from the
main islands between 9 May and 9 Jun, Fair Isle’s autumn maximum was 12 on 2 Sep, while the
main islands had 9 on 2 Sep, 11 on 3 Sep, and another 8 till 11 Sep; Orkney had 3 in spring and
55 in autumn, including 30 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep; West Isles 3 on St Kilda on 3 Sep, one killed
by a Kestrel; Highland singles on Eigg on 10 Oct, and at Thrumster on 13 Oct; Grampian singles
at Inverugie on 1 May, and Cruden Bay on 2 Sep; Tayside 1 at Fishtown of Usan on 2-4 May;
Fife singles on Isle of May from 29 Apr-2 May, and 4 May, and at Fife Ness on 13 May; Central
1 at Alva on 10 Oct; Lothian | at Tyninghame on 3 Sep; Borders singles at St Abbs on 17-18 May,
and from 22-30 Oct.
Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Breeding: Highland recorded at 9 localities; Grampian the species
was recorded at 12 sites in the Region; Lothian a total of 45 sites were identified; Borders a slight
drop in numbers may possibly have occurred with 22 territories recorded.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Passage birds: Shetland had at least 35 individuals
between 2 Sep and 26 Oct; Fife 1 on Isle of May on 11 Oct.
* Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Shetland singles on Fair Isle on 14 May (PMP, DS),
in autumn singles on Fair Isle from 23 Sep-18 Oct (DS et al), and 2-21 Oct (DPB et al), on Unst
from 4-7 Oct (MGP, MS), and 4-12 Oct (MGP), on Fair Isle from 5-12 Oct (NJR et al), at Sumburgh
from 26 Oct-5 Nov (MM et al), and another on Unst from 9-12 Nov (MGP et al).
* Woodlark Lullula arborea Shetland 4 individuals were recorded with singles at Compass Head
from 22 Oct-3 Nov, Toab on 28 Oct, Boddam from 28-31 Oct, and Unst on 12 Nov; Orkney 1
on N Ronaldsay on 27 Mar was the first since 1913.
33
Skylark A/auda arvensis Breeding: Shetland 92 prs were recorded on Fair Isle. Counts: Shetland
670 on Fair Isle on 26 Mar, and 700 on 21 Sep; Orkney 385 on N Ronaldsay on 27 Oct; Grampian
1000 at Alford on 6 Feb.
* Shore Lark Eremophila alpestris Another year with few records: Grampian | at Rattray on 2
Nov; Lothian 5-6 at Tyninghame from 1987 till 3 Mar.
Shore Lark Tyninghame 1988
Sand Martin Riparia riparia Breeding: the overall increase in numbers continues as the species regains
lost ground — Grampian 690 nest-holes at 2 sites; Tayside 1632 prs located at 18 sites.
Counts/passage: Shetland 1 at Sumburgh on 23 Oct was very late; Highland had 4 at L Flemington
on 10 Apr, and 400 at L Spynie on 25 Apr; Grampian latest record was one on 22 Oct; Strathclyde
first bird was at Bothwell on 19 Mar. 5
Swallow Hirundo rustica Breeding: Shetland breeding was attempted at 3 sites with 5S young reared
at Tingwall; Grampian first broods showed a good success rate. Counts/passage: Shetland highest
number on Fair Isle was 200 on 25 May; Highland had an early bird at Lossiemouth on 2 Apr,
and a very late bird there on 17 Nov; Grampian 2000 at Banchory roost on 12 Aug, 1 at St Combs
on 11 Nov; Fife had a very late bird at Largo Bay on 20 Nov; Lothian first bird was at Longniddry
on 27 Mar; Strathclyde 2 near Ayr on 16 Nov.
* Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Grampian | at Aberdeen on 17 Nov (BJS).
House Martin Delichon urbica Breeding: Orkney c9 prs bred. Counts/passage: Shetland had an
early bird on 19 Apr, and late records on 9 and 10 Nov, Fair Isle’s maximum was 80 on 25 May;
Highland | at Keith on 12 Apr; Tayside a late bird was at Montrose on 18 Nov; Strathclyde first
bird was at Stevenston on 3 Apr.
* Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Shetland had 12 records in another good year: singles
on Fair Isle from 2-17 Oct, at Grutness on 5 Oct, 2 on Fair Isle on 7 Oct, singles at West Voe
of Sumburgh on 9 Oct, Strand on 18 Oct, Skaw, Unst, and Baltasound on 19 Oct, Stenness and
Spiggie on 21 Oct, Virkie from 24 Oct-1 Nov, and Boddam on 3 Nov; Orkney singles on N Ronaldsay
on 24 Oct, and Stronsay on 14 Oct, with 2 there on 15 Oct; Highland 2 at Kingston on 17-18 Nov,
with 1 till 22 Nov, 1 on Eigg on 28 Nov; Tayside 1 at Arbroath on 22-23 Oct; Fife 1 at Fife Ness
from 3-6 Nov.
* Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewski Shetland 1 on Fair Isle from 13-22 Oct (per NJR) @ will be the
Ist British record this century, and the Ist record for Scotland if accepted by BBRC.
* Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Orkney 1 on Stronsay on 27-28 May; West Isles at Balranald
on 14 May; Highland 1 on Spey Bay Golf Course on 22 Aug.
34
* Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Another good year with 6 birds: Shetland 1 at Exnaboe
on 3 Jan (D&JC, RLH et al), singles on Fair Isle on 7 Oct (NJR et al), from 11-22 Oct (NJR,
AFC et al), and on 14 Oct (per PVH) @, at Helendale/Strand from 26-28 Oct (PME, FDH, PVH),
and Virkie on 30 Oct (DRB, PVH).
* Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi Shetland 1 on Fair Isle from 5-7 Oct (AJL, DMR, PGWS et al).
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Breeding: Lothian/Borders up to 48 singing Gc’ were recorded;
Strathclyde 115 territories were recorded in the Inner Clyde and Ayrshire parts of the Region; Dumf
& Gall had 31 territories at Wood of Cree. Counts/passage: Shetland Ist bird on 19 Apr, and Fair
Isle’s peak was 180 on 14 May, last 1 at Norwick on 26 Oct; West Isles 2 on St Kilda on 3 Sep;
Highland 1 at Little Dufftown on 9 Apr, Tayside first 1 at Kenmore on 1 Apr; Strathclyde c100
feeding in cut hay at Endrick Mouth on 28 Aug.
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Counts/passage: Shetland high counts included 350 on Foula on
16 Sep, and 800 on Fair Isle on 22 Sep; Orkney 700 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep; Fife 250 on Isle
of May on 6 Sep.
* Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Shetland singles at Baltasound, Unst on 22 May (MGP, IS),
and on Fair Isle on 2 Jun (PMP), in autumn singles at Quendale on 13-14 Oct (DRB, PVH et al),
at Hillswick on 21 Oct (CFM), and Virkie on 29 Oct (MM, DS).
Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus Breeding: Shetland 26 occupied territories were found on Noss.
Counts/passage: 10 Scandinavian littoralis race birds were at Rattray, Grampian 1 on May; and
another 9 birds were reported in Lothian between 16 Mar and 16 Apr.
* Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Tayside 1 at Broughty Ferry from 24 Dec into 1989.
Yellow Wastail Motacilla flava Breeding: Shetland a pair bred again at Quendale, with 2 juvs there
on 12 Jul; Borders 4 prs were recorded in Coldstream area; Strathclyde 8+ prs in Avondale.
Counts/passage flavissima or unspecified: Shetland had 12 between 1 and 26 May, in autumn 24
records mostly of singles between 31 Aug and 18 Oct, with singles of ‘‘eastern’’ race at Kergord
on 8 Oct, Norwick on 17 Oct, and Unst on 6 Nov; Orkney a late bird on N Ronaldsay on 23-24
Oct; Highland 1 at L Caise on 23 May, and an extremely late bird at Jemimaville on 3 Dec; Grampian
had 3 singles between 1 and 13 May; Tayside had singles on 4 May and 23 Aug; Fife singles on
Isle of May on 27-29 Apr, and 8 May; Lothian Ist bird at Skateraw on 21 Apr. Blue-headed flava:
Shetland had 5 between 16 May and 30 Jun; Grampian singles at Rattray on 15 and 22 May. Grey-
headed thunbergi: Shetland had at least 16 between 14 May and 30 Jun; Grampian 1 at Rattray
from 1-3 May.
* Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Shetland 1 on Fair Isle from 8-10 Sep (per PVH) ¢.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Breeding: West Isles a pair bred in Stornoway. Counts/passage:
Shetland 15 records was the best ever, with a late bird on Fetlar from 10 Nov-15 Dec; West Isles
2 on Benbecula in Oct.
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Roost counts/passage: Grampian 500 at Dyce airport in mid-Mar,
and 600 there in mid-Oct. White alba: Shetland 1 at Haroldswick on 3 Jan, on Fair Isle noted from
26 Mar-late Apr with a peak of 27 on 21 Apr; Highland 3 at Cummingston on 16 Apr; Fife 8 on
Isle of May on 1 Apr.
Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus The best autumn influx for many years, with large numbers staying
on in the South of Scotland into 1989. Summary of year’s records:
Joe Mae Ae ME fh eS. ONY" D
Shetland-Highland 390 969 124
Grampian-Fife 8 81 917 135
Central-Borders 54 1371 468
Strathclyde/D&G 10 2260 706
The largest groups were 235 at Inverkeithing, Fife on 28 Nov; 500 at Loanhead and 400 at Sighthill
Lothian between 21 and 29 Nov; c300 in Strathclyde Country Park Strathclyde on 30 Nov.
35
Dipper Cinclus cinclus Breeding: Central c80 prs were recorded in one monitored area. Black-bellied
cinclus: Shetland singles on Whalsay on 23 Oct, at Strand on 25 Oct, and Voe from 10 Nov-end Dec.
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Fair Isle fridariensis: 39 singing birds were found in census. Shetland
19 prs pred on Noss and Hermaness, and a good breeding season generally.
Dunnock Prunella modularis Passage: Shetland 6 wintering during the early part of 1988 at Toab
was unusual, seen on Fair Isle from 25 Mar-28 May, with a peak of 40 on 29 Apr.
Robin Erithacus rubecula Passage: Shetland recorded on Fair Isle from 23 Mar-8 Apr, and again
from 16 Apr-3 Jun, when numbers reached 70 on 22 Apr, the autumn peak was 80 on 26 Oct;
Fife peak numbers on Isle of May were reached between 11 and 21 Oct, with 1500 on 12 Oct.
* Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Shetland 1st summer C trapped on Fair Isle on 9 May stayed
till 13 May (PH, NJR et al), another from 14-21 May (PH, PMP, NJR et al), 1 trapped at Kergord
on 14 May (JND, IS), another at Voe on 14 May (MSC, AG) @; Orkney Ist summer on N Ronaldsay
on 26-27 May (PJD, AED et al).
* Nightingale /uscinia megarhynchos Shetland 1 at Quendale on 12 May, another on Fair Isle on
13-14 May; Highland 1 at L Spynie on 10 Aug; Fife 1 on Isle of May on 16-17 May.
* Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Shetland recorded between 7 May and 2 Jun with a big influx on
12-15 May providing at least 82 individuals, in autumn singles were recorded between 3 Sep and
28 Oct, with 4 on Fair Isle on 7 Oct; Orkney also had an influx from 13 May with 17 individuals
seen, 6 autumn singles from 2 Sep-21 Oct; West Isles 1 on South Uist on 10 Jun; Highland singles
at Noss from 13-20 May, and Staxigeo on 14 May, 2 at Noss on 19 May, and 1 there on 25 May;
Grampian singles at Girdleness on 11 May, Grandholme on 15 May, St Fergus on 15 May, and
Girdleness from 21-23 Oct; Tayside 3 at Fishtown of Usan on 15 May, | till 16 May; Fife singles
at Fife Ness on 13 May, and 15 May, on Isle of May recorded from 15-24 May with peak of 10
on 15-16 May, 1 there on 2 Jun, and another on 11 Oct; Borders 1 at Dowlaw on 16 May.
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Winter: Strathclyde 1 at Saltcoats from 5 Jan-21 Mar. Passage:
Shetland recorded from 22 Mar-3 Jun with 26 birds on main islands and at least 11 on Fair Isle,
in autumn recorded from 3 Sep-23 Nov with 6 on Fair Isle on 14 Oct; Orkney 14 birds between
26 Mar and 27 May, max in autumn was 6 on N Ronaldsay between 20 and 26 Oct; West Isles
1 at Balranald on 17 May; Highland 1 at Noss on 18 Oct; Grampian 4 at Girdleness on 23 Mar,
2 at Drums on 23 Mar, singles at Collieston on 19 Apr, Rattray on 30 Apr, 2 there on 2 May,
then a big autumn influx with singles at 14 sites between 20 and 27 Oct; Tayside 1 at Arbroath
on 3 May, influx between 14 and 22 Oct with 14 on coast, and 1 at Scotlandwell on 29 Oct; Fife
4 on Isle of May on 8 May, | there on 22 Jul, and 1-2 on 13-21 Oct; Lothian had 5 in spring and
10 in autumn.
Redstart phoenicurus phoenicurus Breeding: Central 39 nests produced 175 fledged young; Borders
61 sites held 120 territories; Strathclyde up to 49 territories recorded, mostly in South Ayrshire.
Passage: Shetland first bird on Fair Isle on 21 Apr, then a large influx from 12-15 May with 44
on main islands on 14 May, and SO on Fair Isle on 15 May, an autumn influx commenced on 2
Sep with 35 on Fair Isle, and 46 on main islands on 3 Sep; 3 singles appeared in Nov including
a very late bird at Sumburgh Head on 11 Nov; Orkney the spring peak was 7 on Stronsay on 14
May, and in autumn 47 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep; West Isles 1 on South Uist on 25 Apr; Grampian
1 in Glen Tanar on 24 Apr; Fife 1 on Isle of May on 1 Apr, 20 there on 3 May, and 12 on 12 Oct.
* Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus Fife a splendid Gon Isle of May on 29 Apr died on
30 Apr (per IMD). This is the first record of this Eastern migrant in Britain, and almost totally
unexpected.
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Breeding: Borders 20 sites held 44 territories. Passage: Shetland first
bird on Fair Isle on 21 Apr, a large influx starting on 13 May brought 56 to the main islands and
40 to Fair Isle on 15 May, in autumn peaks were reached between 3 and 5 Sep with 130 at 2 locations
on 3 Sep, 140 on Fair Isle on 4 Sep, last singles at Exnaboe on 5 Nov, and Haroldswick on 13
Nov; Orkney 135 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep; Grampian 2 at Girdleness on 23 Mar, and 2 at Drums
on 22 Oct; Tayside 1 at Easthaven on 29 Oct; Fife 20 on Isle of May on 8 Sep.
36
Daurian Redstart Isle of May Apr 1988 B. Zonfrillo
Stonechat Saxicola torquata Breeding: recovery of breeding population remains slow, especially
in some Southern regions, although more birds appeared along the East coast — Orkney c55 prs
bred; Highland only 2 ‘inland’ prs reported; Grampian single prs at 7 locations; Lothian a pair
bred in the Pentlands — first breeding record since 1984; Borders 2 prs were the first since 1981.
Passage: Shetland 7 spring and 4 autumn records, all of singles.
Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Breeding: Orkney c47 prs were recorded. Passage: Shetland first birds
on Hermaness and Fair Isle on 27 Mar, the spring peak on Fair Isle was 350 on 15 May, while
in autumn 500 were there on 31 Aug, with 200 at Quendale on 4 Sep, and the last 1 at Virkie on
5 Nov; Orkney 200 on Stronsay on 2 Sep; Grampian a late bird at the Ythan on 2 Nov; Fife 40
on Isle of May on 19 Apr, and an autumn fall of between 100 and 500 there on 22 Aug; Borders
2 at Eyemouth on 18 Mar; Dumf & Gall 1 at Dundrennan on 19 Feb was exceptionally early.
* Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Orkney Ist year 2 on Stronsay from 16-19 Oct (DG, JFH).
* Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Shetland 9 or 1st winter at Boddam on 2-3 Nov (MH, MMe
et al); Orkney oO on S Ronaldsay from 21-30 Oct (CJC, KEH, MrsLW et al).
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Breeding: Shetland 2 prs bred — first since 1972; Grampian 9 prs
reported in Glen Tanar. Migration: Shetland 1 on Fair Isle on 16 Mar was exceptionally early,
50 there on 21 Apr; in autumn the maximum was 12 on 22 Oct, with a late bird on Whalsay on-
25 Nov; Orkney late birds were recorded on 13 Nov and 16 Dec; West Isles singles on Harris on
1 Jun, and St Kilda on 16 Jun; Grampian last bird at Strathbeg on 19 Nov.
Blackbird Turdus merula Migration: Shetland a large influx between 22 and 27 Mar involved 500
on Skerries on 24 Mar, 1300 on Fair Isle on 26 Mar, and 500 at Dunrossness on 27 Mar, in autumn
most occurred on 18-19 Oct when 1050 on main islands and 2500 on Fair Isle; Orkney 1000 on
Hoy on 21 Oct; Grampian also had an Oct influx with ‘‘100s’’ at Girdleness and Rattray; Tayside
an estimated 15,000 along the coast on 22 Oct; Fife 300 on Isle of May on 11-12 Oct, and on 16-17
Oct; Borders 1500 at St Abbs on 16 Oct.
37
American Robin Inverbervie Dec 1988 S.M.D. Alexander
* American Robin Turdus migratorius Grampian 1st winter g at Inverbervie from 24-29 Dec (MrsJE,
RMcC et al) was the 7th record for Scotland.
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Summering stragglers: Highland 5 at Keith on 29 May. Migration: Shetland
the spring return movement peaked on 20 Apr with 600 on main islands, and 1500 on Fair Isle,
in autumn the main falls were between 19 and 23 Oct, with 6250 on main islands on 19 Oct, 3000
on Fair Isle on 23 Oct, and 5000 at Sumburgh Head on 23 Oct; Orkney 3000 on Stronsay on 19
Oct; Highland 175 still at Drummuir on 16 May; Grampian 1000 on Wartle Moss on 24 Oct, and
1200 in Deeside on 30 Oct; Tayside c10,000 between Arbroath and Montrose on 22 Oct; Lothian
1000 at Gullane in Jan; Borders 2000 at St Abbs on 16 Oct.
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Migration: Shetland spring peak on Fair Isle was 100 on 20 Apr,
while in autumn 1500 were there on 13 Oct; Fife 150 on Isle of May on 12 Oct.
Redwing 7urdus iliacus Breeding: poorly reported, but little indication of change from main part
of range. Migration: Shetland Fair Isle’s spring peak was 200 on 19 Apr, in autumn 6000 were
there on 18 Oct, with 4500 on main islands on 19 Oct; Orkney 2000 on Stronsay on 18 Oct; Fife
400-500 on Isle of May on 11-12 Oct, 700 on 16 Oct; Borders 10,000 at St Abbs on 16 Oct.
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Migration and post-breeding flocks: Shetland had 5 spring singles
and 10 in autumn; Highland 75 between Keith and Drummuir on 22 Sep; Grampian 50 at
Cammachmore on 30 Apr.
* Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Locustella certhiola Shetland singles on Fair Isle on 5-6 Oct (NJR,
AFS), 9 Oct (PME, PH), and 12 Oct (NJR, PGWS).
* Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata Shetland singles on Fair Isle from 15-21 Sep (RCB
et al), from 4-5 Oct (NJR, AFS), and 10 Oct (GRA, PMP, NJR).
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Breeding: Shetland a pair possibly bred; Lothian at least
30 birds reported; Strathclyde 27 prs reported in mid-Clyde haughs, and 57 territories in Ayrshire.
Migration: Shetland first bird on Fair Isle on 23 Apr, and 10 on 30 Apr, in autumn 5 singles between
27 Aug and the last bird on Whalsay on 19 Oct; Orkney 3 singles reported between 2 Sep and 16
Oct; West Isles 1 in Lewis on 3 Jun; Borders Ist bird at St Abbs on 15 Apr; Strathclyde 1 at Heads
of Ayr on 20 Apr.
38
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Breeding: Strathclyde up to 253 territories recorded,
mostly in South Ayrshire. Migration: Shetland first bird on Fair Isle on 27 Apr, 15 on 14 May,
and last there on 10 Sep; Tayside a late bird was at Easthaven on 18 Oct; Highland and Strathclyde
both had single birds on 23 Apr.
* Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola Fife 1 on Isle of May from 31 May-1 Jun (MPH,PKK
et al).
* Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Shetland a better showing with 9 on main islands from
18 May-19 Jun, on Fair Isle 1-3 birds daily on 24 May-S Jun, with 5 on 1-2 Jun, 2 on 10-11 Jun,
and singles on 12 and 20-24 Jun, 1 trapped there on 16 Jul, and a single autumn bird appeared
on Foula on 22-25 Sep; Orkney had 7 in spring from 25 May-4 Jun; Highland 1 at Lagganbridge
on 9 Jun; Tayside a juv was trapped near Inchture on 9 Aug.
* Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Shetland 12-13 birds were recorded between 14 May and
26 Jun, in autumn cl6 birds between 11 Aug and 26 Oct; Orkney also had a good year with 20
spring records between 5 May and 3 Jun, in autumn 9 birds were recorded between 5 Sep and 22
Oct; Grampian a good year with at least 10 between 12 and 22 Oct; Tayside 2 at Fishtown of Usan
on 14-16 Oct, singles at Lunan Bay on 16 Oct, and Arbroath on 22 Oct; Fife 1 on Isle of May
on 15 Apr, in autumn up to 8 in Region between 11 and 22 Oct; Lothian had 8 between 13 and
21 Oct; Borders had up to 16+ between 9 and 22 Oct with a peak of 11 at St Abbs on 14 Oct;
Dumf & Gall 1 near Castle Douglas on 11 Jun and 1 Jul.
* Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Shetland singles on Fair Isle from 27 May-10
Jun (PH, NJR), on 2-3 Jun (DD, PMP), and 3-4 Jun (PMP, NJR).
* Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata Orkney 1 on S Ronaldsay on 3-4 Sep (CC, MrsRMcC, ERM
et al).
* Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina In spring Shetland had 18 between 13 May and 11 Jun; Orkney
had 7 between 24 May and 5 Jun. In autumn Shetland had 16 between 23 Aug and 11 Sep; Orkney
had up to 4 between 2 and 12 Sep; West Isles 1 on North Uist on 1-4 Oct; Tayside 1 at Fishtown
of Usan on 7 Sep; Fife 1 at Fife Ness on 7 Sep; Lothian singles at Barns Ness on 7 Sep, and on
Bass Rock on 8 Sep.
* Subalpine Warbler Sy/via cantillans Shetland c probably of race S ¢ albistriata on Fair Isle from
27 Apr-14 May (CD, PMP, NJR), G at Toab on 4-5 May (MH, RLH), © on Fair Isle from 8-10
May (JH, DQ, NJR), & on Out Skerries on 11-12 May (MrsJK, MrsMT), Ist summer OC on Fetlar
from 11 May-1 Jun was killed by a cat (MAP et al), 9 at Seafield, Lerwick on 12 May (DS), co
at Hillswick on 14 May (CFM), 9 on Fair Isle on 14 May (PMP), co’ at Skaw, Unst from 15-22
May (MS, IS, RJT), & probably S§ ¢ albistriata, on Fair Isle on 22 May (CFM, NJR); Orkney
CO dead on N Ronaldsay on 7 May (AED, MGP), GC on Stronsay on 15 May (JF & MrsSMH);
West Isles Cat L Obe. Barra on 5 Jun (AJS); Fife 9 on Isle of May from 9-11 May (MJ, RP et al).
* Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria In spring Orkney had an adult at Tankerness on 10 May. In autumn
Shetland had 30 on main islands between 10 Aug and 11 Oct, plus 1-3 most days on Fair Isle from
9 Aug-29 Sep; Orkney had up to 13 between 10 Aug and 20 Oct; West Isles 1 on North Uist on
14 Oct; Grampian 4 birds were recorded between 3 Sep and 12 Oct; Fife singles on Isle of May
on 10-12 Aug, and at Fife Ness on 25 Sep; Borders 1 at St Abbs from 13-21 Oct.
Lesser Whitethroat Sy/via curruca Breeding: Orkney a pair reared 2 young on N Ronaldsay (first
breeding record for Orkney); Highland also had Ist breeding record for Caithness District; Lothian
24 singing Go were recorded at 13 sites, but slight suggestion of a drop in numbers; Borders 10.
singing Gc at 7 sites; Strathclyde up to 3 prs bred and another 9 singing Gc’ were reported.
Migration: Shetland large influx on 14-15 May when 1-3 birds at 10 locations on main islands,
and 30 on Fair Isle, in autumn Fair Isle had 20 on 2 Sep, and the last bird appeared at Uyeasound
on 25 Oct; Orkney in autumn N Ronaldsay had 7 on 2 Sep, while 1 from 10-17 Oct showed
characteristics of § c blythii, another or the same appeared on Stromness on 19 Dec; West Isles
singles on Lewis on 8 Oct, and Harris on 16 Oct; Grampian and Tayside had late birds on 23 Oct
and 14 Oct respectively; Tayside 1st bird at Dunblane on 25 Apr; Fife 20 on Isle of May on 16
May; Strathclyde first bird at Greenan, Ayr on 26 Apr.
39
Whitethroat Sy/via communis Breeding: Borders 29 singing C'c' were reported; Strathclyde 40 prs
in mid-Clyde haughs and up to 88 territories recorded mostly in South Ayrshire. Migration: Shetland
influx between 12 and 15 May with 1-4 at 20 locations on main islands, and 30 on Fair Isle, autumn
passage was poor, with the last bird at Helendale on 22 Oct; Orkney first bird on N Ronaldsay
on 3 May; West Isles 1 on S Uist on 7 Oct; Highland had an early bird at Keith on 26 Apr; Grampian
had a late bird on 22 Oct; Fife had 10 on Isle of May on 13 May; Lothian Ist bird on Bass Rock
on 19 Apr.
Garden Warbler Sy/via borin Breeding: Borders/Lothian up to 93 singing Gc’ were reported from
52 sites; Strathclyde up to 71 territories recorded mostly in South Ayrshire. Migration: Shetland
had a protracted spring passage from 9 May-21 Jun with 20 on Fair Isle on 2 Jun, in autumn Whalsay
had 33 on 2 Sep, while Fair Isle had 170 on 2 Sep; Orkney 250 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep, a late
bird was on Holm on 10 Nov; West Isles 5-6 on St Kilda on 3 Sep; Highland 1st bird at Staxigeo
on 22 Apr; Fife 6 on Isle of May from 5-9 Sep, and 12-17 Oct; Strathclyde first bird at Minishant
on 30 Apr.
Blackcap Sy/via atricapilla Breeding: Highland 28 singing C’c’ recorded at 16 locations; Strathclyde
up to 127 territories recorded mostly in South Ayrshire. Migration: Shetland influx noted from
13-15 May with 1-4 at 15 sites on main islands, and 12 on Fair Isle, in autumn the highest number
occurred between 12 and 15 Oct with 20 each on Whalsay and at Kergord, with 55 on Fair Isle
on 12 Oct and the last one there on 16 Nov; Orkney first bird on 14 Apr, and the latest on 16
Nov; Grampian a late bird appeared at Alford on 30 Nov; Strathclyde 1 at Doonfoot on 14 Apr.
Winter records: a summary of birds occurring during this period gave 76 in Jan-Mar, and 13 in Dec.
* Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Shetland 1st winter on Fair Isle from 9-21 August
(PH, PMP, NJR), Ist winter on Noss from 11-12 Aug (DRB, SC), Ist winter on Whalsay on 14
Aug (BM), 1 on Fair Isle on 27 Aug (CD, PAG, DRW), two Ist winters on Whalsay on 28 Aug
(BM, MW), 1 at Kergord on 29 Aug (CFM, PME) @¢ , and 1 at Lerwick on 4-5 Sep (PME, DS);
Orkney singles on Stronsay from 16-19 Aug, with another from 18-19 Aug (JF & MrsSMH, JS),
on Holm on 2 Sep (ERM), and on S Ronaldsay on 3-4 Sep (ERM, EJW).
* Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis Lothian 1 at Skateraw from 21-23 Oct (PRG, CCMcG).
* Pallas’s Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus Shetland singles at Eswick on 13 Oct (TDR) @ , Boddam
on 14-15 Oct (MSC, RLH, MM), another on 26 Oct (MM), at Tingwall on 22 Oct (AG), on Fetlar
on 22 Oct (BJY) , at Stromfirth on 22-23 Oct (A&JG), at Bigton on 27 Oct (CFM), and Scatness
on 27 Oct (DRB, PME, CS); Orkney 1 on Hoy on 25-26 Oct (KF); Highland I at Kinlochewe on
24 Oct (RS); Grampian singles at Cruden Bay from 19-22 Oct (LTAB, TWM), and Drums on 22
Oct (WNH); Lothian singles at Barns Ness on 14 Oct (IJA, EP & MRL), and Scoughall on 22
Oct (DJB); Borders singles at St Abbs on 22 Oct (EP & MRL), and Eyemouth on 22 Oct (DP).
* Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus An excellent autumn with a minimum of 166
birds recorded. Shetland had 3 singles in Sep, 6 from 2-3 Oct, then a big arrival involving c70+
from 4-7 Oct, and another 20 till the last one at Sandwick on 29 Oct; Orkney 8 on N Ronaldsay
on 4 Oct, 11 on 5 Oct, elsewhere 9 on S Sep, and 6 others on 6 Oct; West Isles had 9 on Uists
in Oct-Nov; Highland had 3 singles from 10-20 Oct; Grampian 16 birds recorded between 4 and
27 Oct with a peak of 5 at Girdleness on 10 Oct; Fife had 4 on Isle of May from 4-11 Oct and
5 in Fife Ness area from 9-20 Oct; Lothian 1 at Skateraw on 11-12 Oct; Borders 3-4 birds in St
Abbs-Eyemouth area from 4-25 Oct.
* Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi Shetland singles on Fair Isle on 13 Oct (DHR), and at
Scatness on 27 Oct (DRB, JMcK); Orkney singles on Stronsay on 13-14 Oct (DG,JF&MrsSMH),
on S Ronaldsay on 14-15 Oct, and again on E Mainland till 19 Oct (KEH,EJ&SW); Borders | at
St Abbs on 15 Oct (EP&MRL).
* Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus Grampian | at Rattray Head on 13 Oct (MM).
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Breeding: Lothian 25 singing Oo recorded at 12 sites;
Strathclyde up to 38 territories recorded mostly in South Ayrshire; Dumf & Gall 31 prs at Wood
of Cree. Migration: Shetland an excellent year with c60 on main islands from 4 May-16 Jun, and
11 on Fair Isle from 13-23 May, in autumn 25 birds from 10 Aug-20 Oct; Orkney also had higher
than normal numbers wjth 15 in May and 12 in autumn including a late bird on Hoy on | Nov;
West Isles 1 on Benbecula on 4 May; Strathclyde Ist birds at Heads of Ayr and Balloch on 20 Apr.
40
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Breeding: Highland 20 singing co’ recorded at 16 locations;
Strathclyde up to 124 territories recorded mostly in South-west. Migration: Shetland first bird on
27 Mar, and passage lasted through Jun with 1-2 daily, and a peak of 27 on Fair Isle on 29 Apr,
1 there on 24 Jul, main autumn passage ran from 3 Oct-18 Nov, with 15 on Fair Isle on 14 and
22 Oct, and stragglers elsewhere up to 29 Nov; Highland late singles reported from Lossiemouth
on 2 Nov, and L Spynie on 29 Nov; Grampian | at Drums on 23 Mar showed characteristics of
Northern races, while a P c tristis occurred at Hatterseat on 16 Oct; Fife 15 on Isle of May on
12-14 May, and 6 on 12-14 Oct; Borders a bird at Auchencrow on 18 Mar may have been the first
genuine migrant. Winter records: a summary of birds occurring during this period gave 32 from
Jan-Mar, and 32 in Dec.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Migration: Shetland first bird on 22 Apr, and a large fall
on 13-19 May brought 300 to main islands and 60 to Fair Isle on 14 May, in autumn another fall
on 2-4 Sep brought 130 to Fair Isle and 300 to main islands, last 1 was at Boddam on 26 Oct:
Orkney 250 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep and a late bird there on 2 Nov; Grampian had an early bird
at Cruden Bay on 27 Mar, and an extremely late one in Seaton Park on 20 Nov; Fife 300 on Isle
of May on 3 May. A wintering individual on Whalsay, Shetland from 21 Jan-25 Feb was exceptional.
Goldcrest Regulus regulus Migration: Shetland Fair Isle had 320 on 12 Oct, but the main islands
had their largest ever fall on 22-23 Oct when 400 birds were counted at 4 locations; Orkney 152
on N Ronaldsay from 12-14 Oct; Grampian 300 at Muchalls on 23 Oct; Fife a large fall on Isle
of May produced 2000 on 12 Oct.
Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Tayside 1 at Easthaven on 18-19 Oct; Fife 1 at Fife Ness on 22
Apr; Borders singles at St Abbs on 7 Apr, at Eyemouth on 12 Oct, and again at St Abbs on 11-14
Oct, and 19-22 Oct.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Breeding: Grampian reported from 25 sites; Strathclyde up
to 89 territories recorded, mostly in South Ayrshire. Migration: Shetland an influx on 13-15 May
brought 50 to Fair Isle and 25 to Quendale, in autumn most appeared between 2-9 Sep when a
peak of 36 were on main islands on 3 Sep, late birds were at Haroldswick on 20 Oct and Norwick
from 17-22 Oct; Orkney 22 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep, and 2 on Holm on 27 Oct; West Isles 1
on St Kilda on 3 Sep; Borders Ist bird at Peebles on 29 Apr.
* Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva About 36 individuals were recorded during the year. In
spring Shetland had single 99 at Quendale on 8 Jun, and Upper Kergord on 10 Jun; Orkney
had 1 on N Ronaldsay on 24-25 May; Tayside had 1 at Fishtown of Usan on 29-30 May; Fife had
1 on Isle of May on 17 May. In autumn Shetland had 15 between 20 Sep and 29 Oct; Orkmey had
1-2 at 5 locations from 3-22 Oct; West Isles 1 on North Uist on 10 Oct; Highland 1 at Myrelandhorn
on 16 Oct; Tayside 1 at Mains of Usan on 22 Oct; Fife 1 at Crail on 14 Oct, and 2 on Isle of May
from 12-13 Oct with 1 till 14 Oct, and another on 21 Oct; Lothian 2 at Barns Ness on 12 Oct with
1 till 13 Oct; Borders singles at St Abbs from 11-14 Oct, and Burnmouth on 25 Oct.
Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Breeding: Central 71 nests produced 340 fledged young;
Strathclyde 87 prs on L Lomondside, and up to 27 territories in the South-west; Dumf & Gall highest
number for many years with 20 prs in nestboxes in Glentrool. Migration: Shetland main influx
was from 13-15 May with 31 on main islands and 35 on Fair Isle, in autumn a large fall from 2-4
Sep brought 91 to 2 locations on main islands and 65 to Fair Isle, the last bird was at Kergord
on 22 Oct; Orkney first 3 on 3 May, in autumn 80 on N Ronaldsay on 2 Sep, and a very late individual
on Hoy on 8-9 Nov; West Isles had singles on Lewis on 17 Jun and 30 Sep; Grampian first bird
at Inverugie on 30 Apr; Strathclyde first bird at Culzean on 15 Apr.
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Migration: Shetland at Helendale on 12 Nov were the first
since 1860, 2 were caught by cats at Clickimin on 13 Nov but 1 was rescued and released; Orkney
also had an exceptional year with a flock of 7-8 on Harray on 17-18 Oct, also 2 at Holm on 23-24 .
Oct, 6 on Rousay on 28 Oct, and singles in Kirkwall on 11 and 16 Nov; West Isles 4 in Stornoway
on 15 Oct, and 12 in North Uist on 18 Oct.
Marsh Tit Parus palustris Lothian 2 at Woodhall Dean from | Jan-28 Feb, singles at Abbey Mill
on 6 Jul, and Hailes on 13 Jul; Borders at least 3 prs at Hirsel, and 4 other sites held breeding prs.
Willow Tit Parus montanus Strathclyde little change in status suggested, continues to breed in small
numbers in the usual areas, mostly in Clyde Valley and South Ayrshire Southwards into Dumf & Gall.
41
Crested Tit Parus cristatus Breeding: Highland several prs seen on the fringes of its range, e.g.
a pair nested at Tomintoul; Grampian fewer prs were noted using nestboxes in Culbin Forest.
Coat Tit Parus ater Migration: Orkney singles on Hoy on 3 Nov, at Binscarth from 9-27 Nov,
and on Burray on 22 Nov; West Isles 2 in Stornoway on 29 Oct, and 1 on Harris on 25 Nov.
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Migration/counts: Shetland a remarkable autumn influx brought about
37 birds to the main islands from 9 Oct-end Dec, and 2 to Fair Isle on 30 Dec, the main arrival
took place from 20 Oct with numbers of birds ranging from 1-3 individuals; Orkney had 1 on 3
Apr, then 21 records at 3 sites from mid-Oct.
Great Tit Parus major Migration: Shetland had about 17 birds from 9 Oct-end Dec, with main
influx from 22 Oct; Orkney | in spring and 7 autumn records from 3 sites.
* Nuthatch Sitta europaea Borders 1 was heard calling at the Hirsel on 4 Nov.
Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Migration: Shetland 4 birds showing characteristics of Northern C
f macrodactyla were recorded from 28 Sep-21 Oct; Orkney had 1 on 13 Feb, and 9 Sep, as well
as 2 C f familiaris birds on 6-7 Nov; West Isles South Uist’s first record of the species occurred
on 23 Oct.
* Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Migration provided up to 22 spring individuals: Shetland had 15
birds from 11 May-21 Jun; Orkney had 4 between 23 May and 8 Jun; West Isles singles on Harris,
and North Uist on 22 May; Lothian 1 at Muirfield on 29 May.
* Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus Shetland 1st winter at Catfirth from 17-23 Oct (MSC,AG et al).
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Breeding: North Scotland a pair with young were noted at one
locality on 8-9 Aug. Migration: Shetland an excellent year with around 150 individuals in spring
beginning with 2 on 11 May and peaking during 13-15 May with 27 on main islands and 30 on
Fair Isle, in autumn 72+ were seen starting on 12 Aug with the main arrival between 1-12 Sep,
with 21 on main islands on 3 Sep, and the last at Toab on 17 Oct; Orkney a total of 87 birds from
8 May-S Jun, in autumn cl15 seen from 18 Aug-2 Oct, with 13 on 2 Sep; West Isles 1 on South
Uist on 6 Jun; Highland had 8 between 15 May and 7 Jun, and 2 from 7-17 Aug; Grampian had
singles at Lonmay on 11 May, the Ythan on 17-18 May, Ludquharn on 20-22 Jun, Lumsden on
14 Aug, and Rattray on 12-13 Sep; Tayside had 1 in Glen Doll on 14 Jun; Fife had singles on Isle
of May on 8 May, with 2 on 16 May, and 1 till 19 May, another on 23 May, others on 9 Jun,
and 3 Jul, and 1 at Fife Ness on 12 Oct; Central 1 was at L of Menteith on 3 Jun; Lothian had
singles at Aberlady on 14 May, Samuelston on 22 May, Tyninghame on 2 Jul, and Bass Rock on
8-9 Sep; Borders had singles at Dowlaw Dean on 15-17 May, and 22-23 May, St Abbs on 13 Oct,
and 15-18 Oct.
* Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor Borders 1 at Dowlaw Dean on 22 May (AB).
Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Up to 35 birds reported: Shetland 1 on Fair Isle from 14-16
Apr, 6 on main islands from 13-26 Oct; Orkney singles on Stronsay on 22-23 Oct, Hoy on 1 Nov,
and 12 Nov; Highland singles at Roybridge on 6 Mar, Insh marshes on 9 Mar, Tulloch Moor from
18 Mar-3 Apr, and Auldich in Dec; Grampian 1 near Aboyne on 27 Oct; Tayside singles at Pitlochry
on 28 Jan, Montrose on 21 Mar, Mains of Usan on 19 Oct, in the Sidlaw Hills on 30 Oct, and
at Carmylue on 8 Nov; Fife singles at Earlshall on 13 May, on Isle of May on 12-14 Oct, 18 Oct,
with 2 on 20 Oct, and 1 at Craigtoun Den on 5 Nov; Lothian singles at Aberlady on 28 Apr, Barns
Ness on 14 Oct, Aberlady on 17 Oct, and Skateraw on 21 Oct; Borders 1 at St Abbs on 12-13 Oct;
Strathclyde singles at Balloch on 21 Mar, and in Glen Afton on 13 Dec; Dumf & Gall singles at
Cullendoch and Glenhapple Forest in Feb, 1 at Castle O’er in early Nov.
* Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Shetland singles on Fair Isle from 21 May-4 Jun (JC,NJR) from
1-4 Jun (PH,NJR), from 7-27 Jun (JD et al), and at Virkie from 2 Jul-1 Oct (AF,JMcK); Highland
1 at Trotternish, Skye from 1-3 Jun, later at Waternish from 18-19 Jun (DH,RJ&MrsCC); Borders
1 at Dowlaw Dean from 14-21 May (RGY et al).
Jay Garrulus glandarius Highland 2 were noted at Invermoriston in Jan-Feb, and 2 at Strathfarrar
on 22 Oct; Grampian | in Huntly on 11 Feb and 12 in Strathdon on 28 Mar were unusual records;
an increase was noted in Borders but a decrease in Dumf & Gall.
42
Magpie Pica pica Grampian a count of 47 at Kirkhill suggests that the spread of this species is
continuing in the North-east; Borders and Lothian also reported an increase.
Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Strathclyde a pair was present on Mull all year, and 5 in Dec,
but no breeding occurred, in SW Scotland a pair held territory again and a nest was built, but
no evidence of successful breeding.
Jackdaw Corvus monedula Breeding: Orkney 58 prs were counted; West Isles a pair bred again
on South Uist. Counts: Orkney 160 on Holm on 24 Mar.
Rook Corvus frugilegus Breeding: Shetland the average size of 25 broods was 1.8; Grampian 633
nests were counted at Udny. Counts: Shetland 150 at Kergord on 20 Feb; Orkney 300 on Rousay
on 7 May; Grampian 5000 at Lynturk on 8 Feb.
Carrion Crow Corvus corone Hooded C c cornix were noted regularly on Fair Isle, Shetland from
Mar-early Jul, with a maximum of 8 on 21 May, in autumn 6 appeared on 24 Oct.
Raven Corvus corax Breeding: Shetland 7 prs on Fetlar reared 13 young, 4 prs bred on Hermaness,
and 3 prs on Fair Isle; Orkney 14 prs reared 43 young; Central 16 territories checked, and 10 successful
prs; Borders only 3 sites now reported to exist; patchy success in South-west Scotland with best
success inland, poor on coast. Counts: Shetland the highest count was 70 at Walls on 26 Jan.
Starling Sturnus vulgaris Counts: Highland 10,000 at L Spynie on 5 Nov; Grampian 10,000 in an
empty building in Aberdeen in late Dec; Strathclyde 20,000 in Ayr on 23 Dec.
* Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus Strathclyde adult at Ballygrant, Portnahaven, and Port
Ellen, Islay from 18 Aug-13 Oct (MrsCB,MAO,MJS) may have been the returning 1987 individual.
House Sparrow A. Stevenson
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Shetland Fair Isle had 290 on 26 Aug; Orkney 456 on N Ronaldsay
on 27 Sep.
* Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis Orkney a 9 trapped on N Ronaldsay on 30 May (KFW
et al) @ will be the Ist record for Scotland if accepted by BBRC.
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Counts: Shetland cl3 in spring between 21 May and 12 Jun, and
14 in autumn from 9 Sep-5 Nov was an above average showing; Highland 100 at Milton Brodie
on 19 Feb; Tayside 156 at Ethiebeaton on 2 Jan; Lothian 200 at Aberlady from 7-29 Jan; Borders
208 at Eyemouth on 4 Jan.
* Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus West Isles 1 at Newton, N Uist from 1-7 Oct is the 2nd record
for Scotland (TJD,BCF,JJG).
43
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Breeding: Shetland proved breeding at Kergord. Counts/passage: Shetland
the main spring passage was between 22 Mar and 9 May with peaks of 300 on main islands on
25 Mar, and 106 on Fair Isle on 26 Mar, autumn passage was very poor; Highland 600 at Califer
on 25 Nov; Lothian 500 at Gladhouse from 20-29 Dec; Borders 1500 at The Mount on 7 Jan; Dumf
& Gall c6000 at Challoch in Jan.
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Breeding: Orkney a nest with 3 young was found on 6 Jul (first
breeding for Orkney). Winter/spring: Shetland 320 on Fair Isle on 20 Apr; Orkney 175 on N
Ronaldsay on 20 Apr; Grampian 300 in Strathdon in Apr; Borders 1900 at Black Yett on 18 Jan.
Autumn: Shetland main influx on 13-23 Oct with 180 at Bigton on 17 Oct, 120 on Fair Isle on
19 Oct, and 400 on main islands on 22 Oct; Highland 1000 at Glenlivet on 26 Dec; scarce in the
South with only a few flocks of 100-150.
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Breeding: Orkney a pair probably bred. Counts: Highland 500 at
Hopeman on 3 Jan, and 500 at Westerfolds on 17 Feb; Grampian 300 at Corby on 26 Dec; Tayside
300 at Forfar L on 12 Mar.
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Counts: Shetland a steady passage on Fair Isle involved at least 7
from 14 Apr-5 May, 2 appeared on main islands in spring, and autumn produced singles on Fair
Isle from 7-14 Nov, and at Norwick/Haroldswick from 12-15 Nov; Orkney 16 birds were recorded
between 13 Jan and 24 Dec.
Siskin Carduelis spinus Breeding: Strathclyde/Dumf & Gall nest building in Glentrool from 9 Mar,
and 500 were ringed. Counts: Shetland winter reports of 4 at Maywick in late Jan, and 1 on Whalsay
on 3 Feb, but poor passage; Grampian 85 at Strathbeg on 9 Sep; Tayside 250 at Pitlochry on 31
Jan; Strathclyde 200 in Lennox Forest on 29 Dec; Dumf & Gall up to 300 in Darsalloch Forest
from Mar-Apr and 300 at Woodhall L on 13 Sep.
Linnet Carduelis cannabina Counts: Highland 500 at Westefolds on 17 Feb; Grampian had flocks
of 500 at Inverugie on 4 Jan, and Boddam on 10 Dec Lothian 1000 at Gladhouse on 28 Jan;
Strathclyde 700+ in Currarie Glen on 6 Feb.
Twite Carduelis flavirostris Counts: Shetland 480 on Fair Isle on 9 Sep; Orkney 200 at Orphir on
10 Jan, and 230 on Stenness on 28 Jan; Central 140 at Grangemouth on 17 Jan; Lothian 200 at
Gladhouse on 11 Feb.
Redpoll Carduelis flammea Counts: Grampian an exceptional count of 500 at Dinnet in Jan. Mealy
Redpoll C f flammea: Shetland the usual scatter of Northern Isles’ records involved between 1 and
4 birds on Fair Isle from 4 Feb-16 Jul, and up to 7 on 2 Nov; Tayside 4 at Carnoustie from 27
Dec-end year; Lothian up to 17 birds between 16 Oct and 31 Dec; Strathclyde 3 at Dalmellington
on 6 Nov.
* Arctic Redpol!l Carduelis hornemanni Shetland singles on Fetlar from 3-6 Oct (RM) ¢, Foula
on 9 Oct (GWP) @, and at Boddam on 12 Nov (MM) @¢; Orkney 1 on Stronsay from 5-7 Nov
(JF&MrsSMH); Tayside 1 at Carnoustie from 27 Dec into 1989 (SRG,MSC et al).
Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Breeding: Dumf & Gall birds were seen feeding first juvs in Glentrool
on 5 Jan. Counts/migrants: Shetland a few records of mainly immature birds from 22 Jun-10 Sep;
Orkney | on Hoy on 15 May, then a peak of 34 from 24-26 Jun; Highland 72 in Borgie Forest
on 21 Feb; Strathclyde 100+ at Inchcailloch on 11 Jun; Dumf & Gall 140 at Kirriereoch on 16
Dec is highest count ever for area.
Scottish Crossbill Loxia scotica Very little information received on this species, but 1 at Dunnet
Forest, Highland on 3 Nov was unusual. Other counts in the Region included 22 at Cloddymoss
on 25 Oct, and 24 at Forres on 28 Dec.
* Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Shetland perhaps up to 37 individuals in spring between
22 May and 3 Jun, including a peak of 7 on Fair Isle on 25 May, while autumn provided up to
another 40 from 12 Aug-30 oct, peaks included 6 on Skerries on 10 Sep, and 5 on Foula from
16-23 Sep; Orkney 25 birds in spring between 26 May and 4 Jun, in autumn 10 birds from 2 Sep-25
Oct; Highland | at Lagganbridge on 6-7 Jun; Fife singles on Isle of May on 12-14 Jun, 16 Jun,
20 Jun, 28 Jun, and 2 on 8 Sep; Strathclyde 1 near Luss on 4 Jun.
44
Pallas’s Rosefinch N. Ronaldsay June 1988 A. Hogg
* Pallas’s Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus Orkney an imm co' on N Ronaldsay from 2 Jun-14 Jul
(KFW et al) will be the Ist British record of this species if accepted by the BOU and BBRC.
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Migration/counts: Shetland in the best year since 1973 the period from
19 Oct-13 Nov produced around 76 birds at 21 locations.
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Breeding: Tayside 2 or 3 fledged young were seen at
Murthly, and birds in suitable habitat at Grandtully, Lochearn, and Pitlochry; elsewhere, birds
occurred at the usual locations in Lothian and Borders but no proof of breeding was obtained.
Migration: Shetland had had about 26 individuals in the year with most from the second half of
Oct; Orkney more than usual with cl5 between 23 Mar-29 Oct; Highland singles at Noss Farm
on 13 Oct, Olrig from 23 Oct-2 Nov, and Clochan on 30 Oct; Grampian singles at Peterhead on
22 May, and Memsie from 23-30 Oct; Tayside 30 at Scone on 6 Mar; Central 2 at Doune on 4
Feb, 1 in Dec; Lothian 5 Dalkeith Palace Park on 19 Jun, 2 at Carberry Towers on 20 Nov; Borders
10 at Hirsel on 27 Feb, 3 at Duns Castle on 13 Mar, 1 at St Abbs on 8 May.
* Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca Shetland a ist year C on Fair Isle on 7 Oct (per NJR)
¢ will be the ist record of this species for the Western Palearctic Region if accepted by the BOU
and BBRC.
Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus Winter/spring: Shetland c22 between 30 Mar and 27 May,
autumn passage spanned 16 Sep-9 Nov with a peak of 20 on 30 Sep; Orkney 19 on 4 Oct; Highland
2 at Cabrach on 21 Mar; Grampian had singles at Donmouth on 5 Mar, and 14 Mar, with 1 at
Nigg Bay on 21 Oct; Tayside 1-2 at Elliot on 17 Jan; Fife 34 at Fife Ness on 3 Apr, 20 on 5 Nov;
Lothian 38 at Musselburgh on 23 Jan.
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Breeding: Grampian breeding was confirmed in 2 areas, and
birds were present in a third. Migration/counts: Shetland autumn peaks were 310 on Fair Isle on
2 Nov, and 350 at Quendale on 27 Nov; Orkney 220 on Sanday on 25 Feb, and 280 on S Ronaldsay
on 16 Nov; Highland 500 at Cabrach on 31 Jan; Grampian 1000 at Corgarff on 19 Feb, and 300
at Foveran on 24 Dec; Tayside 300 at Auchmithie on 30 Dec; Lothian 300 at Barns Ness on 12
Nov; Strathclyde 500+ at Glen Luss on 17 Nov; low numbers in the South-west.
45
* Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalus Orkney G on N Ronaldsay from 27-29 Oct (PJD,AED,PS).
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Migration/counts: Shetland had a very good year with a large
autumn influx comprising some 60+ individuals mostly between 12 Oct and 2 Nov; Orkney 7 on
27 Oct was the maximum count; Grampian 120 at Drumoak in Jan.
* Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Shetland singles in spring on Fair Isle on 1 May, and Skerries
on 12 May, were followed by 12 autumn individuals between 2 Sep and 22 Oct; Orkney had 1 on
N Ronaldsay on 6 May, and up to 7 between 2 and 11 Sep.
* Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica Shetland G at Burravoe, Yell on 17 May (C&JD), and 1 on
Fair Isle from 12-16 Oct (PMP,AFS).
* Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Shetland a spring bird on Fair Isle from 15-18 May (PMP et
al), and autumn singles at Grutness on 4 Sep (JDO,GWP), on Foula on 10 Oct (GWP et al)
on Fair Isle from 12-14 Oct (AJL,PMP), from 12-17 Oct (NJR et al), on 14 Oct (PMP,DMR),
from 22-24 Oct (NJR et al), at Haroldswick, Unst on 25 Oct (MGP,MS), and at Northdale, Unst
from 12-14 Nov (HGB,MGP); Grampian | at Rattray Head from 2-4 May (TWM,AW).
* Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Shetland single 99 or imms at Boddam 28-31 Aug
(PVH,MM,DS), at Norwick, Unst on 5 Sep (MGP), on Fair Isle from 9-18 Sep (PH,NJR,AFS),
and also there on 19 Sep (BB,PH,NJR).
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Breeding: Shetland 10 prs probably bred on Unst; Orkney c23
prs were recorded. Migration/counts: Shetland autumn passage on Fair Isle ran mainly from 2
Oct-7 Nov with 50 on 22 Oct; Orkney 47 on N Ronaldsay on 25 Oct.
t * Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps Fife 1 on Isle of May on 25 Jun, 2 on 26-28 Jun,
1 on 5, 14, and 18-19 Jul.
* Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Shetland & on Fair Isle on 9 Jun (PH); Orkney
Gon N Ronaldsay from 30 Jul-S Aug (PJD,ES,KFW), and another Co there from 14-26 Aug
(PJD,AED); Highland C at L Droma on 2 Jul (KCR&MrsHSCH,, et al); Strathclyde o& at Irvine
from 4-5 Jun (PMcE,GM et al).
Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra Breeding: Shetland a small population may still exist on West
Mainland, but the present status of the species is unclear; Orkney c16 singing Gc!’ were recorded;
Grampian recorded at 29 sites; Lothian no confirmed breeding; Borders reported a population
stabilisation, but the decline continued in the South-west. Counts/migration: Orkney 43 on Stronsay
on 2 Jan was the highest count; Highland 20 on Lossiemouth Golf Cots: on 5 Jan; Tayside 53
at Auchmithie on 6 Mar.
* Northern Oriole Jcterus galbula 9 or 1st winter con Benbecula from 30 Sep-3 Oct had probably
been present from around 22-24 Sep (PRB, TJD,Mr&MrsCH). This is the 2nd record for Scotland.
46
Additional BBRC decisions
The following records have all been accepted by BBRC: — White-billed Diver 1987 Highland adult
found oiled in Dornoch Firth around 7-14 Mar. Night Heron 1987 West Isles 2nd summer at Breivig,
Barra from 19 May-at least 7 Jun had probably been present since late Apr (JSA,KJH), another
bird, an adult or 2nd summer, was on Barra on 7 Jun (RHD), 1987 Highland adult or 2nd summer
in Glen Finnan on 8 Jun (LHC), 1987 Lothian adult at Drem from 30 May-1 Jun (A&GDB,PRG).
Blue-winged Teal 1983 Orkney @ on Gretchen and Hocking Lochs, N Ronaldsay from 6-14 Oct
(MG,KFW). King Eider 1983 Shetland 9 at Sumburgh on 25 Aug (MH); 1987 Shetland co on
Whalsay from 3-7 Nov (BM,NDP). Surf Scoter 1987 West Isles 5 do from 14-16 Dec (C&VR).
Crane 1987 Highland | near L More on 4 Jun (GB,JP). Ivory Gull 1980 Shetland 1 freshly dead
at Westing, Unst on 26 Apr (PG,RJT). Red-rumped Swallow 1987 Grampian | at Girdleness on
16 May (AL). Lanceolated Warbler 1987 Fife 1 on Isle of May on 2 Oct (PWF). Icterine Warbler
1987 Strathclyde | on Tiree on 2 Jun. Pallas’s Warbler 1987 Shetland all records in last year’s report
marked @ have been accepted. Nuthatch 1987 Tayside | in Glenisla on 9 Mar. Rose-coloured Starling
1984 Fife adult at Dalgety Bay about 5 Aug (JM). Two-barred Crossbill 1985 Central CG at Carron
Valley Forest on 13 Oct (PRGM,WP). Rustic Bunting 1987 Shetland all records in last year’s report
marked @ have been accepted. Little Bunting 1985 Shetland another on Fair Isle from 7-10 Oct
should have been 7-10 Nov, 1986 Orkney 1 at L Garso, N Ronaldsay on 24 Sep (DHH), 1987 Shetland
all records in last year’s report marked @ have been accepted. Yellow-breasted Bunting 1984 Shetland
2 or imm at Fladdabister on 18-19 Sep (PME,MH), 1985 Shetland another on Fair Isle on 7-10
Nov related to Little Bunting, 1987 Shetland 9 or imm at Scatness on 21 Sep (DRB,PME).
The following record has been withdrawn at the request of observers: American Golden Plover
1975 Dumf & Gall 1 at Caerlaverock from 23 Nov-26 Feb 1976.
The following records have been rejected by BBRC: — Booted Warbler 1987 Shetland | at Lerwick
on 8 Oct. Arctic Redpoll 1987 Shetland 1 on Foula on 23 Apr.
The following corrections and additions to the 1987 SBR should be made: — Night Heron 1987
Shetland the location of the Ist summer bird at Raewick, Mainland from 18-30 Apr was in fact
Garderhouse. Crane 1987 Shetland the bird at Exnaboe on 5 Jun, and at Aith from 6-8 Jun was
different from the Fair Isle bird of 4 Jun. Arctic Redpoll 1987 Shetland 1 on Whalsay from 30
Apr-1 May should have read from 28 Apr.
The following addition should be made to SBR’s 1984-87: — Red-necked Grebe 1984 South Scotland
adult at an inland site from 3 May-6 Jun, 1985 a pair present from 23 May-27 Jul, attempted nesting,
a third bird present on 9 dates was thought to be a 9, a report of 4 birds on 3 Jul, 1986 adult
present from 21 Apr-9 Jul, a pair from 13 May-20 Jun, nest site may have been selected and later
abandoned, 1987 adult present from 23 Apr-27 May.
King Eider Q Aberlady July 1988 ). Busby
47
BIRD REPORTS
The following areas have produced Bird Reports for 1988.
Angus and Dundee Bird Report R D Goater (ed).
Argyll Bird Report C Galbraith & A R Jennings (eds).
Arran Bird Report M H Dunn (ed).
Ayrshire Bird Report A Hogg (ed).
Borders Bird Report R D Murray (ed).
Caithness Bird Report E W E Maughan (ed).
Clyde Bird Report | P Gibson (ed).
Dumfries and Galloway Bird Report A D Watson (ed).
Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report N Riddiford (ed).
Fife Bird Report D E Dickson (ed).
Highland Bird Report R H Dennis (ed).
Isle of May Bird Report B Zonfrillo (ed).
Lothian Bird Report M R Leven (ed).
Moray and Nairn Bird Report M J H Cook (ed).
North-east Scotland Bird Report M L Tasker (ed).
Orkney Bird Report C Booth, M Cuthbert, E Meek (eds).
Perth & Kinross Bird Report W Mattingley (ed).
Shetland Bird Report P M Ellis (ed).
A Bird Report for the Outer Hebrides is also available from the local recorder as an off-print.
Redstart West Lothian 1988 7 BOT iad a M. Darling
48
LIST OF OBSERVERS
G W Adam, M E Adam, R G Adam, S R Adam, S G Addinall, C Addison, P Akers, G L Aitchison, G Alexander, S M D Alexander,
M Ameels, B Anderson, D G Anderson, M Anderson, R Anderson, R Andrew, I J Andrews, M A Ashley, H Arbones, S Aspinall,
P W Atkinson, N E Armstrong, B L Arneil, W Austin, R M Baikie, R Bailey, R S Bailey, D J Bain, G Bain, C J Baister,
E J Balfour-Melville, J H Ballantyne, D Barber, M Barber, A M Barclay, J Barr, P Barry, C Barton, A S Bates, D J Bates,
G Bates, M J Bayne, R Beasant, M Beaven, A Beck, K Beck, A Van Beest, A A Beil, D Bell, F Bell, H Bell, M V Bell,
NM G Bell, J G Bennie, Z Bhatia, C Bielby, E Bignall, T G & M Binny, P D Black, M Blasquez, C J Booth, C M Booth,
E J Booth, J Booth, P N Booth, J L Borrodaile, K C Bottrell, P R Boyer, H Bradley, S Brazendale, A Brieson, D J Britton,
R A Broad, G J Brock, K Brockie, J L Brooks, A Brown, A W Brown, B Brown, E Brown, J G Brown, L M Brown, M Brown,
J Bruce, K Bruce, D T Buchan, A Buchanan, G Buchanan, R H Bucknall, D Buckland, T Budge, E R Bullard, D Burges, G Burgiter,
J Burliston, R R Burn, R J Burness, J Burrow, T Byars, D Byatt, M Byatt, R G Caldow, M J Callan, E D Cameron, I Cameron,
S Cameron, N G Campbell, R Candeland, T Candiland, J Carruthers, E Charfer, M Chesney, M C Chesney, J Chester, G Christer,
G Christie, G J Clark, J Clarke, W Clayton, D L Clugston, W Clunie, H Clyde, P N Collin, A Collop, G Connelly, J M Conner,
B F Conway, S Conway, A Cook, M J H Cook, S D Cooper, A Cormack, I Cornelius, C Corrigan, C J Corse, G Costie,
N J Coward, J Coyle, J N Craig, M Craig, S Craig, I Crawford, D Cree, G Crittenden, J Cromarty, C H Crooke, J Crossley,
N Crowther, W A Cummins, W A J Cunningham, J Curran, A Currie, G Currie, M F Cuthbert, O D Cuthbert, P Dale,
T P Daniels, I M Darling, M Darling, J N Darroch, I G Davidson, W A Davidson, A R Dean, J Dean, T Dean, R H Dennis,
E Devlin, D Dick, D E Dickson, R A Dickson, T M Dix, T B Docherty, J N Done, P J Donnelly, H E M Dott, T W Dougall,
A Dowell, A Duncan, P B Duncan, M H Dunn, S Dunnett, R F Durman, J Easton, J Edelsten, J Edge, T Edge, A Edward,
B Edwards, C Edwards, R Edwards, S J Edwards, M A Eggeling, T W Eggeling, I Elder, N Elkins, R R Elliot, P M Ellis,
W Ellrick, I English, P Estaban, Sir R Erskine-Hill, B Etheridge, J Evans, L G R Evans, R G Evans, S Evans, J A P Fairhead,
D S Falconer, M Falconer, A P Faulkner, K Faulkner, E C Fellowes, D Ferguson, M Fisher, S Fisher, A Fitchett, G J Fitchett,
V J Flanders, J Fleming, M Fleming, V Fleming, A Flett, P Flett, K J Forbes, J Ford, J C Forrester, R W Forrester, J Fortune,
M Fraser, C Galbraith, J Gale, S Gall, Mrs Galloway, D Galloway, D Garratt, F Gatens, S V Gauld, C A Gervaise, I P Gibson,
S Gibson, D J G Gill, J Gillespie, T Gillies, K Gillon, D Given, R Gladwell, R D Goater, A Godfrey, A G Gordon, J J Gordon,
J R W Gordon, P R Gordon, R Graham, J Grant, M Gray, H Greig, M Gregory, B D Griffin, M Griffin, A Griffiths, N R Grist,
R Gutterez, S R Hacker, K E Hague, C Hall, S Hall, H S C Halliday, K C R Halliday, E Hamilton, F D Hamilton, I R Hamilton,
K C Hamilton, R Hampstead, J J C Hardey, M Harley, W G Harper, M P Harris, R Harris, F C Harrison, N Harrison,
M I Harvey, P V Harvey, J Hawell, D M Hawker, R G Hawley, M Hayes, J Hazlett, S Headley, Mr & Mrs G Heaton,
C DR Heard, E Heard, A Heavisides, S Hemmings, N Henderson, M Henry, C J Henty, P B Heppleston, K Heron, R Hesketh,
M Heubeck, M Hewison, N Hewison, W Hewison, S Hewitt, B A Hickman, C Hill, A Hilton, P T Hirst, EM Hissett, R Hissett,
A Hogg, J Hogg, R H Hogg, M Holling, L Hollingcrake, J F Holloway, J A D Hope, P G Hopkins, I M Hourston, P F Howarth,
D HB Howie, J E Howie, A Hudson, A Hughes, E Hughes, R Hughes, W N Hughes, J Hull, H R Hunter, L Hunter, B J Hurley,
C Hurley, E Hurley, J C Hurley, J Illingworth, I Inglis, M Innes, H Insley, A Irvine, T Irving, H Jacobs, J Jacobs, G T Jamieson,
D C Jardine, A R & I W Jennings, T Johnson, A Johnstone, I G R Jolley, A Joss, A Jowett, J Kane, S Keenan, A Keldie,
D J Kelly, R Kelly, C Kemp, D S Kennedy, W Kennedy, W D Kerr, E Kerr, I Kestings, J Kirk, K Kirk, J Knowler, A Knox,
A I Laing, S Laing, S A Laing, J Lamb, E R Landells, I Langford, C Latto, S Latto, A W Lauder, J D Law, N J Lawrie,
M E Lawson, S Laybourne, A Leach, O Leonard, E P Leven, M R Leven, C Lindsay, J Linklater, M Linklater, J Lister, B Little,
I Livingstone, I Lorimer, V Lough, R Lovell, S Lovell, D Lowe, T Lumsden, A R Lyndon, C J McAllister, R McBeath, F McConnell,
F G McCrossan, A McCulloch, R McCurley, J McCutcheon, R McCutcheon, I McDonald, J McDonald, J McDowall,
M K Macduff-Duncan, P McEwan, F McGhie, G McGill, I McGowan, C C McGuigan, A Macintosh, A Maciver, D J Mclvor,
W McKechnie, M McKee, H McKenzie, I Mackie, J Mackie, I McKinnie, K McLaren, G McLean, C R McLeod, J McManus,
AT Macmillan, EH L Macmillan, L McNally, F McNee, A K McNeill, B McNulty, J McOwat, J McOwat, J McWatt, G McWhirter,
M Madders, A R Mainwood, D Mainwood, M Mallalieu, N Mann, R J Mann, S A M Manson, D Mardon, M Marquiss, B Marshall,
T W Marshall, M W A Martin, A Mathieson, W A Mattingley, E W E Maughan, P Maxted, B Mearns, R Mearns, A Mee,
E R Meek, J K R Melrose, C Menzies, E Metcalfe, S Metcalfe, J Middlemass, J Middleton, A D Miller, R H Miller, R J Miller,
T Milling, C Mitchell, G Mitchell, J Mitchell, W Mitchell, W Mitchell, A W Moore, A S Moore, G Morrison, R Morton, R Moss,
W W Moss, M Mowat, C A Munro, A A Murray, I Murray, J E Murray, R D Murray, M Muttitt, C K Mylne, J S Nadin,
J Naish, D W Napier, NCC, B Neath, W Neill, J B Nelson, R J Nelson, W Nelson, M Nesbitt, Newcastle University Conservation
Society, R Nisbet, J Nobbs, R Noble-Nesbit, J A Norman, M G Norman, S North, North Ronaldsay Bird Obs, I Oberski, TO’Connor,
J G Ogilvy, M A Ogilvie, J D Okill, B Orr, J Osborne, M Osler, M Ostrouch, G Owens, A Park, C Park, E Parsons, D Paterson,
S Pawsey, S Payne, M A Peacock, C R Pell, D Pennett, M G Pennington, J B Percival, N Picozzi, A D Pierce-Duncombe,
M J Pink, V P Pink, M F Piper, N D Poleson, R K Pollock, C B Ponsonby, M D Porteous, P M Potts, A Pout, I R Poxton,
E S da Prato, S R D da Prato, A F Preen, E Preen, GI Prest, W G Prest, R Proctor, L Prout, D M Pullan, R Quick, M Quirie,
M Ramage, M N Rankin, D A Ratcliffe, E Rattray, E Raw, G W Rebecca, S Redpath, P S Read, S A Reeves, J Reid, R Reid,
E Rendall, J Rendall, N Rendall, D J Rennie, C M Reynolds, P Reynolds, V Reynolds, J Rhead, E Rhone, B Ribbands, J Richards,
P C Richards, R Richards, N J Riddiford, GS Riddle, E Rideout, K J Rideout, M Rinder, K Ringland, B Robertson, D Robertson,
I Robertson, C K Robeson, M C Robinson, W Robinson, F Rodriguez, C Rolme, C J Rollie, B Rorie, M Rorie, J Ross, A J Rowe,
B Rowling, R Roxburgh, R A Ruddiman, M Rusk, M Russell, G Ruthven, RSPB, G Sample, G L Sandeman, I Sandison, S Saxby,
R A Schofield, E Scotland, C Scott, R D S Scott, S Scott, T S Scott, C D Scotland, P J Sellar, R A B Shand, A F W Sharp,
G Shaw, K D Shaw, D Shearer, G Sheppard, R A Shewan, S & M E Shimeld, P Shimmings, R Shoesmith, J Skethaway,
Mr & Mrs D Skilling, F Slack, A J Smith, D A Smith, E M Smith, F Smith, G Smith, J Smith, R A H Smith, R W J Smith,
A M Smout, T C Smout, A C Souter, P W Speak, I Spence, M Spence, S Spence, R Spencer, C J Spray, A Sprott, A Stalker,
J Steele, J G Steele, J K Steven, A Stevenson, J Stevenson, B J Stewart, D R Stewart, J W Stewart, M M Stewart, P K Stirling-Aird,
N Storrie, M J Strickland, J Strowger, F Strudwick, M Strudwick, M Strudwick, I Struthers, D Suddaby, R W Summers,
A T Sumner, B E H Sumner, A Sutherland, I Sutherland, I Suttie, J L Swallow, R L Swann, A Swannie, I Swanson, J J Sweeney,
T K Skyes, Mr & Mrs Symon, F Symonds, B Taggart, E Tait, M L Tasker, H Taylor, J Taylor, N J Taylor, S Taylor, W G Taylor,
C Thaine, R Thaxton, D Thibault, E Thomas, N G Thomas, A Thompson, J Thomson, S Thomson, R Thorne, D Thorogood,
J Thorogood, M J Thrower, G Thursby, C Timmins, R Timmins, H C Towll, E Trigg, J Trowbridge, M Trubridge, R J Tulloch,
B Turner, B Unwin, L A Urquhart, P Vandome, J Vaughan, L L J Vick, J & T Wagstaff, B Wake, G Walker, J M P Walker,
K Walker, R Walker, J H Wallace, A Walters, C M Waltho, D Warburton, S C Ward, M J Ware, J P Warren, I Watret,
A D Watson, J Watson, J D Watson, D Watt, E Watt, R Watt, E Web, M Webb, D N Weir, T Weir, D J Wells, V Wells,
R D Wemyss, K Wheeler, DS Whitaker, G T White, M Whitehouse, N Whitehouse, J Whitworth, J Wiffen, J E Wilcox, Wildfowl ©
Trust, M A Wilkinson, E J Williams, S J Williams, 1 Willis, A Wilson, J Wilson, R Wilson, W Windwick, M Wolfe-Murray,
A D Wood, B Wood, J Wood, P J Wood, K F Woodbridge, P L Wright, J Wykes, G T Wylie, A J Young, R Young, A Youngman,
T Youngman, R Zawadski, B Zonfrillo.
49
LOCAL RECORDERS
Local Recorder
Dr E C Fellowes, West Isle, Islesteps,
Dumfries DG2 8ES.
A D Watson, 54 Main Street, Dalry,
Castle Douglas, Kirkcud. DG9 3UW.
A Hogg, Kirklea, Crosshill, Maybole,
Ayrshire KA19 7RJ.
I P Gibson, c/o Beck, 1 Rosebank Terrace,
Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire PA13 4EW.
I Hopkins, 2 Eden Place, High Street,
Rothesay, Bute.
M Madders, Smithy Cottage, Lochdon,
Craignure, Mull, Argyll PA64 6AP.
R D Murray, 4 Bellfield Crescent,
Eddleston, Peebles, Borders EH45 8RQ.
P R Gordon, 4 Craiglaw,
Longniddry, East Lothian EH32 OPY.
M R Leven, 43 Riccarton Road,
Linlithgow, West Lothian.
Dr C J Henty, 7 Coneyhill Road,
Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire FK9 4EL.
D E Dickson, 45 Hawthorn Terrace,
Thornton, Fife KY1 4DZ.
B Zonfrillo, 28 Brodie Road,
Balornock East, Glasgow G21 3SB.
W Mattingley, Cluny House, Aberfeldy,
Perthshire PH15 2JT.
R Goater, 4 Dunrossie Crescent, Tayock,
Montrose, Angus DD10 9LT.
K Shaw, 4 Headland Court, Newtonhill,
nr Stonehaven, Kincardine AB3 5JD.
M J H Cook, Rowanbrae, Clochan,
Buckie, Banffshire ABS 2EQ.
R H Dennis, Inchdryne, Nethybridge,
Inverness-shire PH25 3EF.
A R Mainwood, 13 Ben Bhraggie Drive,
Golspie, Sutherland.
E W E Maughan, Burnside, Harbour Road,
Reay, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7RG.
W A J Cunningham, 10 Barony Square,
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis PA87 2TQ.
T J Dix, 2 Dreumasdal, South Uist
PA81 SRT.
C J Booth, 34 High Street, Kirkwall,
Orkney KW15 1AZ.
P Harvey, Bird Observatory,
Fair Isle, Shetland ZE2 9JU.
D Suddaby, 92 Sandvein, Lerwick,
Shetland ZE1 ORU.
50
Region (District/s)
Dumfries & Galloway
(Nithsdale, Annandale, & Eskdale)
Dumfries & Galloway
(Stewartry & Wigtown)
Strathclyde (Kyle & Carrick, Cumnock &
Doon Valley, Kilmarnock & Loudoun,
Cunninghame)
Strathclyde (Dumbarton, Clydebank,
Bearsden & Milngavie, Stirling (Clyde
drainage area), Inverclyde, Renfrew,
Eastwood, City of Glasgow, Strathkelvin,
Cumbernauld & Kilsyth, Monklands,
Hamilton, Motherwell, East Kilbride,
Clydesdale)
Strathclyde (Arran, Bute, Cumbraes)
Strathclyde (Argyll & Bute — except Bute)
Borders (Berwickshire, Ettrick &
Lauderdale, Roxburgh, Tweeddale)
Lothian (East Lothian — except
Musselburgh lagoons)
Lothian (Midlothian, City of Edinburgh,
W Lothian, Forth islands, East Lothian
(Musselburgh lagoons)
Central (Clackmannan, Falkirk, Stirling
(Forth drainage area))
Fife (Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, N E Fife)
Fife (Isle of May)
Tayside ((Perth & Kinross)
Tayside (Argue City of Dundee)
Grampian (all, except Moray)
Grampian/Highland (Moray/Nairn)
Highland (Badenoch & Sirathspey,
Inverness, Lochaber, Ross & Cromarty,
Skye & Lochalsh, Highland (Sutherland))
Highland (Caithness)
Western Isles (Harris/Lewis)
Western Isles (Uists/Benbecula/Barra)
Orkney
Shetland (Fair Isle)
Shetland (except Fair Isle)
ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS
FIFE REGION &
(CEPI ae re OE eee eee == es px
Sutherland ©
District “propecia eS lend
ORKNEY
ISLANDS AREA eo /
8e ite
TIN
/ Caithness
/
Sy &
Poe ‘i SHETLAND
/ > ISLANDS AREA
yaa (> J Sutherland |
WESTERN | =
ERN ISLES 5™, “sy li
HIGHLAND REGION
We Ross and Cromarty We
re)
&
ISLANDS es y aN ony
os A--~.
Ae A ; ¢ 5,
/
Ae
Banff
— / > F Moray and Buchan
~ —= Skye Ldchalsh Gordon
Se Ns pe » GRAMPIAN REGION
NS,
ane tao 7 aN Bad A City,ef Aberdoon
Vo / aly eZ adenoc
‘Y and
i / Su 2 os Strathspey Kincardine and Deeside
FIFE REGION
SE HOE BO CENTRAL J North Eost Fife
REGION mee inet
s ag
~\ LO THIAN REGION
‘ast Lothian
_
Roxhurgh
Annendele
and Eskdale
LLOWAY,
INDEX TO DISTRICTS fa GION
NUMBERED IN STRATHCLYDE ( (\ its
Stewertry |
1. Clydebank \) ~ Cane
2. Bearsden and Milngavie N
3. Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Si ig 10 Q 10 20 30 40 aX)
r Mies a
Kilometres 10 0 10 20 30 «40 $0 6C 70 80
51
American Robin Inverbervie Dec 1988
52
S.M.D. Alexander
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