The end of the year going out with cloud and drizzle building up after a slightly brighter start in the morning.
The final bird reports for the year came in from Arash Marashi who found the Cackling Goose with a Pink-footed Goose on Loch Indaal by the Gaelic College. It stayed there long enough for several other visiting birders to catch up with it.
James how reported a Green-winged Teal at the North Hide of RSPB Gruinart in the morning and I nipped up there and found it later with Val Peacock and my friend Ken Chapman. Val was more observant than myself and pointed out that there were in fact two lovely drake G W Teal there. Other birders here for New Year - Andy Clements (retired CEO of BTO) and Andy Webb both found these birds shortly afterwards. Andy W. also noted 8 Brent Geese near Bowmore Harbour and there were three at Bruichladdich. In the afternoon and we saw 24 Whooper Swans up at Ardnave Loch.
Otherwise, there were sightings of Peregrine at Gruinart, Black Guillemots on the pier at Bruichladdich and Hen Harriers and Choughs in several locations on the Rhinns. Billy Stitchell was busy with his camera up at Caol Ila and sends us some bright shots of our commoner birds to see the year out with a splash of colour.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this blog and the accompanying WhatsApp group during 2025. Your sightings are extremely useful and go into the Argyll Bird Club database which has accumulated valuable records going back over 50 years.
Wishing all the contributing birders, resident and visiting, a great 2026 with lots of wonderful birding.
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