In December 1952, the first volume of “The Glasgow and West of Scotland Bird Bulletin” was published. This publication edited by J.A. Gibson was published quarterly for eight years.  In that very first publication was an article by  M.M. Baxter “Bird Notes from Arran in Mid-winter” based on observations from the Sannox area.  In the list of birds were Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Stock Dove, and Black Grouse, all species which would be absent from a list of birds in Sannox this winter.  On the other hand, there were no records of Mute Swan, Collared Dove, or Hen Harrier which would feature on a bird list today.

While these historical records are interesting, Arran bird records are sparse until the Arran Natural History Society published its first annual Arran Bird Report in 1978.  These reports provide a unique record of the bird life of this special island over the last thirty years.  520 copies of the 2007 were published, but because of increasing demand a larger number is being considered for 2008.

In 2006, the responsibility for writing the report fell to me.  In that first year, I was encouraged by the number of people who contacted me by phone, email, and letter.  This support has continued.  In 2008 I have had over 3,500 sightings from over two hundred contributors.

All contributions are welcome.  I am not just interested in rare or unusual birds, but common birds: where there are significant numbers of common birds, which birds come to the garden at different times of the year, where breeding birds have been seen, when our summer or winter  visitors have arrived or departed, and what sightings have given individuals particular pleasure.  I know that a number of people keep for their own interest, all sorts of bird notes and I would encourage these people to share this information with me, so that the basis of our annual Arran Bird Report can be as comprehensive as possible.

Best wishes for 2009.

Please send all sightings for 2008, giving “what, when, where”, by Monday 13 January 2009  to me at Kilpatrick Kennels, Kilpatrick, Blackwaterfoot, KA27 8EY, or e mail me at james.cassels@virgin.net. I look forward to hearing from you.  For more information on birding on Arran visit this website www.arranbirding.co.uk .