After the deluge in August, September was much drier, with a quarter of the rain of August and half the rain of last September.

September sees the start of the peak migration season when many birds are on the move.  It is the time to expect the unexpected.  This year was no exception, with an adult Sabine’s Gull and a Cory’s Shearwater both reported from the Caledonian Isles on 3 September.  This species of gull was last reported in Arran waters in 1994 and this species of shearwater was last reported in 1997.  In addition there was the second report of the rare Sooty Shearwater this year with seven in Machrie Bay on 6^th.

Shore birds on migration included: a Greenshank at Clauchlands on 3^rd, seven Dunlin and two Knot at Blackwaterfoot on 18^th, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel on Kildonan shore on 20^th, and over one hundred Golden Plover at Machriewaterfoot on 25^th.  Also on the coast the passage of other birds on migration was noted including: two White Wagtail at Kildonan on 10^th, over fifty Meadow Pipit at Kilpatrick Point on 10^th and over fifty Pied Wagtail at Kildonan on 22^nd.  Birds on migration were not only reported from the coast but also inland including a female Merlin in North Glen Sannox on 9^th and twelve Wheatear on the Castles ridge on 16^th.

At this time of year, birds begin to flock together, often in preparation for migration.  Reports included: eighty Goldfinch at Dippen on 3^rd, forty Siskin in Sannox on 12^th, fifty Linnet at Kilpatrick on 14^th,  and also at Kilpatrick on 26^th fifty Twite and over three hundred Starlings.  On the coast, there were eighty Gannet in Whiting Bay on 4^th, over two hundred Shag in Lamlash Bay in the early morning of 19^th and around one thousand five hundred Kittiwake in Whiting Bay on 20^th.

With the approach of winter. some birds move to the milder coast.   Dipper was reported at Lochranza on 8^th and Clauchlands on 17^th and Kingfisher was reported from near the mouth of the Rosa burn on 16^th and from Cordon on 18^th.  Other birds more associated with winter included two Rooks in Shiskine on 4^th and eight Wigeon at Cleats Shore on 30^th. 

Having said that, some summer visitors were still around including: a Swift over Dippen on 3^rd, two House Martins in Kilpatrick on 14^th, a Chiffchaff in Brodick on 17^th, a Willow Warbler in Shiskine on 22^nd and a pair  of Swallows still feeding young in a nest in Lamlash on 30^th.

All three divers were reported this month including: thirteen Black-throated Divers off Cosyden on 18^th, a Great Northern Diver in Machrie Bay also on 18^th and five Red-throated Divers in Whiting Bay on 22^nd. Other sightings this month included: a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Lagg Wood on 13^th, a Water Rail in Machrie on 14^th and a number of coveys of Red Grouse on high ground with more than ten birds in each covey.

Finally, October should see the last of the Swallows departing south and the first of the Greylag geese arriving from the north.  As always I would be interested in last and first dates.