In comparison with May 2008, May 2009 was cooler and wetter.  This may have delayed the timing of the breeding of some of our summer visitors. In particular House Martins and Swallows seem to have been later in establishing their nests.  To find out more I am seeking help.  If you have House Martin or Swallow nests on your property, would you please take a moment to let me know how many occupied nests you had last year 2008 and how many you have this year 2009, and whether or not you felt these were established sooner or later than in 2008?

In the next Bird Notes I will say a bit more about when birds breed.

Having said that, on Arran breeding is well underway for many species including: a pair of Shelduck with ten young at Clauchlands on 10^th; Lapwing defending territory in Kilmory on 11^th; twenty four common Gulls on nests in Dougarie on 12^th; a pair of Common Sandpipers on a nest in Pirnmill on 13^th; seven occupied Grey Heron nests in Lamlash on 15^th; one young Greylag goose on Pladda on 18^th; a Dipper with two young on the Slidderywater on 24^th; and three Skylarks over Machrie Moor on 26^th.  In addition there were lots of reports of garden birds carrying food and, contrary to national reports, from the reports sent to me, there is no apparent shortage of Cuckoo on Arran this spring.

In May, summer visitors continued to arrive with the following “firsts”: Swift in Whiting Bay on 1^st, and Spotted Flycatcher in Newton on 10^th.  There have been no reports so far this year of Common Tern, Corncrake, Lesser Whitethroat, Nightjar or Redstart.

Species who breed further north continued to pass through including: a Great Northern Diver in Whiting bay on 1^st; seven Whimbrel in South Feorline on 3^rd; nine Sanderling in Blackwaterfoot on 8^th; two Dunlin at Torrylinn on 10^th; two White Wagtail at Drumadoon on 14^th; and also on 14^th three Black-throated Divers off Cosyden.

While there were plenty of reports of Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, two other raptors were also reported: a pair of Merlin near the Ross Road on the 14^th and a Goshawk seeing off a Buzzard over Kildonan on 19^th.  These are unusual sightings for Arran.

Over one hundred species of birds were reported to me in May.  Here are a few more highlights, this time from sea watching during May.  On 16^th off Kildonan, there were two Puffins and two Pomarine Skuas. Since the removal of rats from Ailsa Craig, Puffin sightings have increased around Arran.  The Pomarine Skuas, in typical pirate fashion, were harassing Kittiwakes.  Pomarine Skuas were last reported off Pirnmill in October 1991. On 17^th a Sooty Shearwater was with the more common Manx Shearwaters off Thunderguy.  The main breeding grounds for Sooty Shearwaters are off New Zealand, with all breeding areas in the southern hemisphere, but they do migrate across the equator.  Off Arran there has only been one other record in the last twelve years.

My thanks again to the many people, who have been in touch this month to share their sightings, including those who visited the island to enjoy the popular Wildlife Festival.