August was wet with over 200mm of rain. With more than twice as much rain as the previous two Augusts there was more than a hint of the approach of autumn.

Having said that, summer visitors were still to the fore including: a Cuckoo at Drumadoon on 7^th, three Sand Martins at Kilpatrick and a Spotted Flycatcher at High Kildonan on 10^th, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler in Shiskine on 17^th, a Wheatear at Balmichael and a Whitethroat at Cosyden on 21^st, and over one hundred Swallows in Kilpatrick on 27^th.  Try to note when you last see a Swallow this summer.

Other signs of successful breeding this month included: three fledged Robins in Lamlash on 2^nd, six Grey Wagtails in Carlo on 21^st, four juvenile Stonechat on Shiskine Golf Course on 24^th, young, barely able to fly,  from late breeding Ringed Plover on the shore at Kildonan on 30^th, and juvenile Golden Eagles in the skies over Arran this month.

In August, breeding is coming to an end, and after breeding a number of species begin to flock together, some in preparation for migration.  These included: seven Twite at Drumadoon on 4^th, up to one hundred Goldfinch on Cleat shore on 27^th, up to three hundred Linnet also on Cleat shore on 29^th, one hundred and fifty Kittiwake in Whiting Bay on 29^th and four Sandwich Terns in Kildonan on 30^th.  In addition, there was a big movement of Manx Shearwaters seen from various points around Arran, including up to one thousand in Brodick Bay on 10^th and an estimated three thousand an hour passing Largiemore on the morning of 14^th.

Shore birds on migration included: twenty five Turnstone in Whiting Bay on 3^rd, a Greenshank and two Whimbrel on Kilpatrick  Point on 19^th, and fourteen Dunlin and two Sanderling in Blackwaterfoot on 24^th.

There were two early reports of birds that are considered to be winter visitors: a Wigeon at Kilpatrick Point on 19^th and a small flock of Fieldfare at Corriegills on 20^th.

Other birding highlights this month included: a Short-eared Owl at Machrie Farm on 2^nd, an immature White-tailed Eagle over Rubha Glas on 7^th, a female Merlin on the Boguillie on 16^th, a Goosander at Kilpatrick Point on 19^th and a Great Skua in Brodick Bay on 27^th.

September sees the start of the peak migration season when many birds are on the move.  It is the time to expect the unexpected.

Finally, the excellent long term study of Hen Harriers on Arran under the able direction of John Rhead, Project Officer has entered a new phase with the wing tagging of young birds and the satellite tracking of two of these birds. For the first time this will enable information to be gathered on the movements of Arran Hen Harriers increasing our understanding of this species.

If you see any Hen Harriers with yellow and black wing tags please contact John directly at rheadz@btinternet.com  with where and when you saw it.

To follow the movements of the two birds that are being tracked by satellite, click this link for Forestry Commission Scotland - Arran Hen Harriers http://www.forestry.gov.uk/arranhenharriers