At least 6 pairs in the area and females were noted hanging around rabbit burrows and a rock pile by MSBO on 9th and 14th. Five broods totalling 26 ducklings have appeared so far; the first was b/9 on 22nd followed by b/3 on 25th, b/5 on 27th, b/6 on 28th and another b/3 on 30th. Mean brood size = 5.2 (In May 2016 there was 5 broods / 33 ducklings mean brood size – = 6.6). May ‘Shelducklings’ 26th Common Eider Broods = the first was b/5 on 18th then a b/3 on 27th. Common Goldeneye A late female appeared briefly / photographed on 21st. Common Goldeneye 21st May Common Scoter Flock 7 passed >S on 11th. Red-breasted Merganser Glenbarr; 17 were off Killegruar camp site on 6th and five flocks totalling a significant 70+ were off there on 11th (Pip Ashley pers. comm.). Red-throated Diver Three (2 adults and an immature) passed >S on 18th. An adult passed >N on 23rd. Great Northern Diver The haunting call of this species was heard often early in the month. Counts included 7 on 5th and 23 on 11th, but scarce later with only one summer-plumaged adult on 17th. Northern Gannet Overland crossings (8km) of adults from Campbeltown Loch (Clyde) > west to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic) during May. Table 1. Date / number of adults crossing / wind direction and observers. Number of Wind direction / May Adults strength Observers 2nd 4 NE 3 - 4 CR/EM/RM/IM/DR/DG 3rd 6 NE 3 - 4 CR/EM 6th 2 NE 3 - 4 CR/EM 8th 5 NE 2 - 3 CR/EM
At least 6 pairs in the area and females were noted hanging around rabbit burrows and a rock pile by MSBO on 9th and 14th. Five broods totalling 26 ducklings have appeared so far; the first was b/9 on 22nd followed by b/3 on 25th, b/5 on 27th, b/6 on 28th and another b/3 on 30th. Mean brood size = 5.2 (In May 2016 there was 5 broods / 33 ducklings – mean brood size = 6.6). ‘Shelducklings’ 26th May Common Eider Broods = the first was b/5 on 18th then a b/3 on 27th. Common Goldeneye A late female appeared briefly / photographed on 21st. Common Goldeneye 21st May Common Scoter Flock 7 passed >S on 11th. Red-breasted Merganser Glenbarr; 17 were off Killegruar camp site on 6th and five flocks totalling a significant 70+ were off there on 11th (Pip Ashley pers. comm.). Red-throated Diver Three (2 adults and an immature) passed >S on 18th. An adult passed >N on 23rd. Great Northern Diver The haunting call of this species was heard often early in the month. Counts included 7 on 5th and 23 on 11th, but scarce later with only one summer-plumaged adult on 17th. Northern Gannet Overland crossings (8km) of adults from Campbeltown Loch (Clyde) > west to Machrihanish Bay (Atlantic) during May. Table 1. Date / number of adults crossing / wind direction and observers. May Number of Adults Wind direction / strength Observers 2nd 4 NE 3 - 4 CR/EM/RM/IM/DR/DG 3rd 6 NE 3 - 4 CR/EM 6th 2 NE 3 - 4 CR/EM 8th 5 NE 2 - 3 CR/EM