Argyll, Scotland

[Capercaillie71]

I'm off to Argyll (Inveraray) in a week or two's time and was wondering if anyone could recommend any good sites. I have been several times before but never really done much in the way of birding etc. there.

I would be particularly interested if anyone could recommend any good Pine Marten sites as the only ones I have seen in Scotland have been roadkill between Oban and Crianlarich.

[saluki]

I'm off to Argyll (Inveraray) in a week or two's time and was wondering if anyone could recommend any good sites. I have been several times before but never really done much in the way of birding etc. there.

I would be particularly interested if anyone could recommend any good Pine Marten sites as the only ones I have seen in Scotland have been roadkill between Oban and Crianlarich.

Hi Caper,

I'm based 40mins north west of Inverary when I visit Argyll (near Lochgilphead) and tend to gravitate southwards down the Kintyre peninsular or westwards towards the coast, so anywhere I suggest has additional drive time for you.

Pine Martens have been increasing for some years in the area but are difficult to see during the day. I've seen them in both Knapdale and Kilmichael Forest. You could try an early morning or evening walk to the Fairy Isles (SWT reserve - http://tinyurl.com/f2myp) in Knapdale, you might be lucky. My uncle took a guy there last year and spotted two one evening - it's just down to luck.

Other places I go regularly are Dalavich Wood and Loch Awe (woodland birds, inc. p.flycatcher and ospreys on Loch), Southend (Kyntyre peninsular - keep to the coast road and find a small car park beneath cliff), seabirds, ringed plover, twites, rock pipit, s. flycatchers in nearby graveyard, cetacea out to sea, etc.,. Keillmore and Taynish (near Tayvallich), Loch Caolisport (bt and gn divers there last week, plus excellent place to see otters), Moine Mhor and Crinan (better in winter but worth a visit).

One tip - there's a road opposit the Auchindrain Museum just outside Inverary, this cuts right through the hills to Loch Awe and is a great drive, but it's a rough road. I'm assured it is a public road, though it looks more like a forestry track.

Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm sure there are great spots closer to Inverary. The whole area's vastly underwatched so antything could turn up. If you want more detailed info just drop me a PM.

saluki

[Capercaillie71]

Thanks Saluki, I'll try to visit some of those places if I can. I'm not expecting anything too spectacular but even something like a pied flycatcher would be nice as we don't really get them round here and it's been a while since I've seen one.

[Gramayr]

Go though Lochgilpead, past Adrishaig (sp?) and take the turn off to Kilberry (very nice place, bit of history - has old stones there and a very nice pub that has won awards for its food). The road carries on till it gets back on the main road at Tarbert. Remember seeing red squirels down there - always on the look out for pine martens when I was there last.

[Capercaillie71]

I just got back from Argyll, where the weather was exceptionally good! We visited the oak woods at Taynish and Dalavich, both of which were fantastic habitats. Unfortunately it was a bit late in the season for the woodland birds - the only things singing were wrens and the pied flycatcher boxes at Dalavich seemed to be deserted. However I did see and hear a couple of wood warblers in the grounds of Inveraray Castle (in fact all three Phylloscopus warblers were present here). I did get an osprey at Loch Awe as well.

No luck with the Pine Martens, but one or two lesser highlights included 40-50 gannets plunge diving into a shoal of fish in Loch Fyne just off Inveraray (they looked somehow out of place so far 'inland'), a summer plumage GN Diver from the Claonaig - Lochranza ferry and three bottle-nosed dolphins playing just of the slipway at Lochranza (I know, not techincally Argyll, but never mind).

[Steve Babbs]

I'm off to Argyll (Inveraray) in a week or two's time and was wondering if anyone could recommend any good sites. I have been several times before but never really done much in the way of birding etc. there.

I would be particularly interested if anyone could recommend any good Pine Marten sites as the only ones I have seen in Scotland have been roadkill between Oban and Crianlarich.

Hi

I spent a couple of months surveying black grouse in Argyll. To be honest it isn't the best birding spot. There were black grouse near Tullich (on the road N out of Inveraray) but that was in 96. Still worth a try - dawn and dusk. There a few golden eagles around the tricky - scan the hills. I saw one pine martin in 2 months - it ran in front of the car. Bear in mind I was driving at dawn and dusk and at night almost very day for 2 months - so a very slim chance. Red squirrels can be seen in the grounds of the gardens in Inveraray.

Inveraray has by far the best pub I have ever been to in Scotland.

Steve