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Kintyre Info Required (1 Viewer)

O

Original PaulE

Well-known member
United Kingdom
Hi All

We will be heading up to Scotland in September about halfway down the peninsula. Any info for good birding sites appreciated, we will be having a day trip to Islay so any recommended locations there appreciated as well. Also are there any Boat Trips people recommend either good ferries for the time of year or something more organised??

Thanks in advance

Paul
 
It perhaps depends on what you want to see. I don't know Kintyre that well but you might try Macrihanish for seawatching:
http://www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk/index.htm
West Loch Tarbert can be good for species like Black Guillemot, divers etc.

I know Islay quite well, but again it depends what you want to see. You will probably be too early for most geese, which generally arrive in early October. There could be a few around but you won't see large numbers (except Greylags and maybe a fair few Brent along the shore of Loch Indaal). Raptors should be fairly plentiful e.g. around Loch Gruinart or the road around Lossit Bay or up to Sanaigmore on the Rhinns. Choughs should be possible e.g. around Ardnave or Kilchoman. There's fairly good potential for rare waders and seabirds in Islay in September.
 
Andrew Whitehouse said:
It perhaps depends on what you want to see. I don't know Kintyre that well but you might try Macrihanish for seawatching:
http://www.machrihanishbirdobservatory.org.uk/index.htm
West Loch Tarbert can be good for species like Black Guillemot, divers etc.

I know Islay quite well, but again it depends what you want to see. You will probably be too early for most geese, which generally arrive in early October. There could be a few around but you won't see large numbers (except Greylags and maybe a fair few Brent along the shore of Loch Indaal). Raptors should be fairly plentiful e.g. around Loch Gruinart or the road around Lossit Bay or up to Sanaigmore on the Rhinns. Choughs should be possible e.g. around Ardnave or Kilchoman. There's fairly good potential for rare waders and seabirds in Islay in September.
Click to expand...
Thanks, very helpful, I thought we might be a bit early for winter stuff will probably have a couple of seawatches will there still be shearwaters going through be there around th 17th ?
 
Original PaulE said:
Thanks, very helpful, I thought we might be a bit early for winter stuff will probably have a couple of seawatches will there still be shearwaters going through be there around th 17th ?
Click to expand...

Should be yes. You should get Manx but Sooty is also possible, depending on conditions. Balearic is also reasonably regular in Argyll. Winds in the western quarter will be best.
 
I’ve had some good stuff from the Islay ferry - well worth doing for seabirds. Hundreds of manxies, several sooties and a long tailed skua on a crossing last week. I’ve had poms and Balearic shearwater in the past too. Should be loads of potential in mid September.
 
Fat Paul Scholes said:
I’ve had some good stuff from the Islay ferry - well worth doing for seabirds. Hundreds of manxies, several sooties and a long tailed skua on a crossing last week. I’ve had poms and Balearic shearwater in the past too. Should be loads of potential in mid September.
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Excellent thank you had good birds from ferries in the past especialy the outer Hebrides
 
Hi Paul

I've only been in the spring, so not much help with what birds might be around in the autumn.

Not too sure how long you're staying, but the run right down to the bottom was delightful. Down one side of the mull and back the other. On the east side you get lovely views of Arran. Skipness is a good place for a bit of culture, and there should be some wintering waders on the beach there.

Just stop and scope whenever you get a chance to pull in. The roads aren't too busy (less so at this time of year), except when the ferry has come in to Campbeltown from Ireland.... and don't forget to check out the hills, not just the sea.
 
delia todd said:
Hi Paul

I've only been in the spring, so not much help with what birds might be around in the autumn.

Not too sure how long you're staying, but the run right down to the bottom was delightful. Down one side of the mull and back the other. On the east side you get lovely views of Arran. Skipness is a good place for a bit of culture, and there should be some wintering waders on the beach there.

Just stop and scope whenever you get a chance to pull in. The roads aren't too busy (less so at this time of year), except when the ferry has come in to Campbeltown from Ireland.... and don't forget to check out the hills, not just the sea.
Click to expand...

Thanks Delia.

Hoping to see Eagles do they frequent the peninsula.
 
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