Monday 17th June

Yesterday, Martin took his birdwatching to a new level, canoeing from Arbeg round to Port Ellen, what a great day to do it on! On Texa, he had seen nesting Shag, as well as Razorbills nesting there too along with a large colony of Gulls. On Texa itself, Martin had seen loads of Greylags along with goslings, but had seen 2 goslings being taken by some of the black backed gulls! Other birds seen on his trip were Arctic Terns, Buzzard, Raven, Black Guillemot, Eider, Mallard, Gannet and Oystercatcher. They also had a an Otter swimming close to the canoes! Visiting birder Viv, had seen a Puffin in a poorly state up at Ardnave yesterday, perched on a rocky outcrop.

Sunday 16th June

Another great day again, perhaps we are in for another wee spell of better weather, fingers crossed.. This morning I was Bob's secretary as he carried out a count along the shore from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, so here are the scores on the doors...7 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 11 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 6 Lapwing, 30 Oystercatcher, 9 Curlew, 1 Barwit, 11 Eider , 3 Red Brested Merganser, 1 Mallard, 13 Shelduck, 1 GND, 2 Greylag, 1Cormorant, 2 Shag, 4 GBB Gull, 8 B H Gulls on nests and another 4, 17 Common Gull, 22 Arctic Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern. Away from the shoreline there were a lot of young fledged Starlings to be seen and heard, Meadow Pipits and Rock Pipits were also seen in good numbers with a few Skylarks up in the air.

Saturday 15th June

After the rain, a great day came along, what else do I need to add but some birds.... Martin had been down at the carcase of the rotting Sperm whale at Knockangle point on the Big Strand. There were a good lot of birds their for some eats.... Martin's tally was 16 Gbb Gull, 2 Lbb Gull, 1 Black headed Gull, 8 Herring Gull, 1 Arctic Skua, 15 Dunlin, 40 Sanderling, 5 Common Sandpiper, 6 Turnstone and 6 Ringed Plover.

Friday 14th June

Some sightings through from Mary. Yesterday morning on her way up from Portnahaven, she saw 2 Otters on Loch Indaal off Carn, below Port Charlotte. Along at Whinpark, just after "smelly corner", Mary saw a couple of Bullfinch. Up at Gruinart, on the telegraph wires, she had a House Martin, Sand Martin and Swallow sitting side by side, great for id! Today on the moor at Ardnave, Mary had a pr of Shelduck. Later on a Swift was seen flying along the shoreline there and then finally in a small clump of willow scrub, Mary found a Whitethroat and also a Twite nesting. This morning, it was dry after some rain through the night, but since lunchtime there have been quite a few heavy showers coming out of nowhere. Think the Redpolls here at home have moved on, as we have not seen them for a few days, the Siskins are still present!!!

Thursday 13th June

A visitor earlier on in the week, on Monday, just before midday had seen a possible Black Stork over towards Coullabus. There were 2 different sightings of one on Mull back on the 26th Of May, and another has been seen in the Highland Region since then, so could this be the same bird wandering South again? Today Petere and Pia returned from their trip to China, a great time enjoyed by the sound of things. On their way back though Bowmore they saw a pr of Whooper Swans on Loch Indaal below the generator station. Here at home today, better late than never, the pr of Swallows have got 2 eggs laid now, I had almost given up on them laying eggs this year, lots of activity but no eggs until now! No doubt there will be some more eggs laid. Going round to Gruinart this morning, there was a male Hen Harrier out below Couererach and further round, past Ballinaby another was being chased along by a Redshank.

Wednesday 12th June

After that welcome rain (almost .75" in total), we have had a great day over here again, but the weather forecast for Friday is for some more rain... Today James had a Swift over the reserve at Gruinart, on the ground or possibly on the water he saw a Shoveler with her brood of 14 young. Here at home this afternoon we had the Corncrake calling away with the other one calling up the top, will I get any sleep tonight, better mind to shut the bedroom window before hitting the pillow!!! The young Starlings are out and about, what a racket they make when they are all together...

Tuesday 11th June

It had to happen sometime, and today was the day that our taste of summer came to an abrupt end. It was just a drizzle first thing this morning, nothing much really but as the day progressed the rain got heavier. Mind you, it's good to have some rain to lay the dust down and it will be welcome by the Distilleries for no doubt some of them will have been keeping an eye on their water stocks! On to birds I hear you all say... Jane Griffiths had a male Hen Harrier out quartering its patch up towards Mulindry yesterday evening. Last night, Margaret heard a Corncrake calling away not that far away from our bedroom window at midnight, easy to hear... it was still going at 3am, mind you I had managed to sleep in between times...Whether it was the male down from up the top I don't know for sure, but there was a calling bird there late afternoon in the rain!