Thurs 13th March

As we have it, breaking news just in from Andy Schofield, of the sighting this morning of his first male Wheatear of the season, down between Aros House and Kintour over at Ardtalla on the SouthEast coast of Islay. He also had his first Whimbrel, again this morning. The previous piece about the Wheatear and Whimbrel was entered at lunchtime, but since then Andy has had an Australian Black Swan this afternoon over at Claggain Bay, no doubt an escapee from somewhere although if memory serves me correctly there was one over on Colonsay a few years back! Yesterday, the Bar headed Goose was seen amongst the Barnies over at the back of Kilnaughton Bay. RAS

There were another 4 Whooper Swan flying North up Loch Indaal yesterday, and a male Hen Harrier was seen out quartering up the back of Bruichladdich. GJ

This morning there was a female Hen Harrier out after the recent winds, on the way over to RSPB Loch Gruinart. IKB

A Barn Owl was seen out hunting about 10 o'clock at Island Farm on the Low road between Bowmore and Port Ellen last Friday night. Dave P.