Wed 7th May

George left a message on the phone to say that he had seen the Osprey over at Gruinart this evening. At home, on the edge of Bruichladdich, he had a group of 30 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpiper on the foreshore, with 8 Great Nortern Diver off the pier. GJ

Although there have been quite a few reports of folk hearing the Cuckoo recently, it was not until this evening before I heard my first one for the year, down near Sunderland. Also beside Loch Gorm, both Sedge and Grasshopper Warbler were singing away but being secretive to their actual location! Reed Bunting were seen there too, while on a sown field at Rockside there were 14 Greylag Geese. Some more Corncrakes have been heard calling at different locations. I forgot to report that last night at Loch Gruinart amongst the Shelduck, there was a single Pale bellied Brent Goose . IKB