Wed 22nd Oct

Today is the first of another set of annual Goose counts, so we will get these figures through once they are all tallied up. Whilst out on his route, Malcolm had counted 176 Whoopers on Loch Nigheadaireachd (Laundry Loch I was once told!), this Malcolm reckons could possibly be the largest single flock counted. There have be larger counts, but these have been totals of several flocks in one area on one day. Also present were 230 Greylags and 100 Wigeon. There were a further 26 Whoopers at the top of Loch Indaal. James had 65 Whoopers on the Goose walk at Gruinart this afternoon, while we had 30 flying overhead, here this morning with a similar number this afternoon resting down on the lochans below Rockside. There was a sighting of a possible Arctic Tern over the reserve during the walk, but it was past before a positive id could be done. Here at home there has been a couple of Coal tits on the bird table beside the kitchen window. In fact the birds have been feeding a lot today with more birds coming to the table for food rather than the actual feeders.
The "visiting birder" left a message to say that he had 2 Snow Buntings, a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine and to cap it all, a Red Admiral butterfly. Possibly, it could be the last butterfly for the year, if the expected weather forecast comes through!