Fri 23rd Jan

A few records in from Malcolm, earlier on in the week, he had an Iceland Gull in the Saligo area and also 530 Golden Plover at Coull. Between his home in Bruichladdich and the coal yard/ Foreland road end he had a count of 54 Pale bellied Brent geese. Today, he had been up at Loch Skerrols, no sign of the Canvasback, but did have a distant viewing of the Lesser Scaup, along with 27 Whoopers, 8 Mute Swans, 74 Goldeneye, 10 Wigeon, 21 Tufted duck and 7 Scaup. There was no sign of the Coot either! The number of Goldeneye, was a new high January record, as back in 2003 in Port Ellen Bay, 65 were recorded. On his way over to Loch Skerrols this morning, there was also a possible immature Glaucous Gull at Blackrock, and it was still there just after midday, but on both times id proved difficult due to the traffic on the road. MAO

Meanwhile, Michal had been out and about, and reported back to say he had seen 74 Ringed Plover and 4 Turnstone in an inland field at Ardnave, possibly sheltering up! MS

Look out for the winds again, as the Fulmars were back in this morning.....