Mon 17th May

A Green Woodpecker was seen this afternoon over at Ardtalla, the most recent sighting being back in May 1988.

Islay was fortunate to have the Council for RSPB staying over and visiting the Reserves here on Islay. By all accounts, a great time was had by all. 106 species of birds were seen including a Pectoral Sandpiper on the floods at Gruinart on Sunday afternoon.

Today Carl had 124 Oystercatcher and 94 Bar tailed Godwit at Gartmain. At Blackrock 2 Turnstone, 41 Oystercatcher and 29 Dunlin. Late this afternoon 18 Pale bellied Brent Geese were over Loch Indaal, flying North low over on Loch Indaal, Malcolm saw the same birds flying South!

James had a Peregrine on a Rock dove kill just outside his house, but no camera to prove it!

Now for the late edition, stop press... At the Visitors Welcome Evening tonight I heard that a visitor had counted 29 Pale bellied Brent this morning below the coal yard. Carl forgot to tell me before that he had a couple of Little Terns mobbing a Herring Gull on the Strand! Another visitor gave me some late entries, so here goes. On the River Sorn today they had 2 Dipper and also 2 Grey wagtail while on the feeders at The Woolen Mill there were Siskin, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. In Bridgend Woods they heard at least 7 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and saw Bullfinch, Willow warbler, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Song thrush, Goldcrest, Robin, Wren, Blackbird and a Buzzard. They also saw a Cuckoo being mobbed by Meadow Pipits. Also in the woods they saw Peacock, Speckled Wood as well as Green viened butterflies. Loch Tallant held Grasshopper warbler, Sedge warbler and another Cuckoo. There were 80 Grey seal on the sand bank on Loch Gruinart today