Sun 24th October

A great day over here, not only the weather but the bird watching was too...

Catherine phoned in this afternoon as she was watching 75 Waxwings eating berries at Tarbert on Jura....

One the visitors who arrived yesterday had seen 15 Great northern Diver from the ferry in West Loch Tarbert. Today he had heard a Water rail in the reed bed down beside the Coastguard cottages.

Another visiting birder had seen a Yellowhammer at Ardnahoe, and 3 Whooper Swans on the Loch, further on at Bunnahabhain was a male Blackcap, while he was leaving Bunnabhain there was an adult White tailed Sea Eagle over the pier at the Distillery. Coming back down towards Port Askaig, a male Ring Ouzel was seen, a young White tailed Sea Eagle was over the Sound of Islay and a Swallow was on the wing. After lunch, a Kestrel was seen at Storakaig and also a Peregrine, another Peregrine was down at Avonvoggie later on.

Good sized flocks of Fieldfare have been seen today, Bob had 2 different flocks, one of 30 birds and another of 80 up the back of Port Charlotte, while Carl had a large flock over at Ballygrant.

Another visitor had seen a Golden Eagle and also a male Hen Harrier down on the Oa, both "ticks" for his friends who were with him.

Chris and Tony Johnson from Horwich were one of our visitors who contributed some of their sightings last week, many thanks to them.