Friday 24th December

Yes, it is Xmas time already if you live slightly East of here, bet you some of those places do not have the snow though!

Talking of the cold, James was still up at 1pm earlier today, trying to sort out problems with his water supply, and was surrounding by 21 inquisitive Red Deer, mostly stags. Later on this afternoon, he had 36 Whooper Swans down at Bowmore and also a pair of Gadwall as well as 3 Slavonian Grebe on Loch Indaal.

Speaking with Bob and James, there is a possibility that there have been 4 different Red Kites seen this month on Islay. We had another Kite today here at home, no camera or bins to hand, so I could not see if it had any tags on.

Also mid morning, on the way over to the cottages I found 2 dead Woodcock on the drive, both were in very poor condition. Later on this afternoon, just after Rockside road end, there were 4 Barnies on the verge of the roadside and also a Whitefront along with them. Further on, I was taken aback by the sight of 2 folk out walking on the ice on Loch Gorm especially as there was quite a rise in temperature today, back above zero for a while, with some ice giving too.