Tuesday 26th April

Another busy day, sometimes you cannot remember what's going on, or what you are supposed to be doing next, but it is time for the blog now...

Yesterday evening, Bob and Martin had seen a Short eared Owl up the back of Port Charlotte. They also heard a Corncrake calling out towards Bolsay and 6 different Grasshopper Warblers. Martin earlier on, down at Claddach at Portnahaven had a count of 27 Oystercatcher and heard a Sedge Warbler down there too. On the RSPB reserve at Gruinart yesterday, James had 9 Gadwall out in front of the hide, 37 Black tailed Godwit were present, 2 Bullfinch were in the wood, an Otter on the floods, 5 Barnies on the flats, and also 2 White Wagtail along with 20 Meadow Pipits.

Today on the reserve, there were 3 different Corncrakes calling, a Water Rail was also heard, 5 Grasshopper Warblers and 2 male Hen Harriers were seen. The Magpie is still present in the wood and a couple of Tree Sparrows have been seen there of late.

Bob today had 3 Sandwich Terns at Kilnaughton Bay, 2 Peregrines and a Golden Eagle on the RSPB Oa reserve, 60 Oystercatcher at Kintra, there were also 2 still in winter plumage, 6 Greenland Whitefronts at Cladville. George saw 10 Whimbrel at Bruichladdich earlier on this evening, and also 2 Razorbill on Loch Indaal. Today Martin had had a Grasshopper Warbler at Nerabus. Crystal had 300 Golden Plover at Killinallan, and also 6 pairs of Yellowhammer out towards Gortontoid.

A visitor e mailed some sightings this evening. He had seen a Golden Eagle being harassed by a Raven while up at Sanaigmore, 3 Chough were there too while in the sea, 3 Pale bellied Brent were swimming along with a Black throated Diver. A Merlin was seen at Saligo, along towards Machir Bay there were 24 Greenland Whitefronts and another Merlin was hunting along the the dunes. Every evening he has been seeing a male Hen Harrier where he is staying, and tonight a Cuckoo was heard calling.