Monday 2nd May

Another great day out here, we were out round Loch Gorm this evening, over at Ballinaby, the sand from the fields had been blowing and we were surprised to see it along the roadside! In one of the grass fields there were 30 Dunlin, 30 Golden Plover and 10 Whimbrel. A visitor yesterday had seen a Curlew Sandpiper present there the amongst the Dunlin. Another visitor had seen an Osprey taking a fish out of Loch Indaal over the weekend.

This morning another visitor had seen a Red Kite out from Bunnahabhain, flying over towards Jura. James had a third Garganey on the floods today. Michal had been up at Ardnave this morning where he saw a Golden Eagle being mobbed by a Kestrel, Hen Harrier and a Raven at the same time! Carl had been up there later in the day and had 40 Whimbrel at Ardnave Loch, 5 Little Terns and also a male Hen Harrier. Martin had been over at Kintra at Port Ellen today, and seen his first "Islay" Cuckoo on the "High road" on his way there. At Kintra itself, he had 3 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks, 41 Oystercatcher in one flock on the beach and he counted 28 Sand Martin nest holes in the dunes. There were also 7 Terns flying over Loch Indaal, diving into the sea, but far enough out so Martin was unable to get a positive id. Here at home the Cuckoo is back, calling away before 6 am in the wood, and was heard again further out on the hill late afternoon.