Saturday 11th June

George sent this image through of a Heron taken up at one of the "ponds" behind his house. Yesterday James had seen a pair of Bullfinches on the reserve at Gruinart, with the female carrying food. He also saw 4 Redpolls and heard 2 Water Rails calling. Today he had a 2 foot long Adder, 3 Hen Harriers and a Spotted Flycatcher. Peter had been down in the woods at Bridgend and saw Treecreeper, Great Tit, Goldcrest and Willow Warbler all feeding fledged young. Down at Portnahaven he heard a Grasshopper Warbler while along in the walled Garden at Foreland House, in the chimney pot of the potting shed a Jackdaw was present feeding youngsters. Back here at home at Kilchoman, we had 4 House Martins this afternoon, the first I have seen here this year.

Not exactly breaking news, but to keep you in the loop, Islay Natural History Trust, Islay & Jura Tourism & Marketing Group and RSPB Islay Resereves are jointly going together to have a stand at the British Birdwatching Fair held at Egleton Nature Reserve in Rutland. The event takes place from Friday 19th August through to Sunday 21st August, so if you are going to the Fair, come and meet up with us. We will keep you updated with what is going to happen. At present both Carl and myself (Ian) along with others will be manning the stand.