Friday 7th October

A Sabine's Gull and also a pair of White tailed Sea Eagles were seen over the Sound of Islay today. On the reserve at Gruinart, James counted 3,246 Barnacle Geese, 51 Greenland Whitefronts, 49 Pale bellied Brent Geese, 7 Whooper Swans, 17 Pintails, 8 Grey Plover, 1 Peregrine, 1 Hen Harrier and the Pectoral Sandpiper. Bob was down at the hide and had seen the following, 6 Ruff, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 10 Shovelor, 150 Teal, 60 Mallard and a Little Grebe all on the floods. Earlier this morning at home he saw a female Sparrowhawk being chased by a Crow, while this afternoon, on a fence post a male Sparrowhawk was present. Out on barley stubbles beside his house, Bob counted 200 Greylags, 20 Lapwing and 500 Starlings. James count for yesterday was as follows, 3,120 Barnies, 280 Pale bellied Brent, 3 Whitefronts, 1 Canada, hutchinsii sp. and also 7 Whooper Swans, all at Gruinart.