Tuesday 21st February

On Sunday, David Formby, our local dentist here on Islay, had been up round Ardnave Point and had 30 Sanderling which were attracting the attention of a Merlin! While he was there he bumped into some old friends from the mainland. The visitors had seen a male and also a female Hen Harrier up there, down at Sunderland they had a Woodcock. Yesterday the visiting birders had a pair of Goosanders on the River Sorn and a further 3 on Loch Skerrols. Down on the Oa they had 10 Fieldfare, but no signs of any Redwing. On Sunday, Bob & Martin managed their count between Bowmore and Gartbreck, with their count being 1 Little Grebe, 2 Heron, 28 Shag, 7 Cormorant, 5 Great Northern Diver, 4 Greater black backed Gull, 3 Lesser black backed Gull, 23 Black headed Gull, 120 Common Gull, 350 Herring Gull, 1 Glaucous Gull, 15 Shelduck, 17 Mallard, 37 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 8 Goldeneye, 19 Red breasted Merganser, 32 Eider, 185 Oystercatcher, 60 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 12 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 23 Lapwing and 2 Turnstone.