Sunday 25th March

Back on Friday, James and the team at Gruinart had carried out the Red Deer count on the reserve with a tally of 95 Red Deer counted, a figure similar to other years, and in line for the number required for management purposes. Whilst doing the count, some birds were seen too, a total of 7 Hen Harriers (4 Male & 3 Female), 2 Red Grouse, a Golden Eagle up at Ardnave. Back at Gruinart, there was an adult Glaucous Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull. A Lizard was also seen out sunning itself. Yesterday, James had 39 Whoopers flying over his house heading North.

First thing this morning, visitors from Lancashire had been up at Sanaigmore and had seen an Otter chasing a rabbit, across the dunes, down a rabbit hole, out again and away they went, possibly it was a young Otter which could tie in as an adult Otter could have difficulty getting in and back out of a rabbit hole! The Northants birders had a Goldcrest in the wood here again today and also a Goldfinch on the nut feeders at the back of the house, it's the first Goldfinch that has been around for a while. Down the road, they had 70 Golden Plover, a Pink footed Goose at Sunderland Farm. Close to Bridgend, there was a 2nd Yr Glaucous Gull eating at a dead Seal, with a Grey Wagtail on the Sorn. On Loch Indaal, off Bowmore, 2 Great Northern Diver and also 4 Red breasted Merganser. At Port Ellen, a male Sparrowhawk was seen, down the Oa, 2 adult Golden Eagles were seen mating, a Kestrel, and male and female Peregrine, Male Hen Harrier, 40 Twite, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chough. 3 Fulmars and 3 Gannets were also seen. On the "high road" between Port Ellen & Bridgend, a male Hen Harrier and 5 Stonechats. In the afternoon, 4 Crossbill were seen flying East at Finlaggan. They had also seen 3 Treecreeper while they were out today at different locations. Dave from down on the Oa has returned from his holiday out to South Africa, and today on the River Sorn up behind Bridgend had a Grey Wagtail and also a Siskin. Over at Port Askaig, Dave had an adult Iceland Gull.