Monday 23rd April

Earlier this evening Crystal heard a Cuckoo at Creagmhor up towards Ardnave. The Argyll birder had been out and about today, his sightings included 2 Little Tern at Loch Gruinart, another 2 on Loch Indaal, 2 Sandwich Tern at Kilnaughton Bay, 5 Velvet Scoter and a Slavonian Gebe also on Loch Indaal. On the Oa, a Golden Eagle was seen, the Green winged Teal was on the floods at Gruinasrt, a 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Ballinaby, 1st winter Gaucous Gull at Loch Gruinart, 3 different Cuckoos were seen/ heard on his travels. 4 Black tailed Godwit were on Ardnave Loch, with another 4 at RSPB Gruinart as well another on Loch Indaal. 1 Greenshank was also at Ballinaby, a total of 11 White Wagtails were seen, 1 Pink footed Goose was at Portnahaven, as well a a few Whitefronts and Barnies still around. More Swallows and Sand Martins were also noted. 11 Turnstone were seen on the rocks down beside gartbreck. He also saw a few Lapwing chicks out today, and a Stoat carrying one in its' mouth at Leorin! Yesterday the Hampshire birders had been busy too, at Cnoc Fada they had Goldfinch, Stonechat & Twite. On the reserve at Gruinart, Willow Warbler, 2 Barnies, Black wits in summer plumage, 1 Ruff, Redshank, Shoveler, Wigeon, Snipe, Teal, 3 Whoopers, Dunlin, Gadwall & Pintail. At Uiskentuie, GND and male and female Eider. At the Woollen Mill, on the feeders, Siskin & Coal Tits, while on the Sorn they had a pair of Grey Wagtail. Down below the Woollen Mill in the fields they had a count of 40 Linnets on bushes, and 8 Shelduck in the fields themselves. Coming home, at Blackrock, 11 Red breasted Merganser and 4 GND and finally off Bruichladdich Pier they saw a Shag, 2 Razorbill and 2 Black Guillemot.