Wednesday 16th May

Last night when I went a quick turn round Loch Gorm, at Ballinaby amongst the Greylags, there was another goose present, by the looks of it, a possible Pink footed Goose. This evening, amongst the Greylags at Rockside, the Greylag hybrid with the large white collar was seen. Late last night, as it was so calm, Margaret and myself went out on our patch and listened for any Corncrakes, and by the time we came home this morning we had 8 calling birds, one more than our earlier turn back on the 2nd of May. Michal today had 6 Siskins, 2 Cuckoo, pr of Hen harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel and a few Redpolls in the forestry ay Lurabus down on the Oa. George yesterday had 2 White tailed Sea Eagle over towards Port Askaig and also a Cuckoo there too. Back at home he had only 4 Whimbrel and the Whooper Swan. Today the Whooper Swan was still present, but the Whimbrels were up to 43. He also had a Cuckoo out the back as well. George had a count of 21 Common Gull, 3 Black headed Gull and also 3 Arctic Terns. RAFOS today had 20 Pale bellied Brent Geese on Loch Indaal, and had the 2 juv White tailed Sea Eagles on the bottom end of Islay.They also had good numbers of Gannets on Loch Indaal, passing the Oa and also down at Portnahaven.