Wednesday 2nd May

An early entry from here today, possibly better early rather than a late entry! To start off with, we welcome back Michal to Islay again, Michal came over to Islay way back in 2006 and has been a regular summer migrant to these shores, it's great to see you back. Michal had returned from his third winter spell on The Seychelles, okay for some...Michal was off to a good start this morning with a Wood Warbler in the wee wood opposite the office at Gruinart. He also heard a couple of Blackcaps calling away there too. Mary yesterday heard her first Corncrake of the year down at Portnahaven, last night from here at the cottages, another was heard by the Hampshire birders while this morning Eoin Brown heard one calling out in front of the Visitor centre at Gruinart, more summer migrants back!!!Mary is now into the survey season. Yesterday up at Ardnave, she had a Willow Warbler in song at the loch and a second just beyond the farm. Futher on, Mary had a pair of Peregrine out over the sea, flying over a huge dog Otter. She saw a pr of Stonechats with their 2 fledglings while out over the moorand she counted 9 Swallows flying North. Back in the fields around the steading, there were 68 Golden Plover, as well as a Lapwing protecting her 4 young from a Greylag which was a bit too close! Today, Mary had a juv Golden Eagle out at Ardnave Point, at the lobster ponds 5 Whimbrel were seen and also 10 Twite. Back at Tayvoulin there were 3 Dunlin, 65 Barwits, 2 Little Terns and also 12 Turnstone nearby. Off Nave Island, there were 7 GND and 2 Red throated Divers, all in summer plumage. Flying past were 3 Sandwich Terns, one of which was being hassled by a young Herrin Gull, hoping to get the sand eel off the Tern! Mary commented on seeing more Swallows around, and that one of the Portnaven Starlings has already started to mimick the Swallows!!!