Saturday 23 February 2013

Saturday 23rd February

This image of a Chough was sent through to me yesterday, taken earlier this week. Mind you the weather is still holding dry. In fact it has been trying to snow here all day but with no real effect....Earlier in the week Michal had been speaking with visitors who had seen a Purple Sandpiper up at Ardnave. Other birders who have left today  had 2 Brambling up towards Sanaigmore, a Golden Eagle at Ardnave, the leucistic Barwit also at Ardnave and had seen Pale bellied Brent Geese on Loch Indaal. . John and Carol Warner who also left today had seen a juv Golden Eagle up behind Sunderland Farm and later on a male Hen Harrier over at Kilchiaran. Michal yesterday had heard a Mistle Thrush singing outside the Visitor Centre at Gruinart and later on he had 2 Golden Eagles over the reserve at Gruinart and also a male Hen Harrier. Michal this morning heard another Mistle Thrush singing away outside his house at Moulin. Other visitors had seen a Brambling  along with some Linnets today at Coille in a mixed finch flock close to Coille. Going over the hill from Gruinart to Carnain, they had a count of 50 Ravens and also female Merlin. Earlier on at Ardnave, they had seen 9 Sanderling, 1 Barwit with 5 GND offshore. Bob this morning had more Thrushes around possibly due the cold weather on the mainland. They included 13 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 8 Blackbird and 20 Meadow Pipits. This afternoon, down on Machir Bay there was around 50 Oystercatcher on the wing, while just above the tide line there was a dead Guillemot, no sign of any oiling or being caught in any fishing nets. Over at the flats at Gruinart, amongst the Barnies present, Phil and Kath had the Canada Goose hutchinsii sp.

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