Sunday 17th February

A great day out here although the wind was a bit gusty, especially when you are out bird watching... Yesterday George had 6 Wigeon and also 6 Mallard on his ponds, later on he had seen 4 Brambling up towards Briago. Today as he was leaving his house down at Bruichladdich, a male Hen Harrier flew past and up towards Bunahabhain George saw 2 White tailed sea Eagles. This morning I was out with Bob and Martin doing the count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck. Our list was follows, 1 Mute Swan, 20 Shelduck, 12 Red breasted Merganser, 14 Eider, 6 Mallard, 161 Wigeon, 51 Teal, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Cormorant, 15 Shag, 6 Rock Pipit, 1 Carrion crow, 1 Heron, 173 Oystercatcher, 73 Curlew, 121 Barwits, 5 Redshank, 40 Knot, 73 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 18 Turnstone, 10 Lapwing, 24 Ringed Plover, 13 Grey Plover, 3 Black backed Gull, 80 Herring Gull, 20 Black headed Gull and 60 Common Gull. No Divers were seen at all, possibly they were sheltering in from the wind! We also had a ringtail Hen Harrier out down towards the council rubbish tip at Gartbreck. On my home I did see a GND and also 4 Common Scoter close to the shore just as I was coming out of Bowmore.
If you are over on Islay this coming week, Gordon Yates will be giving an illustrated talk on "The World of Birds" at 7.30 pm on Thursday at the Islay Natural History Trust in Port Charlotte.