Thursday 7th February

Yesterday, Michal, one of the "vols" at RSPB, had seen 2 Greenshank out in front of the hide at Gruinart. Michal is over on Islay for 3 weeks and comes from Poland. This morning, we headed up towards Ardnave. Just after Mill cottage in one of the fields, there was a large mixed flock of Golden Plover and Lapwing, over 300 birds at least. Further on, close to Garra Eollabus, the flock of Brambling and Reed Bunting were still present in the "game crop". Ardnave Loch held 2 Mute Swan, 3 Whooper Swan, 1 Little Grebe, an Oystercatcher as well as Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye. Coming home we had single Hooded Crows at various points and also a few Stonechats. A Peregrine was seen below Carnduncan as well. George today had 70 Curlews in his fields along with over 1,000 Barnacle Geese, the largest number he can recall there. On his ponds, he had a Wigeon this morning, the first for some time. Outside Bowmore George had 7 Pale bellied Brent Geese.