Wednesday 3rd April

Going into Bowmore, I happened to look at the temperature,  I had to look again, yep, it was in double figures up to 10 degrees. Later on, while coming home, over the other side of Loch Gorm at Ballinaby, the temperature had dropped back  to only 9 degrees. On the Weather forecast this evening, they announced that some parts of the Scottish Highlands had only had 46% of the seasonal rainfall for March. Think they should be quiet, look what happened in other areas when they brought in the hose pipe ban last Spring! Clive had a Golden Eagle while he was over at Bunnahabhain yesterday. Later on, down close to the Auction Market at Bridgend , he had a Barn Owl out on the wing. Today coming over the hill from Carnain to Gruinart, we saw several small groups of Fieldfares. At Craigens roadend, there was a flock of Golden Plover present, most of which were in summer plumage. Today Peter had been up at Ardnave and commented on how dry the ground was  there. Top bird was a Jack Snipe close to the steading. Over on Nave Island, Peter had over 60 Barnies with around 30 Eiders present there too. On the shore, there were about 30 Oystercather seen with 10 - 12 GBB Gulls appearing to be on territory. Coming home, down close to the coalyard at Gortan 11 Pale bellied Brent Geese were counted.