Monday 13th May

James today had a dark phase Arctic Skua over the reserve at Gruinart. Out on the floods, 2 Pintail, 10 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and 2 Wigeon were seen. From the new hide, the male Garganey was still present along with 3 White Wagtails and 3 Barwits. Along the flats, in the field behind Loch Gruinart House there were around 3,000 Dunlin and 2- 300 Ringed Plover. Visitors had commented on groups of Whimbrel being around. Andrew and Jane saw 2 Turnstone on the spit on Loch Indaal. On the woodland walk at Gruinart, they had a pr of Treecreepers carrying nesting materials. Alsopresent there were Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Willow Warbler, Wren and Robins. From the new hide they also had the Garganey and the Barwits, an Oystercatcher with a BTO ring on, Mallard with ducklings, 4 Teal, 3 Shoveler, Moorhen and 2 Reed Bunting. This evening, over at Coull there were 5 small groups of 4-5 Linnets. Between Coull and Ballinaby, there appear to be more Wheatears around at present. There was a small mixed flock of 30 Ringed Plover and 30 Dunlin at Ballinaby and also a pr of Canada Geese. On one of the barley fields down at Rockside there were 20 Greylags present.