Tuesday 28th May

A pr of distant Terns taken by Anna down at Port Charlotte this evening. Earlier on, this afternoon, Anna had been over at Gruinart and had Redshank, Lapwing & chicks, 2 Whooper Swan, Curlew and a Whimbrel. Down off Bruichladdich Pier there was a Tystie. Back at Port Charlotte this evening, plenty of Goldfinches around, Razorbill, GND still in winter plumage, and Cormorant all out on Loch Indaal. Visiting birder Steve, had a GND off Coal Ila today in summer plumage.Tonight was the monthly meeting of the bird nerds, hence the late entry! Dave led 12 of us out to the Bay field and along to the American Monument and back to the car park. A great evening, great views all around. Highlight was definitely the sighting of the 2 Golden Eagles out on the wing, at one time being mobbed. We  also had 3 Swifts, a new "Islay tick" for me! Other birds were Peregrine, Whinchat, Hooded Crow on a nest, LBB Gull, Wheatear, Whinchat, Stonechat, Skylark, Swallow, Kittiwake nesting, Fulmar nesting, a Gannet from the Monument, some Manx Shearwater flying there too. Today, Danny had the Pale bellied Brent Goose over at Gruinart., and on our way out to the Oa this evening there were around 50 Greylags  (no young) down at Rockside. Coming home, down at the reed bed at the Coastguards, there was a Corncrake calling, it was so close, we almost jumped out our skins when it started up, we were actually listening to one further away at the time!!!