Wednesday 29th May

Another great day out here, almost like a summer's day. Some folk down in Bowmore had red faces, but that could possibly have something to do with other things happening in Bowmore today!!! This morning Geoff, Danny and Dave had a Wood Sandpiper and also a Snipe with young out from the old hide at Gruinart. Dave had a pr of Shoveller on Loch Kinnabus today. Martin had been over on Colonsay where he he heard 3 Cuckoos and also 3 Corncrakes. Birds seen included 12 Stonechats, a Sedge Warbler, a Golden Eagle, and a Snipe displaying at Scalascaig. Coming home this evening on the ferry, Martin saw a Pomarine Skua flying North up the Sound of Islay. At Bunnahabhain, Steve had a GND in almost full summer plumage. Bob had a male Hen Harrier close to Sunderland Farm this evening, a count of 130 Greylags at Rockside, another male Hen Harrier on the edge of the reserve at Gruinart. On the Corncrake walk at Gruinart this evening, think more Cuckoos were heard, but at least 2 Corncrakes were heard as well. A Cuckoo was seen, Snipe drumming, Chough displaying, Whitethroat heard and seen as were several Sedge Warblers. 6 Pale bellied Brent were seen flying up Loch Gruinart itself. Coming home this evening, there were 9 Red Deer close to the road as we left Gruinart.