Wednesday 1 June 2016

Wednesday 1st June

Another month in with the rainfall tallying through here at 2.6 inches... and just over 20 inches for the year so far, a third of the years' total so far, was in January alone!!!
Returning visitor, James Common sent some highlights of the birds seen so far from this visit. At Finlaggan, he saw the Ring necked Duck, a female Goldeneye, a male Hen Harrier and a Sedge Warbler. Over in the bay at Port Ellen, a GND in summer plumage, 2 Arctic Tern, and another male Hen Harrier. In the Port Askaig/ Coal Ila area, James had Chiffchaff, 3 Hen Harriers, Tystie out on the Sound of Islay, Whinchat, 2 Groppers, a Short eared Owl and a Barn Owl. At Gruinart, 2 Corncrakes, 3 Whooper Swan, a Barnie, and further along the road there were over 200 Rock Doves in a field and then a Sparrowhawk ! On Loch Indaal, 6 Arctic Tern were present with a male Hen Harrier seen closer to Bridgend, a great set of birds, thanks James. Forgot to mention the other day that Bob saw a Glaucous Gull when he was up here on Sunday. Gary today saw a couple of Kestrel over his house and while out walking the dog, he had seen a White tailed Eagle and then a an Osprey carrying a fish from Loch Finlaggan. Several Buzzards and also good numbers of Stonechats were also seen while out. Here at home, the were 25 Chough out over the crag mid afternoon and a wee while later a male Hen Harrier flew past. Earlier on, round at Ballinaby, we saw a ringtail out on the wing, a good day for Harriers!

No comments: