Wednesday 9 October 2019

Wednesday 9th October

Another mixed bag with the weather here again today, possibly not so many heavy dirty showers around, but certainly the wind has huffed and puffed for most of the day. On a really positive note, we have not had any of our ferries cancelled, with Port Askaig being the preferred port of arrival and departure, the advantage of having 2 ferry ports on Islay...

Some sightings from yesterday came through to me after I had written the blog last night....Top birds seen by Iain and Fiona from the North hide at Gruinart during a 2 hour stint in the afternoon included a male and also a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Ruff, 2 Redshank, over 250 Redshank, 100+ Wigeon, 30 Twite, 15 Pintail, 10 Shoveler, 150+ Golden Plover, 50+ Lapwing, 4 Herons, 15 Curlew, a juv. Gannet, 50 + Mallard, 15 Mipits, 10 Pied Wagtails, 2 Buzzard, 2 Song Thrush & 6 Snipe. They also had  seen some Rooks, Jackdaws, Starlings, Hooded Crows as well. They also commented on the "lack of geese" but put it down to the weather..  Also yesterday, Nick and Kath had seen 2 GNDs, and a RTD plus 19 Curlew and also 3 R b Merganser, all at Claggain Bay.
Today, Richard Belter had seen 16 Whoopers  over at Gruinart, down on the dunes at Machir Bay he had 4 Choughs. Along the road from here, at Sunderland, he had  30/40 Pinkies and also a further 20 Whoopers. To finish off his day he has spotted 2 Barnies back over at Gruinart. 
Here at home, the kettle has been whistling away good style, at first we had George E. Jackson and his wife Pat before they headed out to the ferry and just as they left here, Richard came in for a catch up, great to see you all folks, all made very welcome....

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