Monday 22nd May

Another dry and sunny day with light winds - quite warm too.

Some further bird news for yesterday from the Glasgow RSPB group who are visiting and clearly enjoying themselves:

"We had a fabulous day at Loch Gruinart and Ardnave today. Highlights were really good views of a White-tailed Eagle from the hide and viewpoints and on the woodland trail, Sedge Warbler, Lapwings, Shoveler. On the Moorland trail we had excellent views of Wheatear, Linnets, Skylark, Whitethroat and Stonechat.

On the way to Ardnave, cracking views of a male Hen Harrier hunting along a gorse hedge. At Ardnave we saw a pair of Chough and lots of Sand Martins and a further ring tailed Hen Harrier seen a couple times. On the way back we watched a pair of Golden Eagles soaring then land on a rocky outcrop.  A Whinchat on the telegraph wire just beside us. Magnificent!."

Mark Shields reports 8 Canada Geese at Ballinaby - unfortunately the species is becoming more regularly recorded and seems to be establishing itself on Islay as a breeding bird.

Down on The Oa at Kinnabus, David Dinsley saw and photographed a Spotted Flycatcher - all too uncommon these days.

The first of the season's Corncrake Surveys is taking place this evening, so we may have some figures for you in the next few days on how this species seems to be faring.