Thursday 9th May & Friday 10th May

Further pleasant weather on both days encouraged some birding across the island.

Yesterday Gavin Walkingshaw continued to enjoy his stay on Islay, which some of us who live here may, at times, take for granted:

"It is heartening to see and hear so many birds on this lovely island. Cuckoo calling at Cragabus and Kildalton. Red-throated Diver in bay by Port Ellen distillery. Lots to see at Claggain bay - Whimbrel, Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher on nest on shingle, Common Tern, Wheatear, Black Guillemot and 5 Great Northern Divers fishing together in the bay. At Loch a Chnuic beyond Ardbeg there were lots of seals on the rocks. On Sunday we saw an otter in this bay. Heron, Common Tern, Red Breasted Mergansers, Common Sandpipers, about 20 Whimbrel and two Great Northern Divers fishing in the bay."

Mary Redman was finding further Mallard broods and Lapwing chicks down her way at Claddach, while David Dinsley found a Tree Pipit at Callumkill in the morning.

This morning, David Livingstone noted a flock of 40 Whimbrel on the links at the Machrie golf course and sent in a photo.

Fiona McGillivray is hearing Grasshopper Warblers down at the Rhinns Hall, Portnahaven, while Stuart Todd, resident there reports a Corn Crake calling between there and Port Wemyss over the last couple of days. Linden K. saw White-tailed Eagle and Whitethroat up at Gruinart.  

Magpies - a local rarity - have been seen today by Mary Redman over at Tormisdale and presumably a second bird at the Gaelic college.