Thursday 3rd April

Continuing high pressure providing dry, sunny weather with a moderate SE wind - very pleasant weather indeed!

More conversations on the WhatsApp today about the Barnacle and White-fronted Geese gradually departing, though James H. reported 3,540 Barnacle Geese still on RSPB Gruinart present along with the leucistic individual that has been around for a while and 8 Black-tailed Godwits. 15 Canada Geese flying north at Gruinart today seemingly only got as far as Ardnave Loch where Clive McK. counted 21 later on. Other geese seen today were 3 Pink-footed Geese at Gruinart and a Brent Goose (plus 2 Sandwich Terns) at Bridgend seen by Andrew Whitehouse.

Valerie Wilson found the female Ring-necked Duck still present but difficult to see on Ballygrant Loch and David D. had 3 Willow Warblers at Ballychatrigan on The Oa. The only other summer migrant reported to day was a Swallow seen by James H. at Gruinart.

Wednesday 2nd April

Another splendid dry day of sunshine and light easterly winds.

A few more geese were noted heading away today, but there was more emphasis on other birds seen:

Ed B. is still seeing Woodcock flighting over the forestry at Cornabus. Valerie Wilson found 50 Golden Plovers and 3 Carrion Crows, then up at the old abattoir at Avenvogie had a Great Spotted Woodpecker,  4 Crossbills and 10 Redpolls.  This afternoon on the Ardnave road she found a Golden Eagle a Swallow and a couple of Hen Harriers and up at Craigens found a Brent Goose with the remaining Barnacle Geese.

Andrew Whitehouse had 6 Whooper Swans over Kilchoman this morning, then our first Blackcap of the summer at Loch Skerrols. It, like a Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff there, was in song. He finished the day's birding in style, finding a female Ring-necked Duck on Loch Ballygrant in amongst the Tufted Ducks.

Tuesday 1st April

A bright sunny and dry day with a strong SE breeze.

The wind is now favourable for our winter geese to head directly to Iceland en route to their breeding grounds in Greenland and there were several observations of exactly that, with confirmation from Steve Percival that the first Barnacle Geese had arrived in Iceland this evening. Clive McK. was videoing thousands of Barnacle Geese (5,000+) setting off early this morning with smaller numbers of White-fronted Geese and 4 Whooper Swans. However, not all the geese have yet departed, and still lingering are the two star attractions: Red-breasted Goose and Cackling Goose found by Marc Eden at Craigens and near the RSPB Visitor Centre, who, earlier, had also been watching the geese disappearing north fast at Sanaigmore along with a flock of 12 Whooper Swans, while a pair of our resident Peregrines were busy copulating!

Other bird news includes mating Wigeon at Cornabus reported by Ed B. That would be a great breeding record for Islay if it comes to anything. Gary Turnbull had a Kingfisher up at Bridgend Merse and a Barn Owl on the fence between Esknish and Eorrabus. Valerie Wilson counted 40 Sand Martins at Easter Ellister and 12 Whooper Swans flying NW over Kilchiaran this afternoon. Clive McK. had a Chiffchaff up at Creag Mhor this morning while Andrew Whitehouse found our first Willow Warbler at Gruinart this afternoon.

A search for the Pied Crow down at Portnahaven yesterday and today didn't find the bird - perhaps it has moved on or is lurking elsewhere on the island.