Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th April 2025

The weather forecast for Saturday was only too accurate, as it rained on and off all day. Sunday was almost dry, but overcast. Unsurprisingly, bird observations on either day were few, starting with Peter Gill reporting 40-50 Manx Shearwaters seen from the Saturday morning ferry between Port Ellen and Kennacraig as he set off home. Thanks for your sightings, Peter, and we hope it won't be long before you return. The only other record that day was of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler heard by Alistair near Portnahaven.

Sunday was a little more productive, with Ed out and about, seeing a Whimbrel at Knockangle Point on the Big Strand, and 3 Sandwich and 2 Common Terns at Kintra, before spotting a late Redwing at Cornabus, while Hannah saw a male Whinchat on the RSPB's Oa reserve.

Here is a cracking photograph of a male Whinchat taken by the late Gordon Langsbury.