Tuesda7 29th & Wednesday 30th April 2025

Two fine days, Wednesday in particular becoming sunny and warm.

Tuesday's bird records came largely from Alan and Karami Ure, who saw a female Hen Harrier on the moorland south west of Loch Allan, and heard a cuckoo at Lily Loch. Swallows were flying in the fields near Newton, while along the shore between Bridgend and Bowmore were a pair of Barnacle Geese, presumably the pair I saw last week, as well as Black-tailed Godwits and Knots. They also had a clear view of two Common Terns from the pier at Bowmore.

On Wednesday, returning visitors Steve Murray and Alan Cole were back on the island for a 70th birthday celebration, and while normally they come to see the geese they are enjoying the migrants that aren't here in March. Staying near Bridgend, they saw a Cuckoo before breakfast, a Grasshopper Warbler reeling near Carnain, with many Sedge Warblers and also a Snipe sitting out in the sunshine. 

James had a good morning on the Gruinart reserve with 6 Common Whitethroats, 3 Whinchats, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Cuckoos. 1 calling Corncrake, a water rail, and an Osprey flying north. And Mary Redman reported a Common Sandpiper on the beach at Claddach and two flocks of Whimbrels in the fields.

Finally, DeeDee MacGowan posted a recording of no less than 4 Corncrakes calling at Port Wemyss/Portnaven first thing in the morning.