Tuesday 14th October 2025

The weather was a repeat of yesterday, being dull and overcast with light and variable winds.

The Veery was seen again at Easter Ellister the morning, but was reported as "very skulking", which I would take as meaning that it is a bit shy.

There was plenty of other birding activity, starting with a report from David D. of a flock of 45 Ravens at Kinnabus. Several new birders have arrived on the island, some at least perhaps hoping to see our American visitor. In the middle of the day, Bill watched 6 Choughs towards Killinallan, while Margret was happy to see 23 Choughs at Ardnave Point. Just before 15.00, Michael Cook spotted a feeding frenzy just south of Bruichladdich with 7 Red-throated and 2 Black-throated Divers, 1 Little Gull and 1 Common Scoter along with Common Gulls and auks.

Later in the afternoon, Margret saw 2 Ravens at Finlaggan, where Theo counted 3 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe on the loch, having just seen 43 Tufted Ducks and a female Scaup on Loch Skerrols, and later he counted 66 Tufted Duck on Loch Gorm. At 16.10, David D. saw a Yellowhammer and 80 Fieldfares in Glen Astle, then, at 17.41, Michael Cook saw 2 Swallows over the Bowmore distillery.

Teresa Morris paid a visit to Jura today and saw a Wheatear at Lagg and a Willow Warbler at Ardlussa.

Today's photograph of a Dipper was taken by Billy Stitchell on the Margadale River north of Bunnahabhainn. We've some 10-20 pairs on the island, 3-4 pairs being on the River Sorn, the rest very scattered along the rivers and burns.