Wednesday 8th October 2025

The quite strong westerly winds continued today, plus blustery showers.

Gary T. kicked things off mid-morning with a Wheatear beside Gartmain burn and 2 Brent Geese with Wigeon on the tideline, before finding 30 more Brents among more Wigeon below the old smiddy just west of Gartmain. Clive McK. had a Redwing at Gruinart, where he had seen 2 on Monday, and Mike Taylor saw a White-tailed Eagle at Kilchoman, while another was seen by Gary on the usual grassy islet at the mouth of the River Sorn at Bridgend, as well as a Greenshank in the creeks on the east side of the merse.

George J. was at Ballinaby at midday, failing to find the Buff-breasted Sandpiper but seeing 12+ Greenland Whitefronts near some Barnacle Geese in a stubble field, while there were 12 Whoopers on a flood by the Machir Bay parking area. In the afternoon, Teresa Morris watched 7 Whooper Swans arrive on the merse in front of Craigens Cottage, Gruinart, seeing a male Hen Harrier there later on. David D. on The Oa saw a Merlin at Kinnabus and 8 Mistle Thrushes at Lower Cragabus, while there were 7 Choughs and a Peregrine at Kintra.

Billy Stitchell visited Machir Bay during the day, seeing a Wheatear, a Turnstone and a flock of c. 25 Sanderlings and 11 Ringed Plovers. He kindly sent some more of his wonderful photos, from which I've chosen this Stonechat.