Sunday 9th August

The day started out cloudy with drizzle but brightened to sunny and dry with a moderate westerly breeze.

George Jackson sent in some notes for the previous two days:  on Friday a juvenile Grey Wagtail at Coultorsay and 60 Ringed Plovers and c.20 Dunlin at Crosshouses. (over half these in summer plumage). On Saturday at Gartbreck 5 adult Mute Swans and a Ringtail Hen Harrier. 

Val Peacock saw a Little Egret flying up Loch Indaal at Port Charlotte. Jo Rosser-Owen recorded Willow Warbler in Bridgend Woods and Steve & Lyn Rogers had 2 young Spotted Flycatchers in their garden at Kilnaughton Bay this morning. James H. noted an increase in waders  in Loch Gruinart with 40 Redshank, 20 Black-tailed Godwits,  and 16 Canada Geese. Clive McK. checked further on the waders there a counted 120 Dunlin, 180 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderlings and a flock of 66 Oystercatchers passing through. He also noted a Barn Owl hunting in the fields near Mill Cottage. Here at Bruichladdich there was a juvenile Sandwich Tern sat on the rocks for a while. Crystal Maw and friends were up at the RSPB hides in the morning and had, amongst other birds, a White-tailed Eagle, H2 Hen Harriers and a Peregrine.