Sun 6th July.

Down at Portnahaven this afternoon, we saw about 60 Gannets fishing off Orsay, these were probably birds from Ailsa Craig. At home this morning, one of our visitors watched a young Cuckoo being fed by what they thought were 2 Meadow Pipits.

On Friday in the sunshine, 2 Golden Eagles were seen soaring overhead in the thermals.

Thurs 1st May

Believe it or not, Happy Birthday should be the order of the day, as it is exactly a year on since the blog started up. We have had 186 entries over that time which is a credit to all the folk that have contributed sightings to me, and also to James How who kept it going for almost 13 weeks while I acted as the Paisley correspondent and then again in November as the Jersey correspondent, many thanks to you all. IKB

Catherine gave me some sightings that she had during the last few days, 29 Gannet, 145 Common Gull, 11 Greylag, 5 Barnacle Geese and 97 Grey Seal on Ardnave Island. The seals included some of the pups from last year. There was also a group of 36 Eider off Nave Island. In Loch Gruinart itself, there were 4 Grey Plover. Catherine also told me that she had been informed by a friend that there was a Corncrake calling in the rhubarb patch in the garden! CF

On the reserve at Loch Gruinart, James had the following this morning, 3 Whooper Swan, 1 Jack Snipe, 5 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Corncrake and 2 Water Rail. JRH

Mon 24th March 08

This lapwing was seen leaning into the wind up at Ardnave Loch today. There was around another 50 birds in flight above it but this one preferred to be down on the ground! Also at Ardnave Loch this afternoon were 18 Whooper Swan and 2 Mute Swan, and a Sparrowhawk was over the dunes. There were still 47 Whoopers to be seen down on the floods at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve. IKB

Mick Durham, a visiting wildlife photographer, kindly gave me some of his sightings today. A Golden Eagle was close at hand down beside Loch Gorm earlier this morning while a walk round Ardnave Point this afternoon gave 12 Ringed Plover and 14 Purple Sandpiper beside the Lobster Pots. Over Nave Sound, there was a single Gannet, and a Great Northern Diver in the water. There was a further Great Northern Diver at the mouth of Loch Gruinart. The cold Northerly winds continue, having a tattering effect on any flowering Daffodils that are out.

Fri 27th July 07

While out and about, we were fortunate enough to see several different birds of prey, female Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin swooping onto and killing a Meadow Pipit. The Greylag Geese around Loch Gorm are spreading themselves through more fields rather than massing in one large group. Down on the beach there were 12 Dunlin and 22 Ringed Plover, along with a dead Gannet and also a dead Herring Gull. I.K.B.

Wed/ Thurs 25th 26th July 07

This willow warbler was in the poly tunnel catching insects, while its mates were making the most of what was in the garden! There are quite a few young Goldfinches out as well, while after some of the rain the young Blackbirds are busy probing for worms.

Out at sea, there have been sightings of numerous groups of Gannets returning South after their fishing trips.

Over at the mouth of Loch Gruinart, on the sand bar at the low tide, there was a group of around 50 Grey Seals loafing about, but not singing! I.K..B.

Thurs 10th May 07

The Lesser Yellowlegs along with the Garganey were still to be seen at Gruinart today. Corncrake now arriving in numbers, up to six calling males heard at Gruinart, with two at another location, and another four nearby, and then there are the single calling birds round Islay above that! R.A.S.
Noticable passage of Gannets observed off the west coast, probably birds from Ailsa Craig. R.G.B. & C.B.
Loch Indaal had a pod of 16 Bottle Nosed Dolphins, up as far as Port Charlotte. K.W.
There was a further 3 BND observed by the children from Port Charlotte Primary school when they were busy doing their beach clean! E.H.H
There were 82 Whimbrel, 8 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling also in Loch Indaal, mid afternoon. M.A.B.