Thurs 24 Feb

 

Mary-Ann sent the attached image of two WTE seen over Fairy Hill to the SE of the island.  She also counted 22 curlew at Ardbeg.

Gary had a nice count of 8 snow bunting in flight near Ballygrant.  At Scarabus an Iceland Gull, while at Gartmain he spotted a Glaucous.  Steve Williams reported 2 Iceland gulls at Uiskentui/Black Rock area.

Will Scott reported his highlights: 9 GN diver at Kilnaughton, WTE near the airport, 2 Slav grebes and 5 GN diver off Bowmore, and a long tail duck in flight.  Ring-tailed hen harrier and a little egret at RSPB Loch Gruinart. Over on the eastern side of Loch Gruinart, a GN Diver, both golden and WTE, merlin and 110 pintail.  At the Oa, a young WTE, peregrine and 50 twite.

Thanks to all for their contributions.

Very cold tonight, and the hailstones hammering the window don't encourage the notion that Tomorrow is to be a nice day! We shall see...

Perhaps inevitably though nonetheless sadly, bird flu (HPAI) H5N1 has been recorded on Islay from a Barnacle goose tested on the 9 February.  Nature Scot reminds us of the advice not to touch dead birds at this time, and report any single dead waterfowl, single bird of prey, or five or more dead wild birds of any other species to DEFRA 03459 33 55 77.

Monday 24 January

Not too bad a day here today, the nice day enticing the local birders out from their cosy homes.

At the head of Loch Indaal there was much excitement with 5 WTE  seen by Nick Blinston. Dave P. also spotted one in the same area around the same time, difficult to be sure if it was from the same group.  Nick also spotted 2 scaup off Bowmore, then later at Loch Skerrols a pair of lesser scaup and a glaucous gull.  Gary noted a little egret flying from Loch Gruinart heading towards Uiskentui following the Grey River.

Dave D. reported a 1st winter male yellowhammer at the farm at Kintra.

On my drive back from Port Charlotte, a ring ouzel appeared in the bushes by Ellister.

Mark S. noted the carrion crow he's seen near Sanaig most of the winter appears to have paired up with a hooded crow.  Later he reported a tawny owl merrily hooting away at the woodland by Gruinart.

Over the weekend I notice the snowdrops out at Bridgend.  The otter sightings have been frequent along the Rhinns this past week with the locals seemingly being particularly visible and busy feeding on the shorelines of Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Port Wemyss and Currie Sands.

Thursday 16 December

 Chough, Ken Reeves

The month is over half way through, which means 2022 is nearly upon us! The government is advising further restrictions over the next wee while, which makes bird watching the perfect hobby.  Even easier when you live here and can do a lot from you car window.

I was mostly driving today, passing near Black Rock I spotted an immature glaucous gull feeding in the burn there.  At smelly corner I was able to count 10 shelduck.  Over Ellister a pair of ravens were out flying together. 

Thursday 2 December

Lovely gift of a day after so much wind. plenty of birds on the wing making up for being stuck in shelter for the past wee while. No photos today, I was too busy enjoying the weather.  Photo above taken yesterday looking over to the Rhinns lighthouse.

Margaret has been in touch from Kilchoman Reserve with an eagle day - a white-tailed eagle flew by the house and then spent some time over Machir bay, and earlier she had a good sighting of an golden eagle sitting close to the road at the hut circles 'An Sidhean' near Culbuie. These were once believed to be fairy mounds and children were forbidden to play near them lest they be taken by the 'wee folk'.

Chris Mills sighting for today:

"Good day today with the finding of a drake American Wigeon off the Gaelic Centre, Bowmore in amongst several hundred Eurasians.

Also White-tailed Eagle from here, plus a Pink-footed Goose & again the juvenile Glaucous Gull.

The juv Iceland Gull true to form this morning flew SW at Bowmore along the shore, but earlier at 8.15am and landing just below the distillery.

At Bunnahabhain a flock of 40 Redpolls were in out of the birch and conifers, 2 paler birds were poss Mealy types, but the whole flock was furtive and they never gave more than a few seconds to study them properly.

Mid-late afternoon from the Killinallan road, the Cackling Goose was present just South of Gruinart with 2000 Barnacles. There were 3 Greenshank, 3 Grey Plover, 20+Knot, a young Peregrine,  a ringtail Hen Harrier & 2 WT Eagles sitting on the deck trying to catch a stranded fish in a pool but without success! 

As per Steve Lister & Ken Reeves - Loch Skerrols the 1cy drake Lesser Scaup still present & a Long-tailed Duck."

Thank you Chris, 

Monday 29 November

Photo of the beautiful lighting this time of year, taken Saturday morning looking down the Irish Sea with The Oa in sight.

As forecast, a slightly milder day today compared to the weekend. A relatively nice morning but the day finished with rain and a gathering wind.

Chris Mills has kindly sent in his sighings from today:  Iceland Gull Juv around Bowmore & last seen SW of distillery

Glaucous Gull Juv NE of Bowmore

4 Scaup Loch Indaal off Bowmore with c12 Goldeneye

28 Whooper Swan Loch Indaal, 

12 Whooper Swan Ardnave Loch 

Loch Skerrols Lesser Scaup 1cy, 6 lesser redpoll, 25 siskin, treecreeper and gold crest.

From the Gruinart platform, ring-tailed hen harrier, little egret, and 3 bullfinch.

Tuesday 2nd February

The wather has remained much of the same as yesterday  but with the wind blowing continually strong all day but luckily for us, no snow and only a wee drop of rain, not a lot thank goodness...

This afternoon George E. Jackson had sent me some birds seen by him and his wife Pat over the past few days...

"Hen Harrier, Golden Eagle over the garden Saturday; pair of Chough, same yesterday and Glaucous Gull  seen Uskentuie/Blackrock strand yesterday."

Thursday 28th January

Well, what's new? The rain is tipping it down outside with it clattering down on the conservatory roof... what a racket!!!!

Yesterday, James had seen a Glaucous Gull down at Uiskentuie.

Peter yesterday afternoon, had ben out a stroll down at Smelly corner, but had not seen many birds but he saw a bat flying around. "It was feeding actively, low over the water - presumably plenty of emerged flying insects for it to feed on in the suddenly mild conditions"

Late afternoon, we counted 16 Chough flying into the roost, the largest number of Chough seen for some time.

Thursday 24th December

Got a few sightings for the blog from today, so here goes then..

David Dinsley, who is the warden  down on the Oa with RSPB sent through the following birds..

• Confiding Glaucous Gull present amongst others Gulls, scavenging during Highland Cattle feed at Kinnabus this morning. No bins or camera to get any decent shots.  Golden Eagle also present near Kinnabus Farm just after 10:30.
• Iceland Gull present at scallop dump near Kilnaughton after midday.

Today, Lesley had been up at Gruinart for a walk and she saw 2 Bullfinches and 2 Woodcock as well as the  2 Little Egrets there as well.

This afternoon, James had seen 2 Golden Eagles flying over Coull Point and shortly afterwards, he had a male Hen Harrier flying down below Coulerarach. He also told me that on the flats at Grunart that there  is a flock over 1,000 Golden Plover and also over 300 Lapwings seen there at present.

Today, Gary had seen 2 juvenile WTE over Bunnahabhain, 1 Tufted Duck at Ardnahoe Loch, he also had a Ring tailed Hen Harrier at Gartmain.

Before I forget, I wish all our  readers/ followers a HAPPY CHRISTMAS😃

Sunday 1st November

 Some sightings seen by Mike Bell yesterday..

"Definitely the wildest day I've ever had here. Thought I'd send this morning's sightings in case  the  power  goes off again...... 

An early trip into Bowmore  Co-op in case they sold out of bread etc. Shelter was very relative. I could only see 58 Pbb Geese today. The Long tailed Duck is still by the pier, at least 18 Common Scoter in the waves plus 31 RBM and 10 Scaup below the power station. 

A good hour and a half at Gruinart with 97 Pintail and 35 Shoveler today. Managed to get a good look through c900 Teal from the south hide but no GWT. Also 1 Grey Plover and 1 Blackwit in the field with the Curlews by the north hide. An adult Golden Eagle came through and a Hen Harrier which was almost blown to standstill."

Ed Hutchings who is leading the group over from Wildlife Worldwide sent through the birds seen by them yesterday..  "A filthy day weatherwise but I braved it and saw a few birds: 1,300 Barnacle Geese on fields near The Machrie Hotel mid-morning. Drake Long-tailed Duck in the harbour and an adult Glaucous Gull near the breakwater late morning. 9 Turnstone feeding near Machir Bay car park at lunchtime. GND feeding just off Port Charlotte Hotel early afternoon – this is a species that isn’t fazed by bad weather!  Half a dozen Gannet flying between Port Wemyss and Orsay mid-afternoon. 8 Grey Seals playing in the surf too."

James's top birds today seen by him on the reserve at Gruinart included a total of 15 Grey Plover. Also seen today by John Aitchison were 4 W T Eagles, with Dan Brown seeing 2 Greenshank back on late Friday afternoon.

The total rainfall that fell in our rain guage in October  came to 9.1", only to be beaten by Eric Bignall's rain coming to only 10.25", the highest monthly figure that Eric has ever had since he started to record this statistic...

Sunday 1st March

A few comments back through from Ken Reeves who led "the Elite 5"

"This was, for me, the best year for birds even though every day the sun shone, it rained, it snowed and the wind blew ! Ken managed with help from Steve Lister to record 3 x Greenland Whitefront  neck collars  and 27 Barnacle darvic leg rings . 

With birders from Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Norfolk , it was mind blowing !!"

Many thanks for your birds folks...

Gary who owns Wild Islay Birding had sent through some sightings seen when he was out over the last couple of days 

"Yesterday, along coast north of Bunnahabhain – juv White tailed Eagle, 2 Kestrels, 1 Merlin & 1 Otter. 

Today – Kilnaughton – 21 Shag, 3 Cormorant, 7 GND, 3 RTD, 1^ST Gannets (11) of the year.

Cornabus – 300 Barnacle Geese, 31 Herring Gull, 10 Common Gull, 21 Black headed Gull, 1 Great black backed Gull & 1 juv Glaucous Gull, numerous Lapwing, 30 – 40 Skylark & male Hen Harrier.

Bowmore harbour – Red breasted Merganser, Goldeneye, Slavonian Grebe, Long tailed Duck & Red throated Diver (all in harbour)."

 

This morning, Helen Brown who lives up at Ardnahoe had seen a Mistle Thrush in her garden, the first that Helen has ever had at Ardnahoe..

Thursday 30th January

Well, the winds certainly picked up with the midday ferry and also the evening ferry from Kennacraig cancelled out.. The sea out over Coull Point has been boiling for the best part of the last 2 days...

Up here at home we have been watching that Hen Harrier making the most of the remains of the Hare. This evening, we have been watching the antics of another "regular", the Barn Owl...All from the comfort of the house, honest, getting a bit  like Winter Watch on the TV!!!

Gary had braved the elements today... Down on the shoreline at Gartbreck, he counted 190 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 33 Mallard and over 100 Dunlin. Between the shore and the refuse tip , he saw 10 G b b Gulls, 89 H. Gulls, 21 C. Gulls, 45 B h Gulls and also 2 Glaucous Gulls.

Monday 13th January

Bob, yesterday had carried out his WeBS count, but it was not easy with cold wind, rough sea and very bright sun!!! Bob counts from Port Charlotte up to Blackrock.
GND 1, Slav Grebe 7, Cormorant 5, Shag 38, Oystercatcher 34,Turnstone 6, Ringed Plover 28, Dunlin 21, Knot 7, Eider 16, Red breasted merganser 17, Common scoter 13, Long tailed duck   3 Pale bellied Brent 7, Glaucous Gull 1, H. Gull 46, C. Gull 49 and G.b.b. Gull 3.

Think that Bob, like Gary, made the correct decision to do their WeBS count when they did as the weather  with the strong winds would have made it impossible today...

Friday 10th January

Gary sent through some sightings from yesterday,

Over at Bunnahabhain - 17 GND, 51 Shags, 11 Cormorants, 4 Common Guillemot, 10 Black Guillemot, 4 Great black backed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 5 Common Gull, 9 Black headed Gull, 1 adult Glaucous Gull, 12 Eider, 5 Crossbills with  2 White tailed Eagles seen over on Jura. Gary also had seen an Otter as well.

Today, around lunchtime, down towards Sunderland Farm, he had seen a juvenile Golden Eagle.

Some sightings seen by ourselves... Around 10 am,  a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen out through the gable end windows as it flew past along the fence line. Later on, closer to lunchtime, the Sparrowhawk was noted out through the big window, as it battled against the ever increasing wind, and a few moments later we had a male Hen Harrier out along the bottom of the crag. Early afternoon, down on the merse at Bridgend, the Little Egret was present between Blue Houses and the auction mart. Coming home and a Merlin flew across the road directly in front of me down at McNicoll's Croft.

Tuesday 31st December, Hogmany

Some sightings from yesterday & today, through from Gary...
Yesterday, 1 juv Glaucous Gull & 2 White tailed Eagle were seen at Gartbreck. Today, 1 Golden Eagle, 5 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1Cormorant, 30+ Teal & 1 White tailed Eagle seen at Finlaggan. 9 Crossbills were present in the plantation there as well.

Up here at home, we had a close fly by of a ringtail Hen Harrier, the pesky Sparrowhawk was seen, whether it was this one or another but someone nobbled a Goldfinch in the feeding station, but on a more positive note we counted a charm of 36 Goldfinches on the overhead power cables, mid afternoon with a distant Buzzard away out on its' usual post on the deer fence out on the hill...

I notice that someone had seen an "Egret" yesterday morning down on the merse at Bridgend, on the  comments at the foot of yesterday's entry. 

Before I forget, may I take this chance to thank all our contributors who have sent sightings through of birds and wildlife seen in and around on Islay and Jura over the past year, much appreciated and look forward to meeting up with some of you again in 2020, a Happy New Year to all our readers...

Sunday 22nd December

1st winter Glaucous Gull flying south towards Coul Point from Saligo Bay at 11.15 hours today, this was sent through to me by visiting birder Clive Mason. Thanks Clive for your sighting, keep them coming...

Monday 18th November

Last Wednesday, Dave Woods had seen 3 Snow Buntings down on the RSPB Oa reserve.

Today, Dave had seen a 1st winter Glaucous Gull down at Kintra. Other birds seen included a B t Diver, 10 GND, 4 RTD, and he had seen 11 Lt Ducks  as well. In Kilnaughton Bay, he had a single BTD and also 9 GND present there too.

Some birds seen by James down on Loch Indaal today... He had seen 11 Long tailed Ducks,  2 Slavonian Grebes and  he also counted 32 Common Scoter present there as well.

Sunday 20th October

A dry , nice and sunny although not the warmest of days...

Mid afternoon, Malcolm had a skein of 35 Whitefronts flying over his house down in Bruichladdich. They were still flying quite high  and flying North, so one begs to ask the questin, had they overflown Islay??

Dave Pullan is over on Islay this week leading agroup from Heatherlea. Late afternon, their group had seen the Green winged Teal at Gruinart and also in the fields over at Ballinaby, a juv. Glaucous Gull was present.

Nick Silbeck is over leading a group from the Worcester RSPB group... They had 6 RTD off Bowmore, out on Loch Indaal between Bowmore and Bridgend, they had seen around 30 - 40 Greater Scaup. Also they had 6 P b Brent Geese on the loch as well. Up at the reserve at Gruinart, they had an imm. Golden Eagle, the Green winged Teal, and a ringtail Hen Harrier. Finallly, at Ardnave, they saw many Common Scoters, also R b Mergansers and also 20 + Chough there as well.

Late afternoon, when Distillery Dave was round for a cuppa, there was a group of over 20 Whoopers fly inland past the house, in off the sea. No sign of the Snow Geese today...

Monday 13th May

Yesterday,  Steve Batchelor from Kent had been down on Machir Bay seeing 3 Whimbrel, 6 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin and also 20 Ringed Plover. He also had seen an immature Glaucous Gull there as well.

Today, at lunchtime, Malcolm had counted around 55 Dunlin on the spit on the strand along from Uiskentuie. He also had spotted 2 Turnstone, on the shoreline, back towards the turn off leading up to Foreland.

James today on the reserve at Gruinart had seen the following birds, a male Garganey out from South hide, a Reeve out from the North Hide, a Gadwall out from the North hide,  a scattering of Dunlin in front of both hides, 2  pr of Wigeon and a few Shoveler.

Up here at home when "working " out in the garden, we saw our first hen Pheasant  of the year out  with her brood of 2 young chicks. Got the tatties rowed up and the weeds from around from the onion sets and planted some brocolli plants, some Cauliflowers and some Brussel Sprouts as well, all hopefully sheltered from the wind! Might have to water them some time as the ground is rather dry!

This evening, we counted 21 Greylags on a grass field down at Rockside.

Saturday 12th January

2 sightings through from Mandy which she told me about today while in for a cuppa and catch up...

She had seen a juv Glaucous Gull down in one of  the fields below her house at Carnduncan at the tail end of last week. On Wednesday, when she was out helping with the Goose count, she had seen a Whitefront with a neck collar fitted to it. Once I hear back from the folk in charge of the Whitefronts, I will let you know of where and when it was originally fitted with the collar.

Malcolm had emailed through earlier on today to say that he had 31 Collared Doves in on his bird food, before the holidays he was only feeding 20 of them so wondered where the "extras" had come from.. Another point of interest through from Malcolm was that he counted 55 House Sparrows. SNH had published some stats earlier this week which show that the population of House Sparrows had increased by over 50% between 1994 to 2017, down in England and Wales over the same time period, the Sparrows had declined by 20%. I know our numbers are well up here at home, but do not have any base period to relate to... George E Jackson caught and fitted rings to 92 House Sparrows up here this year over a total of 11 sessions, and there are still a lot of them with no bling on yet.... So may be that could be a wee job for tomorrow, to try to count who is about, better go and wind the camera up!!

Thursday 6th December

Some sightings through from Gary from Wild Islay Birding... Yesterday, along from his house, at the road end leading up to Finlaggan, he had seen a Sparrowhawk. When he was in at Finlaggan itself, there was another Sparrowhawk having a tussle with a Kestrel.

Today, Gary had seen a Glaucous Gull flying over the Singing Sands, up at the moorland at Island Farm, a ringtail was present and finally today, Gary saw another Sparrowhawk, this one was in the woods at Bridgend.

Coming back from Gruinart around 11 am, below Carnduncan, we saw a  Kestrel on top of a telegraph pole before it flew away. This afternoon, James had a count out on the "floods" on the reserve at Gruinart. His tally came to 5 Mute Swans, 6 Whoopers, 1 Green winged Teal, 1,292 Teal, 107 Mallard, 212 Wigeon, 72 Pintail, 27 Shoveler, 5 Heron, 2 Redshank, 7 Snipe, 130 Curlew, 233 Lapwing, 2 Dabchick, 1 Blackwit, 660 Golden Plover. James also saw a Mistle Thrush, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a male Merlin and also a Sparrowhawk.