Thursday 10 November

 

A cheery image of a pheasant from Neil McMahons collection. Thank you Neil.

Not much reports today, but what there was was worth it!

Mark Lewis got the 1pm ferry from Kennacraig to Islay and reported a  Leach's Petrel and a juv Pomarine Skua out in the sound.

Mike's tallys for the day: At Gruinart first thing 6 Brent Geese,  2 WTE,  a hen harrier and the marsh harrier  plus 130 redwing. A walk in Bridgend Woods found a grey wagtail, 5 goldcrest, a treecreeper and 5 siskin among the selection of wee birds. At Bridgend 3 WTE, a hen harrier Borichill Mor and a peregrine Cnoc Don Mor. Back at Gruinart a pink-footed goose with whitefronts, now 13 black-tailed godwit, still 6 gadwall, and 61 pintail and 48 shoveler both the best totals I've had over the last 10 days.

Thanks for all for todays sightings.

Mary

Wednesday 25th October

This morning, Al Hart had done a "wee sea watch" from where the former wave power station was once, rather than brave the elements and go further out... Al had seen a Pomeranian Skua, 4 Bonxies, along with Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Auks. Graham and Jo Morton today had seen a male Merlin, 3 Bullfinches, and a few Fieldfare as they headed up towards Bunnahabhain where they had 2 GND out on the water. Later on, they had seen 3 different ringtail Hen Harriers and an adult Golden Eagle, also a 1st winter Goldie there as well. They also saw Snipe and some Fieldfare as they drove along. At Neriby, 24 Whoopers and 20 Whitefronts were present while 2 Buzzard were seen over Claggain. Mike and Elspeth today had a "deliberately quieter" day, noting the GND in the harbour in Bowmore first thing, also there were 4 R B Mergansers.  Along at Blackrock, they had a Comic Tern. From the old hide at Gruinart, they had 2 Dabchick and a "very fine" male Ruff. The new hide had a lot of ducks but proved difficult due the lowish sun. Peter and Janet Roworth had over 550 Golden Plover, over 120 Lapwing and at least 24 Pied Wagtails on / over the flats at Gruinart today. Here at home, the Bramblings are still around, could it be all the food that is on offer that keeps them here? Along between Ballinaby and Leek, there were a few Fieldfares in the scrubby bushes along the roadside. Late this afternoon, I had a really close sighting of a ringtail as I walked round the back our garage, no need for the bins, and no camera to prove it either!! Richard and Pat Howells today had a juv Golden Eagle near to Feolin and also soon after 3 White tailed Eagles close by. They also saw a Woodcock at the other end of Jura, on the roadside, but no sign of any Ring Ouzels.

With the clocks changing this weekend, the Bird nerds meeting will be held inside, up at the Visitor Centre at Gruinart  on Tuesday evening at 7pm when our good friend Ed Burrell will give us an update on his work with the Whitefronted Geese

Wednesday 5th October

Back on Saturday, Louise had seen 3 Pomarine Skua off Scarba which is an island North of Jura. Yesterday, on the guided walk on the Oa, Phil Catton had seen a Golden Eagle, with a Merlin also noted out towards the American Monument. Earlier on, Phil had seen a Sparrowhawk at Lower Cragabus and just as he was heading home last night, he had a Short eared Owl, on top of a fence post close to Kinnabus. Gary yesterday, had been over at the reserve at Gruinart where he saw a juv Golden Eagle fly over the Visitor centre! From the new hide he had a male Sparrowhawk and then a ringtail Hen Harrier while he was on the moorland trail. From the  old hide yesterday, Bob saw 2 Blackwits. Today, on Bolsay Moor, Bob saw a Redwing, the first report of one on Islay this Autumn.

Friday 9th September

Rather a blustery day with strong winds blowing this evening. Gary this morning had seen 2 Pale bellied Brent Geese over at Port Ellen, along with a mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Along at the pontoons, Gary counted 3 GGB Gulls and also 45 Herring Gulls resting up. Returning from Port Ellen along the low road, Gary had several small flights of Snipe over the road. Jim Dickson arrived over today for his "Islay September stayover". On the ferry coming over Jim had a Pomarine Skua and saw the Brents when he arrived at Port Ellen. Over the sewage/ water treatment works on the edge of Bowmore, Jim counted 15 Sand Martins and also lots of Swallows. At "smelly corner",  Jim had 2 Arctic Terns, 4 White Wagtails and 6 Knot. Along at Uiskentuie, close in to the shore, he had a Manx Shearwater. Up at Gruinart, he counted 29 Blackwits, 8 Barwits, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and 53 Pale bellied Brent as well as, at least 15 Greenland Wheatear. Finally, Jim had seen 60 Goldfinch at the Coull farm road end and then a female Sparrowhawk over the wee wood at Kilchoman. This afternoon, Bob had spent some time in the new hide at Gruinart where he saw 2 drake Pintail in eclipse plumage, 10 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler and 80 Teal.

Wednesday 29th May

Another great day out here, almost like a summer's day. Some folk down in Bowmore had red faces, but that could possibly have something to do with other things happening in Bowmore today!!! This morning Geoff, Danny and Dave had a Wood Sandpiper and also a Snipe with young out from the old hide at Gruinart. Dave had a pr of Shoveller on Loch Kinnabus today. Martin had been over on Colonsay where he he heard 3 Cuckoos and also 3 Corncrakes. Birds seen included 12 Stonechats, a Sedge Warbler, a Golden Eagle, and a Snipe displaying at Scalascaig. Coming home this evening on the ferry, Martin saw a Pomarine Skua flying North up the Sound of Islay. At Bunnahabhain, Steve had a GND in almost full summer plumage. Bob had a male Hen Harrier close to Sunderland Farm this evening, a count of 130 Greylags at Rockside, another male Hen Harrier on the edge of the reserve at Gruinart. On the Corncrake walk at Gruinart this evening, think more Cuckoos were heard, but at least 2 Corncrakes were heard as well. A Cuckoo was seen, Snipe drumming, Chough displaying, Whitethroat heard and seen as were several Sedge Warblers. 6 Pale bellied Brent were seen flying up Loch Gruinart itself. Coming home this evening, there were 9 Red Deer close to the road as we left Gruinart.

Thursday 16th May

Another glorious sunny day here again, just wish the sun would give us heat as well as light, no pleasing some folks......On Monday this week, Natalie from RSPB had carried a count out on Loch Gruinart, with the following birds seen, 1 GND, 208 Shelduck, 16 Eider, 4 R B Merganser, 182 Oystercatcher, 1879 Ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 1279 Dunlin, 21 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 26 Turnstone, 6 Whimbrel, 11 Common Gull, 17 Herring Gull, 4 GBB Gull and 1 Greylag. On Ardnave Loch, birds were 33 Whimbrel, 2 Barwits, 2 Mute Swan, 9 Tufted Duck, 4 Oystercatcher and 1 Heron. Today Natalie saw 2 adult White tailed Sea Eagles hunting over the flats at Gruinart. Michal over the last couple of days has been down on the Oa, his birds included, 1 Golden Eagle, pr of Hen Harrier, 8 Sedge Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 1 singing Goldcrest and a Dipper carrying food. In the bay down at Port Ellen, Michal counted 21 Whimbrel. Yesterday Bob had a ringtail Hen Harrier close by his house, the first he has seen for a few weeks. Down off  Port Mor at Port Charlotte, Bob had 8 GND  and 7 Arctic Terns inshore with a feeding frenzy a lot  further out on the Loch consisting of over 40 Terns, Gannets, Kittiwakes and other gulls. He also had 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Razorbill, 12 Whimbrel and 220 Common Scoter. This morning Peter was over at Dunlossit and had a female Great Spotted Woodpecker. He also had Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warblers all singing away. Also heard were Cuckoo, Long tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Siskin, Treecreeper and Goldcrest were all heard as were Little Grebes calling away on Loch Allan. To finish off with Peter had an adult White tailed Sea Eagle fly past, great! Andrew and Jane today had been down in the woods towards Kildalton and had seen 3 Yellowhammers as well as numerous Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers. Along at Claggain Bay and in that area they had 8 Artcic Tern, 1 GND, 1 RTD, 1 light phase Pomarine Skua, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 male Reed Buntings, more Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff,  4 Redpoll, and an elusive Cuckoo who never gave up. Returning home, at Blackrock 4 Whoopers were present and Kestrel was seen just before they got to Bruichladdich. Today down at Portnahaven, Alistair had heard the Corncrake calling and also a Cuckoo. At Port Bhan, a Black Guillemot and a GND were seen and 14 Whimbrel counted too. Dave down on the Oa today had a Swift, heard a Cuckoo and saw a Whinchat

Thursday 9th May

A miserable sort of a day out here, but it has not really hindered folk out birding, so another good lot of birds  have been sent through. The other day, Carl had a Corncrake down at Shorefield, Bruichladdich. Bob had 12 Collared Doves at his house yesterday and today he saw an imm female Marsh Harrier fly past. George counted 30 Whimbrel fly past and also heard the Corncrake. Up at Ardnave Mary had a Lapland Bunting. Andrew and Jane had a good day starting with 3 Gannets on Loch Indaal off Port Charlotte and also a dark phase Pomarine Skua, along at Bruichladdich Pier they saw 2 Black Guillemots. Up at Ardnave Loch, a female Merlin was seen, a male Hen Harrier present, 15 Whimbrel, 20 Chough, 2 Barnies, 2 Canadas, 1 Greenland Whitefront and a male Whinchat. From the old hide at Gruinart, 6 Blackwits, a Mallard with ducklings, a Lapwing with young, 3 Sedge Warblers, "a lot of Swallows and Sand Martins" hawking over the floods were seen. Finally along the flats, Andrew and Jane heard a Corncrake, Whitethroat and also Whooper Swan still present as well as 3 Roe Does. This morning we had "a lot of Swallows and Sand Martins"  swooping along the road in front of the trees at Erasaid. Back here at home we are now up to 10 Redpolls, boy they can't half eat....The birds appear to eating more now than they were earlier on, another order away in the other day for more food....

Monday 15th October

Almost a touch of frost last night, but at least the rain kept away...Peter's sighting of the Firecrest turns out to be only  the second sighting on Islay, with the Yellow browed Warbler being a fifth. Visitors had seen a Brambling yesterday in the large finch flock that was close to the Visitor centre at Gruinart. On her way in to work this morning Mary had a female Peregrine on a fence post along the flats at Gruinart. Mary and the vols carried out a count on Loch Gruinart with the following birds, 3 Cormorants, 8 Heron, 20 Shelduck, 64 Wigeon, 25 Mallard, 1 Goldeneye, 30 Red breasted Merganser,18 Shoveler, 23 Ringed Plover, 43 Golden plover, 229 Lapwing, 160 Oystercatcher, 141 Bar tailed Godwit, 191 Curlew, 52 Redshank, 19 Turnstone, 1 Mute Swan, 110 Black headed Gull, 54 Common Gull, 55 Herring Gull, 7 Great Black backed Gull, 16 Whooper Swan. Ardnave Loch held 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Whooper Swan and 6 Mute Swan.They also had a juv White tailed Sea Eagle out over Kilinallan. The Leigh birders today had 18 Pale bellied Brent Geese on Loch Indaal and 6 Whoopers at Sunderland Farm. Bob this morning had a Pomarine Skua off Coull Point. He also had 2 Snow Buntings there too and also a juv Golden Eagle. Today Gavin had 3 Golden Eagles while on the Oa reserve, 6 Chough, 2 Ravens, 3 Stonechats, 1 Lesser Redpoll and a flock of around 30 Twite were also present there as well. At Ardbeg, Gavin had 4 Swallows, and along at Claggain Bay, 1 Red throated Diver, 4 Black guillemot with 4 Fieldfare on land. Here at home around midday a Golden Eagle came out over the crag being mobbed by 2 Buzzards. 

Friday 9th September

The first of the Barnacle Geese arrived back at Gruinart today, with Bob counting 12 in all, another sign that winter is not far away.... Bob also had a Grey Plover there too as well as a Peregrine preening itself. Jim D. earlier this morning had a Pomarine Skua off Machir Bay while at Gruinart Jim saw 4 Little Stint and 2 Curlew Sandpipers. Yesterday at Gartmain, Bob counted 45 Black tailed Godwit and 200 Bar tailed Godwit as well as 2 Knot.

Friday 20th May

Another of Andy Robinson's images which he has allowed us to share with you. It leads me on to the comment that a lot of youngsters have been seen lately. James had the pair of Mute Swans out in front of the hide proudly showing her 8 cygnets off. The Garganey was still present as were 13 Black tailed Godwit. Earlier on yesterday morning when he was out on the hill doing his survey work, James had a Red Grouse. Off the ferry over to Kennacraig on Wednesday, James had a Pomarine Skua, and while coming back through Ballygrant, a Barn Owl was seen.

On to today, Michal heard a Chiffchaff singing behind the RSPB office at Bushmills, Jon and Angie saw 2 female Goosanders on Ardnahoe Loch with a pair of Bullfinches were close by. Up at Bunnahabhain, they saw a pair of Stonechats feeding 3 young, and lower down towards the distillery, a Coal Tit was seen carrying food. Peter and Linda Jackson from Hampshire had a male Bullfinch, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Blackcap in Bridgend Woods today. They had seen an Eider with young over on Jura through the week. Today we had a Teal with her brood out, crossing the road just after Rockside. Down on the merse towards Bridgend, there were Shelducks out with their young and this evening I saw my first Pheasant chicks along with their mother. I wonder, come the end of the season how many of them survive....not a lot!

Mon 28th July

This image of a Golden Ringed Dragonfly was taken this afternoon as we were out for a short walk in the sweltering heat along the banks of the River Sorn! We were also fortunate to see a Kingfisher briefly as it flew past. IKB

A visitor reported into the Islay Natural History Trust today to say that they had just seen 2 Harbour Porpoises off the peir at Port Charlotte.

In the evening, last night Andy had been out to the Irish Otter Reef which is about 2 - 3 miles off the Oa, and had seen 2 Sooty Shearwater, 20 Storm Petrel, 3 Pomarine Skua, 4 Bonxies and over 4,000 Manx Shearwater. Back on land, down at The American Monument on the Oa, his son, Luke saw 2 Peregrine this morning. RAS

Fri 15th- Sun 17th June 07

This an image sent to me by George Jackson of the Pomarine Skua which was seen earlier on in the week off Bowmore, obviously being asked to move along by a Common Gull!

The reason for the image of the Oystercatcher, in the previous blog, was that I saw one from my bed in Paisley! Does anyone out there know the poem about Magpies, as the maximum number I saw was 13, so any offers please?

Also whilst in the hospital, Louise was on holiday in the Lake District, okay for some... She had the pair of Osprey on Bassenthwaite as her top tick, along with Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Ring ouzel, Gooseander and Redstart. Back home on Jura, there are now quite a few Short eared Owls being seen, a pair of Great Northern Divers in courtship display with their synchronised swimming etc! L.G. & G.M.

Back on here on Islay there was a reaaly good sighting of a pair of Red throated Diver. D.B.