Wednesday 9th November

 Starting off today's blog with a stunning image of a female merlin with a goldfinch dinner, taken on the Oa by David D. He commented that it has been a great autumn for them, having watched 2 already this morning.  Certainly, I have had plenty of sightings of them hunting the finch flocks about the southern Rhinns.

Yesterday, I encountered my first woodcock of the year. Nearly stood on it when I got out of my car to feed the cows.  After seeing snipe all year, they seem so big!

Mike was out today with the following sightings to add:  8 Whooper swan S Kilchoman at 0750 hr, a hen harrier at Carnduncan, a WTE, a golden eagle, 2 hen harrier and a peregrine at Gruinart, a male harrier at Cnoc Don Mor and 120 fieldfare near Avenvogie

On the local WhatsApp group Gary T. reported 10 bullfinch on the road to Finlaggan.  While Nick S. was also on the Oa, reporting WTE, peregrine, ring-tailed HH and a merlin.

Rounding off today with this image of a flock of whoopers on the pool at Cornabus.

Thanks for all contributions of sightings and photos.

Mary

Weds 16 March

A gift of a day today, lovely sunshine and the welcome feeling of spring. At Claddach this morning a pair of pied wagtail near the shed were calling and feeding together.  More insects were visible as the sun grew stronger, a welcome feed for the wee birds about.  A pair of chough flew in late morning towards the coast for their share.  There was also a brown hare mooching about in the heather near where I feed the sheep, and an other 2 at Craigfad.  None were showing the 'mad-march hare' behaviour, but we're only half way through the month!

Steve has gotten in touch via email after a good day out and about.  A ring-tailed hen harrier seen off the high road near Bowmore, and a WTE flying over the low road to Port Ellen.  On their walk round the Oa they counted around 25 twite with skylark in the stubble fields.  In the bay near Ardbeg they counted 8 merganser.  Lastly near Cross Houses, a little egret.

James How has been in contact with a high count of 17 snipe in a flock in front of the south hide. 

Jeff reported his highlights as 7 fulmar around Islay's coastline, an adult WTE on the road to Port Ellen (same bird as Steve perhaps?), then at Gruinart Farm just after sunset, a woodcock.

Mark reported 6 WTE at RSPB Loch Gruinart today.  And, on a sadder note, 3 dead barnacle geese sent off to be tested have been confirmed as having bird flu.

Lastly, from my reliable photographer Billy who was at Ballygrant Loch where he saw both tufted and goldeneye, a little grebe, and a great tit pulling at moss from the trees nearby.

Thanks as ever to all who contributed today.

Monday 6 December

 Ahead of Storm Barra tomorrow, I headed to the local Coop for my 'big shop'. Apparently the rest of the Island had the same idea, the shelves were soon stripped like locusts in a corn field.

Not too much reports given in, James spotted 4 woodcock and 2 little egret at Loch Gruinart.  The wind was picking up as the day went on and the temperature dropping.  The ferries have been cancelled ahead of tomorrows forecast, a typical winters day on Islay! 

Thursday 11 November

 

2 photos taken from the same spot overlooking Port Charlotte just one hour apart.  A bright and breezy morning gave way to a raining gale in the afternoon.  

Driving out the village this morning I saw my first woodcock of the season. It apparently used to be said they would arrive on the first full moon of November, but this year that event is late in the month.  I've heard from local gamekeepers that this year there was a big fall of them last week with that Northerly wind.  At Octofad 2 WTE were high above the farm, but not so high to be missed by the 500 or so barnacle geese who rose from the fields in fright.

Today was Phil and Mike's last days.  Thank you both for your contributions to the blog and WhatsApp group, greatly appreciated. Hear from you both next time!

Mike was looking over Loch Gorm and counted 5 pochard and 2 goldeneye with 104 tufted duck.  SW Kilchoman were 45 fieldfare and 35 redwing.  Opposite the Whin Park entrance were 2 little egret, then on Loch Skerrols the American Wigeon was still present.  A golden eagle was seen an hour before 2 WTE at Cnoc Don Mor.

For Phils last day he sought out the cackling goose before a pesky golden eagle put the flock up, disturbing his chance to find the red-breasted goose. What a complaint to have!  Gary spotted a 'cackling/canada type' goose in a flock near Eorrabus.

At RSPB Loch Gruinart, James' highlight was one golden eagle, 2 WTE and a carrion crow.

Sunday 24th January

 James gave me some birds seen by himself over the past few days...

On Friday, he saw 2 White tailed Eagles and also a Golden Eagle when he was over at Bunnahabhain. 

Yesterday, over at Gruinart, he had counted 13 Whooper Swans, another W t Eagle, a Sparrowhawk, a male Hen Harrier and also he had a Little Egret.

This morning, James had a Woodcock up at Ardnave, a Sparrowhawk at Gruinart and finally he saw a Merlin along at Sunderland.

Peter had been out and about today and his top bird was a Kingfisher seen down close to Bridgend.

Before I forget, there will be no meeting on Tuesday evening of the Islay Bird Nerds because of the continual lock down still in place due to the coronavirus.  

Friday 8th January

Well, the bitterly cold weather is still here, but thankfully no snow here as of yet, out on the West coast of Islay, with the pond still with a skin of ice on it yet, not sure how thick it is, but I am not going to test it out, no comments please!!!

This morning, we had a Buzzard sitting on top of the old church next door to us, makes a change from the noisy Ravens!!!! This evening, we had a Barn Owl sitting down outside in the garden for a couple of minutes before flying off to look for something for it to eat. Around midday, I saw a Woodcock on the road between Rockside and Sunderland Farm, and no I did not hit it, as it was reluctant to move off the road... Old story, right place, right time, me driving too!!!

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😃

Friday 13th November

 See this "technology" that we have in place nowadays... the grumpy old me did write an enrty last night but I see that for some reason it did not get published onto the web until around a few moments ago, so here is hoping that you should get another copy of the birds seen on Islay... 2 for the price of 1!!!

Mark Sullivan had sent some birds seen by him yesterday and also today.

Yesterday, we  had 50 Skylarks at Sunderland farm and watched one of the White tailed  Eagles at the Gruinart flats putting up the Barnacle geese.

Today, we had a Woodcock at the Oa, and a male Hen Harrier. There were 15 Great Northern Divers in Claggain 

Bay, with 8 together in a tight flock.

A female Black Redstart at Finlaggan visitor centre at 13.00 today. Also a Peregrine. Both seen by  Keith and Rosie Barnes visiting from Contin nr Inverness.

Wednesday 11th November

Well, the weather forecast proved to be correct today, wet and windy. The wind proved difficult to Calmac who sail our ferry conection, back and forward between Islay and the mainland, the net result was that the ferry did not leave Kennacraig until mid afternoon, offering what we call a splash and dash service... 

Just as well I kept some more of the birds seen yesteday "up my sleeve" so here goes...

Lesley Silcock had been out yesterday...

Gruinart from hides yesterday am Ringtail HH, large nos Duck incl 30+Pintail. Golden Plover, Barwits and Dunlin flocks on Loch Gruinart mud plus 9 Grey Plover. Golden Eagle seen on the way up to Ardnave. 

Dan Brown sent these birds through to me all seen yesterday...

Todd’s Canada Goose still present on the Gruinart flats 

20+ Twite down at Machir Bay,  + 51 Ringed Plovers. 3 Brambling with the finches at Sunderland Farm, WTE on Nave Island, 2 Long tailed Ducks still on Ardnave Loch, Woodcock on the road around Loch Gorm, in middle of day too!

Mark Sullivan sent me the following birds, all seen yesterday...

Golden Eagle on road to Ardnave. Otter on the loch there. Todd's Canada goose on the flats. 2 - 4 Hen Harriers (1 male). From Blackrock we had 50+ Common Scoters and 4 Slavonian Grebes 

Tuesday 10th November

"Mark, Fran and Matt Sullivan arrived yesterday for a week from Aberdeen. Highlights from the afternoon ferry wesaw a Great Skua and an Arctic Skua.

On Islay, 3 Little Egrets were in the NE corner of Loch Indaal. We also had up to 4 Pinkfeet with Barnacles between Coullabus and Gruinart."

Dave Wood had seen a Woodcock yesterday and 2 Goldcrest down on the RSPB reserve on the Oa. Today, Dave had seen a Todd's Canada goose at Kinnabus today, also a Pinkfoot and a GN Diver on Loch Kinnabus – unusual on freshwater.

Peter had seen the leucistic Gull down on Machir Bay today. 

Mid afternoon, we saw a White tailed Eagle fly overhead down beside Sunderland Farm.. and it kept on flying south out of our sight. 

 Dave Pierce has gone away home again today, so thanks to you and also to your wife for your sightings...Dave did not manage to see the Little Egrets on Islay... "However from the ferry, we saw 2 Little Egrets West Loch Tarbert immediately after Corran Point!!"

 

Monday 17th February

A few birds through from Gary and Wendy, all from yesterday

"Very windy and heavy squally showers today, and nothing much around.Our sightings for Sunday areas follows, Carnain: Oystercatchers, Barnies, Shelduck, Curlew & Blackbird. "

I received a couple of sightings from Chris Corrigan, who I believe could be staying the cottage next

door to Gary and Wendy at Crosshouses...

"Arrived on Saturday, for a week. Looks a bit wild! Staying at Cross House, Bridgend.                      29 P-b Brent Geese down on the shore this morning. A Woodcock on the Loch Gruinart Woodland Trail but nothing else out of the ordinary."

The "Port Ellen 4" had also been out and about in the great spell of weather, we are having at present!! "Quite a bright day considering the rather fresh Scottish breeze (!) making birding a challenge. Sunday's main sightings were - 

Finlaggan woods: Crossbill (only 1) at the Y junction of the track, Coal Tit, Reed Bunting, Buzzard, Skylark on track to woods.

Ardnave: Chough, Whoopers & Goldeneye (we didn't venture to the beach!).

Gruinart RSPB: G W Teal, Little Egret, Pintail, Shoveler, Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Buzzard, Wigeon, Whoopers, Mute Swan, Teal, B H gull, Whitefronts & Barnie's.

Nr Lyrabus (B8017): Merlin."

Thursday 16th January

Yesterday, James had seen 2 Woodcocks on the reserve at Gruinart...

Today, I saw a House Sparrow outside on the feeders with a BTO leg ring on... Shortly afterwards a colourful wee Blue Tit  was on the suet pellets.

Sunday 1st December

There was a message on the phone when I got home today from a visitor who is over on Islay for a few days... he was saying that he had seen 3 different White tailed Eagles when he was out for a drive yesteday round the Rhinns .. He also found a dead Tawny Owl, which was freshly dead as it was still warm, close by there was a dead Woodcock. Brian was also telling me that the Tawny Owl only had one eye, and that the Wodcock had no head...

Obviously, now that  we are in another month, the rainfall figures here at home only came through at 3.25inches... a lot drier than other places for sure... So could we be in for dry spell in December, we will just have to wait and see???

Thursday 21st February

Some sightings though from Ken Reeves and the Burbage birders. The other day they had seen a total of 4 Golden Eagles. Yesterday down on the Oa, at Kinnabus, they had a flock of over 200 Twite. Up on the head of Loch Indaal amongst the large flock of barnies present, they had seen a Pink footed Goose and also a Pale bellied Brent Goose. Over at Gruinart they managed to read the leg rings on 11 Barnies along with neck collars that were on 20 White fronted Geese.
This morning Chris Corrigan missed out on a great chance to add a new tick on his house list... Chris was down in Bowmore when a White tailed Eagle flew over the cottage where he is staying in this week.
Also this morning, James had seen a Woodcock while he was out along the woodland trail at Gruinart.

Monday 31st December

This afternoon, James saw a Treecreeper in his garden at Mill Cottage over at Gruinart. From the hides at Gruinart, James saw the Little Egret, a male and also a female Hen Harrier. On his way home from the hides, he had seen 2 Woodcock.

Wishing all our readers and not forgetting anyone who contributes to the blog, a Happy New Year.

Tomorrow, I should have the tally for the rain for December and also the grand total for 2018.

Thursday 22nd February

Today, Gary had seen a male Hen Harrier and also the Crossbills were still at Finlaggan. This morning,  I was speaking with a group of birders who have been visiting Islay this week, and they had seen 106 species, they had been staying over at Red Lodge on Laggan Estate. Today, the Rochdale birders had 28 Ringed Plover and 2 Turnstone at the pool beside Machir Bay. Round at Balinaby, they saw a ringtail Hen Harrier and also a female Sparrowhawk. Along at Foreland, 3 Woodcock were seen and further on they saw 3 Hen Harriers going to the roost down on the Rhinns. The Hampshire birders had walked out from Ballygrant, over to the Sound of Islay. They had a really close sighting of a Golden Eagle... Other birds of note seen were a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, . Down on the Sound of Islay they saw RTDs, Wigeon , Whitefronts and Barnies with a vocal Raven cronking away...

Before I forget the monthly catch up of the Islay bird nerds will be on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in the Lochside Hotel in Bowmore, so feel free to come along if you are around.

Tuesday 2nd May

Another great day again, was forced to work in the garden, making the most of the good weather, next thing will be that I will be wanting some rain...

Yesterday, Gary had seen a male and also a ringtail Hen Harrier at Mulresesh, quartering their patch. He had also heard 3 different Grasshopper Warbler round Ballygrant. This morning, Louise had a new alarm call in the form of a Whimbrel calling out behind her house over on Jura!!! Today, while out with clients, Gary, had a glimpse of a Golden Eagle while over at Bunnahabhain, had seen 10 Whimbrel at Port Mor, from Bruichladdich Pier, out on Loch Indaal, 17 RTD and 5 Common Scoter were present. Along at Blackrock, a further 50 Whimbrel were seen while up past Craigens towards Killinallan a male and also a female Whinchat were spotted. Over at Ardtalla, the Rochdale birders had seen a Woodcock with 4 chicks and also heard 2 Chiffchaff there too. Mark, had counted 108 Dunlin, 18 Whimbrel and 25 Ringed Plover at Traigh Nostaig, up at Ardnave. He also saw Turnstone, Twite and Sand Martins while he there as well.

Monday 3rd April

What a rain there has been out here today, at least it did fair up late afternoon, and I managed to plant out some more willows, job done, great...

"Cockney" Dennis was in touch with some sightings he has had while visiting Islay. He met in with John and Kenny the other evening in the bar in the Bridgend Hotel.... Far out on the hills, Dennis had seen a pair of Golden Eagles talon grappling and mating immediately afterwards. He had heard a pair of Willow Warblers  at Gruinart, and saw 2 Sandwich Terns at Bowmore. He had Woodcock rodding at Bridgend on Friday evening, a great visit by all accounts. As ever, many thanks to the various birders who sent me through their sightings while they have been here, much appreciated. Marsali sent through her tally for the rain at Mulindry for March which came to 6 inches, wetter than here as usual!!!  Mandy had a Greenfinch this afternoon at Conisby and here at home we counted a total of 37 Goldfinch this morning at the feeders when the rain at its' peak!!!

Sunday 29th January

Back on Thursday evening, Bob had seen a Barn Owl out between the Cattle market and Blue Houses. The following evening, Ivan, Bob's son, had a Tawny Owl just along the road at Carnain. Earlier on while "beating", Ivan had a count of 40 Woodcock as they came out of the trees over close to Ballyvicar. He had also seen a Water Rail there as well. Over the last couple of days, Ivan reckons that he has seen around 170 Woodcock on various "drives". The other morning Bob and Ivan had a close sighting of a really close male Hen Harrier as it took off a few feet ahead of them, carrying a small bird in its talons.  David Jardine has been over from the mainland this weekend, and yesterday he had seen the Green winged Teal  at Gruinart and at Gartbreck a Knot, 4 Grey Plover, and 9 Snipe. Highlights seen from Blackrock included 5 BT Divers and 23 Slav Grebes while 7 Moorhens were on the pools at Carnain.  Today at West Carrabus, David saw a Pink footed Goose and then on Loch Ballygrant, a Coot was seen. This afternoon, David Barr had been down on Machir Bay and seen Snipe, a Heron, Pied Wagtail, Rock Pipits, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and saw the Chough going in to their roost just as the light was starting to fail.

Friday 25th November

Yesterday morning, Ciaran and Bex had been up at Bunnahabhain Distillery. Their morning started well with spotting 2 Otters out in the bay, well almost actually only 1 as the other Otter was almost nobbled by a White tailed Eagle!!! Birds seen at Bunnahabhain included 23 Wigeon, 5 R b Merganser, 9 GND, 5 RTD, 4 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Tystie, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Mistle Thrush, 12 Twite and also 2 Redpoll. Down on Loch Indaal, out from Whin Park, they saw 29 Pale bellied Brent, 38 Scaup, 14 Long tailed Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 14 Shelduck, 18 GND, 4 RTD, 19 Slav Grebe, 72 Barwit, 133 Curlew, 82 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover, back on the land they counted 12 Red legged Partridge. Yesterday as well, Gary from Islay Wild Birding had been over on Jura where he saw a Golden Eagle, a White tailed Eagle, a Turnstone, a Ringed Plover, at least 20 Cormorant and Shag and also 28 GND. This morning, James had seen 7 Woodcock, 4 Goldcrest, a Sparrowhawk and a Chiffchaff as he walked through the woodland trail at Gruinart.

Andrew Kent from SNH sent me through the tally for the International Goose count carried out last week... the tally came to 52,363 Barnies, 4,777 Whitefronts and 1,067 Greylag Geese.  Many thanks to Andrew and the team from SNH for theses figures.

Before I forget, on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm, the Islay bird nerds will be holding their monthly meeting in the Lochside in Bowmore, the last meeting for 2016 I hasten to add!!! So if you are around, feel free to come along.