Thursday 7th January

Good friend, Karen Graham from Bearsden sent me through this e mail first thing this morning ...       

"Just cleared some snow as Blackbirds were waiting all round for some breakfast."

Over here on Islay, at Shepherd's cottage, we have had no snow but we certainly have had a snell or cold wind around for the most of the day. I am not sure of exact numbers of birds around, but ceratainly not the number of finches present at present. Having said that, I read earlier on this evening that the long staying Great Tit is still present on Fair Isle!!! 

I forgot to mention on the blog about James having Snowdrops out flowering in his garden over at Gruinart, think that was about a week ago or so when he told me that, sorry James!!! 

Wednesday 6th January

 Karen Graham from Bearsden e mailed the following to me today...

"Looking out this afternoon to see male Goldcrest with his orange "streak" and a female Goldcrest both on fat cakes on bush close to  the dining room window. 

So an exciting addition to the garden bird sightings.  Just hope they are here for RSPB garden bird watch at the end of the month."

Today, Peter had been out and he had walked the length of the Big Strand from Kintra to Laggan today. Not much to report - 10+ Long-tailed ducks (mostly bright males) were offshore with 20+ Eider and 2-3 each of GND & RTD. A single Razorbill was also offshore.

Up here at home today, I saw the local pair of Chough with them both looking a picture of health with nice shiny coats. I saw them both together, one time before Xmas and they were looking a bit under the weather, so it was good to see them in the condition they were in today.

Tuesday 5th January

Well, another day in lockdown, as long as folk would follow the guidelines set out by the powers that are in charge...

James was back at "work" again today and was out doing some surveys on the reseve at Gruinart, and he 

sent the following birds that he had seen....

"White tailed eagle Juv – 1 caught a Barnie over the Flats

Golden eagle juv – 1 chasing a Merlin back of Flats

Merlins a total of 2 over whole of Flats

Hen Harrier 1 F over Flats

Floods are pretty much frozen"

First thing this morning around about 9am, we were fortunate to see a Golden Eagle sitting on top of the crag, what a start to the day!!! The wee pond is frozen here as well...

Monday 4th January

Karen Graham e mailed me later on last night to tell me that a friend of hers, Morag Sinclair who lives near to Paisley, well Morag also had seen a Goldcrest in her garden yesterday as well...

This afternoon, we had a Buzzard perched on top of the electric transformer pole out in our garden!!!

Sunday 3rd January

 A better day out here again with the weather at least, hardly any wind to speak of, no rain, and sunny but still not very warm... the Council gritter lorry drove past  here at 8 am this morning...

James gave me the following information regarding the rainfall over at his house  which came to 1532mm or 60.3 inches for the year. Today James had a White tailed Eagle at Gruinart and then later on, this afternoon he saw a Golden Eagle over at Sanaigmore... No such joy for us up here at Kilchoman...

Karen Graham from Bearsden sent this e mail through this afternoon...

"First sighting this year of Male Goldcrest with his bright orange stripe on head. Nuthatch now a regular on feeders. Trying to count blue, great and coal tits on feeders but they flit around so quickly. 15+ at least, 8 blackbirds, the house sparrow gang, few chaffies and wood and feral pigeons plus 7 starlings who have today found the feeders. GS  Woodpecker also making daily raid on fat cake. "

A wee while later on, Karen sent this interesting e mail through

"It has just been like the New Year looney dip here in bird bath with the starlings in and water everywhere but about 5 sparrows on rim waiting their turn. Forecast is for sleet and snow later. Certainly greying over and not so cold but noticibly brighter for longer this last few days. After I sent the email had magpies, jackdaws and a crow in and goldfinches. Looking back first sighting of Goldcrest last year was 4th April." 

 

Saturday 2nd January

Margaret this morning had a juv White tailed Eagle, 2 Golden Eagles which were in turn being mobbed by a couple of Ravens, all seeen out over the crag from the warmth of our house... I can vouch for her sightings as I saw them as well.... later on I saw a Buzzard fly past, a different bird completely, especially the size of it!!!

Marsali had a Sparrowhawk fly through her garden at Mulindry the other day.

Lesley, this afternoon had seen some RBMs off Backrock and she also counted 7 Long tailed Ducks there as well.

Friday 1st January, New Year's Day

A few birds through from James today, yesterday he had seen  2 White tailed Eagle, a Golden Eagle and also a Little Egret all on/over the reserve at Gruinart. Today, James hed seen another White tailed Eagle over at Gruinart.

Meanwhile Margaret had seen a Golden Eagle soaring around when looking out towards Coull from here at home, great to watch...

Marsali kindly sent me through her figures for the rain that has fallen in her rain gauge over at Mulindry.

"The rainfall for December was 195mms or 7.8”  and the total for the year was 1711mms or 68.4” and it was the wettest since 2014 – so much for the weather being drier!"

The figure down on Dr Matt Jackson's weather station came to 4.2" for the montth and his tally for the year came too only 42". The figure for December up here came to 5.2" so must get my brain in gear and add up the total for the year...