Sunday 30th April

Another month almost in, and another dry month by the looks of things, can't see a downpour coming over the next few hours...

This morning David Barr and myself went along and gave Bob a hand to carry out his survey along the River Sorn from The Woollen Mill down to where it enters Loch Indaal below Bridgend. In total we saw/heard 36 species of birds. Highlights included 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Dipper, 12 Blackcap, 14 Willow Warbler, 10 Siskin, a Treecreper, a Mallard with 12 ducklings. Best bird for me was seeing a really beautiful male Bullfinch on top of one bridges in the full sunlight, but my camera was in the van, not with me... Margaret saw a male Siskin on the feeders while I was away!!!

Later on this afternoon, we went over to Gruinart and up towards Killinallan. Nothing much to report from Ballinaby, no Golden Plovers there today! We saw a 38 Blackwits and several Wheatears as we drove up past Craigens with 9 Eider at Bun anUillt. We were both surprised to see so many Meadow Pipits, they were just everywhere...

Saturday 29th April

The wind may have veered round from the North, but it still feels rather cold.... 

Bob yesterday evening had been over at Gruinart for some birding. He had counted 600 Barnies,  also present were 7 Whitefronts and a Pink footed Goose. On the flats, he had 58 Blackwits. Out from the South hide, he had a further 90 Blackwits, 30 Redshank, 20 Snipe, the drake Green winged Teal and also 14 Whoopers. While he was there Bob reckons that around half the Barnies flew off North, straight up Loch Gruinart....James yesterday had seen/ heard a Cornrake along the flats, saw the Pinkie too, counted 9 White Wagtails, counted 72 Pale bellied Brent at Blackrock and saw 4 Gadwall on the floods. Today, James had a Chiffchaff in his garden and heard another Corncrake on the reserve. This afternoon, we counted at least 180 Golden Plover at Ballinaby. Also seen there were 15 Greylags, 2 large Canada Geese, 3 Shelduck and 2 pairs of Stonechats.

Friday 28th April

Forgot to mention that I had seen a Glaucous Gull down at Uiskentuie back on Wednesday... Today, no sign of any of Brent Geese that were present at Blackrock yesterday. Mid afternoon , I heard a distant Cuckoo calling away out on the hill while I was "busy" planting out some more shrubs/ trees to hopefully give the birds cover in the future... Peter Gill had heard a Willow Warbler singing in the scrub willows below Carnduncan, and he was a bit more fortunate in seeing one in the reeds behind Machir Bay. Later, Peter had seen and heard a Cuckoo down in the same place that he had seen one at bird nerds meeting on Tuesday evening. In the scrub willow at Dun Nosebridge, he heard another Cuckoo. At Blackrock, he had 30 Dunlin and along at Uiskentuie, 97 Whimbrel were present. David Barr had counted 49 Whimbrel there earlier on, on his way to his work, so more must have come in after that.

Thursday 27th April

Yesterday evening Mandy had seen a Short eared Owl on her way round Loch Gorm. Later on, Mandy had a Stonechat, heard Willow Warbler, heard Sedge Warbler , seen a Swallow, 2 Chough and a Meadow Pipit all seen close to where she lives, not bad eh???  Coming away from Foreland and the bird nerds on Tuesday evening she had a Goldcrest and yesterday afternoon she saw 20 Greylag with 5 Whitefronts on the lochan below Rockside roadend. Yesterday, James had seen Lapwing chicks on the flats on Gruinart. He also heard at least 3 calling Corncrakes  and counted 6 White Wagtail, over 200 Barnies still present and also 10 Whitefronts on the reserve, Down at Uiskentuie, he had seen a Little Tern and also 7 GND there as well. At Blackrock today James had a count of 72 Pale belied Brent Geese, on the reserve he saw a Pink footed Goose and counted 9 White Wagtails. Mark saw a Sparrowhawk up at Kilnave. Peter Gill had spotted a male Hen Harrier over close to Bun an Uillt. On his way along the road leading to Finlaggan, he saw a ringtail Hen Harrier with another seen over the forestry. He also had seen 2 Sparrowhawk in the air over the trees the too. Finally, he had a Great spotted Woodpecker as he went along the "Glen Road" just out of Ballygrant.

Wednesday 26th April

A better day again with the weather, not so windy, so I made the most of it and got our "game crop" sown for the birds in the Autumn/ early Winter, the bees can make use of the pollen too...

Up at Ardnave, Mark had over 300 Blackwits and at least 400 Golden Plover moving through. Peter Gill had around 80 Whimbrel down on the shore at Uiskentuie. Up at Gruinart, he saw the male Garganey out from the South hide. A Sparrowhawk was seen flying high over the car park and while walking the Moorland trail, a male and also 2 ringtail Hen Harriers were present. Finally down the reed bed leading to Machir Bay, Peter heard a Sedge Warbler.

Tuesday 25th April

Yesterday, Michal had seen a male Hen Harrier close to Mulreesh and today he had a Peregrine over at Kilchiaran. Peter Gill had also seen a Peregrine yesterday, down at Easter Ellister. Peter today had seen Hen Harrier out past Ardbeg. In the trees around Kildalton, 2 Long tailed Tits and at least 3 Treecreepers were seen with Blackcap and Chiffchaff heard there as well. They had also a further 2 different Hen Harriers as they drove along the high road. Gary had 32 Whimbrel at Uiskentuie.

Earlier this evening 11 folk came along to the Bird nerds and braved the cold North wind.. We had a not too bad a walk, seeing and hearing a Cuckoo calling, some Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, Sand Martin and Swallows hawking for food, Redpolls in the scrubby trees, Meadow Pipits on the ground with some Skylarks in the air, as were some Starlings. We also heard Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long tailed Tit, Chaffinch and Goldfinch calling as we walked along through the trees and saw a Buzzard fly overhead as well.

Monday 24th April

Well, the weather forecast certainly proved right, not exactly the weather we had yesterday, a cold Northerly wind blowing most of the day with some cold, raw dirty showers in the mix too...

Yesterday, Allen and Fiona Skinner had seen a Golden Eagle while out on a walk along to Granny's Rock.. Mark had noted 3 Coal Tits on the reserve at Gruinart yesterday. Here at home between showers I saw Linnets in the garden, a pair of Greenfinches, many Goldfinches, a single Robin, a Blackbird, best bird for sure was the sighting of 3 Chough on the ground, so I can now class them as a house bird, rather than a bird flying past.... The Siskins and also 3 Redpoll are visiting the food on offer still as well!!

Remember, Bird Nerds will be meeting below Foreland (NR271617) tomorrow night at 6.30, wellies advisable...