Wednesday 30th September.

Malcolm kindly sent through some information on a dead Razorbill found down on the beach, directly below Malcom's house by John Gamble...

This bird was ringed by the Scan Ringing Group at age at least 2 years, sex unknown, on05-Jun-2010 at Puffin Island, Isle of Anglesey, UK, OS Map reference SH6582.

It was found on 24-Sep-2020  at Bruichladdich, Islay, Argyll and Bute, UK, OS Map reference NR2763

Finding condition: Freshly dead Finding circumstances: Bird found dead ,Extra Information: On beach

It was found 3764 days after it was ringed, 313 km from the ringing site, direction NNW.

So, just over 10 years old.

Peter yesterday morning had seen 

2 pairs of Black Guillemots back close in at Bruichladdich Pier this morning - all of course in winter plumage, but the first I've noticed here for a while.

George E Jackson had seen a Barn Owl, out on the wing, in the car headlights as he drove home last night

This afternoon we had Wheatear fly across the road in front of us and then just shortly afterwards a brightly coloured Stonechat was seen

Tuesday 29th September

Forgot to mention last night that there would not be any meeting of the Islay birders, due to the restrictions in place with the covid problems

I was speaking with Pat Jackson earlier on this evening and she reckons that some of the Tree Sparrows were along towards Sunderland Farm now.

Monday 28th September

Peter today had counted over 250 Linnets on the barley stubbles at Kilchoman today, along with 4 Yellowhammers, but no sign of the Tree Sparrows..

Gary had gone to see if he had any joy in finding the Hoopoe, but no luck.. instead had seen a Grey Wagtail in a similar area to where the Hoopoe had been seen. Round at Bridgend, he counted over 200 Barnies  with 79 Pale bellied Brents along at Gartmain.

George E. Jackson had seen 7 Fieldfares down about half a mile after Sunderland towards Foreland.

This evening ,we have been watching several large skeins of Greylags as they flew out to their roost.

Sunday 27th September

Dave Wood sent through yesterday these birds which he had down on the reserve on the Oa..

"Nothing exciting here, but a few common migrants, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap, 4 Coal Tits. Coal Tits not usually seen on the Oa!" 

James yesterday had the following birds up at Gruinart...

183 Barnies, 2 Canada X Barny and also 2 Grey Plover 

George E. Jackson yesterday had sent through the following birds

"There were about 25 hirundines including at least 1 House Martin. On the same walk, at Uiskentuie there were 10 Pale b Brents also a female/imm R b Merganser near Blackrock (first I've seen this autumn though I haven't looked very widely yet!) Let's see what tomorrow brings. Today, George had seen 4 Sand Martins down at Machir Bay, with a count of 30 Ringed Plover in a field beside the car park at the beach itself. Further back along the road he had a flock of around 25 Tree Sparrows.."

James reckoned that there were at least 1,000 Greylags down on Loch Gorm and also 25 Barnies present there as well this afternoon.

Dave Wood had a Pied Flycatcher at Kinnabus today, plus 4 Goldcrest.

Gary today had  "2 WTE at Bridgend, one on rocky outcrop and one on the shipwreck. Small number of Barnacle Geese huddled down on sand between them. Both WTE rose and flew towards each other spooking the geese, geese didn’t know which way to go and the Eagles got one. They took it to the wreck and opened it up"

 Malcolm e mailed through this evening to tell me that the Hoopoe was seen down close to where it had been seen down close to Bridgend. 

All I can tell you is that we had an increase in Goldfinches again with around about 12 birds seen, none with rings on, although there was a House Sparrow with a ring fitted on the suet feeder !!!

Saturday 26th September

Forgot to mention that we saw 2 Swallows flying along the top of the raised beach down at Uiskentuie yesterday evening.

This afternoon, we had a Golden Eagle soaring over our heads up here at home  being chased by 3 Hooded Crows. We also saw 2 Buzzards soaring along above the dunes at Machir Bay, just after lunch time. 

Friday 25th September

Gary today had the following birds... 

"19 Barnacle Geese dropped into the sand at Bridgend along with 3 Pale bellied Brent Geese.

Ring tailed Hen Harrier at Esknish."

Mary Redman saw a Hoopoe at Bridgend this afternoon. Mary contacted James who phoned up some of the others to share the sighting with. When James was there a White tailed Eagle flew overhead as well...

Apologies to James as he told me the count of geese seen by him at Gruinart, but sorry to say that it has slipped my memory already, a few more Barnies and also around about 20 Pinkies in as well.

The birds seen here at home out on the feeders included 6 Goldfinch, a Robin, 5 Chaffinch, 3 House Sparrows, 2 Dunnocks as well as 3 Starlings and about 12 Jackdaws who were not pleased with me as they could not get into the feeders!!!! The weather at least remained dry with a cold wind blowing for most of the day....

Thursday 24th September

James today counted 53 Pale bellied Brent Geese and also 16 Barnacle Geese at Gruinart. 

Up here at home, I had a Goldfinch on the feeders and then another one was seen down on the the hedge on the edge of the field. Also seen were several Choughs, some Hooded Crows and also there were some Ravens cronking away out over the crag.

Yesterday, Margaret had been speaking to a visitor who thought that he had seen a Goshawk earlier on in the afternoon.