Sunday 12th July

A bright, dry and sunny day of light wind and hot temperatures (I noted 26C at one point today).

Clive McK. was observing up at Gruinart and noted a sub-adult Golden Eagle being harassed by 5 Buzzards plus a flock of 15 Bar-tailed Godwits, some in summer plumage and 8 Arctic Terns. There was a juvenile Cuckoo at Coullabus, a roadkill recently fledged Barn Owl at Eorrabus and 7 Wood Pigeons at Gareallabus. Best of his sightings was a group of 7 Common Swifts, which prompted reports from Fiona McG. of 6 over Port Wemyss early this morning and Swifts over Kildalton yesterday from Mary Ann F. - though no numbers were given. This is not a common species on Islay, so do please send in all sightings.

Friday 10th & Saturday 11th July

Two pleasant days with a fair bit of sunshine between cloudier periods. Dry, light winds and not too hot.

Yesterday Ed B. saw a Tufted Duck on the loch at Cornabus - his first there, while David Wood had 100s of Common Dolphins between Gigha and the Sound of Islay.

Today I counted 26 Black Guillemots at Port Askaig and friends of Mary Ann F. watched a Corn Crake cross the road at Ardbeg, plus 3 Grey Herons off Cnoc Bay. Billy Stitchell was up at Lily loch seeing many of the usual species: several Wrens, a few juvenile robin, Redpoll, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Siskin, Swallows, Coal Tit, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher  and Greenfinch. 

Bruichladdich pier is, as usual, being used as a roost site to currently 300+ Starlings.

Thursday 9th July

A warmer day with little rain, light winds and a bit of sunshine  - also quite humid.

A Great Northern Diver was present off Port Charlotte yesterday and this morning Alistair H. saw a couple of Swifts near Claddach, and a male Hen Harrier and 30+ Skylarks near Gruinart. I was up at Finlaggan where there was a group of 14 Pied Wagtails.

Friends who came over this morning on the Kintyre Express from Ballycastle report 2-3 Minke Whales between Rathlin and The Oa.

Monday 6th, Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th July

Monday and Tuesday were miserable - drizzle, low cloud, mist and breezy. Wednesday saw a turn for the better with bright, calm and sunny weather by mid-morning.

On Monday Alistair Hart reported Grasshopper Warblers calling at Portnahaven.

There were no records for Tuesday.

Today Alistair reported lots of the usual species from his wanderings around the Portnahaven/Cladville area in the much better weather.

David Wood reports a Quail at Kinnabus and confirms that the Tree Sparrows reported a few weeks ago have successfully bred with fledged young in the Glen Astle area. This species only occurs erratically, with little pattern to their appearances on Islay and is even more erratic as a breeding bird - the last confirmed breeding (also on The Oa) was 2009.

Over on Jura today, David Jardine reports Yellowhammer, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 singing Blackcaps at Port an Tarbairt. Girish Patel, also now on Jura saw a Yellowhammer at Cnocbreac and a singing Whitethroat at Inver Cottage.

Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th July

 The weather has been awful - cloudy, raining and breezy, with Port Ellen apparently being the wettest place in the UK a day or so ago!

Needless to say, that has meant no bird notes sent in and the three day gap in bothering to write the blog.

However, we welcome a new resident birder to Islay, Rogan Wolhuter, who pointed out that this day 13 years ago was a true "red letter day" for Islay's ornithology:

This was the second UK record - both in Argyll, the first 60 years before the Islay one - so not long to wait until the next!

Tuesday 30th June, Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd July

Very variable, quickly changing weather over the last three days. Mostly with cloudy conditions and light rain and stronger winds, but brightening up considerably by lunchtime on 2nd.

There were no bird notes posted for Tuesday or Wednesday.

Today Girish Patel was at Claggain Bay and reports 2 Red-throated Diver and one Great Northern Diver, along with Black Guillemots, Eiders and a Red-breasted Merganser.

Monday 29th June

 A mostly overcast rainy/drizzly day with light winds.

Mary R. reports a total of 9 Ravens along with the regular White-tailed Eagle at Claddach. Girish Patel watched a Golden Eagle at Ballymeanach, while Ruaridh Fotheringham saw 3 0r 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins this evening off Port Charlotte.