Thursday 6th August

James was in touch with his rainfall figures for July and also some birds as well..

"The rainfall figures for Mill cottage were 5.7 inches for July and a massive 2 inches for Tuesday. I checked over Loch Gorm seeing a juvenile White tailed Eagle on the Ballinaby side of Loch and also a Peregrine." 

Wednesday 5th August

The only report that I have for you tonight is that Alistair Hart had seen 4 Curlews flying over Port Wemyss towards Orsay, which is the island down at Portnahaven with the lighthouse on it.

This morning, as usual, I was looking at the latest sightings from Fair Isle, and noted with interest that Great spotted Woodpecker had been seen there.  Come to think of it, I remember one seen here on Islay ,it caused a major twitch at the time, but glad to report that there are now several pairs breeding on here, mind you we have quite a few more suitable trees here on Islay!!!

Tuesday 4th August

Alistair Hart had braved the elements of rain and wind today,

"On a brief walk out in the rain and wind got good views of a Hen Harrier hunting in the wind over the churchyard and nearby fields. Think it was after the flock of Goldfinches."

Marsali Thomson e mailed through the stats for the month of July..."The rainfall at Mulindry for July was 133mms or 5.32”.   A bit less than last year, but a lot more than 2 years ago!!!" 

Another wee look at Matt Jackson's weather station, and we have had 1.11" of rain so far since midnight and still with more falling down from the skies... I also hear that the Rest and be Thankful is closed because of 2 landslips. Think that something should be done to sort out this "problem", once and for all... 

Monday 3rd August

Alistair Hart had done a spot of sea watching this morning down at Frenchman's Rocks between 07.15 and 08.30.

Not too cold and windy.

Little bit over fazed with the cornucopia of bird life present, my counting skills largely deserted me.
Gannets lots, Manx Shearwaters around 60 passing per minute. Fulmars and Kittiwakes. 4 Great Skuas.

Skylark with young on way back to car. My first Wheatear of the year also on way back to car. 

Final highlight was close views of a raven on a gatepost on drive back to Portnahaven.

Sunday 2nd August

Alistair Hart is back over staying down in his house in Portnahaven... He has not been out much yet but has seen a pair of Common sandpipers in the bay keeping busy distracting gulls away. Plenty of Gannets were flying past. 

Peter did a walk with Val & Lesley Silcock around Ardnave yesterday. All very quiet, but a single flock of 110 Oystercatchers and another single flock of 35 Sanderling were noteworthy.

 

Saturday 1st August

Well, as you might have gathered that is the month of July, done and dusted.. The rainfall in Dr Matt Jackson's gauge came to 3.73 inches...

Karen Graham sent through this image of a well known person taken in her garden....

She also wrote the following in relation to the old chap as well...Having disappeared from garden for a couple of days Santa is back. Sitting on tree bird watching in vain. Cat also back and wood pigeon had a lucky escape. About to go out and put a barrier under hedge where he hides and pounced from. No doubt he will find another one. Have stopped putting out feeders because of this as he is a young and very agile cat. Once grass cut will take Santa down. Ken (Karen's husband) said at 7 :30 Santa was still missing and within 30 mins he was back but he did not spot the fox taking it back. No other bird sightings except GS Woodpecker  in at a high up on the fat cake. 

     

Friday 31st July

Apologies about there not being any entries on the blog for the last couple of days, but time just has run away, but hopefully "normal service" will resume again..

Gary, this morning had seen an Osprey fishing at the mouth of the River Sorn at Bridgend. Later on he emailed a list of birds seen by himself..

"Back at pull in by Donald Bell's. Osprey flying off over trees towards Loch Skerrols. Other birds about 137 Oystercatcher, 100 Curlew, 17 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin, 6 Greenshank, 41 Bar tailed Godwit 3 Black tailed Godwit."

So I wonder what the tallies will come to for the rain that has fallen on Islay during July, but hopefully I will give you more on that tomorrow night. Matt Jackson's weather station recorded a wind speed of 56mph this morning at 2 pm...