Wednesday 3rd June

A day with slightly stronger winds from various southerly directions bringing with it rainy conditions throughout much of the day - some rain quite heavy at times.

Bird records have been understandably limited: Graeme Glass had one, possibly two Corn Crakes calling at the start of the Woodland Trail, Gruinart again today and Nick Webb had 4 Greenshanks near Bowmore Power Station.

The brief dry and sunny spells bought out some butterflies - Marsh and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries to keep people happy - photo c/o Mary Ann F.

Tuesday 2nd June

 A fairly grey overcast day with drizzle and very light winds.

Late news from yesterday, 1st June came from Nick Webb who found one, possibly two male Ruffs in full breeding plumage displaying to at least 3 Reeves at the North Hide at RSPB Gruinart in the morning. He also heard a Corn Crake near the Woodland Trail gate at Gruinart and a Grasshopper Warbler calling from scrub on the east side of Loch Gorm.

Today, Graeme Glass reports a couple of Chough at Machir Bay, 12 Sanderling and 23 Oystercatchers on the beach there and a female Hen Harrier at Lyrabus. Nick Webb had another female Hen Harrier between Cnoc Fada and Loch Gorm and a Whinchat east of Loch Gorm.

I took a look at the hides at RSPB Gruinart in the afternoon but couldn't locate the Ruffs, though did see a pair of Wigeon and this fine White Wagtail.

David Livingstone photographed a fine male Hen Harrier on Duich Lotts on Sunday:

Saturday 30th, Sunday 31st May & Monday 1st June

As the annual Feis Ile comes to an end so does the good weather! There have been more unsettled conditions with overcast and rainy spells, increasing to be fairly good downpours by the evening of Monday.

No birds on the grapevine for Saturday and just one post from Martin A. on Sunday from the mouth of the River Sorn where he recorded a family of Grey Wagtails and young Great Tits along with Siskin, Goldcrest and Blackcap. Today Mary R. reports a summer-plumaged Turnstone on Currie Sands, Louise M. had a 2CY Golden Eagle at the three arch bridge on Jura and Clive McK. had a couple of Mistle Thrushes up at Creag Mhor.

Thursday 28th & Friday 29th May

 A breezier day on Thursday with brisk SE winds, but remaining bright and sunny. Friday started as Thursday finished, with more cloud and overcast at times, still breezy, but clearing to a bright sunny evening.

Very little bird news to report. Clive McK. reported 3 Collared Doves up at Creag Mhor which sparked notes about movements and spring wanderings of the species far to the north and west. Ed B. noted a singing Blackcap at Cornabus where the Lapwing chicks were close to fledging. Today Mary Anne F. noted 2 pairs of Bullfinch at Kildalton and a total of 13-14 Teal ducklings at Ardtalla. Clive McK. suspected a couple of Cuckoos parasitising Sedge Warbler on his patch up at Gruinart.

A later post from Clive McK. noted birds seen on a sea-watch from Frenchman's Rocks for about two hours in the afternoon. Singles of Great Skua and Puffin were seen along with 676 Guillemots, 39 Razorbills, 264 Gannets, 13 Fulmars and 251 Kittiwakes.

Wednesday 27th May

 Sunny, warm and dry.

Clive McK. saw the Osprey again today up at Gruinart where I found the Spotted Redshank still in situ at the North Hide. I also noted a total of 220 Rock Doves on a bare field at Sunderland. Laura Bradley heard the Corn Crake calling near the entrance to the Woodland Trail at the Car Park.

Tuesday 26th May

 Warm, sunny and dry summer weather all day.

Bird action at Gruinart today comes from: James H. who saw a Great Skua over the Moorland Trail, a White-tailed Eagle over Loch Gruinart and ducklings and young of Shoveler, Teal and Moorhens on the reserve where the Spotted Redshank was still present and Clive McK. who saw an Osprey and 2 White-tailed Eagles, one being mobbed by a Hen Harrier.

Elsewhere, Laura Bradley saw a Hen Harrier and White-tailed Eagle over Laggan Bay.

Sunday 24th & Monday 25th May

Two warm and sunny days with light winds - not quite the heatwave being experienced in the south of the UK, but a lot more pleasant!

Despite the splendid weather, there have been very few bird records sent in. Yesterday Clive McK. noted the first of this year's fledged, juvenile Starlings on the wing. I took myself off to the Kildalton area to double-check that Islay hasn't been colonised by Nuthatches - no luck there, but some great views of White-tailed Eagles.

Today David W. reports Spotted Flycatcher and Blackcap at Kinnabus, and another Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Siskins at Risabus. Clive McK. had a dark-phase Arctic Skua flying south down Loch Gruinart chasing the gulls. Fiona Morton had a Corn Crake near Port Mhor, and Mary R. reports a brood of Teal on Easter Ellister loch.