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.

Saturday 23rd May

 Light winds, mild with sunny patches until drizzle again in late afternoon.

Two good bird sightings so far today:

James H. found a breeding plumaged Spotted  Redshank at Gruinart RSPB North Hide - photo below.

David W. found mating Tree Sparrows on The Oa at Risabus/Coullabus - perhaps the start of another random breeding of the species on Islay - the last was on The Oa in 2009.

Friday 22nd May

Wind from a southerly direction and quite mild with sunny spells, but clouding over again by evening with onset of drizzle.

Hannah Stanger reported a Spotted Flycatcher at Kinnabus this morning. Carl Walker noted up to 3 Cuckoos over at Carraig Fhada and Mary R. found a Kestrel down at Claddach.

Clive McK. reported on various prey items found on the hills behind Gareallabus over the past week - remains of Redshank, Oystercatcher, Redwing, Meadow Pipit and Pheasant possibly taken by Peregrine and White-tailed Eagle. Here are the photos of some of the feathers found: Redshank top, Meadow Pipit middle and White-tailed Eagle, Pheasant and Meadow Pipit bottom.

Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st May

The weather continues in much the same vein with light winds, occasional showers between bright periods.

On Wednesday there were 2 White-tailed Eagles over Claddach c/o Mary R., while Carl Walker found a female Hen Harrier at the Kilnaughton end of the Kintra road and a male west of Kilnaughton. David D. reports a Whooper Swan at Kinnabus.

The only news for today is from Carl Walker who was at Ardnave finding two Golden Eagles, a Corn Crake heard between the woodland walk hides and 2 White-tailed Eagles at Ardnahoe.

Tuesday 20th May

Breezy from the south-east with some rain.

Hannah D saw a Common Swift flying over Bowmore, the second of this spring. This species has never been found breeding on Islay, the nearest being small numbers in Campbeltown. David W spotted two Puffins in the Sound of Islay from the ferry, a species which apparently used to breed here in some numbers at the end of the 19th century but thereafter declined with the last probable breeding being in 1986. 

The only other sighting received was from Carl Walker who reported that two male Common Eider were still at Bruichladdich, which suggests that two females are perhaps sitting on nests at or close to the top of the shore.

Monday 18th May 

Mostly dry with an increasing easterly wind.

Hannah D had a Corn Crake calling at Kinnabus around lunchtime, and Emily Garva reported a White-tailed Eagle beyond Claddach Loch in the afternoon, while last night Portnahaven harbour was full of swallows and a couple of house martins, with Gannets in closer than usual in front of the islands. Carl Walker saw a male Hen Harrier north of Kilnaughton Bay and 2 male Common Eiders at Bruichladdich.

Following on from yesterday's photograph by Billy Stitchell of a Black Guillemot in the Sound, here's one by David Livingston of another Black Guillemot at Port Ellen with a beakful of what appears to be a crustacean of some kind.

 

Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May

 The weather, still unseasonably cold, has become more changeable, with winds veering all around the compass and bringing more occasional,  heavier rain showers.

Yesterday's only posting comers from James H. up at the RSPB Gruinart floods where he saw again the/a drake Garganey, 2 Pintail, 4 Wigeon, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 58 Dunlin, and 8 Canada Geese. There were 104 Whimbrel on the Flats and a late flock of 22 Whooper Swans dropped in. He was also pleased to note the first Redshank chicks of the season amid plenty of Lapwing chicks.

Billy Stitchell was up on the Sound of Islay and photographed this fine looking Black Guillemot:

The only reports today are from Carl Walker who, amongst other things heard a Corn Crake at Upper Killeyan farmhouse.