Thursday 1st October

Weather very similar to yesterday, but basically drier, with light to moderate winds from a generally southerly direction.

Cathy Earle  and Rogan W. both noted male Hen Harriers as they birded across the island today - one between Portnahaven and Kilchiaran, the other near the airport. Mary R. saw a Grey Wagtail at Gleann near Octofad then a couple of White-tailed Eagles at Uiskentuie. Clive McK. up at Gruinart  confirms the late nesting House Martin still with a single fledgling plus 4 Mistle Thrushes and 8 Brent Geese out on the flats. Ed B. saw a further 3 Brent Geese at Port Ellen and in the evening Rogan counted 22 Turnstone, 9 Knot and 8 Red-breasted Mergansers from the Gaelic College.

However, James H. scored the best birds of the day up at RSPB Gruinart from the North Hide where he saw either another or the same lingering Glossy Ibis, and a strong supporting cast of 3 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Gadwall, 150 Wigeon, 21 Shoveler, 40 Pintail and 1000+ Teal. Clearly the RSPB Floods and hides are back on form again after the earlier autumn period when they have to be drained to cut back emergent vegetation and get them prepared for the winter arrival of wildfowl.

Wednesday 30th September

The strong winds reduced to a moderate southerly and the sun shined a bit more, though there were a few sporadic showers of rain.

David D. noticed a record on Facebook of a Turtle Dove reported at Kilchoman Distillery yesterday - quite a good run of records of this species on Islay this autumn.

Today Rogan W. had the pleasure of getting 2 White-tiled Eagles on his "garden list" at Dunlossit this morning, followed by 3 Cormorants, a pair of Tufted Ducks and a family party of 4 Little Grebes on Loch Ballygrant. Visiting birder Frank Cavanagh returned to the island this morning seeing a Leach's Petrel from the ferry. Cathy Earle saw a Golden Eagle at the NW end of Loch Indaal and Clive McK. counted 22 Greenshanks in Loch Gruinart this afternoon which is one of the 4 highest tallies ever for the species here.

Thanks to Billy Stitchell who sent in some photos of birds putting Rowan berries to good use to brighten the blog - 

Tuesday 29th September

Very strong SE winds all day, with lots of cloud but no rain.

Few records coming in during such dodgy weather, but Clive McK. noted 7 Little Egrets at Bun an Uillt on Loch Gruinart - the wintering population building up. He also recorded White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier and Peregrine there. Rogan W. had a male Hen Harrier near Islay Airport, and 3 Curlew up at Ballygrant. Cathy Earle had male and female Hen Harrier at Gruinart alog with small flocks of Twite.  Mary Redman had another White-tailed Eagle low over Claddach spooking 30 Mallards.

Monday 28th September

Another moderately pleasant day with light southerly winds and a lot of sunshine.

Mary R. reported 9 Chough with her down at Claddach this morning along with 3 Rooks which she notes are less common than Choughs down there! Rogan W. got a high count of 11 Grey Herons on Lily Loch, while David d. confirmed the first large gathering of the autumn/winter of Twite - 110 at Upper Killeyan accompanied by Linnets, Reed Buntings and Skylarks. He also noted Peregrine and Sparrowhawk there.

Clive McK. and visitors Ken and Sarah White had up to 3 White-tailed Eagles at Gruinart and later in the day Ken watched a "stand-off" between a Golden Eagle and immature White-tailed Eagle where the road up to Kildalton and Loch Gorm turns off from the coastal A847 at Traigh an Luig plus relocated the leucistic Starling in a flock at Ardnave. Clive noted 36 Brent Geese at Gruinart today and visitor Cathy Earle had Snipe, Peregrine and Buzzard there in the evening.

Below are some fine photos taken by Ken of the Twite at The Oa RSPB.

Sunday 27th September

Light to moderate southerly winds continued to bring a lot of rain at times throughout the day.

Despite the rain there were one or two sightings sent in including 2-3 Choughs at Saligo (Lou Austin) and Claddach (Mary R.). All other records came from Rogan W. who seems impervious to the awful weather! He counted 27 Chough at Ardnave, 2 Golden Eagles at Loch Gruinart, 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Carnain, 4 Snipe and a White-tailed Eagle at Craigens finishing up at 8pm with a Tawny Owl back at home at Dunlossit.

Saturday 26th September

Moderate southerly winds with rain, but a bit more sunshine by the afternoon.

Rogan W. was out early on Loch Indaal at the Gaelic Centre finding 16 Brent Geese, 163 Bar-tailed Godwit,  a Greenshank, 23 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpipers and the feral Chinese-type goose that has been seen on-and-off for a few months. He also found again the American Wigeon among the 195 Eurasian Wigeon there.

Clive McK. found a Whitethroat near his house at Creag Mhor, Loch Gruinart, along with additional flocks of Brent Geese coming into the island - 47 at Gareallabus, and 21 at Gruinart. Clive searched for the Am. Wigeon and added 4 Pintail, 2 Sandwich Terns and 2 Greenshank to the birds on Loch Indaal, then back at Loch Gruinart at Bun an Uillt the Osprey with a fish.

Elsewhere on Islay David D. had what I think is the first Pink-footed Goose of the autumn at Kinnabus.

Spot the American Wigeon!

Friday 25th September

A day of moderate SSW winds and some sunshine between heavy rain showers.

Thanks to Malcolm O. for blogging while I was away birding on Tiree for a few days.

A variety of sightings came through today, starting with David D. noting the drake Scaup still present on Loch Kinnabus. Clive McK. watched  an Osprey with a large fish at Bun an Uillt, Loch Gruinart and found House Martins still with young in the nest at a neighbour's house at Creag Mhor. Mary R. reports a Greenland type Wheatear at Claddach yesterday and a count of 7 Choughs there today, plus a male Hen Harrier at Loch Gorm. Visitor Pete McCormick took a good photo of one of two young White-tailed Eagles at Gruinart this afternoon.