Tuesday 9 August

Photos from Billy of the 'Caol Ila wagtails'.  He counted 14 feeding in the bushes in front of the still house.

Andy found an Osprey over Loch Gorm while out birding and Margaret a golden eagle above the crag at Kilchoman reserve. It was a hot day, so no doubt they were enjoying the thermals.  

Tuesday before the Islay Show is traditionally the day the volunteers come together at the show ground to erect the main event marquees, it was a very busy place in the hot sun! It's a chance for folk to meet before the hectic day itself, but also to make sure nothing needs repaired or replaced.  How nice to see the show back again after 2 long, strange years:  the field is taking shape nicely.  For those of you visiting the island this week please note "everything shuts for the show", so worth checking your plans to see what might be open that day.

Mary

Monday 8th August

 A reasonable dose of sunshine, warmth and dry conditions today. Margaret Brooke reports a Golden Eagle over the crags up at Kilchoman, while George Jackson had a low-flying White-tailed Eagle heading south along the edge of Loch Indaal at Bruichladdich. He also saw a Gadwall on Loch Skerrols later in the day. Visiting birder Andy Harris found the best of the bunch with a Marsh Harrier from the South Hide  at Gruinart this evening - presumably the same bird that has been seen a couple times in the past week or 10 days?

Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th August

 It is "more reliable" Pete back after a month away birding in Australia and unreliably forgetting to do my first blog yesterday! Apologies..........................

Yesterday the weather was fairly dry and sunny. James reported that the Marsh Harrier was still present at Gruinart from the North Hide. Mary had seen a couple of White-tailed Eagles at Currie Sands - an adult and immature, possibly 2nd year bird.

Today the weather was much less pleasant with drizzle, rain and overcast conditions until at least lunchtime, drying out a little thereafter. Presumably the grotty weather has kept everyone indoors as there are no bird sightings to report other than a Greenshank and a male Hen Harrier at Killinallan..

Friday 5 August

 Better late than never post for Friday!

Billys photos today from the Finlaggan area.

Mark reported an Osprey heading south over Loch Gruinart. Meanwhile James headed north to Ardnave and counted 325 grey seals on Nave Island. Must be a record?  While there he noted one bonxie, over 25 kittiwakes, several gannets and a few Arctic terns. 

Over to the more reliable Peter for the weekend after a month away.

Mary

Thursday 4 August

 A nice breeze today with some cracking heavy showers! The island is heavy with visitors: Portnahaven and Port Wemyss is lit up this evening for a change.  There was a young piper in the bay this evening making the most of the acoustics of the village.

James reported a flock of 94 oystercatchers coming in to land on Loch Gruinart at lunchtime, the start of the waders gathering to move.

Mark noted a barn owl at Loch Gruinart this evening, while I only managed to record a small sparrowhawk here at Claddach. 

Mary

Weds 3rd August

 

Couple of nice photos of a young wagtail by Billy today, taken on the new 'Loch Indaal Way' path connecting Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte.

I'm back after lovely week on Kerrera with family, enjoying views of 3 juvenile cuckoo being fed by tireless meadow pipit from the garden, and tawny owl in the evening.  

Back on Islay we set off for a short walk at Bridgend woods near the Woollen Mill where I was treated to the sighting of a dipper, doing its 'thing' on the River Sorn. 

Mary

Tuesday 2nd August

Dave Wood had 3 bonxies and an arctic skua from the ferry today, and an osprey catching a fish at Kennacraig. 

Margaret's run of form continues with 5 ringtail HH sightings in her garden. 

A beautiful pic of a marsh helleborine from Gordon Yates to finish with - thanks to all