Saturday 1 March 2008

Sat 1st Mar.

March has come in like a lion with high winds and lashing rain, GDY drove a 1000 miles around the island during their 2 week stay and only saw a male Hen Harrier on their last mile going to the ferry this morning! He only remarked yesterday, it was the first time in over 25 years of visiting Islay and Jura that they had not seen a Hen Harrier.
This morning at Blackrock, Loch Indaal there were 4 male and 1 female Long-tailed duck close inshore. This afternoon from the same viewpoint, 4 male and 2 female Common Scoter along with a single male Velvet Scoter which was showing its prominent white wing patches were seen. Up at Bunnahabhain on the Sound of Islay 3 Great Northern Diver and 1 Red Throated Diver were observed. Inshore, 2 Mute Swan were there with 2 of last years cygnets, there were also numerous Black Guillemot flying up and down the Sound. Several Shag were fishing in the Sound also. C & TJ
On Jura, one day last week, 3 Hen Harrier were seen within a 3 mile stretch from the road. L G.

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