Wednesday 19 March 2008

Wed 19th March

This is an image taken down on the RSPB reserve at Loch Gruinart, showing some Whooper Swans along with Mute Swan and a Greylag Goose in the middle left hiding in the rushes. There were 62 Whooper Swan in today when this was taken by Michal. Michal also had a female Hen Harrier. Also, today on the reserve, James had a Redshank with a "leg flag" on it, we believe that this was one that had been "rung" over 3 years ago when some research was done here then. Catherine had the Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp., again out in front of Visitor Centre while she was doing the Goose Count. She also spotted a Greenland Whitefront with a neck collar on, but only 2 letters were clearly visible, OL, normally there are 3 letters. Up at Ardnave there were 33 Chough and a small flock of 43 Golden Plover. MS, JRH & CF
Malcolm reports that yesterday during a goose count covering the Oa and Kildalton, 27 Whoopers flew in from Ireland and continued north over Ballivicar at no more than 150 feet.
There was no sign of the Bar-headed Goose at Cornabus, despite a very careful look through c.3,000 Barnacle Geese. 3 Hen Harriers were seen on the Oa, 2 at Cornabus and 1 at Risabus. There was also a lot of Buzzard activity, with birds soaring, marking their territories out. MAO

No comments: