Wednesday 25th April

Yesterday evening was the monthly meeting for the Islay Bird nerds, and as it was a nice sunny evening, it was a grand chance to open the new hide on the RSPB reserve at Gruinart, and as well as the local nerds we were glad that we had 4 visitors along to see what a sociable friendly lot we really are! On our way there, a Kestrel was on a telegraph pole, a male Hen Harrier at Culbuie and a Cuckoo on a straining post just after Kilchoman school. Coming home from the opening, we heard a Sedge Warbler calling away down below Rockside. James had another Kestrel at Grainel yesterday with the Hampshire birders having a Common Sandpiper at Saligo. Beki Williams who is over on Islay working with RSPB, had been leading the walk down on the Oa yesterday and had a Golden Eagle, a pair of Chough feeding, a glimpse of a male Hen Harrier. Today, down on the Oa, Dave had a Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, several pairs of Stonechats and Wheatear carrying nesting materials with Rock Pipits carrying food their young. Round at Ballinaby this evening there was a flock of 200 Golden Plover hunkering down out of the cold wind.