Monday 10th February

A few squally showers sped past today, but not enough to deter our birders....Mary and Amy from RSPB had been round Ardnave between the showers. They had a total of 41 GND as well as 1 Red throated Diver, 1 Black Guillemot, 12 Red breasted Merganser, 9 Shag, 4 Eider and also 9 GBB Gulls. Down at Tayovullin 3 Redshank, 21 Curlew (including 1 with colour rings on), 116 Lapwing, 21 Turnstone and 2 Ringed Plover. Later on Amy had 2 Bullfinches whilst along the woodland trail at Gruinart. Today, the Rochdale birders had a female Sparrowhawk in at Loch Skerrols, a really dark ringtail Hen Harrier close to Cladville, a Barn Owl out up the back of Port charlotte, over at Lagavullin Bay they saw 2 GND. The Sevenoaks birders had been out to Claggain Bay and had an Otter, 10 Black Guillemot, 5 Red breasted Merganser, 1 Dabchick, 8 GND, 12 Red throated Diver,15 Eider and 1 Shag. Aros Bay held 40 Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank and a Turnstone. Just inland, there were 20 Meadow Pipits along with 6 Reed Buntings, then to top it all a female Merlin appeared out of nowhere within 10 feet of them! The wee lochan up behind Laphroaig had some Teal and Wigeon along with 5 Whoopers and also a pr of Goldeneye. Finally, they saw another female Merlin perched on a bough of a tree as they returned back to Port Ellen.