Monday 17th March

A better day with the weather, managed to see the crag for most of the day! Scott O'Hara is over for the week leading a group from Aigas and yesterday had seen GND at Port Ellen and another along at Ardlistillery. Further on at Claggain Bay a Red throated Diver was spotted in summer plumage. James yesterday had a White tailed Sea Eagle over the reserve at Gruinart. James carried out a count on the floods with his tally coming through at 6 Gadwall, 6 Whoopers, 35 Shoveler, 441 Teal, 35 Wigeon, 50 Pintail, 17 Snipe, 58 Mallard, 2 Dabchick, 91 Redshank, 239 Lapwing, 9 Dunlin, a male and also a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Sparrowhawk. A Water Rail was also heard. Today, Malcolm had a Gannet fly past Bruichladdich up LOch Indaal, an early bird similar to the Whimbrel yesterday. Visitors today had a Snipe at Coull roadend, a Golden Eagle at the Eastern end of Loch Gorm. Up on Arnave Loch they had Goldeneye, Mute Swan chasing the Whoopers present there. Round Ardnave they had a flock of 25 Sanderling,a few Shag with some Oystercatcher and Shelduck also seen. A Glaucous Gull was at the mouth of Loch Gruinart. Finally, at Rockside they saw 2 Pinkfooted Geese amongst the Barnies there.