Monday 24th March

Yeserday the bird nerds had their monthly meet, with Ballgrant and the reported Ring necked Duck being the top of our agenda. After a bit of a search and looking from several viewing points, bingo...job done so back to get a welcome cuppa in Ballygrant! Also on the water were some Tufties a Red throated Diver, pr of Mute Swans, Loch nan Cadhan held a Dabchick and 2 more Swans. Visitors from Hamilton, John and Kenny enjoyed their new tick, on their way into Finlaagan they had a Wheatear, while up on the track behind Bunnahabhain , they saw a pr of Stonechats. The Bolton birders had a male Hen Harrier "skydancing" on their way to Bunnahabhain. Over Ardnahoe, they had a pr of Buzzards, down on the Sound of Islay they saw 2 GND. Coming back out of Bunnahabhain, a White tailed Sea eagle was seen, finally at Finlaggan a pr of Mute Swans were present. North of Loch Gorm, the Lincs birders had a pr of Golden Eagle North of Loch Gorm. Off Ardnave they had 4 GND and a Shag. Back down at Gruinart a count of over 100 Shelduck. Finally, round Loch Gorm they had over 40 Curlews together in one field, 6 different Buzzards as they went round and also several Stonechats. Here at home yesterday, after returning from Ballygrant when we were up at Shepherd's cottage, a Peregrine dropped out of the sky but had no joy in zapping any the Starlings it had spoofed. A few moments later and a Golden Eagle was out over the crag...