Friday 18th April

A glorious day on sunny Islay, blue skies too.. what else do you want? Some sightings through from yesterday, Mary saw a male Snow Bunting in summer plumage down at Claddach at Portnahaven. Carl Mitchell, one of Ed's bosses who is over for a few days had seen 6 Sandwich Terns perched on the rocks at Bruichladdich and he also heard the Corncrake calling below the viewing platform at Gruinart. "Solo" had been round Ardnave Point and had 6 GND, a Red breasted Merganser, 4 small groups of Ringed Plover, pr of Shelduck, 30 Eider and also 5 Gannets fishing off Nave Island. He also had seen a few Chough and back at Kilchoman, he had a Chiffchaff. The Bearsden birders had around 40 Shelduck at "smelly corner" on their way back from Bowmore in the evening. Forgot to mention that back on Monday evening that we saw the International Space station as it passed by, wonder if the crew spotted us waving to them!!!