Saturday 12th April

John Hughes who has been over for a few days gave me through his sightings, so I have selected some of his birds. On Tuesday on Loch Indaal, John had 21 Eider and also 5 Sandwich Terns. Wednesday, at Gruinart the flock of around 700 Golden Plover were seen as well as a pr of Gadwall, 137 Shelduck from the hide and also a male Hen Harrier as well. On Thursday, John had a Peregrine at Kilchoman and also 2 Chiffchaff at Loch Allan. On Friday, John's last day, a flock of around 40 Twite as he went up to Sanaigmore, also another Peregrine. In the bay at Sanaigmore a Slavonian Grebe, Black throated Diver and also 3 GND. At Gruinart he had 18 Sand Martin while down on the shore of Loch Indaal, 13 Turnstone were seen. Thanks to John for your birds. "Ken's IKIP birders" have also had a good week, starting off last Sunday with 3 Buzzards close to Bunnahabhain and a futher 2 at Finlaggan, one being hassled by a crow! On Monday on the Oa, a Golden Eagle was soaring lazily minding its own business but it was being constantly battered by a a particularly angry seabird! They also saw a ringtail Hen Harrier close to where they are staying. Tuesday highlight was seeing a White tailed Sea Eagle at the head of Loch Indaal. Wednesday was a Jura day watching Hen Harriers, another 2 Buzzards and also 5 Herons. Thursday on the Oa they had seen 2 different Golden Eagles, but in peace this time nobody hassling either of them today! They also had their first Swallow. Friday early evening they watched a male Hen Harrier eating some prey which it had caught. Thanks Ken. Yesterday Alistair Paterson had a Hobby down at Port Ellen at 7 am and it flew across the bow of the ferry as it left to go to Kennacraig!. Today Peter had been over to Loch Allan where he heard Willow Warblers singing away as well as Treecreepers and also Goldcrest singing too.