Thursday 15th May

David and Jane Griffiths had been out a walk at Ardnave on Tuesday and heard the elusive Corncrake calling close to the steading... wonder how many folk hear them compared to those who actually see them! On their way back from Ardnave they had a male Hen Harrier out quartering his patch at Kilnave. On the Glen road, David heard a Grasshopper Warbler, while along at Neriby a Cuckoo was being purseued by a small bird. David has also been seeing Siskins on his bird table lately as well. Yesterday Andrew and Jane, the "Bowland birders" had seen 4 Black Guillemots at the pier at Bruichladdich, also there were 4 Turnstone and a pr of Common Sandpiper. From the old hide at Gruinart, they saw the following, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Dabchick, Moorhen, Snipe, Mallard, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Sedge Warbler, Cuckoo, Corncrake, B H Gull, Shelduck, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Wheatear, Redshank, Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow. Along the "woodland trail", their birds were Greenfinch, Coal Tit, Robin, Treecreeper, Rook & Jackdaw while down at the new hide Gadwall, Shelduck, Moorhen, Wheatear, Lapwing and Mute Swan were seen. Today Bob had a young male Hen Harrier out skydancing on the Rhinns. On the reserve at Gruinart, James had 2 Garganey. This morning we saw a male Hen Harrier on the reserve at Gruinart, another later over Carnduncan and then a ringtail below Coulererach, we also saw 2 Cuckoos, one at Carnduncan and the other at the former Kilchoman school. This afternoon, there were around 27 Chough out over the dunes behind Machir Bay.