Tuesday 13th May

Mandy, who is one of the "vols" with the RSPB here on Islay at present, kindly sent this image of a Wood Sandpiper which she had taken yesterday evening down in front of the first hide at Gruinart. Andrew and Jane yesterday had been up round Ardnave where they had Corncrake, 12 Little Terns, 3 Arctic Terns, over 150 Dunlin, 100+ Ringed Plover, 40 Barwits, a Grey Plover in summer plumage, pr of Golden Plover, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Twite, 2 Canada Geese, several Chough, Linnet, Rock Pipit, 60+ Whimbrel, 6 Sanderling, 1 White Wagtail, and back on the reserve at Gruinart, 2 Whitefronts and a Barnie were seen. At Bruichladdich they saw 2 Common Terns and also 2 Common Sandpipers. Back close to where they are staying close to Port Charlotte, they had seen a Barn Owl on Sunday night and also Chough there too. On the wild flower front at Ardnave they spotted early Purple Orchids and also Bogbean in flower. Bob today had a Barn Owl out and the Corncrake calling close to his house and this afternoon he had a female Peregrine. Back home here, and Jane and Amanda down from Aberdeen for the week had a count of 17 Chough in a flypast.