Tuesday 20th May

Speaking to some Ileachs today, we all had the same topic to speak about, the thunderstorm last night along with all the rain, around 1.5" fell... Still today it may have been overcast, but at least some outside work could be carried out!The Bowland birders yesterday had a quick trip in to Finlaggan where they saw Dabchick, Cuckoo and 12 Tufted Duck. Down at Caol Ila they had 6 Black Guillemots in the bay with 3 GND flying North up the Sound of Islay. Later on they walked from Port Askaig on the track leading to Ballygrant and back. They saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker and later on an Osprey. Other birds included Chiffchaff, numerous Willow Warblers, Goldcrest, Goldfinches, pr of Redpoll, pr of Siskin, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Treecreepers, pr Reed Bunting, Sedge Warblers, M. Thrush, S. Thrush, Sparrowhawk, male Bullfinch, 4 different Cuckoos and many Whitethroats. On their way back to their cottage, they saw a pr of Red leged Partridge at the Auction Mart at Bridgend. Ken and Sal yesterday had seen the mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover down on the newly sown field at Rockside. Round at Ballinaby they saw 6 Greenland Wheatear and later on a Whitethroat singing away. Up behind Bowmore, a Golden Eagle , and at Blackrock they had 105 Barwits, 4 Knot, 1 GND, 4 RB Merganser and 35 Sanderling. At Bruichladdich, a Sandwich Tern, 1 GND, 1 Black Guillemot and 3 Gannets were seen. Mary had seen a Velvet Scoter down on the Rhinns yesterday.