Sunday 7th September

Another great day with the weather over here again, and not too bad for birdwatching either! On my way over to Gartbreck this morning to meet up with Bob, I had a raft of around 70 Red breasted Mergansers just before Uiskentuie, below the refuse tip, a male Sparrowhawk came out of a scrub willow and flew along the road in front of me and at Gartbreck itself, 2 different ringtail Hen Harriers flying along the field margins. Bob and myself carried out the monthly count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck along the shore, with our tally being as follows. 1 Heron, 1 Gannet, 20 Shag, 600 Greylag, 48 Mallard, 7 Teal, 12 Eider, 50 Oystercatcher, 75 Curlew, 9 Redshank, 10 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, 2 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 2 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, 10 GBB Gull, 30 Herring Gull, 30 Common Gull and 10 Black headed Gull.