Friday 17th October

Yesterday the " Bowland birders" had been out round the Rhinns, a quieter day compared with their trip earlier on this week, but they still managed to see a Golden Eagle, in the forest at Ballimony, Siskins and Redpolls were both seen, round at Gearach they saw a small flock of 8 Fieldfare. Finally back on the hill at Octomore, 7 Common Snipe, a Mistle Thrush and a pair of Stonechats. Emily last night had spotted an Otter over at Killinallan. Robin from close to Settle in Yorkshire returning for another return Autumn to Islay. Yesterday from the afternoon ferry, Robin had an Arctic Skua. Today at Blackrock, he saw 3 Long tailed ducks, 2 Slavonian grebes and a small raft of 45 Scaup. Over on Loch Gruinart, he had a count of 550 Golden Plover. He also had 2 Pink footed Geese, 3 Greenshank and also 31 Pale bellied Brent. Emily today has been cross eyed counting geese with her tally coming through at 22,908 Barnies, there may have been more as Emily said the geese were quite mobile, moving around... She also counted 164 Whitefronts, 137 Greylags and 16 Whoopers. On the loch, the flock of 550 Golden Plover along with Barwits, Sanderling and Curlew. On the floods there appeared to be a big rise in numbers of Teal and Wigeon today. Mary had seen a Grey Wagtail at the silage pit on the reserve, up at Nave Island a pod of Dolphins and also 50 Twite at Ardnave. At Lyrabus, Mary had 2 Yellowhammers and over 40 Skylarks together in a flock. Emily was also saying that the Geese and Whoopers are still arriving by the day with more Redwing seen around today.