Saturday 25th October

A rather blustery day here today, the ferry battered through and sailed back and forward to Kennacraig, but by the sound of things it did not head to Colonsay due to "technical" problems rather than a weather related cancellation.. it only returned the other day to "break down" today... Yesterday was the Horwich birders last day. In a hedge over at Persabus, they counted 15 Yellowhammers with 2 different Bullfinches as they headed on up towards Bunnahabhain. They also had a flock of 12 Long tailed Tit close to Loch Allan, on Loch Skerrols, some Mute Swans, 1 Tufted Duck and a Dabchick were present and coming back to their cottage, a Merlin flew low over the road at Foreland. Thanks to Tony and Chris Johnson for your sightings. Yesterday was also the Norfolk birders final day. On Thursday, at Bunnahabhain they had a Dipper and at Feolin, a Peregrine was seen. Yesterday, they saw a Merlin close to Lossit on the Rhinns, a Peregrine at Kilchoman and at least 50 Whoopers between Portnahaven and Kilchoman. Again many thanks to Mike, Nick, Margaret and Oksana for your birds, makes it all worth while for me when you share them for us all to hear what is happening over here! Bjorn-Reider Olsson and his wife yesterday saw a Greylag from the new hide at Gruinart with a neck collar, so once we get some information back, I will let you know all about it!! They also had the Barnies there along with Lapwings, Whitefronts and also a hybrid Greylag with a lot of white plumage. Bob yesterday had seen 6 Yellowhammers down the Moss road out of Bowmore. There was also a Female Hen Harrier chasing after some pheasants, but to no avail. Later on at Loch Skerrols, a Golden Eagle was seen, while over at Ballinaby, a juvenile White tailed Sea eagle, a flock of 150 Twite and also 45 Golden Plovers were all present. It is almost time for the monthly catch up of the "Islay bird nerds", so we are meeting on Tuesday afternoon at 16.00 at the car park at RSPB Loch Gruinart and hope to go down to the hides to see what is around, so if you are around, feel free to come along, all welcome.