Sunday 26th October

As forecast, not the best of days here today, still we managed to remember to turn the clocks back. No ferry sailed today, so no papers either but not that was not a great loss!!New birders off the block this week.. The Rochdale team had a count of 320 Golden Plover round at Balllinaby yesterday with a further 40 seen down at Claddach. Also at Claddach there were around 500 Starlings being pursued by a female Merlin. Redwings were seen all over. At The Gearach, a male Hen Harrier was spotted and a ringtail seen up at Sanaig. A female Sparrowhawk was seen in Port Charlotte with a male spotted at Foreland. Yesterday, Phil Knott brought a group over from Heathelea and had seen a juv Golden eagle being mobbed by 2 Buzzards at Feolin and shortly afterwards a White tailed Sea Eagle. Up at Bunnahabhain they saw 2 Otters, a great start for both sets of visitors. Wonder what Phil's highlights were for today, apart for getting rather wet... you will just have to wait in suspense until tomorrow night! Here at home this morning, I spotted 6 Whoopers attempting to fly into thehead wind out towards Granny's rock and then they did a quick about turn, what a difference with a tail wind behind them as they came down and rested up at Rockside.