Tuesday 14th October

Another not bad day for time of the year, a bit cooler, but the main thing about today was that it was another dry day.. Back on Sunday, Wally and Jude had a Velvet Scoter off Bruichladdich. They also had a Slavonian Grebe there, as well as 5 GND and a Black throated Diver. Yesterday down on the Oa, he had a close sighting of a Golden Eagle. This morning at Craigens, Wally had a pr of Grey Wagtails and also a Pintail from the new hide. At Gruinart Farm, a Kestrel was seen with a ringtail Hen Harrier being classed as a near miss (to the car!) as he drove round Loch Gorm! Wally and Jude's total is now up to 96 species. The Bowland birders, Andrew and Jane yesterday had 25 Ringed Plover at Bruichladdich, a Black Guillemot in winter plumage and 25 Common Scoter. From Blackrock, 9 Slavonian Grebes, 3 of which were "associating" with a raft of 35 Scaup, 2 male and 2 female Goldeneyes and also 4 Red breasted Merganser. Up on Ardnave Loch, there were 13 Whoopers along with some Mute Swans. 80 Golden Plover, 40 Chough and 50 Twite were also present as well. Up at Ardnave Point, they saw a Grey Plover.. They had no sign of the Snow Buntings there or of any Canada Geese down at Gruinart reserve itself. Here at home, a new garden bird, a Redwing and late afternoon 3 lots of Whoopers 11, 10 and a further 11 flew directly over and out to the sea and they all turned South to Ireland.