Tuesday 10th February

Some sightings through from Steve Holliday who was over the other week for a few days. He had a count of 77 Scaup on Loch Indaal, 37 Brent geese on Loch Indaal and also 135 Barwits also there as well. On his way back over to Kennacraig on his way home he had a total of 53 GND with 12 RTD and 7 Slavonian Grebe seen closer to Kennacraig. Yesterday, the Hampshire birders had a count of 20 Tufted Duck on Ballygrant Loch, they saw 6 different Herons fly over Lily Loch. At Kiells, they saw House Sparrows in the hedges around the houses, House Sparrows are not that common in Hampshire... In the morning at Carnain, they saw a ringtail Hen Harrier, in the afternoon, at Carnain there was a White tailed Sea Eagle was on a Barnacle Goose carcase, then along came the ringtail, the pair got on famously for 5 minutes before flying off as a dog walker disturbed them... The hungry ringtail returned back about 10 minutes later! Other regular visitors, John & Carol Warner had a Merlin cut across the road directly in front of them as they drove into Bowmore from Bridgend. Mary yesterday had carried out the WeBs count on Loch Gruinart with Mike a long stay vol. Their tally was 3 GND, 1 Shag, 114 Shelduck, 141 Wigeon, 29 Mallard, 7 RBM, 139 Oystercatcher, 13 Ringed Plover, 30 Golden Plover, 28 Barwit, 77 Curlew, 42 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 5 BH Gull, 33 C Gull, 18 H Gull, 2 GBB Gull and a Mute Swan. On Ardnave Loch, they had 5 Oystercatcher, 9 Wigeon, 6 Mallard, 15 Teal, 2 Heron, 4 Tufted Duck, 8 Goldeneye, 11 Mute Swan, 6 Whoopers and 1 RBM. Close to Leck Gruinart cottage as they returned back from Ardnave, they saw a male Hen Harrier and also a Merlin.