Monday 13th April

Back to wearing a jersey again, with the jacket not far away, somebody has turned the temperature down big style...Not much good if you are on our walking week, walkislay. 22 hardy souls went on the walk today and got caught in some of those squally showers! Malcolm had 11 Whoopers fly over Bruichladdich earlier on this morning. Mary had carried out the WeBs count over at Ardnave Loch where she had 4 Black headed Gulls, 4 Lapwing, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 11 Tufted Duck, 4 Wigeon, 4 Mallard and 2 Mute Swans. On Loch Gruinart her count was as follows, 3 GND, 1 Shag, 1 Heron, 158 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 18 Eider, 11 Red breasted Merganser, 174 Oystercatcher, 255 Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 58 Sanderling, 50 Dunlin, 84 Curlew, 75 Redshank, 17 Turnstone, 58 Common Gull, 5 Black headed Gull, 5 LBB Gull, 10 GBB Gull, 39 Herring Gull and 2 Mute Swans. Here at home today, there have been over 30 Goldfinches busy on the food out for them... Fulmars have been present on the crag, but possibly they are on possible nest sites rather than a sign that we are due for some coarse weather in a few days time!!!