Tuesday 28th April

A dreich sort of a day, may be it is just as well we cannot "decide" who gets what weather, come to think of it, there is a General Election next week, vote for the Sunshine Party... not that I am standing anyway!!George and Pat Jackson are over for a few days (not our usual George from Bruichladdich!) While waiting for the ferry to leave from Kennacraig, they saw a pair of Black Guillemots entering one of the port holes where the anchor chains come through... I wonder whether it is the same pair that raised a brood there last year!! Later, on Sunday evening a Whinchat flew into the window where they were staying... it recovered and flew off the next morning, none the worse for wear. On Monday, they had seen a male Hen Harrier close to Coulabus. The Rochdale birders yesterday had seen 11 Whimbrel at Gruinart, a Peregrine over the reserve, along at Ballinaby, there was a flock of 270 Golden Plovers, along the road, a Mallard with her brood of 12. A male Hen Harrier was seen at Foreland with another seen at Storakaig. Near to Storakaig there was an Iceland Gull. 2 Whinchat were spotted close to Rockside. Yesterday, James had (£Blackwits on the floods in front of the old hide. Tonight was the Bird nerds meeting at Gruinart with 5 visitors, including one from Oz, Great to meet you all folks. Bob had 7 Whimbrel at Coultorsay. From the hide, we had a Lapwing along her brood, a Moorhen, several Snipe, Redshank, Blackwits, along with the other usual ducks. A pair of Garganey were reported there the other day. The Blackwits were close to the hide