Saturday 23rd May

Yesterday was the Bowland birders final full day here on Islay, before heading home this morning.. Yesterday, they managed a spot of sea watching at Frenchman's Rocks. Birds seen were Bonxie, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Guillemot, Arctic Tern, Common Gull, Pied Wagtail, Manx Shearwater, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Rock Pipit and Gannet. Over their stay, Andrew and Jane had recorded 120 species, but there might be more as they went over on the ferry... Many thanks for your input, most welcome as ever. This afternoon, we saw 2 Cuckoos being pursued by some LBJs at Gartloist between Bridgend and Bowmore, coming home we had a male Hen Harrier close to the road near to Foreland House. This evening, the weather is not too good with a damp, wet, smurry dampness, not a lot, but enough to lay the dust, and possibly help the plants that we put in yesterday afternoon...save me watering them!!!