Sunday 24th May

Andrew and Jane (the Bowland birders) yesterday while on the ferry going back to Kennacraig had seen a Bonxie on the water, just out of Port Ellen, 4 Arctic Skuas were present 3 off Ardbeg. They also saw many Guillemots and Razorbills from the ferry but no cetaceans. This morning I gave Bob a hand to carry out the monthly count from Bowmore out to Gartbreck along the shoreline of Loch Indaal. The tally came to 7 Shag, 21 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 100 Eider, 42 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Barwit, 62 Dunlin, 24 Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 24 Bh Gull, 6 Common Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 GBB Gull. We also saw a Willow Warbler and heard a Sedge Warbler as we walked down the lane leading to the shore. The weather was not great and quite windy, and we managed to avoid the showers, thank goodness!!! This coming Tuesday (26th May), the Islay Bird nerds will be meeting at the car park leading in to Islay House square. We will be taking a walk up the River Sorn and then returning back along the other side of the River, not really a strenuous walk, more a gentle stroll, so if you are around, come along ,all welcome.... by the way we will meet at 6.30pm