Thursday 2nd July

Yesterday Armin had spent some time over in the hide at Gruinart. He had seen the pair of Sedge Warblers busily carrying food in to their young. A single Whooper Swan is still present and with a Mute Swan appearing later on, but they kept their distance from each other! A Heron was seen too, but it was having a difference of opinion with the Lapwings present. There were a few Teal and also a single Shoveler. A Meadow Pipit and a Wren were also seen out in front of the hide. While returning back to his car, Armin had a ringtail Hen Harrier out on the wing. I have not heard of any further news of yesterday's Bea eaters, Jim Dickson came over from Lochgilphead to try locate them with Peter Roberts, but no joy... they did spot an eclipse male Wigeon at Gruinart. Martin, when he was out on the Oa, had seen a male Hen Harrier, a distant Golden Eagle, Stonechats and Wheatears. Over at Storakaig this afternoon, we had a cracking male Hen Harrier out quartering its' patch. There were many Stonechats as we went along the "Glen road". Here at home, there has been a Hooded Crow coning down onto the grass regularly over the past few days, so I can now call it a "garden bird"...