Thursday 17th September

On Monday, Colin and Mandy Clark set out birding straight after their arrival on Islay. 5 Golden Eagles, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Hobby, several Buzzards, and a Kestrel on the Oa. On their way over to Port Charlotte, a Sparrowhawk and a Merlin. What a great start.. On Tuesday, up the Glen road, they saw a further 2 Golden Eagles. Yesterday Bob saw a Kestrel close to Foreland. This morning, he saw a Wheatear, 4 Whitethroats some Stonechats, Reed Buntings and Redpolls on Bolsay Moor. Later on over on Jura, he saw 2 Wheatears, a Grey Wagtail and a Hen Harrier were seen. Mary had seen the first Barnacle Goose of the Autumn at Gruinart. Yesterday, (my mistake, I forgot) Jim Dickson had 11 Slav Grebes on Loch Indaal. Today, Jim had 49 Common Scoter, 14 R T Divers, 13 GN Divers only 3 Slav Grebes. Up on Ardnave Loch, 51 Wigeon were present along with the American Wigeon. The Barnies have now increased to number 2 in total!!! Jim, round the head of Loch Gruinart had a count of 25 White Wagtails. At Coille, he saw a juv Siskin with 35 Tufted Duck on Loch Gorm. Finally, Stewart and Jenny Heggie from Forfar saw a male Hen Harrier out close to Saligo, it was joined by a ringtail and appeared to get some prey.