Tuesday 15th September

Another glorious day out here, possibly not the hottest.. but there again you should have seen the stars last night... just great! Some sightings through from Jim Dickson. On Sunday, Jim had a Grey wagtail at Bruichladdich, 6 Wheatear between Gorm and Gruinart (including 2 Greenland types), 2 Ruff and 81 Lapwing on the Gruinart flats where there was a Peregrine on its' kill. Jim also had 2 ringtails having a tussle with each other. Further on, 3 Blackwits, 2 Shelduck were seen while 2 Whinchats were at Craigens. A female Sparrowhawk was at Carnain with a male Kestrel seen at Portnahaven. Mary, this morning, had a House Martin at Bruichladdich and a male Hen Harrier along at Uiskentuie on her way in to work. Yesterday, the vols had carried out the WeBS count at Gruinart, their tally was as follows, 14 Herons, 2 Shelduck, 46 Mallard, 14 Red B Merganser, 6 Gadwall, 92 Oystercatcher, 13 Ringed Plover,4 Golden Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 42 Sanderling, 95 Dunlin, 119 Barwits, 1 Blackwit, 219 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 62 Redshank, 234 BH Gull, 42 C Gull, 93 H Gull, 2 LBB Gull , 7 GBB Gull, 23 Pale bellied Brent Geese and an Osprey. Here this morning we had 2 Greenfinches and also 4 Goldfinches and a Great Tit out nosing around the feeders and also 2 House Martins amongst the Swallows.. We saw a ringtail fly across the road at Carnduncan, another at Coull and finally a third one flew past the garden with a Sparrowhawk out its rounds over the garden moments earlier...