Saturday 10th October

George Jackson, our "local" GJ had a Kestrel at Carnduncan yesterday. Gary had been out for some birding this morning, a good list of birds, so here goes... At Carnain, 17 Heron were present, from the car park in front of Blackrock, on Loch Indaal, 19 Scaup, 25 R B Merganser, 3 RTD and a Slav Grebe. Out on Loch Gruinart, from the car park below Bun an Uillt, 550 Barnies, 19 PB Brent, 850 Greylags, 91 Lapwing, 9 Heron, 51 Curlew, 53 C. Gull, 47 BH. Gull, 31 H. Gull, 7 GBB. Gull, 1 Iceland Gull, 231 Oystercatcher, 101 Ringed Plover,2 Turnstone, 27 Redshank, 2 Blackwits, 4 Knot, 43 Pintail, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier and 2 Whooper Swan. Ardnave Loch held 18 Mute Swan, 10 Whooper, 11 Mallard, 171 Wigeon, 1 American Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, and a Dabchick. There was also an Otter seen there too! On his way back down the road towards the RSPB reserve, a male Hen Harrier and a Peregrine were added to his list... Many thanks Gary. The Bowland birders have arrived over for the next week and saw some birds etc from the ferry over to Port Askaig, Razorbills, Guillemots, Black Guillemots, Kittiwakes, 2 Puffin, 2 Bonxie, a pod of Porpoise (sp unknown) and a Minke Whale!!! At Octomore they had Pied and Grey Wagtails and a Moorhen on the old Distillery pond behind Port Charlotte. Here at home today, the Sparrowhawk was out sitting on the wall as usual!!! Along at Rockmountain, a Peregrine flew along the ridge and at Gartmain, 15 Mute Swans were resting up.