Monday 23rd November

What a difference a day makes, yesterday out in a jersey, today wearing a big jacket between the squally showers and windy as well... Early last week John Stephenson from Bowmore e mailed through (sorry only found it my junk box a few moments ago). Basically John was reporting that the big number of Whoopers were away from Ardnave Loch, but he had seen Chough there. Down in front of the old hide at Gruinart, he had 20 Whoopers the same day including 2 families with 5 youngsters. Yesterday afternoon, Mandy had 2 Greenshank, a Redshank and a Turnstone together at Bun an Uillt on Loch Gruinart. At the close of play around 5pm Mandy had a Tawny Owl on the verge at the side of the road as she passed the entrance to the visitor centre at Gruinart. Yesterday morning, Mike Peacock had 5 GND on the incoming tide at Gruinart. Mike also had 33 Sanderling, a few Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, with 4 Whoopers arriving in as well. Inland, Mike had 2 Hen Harrier and a Kestrel. Mid afternoon, from Port Charlotte panning across Loch Indaal to Gartbreck/ Laggan Point, 31 GND, 9 RTD, 53 Common Scoter and then another raft 9 were seen in flat calm conditions. Lesley was out with her old friends from Aberdeen yesterday. Going round Loch Indaal, 64 Pale bellied Brent, 4 Shelduck, 6 Slav Grebe and 6 Barwits. At Bridgend, a Dipper was seen on the River Sorn. In the woods at Bridgend a Goldcrest and Treecreeper were added to their list for their visit. More from Lesley tomorrow night... On our way down to Portnahaven last night, we had a Barn Owl below Carn with a Tawny Owl close to Ellister on our way home. We also saw several groups of Red Deer in the headlights too along with several Hares out on the roads playing silly games...they all lived to see another day.... Rememembr to come along to the monthly meeting of the bird nerds tomorrow night at the Lochside Hotel in Bowmore at 7.30pm, if you are around!!!!