Hogmany, 31st January

Another month, let alone another year almost in, but as ever we will keep you all in suspense regarding the rainfall figures, certainly not as much as some other places... Yesterday, Dave Newitt, a visiting birder, had seen a Black throated Diver, a Slavonian Grebe, several GND and also 30 Scaup at Blackrock on Loch Indaal. Today Dave had another good day with a White tailed Sea Eagle out from Bridgend, with a male Hen Harrier also nearby. On Loch Indaal, he counted 72 Scaup. Up towards Scarrabus, he saw 2 Red Grouse, 5 Yellowhammers and also 10 Reed Buntings. Later on the Glen road from Ballygrant towards Mulindry, at Storakaig, over the far hills, 3 Golden Eagles were seen and then another one was seen from Cattadale... a great day! Gary had been up at Bunnahabhain this morning and counted 13 GND and 31 Shag and spotted a juv. Gannet over the Sound of Islay. He also saw 2 Otters there, by coincidence we met Gary there and saw briefly one of the Otters in the distance. Coming home, between Ardnahoe and Torrabus, we had a great viewing of a ringtail Hen Harrier as it skirted closely alongside the road. Here at home, the Sparrowhawk was perched on the bird table again with the ringtail Hen Harrier quartering over the garden! Visiting birder, George Jackson had this morning been down on the Machir Bay walking his dog. The Glaucous Gull was still present on the pool beside the carpark. 23 Curlew flew out from the dunes and out to the sea, George wondered whether they were heading over Ireland. Also seen beside the pool were 32 Ringed Plover and 12 Turnstone while 22 Chough flew over head. While coming back up to his son's house at Rockside, George spent some time looking through the large flock of Barnies and was confident of seeing an immature black Brant amongst them. Finally, George saw a distant Golden Eagle, flying high up over the hills behind Rockside. A great day over here....