Saturday 16th January

Yesterday Gary and Sam had seen 5 Goldeneye, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swan and a Cormorant. Later on down close to Port Ellen, they had a ringtail Hen Harrier. Finally, over at Bruichladdich Pier, Gary had the small flock of 50 Starlings showing off their acrobatic skills, better than the Chough who are still to learn their synchronised flights as of yet! Mandy had carried out her NEWS sector, from Machir Bay, South to Granny's Rock, with her birds included 2 Ravens, 2 Chough, 9 Kittiwake and also 2 Peregrine, one of which was carrying some prey. Coming back from Granny's Rock, through the dunes, at the lochan, there were 2 Whooper, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Teal and a Dabchick. This morning, Malcolm saw 8 adult Whooper flying down past Bruichladdich, possibly heading over to Ireland? Here at home the local ringtail flew over the garden, and then later on, we saw another saw another one between Loch Gorm and the road just as we approached the memorial stone to the Kilchoman Bard. Just thinking, that I have not seen the "local" Sparrowhawk for a few days!!!