Thursday 14th January

The other day, Izzy Baker had seen a flock of 32 Long tailed Tits along with 4 Goldcrest in the trees round Loch Allan. Some highlights through from Mike when he was carrying out his NEWS sectors... 46 Common Scoter displaying in small groups on Loch Indaal. Between Bruichladdich and Traigh an Luig, Mike had 5 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plover, 14 Lapwing, 25 Oystercatcher, 3 Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 GND, 10 Cormorant & 9 Pale bellied Brent Geese all seen on Monday. Yesterday, Mike carried on towards Bridgend along the top of Loch Indaal to Rubha Ban with birds noted included 85 Oystercatcher, 11 Turnstone, 14 Ringed Plover, 19 Dunlin, 19 Common Scoter, 61 Scaup, 8 Ravens feeding on a the remains of a sheep on the tide's edge and also a Kestrel. Mandy had covered the Machir Bay yesterday counting 44 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 45 Twite, 20 Chough, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Dabchick and the Glaucous Gull. Last Friday, while on the local Goose count at Easter Carrabus, Mandy had a Sparrowhawk and also a Kestrel, and then shortly afterwards a Juv. Golden Eagle over Cnoc Donn. Today, Gary had seen 5 GND, 4 Cormorant and 6 Shag with a Buzzard flying above a Golden Eagle which in turn was above a White tailed Eagle just along the coast! A great sight to see Gary!