Tuesday 16th February

Bob Young and his wife had been over at the weekend, staying up in their cottage up the top end of Gruinart, towards Ardnave. Their highlights including good sightings of an Otter, Merlin and down on the reserve at Gruinart, out in front of the new hide, a Gadwall was spotted amongst the Teal and geese. Oriole Birding led by Ashley Saunders arrived yesterday for their first trip to Islay. Coming over on the ferry they had seen 70 GND in total, a BTD, 6 Slavonian Grebe with a Golden Eagle and a white tailed Eagle seen flying over Jura. Late afternoon, came in at the head of Loch Indaal, they had a distant Glaucous Gull, 150 Barwits and 20 Pale bellied Brent Geese. Finally, down close to Port Ellen, they had a count of 50 Fieldfare, a Redwing and 2 Reed Bunting, close to where they are staying. Bob yesterday had a Golden Eagle over Bolsay Moor and a Pinkfoot fly over his house along with some other geese. The weather has not been too nice today, a complete contrast to yesterday, with low cloud and swirling mist... the ferry is meant to be coming over this evening for the first time today, at least it is coming...