Sunday 10th April

What a great day it has been with the weather, more is forecast for tomorrow, so fingers crossed. Alistair Huchison e mailed through to say that he had a pair of Siskin in his garden in Bowmore yesterday. We had a male Siskin on the feeder here at home. First thing this morning, I gave Bob a hand to carry out the WeBs count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, so here is what we counted... 1 female Sparrowhawk, 12 GND, 2 Heron, 3 Shag, 4 Tysties, 1200 Barnies, 2 Greylags, 1 Mute Swan, 18 Mallard, 8 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 28 Wigeon, 59 Eider, 29 Rb Merganser, 35 Common Scoter, 25 Shelduck, 41Oystecatcher, 9 Curlew, 1 Barwit, 1 Greenshank, 15 Redshank, 5 Turnstone, 34 Knot, 4 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, 78 Ringed Plover, 8 Sandwich Tern, 6 GBB Gull, 2 LBB Gull, 6 H Gull, 20 BH Gull & 4 C Gull. There was also a large raft of 60 Common Scoter further out and not on our patch... On his way home Bob counted 40 Barwits at Gartmain and back at home Bob saw a White tailed Eagle fly over his house being pursued by a Buzzard. Today was the first walk of this years' "Walkislay" with Dave taking 22 folk out on a walk on the Oa. My old friend Armin was present and sent some sightings through.. Skylark, Sand Martin, Wheatear, Golden Eagle, Heron and Snipe