Monday 9th May

Early this morning, Michal had a Ruff and also a single Barnacle Goose, both on the salt marsh, wonder if it was the same Barnie that we saw at Craigens last week? Mandy, this afternoon had seen 5 pr of Eider in the sea at Machir Bay. During a walk through the warren, Mandy counted 15 Chough while out at the duck pond behind the dunes, there were around 20 Sand Martin, as well as Lapwing, Skylarks and Mipits. Returning to the car park, she saw a Corncrake as it flew deeper into the reed bed! This morning round at Saligo, out over the sea, Mandy saw  a Curlew mobbing a Buzzard, also there were 20 Ringed Plover and a single Snipe. Along at Rockside she heard Snipe drumming, Sedge  Warbler and also saw a Cuckoo. The Bowland birders are back for another visit, hope they are not claiming to have brought the good weather! Yesterday, off Carn they saw Razorbills, 3 Arctic Tern, Raven and a raft of 20 Common Scoter. Whinchat at Cultoon, Cuckoo at Gearach and Fulmars on the nests at Kilchiaran were some of their highlight. They also had a small pod of around 6 B N Dolphins swimming out  of Loch Indaal. Today, in the Kildalton Woods, a pair of Bullfinches, Goldcrest, Siskin, Blackcap, Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff. Along at Claggain Bay, a Tree Pipit was carrying food, also seen there a BT Diver, M & F Hen Harrier, Grey Wagtail and Stonechat. On their way home to their accommodation, another male Hen Harrier was close to the airport and 2 Dunlin seen at Bruichladdich.