Friday 30 September 2016

Friday 30th September

Quite a few sighting in from various folk tonight, so here goes, mainly Geese and Swans plus some other sightings as well...
Back on Wednesday, Gary had seen 3 RTD, a GND and a Common Scoter off Carnain, with Pied Wagtails, Rock and Meadow Pipits working along the tide line. Yesterday Gary had 3 Sanderling along with groups of GBB Gulls, Herring Gulls and Common Gulls along the Big Strand towards Knockangle Point. Gary has just started a new venture here on Islay called " Wild Islay Birding ", so if you fancy a day out birding on Islay, contact Gary, and "all the best, Gary"..  Phill Cotton, the warden down on the RSPB Oa reserve sent some sightings in. On Thursday, Dave had 8 Whoopers resting up on Loch Kinnabus, this morning, 16 were present before flying onwards to Ireland. Yesterday, Phill had seen 17 Pink footed Geese fly South past The Oa whilst doing a sea watch. This afternoon, Pill saw a Snow Bunting on the path leading to the American Monument. He also had a mixed flock of over 200 birds, mainly Twite with some Linnets and Goldfinches. Martin today had 6 Pale bellied Brents in the bay below the Maltings at Port Ellen. Over at Gruinart, James had counted a total of 57 Whoopers on the reserve, 78 Pale bellied Brent out on Loch Gruinart, with a Ruff, 16 Barwits and 5 Blackwits noted on the floods. Out on Loch Indaal from Gartmain, around midday, we had around 30 Brents amongst a large flock of Greylags on the water, with the Greylags being quite aggressive to the Brent Geese!!! There was a mixed Swan count of 19 Whoopers/ Mutes there as well in the distance. Coull had 2 newly arrived Whoopers at lunchtime, 5 at Sunderland and a further 15 on Loch Gorm. This evening there were 15 at Coull, possibly the Loch Gorm birds going to rest up on land for the night!!! Jim Dickson (out on Tiree at present) was on the phone asking about sightings of some American waders seen at Gruinart today, so probably, we will go on the search tomorrow, weather permitting...so watch this space (yet again!!!)

Thursday 29 September 2016

Thursday 29th September

Yesterday, James had 14 Blackwits and a Ruff on the floods at Gruinart and a count of 230 Pale bellied Brent out on Loch Gruinart itself. This morning, on the floods, James counted 798 Greylags (1 with a neck collar on), 3 Barnies and also 4 Pintails. Bob counted a total of 185 Pale bellied Brent out from the new hide at Gruinart. Late morning, we saw 7 Herons sheltering up from the wind in some rushes between Bun an Uillt and Craigens. This afternoon, we had 8 Whoopers flying South out over the machir out towards the War graves cemetery.

Wednesday 28 September 2016

Wednesday 28th September

This morning at breakfast time Lesley had seen 3 Dolphins in Kilnaughton Bay over at Port Ellen. Bob, this morning had seen 30 Woodpigeon, around 500 Rooks & Jackdaws along with about 150 Rock Doves with some Common Gulls and Herring Gulls also present on the barley stubbles at Octofad outside of Port Charlotte. Here at home this afternoon, a Merlin zipped through the garden putting up the Linnets and Goldfinches off the cover crop. The weather has gone downhill quickly this evening with it now raining and the wind picking up now as well....

Tuesday 27 September 2016

Tuesday 27th September

Today, Bob had seen both Whinchats and Stonechats on Bolsay Moor, James had 7 Blackwits on the floods at Gruinart with Phil down on the Oa seeing a Wheatear, a male Hen Harrier and a Merlin.

Monday 26 September 2016

Monday 26th September

Back on Saturday, Lesley had a passage of between 60 - 70 Swallows fly past her house close to Carraig Fhada over at Port Ellen. She also saw 30 Pied Wagtail including 2 White Wagtails, a small number of Sanderling and Dunlin and a female Merlin. Today, Lesley had 2 Ruff at Kilnaughton Bay. She was also saying that someone had a pod of 12 Dolphins in the bay just before miday. James this morning, over on Loch Gruinart had 3 Barnacle Geese, 9 Grey Plover, 1 Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper and also a Merlin.
Remember the Islay Bird nerds meeting tomorrow evening at 7.30 pm at the visitor centre at RSPB Loch Gruinart, so see you there, if you are around... 

Sunday 25 September 2016

Sunday 25th September

Today, Gary braved the elements and carried out his WeBS count from Port Charlotte back along Loch Indaal to Blackrock. His birds were as follows, 2 GND, 1 RTD, 10 Cormorant, 1 Razorbill, 2 Common Guillemot, 11 Eider, 22 Common Scoter, 16 Oystercatcher, 78 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 7 Turnstone, 3 GBB Gull, 77 Herring Gull, 29 Common Gull,  17 Gannet, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Comic Tern and a Merlin.
Gary had also noted several large flocks of Linnets between his house, outside Ballygrant, and Bruichladdich.

Saturday 24 September 2016

Saturday 24th September

Yesterday, Gary had seen a male and then a female Hen Harrier out over the moorland towards Finlaggan. He also saw a White tailed Eagle over the hills behind Ballygrant. Up behind Bunnahabhain, Gary had a small mixed flock consisting of Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, a single Long tailed Tit, Chaffinch, 5 Goldcrest and a male Blackcap. A Golden Eagle was out over the hills behind there as well. Returning back down to Bunnahabhain, Gary spotted a Water Shrew on the track. Out on the Sound of Islay, Gannets were seen by Gary. Here at home after the heavy, squally rain, this afternoon out on the game/ cover crop there was a mixed flock of 60 Linnet and Twite along with a few Goldfinches. A couple of Wrens were present hopping about on the stone wall. Early this evening, while I was outside I heard various birds alarm calling, a quick look around and I saw a Sparrowhawk fly past, low down, about 6 feet off the ground...
On Tuesday evening (27th Sept), the bird nerds will be meeting up at the Visitor centre at RSPB Loch Gruinart at 7.30pm, so if you are around feel free to come along.

Friday 23 September 2016

Friday 23rd September

Not a lot to report tonight, but I saw a Grey Wagtail down below here, on the lawn and then it flew down towards the stream. A Great Tit was up the house too, the first for some time. Later on, down at Gartmain, 4 Pale bellied Brents were resting up along with 8 Mute Swan. There also some Barwits probing about nearby.  The wind is picking up this evening as I write the blog, with the ferry departing later on this evening, rather staying overnight and departing tomorrow at 7am...

Thursday 22 September 2016

Thursday 22nd September

Yesterday, Gary had a Kestrel out in front of his house and then shortly afterwards a ringtail Hen Harrier out over the moorland, behind his house. Today, Gary and Bob had been out round the Loch Gorm area noting lots of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Stonechats present along with a second year male Hen Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier and also a juv. Peregrine on a fence near to Saligo. On Loch Gorm itself, they saw 4 Dabchick, 100 Teal, 30 Tufted Duck, 25 Mallard and 7 Heron. 6 Buzzard were counted on their way round the loch! Late afternoon, at the top end of Loch Indaal, Louise had a count of 152 Red breasted Merganser, lots of Oystercatcher, 2 Pale bellied Brent, Barwits present as were Wigeon, Teal and Pintail.
Many thanks to Jim Dickson for sharing his sightings with us while he has been over for the last fortnight or so.

Wednesday 21 September 2016

Wednesday 21st September

Many thanks to James for writing the blog while I was  over on the mainland over the past 10 days or so.
On Monday (19th) Jim's top birds included 6 Black Guillemot off Bruichladdich Pier, a GND in summer plumage on Loch Indaal, and off the rocks at Port Charlotte 65 Common Scoter. Up at Craigens/ head of Loch Gruinart, the Greenland White fronted Goose was still present amongst the Greylags as well as 31 Pale bellied Brent Geese. At Bowmore, Jim had a further 12 Pale bellied Brent and also 80 Tufted Duck. Finally at Machir Bay, Jim heard a Water Rail in the reedbed there. Mandy saw a Barn Owl  on a fence post close to the former Kilchoman school last night and earlier on had spotted a Barnacle Goose down at "smelly corner".  Yesterday, Bob and Jim had seen 5 Pale bellied Brents and also a Greenshank,  35 Pied Wagtail and a juv. Peregrine at the head of Loch Gruinart. Up at Gortantoid, they saw 4 Yellowhammer, 2  Song Thrush and 6 Reed Bunting. At Rockside, a male Sparrowhawk was spotted. Out over the crag behind Kilchoman, 2 adult and a juv Peregrine as well a single Wheatear. At Ballinaby, 250 Linnets and 70 Rock Dove were counted, up round in the scrubby willow past Coille, 60 Lesser Redpolls with a distant Golden Eagle seen up at Sanaigmore. Today, in the rain/ squally showers, Bill Allan from the mainland had been out with Jim and they had a covey of 16 Red legged Partridge near to Skerrols, Bridgend.

Wednesday 21st September

Many thanks to James for writing the blog while I was  over on the mainland over the past 10 days or so.
On Monday (19th) Jim's top birds included 6 Black Guillemot off Bruichladdich Pier, a GND in summer plumage on Loch Indaal, and off the rocks at Port Charlotte 65 Common Scoter. Up at Craigens/ head of Loch Gruinart, the Greenland White fronted Goose was still present amongst the Greylags as well as 31 Pale bellied Brent Geese. At Bowmore, Jim had a further 12 Pale bellied Brent and also 80 Tufted Duck. Finally at Machir Bay, Jim heard a Water Rail in the reedbed there. Mandy saw a Barn Owl  on a fence post close to the former Kilchoman school last night and earlier on had spotted a Barnacle Goose down at "smelly corner".  Yesterday, Bob and Jim had seen 5 Pale bellied Brents and also a Greenshank,  35 Pied Wagtail and a juv. Peregrine at the head of Loch Gruinart. Up at Gortantoid, they saw 4 Yellowhammer, 2  Song Thrush and 6 Reed Bunting. At Rockside, a male Sparrowhawk was spotted. Out over the crag behind Kilchoman, 2 adult and a juv Peregrine as well a single Wheatear. At Ballinaby, 250 Lapwing and 70 Rock Dove were counted, up round in the scrubby willow past Coille, 60 Lesser Redpolls with a distant Golden Eagle seen up at Sanaigmore. Today, in the rain/ squally showers, Bill Allan from the mainland had been out with Jim and they had a covey of 16 Red legged Partridge near to Skerrols, Bridgend.

Monday 19 September 2016

Monday 19th September

Back on the 9th of September, Dave Wood had seen 2 European Storm Petrels and also a Sooty Shearwater from the ferry as he went over to Kennacraig. On Saturday, Jim Dickson had seen 3 Slavonian Grebe, 38 Common Scoter, on Loch Indaal out from Uiskentuie. Along at "smelly corner", Jim had 3 Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper and out from Bowmore, 67 Barwits, 44 Knot and 181 Wigeon were present. Finally, up at Loch Gruinart, 79 Lapwing, 71 Barwits, 18 Blackwits, 17 Heron and 2 Arctic Tern were counted. A Greenland Whitefront was seen amongst the flock of Greylags at Craigens. This afternoon, David wood had seen a Lapland Bunting flying over amongst some Meadow Pipits down at Glen Astle.

Sunday 18 September 2016

Saturday 17th September

Some sightings from Friday from Gary. At the top of Loch Indaal towards Bowmore he counted over 30 Redhank, 131 Barwits, 3 Knot and a Ruff. Gary also got the impression that there were more Gulls around as well. Michal had carried out the WeBS count yesterday. The  "scores on the doors" were as follows, Ardnave Loch, 2 Mallard, 18 Wigeon, 11 Mute Swan, Loch Gruinart  held 99 Oystercatcher, 83 Ringed Plover, 10 Golden Plover, 10 Lapwing, 50  Sanderling, 370 Dunlin, 311 Curlew and 36 Redshank. The Floods held 43 Mallard, 131 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 2 Moorhen, 2 Heron, 49 Lapwing and 15 Greylags.

Friday 16 September 2016

Friday 16th September

Some records from Jim for Yesterday (Thur 15th) 44 Collared Doves and 250 starlings at Octofad, 103 Tufted Duck, 1 Greater Scaup and 115 Teal at Loch Gorm. 80 mostly Pied Wagtails at Machir Bay, 11 Golden Plover and a Sparrowhawk at Ballinaby. At Gruinart a Sparrowhawk, 300 Swallows, 400 Starlings and 60 Goldfinches. On Loch Gruinart 4 Pale Bellied Brents, 18 Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Little Stint and 1 Arctic Tern. At Ardnave Loch 8 Black Tailed Godwits and 2 Bar Tailed Godwits
Today on the Gruinart Floods, I had 43 Mallards, 131 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 2 Moorhens, 49 Lapwing and 2 Whooper Swans and also 2 Corncrakes reported by Neil.

Todays photo a great shot of a Jackdaw from Jim


Thursday 15 September 2016

Thursday 15th September

Some records from yesterday (14th Sept): Jim had 14 Red Throated Divers, 41 Common Scoter and 6 Slavonian Grebes on Loch Indaal and Peter had 13 Common Scoter on Loch Indaal from Bruichladdich. At Portnahaven Mary had a Chough battling it out with a Hen Harrier and a solitary Brent Goose, and on Loch Gorm an Osprey.
Today it was a bit misty, but 5 Black Tailed Godwits flew over the Gruinart Flats

More picture from Jim: Slavonian grebes and a wheatear (Thanks Jim)


Wednesday 14 September 2016

Wednesday 14th September

First some records from Yesterday (Tues 13th) Bob and Jim were out at Gartbreck: 1 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Pale Ballied Brent geese, 3 Knot, 70 Dunlin, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Lapwing, 6 Greenland Wheatears and 5 White Wagtails. On Loch Indaal: 2 Red Throated Divers, 55 Common Scoters, at Uiskentuie an Osprey, Off Bridgend 2 Knot, 47 Redshank and 6 White Wagtails. At Loch Gruinart : 18 Pale Bellied Brent geese, 5 juv Shelduck, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Little Stint, 36 Black Tailed Godwits, 1 Whimbrel, 8 Greenland Wheatears and 10 White Wagtails. also 5 Snipe, 4 Skylarks, and 50 Linnet.
Today a quick look across the Loch (Gruinart) produced an Osprey, Peregrine, Hen Harrier (having a wash) and a Merlin
Some more pics from Jim



Tuesday 13 September 2016

Tuesday 13th September

A beautiful day on Islay- unfortunately I have been at an office desk all day (and still am). So I do not have to much to report. Still 14 Pale Bellied Brents on Loch Gruinart and a Sparrowhawk and an Osprey flying around at lunch time.

Monday 12 September 2016

Monday 12th September

A very windy start to the day, then at lunch time the wind dropped and the rain came on- with a few midges for good measure.
Some records from yesterday: Jim had a female Sparrowhawk at Kilchiaran, a Peregrine at Bridgend merse, 18 Bar Tailed Godwits, 72 Lapwing, 2 Whooper Swans on Gruinart Flats, 14 Pale Bellied Brents on Loch Gruinart and 65 Tufted Ducks, 1 Greater Scaup and 7 Teal on Loch Gorm.
Some records from Gary: on Friday an Osprey on Loch Indaal nr. Whin Park entrance and on Saturday Pale Bellied Brent geese still at Kilnaughton and a Golden Eagle at Ballimartin.
The only record for today was a Sparrowhawk in my garden at Gruinart.

Bar-wit photo from Jim.


Sunday 11 September 2016

Saturday 10th September

Lots of records from Jim again, making the best of good Saturday weather before the wind gets up tomorrow. At Bruichladdich 1 Arctic Tern. At Craigens 12 Greenland Wheatears and a Whinchat. At Gruinart 2 Peregrines, 1 Osprey, at least 4 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, 84 Redshank, 4 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 39 Bar Tailed Godwits, 4 Wheatears. At Ardnave Loch 10 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe and at Octofad a Peregrine.

Pictures Osprey and Little Stint from Jim.



Friday 9 September 2016

Friday 9th September

Rather a blustery day with strong winds blowing this evening. Gary this morning had seen 2 Pale bellied Brent Geese over at Port Ellen, along with a mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Along at the pontoons, Gary counted 3 GGB Gulls and also 45 Herring Gulls resting up. Returning from Port Ellen along the low road, Gary had several small flights of Snipe over the road. Jim Dickson arrived over today for his "Islay September stayover". On the ferry coming over Jim had a Pomarine Skua and saw the Brents when he arrived at Port Ellen. Over the sewage/ water treatment works on the edge of Bowmore, Jim counted 15 Sand Martins and also lots of Swallows. At "smelly corner",  Jim had 2 Arctic Terns, 4 White Wagtails and 6 Knot. Along at Uiskentuie, close in to the shore, he had a Manx Shearwater. Up at Gruinart, he counted 29 Blackwits, 8 Barwits, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and 53 Pale bellied Brent as well as, at least 15 Greenland Wheatear. Finally, Jim had seen 60 Goldfinch at the Coull farm road end and then a female Sparrowhawk over the wee wood at Kilchoman. This afternoon, Bob had spent some time in the new hide at Gruinart where he saw 2 drake Pintail in eclipse plumage, 10 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler and 80 Teal.

Thursday 8 September 2016

Thursday 8th September

Last night, or sometime since I wrote yesterday entry, the Swallows appear to have gone, as I have not seen one here today at all...
James had seen at Osprey at Gruinart on his return yesterday afternoon and this morning, Mandy had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier at the far end of the flats at Gruinart, towards the turn off to Craigens. amongst the large flock of Greylags that were on the barley stubble at Rockside this evening, there is a Greylag with a lot of white plumage, certainly not a farm yard goose. The most recent figures for Greylags on Islay are around 2,500 counted, with a large proportion around Rockside on the stubbles and silage aftermaths. These geese are not here on Islay all the time but have been possibly come across from Tirree, Colonsay and even the Mull of Kintyre to swell our numbers for a wee while at present!!!

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Wednesday 7th September

The Swallows were busy again this morning with 34 counted out hawking for food, here at home. Today, around about 12 of us were treated to a "thank you barbecue" for helping carrying out  the Corncrake surveys. The figure for 2016 was 86, subject to being clarified, down from last year's total of 101 calling males heard.  While we were out, we were fortunate to see a Golden Eagle and at the end another 2 came into view. A ringtail Hen Harrier and a couple of Buzzards were also spotted. 22 Sanderling flew past out over the sea as did some small parties of Gannets flying South. On our way home, we saw the Leucistic Pied Wagtail which Louise saw the other day. Fortunately the weather remained dry, a good time enjoyed by all...

Tuesday 6 September 2016

Tuesday 6th September

Yesterday, visitors to Islay had seen 3 Curlew Sandpipers up at Ardnave. Gary, this morning had seen 3 different Ospreys at Bridgend and the head of Loch Indaal. Michal had a ringtail Hen Harrier over the flats at Gruinart this morning. Late evening, last night I counted 24 Swallows out above the game crop.

Monday 5 September 2016

Monday 5th September

Peter yesterday morning had seen an Osprey fly over the flats at Gruinart. Here at home this afternoon, a pair of Sparrowhawk flew along the front of the crag. The Swallows have been busy hawking over the cover crop.  Later on, early evening a quick run round Loch Gorm and we saw a Stonechat on the fencewire close to Saligo, another was close to the road junction to Sanaigmore and then 14 Pied Wagtail were near to Grulinmore. Raymond has his combine out in one his barley fields this evening at Sunderland, just starting to open the field as we passed by....

Sunday 4 September 2016

Sunday 4th September

If you were wondering who A.N. Other was who saw the Marsh Harrier with Paul Graham yesterday, well after a bit of detective work, we can now let you know that it was Eilidh Reid who was a "vol" at Gruinart a few years ago!
This morning I had a new house bird, yes as it was sitting on top of the roof, rather than chasing the birds through the garden, the said Sparrowhawk is on the list now as well as on the garden list as well.... This afternoon, we had a Swallow in the house, another for the house list!!! The cats had a squint as it, and they both fell asleep soon afterwards.... Bob and Gary saw the Sedge Warbler down on the game crop today as well, but a much closer viewing than James had of it yesterday. As we  came home, earlier this evening, there was a juv. Fulmar on the road down close to Sunderland, so I caught it up and took it down to the sea where it should have been, rather than waiting for a passing car to run over it.

Saturday 3 September 2016

Saturday 3rd September

At Saligo Bay yesterday evening, we counted 17 Pied Wagtail going in to the reed bed. Earlier on, mid afternoon, Margaret had seen a Peregrine on top of Carraig Dhubh out on Loch Indaal out from  Blackrock. Today, the Peregrine was seen on Islay, at Blackrock on a kill/  remnants of a rabbit, before it took off carrying its' prey.  This afternoon, the Marsh Harrier was seen again, this time down on the South side of Loch Gorm by Paul Graham  +  A N Other. Late afternoon, and James had spotted a  Sedge Warbler flit through the game/ cover crop here at home. Yesterday Mike Peacock had seen his first GND of the Autumn, off Port Charlotte! Today he had done another sea watch down at Frenchman's rocks with Peter. Highlights included a Balearic Shearwater, 465 Manxies and 8 Sooty Shearwater during a 2 hour stint.

Friday 2 September 2016

Friday 2nd September

Yesterday, Gary had seen a large group of Redshank on the exposed shore, due to the low tide, out from the Generating Power station at Bowmore. Along at the Gaelic College, Gary counted 42 Knot, 12 Curlew and 4 Whimbrel. Today, from the Gaelic College, he counted 52 Knot, 22 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel and 20+ Redshank. Out from "smelly corner", Gary had 40 Teal, 400 Dunlin, 250 Ringed Plover, 1 Turnstone and 5 Sanderling. Out on the old shipwreck on the exposed mud, an Osprey perched there for some time!

Thursday 1 September 2016

Thursday 1st September

Nothing much to report today but yesterday Louise had counted the Greylags around Loch Gorm with her tally coming through at just short of 1200, James had a count of 300 at Gruinart while Michal saw none on his route round Ardnave!
The tally for the rainfall for August was 4.25 inches while the tally over at Mulindry was 5.75 inches. Perhaps our rain does get the chance to fall into the gauge on some of the windy days.... Our tally for the year so far coms to just short of 32 inches.