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!!!)