Tuesday 4th October

Malcolm Ogilvie had seen 15 Goldfinches in the bushes/ whins down beside the former lime kiln close to Tynacoille around midday. Bob Swann sent some details of the Greylag goose that we saw at Rockside back on Friday past. It was first rung on the 31st of Jan 2015 at Gortan Chuirn, behind Bruichladdich and has been seen a few times since then, but all here on Islay.. The Hampshire birders had seen 6 Turnstone at Carnain and later on along towards Bridgend, 4 Whoopers were present. Returning birder, Richard Belter is back for a another "Islay fix". Up at Sanaigmore, Richard had a juv Golden Eagle fly past with Rock Pipit and Twite also there. At Gruinart, he had a ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Barnies and 3 Greenland Whitefronts. Whilst driving round the Rhinns, he saw a Mistle Thrush. Today, Gary from Wild Islay birding, had seen 150 Barnies at Whinpark at the head of Loch Indaal, along at Carnain 2 RTD, 7 Slavonian Grebe, 10 Scaup and also 21 Common Scoter. On his way up the east side of Loch Gruinart, Gary saw a Wheatear, 8 Whooper Swan, 36 Pale bellied Brent and a Merlin. Back at Gartmain, just out of Bowmore, he had 40 Golden Plover, 7 Pintail and 47 Pale bellied Brent, 2 of which had 2 red darvic leg rings but were just too far away to read! Here at home, a Reed Bunting was on the wire above the bottom of the game crop beside the wee pond and at around 6pm, 30 Twite were on the overhead power line.