Wenesday 12th October

Robin Harvey from Benderloch, out of Oban has spent 3 days over here on Islay, a very productive visit by the sound of things according to Robin's correspondence to Jim Dickson and myself. His highlights included a female Goldeneye on Ardnave Loch, 38 Barwits and 18 Dunlin at Gartmain, 70 Rock Doves at Carn, Port Charlotte. He noted seeing "lots of Stonechats " on his way round the Rhinns, more than he has ever seen before! On the walk on the Oa with Dave Maynard, 3 Wheatear were seen together, on the way back to Port Ellen, more Stonechats were seen as was a fine male Blackcap. Finally up the East side of Gruinart, Robin saw 40 Barwit, 66 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 17 Ringed Plover, 6 Grey Plover, at least 20 Dunlin, around 80 Oystercatcher, 23 Turnstone. A great list of sightings, thanks Robin. Ian Mears from Hampshire also headed off home yesterday but had a couple of Golden Eagle out over Bunnahabhain and finally 50 Redwing down at the Lily Loch out of Port Askaig. Back on Monday Rob McNab from Linlithgow had seen Chough, a large flock of Twite and also a Golden Eagle while down on the Oa. Yesterday, Nicholas Watts from Vine House Farm in Lincolnshire had seen a Red backed Shrike as he drove up towards Sanaigmore, the bird being seen just after Coille.. Nicholas is a farmer himself and has diversified into selling bird foods, and since doing this, has now donated over £1 million to the causes of the  Wildlife Trust projects over the years. Gary and Wendy, the original Hampshire Birders, today had taken a run round the Rhinns, seeing Snipe, Merlin, Wheatear and also lots of Stonechats. Over Octomore Hill, they saw 2 Golden Eagle out soaring on the thermals. Today Gary and Bob went out to see if they could find Nicholas's Shrike, no joy, but they did see a juv Golden Eagle and also a juv White tailed Eagle and again lots of Stonechats! Earlier on Gary himself had seen Dunlin, Ringed Plover, 10 Grey Plover out from Whin Park with the Peregrine making a pest of itself again!!! Today Rob McNab had a female Snow Bunting on the machir up at Sanaigmore. Today, the Bowland birders had seen 11 Pale bellied Brent  beside Blackrock with 15 Scaup and 4 Pintail out on Loch Indaal. Loch Tallant held 12 Teal and also 2 Mallard while a walk up the River Sorn produced Grey Wagtail, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Goldcrest.