Sunday 27th November

Yesterday was Ciaran and Bex's last day on their first visit to Islay and there was no let up on their part... On Kilnaughton Bay, 5 GND, 4 RTD and a Slavonian Grebe were present. Out on Loch Indaal, from Blackrock, 4 Whoopers, 16 Eider, 2 Long tailed Duck, a drake Common Scoter, 36 Scaup, 6 R B Merganser, 16 GND, 5 RTD and 8 Slavonian Grebe were seen. Up on Ardnave Loch, 16 Whoopers, 24 Mute, 18 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 9 Goldeneye, a Pochard, and 9 R b Merganser while round Ardnave Point and out towards Nave Island, the following were present, a Razorbill, 21 Cormorant, 38 GND, 3 RTD, 4 Slavonian Grebe, a juv. Golden Eagle, a female Merlin, 28 Chough, 12 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, 26 Lapwing, 6 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, 8 Pied Wagtail and also an Otter with 2 cubs! Back down on Loch Indaal in from Whin Park they saw 22 Pale bellied Brent, 12 Shelduck, 23 Dunlin, 174 Barwits, 78 Curlew and 69 Oystercatcher with a Chiffchaff heard in the trees behind the lay by. Many thanks to both Ciaran and Bex for all their sightings seen this week, much appreciated.

This morning, there was a small flock of 30 Ringed Plover in the field adjacent to the carpark at Machir Bay. Later on here at home, mid morning, the Peregrine was on the hunt, this time it stooped twice into the Chough, both times no joy, possibly a youngster out learning!!! It certainly made the said Chough waken up a bit!!!