Thursday 9th March

Another beautiful day on Islay, apart from one sneaky shower. A bird count around the reserve at Gruinart - on the Loch: 1 Great Norther Diver, 158 Shelduck, 198 Wigeon, 232 Oystercatcher, 48 Knot, 106 Bar Tailed Godwits, 102 Curlew, 216 Common Gulls, and a Lesser Black Backed Gull. And on the Floods: 187 Lapwing, 229 Teal, 15 Whooper Swans, 27 Pintail, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Greenshank, 2 Gadwall, 1 Sparrowhawk and a Merlin.