Thursday 6th April

Some sightings through from Michal, before he heads off Islay again.. On Monday, while out surveying round the Rhinns, he had seen 2 Golden Eagle, 2 Peregrines and a Swallow. On Tuesday he had heard a Chiffchaff at Balole, seen a Kestrel at Scarrabus and then a Merlin at Balachlaven. This morning he had a Peregrine on the flats at Gruinart. Yesterday, Lesley Silcock had her first Peacock butterfly of the year at Kilnaughton wood, and also had Willow Warbler there as well. Out on Kilnaughton Bay, 4 GND were present. Peter and Pia, yesterday evening had a tight raft of 13 GND out on Loch Indaal from their house in Bruichladdich, not that common a sight to see.. Mark Shields today had seen a great tussle between a Golden Eagle, a Peregrine and a Buzzard taking place over the flats at Gruinart. Other birds through from Mark, seen on the reserve at Gruinart included a male Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe and 2 Curlew. Botswana Dave had shown the folk on the guided walk at Gruinart 3 Whoopers along with plenty of Pintail, Shoveler and some Redshank. Here at home, it is that time of year again, when I am trying to think ahead for the next winter, trying to put a plan into action to get the ground worked ready for sowing in May. So I got the tractor and plough out but the plough did like the all roots from the couch grass, nettles and mint, so I swapped the plough for the rotovator and chopped all the roots up, and will do this several times in the hope that it will help kill off the rootstocks...