Wednesday 10th May

Yesterday evening, "the Olds" had seen 2 Twite out towards the War Graves Cemetery. Here at home the Repolls and Siskins were busy on the feeders along with Goldfinches all day. Gary this morning had seen an Osprey over at Finlaggan. Phill carried out an upland bird survey this morning, counting 45 Mipits, 28 Skylark, 1 Buzzard, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Swallow, 3 Stonechat, 4 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Cuckoo, 5 Sedge Warbler, 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Whinchat, 6 Wren, 2 Wheatear, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll and a Greenfinch. Dave carried out a Wader count at the same time also on the Oa, Dave figures are all in pairs, 12 Common Sandpiper, 7 Lapwing,2 Dunlin, 10 Greylag, 3 Teal, 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Snipe, 2 Mallard, 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Wheatear, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Swallow, 1 Starling, 1 Whinchat, 4 Mipits, 2 Linnet, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Skylark and a Redshank pair. The Bowland birders had been up at Gruinart today. From the viewing platform they heard/ saw the following.... drake Garganey,  Ruff in full breeding plumage, Lapwing with chicks, Mallard with ducklings, Corncrake below the platform, 2 very pale Buzzards, 5 Pale belied Brent out on the merse, Shoveler, Teal and Little Grebe. A walk along the Moorland trail produced Whitethroats, Linnet, a juv Golden Eagle being mobbed by Hooded Crows so much so that the Eagle had to land, Raven, Willow Warblers. On the Woodland walk, they saw a Spotted Flycatcher. This afternoon, while visiting friends at Ardnahoe we saw 2 Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Lesser Redpoll, Coal Tit and Siskin on their feeders with a distant Golden Eagle soaring out on the thermals. At Sunderland Farm, we saw a Canada Goose and 5 Greylags with 5 Brents seen at Blackrock. "The Olds" had seen 18 Rb Merganser, 30 Dunlin, 13 Ringed Plover, a Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern at Uiskentuie. Up at Bunahabhain, they counted 19 Tystie on the Sound of Islay and inland, behind them, 4 Bullfinch were present. Close to Ardnahoe, a Red legged Partridge was seen and down at The Woollen Mill they reckon that there are 2 pairs of Grey Wagtail present. Also on the River Sorn, a Dipper was seen there too, while on the feeders at the Mill itself, 6 Siskin were counted. Overall "the Olds", this visit they feel that they have seen more Song Thrush and Collared Doves compared to their visits at similar times of previous trips.