Saturday 2nd December

Stuart Meredith from Ribble Bird Tours sent some sightings from their recent visit to Islay, they had also spent a few days on Mull as well. On Thursday afternoon they had a White tailed Eagle on a Barnacle goose carcass at the head of Loch Indaal. Yesterday, they saw a Golden Eagle down on the Oa, and a male Hen Harrier up at Gruinart. This morning, they had seen 2 Cackling geese at the head of Loch Indaal, a Todd's Goose down at Loch Kinnabus, as well as a count of around 180 Twite at Kinnabus itself. Finally, a male Hen Harrier was present at Gruinart, later on. On Thursday, Peter was out birding with his friends who have been over on Islay this past week. On Thursday, they had a Snow Bunting down at Machir Bay and then round at Ballinaby, a Pink footed Goose was present amongst the Greylags and Whitefronts. Yesterday, they had 7 Purple Sandpipers at Bruichladdich, a pr of Tysties at the pier as well as a Common Guillemot there too.  Up at Gearach, behind Port Charlotte, a Crossbill was spotted with a Merlin also seen close by, with a Golden Eagle seen further out behind Kilchiaran. A Red Grouse was also seen up on Bolsay Moor. This afternoon, Bob and Distillery Dave had seen 5 Greenshank from the North hide at Gruinart.