Monday 3rd February

Some birds seen by Chris Mills and the guests over from Norfolk birding yesterday..

"Had a cracking day. Started with Male and ringtail Hen Harrier near Saligo, plus 16 Ringed Plover there. Then Gruinart from platform 2 WT Eagles both on the ground , the Drake Green-winged Teal, 2 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Whoopers, 2 Little Egret, 3000+ Golden Plover & Stonechat. Also out on estuary 10 Grey Plover.

Then Sanaigmore road juv. Peregrine, 2 Male Hen Harrier, 2 Golden Eagle.

Ardnave Point mid afternoon - 36 Chough, imm male Hen Harrier, 40 Twite, a hunting Merlin chasing a Snipe, 7 Goldeneye, 2 G N Diver & an Otter feeding for 30+ mins mid Loch!

A pretty amazing day by anyone’s standards!" 

Distillery Dave had the really good sighting when out with his dogs, a Merlin screamed past, down at Rockside road end, late yesterday afternoon.

Julie and Steve Corney and their friend another "Steve" sent some of their sightings through seen on Friday and on Saturday. It is their first visit to Islay.

"Just finished second day on fabulous Islay, here are some highlights.

Friday.... Gruinart, ringtail hen harrier, and lovely flocks of white fronted & barnacle geese

Barn owl East Ellister later on.

Saturday,  Red throated diver at Sanaigmore Bay.  At Gruinart 2 whoopers , bar tailed godwit , thousands of golden plover, female goldeneye and an otter!"