Tuesday 27th October

 Rather cool outside today, so probably the reason for an early entry..

Mike Bell is back over for his annual Islay fix, he came over yesterday on the ferry leaving Kennacraig at 13.00, so here are some birds that he had seen yesterday...  "Not the nicest day for travelling.  3 Tysties in the Sound of Islay. The Golden  Eagle showed well, initially at Rockside 4.15 pm then c.5 pm appeared behind the cottage with a Pheasant and flew off south up the burn."

Neil McMahon and the team from Naturetrek had seen the following birds etc when out....

"We spent some time at Bowmore this morning in an effort to espy the Rose-coloured Starling but no joy. Three GN Divers flew south quite high over the village and a light passage of finches south included a single calling Tree Sparrow quite high up! Either it's the Gruinart bird or as a species they are on the move! One or two Sparrowhawk(s) were trying their luck with the Starlings and the female Long-tailed Duck was still present. On our drive from Bowmore to Bridgend there was a small gaggle of Pale-bellied Brents on the shores of Loch Indaal and a flying immature White-tailed Eagle that veered off south. 

At Port Askaig, (overlooking the Sound of Islay) we saw a Gannet, 12 Kittiwakes, a light passage of Eiders, a Sparrowhawk and a distant White-tailed Eagle. Jura was similarly wind-blasted as Islay and we failed to see any Otters. There were 6 Great Northern Divers (five adults) at Craighouse plus 2 Black Guillemots and 2 Long-tailed Ducks. Small birds in the trees/bushes included a Siskin, Coal, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrests. A Grey Wagtail and several Rock Pipits were around the beach and burn outlets. An adult male Hen Harrier was seen briefly at Feolin."

Dan Brown, one of the film camera men who are over until mid November had been out and about too..

I  forgot to mention a female Goosander at the mouth of the Laggan river on 24th October.

I have a few more sightings from yesterday afternoon including:

juv Iceland Gull and adult Sabine's Gull on the west side of Gruinart Estuary

Green-winged Teal and Wood Sandpiper on the floods at the RSPB reserve,

Brambling with the Chaffinches west of Sunderland Farm.

Steve Percival had a Cackling Goose on the flats and then at Grainel.

Mid morning I received this e mail through from Dan,

Today there’s a drake American Wigeon on Loch Skerrols and Snow Bunting at Smelly Corner (Carnain).