Yesterday was the Naturetrek's final full day before heading back to the mainland today... So many thanks to Neil McMahon who has been sending their sightings through to me to use, so here are the birds seen by them... "Failed again to see the Rosy Starling at Bowmore! A male Brambling was heard calling in the large Chaffinch flock but not seen and the female Long-tailed Duck was still present along with 2 Eider.

We went to Loch Skerrols but the visibility was too poor to check through the ducks for the American Wigeon. There were still plenty of Whooper Swans just about discernible in the murk! Loch Finlaggan provided a male Hen Harrier, 4 Lesser Redpolls, Goldeneye and Little Grebe. A Great Northern Diver was off Bunnahabhain and a male Sparrowhawk, Goldcrests etc were along the road towards the distillery (plus three Roe Deer). We had a quick look for the Hoopoe but dipped again!

 A small flock of Pale-bellied Brents were on the north shore of Loch Indaal, a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was at Kilchoman Distillery and another Roe Deer near Loch Gorm. An interesting-looking and huge first year female Peregrine was disturbed off a telegraph pole at Grulinmore - east side of Loch Gorm - possibly a 'Tundra' Peregrine...

Ardnave Point provided an adult White-tailed Eagle chasing Barnacle Geese, another adult male Hen Harrier, ca25 Choughs and ca50 Twite and another Great Northern Diver. We finished with a Barn Owl at Druim na h-Erasaid."

 So many thanks again to Neil along with his team of folk visiting and sending through their sightings. 

Yesterday was Mike Bell's first full day on Islay of this visit when he had seen these birds..

A male Peregrine south side loch Gorm.

Loch Gruinart: Whooper Swan 7, Teal 850, Pintail 28,Shoveler 27, WTE 1 imm, Golden Plover c1300, Dunlin c300, Greenshank 4.

Ballinaby, Pinkfoot 1 seen with WF,  WTE 2 imm, Chough 4

Saligo Bay, Golden Eagle 1

 Very few birds Bridgend or the Bowmore shore of Loch Indaal at midday."

Mike was telling me earlier on that he too had seen the American Wigeon in at Loch Skerrols today.

James braved the elements today and managed these birds on the reserve at Gruinart...

Goose count today – lots of geese possibly hanging around reserve after night feeding with the bigger moons

"Barnies – 20740, White fronts – 468, Greylag – 8, Pink foot – 1, Leucistic goose on flats

White tailed eagle juv on loch – caught a goose, Peregrine- back of Flats, Yellowhammer 2- Near Craigens turn." 

Gary today had seen the Rose coloured Starling in at the co-op in Bowmore today. He had also seen 3 different WT Eagles in at Bowmore and around Loch Indaal and also 3 different Goldies seen in around Ballygrant area as well