With 1-2 Sooty Shearwaters being seen off Tiree and Mull and even a Cory’s reported off Kintyre – and with winds turning moderate NW, it seemed worth a try to do a sea-watch off Frenchman’s Rocks this morning. Sadly it wasn’t worth a try! An hour and a half from 6.45 – 8.15am produced nothing unusual and very small numbers of “the expected”. 25 Manx Shearwaters, 10 Kittiwakes, 6 Fulmars and the usual local Gannets and Shags going back and forth. Not a single Auk! The most vaguely interesting thing was seeing quite a few Gannets cutting corners and flying over the land behind me rather than staying out at sea.
Mary Redman saw 3 Bonxies on Claddach Loch near Portnahaven this morning (+ 4 Teal – some of the first arrivals of the autumn/winter?).
David Dinsley had 9 Chough on the trail towards the American Monument at The Oa, plus a Greenshank at Loch Kinnabus and a White-tailed Eagle on the coast near Glen Astle.
Gary Turnbull was back at the top of Loch Indaal again this morning watching a White-tailed Eagle having Greylag Goose for breakfast.
Gary also noted “loads of small waders” – so often far out on the sand and mudflats on both Loch Indaal and difficult to count. James How also confirms “loads of small waders” on Loch Gruinart today – 600 of them, mostly Dunlin, Sanderling and Ringed Plover, plus the odd Turnstone and 27 Knot.
The day finished grey, misty, cool, cloudy and drizzling - very autumnal indeed.
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