Monday 10th January

 A dull, dreary, dreich sort of day. Light winds, grey skies, fairly dry in the morning but drizzle at times increasing during some of the afternoon.

Visitor Colin Bushell sounded fairly defeated by the weather in his report: "Not much to report today. Did see 16 Twite at the car park at the Oa, but the highlight for me was a male Hen Harrier over the old B8016 as we headed back to Bowmore. Otherwise the weather just beat us really."

Other brief reports today were from RSPB Gruinart staff. Lauren saw a Cackling or small Canada Goose at Gruinart and Mark had a Little Egret close to the Visitor Centre.

James How sent in this fascinating bit of news: "I saw a young White-tailed Eagle on the mud at Loch Gruinart on the 22nd December. I noticed it was ringed and managed a couple of photos on the phone through the scope (see photos below). The ring was G4/21 and attached to an eagle fledged in 2021 from Highland region somewhere in the Rannoch Moor area."

I'd need to check with those who have better knowledge of the movements of White-tailed Eagles in Scotland, but it may well be the first proven wandering of a Highland-bred bird to Islay?