Well we made nearly a week without a gale. Tomorrow looks a bit snotty and there is a fierce wind chill. Today I popped up the Oa and that extra height compared to Claddach was keenly felt. Wish I'd brought a bigger jacket! Easy to see why the hairy highland 'coos' are the breed of choice for the conservation grazing there.
Today has been quite a busy day on the island with a few reports to get through.
Whooper swan had some nice counts today - Mandy counted 14 on Loch Gorm, Billy found the juv still on the Lily Loch being tolerated by the resident mute pair (Photos above). Chris Corrigan counted 13 on Ardnave Loch.
Chris went on to count c.20 chough at Ardnave and an immature WTE. Driving back from the Oa this afternoon I noticed an adult above the road in the Carraig Fada area.
John got in touch via email. "Another very productive day for me. A few nice birds on Loch Indaal included 5 pale-bellied brent geese briefly near Carnain and the female scaup dozing close in still off Bowmore wastewater pump, then later the second year Iceland Gull at Blackrock. I went over the back road to Ballygrant hoping to see some eagles, but I didn’t strike lucky. I had some recompense though in a sky dancing male hen harrier, with a female seen later on in the same general area."
Jim has also been busy today locating the cackling goose among the barnacles east of Easter Ellister. A count of 16 great northern diver off Port Ellen, 50 fieldfare and 4 WTE at Guinart. At Loch Skerrols the lesser scaup were still present, as was the hybrid tufted 'thingy'. 60 redwing near Eorrabus. At Caol Ila he located a nice flock of 10 yellowhammer. Later on Jura a count of 12 Canada and 18 pale bellied Brent geese at Glas Eilean.
Barbara sent in a sighting of a great white egret seen from the first hide at RSPB Loch Gruinart yesterday.
Thanks to everyone for their sightings and to Billy as ever for the photos.
Great black-backs at Caol Ila, Billy Stitchell
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