Sunday 24th April

The weather is pleasantly stuck with bright sunshine again all day, though still chill.

Dan Brown departed Islay today saying “Islay and Jura once again shone with 116 species seen……..we tallied up 305 raptor sightings in seven days including 39 of White-tailed Eagles, 10 of Golden Eagles, 55 of Hen Harriers and 5 each of Ospreys, Merlins and Peregrines” Many thanks to Dan for all his records and enthusiasm.

Presumably the same Magpie seen yesterday at Port Wemyys was seen at Kinnabus today by David Dinsley at his bird feeders (photo below).

Gary Turnbull was out in his usual birding area around Finlaggan today watching 5 Buzzards over the hills there, a couple of young White-tailed eagles stalking an Osprey over the loch and a Crossbill flying over Finlaggan House.. He also had a Golden Eagle over Giurbheinn and another over Dunlossit,

Mary-Ann Featherstone reported further Swallows at Kildalton, while I took a look at the north hide this afternoon and noted 7 Canada Geese new in and only 8 Barnacle Geese and 15 Greenland White-fronts remaining. There was also a single Black-tailed Godwit remaining in the midst of 34 Curlews and 1-2 Whimbrel – all disturbed by passing White-tailed Eagles and a Peregrine.

Up at Kilchoman, Margaret Brooke had a fine male Hen Harrier pass by the house.

Other visitors Sue & David Lumb report 6 Sandwich Terns on the coast north of Bruichladdich.