Tuesday 26th April

Similar weather again today – dry, some cloud, lots of sunshine and a light breeze from the north.

I was woken by a Cuckoo calling this morning and James How reported two at Gruinart along with calling/singing Corncrake, 2 Grasshopper Warblers and 2 Water Rails. More birds in song were noted across the island, with Ed Burrell hearing Whitethroat and seeing a Corncrake yesterday and another Cuckoo heard at Carnduncan this evening.

Mary Redman has had 5 Canada Geese down at Claddach over the past few days, and there were 2 on Loch Skerrols and 11 on Gruinart this afternoon, along with a pair apparently nesting on Loch Corr up beyond Sanaigmore. What with those reported by Dan Brown on Jura last week plus an additional 6 pairs he saw on Glas Eilean and a pair on Eilean Imersay north of Port Ellen, it looks like Canada Geese are here to stay!

A quick look from the Viewpoint above the South Hide this afternoon turned up a lone Whooper Swan, 4 Greenland White-fronts and still a few ducks remaining: 31 Wigeon, 22 Shoveler and 4 Pintail along with 5 Moorhens.

It is the last Tuesday of the month - so apologies for not yet re-starting the Bird Nerds get-togethers. Now that there are long evenings perhaps we should? If anyone has ideas on the subject do please let us know.