Monday 24th October

Malcolm reports that the two colour-ringed Greenland White-fronts seen a couple of days ago at Ballinaby were both caught on Islay in winter 2019/2020 and have been seen in the same area in both subsequent winters.  Further “ringed bird news” came from Neil McMahon who yesterday found a dead Greater Black-backed Gull at Ardnave bearing a BTO ring and reports today that it was ringed as a chick on Sanda Island on 4^th July 2019.

Other bird news of interest today comes from Neil McMahon who found a Puffin fishing between Orsay and Port Wemyss (we rarely see them close inshore, especially at this time of year). Neil also found a late swallow at Port Charlotte, a Dipper at the Woollen Mill and Crossbills calling at Finlaggan. Dan Brown reports a Cackling Goose with Barnies on Loch Gruinart, plus a juv. Golden Eagle. Up at Ardnave he had 4 Gadwall flying south, plus White-tailed Eagle and 8 Chough. Meanwhile Jackie Wedd found a Canada Goose with Barnies on the High Road and 3 Lesser Redpoll with a flock of Goldfinches on the Glen Road. Over at The Oa David D. watched a female Merlin hunting winter thrushes at upper Killeyan. Visitors Owen & Glynis Roberts were watching on Loch Indaal, finding a couple of Slav. Grebes and a summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver near Uiskentuie, 23 Brent Geese, 50 Knot, 50 Bar-tailed Godwits  further up into loch Indaal, a redhead Goosander on Loch Skerrols and 9 Twite at Ardnave.

Various other wildlife sightings made the Whatsapp pages:  Peacock butterflies at Ardnave and the RSPB Offices, plus 65 Grey Seal pups up at Ardnave c/o Dan; 9 Bottle-nosed Dolphins at Port Askaig c/o Fiona McGillivray and Otters at Bruichladdich c/o Neil and another at Ardnave seen by Alan & Karami Ure.

Thanks to all for your records.