Sunday 4th December

A bright, sunny, dry and cool day with winds now coming from a more northerly direction.

Malcolm Ogilvie has supplied details of the ringed White-fronted Goose seen yesterday: “This bird was ringed on Islay at Ballinaby in winter 2019/20. It was seen around Carnduncan on several occasions in winters 2020/21 and 2021/22, always with CSK and CSZ which were caught with it, so please look out for these two birds as well. I don't think either of those two had a transmitter collar, but note that those collars also have letters on them.”

Graeme Ruthven had some good birding on his last day here. He reports: “I found a Cackling Goose in the Barnacle flock bathing and roosting at the head of Loch Indaal this morning. (Photo attached). Also today I had close encounters with 2 adult Golden Eagles at the roadside at Kilnaughton Bay, 1 was perched on the dry stone wall beside the road then flew off to fly above the hill with the other bird. I also had 2 ringtail Hen Harriers - one at Ardnave and the other near the RSPB centre at Loch Gruinart and 2 Great Northern Divers at Lagavulin and Loch a Chnuic. I am leaving Islay tomorrow morning it has been excellent and I will be back.”

Meanwhile, George Jackson reports from his bird feeders at Coultorsay: “Filled up all the feeders yesterday. In response, today, up to 25 Rooks and Jackdaws causing havoc, especially round the fat balls. A good scattering of the expected Chaffinches and Goldfinches, then about 100 Starlings settled on wires to join the queue but didn’t come down”.

Mark Shields had seen the Pale-bellied Brents at Carnain again today, the flock now at 44 birds.