Photo from reliable Billy, the only one on the island with a camera it seems at times! His feeders have been busy with goldfinch, greenfinch and robin.
Beautiful start to today with pairs of chough by the village and Claddach. I often associate St Patricks day with the first of our wheatears and like to make the effort to be first. I was pipped to the post though with Ed reporting Islay's first of 2023 at Cornabus! In my defence I was busy clearing drains all morning, most definitely looking down.
This cheery herald of spring on the spring equinox was just what was needed, inspiring Peter to go out a-hunting. He didn't find much of note to report. "At Skerrols 15 tufted, 5 goldeneye and a couple of lesser black-backs. Then to Loch Gorm keeping an eye skywards in case an Alpine swift might appear - it didn't of course! Loch Gorm had a further 15 Tufted Ducks, 2 more Goldeneye and 35 Teal. Then to Machir Bay where another couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls popped up along with 17 Ringed Plover. I returned via the other side of Loch Gorm at Ballinaby where an adult White-tailed Eagle flew by, a male Hen Harrier quartered the shoreline and another 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the wet fields there with 4 Canada Geese that were much to hefty to try and turn into Cackling Geese! So the rarities and first summer migrants (apart from the LBB Gulls) will have to wait for another day."
Finally Dave reports 4 crossbill in the woods at Bunnahabhain, plus 2 juv and one adult golden eagle.
It has been raining constantly since 3pm. My newly cleared drains will be well tested!
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