Monday 29th May

The glorious warm, dry sunny weather continues.

Not much to report today - and all the action was on Loch Indaal between Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich. This morning at about 9am there were 2-3 dolphins making their way up the loch from Port Charlotte, nicely close inshore for an appreciative audience of Feis-goers. There seems to be a build-up of loafing male Eiders, still in fine breeding plumage, on the loch - at least 20 this afternoon off Bruichladdich in small groups. The pier at Bruichladdich doesn't seem to have as many Black Guillemots nesting in it this year. I could only see 1-2 pairs, where I've had 4-6 in some previous years. But there is a lot of disturbance this week with so many folk on the island, so maybe they are keeping a low profile. 

Talking of disturbance: it will be a miracle if any of the Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers that may still be trying to nest on the beach from Bruichladdich up to Uiskentuie manage to hatch eggs and fledge chicks as there is a fairly solid line of camper vans parked all the way along, plus cars and beach-walkers coming and going in this lovely weather and big influx of Feis Ile visitors.

After seeing the "odd couple"  - male Velvet and female Common Scoter at Easter Ellister loch a few days ago and musing over what they do when not there, a little bit of the mystery was solved this evening. There they were, together, out on Loch Indaal just off the pier at Bruichladdich actively feeding. so at least we know where they go to eat!