Tuesday 16th May

Occasional light rain showers, but otherwise a pleasant sunny day.

I was out yesterday evening doing my random square for the National Woodcock Survey. It produced no Woodcock and far too many midges.

Andrew and Anne Johnson. wrote in to say they are having a week’s walking/birding holiday on Islay and saw the following at Saligo: 4 Turnstone in summer plumage, 12 Sanderling and several nesting Common Gulls on eggs.

Martin Kaye was birding on the Rhinns and noted several Cuckoos and mating Arctic Terns on Orsay Island, At Loch Gruinart there was an adult White-tailed Eagle which made a kill and a Little Egret. A male Hen Harrier was at Machir, where there was a count of 60 Ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling and 2 Turnstones in stunning breeding plumage.

In other news:

Mary-Ann Featherstone saw Barn Owl at Glenegedale last night and a a pair of Mistle Thrush at Ardilistry today.

Tom Garner noted further Hen Harriers and Cuckoos on the Rhinns plus 22 or more Choughs at Machir Bay. 

Mary Redman had a White-tailed Eagle down at Octofad this afternoon and Steve Clough had Hen Harrier up at Keills plus 6 Wood Pigeons at Ballygowan,

Jim Dickson made a day visit and sent in a full report: 4 Whimbrels at Easter Elllister and 2 at Ballinaby where there were 15 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin. Loch Gorm held 4 Common Scoter and 16 Tufted Ducks. Up at Gruinart were a single Gadwall, 2 drake Wigeon, 2 Whooper Swans, 2 White-tailed Eagles, and 300 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers.  At Oitir were a couple of Little Terns with another couple over Ardnave Loch. Further up Ardnave were 38 Arctic Terns at Eilean Beag , with 121 Oystercatchers on Ardnave along with plenty of Lapwing and Redshank chicks, 10 Wheatears, 23 more Whimbrel, 26 Chough, a Great Skua, 2 Black-tailed and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, along with various other bits and bobs. Down at Portnahaven he found 6 Great Northern Divers passing by and later at Bowmore he counted 30 Common Gulls on nests, several Cuckoos and good numbers of Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats.

Thanks to everyone for their detailed contributions.