Tuesday 18th July

A beautiful day and some good sightings. David Dinsley gets BOTD with a juv long-eared owl on The Oa...

...which is a superb record. Malcolm points out that the last breeding record on Islay was in 1953, and that was only a possible breeder. Double D later had a juv cuckoo and a WTE at Cragabus and Cornabus respectively. 

Al Kitching is on day 3 of his hols, and still enjoying himself it seems. His highlight was this juv spotted fly in Bridgend Woods along the Sorn. 

Al also had a goldcrest feeding two fledglings, and a treecreeper in the same area. South of the Machrie, there was a ringtail hen harrier. Thanks Al.  

Rob King and Anna, Paula and Adrian are also on Islay for the week and sent through their highlights of their first few days - a couple of common dolphins from the ferry on Saturday, 5 chough at Ardnave and ringtail HH at Gruinart on Sunday. On Monday, 3 chough at Kilchoman, a bonxie south of Nerabus, plus a few manxies and "good numbers" of arctic terns around Portnahaven. Today they went to The Oa and did the guided walk with Annie from RSPB and saw golden eagle, 12+ tysties, fulmars, 3 chough, kestrel, twite, linnet and a late singing sedge warbler. Dark green fritillary was also present. Later there were 3 common sands east of Ardbeg and our old friend the glaucous gull still in its usual spot at Uiskentuie. 

Phew. That's all. Thanks very much to all the above for their records and pictures. Cheerie!