Thursday 7th September

The weather gradually deteriorated during the day into cloud and showers, though still warm with an easterly breeze, increasing in strength at times.

Louise Muir on Jura kicked off the day's sightings with a Magpie at Craighouse - a rare find indeed.

David Dinsley then reported 4 White Wagtails at the RSPB Oa car park.

Then it was all down to Jim Dickson, zipping between both sides of Loch Gruinart , Loch Indaal and Loch Gorm at various times during the day. At Gruinart in the morning he found 2 juv Little Stints and a juv Curlew Sandpiper, a moulting Grey Plover, three White-tailed Eagles along with a large Greenland type Wheatear, c.10 White Wagtails mixed in with a few Pied Wagtails on the tideline. Although the bulk of the more common waders were not counted, except for 107 Lapwing, he noted an increase in Sanderling numbers plus 196 Black-headed Gulls. He thought hirundines were on the increase too, having seen 18 House Martins over Gruinart Farm. Out on Loch Gorm were a Shoveler and 18 Teal.