Saturday 4 November

 A nice day here on Islay, making a lovely night ahead for the local bonfire nights.

Fiona had a count of 20-25 long-tailed tit behind the houses in Port Wemyss this morning, while at the head of Loch Indaal Dan counted a single waxwing, over 10k barnacles, 67 whooper and 50 Brent.  A little later at Loch Gruinart he located 2 cackling geese and 6 little egret, with Steve finding the red-breasted goose from the North Hide.  Around lunchtime, Martin saw a kingfisher in flight across the merse at South Lodge, Bridgend.

Jim Wells was over the water from 'Norn' Irn' for the day. He kindly send in his sightings - an American wigeon drake photographed at the south hide, Loch Gruinart. 34 whoopers at Ardnave Loch, 31 chough nearby, at Gruinart both male and female hen harrier, peregrine, merlin, and 2 adult white tailed eagle. 

Mike Bells highlights from today: Today 4 drake Pochard Loch Gorm but only 13 Tufted Duck, a Great Sp Woodpecker Loch Skerrols, an imm Golden Eagle Coullabus road.  At Loch Gruinart impressive numbers of birds on the falling tide including 2 Brent Geese, 1720 Golden Plover, 462 Bar-tailed Godwit, 43 Knot, 42 Sanderling, 1400 Dunlin and 32 Ringed Plover with another 93 at Killinallan. Also 2 WTE, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine and 2 Little Egret. On the outer loch 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Long-t Duck,  2 Goldeneye and 19 Merganser.

Thanks to all for their contributions.