Weds 8 and Thursday 9 November

 Apologies for the double post, but better late than never as they say.

An other of Jims wonderful images taken during his visit.

Wednesday

Mikes highlights: A good eagle day. First thing 2 ad White-tailed Eagle, 2 ad Golden Eagle and 1 imm Golden Eagle riding the wind at Machir Bay with the imm Goldie coming low over the dunes by the car park at times. Also a male Hen Harrier. Another Golden Eagle at Ballinaby and an imm over the low hill behind Craigens with a pair of adult White-tailed Eagle on a kill at Gruinart, a Hen Harrier there in the afternoon. Still good numbers of waders on the fields and mudflats and numbers of Teal back up with 990 today. A Treecreeper on the woodland trail

Meanwhile, Neil had 2 greater scaup on Loch Skerrols on an otherwise quiet day. Over on Jura, a distant adult WTE, a ringtail hen harrier and around 8 great northern divers.  Back on Islay for the afternoon, he counted around 30 pale-bellied Brent geese off Carnain.

Thursday

Mikes highlights: Not much today and all "local". The pair of White-tailed Eagles and the imm Golden Eagle seen at Kilchoman/ Machir Bay again, a male Hen Harrier at Coull and 6 Yellowhammers with Chaffinches at Rockside.

The waxwings are still teasing us with glimpses and rumours! Neil spotted one drinking from a puddle at the Port Charlotte Hotel before it disappeared. Gary later hearing it, but alas it didn't reappear. Louise  apparently had 5 at Craighouse on Jura.

Neil also reported carrion crow and 2 chough at Portnahaven, then on the back road from there to Port Charlotte an adult golden eagle, imm WTE and male hen harrier.  At nearby Claddach I too had 2 chough as well as a kestrel showing nicely the past 2 mornings.

As Neil continued on the Rhinns there were 2 adult WTE in Loch Gorm area, 4 chough and a imm WTE Machir Bay, Ring-tailed hen harrier Kilchoman, the Glaucous gull at Uiskentui, plus RTD, 2 GND 4+ common scoter, Slavonian grebe, 12 twite and around 12 pale bellied Brent at Carnain.

Ed and Rob reported the American wigeon duck back at Coillabus. 

Finishing up with Barn Owl at Newton and an other at Port Wemyss.