The weather on Thursday was "tolerable", but not as good as forecast, with more cloud and light rain at times than anticipated. Friday's weather was almost entirely unpleasant, with cloud and heavy rain at times over much of the day. The wind persists from a southerly direction.
I was out and about over at The Oa and up towards Kildalton and Claggain Bay yesterday, as was the newly arrived Naturetrek group. None of us saw anything especially out of the ordinary, but White-tailed Eagle, Peregrine, a couple of Hen Harriers, a couple of Choughs and c.40 Twite around the feeders at the Oa car park were noted. Up at Kildalton was another White-tailed Eagle, 2 more Peregrines hunting at Claggain, 14 Red-breasted Mergansers at Ardilistry Bay and a single Pink-footed Goose near Glenegedale and Laggan Bridge with two Merlins around Avenvogie.
Up at Gruinart, Clive Mc. increased the record number of Little Egrets on Islay from 11 a few days ago to 12 on Thursday and Malcolm O. counted 18 Whooper Swans at Kilchoman.
Today, despite the appalling weather, people were out there birding. David D. reported a Merlin chasing a Blackbird at The Oa RSPB car park. Neil McMahon for Naturetrek had the usual pair of White-tailed Eagles on their grassy islet at the top of Loch Indaal, plus 45 Brent Geese along with good numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits and Knot. Later he nopted further White-tailed Eagles and a Little Egret at Gruinart. Gary T. was at Bunnahabhain noticing lots of Fieldfares and Redwings and a male Kestrel at Persabus. Mry Redman had another Little Egret at the top of Loch Indaal this evening.
Clive reported a decrease in Whooper Swans at Kilchoman today to 5 birds following a record count just over the water at Rathlin island yesterday. He also reported back on a sat-tagged Whooper he had seen on Monday at Kilchoman which turned out to be an adult male tagged in Iceland recently with a brood of 5 cygnets.
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