Sunday 10th November

Blue sky and sunshine, for a change, greeted those searching for the possible/probable Pallid Swift but it had seemingly moved on. I hesitate to call the searchers Swifties, so I won't. 

The male Black Redstart seen yesterday close to Bowmore pier was seen again this morning by Mary Redman, but, later on, Gary Turnbull had a female close by, so it looks as if there were two birds, though no-one has (yet) seen them together. Gary also saw a Kingfisher from the layby by East Lodge, Bridgend.

Derek Coleman saw about 30 Tufted Duck on Loch Gorm, as well as a Water Rail and a male Long-tailed Duck, which is not often seen here on fresh water. Approaching Kilchoman Distillery, he saw 11 Black-tailed Godwits feeding, while, from Blackrock, he spotted 3 Red-throated Diver, 4 Slavonian Grebe and 4 Common Scoter. Close to Bowmore, Frank Cavanagh had a female Scaup and a Grey Plover.

In the south of the island, David D. had a Chiffchaff at Kinnabus and a Tawny Owl at Ardmore, while MaryAnn had a flock of 120+ Fieldfares at Ardbeg. A flock of c.60 Greenland Whitefronts were seen by Frank C. at Risabus.

Neil McMahon kindly sent a few photographs from his latest visit, including this cracker of a Twite.

 

 

A report of a pod of dolphins cavorting as they headed down Loch Indaal past Craigfad gave rise to some appalling puns, for which I apologise.

 

Thanks to Neil and to all the other contributors for their more sensible contributions.