Monday 6th, Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th January

Weather on Monday and Tuesday was variable with some cloud and icy showers between sunnier spells. There were no bird sightings for either day.

Today was brighter, sunnier, drier and calmer, but still quite cold. David D. reports a Blackcap over at Kinnabus (is it the same bird that had been over at Caol Ila in December?) and a Whooper Swan on the loch there. The calm waters of Loch Indaal encouraged Fiona McG. to take a look off Blackrock where 2 White-tailed eagles seem to be appearing regularly these days. On the waters around were 6 Long-tailed Ducks, c.8 Red-breasted Mergansers, c.6 Goldeneye and 11 Brent Geese. Mary R. had also been looking out over Loch Indaal in the morning where she noted a "huge pod" of dolphins splashing about off Octofad, from where they didn't seem to come any further up the loch.