Sunday 9th February 2025

 A lovely sunny day after a frost, gradually clouding up in the afternoon. Not many records received today, but Lance Degnan found the Red-breasted Goose at Gruinart again, just along the lane towards Craigens, while Patrick Cavanagh found a Cackling Goose X Barnacle Goose at Pennycraig between Bridgend and Bowmore (see photo). It isn't that usual for geese to move between Gruinart and Loch Indaal, particularly as the winter progresses, so do we have two here, or just the one? 

 

 Patrick Cavanagh also had some good news today. The Pallid Swift which he and Jacob New saw at Coullabus near Gruinart on 9th November last year has been accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee. This was not only a first record for Islay, but for Argyll, too.

This is a photo of the Pallid Swift taken by Jacob New.