Monday 23rd March

 Cool, breezy and mostly cloudy, but no rain to speak of.

Visitors Ched & Nigel Barratt sent in records from "the other side" of the island: The Oa - 30 Twite at Killeyan and 35 White-fronted Geese at Cornabus. Port Ellen - 8 Ringed Plover on the beach. Loch a Chnuic - a Great Northern Diver. Claggain Bay - a further 11 Great Northern Divers. Machrie - 2 Hen Harriers and 80 Golden Plover. Corrary - another male Hen Harrier.

Marcus Covell from the Islay Woollen Mill heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cluanach - always good to receive records of this species to be able to assess how the small population of breeding birds is doing since their colonisation of Islay in 2012.

Sunday 22nd March

The day started out overcast with threats of rain, became bright and sunny, then reverted to very light rain showers again by late afternoon. Wind light from the West.

Mary R. saw 4 Whooper Swans flying north off Claddach this morning. In the afternoon Steve & Lyn R. saw a couple of White-tailed Eagles over the Port Ellen skerries prior to doing their WeBS count at Loch an t-Sailein (Seal Bay).  Among various counts were 14 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Wigeon, 8 Curlew and 2 Canada Geese.

David & Pauline Clugston were back on Islay today and noted a male Crossbill with Redwings and Fieldfares in the pine copse at Sunderland. They had 3 Hen Harriers at Loch Gorm, a male Wheatear at Ardnave, Greenshank in Loch Gruinart with 4+ Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Gadwalls on the Gruinart floods. 

Saturday 21st March

 A slightly cooler and cloudier day, but dry.

Harry & Denise Failey left today, but counted 140 Dunlin and 114 Bar-tailed Godwits at the top of Loch Indaal on their way to the ferry. James how was up at Ardnave where there were 3 White-tailed and a Golden Eagle, Merlin and 3 Purple Sandpipers, with another Golden Eagle, Hen Harriers sky-dancing, 3 Gadwall, a Sand Martin and 9 Black-tailed Godwits (some in summery plumage) at Gruinart.

I went down to Port Wemyss and around the southern part of the Rhinns with the hope of coming across yesterday's probable Crane, but had no luck. A flock of 60 Chaffinches at Gearach was the best I could muster.

An interesting report came in from Mary-Ann F. over at Kildalton of a Nuthatch identified by call on the Merlin app on her walk through the area. This would be Islay's second record of the species. Although the bird wasn't seen and we all know Merlin isn't infallible, it fits rather nicely with the recent sighting of Jura's second Nuthatch a week or so ago and the general spread of the species south into Argyll. So if anybody is over that way listen and look out for it to get a 100% confirmation.

Friday 20th March

Another glorious warm and sunny day.

It was last day of the trip for Nick Goddard and among his sightings were 5 Little Egrets at Gruinart where he saw a Golden Eagle heading off with what was probably a Barnacle goose as prey. Steven Murray saw another Golden Eagle at Loch Gorm plus a couple of Sand Martins - the latter also being clocked by Nick Bone along with a Wheatear at Ardnave, where he found a Merlin and both Golden and White-tailed Eagles annoying the geese. Ed B. saw another Wheatear at Lenavore, while over at Claggain Bay Mary-Ann F, had 6 Great Northern Divers and paired up Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers, Pied Wagtail and Shelduck. She also reported a couple of Great spotted Woodpeckers at Kildalton.

Most intriguing today has been a late note from Mary R. of reports of a Crane down at Port Wemyss and McKenzie Island. We aren't sure who saw it, or how well it was seen, but given that one was seen well at Moine Mhor, Lochgilphead last night and this morning, it sounds a likely genuine sighting and something to search for tomorrow. There have only been four previous confirmed sightings of Crane on Islay.

Thursday 19th March

A glorious warm, calm and sunny day - summer is here at least for a day or two!

Nick Goddard was birding over on Jura today with the following results: 

Sound of Islay, from Feolin: 10 Common Eiders, 2 Shags, Cormorant 

A846 from Feolin to Lussa: Red Throated Diver, 2 Pink-footed Geese, c.85 Canada Geese at Craighouse, White-tailed Eagle (photo below) Achamore, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Buzzard, Raven & Stonechat.

On Islay there was a first small arrival of more summer migrants: a first Chiffchaff heard singing by Paul Miller at Aoradh, Gruinart, Wheatears at Kintra, Saligo and Claddach, with 3 Sand Martins at Kintra and 2 at Kinnabus seen by the David D & David W.

Morven Laurie from Nature Scot kindly forwarded the last of the winter's International Goose Count results for Islay carried out on 17th-18th March: 29,759 Barnacle Geese, 4,869 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 1,202 Greylag Geese.

Billy Stitchell has been out and about with his camera and sent in some photos very redolent of the change-over from winter to spring, with wintering Wigeon and Greenshank lingering along with paired-off Mallards and singing Robins.

Wednesday 18th March

At last - a lovely warm, sunny and spring-like day. Unsurprisingly, this produced the first of the summer migrants. Clive McK. had a Wheatear at Ardnave with Harry and Denise Failey finding another on The Oa, where they also noted 3 Golden Eagles (2 adults and an immature). Later, near the road down to The Machrie Hotel they found a/the Magpie. Down at Claddach, Mary R. found our first Sand Martin, plus a couple of White-tailed Eagles perched up at Claddach Loch plus 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. David D. had a White Wagtail at Kinnabus where he also noted the Long-tailed Duck still on loch Kinnabus and a lone Pink-footed Goose. Steven Murray was the only one reporting from Gruinart today where he saw a Golden Eagle from the South Hide. In the fine weather the Black Guillemots were much in evidence at their usual haunts of Port Askaig and Bruichladdich Pier.

I stopped off at Blackrock in the afternoon sunshine to look over the calm waters of Loch Indaal. Nicholas Watts had previously seen 6 Brent Geese here, and I added 83 Common Scoters, 41 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Slavonian Grebes, 14 Red-throated and 11 Great Northern Divers. (Coincidentally, David Jardine was counting just across the water at the Sound of Gigha and added a further 172 Common Scoters, 22 Long-tailed Ducks and 27 Slavonian Grebes, and suggested that the combined total probably represents a substantial proportion of the Argyll total for these species).

Clive McK. sent in a note about finding a total of 6 Great northern Divers washed up dead on the big Strand (Laggan Bay) earlier in the week. It is a v ery long beach, so may mean nothing, but  always sad to see and worrying that it might be a few of a much larger number  that have died due to bad weather, disease or who knows what?

Tuesday 17th March

Weather today was basically "more of the same" - mild, but breezy from the south with odd bits of sunshine between rain.

Nick Goddard was out and about reporting birds on wet fields between Ballinaby and Saligo: 2 Choughs (one colour-ringed on the left leg with Grey-blue above yellow) also 19 Ringed Plovers, c5 Turnstones and 5 Redshanks. In the afternoon he noted a male Hen Harrier on the moor by Octofad.

Harry and Denise Failey saw a couple of Grey Wagtails at the Woollen Mill then scored with the three Ring-necked Ducks (a male with 2 females) still loitering on Loch Ballygrant.

Here at Bruichladdich there were 2 Siskins on the feeders.

Sunday 15th & Monday 16th March

More rain with sunny spells between. Slightly milder on Monday as winds came more directly from the south.

Yesterday Nick Goddard had 100+ Golden Plovers, mixed with Lapwings in fields near the RSPB Visitor Centre at Loch Gruinart, where I counted 13 Whooper Swans and  had 4 Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of pairs of Gadwall viewable from the hides. Harry & Denise Failey saw a Black-throated Diver on Loch Indaal early in the day.

At Bruicladdich Nick noted a Cormorant fishing near the pier.

Today at the South Hide Nick counted  8 Curlew amidst Lapwings, Pintail, Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal. He also provided this photo of a couple of displaying pairs of Red Breasted Mergansers. Steven Murray had a ring-tailed Hen Harrier near Crosshouses. Harry & Denise Failey noted 40 Twite near Kilchoman and saw the Bruichladdich Cormorant again.

Friday 13th & Saturday 14th March

A couple more days of turbulent and changeable weather - sunny at times in between cold squally showers.

Yesterday's main news was a sighting of a Nuthatch at Craighouse, found by Theo's Nature Scotland group and photographed by Tim Wilson. There has been just one previous record on Jura of a single bird logged during the BTO 2007-11 Winter Atlas, with a likely date of 10th December 2008. Similarly, there is only one Islay record of a bird at Bunnhabhain on 2nd June 2020. The species is spreading fast into Argyll, so it has long been anticipated that more records and possible future breeding will occur here and on Jura.

Another minor rarity yesterday was a Magpie at Laggan Bay Distillery near the airport, first seen by Clive McK, who also had a large count of 130 Wood Pigeons at Loch Tallant. 

Steve & Lyn Rogers noted a Cormorant off the Gaelic College and today watched two adult White-tailed Eagles perched up near their home at Emerivale.

Harry & Denise Failey returned for another week of birding today and sent a good count of 150 Skylarks along the Ardnave road. David Dinsley was delighted to be able to get a proper photo of a Red Grouse today on The Oa - they are usually flying away at speed seconds after being seen!

Thursday 12th March

A blustery, windy and cold day with sunshine and squally rain - more rain than sun!

The only bird news comes from Theo and his Nature Scotland group who found the Green-winged Teal from the South Hide at RSPB Gruinart.

Wednesday 11th March

Quite strong SW winds, cool, with intermittent squally rain between sunnier spells for much of the day.

David D. started the records off today with a count of 61 Golden Plovers feeding on in-bye land at Kinnabus, and Mary-Ann F. noting 30+ Lapwings and 200 Starlings north of Port Ellen this morning. Marcus Covell at the Woollen Mill saw the usual Grey Wagtail on the sorn and a Golden Eagle overhead.

Other records came from Theo with his Nature Scotland group, finding 7 Great Northern Divers, 24 Eider, 3 female Common Scoter, 4 Kittiwake, 6 Choughs and a Gannet at Sanaigmore. Later, the Red-breasted Goose showed up on the flats at Gruinart (photo below), along with an adult Russian White-fronted Goose and Brent Goose near Craigens. Up at Ardnave were 3 more Great Northern Divers and a Greenshank, with 2 more of the latter at Bridgend and a female Merlin at Uiskentuie. For "the goose fans" as Theo puts it, he sent in a photo of a strikingly pale White-fronted Goose (photo below) near Kilchoman Distillery.

Tuesday 10th March

The day slowly developed into an overcast, rainy and windy affair with winds strong enough to cancel the evening ferry.

Theo of Nature Scotland was out and about relocating two of the previously three Ring-necked Ducks (an adult male and adult female) on Loch Ballygrant where there were  also 31 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe. Later, at Ballinaby he noted 2 Choughs plus 8 Fieldfare, then a Slavonian Grebe at Port Ellen, and a semi-leucistic Starling at Lagavulin. At each location he recorded a small number (2-5) of "normal" (aka feral) Canada Geese. Over on Jura, Louise Muir noted a count of 130 "normal" Canada Geese - one of the larger counts of late.

Steve  & Lyn Rogers counted 10 Eider at Port Ellen marina and David D. kindly sent in some excellent photos taken recently on Islay. I'll include a couple tonight to brighten up the blog!

Sunday 8th & Monday 9th March

Two further basically dry, sunny days with a moderate breeze.

Thanks to Malcom O. for blogging while I was away giving a talk to the Argyll Bird Club about the new Birds of Islay and Jura book.

Yesterday Billy Stitchell  had a couple of fine Grey Wagtails on the Sorn by the Woollen Mill (photos below) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at East Lodge. Today he heard another Great Spotted Woodpecker at Lily loch.

Other news for today is of a Mallard with a clutch of 15 eggs at Cornabus and a Greenland White-fronted Goose at Corsapol that had been ringed by Ed B. at Ballinaby in 2012. Hannah D. found a Slavonian Grebe in Lagavulin Bay while David d. had the Long-tailed duck on Loch Kinnabus - again associating with Tufted Ducks.

Theo De Clermont of Nature Scotland is back on Islay and already finding some much less common species: a Red-necked Grebe and 2 Velvet Scoters off Blackrock. He also had a count of 29 Brent Geese between Islay and Jura and a Hen Harrier crossing to Islay from Jura. On Loch Skerrols were 27 Tufted Ducks and 7 Goldeneye, while at Blackrock there were totals of 10 Long-tailed Ducks, 15+ Slavonian Grebes and 80 Common Scoter. finally over at Machir Bay he tallied 13 Chough and 5 Ringed Plover.

Saturday 7th March

A second dry sunny day in succession, though with a stronger SE breeze. 

 
The only records received were from Bob Brown who saw 30 Fieldfares at Kilchoman and from visitor, Ella, who reported 2 Dippers at the mouth of Loch an t-Siob on Jura.

 
There are some disturbing signs that bird flu might be back among the geese, though not with the devastating effect that was experienced in winter 2022/23 when c.5000 Barnacles are thought to have died. A very few geese, including this time Greenland Whitefronts and Greylags, have been seen with possible symptoms, sitting at the edges of flocks, showing uncordinated head/neck movements, and being unusually tame. Please keep an eye open for anything similar and let us know.

Thursday 5th and Friday 6th March

Thursday was quite a wet day,  with variable winds, but on Friday we were blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine and a south-east breeze.

No records were submitted on Thursday, but Friday was busier, with Mary McR. seeing a pair of adult White-tailed Eagles and a male Hen Harrier at Claddach in the morning and then, in the early afterrnoon, 5 Whooper Swans flew over heading NW, having presumably come from Ireland. Peter R. spotted 4 pairs of Black Guillemot by Bruichladdich Pier, a regular breeding site, and Mary-Ann F. saw a Treecreeper at the Battery, above the High School, where there are plenty of small trees, though few larger ones, nor for some distance around. Redwing are on the move, as 40+ were reported from near Coullabus, while I saw 6-10 at Kintour.

Morven Laurie (NatureScot) has kindly sent the results of the latest island-wide goose count, held on 24th/25th February, revealing totals of 29,461 Barnacle Geese, 4,950 Greenland Whitefronts, and 1078 Greylags. Thank you, Morven. 

Wednesday 4th March

Rain overnight continued into an overcast and wet morning, gradually giving way to sunnier spells with a moderate southerly breeze.

Caroline Goodman was out birding today and noted 10 Eiders at Port Ellen and, as she put it, "the usual White-tailed Eagle passing, 2 maybe more" - how good to be living somewhere where WTE is commonplace and passe'!

Clive McK. counted gulls going to roost up at the top of Loch Indaal this evening and clocked up 1,410 Common Gulls, 75 Black-headed Gulls and 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Billy Stitchell sent the photo below of a Redwing in his garden to brighten up the blog.

Tuesday 3rd March

A cool, but sunny spring-like day with light winds.

 After a count of 6 White-tailed Eagles in the Lossit area on Saturday, there was a count of 7 in the air together over Port Ellen area yesterday.

Mary-Ann F. reports a male Bullfinch at Kildalton today.

Monday 2nd March

The day started off quite pleasantly with sunshine, but gradually clouded over with sporadic light showers as the wind picked up a little from the south.

David D. found a Magpie on The Oa this morning - still a very uncommon species here. It was Kathy Evans' last day on Islay today and she reported 6 Yellowhammers at pheasant feeders near Kildalton. Mary-Ann Featherstone and her friend Bob Brown were over at Sanaigmore where they found Peregrine, male Hen Harrier and over at Machir Bay a count of 100+ Jackdaws.

I took delivery of my book The Birds of Islay and Jura today, so am now able to start the process of distributing them to anyone interested in purchasing a copy. I've created another page on this blog that you can click on where you can find the various ways of obtaining one. You can find it towards the top right titled Birds of Islay and Jura.

Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March

Saturday was bright, dry and sunny with light winds. Sunday was a contrast with overcast skies, rain and strengthening winds from the south. Unsurprisingly, all the bird news came in from yesterday:

Ed B. reported good, close-in views on fairly calm waters at Blackrock, Loch Indaal of Long-tailed Ducks and 13 Common Scoters - 11 of them males. Mary-Ann Featherstone noted Dipper, Grey Wagtail and 30 Chaffinches at the Woollen Mill on the River Sorn - also seen by Kathy Evans who also noted a Hen Harrier on the Glen Road and a total of 6 White-tailed Eagles (5 adult, 1 immature) in the Lossit area of the Rinns.

Further news came in about the electrocuted Golden Eagle: it was a ringed bird and had been fledged on Mull in 2024.

There were a couple of notes in that perhaps need further corroboration as they involve odd dates and numbers: 2 Swallows apparently photographed by Nicol McKinnon on Islay on Thursday and a record of Lapland Buntings and Skylarks at Ardfin on Jura, but unclear as to numbers of each.

Thursday 26th & Friday 27th February

Two more days of mild, mostly sunny weather with light winds and a few showers.

The only report for Thursday was from David D. of a long-tailed duck on Loch Kinnabus - not a usual location for the species.

Today Caroline Goodman reported rings from a Chough seen at Kildnaughton Bay. It was a bird fledged from RSPB The Oa in 2025. After David W.'s excellent talk at the INHT AGM last night, which included some dismal notes about how few young were surviving after fledging, it is good to know that at least this one has made it thus far. Much more sad news was Steve Percival reporting an immature Golden Eagle electrocuted on power lines up towards Ardnave - a mercifully rare occurrence.

Kathy Evans noted 2 Little Egrets and the Red-breasted Goose up around Killinallan and Craigens. while David d. had the first report of an Adder sun-basking at Kinnabus.

Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th February

More of the same weather - light winds, showers, mixed with sunshine on Tuesday, but more overcast on Wednesday. Both days mild.

Regular visitors Michael Anderson and Elspeth MacArthur emailed to confirm another very enjoyable stay o Islay, reporting a flock of 40 Skylarks NE of Loch Gorm on Monday, with 8 Choughs and a Golden Eagle at Ardnave Loch on Tuesday and a Hen Harrier over Loch Gruinart.

On Tuesday Steve Percival reported that David D.'s colour-ringed Barnacle Geese sighting at Kintra was a female ringed in southern Iceland on 11th July 2023 that has been a regular winter visitor to Kintra/Cornabus area each winter since. Marcus Covell noted a couple of Grey Wagtails and a Dipper in their favourite haunt on the River Sorn by the Woollen Mill plus a possible Red Kite flying over.

Today there were more reports of early spring with Skylarks singing on The Oa and along the RSPB Morland Trail at Gruinart, though 100 Skylarks seen by Clive McK. in fields near Creag Mhor were clearly not pairing up t breed yet. Lingering winter birds included two pairs of Long-tailed Ducks on Loch Indaal seen by Caroline Goodman. Fiona McG. noted a flock of at least 100 Wood Pigeons going into the woodland around Loch Tallant. Mary R. had a couple of Pink-footed Geese near Port Mor along with that odd Chinese-type goose and Greylags. Over on Jura, Louise M. notes Tawny Owls in full voice this evening near Craighouse.

Sunday 22nd & Monday 23rd February

Two further days of moderate SW winds and a mix of sunshine and showers.

Yesterday's news was of a Canada Goose at Cornabus plus a couple of reports of what would be great rarities: a White-billed Diver seen from the ferry close to Gigha and a Hobby at Kildalton. It seems both were seen fairly fleetingly and not possible to confirm 100%.

Today there were reports of Hen Harrier at Blackrock, Merlin at Ghiol on The Oa, and the Red-breasted Goose seen again at Craigens, Loch Gruinart. An Icelandic ringed Barnacle Goose was found dead at Kintra, there were 25 Eiders at Blackrock this afternoon and over on Jura, Louise Muir saw a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Feolin.

Saturday 21st February

 A damp day with moderate SW winds, some sunshine at times.

Clive McK. reports a Kestrel over Moine Mhor yesterday.

Steve & Lyn Rogers found Dippers in their usual places - two of them along the Sorn in Bridgend Woods.

Steve left the island after another "fabulous week" as he put it and left us with a few great photos of some of the birds seen including two of the three Ring-necked Ducks and the "old faithful" Red-breasted Goose..

Friday 20th February

A day of showers and sunshine with winds coming more from the SW making temperatures a bit milder.

An extra note for yesterday came in from Clive McK. of a Water Rail between Blackpark and Uiskentuie and his first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year at the Bridgend gull roost.

Today there were notes of Golden Eagle at Port Wemyss from Mary R. and another at Lenavore, The Oa from Charlie Aspinwall. Clive McK. noted Mistle Thrush singing in the woodland at Gruinart this morning while Steve had the Red-breasted Goose on Gruinart flats towards Craigens and a lone Brent Goose at Bridgend. Steve Percival notes drumming Snipe at Gruinart this evening - further suggestions of spring at last!

From Jura come reports of 3 White-tailed Eagles, single Golden Eagle and Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrels, 28 Brent Geese and a flock of Canada Geese.

My news is that my book on the Birds of Islay and Jura has finally arrived - at least 100 advanced copies! This is in time for me to give a talk about the book at the Argyll Bird Club Spring Meeting on Seil Island on Saturday 7th March and another Talk/Book Launch here on Islay for the Islay Natural History Trust at Port Charlotte on Thursday 12th March.

It is the first complete account of the comparatively under-recorded bird life of Jura and gives the first detailed and complete account under one cover of these two island’s avifauna, using data gathered from historical records, earlier publications on the birds of Islay, plus a wealth of present day surveys and observations up to the end of 2025.  

416 full-colour pages include brief descriptions for both islands on habitats, land use and geology and detailed text for each species giving historic and current status.  Many graphs, charts and maps depict monthly and annual occurrence and population trends, breeding distribution details, breeding and peak counts for many species and protected areas on Islay and Jura. The book includes over 180 photographs, all taken on Islay and Jura, illustrating many species and habitats.

I will post details of how you can order your copy (£25 plus p&p) in the next day or two.

Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th February

 Two quite wet days with cooler winds from the SE.

Yesterday's reports c/o Mary Redman & Steve include a Russian White-fronted Goose at the Craigens turn off at Gruinart, a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cornabus, Whooper Swan at Claddach Loch, Merlin at Craigens and an immature White-tailed Eagle and Hen Harrier at the RSPB Gruinart hides.

Today Richard Grimmett recorded a Greenland White-fronted Goose with neck collar CST near Sanaigmore. Malcolm confirms it as being ringed at Ballinaby in winter 2019/20, returning to the same area each winter up to 2023/24, but not seen in 2024/25. Richard also reports 25 Eider and 2 Great Northern Divers at Saligo Bay with 3 more Great Northerns at Sanaigmore and 2 Golden Eagles.

Steve confirms that a male and female Ring-necked Duck are still in residence at Loch nan Cadhan plus a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Bridgend Woods.

Tuesday 17th February

 A bright and sunny day with light winds.

Thanks to Malcolm O. for writing the blog over the past two weeks while I've been away birding in Ecuador. It was an exciting trip with c.450 species seen including 70+ species of hummingbirds - but always good to be home.

Various reports in today focus largely on wildfowl: 4 Scaup, 12 Long-tailed Ducks, and "plenty" of Red-breasted Mergansers, Eiders, Common Scoters and Goldeneye along with 6 Slavonian Grebes and Great Northern & Red-throated Divers, plus odd Razorbills and Black Guillemots in Loch Indaal this morning under ideal, calm viewing conditions. Ed B. had the "small" Canada Goose at Cornabus and the Red-breasted Goose was again showing well at Craigens.

Clive McK. reports from Creag Mhor  that there have been up to 80 Chaffinches regularly at his feeders - but virtually no other finches accompanying them. He also saw a Barn Owl there today, successfully hunting in daylight and immediately being hassled by a Hooded Crow.

Monday 16th February

Quite a bit of rain accompanied, if briefly, by a southwest wind, though it is now working its way back east again via north.

Plenty of observations today, starting with Steve R. finding only a female Ring-necked Duck on Loch nan Cadhan, but no sign of the pair on neighbouring Loch Ballygrant, where, though, he saw 12 Tufted Ducks. He flushed Woodcock from the woods around the lake, and then had a flock of several hundred Golden Plover along the High Road on his way back to Port Ellen. New visitor Richard Grimmett found the male Green-winged Teal in front of the south hide at RSPB Loch Gruinart at lunchtime, also seeing 2 White-tailed Eagles, as well as Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and Merlin.

In the early afternoon, David W. counted 115 Lapwings at Kinnabus and Steve Percival found a Cackling Goose at Starchmill in a flock of Barnacle Geese. At about the same time, David Jardine was photographing 3 Russian White-fronted Geese at Gleannagaoidh on the Rhinns. Later in the afternoon, on the ferry to Jura, he spotted 31 Brents beside the small island of Glas Eilean. Having watched an adult and an immature White-tailed Eagles flushing the Cackling Goose and the Barnacles at Starchmill, Steve R. moved to Gruinart and found the wintering Red-breasted Goose on the flats looking from Craigens.

And here's David Jardine's long lens photo of the 3 Russian Whitefronts. Their black belly markings are heavier than is perhaps usual, as one thinks of Greenland Whitefronts having more obvious bars, but the larger white foreheads and pinkish bills are very obvious.

 

Sunday 15th February

A wet morning was followed by a slightly brighter afternoon, but the major weather news is that the wind was from the west!

David Jardine reported a Carrion Crow with Hoodies at Ardnave yesterday. This species is more or less annual here, usually in ones or twos, very occasionally more, with distinct autumn and late winter peaks. Mary McR. reported a largish gathering of 34 Oystercatchers by her Port Wemyss house this morning, while David checked out the three Ring-necked Ducks still on Loch nan Cadhan.

Saturday 14th February

The morning started well with blue skies and sunshine, but all too quickly it clouded over with the wind getting up and the rain arriving later in the day.

Visitor Gill filed a late report of 4 Golden Eagles in the air at Ardnave yesterday, along with ringtail and male Hen Harriers, also 2 males seen near Cornabus, a Barn Owl the previous day at Ardnave, and a Greenshank near Bowmore.

Jim Wells was over on the rib from Ballycastle with members of the Northern Ireland Ornithologists Club and, despite having to leave earlier than planned because of the deteriorating weather, reported seeing no less than 5 White-tailed Eagles, 3 on Nave Island and 2 by the Gruinart hides. They also saw plenty of Choughs, a couple of Hen Harriers and several Roe Deer.

 

Thursday 12th and Friday 13th February

Thursday's weather continued the run of easterlies with some rain, but Friday saw an abrupt and very welcome change to a glorious sunny day after a very slight frost, with a light north to northeast breeze.

Owls dominate the sightings, with Clive Mck. seeing 2 roadside Barn Owls on Wednesday evening, 1 in the shelter of Eresaid wood,  the other on the fence outside the RSPB office at Gruinart, while David Jardine saw another Barn Owl at Blackrock at 2.20am on Thursday morning; I'm unsure whether David was out very late or very early. On Thursday evening, Mary McR. spotted a Tawny owl with prey at Ellister, then a Barn Owl just outside Portnahaven.

During the day on Thursday, Clive McK. was out and about, finding 1 Merlin, 85 Skylark in a flock, a possibly influx, and 12 Reed Buntings at Craigens, as well as 30+ Ravens and 2 White-tailed Eagles at Gearach.

 

Wednesday 11th February

See yesterday's forecast, but with more rain in the morning.

Today's sightings were all of wildfowl, which makes a change from raptors! Nick Parsons found the 3 Ring-necked Ducks on Loch nan Cadhan again and also saw what was presumably the same adult Light-bellied Brent as yesterday, this time in a Barnacle Goose flock just outside Bridgend, beside the Ballygrant road. At lunchtime, Fiona McG. reported a flock of 10 Pink-footed Geese at Sunderland, while later on Nick Parsons saw 4 in a flock of Greenland White-fronted Geese at Kintra. While ones and twos of Pinkfeet are regular among the wintering goose flocks, small flocks like this are usually only seen in autumn and spring, so these seem likely to be fairly recent arrivals. Perhaps the persistent east winds had something to do with it. Finally, David Jardine found the Chinese Goose in a flock of Greylags at Port Charlotte. It was present in the autumn, disappeared for a while, and then turned up again a week or two ago. One wonders in which farmyard it presumably lives in between its flights out to feed with its friends.

Craig Calladine took this long-distance photograph of the 3 Ring-necked Ducks on Loch nan Cadhan, a pair plus a second female.

 

Tuesday 10th February

Weather shouldn't be boring, but with the umpteenth day with easterly winds and some rain it it beginning to feel that way.

Ed B. reported a redhead Goosander on the Cornabus Burn in the morning, followed after lunch by a Lesser Black-backed Gull, his first migrant of the spring! A second one was seen around the same time by David Jardine just north of Bruichladdich. A single Pale-bellied Brent as seen by Nick Parsons in the Barnacle roost at Loch Indaal in the late afternoon, and visitors Arash Marashi and Craig Calladine reported that the 3 Ring-necked Ducks first seen on Loch Ballygrant in December were still present, though this time on the adjacent Loch nan Cadhan.

Visitor Rudolf has just posted a sequence of stunning photographs of a Sparrowhawk attacking a Hooded Crow which he took on January 20th. Here are three of them.

 

 

 

Monday 9th February

Quite a damp day, with the wind still in the east.

Two visiting birders reported single Pink-footed Geese: Gill found one with Barnacles at Finlaggan in the early afternoon, while, in the late afternoon, Nick Parsons saw one in a Barnacle Goose flock just east of Bridgend Woods. They both agreed that they were different birds. 

Gill did well with raptors during the day, with, in the morning, a Merlin along the Glen road, and a young White-tailed Eagle and adult Golden Eagle at Bunnahabhain, while she had the same combination along the Glen road in the afternoon.

Here's Gill's Pink-footed Goose, an adult from the neat parallel barring on the wing coverts.

 P.S. Theo has kindly followed up the report of an Iceland Gull in yesterday's blog and informs us that it was submitted in error and has been withdrawn. So, in this so far very poor winter for white-winged gulls, we await the first sighting of this species. 

Friday 6th, Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th February

The easterly winds on Friday and Saturday relented a little on Sunday, while there were light showers or drizzle on all three days.

No observations were received on Friday or Saturday, but birders were obviously out on Sunday morning, starting with Martin A. who saw 4 male Goldeneye on Loch Indaal opposite Killarow, Bowmore, quickly followed by Mary McR. who had 3 Chough at Claddach first thing, a male Hen Harrier at Octofad, and a first-winter White-tailed Eagle sitting on the rocks at Carn, Port Charlotte. In the afternoon, Clive McK. spotted 5 Black-tailed Godwits in the field pool south of the north hide on the RSPB L. Gruinart reserve.

I'm grateful to birder and wildlife guide, Theo de Clermont, who is based on Mull, for spotting a list of birds seen on Sunday by visitor Craig Calladine and posted on the online eBird. The location was just given as "Loch Indaal", while, of the 29 species in the list, only 4 had information on numbers, which were 3 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Red-throated Divers, 27 Slavonian Grebes and 1 Iceland Gull. This last, the first reported this winter, follows closely on the first Glaucous Gull seen on 30th January. More information, in particular its age and exact location, are being sought. 

Thursday 5th February

 The wind, still from the east, increased to near-gale force throughout the day, stopping the afternoon and evening ferries, but it remained dry, which was some sort of blessing.

 Mary McR. continued with her eagle spotting this morning, seeing a young White-tailed Eagle "scraping the rooftops" in Port Charlotte, and, a minute later, as she travelled south there was a young Golden Eagle over Carn, just outside the village. Clive McK. posted a lovely bit of video to the Islay Birds WhatsApp page of a sub-adult White-tailed Eagle gliding over Loch Gruinart, which I'm going to try and add here, though I'm unsure of the maximum size allowed.

Around midday, Martin A. saw a Little Egret at the head of Loch Indaal and Ed B. reported a Merlin flying through Cornabus.

Here's the video. Thanks, Clive. 

 

Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th February

The easterly wind continues and it's been more or less dry.

No records were received on Tuesday, but, on Wednesday, Mary McR reported that there was a male Hen Harrier by her house in Port Wemyss earlier, and that a White-tailed Eagle was active between there and Octofad daily. She also said that there was a single noisy Oystercatcher hanging about between the field and the shire, which she hoped would soon find a pal! One wonders if it has perhaps recently lost a pal, hence all the noise trying to attract a replacement.

Monday 2nd February

As forecast, the east to south-east wind quickly returned, though so far only of moderate strength, plus one or two light showers.

The only records came from Gary T., who will definitely be missed when he leaves the island. In the morning, he watched a murmuration of 100+ Starlings at Finlaggan, and saw 4 Golden Plover flying down the loch, as well as a Barn Owl quartering the ground west of the visitor centre. On returning home, he added to the recent Yellowhammer records by having 4 visit his bird table.

Saturday 31st January & Sunday 1st February

The easterly wind blew all day Saturday and finally relented on Sunday when it was actually almost calm during the afternoon, though the relief was short-lived and the easterlies are set to return.

First, a Friday observation which I overlooked of the first Glaucous Gull of the winter, a juvenile among the gulls at the Gartbreck tip, seen by Gary T.

No records were submitted on Saturday, but, on Sunday morning, Dave W. saw 4 Bullfinches at Lenavore on The Oa, quite a long way from what one would regard as typical habitat for this species. Then, in the afternoon, Clive McK. photographed a very pale White-tailed Eagle which was sat waiting for a Barnacle Goose that it had hit in mid-air to reappear from the rushes into which it tumbled. His highlights of the day were a very unexpected flock of 45 Meadow Pipits in a field below his house at Craig Mhor, and a brief burst of song from a Mistle Thrush in Gruinart Wood, perhaps celebrating the (temporary) disappearance of the wind. 

Also on Sunday, following Friday's report of about 6 Yellowhammers just outside Bowmore, Billy S. had 4 in his garden at Caol Ila, 3 of which are shown below.                

                                            

 

Friday 30th January

The easterly wind continued all day carrying just one or two small showers.

Just one bird record was received, from Fiona McG, but an interesting one of about 6 Yellowhammers just outside Bowmore close to the Cruach turning. This species is resident on Islay with low tens of pairs, very scattered in both farmland and in coastal gullies. It is thought to have declined as a breeding species in the last 20-30 years, as it has in the whole of Argyll, while small flocks, like this one, can turn up in winter almost anywhere, sometimes on their own, sometimes in flocks of buntings and finches.

And here's a Gordon Langsbury photograph.

 

Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th January

The easterly winds continue unrelentingly, though at least the last two days have been a bit drier than Tuesday when 25 mm (an inch in old money) fell at the airport, and there has even been a bit of sunshine.

On Wednesday, Clive McK watched a white-winged Barn Owl hunting over Moine Mhor, RSPB Loch Gruinart, in broad daylight. As he commented, it was doubtless very hungry after the last few days of weather. On Thursday, Mary McR saw a pair of adult White-tailed Eagles on the Rinns between Octofad and Ellister and a Sparrowhawk at Octofad, while the usual three Choughs were at Claddach.

First-time visitor, Peter Emery, with a birding friend, had a good three days here the previous weekend and has sent in some records, plus a promise to come back!

On Sunday 18th, a Golden Eagle over Port Ellen bay, and another on a ridge close to Port Charlotte. Loch Indaal held Red- and Black-throated Divers, a Long-tailed Duck, a raft of Common Scoters, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Light-bellied Brents, while there were Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Goldeneye on Loch Skerrols. A mixed thrush flock near Gleannagaoidh contained Mistle Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare.

On Monday 19th, there were 4 or 5 White-tailed Eagles on the sand in Loch Gruinart and up to 8 Whooper Swans on the RSPB reserve, and a male and female Hen Harrier were quartering the moors to the west of the road from L. Gruinart to Ardnave.

On Tuesday 20th,  there was a Golden Eagle and, a bit later, 2 White-tailed, on fields opposite Kilnaughton cemetery, c. 20 Twite at the RSPB carpark on The Oa, a Merlin on the way to the American Monument, and 2 Gannets off Kintra.

Monday 26th & Tuesday 27th January

Very little to report other than nasty weather as Storm Chandra moved through bringing gale force easterly winds and plenty of rain.

The only bird news comes from Malcolm O. who had a record count of 104 House Sparrows in his garden during the RSPB Garden Birdwatch  session on Sunday.

Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th January

Another couple of days of quite blustery winds from an easterly direction. Saturday was fairly bright and dry, but Sunday was back to grey and rainy. 

On Saturday Gary T. was birding in the Finlaggan area and had Golden and White-tailed Eagles patrolling the hilltops there. He also watched Crossbills in the deciduous trees, picking at moss and lichen on the branches  at Finlaggan house which prompted some discussion about why they regularly go there and do that.

Talking of Gary T. and his imminent departure from Islay, regular visiting birder Ken Reeves sent in this message and photo of Gary to the blog:

"A big thank you to Gary Turnbull for his friendship and help on our many winter trips to the wonderful Islands of Islay & Jura. We all wish him the best for the future. Cheers Gary from myself, Steve Lister, Keith Tinworth, Richard Cross, Chris Mills and all the members of Burbage Birders travel group!"

Today's birding notes come from Mary R. who counted 5 White-tailed Eagles between Octofad and Bruichladdich.  She also had her regular Merlin sighting near Uiskentuie and a good find of Kingfisher at Bowmore Harbour.

I was sent photos of, presumably the same odd Swan Goose hybrid that reappeared near Port Charlotte.

Friday 23rd January

Strong easterly winds overnight and for much of the day bringing plenty of rain and cloud to start with but brighter towards the end of the day.

The only bird news today comes from Louise Muir on Jura who had received a report of a Nuthatch near Craighouse this afternoon. This species was still regarded as a vagrant in Argyll in 2003, but has since spread as a breeding bird into the county from Cowal, to most of North Kintyre and parts of Mull. There is a single previous record for Jura, noted in the BTO 2007-2011 Winter Atlas and presumably the same as a bird reported at Jura House on 10 December 2008. Similarly, there is just one record on Islay of a single bird at Bunnahabhain on 2 June 2020 and David Jardine messaged to say that the first for Colonsay was found last December. So it is a species on the move into Argyll, on the increase and may, one day, colonise these islands, as did Great Spotted Woodpecker in 2013.

Thursday 22nd January

An overcast, windy and rainy day.

Despite the unpleasant weather, cabin-fever got the better of me and I checked Lochs Ballygrant and Skerrols in the rain. nothing but 3 Tufted Ducks and a Woodcock in adjacent woodland at Ballygrant, but 18 Tufted Ducks, 6 Goldeneye (all female) and 3 Goosanders (2 male, 1 female) at Skerrols.

Mary R. noticed a Gannet diving offshore at Currie Sands and 5 Chough around the same area, while David D. had a Barn Owl on the wing at Ghiol, The Oa.

 

Wednesday 21st January

 Drizzly at times becoming windier with more persistent rain by the evening.

No records noted today, but Clive McK. sent in some details from his WeBS count yesterday from Bowmore to Blackrock. Amongst 30 species recorded were 33 Shelduck, 127 Wigeon, 33 Mallard, 145 Teal, 53 Common Scoter, 27 Red-breasted Mergansers, 232 Oystercatchers, 70 Lapwing, 251 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Greenshanks, 144 Knot, 166 Dunlin, 197 Common Gulls and singles of Black-throated Diver, Little Egret and a Kingfisher - the latter by the generating station just outside Bowmore. He also had a loose flock of 17 Rock Pipits at Carnain.

The only bird news today comes from Gary Turnbull who confirms that he and Sam are soon relocating to the mainland to be closer to family. Islay will be poorer for their move away - especially the birding community, as Gary has been one of the island's most active resident birders for the last c.11 years. He has contributed masses of individual records: all sorts of useful observations including from areas where others don't reach too often, to WeBS and other surveys and counts, discoveries of uncommon and scarcer species and valuable notes on other wildlife. I'm sure that all the many birders - resident and visiting - whose paths you've crossed will be very sorry to see the both of you go, but wish you all the very best back on the mainland - and hope that you'll be back on Islay for your holidays!

Tuesday 20th January

A blustery day with quite strong SE winds, cloud and a fair bit of rain.

The only bird note sent in is of an uncommon non-breeding species for Islay - a Magpie! First seen by David D. at Cragabus, then again (or was it a second bird?) by Ed. B. at Cornabus. On the one hand it would be good to think there were two - "one for sorrow, two for joy" etc, but the thoughts of two birds staying and starting to breed is probably less welcome?

Monday 19th January

Mostly rainy and cloudy with moderate winds seemingly discouraged anyone from birding today. However, visitor Mark Avery sent in some notes from the previous few days. Noteworthy among them are:

Friday: a Kingfisher at Gartmain

Saturday: a Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Knot, and single Greenshank at Gartmain and a Great Northern Diver at Carnain. At Bruichladdich were 3 Brent Geese and a White-tailed Eagle at Gruinart.

Sunday: a Gadwall at Ardnave Loch and Golden Eagle on the west side of Gruinart, with 5 immature White-tailed Eagles together feeding on a couple of goose carcasses on the Killinallan side where there was a Merlin and 2 Canada Geese.

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th January

Another couple of days of mixed weather - rain and shine - with a few birds being noted.

Billy Stitchell  saw a total of 5 Buzzards on Saturday morning: one on its usual pole at Limekiln, two on fence posts at Cluanach, one on  road-kill at the cattle grid near Barr and another one taking off with its road-kill at the cattle grid at Knocklearoch.

Today Ed B. reports a Jack Snipe at Cornabus and Martin A. had a Pink-footed Goose near Kilchoman distillery. 

Visitor Rudolf Hummel sent in more records: 2 Brent Geese at Port Charlotte on Friday afternoon, 4 Whooper Swans at Ardnave yesterday and 5 at Gruinart today where he also saw a Pink-footed Goose. A couple of Great Northern divers were seen up towards Nave Island, with Gadwall on Ardnave Loch. He reckoned that 3 Golden Eagles were feeding on a dead Barnacle Goose at Gruinart where he also mentions two further dead Barnies and one looking sick. I hope this is not a further outbreak of Bird Flu? Other birds of prey seen by Rudolf were White-tailed Eagle, a male and female Hen Harrier and Sparrowhawk at Sanaigmore.

Thursday 15th & Friday 16th January

A brighter, sunny day for much of Thursday, but more variable with sunshine in the middle of the day, but cloud and rain with a light SW breeze otherwise.

Morven sent in the January International Goose Count totals, the census carried out on 13th & 14th January. There were 27,731 Barnacle Geese, 4,093 White-fronted Geese and 659 Greylag Geese.

Billy Stitchell sent in a photo of another bird species visiting his productive garden up at Caol Ila:

Wednesday 14th January

Today's weather grew increasingly blustery and rainy from late morning onwards, so no records of any birds came through.

A bit of news from James H. for yesterday (13th) mentions 2 White-tailed Eagles at Loch Gruinart, 2 Golden Eagles and another White-tailed Eagle on the other side of Gruinart at Killinallan, and a further one of each up at Ardnave. James also located the elusive Red-breasted Goose at Gruinart along with a Water Rail.

Having asked about Chaffinches at other folk's bird feeders I had a note from Malcolm O. just up the road from me in Bruichladdich saying he is regularly seeing 15-18 in his garden - about 10 more than in recent winters. He also lamented the decline in Greenfinches: he used to have 3 pairs nesting in the garden.

Billy Stitchell sent in the following count from his garden and feeders at Caol Ila for yesterday: Chaffinch c.40-50 plus 4 Blue Tits, 6 Coal Tits, 5 Great Tits, 1 Siskin and 3 Greenfinches, 1 Treecreeper, 10 Blackbirds, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Collared Doves, c.10 Dunnocks.

He also commented: "I usually chop the Buddleia and Chinese Honeysuckle back at the end of the year, but not last year due to the weather. I hadn’t realised the Sparrows love the seeds, the branches were buckling under their weight and the noise! Same with the Honeysuckle; that’s what attracts the Bullfinch"

Saturday 10th January to Tuesday 13th January

 Very little to report on the bird front over the past few days. Weather has ameliorated from the colder conditions of last week into something more typical of an Islay winter - milder, quickly changing between clouds and rain and sunnier spells with mostly moderate winds.

Daavid D. noted a Merlin at Sanaigmore on Saturday. Yesterday (12th) Gary T. had a pair of Choughs out at Finlaggan and Steve & Lyn Rogers noted 2 White-tailed Eagles and a Kestrel over their garden at Kilnaughton. Also yesterday, Martin Armstrong had a Yellowhammer near the Round Church at Bowmore. Today David D. reports that the small Canada Goose was present at Kinnabus.

Mary Ann Featherstone sent in a couple of photos of some colourful, regular species in her garden at Kildalton to brighten up the blog.

Here at Bruichladdich I had a count of 7 Greenfinches on the feeders and there are 35-45 Chaffinches on my bird-feeders each day. It would be interesting to have counts of Chaffinches from other feeders.