Friday 9th October

Winds from a westerly direction , increasing in force towards the end of the day and bringing with them intermittent squally showers for much of the day.

Clive McK. and Teresa Morris tried a sea-watch at Frenchman's Rocks, finding an Arctic Skua, 4 Pintail and 3 Black-headed Gulls. Rogan W. noted 4 Swallows still around Ballygrant, a White-tailed Eagle at Keills and 20 Brent Geese near the Gaelic Centre on Loch Indaal. James H. found a Curlew Sandpiper (photo below) from the South Hide at RSPB Gruinart. both he and Clive noted increasing numbers of Snipe scattered across the island including 30+ at the South Hide. There was a Common Tern here at Bruichladdich.

Over on Jura, Bob Humphreys had a couple of Grey Wagtails at Tarbert and 3 Herons at Craighouse.