Wednesday 14th May

Yesterday, Andy and Jane had headed over to the other side of Islay. While going along the "high road" they saw 2 ringtails and 2 Peregrines in a thermal and also a male Hen Harrier skydancing. Kildalton wood held Willow Warblers, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, Treecreeper along with Great Tit, Blue Tit & Robins. Over at the Keeper's cottage at Ardtalla, a Yellowhammer was present as a Cuckoo. Another Cuckoo was at Balivivcar. Along at Claggain Bay, 6 Arctic Terns, 6 GND, 2 Common Sandpiper,3 Redpoll, a Tree Pipit carrying food, 4 Wheatear and 2 RTD in summer plumage were present. Another male Hen Harrier was seen at Island Farm at they headed home. Also yesterday, David Livingstone saw a Golden Eagle as he walked out to Soldier's rock. George heard a Cuckoo in the trees beside his house the other day, had a Mallard out with her young ducklings on his ponds and last night had heard a Corncrake down below his house between the road and the shore, while Paul Graham had another up behind An taigh Osda also at Bruichladdich. There was a late reported sighting in today of a Bee-Eater seen up at Ardnave back on the 18th of April.