Sunday 8thNovember

 Last night, Dave Pierce sent through the following e mail to me with the birds seen by him...

"Amongst others on Loch Indaal, 61 Common Scoter and 5 Long-tailed Ducks (4 male, 1 female).

A Golden Eagle (the light was against me but appeared a juvenile) on a deer fence post for a good deal of the morning at Druim na h-Erasaid immediately south of the Gruinart flats. Early afternoon, an adult Goldie circled over the flats & floods causing consternation with the waterfowl and waders. With waders, there were 5 Grey Plover.

 Shortly after the first of 2 Hen Harriers sightings occurred, with a brown quartering low over the floods, whilst a grey was hunting at Ardnave a little later. 

Also at Ardnave were 18 Fieldfares, 20+ Choughs with 2 Long-tailed Ducks on the loch (both females, I'd had a male & female on Wednesday). 

Finally a juvenile White-tailed Eagle late afternoon at Gruinart was a great finish to the day for me, if not for the assembled geese!"

 Dan Brown had seen the following birds when out and about yesterday..  

"A Todd's type (possibly 2) and a Cackling goose on the flats. We also had a Great Spotted Woodpecker clearly migrating west along the flats at Gruinart. It got "stuck" when it got to us and the end of the trees but finally plucked up the courage and headed on West to the farm.

2 Merlins, 2 Peregrines and 2 Hen Harriers here too."

Peter was in touch today, reporting through to tell me that the American Wigeon was seen today at Loch Skerolls, but he also told me that the number of Whoopers present has dropped down to around 50 in total present  there.

The back of lunchtime up here today, and we were well pleased to see a cracking male Hen Harrier out on the wing flying along the bottom of the crag. We now have a smalll resident group of 10 Blackbirds were out on the grass as well as 7 Redwings.

The Bolton Birders also had been seeing 10 Blackbirds this morning down in Port Charlotte and also 5 Blackcaps. Over on Jura, earlier on through the week, they had seen a total of  4 Eagles when over there, their Eagles were 3 WTEs and a Golden Eagle. Down at Curie sands they had seen 12 Choughs rooting around looking for some food.

I was speakng to James earlier on this afternoon, and he was saying about the number of Eagles being seen here on Islay. He also was commenting on the Choughs being seen in different places this Autumn. Today, James had spotted a Pink footed Goose as well as 2 P b Brents amongst the Barnies seen over at Gruinart. In his garden, James has had a regular Goldcrest visiting his garden most days recently. 

Saturday 7th November

 Yesterday was Mike Bell's last full day here on Islay for this visit.... so here are Mike's birds..

Bowmore to Gartbreck: 6 GND, 1 Slav Grebe, 19 Greylag, 109 Greylags, 3,900 Barnies, 26 Wigeon, 85 Teal, 32 Mallard, a male Pintail, 15 Eider, a male Lt Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 25 RBM, 36 Oystercatcer, 52 R Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 245 Lapwing, 51 Knot, 60 Dunlin, 27 Barwits, 64 Curlew, 12 Redshank and also 21 Turnstone 

Gartmain to Bridgend held the following birds: 68 P b Brents, 129 Wigeon, 84 Malard, 4 Goldeneye (incl. a drake), 2 ad WTEs, 157 Oystercatcher, 55 R. Plover, 75 Knot, 290 Dunlin and  960 Golden Plover.

At Gruinart, Mike had 18 Whoopers arriving in, 740 Lapwing and only 200 Golden Plover, a Hen Harrier and also a  Golden Eagle, and a Blackwit.

Loch Gorm a WT  Eagle flushed around about 90 Teal

Mike kept the best birds to the end as he had seen a Short eared Owl being mobbed by 2 corvids in the sky above Kindrochid. A few moments later,Mike watched the S e Owl being caught in flight by a WTE...

Many thanks for your birds Mike, stay safe, hope you had a safe journey home...

Last night I had an email through from Dave Jackson who has been over here for the past 2 weeks, and heads home tomorrow..  "We've had an interesting - and occasionally somewhat feisty couple of weeks, but haven't managed to see anything that has not already been reported on your blog ... although we were fortunate enough to see at some distance what appeared to be an altercation between an immature WTE and an Otter on the flats at Gruinart at 7.45am on Monday!  There was what appeared to be a Grey Phalarope surfing the waves on the beach on Monday afternoon"

Dave Pierce sent this through last night as well...

"Our daily holiday cottage White-tailed Eagle didn't arrive until c0900. Again perched on rocks in Loch Indaal below Bridgend, but also on to the boat wreck briefly.

Down at Kildalton a Redwing flock was in excess of 130. A Sparrowhawk was in the same area. Another Sparrowhawk at Leorin.

On the Oa there were White-fronts at Cornabus c70, plus c120 at Kinnabus mixed with Barnies & Greylags. An adult male Hen Harrier was hunting here. At Upper Killeyan a flock of about 110 Twite were buzzing around.

Finally a Merlin was on a roadside post at Glenegedale by the High Road."

Dan  Brown had seen "2 Blackwits on the Cornabus burn flood, American Wigeon still  present on Loch Skerrols plus possible 1cy female Lesser Scaup though distant, Todd’s Canada with Barnies north of Gruinart farm."

  

Dave Dinsley who  now works  down on the  Oa for RSPB had a Glaucous Gull seen down on Kilnaghton Bay yesterday

This afternoon, Margaret had seen a male Blackcap out in the garden up here at home, initially on the garden wall before flying into a bush for some cover, great to watch, yes i saw it as well, no need for the bins!!! We also saw 5 Red Deer away out on top of the far crag as well...

Friday 6th novembr

Yesterday, Mike Bell had seen the following birds when out...

Gruinart: Hen Harrier and also a Peregrine 

Killinallan: a Jack Snipe, 23 Twite and also 4 Redpolls

Portnahaven: 2WTE flying over the seal colony there

Lossit:  2 Golden Eagles seen

Kilchiaran over the hill past The Gearach: 6 Lt Tits seen in the trees there.

Dave Pierce and his wife had the following birds....

Please find a few of yesterday's sightings.. Started the day off like Wednesday with a White-tailed Eagle from our cottage at Bridgend, though this one was an adult, probably a female. It caught a couple of fish during the time I was around. Again like Wednesday, from the same location I had a raptor at the opposite end of the scale, this time a Merlin which flew low along the shore before alighting for a minute on a pile of kelp. Other birds around the house included c30 Redshanks.

There were around 60 Greenland White-fronts at Cruach with a further 75 feeding with Rock Doves at Ballitarsin. A pair of Bullfinch at Loch Tallant.

Mid afternoon viewing from Buh-an-unillt a Peregrine over Loch Gruinart flushing waders and waterfowl including Bar-tailed Godwits, Turnstones, 2 Greenshank, 7 Sanderling, 1400+Golden Plover & over 70 Pintail. Also 2 Chough present.

Offshore from Bruichladdich a single drake Common Scoter, 3 GN Divers and 2 RTDs, with a Grey Wagtail onshore .

Today, when coming home, we had 4 Red legged Partridge down "The Hedges" at Sunderland Farm and I am led to believe that these were not released birds... Over at Ballinaby, we counted 14Whoopers resting up there. Back at home, Margaret counted 10 Blackbirds out on the grass with 4 Redwings present there as well.

Old chums from Bolton had seen a male and a female Blackcap in a garden down in Port Charlotte today.

Saturday 8th August

Good friend Karen Graham is up North staying in their bolt hole for a few days, Karen e mailed some birds...."Took another walk in the local woods thinking maybe the Ospreys  had gone but no. A youngster landed on the empty nest begging for food but the adult came in and had none of it and flew away to another tree. The youngster got the message and gave up and flew off. 

Evenings here sees about 500 starlings gathering from all round eventually dropping down to trees behind the house. The young Herring gulls now able to fly to the shore without dropping down too early more often than not on the road."

George E. Jackson is now living over on Islay full time, so both George and his wife Pat will be made welcome, especially as they are both qualified ringers with "A licences". Yesterday, George emailed through some comments for me to use...

"Seen a good few birds in the garden - about 20 species but nothing unexpected yet (Redpoll and Blackcap best so far).

We got the wind and the torrential 2in. of rain on Tuesday. The grass area at the Machir Bay car park had been dry till then but was completely covered by Thursday morning. Yesterday (Thursday) evening there were about 50 Common gulls, 10 Herring and 8 Black-headed; a couple of Sand martins still over the dunes/stream, nothing else of note. This morning about the same with about 10 GBB gulls; off the beach I saw 2 Gannets - first I've seen up here. Also this morning there were 8+ Mipits on the Horizons grass. There was also a flock (large gaggle?) of 400 Greylags flew up the valley and settled in the barely field below the distillery - first of the early autumn movement?"

Finally today, Alistair Hart had seen a Sedge Warbler round at the wee lochan up past Claddach.

   

Sunday 21st June

James was in touch this afternoon with some birds and a general natter as well...
The other day up at Ardnave, James had counted 80 Barwits and also an Otter was present there as well. James was saying to me that along the Woodland trail at Gruinart, he had heard 2 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff calling away as well as  3 Goldcrests seen there.

Malcom e mailed me part of an article that was in today's edition of The Times, relating to the recent series screened on the TV of Springwatch..
" Now that Springwatch has been forced to abandon its distracting and cringe-inducing campfire repartee, it has evolved into the fascinating programme that it always ought to have been. Great to see that Chris Packham has been transformed into an adult. Please keep this format".

Monday 15th June

Two e mails in with some birds for you to enjoy....

Peter wrote the following comment..

"Mark Shields reports seeing the “usual” mixed Velvet / Common Scoter pair on the loch at Easter Ellister last Monday (8th). Assuming the Velvet is one of the remnants of the previous wildfowl collection there, it makes the bird apparently well into its twenties!"

David Wood had seen a  "migrant spotted flycatcher and blackcap on the Oa today"

FRiday 17th April

Mary Redman was in touch last night, after I had written the entry for yesterday, honest...
"Today I heard one! I thought I heard a Corncrake yesterday but it was so quick and didn't call again, but today it was nice and clear.  Also a Willow Warbler calling away out the back, and I saw a Common Sandpiper at Port Wemyss yesterday."

Mary-Ann Featherstone was touch to say that she had 4 Arctic Terns and also noted that the Eiders are back, both seen yesterday out from where she lives on Islay. Today, in her garden, Mary-Ann was seeing Willow Warblers and hearing the noisy Coal Tits at the feeders there. She was also telling me that her friend who lives in Port Ellen has seen that the Rooks are back on their nests in the trees at the rear of her garden.

James was on the phone earlier on this evening, saying that he had an adult White tailed Eagle flyover Mill Cottage today. While walking along to the office at Bushmills, he had a Blackcap, and  back at home, he saw a House Martin.

David Wood was in touch to say that Bonnie, his wife had seen a Black Redstart in their garden this morning, needless to say he did not see it as he was out feeding the cows...  It can be a tough life sometimes, David!!!!

Wednesday 8th April

David Wood sent me through an e mail in which he told me that Duncan McNeill had seen a Little Tern yesterday down on the Big Strand. It was there again this morning as well.

David Wood had seen a Blackcap down on the Oa reserve today.

Peter was in touch earlier on this evening saying that he has seen 8 Black Guillemots (Tystie) on the pier at Bruichladdich. He was also telling me that Val Peacock had an Adder out sunning itself.....

David Barr was speaking to me a wee while ago and he was saying that he had seen 3 Goldfinches this morning, in the garden of his house at Lochearnhead. David often also sees some Goldeneye on the loch itself when out walking his faithful dogs, Ted and Ella...

Friday 1st November

Late on Wednesday afternoon, Louise Muir had seen and counted a flock of 62 Snow Bunting, between the South end of Machir bay and up along the track leading up towards Granny's Rock

Yesterday morning, Carol Andrew had seen a small flock of geese down at Bruichladdich, they were flying around over the rear of her house, and on closer inspection, Carol reckons that they succeeded in putting some waders up, moving them down the coast beyond the fuel depot towards the ponds behind Shorefield.

MB had been out and about yesterday... In the fields at Skerrols, he had seen 5 Pinkies amongst the flocks of  Barnies there. he also had 4 flocks of Fieldfare totalling 200 birds, as well as 25 Redwing and also 7 Scandinavian Blackbirds there too.  On Loch Skerrols, he counted 23 Mute Swan, 58 Whoopers, 285 Wigeon, 112 Teal, 21 Mallard and 61 Tufted Duck.  In the surrounding trees, MB had seen 9 L t Tits and a total of 12 Bullfinch (4 + 8). Along at Eallabus, he had another 50 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing, 14 Sc. Blackbirds, a male Blackcap and also 9 Siskins. In at Bowmore, he saw 23 P b Brent and  counted 142 Wigeon.  Finally, he had the following on the floods at Gruinart... 136 Wigeon, 590 Teal, 27 Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 2 White tailed Eagle and a ringtail Hen Harrier was present as well.

This morning, the Rochdale birders had seen 2 White tailed Eagles over Port Charlotte. Yesterday afternoon, they had spotted 2 Golden Eagles out on the wing above Beinn Bheigier, along at Kildalton they saw 2 Yellowhammers.. This morning they had seen 3 Turnstone and a Snipe down beside the wee burn that goes to Machir Bay. Shortly afterwards while enjoying a welcome cuppa, up here at our house, they saw the female Sparrowhawk perched up on the feeding station. Then just before lunchtime, the ringtail Hen Harrier flew through the garden, less than 15 metres away from the house. Mid afternoon, we saw another Hen Harrier out from the house, but a male bird this time!!!

Thursday 20th June

Yesterday, Malcolm had found a dead adult Manx Shearwater around lunchtime on the strand close to the Foreland road end. It was not thin and unmarked. As Malcolm put it, "odd to find an adult at this time of year, most records are of young birds after storms in the Autumn. He also said that he has seen them feeding offshore in June, but not in Loch Indaal."

Yesterday afternoon, we had seen a  Golden Eagle soaring high above Borichil Mor, and then later on 2 cracking close views of male Hen Harriers, one was over at up at Bunnahabhain, the other was on the ground about 15 metres away from us over below Coull.

This morning, John Wilson had seen a Corncrake, as it flew across the road into some longer vegetation in the sand pit at Kilchoman.

James had seen some Marsh Fritillaries on the verge side on the road leading to Ardnave. On the reserve at Gruinart, he had an Adder, seen some Blackcaps, and back at Mill Cottage, he had counted 70 Pipistrelle Bats. This morning, James had a Sparrowhawk, out over the flats at Gruinart.

Wednesday 10th April

Yesterday, Jeff  Duncan had seen a Golden Eagle on a carcass less than 30 metres from the road as he was driving down to Machir bay, no need for the bins for that one, Jeff... Also yesterday, Ed Burrell , an old chum from a few years back, and now an Islay resident, had seen 2 Swallows as he was out rolling some fields. Ed was also saying that he has been seen a lot of Wheatears around and also a Blackcap as well.
Today, Mandy has making the most of the weather sitting out in her garden up at Carnduncan where she has been hearing a Chiffchaff calling away.  James e mailed through to say that there  have been "loads of reports" of sightings of Sand Martins and Swallows seen at Gruinart,  Ardnave and also at Loch Skerrols. There was a House Martin present up at Ardnave. James was also telling me that the geese are slowly moving North, with geese seen around Islay "noticeably less" in numbers now.

Wednesday 3rd April

Quite a bit of catching up with some sightings, so here we go, all seen yesterday

Alistair Hart had done a sea watch down at Frenchman's Rocks, a  "blisteringly cold watch".... A walk along Currie sands produced Skylarks singing with Mipits, some Linnets and a charm of Goldfinches noted there as well. Out to sea, the passage of Gannets was from South to North. Other birds seen included Fulmar, Kitiwake, a small groupof 4 Manx Shearwaters, Tysties, Guillemots and also Razorbills. On the rocks there, Alistair had a group of 20 Purple Sandpipers, a species usually seen at Bruichladdich. Another interesting piece of news was that he had sun, sleet and also a rainbow while he was out!!! In the afternoon, Al had a pair of Dippers and also a pair of GreyWagtatils onthe River Sorn in Bridgend Woods. Down at Buichladdich, he had 2 Ringed Plover and another 3 Purple Sandpipers.

Mike e mailed his sightings through to say that the Bait fish were back in Loch Indaal with Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls and Common Gulls all feeding on the surface. They were joined by 64 Razorbills, 91 Common Scoters, 6 RTD, 3 GND and also 27 R b Mergansers. Along at Foreland , Mike had seen a Peacock butterfly out on the wing.

Gill Gooch was in touch to remind me that her husband is Martin, not Graham of "The Goodies" fame....Oops, sorry another howler from me AGAIN!!! They had spent a very productive day in at Finlaggan, especially as this was their first visit when the visitor centre was open, enjoying much appreciated cups of coffee and gleaned a lot of information from the helpful, friendly staff there as well.... Birds seen included 2 White tailed Eagles soaring together, a Golden Eagle, Merlin, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, numerous Buzzards, a lovely Grey Wagtail and then they saw a House Martin, and  also a pair of displaying Ravens. Later on, they had watched a  male Hen Harrier out quartering its patch over beside the Airport.

Phill, down on the RSPB reserve on the Oa, had seen 4 Chough and a Carrion Crow. David Wood saw a Blackcap on the track leading up to Kinnabus.

Think that will do for tonight folks...

Wednesday 31st October

Yesterday,  Mike Bell had been out birding, but after the meeting last , I was too tired to write up a list of Mike birds, better late than never.. Yesterday at dawn, he had 30 Chough fly out from the roost at Kilchoman. Along the West end of Loch Gorm, he had a ringtail Hen Harrier. At Blackrock, he had seen 34 Scaup. He carried out his "own" WeBs count from Bowmore along to Gartbreck with his tally coming to a RTD, a GND, 68 Whitefronts, 90 Greylags, 9,400 Barnies, 46 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 36 Mallard, 27 Eider, 30 R B Merganser, 57 Oystercatcher, 42 Ringed Plover, 210 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 32 Lapwing, 4 Knot, 16 Dunlin, 17 Barwits, 30 Curlew, 21 Snipe, 5 Redshank, 9 Turnstone with 21 Ravens seen at the Refuse tip.  Over at Mulindry, Mike had seen 192 Whooper Swans. Now on his return leg to where he is staying, Mike saw a Golden Eagle and also a Peregrine as he drove from Carnain over the hill towards Coullabus. Up the East side of Loch Gruinart, he had 1,200 Golden Plover, 22 Knot, 86 Barwits, 3 Greenshank, 27 Turnstone, and 90 Redwing. On the floods at Gruinart, he saw 16 Whoopers, 1100 Teal, 64 Pintail, 15 Shoveler a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Blackwit. Up at Sanaigmore, Mike saw a Golden Eagle, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 7 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, and 35  Redwing. Ballinaby held 3 Chough and finally 102 Redwing were counted at Saligo. A good day's work Mike, many thanks!!!

This morning, out on the grass we had a female Blackcap munching its' way into the apples on the ground...

Earlier on the ringtail flew through the garden, and just kept going. We had another fly through this afternoon, the same bird no doubt... There was another female Blackcap seen further down in the garden, this one was enjoying the Rose hips as was a male Blackbird. The other Blackcap was up at the apples at the same time. Margaret came through to say that the Blackbird was now enjoying the berries on the Cotoneasters.. please leave some berries/ hips for any Waxwings that may come and visit us... 

Friday 27th April

Today, was the last full day of Tim and Emily Holliday's present visit. This morning, up behind their cottage they had seen 2 male Hen Harriers and at the same time but much higher up on a thermal, a Golden Eagle was spotted. As they walked along to Ardbeg Distillery for their lunch, they heard a Cuckoo calling, and saw a total of 5 Blackcaps, with a Whitethroat heard calling as they approached Ardbeg itself. On the sea lochs as they walked along, 2 Common Sandpiper were seen, as was an Arctic Tern, a GND with some Golden Plover also present. As ever, many thanks for sharing your sightings with us folks....

Friday 17th November

A mixed day with the weather, with quite a lot of squally showers coming in from the sea..

The Bowland birders had seen 2 Barn Owls up past Bob's house out of Port Charlotte.. This morning they saw a Moorhen on the distillery pond at Port Charlotte. Later on they had seen 6 Snipe near to Ballinaby, then a Snow Bunting at Machir Bay and while they were up having a catch up with us a male Blackcap was in at the feeders, eating away at the apples on the ground. Also seen here, over 40 Chaffinches and around 20 Goldfinches clamouring around the feeders, and then a ringtail flew past, keeping everyone on their toes!! The Lesser Whitethroat is still on Martin's feeders..

The Blackcap was a new "Islay tick" for them.. a not bad week, with 90 species seen so far.

Mark along with the "vols"  had carried out the WeBS count at Loch Gruinart today, with their tally coming in at 1,610 Golden Plover, 114 Curlew, 47 Turnstone, 106 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, 49 Ringed  Plover, 9 Snipe, 6 Greenshank, 104 Shelduck,175 Wigeon, 54 Barwit, a Blackwit and a Pale bellied Brent Goose

Tuesday 14th November

Today, Lesley Silcock reported through on a report of 2 Snow Buntings being seen down at Machir Bay. While she was there, in the Coull field adjacent to the car park, Lesley had a count of at least 24 Curlew, a Snipe along with 2 chough being present as well.

The Bowland birders have been out and about, making the most of a better day.. At Bruichladdich, opposite the mini market, 2 Purple Sandpipers were seen. From Blackrock, 8 Slavonian Grebes out on Loch Indaal, 57 Scaup counted close to the shore, with a pair of Stonechats seen in the car park there. From the hide old hide at Gruinart, they saw a Peregrine and also a Ringtail harassing around 100 Teal around. A flock of 12 Long tailed Tits were seen clos to the viewing platform. Along towards the visitor centre at Gruinart, they has a small Canada Goose, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Wigeon, 6 Whoopers including 2 Juvs. Along the flats they had a Whitefronted Goose with a radio collar on. A female Merlin flew along the road at the former Kilchoman School, and finally they saw 4 Woodcock, back at Octomore. Martin was over here visiting this morning us when a ringtail flew over the garden. The Lesser Whitethroat was still present on his feeders this morning with a Blackcap flitting around as well. We also had a small flock of 20 Redwing on the overhead cables leading up to our cottage

Saturday 28th October

Yesterday Irene and Tony Miller who live between Port Charlotte and Portnahaven had seen a Hawfinch out on the feeders in their garden. In May, last year Irene and Tony had a Hawfinch in their garden... This afternoon, they spotted a couple of Bramblings amongst the Chaffinches. Irene had seen a female Blackcap earlier in the week, and regularly sees a male Hen Harrier hunting past her feeders and fortunately the wee birds are not present when this happens. Out in their garden she has been seeing a 2 Goldcrests. At breakfast time we believe that we saw a "possible" 1st winter Ring Ouzel out in the garden, no Bramblings seen here though...... Today, James had 3 Bramblings in his garden at Mill cottage.

Thursday 19th October

Mary Redman had seen her first Redwing of the Autumn, seeing a small flock of around a dozen or so near to Claddach , out from Portnahaven.yesterday a flock of round 60 Redwing flew past her kitchen window, but not seen again all day, early this morning saw another flock of similar numbers, so Mary wonders if it was the same flock that had possibly ben roosting up in the brambles along the burn? Her father had a count of 40 Whoopers flying south past Kerrera, off Oban and reckons that they were en route directly to Islay!!!Mary has also been seeing several skein of gees and swans flying South past Portnahaven. Also yesterday, Wally saw a Wheatear at Kintraw. Louise had a Dipper spotted in Craighouse on Jura. This morning, Louise had seen 172 Whoopers at Bridgend, 48 at Sunderland and the big lot of 218 along at Rockside. Richard today had managed some birds between the showers...Off Bowmore, Richard had 40 R b Merganser a BTD, a GND and some Turnstone along the shore.Over at Gortan, close inshore, 36 Scaup were present and along at Ben Cladville, 2 Mistle Thrush, along with some Redwing and Fieldfare were seen. At Port Mor, 4 Guillemots were noted while 1 small flock of 10 Chough were seen out at the War graves Cemetery at Kilchoman.at the entrance to Rockside a Merlin was being chased by a Hooded Crow, and at the top of the drive a male Blackcap was seen. James had a Brambling in his garden with Wally noting 7 Pinkies at Newton. Peter and Janet Rowarth had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier at Leek, 30 Pinkies mixed in with the greylags and Whooper on the bottom (South) side of Loch Gorm. Between Ben Cladville and the forestry plantation, a male Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, a Buzzard and a great sighting of a male Hen Harrier were seen A flock of 33 Redwing were also present.

Sunday 16th April

Yesterday, James had a Redpoll on his feeders at Mill Cottage. Down from the North hide, he saw the Green winged Teal, pr of Gadwall, 6 Blackwits, 2 White Wagtail, "loads" of Sand Martins. Through the wood, James heard 2 Willow Warblers. Returning visiting birder, Peter Gill from Newcastle had seen a Bonxie fly South down Loch Indaal, past Port Charlotte. On the moor up behind Port Charlotte a male Hen Harrier while along at Bruichladdich, 3 Purple Sandpiper were present, all yesterday. Gary yesterday had 2 Snow Buntings down on the dunes behind Machir Bay, 2 Whimbrel were seen at the spit at Uiskentuie, and over at Finlaggan, a male and also a ringtail Hen Harrier were seen. Today, Peter Gill had a male Hen Harrier at Gruinart, he heard a Corncrake calling as he walked down to the South hide, and a Treecreeper was seen while on the woodland trail, 2 Blackwits were seen out from the hide. Botswana Dave was reporting through re the Corncrake calling at Gruinart, but also to tell me about a Pink footed Goose seen amongst the Barnies at Gruinart. Carl today a heard a Woodpecker drumming at Loch Skerrols, on the water 2 pr of Mute Swans. Along at Eorrabus, 10 Whitefronts. In Bridgend Woods, a Blackcap was singing. A Snipe was added to Carl's list at Gortan, while Bruichladdich produced 20 Goldfinches and finally Carl had a Common Guillemot back at Port Charlotte. James from the kitchen window this afternoon, had seen a Siskin on his feeders, a male Hen Harrier flew past, a Wren bobbling along his garden wall with around 300 Barnies seen out on "Goose Hill"

Monday 10th April

How young do you start Birdwatching?? Amelia, our daughter in law, took this image yesterday evening of Abbie and myself when the 2 of us were out in the "hut" doing a spot of bird watching. And no, young Abbie was not primed to put the bins up to look out the windows....

Malcolm was in touch to say that a visitor had seen a Magpie over at Farkin, out of Port Ellen yesterday. Our friend Armin Grewe who is over for Walkislay had seen a Sparrowhawk out of the kitchen window while waiting for us to return home this afternoon. Mark Shields had seen 2 Swallows out from the North hide at Gruinart today, his first for this year. Gary had a Dipper on the burn leading out from Ballygrant, past the Quarry. In the Ballygrant Woods, Gary had heard a Woodpecker drumming and also a Blackcap singing.