Sunday 23rd May

Peter sent me through the following sightings...

"Yesterday (Saturday) David Dinsley had a Bonxie circling over Portnahaven.

Today, visiting birder Mark Livingston reports the  mixed pair Velvet & Common Scoter are back yet again on the loch at Easter Ellister - I think that is the first time they've been sighted this season so far."

Up at Mill Cottage yesterday, James had 2 Siskins along with 4 Redpolls on his feeders. Today, when up here, James had seen 2 Willow Warblers out in the garden dipslaying away...While outside, we had a cracking view of a male Hen Harrier as it skirted along the bottom of the crag. We were commenting to James about the lack of Swallows and even House Martins this Spring and he reckons it it is a lack of insects around this year due to this spell of colder weather we are having at present. While chattering away, we also had a Song Thrush out on the lawn howking around for some worms, so possibly it was for a clutch of young that have hatched..

A late entry through from Chris Brock who is curently sailing with the Majestic Line, and tonight they are moored up off Craighouse on Jura and Chris has just heard a Cuckoo calling....

Thursday 18th June

Gary earlier on this evening sent through this cracking image of a Rose coloured Starling seen in a garden in Bowmore today....

David Wood had seen a Puffin and also a Bonxie  down on the Oa, also today.

Armin was in touch to say that he had seen a Little Egret  in some trees as he was out on his walk first thing this morning along the canal down beside where he lives in Berkshire. Shortly afterwards he saw a Red Kite , but as it was raining quite heavily, he was unable to take any images of either bird!!

Sunday 11th August

Another day with weather similar to yesterday, dry and possibly not so windy.

Yesterday was Al Hart's last full day on Islay for this visit... His daughter, Eleanor had seen a Lizard as she was walking along to Claddach. Out past MacKenzie Island, Al reported on seeing a strong paasage of Gannets and also Manx Shearwaters. He also was saying that there appears to be a pair of Fulmars nesting on the island itself.

Yesterday, Richard Williams and his wife arived on Islay for a week's stay. Coming over on the ferry they had 2 groups of Manxies and also 12 Gannets as they sailed up the Sound of Islay.

Also yesterday, George E. Jackson had been out on the water around Texa, only birds seen were some Shags and a couple of Gannets. In the evening, down on Machir Bay, George had counted 16 Greylags and also 53 waders, which consisted of 4 Ringed Plover, 10 Sanderling, mostly in summer plumage, and the rest being Dunlin, these were mostly all adult birds again in summer plumage, but there were some juvenile birds along with them as well.

This morning, at around 7 o'clock I was lucky to see a couple of Peregrines out way above the crag, it was them calling which gave them away... Shortly afterwards, 2 Choughs flew past and landed on one of  the chimney stacks on the former manse, down below here.

Richard Williams had seen 8 Eider at the head of Loch Indaal this morning and then up at Bun an Uilt, he saw 12 Rock Doves and also a young Buzzard close by. In the afternoon, when up at Ardnave, he saw a Golden Eagle being harassed by some Greylag Geese, a Bonxie was present, 10 Choughs noted and also Wheatears, and some Stonechats were seen as well.

This evening, Distillery Dave saw a Peregrine and a Raven having a tussle together, high up  over the big crag here at home, good spotting by  Dave...

Sunday 23rd June

Not a bad day with the weather out here today, but tonight the wind has dropped with no air moving at all, the result, the midges are out and I am inside, thank goodness...

Back on Thursday, Armin had seen a male Hen Harrier as he was driving down past Foreland, it flew across the road in front of him!! Mid afternoon, up at Ardnave, he saw a Heron being chased by a Bonxie, no doubt attempting to get the Heron to drop any food which it might have been flying past with. Finally, down past the Lobster ponds at Ardnave, he saw another male Hen Harrier. Yesterday, on the ferry going back to Kennacraig, Armin had been watching many Gannets as there were in a feeding frenzy diving in to a shoal of fish. Thanks to Armin and also to John Wilson for their input and to other contributors recently as well.

This coming Tuesday evening, the Bird nerds will be meeting at Foreland at 6.30pm, if in doubt, give me a shout, please phone for an update for "plan no 2", betwen 4.30 and 5.30 on 01496 850 303

Some more sightings in for Wed 24th April

This morning David Wood e mailed through to tell me about a sighting seen by his friends who were over about a fortnight ago. They had seen a Redshank with coloured leg rings fitted, down on the edge of Loch Indaal at Bowmore. On checking about the bird, it had been fitted with the rings in North west Spain in February 2011 as an adult. David also said that the bird has been seen every autumn/ winter in the same location, but never reported being seen away from its' wintering grounds.

Today, David had seen the 3 Dotterel down on the Oa again, and also a flock of around 100 Golden Plover present there as well.  Peter Gill had seen around about 80 Dunlin down at Gartbeck. Along at the Council tip, Peter had heard 3 Sedge warblers calling and then as he came back along the road to Bowmore, he had seen 70 Barnies landing on one of the fields there. Peter's grandson had seen a Bonxie flying over Loch Indaal.

Monday 14th May

Yesterday, visitor Steve who is staying over along the Distillery road out of Port Ellen had had a good start to his visit. Around Ardbeg, he had a possible Hobby, seen a few Wheatear, saw some Swallows, a Bonxie seen, heard a Cuckoo and then a Great spotted Woodpecker was drumming away. . He also had a Pheasant with 10 chicks as well. Bob was in touch this morning to say that the survey which David and myself had helped him with produced a total of 37 Species, a "healthy" figure as Bob put it.

James was in touch to say that on the reserve at Gruinart, he had 3 Blackwits, a Chiffchaff and heard 2 Groppers. Gary today, had seen an Osprey on Loch Gruinart, out on the sand bar. He also had had 13 Whimbrel flying North and back up behind Ballygrant, 2 White tailed Eagles were present. Some of the  RAFOS team had seen a Short eared Owl and also a 3 cy Glaucous Gull, and also an Osprey eating a fish supper...The Bolton Birders are back for their Spring fix. From Octomore, they heard a Corncrake calling, a Cuckoo close by and saw a Moorhen on the former Distillery pond up behind Port Charlotte with Twite, Wheatear, Fulmar and Pheasant also seen further along the road. At Blackrock, they had seen both Arctic and Common Tern, Turnstone, Dunlin Whimbrel, GND and also some R b Merganser. 

Here at home great excitement, 6 Tree Sparrows were seen around midday, then mid afternoon Petr came up and scanned round the ground, not 6 but 8 Tree Sparrows were present!! We also had a pair of Siskin and a wee while earlier on a pair of Greenfinch were on the feeders.

Wednesday 9thMay

Not to much to report tonight, as the weather has not been that good, but still some birds seen. Off Bowmore, Andrew and his wife had seen 25 R b Merganser swimming together doing some synchronised swimming as they all dived in a group, and then appeared on the surface in a oner.. They also had a GND on Loch Indaal as well. James Butcher had seen 2 Curlew Sandpiper out in front of the North Hide at Gruinart. Out over Loch Gruinart, he saw 2 Bonxies fly past. Here at home, we had seen 4 Tree Sparrows, a new tick for the garden bird list!!! The Greenland Wheatear was still present along with the Linnets and some Twite. A pair of Greenfinch were added to our list for today, along with a Heron that flew past.

Thursday 6th July

Just a wee photo taken earlier this week of the cover crop that we sowed back in April for the birds to enjoy later on, at present is the bees are loving it, on the sunny days!!

This morning, here at home, the Whitethroat was present again, with a Stonechat further down, towards the pond. Earlier this evening, a ringtail Hen Harrier flew past. This morning, Mark had a Bonxie, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Buzzard chicks almost fully fledged. Little Terns, Arctic Terns and a GND were also present a Mark went round Ardnave. Tom G. had been out past Gortantoid, up past Killinallan, where he saw a ringtail Hen Harrier and found a Mipit's nest with 3 eggs in it.

Monday 1st May

Well, I was correct in predicting no more rain in April last  night with the tally coming through at a mere 1.4 inches, around 6 inches less for the year  than we had at the same time in 2016, but early days yet and we could have some wet weather to come before the year ends....

On his way back to the mainland on the ferry on Saturday morning, Peter Gill had a Bonxie and also saw 2 Manx Shearwater just after the ferry left Port Ellen. The Rochdale birders are back and had seen the flock of Golden Plover round at Ballinaby yesterday evening, I had been looking the other side of the road from where they saw them... Also yesterday they had a Kestrel at Bunnahabhain, at least 20 Tysties perched up on the pier at Caol Ila and 100 Whimbrel seen at Uiskentuie. Also yesterday, David Barr had seen a Peregrine on the shore at Gartmain. Mandy had heard a Cuckoo calling over at Carduncan early this afternoon. Here at home, there has been one calling away for the past few hours, hope it shuts up before I go to bed! This evening, we headed round to Ballinaby and located the flock of Golden Plover, now only around 90 in total, resting up in a ploughed field this time!!

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 30th May

Sorry about the late entry this evening, but got held up doing other work, I may be retired but life still goes on...

Back on the 22nd Mary had seen a Red Kite down at Portnahaven. On Saturday, while out walking her young daughter, Mara. Out the Port Charlotte road from Portnahaven they had Stonechat, a Song Thrush, a pair of Mistle Thrush mobbing a Cuckoo, 2 Whitethroats, Sedge Warbler, Gropper, Wren, Robin and Chaffinch. Along at the old playing field, there was a "loose flock of 7 Swifts and 8 House Martins. A short time later, and a Peregrine was added to their list, Thanks Mary. Yesterday Martin had been out kayaking from Kintra towards Soldiers' Rock. He had seen a Bonxie and was telling me of having Razorbill on the water less than a couple of metres from them! Gary had seen Swifts fly over his house out of Ballygrant, while Sam had seen a Kestrel across the road. Yesterday, Gary had seen a Barnie down on the shore along from the Kilchoman turn off on Loch Indaal. Today, Bob had a Sparrowhawk just over his garden fence. New resident to Islay, Jenny had seen a Barn Owl up beside Ballygrant. Here at home, this morning one of the Greenfinches was at the feeders, showing the brood of 3 where to come for an easy meal.... This morning too, a pair of House Martins were inspecting the house and have put some spots of mud on the gable end!

Wednesday 17th June

Think that Summer has been and gone, it has not been that great a day outside with the temperature just over 12 degrees, and come to think of it the longest day is almost here, oh no, the days will start to get shorter....Back on Saturday some visitors had seen an Osprey successfully fishing on Loch Finlaggan!!! Ron Todd, another visitor, yesterday had seen Wheatears and Meadow Pipits while down on the Oa, up at Gruinart he had a pair of Teal mating. He also had some Shovelers there too. Just out of Port Charlotte towards Kilchiaran, Ron had a Cuckoo. Also on his travels, he had 3 different male Hen Harriers and also some Stonechats. Tom from Cumbria had been up at Ardnave today and saw 2 different male Hen Harriers. Over Nave island, a Bonxie was spotted with a pair of Little Terns fishing. Round at Sanaigmore, in the bay were 6 Eiders with only one youngster, a pair of Shelduck were also present there too.

Sunday 24th May

Andrew and Jane (the Bowland birders) yesterday while on the ferry going back to Kennacraig had seen a Bonxie on the water, just out of Port Ellen, 4 Arctic Skuas were present 3 off Ardbeg. They also saw many Guillemots and Razorbills from the ferry but no cetaceans. This morning I gave Bob a hand to carry out the monthly count from Bowmore out to Gartbreck along the shoreline of Loch Indaal. The tally came to 7 Shag, 21 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 100 Eider, 42 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Barwit, 62 Dunlin, 24 Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 24 Bh Gull, 6 Common Gull, 2 Herring Gull, 2 LBB Gull and 1 GBB Gull. We also saw a Willow Warbler and heard a Sedge Warbler as we walked down the lane leading to the shore. The weather was not great and quite windy, and we managed to avoid the showers, thank goodness!!! This coming Tuesday (26th May), the Islay Bird nerds will be meeting at the car park leading in to Islay House square. We will be taking a walk up the River Sorn and then returning back along the other side of the River, not really a strenuous walk, more a gentle stroll, so if you are around, come along ,all welcome.... by the way we will meet at 6.30pm

Saturday 23rd May

Yesterday was the Bowland birders final full day here on Islay, before heading home this morning.. Yesterday, they managed a spot of sea watching at Frenchman's Rocks. Birds seen were Bonxie, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Guillemot, Arctic Tern, Common Gull, Pied Wagtail, Manx Shearwater, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Rock Pipit and Gannet. Over their stay, Andrew and Jane had recorded 120 species, but there might be more as they went over on the ferry... Many thanks for your input, most welcome as ever. This afternoon, we saw 2 Cuckoos being pursued by some LBJs at Gartloist between Bridgend and Bowmore, coming home we had a male Hen Harrier close to the road near to Foreland House. This evening, the weather is not too good with a damp, wet, smurry dampness, not a lot, but enough to lay the dust, and possibly help the plants that we put in yesterday afternoon...save me watering them!!!

Friday 24th April

It has turned out a rather dreich sort of an evening outside, with damp smurry rain falling, not a lot, enough to lay the dust and get you wet if you are not wearing a jacket. Yesterda, Steve Elis had seen a distant Golden Eagle and also a ringtail Hen Harrier on the Oa. Kilnaughton Bay and Steve had Linnet, Black throated Divers and Sandwich Terns. Along at Ardmoor, Whimbrel, Whinchat, Red breasted Merganser and Ringed Plover were present. Today, down on the Oa Dave had 2 immature Golden Eagles, a Bonxie and also a Cuckoo. No sign round here today of the Canada Geese that were present yesterday down at the Coastguards.

Wednesday 18th June

A late entry, but better late than never...David and Jenny on Monday had seen a Peregrine over close to Coullabus, on Tuesday, they had seen 2 GND and 6 Arctic Terns at Claggain Bay. On the Oa, they had 2 Golden Eagles, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Kestrel and 5 Whinchats. Peter Clements and his group from Naturetrek had been over on Jura yesterday and had seen a pr of White tailed Sea Eagles, at Small Isles Bay 2 GND were present as with a female Otter with her 2 cubs, and further on at Lowlandman's Bay, 2 Short eared Owls and also a male Hen Harrier were spotted. Today, they were up at Ardnave where they saw 2 Hen Harriers a family of Twite, a pr of Bonxies over Nave Island with a GND , Little Tern and 5 Arctic Terns over and on the water towards Nave island itself. James today had from the new hide at Gruinart, a Red necked Phalarope, Greenshank and a Blackwit

Monday 7th October

Yesterday, down at the new hide at Gruinart, Bob had a male Peregrine sitting on a fence post watching all that was going on. Then a few moments later, a large female Peregrine swooped along the loch and put up 48 Redshank and 3 Dunlin. Later on at the head of Loch Indaal, Bob had 120 Pale bellied Brent and then down at Kintra, a Bonxie was seen. Finally back at Port Charlotte, a Swallow was present. Today, here at home, there was a Peregrine sitting up on the crag. Is it the same bird that keeps an eye out on the Rock Doves???

Monday 2nd September

I know that yesterday was the first day of  the Autumn, think we now realise what that means as the temperature has dropped quite a bit and today the weather has been rather miserable, certainly no sun shining here for sure... Fortunately I saved some birds that James had at Gruinart yesterday. The Osprey was seen again, a Bonxie or Great Skua seen, 20 Blackwits counted, Peregrine Falcon, Hen Harrier and Sparrowhawk seen as well. I had a Sparrowhawk out over the wood here at home this morning as I went up to the shed. Not really a day for doing much outside work with  the mist rolling in and out shrouding the crags quite often!  Not often you get me complaining about the weather....

Sunday 5th May

Another image sent through by the Argyll birder, Jim Dickson of a Ringed Plover which he saw in the rain this morning before heading home. Between the entrance and sailing up West Loch Tarbert, Jim had 26 Black throated Divers, 32 GND, 12 Red Throated Divers and 12 Sandwich Terns. Thanks to Jim for his input and also sharing his images with us.Yesterday, George had 4 Hares running around close to his house, certainly there appear to be more of them out and about, just counted 10 down at Rockside! Back to birds, The Hammils from  Glasgow had seen 3 Shorelarks up past Killinallan today, the last sighting as far as I know was by Gus Keys when he worked with RSPB on the Oa. Bob and Martin today had been down past Ardbeg and had seen 4 Herons, 10 pr Greylags, pr of Canada Geese, 1 Pale bellied Brent Geese, 1 drake Wigeon, 3 pr Shelduck, 2 Common Sandpiper, 7 Sandwich Tern and heard 2 Cuckoos. Round at Ballinaby today, Peter counted 45 Golden Plover, 20 Ringed Plover and 20 Dunlin. He also reported through that the Black Guillemots are back at Bruichladdich Pier. Emily had 10 Whimbrel and 3 Barnies fly over Moulin at Gruinart today. Up past Moulin on the verge side there were 5 Goldfinches. She was also complaining of a Cuckoo calling from 4 am the last 2 mornings....Andrew and Jane today had a Black throated Diver and over 50 Scoter on Loch Indaal down between the Airport and Carn. Off Port Wemyss, they had a Bonxie and also Manx Shearwater, round Claddach a fall of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff, finally a male Hen Harrier towards Gearach. Round Loch Gorm this evening, we had 32 Greylags up on the barley field behind Machrie, many Wheatears all the way round, a Reed Bunting at Saligo. At Ballinaby, there were 101 Golden Plover and 27 Dunlin, no sign of any Ringed Plover, further on there was a Golden Eagle and another 39 Greylags.
Finally , in case you have forgotten, if you spare an hour tomorrow night , watch the TV, BBC1 Scotland at 9 pm for the first of 4 programs called "Hebrides, Islands on the edge". See if you can spot some humans that you may know as well as the abundant wildlife on show..... 

Friday 8th July

Another great day over here folks, as I write the Paps of Jura are as clear as can be.... somebody else can have the rain for a change!!! Peter & Pia along with their friends had made the most of today and went over to Jura. They had seen 2 pairs of Hen Harriers at different places, with both the males carrying out a food pass with their respective partners. Over the hills on the far side of Loch Tarbert 2 Golden Eagles were out on the thermals. A visitor yesterday had a count of 187 Godwits and a Knot at Gartnatra and today down on the Oa had good sightings of Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and a Peregrine. Mid afternoon they saw a Bonxie flying East. Yesterday Bob had a female Kestrel up behind Port Charlotte.