Wednesday 20th April

Yesterday Garry reported having 37 yellowhammers between his and his neighbors feeder at Ballygrant and a sparrowhawk in the woods beside his house. Yellowhammer was yesterday seen on Jura by Louise.  Swallow was spotted at Loch Gruinart yesterday. Becca saw two white-tailed eagles at Gruinart yesterday. James saw two lesser Canada geese (hutchinsii) at Gruinart. Today cuckoo was heard at Gruinart from the raised beach. Mary saw 4 common sandpipers at Claddach today. During the wader survey at Gruinart several lapwings with chicks were seen as well as a mallard with 7 ducklings. (Photo of the lapwing family taken through the scope this morning).

Sunday 28th February

Saturday is day that most folk either come or leave Islay and yesterday was no exception. Pat and Angie from Yorkshire headed on to the Cairngorms while Gordon and Pauline Yates ("The Rochdale birders") headed home. David and Jenny left on the early evening ferry, but fitted in some more birdwatching, and what a day, seeing 4 Golden Eagles, On the loop round the Rhinns, they saw 2 Goldies, another was seen up past Killinallan and the final Goldie was seen over the hills out past Loch Skerrols.. Other birds seen were  8 Goldeneye on Loch Gorm, a flock of over 30 Chough at Machir Bay and some Twite at Killinallan. In fields adjacent to Loch Skerrols, they counted 66 Woodpigeons, their largest number of Woodpigeons during their stay. Thanks to you all for sharing with us your birds. Martin had taken a walk round Loch Skerrols mid week seeing Wren, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Tree creeper, Buzzard, Grey Heron, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Mute Swan and Whitefronted Geese and then he tucked into a couple of Marshmallows for his efforts....New arrivals, Mark Holling with his 2 colleagues had seen the cackling Goose over amongst the flock of 500 Barnies at Kinnabus. They also spent time looking through another flock of around 1500 Barnies in the Cornabus valley and found a pale bellied Brent amongst them. Further along the road towards Kintra, they saw 130 Chaffinches, 60 Skylarks, and 10 Mipits. While down on the Oa itself, they also saw a distant Golden Eagle and also a pair of Chough. Late afternoon, they saw 3 Scaup and a raft of 25 Common Scoter on Loch Indaal. Chris Mills and his group from Norfolk Birding also arrived over yesterday. At Kennacraig, before the ferry left, a pair of Goosander flew past, while in the water was an adult female Velvet Scoter. From the ferry during the sailing, they saw 6 RTD, 36 GND, 7 Slav Grebes, a raft of 14 BTD, 20 RB Merganser, 2 Common Scoter. As they approached Port Askaig, a Golden Eagle was seen over Jura. Coming along Loch Indaal, a Glaucous Gull was spotted and finally 2 Whooper Swan were seen flying in off the sea at Machir Bay, flying in towards Loch Gorm. On our way out Bowmore yesterday, there were 13 Eider, along at Blackrock, 4 RB Merganser were close in with 9 Pale bellied Brents on the water's edge there too.

Monday 25th January

Many thanks to James and co for writing the blog while I have been over on the mainland this past week. Apart from the obligatory shopping, we even managed to attend 2 concerts at the Celtic connections held in Glasgow along with some time visiting friends too....
Some sightings from last week now... Dave had a Glaucous Gull down at Lower Killeyan on the Oa on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, Donald James MacPhee had Little Auk, found by one of his dogs, up close his house at Kintraw above Gortan on Loch Indaal. Visiting birder, Stuart Crutchfield saw a Cackling Goose close to Leorin amongst the flock of Barnies, the drake Green winged Teal was present out on the floods at Gruinart, a  1st winter Glaucous Gull at Machir Bay, around 20 Pale bellied Brents at the head of Loch Inndaal   with around 50 Common Scoter on Loch Indaal. On Sunday before heading off to the ferry, 130 Barwits were at the top of  Loch Indaal. Stuart also saw 7 Hen Harrier while he was over, and reported very large numbers of Common Gull as well. Today, Tracey e mailed through the figures from the International goose Count held last week on 19th/ 20th January, there were 41,736 Barnies, 4,680 Greenland Whitefronts and 473 Greylags counted. Thanks to Tracey and the team from SNH for these figures.

Saturday 27th April

Spot the deliberate mistake last  night then? Well the TV program is being screened next Monday, not this coming Monday, even had a letter through from John Aitchison telling us about it, in the post, better mind and watch it! The bird nerds is on Tuesday coming, right enough, at 7pm at the "old hide" at Gruinart.... Back to birds then... Anna on Tuesday had 3 Gannets fishing off the Port Charlotte lighthouse, on Wednesday over on Jura along with her mother, they had a seen 4 different Golden Eagles. Later on, back on Islay, down below Nerabus they had counted 30 Whimbrel and also on the Rhinns they had seen 2 White tailed Sea Eagles. Yesterday, James had counted 970 Barnies on the reserve at Gruinart. The Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp was seen as was a Pink footed Goose. On the floods, 54 Blackwits were present, 5 House Martins flew past and a Cuckoo was heard along the flats. Today James had 2 Otters along the flats, a Cuckoo was heard and Merlin was present. The Rochdale birders headed home today, but had seen 2 Treecreepers in the woods at Bridgend before they left. Many thanks to Gordon and Pauline for their sightings while they were here. This morning, Mary had 2 Corncrakes calling at Portnahaven, in competition with a cement mixer! I know that they often compete against the strimmer going and also the "farm bike" as well, but a cement mixer is a new one to me! Michal had a male Hen Harrier on reserve and also a Buzzard. Also today, Bob had Sparrowhawk fly past his house as well as a RTD later on. Up over the moor behind his house, he heard 3 Cuckoos and saw a male Hen Harrier and then later on a  ringtail. Here at home, while  we were doing some  work outside, the ever inquisitive Choughs had to do a fly past just checking out what we were doing...The 4 Siskins are still here on the feeders and the male Redpoll was present this morning too.  

Sunday 10th February

Another miserable sort of a day with the weather... James had seen a Short eared Owl on the flats on the reserve at Gruinart. In amongst the flock of geese close to James's house at Grainel, a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp was present today. Here at home, we have seen a cheeky Starling that manages to get into the "caged" bird feeder.... it has figured out to get in... just get below the flap, force your head up to cause the flap to open slightly, then straighten your neck up a bit and then hey presto wriggle your way in and get some of  the "better" food on offer. We have watched it several times over the past few days... hope it does not pass on the method of entry to its' mates!!! The bird feeders have been really busy today, at one time this afternoon,  it was literally "standing room" only!!

Tuesday 5th February

Another windy day out here with the odd squally shower thrown in for good measure, the temperature along with the wind chill have changed to, with the wind veering round and coming from the North, brass monkey weather to come! Yesterday, the Lochwinnoch birders reported in to say that over at Gruinart from the hide they had seen a male Hen Harrier, on the floods, Pintail and Teal. Along the flats they had seen a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp both on Sunday and again yesterday, possibly the same goose. Also seen on the reserve were some Twite. Down on Loch Indaal they had seen 9 Long tailed Ducks close to Bowmore. They also had seen 2 Herring Gulls with coloured rings on, one had a black ring on and the other had a yellow ring on, wonder if that was one of Euan's birds from last July? Today as we went down the road, there was a Lapwing flock down close to the Rockside roadend, it split in two all of a sudden and then we saw what was happening as a Peregrine nobbled one of the Lapwings!  Later on up behind Ballygrant on the Glen road, we saw a pair of Golden Eagle. Finally at home there were 5 Buzzzards out on the wing, late afternoon.

Tuesday 8th January

A day with no rain, another first for 2013, better not get carried away...There was a reported sighting of a White tailed Sea Eagle down towards Loch Gorm today. On the reserve at Gruinart, James saw a Pink footed Goose and later on a Canada Goose hutchinsii  sp. There was a ringtail Hen Harrier quartering over the pools down at Carnain just before lunchtime. This afternoon a low flying RAF jet screamed past, hope that the goose counters, if they were out, had finished their various routes! I actually thought that the RAF had been requested not to fly sorties when the geese were here in case of a bird strike...

Monday 31st December or "Auld years' night"

What a difference a day makes, the weather remained dry for most of the time and here we go for a bumper final entry for 2012. Yesterday, James had a Golden Eagle from his kitchen window at Grainel, and in one of the fields along from his house, he had a Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp. There were 14 Red legged Partridges at his road end the other day too.  The Barn Owl was present in his shed last night, becoming quite a regular! Paul Graham yesterday thought he saw the elusive Red breasted Goose over at Eorrabus in the fields opposite Esknish Farm. Paul also had a couple of Barn Owls out hunting, one at the Ballymartin roadend and the other along at Red Lodge the other night. This morning, from the new hide at Gruinart, Bob had a count of 670 Golden Plover and 800 Lapwing. At the top of Loch Indaal, he had 150 Wigeon and a count of 54 Pale bellied Brent Geese. This afternoon up at Loch Gearach, Bob had 2 Whoopers, 220 Teal, 167 Wigeon, 12 Mallard, 1 Kestrel and on his journey there and back he also had 6 Buzzard, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechat and 14 Pheasants! Carl today had a small flock of Redwing up towards Cultoon. Pete Clement who is over staying with Peter and Pia had a Golden Eagle at Kilchiaran, on Loch Indaal between Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich, a count of 9 GND and further round Loch Indaal, off Uiskentuie, Pete had a Long tailed Duck. 

At this point, I would like to thank all the folk that have sent in their sightings throughout the year, it just great to get an email through or a message left on the phone, makes it all worth while. I think the highlight for me was at the Bird Fair when the Islay stand won the 3rd in the "Tourism sector". I thought it was a wind up, not often that I am stuck for words. Better still we were all like Cheshire cats! And yes, Islay will be returning again to Rutland for their 25th Bird Fair in August. All the best for 2013 to you all, and hopefully see some of you around Islay or at Rutland for some of our hospitality!!!! 

Wednesday 26th December or Boxing Day

Forgot to mention yesterday that in the morning, the Fulmars were back on the crag, they are away now, no doubt the wind is due for a bit huff and puff soon, having said that there was a gust of 40 mph on Mike's weather station just after midnight this morning. Really think that the Fulmars were in for the stronger winds forecast for later this week!!! Whilst having their festive fayre yesterday, Tom and Jo saw a White tailed Sea Eagle fly past and spook a flock of around 1370 Barnies over close to Mulindry. Along at Neriby, they had seen 46 Whitefronts, 2 Bullfinches, 2 Reed Bunting and a Merlin. Today at Neriby amongst the Barnies present, they saw a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp, down at Bridgend, 11 Pale bellied Brent and 30 Dunlin. Along at Bowmore, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 20 Common Scoter, 5 Goldeneye, and family of 4 Whoopers (?possibly the family that have been seen at Gartmain/ Pennycraig). Down off Ardbeg, Tom and Jo saw 6 GND, 1 Tystie and a Slav. Grebe and finally close to Kildalton 11 Yellowhammer were seen. Yesterday James had a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp amongst the Barnies on the reserve at Gruinart. Today he he saw 3 Hen Harriers, a male and 2 females. out on Loch Gruinart James had a count of 150 Golden Plover, around 400 Lapwing and 95 Barwits this afternoon. Peter has today been out looking for the Red breasted Goose, still no luck, but had a flock of 108 Rock Doves up at Sanaigmore. Back at Bruichladdich, Pia had a small raptor zip through the garden and zap a bird of the feeders, one less to feed tomorrow! We had a Woodcock close to Sunderland last night and tonight just at the darkening another 2 but at different places as we came back from Gruinart.

Friday 21st December

A better day with the weather over here today, perhaps just a wee lull until we get the next rain front and its' associated wind coming through tomorrow!! Here goes, birds etc from earlier in the week... James had seen a Stoat along the flats at Gruinart, but not in its ermine coat!!! On reserve he also had seen 2 Tawny Owls over towards Erasaid and also 2 Woodcock. Mary yesterday had Jack Snipe up on the moor at Gruinart. Fiona McGilvray saw 2 Barn Owls the other night on her way home, one at Erasaid and the other at Woodside. James last night had one at Grainel, sheltering from the rain and another out from the Visitor centre, we had another Barn Owl also last night along at Sunderland, do n't often see them out in the rain! When Mary was out goose counting at the start of the week, she had a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp along the flats at Gruinart. Back on Tuesday, Bob had seen 12 Fieldfare feeding alongside 70 Golden Plover at Ballinaby, on Wednesday down at Lossit Farm on the Rhinns, there were 40 Fieldfare feeding  with 130 Golden Plover. 

Tuesday 6th November

A much quieter day on the bird front today, but possibly the weather has not helped out! Yesterday the Red breasted Goose was seen over on the flats at Gruinart, as was a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp. This morning Carl had 5 Waxwings in his garden in Port Charlotte, down on fallen apples on the ground. Robin from Settle on his last day, had a Sparrowhawk in the trees up near to Ballygrant along with some Chaffinches and Blue Tits seen there too, but no Brambling present! Later on, flying over the market at Bridgend was a White tailed Sea Eagle.

Thursday 4th October

Yesterday Peter had seen a group of 10 Pink footed Geese over at Gruinart, while in the air, a female Sparrowhawk was flying high up. Bob had also seen the pinkies too, while over at Machir Bay, he had a flock of around 2- 300 Barnies coming in off the sea, rather than flying directly into Gruinart itself. Up over the dunes, Bob had a count of 7 Buzzards, no doubt eyeing up the numerous rabbits on offer...James today had an early morning goose count, 11,740 Barnies present then along with 43 Whoopers, 1 Canada parvipes sp., 1 Canada hutchinsii sp. and 1 leucistic Barnacle Goose. Some of the Whooper Swans present at Rockside/ Coull flew out today, but there are still some around.

Wednesday 11th April

A Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll was seen up at Sanaigmore yesterday evening, just heard about at tea time tonight! It was down on the beach, so we wait for tomorrow to see if it is still there...A visitor, fresh off the ferry this morning had a Swallow down at Foreland. James saw the Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp on the flats at Gruinart. On Loch Indaal, George had 30 Common Scoter and 2 Great Nothern Diver, while on the shore he saw an Oystercatcher on a nest. The birder who contributed some sightings over the weekend was Chris Saxton from the Manchester area, thanks Chris for your birds. Another birder, this time from Northumberland had a male Hen Harrier down towards the airport yesterday, a Wheatear at Claddach, a Merlin at Ardnave as well as 12 Chough up there too, all yesterday. Today, he had seen 4 more Hen Harriers out towards McArthur's Head, and a Wheatear. At Proaig, he had 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Turnstone on the beach, while offshore were 5 Mute Swans and 6 Red breasted Merganser and 4 Reed Buntings were close by. 2 Snipe flew out from the adjoining boggy land.

Thursday 22md March

A great day over here today, I had my first Wheatear down at Sunderland Farm just before lunchtime. Down on the dunes behind Machir Bay another was seen, as was another close to Ballinaby. One was seen over on Jura by a visitor, who later on from the one vantage point had seen a total of 5 male Hen Harriers and 2 females, just stop a moment and have a look around... Back here at home a Chiffchaff was heard at lunchtime today.

Mary had been helping out with the International Goose count held earlier this week, and had on the flats at Gruinart she had a Short eared Owl, a male Hen Harrier and a young Cormorant chancing his luck in the ditches!! Further inland, Mary had another male Hen Harrier and also a male Kestrel. Up at Ardnave Loch, she had the leucistic Barnie. Yesterday, on the flats at Gruinart, Mary had the Canada Goose hutchinsii sp. Round at Bun - an -Uilt there were a large number of Redshank along with 3 Greenshank. In the turnip field at Killinallan, 2 Glaucous Gulls were present. Up off Ardnave Point, a Black throated Diver was noted, in almost summer plumage, a Great Northern Diver was there too and a Kittiwake was seen too. Mary also had a Wheatear up at Ardnave during her travels. Last night on our way back from Port Ellen, we had a Barn Owl on a fence post close to Leorin.

Thursday 15th March

James yesterday carried out a count on the flats. Top bird was a Green winged Teal. Other birds were as follows, 671 Teal, 66 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, 53 Mallard, 50 Pintail, 13 Mute Swan, 58 Redshank, 55 Lapwing, 9 Heron, 39 Dunlin, 34 Shoveler, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Moorhen, 8 Curlew, 9 Whooper Swan, 1 Red breasted Merganser, 21 Black headed Gull, 2 Shelduck, 15 Greylag, 16 Common Gull & 4 Snipe. Round at Craigens, the 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was still present. Over on Jura, 10 Pale bellied Brent Geese were seen at Craighouse.

Martin is back from his overseas trip, before he left, he had countless Tits in his garden, especially Coal Tits, but has not seen any at all since his return, but today had 4 Siskins, 6 Greenfinches, 3 Robins and also a Goldcrest. Yesterday, over close to Skerrols House at Bridgend, Martin had 2 ringtail Hen Harriers together. Also there, amongst the Barnies, Martin had a Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp. I was round Loch Gorm this afternoon looking for a Wheatear, but no joy, for once there was hardly anything around, the odd Hooded Crow, some geese at Rockside, Coull, round at Ballinaby and then a large flock at Rock Mountain.

Wednesday 25th January

Earlier in the week, James had carried out a count on the "floods " on the reserve at Gruinart. Bird totals were as follows, 511 Teal, 2 Little Grebe, 13 Whooper Swan, 12 Mute Swan, 79 Pintail, 51 Mallard, 65 Greylags, 6 Gadwall, 4 Heron, 129 Wigeon, 41 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 1 Red breasted Merganser, 373 Lapwing and 25 Golden Plover. Yesterday he a Canada Goose, hutcihnsii sp in the one of the fields beside his house at Grainel on the reserve.

Peter was in touch to say that the recent sightings of Glaucous and Iceland Gulls is the largest influx of these "white winged gulls" into Europe ever in the history of modern birding! He also commented that this was "by far the most unuasual and significant birding phenomenon in the 12 years he has been here on Islay." These gulls have even been seen in large numbers as far South as Portugal and Spain. Thanks to Peter for that.

Friday 2nd December

Ewan Urquhart who has been up with his 2 friends, John and Badger, sent in their sightings from Wednesday when they started down on the Oa. They saw 2 Golden Eagles, 60+Rock Doves, 1 male Stonechat, over 100 Twite. From the generating station at Bowmore, on Loch Indaal they had 10 Common Scoter, 4 Long tailed duck (including 2 males), 1 winter plumage Black Guillemot, 1 first winter Scaup which was asleep close to the shore, further out was a large flock which they did not manage to count. Also seen from there, they had 6 Great Northern Divers and 7 Slavonian Grebes. Further on between Bridgend and Port Ellen, there was a count of 3,500 Barnies and the small Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp was with them. Many thanks. Today, David down on the Oa reserve had 84 Rock Dove, 57 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, 105 Starling and 8 Whooper Swan.

By the way, the wind is picking up and tomorrow's Colonsay/ Oban ferry has already been cancelled...

Tuesday 29th November

Like the most of the West of Scotland, we caught the rain today, certainly not as much as some areas though! A bit of a late entry, initially I was busy earlier, and then was out at the "bird nerds" monthly meet. It was great to see some visiting birders coming along too, well done to Ewan, John and "Badger" for coming out on such a stormy evening, better still they came over to Port Charlotte from Port Ellen. David travelled even further, coming from the Oa along with his wife Bonnie! Our visiting birders had seen Ringtail Hen Harrier at Eollabus at Bridgend. and in the geese there, they saw a Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp, and also another Canada, parvipes sp. Down at Leorin at Port Ellen, they had a Pink footed Goose. Up at Gruinart, they had another Ringtail, 2 Merlin on their way up to Ardnave, and at Ardnave itself they had 49 Chough. James had a Barn Owl this evening down "the hedges" at Sunderland.

Saturday 22nd October

Forgot to say the other night that we had a great illustrated talk by Nigel Pope and John Aitchison down at the Islay Natural History Trust, well attended by over 80 folk of all ages. Nigel and John's stories and photography was better than first class.

From the ferry today, a Manx Shearwater was seen off Gigha and in the Sound of Islay, a pale phased Arctic Skua was noted. Today James had a count of 409 Whitefronts on the reserve at Gruinart along with 8 Gadwall, the Canada goose, hutchinsii sp. is still still present on the flats, while on the floods 2 Greenshank were seen. 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Hen Harriers were also seen at Gruinart. A visitor had seen an Otter fishing in Loch Indaal, close to Bowmore, along at Gartmain a female Sparrowhawk took a Turnstone out of the air. Finally, at the top of Loch Indaal he had a White tailed Sea Eagle was on the merse eating a goose!!!

Sunday 9th October

On Friday, George had a Hen Harrier over at Gruinart at dusk, earlier on at Uiskentuie, he had seen a Swallow. At home today he saw 10 Chaffinches, 2 Greenfinches and 3 Collared Doves in the garden, while down on the shore there was a Merlin. Over at Gruinart today, James's numbers were 3,577 Barnies, 30 Whitefronts, 61 Pale bellied Brent, 2 Canada hutchinsii sp., 1 Peregrine and 27 Whooper Swans. We had a female Peregrine over at Ballinaby this afternoon, and later on a male Hen Harrier at Craigens while we were out looking at the geese. There was quite a lot of rain last night, the best part of an inch, so far this month the total is at 2". With us being away last month, I forgot to put in last month's tally which was 6.75", although we are still drier than last year, the total is catching up!!!On Friday evening Bob went over to Port Askaig to pick up one of his friends from the evening ferry, over there he heard a Tawny Owl and also saw a Barn Owl. Yesterday, they had a Sparrowhawk at home, and also 2 Redpolls as well as a couple of Hen Harriers fly over the garden. In the fields around the house there were 3 Whooper Swans and 55 Lapwing while down at Uiskentuie a Peregrine was present and along at the spit 25 Turnstone were present. From the hide at Gruinart, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 10 Snipe, 300 Teal, 1 female Tufted Duck, 25 Pintail, 15 Shovelor, 20 Wigeon, 2 Little Grebe and 2 Moorhen. This morning down at the hide at Gruinart, they had a female Goosander along with the Red breasted Mergansers, 10 Grey Plover and a mixed flock of Sanderling, Bar tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. While round at Craigens, 15 Whooper Swans flew in. In the Loch Gorm are were 2 flocks of Whitefronts (27 +15), 700 Greylags, 200 Barnies, 60 Tufted Duck on Loch Gorm itself along with 3 Scaup. 2 Arctic Terns were seen on the wing between Bruichladdich and the spit. In the afternoon, on the left of the hide they counted 35 Black tailed Godwit, 20 Snipe, 400 Lapwing, 12 Gadwall, 20 Pintail, 7 Whitefronts and 20 Twite. Back home they had a further 25 Twite in the garden. Over the last couple of days a total of 71 species seen so far!