Thursday 11 November

 

2 photos taken from the same spot overlooking Port Charlotte just one hour apart.  A bright and breezy morning gave way to a raining gale in the afternoon.  

Driving out the village this morning I saw my first woodcock of the season. It apparently used to be said they would arrive on the first full moon of November, but this year that event is late in the month.  I've heard from local gamekeepers that this year there was a big fall of them last week with that Northerly wind.  At Octofad 2 WTE were high above the farm, but not so high to be missed by the 500 or so barnacle geese who rose from the fields in fright.

Today was Phil and Mike's last days.  Thank you both for your contributions to the blog and WhatsApp group, greatly appreciated. Hear from you both next time!

Mike was looking over Loch Gorm and counted 5 pochard and 2 goldeneye with 104 tufted duck.  SW Kilchoman were 45 fieldfare and 35 redwing.  Opposite the Whin Park entrance were 2 little egret, then on Loch Skerrols the American Wigeon was still present.  A golden eagle was seen an hour before 2 WTE at Cnoc Don Mor.

For Phils last day he sought out the cackling goose before a pesky golden eagle put the flock up, disturbing his chance to find the red-breasted goose. What a complaint to have!  Gary spotted a 'cackling/canada type' goose in a flock near Eorrabus.

At RSPB Loch Gruinart, James' highlight was one golden eagle, 2 WTE and a carrion crow.

Friday 10 September

 Better late than never! Mobile network was down on the island most of yesterday and through the night. Appears to be better for now although I can't seem to upload photos. Perhaps Pete will have more luck today.

Yesterday was quite a still day with rolling fog but there was some activity with 11 wheatears feeding on the track near Claddach Loch. Jim had a count of 18 on there drive round Loch Gorm.

More pale-bellied brents appeared: a flock of 57 on Loch Gruinart with potentially an other 53, a further count today will confirm. The curlew sandpiper was still present, and the osprey still in attendance. Must be getting plenty fish! James had peregrine as well as 33 meadow pipits in the fields about his home. 

Jim had some lovely views of the Octofad carrion crow, showing a "touch of grey hybrid features".  Louise then reported a carrion crow in Port Ellen.

Wednesday 4th November

Marsali kindly sent me through the reading from her rain gauge over at Mulindry for the  month of October which came to 242mms or 9.68 inches and that was the wettest month so far this year and the wettest October for about 6 years.  Wow, drier than Eric Bignall's tally for October.

Dan Brown yesterday had seen a "juv Glaucous Gull south over the Gruinart flats plus 150 Whoopers. On Monday, he estimated 600-1000 Whoopers arrived as well as many White-fronted Geese."

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

"Whooper swans 14 SW Kilchoman  0745 hr, 6 leaving Loch Gorm SW 0755 hr, 29 Gruinart 0810 hr with 14 of these leaving 0815 hr then the rain started. 83 Gruinart at 1510 hr with 54 leaving SW 1520 hr.Loch Gorm 1 imm WTE flying west 0755 hr.

Blackrock 10 Scaup.

Eallabus 60 redwing, 1 treecreeper.

Loch Skerrols, walked round without my telescope and unhelpfully many wigeon on the far shore, far fewer with perhaps c200 and 106 Whoopers including a pair with 6 juvs. Also a dipper at the outlet burn, 1 goldcrest, 6 bullfinch.

Octavulin 6 pinkfeet, 90 fieldfare plus 28 S, redwing 180, chaffinch 75.

Redhouses 40 & 70 redwing S.

Cattadale 90 redwing.

Storakaig gate 1 male hen harrier, 1 carrion crow with hoodies, and also 2 yellowhammer."

Dave Pierce is over for a few days along with his wife, not leading a tour this year arriving yesterday, so here are some of Dave's top birds seen on Tuesday...."A Greenshank & several G N Divers around Kennacraig during our departure from the Mainland. Also maybe of note was a Red Squirrel about a mile north of Tarbert.

Sailing up the Sound of Islay from the ferry we observed an adult White-tailed Eagle standing on Glas Eilean. Another WTE  showed well nearby flying low over the coast of Jura with an adult Golden Eagle soaring close by, whilst a Peregrine crossed over from there to Islay.

Arriving at their cottage near Bridgend the vast avian assemblage included 42 Pale bellied Brent Geese.

Dr Matt Jackson had counted 48 Redwing in his garden today. Also seen today were the folowing  by Gary.... Sub ad WTE on the sand at Bridgend, 1500 Golden Plover on sand, 7 Grey Plover on the merse, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard in woods at Whin Park with 2 Bullfinch also there.

Tuesday 8th September

The Rose coloured Starling was seen in Bowmore today by Samara Johnson who is one of our local vets, so needless to say we all now are asking the question, is it the same bird that we have had all summer???

Gary sent me the following birds seen today by himself...

"Some birds from Bridgend merse. There has been at least one Osprey fishing the shallows and larger creeks on the merse the last few days. There has been two WTE also frequently on the sand out from the merse scavenging any debris left when the tide goes out.

Loads of wader movement, Curlew, Whimbrel, Black tailed & Bar tailed Godwits, Greenshank, Dunlin, Ringed Plover.

Small flocks of Meadow Pipit & Twite on the grass on the edge of the merse.

A regular Peregrine hunting small waders"

Jim Dickson sent through his birds as well

"A Carrion Crow at Octofad, female Sparrowhawk at Lyrabus, 1 Osprey, 2 Peregrine's, 121 Pale bellied Brent's, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Golden Plover at Gruinart, 1 Osprey, 2 White tailed Eagles, 1 Grey Plover, 40 alba wagtails at Bridgend flats, 1 Greenfinch at Portnahaven.."

 

Thursday 9th January

Some sightings seen by the birders in a group from Nature Scotland, led by Ewan Miles, father John and assisted by Iola Williams.

On Tuesday, in the atrocious weather they had seen a Buzzard, a male Hen Harrier and a Merlin as they made their way over to Gruinart, where they had seen the drake Green winged Teal. Up at Ardnave they counted 36 Chough on the dunes with 8 Goldeneye seen on Ardnave Loch itself. Yesterday, they had gone down to Port Ellen and round to the Oa. At Kinnabus, they saw over 70 Twite with 2 pair of Golden Eagles seen and then shortly afterwards they had an adult White tailed Eagle. A Peregrine was present out towards the American monument.  Along the coast,  past Ardbeg Distillery, GND, RTD with an Otter seen close to the shore there as well. They also had a Grey Wagtail, Treecreeper and also Goldcrest. Down at Kintra, they watched a Carrion Crow and a Hooded Crow tucking into some prey.  Up past Leorin, they were fortunate to have a great sighting of 20 Red Deer Hinds, quite close to the road. 

Finally, last night when coming back from Bowmore, they had a Barn Owl out hunting along the verge side, just after Carnain.

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...

Thursday 23rd Novembr

Back on Sunday, Louise had seen a Magpie behind her home at Gatehouse up towards Tarbet on Jura. David Wood on Sunday had seen a Black throated Diver at Kilnaughton Bay, and he had a Cackling Goose at Kinnabus  and a count of 330 Twite and also 4 Brambling seen there as well. Yesterday Mike counted a couple of rafts of GND totalling 131 birds as they were going into the roost off Laggan Point between 15.30 and 16.40 on Loch Indaal. Because of the poor weather on Tuesday, the count for the International Goose count was not carried out, but Andrew Kent sent the figures from Wednesday's tally.. The totals were as follows, 48,336 Barnies, 4,877 Whitefronts and 880 Greylags. Jams had carried out the Gruinart stint, so his count in the total figure came to 16,244 Barnies, 546 Whitefronts, and 29 Greylags. Thanks to Andrew and his team or these numbers. Louise had counted 80 Barnies fly over from Inver on Jura over to Islay this morning. Ed Burrell had a Carrion Crow the other day on the Oa. Ed was saying to me this morning, that he has caught, rung and fitted collars to a further 25 Whitefronts, 5 with transponders, the rest with neck collars. The team from WWT had also fitted neck collars to 24 Greylags as well. Armin had seen the overhead power lines being weighed down by a good number of Rooks along with some Jackdaws, below Carrabus.

Saturday 13th May

Yesterday was "the Olds" last day of this visit.. At Coull they had seen 38 Whimbrel and 4 Ringed Plover. At Gruinart, a male Ruff in summer plumage was present, as were 3 possible Little Terns, a Redpoll and a Carrion Crow. Over at Bridgend they counted 210 Dunlin, 18 Blackwits, a Common Sandpiper and a Whitethroat. Finally, last night, they spotted a Merlin as it flew across the road down below Rock Mountain. The Bowland Birders yesterday took the chance to recharge their batteries and today have been out birding again... On the water at Loch Skerrols, they counted 60 Shelduck and 6 Mute Swan, one on a nest, while in the trees a Great spotted Woodpecker, Chifchaff and Willow Warblers were noted. Along at The Woollen Mill, a walk along the River Sorn produced 2 pr of Grey Wagtail feeding young, a pr Dipper feeding young, 3 male and a female Bullfinch, Coal Tit, Siskin, Red legged Partridge, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Wren.

Here on Islay, it has not been as warm today, with the odd shower of rain, only saving grace is that it is the first time for around a fortnight that I have not had the watering can out for some of the plants.. The float on the rain gauge is now floating... as long as it is dry for tomorrow morning as I am meant to be helping Bob with his WeBS count!!!

Saturday 24th December

Peter has been in touch to say that he has been out looking for the Gyrfalcon, but no joy, see these fair weather birds... Instead, he had a Carrion Crow at Sunderland Farm, either the third or fourth that Peter has seen on Islay. Also at Sunderland Farm, a flock of over 140 Chaffinch was present. By the way, the weather is not much better out here in the Scottish Borders.
Have a great Xmas day folks wherever you are, enjoy your day.

Sunday 30th October

Bob was round here yesterday afternoon and had count of over 40 Chough out on the grass reseeds. Back at his house, in his garden, the recent influx of Blackbirds have stripped all the berries from Bob's cotoneaster bushes!! Other birds present included a Goldcrest and also a Willow Warbler. On his way home from here, Bob had seen 2 large Canada Geese along at Sunderland. Also yesterday, James had seen 48 Whoopers on the reserve at Gruinart. Late evening, along the flats, James had a Barn Owl. Michal saw a Grey Wagtail and then a Sparrowhawk close to Gruinart Farm. Mike Bell this morning had counted 42 Chough out on the reseeds and had seen 2 small groups of Whoopers totalling 14 fly South. Up on Ardnave there were a further 11 resting up along with a Goldeneye there as well. A further 27 arrived in from the North, just after the original  party had departed. At Traigh Nostaig, 42 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstone and 2 Grey Plover were present. Out towards Nave Island, a GND was on the water while 7 Carrion Crows were seen as Mike carried on with his walk. 38 Chough and also a flock of 24 Twite were seen too. Mike also had 4 Snow Bunting further on. Coming back down the road from Ardnave, a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen mobbing a Peregrine which was sitting on a rock! On the cover crop at Creag Mhor, 160 Linnets were counted. On the floods at Gruinart, Mike had seen 55 Pintail, 18 Shoveler,  570 Teal, over 40 Wigeon, a Peregrine and also ringtail Hen Harrier, no sign of the American Wigeon though!!! Over the flats, 660 Golden Plover present with 95 Twite seen at Craigens. Over the far hills, 2 distant Golden Eagle were present. Finally, a female Peregrine was on top of a fence post close to Saligo. Returning visitors, Gordon & Pauline Yates had seen a distant Golden Eagle out over the hills behind Bunnahabhain. Below Rock Mountain, a female Merlin noted. Around lunchtime at Port Charlotte, they had seen the pod of 8 Bottle nosed Dolphins out on Loch Indaal. They also saw 10 Whoopers flying out towards Ireland. On Loch Gorm, this afternoon, Mandy and Fiona had 3 Dabchick, 27 Tufted Duck, 188 Barnies, 68 Whitefronts, 6 Cormorant, 1 GBB Gull and also 5 Mallard. Here at home, late afternoon, we had 2 flocks of Fieldfare flying high, one around 150 birds the other 80+,  both moving South

Wednesday 26th October

Some sightings gleaned at bird nerds last night... At the weekend, David Barr had seen 10 Turnstone on the shoreline at Bowmore. Mandy had taken a walk through the dunes at the back of Machir bay seeing a small flock of 16 Twite, 12 Oysercatcher and also 9 Hooded Crow. On Machir Bay itself, Julia ( a volunteer with RSPB) had seen 2 Turnstone and 3 Sanderling. Earlier on, over at Bunnahabhain, Julia had a Peregrine flying across the Sound of Islay to Jura. Bob yesterday had a Merlin at Octomre with a male Hen Harrier seen over Bolsay Moor. Phill Catton reported seeing 3 Golden Eagles together on the Oa, a male and 2 females! He also had a Peregrine as well as a Hen Harrier. The Chifffchaff was still present in James's garden yesterday. This afternoon, we saw at least 8 Bottle nosed Dolphins off Port Charlotte, very impressive, boy they were active...

Jeff Duncan had sent through a couple of images of the buntings that he had seen last week up at Ardnave which proved to be Lapland Buntings. Phil Knott from Heatherlea told me last night of seeing a Carrion Crow while he was down round the Rhinns with his visitors.

I have been hearing "reports" of the proposed cull of our Barnacle geese this year to be 2,900. I tried yesterday to get confirmation from SNH about the scheme and the actual number proposed, but nobody was available to comment as they were not in the office, either still on holiday or just not in... Once I hear any more information, I will let you know! The actual scheme is funded by SNH.

Sunday 8th March

A great day out here today with the weather, but tomorrow is not looking too clever with the wind due to pick up again, so we may be lible for some ferry disruption. Today to cap the lack of communications through the land lines with BT/ Open Reach, I have just heard that the mobile signal with Vodaphone has gone awol, hope there are no emergencies... moan over, honest for today... Mary yesterday had counted a flock of 14 Skylarks fly over Portnahaven with a young Cormorant flying along the coastline! Later on, she heard the Skylarks singing away at Claddach. Along at Octofad, there were 12 Hoodies along with a Carrion Crow, while up at Bruichladdich, Mary counted 13 Pale bellied Brent Geese

Monday 2nd March

Yesterday James had an Iceland Gull over the resrrve at Gruinart. Alistair Hutcheson saw a ringtail Harrier close to the Woollen Mill up behind Bridgend. Visiting birders, Chris and John had counted 55 Chough up at Ardnave, they saw 4 different male Hen Harriers, one at Sunderland, another at Blackrock, one at Gruinart and the final one just out of Bowmore. They also saw a ringtail round at Ballinaby! On Loch Indaal closer to Bowmore, they spotted 12 Scaup and saw 58 Pale bellied Brent Geese. At dusk, 4 LBB Gulls were seen. Amongst the pre roost flock of Rooks at the head of Loch Indaal, a Carrion Crow was seen. Earlier on at Gruinart they had 20 Pintail with a flock of around 1200 Golden Plover which were put up by a Peregrine. Here at home the Brambling is still present amongst the ever increasing flock of Chaffinches.

Thursday 23rd January

A bit of a late entry this evening, but better late than never... Dave sent through some sightings from down on the Oa. Yesterday he had a Carrion Crow amongst the Hooded Crows, the Golden eagles have been more active as of late while the Twite numbers are down to only 60.

Sunday 17th February

A great day out here although the wind was a bit gusty, especially when you are out bird watching... Yesterday George had 6 Wigeon and also 6 Mallard on his ponds, later on he had seen 4 Brambling up towards Briago. Today as he was leaving his house down at Bruichladdich, a male Hen Harrier flew past and up towards Bunahabhain George saw 2 White tailed sea Eagles. This morning I was out with Bob and Martin doing the count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck. Our list was follows, 1 Mute Swan, 20 Shelduck, 12 Red breasted Merganser, 14 Eider, 6 Mallard, 161 Wigeon, 51 Teal, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Cormorant, 15 Shag, 6 Rock Pipit, 1 Carrion crow, 1 Heron, 173 Oystercatcher, 73 Curlew, 121 Barwits, 5 Redshank, 40 Knot, 73 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 18 Turnstone, 10 Lapwing, 24 Ringed Plover, 13 Grey Plover, 3 Black backed Gull, 80 Herring Gull, 20 Black headed Gull and 60 Common Gull. No Divers were seen at all, possibly they were sheltering in from the wind! We also had a ringtail Hen Harrier out down towards the council rubbish tip at Gartbreck. On my home I did see a GND and also 4 Common Scoter close to the shore just as I was coming out of Bowmore.
If you are over on Islay this coming week, Gordon Yates will be giving an illustrated talk on "The World of Birds" at 7.30 pm on Thursday at the Islay Natural History Trust in Port Charlotte.

Saturday 13th October

Yesterday was Bob Humphreys' last day of his visit, so he had a great day over on Jura where he had 2 Otters, 4 Hen Harriers (2 male and 2 female) between Feolin and Craighouse alone! Other sightings included 5 Red breasted Mergansers, 3 Herons and lots of Red Deer. Back on Islay they had a charm of Goldfinches close to Bridgend.The other day down on the Oa, Dave had a Carrion Crow on the farm track leading up to Kinnabus.Yesterday on the Oa reserve, Dave had 3 Golden Eagles, a juvenile bird and 2 adults. The juvenile bird was soon driven off by one of the adult birds after a tussle on the heather with much flapping and grappling, with the young Eagle eventually fleeing North!!! Today, Dave had a couple of White tailed Sea Eagles just as he came to Island Farm. Gavin  a visitor arriving on Islay today, had an adult White tailed Sea Eagle on Jura from the ferry. This bird was also seen by another visitor, David  who was also on the same ferry! Gavin also had a Great Northern Diver again from the ferry, but in West Loch Tarbert. On Islay itself, Gavin had another WTSE, this time a juvenile bird down the South East coast. He also had a male Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzards, 20 Wigeon and a Dipper, a great start to his holiday...

Tuesday 24th May

After the disruptions due to the weather yesterday life is getting back to normal again, although we have had a further power cut this evening, hence a late entry, honest....Jon and Angie are here for their second week, and they too had problems with no electricity. On the bird watching front they had a Kestrel over beside the car park on the Oa. At Kintra they saw a Carrion Crow and along at Kildalton, a pair of Yellowhammers were present. Other visitors had seen 2 Great Northern Divers over at Bunnahabhain and also a Peregrine on their way home. The Peregrine was only 20 yards away, so no need for the bins! James today had heard the Chiffchaff beside the RSPB office at Bushmills. On his way home this evening he had a "possible" Lesser Whitethroat. The Garganey was still present out in front of the hide. Up at Ardnave, 100 Dunlin were in the ploughed field. These were also seen by another visitor too. Both James and this visitor had both commented on the weather yesterday and the effect it would have had on the birds that nested along the shoreline, as yesterday with the tide and the wind, many nests would have been destroyed plus any new fledglings. here at home, the leaves on the trees are black today, the nettles too are black, not to worry the Corncrake was heard this morning and a Kestrel was out hovering this evening in the wind above the crag.

Tues 28th Sept

Forgot to mention last night that we saw a dead Barn Owl on the road, between Island Farm and Duich farm on the Low road. Carl had a Carrion Crow and 2 Hooded Crows at Gortan a couple of days ago.

Back to today, and a visiting birder had told Becky about seeing a Kingfisher on the River Sorn, up from Bridgend. Also over at Upper Killeyan on the RSPB Oa reserve 3 Lapland Buntings were present.

George had counted over 150 Goldfinches in the fields up the back of his house. On Loch Indaal, George had 14 Scoter. He had also seen 2 male Hen Harriers, one over at Keills, the other at Kindrochid.

Sun 31st Aug

James was over here this afternoon and gave me some sightings of 2 Peregrine Falcons over at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve yesterday. He also had a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel whilst he was out. Also yesterday, whilst Janes was passing through Bruichladdich, there was a Carrion Crow. This morning James was up at Ardnave Point and saw 22 Chough, and noted that the Grey Seals appear to be gathering in numbers, a sure sign that they about to give birth fairly soon. JRH

Wed 16th May 07

Some late news from yesterday, as today has been rather wet.
There was a sighting of a Golden Eagle being mobbed by a Buzzard on the Rhinns, the pair of Garganey over at Gruinart were seen mating and a pair of Grey Wagtails were seen on the Sorn at Bridgend, one of Armin's birds from Walkislay in April! R.G.B & C.B.
Over on the Oa, a Carrion Crow was seen with a Hooded crow! M.S.
Peregrine Falcon mobbing a Buzzard over at Gruinart. J.R.H.
There was thought to have been a brief sighting of a Honey Buzzard on the Rhinns. R.R.
Also on the Rhinns, Whitethroat were heard singing, Fulmar were seen, along with Gannets moving south. Also noted were Curlew and Lapwing both with young. J.H.
Meadow Pipits were seen carrying food back to their nest. Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Greenland Wheater were present around Loch Gorm. Yesterday's Stonechat image was taken then! I.K.B.