Monday 15th February

George E Jackson sent me through an e mail earlier on today and I have gleaned some of the birds seen by him as follows

"On Friday morning I ventured down to Machir Bay; there were 3 Mistle Thrushes which were joined by a single Lapwing on the grassy area. First Mistle Thrushes I've seen for a good while. Nothing else except a small number of forlorn looking gulls. 

Back at Coultorsay, in the garden the Blackbirds have continued tucking into the apples - probably 10 to 12 altogether. A small number of Robins and Great Tits, one Coal Tit, one Blue Tit and a single Goldcrest been on the feeders (which were swinging nearly horizontal at times); the weather seems to have dampened the Starlings nest prospecting for the present."

 

Wednesday 16th December

Mandy was on the phone today and was telling Margaret that she has been seeing a Coal Tit regularly on her feeders over at Carnduncan. She was also saying that she has another regular bird around, waiting patiently most day for Mandy to come out with her food to feed to the said Blackbird.

Another piece of news, but sorry not about Islay, but this one was about a Sparrowhawk seen up in Ellon which is north of Aberdeen. The story of the said Sparrowhawk was that it was in on somebody's Xmas tree and they had to phone to get the bird rescued. The bird flew into the house, when the folk had opened their French doors to let their dogs out, but by all accounts it was rescued and released no bother !!!

Sunday 27th September

Dave Wood sent through yesterday these birds which he had down on the reserve on the Oa..

"Nothing exciting here, but a few common migrants, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap, 4 Coal Tits. Coal Tits not usually seen on the Oa!" 

James yesterday had the following birds up at Gruinart...

183 Barnies, 2 Canada X Barny and also 2 Grey Plover 

George E. Jackson yesterday had sent through the following birds

"There were about 25 hirundines including at least 1 House Martin. On the same walk, at Uiskentuie there were 10 Pale b Brents also a female/imm R b Merganser near Blackrock (first I've seen this autumn though I haven't looked very widely yet!) Let's see what tomorrow brings. Today, George had seen 4 Sand Martins down at Machir Bay, with a count of 30 Ringed Plover in a field beside the car park at the beach itself. Further back along the road he had a flock of around 25 Tree Sparrows.."

James reckoned that there were at least 1,000 Greylags down on Loch Gorm and also 25 Barnies present there as well this afternoon.

Dave Wood had a Pied Flycatcher at Kinnabus today, plus 4 Goldcrest.

Gary today had  "2 WTE at Bridgend, one on rocky outcrop and one on the shipwreck. Small number of Barnacle Geese huddled down on sand between them. Both WTE rose and flew towards each other spooking the geese, geese didn’t know which way to go and the Eagles got one. They took it to the wreck and opened it up"

 Malcolm e mailed through this evening to tell me that the Hoopoe was seen down close to where it had been seen down close to Bridgend. 

All I can tell you is that we had an increase in Goldfinches again with around about 12 birds seen, none with rings on, although there was a House Sparrow with a ring fitted on the suet feeder !!!

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!!!!

Monday 5th February

Yesterday, Matt Bruce and his friends made the most of a great day, not only the weather was great, but their birding was not that bad either!!! 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and a distant Golden Eagle were noted in the air over the reserve at Gruinart. On the floods at Gruinart they saw 2 Greenshank and also 12 Pintail. On Loch  Indaal, they saw "2 BTD amongst the more numerous RTD and GNDs present, but did not manage to see any Slav Grebes or Long tailed Ducks". Yesterday evening as the sun was setting, boy it was good, they saw the Glaucous Gull on Machir Bay with 2 Fulmars seen out over the sea.

Today, some other new contributors to the blog... Steve Holliday and his wife arrived over for a few days birding from Northumberland. They too have had a  great day. They saw 2 juv. Golden Eagles over the Cornabus plantation out of Port Ellen. They also had a White tailed Eagle as they drove up to Bunnahabhain. Mid afternoon, they saw a Cackling Goose, sleeping, amongst the Barnies on the merse at Bridgend. At Kennacraig, prior to the ferry leaving, they had 8 Tysties in summer plumage and during the sailing to Port Ellen, they counted 29 GND.

Down at the Woollen Mill, this afternoon, on the feeders there, we saw the ever present mixed flock of Great Tits, Blue Tits and Coal Tits, but no Siskins were seen...

Friday 20th May

Another miserable sort of a day with more rain, it will all help the seeds to germinate...

 

Down at Carn below Port Charlotte, Bob had seen 18 GND along with 12 Common Scoter out on Loch Indaal. Today had been the Bowland birders last full day before heading home tomorrow... At Islay House, in the Community Garden, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers were seen. Over at Coal Ila, a Sparrowhawk flew across the Sound to Jura and a pair of Ravens were busy feeding their 2 fledged youngsters. A walk down to the Lily Loch and also to  Loch Allan produced Willow Warblers, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, 4 Cuckoo and a pair of Coal Tit feeding young in their nest which was in the ground.... hope they are not getting too wet tonight. Earlier today, in one of the barley fields at Sunderland Farm, we saw 6 Hares in a huddle...

Wednesday 27th April

Oops, last night I made a large error on the entry by writing that James had 6 Garganey on the floods at Gruinart, it should have been 6 Gadwall, must have got lost in translation, somewhere along the line, more likely I could not make my own hand writing/ scrawl....

Mary, on Monday had a Glaucous Gull at Claadach,  a Sparrowhawk was also there while she had a Wheatear and also a Mistle Thrush as she headed back to the village. Yesterday on Claddach Loch she counted 8 Canada Geese then watched a Hooded Crow and a Hare having a go at each other... Along at Gortan (coal yard) Mary saw a House Martin and then a GND off Carn as she headed home. Last night at the bird nerds' stroll in Bridgend Woods we saw Coal Tit, Long tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Sand Martins swooping low over the River Sorn, a couple of Dippers, a pair of Mallard flew past. A couple of Treecreeper were seen on the trees while out on the fields some White Wagtails and also Pied Wagtails were present.

Michal e mailed through to say that there is a Cuckoo calling all hours along at Mill Cottage...

Wednseday 23rd December

While Margaret and her sister Liz were doing a bit of shopping at the Woollen Mill, I did a spot of birding, not a lot seen, but good to spot 4 some Coal Tits frequenting the feeders there along with 2 Blue Tit and 4 Great Tit as well a few Chaffinches flitting back and forward. I had a quick look along the River Sorn, but no luck in seeing a Dipper, another day... Returning visiting birders, George and Pat Jackson have returned back over some days over the festive period and this afternoon, George had a count of 62 Wigeon down at "smelly corner", se you sometime over the next few days folks...

Wednesday 2nd December

What a difference a day makes, no rain that is, clear skies and looking out over to Ireland and then up to Colonsay, Mull with Jura further round, a great tonic after the rain we have had... We took a run round Loch Gorm after lunch today and at Ballinaby, we were rewarded by seeing some Whitefronts with neck collars. There were 2 which proved difficult to read but all the same Margaret got 8 read and we sent their info through and duly got the data back from Tony Fox who collates all the info on the whitefronts. Gary today had been busy out in his garden noticing loads of Chaffinches and Greenfinches on his feeders. He has been fortunate in seeing a Brambling there over the last couple of days as well. Also present in his garden, a pair of Collared Doves while on the feeders, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal tits have been seen. Today, Gary watched 5 Treecreepers chasing each other round the trees! At dusk, he has been hearing Redwing and Fieldfare dropping in to roost in the trees.

Friday 19th June

This evening , well should I really say this, I am not so sure... the dreaded midges made an appearance, rather muggy outside with hardly any wind, ideal for the little blighters... This morning I went with Bob and David Formby and walked down the River Sorn from The Woollen Mill down to below Bridgend where the River enters Loch Indaal. We felt that were not so many birds around, no Dippers for sure, not so many Blackcaps or Willow Warblers, but still a good selection seen and heard. So here we go with our birds... 1 Heron, 3 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 12 Common Gull, 20 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 1 GBB Gull, 4 Rock Dove, 25 Wood Pigeon, 1 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 12 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 8 Robin, 3 Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird, 13 Willow Warbler, 15 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 9 Goldcrest (including family of 4), 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 50 Jackdaw, 200 Rook, 4 Starling, 10 Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Greenfinch and a Siskin. While we were away, Margaret counted 14 Goldfinch on the nyger feeders here at home....

Tuesday 18th February

Peter and Pia had been over on Jura on Sunday and Monday. After crossing over on the ferry to Jura, between Feolin and Craighouse they spotted 7 Buzzards and also a cracking female Hen Harrier. Later on, they saw a pr of White tailed Sea Eagles and up behind Craighouse at Keills they had 8 Long tailed Tits and also 3 Coal Tits. The Rochdale birders yesterday had braved the elements down close to the Airport and saw an adult Iceland Gull there. They also saw 30 Redwing, some Chaffinches and a flock of 20 Skylarks. Today, over at Ardnahoe they had an adult Sparrowhawk, and later on down close to Ballygrant, a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on the wing, Spring not far away??? Yes, a better day with the weather here today folks!

Tuesday 3rd December

Some more sightings through from Amy Cooper who is over volunteering with RSPB on their reserves here on Islay this Winter. The other day Amy had seen the following birds whilst walking up round Killinallan Point, 23 Teal, 2 Redshank, 2GND, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 3 Mallard and 8 Rock Pipits. Along at Gortantoid, Amy had 2 Coal Tits and a Great Tit. On her way back along the track, Amy saw 4 Reed Buntings.

Sunday 3rd November

Yesterday, after it dried up a little, Bob and his friend John O had taken a quick round out round the Rhinns. Gearch Forest held 20 Goldcrest and 6 Coal Tit . Off Frenchman's Rocks several Gannets and Kittiwakes were noted and coming up towards Carn on their way towards Port Charlotte, a Merlin was ahead of them! Several groups of Redwing and Fieldfare were also seen while they were out. This morning, George had a female Sparrowhawk at his home, offshore on Loch Indaal he counted 50 Common Scoter. Visiting birder, Michael had seen 2 ringtail Hen Harriers over at Gruinart, a Peregrine over at the Duich Lots, on the RSPB Oa reserve, 2 Golden Eagles, a ringtail Hen Harrier, Merlin and a Sparrowhawk. At Leorin, a Golden Eagle was seen on the wing while close to Storakaig 52 Ravens were present. At Blackrock, on Loch Indaal, 93 Scaup were present along with a Goldeneye. At Rockside, a pr of Hen Harrier were seen and then on a "game crop", there was a flock of around 130 Linnets.

Saturday 14th July

Yesterday, Dave had a Coal Tit on the RSPB reserve on the Oa, only the second record of one on the reserve. Also seen were family groups of both Redpolls and Twite. Today, Dave had  Arctic Terns and also Little Terns over at Kintra. Here at home , we have been watching through the 'scope, the demise of a ewe out on the far hill. Ravens have been down, as well as Hooded Crows and also a Greater Black backed Gull, but that's the way Mother nature works...

Thursday 24th November

Rather a blustery day out here, and give Calmac their due, there was no disruption on the ferries. Bob had seen a Buzzard having a tussle with a Sparrowhawk. The Sparrowhawk had a small bird in its' clutch, so no doubt the attraction to the Buzzard, the Sparrowhawk won and made of with its' prey...There were 60 Lapwing down at Rockside this morning while along at Sunderland there were around similar numbers of Rock Doves on a stubble field. Late afternoon, at Rockmountain, there was a small flock of 18 Fieldfare on the wing. Here at home, the small birds, Chaffinch especially, have been busy eating the food put out for them. There have been a pair of Coal Tits busy taking food away, no doubt storing it somewhere...

Tuesday 22nd November

Yesterday morning, Martin had done a quick garden survey and had the following birds in his garden over at Glenegedale, just above the airport. The tally was as follows, 9 Greenfich, 15 Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 8 Coal Tit, 2 Dunnock, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Robin, 3 Blackbird and 3 cock Pheasant. Thanks Martin, good to hear of some birds from a different area of Islay. This morning, Carl saw 11 Whoopers flying South over Loch Indaal.

Monday 10th October

Another big dollop of rain again last night, what's new? What's new, well today we had the geese arriving in big numbers, Mary was in touch with some scores on the doors for today. The tallies at Gruinart were 22,265 Barnies, 29 Greenland Whitefronts, 28 Pale bellied Brents, 335 Greylags, 2 Canada hutchinsii sp and 1 Pink footed Goose. Mary also said that there were a good number of Lapwings and Black tailed Godwits on both the floods and the flats on the reserve, Crystal had 21 Greenland Whitefronts on Loch Kinnabus on the Oa reserve. A visitor e mailed through last night with having seen a White tailed Sea Eagle in the Port Askaig area, a Swallow over the Rhinns and 8 Arctic Terns on Loch Indaal at Port Charlotte. Yesterday Bob had a House Martin at Port Charlotte and a Greenshank out from the hide at Gruinart. Today he has seen several groups of Whoopers moving through, 28 flying South over Loch Indaal, 9 present at Garmain and also a small family group of 6 at Sunderland. Also on Loch Indaal, Bob and his friend had 47 Scaup, and on Loch Skerrols they had a count of 35 Mute Swans, 17 Whoopers, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 9 Wigeon and 1 Little Grebe. Up at Knockdon they had seen a juvenile Golden Eagle, a Coal Tit and 2 Goldcrest.

Thursday 29th September

This morning as we were coming back round from Saligo, and just before we reached the sand pit close to Coull roadend, we saw a large charm of Goldfinches, there were at least 80 birds present, as large a number of Goldfinches together that I have ever seen. Bob had been up in the trees at Gearach and had a mixed flock of around 50 birds, comprising of Goldcrest, Long tailed Tit and Coal Tit. He has been seeing some more Stonechats recently too. On the barley stubble beside his house, Bob had 15 Golden Plover. Over on the salt marsh at Gruinart today, Michal counted 150 Pale belied Brent Geese and also the Peregrine sitting around, having time off... On the flats on the reserve, 19 Ruff were present.

Sunday 20th February

There has been no sign of the sun today, but at least it has stayed dry. This evening the wind is picking up and the evening ferry has been diverted to Port Askaig.

Yesterday, George had a Coal Tit return to his feeders at his home, the first of this winter. Later on, George had been out and about and had a couple of ringtail Hen Harriers, just before Rock Mountain.

Our visiting birders today had been out over to Bunnahabhain and had an Otter in the bay there, the Iceland Gull was still to be seen while in the Sound of Islay was a Great Northern Diver. In the trees at Finlaggan, they saw a pair of Crossbills along with 3 young. Back on Loch Skerrols Whooper Swans and also 2 Coots were present.

Back here at home the solitary Siskin was at the feeder at the kitchen window this morning, and again in the afternoon.

Sat 2nd Oct

A better day over here today, no rain and the wind has dropped, almost back to normal!

As it was a such a change, we took a wee stroll along the strath in the woods at Bridgend. At the start we had some Goldcrests, the odd Coal Tit, a solitary Blue Tit. We went down onto one of the bridges across the River Sorn and had a fleeting view of a Kingfisher as it flew past at a great speed of knots, as they do.... Later on Margaret saw a Treecreeper, while I had to made do with a Great Tit. Further on was a Grey Wagtail, not a bad day really, something different, the geese will be here soon! Back at the car park, there were quite a few Goldfinches to be seen and coming home round Loch Gorm there was a Snipe out near Saligo, and 3 different Hen Harriers were out on the wing.