Monday 5th August

Meant to put these pearls of wisdom down for you last night, but did not because it had been a long day, so here goes...Bob and Lesley had carried out their WeBS count from Port Charlotte round to Blackrock on Sunday. Their birds were as follows... 2 Herons, 5 Cormorants, 4 Tysties, 44 Greylags, 2 Shelduck, 16 Eider, 1 Curlew, 18 Oystecatcher, 45 Dunlin, 75 Ringed Plover, 2 Gbb Gulls, 34 Herring Gull, 14 Common Gulls and 1 Black headed Gull.

Back on Saturday morning, Islay Heads, on his way to his work at Kilchoman Distillery, had seen an Osprey carrying a large fish "torpedo style" at less than 30 metres away down above Loch Gorm.

Up here, the Linnet flock appears to be getting larger in number each day, perhaps the birds themselves are getting larger themselves as well!!! I saw a ringtail Hen Harrier out over the Machir on Sunday afternoon. The Peregrine is being heard more regularly of late as well, and the Sparrowhawk has been here annoying the wee birds, but I suppose one should expect the large spectrum of raptors with so many small birds around as well...

On Sunday, Kathy Hart, Al's other half had seen a  common Lizard out sunning itself beside the War Memorial between Port Wemyss and Portnahaven. Yesterday, they had seen some Ravens out flying around Easter Ellister,  and shortly afterward, they had great viewing of a Stoat close to Port Bhan.

Mon 12th April

Coming home this evening from the Visitors' Welcome Evening, we saw 2 different Barn Owls, one at Bridgend and the other nearer to home. There was a big Red Deer stag at the roadside at one point, so it was just as well I was paying attention.

The Peacock butterfly was taken on one of the walks today. There have been quite a few Common Lizards seen at various places over the last day or two, but no reports of any Adders yet!

Here at home today we had our first 2 Swallows on the telegraph wires, and further down the road towards the Reed bed were 3 Sand Martins.

Fri 22nd May

The Corncrake count was carried out last night as planned but when I speak with Michal, I will be able to update you on the numbers. Certainly the tally, on the patch we covered was up on last year, and a Spotted Crake was heard calling down towards Machir Bay. James did the reserve at Gruinart and also had 3 Barn Owls and 2 Water rails.

While doing his survey work this morning, James had 3 Grasshopper Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 7 Whinchats and a Common Lizard out sunning itself, it's okay for some, loafing about in the sun that is!

A visitor was telling me earlier on this evening, that he had an Artic Skua up at Sanaigmore this afternoon, and yesterday they had been watching a male Hen Harrier attempting to catch a hare, obviously with no luck as they more often prey on Meadow Pipits.

Sun 29th July 07

These Greylag Geese were round the other side of Loch Gorm today, about 70 in number, but definately being seen in different locations. Out at sea, here on the West of Islay, strong passages of Gannets heading South again, while on land in the heat of the day I saw a Common Lizard about 10-12 cm out sunning itself on the concrete at the door of a friend's house!