Tuesday 1 November

Coot, Ballygrant Loch, Billy Stitchell

Driving home earlier today I was surprised to see 3 whooper swan in the field among the Highland cows at Ellister, apparently having mis-aimed when approaching Ellister Loch.  Later this evening, a small flock were flying south towards Ireland in the dark.  

This afternoon came a surprising story from a friend out walking her small dogs in the hills near the village, only to be harassed by a young raven who went on to knock the dogs of it's feet! 

Owen and Glynis set out to try locate the possible Pacific Diver: "No sign of putative Pacific Diver today despite a thorough look at the top end of Indaal. The words needle and haystack spring to mind! No BTD either, but did accumulate RTD into double figures and at least three GND whilst searching! Also three WTE over Bridgend woods and 42 Common Teal and eight Whoopers have suddenly appeared on Skerrols."

Louise had a good game of 'raptor bingo' between Craighous and the ferry on Jura this morning: Hen harrier, merlin, peregrine, kestrel and a WTE all within 15 mins.

Mike too had a good raptor day with 2 WTE and a hen harrier at Kilchoman, a male hen harrier and a pair of golden eagle at Ballinaby, then later a further 2 male hen harrier and a merlin near Storakaig on the Glen Road. He also had good counts of redwing - 250 at Kilchoman and 700 at Craigens.  On a walk from Ballygrant to Port Askaig he reported 6 long-tailed tits, 5 gold crest and 3 bullfinch. A coot at Ballygrant loch, at least 6 yellowhammer at Keills and 10 siskin at Ballygrant.  Mike also noted a movement of whooper swan, counting 31 at Kilchoman early in the day, and 12 later flying south over Keills.

Rob L. had a good count of 30 chough at Killinallan this afternoon.

Mary

Thursday 25 November

 

Overcast and windy day. A real blast of cold wind which is continuing tonight and into tomorrow; the boats were cancelled this afternoon and have already been cancelled tomorrow, the plane is likely to follow suit, and SSE have issued a potential power cut warning. Day for being in front of the fire tomorrow I think!

James was out at Skerrols and found the lesser scaup, also a coot. 

Up at the croft moving creels we discovered a hole chewed in one. Judging by the spraint that fell out as we lifted it, it seems an otter got in it and chewed its way out! We've seen it come down through the field and over the wall to the beach, presumably after a wash at the loch, but it appears the creels smelt interesting enough to take it from its usual route march! Just glad it got out safely.

Mary

Monday 12th November

The other day James and Shonaisla had carried the WeBS count on the floods at Gruinart, their tally came as follows.... 282 Teal, 1,900 Teal, 254 Mallard, 62 Pintail, 7 Whoopers, 4 Mutes, 2 Dabchick, 39 Shoveler, 11 Blackwits, 31 Snipe, a R b Merganser, 5 Heron, 332 Lapwing, 14 Curlew and 1085 Golden Plover. Later the same day, James had seen a Little Egret and also a White tailed Eagle up the east side of Loch Gruinart. ShonaIsla and Mark had seen a Golden Eagle and a Ringtail Hen Harrier, not far from Craigens the same day.
Today, James had seen 2 male Hen Harriers and also 2 ringtails on the reserve at Gruinart. The Little Egret was  on the flats and a Merlin present out in front of the North hide. Mike P. had been in at Loch Skerrols this afternoon where he saw a Coot, a new Islay tick in recent times for Mike. The pair of Pochard were still present along with 125 Whoopers, 19 Tufted Duck who were all duly spoofed by an immature White tailed Eagle which flew past.

Not exactly the best of images of one of the Brambling seen outside up here at home today, there were 2 of them in amongst the flock of at least 60 Chaffinches...

Thursday 12th January

The spell of wintry weather continues, with even some snow which is relatively rare here on Islay. The lorries coming off the ferry at Port Askaig this morning had to wait for the road gritter to come and put some more grit on the road on the brae leading up the hill away from Port Askaig. It had been salted earlier on, but required more put on to make it safe for the lorries...

Earlier this week, James had seen a Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp along the flats at Gruinart. Today, down on the pools beside the cottages at Carnain/ Crosshouses, Margaret saw a Coot.

Wednesday 24th August

Paul Hathaway had seen a Magpie at lunchtime last Friday at Nerabus. On Sunday, Malcolm had spotted an Osprey perched on a tree on the wooded island  on Loch Gorm, and also a Coot, the first he has ever seen on Loch Gorm. Today, Peter had done an hour down at Frenchman's Rocks. There were over 200 Gannets, adults and sub adults, feeding actively between the rocks and Islay. There was also a constant stream of adult Gannets passing right by without stopping to fish. Peter wondered if these birds had already fed and were returning to Ailsa Craig. Manx Shearwaters were noted flying from West to East at around 10 - 20 per minute. Also seen were a few Fulmar, Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes and Common Gulls. James had been up at Ardnave where he saw a Sparrowhawk, 42 Chough,  50 Black tailed Godwit and 2 Hen Harriers. Back down over the reserve at Gruinart, he saw a Peregrine

Wednesday 24th August

Paul Hathaway had seen a Magpie at lunchtime last Friday at Nerabus. On Sunday, Malcolm had spotted an Osprey perched on a tree on the wooded island  on Loch Gorm, and also a Coot, the first he has ever seen on Loch Gorm. Today, Peter had done an hour down at Frenchman's Rocks. There were over 200 Gannets, adults and sub adults, feeding actively between the rocks and Islay. There was also a constant stream of adult Gannets passing right by without stopping to fish. Peter wondered if these birds had already fed and were returning to Ailsa Craig. Manx Shearwaters were noted flying from West to East at around 10 - 20 per minute. Also seen were a few Fulmar, Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes and Common Gulls. James had been up at Ardnave where he saw a Sparrowhawk, 42 Chough,  50 Black tailed Godwit and 2 Hen Harriers. Back down over the reserve at Gruinart, he saw a Peregrine

Saturday 15th November

Lots of bird records for yesterday- apologies for not putting them up yesterday, I was just a bit tied after Kayak Club. Anyway, Mary was up at Ardnave and had 2 Snow Bunting, 8 Goldeneye, 5 Tufted Duck, 33 Teal, 14 Wigeon, 2 Mute Swans, 7 Whooper Swans, 2 Little Grebes and a Coot on Ardnave Loch. 54 Shags and a Cormorant on Nave Island and 2 Grey Plovers and 44 Turnstones at Traigh Nostaig. On Jura Louise had 3 juv White Tailed Eagles together over Craighouse. At Gruinart Dave P. and I had a Sparrowhawk sitting on the hide window ledge, 19 Snipe (at least) and a White Tailed Eagle fly past. There was also 2 Barn Owls on the Flats latter on. Dave P. had seen a Golden Eagle nr. Kilnaughton on Thursday. Now we have caught up- Today Mandy, at Ardnave was pleased to get good views of 3 Snow Bumtings and another White Tailed Eagle. A great weather day and the forecast is good for tomorrow, but I did empty my rain guage today which was showing 5 Inches for November so far.

Monday 3rd November

Another dry day here on the West of Islay, although I believe that it had been wet down on the Oa and around Port Ellen, no pleasing some folks...Quite a few sightings , so here we go... Ken Chapman who is over with a group of 36 birders from Sandwich Bay Bird observatory in Kent. On Saturday, they had seen a Cackling goose amongst the Barnies along the flats at Gruinart. 2 Ruff were present at Gruinart with 40 Chough seen at Ardnave. On Loch Indaal from Bowmore they saw 3 GND. Yesterday, they noted plenty of Redwings around the Loch Gorm area and further on as they went round the Rhinns, over 200 at least. They had seen 4 different Hen Harriers. At Sunderland/ Rockside there were 2 flocks of Rock Doves on the barley stubble, several hundred in all. They also saw another GND off Port Charlotte. Returning birder, Paul from Nottingham had seen 10 GND as he came over on the ferry on Saturday and he also had a Sandwich Tern drift past the ferry..Yesterday Paul saw 8 Whoopers and 6 Pale bellied Brents on Loch Indaal from the Power station. Up round Ardnave Point, he had a count of 50 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, 1 Purple Sandpiper and 10 Turnstone. At the reserve at Gruinart, he had a ringtail Hen Harrier and out over the fields behind Bowmore, a male Hen Harrier. There appeared to be a fall of Thrushes overnight, as there were more Redwings and Fieldfares around here this morning, I saw 2 small groups first thing this morning, one of 25 in the field below the house before they took off flying South and there were a further 15 in the trees. Michael had a count of 55 Fieldfare and 70 Redwings as well as the ringtail Hen harrier as he went out this morning. On a flat calm Loch Gorm, he counted 113 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye and a Coot. Later on at Ardnave Loch, he had a male Hen Harrier while on the water 2 Goldeneye, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Dabchick, 6 Whoopers and a Coot. Also present were 35 Redwing, and 5 Fieldfare. Up at Traigh Nostaig Michael had 12 Snow Buntings, including 3 cracking males. Also there, he had seen 51 Ringed Plover, 29 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone. He saw a total of 8 GND offshore as he walked round Ardnave Point, a juv Gannet offshore too and a distant sighting of a Pomarine Skua pursuing some Kittiwakes. In all going round Ardnave Point, he had a total of 46 Rock Pipits! On the Gruinart estuary, Michael counted 144 Barwits and also 13 Knot. Down at Blackrock he had a raft of 72 Scaup with a male Long tailed Duck in flight. On his way home late afternoon, at Rockside there were 10 Whoopers including a family group of 2 adults with 4 youngsters. Bob today had a a male Kestrel and wee while later on a Peregrine both in the Kilchiaran area. Around midday we headed over to Tormisdale, we had a Golden Eagle down at Loch Gorm, with a further one close to Tormisdale, a total of 10 Buzzards on the overall trip, 2 Moorhens on the Distillery pond behind Port Charlotte and finally coming up the hill to home, on the fence wires, 16 Goldfincheswhile on the overhead wires around 50 Redwings. There were also quite a few Fieldfares to be seen around as well.

Wednesday 22nd October

The wind may have dropped since yesterday, but it is still quite windy, and as far as I know, the ferries resumed their normal timetable again.... Back on Monday, the East Anglian birders had seen 2 Pect. Sandpipers along with some Snipe out from the old hide at Gruinart and yesterday they returned and found another out from the new hide and also there were some Redshank, 6 Greenshank and 8 Pintail. Up at Bridgend/ Blackrock area, 65 Scaup and 2 RB Merganser were present. Yesterday, David Protherough had seen 8 Whoopers over Kilnaughton Bay and up on the reserve on the Oa, a male Hen Harrier while on the loch at Kinnabus, Greylags and Whitefronts were seen while back down at the Maltings at Port Ellen, 2 Pale bellied Brent have been present over the past few days. Yesterday,the Horwich birders had a flock of over 300 Golden Plover over at Ballinaby. Amongst the Barnies out in front of the new hides they managed to read some Darvic rings and Steve Percival duly was able to say that one of the geese was rung 10 years ago, one of a small flock of "wandrers" that are seen around Islay while another one was very "faithful" to where it was seen, being rung 5 years ago, another was quite faithful too but was in Ireland earlier this year! The last goose was only rung 2 years ago and Steve did not have so many sightings of it on his database! Thinking back, I asked Steve about the Barnie that turned up a few years back in New York, it was seen quite often that winter in the States but not seen since! From the old hide the Horwich birders yesterday morning had seen a male Hen Harrier, Peregrine, 5 Whoopers, along with Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Whitefronts, Barnies, Heron, Curlew and Lapwing. From the new hide, they had good close sightings of Whitefronts, Barnies, Greylags, Mallard, Teal, Pintail, Wigeon, Curlew and Snipe. A Redwing and 2 Roe Deer were seen along the woodland trail as they returned to their car. Last night as we headed dopwn to Port Charlotte, just before we entered Bruichladdich, a Barn Owl was perched on a fence post at the side of the road, the first we had seen for some time, but then again perhaps we should go out more often, rather than being housebound! This morning in the garden, there was a small flockof 37 Redwings for a short time. Robin this morning had 2 flocks of Golden Plovers over at Ballinaby, each over 200. He also had 2 Golden Eagles between Sunderland and the Gruinart turnoff, one a "well marked" immature Eagle, the other an adult bird. Later on, Robin had a Coot up on Ardnave Loch.

Wednesday 13th March

Many thanks to Michal and James for writing the blog over the past week while I have been down South in Surrey. Even took my bins with me but never lifted them out of the bag, but did have a couple of Jays in the garden, several Magpies and some screeching Parakeets flying overhead. One morning there was also a rather large Grey Squirrel out in the garden, no sign of any foxes this time...

So, back to Islay's birds, here goes...Over the weekend Adam Cross had been over from Glasgow. His birds included a male Hen Harrier out of Port Ellen. Down on the Oa, a Merlin was seen and a Golden Eagle present. Back towards Port Ellen a small flock of 10 Redwing and later 12 Fieldfare. Up at Gruinart, a Sparrowhawk was seen and some Shoveler out in front of the hide. Thanks Adam. On Monday, Bob had a flock of 120 Golden Plover at Coullabus and later on, another flock of 88 at Conisby. Yesterday at home, Bob had a Buzzard and a Peregrine having an aerial tussle, but with no winner! Later on, he had a Jack Snipe on the moor close to his house. Yesterday, Dave had a Coot on Loch Kinnabus, a first record for the Oa reserve. Also on reserve were 530 Greenland Whitefronts, 6 Chough, 100 Golden Plover and 22 Skylarks. Today, James had a small flock of 9 Song Thrushes on the reserve at Gruinart, in front of the new hide, the Green winged Teal was present, the Canada Goose hutchinsii sp was amongst the Barnies on the flats and James had a count of 1,150 Starlings on reserve. This morning here at home, I felt that there some more Blackbirds around, possibly moved over from the mainland with the cold weather over there, mind you, on Monday night, Mike's weather station recorded minus 5 which is cold for here! Mid afternoon there were over 20 Chough out over the crag, great to see and hear...Never really tire watching the Choughs!

Wednesday 23rd January

A better day, later on that was, as first thing this morning we had some frost, even at midday, it was quite icy outside with the rain that had fallen turning to ice on the untreated roads.....I went down with Bob to do a count on Loch Indaal, from Bowmore to Gartbreck. The sky did not look to promising but we decided to give it a go... after around 40 minutes or so into the count, the light got poorer and it had started to rain making use of our bins and scope a difficult job, so we gave up! But before that we had the following birds counted, 20 Shag, 2 Heron, 20 Common Gull, 1 Black headed Gull, 10 Greater Black backed Gull, around 1,500 Barnacle Geese, 38 Mallard, 317 Teal, 121 Wigeon, 17 Red breasted Merganser, 11 Eider, 2 Goldeneye, 8 Mute Swan, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 24 Common Scoter, 30 Oystercatcher, 30 Curlew, 1 Golden Plover and 3 GND. 2 of the Common gulls in flight were having a tussle as one of them had a sandeel in its' beak, then up came one of the Blackbacks who hounded the the smaller Common Gull into dropping the said sandeel with the blackback picking up the food parcel in mid air no bother! The Barnacle geese figure was a high count as the geese were resting up below the high water mark after an almost full moon when they quite often feed through the night! Later on Bob had gone to look at Loch Skerrols on his way home. There he counted 2 Coot, 8 Mute Swan, 32 Greylag, 50 Mallard, 57 Wigeon, 81 Teal, 5 Goldeneye, 4 Tufted Duck and a male Ring necked Duck. Along the road up to Knockdon, Bob saw 3 Red legged Partridge and a male Merlin.

Sunday 2nd January

James had been speaking with some visitors at Gruinart today. One family was telling him that they had seen 8 Coots on Loch Skerrols, other visitors had written in the diary that they had seen a White tailed Sea Eagle down at Bridgend. Visitors staying with us in the cottages had seen the Red Kite out over the Machir and commented that they thought this was a different Kite to the one they saw down towards Portnahaven as the plumage was different. They had also seen a Golden Eagle today. All I can add was that we saw a Peregrine sitting on top of its' prey, a Pheasant, along at Sunderland Farm, unfortunately the Peregrine flew off as we got closer to it, and then a Buzzard appeared and laid claim to the Pheasant!

Sat 7th Nov

James was in touch with some sightings from the past few days. On Thursday, apart from the Cattle Egret at Blackrock, he had a Coot on the reserve at Gruinart, perhaps common on the mainland, but not that common here. James also had 64 Whoopers passing through.

On Friday, James carried out a goose count on the reserve, 12,880 Barnacle Geese, 775 Whitefronts and 31 Greylags. The count for the Barnies was quite high, while the whitefronts were almost 100 up on last year at the same time, with more juvenile birds to be seen, so perhaps they have had a better breeding season this year. On the mud flats there were 665 Golden Plover.

Today in the wood beside Gruinart Farm, James had a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, a Woodcock and 2 Mistle Thrush.