Friday 12th June

Gary was in touch earlier on to say that he had seen 4 Crossbills on the overhead lines behind his house. They then took off and flew to the wooded area along the road beside the Ballygrant Inn. This evening Gary had a Heron fly over his house...

Wednesday 27th May

Karen was watching a family of Dunnocks hopping around in her garden in Bearsden this morning.

Gary was in touch today and had seen 3 Goosanders, a juv Golden Eagle, an adult White tailed Eagle and also 2 Crossbills.

Just after the end of Spring watch, James was in touch and I gleaned from him, some of his sightings on the reserve seen by him at Gruinart today... He had an adult White tailed Eagle, on the woodland trail at Gruinart, 2 Blackcaps, some Chiffchaffs noted as well as many Whitethroats.

Monday 23rd March

Morven sent through the tally from the International Goose Count which was carried out last week. The totals were as follows 33,202 Barnies and also 5,910 Whitefronts. Many thanks to Morven and the team of counters for these figures.

Gary had been out for some messages today and had seen the following birds:

"64 Red Knott, 6 Bar tailed Godwit, 11 Curlew, 54 Oystercatcher at Gartmain, male Hen Harrier at Finlaggan but best of all was this morning 2 Crossbills in tree at giant bird table in the garden."

Thursday 19th March

Gary yesterday had seen the following birds when he was out and about...
"Ring tailed Hen Harrier at Loch Tallant on the High road, 11 Buzzard in total along the High road, male Hen Harrier at Kintra, male Hen Harrier at Keppols. Crossbills showing well at Finlaggan."

Margaret today had seen 6 Hares out chasing each other around out in the game crop...

I see that Calmac have decided to stop taking any new ferry bookings for anyone wishing to travel on the ferries until the 15th of July. Some of the hotels and restaurants on Islay and Jura have been quite inventive in that you can order a carry out meal, or better still they are offering to deliver your food direct to your house!!!

THursday 5th March

Some  sightings seen yesterday by Gary
"From Finlaggan 4 White tailed Eagles high up, 3 Golden Eagles, 11 Buzzards, 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawks & 1 Kestrel.
At least 9 Crossbills."

Christine Menzies had seen the following birds yesterday as well...
"2 Golden Eagles and 2 Buzzards down past Kildalton Cross in the afternoon."

Monday 17th February

A few birds through from Gary and Wendy, all from yesterday

"Very windy and heavy squally showers today, and nothing much around.Our sightings for Sunday areas follows, Carnain: Oystercatchers, Barnies, Shelduck, Curlew & Blackbird. "

I received a couple of sightings from Chris Corrigan, who I believe could be staying the cottage next

door to Gary and Wendy at Crosshouses...

"Arrived on Saturday, for a week. Looks a bit wild! Staying at Cross House, Bridgend.                      29 P-b Brent Geese down on the shore this morning. A Woodcock on the Loch Gruinart Woodland Trail but nothing else out of the ordinary."

The "Port Ellen 4" had also been out and about in the great spell of weather, we are having at present!! "Quite a bright day considering the rather fresh Scottish breeze (!) making birding a challenge. Sunday's main sightings were - 

Finlaggan woods: Crossbill (only 1) at the Y junction of the track, Coal Tit, Reed Bunting, Buzzard, Skylark on track to woods.

Ardnave: Chough, Whoopers & Goldeneye (we didn't venture to the beach!).

Gruinart RSPB: G W Teal, Little Egret, Pintail, Shoveler, Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Buzzard, Wigeon, Whoopers, Mute Swan, Teal, B H gull, Whitefronts & Barnie's.

Nr Lyrabus (B8017): Merlin."

Wednesday 5th February

Some sightings in from yesterday, from our various different groups of visiting birders who have kindly sent them in for me to use... 

The "2 Steves" and Julie had been out in the strong winds down on the Oa, where they had a small flock of Twite and also a Peregrine. Later on, they had seen  2 juv  Golden Eagles when they were along at Claggain Bay over the moorland. Offshore, a Razorbill was present.

Chris Mills and his clients from Norfolk birding had seen 2 White tailed Eagles soaring past as they were getting ready to go out for the day where they are staying this week. Between Kilchoman School and Grainel, they saw a ringtail HH, only about 10 metres away from them...at Craigens, a male Merlin was present. Down on the head of Loch Indaal, a White tailed Eagle was sitting around... 2 Snipe, 6 Redpoll, 2 Crossbills and also 2 Tree creepers were spotted in at Loch Skerrols. Over at Bunnahabhain, they had another Crossbill, then down at Finlaggan a further 9 Crossbills were added to their list for the day. They then saw 3 Golden Eagles as they drove down the Glen road past Storakaig. On their way past Cash Kelly's house and in the bay at Blackrock, they had seen 6 Slavonian Grebes, 12 GND, 3 RTD, 3 L t Ducks, a Scaup and also a Tystie. To finish their day off,  they counted 20 + Chough flying in to the roost  at Kilchoman.

Returning birders from Hampshire, Gary and Wendy are back over for another trip... Round and about their cottage at Carnain, they had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier, 19 P b Brent Geese, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Shelduck, Snipe and some Dunlin.

Jack Fleming was telling me this morning, that he had been hearing a  Tawny Owl as well as a Barn Owl last night down at his house on the Gruinart Flats... 

Tuesday 4th February

Gary sent through some sightings seen yesterday..

2 Crossbills at the fir trees at Bunnahabhain, two Red breasted Merganser at the mouth of the river.

Up at Finlaggan, a Grey Wagtail at the cattle feeding station and also a Merlin hunting the Willow bushes over the moorland.

Chris Mills and his group from Norfolk birding had seen the following birds yesterday,

W T Eagle in the morning 2 miles West of Kilchoman distillery & 3pm a Golden Eagle same area.

Bruichladdich, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 18 Turnstone, 18 PB Brents

Gartbreck - 3 Purple Sands, Slavonian Grebe, 6 Knot

Bridgend, Loch Indaal - 51 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin.

Gaelic centre, Bowmore  22 PB Brents

1 Golden Eagle over the ridge behind Kilchoman House.

Also yesterday, the "Southern migrants" consisting of the 2 Steves and Julie had been out as well.

We saw a little party of Scoters off Bowmore distillery and three male & one female Eider in Loch Indaal after Bruichladdich, on way to Bowmore.

No long tailed ducks yet!!!

I should point out that the weather yesterday was not that great for seeing birds, so well done folks...

Friday 10th January

Gary sent through some sightings from yesterday,

Over at Bunnahabhain - 17 GND, 51 Shags, 11 Cormorants, 4 Common Guillemot, 10 Black Guillemot, 4 Great black backed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 5 Common Gull, 9 Black headed Gull, 1 adult Glaucous Gull, 12 Eider, 5 Crossbills with  2 White tailed Eagles seen over on Jura. Gary also had seen an Otter as well.

Today, around lunchtime, down towards Sunderland Farm, he had seen a juvenile Golden Eagle.

Some sightings seen by ourselves... Around 10 am,  a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen out through the gable end windows as it flew past along the fence line. Later on, closer to lunchtime, the Sparrowhawk was noted out through the big window, as it battled against the ever increasing wind, and a few moments later we had a male Hen Harrier out along the bottom of the crag. Early afternoon, down on the merse at Bridgend, the Little Egret was present between Blue Houses and the auction mart. Coming home and a Merlin flew across the road directly in front of me down at McNicoll's Croft.

Saturday 4th January

Christine Menzies had a male Chaffinch fly into her patio doors earlier on today but after a few minutes, it recovered and flew off. She has had a male Hen Harrier flying past recently and a Sparrowhawk nearly had one of her garden birds for lunch last week. Christine moved over to Islay last year and now lives down in Port Ellen.

Gary was in touch telling me that he had 5 Crossbills at Bunnahabhain and also a  Golden Eagle was seen over the moorland behind Ardnahoe Loch today. He was also telling me that he had several enquiries through about his Wild Islay Birding trips, better still some folk have already booked him, nice one Gary. Check Gary out on the link to him down on the right hand side of the blog..

Graeme Ruthven was out with David Jardine at Gruinart last Saturday, but went to Ardnave afterwards where Graeme had an adult White tailed Eagle on the way sitting on a fence post also a Merlin at Ardnave Loch and 21 Chough. On the way back, he had a male Hen Harrier and another sighting of a Merlin. Later on, Graeme had a juvenile White tailed Eagle near Portnahaven.

Sunday 13th October

Yesterday, early afternoon, and Mandy had seen over 40 Whoopers fly over Kindrochid. Earlier on,  in the fields at Ballinaby, she had seen a flock of Greylags along with some Barnies and Whitefronts present amongst the Greylags. Gary had seen large numbers of Redwing and Skylarks coming in from the North, and also 10 Crossbills flew past. Down at Finlaggan, he had a White tailed Eagle sitting on one of the trees there. He also saw several Crossbills flying along the tops of the trees there as well.

Richard, this morning at around 8am, had seen the 2 White rumped Sandpipers in the same location up at Sanaigmore.

The above is an image of the 2 birds taken yesterday by myself...

Down on the shore line at Sanaigmore, Richard had a Snow Bunting and also a Chough. Down at Blackrock he had counted 18 Scaup. There was also a small pasage of of around 20 Mistle Thrush and Redwing seen at Bunahabhain. At Cattadale, Richard had a male Hen Harrier while off  Bowmore, he had seen a GND and also a RTD out on Loch Indaal.

James, this morning, counted 15,545 Barnies, 36 Whitefronts, 9 Whoopers, 7 Pintail, 14 Pinkies and also 2 Pb Brent Geese. Down on the merse at Bridgend, he saw a White tailed Eagle and also the 2 Snow Geese were still present.

Late afternoon, we too saw the  2 Snow Geese at Bridgend, and then while coming home, there were 56 Whoopers along with large mixed flock of geese seen on one of the barley stubbles at Sunderland.

Tuesday 6th August

Another very late entry, but here goes anyway.. On Monday, Peter and some of his old friends with whom he used to work with had been out and about.. Over at Finlaggan, they saw 4 Crossbills, and then down at the Bowling Green at Bridgend, they saw a Spotted Flycatcher. Today, while they were up here, they had seen a ringtail Hen Harier out over the Machir.

Louise was in touch with the figures from the Corncrake surveys carried out this year. The tally came to 53 calling males, down from last year, but at least a lot more than in the early 2000s when we only had single figures in calling birds heard...

James last night had seen a Barn Owl and today he had a Green Sandpiper both on the reserve at Gruinart.

Tuesday 4th June

Marsali e mailed her rainfall figures for May over at Mulindry and her figure was exactly the same as May last year at 2.48 inches... Thanks Marsali

Ken Reeves, yesterday, had a male Hen Harrier at Gruinart, 2 GND at Bunnahabhain, 2 Chough up behind Port Charlotte and also a White tailed Eagle further along the road from where the Chough were seen.

Chris and Wendy had seen 2 pair of Ringed Plover with young down at Machir Bay yesterday, and the adult birds were trying to distract them away... This afternoon, they had 3 Golden Eagles flying high over the cottages where they are staying.

John and Karen yesterday had 2 R b Merganser at Clagain Bay. Garry, today had 4 RTDs there at Claggain Bay.

The Bowland Birders had seen some Lapwing flying around in a "distressed manner" up towards Storakaig, but when they stopped to have a better look, a hen Peregrine was on top of its' prey, an Oystercatcher.

David Scott had seen a couple of Crossbills and heard a few more down in Bridgend Woods and he also heard a Chiffchaff singing away there as well this morning. This afternoon, he had a GND in summer plumage off Carraig Fhada.

Up here at home, late morning I watched a Hooded Crow being chased away off the bird seed crop by some Jackdaws, away on to the wee crag, and on closer examination with my bins, it was sitting close to its' 4 youngsters....

This evening, there were 12 folk who came along to the Bird nerds meeting which was held down at the South hide at Gruinart, rather than us getting a soaking walking down at Foreland... On our way to the meeting, Distillery Dave spotted an Osprey on top of a telegraph pole down beside Loch Gorm, it took off showing its prey, a fish. Chris and Wendy also saw it on their way out as well and on their way home, it was sitting again in the same location, but with no fish...

Wednesday 29th May

Yesterday afternoon, Martin Armstrong took his daughter Belle out for a stroll along the Laggan where they saw 3 Common Sandpipers and also a Grey Wagtail. On the plantaton, Martin spotted a male Crossbill.

Up here at home, early afternoon we saw a hen Pheasant, out proudly presenting her brood of 7 young chicks, wonder what happened to the 2 dark chicks that we saw last week? 

The weather forecast was almost spot on, with a light dampness coming on around 4 pm, enough to make me stop working out in the garden!!!

Thursday 25th April

Yesterday, Malcolm had a flock of 20 Whimbrel, on the shore, close to the Foreland road end. Mandy had seen an Orange tipped Butterfly on the path beside the River Sorn, below the Auction mart at Bridgend on Sunday.  Some sightings through from George E Jackson.. At Rockside, he has been seeing a mixed Finch Flock of around 150 Birds, mainly Linnets, Goldfinches, along with some Reed Buntings and House Sparrows there too. The flock was disturbed by a ringtail Hen Harrier on Monday and followed yesterday by a cracking male. The newly sown Barley fields have had 47 Greylags, 7 Whitefronts  and also a few Mallards. Down on one of the wee lochans, 3 Tufted Duck were seen. Yesterday, George and Pat had walked down to the Lily Loch where they heard "loads of Willow Warblers" and also a Sedge Warbler calling away. They also had seen a few Orange tipped Butterflies, Speckled Woods displaying and also a single Green Hairstreak.

On Tuesday, Martin Armstrong had a White tailed Eagle fly over the maltings at Port Ellen. 

Today,  he seen Wheaters at Kilnaughton and heard his first Cuckoo of the year at Glenegedale.

This morning, Louise had 5 Curlew, 3 Snipe, heard several Willow Warblers, 2 Redpolls, a Cuckoo heard and also a male Hen Harrier sky dancing, all up behind Port Charlotte. Bob, this morning had a Whitethroat, close to his house. James today had 2 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Siskins, a Golden Eagle, all on the reserve at Gruinart, he also had seen 2 Adders out on the moorland trail. Gary today had a juv. Golden Eagle at Torrabus. Along on Bunnahabhain Bay, he had 14 Tysties, 5 GND & a RTD. Out over Sgarbh Breac he saw a juv. Golden Eagle and also an adult bird. Down at Ardnahoe Distillery, he had 7 Yellowhammers.

Mike and Peter Roberts had gone to see the Dotterel on the Oa, no joy, but had seen 20 Whimbrel flying out over Loch Indaal from close to Bruichladdich. He also had seen one from his house, a new bird for the "Shore Street window list"!!! Val had seen a male Crossbill on the pine trees, close to the Lily Loch.

Also today, Peter Gill had an Osprey at Loch Skerols and shortly afterwards a Peregrine flew past.

Monday 22nd April

Got the e mails through folks, thanks for being patient..

Arjun van Egmond who had been over last week on Islay, spending some time birding, as well as visiting  and possibly sampling some of the produce from the distilleries.. Coming over on the ferry the other day, he had counted 17 GNDs. He was well pleased to see the choughs at various places around Islay. When down at Ardbeg, he saw an adult White tailed Eagle fly over head.
David Wood had a flyover  by a Tree Pipit, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrest,  5 Sand Martin, 2 Swallows all on the Oa last Thursday,. Dave also commented on a noticeable influx of Wheatears and Willow Warblers.
Yesterday evening, Peter Gill had seen a male Hen Harrier, just out of Bruichladdich. Today, Peter had seen 4 Crossbills on the trees at Ballygrant. He also had heard a Cuckoo calling close by. 2 Dabchick were on Loch Ballygrant, with a Chiffchaff calling over at Port Askaig. On the feeders at The Woollen Mill, he saw Lesser Redpolls and Siskins, with a Grey Wagtail seen down on the River Sorn. He also saw a Dipper flying upstream there too.
Down close to Rockside road end, I saw a a male Hen Harrier, just after lunchtime.
Hopefully tomorrow, I will manage to get the sightings in from the others for you to read about!!!!

Saturday 23rd February

Peter has a group of 12 folk over on Islay from Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory in Kent. Back on Thursday, They had seen a White tailed Eagle down on the Oa, the flock of over 200 Twite at Kinnabus, with the Todd's Canada Goose seen at Lyrabus on the Oa as well. They had also seen 5 Fulmars on the nesting ledges on the Oa as well. Between Bruichladdich and the Oa, they had 4 different Golden Eagles. Finally, they had seen 9 Scaup of out on Loch Indaal from Bowmore. Yesterday had been Chris Corrigan's last full day here on Islay. Out from Bowmore, in choppy conditions, he had seen 4 Scaup, a Slavonian Grebe, and 12 Common Scoter. Up at Sanaigmore 2 Chough were present. While going across the road from Loch Gorm to Loch Gruinart, a male Merlin was present, and a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen taking a teal from Loch Gruinart. Finally, down at Kintra, Chris had seen a Peregrine. many thanks for your sightings, Chris.
Yesterday, Gary had seen 2 Crossbills in at Finlaggan, 2 Chough at Mulreesh, and flying way out over Giur  Bheinn, 2 juv White tailed Eagles and also a Juv. Golden Eagle was there as well

Tuesday 20th March

The Horwich Birders yesterday had seen a male Wheatear up at Traigh Nostaig. On their way up to Ardnave, they saw 4 Reed Buntings and a male Stonechat. On Ardnave Loch, 3 Goldeneye, 6  Tufted Duck, a Mute Swan and 2 Whoopers were present. Off Nave Island, they saw 6 GND, 20 Wigeon with 2 Gannets fishing. On Loch Gruinart, there was a pair of Merganser. Between Ardnave Point and Traigh Nostaig, they had a Sanderling, 12 Barwits, 6 Ringed Plover and 12 Chough. Finally down at Machir Bay, they had 56 Ringed Plover, 30 Chough and 2 Buzzard with a female Merlin flying past as they returned up past the Coastguards. They also had seen an adult Golden Eagle and then later on a juv Golden Eagle being mobbed by 2 Buzzards. They also commented on seeing many Lapwings displaying while out on their walk round Ardnave.

Today, Phill had seen the following birds down on the Oa, 2 Golden Eagle, 2 Chough, 2 Whooper Swan, 1 Woodcock, 2 Curlew, 5 Snipe and 8 Lapwing. Gary, today had seen a female Hen Harrier fly past as he drove up to Bunnahabhain. He had 2 White tailed Eagles displaying over the Sound of Islay. Back down round and at Finlaggan, he saw a Sparrowhawk displaying, a juvenile White tailed Eagle harassing some Hooded Crows and also the geese that were present. Gary also counted 17  Crossbills there as well.

Mondaty 12th March

Gary had seen an immature Golden Eagle fly across the Sound of Islay from Bunnahabhain across to Jura, and later on he had a female Hen Harrier fly from Jura across to Islay... He also saw a distant Golden Eagle over the North end of Islay! Down at Finlaggan, Gary had 9 Crossbill in the trees there, with a Glaucous Gull and an Iceland Gull present amongst other Gulls seen there. Along on the short grass beside Finlaggan House, 2 Chough were present. Finally, Gary had a Yellowhammer back at his house.  Here at home, we had 4 Siskin on the feeders amongst the 20 plus clamouring Goldfinches. We also saw a Golden Eagle flying high over the hill behind Sunderland Farm and late afternoon a couple of Lesser bb Gulls flew along the crag. Just before lunchtime I spotted a Fulmar flying along the front of the crag and head on, out towards the sea.

Sunday 4th March

Yesterday, George E. Jackson had commented on the amount of fresh goose droppings that he had seen down on the Machir Bay, presumably barnacle goose dropping after roosting on the bay after the full moon that we have had this week. Beside the pool at the carpark there, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Golden Plover, (1 complete with black under belly) and also 4 "alba" White Wagtails were seen. On the dunes, there were 3 Lapwing along with 20 Oystercatcher and then a group of 40/50 boisterous Chough. Finally, he managed to flush a Jack Snipe out of the marram grass. In the afternoon returning up from Port Ellen along the high road, he saw 4 Redwing and also 3 Fieldfare. Finally back at Rockside, George had a distant Golden Eagle out over the distillery. Yesterday, Distillery Dave had seen a Snipe and 2 Woodcock down at Cornabus Plantation. Today, down on the "duck pond" behind Machir bay, Dave saw 6 Whooper Swan and counted 36 Chough poking and probing in the Machir itself. Gary and Sam had seen 2 Crossbills in the trees at Staoisha and when returning home, a Golden Eagle flew over Heather house beside Caol Ila.