Thursday 12 May

 

The last of Jims photos, showing both dark and light bellied Brent geese.

Nice day out today, a flock of 7 whimbrel over by Frenchmans Rocks while I was doing my rounds.  At Claddach Loch, a house Martin among the swallows and sand martins. First of the season for me.

At Ellister Loch, the Velvet Scoter drake has returned with his common scoter duck.  Been a regular visitor to the Loch for around 10 years.  It must be 2010 or 11 that I was asked to check the Loch for common scoter, and saw a velvet drake see off the common drake from a pair. Escapee or otherwise, a beautiful bird to see.

David D on the Oa spotted a Manx Shearwater off shore.

Jackie Wood has returned with todays highlights including red-throated diver and 2 great northern divers off Claggain Bay, with a flock of 7 whimbrel in nearby fields.  South of Bowmore, a male hen harrier, a large flock of 40+ oystercatcher at the head of Loch Indaal.  At Ardmore House, Kildalton, she saw both male and female cuckoo.

James reported that the garganey at the South Hide and the tree sparrows by his house are still present.

James has also put out a request: This is a request rather than a report: Does anyone have good images of white tailed eagles hunting geese or 3 or more white tailed eagles together – preferably around Loch Gruinart. I am putting together a report for SOC and would like to include some images. Images would be credited to owner.

Thanks to all for todays sightings.

Mary

Friday 21st May

I received an e mail this morning from Dr BobYoung who is Clive McKay's brother in law if my memory serves me correctly....  He was saying that he had heard a Corncrake calling down in the reed bed towards the Machir Bay.

Tonight, James e mailed the following to me as well...

"A male Garganey was seen in front of south hide at Gruinart on my way home this evening"

Wednesday 30th May

Steve Davies from North Wales was on the phone last night. He had been visiting Islay last week, and by the way he spoke to me, it  was his first visit and certainly not his last... Down on the Oa, he had seen a male Hen Harrier out quartering out over the moorland. On his way back from the Oa, he had another great sighting, this time a Buzzard dropping on to its' prey successfully, an Adder was the victim.. Up at Gruinart, he saw an Osprey taking a fish from the water. Another day during his visit, he had seen an adult White tailed Eagle and also a sub adult close together, forgot to ask exactly where.. Great to speak to you last night Steve...

Some birds  heard at Gruinart yesterday evening at the Bird nerds meeting included a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, Robin and Skylarks. Birds seen were Swallows, House Martins, Sand Martins, Mallard with young, Redshank also with young, Lapwing, Teal,  Shoveler, Rooks, Jackdaws, a couple of Hooded Crows and also 8 Black tailed Godwit in full summer plumage. And, we never heard a Corncrake calling... though we did see some Hares.

Bob was in touch this afternoon to say that he has got 2 pair of House Martin using his cups/ trays that he has put up for them to use as nest sites. James emailed through late afternoon to say that he had seen a pair of Garganey out in front of the South hide at Gruinart.

Tuesday 9th May

Yesterday evening Bob had spotted the male Garganey out in front of the South hide, possibly the same duck that "the Olds" had seen earlier on. Today, James had watched an Osprey for some time over on Loch Gruinart itself. "The olds" today had seen 23 Whimbrel on the emerging barley field down at the Coastguards. Along at Coull, they saw a Sedge Warbler and then shortly afterwards a Collared Dove. Over, close to the airport they saw a cracking male Hen Harrier and finally 9 Pale bellied Brent geese at Blackrock. Up at Ardnave,Mark had seen 2 Great Skuas, 8 Comic Terns, 2 Barnies, 16 Whimbrel, 95 Dunlin, 57 Ringed Plover, a Hen Harrier, 17 Barwits and an Otter. The Bowland birders had been over out past Ardbeg today. In Kildalton Woods, they had Willow Warbler, Chifchaff, 3 Blackcap, Tree creeper, Siskin, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Redpoll, Goldcrest, Chaffinch and Wren. Along at Claggain Bay, they saw 2 Cuckoo, Tree Pipit, 4 GND, 16 Arctic Terns flying towards Port Ellen, many Redpoll, Common Sandpiper and a Sparrowhawk. On their way back to their holiday cottage, at Blackrock, they had the Brent Geese, House Martin and Raven. Here at home, this evening Margaret had a count of 33 Chough out on the machir. The birds have been busy again on the feeders, might try and get a count of them tomorrow for you...

Monday 8th May

Another great set of sightings today for you to peruse...

Yesterday morning at 7am Mike had counted 79 Common Scoter, 13 GND, 4 RTD. Later on Mike walked up to Bolsay from Port Charlotte and had Grasshopper Warbler, Whinchat, Cuckoo, he also saw a juv. Golden Eagle being mobbed by Raven, Buzzard and Hooded Crows. On Kilnaughton Bay, yesterday, Dave saw 6 Whimbrel, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern and a GND. Today, Mandy had heard Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler at Carnduncan with a Reed Bunting calling nearby as well. Phill sent some highlights from Kinnabus on the Oa this morning, "lots of Skylarks and Mipits, 8 Linnets, 4 Redpoll, 4 Wheatear, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 2 Stonechat, and 5 Swallow. Phil also saw the Magpie at Upper Cragabus on his way home late afternoon. "The Olds" today had seen a male Garganey at Gruinart, heard 2 Corncrakes calling on their way to the South hide, 4 Snipe were roding, up at Ardnave they had 12 Whimbrel, and down on the River Sorn below Bridgend they saw a Grey Wagtail. Bob heard a Whitethroat in his garden and then saw a female Blackcap over at the water works. The Bowland Birders had been up round Ardnave today counting 3- 400 Dunlin, 100 Ringed Plover, 100 Whimbrel, 5 Sanderling, 2 Chough, 4 Little Tern, 20 Barwit, a BTD, 6 Swallow, 25 Sand Martin, 3 White Wagtail, and a dog Otter. Other birds seen were GND, Sedge Warbler, Turnstone with a Corncrake as well. Ardnave Loch held, Teal, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Mallard and Redshank. Here at home, last night we heard a Corncrake calling down towards the Coastguards' and today Margaret counted 4 Hares out beside the "game crop" and a further 3 on the machir at the same time. Also on the machir were 22 Chough. 

Wednesday 26th April

A better day again with the weather, not so windy, so I made the most of it and got our "game crop" sown for the birds in the Autumn/ early Winter, the bees can make use of the pollen too...

Up at Ardnave, Mark had over 300 Blackwits and at least 400 Golden Plover moving through. Peter Gill had around 80 Whimbrel down on the shore at Uiskentuie. Up at Gruinart, he saw the male Garganey out from the South hide. A Sparrowhawk was seen flying high over the car park and while walking the Moorland trail, a male and also 2 ringtail Hen Harriers were present. Finally down the reed bed leading to Machir Bay, Peter heard a Sedge Warbler.

Saturday 22nd April

What a glorious day it has been with wall to wall sunshine, better still, the sun is streaming in though the windows as I write the blog..

Gary yesterday had a count of around 200 Pied and White Wagtails on the sand, down at Crosshouses. Gary reckons that there were at least 15 White Wagtails present. Some sightings also yesterday from James at Gruinart. On reserve he had the Green winged Teal, a male Garganey, a Greenshank, 162 Blackits, 10 Whoopers, a Golden Eagle and also a Merlin. Peter Gill yesterday evening had seen 4 Woodcock calling and flying low over the moor up behind Port Charlotte. Today, Peter had walked round the far side of Loch Skerrols and then down past the North Lodge and along the "Strath" back to Bridgend. At Skerrols itself, a Great spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming and soon afterwards, it was seen. 6 Blackcaps were heard there as well, more than down in Bridgend Woods. 2 Chiffchaff were also heard on his walk, with 2 Grey Wagtails seen on the River Sorn as he approached The Woollen Mill. Just past Uiskentuie, 10 Whimbrel were seen, while up at Gruinart, an Orange tipped Butterfly was present. 

Wednesday 11th May

Another glorious day out here today, earlier this morning Carol Kirkwood on the BBC weather forecast  stated that at that point Islay was hottest place in the UK, and that was before 8am... Possibly all contributors have gone sunbathing today as not a lot to report so far. Last night when we down watching the Hawfinch, there were also 3 Siskins present along with Chaffinches, Goldfinches and a couple of Greenfinches as well. Here at home today, there was a Lesser Redpoll and a couple of Greenfinches apart from our usual Goldfinches etc. This evening along at Rockside on the barley fields were 38 Greylags while at Ballinaby, 10 Golden Plover and 4 Dunlin were seen. Speaking with Bob last night, we were both of the same opinion that we thought that there were more Cuckoos around this year...  The Bowland birders today had seen the Garganey drake on the left hand flood in front of the viewing platform. Also there were 2 Whoopers. Along at the North hide/new hide/ Taigh Tuath, 3 Ruff were spotted along with a Snipe and a Mistle Thrush. A walk round Ardnave Point produced 5 Little Terns & 2 Sandwich Terns. There was also a steady movement of Arctic Terns, around 1 flew past every minute for over an hour. Other birds seen included 60 Barwits, 30 Ringed Plover, 25 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin and 6 Whimbrel. Back at the steading , 2 different Corncrakes were heard with a pair of Tufties seen on the Loch

Tuesday 28th April

A dreich sort of a day, may be it is just as well we cannot "decide" who gets what weather, come to think of it, there is a General Election next week, vote for the Sunshine Party... not that I am standing anyway!!George and Pat Jackson are over for a few days (not our usual George from Bruichladdich!) While waiting for the ferry to leave from Kennacraig, they saw a pair of Black Guillemots entering one of the port holes where the anchor chains come through... I wonder whether it is the same pair that raised a brood there last year!! Later, on Sunday evening a Whinchat flew into the window where they were staying... it recovered and flew off the next morning, none the worse for wear. On Monday, they had seen a male Hen Harrier close to Coulabus. The Rochdale birders yesterday had seen 11 Whimbrel at Gruinart, a Peregrine over the reserve, along at Ballinaby, there was a flock of 270 Golden Plovers, along the road, a Mallard with her brood of 12. A male Hen Harrier was seen at Foreland with another seen at Storakaig. Near to Storakaig there was an Iceland Gull. 2 Whinchat were spotted close to Rockside. Yesterday, James had (£Blackwits on the floods in front of the old hide. Tonight was the Bird nerds meeting at Gruinart with 5 visitors, including one from Oz, Great to meet you all folks. Bob had 7 Whimbrel at Coultorsay. From the hide, we had a Lapwing along her brood, a Moorhen, several Snipe, Redshank, Blackwits, along with the other usual ducks. A pair of Garganey were reported there the other day. The Blackwits were close to the hide

Saturday 24th May

Another great day with wall to wall sunshine and blue skies... Yesterday Ken and Sal had spent some time down on the Oa where they saw a Glaucous Gull fly past and join some Herring Gulls, LBB Guls and Common Gulls in a field past Fang Dhu. They also had 1 Kestrel, 2 Buzzards, 3 Ravens, several Northern Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, numerous Hoodies and Mipits. Down at Kilnaughton Bay 2 GND, 3 Black Guillemot, 2 Common Guillemot, 2 Common Sandpiper were seen and Siskins were heard calling from the trees there as well. In all, Ken and Sal had 106 species seen during their 7 days here. Graham and Jo yesterday had gone over to Claggain Bay were they had 14 Arctic Terns, 6 Ringed Plover (+ 1 Chick), 4 Dunlin, 2 Common sandpiper and a GND. From the top of Loch Indaal, 2 Arctic Terns, 4 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover with 2chicks were seen. Later, a trip round the Rhinns produced 3 Buzzard, 3 Chough and 2 Golden Eagle, a great week. Andrew and Jane, the Bowland Birders yesterday had seen a pr of Garganey at Gruinart and also the Green winged Teal, but no joy with the Phalarope, or the Temminck's Stint. Their tally for their fortnight' stay was 123 species seen. Thanks to all the above birders in giving us their sightings, makes the blog more interesting when you get others helping us along. No doubt we will meet up down at Rutland at the Bird Fair come August, not far away... Michal yesterday had seen a Common Sandpiper and a Heron in at Finlaggan and also heard a Cuckoo there as well. The "Islay bird nerds" will be meeting up on Tuesday evening (27th May) at 7pm over at the track down at the Airport which leads down to the beach, we had a great time time there last year, so if you are over this week, come and join us!

Thursday 15th May

David and Jane Griffiths had been out a walk at Ardnave on Tuesday and heard the elusive Corncrake calling close to the steading... wonder how many folk hear them compared to those who actually see them! On their way back from Ardnave they had a male Hen Harrier out quartering his patch at Kilnave. On the Glen road, David heard a Grasshopper Warbler, while along at Neriby a Cuckoo was being purseued by a small bird. David has also been seeing Siskins on his bird table lately as well. Yesterday Andrew and Jane, the "Bowland birders" had seen 4 Black Guillemots at the pier at Bruichladdich, also there were 4 Turnstone and a pr of Common Sandpiper. From the old hide at Gruinart, they saw the following, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Dabchick, Moorhen, Snipe, Mallard, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Sedge Warbler, Cuckoo, Corncrake, B H Gull, Shelduck, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Wheatear, Redshank, Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow. Along the "woodland trail", their birds were Greenfinch, Coal Tit, Robin, Treecreeper, Rook & Jackdaw while down at the new hide Gadwall, Shelduck, Moorhen, Wheatear, Lapwing and Mute Swan were seen. Today Bob had a young male Hen Harrier out skydancing on the Rhinns. On the reserve at Gruinart, James had 2 Garganey. This morning we saw a male Hen Harrier on the reserve at Gruinart, another later over Carnduncan and then a ringtail below Coulererach, we also saw 2 Cuckoos, one at Carnduncan and the other at the former Kilchoman school. This afternoon, there were around 27 Chough out over the dunes behind Machir Bay.

Friday 25th October

Just as well we manage to keep a few birds in reserve for you, as today the weather has not been great.... Some of our contributors, Danny and also Sheila Bancroft headed home today, so thanks for their birds while they were here. The Horwich birders yesterday had seen  12 Whoopers on Loch Gorm, and then seen 12 take off from Gruinart and head away. On Traigh Baille Aonghais up past Killinallan they had a total of 72 Sanderling, and also 92 Ringed Plover. Whilst parking up at the gate at Killanallan they saw a pr of Stonechats there. Up at Gortantoid, 2 Wrens, 2 Robins, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Blackbirds were seen, as was a Peregrine which flew over low down and then headed off to the hills!Yesterday was the first day that they had not seen any Otters... The Red backed shrike had been seen again at Gruinart. Down on the Oa, Dave had seen a juv WTSE scaring the Geese present. Also on the reserve there were 2 Golden Eagles, Merlin, Buzzard and Hen Harrier. Dave had a count of 400 Whitefronts  with Twite numbers up to 420. other birds seen yesterday included 12 Redwing and 7 Whoopers. The Collinsons had seen 7 Pale bellied Brents down at Bowore today. The birders over with Naturetrek had seen 2 WTSE off Ardnave today and a Garganey amongst the Teal from the hide at Gruinart. Finally off the pier at Bruichladdich, some Common Scoters were seen but no sign of the Surf Scoter.

If you around on Tuesday evening, the "Islay bird nerds" will be meeting up, for their monthly meet, at the Visitor centre at Gruinart at 7.30pm. So if you are over, come along and have a blether, all welcome. 

Monday 13th May

James today had a dark phase Arctic Skua over the reserve at Gruinart. Out on the floods, 2 Pintail, 10 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and 2 Wigeon were seen. From the new hide, the male Garganey was still present along with 3 White Wagtails and 3 Barwits. Along the flats, in the field behind Loch Gruinart House there were around 3,000 Dunlin and 2- 300 Ringed Plover. Visitors had commented on groups of Whimbrel being around. Andrew and Jane saw 2 Turnstone on the spit on Loch Indaal. On the woodland walk at Gruinart, they had a pr of Treecreepers carrying nesting materials. Alsopresent there were Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Willow Warbler, Wren and Robins. From the new hide they also had the Garganey and the Barwits, an Oystercatcher with a BTO ring on, Mallard with ducklings, 4 Teal, 3 Shoveler, Moorhen and 2 Reed Bunting. This evening, over at Coull there were 5 small groups of 4-5 Linnets. Between Coull and Ballinaby, there appear to be more Wheatears around at present. There was a small mixed flock of 30 Ringed Plover and 30 Dunlin at Ballinaby and also a pr of Canada Geese. On one of the barley fields down at Rockside there were 20 Greylags present.

Sunday 12th May

In between showers and now this evening, it is quite nice outside, even although the ground is soaking. Clark cheered me up no end by announcing this afternoon, that we have had more rain so far this month than we had for the whole of May last year... Think the weather is looking to improve from the middle of the week onwards, fingers crossed.... New visiting birder Alistair yesterday had 3 groups of Whimbrel, each around 20 birds between Bruichladdich and An Gleann down towards Portnahaven. He also heard at least 2 Corncrakes calling at Portnahaven. Today Alistair saw a Cuckoo on the overhead wires close to Wester Ellister. A sea watch from Portnahaven produced over 500 Manx Shearwaters flying North and also an Arctic Skua. Gannets, Razorbills and Guillemots in good numbers too. Around 60 Fulmars flying North too, 4 Arctic Terns in the bay along with a GND. 2 Whitethroats were in song around Portnahaven. Andrew and Jane carried a out a sea watch from Port Wemyss for a an hour  this afternoon, with all birds heading North to Frenchman's Rocks. They were as follows, 300 Manx Shearwater, 150 Gannets, 250 razor/ motts, 50 Kittiwake, 15 Fulmar, 1 Bonxie and the Corncrake was heard behind the church at Portnahaven. James had heard  a Corncrake over at Grainel on the reserve at Gruinart. This morning before the weather broke down while he was out doing his surveys, James heard a total of 4 Grasshopper Warblers, and also saw a Shoveler sitting on a nest. Meanwhile Peter and Pia had been out in the rain and down at Foreland where they had heard 3 Grasshopper Warblers and a Sedge Warbler, also a Whitethroat singing away in the adverse conditions... This evening out in front of the new hide, they had a male Garganey. Back down at Bruichladdich 6 Common Sandpipers were seen along the shoreline.

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.

Friday 20th May

Another of Andy Robinson's images which he has allowed us to share with you. It leads me on to the comment that a lot of youngsters have been seen lately. James had the pair of Mute Swans out in front of the hide proudly showing her 8 cygnets off. The Garganey was still present as were 13 Black tailed Godwit. Earlier on yesterday morning when he was out on the hill doing his survey work, James had a Red Grouse. Off the ferry over to Kennacraig on Wednesday, James had a Pomarine Skua, and while coming back through Ballygrant, a Barn Owl was seen.

On to today, Michal heard a Chiffchaff singing behind the RSPB office at Bushmills, Jon and Angie saw 2 female Goosanders on Ardnahoe Loch with a pair of Bullfinches were close by. Up at Bunnahabhain, they saw a pair of Stonechats feeding 3 young, and lower down towards the distillery, a Coal Tit was seen carrying food. Peter and Linda Jackson from Hampshire had a male Bullfinch, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Blackcap in Bridgend Woods today. They had seen an Eider with young over on Jura through the week. Today we had a Teal with her brood out, crossing the road just after Rockside. Down on the merse towards Bridgend, there were Shelducks out with their young and this evening I saw my first Pheasant chicks along with their mother. I wonder, come the end of the season how many of them survive....not a lot!

Monday 16th May

Another great shot through from Andy Robinson, what can you say, just great...

The weather has not been that good (again), although visitors had seen the Wood Sandpiper and also a Garganey out in front of the hide at Gruinart. Tonight along the flats at Gruinart we counted over 20 Red Deer on our way back home. Earlier on, over at Port Askaig we saw 4 Gannets flying up the Sound. The weather has had a dampening effect on us all today, with not a lot being seen, although the Corncrake is calling away now it is dry again. The Cuckoo had being on song at 5.30 am, not that I heard it, the window was shut, my reason for not hearing it!

Monday 2nd May

Another great day out here, we were out round Loch Gorm this evening, over at Ballinaby, the sand from the fields had been blowing and we were surprised to see it along the roadside! In one of the grass fields there were 30 Dunlin, 30 Golden Plover and 10 Whimbrel. A visitor yesterday had seen a Curlew Sandpiper present there the amongst the Dunlin. Another visitor had seen an Osprey taking a fish out of Loch Indaal over the weekend.

This morning another visitor had seen a Red Kite out from Bunnahabhain, flying over towards Jura. James had a third Garganey on the floods today. Michal had been up at Ardnave this morning where he saw a Golden Eagle being mobbed by a Kestrel, Hen Harrier and a Raven at the same time! Carl had been up there later in the day and had 40 Whimbrel at Ardnave Loch, 5 Little Terns and also a male Hen Harrier. Martin had been over at Kintra at Port Ellen today, and seen his first "Islay" Cuckoo on the "High road" on his way there. At Kintra itself, he had 3 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks, 41 Oystercatcher in one flock on the beach and he counted 28 Sand Martin nest holes in the dunes. There were also 7 Terns flying over Loch Indaal, diving into the sea, but far enough out so Martin was unable to get a positive id. Here at home the Cuckoo is back, calling away before 6 am in the wood, and was heard again further out on the hill late afternoon.

Sunday 1st May

Forgot to wash my face in the dew this morning, not that there was much anyway! The rainfall last month only came to 2.4" and some folk are already talking of a wet June and July.....

James today had a pair of Garganey on the floods out in front of the hide at Gruinart. The other day when coming back to Islay on the ferry, he had seen 2 Sandwich Terns and 5 Great Northern Divers. Bob had a day at home, but a good day for all that, a Kestrel, a male Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 2 juvenile Golden Eagles out on a thermal, and also 6 Whimbrel. Some visitors up from Yorkshire commented on the number of Wheatears they saw today, and also seeing Golden Plover in summer plumage, a sight they are not used to seeing.

Thurs 29th April

A Ring necked Duck was seen today in amongst the Tufted Duck at Loch Ballygrant.
Yesterday, over at Gruinart, James had 11 Pale bellied Brent Geese and a male Garganey. Today, James saw his first Lapwing with young for the year, the Corncrake was heard again on the flats, 4 Sedge warblers were seen as was a Water rail.

There were over 40 Sand martin in the air over at Ballinaby, 20 Whimbrel were at Sunderland Farm and there was a flock of over 200 Golden Plover between Rockside and Coul. Each time they tried to land they were chased off by a different Lapwing. I watched this happening on 5 occasions!

A visitor reported in seeing 78 Scaup off Blackrock at the head of Loch Indaal. They had a good day birding with 76 species seen today alone!

George had a male Hen Harrier at the back of Bruichladdich today, and also a few Great Northern Diver on Loch Indaal. George also was saying that his Swallows are back, with some looking at the garage already!