Thurs 25th June

Another contribution from our visiting friends,

"Morning visit to monitor the current state of the sea bird colony at the "Tooth rocks" at Saligo. The Auk population is disastrously low, in comparison to Colonsay yesterday. There were no eggs, no young and little out at sea. 4 Chough were seen there, plus another 18 at Machir Bay, while there excellent views of Whinchat at Coull.

The afternoon was spent looking again at the wonderful flora on the Killinallan dunes. The Pyramidal orchids were even more splendid, and numerous Frog orchid spikes were seen. Other species are now coming into bloom, providing even more colour for future weeks with Field Gentians just starting to show colour. A Golden ringed Dragonfly and a Marsh Fritillary butterfly were also seen. Redhank and Oystercatcher were very vocal around the rocks on the foreshore.

Grasshopper warblers were "reeling" again at Kilchoman and also down at Bridgend. Back at the cottage, and the Cuckoo was calling late this afternoon." Yet again, thanks folks.

Tues 16th June

Great, another entry from our visitors, saves me the job!

"A day of wildlife watching on the Killinallan side of Loch Gruinart. Beautiful, sunny weather again, with views across to Colonsay and Mull, lovely silver sand beaches all the way.

The bird life was restricted to Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Curlew with Terns off shore. Redshank were calling from their vantage points on fence posts. The dunes were full of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Linnet. A single Diver was seen off Ardnave Point, an immature Black throated Diver.

The day was spent mainly looking at the wild flowers, with many species of orchids about, the pyramidal orchids appear to be having a good year.

A Golden ringed dragonfly was patrolling a small burn, and Four spot chasers were over a wide pool, while large red damselflies were seen, flitting along the pool edges.

Only occasional Painted Ladies were seen, but Burnet moths were numerous.

Sand Martin and Swallow were feeding along the dune edges as we returned back home to our cottage."

Mon 28th July

This image of a Golden Ringed Dragonfly was taken this afternoon as we were out for a short walk in the sweltering heat along the banks of the River Sorn! We were also fortunate to see a Kingfisher briefly as it flew past. IKB

A visitor reported into the Islay Natural History Trust today to say that they had just seen 2 Harbour Porpoises off the peir at Port Charlotte.

In the evening, last night Andy had been out to the Irish Otter Reef which is about 2 - 3 miles off the Oa, and had seen 2 Sooty Shearwater, 20 Storm Petrel, 3 Pomarine Skua, 4 Bonxies and over 4,000 Manx Shearwater. Back on land, down at The American Monument on the Oa, his son, Luke saw 2 Peregrine this morning. RAS