Monday 27th June

 Photo by Billy of a metal ringed common sandpiper in the Port Askaig area.  Sadly, unable to read the ring!  I'm still to hear back from my ringed oystercatcher at Claddach, however I am led to understand it was ringed as part of a larger project in Ireland.  Indeed in 2019 John Bowler wrote about Tirees' colour ringed oystercatchers, who appear to breed on Tiree but overwinter on Irelands' coast.  The one I saw was part of a family group with 2 fledged youngsters. Though flying, they cannot have come too far.

Also at Claddach this year I have seen my first lapwing chicks in over ten years. The soggy cloudy summer appears to suit the waders well.  Between the showers today the sun was shining enough to remind us it is June. 

This morning, a ring-tailed hen harrier was quartering the boggy area about Claddach Loch.  Over near the airport at the old runway, Shona-Isla spotted a male hen harrier.  Gary reported an adult great spotted woodpecker with a juvenile in flight towards the woods by Ballygrant Inn.

Mary

Tuesday 8th JUNe

The RochdaleBirders had seen a Greater Spotted Woodpecker down on the other side of Islay today...

Up here at home we have been watching the antics of the 7 Golfinches in at the feeders, with the pair of House Sparrows present as well as a single Great Tit. This afternoon/ evening we watched the Ravens, a Hooded Crow, the Chough returning to their roost, many Jackdaws were also seen.

Sunday 8thNovember

 Last night, Dave Pierce sent through the following e mail to me with the birds seen by him...

"Amongst others on Loch Indaal, 61 Common Scoter and 5 Long-tailed Ducks (4 male, 1 female).

A Golden Eagle (the light was against me but appeared a juvenile) on a deer fence post for a good deal of the morning at Druim na h-Erasaid immediately south of the Gruinart flats. Early afternoon, an adult Goldie circled over the flats & floods causing consternation with the waterfowl and waders. With waders, there were 5 Grey Plover.

 Shortly after the first of 2 Hen Harriers sightings occurred, with a brown quartering low over the floods, whilst a grey was hunting at Ardnave a little later. 

Also at Ardnave were 18 Fieldfares, 20+ Choughs with 2 Long-tailed Ducks on the loch (both females, I'd had a male & female on Wednesday). 

Finally a juvenile White-tailed Eagle late afternoon at Gruinart was a great finish to the day for me, if not for the assembled geese!"

 Dan Brown had seen the following birds when out and about yesterday..  

"A Todd's type (possibly 2) and a Cackling goose on the flats. We also had a Great Spotted Woodpecker clearly migrating west along the flats at Gruinart. It got "stuck" when it got to us and the end of the trees but finally plucked up the courage and headed on West to the farm.

2 Merlins, 2 Peregrines and 2 Hen Harriers here too."

Peter was in touch today, reporting through to tell me that the American Wigeon was seen today at Loch Skerolls, but he also told me that the number of Whoopers present has dropped down to around 50 in total present  there.

The back of lunchtime up here today, and we were well pleased to see a cracking male Hen Harrier out on the wing flying along the bottom of the crag. We now have a smalll resident group of 10 Blackbirds were out on the grass as well as 7 Redwings.

The Bolton Birders also had been seeing 10 Blackbirds this morning down in Port Charlotte and also 5 Blackcaps. Over on Jura, earlier on through the week, they had seen a total of  4 Eagles when over there, their Eagles were 3 WTEs and a Golden Eagle. Down at Curie sands they had seen 12 Choughs rooting around looking for some food.

I was speakng to James earlier on this afternoon, and he was saying about the number of Eagles being seen here on Islay. He also was commenting on the Choughs being seen in different places this Autumn. Today, James had spotted a Pink footed Goose as well as 2 P b Brents amongst the Barnies seen over at Gruinart. In his garden, James has had a regular Goldcrest visiting his garden most days recently. 

Wednesday 4th November

Marsali kindly sent me through the reading from her rain gauge over at Mulindry for the  month of October which came to 242mms or 9.68 inches and that was the wettest month so far this year and the wettest October for about 6 years.  Wow, drier than Eric Bignall's tally for October.

Dan Brown yesterday had seen a "juv Glaucous Gull south over the Gruinart flats plus 150 Whoopers. On Monday, he estimated 600-1000 Whoopers arrived as well as many White-fronted Geese."

Yesterday , Mike Bell had seen the following birds when out.. 

"Whooper swans 14 SW Kilchoman  0745 hr, 6 leaving Loch Gorm SW 0755 hr, 29 Gruinart 0810 hr with 14 of these leaving 0815 hr then the rain started. 83 Gruinart at 1510 hr with 54 leaving SW 1520 hr.Loch Gorm 1 imm WTE flying west 0755 hr.

Blackrock 10 Scaup.

Eallabus 60 redwing, 1 treecreeper.

Loch Skerrols, walked round without my telescope and unhelpfully many wigeon on the far shore, far fewer with perhaps c200 and 106 Whoopers including a pair with 6 juvs. Also a dipper at the outlet burn, 1 goldcrest, 6 bullfinch.

Octavulin 6 pinkfeet, 90 fieldfare plus 28 S, redwing 180, chaffinch 75.

Redhouses 40 & 70 redwing S.

Cattadale 90 redwing.

Storakaig gate 1 male hen harrier, 1 carrion crow with hoodies, and also 2 yellowhammer."

Dave Pierce is over for a few days along with his wife, not leading a tour this year arriving yesterday, so here are some of Dave's top birds seen on Tuesday...."A Greenshank & several G N Divers around Kennacraig during our departure from the Mainland. Also maybe of note was a Red Squirrel about a mile north of Tarbert.

Sailing up the Sound of Islay from the ferry we observed an adult White-tailed Eagle standing on Glas Eilean. Another WTE  showed well nearby flying low over the coast of Jura with an adult Golden Eagle soaring close by, whilst a Peregrine crossed over from there to Islay.

Arriving at their cottage near Bridgend the vast avian assemblage included 42 Pale bellied Brent Geese.

Dr Matt Jackson had counted 48 Redwing in his garden today. Also seen today were the folowing  by Gary.... Sub ad WTE on the sand at Bridgend, 1500 Golden Plover on sand, 7 Grey Plover on the merse, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard in woods at Whin Park with 2 Bullfinch also there.

Monday 19th October

Mike Hill yesterday down on the Oa had a Merlin harassing a flock of Goldfinches. A couple of Choughs and Ravens, 4 Stonechat and a flock of around 40 Linnet.

Back at Kilchoman from just beyond the military cemetery we watched double figures of Choughs heading to roost as the sun went down

Peter last night counted the Starlings coming in to the roost at Bruichladdich Pier and got an amazing tally of 903 in the mumeration.

Yesterday, Lesly Silcock had a juv. Great spotted Woodpecker on the feeders in her garden

Today, visitors, Mark and Alison Cockburn had seen "a Rose-coloured Starling at the side of the Co-op in Bowmore.  We are here for a holiday until Saturday.  I had given up on the day and was getting a paper.  Just shows you that you see birds when you don’t expect to."  So we are all wondering as to whether this is the same bird that has been around for some time now...

James today had a Siskin in his feeders at his garden.

Tressa Morris had seen a Greenland white fronted goose in a group of 12GWF at Craigens with a neck collar fitted to it, so I await Tony Fox's reply.

Thursday 4th June

Peter e mailed some sightings ....


"There has been a recent unconfirmed report of a Nuthatch at Bunnahabhain, This would be a first for Islay, so I popped down there to look for it – no luck. There were 8 Black Guillemots in the bay and a lovely Otter fishing just off the pier. Grey Wagtails, Spotted Flycatchers and Goldcrests all present and looking as if they are breeding. I went for a walk to Lily Loch and the deciduous woodland there to see if the nuthatch may have moved to thicker cover, but couldn’t find anything. However, there was a lovely Great Spotted Woodpecker on dead trees around the loch – interesting that the species still seems to be here as it was the first site for suspected breeding on Islay a few years back."

Sunday 10th May

Peter was in touch by e mail earlier on this evening...

"Here are a couple of records from yesterday (Saturday) from Pia as she was walking the dogs at Loch Skerrols:

• Adult White tailed Eagle low overhead
• Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming loudly.  Looking back through this spring’s records, it really does look as if this species has now become properly established on Islay. Looking back through the blog for March and April and up till now, there have been records from Ballygrant/Lily loch; Ardbeg; Laphroaig; Foreland and now Loch Skerrols – so there seem to be a few pairs now spread across suitable woodland habitat over the island."

Sunday 26th April

A couple of birds from yesterday, through from Gary. "A Kestrel flew over woods beside his  house this afternoon. Male Hen Harrier across road at Gartmain and  away along the shore."

Petr emailed through with the following, later on last night...
"At least 3 corncrakes calling here at 8.30pm this evening between Bruichladdich and Conisby."

Bob gave me a shout on the phone this morning.. and he was telling me that he had seen  a Golden Eagle flying over his house a few days ago. Down at Octomore, Bob saw 3 first winter Med Gulls following the plough. On his way to Bowmore, he had counted 22 Whimbrel just past Blackrock.

Also interesting. In garden have a male blackbird often in. Yesterday twice noticed him with a worm which he dipped in bird bath before flying off. Why, to clean it or to wet it as its been so dry ? Cannot say I have noticed this behaviour before. Certainly the bird bath in use for drinking by all the birds and also for bathing. Or like the pigeons simply settle down in it like a cool bath and a dose off.
Karen Graham  from Bearsden had in touch with her question...

David Livingstone heard a GS woodpecker drumming away this morning in the woods at Ardenistle over at Laphroaig.

Lesley e mailed  through some great sightings through as well
"We almost had rain today, but not quite. Still there is a few hours to go. Biting wind again. Walk at Kilchiaran. I stopped to check a bird disappearing into a hedge when a large shadow passed over me. Golden eagle. As I opened the car door at Kilchiaran first 2 birds heard and seen Sand Martins.  Second Whimbrel of the week in the bay. Linnets in pairs and small flocks of Twite. One pair with nesting materials. One bird was colour ringed. L O/Y didn't see R.
A Common Sandpiper on the burn and my second Grasshopper warbler heard on way back. Close and clear view of Sandwich Tern and a GN Diver L Indaal before Bruichladdich.
Another great day."

Thursday 23rd April

Gary had seen the following birds today..
"Two cuckoos busy over the moorland behind the house, quite a few Wheatear around Finlaggan, seven Buzzard in the air around Finlaggan also two juvenile Golden Eagle in the air north & south of the Loch."

Val Peacock had the following birds seen at Foreland when she was out on a short walk there...
"1  Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap & a GSW drumming. (Seems like the species has really established itself on Islay over the past few years and is being noted in all suitable woodland across Islay)."

Mandy, this afternoon had seen a Golden Eagle and  also a Buzzard in the thermals above her house.

Monday 13th April

Mary-Ann Featherstone who lives along the coast from Ardbeg Distillery sent through some birds of interest..

"The Cuckoo arrived on the 8th, only 1 at the moment, we often get 3 calling at once.

The Greater spotted Woodpecker is tapping loudly in the trees.

Tawny Owls calling day and night most days since last week.

Grey Herons seen in pairs.

Great Northern Diver in the bay."

Thuirsday 12th March

Yesterday Dave and Jean Killick had been out and about
"We have been dodging the showers. We started around Bowmore where we spotted a Great Northern Diver and 2 Scaup.

Loch Skerrols was quiet except for a small flock of Tufted Duck and a pair of Bullfinches in the woods. In the fields at Eallabus there was a flock of at least 31 Skylarks.

Our last stop was a walk from Ballygrant through to Lily Loch. On Loch Ballygrant we found 3+ Little Grebes and as we walked through, we found a single Brambling, 12+ Redwings, a Grey Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker."

Gary had also braved the elements yesterday as well...

"Went looking for the Lapland Bunting on the Coullabus road. No joy but had over 30 Reed Buntings at wee quarry near Lagstoban. Male Hen Harrier up at Finlaggan."

Saturday 2nd November

Well I must be getting a bit forgetful in my old age/ dotage... the rainfall up here at the cottage came to 6 inches exactly for the whole of October....

Colin Bushell came over on Thursday with a group from Limosa Holidays, a good friend who we met over the past few years at the Bird Fair at Rutland... Despite the poor weather, yesterday, they still managed a great day's birding... Highlights included 30 P b Brent on Loch Indaal, a Todd's Canada Goose amongst the Barnies on the flats at Gruinart, up the side of Loch Gruinart, they had a Long tailed Duck. They had seen a total of at least 4 W T Eagles and also a Golden Eagle there as well. Also seen on Loch Indaal were the following, 21 Greater Scaup, 4 Common Scoter, Eiders, GND , RTDs and also 2 Tysties.

On Thursday, the team from RAFOS had 20 Siskins down at The Woollen Mill. Yesterday round on one of the stubble fields at Ballinaby, they counted 230 Whitefronts, 28 Greylags, 480 Barnies and 2 Pale bellied Brents. Below Carnduncan, they had  a ringtail Hen Harrier.  Over the flats at Gruinart they had seen over 1,000 Golden Plover in the air. One of their group had also seen 2 Goosanders out on the estuary at Gruinart.

Yesterday morning, the Rochdale birders had seen a Peregrine out from Ardnahoe Distillery and then shortly afterwards, they saw a Golden Eagle being mobbed by 2 Buzzards as they drove up to Bunnahabhain. In a walk through Bridgend Woods in the afternoon, they had seen a Great spotted Woodpecker.

MB yesterday had counted 31 Knot, 95 Ringed Plover and 109 Dunlin at the head of Loch Indaal at Bridgend. Ballygrant Loch held a Dabchick, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Cormorant and 2 Herons. A walk down to Loch Allen proved more productive with MB counting the following birds... 32 Scandinavian Blackbirds, a G s woodpecker, 160 Fieldfare (40 +120), 20 Redwing, a British      Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Treecreeper, 45 Siskin, a Redpoll and he heard a Bullfinch calling away.

This morning, Distillery Dave had a Little Egret round at Kilchoman Distillery, it was also seen by 2 of the members of the RAFOS team as they headed out to the ferry.

Friday 21st June

This morning, on his way into the Machrie, for a round of golf, David Livingstone had seen a male Hen Harrier on the ground eating its' prey. 

This afternoon, while we were oustside doing a spot of birdwatching, Margaret saw a Buzzard swoop down onto the ground. It was being annoyed by a hen Pheasant and shortly afterwards the Buzzard flew off, carrying the hapless Pheasant chick away in its' talons... We were pleasantly surprised watching around 25 to 30 Sand Martins flying low over the meadow next door, great to watch them hawking for some food.

Today, was John Wilson's last full day of this present visit... Down on the Oa, they had seen some Twite and heard 2 Corncrakes calling away...Out past Ardbeg, they had a Great spotted Woodpecker and out on the water on Claggain Bay, 19 Red breasted Merganser were present. Finally John saw a ringtail Hen Harrier along at Rockside.

Friday 7th June

Yesterday morning, Ken Reeves had seen  2 Otters while over on Jura. Later on back on Islay, he had seen a Golden Eagle when driving along the "glen road", a Hen Harrier seen down close to Mulindry. in Bridgend woods, a Great spotted Woodpecker was present and then down at Claddach , a Whinchat was seen.

David Livingstone had seen a White tailed Eagle soaring high in the sky, late yesterday evening down between Cornabus and Kintra, over out from Port Ellen

Monday 3rd June

Coming over on the ferry on Saturday to Islay on Saturday, David and Catherine Scott had seen 3 Puffins and also an Arctic Tern. Yesterday, they had found another nest site of a Great spotted         Woodpecker, this one was in the woods up from Bridgend. It is David and Catherine's first visit to Islay, and had met up with a few of us at the British Birdfair at Rutland over the past few years.

John and Karen loked up today for a cuppa and catch up, they too have been visiting Islay and also us at Rutland and were telling me that they had seen a White tailed Eagle the other day up behind Port Charlotte, earlier on during their present visit. Great to see you both!!!

Ken Reeves e mailed to say that he too is over this week, and from the ferry he had seen 2 BTD and then a Golden Eagle flying low over Jura as the ferry sailed up the Sound of Islay towards Port Askaig yesterday.  Below where Ken and his family group are staying, they heard 2 different Corncrakes calling. Down towards Portnahaven, at Easter Ellister, they saw the Velvet Scoter on the pond ....  Ken is another returning visiting birder and good friend from his numerous visits both to Islay and also to us at Rutland. 

Monday 27th May

Back to the drier weather again, having said that the little rain that we did have will no doubt have been of some use to the gardeners rather than to the Distilleries..

Up here at home, we have had  great sightings of Stonechats and also Whinchats. This afternoon, we were in the right place, at the right time, and happened to see 3 Buzzards flying high up above us.

The Bolton birders areback for another Islay fix. Today, they had seen a Great spotted Woodpecker on a nest site, and on their travels round Islay yesterday, a total of 4 different male Hen Harriers were seen.

Please remember that there is no meeting of the Bird nerds tomorrow evening, but we shall be meeting next Tuesday evening, venue and time to be confirmed...

Friday 24th May

An e mail through from Garry saying that he had seen an Osprey over at Bun an Uillt which is on the East side of Loch Gruinart and shortly afterwards he had another Water rail cross the road down at Coullabus, possibly the same bird that he saw at Erasaid.

Marcus Covell, down at The Woollen Mill, was telling me that he has been hearing a Great spotted Woodpecker on a regular basis lately. The birds present on the feeders are worth a visit themselves!

Up here at home, we counted 17 Choughs, sitting on the garage roof, needless to say, they were being nosey and very vocal, especially when they flew off...

Wednesday 15th May

Another great day with the weather, but I succumbed to using the watering can on the newly sown vegetables that I planted the other day...

Yesterday, when were over at The Woollen Mill, we saw 4 Collared Doves and Gordon, the stalwart there, was telling me that they have been seeing a Great spotted Woodpecker recently on the feeders.

Today, Mandy had heard a Whitethoat singing over at Carnduncan, and here at home, I saw the hen Pheasant again with her 2 youngsters, wonder how many she started out with ???

Thursday 28th February

Well, that is almost another month in again, so we will all have to wait in suspense to learn how much rain there has been, not a lot on Islay, I am sure. Having said that, it might be a lot more than some other places.
Yesterday, Peter had a phone call through from Pia , his wife who was in for a walk at Loch Skerrols. Peter heard Pia talking,  but in the background he heard a Great spotted Woodpecker drumming away in the background as well. Peter also told me that he too has had his lawn mower out cutting their grass.
The temperature has dropped quite a bit today, more inline of where it should be, net result is that the birds are back enjoying any food on offer.

Wednesday 27th February

Some sightings through from Gary... On Monday, he had seen a male Great spotted Woodpecker over at Kildalton. Along the road he saw a White tailed Eagle out over the skerries out from the Dower House. Over on the Oa, Gary had a Golden Eagle, and at Cornabus,the Todd's Canada Goose was still present.
Yesterday, Gary had a Greenshank as well as the Green winged Teal, both out from the  North hide at Gruinart. Over the hills behind the East side of Loch Gruinart, Gary spotted 3 Golden Eagles and also a White tailed Eagle.
Late this afternoon in flat calm conditions, Mike had a count of 97 GND, 24 RTD and 60 Guillemots going into the roost on Loch Indaal. Earlier on around 4pm, Mike 151 Common Scoter, out from Port Charlotte, feeding and displaying. Mike this morning had seen his first Siskin of the Spring in his garden in Port Charlotte. This balmy weather continues, I was out in the garden in my shirt sleeves, gardening, not the case a year ago. To think that I cut the grass over a week ago and it is still only February!!!!