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 16th August

 A weird day with all the weather happening at some point throughout.  Weren't sure whether to be in jackets, tshirts or wooly jumpers!

Peter today had 2 sandwich terns near Port Charlotte. Myself; 2 chough near Craigfad, a wheatear just outside Port Charlotte, 3 raven just outside Portnahaven and a flock of 11 snipe near Claddach.

Over at Kilchoman reserve Margaret had a golden eagle out on the crag,  while near Saligo a ring-tailed hen harrier and a merlin near  Balinaby. 

On Monday, Lucy over at RSPB sent in the highlights of the WeBS there.

Some highlights from the WEBS today at Loch Gruinart.

 

1 Sandwich Tern

161 Oystercatcher

244 Ringed Plover

49 Lapwing

481 Dunlin

103 Curlew

83 Redshank

49 Common Gull

76 Herring Gull

7 Arctic Terns

2 Greenshank

5 Black-tailed godwits

Thanks to all for your sightings!

Mary

Weds 10th August

Todays images from Billy from a walk around the Scarrabus area. 

Margaret reports of a male hen harrier hunting below the crag at Kilchoman reserve, and a sparrow hawk hunting in the garden.

At Port Wemyss, 2 chough flew over the house towards Portnahaven, and later a peregrine followed sa similar route.  A visitor here reported a possible hobby out towards Claddach.

Mary  

 

Weds 6 July

Ring-tailed hen harrier over Keills yesterday, clinging tightly to its lunch! Thanks Billy as always for the photo.

An other autumns day in summer today, although it was warmer for sure the wind just didn't let up all day. Just beyond the lighthouse island Orsay over a dozen gannet were flying close to the waves.  The Arctic terns are still very active and noisy and a smaller group of 8 or so came over the 'wee beach' in Port Wemyss to check us out. Something else I have noticed at Claddach is the resident gull colony are more frantic in their morning hunt for scraps. A tradition at the croft that has gone on for decades, I still throw them a couple heels of bread when I have it. Often it is just a couple of herring gulls and maybe 4 common gull at most. But the gulls are waiting for me lately and 'begging' for the food.  I've not known them so hungry before.

Alan kindly added their highlights from yesterday: On the RSPB guided walk on The Oa, 2 golden eagle, 5+twite, 2 wheatear, 2 black guillemot.  Dunyveig Castle, 2 rock pipit. Bruichladdich from the cottage window one curlew, one common sandpiper, one ringed plover and 3 black guillemot.

hkjh

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

Weds 16 March

A gift of a day today, lovely sunshine and the welcome feeling of spring. At Claddach this morning a pair of pied wagtail near the shed were calling and feeding together.  More insects were visible as the sun grew stronger, a welcome feed for the wee birds about.  A pair of chough flew in late morning towards the coast for their share.  There was also a brown hare mooching about in the heather near where I feed the sheep, and an other 2 at Craigfad.  None were showing the 'mad-march hare' behaviour, but we're only half way through the month!

Steve has gotten in touch via email after a good day out and about.  A ring-tailed hen harrier seen off the high road near Bowmore, and a WTE flying over the low road to Port Ellen.  On their walk round the Oa they counted around 25 twite with skylark in the stubble fields.  In the bay near Ardbeg they counted 8 merganser.  Lastly near Cross Houses, a little egret.

James How has been in contact with a high count of 17 snipe in a flock in front of the south hide. 

Jeff reported his highlights as 7 fulmar around Islay's coastline, an adult WTE on the road to Port Ellen (same bird as Steve perhaps?), then at Gruinart Farm just after sunset, a woodcock.

Mark reported 6 WTE at RSPB Loch Gruinart today.  And, on a sadder note, 3 dead barnacle geese sent off to be tested have been confirmed as having bird flu.

Lastly, from my reliable photographer Billy who was at Ballygrant Loch where he saw both tufted and goldeneye, a little grebe, and a great tit pulling at moss from the trees nearby.

Thanks as ever to all who contributed today.

Monday 14 March

 We have Islay's first Wheatear of 2022! Located by Lucy Atkinson (RSPB volunteer) in the Sanaig area.  I'm sure there are more out there to be found. Always nice to hear their return.

Jeff was at Sanaigmore today where he added 2 chough, a ring-tailed hen harrier and one lesser black-backed gull to the days tally. At Gruinart he spotted the little egret.

A wild and wet morning was followed by a sunny afternoon here on the Rhinns, and the week ahead looks pleasant at last. Here's hoping for a some warmth and dry weather to dry out the soil.

Thursday 10 March

 Back on track now with todays sightings.

Jeff got in touch via email with a sighting of 5 white-tailed eagles at Loch Gruinart and a male hen harrier at Ardnave. No chough seen though, better luck tomorrow Jeff!

Chris via WhatsApp found the Iceland gull on the rocks near Loch Gorm house, Bruichladdich.  Later today had good sightings of  2 ring-tailed hen harriers on the Carnain-Coullabus road and near Grainel, Gruinart.  At Sanaigmore he spotted a golden eagle, plus some chough (sorry Jeff!), and at the head of Loch Indaal an immature WTE.  He also noted a lot of displaying lapwing today, lovely signs of spring.

Yesterday I saw my first gannet of the year off Claddach. Today the lapwing were displaying in the cold wind, or despite the cold wind.  Photo to cheer up todays blog of one of the local roe deer near Claddach Loch, taken by me for a change.  The birds are a bit too quick for my photography skills!

Tuesday 8 March

Blue tit by Lossit Loch 6/3/22, Billy Stitchell

A late entry from yesterday of a kestrel on the Oa from Chris, not realising they are a relatively uncommon bird here. Sean also sent in a video of one hunting. Always worth reporting everything for our records. Magpies, for example, don't breed here.  

Today Chris spotted 2 long-tailed ducks in the distance off Bowmore, the female scaup again and a Slavonian grebe close by the pump station.

John emailed in with his sightings from today: "In spite of the gale, I still managed to see some interesting birds. First off was a nice subadult male hen harrier at Lyrabus, then a very bedraggled looking pink footed goose with barnacles up near Killinallan dunes. Later that morning I saw 8 chough briefly around the ruined buildings at Sanaigmore. Then I spent this afternoon at Loch Gruinart where two immature WTE were sitting out on the mudflats, while 38 whooper swans were trying to ignore the wind and a lone little egret flew by."

Malcolm was out with the International Goose Count today where he enjoyed a nice sighting of a jack snipe while on The Oa.  It was a difficult days count with the wind shaking the cars and the telescopes! 

Mark at Loch Gruinart got in touch to say there were no more sightings as yet of the great white egret, however a sighting came through from a visiting camera crew of a whopping 10 WTE in the treeline near Loch Gruinart at the weekend, so really it is a case of being in the right place at the right time!

Thanks to all for your sightings.

Mary

Weds 23 Feb

 An other day, an other gale.  A few more waders about down the Rhinns - at Port A Rheidhlinn, Claddach, were around 20 redshank in a flock.  Further up the hill were one or two lapwing and a flock of 10 curlew, with an other similar sized flock at Craigfad.  At Currie Sands were 4 skylark near the house.

Will was out and about with his reported highlights 3 GN Diver Kilnaughton Bay and 1 Loch Indaal, 2 male Bullfinch Bridgend Woods.  Male Hen Harrier near Port Ellen.  Male Hen Harrier, 900 Golden Plover, 100 Dunlin, 2 Little Egret, 20 Fieldfare RSPB Loch Gruinart. Also 86 Pintail on the eastern edge of Loch Gruinart. 

Margaret reported a ring-tailed hen harrier over the "Kilchoman Reserve".

To add some colour to todays post, some images from Billy Stitchell taken a couple of days ago in the sunshine.

Friday 18 February

 

Unsurprisingly, there were no sightings contributed today.  The forecast snow came in with the morning and was gone by lunchtime as it usually does here on the Rhinns.  No sledging yet, unless you climbed one of Jura's Paps! Todays photos from Billy Stitchell of a view of the Paps from Islay, and a bullfinch spotted on a walk to Loch Ballygrant.

Bitterly cold here today, with the winds picking up as the day went on.

Yesterday a ring-tailed hen harrier flew along the coastline near Carn, Port Charlotte as I drove up the road.

Friday 28 January

 

Yellowhammer, taken today (definitely, I double checked) by Billy Stitchell in the Ballygrant area. My dad over on the Isle of Kerrera had one in his garden the other day, first in years. We used to see them when I was a girl while we fed the hens, but they have all but disappeared!

Roger R. found the 3 lesser scaup at Loch Skerrols, Gary found an Iceland gull near Scarabus, while James H. counted 3 little egret on the floods at Loch Guinart.  Yesterday Mary-Ann counted 6 herons at Gruinart.

Driving through Portnahaven this morning, a sparrowhawk spooked the 200 starling around the bay.  Heading out the village, a ring-tailed hen harrier near the mast, with a second ring-tail at Carn, outside Port Charlotte.

Wednesday 26 January

Thought it felt a bit colder today! Snow on the Paps of Jura, taken today by Duncan MacNeil on the FB page 'Images of Islay'.  I must take a drive up to see it, I don't think I've turned left at Bridgend since October.

Visitor Roger R. located both the cackling goose and the elusive red-breasted goose among the mobile flock 2000 or so barnacle geese at head of Loch Indaal. He also spotted an Iceland gull in the same area.

Alison and Nick braved the wet weather today on a visit to RSPB Loch Gruinart. From the south hide, 3 WTE 'loafing about'. They were lucky enough to see a young WTE attempt a wigeon, dropping it in the effort. Other highlights were one greenshank, both bar and black-tailed godwit, and 4 bullfinch in the woodland trail.

On my drive up to Port Charlotte from the car window I spotted 2 WTE over the woods at Wester Ellister, and a jack snipe in a lay-by near the farm at Octofad, spooked by my driving. Back on the croft above Currie Sands, a ring-tailed hen harrier hunting along the coastline.

Thank you for the contributions.

Thursday 20 January

It still comparably warm here, there is a green colour to the fields with signs of fresh grass. The geese will be in fine fettle on departure if this keeps up.  The scanner was on the Island this week for the first round of livestock scanning. A case of counting your chickens before they hatch, (or your lambs before lambing) and feeding them accordingly. I got a shock with 3 sets of triplets forecast in my modest flock of sheep! But Scan-man Ryan noted that most farms he has been to are up 10% compared to last years scanning. 30% in mine! A sure sign of good sheep condition, in turn reflecting the grass condition.  The geese on Spain might not have needed to detour so far for the mild weather! (see Mondays blog).

Nothing to report on the bird front today, luckily I saved some sightings in from Peters last contribution with his birding group on Monday:

"My birding group had a very productive last day that they all thoroughly enjoyed, starting with an Otter just outside the Port Charlotte Hotel where they are staying. We first went to Bolsa Track outside Port Charlotte where we got a brief glimpse of Red Grouse plus a young male Hen Harrier and a pair of reed Buntings. At Portnahaven we counted 190 Grey Seals and 25 Ringed Plovers on the offshore islands and some good Red Deer stags along the way. Up at Loch Gorm there are still 3 Pochard - now on their own as most of the accompanying Tufties have disappeared. Machir Bay produced the first distant Choughs and a flock of 35 Ringed Plovers. By the time we got to the Viewing Platform overlooking the S. hide in the afternoon it was glorious sunshine that stayed with us for the remainder of the day. Nothing unusual from the platform, but masses of the expected geese and ducks looking fine in the sunlight. Up at Ardnave we connected properly with the Choughs - the flock of 40 or so giving some fine fly-by and feeding views in bright sunshine. Turning our attention to the mouth of Loch Gruinart we scoped a couple of sub-adult White-tailedEagles that eventually flew over and spooked the masses of Barnies on the flats. A 3rd bird joined them, then a 4th from the direction of Ardnave Point. During this excitement one of the group spotted a Golden Eagle perched up, first on the dunes then briefly on a fence-line and in flight, giving some very reasonable views of a bird they'll not be seeing back home in the SE of England."

Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 January

Sorry folks, skipped yesterday due to a failed internet connection. Not to worry, all is back today and I have these stunning images to share with you from Morag Stirling who stumbled across these WTEs on the Big Strand today.

Breathtaking photos, I'm sure you'll all agree.

Yesterday Lauren had 3 little egrets in front of the South Hide, plus 2 male bullfinches on the Woodland Trail.  Later while she was digging nettles to create early corncrake cover, she was entertained by 2 WTE harassing the barnacle geese.   Gary, meanwhile, spotted 2 WTE at one of the regular haunts: the old wreck at the top of Loch Indaal.  Also a kestrel around the wood below Coullabus.

Today was a little quieter with the strong winds but Lauren still located a treecreeper in the woods despite the weather.  While at Claddach I saw a hen harrier in the wind along the coastal edges.

Morven over at Nature Scot sent through this months International Goose Count figures:

"The count was done on the 11^th and 12^th of January with figures of 35,196 barnacles, 6801 white-fronts and 1424 greylags."

Thanks to everyone contributing today.

Friday 17 December

red-breasted merganser, Ken Reeves

Cant complain about today. Very nice, weather wise, and my favourite day of the week too. I was out Christmas shopping today which took me to the new Islay Bakery. I made it before the shelves were stripped bare! A new island business, and will likely do very well based on the delicious cinnamon rolls...

Mark over at Gruinart counted 10 whooper swan and 3 WTE at the Loch today.  Later at a hen harrier roost count on NW Rhinns, 6 birds were counted. A good count.

Pete Moore has been in touch with sightings from today - a little egret and 2 WTE at Bridgend, and a further 2 little egret and 2 WTE at Loch Gruinart.  An Iceland gull, he thinks likely 2nd winter, at the head of Loch Indaal. Thank you Pete.

Tuesday 14 December

 Whooper swan, Ken Reeves

A nice day today, most importantly it was dry! While working out today we even took a layer off, a sure sign of good weather. As I pulled away from the house, a male hen harrier flew close and veered away towards the coast.

Mark had 2 white tailed eagle at Loch Gruinart, as well as a count of 14 pale bellied Brent geese.

Wednesday 1 December

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month!  A view of a relatively calm Frenchman's Rocks above.  December came in with a blast of wind which did die away as the day went on.  The rocks feature often in the blog as an important vantage of the main migration route of autumn and spring birds.  In the summer they provide an amazing spectacle of hundreds of feeding gannets diving into the fast running waters that race between them and Islay.

Steve Lister found the cackling goose near the RSPB Loch Gruinart visitor centre, and it was later picked up by Chris in the same field. To the west of the reserve, Chris spotted 2 WTE and a male hen harrier hunting.  While he was on the Oa he noted a juv WTE, a ring-tailed hen harrier, and 50 twite, then near Bridgend he found 2 golden eagle showing well.  

Gary reported a greenshank below the power station at Bowmore, and a juv. Iceland gull.  

Mary Anne spotted a kestrel at Laphroig.

Finally, Morven over at Nature Scot kindly shared The International Goose Count figures from 23/24th November: 37,202 barnacles, 6956 white-front geese and 1326 greylag. 

Wednesday 10 November

 A quiet day here with strong winds. I'm afraid I took no photos today, will try to remember tomorrow.

It's goodbye to Peter and Alice Hughes today, who left on the morning ferry after a good holiday here. Thank you for sharing all your sightings during your stay.  On his last morning, an adult WTE over Portnhaven, and from the ferry at Port Ellen numerous kittewake, 3 black guilliemot, then on the crossing plenty guilliemot sighted and great northern divers.

Mike Bell emailed with his sightings: "Another interesting day. First thing a cock merlin on the roadside fence by Kilchoman coastguard cottages. A very good total of shorebirds on the high tide at Traigh Nostaig with 76 ringed plover, 12 grey plover, 212 sanderling, 37 dunlin, 7 purple sandpiper and 41 turnstone. A white-tailed eagle was on the point and another came in off the sea and flew down Loch Gruinart. I could only find 4 chough today, they've been  elusive for me this holiday. There was a ring-tail hen harrier over the Gruinart fields and an impressive c.2200 golden plover. Later I had a golden eagle and 48 curlew at Lossit. At Portnahaven I had fabulous views of the 2 adult white-tailed eagles riding the wind just above me before they flew off north."

On the drive to Ardnave Mark Sullivan reported both the cackling and red-breasted goose in the same barnacle geese flock. 

On Jura there was a report of a dipper at Ardfin in the burn next to the boathouse.

And lastly Phil Hyde got in touch with a sighting of 2 purple sandpiper opposite the distillery in Bruichladdich. The first report of the season of these regular visitors to this beach.

Tuesday 9 November

No bird photos today of a beautiful day of sunshine, so you'll have to settle for this rather lovely view looking over towards Northern Ireland from Currie Sands. The sea was huge, and still unseasonably warm. The wave breaking in the picture has a local name of the 'old man', I'm not sure of the Gaelic spelling unfortunately but phonetically pronounced 'boh beat-nach'.  There is a reef which causes an especially big wave, even on a calm day.

Gary was out down the Bunnahabhainn road this morning and spotted a kestrel on the lines on the drive down.  Good mixed flocks of thrush emerging from the woods, then 7 bullfinch and 2 common crossbill.  A further 2 common crossbill flying from the plantation to Finlaggan house, and a WTE in the area too.

Mark saw the red-breasted goose among the rabble on the flats at RSPB Loch Gruinart. While at Loch Skerrols Jonathon had the 'stars' of the season still present along with a moorhen and both WTE and golden eagle in the fields beyond.

Mike Bell was along at Gartbreck with the highlights being an adult WTE, a male hen harrier, 105 bar-tailed godwits, 4 grey plover and 19 turnstone among the usual waders.  he also counted a large flock fo 33 twite, with 3 further smaller flock of 5,9 and 14.   North of Lyrabus he had both male and ring-tailed hen harrier, peregrine,  both imm. golden eagle and WTE.  Back at Kilchoman he enjoyed the local golden eagles showing well at dusk.