Monday 25th January

 Well, got the rest of the birds that Peter saw yesterday when out... 

"Another lovely bright day! Did a count of some of the birds on Loch Indaal from Bruichladdich round to Bowmore - so just the top half and not all species counted. Was looking for white-winged gulls but no luck...

GND - 9, RTD - 17, Slav Grebe - 7, Goldeneye - 13, Long-tailed Duck - 4, Common Scoter - 32

Eider - 60, Red-breasted Merg - 26, Teal - 30, Mallard - 105, Wigeon - 230, Pintail - 5, Shelduck - 12

Brent Goose - 6, Oystercatcher - 120. "

 

Paul Graham was telling me earlier on today, that he had seen 2 White tailed Eagles soaring overhead over at Ardnahoe, ealier on at the start of the month.

Meanwhile, Margaret saw a male Hen Harrier out from our house, so wonder where it has been as it is the first one seen up here for a long time...

Wednesday 6th January

 Karen Graham from Bearsden e mailed the following to me today...

"Looking out this afternoon to see male Goldcrest with his orange "streak" and a female Goldcrest both on fat cakes on bush close to  the dining room window. 

So an exciting addition to the garden bird sightings.  Just hope they are here for RSPB garden bird watch at the end of the month."

Today, Peter had been out and he had walked the length of the Big Strand from Kintra to Laggan today. Not much to report - 10+ Long-tailed ducks (mostly bright males) were offshore with 20+ Eider and 2-3 each of GND & RTD. A single Razorbill was also offshore.

Up here at home today, I saw the local pair of Chough with them both looking a picture of health with nice shiny coats. I saw them both together, one time before Xmas and they were looking a bit under the weather, so it was good to see them in the condition they were in today.

Saturday 2nd January

Margaret this morning had a juv White tailed Eagle, 2 Golden Eagles which were in turn being mobbed by a couple of Ravens, all seeen out over the crag from the warmth of our house... I can vouch for her sightings as I saw them as well.... later on I saw a Buzzard fly past, a different bird completely, especially the size of it!!!

Marsali had a Sparrowhawk fly through her garden at Mulindry the other day.

Lesley, this afternoon had seen some RBMs off Backrock and she also counted 7 Long tailed Ducks there as well.

Monday 7th December

 Peter sent me through the following e mail earlier on...

"A lovely day yesterday dragged me out and about....

I did a count of Loch Indaal from Bruichladdich to Blackrock in the morning here are some of the birds:

RTD - 38

GND - 13

R B Mergs - 28

Slav Grebe - 20

Eider - 51

Long-tailed Duck - 16

Common Scoter - 70

There were also 8 Purple Sandpipers at Bruichladdich

In the afternoon Peter had a quick look at Loch Skerrols:

Tufted Duck - 45

Wigeon - 45

Teal - 25

All the Whooper Swans seem to have departed now with just Mute Swans remaining"

Gary today had seen the following birds....

"Some sightings from today, 17 Pale bellied Brent Geese at Bruichladdich, 10 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks in front of the mini market.

At Carnain 52 P b Brent Geese, 21 Long tailed Duck, 4 Scaup, 32 R b Mergs, 11 GND, 7 Red throated Diver. Numerous Meadow & Rock Pipits at Smelly Corner feeding on bugs and also 6 Pied Wagtails.

At home 7 Bullfinch in the trees and willows behind the house coming to the big bird table.

But the best was seen later on.... A Kingfisher flying along shore from Carrabus burn mouth and towards the merse. Couldn’t find it on the merse."

Tuesday 24th November

An early entry being put to press tonight as it is the Bird nerds meeting plus the fact I have some sightings in already...Lesley and the Aberdeen RSPB group on Sunday afternoon had carried on round Loch Gorm having a count of around 300 Redwing, some 10 Fieldfare and the occasional Song Thrush noted along with Blackbirds. Over the fields, they had a flock of 50 Skylarks. They also had excellent viewings of both male and the ringtail Hen Harriers as they drove round Loch Gorm. 4 Gadwall and 2 Goldeneye were on Loch Gorm itself while 2 male Bullfinches were in some trees, as were a number of Chaffinches. At the visitor centre at Loch Gruinart, a Siskin was seen on the feeders, and a Peregrine flew past! From the hide, 20 Pintail and then a Sparrowhawk were seen. 3 Dabchicks were on Ardnave Loch, out on the sea, a B T Diver was present along with 2 RT Diver and a GND. The Choughs turned out in force with 46 being counted! Last bird seen at Ardnave was a Merlin, and as they headed down to Port Ellen to the ferry, a Cackling goose was seen amongst some Barnies about a mile out of Port Ellen on the high road.. Thanks to folks for your sightings. On Sunday, Ken Reeves returned with another group from the Burbagebirders, their 11th visit to Islay! On the ferry coming over, 13 GND were seen, a raft of 55 RTD. Heading over their accomodation, they had 46 Scaup on Loch Indaal and also 3 BTD. Yesterday, a Merlin was seen at Port Charlotte, off Bruichladdich Pier, 9 Purple Sandpipers and a Common Snipe were present. 50 Dunlin along the flats at Gruinart, 2 Chough at Ardnave as were 11 Whoopers. On Loch Indaal, off Bowmore, 2 Long tailed Ducks, 2 Slav Grebes, 7 GND, 2 BTD, 2 RTD and 31 Eider, all in seen in "challenging conditions", according to Ken!!! Yesterday afternoon, Steve Rightson had seen a Swallow at Gartmain.

Sunday 1st November

What a great day out here today, hard to believe that it is November, even noticed someone cutting their grass. The rain gauge read 3.3 inches when I emptied it out for the month of October, another dryish sort of a month... Yesterday George Jackson (visitor) had seen the Todd's Canada Goose down at Rockside, and then went out round the loop round the Rhinns from Port Charlotte. First up was a male Merlin just out of Port Charlotte, a female Merlin further on towards Lossit, with a tally of 200 Redwings and also 200 Redwings seen as they crossed the fields down to Lossit Bay itself. They also saw a ringtail Hen Harrier there too. Many more Redwings and Fieldfares were seen as they continued their trip back round to Port Charlotte. This morning, Bob heard a commotion out over the forestry behind Octomore, on checking it out there were 5 Sparrowhawks being mobbed by Jackdaws and other birds, similar to what we had the other week here at home! On our way over to meet in with James at Gruinart this morning, we had a male Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel all flying above the reserve. Later on, we saw "our" George Jackson up at Ardnave Loch, what a spectacle, 230 Swans and at least 330 Wigeon. Mike from Dunblane is back for the week, and had been up to Ardnave and had counted the Swans as well, and reckons there were 210 Whoopers and 17 Mutes, there were 17 juv amongst the Whoopers. Mike also counted 420 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 7 Shoveler, and saw a ringtail Hen Harrier. Out at Traigh Nostaig, he saw 25 Turnstone, 2 Turnstone and 16 Rock Pipits. On the other side of Ardnave Point, Mike had 59 Ringed Plover and 6 Twite. Between Bridgend and Bowmore, he had 54 Pale bellied Brents, a small Canada Goose amongst the Barnies, 449 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 68 Eider, 7 Long tailed Duck (including 5 drakes), 34 R B Merganser, 3 GND, 1 RTD and a Slav Grebe. Down from Bowmore, 940 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 83 Ringed Plover, 6 Knot, 91 Dunlin, 113 Barwits and 16 Turnstone seen. Back at the floods at Gruinart, 75 Pintail, 700 Teal, 3 PBB Geese, a flock of 1350 Golden Plovers, a ringtail and also a male Hen Harrier were added to his birds. Finally, Mike had 2 Pinkfooted Geese amongst the Greylags and Whitefronts at Coull. His tally for Whoopers there in the morning was 58 including 15 juveniles. Mike reckons that the Golden Plovers were different flocks, so giving a total of around 2300.

Monday 19th October

Mike and Elspeth Anderson had been over at Gruinart on Saturday before heading home on the ferry, as they went down to the new hide they heard a call resembling a common Quail. Yesterday also, Steve had another 2 Todd's Canada over at Gruinart, the American Wigeon at Ardnave Loch along with 42 Whoopers. Over at Bun an Uillt, 2 Greenshank were seen, and Steve spotted a Barnie at Craigens, that he had rung originally back in April 1998 at Eorrabus, better still, it was with young! Yesterday, Graham and Jo Morton, birders from Nottinghamshire had seen the American Wigeon on Ardnave as well, a Goldeneye present there as well, out on the dunes, 40 Chough were present along with Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipits, with a Golden Plover, a Snipe and Redwing in the fields close to the steading. Later on at Gruinart, they saw a ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzards and 6 Golden Plover. As they headed towards Loch Indaal, a male Hen Harrier was seen. On Loch Indaal, they had 20 Scaup, 4 Eider,4 Slavonian grebe, 6 RB Merganser, a Long tailed Duck and 8 P B Brent. Some birds through from Dave on the Oa, on Friday on The Oa , he had 98 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 1 Goldcrest and a Grey Wagtail. On Saturday from Blackrock on Loch Indaal, a total of 17 Slav Grebe, 1 GND and 7 Common Scoter and from Bruichladdich Pier 2 GND, 5 TRD,12 Common scoter and also 60 RB Merganser. On the Oa, on Sunday, Dave had a Goldcrest and also 35 Greenland Whitefronts. Gary had led a walk at Carnain on Sunday afternoon with a really good list of birds seen, including 2 Long tailed Duck, check on the link to the INHT for a full list of birds see.. Today, Bob had seen a Todd's Canada amongst Greylags up behind Gortan (coalyard) while down on the shore he had 17 Turnstone, earlier on he had seen Reed Buntings, more than of late up on Bolsay Moor. Back on Friday, I forgot to mention that while down at Port Charlotte, while speaking with Wally and Bob, we saw a Merlin chasing Starlings. Here at home this afternoon we saw 4 Sparrowhawks together flying around, possibly a family group? Since arriving last Tuesday, Wally has seen at least 12 Kestrel on travels, good to hear that one Wally! Another visitor who dropped by today was John Picton who is over leading a group from Speyside Wildlife, every bird that I seemed to mention, the group had already seen... apart from a Golden Eagle, Twite, wonder if they had seen the Red Kite??? Yes, there was one seen this morning over at Cluanach, as well as a male Hen Harrier by Graham and Jo. Up at Sanaigmore they had 10 Chough and a single PB Brent, probably a young bird, Loch Gorm held 20 Greenland Whitefronts, over 30 greylags, many Barnies all around, a male Pochard and 3 Dabchick. Later on, Machir Bay held 20 Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling, a ringtail Hen harrier, 6 Chough, a Heron with a distant Golden Eagle seen over The Rhinns. Carl today had had a count of 41 Whoopers on Ardnave, 150 Wigeon, also 38 Chough and 10 Golden Plover. Skienns of Barnies were still coming in from the North over the sea. Finally, Carl had a large flock of hundreds of Fieldfares present over at Mulindry.

Thursday 6th November

Not the best of days out here today, the wind has dropped a bit with ferries sailing from 13.00 onwards, and oh yes as forecast the rain has been falling all day, there had been quite a lot overnight, over an inch and it just keeps coming.. The windows, looking out at one point was just like a fishmonger's window of old with the water streaming down!!! Yesterday the weather was kinder and some sightings through for you. Paul had seen a Slavonian Grebe and 5 Long tailed Ducks from the Power station first thing. Later on along the shoreline, south of Bowmore, he saw a Snow Bunting. Ken and the his group had made the most of the good weather and had headed over to Jura. Their top sighting was a Snow Bunting along the shoreline at Feolin. Michael had a good morning's walk into Killinallan, the first time he has done it... He has a great list of birds for us, 11 Whitefronts, 135 Greylags, around 2,600 Barnies resting on the shore, 2 Mallard, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 120 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 4 Curlew, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 40 Common Gull, 5 Herring Gull, 6 GBB Gull, 35 Rock Dove, 14 Skylark, 4 Rock Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, 2 Pheasant, 7 Red legged Partridge, 3 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 14 Stonechat, 1 Blackbird, 175 Redwing, 7 Chough, 23 Jackdaw, 4 Hooded Crow, 7 Raven, 190 Starling, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Twite, 1 Snow Bunting and also 16 Reed Bunting. This morning looking out his cottage window, Michael spotted a Siberian Chiffchaff sheltering up. This morning also, Martin, been parked up for a few moments close to Kilarrow at Bowmore and a quick look out on Loch Indaal produced 8 Red breasted Merganser, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Long tailed Duck, 1 Eider and a GND.

Friday 17th October

Yesterday the " Bowland birders" had been out round the Rhinns, a quieter day compared with their trip earlier on this week, but they still managed to see a Golden Eagle, in the forest at Ballimony, Siskins and Redpolls were both seen, round at Gearach they saw a small flock of 8 Fieldfare. Finally back on the hill at Octomore, 7 Common Snipe, a Mistle Thrush and a pair of Stonechats. Emily last night had spotted an Otter over at Killinallan. Robin from close to Settle in Yorkshire returning for another return Autumn to Islay. Yesterday from the afternoon ferry, Robin had an Arctic Skua. Today at Blackrock, he saw 3 Long tailed ducks, 2 Slavonian grebes and a small raft of 45 Scaup. Over on Loch Gruinart, he had a count of 550 Golden Plover. He also had 2 Pink footed Geese, 3 Greenshank and also 31 Pale bellied Brent. Emily today has been cross eyed counting geese with her tally coming through at 22,908 Barnies, there may have been more as Emily said the geese were quite mobile, moving around... She also counted 164 Whitefronts, 137 Greylags and 16 Whoopers. On the loch, the flock of 550 Golden Plover along with Barwits, Sanderling and Curlew. On the floods there appeared to be a big rise in numbers of Teal and Wigeon today. Mary had seen a Grey Wagtail at the silage pit on the reserve, up at Nave Island a pod of Dolphins and also 50 Twite at Ardnave. At Lyrabus, Mary had 2 Yellowhammers and over 40 Skylarks together in a flock. Emily was also saying that the Geese and Whoopers are still arriving by the day with more Redwing seen around today.

Sunday 10th November

A really nice day over here today with the view up to Mull giving us the sight of the snow on tops of the hills there. This morning I went out and gave Bob a hand to do his Webs count from Bowmore down to Gartbeck with tally as follows, 5 GND, 3 Heron, 50 Shag, 3 Greylag, 2,500 Barnies, 51 Mallard, 260 Teal, 241 Wigeon, 13 Red breasted Merganser, 5 Eider, 2 Long tailed Duck, 6 GBB Gull, 120 Herring Gull, 20 C. Gull, 54 Oystercatcher, 40 Curlew, 3 Barwits, 13 Redshank, 12 Turnstone, 10 Snipe. Malcolm had 13 Whooper Swans flying down Loch Indaal, late morning.

Tuesday 15th January

A better day out here although late afternoon the temperature dropped sharply... Gareth Stamp who was over on Islay for the weekend had a busy time birdwatching.On Saturday, on Loch Indaal from Bowmore, Gareth had 7 Pale bellied Brent Geese, 4 GND, 5 Slavonian Grebe and 12 Common Scoter. From the viewing platform at Gruinart, the Canada Goose hutchinsii sp was seen, 9 Whooper Swans, 1 White tailed Sea Eagle feeding on a Barnacle Goose, 1 Golden Eagle and 400 Golden Plover. Up at Ardnave Loch, 8 Whoopers were noted. Down at Bruichladdich, 1 Black throated Diver, 5 GND, 2 RTD, 4 Purple Sandpiper and 10 Common Scoter.  On Sunday, DaveWoods had 14 Long tailed Ducks, 7 Common Scoter, 6 Slavonian Grebe and 5 GND on Loch Indaal. Tom Wells who sends in his sightings when he is over on Islay, has given us a link through his blog, "Birds in Cumbria", so feel free to click on the link to Tom's blog and see what Cumbria has to offer.

Friday 30th December

David Willis, who has been over for a few days, saw 2 small Canada Geese over at Eorrabus yesterday, and today Peter saw one up the Mulindry road at Ballitarsin. At Gartmain this morning, Peter had a count of 53 Pale bellied Brent Geese, along with 8 Long tailed Ducks, around 12 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Black throated Diver and 10 Common Scoter. This afternoon, he had a male Merlin up at Ardnahoe and saw the Iceland Gull at Bunnahabhain. Today the weather has not been great, no sun, but plenty of the wet stuff, rain, rain and more rain, how much can we take? Out on the bird table today there were 3 House Sparrows, after saying a couple of days ago that I had not seen any for a while! This evening out in the garden there is a Guillemot on the grass, now about 30 minutes later it is looking a bit more alert, sitting up and preening itself!

Mon 31st October 2011

I had to be in doors all day today, but I have had some records from the Oa for Saturday- a male hen harrier, merlin and 2 golden eagles as well as at least 200 twite a few greenfinch, goldfinch, a yellowhammer and a leucistic linnet. At on the Long Strand at the Kintra end a comic tern and long tailed duck and at the Singing Sands 12 chough.

Friday 28th October

Yesterday Carl had seen a male American Wigeon up at Loch Skerrols and also another one, this time an immature male down between Gartmain and the Gaelic College. Down there too, Carl had 6 Long tailed Ducks, 4 Slavonian grebes and a Goldeneye. On the merse he had around 1,000 Golden Plover. In the woods at Bridgend a Treecreeper was present and up at Coullabus, a Bullfinch was seen. At Gruinart, 22 Shelduck were present along with a Juv. Golden Eagle, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Greenshank, 2 Little Grebes and 13 Black tailed Godwits. A Purple Sandpiper was at Bruichladdich and at Port Charlotte, 5 Arctic Terns were seen out on Loch Indaal. Today Carl had the Arctic Terns at Port Charlotte, some more were seen off Ardnave Point. 50 Twite were seen at Ardnave along with 6 Snow Buntings and a ringtail Hen Harrier. Another ringtail was at Port Charlotte while a Merlin was down at Cladville. Visitors yesterday had seen 42 Mutes, 30 adults and 2 groups of 6 youngsters, also on Skerrols were 16 Whoopers, 160 Wigeon , 2 Heron and 1 Dabchick. Loch Ballygrant held 6 Tufted Duck and 7 Mutes, and there was a Kestrel just Ballygrant itself. Just before Foreland house on the verge side they saw 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Yellowhammers along with Meadow Pipits and Chaffinches . There was also flock of 200 Golden Plover over at Coull Farm. Other visiting birders reported in the following today, a pair of Bullfinches up towards Garra Eallabus, the leucistic Barnacle Goose was still up at Ardnave, 4 of the Whooper Swans that were seen with rings earlier on had been rung at Walney in Norfolk, a ringtail from the hide at Gruinart, 160 Lapwings and 15 Black tailed Godwits also at Gruinart. 6 Snow Buntings were seen on a windy Machir Bay!!! 34 Whoopers were on the stubble at Sunderland at lunchtime.

Thursday 27th October

A busy day out here with sightings coming in from a lot of folk, great, so here goes. Carl had been in at Loch Skerrols and had seen the drake American Wigeon, is it the same bird that Peter had first spotted down at Gartmain? A visitor had a count of 92 Whoopers at Coull Farm and a further 27 at Sunderland, both on the barley stubble fields. Becky and Fiona had been up towards Bunnahabhain today and had a pair of Bullfinches, at least 2 pairs of Crossbills, a Barn Owl at Staoisha Earach and also a Blackcap at Bunnahabhain. This morning over the flats at Gruinart, the geese were spoofed by a Golden Eagle, earlier in the week it was the RAF boys that spoofed them! Round above Craigens on the estuary, there were 15 Shelduck. Peter had been up the back of Loch Skerrols and had an immature Golden Eagle, and later on 4 Red legged Partridge were seen too. Another annual visitor from Yorkshire had been in touch with the sighting of 8 Long tailed Ducks on the top of Loch Indaal, along with 7 Slavonian Grebes and 5 Scoter. Up at Ardnave he had seen 4 Snow Bunting. At Gruinart today James had 87 Golden Plover, 8 Black tailed Godwit and 1 male Hen Harrier. We also had one round at Saligo midday today. I had not seen any Buzzards for a few days but we saw 4 yesterday round Loch Gorm at different locations... Today, from his house down at Bruichladdich, George had a mixed group of 70 Gulls, mainly Common & Herring Gulls with a couple of Lesser Blacks too. George also had 15 Arctic Terns, 10 Guillemots and 8 Scoter.

Fri 19th November

The weather is better again, net result more birds seen...

Malcolm had 14 Pale bellied Brent Geese out on Loch Indaal in front of his house, and a further 23 along below the coal yard. Martin Armstrong had seen the Kingfisher today, but no sign of the Grey Phalarope at "smelly corner". On Loch Skerrols he had 108 Whooper Swans. On my way out this afternoon, there was a Peregrine sitting on the garage roof down at Rockside road end.

On the reserve at Gruinart today James had 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, a male and female Hen Harrier. James also had a count on Loch Gruinart itself, with the highlights being as follows, 30 Shelduck, 25 Red breasted Merganser, 2 Long tailed Duck, 152 Oystercatcher, 70 Ringed Plover, 88 Golden Plover 17 Grey Plover, 196 Lapwing, 4 Knot, 176 Sanderling, 575 Dunlin, 289 Bar tailed Godwit, 167 Curlew, 75 Redshank, 11 Turnstone, Glaucous Gull (early second winter), 2 Greenshank and 20 Chough on the east side of Loch Gruinart. And that was only the best ones!!! More from James with even more sightings tomorrow....

Tues 16th November

This evening as I write, the wind is starting to increase in strength, and the ferry looks doubtful for tomorrow...

The Grey Phalarope still remains at "smelly corner" and was showing well today, and a Redshank was annoying it no end! Earlier on, along at Uiskentuie there had been 2 mixed groups of Curlew and Oystercatcher, one group were right on the shoreline while the others were in a field just bellow the trig point. The larger group of over 20 Pale bellied Brent geese were on Loch Indaal just below the coal yard and a further 10 were down towards Bruichladdich.

Carl had seen a male and female Long tailed Duck in Loch Indaal just off the harbour in Bowmore, and at Port Charlotte, he had a Great northern Diver. Becky, while she was out goose counting, had seen a couple of Snow Buntings at Sanaigmore today.

Mon 21st Dec

There are two halves to Islay today, here on the Rinns/ Western half of Islay, there is very little snow, while the other side or the Eastern half is covered in snow, more so on the tops of the hills. Jura itself, is like a picture postcard. Enough of the weather, and no travel disruption either, no tunnel to worry about!

James had been doing a scan over Loch Indaal today from Blackrock, and had a new tick for himself on Islay, a Velvet Scoter. He also had the following, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Long tailed Duck, 3 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Red throated Diver, 510 Scaup and 14 Eider. Thanks James.

Thurs 17th Dec

Another cold day, but there appear to be some more birds back on the feeders! I thought that I heard a couple of Long tailed Tits but did not see them.

Dave, one of the volunteers at RSPB had seen some Long tailed Ducks down on Loch Indaal the other day, so he was well pleased as that was a new bird to him. He also had Great Northern Diver, Red throated Diver and some Slavonian Grebe as well as Common Scoter.

Sat 31st Oct

Had an e mail through from Paul Kenyon who was over on Islay last week. Paul was fortunate to see both the Cattle Egret and the Little Egret. On Loch Indaal, he also had 4 Long tailed Ducks, 3 Velvet Scoter as well as 5 Slavonian Grebe. Thanks for that info Paul.

I think that the Little Egret has moved on as I have not heard about it since last Monday, and possibly that the Cattle Egret has moved through as well, as it has not been seen since Wednesday, as far as I know.