Sunday 10th January

James was in touch with some birds seen over at Gruinart... 

Yesrerday, he had seen the Little Egret and then today James had a White tailed Eagle seen out on the wing over the reserve. In his garden he saw a couple of Long tailed Tits on his feeders and shortly afterwards he saw a Treecreeper on one of his trees in his garden.

Thursday 13th February

Gary and Wendy had been out 

"The weather has been really lovely here today. Nice to have it so calm, but the wind quite cool. We kept warm walking from Bridgend up around Daill Farm and the ruined chapel. Their bird list was as follows;

Carnain: usual Barnies etc
Bridgend: Greenland Whitefronts, Meadow Pipit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Long tailed Tit, Robin,     Treecreeper and also 6 Song Thrush."

Please note that the weather forecast over the next few days is not so great, the ferry tomorrow morning is already being diverted to Port Askaig, all because of Storm Dennis coming this way...

Monday 17th February

A miserable kind of a day out here today, after having a great day yesterday, just as well that I have some sightings from yesterday for you!The Hampshire birders had a juv White tailed Sea Eagle putting the Barnies up at "smelly corner", offshore they had 4 Red breasted Merganser, GND, Teal and Wigeon with Barwits there too. They also spotted a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp amongst the Barnies. Down on the Oa they saw Chough, Rock Pipit and also Rock Doves. Mary had 5 Purple Sandpipers at Bruichladdich, over at Coal Ila, she had 4 Black Guillemot along with 2 Otters. At Kilchiaran, Mary noticed the Fulmars back in, Mistle Thrushes were present too and later on a juv Golden Eagle. The Rochdale birders had also seen the White tailed Sea Eagle, over at Finlaggan, they had a Woodcock with 11 Red legged Partridge at Ardnahoe and then a Sparrowhawk bothering the lbj flock at Corsapol. Ed had see 6 Long tailed Tits and a Treecreeper on his way out towards Ardtalla

Tuesday 5th November

A better day here with the weather, much better than the forecast which was predicted, glad they got it wrong.... Michael had been over at Gruinart today where he saw a ringtail Hen Harrier, a count of 216 Teal, 690 Golden Plover,a nd had another 6 Whoopers flying in from the North down into Gruinart. Up at Ardnave Loch, Michael had 4 Goldeneye, 2 Long tailed Duck and 75 Fieldfare, over at West Carrabus 220 Fieldfare were present. At Bridgend a WTSE was seen with 320 Golden Plover and also 100 Barwits. A walk in the woods at Bridgend produced 5 Long tailed Tits and a pr of Bullfinch with a Dipper on the River Sorn. Coming home, Michael had a male and also a  ringtail Hen Harrier close to  Loch Gorm

Tuesday 16th October

Bob took this image yesterday of one of the 2 Snow buntings that he had seen. Andrew from Lancashire had been up at Gortantoid yesterday, but no joy with either the Firecrest or the Yellow browed Warbler, but the Brambling was still making the most of the Rowan berries! In the sky over Killinallan, he had a juv Golden Eagle, an adult Golden Eagle and 2 White tailed Sea Eagles. Later on in the evening, Andrew had a couple of Woodcock roding over Ballimony on the Rhinns. This week also, a group of SOC members from The Stewartry are over, they sent in some sightings they had yesterday, 7 Slavonian Grebe on Loch Indaal, a flock of over 60 Twite at Saligo, juv Golden Eagle at Sanaigmore, an Otter on Loch Indaal just out from Bowmore Distillery, 1 Brambling amongst a mixed flock of Chaffinch, Twite and Greenfinch close to Coille, 5 Lesser Redpoll near Ballinaby, male Kestrel at Saligo, female Kestrel near Loch na Caiche, below Rockside. They also had a small, performing, mumeration of Starling close to Rockside. They were well pleased with seeing our Choughs and also the sightings of our winter visitors, Barnacle and Greenland Whitefronted Geese. The Leigh Birders, Pauline, David, Ian and Anne also had a great day yesterday starting off with a ringtail Hen Harrier where they are staying down on the Oa. Just after Sunderland Farm as the road drops down towards Loch Gorm , in the scrub there were 8 Long tailed Tits along with Great Tits.Up at Kilchoman Distillery they had a Brambling along with a Greenfinch, down on the "new pond" (after the recent heavy rain!) at Machir Bay they around 200 Common Gull and round there too were 12 Chough with also 5 Buzzards too. Saligo held a female Peregrine with the fields at Ballinaby, 23 Greenland Whitefronts. Heading back up the hedges to Rockmountain a male Hen Harrier was seen. They commented on the number of Stonechats around, a long time missing from their home patch in Lancashire, also the numbers of Robins around...Gavin had watched a Golden Eagle this morning for around 45 minutes, down on the South East coast of Islay. James today at Gruinart had a White tailed Sea Eagle, 431 Greenland Whitefronts and a Pink footed Goose. Andrew from Lancs this morning had 6 Scoter, 52 Scaup, 12 Slavonian Grebe on Loch Indaal from Blackrock. He also saw 3 White tailed Sea Eagles on the sand close to Gartmain. This afternoon, from the new hide Snipe, Ruff and 6 Black tailed Godwit. Later from the old hide, 3 Dabchick, 18 Red legged Partridge , possibly recently released birds, Gadwall, Moorhen, 5 Greenland Whitefronts with neck collars on them, and a Water Rail over towards Loch Gorm. James too has been seeing the Whitefronts with collars, and will find out more details about these birds.

Saturday 17th December

This Snow Bunting was taken by Mary this morning down at Portnahaven, after it had been in for a feed at the bird table. It has been present since the gales last weeks coming in with the Chaffinches to be fed! Mary had a count of over 5,000 Barnacle Geese on the reserve at Gruinart through the week, along with 300 Greenland Whitefronts and 150 Greylags. The leucistic Barnie is still up at Ardnave, over at Killinalan the numbers of geese were not as many but Mary reckons that there has been a juv. Golden Eagle over there! On her way to work, most mornings she has been seeing a Barn Owl out hunting, just she was coming out of Portnahaven. Yesterday, Mary had carried out a farmland bird survey and noticed more Blackbirds around, the largest flock was 13 along with 3 Redwing. Quite a lot of Reed Buntings were seen too, the largest count being 23 at Moulin. Today James had 7 Whoopers at Gruinart, and also 3 different Hen Harriers, 2 females and 1 male. Below the visitor centre there were 14 Long tailed Tits present, as were 4 Red Deer stags. Peter had a Slavonian Grebe in Bowmore Harbour, almost in summer plumage and a further 6 out on Loch Indaal itself. Yesterday Malcolm had a 1st winter Iceland Gull over on Jura.

Wednesday 14th December

Normal service again out here folks, the wind has dropped down and the sea is relatively quiet. Needless to say, the water on Loch Indaal itself was rather dirty in colour and had thrown a lot of sea weed up round the edge of the Loch! By the looks of the forecast for Friday it is down South that may catch the brunt of the weather that day, and we look like getting another good day, great!! Today Bob had counted 1,000 Starling on the flats at Gruinart, also present were 1,200 Lapwing, 500 Teal and one group of 60 Redshank. Further on down at Traigh an Luig on Loch Indaal, there was a Knot, 8 Turnstone, 20 Oystercatcher and a poor looking Cormorant. At the weekend, Carl had a small group of 8 Long tailed Tits on the roadside below Rockside. This afternoon, the single Whooper Swan is still present at Sunderland, and it appears to be okay.

Thursday 29th September

This morning as we were coming back round from Saligo, and just before we reached the sand pit close to Coull roadend, we saw a large charm of Goldfinches, there were at least 80 birds present, as large a number of Goldfinches together that I have ever seen. Bob had been up in the trees at Gearach and had a mixed flock of around 50 birds, comprising of Goldcrest, Long tailed Tit and Coal Tit. He has been seeing some more Stonechats recently too. On the barley stubble beside his house, Bob had 15 Golden Plover. Over on the salt marsh at Gruinart today, Michal counted 150 Pale belied Brent Geese and also the Peregrine sitting around, having time off... On the flats on the reserve, 19 Ruff were present.

Wednesday 19th January

Late last night coming home from Port Charlotte, we had a Barn Owl on a fence post at the roadside. It's great to see them close at hand, and really quite unfazed by you being so close. Thinking back to one night last June when we out listening for calling Corncrakes, and that time one flew along side us as we drove along. We actually thought at one point that it was going to come inside the van, so we hurriedly closed the window up a bit!

Last night too, and George was saying that he had 6 Long tailed Tits in his trees, and a few Greenfinches at his feeders. Greenfinches are not that common to George.

Sat 13th November

We are not half way through the month yet, but the rainfall already this month is over 4", so perhaps it is catch up time with a wetter than average month! Today, the wind has dropped away, it has been dry but certainly not a heatwave, with the temperature not even into double figures.....

George had a count yesterday of 80 Curlew in the fields up behind his house, and in his trees he saw a group of 8 Long tailed tits. On the road going through the wood George came across a dead Salmon, with a bite out of it, probably the work of an Otter!

Michal has "emigrated" off to warmer climes again for the winter, he is in The Seychelles again and this time he is going to be working on Aldabra. Last winter he worked on Aride and later on, he was working on Denis Island. Certainly the weather will be a lot warmer..... Just hope he keeps an eye out for any pirates!

Sat 23rd October

A better day once it stopped raining, a great afternoon in fact...

On their way to the ferry this afternoon, our departing friends managed to get some more birds for the blog. Down at Machir Bay they saw 15 Turnstone, several Oystercatcher, some Ringed Plover and a Bar tailed Godwit. In the woods at Kildalton, Siskins were present, 6 Yellowhammer were seen close to Kildalton Cross and 120 Redwing were counted at Ardtalla. An Otter was seen at Ardtalla too, as well as a Great northern Diver at Claggain Bay.

Another visitor told of seeing an Arctic Tern off Ardnave yesterday.

Carl had been out and about today and had seen 3 Swallows at Uiskentuie, lots of Fieldfare at the former Kilchoman School, a small flock of Golden Plover at Ballinaby and finally a Peregrine at Rockside.

Here at home today, there were 6 Long tailed Tits, over 60 Linnets took off from the wood and 8 Whoopers flew low over the cottages as they headed out to sea. Later on, down at Sunderland was a Grey wagtail.

Tues 19th October

Malcolm sent me through this image of the Pink footed Goose along with the Canada Goose. He wonders as to whether the 2 of them have paired up, as they appeared to move through the other geese together. A challenge for the goose counters to keep an eye out for them!

Down at "smelly corner" yesterday, George had been scanning through the Barnacle Geese, and saw a leceustic Barnie, looking at it from the front it appeared to be a normal Barnie, but on viewing it from the side or from behind, the plumage on the upper body was a lot lighter and no real black "barring" showing more just really grey! Another challenge awaits. Off shore on Loch Indaal, he had seen 20 Pale bellied Brent possibly the same ones that had been seen earlier from Gartmain. George has also had the Raven back on his bird table lately!

One of our visitors had a flock of 60 Fieldfare on some Hawthorn at the edge of Ballygrant, in Ballygrant Wood they had a flock of Long tailed Tit and also a Treecreeper. Down on Loch Skerrols there was a mixed group of 30 Whooper and Mute Swan, but mainly Mute. Also present on the water was a Goldeneye amongst the Wigeon.

Another visitor told me this evening of seeing 3 small groups of Whoopers moving through, but not of any larger numbers. I also heard that a Great Skua was seen off the ferry, as they came over on Saturday afternoon.

Tues 8th June

Another great image through from Carl taken yesterday when he was out at Tormisdale. On his way out there he saw 2 different male Hen Harriers and going through the Gearach forestry there was a Mistle Thrush. At Port Mor last night, Carl had a Short eared Owl while at home today he had young Song Thrushes out, as well as a pair of Siskins on the nut feeders, the first for a few months.

Bob reported in seeing 3 Kestrel at different locations of late, and a visitor commented that there were not as many Wheatears around compared with just around a month ago.

This morning James had heard a Spotted Crake, and had 3 Water rail and also heard an Otter calling on its young all on the reserve at Gruinart.

Today, out past Ardbeg we were watching the Seals loafing about on the rocks on Seal Bay when there was a movement in one of the clumps of seaweed, and an Otter appeared and we were fortunate to watch it for a few minutes. Further on there was a pair of Bullfinch and 2 families of Long tailed Tits in the Hazel trees after the Gatehouse entering Ardtalla Estate.

Thurs 22nd Oct

More Whoopers coming through again today, 34 adults on Ardnave while down on one of the lochans at Loch Gorm, there was a group of 25, comprising of 16 adult and 9 youngsters, and on the other lochan were 2 adults and 4 young.

Back to Ardnave, and our friends had 1 Dabchick, 2 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck with a ringtail Hen Harrier over the back of the loch. At Traigh Nostaig, there were 90 Twite, with a Great Northern Diver offshore. Back onshore were 4 Bar tailed Godwits along with Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Turnstone. Later on and they had 36 Golden Plover down at the coal yard. I forgot to say that they had seen a Treecreeper in Ballygrant Woods and also down at Kildalton, also at both places, Long tailed Tits had been observed.

Tues 25th Nov

The Chaffinches may have possibly moved on, at least there is certainly not the large flock that we had at the weekend. On the positive side today, there was a Grey Wagtail overhead, while down in the wood there were 15 Long tailed Tits.

James had done a Goose count on the reserve at Gruinart today, when his figures tallied out at 7,789 Barnies, 359 Whitefronts, 26 Greylags and 1 Canada, hutchinsii sp. One of the Whitefronts had a neck collar on. Other birds noted were a large Sparrowhawk, (not a Goshawk, I was told!),3 Gadwall, 172 Lapwing and a female Hen Harrier.

Tues 14th Oct

Guess who came to the bird table this morning, yes, a Common Gull caught on camera by Malcolm. He said that he often has the odd Herring Gull visiting, but a Common Gull does not frequent his bird table that often!

Yesterday, Malcolm had seen 4 Arctic Terns, 40 Common Scoter, ( there were only about 20 a fortnight ago), 3 Great Northern Diver and a single Red throated Diver. MAO

Also yesterday, Catherine had 50 Whooper Swan in total, flying over Gruinart on their way South.

Another entry from the Cheshire folk who are making the most of this spell of better weather. They had been out looking over Loch Indaal today and saw 4 Great Northern Diver, 5 Red throated Diver, 7 Slavonian Grebe, 5 Brent Geese, 18 Whooper Swan, 26 Common Scoter (off Blackrock), 25 Scaup (Blackrock too), a group of around 300 Golden Plover that were flying around, and only 2 Arctic Terns at Bruichladdich. In the Bridgend area they had a Canada Goose fly over, and up at The Woolen Mill on the River Sorn they had a Dipper. They did not see any Swallows at all while they were out today.

Back here at home this afternoon, they had 12 Long tailed Tits in the wood along with both Great and Blue Tits on the feeders.

Sat 20th Sept

George Jackson was on the phone earlier on this evening. George had gone a trip yesterday on the rib, (a high speed inflatable boat similar to an inshore lifeboat), from Craighouse on Jura up to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool and round to Eilean Mor and Eilean Beag. He was saying that even altough the tide conditions at Corryvreckan were not perfect, one could still see the famous whirlpool. He had seen a Bonxie on the way up there, numerous Kittiwakes were perched on Scarba and Seals were seen too. But the highlight of the trip was the sighting of 3 separate White tailed Sea Eagles.

One of the visitors in our cottages had been walking in the woods at Bridgend today and had watched around 20 Long tailed Tits when they were out.

James had been on the mainland earlier in the week and had seen Porpoises from the ferry on his way over to Kennacraig.

Sun. 10th Feb.

Some entries from George from through the week, there were 34 Brent Geese and numerous Wigeon at Blackrock. Over at Loch Skerrols there were 24 Goldeneye and also some Scaup. On Wednesday, a Treecreeper was seen in Bridgend Woods. Just on the darkening on Saturday evening, around about 60 Greylag Geese came into the pools behind Bruichladdich. GJ.

Here at home the Fulmars have come back to the craggs, is there another storm coming? Round at Ballinaby, there were 73 Lapwing. IKB

Also today in Bridgend woods, 2 Bullfinches and 6 Long tailed Tits were seen. SA & MS

Fri 5th Oct - Sun 7th Oct

The Geese are certainly returning in their numbers, on Friday, at Loch Gruinart there were over 1300 Barnacle Geese, 7 Greenland Whitefronts and 45 Pale Bellied Brent noted. Also seen on Friday were 9 Pintail, a Green Winged Teal, 23 Black Tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plovers and a Greenshank. A Peregrine Falcon and also a Golden Eagle were also observed. The count at Gruinart at 11am on Sunday was up to 10865 Barnies, 17 Whitefronts, 4 Brent and a solitary Pinkfoot. 22 Whoopers were also on the estuary and a single Redwing was seen. Out on front of the hide 2 family groups of Roe Deer, one of 4 the other 3, were seen grazing quite happily in the sunshine. JRH
Out and about, there was a group 0f 107 Lapwing, quite a few Twite at various locations while at home, Goldfinches were seen on seed heads and a new "house tick" with Long tailed Tits. On Saturday evening there was the sound of the Red Deer Stags roaring down the road. IKB

Mon 21st May 07

A cracking good night, it could be said.....6 corncrake and 2 possibly 3 Spotted Crake plus excellent views of a Polecat Ferret. A fine night which turned quite cold eventually, this then being the prelude to a very warm day. BTO Ringed Plover Surveys until mid-morning, which also included trying to find a suitable breeding pair for filming for the forthcoming BBC Spring Watch programme. Watching various pairs is like an ever unfolding episode of Eastenders with love, domesticity, disputes, evictions, agression, the lot! Charming little things! Surprisingly one pair have 3 youngsters already, several others appear to be starting the process and others may have lost their nests due to last weeks high tides and poor weather.

Searched various woodland block for the reported Green Woodpecker of yesterday, but to no avail. A party of Long tailed Tits and one of young Treecreepers seemed early. Views of Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Bullfinch were nice for here. J.S.A.

Marsh Fritillary and Green Hairstreak were seen over near Bunnahabhain. A group of Yellowhammers were also present while out in the Sound of Islay, 2 Great Nortern Divers were observed. B.W.