Monday 16 May

 

David D on the Oa photographed this spotted flycatcher at Kinnabus. Thanks for sharing.

Andy was visiting the Islay Woollen Mill today and saw redpoll, Siskin, coal tit and more on the feeders there.

Argyll Birders received a report of a Marsh Harrier at Saligo this afternoon, on Mull at a similar time black kite was reported. Might be the weather for visiting raptors!

Thanks as ever for the contributions.

Mary

Monday 2nd November

Some birds seen from Mike Bell yesterday... 

"Coullabus: 25 Redwing.

Near Skerrols House: 4 Pinkfeet in a field on their own.

Lack of wee birds Ballygrant woods to Loch Allan, best sightings 1 Woodcock, 2 Grey Wagtail & 2 Redpoll with 5 Dabchicks on the loch.

Near Keills: 1 male hen harrier

The lack of eagles in the air was particularly disappointing until the Ballinaby pair showed well at 3.45 pm. "

Ed Hutchings sent me through his birds seen yesteday...

"I braved the less severe weather today and saw the following: 2 Chough on the putting green in front of The Machrie at noon, with a further chattering of 3 seen at Machir Bay an hour later. On the way I encountered the large Chaffinch flock between Sunderland Farm and Kilchoman Distillery with at least 1 Brambling still present. After lunch, I drove the northern route around Loch Gorm. Lots of Barnacle, Greylag and White-fronted Geese on the fields south of the road, as well as 9 Fieldfare, a female Kestrel and an adult Whooper Swan. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew over the moorland north of the road. A deceit of 70 Lapwing was on the fields around Sanaigmore. A Raven was in the small glen north of Port Wemyss mid-afternoon."

Gary yesterday had seen the followings birds seen when out and about...

"Male Hen Harrier over moorland at airport, WTE over fields above the Gaelic collage, Adult Golden Eagle at Tallant plantation on high road, Male Sparrowhawk on Cruach Rd, Male Hen Harrier there also. Sub. ad WTE at Finlaggan, Male Hen Harrier at Aluchga"

Yesterday was Teresa Morris's final day of this trip.... "sadly but been a fantastic day for the birds. This morning over Craigens Cottage was the male and female Hen Harrier and Golden Eagle ! A walk to the more sheltered east side of Ardnave this afternoon was superb with great views of 7 Snow Buntings, 4 Ring Plovers, 10 Turnstones. Several Barnacle Geese were still flying in from the Atlantic battling the gales. Back on the flats a large flock of Golden Plover approx 500. 

A few days ago worth noting I saw a lone Bridled Gulliemot at Ardnave point. "

Nick Gates sent this list of the pick ofthe birds seen by him  yesterday...  

A few more sightings from today: just outside Bowmore today I had an adult male goldeneye, 3 GND (summer plumage), a Tystie (winter plumage), Eiders, Scaup and RBM. 

 Dan Brown had ben out and about over the last couple of days...

"We did a little storm watching at Portnahaven on Saturday - very impressive and we kept our fingers crossed for the young seal pups on the island getting battered by huge waves. Not a lot to report bird-wise though.  

I was on the flats all day yesterday; my sightings were: A Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlin in the golden plover flock, a Brambling over, Todd’s Canada Goose with the Barnies, and on the floods - 6 Greenshank and a pair of Gadwall. Impressive numbers of waders roosting on the floods this evening with the very high tide inc 15+ Grey Plover. Birds everywhere."

Some sightings through from Gary today:

In at Loch Skerrols, the Amercan Wigeon was still present, he also had a Golden Eagle and also a WTE there as well, and also he had at least 80 Whoopers, 2 Goldeneye and 50+ Tufted Duck. When parked up in the lay by at Gartmain, he had a continual stream of  573 Whoopers flying overhead, all flying south. After that wee bit of exitement, 12 Yellowhammers along the road towards the Gaelic College.   Further exitement just in on from Gary, late Monday afternoon, to say that he had seen a COMMON CRANE flying overhead and then when speaking to me , he saw a probable MARSH HARRIER, nice ones Gary!!!

Sunday 29th March

Mary Redman was in touch by e mail  this morning...
"Saw an other 2 Wheatears yesterday, and she also saw  pheasant hen out the window this morning. It's lovely weather but freezing! My first sheep lambed, triplets! Spring must be here..."

Malcolm had also been in touch today..
"A local, who knows their birds but wouldn't describe themselves as a birder, has just told me of a male Marsh Harrier seen this morning flying below Sunderland. The description was fine - I was phoned for confirmation which I was happy to give. A pretty good date.
This good weather should make the geese think of departing, but the northerly wind may well put them off for at least a few more days. It would be truly glorious without the frost at night."

Mandy was in touch this afternoon with the following birds... Mandy lives in a cottage with spectacular views down over Loch Gorm.
"I've just seen a Redwing in my garden! It scuttled through the old tree near my shed and then just sat and looked at me! Amazing.

The other morning I did a sunrise walk down the track, 'dawn chorus' included white fronts, barnies and greylags flying over, ravens, skylarks, meadow pipits, pied wagtail, wren, dunnock, wheatear! Then in my garden, great tit, blue tit, goldfinch, sparrows, chaffinches, thrush, blackbird. Lovely"

Karen Graham who is a regular visitor to Islay sent some sightings of birds seen lately in her garden in Bearsden..
"A great pick you up at times like this. A beautiful male bullfinch in full colour plumage on seed feeder. Must have a nest nearby. Regulars are all tits including a pair of long tails, sparrows, dunnocks, robins, starlings, blackbirds, wood pigeons, feral pigeons, Greater spotted Woodpeckers, few chaffinch and no goldfinches or Siskins which were present at end of February. She also had seen 2 Magpies"

Friday 17th May

Yesterday, Distillery Dave had counted 8 Whimbrel and also 26 Rock Doves on the fields at Rockside. In the morning, he had seen an Osprey fly overhead when he was down at the road end, and in the evening, he had seen another one, as he drove home from his evening class, this one was perched on top of a telegragh pole about 500 yards before the turn off up to the Distillery. The second Osprey was also seen by Dr Matt Jackson  on his way home as well. Dave was also telling me that he has now been hearing another Corncrake calling at Rockside now as well...

Today, James and his team from Gruinart had carried out the WeBs count today...   On the Loch, the tally was 3 GND, 141 Oystercatcher, 239 Ringed Plover, 37 Sanderling, 3628 Dunlin, 45 Barwits and 2 Little Terns. The tally on the floods came to 78 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 4 Moorhen, 1 Wigeon and a Greenshank. Also seen was a sub adult Marsh Harrier on the Floods, and on the Flats, 3 Blackwits and also a Whitefronted Goose. 

Saturday 31st March

Yesterday was Andy and Martin's last day of their visit. They saw a House Martin over the pool at Carnain. Beside the pool on the left of the road as you head to the airport, after Duich, they saw a possible Marsh Harrier. Out below the airport on Loch Indaal, but really close to the shore they saw a pod of Bottle nosed Dolphins. Up at the Woollen Mill, they had some Long tailed Tits on the feeders and then a total of 3 Grey Wagtails were present on the River there.

Today was Richard's last full day of this visit... Up on the beach at Sanaigmore some Ringed Plover were seen and then coming back from Sanaigmore, a ringtail Hen Harrier was spotted.  Over at Finlaggan, he saw a White tailed Eagle and also a total of 7 Crossbills. At Ballygrant Hall, Richard had 2 Bullfinches and then down close to Avonvoggie, another ringtail Hen Harrier. Up on Ardnave Loch,  he saw a female Goldeneye and on his way back down to Gruinart, a male Hen Harrier. As ever, many thanks to Richard, Andy and Martin for sharing their sightings with us.

Al Hart is back over for the week with his family. This morning, on Loch Indaal, out from the Coal yard, he saw the second year Glaucous Gull. Also present were 2 Sandwich Tern and also 6 Pale bellied Brent Geese with some Skylark. Back down at Bruichladdich, the 4 Purple Sandpiper were still present. Here at home, I had our wee tractor out, making the most of the dry spell of weather, and made a start to working the area of ground where we hope to sow a crop for the birds to feed on in the Autumn. This evening we counted 31 Chough as they flew into the roost..

Thursday 4th May

Visitor, Mike Curnow from Banbury sent through some highlights seen so far this week, last night. On Tuesday, he had a Greylag and 7 gosling cross the road between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. Yesterday, Tysties at Bruichlaadich with at least 30 Eider, 10 Ringed Plover and GND all closer to hand. Down on the Oa, a Peregrine was present, 10 Whimbrel counted and a pair of Golden Eagle spotted.Yesterday, James had a Common Sandpiper and also a Golden Eagle on the reserve at Gruinart. Today, James had seen a male Marsh Harrier, 3 Whinchats, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and a Whitethroat. Today, Bob had seen 3 Willow Warblers and also a Sedge Warbler in his garden in his garden and noted some Linnets and Greenfinches across the road in the water works up behind Port Charlotte. Some other visitors had handed their sightings to Botswana Dave. Terry and Shirley from Norfolk had also seen the Golden Eagles on the Oa on Tuesday, a White tailed Eagle over on Jura yesterday and an Osprey noted on Loch Gruinart today. On the guided walk at Gruinart this morning, Botswana Dave and Joan had heard 4 Corncrake calling away. Dave was also saying that a pair of Greenfinch were getting some grief from the Goldfinches on the feeders outside the visitor Centre at Gruinart...

Sunday 2nd April

Yesterday, David Fallows, Jackie's other half had seen a Marsh Harrier at Gruinart. John and Kenny's tally for the week came to 105 species. they had a passage of Gannets at Frenchman's Rocks of 75 Gannets/ hour. Round at Kilchiaran, they saw Swallow and also House Martin. Richard today had an Otter at Bunahahabhain and also a White Wagtail. Over on Jura, he saw a Golden Eagle, Turnstone and 3 Otters. Back on Islay, Richard had a male Hen Harrier while driving along the Glen road. Malcolm, this morning had a pair of Siskins on his feeders in Bruichladdich, a year tick for his garden. Botswana Dave this morning had been up at Ardnave and on the East side of Loch Gruinart he saw 4 Greylag, pr of Wheatear, 13 Goldeneye, 2 Redshank, pr of Mallard, 2 Oystercatcher and 4 Lapwing. Coming back down from Ardnave, along the road to Bushmills he had 3 Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipit, 3 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail and a flock of 70 Linnet. Margaret was out working in the garden this afternoon and counted 22 Chough as they flew around. The pair of Greenfinch were seen on the feeders again today as were the Blue Tits.

Tuesday 18th October

Some sightings in from Richard Scott from Chesterfield... On Friday he saw a Peregrine out from Whin Park, over at Bowmore a total of 6 Swallows were there. From Whin Park on Saturday, 4 Grey Plover were present. On Sunday , over behind Ballygrant he watched a Golden Eagle, 2 Raven and 2 Buzzards soaring around in the wind. Yesterday at Gruinart, he had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier, 80 Twite with a Goldcrest while on the Woodland trail. From the hides many duck around including Pintail, Teal & Wigeon seen, as were 4 Buzzards up in the windy conditions. Yesterday, we saw 9 Fieldfare over at Coull Farm, Michal had seen 4 at Gruinart Farm as well as a Grey Wagtail. Martin Armstrong had seen a Marsh Harrier as he watched the geese yesterday afternoon. Steve Percival had counted 2750 Barnies at Gruinart this morning with a further 800 counted at  Loch Indaal. Steve also had a Wheatear out on the dunes at Ardnave with a Common Scoter seen on Ardnave Loch. Peter Donaldson had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier close to Ballymeanach on the Rhinns. Peter Duncan arrived the other day from Glasgow, seeing 2 Peregrine at Port Askaig, a Merlin in the dunes behind Machir Bay and then a White tailed Eagle over at Ardbeg, a great start to his visit!! The tally for the geese, this evening through from James, was 6,500 Barnies, 2 Pinkies, 2 Pale bellied Brent, and 16 Greenland Whitefronts. A small Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp was seen by Bob late afternoon, James had also seen it as well. The Brambling was still present here at home, along with 31 House Sparrows and over 60 Goldfinches along with the Linnets and a Grey Wagtail noted down beside the stream.

Saturday 3rd September

At Saligo Bay yesterday evening, we counted 17 Pied Wagtail going in to the reed bed. Earlier on, mid afternoon, Margaret had seen a Peregrine on top of Carraig Dhubh out on Loch Indaal out from  Blackrock. Today, the Peregrine was seen on Islay, at Blackrock on a kill/  remnants of a rabbit, before it took off carrying its' prey.  This afternoon, the Marsh Harrier was seen again, this time down on the South side of Loch Gorm by Paul Graham  +  A N Other. Late afternoon, and James had spotted a  Sedge Warbler flit through the game/ cover crop here at home. Yesterday Mike Peacock had seen his first GND of the Autumn, off Port Charlotte! Today he had done another sea watch down at Frenchman's rocks with Peter. Highlights included a Balearic Shearwater, 465 Manxies and 8 Sooty Shearwater during a 2 hour stint.

Sunday 28th August

Some sightings through from Gary and Sam who have had no internet connection over the past few days. Back on Thursday, they saw a male Bullfinch fly across the road between the trees close to Bridgend and later the same day, they had a ringtail Hen Harrier out quartering the fields opposite their house. On Friday, they saw a smart looking male Hen Harrier out on the wing up towards Finlaggan. Today they had walked out from Bunnahabhain towards the lighthouse at Rhuvaal. They had seen loads of Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Whitethroats on their walk and then saw a Golden Eagle overhead. Yesterday evening, just after we watched the Chough flying to their roost, there were 32 in total, we had a probable Marsh Harrier fly past before it briefly landed on the crag, giving us a better view of it through the scope. Today Bob, David and myself carried out the WeBs count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, a week late I know , but as we were at Rutland last Sunday, the old saying that you cannot be in 2 places at once, comes to mind... Today's birds were as follows, 1 Gannet, 5 Heron, 12 Shag, 45 Greylag, 10 Mallard, 4 Eider, 35 Oystercatcher, 41 Curlew, 3 Arctic Tern, 78 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 11 Knot, 1 Lapwing, 87 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling,6 GGB Gull, 110 H Gull, 3 C Gull, 6 BH Gull, 1 Buzzard. We also saw a Wheatear as we took one of the vehicles down to Gartbreck and another during survey as well. On my way down to Bowmore,  I had a Merlin flying along in front of me before it swerved into a field close to Sunderland Farm. Back at home a Sparrowhawk zipped through the garden at lunchtime and then early afternoon, over the crag we counted 8 Buzzards before they split into 2 groups of 4, one following the crag inland, with the others flying along the ridge towards the masts above Kilchiaran. In between times, we have been watching various liners sail past, be it from a distance...

Remember to read the blog tomorrow night as we will let you know where the monthly meeting of where the birds will be on Tuesday evening

Friday 6th May

What a cracker of a day  it has been out here and for a short time, no wind, so we took the chance and got 3 large areas sown with various wildflower seed mixes, and tomorrow they are talking of some rain, fingers crossed. Louise on her way home last night had seen a Marsh Harrier over on Jura. Also yesterday, a visitor was in touch to say that they had seen a Short eared Owl, while driving round Loch Gorm. Carl today had a couple of Blackwits just out of Port Charlotte. Michal on the reserve had seen a male Hen Harrier along 2 ringtails. The Cuckoo was at Moulin (again!!!) and now joined by a calling Corncrake!!!! Along at the office at Bushmills a Whitethroat was singing away, with 5 Sedge Warblers heard by Michal as headed into work. This afternoon, Michal saw a male Sparrowhawk chasing a Meadow Pipit at Ballinaby. James today had a count of 35 Whimbrel just the Bridgend side of Bowmore. On the reserve today, James had a Peregrine, heard a Corncrake calling, 2 Whitethroats , 1 Whinchat, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Stonechats, 3 Groppers, 1 Waterrail and a Blackcap. This morning coming back up the road, no sign of the Canada Geese, but there were 6 Whimbrel across the road and a Cuckoo was seen down below Foreland entrance, towards Tynacolle. Martin today had been working a job at Ballygrant and had to put with very vocal Cuckoo, it never stopped calling while he was there for over 4 Hours!!! Back at his house, Martin had a couple of Twite on his feeders, the first he has had this year, he has also had 4 Common Redpoll there of late. A quick walk outside around 8 pm, and I heard a Corncrake calling down the reedbed just over the wall from our former house, with the "local" Cuckoo calling away up the glen, long may it stay there...

Friday 26th June

Better late than never, so here we go.. Gary and Sam today had done the loop from Port Charlotte down to Portnahaven and returned back by Kilchiaran. On the pond at Easter Ellister, they had a female Common Scoter. Whitethroats and Stonechats were seen in numbers. A male and a female Hen Harrier were present close to Ballimony, 10 Arctic Terns were seen at Claddach with Gannets noted flying South past Frenchman's Rocks. Linnets were added to their list and at Gearach, 8 Ravens were present. Finally, closer to their home, between Craigens and Coullabus, a female Marsh Harrier was seen. Back home here this afternoon, a Greenfinch was in our garden along with the ever present Goldfinches!

Sunday 9th February

Some sightings through from the Sevenoak birders who are over for a few days. Yesterday from the old hide at Gruinart they had a White tailed Sea Eagle, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Greenshank, 6 Whooper Swan, 5 Red breasted Merganser and a Roe deer. Along at the new hide, they saw some Barwits, Redshank, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing. Up at Ardnave Loch they saw 8 Goldeneye on the Loch itself with some Culew and Oystercatcher on the shore. Today down at Port Ellen, a Rock Pipit was added to their list. Later, better still, a Golden Eagle at Storakaig, a pr of Stonechats along with several Buzzards seen on their travels. Up at Bunnahabhain, they saw 3 GND, an Otter munching its way through a crab, with a Red breasted Merganser seen there too. At Gruinelbeg (just North of Loch Gorm) they had a mixed flock of 20 Redwing and Fielldfare. Round past Ballinaby, they had 20 Ringed Plover and over the crag at Kilchoman, a Peregrine zipped past. Finally down over Loch Gorm they saw a possible Marsh Harrier.

Thursday 30th January

Today while out goose counting on the Oa, Bob saw a female Marsh Harrier having a tussle with a Buzzard below Upper Cragabus. Yesterday he had a Peregrine at Finlaggan and aslso a Goldeneye on the loch there.. He was also was telling me that there were 4 Hares out running about this afternoon in the fields joining his house, odd how they are not seen and then they reappear, it is not that they migrate or hibernate, they just are not to be seen as much! James did a Goose count on the reserve at Gruinart today with the tally being 3530 Barnies, 150 Greenland Whitefronts and 52 Greylags. Today Pia had seen the White tailed Sea Eagle over the raised beach between Gortan and and the spit towards Uiskentuie

Thursday 9th May

A miserable sort of a day out here, but it has not really hindered folk out birding, so another good lot of birds  have been sent through. The other day, Carl had a Corncrake down at Shorefield, Bruichladdich. Bob had 12 Collared Doves at his house yesterday and today he saw an imm female Marsh Harrier fly past. George counted 30 Whimbrel fly past and also heard the Corncrake. Up at Ardnave Mary had a Lapland Bunting. Andrew and Jane had a good day starting with 3 Gannets on Loch Indaal off Port Charlotte and also a dark phase Pomarine Skua, along at Bruichladdich Pier they saw 2 Black Guillemots. Up at Ardnave Loch, a female Merlin was seen, a male Hen Harrier present, 15 Whimbrel, 20 Chough, 2 Barnies, 2 Canadas, 1 Greenland Whitefront and a male Whinchat. From the old hide at Gruinart, 6 Blackwits, a Mallard with ducklings, a Lapwing with young, 3 Sedge Warblers, "a lot of Swallows and Sand Martins" hawking over the floods were seen. Finally along the flats, Andrew and Jane heard a Corncrake, Whitethroat and also Whooper Swan still present as well as 3 Roe Does. This morning we had "a lot of Swallows and Sand Martins"  swooping along the road in front of the trees at Erasaid. Back here at home we are now up to 10 Redpolls, boy they can't half eat....The birds appear to eating more now than they were earlier on, another order away in the other day for more food....

Wednesday 29th August

Yesterday, Mary had her own "raptor trip", while trying not to outdo Louise! Up at Ardnave, close to the lobster ponds, Mary had a juvenile Merlin, a ringtail Hen Harrier at the farm steading, and a male Kestrel at Loch Langadale. Later on, while driving home, Mary had a Sparrowhawk by Gruinart House. James had been out yesterday doing a count of 1277 Greylags on the "run" round Gruinart which he normally counts while goose counting for SNH. Over at Killinallan, James also had 2 Peregrines. Back on Monday, the "vols" at Gruinart had seen an Osprey at the head of Loch Gruinart. Also yesterday, there was report by visitors of seeing a Marsh Harrier between Loch Indaal and Loch Gruinart, but I have not heard anything further, another visitor told me that he had seen a Golden Eagle out over the crag here at the weekend. Also yesterday, Bob had the Sparrowhawk swoop through his garden, and this morning Bob counted just short of 300 Greylags out in front of his house. He also saw a Merlin and a Kestrel. As I write this entry, just before 6pm there is a Peregrine up on top of the crag, watching all that is around.... 

Tuesday 3rd May

Yesterday George heard a Cuckoo in the trees next to his house, and today he had a Sparrowhawk flying around as they do, causing great upsets...Bob had a Greenshank on the floods at Gruinart, and round at Ballinaby today he had a Barnacle Goose along with the Greylags, a Pink footed Goose was also there too. The other day there were 38 Greylags and a large Canada Goose in one of the fields next to his house.

Here at home at 4.30 this morning the Cuckoo was in full cry! Over at Ballinaby a male Marsh Harrier was seen this morning, and other visitors had seen a pair of Marsh Harriers up the top end of Jura. James today on the reserve had 6 Grasshopper Warblers, 4 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 8 Whitethroats, 1 Bullfinch (out on the hill) 3 Water Rail, 2 Cuckoos calling. Also seen were a Green hair streaked butterfly and also a Peacock butterfly.

Tues 4th May

Another piece of breaking news, a Common Crane was seen on the edge of a ploughed field at Coul this morning. At the same time, a female Marsh Harrier was also seen by those present. The Harrier was seen off by a Lapwing and headed away while the Crane disappeared with no further sightings of it being reported in. The Crane itself was a good distance off and so it did not lend itself to be caught on camera, not even digiscoping it worked as the sky was overcast. The Harrier was on the wing and showed well.

Elsewhere on Islay, 33 Barnies were present on the reserve at Gruinart. 24 Dunlin and 40 Scaup were on Loch Indaal, and down at Port Charlotte a Razorbill and 3 Guillemot were seen. 55 Whimbrel were on one of the fields opposite the War memorial at Port Bhan and there only 10 Golden Plover down on the field beside the Coastguard cottages. Thanks to our visiting birders for the above sightings, especially the Crane and the Harrier!

The Owl on Owlcam now has 3 eggs

Sat 10th - Sun 11th May

Apologies for not having an entry in for Saturday sooner,but the computer was playing up, so here we go.

Michael was out and about on his bike on Sunday down towards Portnahaven, where he saw a female Marsh Harrier. Visiting birders saw the Osprey, while over at Gruinart on Saturday afternoon. Gus phoned in on Sunday night to confirm that the Ring necked Duck is still on Loch Kinnabus, and George, Margaret and myself had a really good sighting of the Iceland Gull which still remains in the Port Ellen area. We went up to look for the Osprey later on, but with no luck, but on the way back, as we were going past a field at Craigens there was a single Black tailed Godwit in the same place as the bird seen there on Thursday. GJ, MAB & IKB

The comment re the Shoveler Duck and its nest on the blog the other day, should be explained as they are quite rare breeders here on Islay, perhaps I had not made it clear! The Corncrake numbers this year are very encouraging so far, with reports of calling birds from new areas.