Thursday 18th September

Yesterday evening, Louise heard a Nightjar at The Gatehouse over on Jura. Some news through from Peter this evening re the Pale bellied goose which he saw down at Portnahaven a couple of days ago. It appears that the goose was first rung as a first year bird up in Iceland back the Spring of 2009. It has been seen wintering in the Strangford Loch area in Northern Ireland over thae past few winters and was seen this Spring back in Iceland. By the sound of things, a first record of this goose here on Islay! Peter saw 4 Red throated Divers over at Claggain Bay this afternoon. There were 13 Mute Swans on Loch Indaal, between Gatmain and the Gaelic College. On the reserve at Gruinart, James had seen a Barn owl, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and 2 Grey Wagtails. On our travels today, we saw a total of 5 Wheatears all individual birds at different locations, and also a stunning male Stonechat flew across the road as we came towards the gravel quarry at Sunderland.

Mon 8th June

Another great day, with tremendous views all around, over the sea to Northern Ireland and Donegal, back to the Mull of Kintyre and up North to Mull and beyond.

Over the weekend, Malcolm had seen a family of 5 Chough fledge from their nest on the Rhinns, one of the youngsters was not too good on the wing, and actually landed on a branch of a tree, where it was a bit unsure of its balance, and so it returned back to where it started out from it came. Later on it did again and no doubt, practice makes perfect! MAO

Michal had been out last night on a Corncrake survey and had heard a Nightjar down near Bridgend. One was heard last year in a different location by another birder.