Monday 11 October

It felt a lot warmer today, which explains an adder spotted by Anna Hock near Ballameanach cottages today. I was out the other night with the dog and he appeared with a huge (healthy) hedgehog from the overgrown verges near Portnahaven Village Hall, much to delight and amazement of my 5 year old who was hedgehog hunting! (definately unharmed) Tonight, 2 tiny toadlets were crossing the road near the old Manse outside Port Wemyss.  October can often be a fair month right enough, but it is forecast to get even warmer this week so be mindful of your dog when out walking in case of grumpy adders! But winter is coming...

A lot of reports received today, apologies if I miss anything - I may save some for tomorrow so don't be disheartened! 

Among the day's records was a grey phalarope spotted by Tim Daley in a rock pool just North of Saligo Bay.  It allowed close views and the opportunity for good photos. Lovely bird to see, thanks Tim.  Tim  was at RSPB Loch Gruinart in the morning, and enjoyed a ring-tailed hen harrier 'cruise across the field'.  In the pools, among the 100s of wigeon and teal there was a male shoveler seen as well as a pair of pintail and 15 black-tailed godwits.  Up to 100 golden plover were in flight overhead, while he noted 8 mistle thrush from the roadside.  In the Saligo area, near the phalarope, 2 pairs of chough and 16 pied wagtails were counted.

The geese have continued to trickle in, Teresa was at Ardnave today and counted 1204 barnies arriving in the 5 hours she was there. Lauren has been in touch with today's totals from Loch Gruinart: 23 white front, 21 pale-bellied brents, 1 pink footed goose (all on the loch) and 6895 barnacle geese feeding on the flats.

Teresa was at Ardnave point for 5 hours this afternoon at low tide. On the east side she enjoyed a good day, her highlights were 37 twite, 4 male snow bunting, 3 cormorants, 13 turnstone, 11 chough, 14 oystercatcher, 3 red-breasted merganser, 6 curlew and 4 seals.  At Lech Gruinart one female/ringtail hen harrier hunting at dusk.

Out with his camera Billy Stitchell had a brambling with the house sparrows, feeding on a rowan tree in Ballygrant woods.

David Dinsley counted 2 Greenland whitefront and 3 wigeon at Cornabus.  He also kindly sent in the following image of a merlin at the Oa, happily digesting one of the resident twite. Resident no more.

Margaret had a flock of whoopers fly over the house heading towards Ireland, the first of the season for her. She also enjoyed views of a male hen harrier hunting below the crag.

David Livingstone had nice views of a white-tailed eagle at Leorin, spooking the geese there. 

Thank you everyone.  

Friday 8 October

More barnacle geese skeins have been observed coming in along the west coast.  A steady trickle of an arrival this year rather than a sudden flood of wintering geese.  Similarly, no great numbers of whooper swan reported yet.

Teresa Morris was up at Kilinallan in the rain. At the locked gate at the road end, she saw a sparrowhawk, male hen harrier, barwit, 10 curlew, 2 heron, 6 oystercatcher, 1 cormorant and stags roaring in the distance.

James, Lauren and the RSPB volunteers, Liz and Neve, carried out the Loch Gruinart WeBS today. The highlights as follows; 17 red breasted merganser, 24 Ringed plover, 633 golden plover, 108 lapwing, 1 knot, 242 dunlin, 75 bar tailed godwit, 181 curlew, 32 redshank, 253 teal, 25 pintail, 16 wigeon, 2 whooper swans, 4 snipe, 7 shoveler, 6 black tailed godwits, 3 greenshank, a peregrine, a golden eagle and a white tailed eagle.

The Horwich Birders were out and about towards Machir Bay this morning where they saw 2 chough.  Later they set off to Ardtalla for the afternoon, en route by Bowmore they counted 30 pale-bellied Brent and around 30 red-breasted mergansers.  At Artalla they saw the 'usual' 2 mute swans, as well as 4 herons, 12 curlew, plenty seals about, as well as a lovely sighting of a female otter with 2 young.  At Lagavulin, 8 swallows were busy feeding over the buildings and nearby trees, and a flock of 14 collared doves in a nearby dead tree.   At Port Ellen, 5 pale bellied Brent. On their return a ringtail hen harrier at Loch Tallent and an other at Coull.

Yesterday Shona-Isla counted 26 ringed plover at the 'co-op beach' in Port Ellen. Thank you Shona-Isla.

Thursday 30 September

A lot of rain today, which is welcome on the one had after a very long dry spell, it might be nicer if it was spread out over a few weeks.

Exciting news from Tiree:  a rose-breasted grosbeak. A North American species and a first record for Argyll.  Though there is a lot more ground to cover, I'm sure everyone will be searching for any rarities on Islay.

Hannah found 2 whooper swan at Loch Skerrols. At RSPB Loch Gruinart, James counted 172 barnacle geese, 130 pale bellied Brent geese, 245 golden plover, 75 wigeon and 2 pintail.

Just in from walking the dog round Portnahaven and Port Wemyss. The seals are fairly howling tonight! I spotted my first seal pup of the season earlier at Claddach. Soon McKenzie Island will be speckled with the white pups high up on the grass, always amazing how high up some of the mothers will go for safety. If the past few years are anything to go by, the sea eagles will return to mooch for any losses.

As we see off the end of September, there is still time to tap into your artistic side or recall a summer adventure from your photos and enter the Islay Natural History Trust Community Peatland Project.  Poster below.

Wednesday 11th November

Well, the weather forecast proved to be correct today, wet and windy. The wind proved difficult to Calmac who sail our ferry conection, back and forward between Islay and the mainland, the net result was that the ferry did not leave Kennacraig until mid afternoon, offering what we call a splash and dash service... 

Just as well I kept some more of the birds seen yesteday "up my sleeve" so here goes...

Lesley Silcock had been out yesterday...

Gruinart from hides yesterday am Ringtail HH, large nos Duck incl 30+Pintail. Golden Plover, Barwits and Dunlin flocks on Loch Gruinart mud plus 9 Grey Plover. Golden Eagle seen on the way up to Ardnave. 

Dan Brown sent these birds through to me all seen yesterday...

Todd’s Canada Goose still present on the Gruinart flats 

20+ Twite down at Machir Bay,  + 51 Ringed Plovers. 3 Brambling with the finches at Sunderland Farm, WTE on Nave Island, 2 Long tailed Ducks still on Ardnave Loch, Woodcock on the road around Loch Gorm, in middle of day too!

Mark Sullivan sent me the following birds, all seen yesterday...

Golden Eagle on road to Ardnave. Otter on the loch there. Todd's Canada goose on the flats. 2 - 4 Hen Harriers (1 male). From Blackrock we had 50+ Common Scoters and 4 Slavonian Grebes 

Tuesday 20th October

 Another dreich sort  of a day, so may be just as well that I  kept some sightings from yesterday!!

Mike Hill had a Merlin zip across the road in front of him down at the Coastguards' houses late yesterday afternoon.

Teresa Morris had the GWF with the collar fitted to it  yesterday and I received some more information on the goose through from Tony Fox this afternoon.. 

"AAY was an adult female caught at Craigens in February 2017, which has wintered there or thereabouts every year since."

Yesterday, Steve Percival had seen a Cackling Canada goose up at Grainel over at Gruinart. He also had a W t Eagle down at Bridgend as well.

Also yesterday, Richard Belter had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier on the reserve at Gruinart and counted 40 Pintail there too. He too had seen the W t Eagle down at Bridgend as well...

Today, well the weather did not deter Eddie and Elaine Prince from seeing a juvenile Yellow Wagtail out from the North Hide at Gruinart.

James today had carried out a count of the geese present on the reserve at Gruinart with his totals coming to " Barnacle Geese 15,868, Whitefronts 239, Greylag 28, and a Peregrine"

Sunday 11th October

Yesterday Peter Roberts had carried out a sea watch for an hour down at Frenchman's Rocks in the morning...

"191 Auk sp. 105 Kittiwake, very few Gannets, but 1 Black-throated Diver the best bird."

 Johnathan Alder had seen the following birds,

"Seen on 10th October - male Hen Harrier near Kilbride plus Snipe flyover.

Today 11th October - 2 juvenile Golden Eagle on the Oa, plus Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, male Hen Harrier, Raven and Kestrel. 4 Chough showing well near the monument, Twite, Whinchat."

Lesley Silcock was telling Margaret that she had seen a Yellow browed Warbler along the Woodland trail at Gruinart today.

First time visiting birders from Reading, David and Nancy Massie sent me a list birds seen by them yesterday...

"Road north from Port Askaig: flock of 15 Yellowhammers, 5 Mute Swans on sea, Buzzard, Goldcrest, Mistle and Song Thrushes

Bowmore flats:  thousands of Barnacles, 55 Brents, 12 Whoopers, 4 Wigeon, 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Curlew

Loch Gorm: Greylags, Whitefronts, Barnacles, Pied Wagtails."

Returning birder and contributor on the blog, Richard Belter gave a list on the phone with his "top" birds seen today..

Down on Loch Indaal, he had a W t Eagle, 6 RTDs and also 50 P b Brent Geese. At Gruinart, he saw thousands of Barnies, 100 GWF, 6 Pintail, 14 Whooper Swans and also a ringtail Hen Harrier. He also saw a ringtail Hen Harrier at Gruinart as well as a Wood Sandpiper out from the North Hide there as well. Down on the Oa, Richard had seen a mixed flock of Twite and Linnets and another Ringtail.

Saturday 3rd October

 Gary had braved the elements today and managed to send some birds seen by him this morning..

"Loads of Barnacle Geese landing on the sand at Bridgend and Gartmain this morning. There was a small brown goose amongst them that I couldn’t I’d. Also a cross Barnie / Canada Goose.

Female Pintail at Gartmain, Golden Plover. Over 100 Brent Geese below the Gaelic college.

No sign of Hoopoe."

James had been out for a count of the geese etc. He had counted the following birds on the reserve at Gruinart..

8,635 Barnies, 2 small cackling Canada Geese, a Pink footed Goose, 2 Ruff present out from the North Hide and also a Sparrowhawk was seen nearby, He also counted 405 Greylags on Loch Gorm.

Up here at home we had 5 Linnets seen out on the Willows, a Siskin in the feeding cage, the first for along time, and then mid morning we saw a great visitor soaring about, not even flapping its wings at all, a White tailed Eagle and at the same time we saw a Golden Eagle which was flying along the top of the crag. Great to see them at the same time, boy what a size the WTE is  compared to the Golden Eagle. Then around 11am a Buzzard was seen  again, out along the crag

Monday 17th February

A few birds through from Gary and Wendy, all from yesterday

"Very windy and heavy squally showers today, and nothing much around.Our sightings for Sunday areas follows, Carnain: Oystercatchers, Barnies, Shelduck, Curlew & Blackbird. "

I received a couple of sightings from Chris Corrigan, who I believe could be staying the cottage next

door to Gary and Wendy at Crosshouses...

"Arrived on Saturday, for a week. Looks a bit wild! Staying at Cross House, Bridgend.                      29 P-b Brent Geese down on the shore this morning. A Woodcock on the Loch Gruinart Woodland Trail but nothing else out of the ordinary."

The "Port Ellen 4" had also been out and about in the great spell of weather, we are having at present!! "Quite a bright day considering the rather fresh Scottish breeze (!) making birding a challenge. Sunday's main sightings were - 

Finlaggan woods: Crossbill (only 1) at the Y junction of the track, Coal Tit, Reed Bunting, Buzzard, Skylark on track to woods.

Ardnave: Chough, Whoopers & Goldeneye (we didn't venture to the beach!).

Gruinart RSPB: G W Teal, Little Egret, Pintail, Shoveler, Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Buzzard, Wigeon, Whoopers, Mute Swan, Teal, B H gull, Whitefronts & Barnie's.

Nr Lyrabus (B8017): Merlin."

Tuesday 9th April

Gary had seen 2 juvenile White tailed Eagles, talon clasping and also tumbling along from Blackrock. James reported through to say that the Lapwings on the flats on the reserve at Gruinart are sitting on their nests. Mike P had seen a Brambling yesterday in his garden. Down at Easter Ellister, he had counted a flock of 30 Redwing when he was out that way with Peter. This morning, the Brambling was still present in his garden. Returning birder, Jeff  Duncan, who is staying up beyond Bob & Pat's house up behind Port Charlotte had seen the following birds during a "golden hour", all seen from the cottage, 3 Chough, a Peregrine Falcon, a male Hen Harrier and also 2 White tailed Eagles all in the air. In the garden, Jeff had seen 3 Redwing and a Stonechat. Later on in the afternoon, Jeff saw a Golden Eagle flying over Octomore hill. Another visiting birder, David Hunter is also staying in Port Charlotte for the week along with some friends... yesterday from the North hide at Gruinart, they saw a Golden Eagle causing havoc. On the water in front of  the hide, they saw  a male Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and also Mallard Ducks. Later on, they had seen a Chiffchaff on a gorse bush when they were driving up the East side of Loch Gruinart

Saturday 1st December

Well, another month in again, with the tally for the rain coming to 6 inches in all. At one point earlier on in November when we, like many other places had a few days of heavy rain, I was "pleasantly" surprised, as it could have ben a lot more.... Now, we are officially into winter, say no more!!!

Today, Bob had spent some time birding from the South hide at Gruinart from where he saw 12 Whooper Swan, 50 Pintail, 10 Blackwit, 6 Redshank along with a good number of Teal present there as well. Going back along the track to his car Bob had 3 Roe Deer grazing away which were reluctant to move on.....  Gary and Sam were over this morning for a catch up, Gary saw a Kestrel out of the kitchen window, while down among the feeding Chaffinches, the 2 Brambling were present. Then briefly, Gary saw a Redpoll. Earlier on before Gary and Sam arrived, Margaret saw the male Hen Harrier swoop low over the game crop and then on its way over the rushes along the front of the crag.

Sunday 30th September

Just as well that some of the farmers took the option yesterday and got some combining done, as today the weather was not so good, especially as the wind has picked up again...say no more..

Today, Distillery Dave had headed over Gruinart for a spot of birding.. On his way there, he had seen 3 Golden Plover round at Ballinaby, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Sparrowhawk and also a Snipe. He met in with Bob, and out from the South hide they saw a good number of Barnacle Geese in and more arriving, 10 Pintail (all in eclipse plumage), 2 Drake Gadwall, a  single Greenland white fronted Goose,  3 Curlew and a ringtail Hen Harrier and the best part of 800 Teal. Bob, on his way home has a Sparrowhawk as he approached his house up behind Port Charlotte. This afternoon James had counted 685 Barnies on the reserve at Gruinart, 125 Golden Plover, 7 Blackwit, 8 Pale bellied Brent and a Pink footed Goose there as well.

Forgot to mention last night that on our way back from Gruinart yesterday afternoon, Distillery Dave and myself had seen 6 Redwing just as we approached the Hedges below Sunderland, and this afternoon , Margaret spotted a single Redwing on top of one of the headstones next door in the cemetery.

Thursday 20th September

Yesterday evening, Distillery Dave had seen a female Wheatear fliting along the road in the car headlights over at Saligo Bay.

Today, David Wood had seen a Leach's Petrel off Lower Killeyan on the Oa. James How had seen a Peregrine on the reserve at Gruinart with Louise spotting her "regular" Peregrine on top of a telegraph pole below her house on Jura. Back on Gruinart, James Butcher had 9 Pintail, possibly the first sighting of the Autumn. Bob, this morning, had seen a large charm of over 300 Goldfinch round at Ballinaby. He also saw 10 Mipits there as well. Also seen at Ballinaby, 50 Skylarks as well as 4 Stonechats.

Obviously a much better day for birdwatching, with an "almost" dry day, and yes the wind had dropped considerably as well!!!

Friday 9th December

Gary had seen a Merlin being harassed by a couple of Hooded Crows as he approached Ballygrant, and then later in the trees, he had some Long tailed Tits. Down on Machir Bay itself, Mandy had the flock of Ringed Plover along with the single Turnstone and the Grey Plover was with them as well. Out over Coull, she had a distant sighting of a juv. Golden Eagle. Peter had seen a White tailed Eagle up close to Bridgend and also 28 Pale bellied Brent, near to the shore, beside "cash Kelly's" former house at Blackrock. Over at Gartmain, we saw 20 Pintail amongst a mixed flock of Wigeon, Teal and some Mallard. There was also a few Red breasted Merganser out on the water too, with over 30 Oystercatcher noted on the rocks at Bun an Uisg, on the edge of Bowmore. On Loch Skerrols,  there were a couple of family groups of Whoopers present along with 2 families of Mute Swan as well.

Tuesday 4th October

Malcolm Ogilvie had seen 15 Goldfinches in the bushes/ whins down beside the former lime kiln close to Tynacoille around midday. Bob Swann sent some details of the Greylag goose that we saw at Rockside back on Friday past. It was first rung on the 31st of Jan 2015 at Gortan Chuirn, behind Bruichladdich and has been seen a few times since then, but all here on Islay.. The Hampshire birders had seen 6 Turnstone at Carnain and later on along towards Bridgend, 4 Whoopers were present. Returning birder, Richard Belter is back for a another "Islay fix". Up at Sanaigmore, Richard had a juv Golden Eagle fly past with Rock Pipit and Twite also there. At Gruinart, he had a ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Barnies and 3 Greenland Whitefronts. Whilst driving round the Rhinns, he saw a Mistle Thrush. Today, Gary from Wild Islay birding, had seen 150 Barnies at Whinpark at the head of Loch Indaal, along at Carnain 2 RTD, 7 Slavonian Grebe, 10 Scaup and also 21 Common Scoter. On his way up the east side of Loch Gruinart, Gary saw a Wheatear, 8 Whooper Swan, 36 Pale bellied Brent and a Merlin. Back at Gartmain, just out of Bowmore, he had 40 Golden Plover, 7 Pintail and 47 Pale bellied Brent, 2 of which had 2 red darvic leg rings but were just too far away to read! Here at home, a Reed Bunting was on the wire above the bottom of the game crop beside the wee pond and at around 6pm, 30 Twite were on the overhead power line.

Saturday 7th November

Yesterday was Mike Bell's last full day, but this did not deter him... He had seen Red legged Partridges at both the Market and than later on up close to Neriby as well as at Carabus, probably birds recently released. Before setting out in the morning Mike had a ringtail Hen Harrier at Kilchoman with 60 Fieldfare and 60 Redwing as he drove down towards the Coastguards' Houses. The Whoopers were still on Ardnave, the tally being 208, 13 Mute, 397 Wigeon, female Gadwall, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Tufted Duck, a male Pochard, 3 Mallard and 3 Teal. On the floods at Gruinart, 340 Teal, 3 Gadwall, a good count of 87 Pintail, 5 Shoveler, and a Greenshank, 12 Pale bellied Brent were out on Loch Gruinart itself. In the afternoon, the tally for Golden Plovers was 1600 at Gruinart with a Mistle Thrush seen at Loch Gruinart House. Further on, 60 Redwing were seen at Ballimartin, 2 Golden Eagles at Storakaig, 55 Fieldfare at Cruach, 17 Red legged Partridges at Carrabus, 100 Redwing at Lyrabus with a further 60 at Craigens. A male Hen Harrier was seen below Carnduncan while a ringtail was at Sanaigmore as was a Merlin. Paul and Avril Watchorn's "best birds" of their visit were seeing our Choughs, Hooded Crows, Stonechats the numerous Whooper Swans as well as Reed Buntings down on the Oa, not forgetting the Golden Eagle on Jura and the geese all around. Many thanks yet again to our visiting birders for sharing their sightings. Leslie Silcock who has moved to Port Ellen recently had seen Choughs down on the Oa this morning and 2 RTD in Kilnaughton Bay. This morning there was a ringtail Hen Harrier out over the crag, quite close in, but better to come as we went down to Bowmore later on. As we approached Gartmain, the birds on Loch Indaal all appeared to be very agitated, and rightly so as there over the water less than 70 yards from the road was an immature White tailed Sea Eagle trying to get an Eider. Each time it swooped in, the Eider had the sense to dive and escaped. We watched this going on for at least 5 minutes, thanks to Karen for flagging us down as I was driving and watching the traffic on the road.....

Friday 10th October

It was great to meet in with visitor Wally along with his wife Jude who have been visiting Islay for a good number of years. Yesterday, up behind Loch Skerrols they had 16 species of birds, Linnet, Twite, Skylark, Dunnock, Wren, Pheasant, Red legged Partridge, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Long tailed Tit, Yellowhammer, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail and Robin, all in a stretch of around 300 - 400 yards along the road! This afternoon, they had a Sparrowhawk and also a Merlin just after Grainel, on their way over to here. So far they have had 84 species seen this trip, and they only arrived on Tuesday!!! James this morning had a count of 11,905 Barnies and 30 Whitefronts on the reserve. This afternoon, Mary had over 100 Whitefronts. The Barnies were arriving around 200 per hour, in small groups. There were also 5 Pintails arriving behind one of the smaller skeins of 20 Barnies. Up at Ardnave, on the tideline up at the Point there were 5 Snow Buntings eating away. There were also 34 Ravens seen between Ardnave Point and Nave Island. Over on Nave Island, 79 Seal pups were counted. Back on Ardnave Loch, there were 6 Whoopers and 8 adult Mute Swans and also 6 cygnets. Late afternoon, while Wally was here, we saw 20 Whoopers heading out from Loch Gorm out over Machir Bay and then heading South, no doubt they will be in Ireland by now!

Friday 13th December

Friday the 13th may unlucky for some, but not for us as we have several sightings for you tonight....almost forgot, the reindeer arrived safely, getting away home to Aviemore on Sunday could be a different story!!! Peter had seen the Pale bellied Brent at Blackrock today with over 45 Geese present. Ed had a Golden Eagle between Bridgend and Ballygrant, a Merlin at Gorm and a Goosander on the Laggan. James today had a count on the floods at Gruinart with his tally coming through at 3 Heron, 1 Whooper, 50 Wigeon, 86 Pintail, 57 Teal, 1 Mute Swan, 195 Mallard, 6 Gadwall,5 Curlew, 7 Redshank, 36 Greylag, 1 GBB Gull, 85 C. Gull, 6 H. Gull, 377 Lapwing, 94 Dunlin, 424 Golden Plover, and also 4 Stonechats!

Tuesday 4th October

Bob did some birdwatching today from the Loch Gruinart hide and he saw 8 ruffs, two pectoral sandpipers, one tufted duck, female pintail, 6 shovelers and about 250 teal. Down at Gartmain he noticed the female pintail was still there as well as the peregrine. At Uiskentuie he saw 32 scaup, there was also a single shelduck on Loch Indaal and a juvenile osprey flew overhead. Back home he had large flock of several hundred finches with 6 brambling amongst them. James had 87 brent geese on the saltmarsh.

Wednesday 7th September

Another mixed weather day, but at least the wind has dropped a bit... Jim D. had been down at Frenchman's Rocks for a short time this morning and had 3 Leach's Petrels, 1 Bonxie, 5 Sooty Shearwater, 38 Terns, mainly Arctic terns, several hundred Gannets, 2 Whimbrel and a Peregrine. On Loch Indaal, Jim had 3 Scaup, 2 Little Stint and 6 Arctic Terns, while at Gruinart there were 9 Pintail, 29 Black tailed Godwits, 4 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper and another Peregrine. Here at home today, a Sparrowhawk flew over the top of the cottages and on over the fields, over the crag 3 Kestrels, were seen while down at Port Charlotte, late afternoon, 6 Arctic Terns were present, were they the same ones that Jim had in the morning?

Sunday 22nd May

A better day with the odd squally shower, but beware the forecast for tomorrow does not sound so good, we will wait and see.... Jon and Angie had a Sparrowhawk down at Foreland today. From the hide at Gruinart they saw a female Pintail, and on the brambles beside the hide they saw a newly emerged Small Copper butterfly. Over in the wood beside Loch Skerrols, a Treecreeper was seen feeding young, and also 5 Roe Deer were there too. Other visitors had 2 Cuckoos down at Heatherfield on the way to Portnahaven. Round at Ballinaby some Whimbrel were present along with the Curlew, while over towards Bowmore on the shoreline, the Pale bellied Brent Goose was still present. All I had was the Corncrake calling when I was out in the garden, better than the Cuckoo calling, but that might happen later on!!!