Tuesday 22nd December

Looking back on the blog for the figures for the December figures from previous  International  Goose counts and I found the entry and stats from last year were as follows

 32,017 Barnies, 6,325 Whitefronts and also 1,056 Greylags. The count for Dec 2018 came in at 31,623 for the Barnies (+394), 5,843 geese counted for Whitefronts ( +491) with the figure for Greylags was  1,177 (-121). Many thanks as ever to Morven and her team of counters for these figures about the geese, much appreciated... with the tally for Dec 2020 coming through as stated yesterday as 32,107 Barnies, 6,350 Whitrefronts and 703 Greylags.

This morning when out in the garage, I thought that I heard some Whoopers outsde, so a quick look outside and had a small group of 9 flying directly overhead. It was great to see them so close as they were only around 30 feet above me as they flew out over the Machir and out to the sea, no doubt flying on down to Ireland.

Lesley today had been in touch to say that she had "Flocks of thrushes, ie Redwing, thrushes and Blackbirds passing this morning. No Fieldfare seen so far. On telegraph wires and feeding on the fields around the cottage. Lovely. "

David Wood had seen some Iceland Gulls in the harbour at Bowmore today as well as some at Cornabus.  

James last night had  "seen the planets, a pretty good view."

The weather has been a lot better here today, hence the reason for some more birds for you to read about!!!!

Wednesday 4th November

Marsali kindly sent me through the reading from her rain gauge over at Mulindry for the  month of October which came to 242mms or 9.68 inches and that was the wettest month so far this year and the wettest October for about 6 years.  Wow, drier than Eric Bignall's tally for October.

Dan Brown yesterday had seen a "juv Glaucous Gull south over the Gruinart flats plus 150 Whoopers. On Monday, he estimated 600-1000 Whoopers arrived as well as many White-fronted Geese."

Yesterday , Mike Bell had seen the following birds when out.. 

"Whooper swans 14 SW Kilchoman  0745 hr, 6 leaving Loch Gorm SW 0755 hr, 29 Gruinart 0810 hr with 14 of these leaving 0815 hr then the rain started. 83 Gruinart at 1510 hr with 54 leaving SW 1520 hr.Loch Gorm 1 imm WTE flying west 0755 hr.

Blackrock 10 Scaup.

Eallabus 60 redwing, 1 treecreeper.

Loch Skerrols, walked round without my telescope and unhelpfully many wigeon on the far shore, far fewer with perhaps c200 and 106 Whoopers including a pair with 6 juvs. Also a dipper at the outlet burn, 1 goldcrest, 6 bullfinch.

Octavulin 6 pinkfeet, 90 fieldfare plus 28 S, redwing 180, chaffinch 75.

Redhouses 40 & 70 redwing S.

Cattadale 90 redwing.

Storakaig gate 1 male hen harrier, 1 carrion crow with hoodies, and also 2 yellowhammer."

Dave Pierce is over for a few days along with his wife, not leading a tour this year arriving yesterday, so here are some of Dave's top birds seen on Tuesday...."A Greenshank & several G N Divers around Kennacraig during our departure from the Mainland. Also maybe of note was a Red Squirrel about a mile north of Tarbert.

Sailing up the Sound of Islay from the ferry we observed an adult White-tailed Eagle standing on Glas Eilean. Another WTE  showed well nearby flying low over the coast of Jura with an adult Golden Eagle soaring close by, whilst a Peregrine crossed over from there to Islay.

Arriving at their cottage near Bridgend the vast avian assemblage included 42 Pale bellied Brent Geese.

Dr Matt Jackson had counted 48 Redwing in his garden today. Also seen today were the folowing  by Gary.... Sub ad WTE on the sand at Bridgend, 1500 Golden Plover on sand, 7 Grey Plover on the merse, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard in woods at Whin Park with 2 Bullfinch also there.

Friday 23rd October

Mike Hill sent his birds seen on Wednesday and also yesterday 

Weds 21st

A Chiffchaff briefly early morning in the trees next to the burn besides our cottage. A White -tailed Eagle flew in inland over Machir Bay. Along the road to Saligo Bay, in amongst the Barnacle Geese, were 8 Whooper Swans, 2 Pink-footed Geese and a Canada Goose. It looks like it wasn't the Cackling Goose so could be the Todd's Canada Goose that has been around. At Loch Gruinart were lots of Pintail, c200 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Greenshank, a flock of Sanderling and all the usual geese. Back at Machir Bay late afternoon there were 59 Ringed Plover with 4 Sanderling for company, 40 Curlew flew over, 24 Whooper Swans came from the SW and at least 2 GNDs on the sea. There were other divers but the sea was quite choppy and only had binoculars with us.

Thurs 22nd

At Machir Bay between 0800 and 0900. A Peregrine flew over, 21 Whooper Swans, 3 Shelduck, a flock of c15 Twite landed near me briefly and out at sea, 15+ Gannets went north and 2 Shearwater sp went south very distantly. At our cottage a small flock of Siskins went over east and 36 Whooper Swans went SW. Along the road to Loch Indaal was a single female Brambling in with the large Chaffinch flock. On Loch Indaal were 12 Red-throated,1 Black and  at least 2 Great Northern Divers along with several Common Scoter and 8 Eider. 20+ Whooper Swans flew along the far side of the loch. Down at Portnahaven/Port Wemyss were 2White-tailed Eagles, and adult and a juvenile. According to a local birder they had been around a while taking advantage of the pupping Grey Seals. A Merlin went low over to Orsay. Back at the cottage late afternoon was a single Golden Eagle off to the east which was mobbed by a Peregrine before drifting over towards Loch Gorm.

Steve Percival sent me through this e mail last night..."Another Cackling goose up at Eorrabus this morning, and 2 cracking W T Eagles on the shore at Bridgend"

Also yesterday, Richard had seen the albino/ leucistic Common Gull down on Machir Bay in the morning. At Bruichladdich, Richard had a Tystie, a Gannet, some Eider and he saw 7 RTDs as well. Over at Blackrock, Richard counted 50 Common Scoter. Peter in the afternoon had also seen the albino/ leucistic Common Gull down on Machir Bay as well.

Eddie and Elaine yesterday had seen the Wood Sandpiper out from the North hide yesterday

The Hoopoe was seen in the Bridgend are again yesterday, by whom I do not know..

David Wood was in touch with some birds counted down on the Oa...

"Rough estimate of 400 Redwing around the Oa yesterday.

We’ve had a bit of a count this afternoon and had 1670 today, real total will be much higher, this was from just 4 different groups. Also 350 Fieldfare today. Merlin present as well. "

James had also noted seeing a movement of Redwings at Gruinart yesterday and today he had counted

"White fronted geese 412. Didn’t count the Barnies

 Golden Plover, a flock of 1315 on the Flats

Teal 1555 on Floods

Linnets a flock of 295 on one of the bird crops"

Lesley today had the Wood Sandpiper  at the North Hide.

Monday 12th October

Visitors David and Nancy Massie sent me through their sightings seen yesterday 

"Loch Gorm: All the usual geese, 8 Tufted Duck, 4 Stonechats, 3 Twite, 2 Buzzard

RSPB Loch Gruinart: Thousands of geese, Barnacles Greylags White-fronts, Mute and Whooper Swans, Hundreds of Common Teal, 20+ Shoveler & Pintail, 1 Curlew

Ardnave Point: Flock of 46 Twite, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Chough, 1 W t Eagle, 1 Common Snipe flushed."

We were speaking to Lesley Silcock today and she too had seen the Wood Sandpiper out from the North hide at Gruinart yesterday as well.

Richard Belter had been out and about today. Over at Gruinart, he had seen 3 Blackwits, and also a male Hen Harrier along with numerous geese and also a Sparrowhawk. Down at Bruichladdich Richard had seen 2 RTDs, a GND, a Tystie, 16 Common Scoter and also 6 Eider. Down out from the  old Wave Turbine station, all he had was line of Gannets flying past. Returning to Portnahaven from Claddach, a Golden Eagle was seen with an obliging Redwing siting on top of the fence beside the road. Finally up at Sanaigmore, Richard had 2 Chough down on the dunes there with 4 Ringed Plover and he also saw a Grey Plover down on the bay there too.

Friday 9th October

 Visitor Jacqui Relph sent me through last night,

"We had the Hen Harrier again at the Oa today and also, either a Peregrine or a Merlin, it was quite close but moving to fast to get a really good look, more brown than grey. Also a couple of Buzzards on the way off the reserve.  At Port An Eas, 2 Chough and a Whinchat, on the road just near the lighthouse at Singing Sands."

Another pair of visitors, Jonathan and Alison Alder, e mailed this set of birds seen yesterday

"We're staying on Islay for 10 days based at Port Ellen, having been many times before based at Portnahaven. Male Hen Harrier on minor road off B8016 about 2 miles before Ballygrant, plus Golden Eagle over ridge of Beinn Dubh. Ringtail Hen Harrier near Bridgend adjacent to A846, where we were parked looking over Loch Indaal waiting in vain for WT Eagle."

Peter Gill had a quieter sort of a day yesterday, but made up for it today.... Up at Gruinart, they counted 47 Whoopers, and out from the South hide at Gruinart, he had 40 GWF amongst the many Barnies and also Greylags seen there. Also present was a cracking male Hen Harrier there too. He then  had a Golden Eagle along the South side of Loch Gorm. There was a Peregrine and a Sparrowhawk noted there down by the side of the loch itself. Further along the road, he had 2WT Eagles and another Peregrine, along past Sunderland. He also had several Buzzards on his travels. 

Bob today had seen a Little Gull when he was coming back home out of Bowmore and then at Gartmain he had counted 70 P b Brent geese along with the ever increasing flock of barnies present there as well.

Gary emailed his birds seen today, as follows

"No sign of the Hoopoe this morning, spent an hour down at Whin Park.

Lots of Whooper Swans flying in from the north, found one flock of 40 at Bridgend.

Lots of Redwing flying through as well.

200+ Golden Plover on the sand at Bridgend. Two hybrid Canada / Barnacle Geese amongst the Barnies."

Around about 6pm , we saw 2 groups of Whooper Swans down on the stubble fields at Rockside, possibly around 70 birds in all.

Monday 5th October

It has been some day out here today, the wet weather has not deterred Dave Wood and his  team down on the reserve on the Oa as they have seen 7, yes, 7 Yellow browed Warblers. 

Peter also sent me through his take on the YBWs

"I was tipped off by Jim Dickson that Yellow-brows were flooding in to the Hebrides and that I should go out and look for one on Islay.

Yesterday (Sunday) I did just that by going all the way to Gortantaoid beyond Killinallan where I saw my first Islay YBW (and I think Islay's 4th record) a few years ago. I spent several hours there searching the likely spots but found nothing at all. Today, I received a note via RSPB that The Oa was "heaving" with YBWs - well at least 5, which more or less doubles the islands total in one go! I was just about to head off there to take a look when I thought "if the Oa has several, then surely the Rhinns must have some too?". Thus I selflessly decided to forego the certainty of watching "someone else's" birds on the Oa in order to find my own and contribute to the data pool.  Thus I spent several hours today searching as much suitable scrub, bushes and trees from Portnahaven up to Port Charlotte. Needless to say I found nothing other than my first Redwing of autumn and got soaked with rain in the process. Tomorrow, if the weather is OK I shall give in, go to The Oa and ask David Wood to show me a Yellow-browed Warbler!"

Yesterday, visiting birder Jacqui Relph, a visitor for the week, also saw a White Tailed Eagle at Loch Indaal. It sat on the wreck for a while before it scared the geese! 

Peter Gill, yesterday, had a Redwing close to Sunderland Farm, and then he had a Barn Owl out on the wing in the car headlights, over towards Gruinart. This morning Peter had the Wt Eagle down at the top of Loch Indaal. Down on the Oa, he saw a Hen Harrier, and also soon afterwards, a Kestrel was seen close to Kinnabus where he saw a flock of  present, Along towards Kintra, a Merlin flew along in front of them.

 George E Jackson e mailed his birds at lunchtime, down at Machir Bay there was a Grey wagtail. where the northerly burn comes out of the dunes - first one I've seen down there. Also a couple of Stonechats and two pairs of Choughs; on the grass fields alongside the road were at least 4 Rooks with the crows.

Saturday 25th April

Karen Graham this morning when out for her daily walk, spotted a "parliament" of 14 Magpies on a large beech tree. What a racket....
 Back home, she had 4 Wood Pigeons enjoying themselves in her bird bath!!!

Mandy, yesterday had a male Hen Harrier out on the wing quartering its patch and then a small bird of prey flew past in a hurry. On her way back to her house she also had a Sedge Warbler and then 2 Groppers reeling away, one on either side of the road. Finally, Mandy had 2 Swallows ...

James was speaking to me earlier on with some birds for the blog as well... Yesterday, he had heard 4 Sedge Warblers and also a Gropper singing away. He also had seen a late Redwing. This morning, he had heard a Cuckoo calling away while his daughter, Eleanor had heard the Corncrake calling away down at Machir Bay..
James reckons now that all the geese have now moved away.

Saturday 18th April

Lesley had sent me through the following  seen by her this past week..
"A beautiful week with loads of sun which has brought out the birds, butterflies and bees.
Monday, I had my first Willow Warbler now 4 days later they are singing from every bush. One great view of a bird singing its heart out in a willow full of catkins and bumble bees.
After seeing one summer visitor, I thought I would try for another so went in search for Wheatears along the coast at Saligo on Wednesday and before long I had seen 8. As I turned into my drive there were 2 in the field.
Thursday it was Redwings on the move. I had upward of 100 feeding and moving in a very determined way. I also saw 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 male and 1 female Red breasted Mergansers displaying similarly to great Crested Grebes i.e. extending their heads and necks in the water and propelling themselves forward fast then sitting high in the water. A first for me. Stonechats are singing from the vantage points and all the garden birds are joining in. Primroses, violets and bluebells are out. Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies are on the wing. I have seen a pair of Merlin not far from my house. A fantastic week."

Mandy saw 2 Redwing at the bottom of the track this morning.

James saw a Little Egret as he drove across the flats at Gruinart this morning

Thursday 16th April

David Barr was in touch back on Monday saying that he had just seen a Green Woodpecker when out with his 2 dogs over at Lochearnhead that morning...

Mandy has had a great day with the birds around where she lives on Islay...

"This morning I had the Redwing again in the tree at the rear of her house, sunning itself. Late afternoon, just sitting in my front garden listening to a starling going through its repertoire of the usual buzzard, curlew, crow, raven, gull, blackbird etc., then it threw in a bleating lamb!Exceptionally good. If it wasn't coming from the roof I'd have believed it was real ...And it has just did a chough too! And I've seen the willow warbler, appropriately enough in my willow in the front garden😄. Just heard a second willow warbler up here, one is calling close by and a second further away 😊"

Dr Matt Jackson had been down at Machir Bay, late afternoon

"Was out for my authorised bought of exercise this evening and heard my first Corncrake of the year down by the parking area at the beach at Machir Bay! There were also quite a number (20+) of what seemed to be mixed sand and house martins among the dunes along the middle and south end of the beach."

Friday10th April

Yesterday Mary Redman had seen her first Swallow of the year flying across the bay down at Portnahaven. Also yesterday in the early evening, Mary counted over 100 Redwing flying past, up behind the village.

Mandy has also sent some sightings seen by herself
"Tuesday, at dusk 200 white fronts and 300 barnies flying towards Loch Gruinart, then on Wednesday at dusk 50 white fronts, then last night nothing (apart from the usual 20 or so greylags in the fields).

Yesterday and the day before a calling chough flew over.

Last week, there was a flock of around 50 skylarks at the top of the track, some dust bathing.

Last night, I heard a mistle thrush singing at dusk."

Gary sent me through some birds seen and heard by him

"Willow Warblers arrived last night, loads singing today, male Hen Harrier quartering over the moorland behind house, Greenfinch, Chaffinch & Goldfinch at the big bird table." 

David Barr who before was called Distillery Dave, but now living in  Lochearnhead reported in this evening with some birds..

"Rock Pipits , Kestrel and Wheatear, all seen while out for his walk (with Ted and Ella, his dogs) in Glen Kendrum."

Tuesday 3st March

Well that's another month almost past, so tomorrow I will try to tell you the figures for the rain which fell into the various rain gauges round Islay... interesting stuff...

Morven e mailed through this morning to give me the figure for the Greylag geese from the International Goose count carried out the other week. The total came to 690 Geese, and as Morven said, that several of the geese are already paired up.... Thanks again to Morven for the info...

Mandy was back in touch this afternoon, saying that she had seen the Redwing in her garden again today...

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"

Saturday 14th March

Yesterday Dave and Jean Killick
" We spent the day on Jura where the highlights were a juvenile White-tailed Eagle, Merlin, single Rock Pipit, several Great Northern Divers along with a single Redwing and a small flock of 12 Fieldfares. 

On our way home there was a juvenile Golden Eagle just off the road between Loch Indaal and Coullabus close to Cnoc nan Nathrach. "

Monday 6th January

Well, today the wind has huffed and puffed all day and fortunately enough for us not a lot of rain in the mix for once, the ferry has sailed back and forward, not like a lot of other places on the West of Scotland where the ferries were cancelled out...

Returning visiting birders, Iola Williams, John Miles and his son Ewan are over for a few days  leading a group of birders. They came over this afternoon with John coming in for a welcome cuppa in return for payment for some birds seen since arriving...

They saw a ringtail Hen Harrier fly across the Sound of Islay to Jura as the ferry approached Port Askaig. Down on the merse at Bridgend, the Little Egret was present, along with Greenshank and a number of Teal were seen there as well. On their way on towards their accommodation at Kilchoman, they had seen a male Hen Harrier up from Grainel. Shortly afterwards, a flock of 20 Fieldfares and 6 Redwing and finally they had seen a couple of Buzzards.

Mid morning, here at home, the pesky Sparrowhawk came past and had the brass neck to perch up on the feeding station before deciding to move on... and I did not get in a panic about him being as close to me at all!!! About another 30 minutes elapsed before, and we had another regular grace us with his presence, the male Hen Harrier floated past us along the fence line and not much above it either, great to see so close...

Friday 25th October

Well the weather forecast for today proved correct, with the air decidely on the the brassy side of things .. 

So I will start you off with some sightings that Margaret and myself seen from the warmth of our house!!! First birds seen were a couple of Golden Eagles soaring out over the big crag. Down on the ground there were around 20 Blackbirds out on the grass with at least 30 Redwings on the move through the garden. There obvoiusly more birds in at the feeders too, infact the first time this time round, that most of the feeders were empty and needing to be filled with some more food! The Blackbirds were noticed trying to munch some of the plentiful berries which we have this year.  James had carried out a count on the reserve at Gruinart late afternoon with his tallies coming to 17,295 Barnies, 582 Greenland Whitefronts, 81 Whoopers, 18 Pale bellied Brents, 13 Greylags, a single Canada Goose, parvipes sp., 595 Golden Plover (with a lot more seen off reserve over at Craigens) and also 3 Blackwits.

Before I forget on Tuesday evening, it is that time of the month again, the monthly catch up of the Islay Bird nerds, we will be meeting at the Visitor centre at Gruinart at 18.30. Please remember to bring a pound to help pay for your cuppa etc. So if you are around, feel free to come along and put a name to some of the locals who help us out etc, all will be made welcome!!!

Friday 4th October

Nothing much to report this evening, but Bob was on the phone to say that he had seen 7 Redwings on the wing up beside his house up behind Port Charlotte earlier this week.

Wednesday 24th October

The other day, Ian and Susan Pettman who are annual visitors to Islay had seen a male Stonechat and also a male Hen Harrier when they were over at the reserve at Gruinart. Both these birds are not that common where they come from.

This morning, Mike Peacock had a new garden tick in his garden down in Port Charlotte, a Brambling.. James this morning had a count of 267 Whitefronts on the reserve at Gruinart. He also had 99 Whoopers moving through the reserve this morning as well. this afternoon, The Bowland birders dropped in for a catch up, as did John Wilson from Leighton Moss along with his son Jonti. It was great to have a catch up folks, and great to see that I have not forgotten on how to put the kettle on...They all commented on seeing flocks of up to 150 Redwings as they came along the road to here as well as seeing so many Whoopers  around, just fantastic... Down on Machir Bay, The Bowland Birders had seen 7 Sanderling, 28 Ringed Plover and 2 Turnstone.

Other visitors, earlier this week, Jane and Nigel Clark had seen 2 Otters down at Port Mor, out of Port Charlotte, eating some flat fish...They also had a GND, along with several Cormorants out on the water , and on the stubbles there was a count of around 1,000 Barnies. Today, at the head of Loch Indaal, they reckoned that there were over 1,000 Barnies and also 7 Whoopers resting up. Up at Bunnahabhain, they saw another Otter.

Another pair of visitors Richard Houtman from Amsterdam, along with his father, today had seen some Redwing over at Lagavullin. Along at Ardbeg, they had seen 2 Swallows on the wing looking  for food, with another Swallow seen at Lagavullin.

Friday 12th October

Well, the weather certainly has been wild with the ferries all cancelled until mid afternoon, at least they did come... all we need now is for the main roads on the mainland to be sorted out which are prone to land slips around the "Rest and be Thankful" section of the A83....
Back to the main thrust of the blog, the birds seen on Islay . This morning, Mike Peacock had spent an hour doing some sea watching from Port Charlotte out on to Loch Indaal. Mike had seen a lot of Common Gulls, Black headed Gulls and Herring Gulls. Also sen in the mix, a definite top bird, an adult Iceland Gull, good one Mike....
 The Horwich birders had been out and about today, at Loch Skerrols where they counted 35 Whoopers with 2 young, 16 Mutes with 4 young as well as  62 Wigeon. The River Sorn was in spate with all the recent rain, but at The Woollen Mill, they had seen a pair of Siskin, 3 Long tailed Tits and a Goldcrest. Yesterday, on the garden fence of the cottage they have been staying this week, they had seen 3 male and a female Stonechat while over the moorland a female Hen Harrier floated past.
James today, managed to carry out the WeBS count on the floods at Gruinart, it was too windy to do the count out on the Loch!!! His tally for the birds seen was as follows...505  Golden Plover, 4 Snipe, 73 Mallard, 2 Heron, 11 Gadwall, 30 Shoveler, 349 Wigeon, 5 Mute Swan, 14 Whoopers, 1,350 Teal, 24 Pintail, 5 Curlew, 12 Blackwit and 185 Lapwing. James also had 12 Redwing while he was out as well.

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.

Saturday 7th April

A not bad day with the weather out here today, and as I write this entry a nice looking sunset to finish the day off..

Martin Armstrong had seen a couple of large Canada Geese flying past the singing sands over at Port Ellen this morning. A friend who lives over close to Ballygrant was on the phone today, saying tat he has had 12 Yellowhammers in at his feeders. Gary had seen a flock of around 500 Redwing out at Finlaggan today, and I was well pleased just seeing a few passing over this morning... Possibly birds are on the move now!!!