Monday 13 December

The gale overnight settled down in time for the morning.  Not too shabby a day by comparison to what we have been living with,  finishing with a glorious sunset late this afternoon.  Definitely colder this evening though that is to be expected. 

Margaret spotted 2 WTE over smelly corner this morning. At Currie Sands, I counted 11 turnstone and 8 rock pipit feeding on the sand. They've been resident there over the past 3 or 4 days and, judging by the state of the sand, finding plenty to feed on!

Ken Reeves of Burbage Birder fame kindly sent in the photo in tonights blog, as well as a couple of fascinating records from two of the ringed Greenland barnacle geese: 

"Myself and Steve Lister managed to carry out some ring reading of Barnacle and GWF Geese at two locations .Quite a few of the records are predominately from Gruinart Farm birds but a couple of the records are interesting ...

Greenland Barnacle

EBJ  Recorded on the  03 /10/20 at Gruinart South then on 30/10/20 and 09/01/20 at Balephetrish Hill  Tiree , finally  on 08/01/21 Tiree at Kenovay

ZLX   Recorded on the 25/10/17 on Islay...11 /12 /17 at Ruaig Tiree then at Vindhaeli Iceland on 29/04/18 with ZNJ as a mate. Finally after spending winter 2019 on Tiree and Tiree, winter 20 on Islay until  the next recording on Tiree is 22/12/20  , 24/12/20.The 2021 records from 19/10/21  to 01/12/21 are so far on Islay."

Thank you very much for sharing with us. I shall spread out some of the images through the week to cheer up the blog.

Tuesday 7 December

 Storm Barra hasn't let up all day, not surprisingly no sightings submitted as I imagine people are holding onto their polytunnels and looking for lost slates.

While up checking on the sheep this afternoon, there were 22 turnstone on Currie Sands. A little further along at Port a Rheidhlinn a lonely juvenile shag was taking a break on the beach there.

Friday 12 November

 

A wild day here today, very strong winds so any bird id had to be quick!  Huge seas off the west coast.  The photo here at Port A'Reidhlein, Claddach where around 50 gulls were feeding with 4 eider where the burn enters the sea.  Overhead a flock of 60-70 starling and around 12 (visible) turnstone on the shore. A busy spot on a blowy day!

The sheltered lochs harboured this seasons star finds still. American wigeon and lesser scaup at Skerrols (Bob McMillan) with a long tailed duck and 45 whooper swan (Peter Roberts) and the ring necked duck on Gorm with 4 pochard (Peter Roberts).  From the North Hide at RSPB Loch Gruinart Peter counted 8 greenshank and 34 redshank.  Mark Sullivan later saw an Arctic Skua harassing the gulls there.   Mark also went on to 'Smelly Corner' where he counted 62 pale-bellied Brent with knot, turnstone and ringed plover.  Peter added 2 little egret at the same spot.

An other visitor counted around 350 lapwing on the flats at Loch Gruinart with some curlew.

The forecast is better tomorrow, let's see what the wind may have blown in!

Thursday 1st October

 Gary had been out this morning along his wife Sam, who spotted some of the birds..

Down where the River Sorn enters Loch Indaal they had a White tailed Eagle. Along at Blackrock,  5 Scaup, 32 Common Scoter  and also 7 R TDs were present on the water there, up on Loch Gorm they had seen a Pochard, 2 Slav Grebes, 147 Tufted Duck, 32 Barnies, loads of Greylags, and also 16 Mute Swans. They also had seen 7 Yellowhammers on the land as they drove round Loch Gorm.

Peter today had been over at Bowmore and on his way home stopped at Gartmain, he counted the following birds from there... 66 Pale bellied Brent Geese; 102 Barnacle Geese, 37 Red-breasted Mergansers and 65 Wigeon. A walk along the sand at Uiskentuie provided 56 Turnstone mixed in with about 45 Ringed Plover.

This morning, we had a ringtail Hen Harrier fly past here, and also last night the Sparrowhawk was out sitting on a fence post, as long it says that far away from the wee birds I do not mind... 

Wednesday 12th August

 George E. Jackson e mailed some sightings, all seen yesterday...

"This morning, driving down the road just below Foreland, a Wheatear flew across in front of me. Another sign that early Autumn passage is starting?

This evening at Traigh an Luig, again there were 10+ Turnstones, 6 Dunlin and an increase to about 20 Ringed Plovers."

Also yesterday, Alistair Hart had seen 2 Swifts flying past down at Port Wemyss.

This afternoon, David Barr dropped in for quick catch up and he told me that he had seen a Sparrowhawk take a Great spotted  Woodpecker, rather a noisy event by what David told me! Not sure of where it happened, certainly not on Islay, but either close to Lochearnhead or even down near to Jedburgh

Friday 7th August

 Gary had been out up at Bunnahabhain earlier on today, and sent through some of his sightings..

"Plenty of Gannets fishing Bunnahabhain Bay.12 Turnstone north end of Bunnahabhain bay.

1 Red throated Diver on Ardnahoe Loch. 

At Loch Finlaggan 3 Little Grebe & 1 Red throated Diver."

Thursday 23rd July

Gary sent some birds that he had seen yesterday.....
"Some sightings, two Corncrake calling out by Port Charlotte. On Uiskentuie strand at the spit some small flocks of mixed small waders, including Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone & Sanderling."

 

Monday 10th February

Gary did his WeBS count from Blackrock back round to Bowmore yesterday. The weather was not as bad as they were making out. Just blustery...

4 GND, 7 Red breasted Merganser, 3 Shag, 3 Slavonian Grebe, 8 Eider, 60 Mallard, 3 Goldeneye, 34 Wigeon, 37 Teal, 50 Shelduck, 17 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 12 Turnstone, 2 Redshank, 136 Oystercatcher, 55 Curlew, 20 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 29 Bar tailed Godwit, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Golden Plover, 15 Black headed Gull, 61 Common Gull, 53 Herring Gull, 5 Great black backed Gull, 28 Brent Geese, 32 Greylag Geese, 800 Barnacle Geese, 3 Whooper Swan, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier.

Gary and Wendy also been out on Saturday and also briefly yesterday as well  seeing a few birds for us

Sat: Bruichladdich, Pale belied Brent Geese, Pied Wagtail, Cormorant
Sun: Carnain, Pale bellied Brent Geese, Shelduck, Barnies, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin and Grey Plover

Forgot to mention that the wind yesterday at Dr Matt's topped a mere 70 mph  in the morning and this afternoon, it only got up to 67 mph, although there have been quite a few dirty squally showers. The ferry sailed this morning making a crossing in both directions, and the plane came over ... 

Sunday 6th October

Yesterday, James had seen over 50 Redwing while over at the Lily Loch at Port Askaig and then shortly afterwards, he had a Golden Eagle in the air over at Dun Nosebridge. George E.  Jackson in the morning, before the weather closed in had 65 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone, 10 Oystercatcher and also 12 Barwits down on the shore at Uiskentuie. Along at Rockside, George had 6 Whoopers in the stubble fields, 3 adults and a small family group of another 2 adult plus their youngster.

Today, Iain and Fiona had been over at the South hide at Gruinart with their top birds seen included a ringtail Hen Harrier, a female Peregrine, 4 Barnies, 2 Buzzard, 15 Redwing, 2 Snipe, 100 Pinkies flew overhead, 75 Teal, 30 Wigeon and over 20 Lapwing. Also today, James had seen 14 Whoopers at Sunderland with a further 10 along at Rockside. Up here at home, George E. Jackson came round and set up his mist nets. Boy, the birds did not oblige with only 3 Stonechats and a Linnet being caught and fitted with BTO rings. There were certainly more Linnets seen but when they took off, they fly away at 45 degrees and not fly along following the ground contours, so avoiding being caught...

Overnight, we had around 35 mm of rain, not a lot compared to other places....

Sunday 18th August

On Friday morning, George E. Jackson had seen a juv. Stonechat on the garden fence at "Horizons", one the bungalows at Rockside road end.. Shortly afterwards, between the Coastguard's cottages and  Machir Bay, George had a male Stonechat, carrying a beakfull of food, so probably for its' young close at hand.... Early evening back along at "Horizons", there were around 10 Swallows  and in with them a couple of House Martins, which had a good inspection  of the nest box which son Matthew has put up... Time yet, possibly to get a late brood away???

Malcolm yesterday had seen 6 Turnstones, the first seen by him this Summer/Autumn. They were down close to Gortan, along from the coal yard.

Over at Gruinart, James had seen 37 Knot, 12 Blackwits, 3 Greenshank and a Peregrine, all yesterday.

Saturday 30th March

Down on the Oa reserve on Thursday, David Wood had a count of 15 Whooper Swans and he also saw a Wheatear. Yesterday Dave had 2 Sand Martins and also a total of 8 Chough, all seen down on the Oa. Yesterday, Malcolm had counted 28 Turnstone on the strand along from Uiskentuie. Along at where the road leads up to Kintra, he had a female Peregrine fly across the road and away...
Up here at home, we saw the Red legged Partridge again, where it has come from is a bit of a mystery, as I do not know where it has come from, as none are released locally...

Saturday 15th December

What a day it has been, all the ferries were cancelled to and from Islay today, but Calmac are providing extra ferries to sail tomorrow.
Yesterday Mike P had counted 27 Pale belied Brent Geese down at Traigh an Luig at Gortan, up at Foreland, he saw 2 different male Hen Harriers. Along at Machir bay Mike had 67 Curlew and 8 Turnstone.
George E Jackson and his wife Pat have returned over to Islay after a very good trip to Norway with reasonable views of the "Northern Lights". Yesterday on Islay, George had seen a Redwing in the garden at Rockside, with a flock of around 300 Starlings in one of the Rockside fields next to their son's house. Down on one of the wee lochans next to Loch Gorm, 15 Whoopers were present. Down in the field next the parking area at Machir Bay, George had 11 Curlew, 14 Turnstone  and 27 Ringed Plover. He also had 15 Oystercatcher overflying Machir Bay itself.

Wednesday 5th December

Yesterday, Distillery Dave had seen 5 Turnstone down on Machir Bay. Up at Sanaigmore, "DD" had seen a single Turnstone and also a GND was present there as well.

Today as ever, the wee birds have been busy scoffing all the food on offer... I went out at one time with the trusty camera and took some images.. I downloaded them and counted an amazing total of 180 Birds on our feeders, all wee birds, no Starlings counted, no Jackdaws or Pheasants either, all wee birds.... Mid afternoon, the ringtail flew past , not paying any attention to those well fed, tasty morcels around the feeders...

Thursday 31st May

On our way over to Gruinart this morning, we were very fortunate to see this adult Little Stint which was seen over on the muddy pool beside the gate at Saligo, along with a few Dunlin and Ringed Plover. We returned home about an hour later and it was not there, just as well that I had the camera with me!! Over at Gruinart there  were 6 Whoopers seen, a group of 3 and also 3 single  Swans... Bob had gone round to Saligo this afternoon, and it was back again, along with 4 Lapwing with young, 9 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover. He also heard 2 Snipe drumming while he was there. We revisited this evening, with Distillery Dave, but no joy at Saligo. On the return leg home, we spent some time down at the reed bed towards Machir Bay and we heard a Corncrake calling.

The Bolton birders have had another great day seeing 5  adult Marsh Fritillaries on the wing at Gearach, 3 days earlier than last year. Further on, they had seen 12 Turnstone down at Currie Sands. On their way back home, they had a GND at Carn and another seen off Port Charlotte. Down at Machir Bay, they saw a Peregrine away above the crag and also heard the Corncrake. Round towards Leek, they had seen 2 different male Hen Harriers. Finally over at Loch Tallant, they saw another 2 different male Hen Harriers and also a hen Sparrowhawk.

Sunday 27th May

Yesterday evening, Mandy had a distant sighting of an Iceland Gull, seen out from Saligo. Today we welcome back the Bolton birders... Up at Sanaigmore they heard a Corncrake calling and then had the good fortune in seeing it. Down at the "disappearing pool" at Saligo they had the Greenshank along with  a mixed group of 30 + Dunlin and Ringed Plover. At Bruichladdich, they saw 2 Sanderling in summer plumage. They also had a Turnstone seen down on Currie Sands, below Claddach out of Portnahaven  

Friday 26th January

This morning, I gave Bob a hand to carry out his WeBs count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, so here are the birds which we saw.... 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 GND, 3 Grey Heron, 15 Shag, 5 Cormorant, 4 Greylag, 999 Barnies, 60 Whitefronts, 9 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 39 Teal, 80 Wigeon, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Eider, 4 R b Merganser, 25 Turnstone, 85 Oystercatcher, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 202 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 148 Barwit, 3 Knot, 32 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, 23 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 40 Golden Plover, 82 Lapwing, 12 Gbb Gull, 12 C Gull, 220 H Gull and 3 B h Gull. Great to see so many Turnstone. It was a great time this morning in flat calm conditions....

Here at home, just after lunchtime, a quick squint out the window and a scan round the air space above the Machir produced a Golden Eagle. Earlier on, just after my return from helping Bob, a Sparrowhawk flew past and through the garden...

Tuesday 23rd May

Gotcha...managed to get this Redshank on top of a fence post at the roadside over at Leek. A few moments later its' mate landed on the road and then their young chick was seen in the grass on the verge, better parents than Pheasants, I hope...

Bob today had seen a White tailed Eagle being mobbed by a Raven, over towards Ballygrant. A pair of Greylags were in the frame as well, but whether the geese were attacking the eagle, Bob was not too sure of. Later on, at the other end of Islay, Bob saw 5 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin, down on the shore below Claddach just out of Portnahaven. Bob said the turnstone were in full summer plumage.

Several folk have commented on the big numbers of young Starlings that have been seen around over the past few days....

Sunday 20th November

Today Mary saw 3 great spotted woodpeckers in her garden in Portnahaven. In Ardnave there was 29 turnstone, 2 great northern divers, 45 twite, 280 starlings. On Ardnave Loch there was 15 mute swans, 15 whoopers, 30 wigeon, 45 whitefronts, 47 teal and couple lapwings.

Thursday 26th May

On Tuesday, Bob had seen 15 Turnstone on Loch Indaal beside the Airport over at Glenegedale. Yesterday, James  saw 3 Whooper Swans and the pair of Mute Swans out from the old hide at Gruinart. The Mutes had 5 cygnets in tow with them. Also on the reserve at Gruinart, James had a Merlin, heard 2 Water Rails as well as 3 Grasshopper Warblers. Late afternoon, we had 25 Chough fly up past from Machir Bay, just great seeing so many of them together. Today, a Merlin flew across the road, just after Rock Mountain and coming home later on, a male Hen Harrier flew across the road, just as we came down to the lane leading to Loch Gorm used by the fisherman.

Sunday 13th March

The weather here yesterday was rather miserable to put it mildly, hence no entry. I had heard a Song Thrush singing in a bush while I was doing old Len's peats and saw around 50 Fieldfare flying North down there too. Today, a different day, so Bob and myself carried out the WeBs count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, so here are the birds that we saw, 11 GND, 10 Shag, 3 Cormorant, 5 Mute Swan, 99 Barnies, 28 Whitefronts, 45 Shelduck, 20 Mallard, 39 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 12 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye, 9 Eider, 40 R B Merganser, 74 Oystercatcher, 4 Curlew, 10 Barwits, 8 Redshank, 16 Knot, 150 Dunlin, 1 Tystie, 44 Lapwing, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 30 Ringed Plover, 50 Turnstone, 6 Snipe, 8 GBB Gull, 6 LBB Gull, 20 H. Gull, 20 C. Gull and 48 BH Gull. On the actual gravel where the old farm steading at Gartbreck once stood were 20 Twite.