Tuesday 21 March

 

Photo from reliable Billy, the only one on the island with a camera it seems at times!  His feeders have been busy with goldfinch, greenfinch and robin.

Beautiful start to today with pairs of chough by the village and Claddach.  I often associate St Patricks day with the first of our wheatears and like to make the effort to be first.  I was pipped to the post though with Ed reporting Islay's first of 2023 at Cornabus!  In my defence I was busy clearing drains all morning, most definitely looking down.

This cheery herald of spring on the spring equinox was just what was needed, inspiring Peter to go out a-hunting.  He didn't find much of note to report. "At Skerrols 15 tufted, 5 goldeneye and a couple of lesser black-backs. Then to Loch Gorm keeping an eye skywards in case an Alpine swift might appear - it didn't of course! Loch Gorm had a further 15 Tufted Ducks, 2 more Goldeneye and 35 Teal. Then to Machir Bay where another couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls popped up along with 17 Ringed Plover. I returned via the other side of Loch Gorm at Ballinaby where an adult White-tailed Eagle flew by, a male Hen Harrier quartered the shoreline and another 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the wet fields there with 4 Canada Geese that were much to hefty to try and turn into Cackling Geese! So the rarities and first summer migrants (apart from the LBB Gulls) will have to wait for another day."

Finally Dave reports 4 crossbill in the woods at Bunnahabhain, plus 2 juv and one adult golden eagle.

It has been raining constantly since 3pm. My newly cleared drains will be well tested!

Monday 14 March

 We have Islay's first Wheatear of 2022! Located by Lucy Atkinson (RSPB volunteer) in the Sanaig area.  I'm sure there are more out there to be found. Always nice to hear their return.

Jeff was at Sanaigmore today where he added 2 chough, a ring-tailed hen harrier and one lesser black-backed gull to the days tally. At Gruinart he spotted the little egret.

A wild and wet morning was followed by a sunny afternoon here on the Rhinns, and the week ahead looks pleasant at last. Here's hoping for a some warmth and dry weather to dry out the soil.

Monday 27 September

 Thunder and lightening with lashing rain as I write tonight!  Fierce weather as we approach the end of the month.

This morning at Claddach, on the south-west tip of the island, a nicely marked wheatear was on the track when I arrived.  Driving out of Portnahaven a sparrowhawk was hunting on the road near the mast.  When I was driving home I counted 7 swallows at Easter Ellister and a further 12 at Wester Ellister.

Mary-Ann counted 16 red-breasted mergansers at Kildalton. Over on Jura at Gatehouse, Louise had close encounter with 2 white-tailed eagles overhead casting shadows over her!

Mark was out an evening walk near the head of Loch Gruinart this evening and counted 106 pale bellied Brents. 

Tuesday 14 September

 Bit of a blowy day here today, but still mild. A huge swell off the west coast which stopped local fisherman getting a good day in.  There was a cruise ships passing the west coast this evening, lit up like a floating city. Hope the swell had died down a bit for the passengers! The 'Anthem of the Seas' was heading up to Kirkwall. It could take all of the Ileachs on board with room to spare - 4,180 passengers over 16 decks, and cost $940million to build, apparently on the worlds most expensive cruise ships....makes me feel a bit small... and bewildered! Having a swimming pool on a boat (or 3 in this case) feels a bit like having a treadmill on the roof of the car.

Anyway, birds!  There is still a few wheatear about - 2 at the old school in Portnahaven, 1 up at Claddach loch, and 2 off the coastal path at Port Wemyss. 

Ed noted some fresh pale bellied Brent in the bay at Port Ellen last night and they were still there this morning. Gary had a male merlin on the road at the Ardnahoe pump house. David Dinsley spotted 2 osprey and a peregrine at Bridgend merse.  He watched as the osprey "drifted off towards Bowmore" where David Wood was at the right place at the right time! He watched as one of the osprey caught a fish, just in front of the Gaelic college. 

At Loch Gruinart, James spotted a white-tailed eagle.

Friday 10 September

 Better late than never! Mobile network was down on the island most of yesterday and through the night. Appears to be better for now although I can't seem to upload photos. Perhaps Pete will have more luck today.

Yesterday was quite a still day with rolling fog but there was some activity with 11 wheatears feeding on the track near Claddach Loch. Jim had a count of 18 on there drive round Loch Gorm.

More pale-bellied brents appeared: a flock of 57 on Loch Gruinart with potentially an other 53, a further count today will confirm. The curlew sandpiper was still present, and the osprey still in attendance. Must be getting plenty fish! James had peregrine as well as 33 meadow pipits in the fields about his home. 

Jim had some lovely views of the Octofad carrion crow, showing a "touch of grey hybrid features".  Louise then reported a carrion crow in Port Ellen.

Monday 31st May

Yet another sunny day out here, but there was wind blowing away for most of the day, so the wind chill came into play, at least it has stayed dry...

Out from the crag I counted a total of 18 Chough flying atound and then the resident Ravens flew back in... there was a Lesser Black backed Gull flying over the machir looking out for any poorly lambs but there were none!!! I also watched the Wheatear hopping around on the ground and also saw a pair of Goldfinches which were also present, on one of our hazel bushes!!!  Finally, we saw the Swallows hawking around over the thistles looking for any grubs/ insects which were around.. One thing that is great about the wind blowing is that the midges are not out!!!

Saturday 29th May

Yet another top class sort of a day, with the weather that is, mind you not a lot to complain about with the birds seen...

Up here at home, we spent some time out seeing the birds on offer out in the garden and round about as well... it was great to see a pair of Stonechats out flitting around as they do, a Wheatear was seen out on the big lawn looking for some food, a Wren came out of the "hedge", making a brief appearance. On the corvid front, we saw the Ravens out flying around, watched the acrobatic Choughs as they noisily flew around, and also a few Jackdaws present as well, more Swallows have been seen today, but still no sign of any nest building activity as of yet.

Wednesday 16th September

Visiting Birder from Nuneaton, Colin Green had seen the following birds today on Islay ...

"Ring tailed Hen Harrier. Over the hillside above Carraig Fhada Lighthouse, The Oa.

2 Red throated Diver, seen off Blackrock, Loch Indaal. Wheatear on beach."

Thursday 30th April

Matt Jackson sent me the following birds seen by himself over the past few days...

"I had an Osprey by Loch Gorm on my way into work this morning, not far this side of Sunderland Farm. It had a huge trout still flapping in its talons! The House Martins have been back investigation my nest box today (they had a look last week then disappeared again) and there has been a Wheatear in the garden all week - it’s had a couple of altercations with its reflection in the window!" 

Matt also sent this one relating to the corncrakes around now...

"I also had heard a Corncrake from the house here at Rockside this afternoon."

I also believe that he was really fortunate to see a food pass between a pair of Hen Harriers earlier on this week.

Tuesday 14th April

Mandy was in touch by an e mail earlier on this afternoon,
"I heard a Willow warbler today for the first time this year, behind my house. I also saw 2 separate wheatears down the track, and a song thrush behind my house."

Mary-Ann Featherstone had seen a male Hen Harrier and also a Cuckoo down close to where she lives down out between Ardbeg and Ardtalla.

Saturday 4th April

Gary sent some birds through....
"Some sightings from yesterday & today,
Yesterday, a male Hen Harrier at Finlaggan, 1 male Wheatear in field above Finlaggan. Second male Wheatear was seen up behind Scanistle. Today, a Peregrine flew over my house."

I was speaking to James earlier on this evening and he was saying that he had seen a White tailed Eagle at the head of Loch Indaal this morning and then shortly afterwards he saw a White Wagtail out from Mill cottage.

I was in touch with Dave Pierce regarding a Golden Eagle that Jim Dickson had seen over Jim's house at Cairnbaan this morning, but sorry to say that Jim's bird was not the same one that Dave had made initial contact with me about. But, on a positive note from Dave who told me that his bird was back in the district on Thursday night. It passed through Mull after departing Jura, then roosted in Morven. In the mean time, Dave has offered to try to find more details for us on Jim's bird, so watch this space...

David Barr was in touch today as well, reporting from Lochearnhead where he now lives. He had a Red Kite fly past the other day. He is enjoying having the sound of Curlew echoing around the glen in early evening . Seem to be resident in  the fields in front of the house. While out with the duo Ted and Ella, his 2 dogs, this morning had two Nuthatch together searching the trees for breakfast !

Karen Graham today was in touch as well..
"Looking out of kitchen window and a male Goldcrest was going round back door spiders webs in search of insects. During the winter I did not see a Goldcrest at all as I have done in past years so was delighted to see this one. A nest must be nearby."

Monday 30th March

James yesterday had a Wheatear on the reserve at Gruinart, seen from his garden.

Peter has just noticed this evening from the house here in Bruichladdich, the first decent count of GNDs I’ve seen all winter out on Loch Indaal. A number of small groups were visible offshore totalling 36 birds. There were only 4-5 RTDs with them.

Please remember that there is NO bird nerds meeting tomorrow evening....  "STAY SAFE"

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 27th March

Some sightings of birds seen by Mary Redman down and around Portnahaven
"I was out on my little walk out the village and saw my first Wheatear! Also a WTE spoofing the geese on Mackenzie island. There's plenty Redshank calling and I noticed a pair of Pied Wagtail at Claddach and by Queen Street. On Monday night I was coming home and saw a Barn Owl by Whin park. The Chough pair have been active over the village and at Claddach too."

Gary has been busy out in his garden today but still managed some birds for the blog....
" Golden Eagle displaying at hills behind Lossit Farm, 2 Chough backwards and forwards over moorland in front of house & a male Goosander taking of from Loch nan Cadhan flying over us towards Loch Finlaggan."

Mark Shields had heard a Chiffchaff in his garden yesterday up at Moulin and this afternoon James saw a male Yellowhammer in his garden across the road from Mark. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH THE RSPB RESERVES ON ISLAY ARE SHUT AT PRESENT DUE TO THE DREADED CORONAVIRUS.

Tuesday 15th October

Today, it has been dry although a bit on the cool side,the blood must have rushed to my head, yes I took a daft turn (again?) and cut the grass!!!

Ann Heads and Noel had yesterday seen 2 White tailed Eagles over at Loch Gruinart. Down off Frenchman's Rocks they had a Whimbrel . Today, they saw a late Wheatear up at Ardnave, over at Sanaigmore, 5 GND were spotted out in the bay. Along at Sanaigmore 50 Whoopers were present with the 2 Lesser Snow Geese seen there as well. Up here at home, we watched the Chough going into the roost. I really should take more atention and try to count them in, mind you they are not that easy to count, as they duck and dive, perhaps I will need to catch them in the frame on the camera!!!

Tuesday 27th August

A good meeting down on the Oa this evening with 8 folk coming along to the Islay bird Nerds, monthly catch up... We had great views of  a Golden Eagle which was sitting on the ground when we first saw it.. It then took off and soared around for 10 - 15 minutes and came back to perch up where we had been watching it initially...We also saw a pair of Kestrels and also 2 Ravens flew past. We then moved along a bit and had seen some Fulmars on their nests. We also had some Gannets flying past the Oa, the odd Shag  was present on the rocks too.

On the drive down the Oa, we had a Whinchat on the fence and then on our way back out from Killeyan, we had a Wheatear. A good night seeing as many different birds.

Sunday 25th August

A better sort of a day out here with the weather today, and yes, I believe that some of the farmers had their combines out cutting their Spring barley...

Today, James was over this afternoon, and he was saying that he had seen 4 Wheatears and also a couple of Whinchats as he drove over here from Gruinart. He had seen 3 White Wagtails this morning, on the reserve at Gruinart. Here at home, I feel that we have been seeing more Stonechats around this summer. James was telling me that he also feels that there appear to be more around over at Gruinart as well... This evening, after tea, we have been watching a Buzzard sitting on top of the crag, with nothing else to do.. a Peregrine flying around with a couple of Ravens and also  3 Chough seen flying around too. Almost forgot to say that, we had a Blue Tit on the cctv system around midday.

Thursday 15th August

Well late morning/ early afternoon I managed to cut the grass which is just as well as the weather has gone downhill since with a few showers of rain falling since then, and by the sound of the forecast, more heavy rain is coming in later on tonight and tomorrow...

Peter and Mike had spent a couple of hours doing a 2 hour stint of sea watching down at Frenchman's Rocks this morning. During a 30 minute spell, they had a passage of 70 Manx Shearwater going past.. They also had seen plenty of Gannets, with a smaller number of Kittiwakes and Fulmars on passage but no Auks were seen at all. Top birds were 2 Arctic Skuas (1 Dark and also a light phased bird) as well as a Great Skua.

Richard Williams had seen a Wheatear down at Kintra today, also seen was a Rock Pipit  and also a Buzzard on top of a fence post with many Greylags seen in the fields in the same area.

Thursday 18th April

Sorry folks, a late entry tonight, been a long day and for some reason I can't check my e mails...

Speaking to Distillery Dave earlier on this evening, and he had seen a flock of 40- 50 Golden Plover and also a few pairs of Wheatears round at Rockside...
Up here at home, we just have had the local agricultural contractor in with his big tractor and his one pass seed drill sowing the birdseed crop, so at least that is one job off the list, a real bonus, and at present it looks really good with a fine tilth to finish it off, fingers crossd and hope it germinates!!
A job now for me is to sow the wild flower crops, with 3 diferent mixs to be tried this year... not tonight though!!!!

Sunday 14th April

Going to a rather short entry tonight as / because it has been blowing  a "Hooley" (strong winds) coming from the South East. Mind you it did not deter Distillery Dave walking down with his dogs to the Rockside road end. He did manage to see a few Wheatears while he was out, but no mention seeing an Osprey yet!!! James also e mailed some birds seen by him on the reserve at Gruinart... He had the following birds, a White tailed Eagle on the flats, a Merlin, M & F Hen Harrier, a Brambling and also 2 Siskins.