Monday 1st June

Lesley e mailed some more information for me to share with you...

"Not much for today but I was speaking to James this morning and he gave me the heads up that the reserves are now open. The Oa and Gruinart trails open - one way with numbers restrictions etc in place. Gruinart VC, loos and all hides still closed. Anyway I thought I would stop off on the way to Coop and have a walk around. Not a lot to see - it was around midday . I had a Chiffchaff in the Gruinart visitor carpark, Whitethroat singing in a gorse bush and orchids (? early purple - I’m not good on orchids) and Ragged Robins blooming. Plenty of blossom on the Rowan ready to produce food for the migrating Redwings and Fieldfares in the autumn. Life continues."

Lesley was also saying that she walked through the woodland trail under the rookery, and luckily for her the birds did not poo on her as walked past them!!

So, it is good news that the RSPB reserves on Islay are opening up again, even although they are not 100% open as such.

James, himself was speaking to Margaret around tea time confirming about the reserves opening up again. He also was telling Margaret about watching a food pass between a couple of Hen Harriers being seen by himself. Shortly afterwards he saw a Cuckoo.

Sunday 31st May

Lesley kindly sent an e mail through with some sightings seen by her yesterday...

"Just briefly - this morning’s walk round Foreland - Loads of Small Heaths on the wing, plus a Small Copper and both male and female Orange tips- then at last I had good views of a pair of Whinchats, a Whitethroat singing from the top of a bush - followed by the Osprey flying over towards Loch Gorm, carrying a very large fish (salmon?) and coming from the direction of Loch Gruinart. Then a Green Hairstreak and a smallish ? Fritillary to finish off. Not bad when I wasn’t expecting anything new."


At present I am watching a program on the TV, called  "Highlands, Scotland's wild heart" I realise that the program has just started, but so far it has certainly got some great photography.

Saturday 9th May

James was in touch by e mail..

"Probably 5 Corncrakes calling at Gruinart. Lots of whitethroats and whinchats about now and I had an Osprey fly over the loch on Thursday."

Mandy e mailed the following to me last night.. 
"Yesterday, I saw a Whitethroat, lots of Sedge Warblers and heard Groppers. This morning, I saw 2 Snipe drumming, and this evening I'm listening to 2 Cuckoos."

Saturday 2nd May

 God friend Marsali fromov at Mulindry sent me through her tally from her rain gauge...The rainfall for April here was 19mms or 0.76 inch, the driest for many years but still damper than Kilchoman. See these folk that live up in the rain shadow of the hills....

Oops, I almost forgot our rainfall figures from up here at Shepherd's cottage  to just below 0.5  of an inch. James's tally for the month came to a mere 12mm, so very similar to us at Shepherd's cottage. 

Birds seen today by James included a Whitethroat, Gropper, Cuckoo, Whinchat, and male HH all from between office and Mill cottage.

Mandy e mailed through last night,
"Just found this light blue egg shell on the track - Starling I think. Lots of Linnet on my walk just now, ie a flock of 9 and others along the road. Also Sedge Warbler, Willow Warblers, Mipits etc and a stunning male Stonechat with the female nearby."

Wednesday 14th August

A mixed  sort of a day with the weather, no shorts being worn!!! Having said that I managed to lift some of our tatties today... As I write this entry, there is a rather watery looking sky outside!!!

This morning on his way to work, Phill had seen 2 Sandwich Terns on the "North beach" at Port Ellen which were present along with 5 Common gulls and also 12 Mallard.

Richard Williams had been over at Claggain Bay where he saw 6 Red throated Divers close in to the shore. Also in the bay, Richard had seen 3 Eider and a Guillemot. On shore, he had a Goldcrest and also several groups of Coal Tits and Long tailed Tits. Earlier on, close to KildaltonCross Richard had seen 2 Common Whitethroats.

Thursday 4th July

Ann Barr had heard a Corncrake calling up at Rockside the other night...

Al Hart had  a great close sighting of a pair of Whitethroats between Portnahaven and Port Wemyss today. Apologies to Al as I misunderstood his e mail relating to the number of  Arctic Terns that he had seen on MacKenzie Island, should have read 12 pairs not 24  pairs, still we can but hope...

Tuesday 25th June

Another glorious day with the weather, not a bad complaint though!!

Gary, today had seen an Osprey fishing on Loch Finlaggan. While he was there he also had a White tailed Eagle fly over and shortly after that he saw 2 Red throated Divers (RTDs) 

This morning, visitors Andrew and Karen Evans had a RTD out over Kilnaugton Bay. This afternoon, along on the Oa, they had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier and also a mixed flock of Twite and Redpolls.

This evening, at the Bird nerds meeting down at Foreland, we had seen Whitethroat, Longtailed   Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, Goldcrest, Willow Warblers, Blackbird, Song Thrush and also heard a Bullfinch. Margaret spotted a Peregrine sitting on top of the crag this evening,  up here at home.

Wednesday 15th May

Another great day with the weather, but I succumbed to using the watering can on the newly sown vegetables that I planted the other day...

Yesterday, when were over at The Woollen Mill, we saw 4 Collared Doves and Gordon, the stalwart there, was telling me that they have been seeing a Great spotted Woodpecker recently on the feeders.

Today, Mandy had heard a Whitethoat singing over at Carnduncan, and here at home, I saw the hen Pheasant again with her 2 youngsters, wonder how many she started out with ???

Thursday 25th April

Yesterday, Malcolm had a flock of 20 Whimbrel, on the shore, close to the Foreland road end. Mandy had seen an Orange tipped Butterfly on the path beside the River Sorn, below the Auction mart at Bridgend on Sunday.  Some sightings through from George E Jackson.. At Rockside, he has been seeing a mixed Finch Flock of around 150 Birds, mainly Linnets, Goldfinches, along with some Reed Buntings and House Sparrows there too. The flock was disturbed by a ringtail Hen Harrier on Monday and followed yesterday by a cracking male. The newly sown Barley fields have had 47 Greylags, 7 Whitefronts  and also a few Mallards. Down on one of the wee lochans, 3 Tufted Duck were seen. Yesterday, George and Pat had walked down to the Lily Loch where they heard "loads of Willow Warblers" and also a Sedge Warbler calling away. They also had seen a few Orange tipped Butterflies, Speckled Woods displaying and also a single Green Hairstreak.

On Tuesday, Martin Armstrong had a White tailed Eagle fly over the maltings at Port Ellen. 

Today,  he seen Wheaters at Kilnaughton and heard his first Cuckoo of the year at Glenegedale.

This morning, Louise had 5 Curlew, 3 Snipe, heard several Willow Warblers, 2 Redpolls, a Cuckoo heard and also a male Hen Harrier sky dancing, all up behind Port Charlotte. Bob, this morning had a Whitethroat, close to his house. James today had 2 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Siskins, a Golden Eagle, all on the reserve at Gruinart, he also had seen 2 Adders out on the moorland trail. Gary today had a juv. Golden Eagle at Torrabus. Along on Bunnahabhain Bay, he had 14 Tysties, 5 GND & a RTD. Out over Sgarbh Breac he saw a juv. Golden Eagle and also an adult bird. Down at Ardnahoe Distillery, he had 7 Yellowhammers.

Mike and Peter Roberts had gone to see the Dotterel on the Oa, no joy, but had seen 20 Whimbrel flying out over Loch Indaal from close to Bruichladdich. He also had seen one from his house, a new bird for the "Shore Street window list"!!! Val had seen a male Crossbill on the pine trees, close to the Lily Loch.

Also today, Peter Gill had an Osprey at Loch Skerols and shortly afterwards a Peregrine flew past.

Friday 22nd June

Another week almost in and almost the end of Peter Donaldson's second visit to Islay and not his last either, a great time was had and the weather was great too...Yesterday, Peter had a Whitethroat singing away down at Port Wemyss. He also had seen the Velvet Scoter at Eater Ellister. Over at Coull, he had seen a male Hen Harrier. Today on the Glen road, he had a male Hen Harrier at Cattadale with a ringtail seen as they approached Knocklearach.

Friday 27th April

Today, was the last full day of Tim and Emily Holliday's present visit. This morning, up behind their cottage they had seen 2 male Hen Harriers and at the same time but much higher up on a thermal, a Golden Eagle was spotted. As they walked along to Ardbeg Distillery for their lunch, they heard a Cuckoo calling, and saw a total of 5 Blackcaps, with a Whitethroat heard calling as they approached Ardbeg itself. On the sea lochs as they walked along, 2 Common Sandpiper were seen, as was an Arctic Tern, a GND with some Golden Plover also present. As ever, many thanks for sharing your sightings with us folks....

Sunday 22nd of April

Today, Peter had seen an Arctic Tern off Bruichladdich Pier. Visitors, Tim & Em had heard a Whitethroat singing up  behind the cottage where they are staying, Another returning visitor, Pauline Greenhalgh, had seen a flock of Golden Plovers on a ploughed field close to Loch Gorm.

So if you around on Tuesday evening, feel free to come along to the Bird nerds meeting at the old hide at Gruinart at 6.30pm...All welcome!!!

Saturday 22nd July

Yesterday, Gary had seen 3 Little Terns and counted 30 Dunlin at Carnain while over at Gartmain, he saw over 70 Barwits. James, yesterday had seen 4 Swifts while he was up at Ardnave. Today, James saw a Greenshank on the reserve at Gruinart. Also today, Alistair Hart had an excellent sighting of a Whitethroat, between Port Wemyss and Portnahaven and later on great views of a Raven up behind Claddach. Today, while out and about, mainly from here at Kilchoman and over to Gruinart, we felt that were more Wheatears and also more Pied Wagtails around. On the way home this evening there were 3 Buzzards together below Carnduncan.

The monthly Islay Bird nerds meting will be held here at Shepherd's cottage at 7pm on Tuesday evening, so if you are around, feel free to come along.

Thursday 6th July

Just a wee photo taken earlier this week of the cover crop that we sowed back in April for the birds to enjoy later on, at present is the bees are loving it, on the sunny days!!

This morning, here at home, the Whitethroat was present again, with a Stonechat further down, towards the pond. Earlier this evening, a ringtail Hen Harrier flew past. This morning, Mark had a Bonxie, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Buzzard chicks almost fully fledged. Little Terns, Arctic Terns and a GND were also present a Mark went round Ardnave. Tom G. had been out past Gortantoid, up past Killinallan, where he saw a ringtail Hen Harrier and found a Mipit's nest with 3 eggs in it.

Monday 3rd July

A better day, out here and we managed to get the grass cut! Earlier on, before getting the wee tractor out to cut the grass, I saw 3 Whitehtroats, down below the garage, the first I have seen here this year!!!  Gary today had been out with clients. Over at Bunnahabhain, they saw a male Hen Harrier, a Bullfinch at Bridgend, and a Red breasted Merganser along at the spit past Uiskentuie. Gary also commented on seeing many Whinchats while they were out. Returning visiting birder, Tom Garner is back over for another "fix", almost up to 30 visits he was saying to me... Today was spent over around Bunnahabhain and over to Bolsa. At the base of Mala Bosla, he saw a Merlin chasing after a Mipit, a Buzzard was present at Bunnahabhain. Tom commented on seeing plenty of Yellowhammers on his walk. He also saw 3 Kestrels while he was out.

Friday 5th May

Another great day again, and last night we had a beautiful sunset. As I write tis entry, the sun is streaming in the big window, so there might be some typing errors coming  up!!

Yesterday evening, Mandy had heard a Corncrake calling behind Machir Bay. In the dunes she counted 23 Sand Martin nest holes, a Common Sandpiper was seen on the stream as it enters the bay and finally Mandy counted 60 Greylags flew in from Coull Farm... Yesterday, Bob had a Sparrowhawk fly past his house, and soon after a male Hen Harrier flew through as well. Today, Mandy heard a Chiffchaff at Carnduncan. David Wood had seen a male Redstart down on the Oa earlier this week. Phill today on the Oa had 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Whitehroat, Wheatear, several pairs of Stonechats, a Buzzard successfully hunting an Adder. Phill commented that the only Adders he has seen lately are those being carried in a Buzzard's talons!!! This morning, Carl had a Whitethroat in his garden in Port Charlotte and later on a count of 60 Dunlin as they flew past Brichladdich. In his garden, Bob saw 3 Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and also a Blackcap and while he was visiting Bob, Martin saw a Peregrine ...  Botswana Dave saw 2 "lonely" Barnies at Gruinart, and James and Joan heard a Corncrake close to the South hide. Gary had seen a Corncrake at Bun an Uillt and heard another at Ballinaby where he also saw a Whinchat.

Thursday 4th May

Visitor, Mike Curnow from Banbury sent through some highlights seen so far this week, last night. On Tuesday, he had a Greylag and 7 gosling cross the road between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. Yesterday, Tysties at Bruichlaadich with at least 30 Eider, 10 Ringed Plover and GND all closer to hand. Down on the Oa, a Peregrine was present, 10 Whimbrel counted and a pair of Golden Eagle spotted.Yesterday, James had a Common Sandpiper and also a Golden Eagle on the reserve at Gruinart. Today, James had seen a male Marsh Harrier, 3 Whinchats, 2 Grasshopper Warbler and a Whitethroat. Today, Bob had seen 3 Willow Warblers and also a Sedge Warbler in his garden in his garden and noted some Linnets and Greenfinches across the road in the water works up behind Port Charlotte. Some other visitors had handed their sightings to Botswana Dave. Terry and Shirley from Norfolk had also seen the Golden Eagles on the Oa on Tuesday, a White tailed Eagle over on Jura yesterday and an Osprey noted on Loch Gruinart today. On the guided walk at Gruinart this morning, Botswana Dave and Joan had heard 4 Corncrake calling away. Dave was also saying that a pair of Greenfinch were getting some grief from the Goldfinches on the feeders outside the visitor Centre at Gruinart...

Wednesday 6th July

Not a day for cutting grass, let alone bird watching, a rather dreich day to put it politely, could think of other words to describe it, probably not printable....

But on a positive note, before the rain front came in, I saw a Whitethroat down at the game crop... and then shortly afterwards a couple of Wheatear out on the fields. The hen Pheasant appeared out mid afternoon with her clutch of 6 + young chicks looking rather wet and bedraggled... The other set of 4 older Pheasant chicks were looking good this morning, they know where the feeders are and also skulk around in the cover in the game crop, that is what we planted the cover for, the birds......

Thursday 16th July

That's half the month in now and already we have had more rain so far this month than we had for the whole of June, not that we had that much last month! Think there is a wee change working with the odd spot of rain outside at present rather than the sun streaming in through the windows, mind you we did managed to get the pond finished this afternoon, and got it all faced in stone to cover the pond liner. So we can let it all settle out over the weekend and take it from there... There was a Pied Wagtail down inspecting our work, and Margaret saw a Willow Warbler there earlier this morning, with a Peregrine out over the crag. Maggie Birtwell yesterday, had heard a Grasshopper Warbler at the Coal Ila road end and then a Whitethroat as she walked down the path leading to the Lily Loch. Maggie also commented that she feels that the Tysties at Coal Ila itself have done better this year. There was an Oystercatcher with 3 young just past Gortan on Loch Indaal this evening and then an Eider was out on the water with 3 young. This morning, we had heard a Corncrake calling round at Ballinaby.

Saturday 16th April

Some sightings through from Thursday, Karen Sims, one of the RAFOS team had seen a Garden Warbler down in Bridgend Woods and there was a reported sighting through from Maggie Birtwell of a Wood Warbler again in Bridgend Woods in from East Lodge. David Formby had a Whitethroat in his garden at Ballitarsin Smiddy with another 2 seen along the road his house towards Neriby. The Bowland birders on Thursday had a female Whinchat at Foreland. Over at Ardnave, Chough, Arctic Terns and 2 Little Terns were seen. They also had 3 male Hen Harriers, one at Ardnave Loch, another at the mouth of Loch Gruinart being harried by Arctic Terns and the third back at Octomore. Other birds at Ardnave included 2 Turnstone in breeding plumage, Sanderling, Dunnock with 2 Corncrakes heard calling, they also spotted an Otter eating a crab! On Friday, on the feeders at Gruinart they saw a Tree Sparrow, from the old hide a drake Garganey, Gadwall with Dunlin displaying. Through the woodland walk, a Spotted flycatcher was present while from the new hide, they had at least 6 Gadwall with dozens of Sand Matins hawking over the water looking for food.