Tuesday 27th October

 Rather cool outside today, so probably the reason for an early entry..

Mike Bell is back over for his annual Islay fix, he came over yesterday on the ferry leaving Kennacraig at 13.00, so here are some birds that he had seen yesterday...  "Not the nicest day for travelling.  3 Tysties in the Sound of Islay. The Golden  Eagle showed well, initially at Rockside 4.15 pm then c.5 pm appeared behind the cottage with a Pheasant and flew off south up the burn."

Neil McMahon and the team from Naturetrek had seen the following birds etc when out....

"We spent some time at Bowmore this morning in an effort to espy the Rose-coloured Starling but no joy. Three GN Divers flew south quite high over the village and a light passage of finches south included a single calling Tree Sparrow quite high up! Either it's the Gruinart bird or as a species they are on the move! One or two Sparrowhawk(s) were trying their luck with the Starlings and the female Long-tailed Duck was still present. On our drive from Bowmore to Bridgend there was a small gaggle of Pale-bellied Brents on the shores of Loch Indaal and a flying immature White-tailed Eagle that veered off south. 

At Port Askaig, (overlooking the Sound of Islay) we saw a Gannet, 12 Kittiwakes, a light passage of Eiders, a Sparrowhawk and a distant White-tailed Eagle. Jura was similarly wind-blasted as Islay and we failed to see any Otters. There were 6 Great Northern Divers (five adults) at Craighouse plus 2 Black Guillemots and 2 Long-tailed Ducks. Small birds in the trees/bushes included a Siskin, Coal, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrests. A Grey Wagtail and several Rock Pipits were around the beach and burn outlets. An adult male Hen Harrier was seen briefly at Feolin."

Dan Brown, one of the film camera men who are over until mid November had been out and about too..

I  forgot to mention a female Goosander at the mouth of the Laggan river on 24th October.

I have a few more sightings from yesterday afternoon including:

juv Iceland Gull and adult Sabine's Gull on the west side of Gruinart Estuary

Green-winged Teal and Wood Sandpiper on the floods at the RSPB reserve,

Brambling with the Chaffinches west of Sunderland Farm.

Steve Percival had a Cackling Goose on the flats and then at Grainel.

Mid morning I received this e mail through from Dan,

Today there’s a drake American Wigeon on Loch Skerrols and Snow Bunting at Smelly Corner (Carnain). 

 

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.

Sunday 18th October

 Richard Belter had the Wood Sandpiper seen out from the North hide at Gruinart again today..

Bob Davison had carried out his WeBS count from Port Charlotte round to Blackrock today with his tally coming to as follows:

2 Grey Heron, 2 Gannets, 5 GND, a single raft of 40 Slavonian Grebes, 20 Shag, 2 Cormorant, 17 Herring gull, 3 Gbb Gull, 12 Curlew, 26 Oystercatcher, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 9 Turnstone, a single Eider, 9 Mallard, 6 R B Merganser and also 40 Common Scoter.

Steve Percival saw a single Todd's Canada Goose over at Gruinart this morning.

Mike Hill this morning saw a flock of Goldfinches and also 12 Redwings over at Kilchoman.

Eddie and Elaine Prince had   e mailed trough some sightings seen today...

"We spotted 2 Harbour Porpoises off Ardnave today, which prompted a closer inspection of our corpse than we had made earlier, revealing that it too was one of the same. Very little left of it now though, and the sand has almost buried that. 

Two Curlew Sandpipers were on the sands of Loch Gruinart"

Thursday 15thOctober

David and Nancy Massie had been over the "other side"  of Islay yesterday...

"Oa: Male Sparrowhawk and a single flushed Snipe.

Road between Port Ellen-Claggain Bay: 1 Golden Eagle,  2 WT Eagles, 25 Fieldfares, 5 Barn Swallows.

Goose field at Port Ellen: 1 Pinkfoot"

Will try to find out from David whether he saw the pinkie at Leorin possibly at Cornabus, but will let you know tomorrow night...

Johnathan Alder had been over on Jura today and seen at West Loch Tarbert -

 Golden Eagle, Male Hen Harrier low overhead for 10 minutes, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover

Twite, Yellowhammer, Red Breasted Merganser and some Teal

This morning Richard Belter had a walk round Ardnave Point where he had the following birds seen...

3 RTD off Nave Island, mixed flock of Linnet and Twite, a number of Golden Plover, 2 Chough plus

some Ravens.

Late afternoon, Richard had seen the Wood Sandpiper as well as a Cackling goose out from the North hide at Gruinart.

Dave Wood had been out up the top side of Islay today and saw the following birds..

"A wee trip up island today, on Loch Indaal from Blackrock 2 Wt Eagles, 70 Common Scoter, 8 Scaup and 5 Slav Grebe, further round to Bowmore were 54 Pb Brent. " 

Wednesday 14th October

David and Nancy Massie sent me through the following birds seen  by them yesterday..

"Loch Gorm: 6 Redwings

Loch Skerrols: 160 Whoopers, 48 Tufted Duck, 100+ Wigeon

Finlaggan: 16 Fieldfares

Glen Road: 20 Fieldfares

Gruinart, North Hide: 4 Black Tailed Godwit, 18 Bar-tailed Godwits, 300+ Golden Plover, 1 Wood Sandpiper, female Sparrowhawk tried to take a Lapwing right in front of hide-spectacularly close!"

Ron McNab who hails from Linlithgow had seen the Wood Sandpiper as well at Gruinart from the North hide yesterday.

There was a reported sighting of a Short eared Owl seen over at Gruinart from Jack Fleming. 

Richard Belter had the Wood Sandpiper at  Gruinart this morning, he also saw a Merlin chasing a pipit on the woodland trail at Gruinart and then  mid morning, he saw a Cackling goose amongst the flock of Barnies over at Ballinaby.

Our good friend, Bob Davison had ben looking out his kitchen window, just after lunchtime today had a Golden Eagle spoofing the geese up from the field below his house, down towards Port Charlotte. It continued on flying out over Loch Indaal towards the Oa..

Visitor Johnathan Alder too has been making full use of the better spell of weather which we are having on Islay at present...

At least 2 WTE at Ardnave, ringtail Hen Harrier, many Chough, flock c150 Twite, 2 Razorbills, Raven, Golden and Grey Plover.

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.

Sunday 20th May

Not sure where the summer weather has gone, but it ain't here for sure, I even made a dive for a thick jersey before heading outside earlier on...

The Bowland Birders yesterday had seen a Whinchat at the Rockside road end. Down towards Machir Bay, they heard a Corncrake calling, with a pair of noisy Chough nearby. 45 Ringed Plover were on the bay itself. Some Redshank were seen on the pool round at Saligo with a single Pink footed Goose close by. Finally, they had a male Hen Harrier at Foreland. This afternoon, they got out in a brief respite from the rain, at Gruinart they had 15 Dunlin, Shoveler, Mallard, a Wood Sandpiper, but no sign of the Ruff or the G W Teal.. They had also seen a single Barnacle goose and a couple of Whooper Swans.

A new contributor to the blog, Derbyshire Bob had heard a total of 4 Corncrake calling at Ballinaby, seen 5 Whimbrel, along at the pool at Saligo bay they had 18 Dunlin while out on Saligo Bay a single Tystie was present with a couple of Chough seen over the dunes. Here at home while I was out in the garage , there was rather a noisy clatter on the roof, sounded like a heavy shower of hailstones, but on looking outside, no way, only the local Choughs were out to annoy me and having a play time on the roof...

Tuesday 13th May

Mandy, who is one of the "vols" with the RSPB here on Islay at present, kindly sent this image of a Wood Sandpiper which she had taken yesterday evening down in front of the first hide at Gruinart. Andrew and Jane yesterday had been up round Ardnave where they had Corncrake, 12 Little Terns, 3 Arctic Terns, over 150 Dunlin, 100+ Ringed Plover, 40 Barwits, a Grey Plover in summer plumage, pr of Golden Plover, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Twite, 2 Canada Geese, several Chough, Linnet, Rock Pipit, 60+ Whimbrel, 6 Sanderling, 1 White Wagtail, and back on the reserve at Gruinart, 2 Whitefronts and a Barnie were seen. At Bruichladdich they saw 2 Common Terns and also 2 Common Sandpipers. Back close to where they are staying close to Port Charlotte, they had seen a Barn Owl on Sunday night and also Chough there too. On the wild flower front at Ardnave they spotted early Purple Orchids and also Bogbean in flower. Bob today had a Barn Owl out and the Corncrake calling close to his house and this afternoon he had a female Peregrine. Back home here, and Jane and Amanda down from Aberdeen for the week had a count of 17 Chough in a flypast.

Wednesday 29th May

Another great day out here, almost like a summer's day. Some folk down in Bowmore had red faces, but that could possibly have something to do with other things happening in Bowmore today!!! This morning Geoff, Danny and Dave had a Wood Sandpiper and also a Snipe with young out from the old hide at Gruinart. Dave had a pr of Shoveller on Loch Kinnabus today. Martin had been over on Colonsay where he he heard 3 Cuckoos and also 3 Corncrakes. Birds seen included 12 Stonechats, a Sedge Warbler, a Golden Eagle, and a Snipe displaying at Scalascaig. Coming home this evening on the ferry, Martin saw a Pomarine Skua flying North up the Sound of Islay. At Bunnahabhain, Steve had a GND in almost full summer plumage. Bob had a male Hen Harrier close to Sunderland Farm this evening, a count of 130 Greylags at Rockside, another male Hen Harrier on the edge of the reserve at Gruinart. On the Corncrake walk at Gruinart this evening, think more Cuckoos were heard, but at least 2 Corncrakes were heard as well. A Cuckoo was seen, Snipe drumming, Chough displaying, Whitethroat heard and seen as were several Sedge Warblers. 6 Pale bellied Brent were seen flying up Loch Gruinart itself. Coming home this evening, there were 9 Red Deer close to the road as we left Gruinart.

Sunday 19th May

Yesterday, James saw the Wood Sandpiper out in front of the new hide at Gruinart. This morning on the reserve he also heard a total of 4 Whitethroats calling. Out on Loch Gruinart this afternoon, James had 4 Arctic Terns. This morning up near to his house, Bob had 2 pr of Greylags with goslings out, we saw another pr down towards Port Bhan and later on another pr with 6 goslings in a grass field at Coultorsay as well. Bob also had seen a female Hen Harrier out sitting on a post and wondered if it had failed as normally she should have been sitting on a nest somewhere. This morning I thought that I heard a Corncrake calling up towards the old ruin of the Kilchoman Church, but it only appeared to be calling for a short time, but I told the folk in the cottages and right enough it has been heard up there again. Might get it again myself later on.... Usually it can be one of the first calling Corncrakes each year, but not so this year, at least somebody is back!!!

Friday 17th May

Another sunny day, not that I am complaining.... David and Jane yesterday had seen a Cuckoo over at Cluanach and heard several Grasshopper Warblers, in their garden they saw a Whitethroat. Down on the Oa today, Dave had a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Blackcap and also 2 Sparrowhawk. Bob had been down at the new hide this afternoon, and had seen a Wood Sandpiper close to the hide. He also saw 6 Blackwits, a female Shoveler with ducklings, 12 drake Shoveler, 6 drake Wigeon and a pr of Pintail. I was speaking to some visiting birders from Worcester who have been having a great time, with watching our Choughs amongst their highlights. Another 2 from Dartmoor were telling me their highlight was seeing a Golden Eagle down on the Oa and also seeing Hen Harriers at different places around Islay.

Thursday 16th August

Oops missed a posting yesterday, but a few goodies to report today. The weather has been good with sunny periods and just the odd shower (ok yesterday afternoon got a bit wet). Yesterday morning I was adjusting the water levels in front of the hide at Gruinart. This flushed all the hidden birds and gave me a good, if brief chance to see what was lurking on the wetland : 1 greenshank, 1 wood sandpiper, and 2 black tailed godwit. Also reported from Loch Gruinart (on the 14th) 3 ruff and a whimbrel and at Ardnave on the 15th another ruff. This morning I had 425 greylag geese on my way to work at Gruinart.
Good luck to Ian and the team setting up the Islay stall at Birdfair- make sure you all say hello, if you are at the fair.

Thursday 2nd August

Bob had been down at the "old" hide at Gruinart this afternoon, 3 Whimbrel were seen flying over high up, and a further 2 or 3 could be heard on Loch Gruinart itself. At high tide, 3 Greenshank came in and then a low flying Heron flushed out a Wood Sandpiper. On the floods, there was also a drake Wigeon in eclipse plumage. James had seen 2 Whooper Swans  and also a young Buzzard on the reserve today as well.

Friday 27th May

Back to more rain again, after drier weather earlier on in the year, it certainly is catch up time now with not much sign of it letting up... Bob today had an Osprey flying over his house close to Port Charlotte. Mark had a dark phase Arctic Skua flying past the hide at Gruinart this afternoon. He also saw the Wood Sandpiper on the floods while James had 4 Black tailed Godwits there too.

Monday 16th May

Another great shot through from Andy Robinson, what can you say, just great...

The weather has not been that good (again), although visitors had seen the Wood Sandpiper and also a Garganey out in front of the hide at Gruinart. Tonight along the flats at Gruinart we counted over 20 Red Deer on our way back home. Earlier on, over at Port Askaig we saw 4 Gannets flying up the Sound. The weather has had a dampening effect on us all today, with not a lot being seen, although the Corncrake is calling away now it is dry again. The Cuckoo had being on song at 5.30 am, not that I heard it, the window was shut, my reason for not hearing it!

Thursday 12th May

This image of a Log tailed Tit was sent through today from Steve Ash from Wallingford in Oxfordshire who was over here birding in March. He admits that he is jealous of us having Corncrakes calling as they do. We had a great one today Steve, not far from where we were standing when we were on the guided walk at Gruinart, needless to say we never saw it... Michal was out on the prowl at the back of 5 am this morning up at Ardnave, he had a good variety of waders over at the "lobster pools", 80 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 20 Sanderling, 10 Bar tailed Godwit, 20 Turnstone and 20 Oystercatcher. There was also a flock of 30 Whimbrel round Ardnave Loch itself. About 40 Gannets were fishing at the mouth of Loch Gruinart, 2 Little Terns and 15 Arctic Terns were also seen. Back on land and on the reseeded field beside Ardnave Farm, 57 Greylags were counted! Yesterday evening Bob and Martin had seen 2 Wood Sandpipers out in front of the hide, difficult to find but certainly there! Bob also heard a Greenshank, and on their way home they had a couple of Whinchats and also a male Hen Harrier down at Foreland. Along at Rockside in one of the barley fields 11 Hares were seen and the Barnacle Goose was still round at Ballinaby along with 12 Greylags.

Tuesday 10th May

Apologies for the late entry folks, but the entry I had entered decided not to want to be published, so here goes again... James had the Wood Sandpiper out in front of the hide at Gruinart again this morning. Pete Roberts was able to show a friend over from the States a couple of "ticks", one was a Reed Bunting, the other I cannot remember, sorry George, but another tick he would like before he leaves is a Grasshopper Warbler, fairly easy to hear, but harder to see!

Sunday 8th May

As forecast, we certainly got the rain, the best part of an inch fell overnight, but it was fair by breakfast time. The only problem then was that the wind picked up, not great for bird watching... James had a Wood Sandpiper in front of the hide at Gruinart today. The Magpie was seen in the wood at Gruinart again. George had a count of 24 Whimbrel in a field next to his house, while in his wood a Goldfinch nest was found. On his house, there are a few pairs of House Martins having a look at nest sites. Also in his wood today he had a Spotted Flycatcher. Last night, Mary heard her first Corncrake of the year down at Portnahaven/ Port Wemyss. Back here at home that darned Cuckoo is calling first thing in the morning, the rain did not stop it this morning, it is quiet through the day and returns late evening to remind you that it is still not far away..... (too close for comfort)

Sun 17th May

This morning on the flats over on RSPB Gruinart reserve, James had a Wood Sandpiper, the first for this year. Looking back and one was seen last year on the 15th of May!

James was telling me this afternoon, that through the week that he had found a tree on the reserve that had recent activity by a Woodpecker. Could this have been done by the same bird that we have had through the winter, or could there possibly have been another bird here at the same time?

Tues 10th June

A visitor to Islay had seen a Red-necked Phalarope and also a Wood sandpiper at Gruinart at the weekend and James had a Greenshank on the floods yesterday. James has been seeing a Peregrine Falcon regularly over the past few days, is this the same bird that was seen around a lot last summer? JRH