Friday 29 October

A busy day for Islay today with a handful of rarities spotted.

A long-billed dowitcher was seen at the North Hide at the Loch Gruinart Floods.  Seen by James and by visitors Mark and Alison Cockburn, and again by Garry Wilkinson who heard it from a group of birdwatchers on a bus tour from Northern Ireland! A very obliging bird indeed.

Slightly out of focus but the best picture of the day of the dowitcher from Mark and Alison. Thank you.

The second rarity of the day was a red necked grebe first reported by Dave and Sian Nevitt, and seen again by Peter Roberts. Dave and Sian also counted 15 Slavonian grebe, 2 black throated divers, 9 long tailed duck, a black guillemot and the 'usual suspects' of scoters, scaup...

While Peter was out he got to chatting with visitors who told him of an American wigeon and 2 ring necked ducks seen yesterday at Loch Skerrols. He swiftly went to check and found them quite easily along with 55 whooper swan. He was able to get this photo of the wigeon:

Again, a classic grainy bird watching photo but clear enough to see the bird!

Last (known) rarity was a yellow browed warbler heard but not seen on Wednesday in the Gruinart area by  Ed Hutchings.

Teresa today was down in the bays between Ardbeg and Ardtalla. She noted no wind and a high tide which produced at Rubha Buidhe 52 greylag, 5 curlew, 7 red-breasted merganser, 1 wren, 3 redshank, 1 heron, one golden eagle, and 20 seals. Further east at Ardmore point were very large flocks of redwing making pigs of themselves on the rowan berries, wren, cormorant, one seal, one great northern diver, one cormorant, 7 fallow deer.  Then in Ardtalla bay and Claggan, 4 goosander, 6 cormorants, one wren, one red-breasted merganser, 4 seals.

As I was driving later this afternoon (around half 5) I saw the unmistakable silhouette of a white-tailed eagle feasting on something on a small patch of salt marsh just off smelly corner at the top of Loch Indaal, and a little further along the beaming white figure of a little egret.  Then, about an hour later in Bowmore Harbour, an otter was quietly fishing.

I did say yesterday I would try find out the name of the burn at Uiskentui - it is called Abhainn Ghlas or the Grey River.  Thank you Malcolm, it annoyed me that I couldn't recall it yesterday! It earned is name in the 1840s when the channel was being dug as part of the project to reclaim the Gruinart flats for agriculture. In doing so they disturbed the clay within which turned the water grey.  

Thanks again to all the reports everyone, we couldn't keep the blog updated and maintain it as a resource for locals and visitors without contributions. If you look to the right on our home page, you will find the number to join our WhatsApp group, or indeed the email to let us know any sightings and photos you'd like to share. What's common for you could be an Island twitch for us! Plus with all these rarities reported today, there could well be more out there, and it's a big island to cover.

Saturday 31st October

 Well, the weather forecast is certainly proving correct, at one point earlier on, the wind speed on Dr Matt Jackson's weather station down at his house aptly called "Horizons" reached a mere 78mph at 9am... Some birds for you to read about, if the power does not go off again!!!

James sent through some birds last night,

Counted the white fronts 510. Also Golden plover 2005 altogether

Bullfinch , Greenshank as well as 3 White tailed eagle Juv. All on reserve at Gruinart

Jesse Wilkinson had spotted a imm  Little Gull  over the reserve as well

Dan Brown had seen the following birds yesterday

2 Yellow browed warblers, Todd's Canada goose, Gadwall, all seen on the reserve at Gruinart

And 2 Brambling in with the flock of Chaffinches over at Sunderland Farm

Hopefully I have got this image of the Black headed Bunting seen by Dan, be it very briefly on Wednesday morning... oops, no I cannot share it with you... another day possibly then!!!

Mike Bell had been out braving the elements as well yesterday...

Ardnave road: Merlin 1

Traigh Nostaig: good selection of birds including 42 Ringed Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 11 Sanderling, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Turnstone.

Ardnave point: 1 Merlin, 29 Chough scattered and mobile so difficult to assess numbers.

Nave island: 2 ad WTE left SE towards Gruinart.

Loch Gruinart, wetland & fields: 1450 Teal today first thing, 1 imm WTE first thing, 1 Hen Harrier am & pm, 1 ad Peregrine, Ringed Plover 189, Golden Plover 1650, Lapwing 560, Sanderling 215, Dunlin 840, Barwit 238,  all good totals.

Craigens road junction: at least 4 Yellowhammer.

Bun an Uillt: 3 Goldeneye

Killinallan: 1 male Hen Harrier.

Friday 30th October

Ed Hutchings who had been over this week with a group from Wildlife Worldwide sent me, this list of best birds seen by themselves:

Monday 26^th

A pair of Golden Eagle at Loch Finlaggan late afternoon. Lots of Whooper Swan on the merse at Bridgend at dusk.

 

Tuesday 27^th

Loch Gruinart: Both male and ringtail Hen Harrier from the south hide in the morning. Lots of Goldcrests in woodland and scrub between hides and centre. Migrants?

 

Wednesday 28^th

The Oa in the early morning was very quiet, save a pair of White-tailed Eagle over moorland.

Kilnaughton Bay at late morning held 2 Great Northern Divers, a Black-throated Diver, a first winter Razorbill and 6 Chough on beach at western end. Leach’s Petrel off lighthouse at noon heading southwest.12 Ringed Plover on beach at Port Ellen.

Several Swallow heading west at Kildalton Cross early afternoon!

 

Thursday 29^th

Merlin on post near Machrie Hotel early morning. Slavonian Grebe on Loch Indaal between Bowmore and Bridgend. No sign of Rosy Starling despite several passes!

Another filthy afternoon at Loch Gruinart, but a Yellow-browed Warbler was calling in woodland, as well as Lesser Redpoll near hides car park.

Some sightings through from Mike Bell, all seen yesterday morning, before it got away too wet...

Loch Gorm: Pochard 2 drakes

Bowmore shore: RTD 2,  GND 6, Slav Grebe 4, Pbb Geese 71, Eider only 1, Common Scoter 9, Long t duck at least 6 (3 drakes), RBM 32, Ringed Plover 13, Knot 27, Barwit 17, Tystie 1.

Whin Park: WTE 1 imm. up in the rain

Smelly corner: Shelduck 17

Gary, first thing this morning, counted 34 Whooper Swans down on the merse at Bridgend and shortly after that he had a count of 76 P bb Geese along at Gartmain.

Peter and Lesley had seen the American Wigeon on Loch Skerrols today.

Monday 26th October

Dan Brown is over with several top filmmakers at present. No doubt today would have challenged them, but Dan sent me through some sightings seen by themselves so far... See what effect of some great home baking does for your birding...

"I just wanted to drop a few sightings to you as we are out and about every day (except today in my case).  There is currently a juvenile Iceland Gull on the west side of Loch Gruinart (I can see it from our window :)).

 24/10 Todd's Canada on the merse at Bridgend

23/10 Yellow-browed Warbler in the woods at Bridgend plus what sounded like Spotted Sandpiper calling from the merse creeks

Plenty of GNDs in Loch Indaal, plus 3 Long-tailed Ducks and a handful <10 Scaup."

Neil McMahon along with his guests from Naturetrek had braved the elements and went out birding ...

"Yesterday, and my colleague Keith had a brief view of the Rose coloured Starling, at about 7.45am on TV aerials in Shore Street, Bowmore opposite The Lochside Hotel. It didn't linger! Other birds from the hotel looking out on the loch included the female Long-tailed Duck again, a Black-throated Diver, one or two Red-throated Diver(s), 3 Eider, a Slavonian Grebe, 2 fly-over Twite, a small flock of Knot and a flock of 18 Pale-bellied Brents just north of the village on the edge of the loch (plus 2 more Long-tailed Ducks including a drake). 

We looked for the Hoopoe around the old corn mill but didn't see it. There was a Treecreeper in the woods there. We drove down the west side of Loch Indaal in very blowy conditions. We couldn't find any Purple Sandpipers at Bruichladdich just a Grey Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipits, a Red-throated Diver and an Eider. A roadside Ring Ouzel and Mistle Thrush south of there quickly vanished into the bracken and it was an awkward piece of road for us to park anywhere near so we reluctantly had to leave them!

The journey south was mostly quiet but there were good numbers of Grey Seals at Portnahaven against a very dramatic backdrop of crashing waves, strong gusts etc! A male Merlin and 2  Choughs were nearby at Claddach. We took the minor road back north doing a circuit to Port Charlotte which resulted in a 'ringtail' Hen Harrier and 5 Red Deer. We saw the striking leucistic Common Gull on floodwater at Machir Bay and a distant flock of Choughs nearby. 6 Pale-bellied Brents were at Loch Indaal by Rubha Ban late this afternoon. Apart from some close Roe Deer and a series of Brown Hares during the day that was our lot! Hoping to ferry over to Jura tomorrow in gentler conditions!"

This morning George E. Jackson phoned in to say that he had just seen a large Canada Goose amongst the Barnies, down close to Sunderland Farm, by the sound of things, probably a Todd's Canada goose.

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.

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.

Sunday 4th October

Peter Gill who contributes some birds when over on holiday, returned to Islay yesterday for the week. Peter had seen 2 Hen Harriers as he drove up to where they are staying yesterday...  Today round at Craigens, he counted 17 Whoopers with another 2 male Hen Harriers seen on the reserve at Gruinart. Finally he had 6 Choughs, seen together over at Saligo Bay. 

Another visitor, Nick Rentmore had seen a Yellow browed Warbler down on the Oa this morning.

All I can report tonight is that we had a very vocal group of around 10 Long tailed Tits seen this afternoon, once the rain had stopped.... this morning just before I had my breakfast, when trying to count the birds out on the feeders, they all got spoofed by the local Sparrowhawk as it flew past.

Saturday 22nd October

Jeff Wilson from Glasgow yesterday had the possible sighting of 3 Lapland Buntings. Also seen there by Jeff were 5 Sanderling, 12 Chough and a female Sparrowhawk. I was in touch with James earlier on, and he believes that there at least 10 different Canada Geese around, possibly even more....Around 10 pm yesterday, a Barn Owl flew past the window, the first that I have seen up here at home! This morning, 3 Buzzards were close to hand, low down just over the garden fence, so I wonder if they had been out looking for a myxie rabbit for breakfast!!! Later on close to midday, we saw a Yellowhammer at Blackrock as we came home from Bridgend. Dave Wood today had seen a Yellow browed Warbler at Kinnabus on the Oa and also present were 5 Long tailed Tits. The Long tailed Tits were the first that Dave has seen on the Oa!  Visitor, Lee Thickett had seen a Merlin round at Saligo, late afternoon.

This Tuesday, 25th October, the Islay Bird nerds are holding their monthly catch up. We will be meeting in the Lochside Hotel at 7.30pm, so feel free to come along if you are around....

Sunday 9th October

The Yellow browed Warbler was seen again today down at Port Charlotte, but across the road from  Port Mor this time. Bob, Gary, Richard Belter saw it.

Phill Catton had done some birding in his back yard in Port Ellen yesterday. In between his house and the harbour, Phill saw 10 Pale bellied Brent Geese, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Heron, 2 Shag, 2 Pied Wagtail, C. Gull, H.Gull, Wren, flock of Starling and a Hooded Crow. Along at Kintra and the Big Strand, Phill had 3 Shag, 3 RTD, 1 GND (still in summer plumage), 5 Curlew, 6 Chaffinch, a Linnet, 2 Wheatear, 3 Mipits and a Robin. This morning Bob had been in touch to say he had more Goldcrests in has garden than of late, 2 Blue Tits, the first there for some time, Robins too, as well as Snipe flying overhead, birds on the move...Richard today had a Golden Eagle soaring over the hills behind Claggain Bay.. Off Bruichladdich, Guillemots, Black Guillemots and a RTD were seen with 3 RTD and a GND up at Gortan. The Hampshire birders made the most the good weather walking out past Scarrabus up to Loch Cam. Main birds seen were 7 Red legged Partridge, a large mixed flock of House Sparrows, Goldfinch and Chaffinch. Also seen were,  Chough, a Grey Wagtail and also distant Golden Eagle. Here at home, I counted 30 Goldfinch on the road with further 20 on the feeders. The Linnet flock is getting larger in numbers as well. There was a Golden Eagle out on a thermal high over the crag, early afternoon. 2 Stonechats were on the seedheads of the game crop.

Saturday 8th October

I received a call mid afternoon from Jim Dickson to say that a Yellow browed Warbler had been seen down at Port Mor, the campsite down at Port Charlotte. It was initially seen by visitor, Jonathan Platt and after a quick call round the Islay nerds, Mike Peacock was fortunate to see it as well, Andrew Greenwood of the Bowland birders fame saw it also. Great start to Andrew's week long stay... The Hampshire birders today had seen Barnies, 4 Shelduck, Pale bellied Brent, Greylags, 2 Heron, 4 Red breasted Merganser, 20 Barwit, 12 Ringed Plover, Wigeon, Teal, Eider and Pintail all on Bridgend Merse/ head of Loch Indaal. At Carnain, the ringtail was present again with 3 Song Thrush noted too. Off Bruichladdich, 2 RTD, 5 Slavonian Grebe and a Great crested Grebe were seen on Loch Indaal. Finally, over Carrabus 2 ringtail and a Buzzard were spotted.

Wednesday 14th October

Yesterday Peter Roberts had a great sighting of an immature Golden Eagle, on the road that goes over the hill between Carnain and Gruinart up beyond Carrabus. With the water being so clear on Loch Indaal, Peter spotted dense shoals of small fish there at Bruichladdich Pier, also seen were 4- 5 Black Guillemots in winter plumage, offshore there were over 50 Eiders. Also yesterday, Mary had been up at Ardnave where she had Kestrel, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, Skylark. At Traigh Nostaig, 27 Ringed Plover, 30 Oystercatcher, a Turnstone, a Redshank, and 7 Teal. Out on Eilean Beag, 109 Barnies and 12 Grey Seal pups. Nave Island held 65 seal pups, 29 GBB Gull, 3 Cormorant, 37 Shag, 11 Eider,10 Oystercatcher and a Buzzard. On Ardnave Loch, the American Wigeon was seen along180 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard,4 Teal, 23 Whooper, 19 Mute and 2 Swallows. Today, Mary saw a Kestrel close to Bushmills at Gruinart, the small Canada Goose (parvipes sp.)was seen out in front of the Visitor centre, 20 Greenland whitefronts were present along the flats along with 9 Whoopers while out on the estuary/salt marsh, 39 Pale bellied Brent were seen. Gary today had counted 2300 Barnies, 57 Pale bellied Brent, 4 Whitefront, 21 Pintail, 250 Wigeon, 99 RB Merganser, 179 Curlew, 750 Golden Plover, 30 Grey Plover, 123 Ringed Plover and 70 Dunlin, all at the top end of Loch Indaal. Gary saw the Rose coloured Starling amongst the Starling flock near to wee lane that leads down to Loch Gorm after Sunderland Farm. Loch Gorm held 116 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, a juv White tailed Sea Eagle harassing the Greylags. Also round the scrubby trees there, a Sparrowhawk was spooking the finch flock which also included a 1st winter Brambling. Dave, down on the Oa, had a Yellow browed Warbler in his garden on a Sycamore tree and also a Grey wagtail. James sent through the tally for the Barnies on reserve at Gruinart which came to 21,055 with a Pink footed Goose present too. Mike and Elspeth today had had 16 Choughs at the American Monument on the Oa, a male Hen harrier at Kintra this afternoon with 7 Pale bellied Brent amongst the rocks there. Off Blackrock, late afternoon, another 7 Brent were seen. The Bowland birders had started their day off at Killinallan where Greenshank, Merlin, Sanderling and a male Hen Harrier, they saw the wee Canada goose along the flats while out from the new hide, Pintails, Shoveller, a ringtail Hen Harrier were seen with the Brent seen out on the estuary/ salt marsh. Late afternoon, the Sparrowhawk as ever flew through the garden....

Wednesday 30th September

At the bird nerds meeting held yesterday evening, on the head of Bruichladdich pier, the birds seen were as follows 2 Red throated Diver, 2 G N Diver, 1 Peregrine, 10 Knot, 13 Ringed Plover, 120 Eider, 20 Common Scoter and 10 Shag. Also yesterday, Louise had a Grey Wagtail over on Jura, later on she had 2 Barn Owls competing with some rutting Red Deer stags, not sure which lot made more of a racket! Here at home, once the mist and also the midges had cleared, what a glorious day followed on... no Peregrine noted but 3 Buzzards Vwere soaring high up on the thermals over the crag. Visiting birder Richard had seen a couple of Golden Eagles while down on the Oa this morning, along with large mixed flocks of Twite and Linnets. He also spotted some Ravens tumbling around. This afternoon, Richard had seen 6 Barnies amongst the Greylags at Gruinart. Early afternoon also, Gary had a Yellow browed Warbler across the road from his house over at Ballygrant

Friday 27th September

Yesterday, on the reserve at Gruinart, James had 3 Hen Harriers, a Merlin and a Sparrowhawk. Today, on the reserve down on the Oa, Dave had a Yellow browed Warbler. When I was down there this afternoon, a Peregrine flew past. Visitors this evening commented on seing flocks of Linnet and Twite up in the dunes behind Machir Bay, and yes, again there are still a few Swallows around...

Thursday 1st November

A distant image of the blue phased Snow Goose that was briefly on the flats at Gruinart this morning, also in the frame is a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp as well as 2 Barnies in the foreground, good one Steve!! Yesterday along the road, Tom, one of Steve's colleagues who has been over for a few days, had a Yellow browed Warbler at Erasaid, and this afternoon at Port Askaig while waiting on the ferry, he had 8 Waxwings. This morning, Bob had been down doing a sea watch at Frenchman's Rocks where he met in with another visiting birder, Julie from Durham. Their birds seen were as follows, 4 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Turnstone, 4 RTD , 3 GND,  2 groups of Whoopers (12 and another 8), 2 groups of Pale bellied Brent Geese (22 and 2), 17 Barnies, 2 Bonxies, a steady passage of Kittiwakes, around 15 every 10  minutes mostly heading South. Bob also had 6 Fieldfare at the roadside at Gearach, and a flock of around 500 Barnies roosting up on the rough ground towards Claddach. The rainfall figure for October was 6.5" an inch drier than last October, so we are still drier than last year at the same time.... mind you  the Paps of Jura had a white cap well down today eith the far hills behind Port Ellen also wearing a lighter version, more a dusting!!

Friday 26thOctober

Clive Mycroft who lives down on the Oa had seen a Ring Ouzel earlier this week close to where he lives. The Bolton Birders yesterday counted a flock of 60 Twite down towards the Coastguard Cottages. Further on at Saligo Bay they had a Snow Bunting, a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen on their way up to Sanaigmore as was a Golden Eagle. 15 Whoopers were seen flying from Sanaigmore back down towards Loch Gorm. They also had a large flock of Starlings feeding in the barley stubbles at Ballinaby along with Skylarks, House Sparrows and some Reed Buntings. 12 Golden Plover were also close by. Finally at Coull road  end there were 30 Lapwing present along with more Starlings! On Loch Indaal yesterday, we had a count of 12 Herons. The Leigh birders had spent their day down on the Oa yesterday. Their highlights included 3 different  ringtail Hen Harriers, Golden Eagle, Peregrines, Chough, another great day! Lynne and Chris had a charm of 5 Goldfinches up the East side of Loch Gruinart, on the loch itself  2 Barwits were seen and up at Ardnave Loch, 8 Whooper Swans were present. This morning John Johnson who has been over for the week had seen a Yellow browed Warbler in some bushes up behind Port Charlotte. Bob had a juv Golden Eagle down in a field of rape over at Coull. From the new hide at Gruinart today, Mike and Elspeth had seen a Hen Harrier spoof 5 Red legged Partridges, then soon after a White tailed Sea Eagle was seen taking a Hare, but then to cap it all the Red breasted Goose was seen amongst the Barnies there. At lunchtime today, Pete Thorp had counted 72 Golden Plover at Ballinaby. Bob had another juv Golden Eagle from the old hide this afternoon.

Sunday 14th October

Another wee drop of rain through the night, almost 4.5" so far this month and it is only the 14th... at least we got a great day although the ground is soaking wet!!! Was out with Bob this morning  doing a count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, the scores on the doors were as follows 4 Greylags, 900 Barnacle Geese, 126 Curlew, 159 Oystercatcher, 40 Red breasted Merganser, 22 Eider, 3 Heron, 53 Shag, 77 Golden Plover, 24 Mallard, 15 Redshank, 86 Bar tailed Godwit, 12 Turnstone, 3 Pintail and 6 Knot. 2 of the Knot were less than 4 metres away and fearless, but neither Bob or myself  had a camera!! On the "Moss road" leading down to the shoreline, there were several Reed Buntings, Blackbirds, Robins, Dunnocks and a Coal Tit in the bushes. The Golden Plover in the sunlight were great to see as well. Earlier on Bob had counted 45 Pale bellied Brents at Gartmain. Back at home this afternoon, Bob had a Greylag with a collar on it, so Bob will give us more info on it once he hears back about it. Late afternoon, he had 6 Whoopers out on the stubble field directly in front of his house and later a further 22 on Loch Gearach. On his way home, Bob saw a Short eared Owl. Malcolm had seen an adult Pinkfooted Goose amongst the Barnies round at Ballinaby this morning. Peter, Pia and the "hound" had taken a walk up to Gortantoid this morning, a very productive walk too. At Gortantoid itself, they had several small groups of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers numbering between 5 - 10 birds. The best was still to  come with a male Firecrest, a Yellow browed Warbler, a Chiffchaff and also a Brambling. Gavin had been out to Claggain Bay today, and had 2 Red throated Divers, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black Guillemot and a Bottle nosed Dolphin. Back on land, he counted a flock of 50 Redwing. Earlier on he had seen the juv. White tailed Sea Eagle take a wader, it landed on the shore and ate it!!! Other visitors from Leigh had started their visit off this morning with seeing Great Northern Divers, Red Throated Divers and Scaup on Loch Indaal from Bowmore. 

There is a guided walk at Gruinart on Wednesday. Meet at the Visitor Centre at 17.30 to see the geese coming back into roost for folk who are over on Islay this week, all welcome.

Mon 11th October

Another great day, not a cloud in the sky, and it is almost the middle of October, shirt sleeve weather for a second day running!

Malcolm had a Yellow browed Warbler in his garden at Bruichladdich. Martin Armstrong had seen 4 Lapland Bunting at Bolsay today. Yesterday George had seen 2 Wheatear up the back of Port Charlotte, 2 Swallow at Port Bhan, 2 Redwing and a Sparrowhawk. This morning, at home he had 2 Goldcrest, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Dunnock while out on Loch Indaal, 3 Red throated Diver were present.

Bob had been over at Gartbreck, and had 7 Pale bellied Brent, 3 Pink footed geese flew past, on the mud flats were 3 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 12 Redshank, 1 Knot, 45 Dunlin, 4 Bar tailed Godwit, 60 Curlew, 46 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 27 Red breasted Merganser and 28 Eider.

There were 64 Pale bellied Brent Geese on Loch Indaal below the Gaelic College this afternoon, and on scanning through them, the same goose that we saw last week was seen again. There was another goose with colour rings on too, but unfortunately it went into the water and so we could not read the letters on both legs. A few more Greenland whitefronts are around with 36 seen on Loch Gorm on our way home.