Tuesday 1 November

Coot, Ballygrant Loch, Billy Stitchell

Driving home earlier today I was surprised to see 3 whooper swan in the field among the Highland cows at Ellister, apparently having mis-aimed when approaching Ellister Loch.  Later this evening, a small flock were flying south towards Ireland in the dark.  

This afternoon came a surprising story from a friend out walking her small dogs in the hills near the village, only to be harassed by a young raven who went on to knock the dogs of it's feet! 

Owen and Glynis set out to try locate the possible Pacific Diver: "No sign of putative Pacific Diver today despite a thorough look at the top end of Indaal. The words needle and haystack spring to mind! No BTD either, but did accumulate RTD into double figures and at least three GND whilst searching! Also three WTE over Bridgend woods and 42 Common Teal and eight Whoopers have suddenly appeared on Skerrols."

Louise had a good game of 'raptor bingo' between Craighous and the ferry on Jura this morning: Hen harrier, merlin, peregrine, kestrel and a WTE all within 15 mins.

Mike too had a good raptor day with 2 WTE and a hen harrier at Kilchoman, a male hen harrier and a pair of golden eagle at Ballinaby, then later a further 2 male hen harrier and a merlin near Storakaig on the Glen Road. He also had good counts of redwing - 250 at Kilchoman and 700 at Craigens.  On a walk from Ballygrant to Port Askaig he reported 6 long-tailed tits, 5 gold crest and 3 bullfinch. A coot at Ballygrant loch, at least 6 yellowhammer at Keills and 10 siskin at Ballygrant.  Mike also noted a movement of whooper swan, counting 31 at Kilchoman early in the day, and 12 later flying south over Keills.

Rob L. had a good count of 30 chough at Killinallan this afternoon.

Mary

Monday 24 January

Not too bad a day here today, the nice day enticing the local birders out from their cosy homes.

At the head of Loch Indaal there was much excitement with 5 WTE  seen by Nick Blinston. Dave P. also spotted one in the same area around the same time, difficult to be sure if it was from the same group.  Nick also spotted 2 scaup off Bowmore, then later at Loch Skerrols a pair of lesser scaup and a glaucous gull.  Gary noted a little egret flying from Loch Gruinart heading towards Uiskentui following the Grey River.

Dave D. reported a 1st winter male yellowhammer at the farm at Kintra.

On my drive back from Port Charlotte, a ring ouzel appeared in the bushes by Ellister.

Mark S. noted the carrion crow he's seen near Sanaig most of the winter appears to have paired up with a hooded crow.  Later he reported a tawny owl merrily hooting away at the woodland by Gruinart.

Over the weekend I notice the snowdrops out at Bridgend.  The otter sightings have been frequent along the Rhinns this past week with the locals seemingly being particularly visible and busy feeding on the shorelines of Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Port Wemyss and Currie Sands.

Tuesday 5 October

Forgot to add last night, my mum reported 'loads of geese' at Claddach Loch, plus a single whooper swan.  She could hear the gabbling away from the house so walked up to look.  More barnacle geese have been arriving this afternoon, I counted 3 small skeins flying south off the Frenchmans at lunchtime and curving in towards land against the wind.  James had a high count of 1915 barnacles at Loch Gruinart, plus a red-breasted goose among them.

Photo by Sam Hood.  

While I was out late morning, I took the dogs and my wee lad a walk on the beach near the Coal yard, I heard a strange sound like a distant jet only to be narrowly missed by a low flying peregrine! What a speed it must have been going at! I must have stepped into its path judging by how close it came and how sharp it turned upwards away.  The oystercatchers ahead of me can thank me next time.  A little later, 3 Arctic tern flew low over us, seemingly to see what we were doing.  As I got into the car, a lone swallow flew over.  Earlier at the road end of Gartmain Farm, just outside Bowmore, I had a nice sighting of 3 yellowhammer flying out from the gorse bushes heading into a bare rowan tree.  

A friend in Portnahaven told me about 3 white-tailed eagles on McKenzie Island. So if you're a visitor looking for a good place to catch sight of them, its a good place to start!

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.

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. " 

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... 

Monday 28th September

Peter today had counted over 250 Linnets on the barley stubbles at Kilchoman today, along with 4 Yellowhammers, but no sign of the Tree Sparrows..

Gary had gone to see if he had any joy in finding the Hoopoe, but no luck.. instead had seen a Grey Wagtail in a similar area to where the Hoopoe had been seen. Round at Bridgend, he counted over 200 Barnies  with 79 Pale bellied Brents along at Gartmain.

George E. Jackson had seen 7 Fieldfares down about half a mile after Sunderland towards Foreland.

This evening ,we have been watching several large skeins of Greylags as they flew out to their roost.

Thursday 9th July

James kindly send me through the following list of birds seen from the north coast of Islay

Golden eagle

Merlin

Kestrel

Sparrowhawk

Hen Harrier

Cuckoo

Yellowhammers several singing

Red throated diver

Peregrine

3 otters, mother and 2 cubs

Sunday 5th April

Today, James saw a Green Sandpiper flying over Islay ....

Gary was also in touch with some birds seen by himself
"Some birds for today, a Yellowhammer was back on the big bird table. Ring tailed Hen Harrier seen over the moor above Finlaggan. Three Swallows were over the moorland."

Karen Graham had a female Bullfinch on her feeders in Bearsden this morning.....

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.

Saturday 8th February

I received some birds seen on Wednesday and o Thursday from the "2 Steves and Julie". 

On Wednesday at Bridgened Woods saw 2 Dippers, and a  single Coal Tit.  On Jura,  we saw Tystie, 1 White tailed Eagle and really good view of Otter in Craighouse.
On Thursday 6 February, They  had a fine look at 30+ Choughs in glorious sunshine up at Ardnave then on our third visit to the just fantastic Loch Gruinart, amongst the usual suspects, we found a lone Little Grebe, single Greenshank and a couple of Yellowhammer. In the morning, we saw a Gannet and Shag at Portnahaven. As ever, many thanks for your sightings folks, the blog would be a lot "quieter" if folk did not send through what they had seen.... Much appreciated!!! I believe that they had seen 90 species when they were over here for the week.

James on his way home last night had seen 2 Tawny Owls on the reserve at Gruinart.

Chris Mills's sighting of the Fulmar the other day has again proved correct , with it turning out to be rather windy here today, the ferry came first thing this morning, and as I write, it has just set out for another return trip to Islay this evening. The top speed on Dr Matt Jackson's weather station was 67mph at around 16.00 earlier on!!!

Thursday 6th February

Some more sightings through from the "Hampshire birders", Gary and Wendy seen yesterday.

Golden Eagle, White tailed Eagle (both on beach at Carnain after killing a barnacle goose), Raven, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Hooded Crow. The following were seen while driving to Bowmore from Carnain; Red throated Diver, R b Merganser, Redshank, Scaup and Wigeon.

Chris Mills  along with his clients from Norfolk birding had been down on the other side yesterday..

At Rockside, they had a Merlin. Over at Kinnabus on the Oa, they saw a flock of 150Twite, 2 Golden Eagles displaying, and also a male Hen Harrier as well as loads of Whitefronted Geese. At Ardbeg, a Grey Wagtail was present as well as a Redpoll, while along at Loch an t Sailein, an Otter was out for a swim.. 2 White tailed Eagles were spotted as they drove out towards Claggain Bay. At Claggain Bay itself, they had 10 GND, 2 Tysties, Common Guillemot, Kittiwake and Gannets seen there. Back along at Callum Sharp's house at Kildalton, they saw 8 Yellowhammers present on the feeders. Finally on Loch Indaal on their way back to their accommodation, they counted 70 Eider, 9 Slav. Grebe, 2 RTD,  Common Scoter, and also 2 L t Ducks

Wednesday 6th November

Yesterday MB had seen a  male Hen Harrier up at Kilchoman, and before I forget he had seen 8 Carrion Crows down on Machir Bay on Monday. Back to yesterday again.. MB had seen 12 Whooper Swans flying South when at Kildalton Cross. and also 2 Yellowhammer,  a single Redpoll.  Around Aros  Bay, 2 Mute Swan and also a juv Whooper Swan. Other birds present there included a Pink footed Goose, 490 Barnies, a Canada Goose (British type), 89 Wigeon, 2 Lapwing, 22 Curlews, 3 Goldcrest and 2 Long tailed Tits. Ovr Loch an-t-Sailein, he saw an adult W t Eagle,. he also counted 160 Whitefronts, 100 Greylag, 35 Wigeon, 10 R b Merganser, 27 Curlew and a Tystie there as well. Back at Port Ellen, he saw 23 Ringed Plover. Finally back at Kilchoman, he saw 16 Chough going into the roost with 84 Hooded Crows seen flying to their roost as well.

James yesterday had account of 11,715 bBarnies, 397 Whitefronts 8 P b Brent geese, 1,660 Golden Plover and a Golden Eagle, all seen on the reserve at Gruinart.

Tuesday 22nd October

Another big whack of birds to report through to you all... better late than never!!!

On Monday, Dave Pierce and Naturetrek had seen the following birds.. 2 common Guillemots, 6 Tysties, a single Common Scoter, and also RTDs and also GNDs off Bruichladdich. Over at Bunnahabhain they had a White tailed Eagle, while down at Carrabus, 2 Merlin were seen. Finally at Gruinart, they saw an immature Golden Eagle as well as an adult White tailed Eagle.

Also on Monday, Nick Skilbeck and the Worcs RSPB group had hired a boat and on a trip up the sound of Islay and into Loch Tarbert on Jura and returned out had seen 9 White tailed Eagles, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Golden Eagles, 15 GND, 2 RTD, c. 20 Tysties and a dog Otter as well, just fantastic!!!

Today, Nick and his fellows had 25 Twite down on the Oa, 2 Golden Eagle, 2 Chough, a Merlin, a Peregrine. Offshore they had Gannets, Kittiwakes and Fulmars feeding. At Claggain Bay, they had 3 GND, Aros bay held 30 Curlew, and along on the Pheasant feeders at Kildalton, they counted 12 Yellowhammers. At Kintra, they saw 2 RTD. Nick also said that they had seen several flocks of geese around on their travels as well.

Dave Pierce and the Naturetrek group had seen an adult White tailed Eagle over the Sound of Jura and then another at Craighouse. Back on Islay, 3 Hen Harriers were seen between Gruinart and Ardnave plus an immature Golden Eagle at Ardnave which flew cross the loch  towards Killinallan. At Ardnave they had 12 Choughs present, while over the raised beach at Gruinart, they had another immature Golden Eagle.

James had seen a Bairds Sandpiper on Loch Gruinart along with some Dunlin and also 6 Grey Plovers. The Bairds Sandpiper was also seen later on by Nick and his group as well.

David Clugston along with his wife Pauline and also Val Wilson from the Clyde branch of the SOC are over for another "Islay fix". I was really pleased to meet up with them and an e mail later on from Val told me that they had a Kingfisher seen on the shoreline below the Generator station as you go into Bowmore. Val also told me that the record of the Kingfisher was their 88th species seen since they arrived only 2 days ago....

Thursday 10th October

Yesterday, Nick and Kath had seen a Merlin up towards Ardnave, and then later on they saw another Merlin sitting on top of a rock at the side of the road. They had also another Merlin dash across the road just South of Port Charlotte. The other day they had seen some Swallows around and now reckon that they could be feeding young on the nest... Robin Andrews and his wife, (another visiting birders), had seen a Pale bellied Brent and also 2 Barnies along with around 100 Greylags on their way out from The Machrie Hotel. Down on the Oa, out towards the American monument they had seen 2 Snow Buntings, and then along at the Kildalton Cross they had seen 4 House Martins and also a Swallow practising their flying skills. As Robin said, they were quite "surprised" to see them as all the Hirundines left them in North Yorkshire about 10 days ago. In around Kildalton, they also had a Yellowhammer and also a Greenfinch.

This morning, we watched a male Hen Harrier out on the wing flying over the Machir. Coming back from "Cake o'clock" at Gruinart, we had counted 52 Barnies resting up on a stubble field at Ballinaby along with over 120 Greylags. Along towards Saligo Bay, a male Hen Harrier was spotted flying quite high up and not spoofing or worrying anybody else...

Robin Andrews and his wife, Hilary today had called in for a cuppa, and Robin quickly told us that the sun would be shining by 4 pm, needless to say, we doubted him, but right enough at 15.58 the sun came out. Robin had seen 2 Curlew Sandpipers down the shore of Loch Indaal and also 6 Barwits earlier on, before coming up to visit us. They also had seen Redshank and Dunlin present there as well.

Richard Belter had seen a RTD and also a single Eider off Kintra.  Later on, while on the Oa he had seen Merlin, a Sparrowhawk, Rock Doves and also 3 Chough. At Upper Killeyan, a large flock of Twite was present. Back at Gruinart, Richard had counted 800 Barnies present and he also saw a Swallow out in front of the visitor centre there as well.

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.

Wednesday 24th April

A grand chance to clear out the sightings sent through over the past few days, so off we jolly well go!!
Gary on Saturday had seen a "nice mixed flock of Linnet and Twite" at Rockside, 3 Hen Harrier above Gruinart, a juv. Golden Eagle on the wing above the moorland trail being mobbed by a Buzzard, and then a further 3 juv. Golden Eagles noted over Killinallan. Finally down at Bruichladdich, Gary had seen 4 Purple Sandpipers there.
James and Sally had gone out for a walk on Sunday, seeing 2 Golden Eagles, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Yellowhammers and a Common Sandpiper up and around Gortantoid.
There were several reports of folk hearing a Cuckoo, Dave P. had one over at Ardtalla, Lesley had heard one while on the walk up to Beinn Dubh and Steve Wrightson had heard one close to his house at Bolsay.
On Monday, Dave P had heard a Corncrake calling when he was down at Portnahaven.
Louise Muir had some sightings through from Jura.. All seen on Monday, a juv Whitetailed Eagle seen at the mouth of Loch Tarbert, a Yellowhammer present at Tarbert, 4 Short eared Owls on the Ardmenish flats  and also 2 Hen Harriers.
Down on the Oa yesterday, David Wood had seen 3 Dotterel. He also had Sedge Warblers, Groppers and a few Whinchats, all ticks for the year list!!!
Good friend, Armin sent  through a list of top birds seen so far on the Walkislay program so far... On Sunday, they had seen a Golden Eagle, a male Hen Harrier, Shags, Gannets, Sand Martins and an Emperor Moth. Monday's walk produced another Golden Eagle flying out over the sound of Islay. Yesterday, up at Loch Cam they had seen an Otter. Thanks to Armin!!
Also yesterday on the reserve at Gruinart, James reported through that there were SedgeWarblers around....
Yesterday, Peter Gill had seen a Whinchat on top of a fence while down on the Oa, also seen were some Chough there too  and a small flock of 50 - 60 Twite. Coming back up from the Oa, at Gartmain out of Bowmore, he had 70 Barwits and 20 Dunlin.
Yesterday, down at Rockside I saw 6 Whimbrel.
Another good friend was saying that she had seen a Bonxie  (Great Skua) yesterday, up beside Tain, not here on Islay!!

Friday 15th March

Today was the last full day of Chris Mills' group from Norfolk Birding for this visit.  Down on the Oa they had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier, with a flock of 50 Skylarks seen at Kinnabus. Also on the Oa, they counted flocks of over 250 Twite and 80 Linnets. A Peregrine was seen out from Arbeg Distillery as well as a Grey Wagtail seen nearby. Along at Kildalton, they saw 3 Yellowhammers. Further along the road, they had  2 White tailed Eagles. Finally at Leorin, they had spotted the Todd's Canada Goose amongst the flock of Barnacle geese there. 

An interesting footnote.. Yesterday's post to the blog was the 3,900th  post on the blog, so keep the birds sightings coming through folks and I will try to keep you informed as and when I get any sightings through. As I keep saying, there are lies, damned lies and then there is the bird blog...

Tuesday 12th February

Yesterday, the "Port Ellen 4" along with team leam leader John Matthews, had seen a large flock of Twite along with over 20 Skylarks close to Kinnabus on the Oa, but sadly no Golden Eagles or Hen Harriers were seen, but they had counted at least 7 Buzzards on their way out to the Oa and on the return leg. While travelling up along the High road and then the Glen road over the top to Ballygrant, they had seen another 7 Buzzards, a Kestrel, Partridge, and Raven, while at Knocklearach, a Merlin was sitting on a fence post, at the side of the road. Up at Bunahabhain, an Otter, GND, Tysties, and also some Shags were present.

Yeterday, Hilary and Richard had seen the Todd's Canada Goose over at Leorin. Over at Claggain Bay they had RTD, BTD, GND, Tysties, Grey Wagtail, and some Shags as well as a small pod of Porpoises. Birds seen while returning back from Claggain Bay to Port Ellen included Yellowhammers, Brambling, Treecreeper, Reed Bunting, Long tailed Tits with a Greater spotted Woodpecker heard druming away. Up at Bowmore on Loch Indaal, they had Barwits, Eider, Common Scoter, Common Gull, GND and also BTD

Up here today, we saw a Merlin fly past out of the wee kitchen window, fly on over the bird cage then wheel down and over the bird seed crop and on its' way. After lunchtime, coming out of Bowmore, just after Pennycraig, another wee Merlin flew off the fence at the side of the road. On the way home, down below the lime kiln, we spoke with the Rochdale Birders who are over for another visit, their first for 2019 , great to meet up you folks... Over at Kildalton, this morning they had 4 Yellowhammers and the close to the airport, a male Hen Harrier was present quartering its' patch.

Tuesday 20th November

Yesterday, Gary from Wild Islay Birding had been out with some clients.. They had seen 4 Pink footed Geese amongst some Whitefronts over at Coull. On the other side of Islay, the Eastern side, 5 Brambling along with at least 10 Yellowhammers and a few Reed Buntings were sitting on a fence at the end of the road leading to Bunnahabhain below Persabus. Driving up Bunnahabhain, 2 Kestrel and also 2 Sparrowhawk were spotted. Up at Bunnahabhain itself, 2 adult White tailed Eagles flew past.
James had been out counting the geese on the reserve at Gruinart, as part of the International Goose count taking place today and tomorrow. James's  tally came to 11,115 Barnies, 406 Whitefronts and 5 Greylags. He also saw a Sparrowhawk while he was out as well. He has also been spotting a Brambling on a regular basis in his garden. Catherine Fotheringham had seen a Bean goose while counting on the Kilmeny run during the count today.