Sun 6th April

The other day when we were out, we went over to Loch Skerrols and to the River Sorn. There were a pair of Grey Wagtail down on the water's edge just below the Woolen Mill.

Over at Loch Skerrols, on the Loch itself there was a group of 20 Goldeneye and 2 Mute Swan, while Buzzard flew overhead, as did a Heron later on.

Several Great Tit and Blue Tit were heard in the trees, close to where we were parked.

As I write this, the cold snap continues with a Northerly wind which has produced the odd snow shower, I bet those early migrants wished they were still in the warmer climes of Africa! MAB

Sat 5th April

Back to work again, that is changing the cottages over for another week with new visitors coming in, so not much time for actual birdwatching today, but this afternoon whilst out at the washing line in the garden, there was the Peregrine. Not just one, but two, and to cap it all a Golden Eagle too. What happened was, a Peregrine came in view from the left and as it flew to the right, and it was met by the second Peregrine flying right to left. The second bird flew on past and towards an Eagle that had appeared, and it started to mob the Eagle, and the net result was that the Eagle just soared away. Was this possibly the same Eagle that Michal had seen in the morning down beside Loch Gorm?
There were 16 Whooper Swan down on the small lochan at Rockside before Loch Gorm itself. I did try to enter this last night but access to the site was denied!

Fri 4th April

After a dull start to the day, the weather picked up mid morning, and so allowing this Song Thrush to give us a tune!

I spent some time over at the hide at Gruinart and enjoyed the Pintail doing their synchronised swimming routine, other ducks present were Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shelduck and Shoveler. A pair of Red breasted Merganser were also seen. Later on a Hoodie Crow was seen briefly before being sent packing by several Lapwing. Around the viewing platform, in the flowering Gorse there were several Robins singing and also Wrens being very vocal too. Up at Ardnave, I had an odd sighting amongst a flock of Barnacle Geese, I had to check twice, but right enough there were 2 Greater Black backed Gull with them. On my return the Geese had flown away, but the Gulls were still there! The Canada Goose was with the Barnacle Geese at the back of the farm steading at Aoradh. While coming home over the moor, we had a really close view of a male Hen Harrier, flying away from us. IKB

George reported in today, having a Goldcrest at his house at Bruichladdich, while Michal had 8 Whooper Swan flying North up Loch Indaal while waiting at the Airport. GJ &MS

Thurs 3rd April

The first Swallow of the year was seen here at Kilchoman this afternoon, while earlier on some birders over visiting Islay with "Speyside Wildlife" had a Lapland Bunting over at Ardnave. MAB

This afternoon James counted 4,916 Barnacle Geese, 104 Greenland Whitefronts and 9 Greylag while he was doing the Goose Count on Gruinart and up to Ardnave. The numbers of Barnies was similar to the previous count, while Whitefronts were down in total, noticably fewer in the fields, but more of them out on the hill ground. The Geese in general are appearing more edgy over the past few days, especially as their food supplies (mainly grass) are in short supply now. Whilst he was there James also had his first Wheatear of the year, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Greenshank, 1 female Merlin, 19 Chough all up round Ardnave. On Ardnave Loch there were 8 Tufted Duck and 2 Whooper Swan. James wonders if the Merlin was the same one that had been obseved taking the Snow Bunting earlier on...

Back down on the flats at the RSPB Reserve at Loch Gruinart, James noted a Lapwing on its' nest/ scrape, about a week later than in 2007. JRH

Wed 2nd April

In keeping with the Estates over here on Islay, James and his colleagues today carried out a Red Deer count on the RSPB Reserve at Loch Gruinart, coming up with a total of 84 Red Deer, a similar tally to that of 2007. Apart from doing the count, birds seen while out were as follows, 3 Water rails, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Merlin, 1 Red Grouse, 11 Whooper Swan, 3 Male and 4 female Hen Harrier. JRH

Tues 1st April

Yes, it's that time again, as we have the latest figures in from Margaret and Tracey at SNH

for the latest Goose Counts. The International Count held on 18/19 March gave totals of 44,961 Barnacle Geese and 7,086 Greenland Whitefronts. The following count on the 27/28 March were 44,730 Barnies and 6,941 Whitefronts. We only have one Goose Count left and this takes place next week. Thanks again to the team for the figures.

In between the squally showers today, Andy had 4 Slavonian Grebe in full summer plumage in Loch Indaal and also 30 Razorbill. On the weather forecast this evening, it was stated that here on Islay we had the strongest wind speed for the whole of Scotland today, with a speed of 57mph recorded at the Airport. RAS

Mon 30th March

This is one of the 3 Wheatear that were seen down at Machir Bay on Sunday evening. Also on Sunday evening, the Geese appeared to be flying much higher back to their roost. IKB

George reported in saying that he had seen 30 Common Scoter far out in Loch Indaal, whilst at home he had heard the first Blackbird singing this year. GJ