Wed 14th April

Today, James, Michal and myself helped out with Walkislay, with a walk from Colonsay over The Strand to The Priory on Oronsay. The weather was just right for us, and more importantly the tide was out and so allowing us to cross The Strand. We had an amazing total of 90 folk out in total, I would have been pleased with 60 but words fail me, just great!

Birdwise we all saw a Golden Eagle, there were 3 Swallows at The Priory itself, a pair of Chough flew past on our way back, and off the ferry on the way to Colonsay, a couple of Bottle nosed Dolphins were spotted.

There was also a report of another Corncrake being heard last night.

Tues 13th April

A male Ring necked Duck was seen up at Ardnave Loch today. It had been reported to RSPB at the office at Gruinart earlier this morning and James quickly phoned round us all. This is the first time James has had one on Ardnave Loch in 10 years, although there was one down at Kinnabus on the Oa the other year.

The first Corncrake of the year was up at Kilnave yesterday, and the Cuckoo has been heard at several places including Kilchoman School and Foreland.

George had seen around 1,000 Barnacle Geese flying high on Sunday night. There were large groups at Rockside, Ballinaby, and at Gruinart as well as up at Ardnave today. Also on Ardnave Loch was a Canada Goose, it was present there yesterday as well. On the fields at Ardnave was a flock of 60 Golden Plover mostly in summer plumage. A friend had seen 26 Sanderling while walking round Ardnave this afternoon. Back in Bruichladdich, and George had seen a pair of Bullfinch.

Several pairs of Mute Swan appear to be quite active in their nest building activity over the past few days.

Yesterday, Michal had been helping out Dunlossit and Ardtalla Estates on their annual Deer count. While he was out, Michal had seen a pair of Red throated Diver on one of the high hill lochs, both birds were in summer plumage. On the hills too, Michal had heard Golden Plover singing and also a few Red Grouse.

Mon 12th April

Coming home this evening from the Visitors' Welcome Evening, we saw 2 different Barn Owls, one at Bridgend and the other nearer to home. There was a big Red Deer stag at the roadside at one point, so it was just as well I was paying attention.

The Peacock butterfly was taken on one of the walks today. There have been quite a few Common Lizards seen at various places over the last day or two, but no reports of any Adders yet!

Here at home today we had our first 2 Swallows on the telegraph wires, and further down the road towards the Reed bed were 3 Sand Martins.

Sun 11th April

A great day here, especially for the folk over for Walkislay. One of the group of walkers had a great sighting of a Golden Eagle, while the others had to make do with a pair of Yellowhammer!

James came back last night after being away on holiday for the past week, and they had 6 Bottle nosed Dolphin from the ferry.

Carl had a Small Tortoisehell down at Portnahaven yesterday, and at home today in Port Charlotte in his garden, he had Goldcrest, Great Tit and Dunnock singing.

Sat 10th April

Carl Reavey had a Willow Warbler today down at An Gleann on the road to Portnahaven. There was a report of more Sand Martins up at Ardnave and also Swallows at Gruinart , both from yesterday.

Back here at home today, and I saw my first Peacock butterfly on the wing outside this year, and at the same time a Bumble bee flew past. Last night, just after 10pm, there was a Pipistrelle bat out over at the cottages. For the past few days, the Fulmars are back on the crag. It's great too hear them, but I am certainly keeping well out of their range should they decide to vomit...

Fri 9th April

Some friends over for "walkislay" (our annual walking week on Islay), had been down at the hide at Gruinart and they were pleased to see the Little Egret out on the floods, they had also seen a couple of Swallow while they were at Gruinart.

Michal e mailed to say that he had Willow Warbler on the reserve at Gruinart today, and also George left a message on the phone to say that he too had Willow Warbler at Bruichladdich.

Thurs 8th April

Coming back from Goose counting today, Malcolm had 15 Whooper Swan resting up on the sand at the head of Loch Indaal, below the Nurse's cottage at Bridgend. Further round at Carnain, the male Mute Swan was starting to bring material in for their nest. Back at Bruichladdich, and Malcolm had 5 Purple Sandpiper.

Today, Sandy MacTaggart from Machrie Croft had counted 45 Whooper Swan flying in from the sea and Machir Bay. They then flew on and headed North to Saligo Bay and further on past in the direction of "The Opera House rocks".

Yesterday George had seen a pair of Shelduck return to their nest site again, and similarly also yesterday, I saw the pair here at home too.