Fri 7th May

Another great day over here with the weather, perhaps there is a slight edge to a coolish air, but it is nice and sunny and dry with it too!

Yesterday Carl had a Little Tern at Blackrock, 4 Barnies at Pennycraig (the old blacksmith's workshop between Bowmore and Bridgend) and also a Whitethroat back in Port Charlotte. Today at Springbank, Carl had seen Reed Bunting and Snipe and had Willow and Grasshopper warbler singing.

Early this morning on Loch Gruinart itself, James had 187 Ringed Plover, 735 Dunlin and 9 Sanderling.

Our friends had been up at Loch Ballygrant and had seen the Ringed necked Duck again along with a few Tufted Duck. On Loch Indaal, they counted a flock of 65 Red breasted Merganser and also a Red throated Diver. Over the reserve at Gruinart, they had a sub adult Golden Eagle.

The star of "owlcam" has now laid her fourth egg.

Thurs 6th May

On the guided walk at Gruinart today, we were fortunate enough to hear a Corncrake calling directly in front of the Visitor Centre, and another was heard over towards the hide. 2 Coal Tit, a Peregrine, a Chough were the highlights, and 41 Barnies were seen over at Craigens. A Sedge warbler was also heard.

George had seen a Great Northern Diver in full summer plumage out on Loch Indaal directly in front of his house, he also saw another one but rather a scruffy looking individual, not yet into summer plumage!

A late entry through from Carl from Monday, partly my fault, over at Bowmore he had 15 Whimbrel, at Gortan (near the coal yard) on Loch Indaal were 30 Red breasted Merganser, 4 Goldfinch at Bruichladdich and at home in Port Charlotte, he had 12 Collared Doves.

The elusive Common Crane had been seen up Gruinart way yesterday, and this afternoon, we had a phone call to say that it had been seen on the wing over at Coul. We took a run round Loch Gorm, but did not see it!

This morning our visitors had 2 Sandwich Tern, 47 Dunlin, 48 Red breasted Merganser, 38 Scaup and 255 Bar tailed Godwit all on Loch Indaal. At lunchtime they saw 42 Whimbrel in a field between Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich. In Bridgend Woods this afternoon, they had Blackcap, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff and a Grasshopper warbler. At The Woolen Mill there was a Grey wagtail on the River Sorn and on the feeders at the mill were 7 Siskin. Coming home later this afternoon 63 Golden plover were at Ballinaby.

Wed 5th may

This is an image of the Common Crane that was seen yesterday.

On the reserve at Gruinart yesterday, James had 2 Carrion Crow, 4 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Water Rail, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Canada Geese, 5 Gadwall and a Peregrine Falcon. Today on the reserve James had 2 Lesser Redpoll, 475 Dunlin, 80 Ringed Plover and 4 Sanderling. The waders he reckons are gathering up before heading off to Iceland to breed. James had done count of 160 Rooks nest around the reserve as well.

Tues 4th May

Another piece of breaking news, a Common Crane was seen on the edge of a ploughed field at Coul this morning. At the same time, a female Marsh Harrier was also seen by those present. The Harrier was seen off by a Lapwing and headed away while the Crane disappeared with no further sightings of it being reported in. The Crane itself was a good distance off and so it did not lend itself to be caught on camera, not even digiscoping it worked as the sky was overcast. The Harrier was on the wing and showed well.

Elsewhere on Islay, 33 Barnies were present on the reserve at Gruinart. 24 Dunlin and 40 Scaup were on Loch Indaal, and down at Port Charlotte a Razorbill and 3 Guillemot were seen. 55 Whimbrel were on one of the fields opposite the War memorial at Port Bhan and there only 10 Golden Plover down on the field beside the Coastguard cottages. Thanks to our visiting birders for the above sightings, especially the Crane and the Harrier!

The Owl on Owlcam now has 3 eggs

Mon 3rd May

Bob Davison phoned last night when I was out to say that he had seen a Red footed Falcon on the Rhinns. It is a dark male.

Michal e mailed through to say that there were now 4 Corncrake calling at the reserve at Gruinart and another 2 at Ardnave. He had heard a Whitethroat at Gruinart and a Chiffchaff up at Kilnave.

This afternoon Malcolm had 2 Great Skua flying South down Loch Indaal while this morning he had seen 80- 90 Pale bellied Brent Geese flying up the Loch.

There were 42 Barnies seen by our friends who also had 2 Canada Geese down on Loch Gorm. This evening, down at Sunderland 36 Whimbrel were present.

Sun 2nd May

After a damp morning, it turned out a beautiful afternoon, and better still the last ewe lambed which means I can get a full night in bed!

Yesterday, James had 5 Common sandpiper while he was over at Lossit Loch at Ballygrant.

Bob Davison who has just come to live here on Islay, sent in some birds that he has seen. Over near to the small lochan on the way to Kilchiaran, Bob had a Redwing singing while at the back of Port Charlotte he had a Sedge warbler, a Blackcap and a pair of Bullfinch. Also in a couple of fields there, a fall of around 100 Wheatear were present. Certainly today there appear to more Wheatear to be seen out and about. Round at Bowmore he had seen a couple of Arctic Tern over Loch Indaal and also 30 Whimbrel.

Our friends had seen a Little Tern today over Loch Indaal, and seen the 2 Pink foots at Rockside along with a couple of Barnies, but no sign of any Barnies at Gruinart.

As I write, I have just heard that 50 Golden Plover have just turned up in a field down at the Coastguard cottages.

Back to Owlcam, and the Barn Owl has laid a second egg!

Sat 1st May

Another month in, with the rainfall for April being just over 2", and in total around 11.5" for the year so far, compared to 18" last year, according to Clark who lives down the road.

Michal had bee up round Ardnave this morning, and down on the sandy beach near the former lobster pools at Traigh Nostaig, Michal counted 180 Dunlin, 50 Oystercatcher, 40 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 3 Sanderling, 1 Spotted Redshank and 3 White wagtails.

On the reserve at Gruinart, James had 66 Golden Plover and 17 Black tailed Godwit. Yesterday on the flats some visitors had a Snipe drumming, and out in front of the hide watched one of the Mute Swan defend its' territory against the pair of Whooper swan who are still present. Today our friends had seen the Garganey, and on Loch Indaal 44 Scaup and a Little Tern. Two of our visiting birders left for home last night, and contributed over the fortnight both with sightings and images were Gordon and Pauline Yates, many thanks for your input, much appreciated.

At Bruichladdich today, Malcolm had 2 Arctic Terns and 5 Purple Sandpiper while along at Kentraw he had 22 Whimbrel.