Sun 7th November

As I write this entry the wind is picking up and forecast to blow up to 60 mph, the coal bunker lid is banging away already, fortunately we live down in a hollow so we should not get the full blast, will tell you tomorrow if anything else happens. The power dropped for a short time mid afternoon, so better keep a torch handy......

Mike Bell from Dunblane was over last week and had seen a Wheatear up at Sanaigmore on Wednesday, and on the same day had 23 Grey Plover on Loch Indaal. Earlier in the week he had a count of 225 Tufted Duck on Loch Gorm. On Thursday he had seen 8 Bullfinch over at Bunnahabhain. He too had seen various flacks of Redwing and also smaller groups of Fieldfare as they moved through.

Sat 6th November

Peter Clement who was leading a tour for Naturetrek on Islay and Jura last week was in touch last night with some of their sightings. They had seen the Green winged Teal at Gruinart, and while they were there had seen a group of Long tailed Tits. Later in the week they saw another group over at Ballygrant. When over on Jura, both Golden Eagle and White tailed Sea Eagle and also Sparrowhawk were added to their list. In Small Isles Bay at Craighouse, 4 Great northern Diver and a Dipper were present while a flock of Lesser Redpoll were seen at Craighouse itself. A male Bullfinch was seen at Inver with a Barn Owl out hunting over the moor. Some Brambling were seen through the week and a few Siskin too. 2 Kestrel and a Merlin were noted from the "Glen" road after Ballygrant. A great week enjoyed by all despite the weather!

RAFOS departed this morning, with over 100 species on their list, wonder who won the sweep and had to buy the customary round of drinks??? Albert and Hazel Percival also headed home today and their only regret was not seeing a Golden Eagle this visit..... It's not easy pleasing everyone!

Carl had been out on his bike today. He had a single Purple Sandpiper along with Turnstone and Ringed Plover at Bruichladdich and a Slavonian Grebe off the Uiskentuie Strand. A Stonechat was at Lyrabus Croft and there were 3 family groups of Whoopers in front of the hide at Gruinart along with Pintail, Shoveler and a single Dabchick. On his way home Carl had a huge flock of Redwings at Octomore which he estimated to be over 1,000 birds. There were also a few Fieldfare present too. There was also a Great northern Diver on Loch Indaal off Brybruaich Farm.

Fri 5th November

One of the many Redwings that were seen today here on Islay. Mary was telling me this morning that were even more Redwing to be seen at Portnahaven this morning. Malcolm had been goose counting down on the Oa and over towards Ardtalla and commented on seeing large flocks there too, but only a few Fieldfares.

RAFOS had turned up Waxwing today at Ballygrant, Ringed Plover on Loch Indaal along with Turnstone, a few Crossbill at Avonvoggie too. There also had been 2 Waxwing at Bowmore, and a further 3 at Port Ellen. There also had a Canada Goose amongst the Barnies at Kintra.

James had a count of 158 Whooper Swans on the reserve at Gruinart this morning, yesterday RAFOS had counted 65 at Gruinart and today there were 2 groups at Rockside, one of 23 and another of 19. Sunderland had 14, and earlier on I saw 17 heading out in the wind towards Ireland, and they had some job ahead!

Dave Beaumont from RSPB came over on the ferry on Wednesday evening as a foot passenger, and when he went to pick up his luggage, a Leach's Petrel was on the deck!

Bob today had 200 Golden Plover at Kilchiran, a flock of 180 Lapwing with a few Golden Plover behind Port Charlotte. He had also seen a Jack Snipe too.

Thurs 4th November

Just a few of the Whooper Swans that were on Loch Skerrols this afternoon, there were 48 present along with 7 Mute Swans. Along at Rockside and there were 3 different groups,11, 14 and 15 , so all in all a good day for Whoopers. One of the members of RAFOS had a count yesterday of 45 heading out over Machir Bay an on down towards Ireland.

Down at Portnahaven this morning, Mary McGregor reported in that there had been a fall of Redwings, with the Redwings all around.

Also this afternoon at "Smelly corner", 8 Shelduck were present.

Wed 3rd November

We heard tonight that a pair of young White tailed Sea Eagles had successfully reared a brood of 2 youngsters here on Islay, the first obviously for a good number of years.

A visitor told me that they had seen a single Waxwing over at Ballygrant today. In the Ballygrant woods they had seen some Siskins as well as a Treecreeper.

Yesterday James had a flock of 250 Lapwing over at Gruinart. On the reserve today, 29 Whooper Swan were present, including 2 family groups with 3 young, and also a pair of adults proudly presenting 4 youngsters. From the viewing platform on the reserve, Mike Peacock saw a Lapland bunting this morning.

Tues 2nd November

Remember the entry the other day regarding the Grey Phalarope, well, delete it as it now turns out to be a Red necked Phalarope. One of the RAFOS members managed to get an image of it, and showed to Malcolm who in turn was in touch with John Bowler who confirmed it.

Other members of RAFOS today had a Swallow and also a House Martin while over at Kildalton.

David Formby, our local dentist here on Islay had 3 Swallows over the water when he was down in Bowmore on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday at home, in his garden David had 5 kinds of thrush, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare.

Mon 1st November

Another month in, and only 5.25" of rain to show for it, so we are still well down on the total rainfall for the year.... Mind you we had 0.75" from 11am through to 6pm with strong winds behind it too.

Yesterday Bob had a Red necked Grebe, 5 Slavonian Grebes 4 Great northern Diver and 3 Red throated Diver on Loch Indaal, from the Port Charlotte side of the Loch. Up at Gruinart, Bob saw 20 Whooper swans. On Saturday night in the trees at Kilchoman school, a Barn owl was looking down at us as we drove past.