Sunday 7th August

Yesterday Bob and Martin had been out, at Bruichladdich they had 4 Turnstone along with 2 Ringed Plover. At the spit on the strand along from Uiskentuie, 6 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover and a tired looking Redshank with coloured rings on its legs were seen. Martin has informed BTO so it will of interest to hear of its' history. Along on the merse at the head of Loch Indall, Greenshank, 6 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 250 Oystercatcher, 200 Curlew, 2 Knot, 80 Dunlin, 206 Bar tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone and 2 Snipe. On the Gorse bushes there, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler and also a Wood Warbler were present. There was also a group of 10 Arctic Terns mobbing them at one point. 3 Herons were out on the edge of the merse, and back at home Bob had Blue Tits and Great Tits on his feeders, the first he has had for a while.

Saturday 6th August

A bit of a change of change today with the weather. We did not have much rain here but there was a rumble of thunder earlier on and possibly the poor souls on the Islay Mini marathon would getting a soaking.... Coming home last night from Port Charlotte Mark had a Barn Owl and further on a Tawny Owl. Earlier on while down on the Oa in the afternoon, he also saw a Golden Eagle. Here at home, this afternoon there were 39 Swallows on the overhead wires at the back of the cottages. At tea time tonight, there were 2 young Golden Eagles out over the crag getting harassed by a couple of Buzzards and then after that there was a small flock of 10 Chough out over the far crag. Over at Ballinaby this evening, there were 80 Greylags, on the flats at Gruinart 131 were noted and a further 62 at Sunderland, all on the fields that had been recently cut for silage. There were also 40 Rock Doves at Sunderland in the same field.

Friday 5th August

A not bad day out here, no complaints, even had the flymo out cutting those awkward pieces of grass.....George had 2 young Herons and an adult Heron down at Bruichladdich. He also saw an adult Linnet feeding young. A Greenfinch was in at his feeders, and he has seen a few more Wrens around of late. A visitor told me last night that they had seen a dead Puffin over at Saligo Bay, wonder if it was the same bird that was seen over there in poor condition. Bob had been over at Kintra this afternoon and had seen a Merlin, 2 Red throated Divers, 10 Chough, a flock of around 100 moulting Eider, 150 Greylags and 2 Common Sandpiper.

Thursday 4th August

A mixed day with the weather today, at least it turned out a better day than was really forecasted.... A Green Sandpiper was reported in as being seen earlier this week on the North Rhinns. This morning, James had a Greenshank fly over the office at Gruinart. Yesterday we had a male Hen Harrier flying over the fields up behind Imeraval at Port Ellen, later on I saw a ringtail flying over Minister's field here at home, and this evening there was another ringtail down at Rockmountain. Also there was a Roe Deer grazing away with her 2 youngsters.

Wednesday 3rd August

Another great day again folks, even managed to get some grass cut too. James had an Adder up the back of the office at Bushmills yesterday, and later on while out walking his dog he heard a family of Barn Owls calling away. This morning on top of one of the walk through sheep feeders there was a newly fledged Robin, and just the back of lunchtime there was a young Wheatear out on the back grass.

Tuesday 2nd August

There was a low mist hanging around first thing this morning, which lead to the plane coming in late, but at least it did come. I forgot to say that we saw a Kestrel on the overhead wires on Jura as we made our way back to Feolin about 1 mile out of Craighouse. Margaret commented that the Swallows that nest above the fuse box in the garage have only raised one brood of youngsters this year, normally they raise 2 broods and occasionally a third brood. Another pair of Swallows out in the garden shed have built their nest this year above an old wasp bink, and they raised their first brood no bother, but again no sign of another brood. Late afternoon there were 16 Chough out over the crag, earlier on there was a Buzzard calling away for quite some time.

Monday 1st August

Another month in now, and another dry month with only 1.6" of rain for July, so we are still behind last year's running total.... This afternoon, Bob had been up at Ardnave on the INHT ramble led by Becky, and on one of the bays the following were seen, 80 Oystercatcher, 4 Black tailed Godwits, 8 Bar tailed Godwits, 1 Knot, 10 Dunlin and 3 Little Stint