Sunday 7th April

Almost a week away in April and it is not getting much warmer, at least it is staying dry! Quite a few sightings for you tonight, so here we go.... On Friday, Mary had 2 Wheatears up at Ardnave. Yesterday, down at Portnahaven, there were 2 large Canada Geese in the Bay. Today they had moved up to Claddach Loch. The Chough down at Portnahaven have been active of late flying around over the village.  Peter on Thursday had a pr of Grey Wagtail and also a Dipper on the River Sorn. In the trees there, a Treecreeper was seen and also several Goldcrest. Yesterday, between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte, Peter had 9 GND, but all none in summer plumage. Today over at Loch Allan, the birds were out singing good style, Wrens everywhere, plenty of singing Chaffinches,  Dunnocks, Robins, Tits in general including several Coal Tit as well as 6 Goldcrest and 3 Treecreepers. Overhead a Sparrowhawk flew past. Later on a Bullfinch was seen. Peter also had a Greater spotted Woodpecker, his first on Islay. On Loch Allan itself, 2 separate Little Grebes were heard calling and a pr of Tufted Duck were present. Martin has had no Goldfinches for some time at his feeders, but today he put out some Nyger seed and within 15 minutes had his first one! Martin now reckons that he has had 9 today plus a Siskin, eating on either the Nyger seed or on the other food which has been on offer all of this time! Visitors had seen Chough up at Ardnave and also a Golden Eagle, a Merlin and Peregrine up there too. Earlier this morning, they had 3 Sandwich Terns down at Machir Bay. This evening along at Sunderland Farm, we saw a mixed flock of Geese, mainly Greenland Whitefronts, some Greylags, a few Barnies as well as 8 large Canada Geese. For the last few Springs, we seem to have had the appearance of a few large Canadas, but fortunately for us, they move on!

Saturday 6th April

Today, Malcolm saw a European Whitefronted Goose amongst some Greenland Whitefronts while over at Kilchiaran, only the 8th record for Argyll and the 5th for Islay. Dave, on Thursday had a Goldcrest on the Oa. Today on Loch Indaal from Bowmore, Dave had 3 Slavonian Grebe, all in summer plumage, 7 GND, 8 Goldeneye  and 25 Eider. Thanks to Clive Hancock for some sightings over the past week. Clive was over on holiday for the week having won the "Geese a break" free draw organised by the Islay and Jura Tourism and Marketing Group along with Calmac at the Bird Fair last August. Other contributors of late have been Mick Durham and also Edmund Fellowes. Thanks to you all, much appreciated.

Friday 5th April

Anna sent through this image of a Skylark which she took today down at Gartbreck. There were several up in the air, but Anna caught this one for us. Also there were several pairs of Lapwing displaying away on territory, must be that time of year again! Yesterday, George had 3 Wigeon, 5 Whitefronts, 15 Greylags, 2 Teal, 4 Mallards on his ponds with a Buzzard nearby. Today, George had seen 2 Otters, one directly below his house, the other along at Port Bhan. A short while later, the Otter below George's house was up on the shore eating away at a fish for some time! Yesterday, Dave had his first Wheatear of the year on the RSPB reserve on the Oa reserve. He also had 2 Otters, a Golden Eagle, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Peregrines and an adult Glaucous Gull. The Hen Harrier and the Merlin were mobbing one of the Peregrines, and then the Harrier peeled off and flew directly off over Loch Indaal towards the North side of Portnahaven. This is about the widest part of Loch Indaal! Here at home, there was great excitement as a pair of Shelduck had a look at the burrow where the Shelduck of Springwatch brought their brood from. The pair flew in and landed close to the entrance and were seen doing exactly the same a short time afterwards. There have not been any Shelduck there for the past 2- 3 years, so fingers crossed for 2013.

Thursday 4th April

With the weather holding out, some of the farmers are getting itchy feet and thinking of sowing their barley, at least making a start to the initial groundwork.  Mick yesterday had 6 GND in Kilnaughton Bay and then along the road out past the distilleries he had a total of 3 Golden Eagles! Out at Proaig Bay, he had 10 Turnstone and on his way home, he had a male Hen Harrier at Glenegedale. Yesterday too, Bob had a Sandwich Tern also down at Kilnaughton Bay. Back in the fields beside his house, Bob had a mixed flock of 32 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird. This morning, on our way over to Gruinart, there was a male Hen Harrier, and at lunchtime, looking out of the kitchen window, a Golden Eagle soared lazily out from the crag. Late afternoon, there was a flock of 14 Chough out above the crag.  

Wednesday 3rd April

Going into Bowmore, I happened to look at the temperature,  I had to look again, yep, it was in double figures up to 10 degrees. Later on, while coming home, over the other side of Loch Gorm at Ballinaby, the temperature had dropped back  to only 9 degrees. On the Weather forecast this evening, they announced that some parts of the Scottish Highlands had only had 46% of the seasonal rainfall for March. Think they should be quiet, look what happened in other areas when they brought in the hose pipe ban last Spring! Clive had a Golden Eagle while he was over at Bunnahabhain yesterday. Later on, down close to the Auction Market at Bridgend , he had a Barn Owl out on the wing. Today coming over the hill from Carnain to Gruinart, we saw several small groups of Fieldfares. At Craigens roadend, there was a flock of Golden Plover present, most of which were in summer plumage. Today Peter had been up at Ardnave and commented on how dry the ground was  there. Top bird was a Jack Snipe close to the steading. Over on Nave Island, Peter had over 60 Barnies with around 30 Eiders present there too. On the shore, there were about 30 Oystercather seen with 10 - 12 GBB Gulls appearing to be on territory. Coming home, down close to the coalyard at Gortan 11 Pale bellied Brent Geese were counted.

Tuesday 2nd April

Another sunny day over here again, but we do with a bit more warmth coming through as well, please... Mary saw her first Wheatear of the year down at Claddach at Portnahaven yesterday. Today, Bob had some great sightings of a male Hen Harrier from his house up behind Port Charlotte. Here at home, the birds on the feeders are still as numerous as ever. Think there have been a few more Goldfinches around, the colour on the Greenfinches is something else, and definitely more Blackbirds to be seen. The combined chorus of the various birds out in the trees is tremendous too. Even late on, the Jackdaws are very vocal!

Monday 1st April

No, it's no April fool joke being played, but the rainfall was more for March this year than it was back in 2012. This year, we have had 1.75" compared with 1.5" last year, and back in 2011 it was 3", still it has been dry again today with no sign of any rain as of yet! Yesterday Mick had a Wheatear over on the Sound of Islay. Today, up at Ardnave Point, he had a Sandwich Tern. Over towards Nave Island, 2 GND and a Black Guillemot were seen and at  Traigh Nostaig, there were 25 Sanderling on the shore while inland there were over 25 Chough in the air. Clive Hancock had a pair of Red breasted Merganser at Sanaigmore today.