Thursday 14th January

The other day, Izzy Baker had seen a flock of 32 Long tailed Tits along with 4 Goldcrest in the trees round Loch Allan. Some highlights through from Mike when he was carrying out his NEWS sectors... 46 Common Scoter displaying in small groups on Loch Indaal. Between Bruichladdich and Traigh an Luig, Mike had 5 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plover, 14 Lapwing, 25 Oystercatcher, 3 Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 GND, 10 Cormorant & 9 Pale bellied Brent Geese all seen on Monday. Yesterday, Mike carried on towards Bridgend along the top of Loch Indaal to Rubha Ban with birds noted included 85 Oystercatcher, 11 Turnstone, 14 Ringed Plover, 19 Dunlin, 19 Common Scoter, 61 Scaup, 8 Ravens feeding on a the remains of a sheep on the tide's edge and also a Kestrel. Mandy had covered the Machir Bay yesterday counting 44 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 45 Twite, 20 Chough, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Dabchick and the Glaucous Gull. Last Friday, while on the local Goose count at Easter Carrabus, Mandy had a Sparrowhawk and also a Kestrel, and then shortly afterwards a Juv. Golden Eagle over Cnoc Donn. Today, Gary had seen 5 GND, 4 Cormorant and 6 Shag with a Buzzard flying above a Golden Eagle which in turn was above a White tailed Eagle just along the coast! A great sight to see Gary!

Wednesday 13th January

Bob Swann sent through the information on the Greylag geese, both of them were fitted with the collars here on Islay at the same site. One them of went over to Colonsay, while other went to Mull, both have now returned here, but in different groups! On his way home, late last night, Gary had a couple of Barn Owls on the fence beside the road, close to Ballygrant. Today, on Loch nan Cadhan, past Ballygrant, the resident pair of mute swan were present and were joined by 3 male Goldeneye and also a Dabchick. This morning, here at home, the "local" ringtail had a flypast over the garden. the wee birds have been really busy on the feeders, no doubt filling up with food before the weather turns colder!

Tuesday 12th January

Just after 9am today, Mike Peacock spotted a Little Auk flying up Loch Indaal towards Bruichladdich. Here at home, out towards the War graves cemetery there were 25 Greylags present, one of which had a neck collar on. Late morning, Bob had around 80 Greylags seen from his house just out of Port Charlotte, one of which had a neck collar on too. Different geese, so their data is away to Bob Swann, and once we hear back from him, I will let you know of where and when they were fitted with the neck collars...

Monday 11th January

Another miserable sort of a day with the weather, still I suppose it is January... Yesterday while down in the woods at Bridgend, Carl had a Tawny Owl. Today down on Loch na Cachie, one of the wee lochans beside Loch Gorm, 3 Whoopers were present.

Sunday 10th January

Back on Friday, Mary had seen a Little Awk on the wee lochan past Claddach at Portnahaven. Yesterday, Gary had counted 67 Pale bellied Brent Geese between the burn at Uiskentuie and round to Bruichladdich. Later on, he had a Tawny Owl fly across in front of him at Bruichladdich Pier. This afternoon, on our way back from Gruinart, we had a Sparrowhawk fly alongside us beside the dyke (stone wall) at Grainel, a Buzzard fly past, close to Culbuie and another near to Rockside roadend. The weather today, has not ben that great, with rain on the windows for most of the day...

Saturday 9th January

Rather overcast out here today, low cloud, although you could just see some of the snow on the Paps of Jura. The outside temperature not that warm either come to think of it... Today, coming back from Port Askaig, we took the slightly longer detour from Ballygrant by the Glen road and back past Mulindry to Bridgend. At Bunnahabhain, there was a Heron. Just past Knocklearach on the Glen road there was a flock of 30 Fieldfare while just along the road there was a ringtail Hen Harrier out quartering its patch and then just round the corner, were 3 Reed Bunting on the road. Back home, the Sparrowhawk was on the bird table again...

Friday 8th January

All quiet on the bird front today, but we have a returning member to the team at RSPB, with Michal Sur coming over to provide maternity cover while Mary Redman has her baby. So welcome back to Michal...