Thurs 28th Feb

It is a bit like the buses, in the sense that we had no previous images of Snow Buntings and then on 2 on days back to back, 2 images included on the blog although they were diffefrent birds, with this one up at Ardnave! There were the usual group of 4 to be seen there at that time, while on Ardnave Loch itself there were 10 Whooper Swan, about 50 Wigeon, a few Teal, some Mallard and a pair of Goldeneye. On the lochside there were Oystercatcher and the odd Lapwing and overhead several Chough were out flying around, and as usual being very vocal. At Sanaigmore, there were a few Ringed Plover noted. Earlier on, we were fortunate to see 3 Golden Eagle soaring above us, were they the same birds that Malcom had on a previous blog? At the start of our short trip out, the male Hen Harrier was seen out hunting. IKB

Wed 27th Feb

With the lull in the current stormy weather there was a chance to carry out the "Beached Bird Survey" on the Big Strand below Laggan Point towards the Airport. The only casualties found were a single Shag and also a Razorbill. Possibly with the recent high winds other birds could have been buried in drifting sand, or on the other hand there were no other birds which in itself would be good!

Also on the shoreline was this single Snow Bunting at the mouth of the River Laggan, there were 35 Black Backed Gulls, 150 Common Gulls, 120 Oystercatcher and 2 Buzzard which were soaring overhead. MS

Returning from collecting the papers, there were 4 Heron together, so were they back checking on last years nest site? Down below in the young grass field there were around 250 Skylark on the ground.

Mon 25th Feb

The weather has not relented with strong winds and blustery showers common today. The 4 Snow Bunting were to the fore up at Ardnave, whilst down at Loch Skerrols, there was a Little Grebe along with 51 Goldeneye, with the 14 drakes displaying to the others. GDY

There was also today, before the weather really deteriorated, a pair of Buzzard were displaying, the male initially carrying a large twig/ small branch in its talons and doing a fly past, several times, before eventually coming to land down beside the female. AJ

On Saturday night, we saw a total of 28 Frogs in the cars lights whilst out and about, one or two had already been struck by previous motorists. The other surviving frogs appeared to be dazzled in the headlights and did not hop off...

Fri 22nd Feb

With the stormy, wet weather continuing, there is not a lot to report today.

Therre were 30 Goldeneye sheltering on Loch Skerrols and 24 Purple Sandpiper on the shore at Bruichladdich. GDY

I do not know if you remember the film footage that was once on the TV of a Sparrowhawk wending its way through a woodland scene, tucking its wings in to get through between various branches and posts, it was really amazing to watch, well recently a similar sighting here has been witnessed on Islay. The bird initially tucked its wings in to fly through the mesh of a rylock deer fence, and then again on the fence around the owner's dog run before getting it's prey from the bird table. It has been seen doing this several times. RAS

Wed 20th - Thurs 21st Feb

I must apologise for not putting an entry on last night, but I was watching the football and forgot, or was it an age thing coupled with memory loss, a senior moment? The weather has broken down today with a strong wind and some squally rain showers.

Walking round Ardnave Point the other day, 20 Purple Sandpipers and also 20 Grey Plovers were seen, while over at Bunnahabhain, the Iceland Gull was still around. Today, again at Ardnave, the 4 Snow Bunting were seen, but they proved to be very elusive, even camera shy infact, much to my annoyance! Also an immature Golden Eagle was seen on a fence post. A single Snow Bunting was on the road over on Jura, but it too did not want its photo taken either! There were no visible signs of Otters in the usual haunts. GDY

Yesterday, in one of the stubble fields at Aoradh, on RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve, the following were noted, 110 Rock Dove, a flock of 80 Skylarks, 30 Twite, 120 Common Gull, 20 Linnet, 25 Reed Bunting, and a male Hen Harrier was out on the moorland hunting. Another Iceland Gull was seen flying north over the reserve too. MS

Tues 19th Feb

Having just received a copy of Gordon Yates' DVD, "The Wildlife Gems of Islay", I managed late last night to sit down and view it. The whole DVD is around an hour in all, and the DVD is well presented, with Gordon's excellent photography to the fore. One gets a feel for Islay as he goes through the seasons, from storms to sunsets, we get it all. Gordon has done his own voice over, a nice touch I thought. In all, more than 90 species of Islay's birds are shown, along with footage of Otters, Deer, Seals, Adders and some of our wild flowers, including splendid views of Bridgend Wood carpeted with the Snowdrops. Also noted were Marsh Fritillary and other butterflies. All told I would certainly recommend this DVD to anyone. You can get a preview of it on line on http://www.gordon-yates.com and order it direct with Gordon.

Mon. 18th Feb.

Another great day, has Spring arrived early? To cap it all some Frog Spawn was found in a ditch in Glen Astle on the Oa, this must be early. Also on Glenastle Loch there were 15 Tufted Duck and near the actual loch on the ground were several Rock Pipits. Over on the Rhinns, close to Claddach at Portnahaven, a single Grey wagtail was spotted along with 2 Pied wagtail. S.A.

Also yesterday, 12 Whooper Swans were seen flying over Bruichladdich heading north. G.J.

The above image was taken this morning by Malcolm Ogilvie and it shows the geese resting up after feeding all night by the light of the moon.