Tues 29th April

Just a few of the group of 37 Whimbrel that were resting up at Gortan on the shore of Loch Indaal this morning.

Michal had 3 Arctic Tern below Kilnave Church on Loch Gruinart. Another 3 folk have been in touch after hearing the Cuckoo, one at Mulindry, another at Ballygrant and the final bird was heard at Foreland, so they are being heard all over the island.

Sun 27th - Mon 28th April

Once again, for some reason or another I was unable to access the web to do the blog, but better late than never!

Over the last 2 days, the migrants are starting to return and stay, rather than just passing through. The Cuckoo had been heard over at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve on Sunday morning, as had 2 Corncrake, with the Spotted Crake being heard on Sunday evening. A whinchat had been seen on the reserve also on Sunday. The Barn Owl had been seen out hunting in the dusk on Saturday night. A small group of 9 Whimbrel were up at Ardnave.

On Monday, another Cuckoo was heard over at Carnduncan, while in the afternoon, James heard 2 Grasshopper Warblers when he was at Ballygrant. Michal also heard one, in the evening beside Loch Gorm, he also had a flock of 120 Golden Plover again at Ballinaby. James reported in to say that he had done a count of the Rook nests being occupied on the reserve, with a total of 137 nest sites this year, a rise from 120 in 2007. Back here at home, there were 2 pairs of Swallow that were inspecting nests, possibly returning birds. JRH, MS & IKB

Sat 26th April

Apart from actually seeing the Corncrake this morning, just by chance mind you, quite a quiet day bird wise as we have been busy changing the cottages for another set of visitors. Round at Ballinaby this evening, were 117 Golden Plover on a ploughed field and further on at Lyrabus there was a flock of about 70 flying overhead. In between, there was a female Merlin over the flats at Gruinart.

Friday 25th April

Breaking news....

The first Corncrake of the year was heard this morning, here at Kilchoman, and Michael Copleston had a Spotted Crake over on the Flats at Gruinart last night! I later heard that visitor had heard a Corncrake when they went over to Colonsay on Wednesday. This image was kindly sent to me by Gordon Yates, of a bird over here on Islay, the other year. IKB

Michal contacted me this evening of seeing 2 male Hen Harriers at different locations while returning home from working on the Oa. While going out this morning, after hearing the Corncrake, we ourselves had a ringtail (female) Hen Harrier at one place and then a male about 3 miles further on down the road. Certainly the number of sightings are on the up, compared with through the winter. MS

Thurs 24th April

The Black tailed Godwits that James had at Gruinart have moved on, but I found this one along with another bird up at Ardnave Loch. It was clearly showing its colour rings, yellow over green on its right leg and orange with red on the lower tarsus on its left leg. There was no sign of any metal rings, but details have been sent to BTO and hopefully they will be able to tell us more about this bird and where it was rung and when. IKB

Maria saw the Iceland Gull over at Port Ellen when going on the ferry on Tuesday. MMcC

There were quite a noticable increase in the number of migrants both seen and heard whilst helping with the Thursday walk at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve. In the woodland itself, there were more Willow Warblers, and some Bluebells to be seen, there was also a Coal Tit. There also appear to be more Sand and House Martins here on the week, but still not a large number of Swallows yet. MAB

Wed 23rd April

No, not the Red Kite that Michal had yesterday, but one I saw when down in Galloway about 18 months ago at Bellymack where you can see the Kites being fed. This bird had just been eating the food from its talons!

A message from Stacey on Oronsay, saying that the birds are slow in arriving there too, no corncrakes yet, but so far only 1 Swallow, 2 Black tailed Godwits, 6 Whimbrel and several White Wagtail. The Lapwing and Redshank are pairing up and starting to sit.

Back here on Islay, this evening James had 51 Black tailed Godwit on the floods out in front of the hide at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve. Meanwhile Louise on Jura has seen the Short eared Owls in about the same area where they nested last year.

Mon 21 - Tues 22nd April

Whilst out doing some survey work on the moorland at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve on Monday, Michal had a Red Kite. A Red Kite had been seen one day last week, so is this the same bird that has been seen? There have also been several sightings of small numbers of Whimbrel passing through. James had 67 Barnacle Geese drop in at Loch Gruinart this evening, possibly birds from Ireland as they came in from quite high up in the sky. Similarly, I had 8 Whitefronts today over at Ballinaby amongst a few Greylags. There were also 3 black Rabbits further along the road! Back at the reserve James commented on more Swallows and Sand Martins to be seen, with some of the Swallows perched on the overhead wires. Here at home, in the garden this afternoon, there was another Willow Warbler, with the change in the direction of the wind we may now get a few more migrants in!