Tues 30th Sept

The small groups of Pale bellied Brent Geese are still coming through, James had 38 at Gruinart yesterday, while some visiting birders had seen only 23 today and Malcolm had 8 while going into Bowmore this afternoon, on the water below the site where Islay farmers used to trade from. Our visitors also had the male Hen Harrier hunting over one of the game crop strips at Rockside, and a single Wheatear round at Carnduncan. Over at Gruinart today, James had 7 Snipe and had seen 25 Swallows down at Port Charlotte.

While coming home from a meeting at around 10 pm last night, we had a tremendous sighting of an Otter on the road. When we first saw it, from a distance we initially thought it was a large cat and it was not until we got closer that we realised that it was an Otter. When we caught up with it, it stayed on the road for another 20 yards before jumping into the verge and scampering on up the banking.

Sun 28th Sept

James was round this afternoon and he kindly gave some sightings from Gruinart for the last 2 days. Saturday's birds included a Sparrowhawk, 3 Black tailed Godwit and 5 Brent Geese. Today, there were 27 Brent Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 3 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Merlin, 1 male Hen Harrier and 2 Grey Wagtail. The sighting of the Wagtail was of particular note as they are not that often seen there. JRH

Malcolm was in touch to say that a visitor had seen 9 Whoopers earlier on in the day, flying south over Port Wemyss. 3 had also been seen earlier in the week. MAO

Coming back home in the dusk, there was a Wheatear in the car lights, at the cairn to the Kilchoman Bards. Earlier on in the afternoon, there was a solitary House Martin flying around looking for its colleagues.

Sat 27th Sept

As forecast, the weather did break down with rain by lunchtime which prevailed until almost tea time, the skies cleared, and this evening the sky is full of stars! On the bird front, the House Martins have flown off, at least there are none to be seen. There were a couple of Swallows down at Port Charlotte yesterday. At home this morning, the Sparrowhawk chased a Thrush out of the wood, but no luck.

Fri 26th Sept

After mentioning yesterday that the year was rolling on with the return of a few Geese, tonight and another indicator, was the sound of the Red Deer stags roaring. I had been speaking to several colleagues round Islay on the phone earlier this evening, and we all had the same comment about the stags!

Another friend told me today that this morning, he had the viewing of 3 Golden Eagle, all in the same field of view in his binoculars at the same time, without moving his binoculars at all. Talking of Eagles and James had a single bird soaring over the reserve at Gruinart today, the first he has had there for almost 6 weeks.

A visitor was telling me of their sighting of an Otter the other day when they were down at Claggain Bay. It was first seen less than 30 yards away, and even when it noticed them it was in no great hurry to move away.

Thurs 25th Sept

After the Whitefronts showing up yesterday, well today while on the walk at Gruinart, there was a small group of 10 Barnacle Geese, resting up on the flats. It was good to see them again, but on the other hand, it brought it home to me that it is that time of year again, October next week and so the year rolls on. There were along with around 350 Greylags. On Loch Gorm there were 29 Tufted Duck.

A late message in from John Armitage to say that he had seen the Rose coloured Starling in Bowmore this afternoon. Once again it was at the bus stop, (perhaps waiting for the next bus?), it hopped into the bus shelter to eat a chip that was on the ground!

Wed 24th Sept

The first of the returning Whitefronted Geese were seen by John Armitage, with a group of 9 on Loch Gorm. JSA

Catherine had a Goldcrest in one of the rooms in her house today, does this qualify as a new "house bird"? On Loch Gruinart itself, the group of 17 Brent Geese were still there. Back on land, and during a farmland bird survey, the totals were 309 Rooks, 106 Skylark, 11 Meadow Pipit, 131 Linnet, 14 Twite, 47 Greenfinch, 2 Red leg Partridge and 30 Reed Bunting. Skylark numbers appear to be up recently, while Meadow Pipit and Pied wagtail numbers are down. CF

The weather today has been overcast and not so warm as yesterday, but still allowing the farmers the chance to get the last of their harvest completed.

Tues 23rd Sept

With the weather being kind to us again, the farmers are doing their best to get the few remaining barley fields combined and also the straw baled. The weather has almost got an Autumnal touch to it, good harvest weather with a hint of ground frost at night. The leaves are starting to fall off the Sycamore trees, they got a burning with the salt air earlier on. The Goldcrests could be heard in the trees again, but due to their size proved quite elusive to see, but perseverance paid off!

Catherine was on the phone to say that she had 17 Brent and 93 Greylag Geese over at Gruinart.