Fri 31st July

Well, another month almost in. The weather over here has changed quite a bit today, one could almost be mistaken for an Autumn day, as it turned out to be wet and windy plus a drop in the temperature too. A bit early for that, but there we go! The only birds of note yesterday, on the way out from here on looking out to the sea, or rather the Atlantic, over the Machir Bay and towards Coul Point and there were several groups of Gannets heading South.

Thurs 30th July

Whilst in this afternoon having a friendly blether, our visiting birding friend said that so far he had been unable to see an Otter, but on a positive note he had seen a White tailed Sea Eagle flying over the Sound of Islay from Caol Ila. He had also seen while here, a Merlin chasing after a Meadow Pipit.

Meanwhile this morning James had seen a pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the wood at Gruinart. Also at Gruinart, on the saltings at the top of the loch were over 150 Greylags.

Wed 29th July

Another superb image through from Michal, of a White tailed Sea Eagle, taken when he was over in Poland earlier this month.

Back here at home I had to be content with the sight of a Golden Eagle out soaring high up on a thermal when I was cutting grass this afternoon. It was and still is dry, not like some areas on the mainland today!

Tues 28th July

As promised, the follow up image through from Michal of the 2 gulls fighting for the fish! Not sure who, if anybody won.

This afternoon, while out with a visiting birder we saw 48 Greylag Geese round at Ballinaby, the first group of Greylags that I have seen at this time of year, usually into August, but I suppose that is less than a week away now. The self same birder was well pleased later on at seeing Choughs and also hearing a Corncrake calling. There are still a few males calling, but obviously not as many as earlier on.

Mon 27th July

Michal sent me through some images which he took the other week while he was over in Poland. It all looks innocent enough, but watch this space tomorrow for the next image and a further twist in the tale!

One of the House Martin nests round the back of our house fell down yesterday, with the net result being that none of the young birds survived. Meanwhile the Swallows in at the porch at the back door have built another nest, probably to attempt to rear another brood.

Sun 26th July

This identifying of birds must really be quite easy, a warbler yes, in the willows out in the garden, really quite straight forward a Willow warbler!

There are few around, obviously adults and their young.

I forgot to mention last night that we saw a single Turnstone at the spit at the top of Loch Indaal, so perhaps we will start to notice some birds on the move, what with the Whimbrel seen and heard the previous week by George and Malcolm.

Sat 25th July

Louise had been in touch yesterday, to say that she had seen 2 separate White tailed Sea Eagles over the Sound of Islay while on her way to work.
Still on the "fishy" theme this evening, at Loch Skerrols and eating our "scampi suppers" and just after commenting that there was not much sign of bird life, what appears out on the loch but an Otter, we were content watching it for almost 10 minutes while finishing off our tea. On the way home, there was a male Hen Harrier out quartering his patch and diving into long grass after it's prey.