Thurs 30th Sept

Louise had 4 Snow Buntings over at Saligo this afternoon. All I can offer was a count of 240 Wigeon at Gartmain. There were a few Knot around, some Bar tailed Godwit and Curlew too. At the mouth of the burn at Uiskentuie were 9 Turnstone and also a juvenile Red throated Diver. This evening, James saw a Barn owl in his headlights as he came out. I must ask James about the Greylags tomorrow, as I wonder whether the 2 rafts on Loch Indaal were birds on their move away, as I have not noticed as many Greylags around today.

Wed 29th Sept

Another month almost in, time flies, and yes the nights are drawing in too. Funny that you do not often hear about it being longer dark in the morning.....

I heard last night that there was a reported sighting of a Red Grouse up the back of Port Charlotte. Also yesterday, Louise had seen a couple of Fieldfare over on Jura, close to Camas an Staca down on Ardfin estate.

Peter had counted 800 Greylag and 2 Barnies on the top of Loch Indaal this afternoon. He had a look for the Kingfisher on the Sorn, but no joy! This evening, again on Loch Indaal, just out from the lighthouse at Port Charlotte was a large raft of Greylags, and another slightly smaller raft out from Port Charlotte itself.

On our way going out this evening, we saw a Sparrowhawk perched on a fence post on the roadside, but no Owls on the way home!

Tues 28th Sept

Forgot to mention last night that we saw a dead Barn Owl on the road, between Island Farm and Duich farm on the Low road. Carl had a Carrion Crow and 2 Hooded Crows at Gortan a couple of days ago.

Back to today, and a visiting birder had told Becky about seeing a Kingfisher on the River Sorn, up from Bridgend. Also over at Upper Killeyan on the RSPB Oa reserve 3 Lapland Buntings were present.

George had counted over 150 Goldfinches in the fields up the back of his house. On Loch Indaal, George had 14 Scoter. He had also seen 2 male Hen Harriers, one over at Keills, the other at Kindrochid.

Mon 27th Sept

Yesterday, over on Oronsay, 5 Buff breasted Sandpipers were seen. Back here on Islay today, the large gathering of geese were down on the lochans below Rockside and on the surrounding heather. The Barnies were still amongst the Greylags, but on scanning through them, Margaret spotted 3 Greenland white-fronts. While we were out we also saw a few Swallows on the wing, so at least there are still some here yet!

Sun 26th Sept

This is one of the Snow Buntings up at Ardnave, taken by James yesterday. The spell of drier weather continues, and so allowing the farmers the chance to finish their harvest, between combining, baling the straw and then leading the bales back to be stored.

The Barnacle Geese were down on Loch Gorm today along with the numerous Greylags. I have not heard of any more Barnies coming in today. On the lochans below Rockside, amogst the Greylags was a white goose, looks very like a Greylag, possibly the same bird that was around earlier on this year, but now moulted its' feathers and showing a lot more white plumage.

Sat 25th Sept

Many thanks to James for writing the blog over the last few days while we were down in London. We managed to see some wildlife not resident on Islay, a "suburban"fox the first night there, a few Grey squirrels and needless to say Magpies, 9 together in one park in Tonbridge Wells, as well as Coots on the River Thames, some Great crested Grebes and a few Parakeets overhead. On our return here this morning, we saw 19 Barnacle Geese amongst the Greylags down on the stubble at Sunderland.

At Gruinart this afternoon, James had 4 Black tailed Godwit and 110 Bar tailed Godwit, later on up at Ardnave he saw 3 groups of Twite totalling 115 and 2 Snow Bunting. Over on Nave Island a lot of Grey seals were present, including 44 pups.

This afternoon on Loch Gorm, Bob counted 190 Tufted Duck, 5 Scaup, 45 Wigeon and 50 Teal. Back on Thursday, Bob had 80 Pink footed Geese fly over his house heading over Loch Indaal towards Port Ellen. Earlier on in the week he saw a couple of Golden Eagles tucking into a Hare!

Fri 24th Sept

A cool and sunny day. Just as I try to raise water levels on the RSPB reserve the rain stops and the sun comes out. I had thought some geese may have arrived over night, but no sign of any today, although 300 Pinkfeet were seen high over Port Charlotte yesterday (BD). Other birds today included at least 3 different Sparrowhawks and a flock of 65 Twite all at Gruinart.