Tues 30th November

It's almost another month in, at least I am saying that as since I emptied the rain gauge out the other week as it was almost full, there has not been any more, and no snow either, so November rainfall was only 4.75"..... Just the frost to contend with!

James had the Canada Goose, hutchinsii sp on the reserve at Gruinart today and also a Barn Owl too. He was speaking to a visitor who had seen 2 Snow Buntings over at Ardtalla.

George had a flock of around 80 Golden Plover in his fields today and Bob had seen around 30 Woodcock at the darkening the other evening.

James will be looking after the blog for the next few weeks as we head off to warmer climes, all going well I might be able to send in the odd entry if we can find broadband connections...

Mon 29th November

Sorry to say that this image of a couple of Crab Plovers with a Heron in the background was not taken on Islay today. No, it has come through from Michal in Aldabra. I bet he does not have his central heating on to prevent burst water pipes. Michal has sent some more images through for us to envy as we shiver, but more of them another day...

On the reserve at Gruinart yesterday, James had a Golden Eagle and also a Merlin. Today round at Saligo he had a count of 50 Blackbirds.

When James was round yesterday, we were looking back the International Goose counts and James commented that the figures for the Barnies was well up on the year as was the count for the Whitefronts.

Sun 28th November

This image of a Barnacle Goose was sent through tonight from Steve Percival. It was taken yesterday morning on a beach on The Bronx, New York by Shari Zirlin. The Goose itself was one rung by Steve back in November 2002, and was last seen on Islay in 2005, but Steve assures me that its mother and some of its sibling are still up at Ardnave! Must have taken a wrong turning somewhere and not returned to Islay... Possibly prefers city life to here!

Carl yesterday had Woodcock at Octofad, Snipe at Lyrabus Croft and Loch Gruinart, a male Hen Harrier at Rock Mountain. Down at Bruichladdich, Redshank, Purple Sandpiper and Ringed Plover were present. Back home at Port Charlotte, a Sparrowhawk was seen eating a male Blackbird!

Apologies for the late entry, but better late than never!!!

Sat 27th November

We are still being fortunate that we are not catching the snow which is catching the east of the country, although there is an edge to the wind. Outside tonight the stars are shining brightly, and no light pollution either....

Yesterday James had done a goose count on the RSPB reserve at Grinart, the "scores on the doors" were as follows, 11,297 Barnies, 513 Whitefronts, 67 Greylags, 1 Pink footed Goose and a Peregrine Falcon.

Today James had 3 Woodcock, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Treecreepers, 12 Blackbirds and 6 Song Thrushes, again all on the reserve. The Blackbirds and the Song Thrushes were all together.

Coming home at lunch time, we saw a ringtail Hen Harrier, just before we came to the Coastguard cottages.

Fri 26th November

Another cool day over here, but at least we are not covered with snow and severe frosts like some areas, although there was a shower of hailstones at one point and just at the darkening there was a scuff of snow. Coming back down off the cragg then, there were 5 Buzzards circling overhead. With the colder weather, needless to say the birds have been busy on the feeders. I had been speaking to Bob who said that the female Blackcap has moved on. He also commented on seeing some Woodcock of late.

Thurs 25th November

I realise that these are Jackdaws, but they are members of the Crow family, so, as the saying goes

"Three Craws sat upon a wall on a cold and frosty morning...."

And yes, it was cold and frosty this morning. Later on 12 Whoopers flew in from the West and landed on Loch Gorm. This afternoon with the tide being out the top of Loch Indaal was full of Barnacle Geese resting up. It was odd coming home later on to see more Whitefronts than Barnies in the fields!

Wed 24th November

Today down at Bruichladdich Malcolm had seen a Jack Snipe and on the shoreline there were 8 Purple Sandpipers. We were past there late this afternoon, the Pale bellied Brent were present, a small huddle of Turnstone were on top of a rock, and along the edge of the water we counted 4 Herons at different places.

With the Goose counts having started up for the season, SNH have sent the figures through. The first count done at the end of October tallied up to 37,005 Barnacle geese and 3,381 Whitefronts. The figures through from the latest count, an International count, were 49,918 Barnies and 7,186 Whitefronts. Many thanks to the team at SNH for the information.

Another special day today, as tonight is the 1,000th entry on the blog since we started it all, back in May 2007, so a big thank you to everyone who has contributed over the years and also to all of you out there who read it, I know myself that I have met some of you when you have visited Islay!