Friday 30th September

Mary saw 35 golden plovers near Saligo as well as peregrine around Ballinaby fields chasing a flock of starlings. She also had a red-throated diver at Bruichladdich pier and hen harrier at The Oa. Mark and Michal, while doing guided walk, had male and female hen harrier and couple of peregrines hunting in front of the hide at Loch Gruinart Reserve. There was also 12 ruff, several snipe and redshank put up by the activity of the raptors. On the saltmarsh there was 77 barnacle geese, 247 brent geese, 96 greylags resting and 64 lapwings scattered around and feeding. On the mud there was flock of 350 dunlin, 20 oystercatchers, 1 grey plover, 30 curlews as well as 6 knots. Crystal saw couple of arctic terns at Portnahaven. Bob saw 8 twite, sparrowhawk and female hen harrier outside his garden as well as flock of about 30 redpolls. George had 94 wigeons and 95 bar-tailed godwits at Carnain.

Thursday 29th September

This morning as we were coming back round from Saligo, and just before we reached the sand pit close to Coull roadend, we saw a large charm of Goldfinches, there were at least 80 birds present, as large a number of Goldfinches together that I have ever seen. Bob had been up in the trees at Gearach and had a mixed flock of around 50 birds, comprising of Goldcrest, Long tailed Tit and Coal Tit. He has been seeing some more Stonechats recently too. On the barley stubble beside his house, Bob had 15 Golden Plover. Over on the salt marsh at Gruinart today, Michal counted 150 Pale belied Brent Geese and also the Peregrine sitting around, having time off... On the flats on the reserve, 19 Ruff were present.

Wednesday 28th September

Last night I was told that Gordon Langsbury had passed away suddenly on Sunday. Gordon had visited Islay many times and was a true friend to us all. Gordon was well pleased to see Islay represented at the recent Bird Fair held down at Rutland Water and he kept a watchful eye on us while we were there. You will be missed Gordon.

Yesterday down at "Smelly Corner" Carl had 200 Teal and along at Gartmain, Carl saw a Wheatear. Over at Gruinart this afternoon, Michal had counted 277 Pale Bellied Brent Geese on the Loch, on the flats there were 70 Barnies and there was also a Peregrine finishing off its prey, possibly a wader...

Tuesday 27th September

Bob had 4 Redwings fly over his house this morning, the first Redwings that I have heard of this Autumn here on Islay. Along at Bruichladdich, George had seen a couple of Swallows on the wing, and 14 Pale bellied Brent were present on Loch Indaal. On the reserve at Gruinart today, James had good time with a Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Merlin and 2 Hen Harriers.

Monday 26th September

Nick Wilkinson who is over working on the RSPB reserves here on Islay at present had seen 3 Little Stint on Loch Gruinart on Saturday. Yesterday, Carl had several Arctic Terns out over Loch Indaal, and also half a dozen Gannets fishing off Port Charlotte. Carl also had a Peregrine flying through his garden in Port Charlotte followed by 2 Jackdaws in hot pursuit. Round at Ballinaby he had a count of 20 Lapwing and at Blackrock 13 Pale bellied Brent were present. James, first thing this morning had counted 200 Pale bellied Brent Geese at Gruinart and also 65 Barnies. Later this morning with some more Brents arriving, Bob counted 300 and also 50 Black tailed Godwit, there were also another 4 present in a mixed flock of Ruff, Golden Plover, Lapwing and Starlings. Yesterday, James had counted 25 Ruff on the flats as well as 98 Brent Geese on the saltings. Tomorrow night, (Tuesday) is our monthly meeting of our local bird club here on Islay, a completely informal meeting of heads, no chairperson, just us, so if any visitors are out there and wish to come along, we will be in the Islay Natural History Trust at 8pm. We will be moving along the street to the local for a pint afterwards..... anyone is made welcome!

Sunday 25th September

Bob yesterday while he was out with Martin lost his hat, so nothing doing today he retraced his footsteps, and hey presto, he found his hat! While he was out there he saw 2 male Hen Harriers and also a Merlin. The other day, round at Killlinallan, Bob had a count of 50 Reed Buntings. Back at home and recently in his garden he has been having a lot of wee birds in at the feeders and the garden in general, up to 200 House Sparrows, with Robins appearing again and also good numbers of Chaffinches too, mainly males. He was also saying that he has been seeing regularly a female Hen Harrier out hunting over the barley field adjacent to his house.

Saturday 24th September

The farmers today have been making the most of a better day with combines out cutting the barley fields and balers following behind baling the straw up when the weather remains good. Today Martin & Bob had been out in the hills up behind Loch Cam and Loch Drolsay, a quiet morning, then it all kicked off with a couple of adult Golden Eagles, followed by a female Hen Harrier and a Kestrel. Later on they saw 2 juvenile Golden Eagles, one of them was getting mobbed initially by 2 Merlin and then by 2 Ravens. Over at Loch Drolsay, a male Hen Harrier was seen and 2 distant Buzzards were out on the wing. Finally they saw another Kestrel. At Gruinart, they saw 20 Ruff.