Saturday 31st March

We all hear about grass being tinder dry after a dry spell, well today there have been 2 large fires on Islay, both on the West of Islay. One was right on the edge of the RSPB reserve at Gruinart, fortunately the wind was kind to us which in some ways contained it but the main saving grace that Scott Brown the head keeper with Islay Estates came over with his "argocat". On it there is a water tank and pressure hose, so Scott and the firemen put the fire out, and left the rest of us to put out any smouldering spots. Eoin, Scott's brother came along with an ATV with a flail mower and cut a swath out through the vegetation which also helped the fire being contained. The other fire was not far away, and took in a large area and as I write (9pm) is still burning away. Basically the hill out behind Sunderland Farm out towards Kintraw and over to Conisby caught the brunt of it, access to try to get to the front of the fire is the big problem. Earlier on it appeared to be coming down into Glen Osamail. All 3 fire engines on the island have been out, and possibly stood down for tonight, the boys will no doubt be well tired. I know I am but I was only out for a short time. Will give a further update tomorrow.

On the bird front Bob had a Merlin from his house today, and this evening when I was round at Bob's, a male Hen Harrier was seen further out.

Friday 30th March

Certainly back to wearing another layer of clothing to keep warm today, to think that less than a week ago I cut the grass, several of our Spring migrants have been seen already. On the positive side of it all, at least it has been dry and the ground is drying up and the farmers are getting a chance to get the ploughing done. Earlier in the week, Bob had walked in to Loch Cam and Feur lochans and had seen 1 Goldeneye, 8 Teal, 10 Mallard, 2 Snipe (one of which was chipping), 10 Lapwing, 12 Oystercatcher, several singing Skylarks, Meadow Pipits singing too, 30 Common Gull on nesting territory, 6 Greater Black backed Gull, a "murder" of 20 Ravens. He also had 21 Whoopers flying North up Loch Indaal. Back at his home, Bob had 4 Linnets, the first he has had for some time.

Thursday 29th March

Before Neil and Elaine left on Manday, they managed a few more sightings for us...A Merlin at Kilchoman, a strong passage of Gannets moving South off Machir Bay with several Fulmars seen too. 6 Stonechats round at Ballinaby, another Merlin at Sanaigmore. 6 Wheatear were seen around too. A 2nd year Glaucous Gull was at Craigens, as well as a singing Chiffchaff and a Hen Harrier. The Green winged Teal was out in front of the hide, as well as 4 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, another Hen Harrier and 4 Whoopers. Over at Keills they had a Yellowhammer, and single Grey Wagtails at Bridgend and also over at Port Askaig. From the ferry, they had 2 Golden Eagles and a Peregrine over Islay. In Loch Tarbet, birds included were 28 Red throated Diver, 30+ GND, a drake Common Scoter, 20 Red breasted Merganser and 3 summer plumage Slavonian Grebes. Once again thanks sharing your sightings with us.

Today, down on the reserve on the Oa, Dave and the team had carried out a early season survey on the cliffs of early nesting species, highlights were as follows, 3 Peregrines, 2 male Hen Harrier, 6 Chough, 415 Fulmar, 13 Black Guillemot, 17 Wheatear, 1 House Martin and 1 Snow Bunting. Back to this side of Islay, and this afternoon there was a leucistic Barnacle Goose amongst the flock down at Rockside, could this be the Ardnave bird or another one? Further along a Kestrel was out on the wing.

Wednesday 28th March

The good weather continues, although I believe that Jura could not be seen from Bunnahabhain this morning! Talking of Jura, Neil and Elaine McMahon, who had been up last weekend from Northants, had visited Jura on Monday. Overall they had 8 raptors, White tailed Sea Eagle, Golden Eagle, 6 Hen Harrier, around 20 Buzzard, 3 Merlin, 2 Sparrowhawk which were displaying, a female Goshawk, and a male Peregrine. They had 20 Great Northern Diver, 2 Black throated Diver, 10 Red throated Diver,12 Black Guillemot, 12 Red breasted Merganser, 20 Canada Geese, a Yellowhammer which was singing away, as was a Chiffchaff. Also seen were 15 Stonechats, 5 Wheatear, 4 Crossbills, several Ravens, 20 Hooded Crows. 19 Whoopers flew up the Sound of Islay. Also seen were 21 Turnstone, several Rock Pipits, 9 Golden Plover, and a few Ringed Plover. 3 Otters were seen at Craighouse along with around 20 Common Seals in the bay. Back on Islay, 3 Iceland Gulls were at Bridgend as well as 2 Glaucous Gulls. A Golden Eagle was seen from Jura over Islay! Many thanks to Neil and Elaine for their sightings. The birders from Lancashire had been over on Jura today and had some new sightings for them this week, a female Bullfinch, 2 Long tailed Tits, Yellowhammer at Lealt, Willow Warblers singing down along the River Lussa and a male Hen Harrier "sky dancing"

Tuesday 27th March

A late entry, sorry folks... Had 3 Magpies today, sorry wrong place as that was in Glasgow... Back to Islay and its birds. This evening was the monthly meeting of the "bird nerds", we had 15 folk there including 5 visitors. Louise had 70 Whoopers flying up the Sound of Islay this morning, and she has seen 3 different Short eared Owls of late on Jura. Visitors told me this evening that they had a flock of 200 Golden Plover round on the ploughed field at Ballinaby, and at the other end of Islay, down at Kildalton they had around 50 Fieldfare together. Other visitors had seen 2 Crossbills on the pine trees at Sunderland Farm along with a mixed group of Redpolls, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and also some Siskin too. Bob had a female Sparrowhawk at home today. Back on Saturday morning, David Formby had a Kestrel mobbing some Meadow Pipits as the ferry left Kennacraig. Carl had a Wheatear at Carrabus, a pair of Reed Buntings at Lyrabus and 18 Whoopers at Gruinart. There was a Swallow seen down on the Oa today and this evening on his way to the "nerds" James had a Sand Martin.

Monday 26th March

As I write it is around 19.45 and it is still daylight outside, now that we have changed the clocks what a difference it makes, mind you personally I would not thank you for the clocks not going back as talked about not that long ago. In my student days in Aberdeen, a long time ago, it was tried then and it was long dark in the morning, almost 10 o' clock before it became light, no thanks... Yes, like everywhere else, it has been a great day, outside working in my shirt sleeves, no jersey and it is only March, yesterday I even managed to quickly cut the grass, think that is only the second time in living here 12 years that it has been cut in March!!!

On to birds. Last week on the 20th & 21st the International Goose count was carried out by the team from SNH, the figures tallied through at 46,412 Barnies and 4,309 Whitefronts. The Barnoes are up I think while the Whitefronts are down. Thanks to the tem for their figures. Talking of geese, the Pink footed Geese were seen this morning along at Sunderland again. Steve and the visiting group from Speyside Wildlife headed back to the mainland this morning. Yesterday they had a few Golden Plover on the Rhinns, a small flock of 20 Fieldfare in the Loch Gorm area, and this morning off the ferry had a Black throated Diver amongst the Great Northern Diver coming up the loch into Kennacraig. An Iceland Gull had followed the ferry out of Port Askaig as they left... Steve had been speaking with a lady birder on the ferry and she told him that she had seen a Swallow on Islay yesterday, but she had not told him where it was. Many thanks to Steve for being in touch with his sightings. Our birders from Lancashire saw a Sand Martin at Ardnave today and a Sandwich Tern offshore. James had 18 Whoopers on the flats on the reserve today.

Sunday 25th March

Back on Friday, James and the team at Gruinart had carried out the Red Deer count on the reserve with a tally of 95 Red Deer counted, a figure similar to other years, and in line for the number required for management purposes. Whilst doing the count, some birds were seen too, a total of 7 Hen Harriers (4 Male & 3 Female), 2 Red Grouse, a Golden Eagle up at Ardnave. Back at Gruinart, there was an adult Glaucous Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull. A Lizard was also seen out sunning itself. Yesterday, James had 39 Whoopers flying over his house heading North.

First thing this morning, visitors from Lancashire had been up at Sanaigmore and had seen an Otter chasing a rabbit, across the dunes, down a rabbit hole, out again and away they went, possibly it was a young Otter which could tie in as an adult Otter could have difficulty getting in and back out of a rabbit hole! The Northants birders had a Goldcrest in the wood here again today and also a Goldfinch on the nut feeders at the back of the house, it's the first Goldfinch that has been around for a while. Down the road, they had 70 Golden Plover, a Pink footed Goose at Sunderland Farm. Close to Bridgend, there was a 2nd Yr Glaucous Gull eating at a dead Seal, with a Grey Wagtail on the Sorn. On Loch Indaal, off Bowmore, 2 Great Northern Diver and also 4 Red breasted Merganser. At Port Ellen, a male Sparrowhawk was seen, down the Oa, 2 adult Golden Eagles were seen mating, a Kestrel, and male and female Peregrine, Male Hen Harrier, 40 Twite, 2 Rock Pipits, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 1 Chough. 3 Fulmars and 3 Gannets were also seen. On the "high road" between Port Ellen & Bridgend, a male Hen Harrier and 5 Stonechats. In the afternoon, 4 Crossbill were seen flying East at Finlaggan. They had also seen 3 Treecreeper while they were out today at different locations. Dave from down on the Oa has returned from his holiday out to South Africa, and today on the River Sorn up behind Bridgend had a Grey Wagtail and also a Siskin. Over at Port Askaig, Dave had an adult Iceland Gull.