Friday 30th November

Almost another month away, and by the look of things a drier month than the November last year, bet not many places can say that! Today Bob had a Brambling in his garden, and he saw a House Sparrow with white feathers in the cap of its head and also a pink beak! The other day, Bob had been looking for that elusive Red breasted Goose, but no joy, but on the floods at Gruinart he had 168 Teal, 8 Goldeneye, 85 Wigeon, 4 Whooper Swans, 200 Greylags along with 60 Whitefronts. The Barnies were resting up out on the estuary itself, as they are doing at present at the head of Loch Indaal, with the full moon they are mostly eating through the night. Yesterday at home Bob had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier out quartering and later on a Short eared Owl also out hunting.

Thursday 29th November

Another great day out here, it may be a bit cool, but I really should not complain as long as it stays dry. Come to think of it more dry days already back on Islay than I had in total in my stay away.... James yesterday had 2 Yellowhammers on the reserve at Gruinart and a count of 515 Lapwings. He also carried a goose count for the reserve with scores on the doors tallying at 13,825 Barnies, 377 Whitefronts, 27 Greylags and the Red breasted goose was present too. The figures from the goose count earlier this month were the 3rd highest Barnacle Goose count since 2000, but again the Whitefronts appear to be low, but early days yet as I believe they can peak a little later in some years. Coming back home last night, there was a Barn Owl out hunting in around the same place as the other evening, along this side of Sunderland Farm. Today, over at Gruinart, we had a Sparrowhawk fly off with its prey in its' talons, a lbj, sorry folks to end on a sad note to tonight's entry.

Wednesday 28th November

Last night was the monthly meeting of the Islay Bird nerds, so managed to get a few sightings through from those there of sightings that had not come through earlier. Down at Bruichladdich, George had seen 2 Otters the other day. Paul B. had seen 2 Golden Eagles down on the Oa on Tuesday, and up at Craigens he had 3 Brambling amongst a mixed flock of finches. This morning, before he left for home, Paul had an Otter about 30 yards from where he was standing along with his dog, the Otter was quite unfazed! Mary, back from her holiday on Tobago, had 3 Barn Owls down towards Portnahaven. Up in one of the fields beside his house, Bob had a flock of around 400  Ravens earlier in the week. Many thanks to Paul Beresford for sharing his sightings with us and see you again next year!

Tuesday 27th November

Yesterday the figures came through for the goose count carried out earlier this month on the 13th and 14th, the scores on the doors were 52,964 Barnies and 5,259 Whitefronts. Not sure if these figures are up or down but will let you know once I find out. Thanks to SNH for these figures. I also heard that there was a "goose strike" with our service plane at the end of last week, on Friday I believe. The return flight back to Glasgow had to be cancelled until it was checked over.. the plane was checked not the poor goose!!!  Coming home at the darkening this evening, there was a Barn Owl just seen at the edge of the car lights down towards Sunderland. Earlier on, on our way out, we had a single Buzzard, then another 2 Buzzards within 200 yards or so, as well as a Kestrel on the telegraph pole at the side of the road, just before Len's cottage where the peat stacks are down close to Sunderland. Along at McNichol's croft, there were 2 Red Deer Stags just over the dyke with a further 2 Roe Deer just along the road. 

Monday 26th November

Paul Beresford from Nottingham had been down at Gruinart yesterday and had the Red breasted Goose and also a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp amongst the Barnies present. Paul also had a female Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine and a Woodcock there too. He also had a Waxwing in the garden of Woodside Cottage. Today, Paul had been over on Jura and had 2 White tailed Sea Eagles, while he was watching the eagles, 11 Waxwings drifted past!!! Martin yesterday was busy in his garden over at Glenegedale and managed some bird watching there... 15 Coal Tits, 6 Blue Tits, 3 great Tits, 30 House Sparrows, 4 Hedge Sparrows, 23 Chaffinches, 3 Greenfinches, 2 Robins, 2 Reed Buntings and 3 Blackbirds. Highlight for the day was a new garden tick, 6 Waxwings on the top of the trees! He also had a small mixed flock of Fieldfare and Redwings fly over. Back on Saturday while going over on the ferry to Kennacraig, Dave Woods had a Long tailed Duck. At Port Ellen itself there was an Otter, and going up West Loch Tarbert to Kennacraig, another 3 Otters were seen.

Many thanks to James to keeping the blog going in my absence, Ian is back in residence again!!! 

Sunday 25th November

Another good day on Islay- beautiful skies especially as the sun went down.
Michal had a long walk at Killinallen, saw a good flock of 60 sanderling. Other birds around Gruinart included a male hen harrier and a brown male hen harrier. The kestrel was hunting along the Ardnave road again today. As the day ended there was a red stag in the field below the house, very atmospheric.

Saturday 24th November

A good day on Islay, plenty of sun and good light as well as a fantastic sun set. Paul Beresford was out and about around the Island and got some good records. First on Loch Indaal - 42 pale bellied brent geese, 107 scaup, 13 long tailed ducks, 17 Slavonian grebes and 5 common scoter. Then at Gartbreck, 1 hen harrier and 11 twite. A hen harrier over Loch Gorm and finishing with the red breasted goose outside the new hide at RSPB Loch Gruinart and a waxwing on the woodland trail.