Thursday 24th September

Not much news through yet for today, a day of squally showers and sunshine. A few things from the Oa from yesterday to catch up on, the finch flock at Kinnabus contained 95 linnet and 15 twite and a male hen harrier was seen. 1 snow bunting also remained near the monument. Today a sparrowhawk and a male hen harrier were again seen on the Oa.

Wednesday 23rd September

Rather a dreich sort of a day with dirty squally showers of rain appearing in off the Sea, net result not much reported though. I am away (again!) for a few days, so if you have any sightings, please send them through to James, his contact details are James.How@rspb.org.uk . Forgot to mention that yesterday, we saw a Wheatear over at Ballinaby.

Tuesday 22nd September

Heather had spotted 2 Snow Buntings close to the American monument as she led the guided walk on Oa this morning. James had carried out a survey on the geese on Ardnave, Griuinart, Craigens and up at Killinallan today, not many geese but his tally came through at 60 Greylags, 3 Barnies, 142 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Golden Eagle. The American Wigeon was seen on Ardnave Loch, with some Grey seal pups present over on Nave Island. This afternoon, we had a ringtail Hen Harrier just past the Hedges at Sunderland and then a male Hen Harrier above Carrabus. Back at home the other day, there were 2 Chough perched on top of the cross out at the War graves cemetery.

Monday 21st Sepember

Rather a miserable start to the day with the weather, but as the day went on, the weather improved with a not bad afternoon in the end, managed to get some striming done, and no midges around, better still...Bob had been down on Machir Bay and had 50 Sanderling. He also saw a flock of 150 Linnets and another with 50 Goldfinches up over the dunes, wonder if were the same birds that I saw on the overhead wires??? The small number group of 20 Swallows that were here the other day must have moved on, as there has been only the odd Swallow seen today.

Sunday 20th Sepember

A rather miserable, dreich sort of a day. I know that I for one was not out much, infact I do not think that any of the farmers had any of the combines out cutting their barley... Susan Miller, a visitor from close to Helensburgh, had seen a pair of Hen Harriers and a Peregrine over close to Storakaig back on Wednesday. Today, we had visitors in for a blether and catch up. It was Mike Peacock and his wife Val who have just retired after working for the past 15 years or so for RSPB on neighbouring Oronsay and Colonsay and retired back to live at Port Charlotte. Also with them was Natalie who worked with RSPB a few years back. Great to see you all folks, and more faces at the Bird nerds as well..

Saturday 19th September

Earlier this morning, the overhead wires out from the house here, were crammed full with a large mixed flock of Goldfinches and Linnets, the largest flock that I have seen here like that, usually we get the visitation from the Starlings.... This morning James, 25 Pale bellied Brents fly in over Loch Gruinart, they circled round and then flew on towards Northern Ireland. Before he caught the ferry today, Jim managed some final birds for us... At Bruichladdich, he counted 85 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and a Grey Wagtail. Loch Gorm held around 2,500 Greylags, At Ballinaby, there were 6 House Martins, at Islay house in the community garden, 2 juv Bullfinches present, while 2 Dabchicks were seen on Loch Skerrols. Thanks Jim for sending through your birds.

Friday 18th September

George and pat Jackson are back over for a few days.. On Monday they saw a male Hen Harrier close at hand close to Saligo. On Tuesday, while on the Moorland trail a ringtail HH was seen, up at Ardnave there was a Wheatear and also a Stonechat. Back at their son's house, they have been seeing a Hen Harrier most days and up to 3 Buzzards! On Wednesday, they went as foot passengers to Jura and walked up to Inver from Feolin. Birds seen included 6 Herons, 4 Rock Pipits, pr Mute Swan, a flock of 40-50 mixed finches, mainly Linnets, 2 Snipe and 2 Ringed Plover. Around 8 pm on their way home, between Bridgend and Carnain, a Tawny Owl was seen. Yesterday, south of Bridgend they had a Greenshank and 11 Mute Swan. Today, Jim D had been been out for the day with Bill Allan. Their highlight was a Jay at Whinpark, the American Wigeon was seen at Ardnave as were 3 Wheatears. 3 Barnies seen at Gruinart, a female Merlin at Glenmachrie Lots, 3 Hen Harriers noted including a male at West Carrabus. Mary had a Willow Warbler singing away along the woodland trail as well as a Robin trying to keep up with it there as well. There was a reported sighting of a Kingfisher being seen on the stream in Port Charlotte on Wednesday...