Thursday 14 July

 

David D took this photo of a juvenile cuckoo near the Oa carpark. Instinct is an incredible thing, to be raised by meadow pipits but to 'know' they are cuckoo; to migrate and go onto lay their eggs in other birds nest without any of it learned from a parent...amazing!  When I was young, my parents hatched some ducklings from under a hen. She was most distressed when they leapt into water every chance they got, the instinct too strong to ignore. The same cannot be said for the chickens hatched out under a duck. 

 This evening at Claddach, a peregrine was being seen off by resident gulls. Similarly this morning a buzzard was being mobbed by a pair of herring gulls. A pair of lapwing were in the fields near the house.  out at the gulls, wheatear, rock pipit, meadow pipit, greylag geese, and gannet off shore. 

The unavoidable subject of avian flu is on everyones minds. The local charity 'Islay Development Initiative' among many things, clean the beaches. Today from just around a quarter of the The Big Strand they collected 168 birds (mainly guilliemots).  As ever the advice is do not touch or intervene. Report any suspected cases to DEFRA 03459 335577.

Mary

Monday 1st February

Well, as promised the rainfall figures up here came to 5.1 inches for January..  There were a few dry days but and a lot of wet days through the month as well, so we will see what our other weather watchers have had as their rainfall tallies for the month... Today, it has been dry so far, but with a bitterly cold wind blowing in from the East.

This afternoon, when out in the garden Margarert saw a Buzzard flying low over the garden, I should have seen it as it flew quite low and close to me, well that is what I was told....

I was reading on the Fair Isle Bird Obsevatory web page that the Great Tit is still present, so I wonder as to whether it is infact the longest ever staying Great Tit on Fair Isle???

Saturday 23rd January

Yesterday morning, Christine Menzies had seen 2 White tailed Eagles perched on some trees between Port Ellen and Bowmore. 

This morning up here, we watched the "local" Buzzard perched on top of one of the electric poles out in front of the house. After a wee while, it took off and I saw it fly behind the old church and then it perched up on the electrity pole down beside the cottages.

Tuesday 12th January

Another "light day" on the bird front as I am unable to get my emails to work, not receiving any, nor am I able to send out any to folk either, so if you have any birds seen, feel free to give us a shout on the phone...

Looking out mid afternoon, and we had a Buzzard perched upon one of the poles that bring us our electricity to us here. Then just after 4 pm, Margaret saw a juv. Golden Eagle flying along the front of the crag, great to see it before it veered up one of the gullies...

Friday 8th January

Well, the bitterly cold weather is still here, but thankfully no snow here as of yet, out on the West coast of Islay, with the pond still with a skin of ice on it yet, not sure how thick it is, but I am not going to test it out, no comments please!!!

This morning, we had a Buzzard sitting on top of the old church next door to us, makes a change from the noisy Ravens!!!! This evening, we had a Barn Owl sitting down outside in the garden for a couple of minutes before flying off to look for something for it to eat. Around midday, I saw a Woodcock on the road between Rockside and Sunderland Farm, and no I did not hit it, as it was reluctant to move off the road... Old story, right place, right time, me driving too!!!

Monday 4th January

Karen Graham e mailed me later on last night to tell me that a friend of hers, Morag Sinclair who lives near to Paisley, well Morag also had seen a Goldcrest in her garden yesterday as well...

This afternoon, we had a Buzzard perched on top of the electric transformer pole out in our garden!!!

Tuesday 18th August

 Andrew Kelly who is over on Islay this week on holiday kindly sent me some seen by him today on Islay

"Gleann na Gaoidh early am: immature buzzard, raven, 80 greylag on lochan to SW.                                                 Cnoc Mor late am: 2 buzzard ,Kilchiaran Bay midday: pair of chough, 10+ ringed plover, 8 rock pipits

From lay-by just north of Pennycraig battery, 4pm: c100 curlew, c15 bar-tailed godwit, 2 redshank Buzzard on telegraph pole along A847, between junctions with B8017 and B8018, 3pm

Plenty of hirundines in various places, seabirds restricted to gannet, cormorant, shag and 4spp gull.

Red-throated diver yesterday from ferry, but that was in Loch Tarbert. Very distant ducks and auks on crossing, but none identifiable, at least by me!!" 

Thanks to Andrew for his birds,37 species seen so far.. keep them coming through... 

Karen Graham (up North)today had the following birds seen between Dornoch and Embo, on the shoreline there were around 30 Redshank amongst Ringed plover and as many again Oystercatcher

 

Thursday 19th March

Gary yesterday had seen the following birds when he was out and about...
"Ring tailed Hen Harrier at Loch Tallant on the High road, 11 Buzzard in total along the High road, male Hen Harrier at Kintra, male Hen Harrier at Keppols. Crossbills showing well at Finlaggan."

Margaret today had seen 6 Hares out chasing each other around out in the game crop...

I see that Calmac have decided to stop taking any new ferry bookings for anyone wishing to travel on the ferries until the 15th of July. Some of the hotels and restaurants on Islay and Jura have been quite inventive in that you can order a carry out meal, or better still they are offering to deliver your food direct to your house!!!

THursday 5th March

Some  sightings seen yesterday by Gary
"From Finlaggan 4 White tailed Eagles high up, 3 Golden Eagles, 11 Buzzards, 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawks & 1 Kestrel.
At least 9 Crossbills."

Christine Menzies had seen the following birds yesterday as well...
"2 Golden Eagles and 2 Buzzards down past Kildalton Cross in the afternoon."

Monday 27th January

It was dry again today, but a bit on the cool side with the mercury never getting much of a shift in the thermometer...

Not much to report apart from the hooded crow out on the grass again today, later on there was a       buzzard down on the fence line watching what was going on... The pheasants which we have, have taken a great liking to eating into a small bucket of feed, which includes some aniseed...

Sunday 17th November

Armin arrived yesterday evening after coming across on the 20.15 ferry from Kennacraig. ..

Today, when driving down to Machir bay, Armin saw a buzzard flying over the reed bed below the Coastguard Cottages. When down at Machir bay, he witnessed a large flock of several hundred barnies fly along from loch Gorm/ Rockside. he took it to be it was the geese going in to the roost at Coull. Finally , he saw another Buzzard flying over the big crag behind Kilchoman House

Tuesday 12th February

Yesterday, the "Port Ellen 4" along with team leam leader John Matthews, had seen a large flock of Twite along with over 20 Skylarks close to Kinnabus on the Oa, but sadly no Golden Eagles or Hen Harriers were seen, but they had counted at least 7 Buzzards on their way out to the Oa and on the return leg. While travelling up along the High road and then the Glen road over the top to Ballygrant, they had seen another 7 Buzzards, a Kestrel, Partridge, and Raven, while at Knocklearach, a Merlin was sitting on a fence post, at the side of the road. Up at Bunahabhain, an Otter, GND, Tysties, and also some Shags were present.

Yeterday, Hilary and Richard had seen the Todd's Canada Goose over at Leorin. Over at Claggain Bay they had RTD, BTD, GND, Tysties, Grey Wagtail, and some Shags as well as a small pod of Porpoises. Birds seen while returning back from Claggain Bay to Port Ellen included Yellowhammers, Brambling, Treecreeper, Reed Bunting, Long tailed Tits with a Greater spotted Woodpecker heard druming away. Up at Bowmore on Loch Indaal, they had Barwits, Eider, Common Scoter, Common Gull, GND and also BTD

Up here today, we saw a Merlin fly past out of the wee kitchen window, fly on over the bird cage then wheel down and over the bird seed crop and on its' way. After lunchtime, coming out of Bowmore, just after Pennycraig, another wee Merlin flew off the fence at the side of the road. On the way home, down below the lime kiln, we spoke with the Rochdale Birders who are over for another visit, their first for 2019 , great to meet up you folks... Over at Kildalton, this morning they had 4 Yellowhammers and the close to the airport, a male Hen Harrier was present quartering its' patch.

Friday 21st December

George E Jackson was in touch with some sightings. The other day, George noticed a good number of Gulls along with 3 Buzzards having a good rummage on the barley stubbles along beside his son's house. George reckoned that the birds were actually eating on the earthworms that had come the surface as Kilchoman Distillery had been spreading the spent waste water. No doubt the worms could have been well pickled, and possibly the birds could have been "happy" after their feast!!!
On Wednesday, George had caught and rung another 27 wee birds. He had 16 Chaffinches, 8  House Sparrows, 2 Goldfinches and a Robin and also a re trap of a Chaffinch

Monday 30th July

Yesterday, while on his way up from Portnahaven, Al Hart had seen a Buzzard carrying an Adder in its' talons. Up at Bruichladdich, he saw 2 Arctic Terns and also a Sandwich Tern.

This afternoon, late on, Distillery Dave heard and then saw 3 Peregrines along at Rockside. Here at home, there was a Willow Warbler on the seed heads on the border alongside of our house. This evening, we saw 2 Collared Doves close to the grain intake point at Bowmore Distillery.

Remember, tomorrow night, the bird nerds will be meeting at 7pm at Shepherd's cottage.

Saturday 18th November

Yesterday Carl had been out with a photographer.. Up at Sanaigmore they saw 3 Golden Eagles, a Merlin and a Kestrel. Today while out his wheels by himself, Carl saw 2 Red Grouse close to the former Kilchoman school as you come over the from Loch Gorm down towards Gruinart.

Over at Finlaggan yesterday, Gary saw a Kestrel, 4 Bullfinches and a count of 7 Buzzards. Today, Gary had ben out with folk that won a competition to come over to stay on Islay  for a few days and see some of our tremendous wildlife. Gary came up trumps, for sure... They saw 5 Golden Eagles over Jura, and from Coal Ila, they saw 3 White tailed Eagles and another 2 Golden Eagles and then up at Bunnahabhain, they saw an Otter out on the rocks. Later on at Finlaggan, they saw a Grey Wagtail, a Peregrine in the air as well as a fly past by a Crossbill..

Gary was also commenting on more Buzzards being around, while waiting on his folk this morning, he saw 8 Buzzards from Whin Park, all on the ground on the merse and out on the sand.

No sign of the Blackcap here at home today, perhaps he did not like the apples that he was guzzling into yesterday... mind you I made the most of the day planting even more daffodils... What a show they will be if and when they come into flower... as long as the wind does not twist them around too much, but hopefully, I have planted most of  them in sheltered places...

Sunday 12th March

I got up really early this morning, only to discover that it was raining, net result, between Bob and myself we took the executive decision, and called off our WeBS count, if only we had decided to start an hour later, the weather was better then... tomorrow might be the day...

On Friday, Gary had a count of 7 Buzzard over Finlaggan and then a Golden Eagle along at Mulreesh. Yesterday, Gary saw a male Hen Harrier on the High road close to Buildbase and then another on the low road, near to Duich. Also yesterday, David and Jenny  Goodwin had been out and about, noting 7 Song Thrushes between Ballinaby and Saligo. A Greater spotted Woodpecker was heard below the car park at Gruinart, the Green winged Teal seen out in front of the old hide, with a distant White tailed Eagle seen over the estuary. Later on, over the Glen road a couple of Golden Eagles were seen with another present close to Avonvoggie. Over Loch Tallant, 8 Buzzards were noted with another Golden Eagle there as well. From Bowmore Pier, they counted 40 Common Scoter and 2 Long tailed Duck out on Loch Indaal. Finally from Whin Park, they saw 2 very distant Golden Eagles with a White tailed Eagle, nearer to hand, on the merse.  A great day for Eagles and Buzzards by all accounts....And here at home this morning, the Fulmars, only a few were present, were soaring along in front of  the crag again...

Sunday 28th August

Some sightings through from Gary and Sam who have had no internet connection over the past few days. Back on Thursday, they saw a male Bullfinch fly across the road between the trees close to Bridgend and later the same day, they had a ringtail Hen Harrier out quartering the fields opposite their house. On Friday, they saw a smart looking male Hen Harrier out on the wing up towards Finlaggan. Today they had walked out from Bunnahabhain towards the lighthouse at Rhuvaal. They had seen loads of Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Whitethroats on their walk and then saw a Golden Eagle overhead. Yesterday evening, just after we watched the Chough flying to their roost, there were 32 in total, we had a probable Marsh Harrier fly past before it briefly landed on the crag, giving us a better view of it through the scope. Today Bob, David and myself carried out the WeBs count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, a week late I know , but as we were at Rutland last Sunday, the old saying that you cannot be in 2 places at once, comes to mind... Today's birds were as follows, 1 Gannet, 5 Heron, 12 Shag, 45 Greylag, 10 Mallard, 4 Eider, 35 Oystercatcher, 41 Curlew, 3 Arctic Tern, 78 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 11 Knot, 1 Lapwing, 87 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling,6 GGB Gull, 110 H Gull, 3 C Gull, 6 BH Gull, 1 Buzzard. We also saw a Wheatear as we took one of the vehicles down to Gartbreck and another during survey as well. On my way down to Bowmore,  I had a Merlin flying along in front of me before it swerved into a field close to Sunderland Farm. Back at home a Sparrowhawk zipped through the garden at lunchtime and then early afternoon, over the crag we counted 8 Buzzards before they split into 2 groups of 4, one following the crag inland, with the others flying along the ridge towards the masts above Kilchiaran. In between times, we have been watching various liners sail past, be it from a distance...

Remember to read the blog tomorrow night as we will let you know where the monthly meeting of where the birds will be on Tuesday evening

Thursday 23rd June

Today Bob ventured to Loch Skerrols where he saw couple little grebes and in the woods around the loch he saw a spotted flycatcher. He also had 6 redpolls in his garden. Phil saw a buzzard interacting with hen harrier at Gruinart. James saw short-eared owl yesterday below his house and couple siskins on his bird feeder.

Thursday 3rd November

A beautiful sunset here this evening and a not bad day earlier on, but the forecast for later on Friday does not looks so promising... On our way over to Gruinart this morning we went round by Coull and Ballinaby. There were plenty of Barnies at both places but very few Whitefronts seen, and the Whitefronts seen, none had any neck collars on!!! We saw at least 4 Buzzards on our way to Gruinart and on the way home, this time round the other side of Loch Gorm past Sunderland and along past Rockside, nothing much of note apart from a large group of Rooks and the stubble where Kilchoman had been spreading Pot ale from the Distillery, possibly the warm pot ale had brought some worms to the surface for the Rooks to eat! Coming up through the dunes close to our house, a ringtail Hen Harrier was out looking for some prey. Later on that pesky Sparrowhawk was sitting on the garden wall, just waiting and watching....Mid afternoon, on the way over to Port Askaig, another 4 Buzzards were seen on our way there and back. Forgot to mention that yesterday we had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier as we drove up towards Sanaigmore.

Tuesday 10th March

Yesterday Rob and Ian along with their other halves made the most of the weather, towards the Coastgurds they saw a male Reed Bunting. Down on Loch Indaal, below the coalyard they had 6 Pale bellied Brent Geese, 2 Ringed Plovers and a Curlew, along at "smelly corner" over 20 Shelduck were present. In Port Ellen Bay, they saw a GND. Here at home today, it has been a great day with the weather and in the afternoon, blue skies... It had not started off so well, as the electricity was off through the night, but by 7am the hydro boys were out looking for the fault and hey presto by 9 am power was back on... We still await the arrival of the team from Open Reach to sort the phones. We did mention to the Hydro boys that they might like to help the Open reach lads, but they have not taken our "suggestion" up as of yet. Back to birds and just before lunchtime, there were 7 Buzzards soaring around over the crag and late afternoon there were around 30 Chough and a similar number of Jackdaws flying back and forward out over the War Graves.