Thursday 7 July

 Cant speak for the whole island but certainly here on the south of the Rhinns, the heavy mist didn't lift all day.  Though it was warm.

Reports continue from Kintyre and Islay of several sick or dead birds along the coastline.  Nature Scot have gathered some to be sent away for confirmation of avian flu.

It does seem to be mainly guillemot at this stage. Difficult though it is to walk away, the advise is to not touch dying or dead seabirds but to report them to APHA.  See the government guidance by copying the following link into your browser:

http://www.gov.scot/publications/avian-influenza-bird-flu

At Claddach today whilst I was moving my cows, I heard chough through the mist in the direction of the beach.  The ringed Oystercatcher adult was in the field with its youngster. Sadly the adult has wool wrapped between its two legs, hopefully this will work itself loose as it didn't look tight.  The lapwing chick lives! And is finding good cover among the thistles it seems.  Down in Portnahaven this evening 2 grasshopper warblers were reeling.

Mary

Monday 7th June

Visitor, Mark Warburton yesterday had 2 Black tailed Godwit and also 2 Wigeon boh seen from the South Hide at Gruinart.

Another set of returning visitors included Jeff Duncan who arrived  over on Saturday... 

"Not been over in the summer months for 8 years!

Had a chough, grasshopper warbler and a calling corncrake this morning at our accommodation just outside Port Charlotte. Then Snipe and sand martin at Machir Bay followed by a lovely male Hen Harrier over the road before Foreland House. 

Then took a drive down to Portnahaven on the back road via Kilchiaran. In the space of an hour added Curlew, whinchat, cuckoo, a hunting male Merlin and surprisingly a pair of Great skua bathing on the lochan at Claddach. Always something to see no matter the time of year!"

Other returning visitors, The Rochdale Birders who we have not seen for some time, are back here again, and were in touch to say that they had seen a male Hen Harrier trying to flush a Linnet out of a Whin/ Gorse bush, but no joy....

Wednesday 3rd June

On Monday evening, Sarah Bedford had an Osprey sitting on a telegraph pole over at Loch Gorm, with very close views. Wonderful bird. And I had a Grasshopper Warbler calling outside the former school at Portnahaven. 

James was in touch saying that his rain gauge at Mill cottage came to 1.4 inches for May, more or less the same as up at Shepherd's cottage...  

Saturday 9th May

James was in touch by e mail..

"Probably 5 Corncrakes calling at Gruinart. Lots of whitethroats and whinchats about now and I had an Osprey fly over the loch on Thursday."

Mandy e mailed the following to me last night.. 
"Yesterday, I saw a Whitethroat, lots of Sedge Warblers and heard Groppers. This morning, I saw 2 Snipe drumming, and this evening I'm listening to 2 Cuckoos."

Saturday 25th April

Karen Graham this morning when out for her daily walk, spotted a "parliament" of 14 Magpies on a large beech tree. What a racket....
 Back home, she had 4 Wood Pigeons enjoying themselves in her bird bath!!!

Mandy, yesterday had a male Hen Harrier out on the wing quartering its patch and then a small bird of prey flew past in a hurry. On her way back to her house she also had a Sedge Warbler and then 2 Groppers reeling away, one on either side of the road. Finally, Mandy had 2 Swallows ...

James was speaking to me earlier on with some birds for the blog as well... Yesterday, he had heard 4 Sedge Warblers and also a Gropper singing away. He also had seen a late Redwing. This morning, he had heard a Cuckoo calling away while his daughter, Eleanor had heard the Corncrake calling away down at Machir Bay..
James reckons now that all the geese have now moved away.

Sunday 19th April

Mandy sent through the following birds,

"Last night I went for a dusk walk at a slightly later time and heard a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away, down towards Loch Gorm, and had a drumming Snipe above me." 

Wednesday 15th April

Mary Redman yesterday had heard her first Grasshopper Warbler of the year, down close to Portnahaven..
Meanwhile, Mandy had  seen a couple of Linnet at the bottom of the track, on the fence. 

Thursday 25th July

Yesterday, Peter and Mike had taken a walk along the track leading along to Bolsay. They had seen a Swift flying past them, heard a Grasshopper Warbler calling away, a distant Sparrowhawk was seen and at least 4 Buzzards were spotted as well...
Lesley, yesterday morning had seen a few small groups of Mistle Thrushes flying around down at McNicol's croft and then in the afternoon, she had 11 in total on the overhead wires beside her house.

Today, Allen Skinner  had seen an Osprey above the reed bed leading to Machir Bay, it continued to fly upwrds on a thermal from the dunes behind the bay before he lost sight of it.... Shortly afterwards, Allen saw a Merlin zip across one of the barley fields down at Sunderland Farm.
Up here at home, I looked down to the shed door and who was seen, yes, the 2 wee Swallows sitting on the sill, waiting to be fed, better that, than getting blown about in the strong winds I suppose..

Tuesday 23rd April

A bit of catch up so here goes... mainly from some of the Webs count carried by folk over the past few days..

James and Shona-Isla has done the count on Loch Gruinart seing the following  1 GND, 52 Shelduck, 368 Ringed Plover, 425 Dunlin, 105 Curlew, 35 Lbb Gul, 24 Knot, 22 Bh Gull, 116 Teal, 4 Pintail, 43 Wigeon and 2 Whooper Swans. Highlights from Mike's count on Outer Loch Indaal included 147 Common Scoter, 91 Pale Bellied Brent Geese, 375 Auk sp., 11 Gannet, 33 GND, 3 Whimbrel & 2 Sandwich Tern. Later on, off Port Charlotte, Mike had 3 B N Dolphins while up at Foreland, Val saw an Orange tipped Butterfly. Bob had done his patch over the weekend as well, counting 48 Ringed Plover, 42 Oystercatcher, 45 R b Meganser, 8 Eider,  4 Shag, 2 Tysties, 188 Common Gulls, 56 Herring Gulls and 6 Gbb Gulls.

Peter and Mike, the other day, had 2 Groppers (Grasshopper  Warblers!!!) between Ellister and Port Wemyss, with Lesser Redpolls heard calling around Octofad and later on up at Bruichladdich.

Yesterday afternoon, Peter had a small group of 8 Sandwich Terns off  Bruichladdich.

Thursday 26th July

Another nice dry day out here again, but the forecast for the next few days, could possibly be going downhill with rain forecast.. it has been quite windy outside all day.

This morning Mike Peacock had heard a Grasshopper Warbler calling, along the track leading up to Bolsay. He also saw a juv Cuckoo being fed by a Meadow Pipit. Al Hart had seen a Grey Wagtail and also Spotted Flycatcher along the River Sorn while walking through Bridgend Woods. This evening, he had seen a Peregrine flying over Portnahaven and had a Corncrake in its usual plot...

Wednesday 25th July

Got the correct date on for tonight's entry... and in a moment will amend yesterday's date!!!

Yesterday evening, Al Hart had heard Grasshopper Warblers and Sedge Warblers calling away round Portnahaven. He also had heard a Corncrake calling as well. Today, he managed to carry out a short sea watch towards Frenchman's Rocks. He had seen 3 Terns, a Bonxie which was chased away by the Terns...He also noted a strong passage Gannets and Manx Shearwaters flying South. Kittiwakes were present on the rocks, with Auks and Tysties flying close in. He also saw Turnstone flying past as well. Whilst waling in to where carried out his sea watch from Alistair, he saw Wheatear, Skylarks, Goldfinches, lots of Linnets and Mipits as well.

This afternoon Kathy, his wife had heard Corncrake calling round Port Mor and also at Octofad as well

Sunday 10th June

Some sightings through from visitors tonight.  Jake McMahon who has been staying over at the campsite at Kintra, out of Port Ellen. He had seen 5 Eiders out on the water at Kintra, and 9 Gbb Gulls on the shore. Up on the woods to the NW of Kintra he has heard 2 separate Cuckoos calling. He also had seen Hen Harriers along the Cornabus valley along towards Kilnaughton Bay. Each morning he has been woken to a dawn  chorus of Meadow Pipits

Colin and Linda Graham are over with a group of birders from Barnsley. Yesterday, they counted 26 Chough on the roof of Kilchoman House, and also saw a Peregrine and 2 Ravens overhead. Today, they had a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 male Hen Harriers seen on the reserve as well. Up on Nave Island, they saw 10 Little Terns, with the Velvet Scoter seen at Easter Ellister and also a Whinchat close to Loch Gorm. Back here at home we saw 2 different Golden Eagles, one soaring high up on a thermal with  the other away far out, just as well that we had the bins with us and also verified from the "Mallard way birdman"...

Monday 23rd April

Yesterday visitors, Andrew and Anne Johnson had seen 7 Purple Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 2 GND and a Sandwich Tern while down at Bruichladdich, Today, they had 5 Chough, 6  Wheatear, 10 Golden Plover, 2 GND and a Peregrine while walking up at Ardnave. Down at Machir Bay, they saw 20 Chough and also 8 Ringed Plover.
This morning, Mark heard a Sedge Warbler and a short time afterwards James heard a Grasshopper Warbler on the reserve at Gruinart. He had also heard a Whimbrel calling out on the estuary. Also today, Dave Wood had a Lesser Whitethroat at Upper Killeyan on the Oa

Friday 28th July

A few more days, and that is almost another month in again, time goes past a lot quicker when you get older, or so  I was told a few years ago and it may well be true!!! As the weather has not been that good today, not a lot to report on the birds front. Peter and Pia had heard a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away as they walked down at Foreland this morning. I managed to take this image of some of the Siskins along with a Goldfinch this afternoon out on the niger feeder.

Almost forgot to mention that I had to empty the rain gauge today as it was full, and that is before the end of the month, say no more...Yes, it sure has been wet for July!!!

Tuesday 25th July

A new contributor  tonight, with Adam  Haynes sending some sightings through... The other day Adam had seen a female Common Scoter, 5 Sanderling and Dunlin on the Big strand beside the airport, while out on Loch Indaal RTD and Eider were seen. Yesterday down at Machir Bay, he heard 2 Corncrakes calling, 2 Peregrines seen, 2 Sanderling seen on the beach, lots of Chough milling around and also 2 Golden Plover seen in the fields behind the bay. On Loch Indaal, Adam had seen many Barwits, a Greenshank and also 2 Redshank. This evening Peter Roberts and Mike Peacock had a Grasshopper Warbler in the reed bed down at the Coastguards.

Saturday 3rd June

The weather forecast was correct with some HEAVY showers coming through, with the possibility of the odd rumble of thunder, the only thing that we did not get told about was hailstones, we had a passing shower of hail, not a lot, but...

While I remember, the postponed May meeting of the Islay bird nerds will be on Tuesday 6th June. We will meet at 6pm, over at the track at the Airport, leading down on to the Big Strand and we will share transport down to the shore of Loch Indaal and then take a walk from there down towards Knockangle Point, so see you there , if you are around. Some of us are meant to helping out with the second round of the Corncrake count for this year, if we are still awake, later that night!!!

Just after the thunder around midday, this hen Pheasant came out and proudly presented her clutch of 9 youngsters, some of which are above, so she must have had them well sheltered from the rain a couple of days ago!!!!  Mandy, yesterday had heard a Grasshopper Warbler singing up at Bolsay as well as 2 Curlews close by. She has been hearing a Whitethroat calling regularly at Carnduncan and this morning she heard a Corncrake while in at Ballinaby and then a Chiffchaff at Kilchoman. This morning, down in the reed bed towards Machir Bay, the Rochdale birders had heard a Corncrake calling. It was heard in the same location, late afternoon by David and Ann Barr. Margaret counted a Shelduck with 10 young ducklings at Blackrock, late morning.

Tuesday 2nd May

Another great day again, was forced to work in the garden, making the most of the good weather, next thing will be that I will be wanting some rain...

Yesterday, Gary had seen a male and also a ringtail Hen Harrier at Mulresesh, quartering their patch. He had also heard 3 different Grasshopper Warbler round Ballygrant. This morning, Louise had a new alarm call in the form of a Whimbrel calling out behind her house over on Jura!!! Today, while out with clients, Gary, had a glimpse of a Golden Eagle while over at Bunnahabhain, had seen 10 Whimbrel at Port Mor, from Bruichladdich Pier, out on Loch Indaal, 17 RTD and 5 Common Scoter were present. Along at Blackrock, a further 50 Whimbrel were seen while up past Craigens towards Killinallan a male and also a female Whinchat were spotted. Over at Ardtalla, the Rochdale birders had seen a Woodcock with 4 chicks and also heard 2 Chiffchaff there too. Mark, had counted 108 Dunlin, 18 Whimbrel and 25 Ringed Plover at Traigh Nostaig, up at Ardnave. He also saw Turnstone, Twite and Sand Martins while he there as well.

Sunday 23rd April

Mary Redman had seen a male Hen Harrier at Tormisdale on Friday evening.. Michal yesterday had 120 Golden Plover at Lossit and a short while later on, a male Hen Harrier as he approached Portnahaven. Yesterday, Botswana Dave had 32 Barnies out from the South hide along with 2 White Wagtails there as well. He had also heard a Corncrake calling there too. Today, while on the Moorland Trail, Dave had 2 male Reed Bunting and also a male Hen Harrier. Mary had heard a Grasshopper Warbler along from her house this morning, up on Claddach Loch, she saw a Canada Goose along with 8 Greylags, and in one of the fields, 6 Golden Plover were present. Mary also saw a Marsh frit caterpillar cross the road!!! This morning, Michal had heard a Cuckoo, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and also Mistle Thrush all singing at Foreland. He also saw and heard a male and a female Blackcap there as well. Michal also had another Mistle Thrush along at Rock Mountain. Also this morning, Mandy had seen 5 Sand Martin at Machir Bay, 10 male and 7 female Eiders were displaying there as well, with 4 Ringed Plover, some Curlews and around 70 Common Gull present there too. Prior to going down to the beach, Mandy had noted 20 Greenland Whitefronts at Carnduncan, but these were not seen on her return home!! Peter Gill had been up at Ardnave today where he saw a pair of sub adult Golden Eagles being mobbed by a male Hen Harrier. On the shoreline he had 30 Whimbrel, while on Ardnave Loch, 20 Blackwits were seen before being chased by a Peregrine. Over Ardnave Point in the air, Peter had over 700 Golden Plover. David Barr had seen 4 Common Sandpiper and GND at Bunnahabhain. Later, over at Bruichladdich, Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Tystie, 4 Pale bellied Brent Geese and GND were present. Going out of Bruichladdich, at the Gleaner oil depot, he saw 6 Mallard ducklings cross the road and finally  in the fields between St Kiaran's church and Loch Indaal, David had 20 Whimbrel and also 2 Blackwits. James had seen the Green winged Teal also 2 Dabchick and a Orange tip Butterfly at Gruinart

Saturday 23rd July

A good start to the day with cloud sinking down to drizzle in the afternoon. A few records from Ardnave - 9 Sanderling, a few flocks of Dunlin, a scattering of Wheatears and approx 60 Chough. Michal had a singing Grasshopper Warbler at Gruinart Farm.

Sunday 26th June

Yesterday Bob saw a merlin and a male hen harrier at the airport. James had a siskin on his feeder, together with two collared doves, two blackbirds, few goldfinches and a greenfinch. Sally saw a corncrake walking across the road near Lyrabus. Grasshopper warbler started singing again from his usual patch at Loch Gruinart reserve.