Tuesday 26th November

Today the WWT guys, whilst carrying out research on Greenland White-fronted Geese, had seen 2 Golden Eagles and a Peregrine at Coille, Merlin at Kilchoman and Tawny Owl at Gruinart. On Sunday they also had a young Golden Eagle, a White-tailed Sea Eagle at Gruinart.
Back to today, James had 2 Goldcrest and 2 Hen Harriers also at Gruinart. Whilst RSPB volunteers, John and Amy, had 14 Yellowhammer, 12 Curlew and a Chough all at Kintra.

Sunday 20th October

Sorry folks, it has been one of those days, what with folk dropping in for a welcome natter this afternoon and just as I was about to do the blog, another friend came in and, well we have a good catch up of events on and off Islay, looking at the clock it is almost time for Monday's entry!!! Right then, here we go.. Yes, the Red backed Shrike has been seen again over at Gruinart by visitors as well as some locals too. Visitors yesterday had seen 40 Chough up at Ardnave, the Horwich Birders had another 18 early yesterday morning here over the dunes at the back of Machir Bay, they also had the WTSE up on the top of Loch Indaal, a male Hen Harrier as they headed up to Sanaigmore and another round Loch Gorm. They counted 70 Twite in a flock at Sanaigmore as well as seeing a Sparrowhawk there too. The North end of Machir Bay held 53 Ringed Plover and 6 Sanderling and out in the Bay itself, 2 GND. Over at Loch Tallant, there were 80 Fieldfare along with some Mistle Thrushes and a few Redwing. They also had seen a Treecreeper in the wood back where they are staying. Today after checking out the Shrike, Peter had headed over to Gortantoid, on the way there he had 2 Greenshank on Loch Gruinart as well as a WTSE. Highlights at Gortantoid included 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap and a Treecreeper. The Bancroft group had a Golden Eagle down on the Rhinns this morning, 4 Curlew at Bruichladich with a charm of Goldfinches spotted at Octomore. Young Peter Collinson had a Swallow this morning here over the wood, a flock of 50 Redwings, heard a Fieldfare, 16 Twite, the wood itself had lots of Chaffinches and Goldfinches, 6 Robins, 5 Blackbirds, 21 Jackdaws and further out towards the crag 40 Rock Doves. Going over to Gruinart, a male Hen Harrier was spotted, at Gruinart, Barnacle Geese galore, 31 Whitefronts, 50 Shelduck, 2 Barwits, and a Peregrine while he was going round the moorland trail. The top of Loch Indaal held even more Barnies.. and best still 2 different WTSE, one perched was an adult bird, the other which was flying was an immature bird.  A great start to Peter's stay with Whitefronts, WTSE & Twite all now added to his list.  Should really be a Monday entry now....

Wednesday 14th August

Well, Ian is on his way south to the Bird Fair and he has left the blog to be filled by me, so excuses in advance for any spelling mistakes! On Tuesday at the RSPB guided walk on the Oa Emily had a few sightings: twite, reed bunting, over 20 raven together in a flock, a pair of chough, peregrine, juvenile wheatear, stonechat and whinchat. She also saw a red deer stag with freshly stripped velvet, among the first of the year and a sure sign of Autumn approaching. Today at the south hide on Loch Gruinart Emily spotted greenshank, blacktailed godwit, snipe and linnet. Also, two ring-tailed hen harriers hunting along the bunds.

Wednesday 3rd July

Here at home this morning there was a "train" or a "clattering" of around 50 Jackdaws round the base of the bird table! Bob had been driving along the "flats" at Gruinart today, a Peregrine took off from the road carrying a Jackdaw in its' talons, only to land in one of the trees at the farm steading and continue to devour the said Jackdaw. Carl had a Kestrel out towards Craigfad today, he was also saying that the GND which has been hanging around in the bay at Port Charlotte has moved on. Along at Carnain, there was a single Dunlin and at Uiskentuie a family on 4 Chough were present. This evening, as I put the wheely bins up to the top of the hill, our local Chough family of only 3  flew in, noisy and nosey as ever, great to see all the same! 

Saturday 16th March

Peter and Pia had been over on Jura today. Between Feolin and Craighouse they had between 8 - 10 Buzzards  and on the same patch had seen at least 3 ringtail Hen Hariers. Peter also commented on seeing seeing more small groups of Song Thrushes which were singing away. Back here at home, late afternoon and there were 35- 40 Chough tumbling about in the sky above the crag. Almost forgot, last night the stars were something else, a clear sky and no light pollution, just fantastic...

Wednesday 13th March

Many thanks to Michal and James for writing the blog over the past week while I have been down South in Surrey. Even took my bins with me but never lifted them out of the bag, but did have a couple of Jays in the garden, several Magpies and some screeching Parakeets flying overhead. One morning there was also a rather large Grey Squirrel out in the garden, no sign of any foxes this time...

So, back to Islay's birds, here goes...Over the weekend Adam Cross had been over from Glasgow. His birds included a male Hen Harrier out of Port Ellen. Down on the Oa, a Merlin was seen and a Golden Eagle present. Back towards Port Ellen a small flock of 10 Redwing and later 12 Fieldfare. Up at Gruinart, a Sparrowhawk was seen and some Shoveler out in front of the hide. Thanks Adam. On Monday, Bob had a flock of 120 Golden Plover at Coullabus and later on, another flock of 88 at Conisby. Yesterday at home, Bob had a Buzzard and a Peregrine having an aerial tussle, but with no winner! Later on, he had a Jack Snipe on the moor close to his house. Yesterday, Dave had a Coot on Loch Kinnabus, a first record for the Oa reserve. Also on reserve were 530 Greenland Whitefronts, 6 Chough, 100 Golden Plover and 22 Skylarks. Today, James had a small flock of 9 Song Thrushes on the reserve at Gruinart, in front of the new hide, the Green winged Teal was present, the Canada Goose hutchinsii sp was amongst the Barnies on the flats and James had a count of 1,150 Starlings on reserve. This morning here at home, I felt that there some more Blackbirds around, possibly moved over from the mainland with the cold weather over there, mind you, on Monday night, Mike's weather station recorded minus 5 which is cold for here! Mid afternoon there were over 20 Chough out over the crag, great to see and hear...Never really tire watching the Choughs!

Saturday 16th February

A lot of birds for you tonight, coming in from all around, here goes...On Thursday, Malcolm had 5 species of geese in one field. Over at Ballytarsin there were around 1400 Barnacle Geese, 41 Whitefronts, 1 Pink footed Goose, 3 Pale bellied Brent and a Canada Goose hutchinsii sp. Later on Malcolm had 24 Pale bellied Brent on Loch Indaal, just below the "Power Generating station" at the edge of Bowmore. Yesterday the Hampshire birders had Long tailed Duck and Common Scoter on Loch Indaal. Round Carnain their highlights included Curlew, Scaup, Heron and Wren. Today in the same area they had a male Hen Harrier, Song Thrush and Rock Pipit. On a walk up to Loch Cam, later on they saw 2 Golden Eagles, 4 Chough and 2 Snipe. Bob had a male Hen Harrier up behind Port Charlotte, a Sparrowhawk down in Port Charlotte and also Lapwing displaying up in the fields beside his house. Last night on our way over to Bunnahabhain, after The Woolen Mill and on our way to our destination, we saw a total of 5 Barn Owls out on the wing, great to see! James today had a walk round Ardnave. His top birds included 32 Chough, 34 Raven, 1 Grey Plover, 10 GND, 7 Skylarks (1 attempting to sing!) 1 White tailed Sea Eagle (juvenile bird) out over towards Nave Island, 5 Cormorant and the leucistic Barwit was seen too. Back home at Grainel, he counted 45 Skylarks later on. Anna had a couple of Goldeneye in the harbour in Bowmore today, down close to Port Ellen she had more ducks and geese there as well as a couple of Shelduck. Late this afternoon, over the house here, we had 23 Chough in a flypast, pity they were not here the other week, it could have confused the Big garden birdwatch computer!!!!