Tuesday 11th February

Its been snowing - Ians internet dish is covered with snow, so I am blogging. Just finished building the snowman, you have to make sure you don't miss an opportunity on Islay. Eleanor is out in the dark putting the final touches to the snow creation. Yesterday the Hampshire birders had some good birds around Loch Indaal- a White Tailed Eagle at Smelly Corner and Black Guillemot, Goldeneye, Bar Tailed Godwits, Great Northern Divers, Black Throated Diver, Black Tailed Godwits, Lapwing and Grey Plover all between Bridgend and Bowmore. At Kilchoman 12 Fulmars came in to the cliff and yes today its windy and snowing! Today the Sevenoaks birders had a pair of Stonechats, a Buzzard and a Female Hen Harrier up close in the blizzard on the Oa. Thanks for the records Ian and Duncan. I was out and about at Gruinart and had big flocks of 1240 Golden Plover and 520 Lapwing on the Flats as well as 29 Redshank, a Sparrowhawk and a Hen Harrier.

Friday 23rd November

Today I travelled to the RSPB reserve at the Oa. First thing I noticed was the number of fieldfares and redwings, loads more than there are on the Rhinns. Other birds included 300 plus twite and a male hen harrier. Also received a report of a black throated diver and 2 great northern divers at Bunnahabhain.