Tuesday 18th February

Peter and Pia had been over on Jura on Sunday and Monday. After crossing over on the ferry to Jura, between Feolin and Craighouse they spotted 7 Buzzards and also a cracking female Hen Harrier. Later on, they saw a pr of White tailed Sea Eagles and up behind Craighouse at Keills they had 8 Long tailed Tits and also 3 Coal Tits. The Rochdale birders yesterday had braved the elements down close to the Airport and saw an adult Iceland Gull there. They also saw 30 Redwing, some Chaffinches and a flock of 20 Skylarks. Today, over at Ardnahoe they had an adult Sparrowhawk, and later on down close to Ballygrant, a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on the wing, Spring not far away??? Yes, a better day with the weather here today folks!

Tuesday 3rd December

Some more sightings through from Amy Cooper who is over volunteering with RSPB on their reserves here on Islay this Winter. The other day Amy had seen the following birds whilst walking up round Killinallan Point, 23 Teal, 2 Redshank, 2GND, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 3 Mallard and 8 Rock Pipits. Along at Gortantoid, Amy had 2 Coal Tits and a Great Tit. On her way back along the track, Amy saw 4 Reed Buntings.

Sunday 3rd November

Yesterday, after it dried up a little, Bob and his friend John O had taken a quick round out round the Rhinns. Gearch Forest held 20 Goldcrest and 6 Coal Tit . Off Frenchman's Rocks several Gannets and Kittiwakes were noted and coming up towards Carn on their way towards Port Charlotte, a Merlin was ahead of them! Several groups of Redwing and Fieldfare were also seen while they were out. This morning, George had a female Sparrowhawk at his home, offshore on Loch Indaal he counted 50 Common Scoter. Visiting birder, Michael had seen 2 ringtail Hen Harriers over at Gruinart, a Peregrine over at the Duich Lots, on the RSPB Oa reserve, 2 Golden Eagles, a ringtail Hen Harrier, Merlin and a Sparrowhawk. At Leorin, a Golden Eagle was seen on the wing while close to Storakaig 52 Ravens were present. At Blackrock, on Loch Indaal, 93 Scaup were present along with a Goldeneye. At Rockside, a pr of Hen Harrier were seen and then on a "game crop", there was a flock of around 130 Linnets.