Monday 24th February

A better day out here today with the weather, although there is rain forecast for tonight, oops!!! Paul B had sent some sightings through. The small flock of Scaup were still present today, along with a cracking male Long tailed Duck on Loch Indaal out from the generator station outside Bowmore. Further out on Loch Indaal, 4 Slavonian Grebes and 30 Common scoters were present. Over at Bruichladdich, Paul had a small gropup of 4 Pale bellied Brent Geese. Further on down the Rhinns, a Golden Eagle was seen and at Kilchiaran Bay, Gannets, Fulmars and Kittiwakes were added to Paul's list. Back here at home, the Fulmars were back this morning on the crag, a sign of some stormy weather to come again??? The Iceland Gull was still present over at Duich Farm.

Sunday 16th February

A good day with the weather over here, although I had to go and look for some de-icer to clear the windscreen on the van before I headed out..really had to think where the can was as it is not often needed here!!! This morning I met in with Bob to give him a help with the monthly count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck. The tally was as follows,5 GND, 5 Heron, 9 Shag, 25 Whitefronts, 62 Barnies, 11 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 287 Teal, 8 Mallard, 7 Red breasted Merganser, 7 Goldeneye, 4 GBB Gull, 50 Herring Gull, 50 Common Gull, 120 Oystercatcher, 267 Curlew, 2 Barwit, 10 Ringed Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 19 Lapwing, 9 Turnstone and 2 Snipe. Skylarks were heard singing away, a possible sign of Spring round the corner??? This afternoon Margaret and myself went down to the Machir Bay and carried out the "dead beach bird survey", the results not too good as there were a few seen, what we found was as follows, 1 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 1 Oystercatcher and 2 Puffin. Thinking back, considering the weather that we have had of late, I suppose it was not really surprising to find as many birds as that. We also saw a juv Golden Eagle up above the dunes behind Machir Bay and a pr of Chough probing about looking for some food. On the beach itself there were 40 Oystercatcher and 15 Ringed Plover plus a good number of folk out for a walk too.

Friday 14th February

Yesterday morning as headed down to the Coastguard cotttages from here, there was a flock of around 100 Twite down at the "double gates". Earlier in the week, on Tuesday just before the snow showers, Ed had a pr of Golden Eagles over above Ballinaby, today he had another Golden Eagle down on the Rhinns with an adult Iceland Gull seen at Kilchiaran. The Hampshire birders today had 4 species of geese around where they are staying down close to "smelly corner" with Barnies, Whitefronts, Pale bellied Brent anf Greylags all being seen. Also seen close to their cottage were Oystercatcher, Curlew, Wigeon, Staling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Robin, Mute Swan and Shelduck. Up towrds Loch Gorm, they had a Stonechat, Lapwing, Buzzard and several groups of Barnies.

Wednesday 12th February

Back to normal, thanks to James for writing last night's entry. It was rather miserable outside for some time last night, and I believe today that the gritters / snow ploughs were out over the other side of Islay. Yesterday, before the weather broke the Hampshire birders had been out from Scarrabus up to Loch Cam. They had a Peregrine, several Reed Buntings with a Golden Eagle up at Loch Cam itself. A few moments later they had a White tailed Sea Eagle there on. On the Loch itself, 50 Teal were present. Today, the Rochdale birders had counted 17 Pale bellied Brent down close to Gortan, on the shoreline there they had 1 Dunlin along with 8 Turnstoe. Over at Corsapol at Gruinart, they had a mixed finch flock of around 300 birds consisting of Twite, Linnet, Meadow Pipit and Skylarks. Peter had 36 Pale bellied Brent towards Uiskentuie today.

Sunday 9th February

Some sightings through from the Sevenoak birders who are over for a few days. Yesterday from the old hide at Gruinart they had a White tailed Sea Eagle, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Greenshank, 6 Whooper Swan, 5 Red breasted Merganser and a Roe deer. Along at the new hide, they saw some Barwits, Redshank, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing. Up at Ardnave Loch they saw 8 Goldeneye on the Loch itself with some Culew and Oystercatcher on the shore. Today down at Port Ellen, a Rock Pipit was added to their list. Later, better still, a Golden Eagle at Storakaig, a pr of Stonechats along with several Buzzards seen on their travels. Up at Bunnahabhain, they saw 3 GND, an Otter munching its way through a crab, with a Red breasted Merganser seen there too. At Gruinelbeg (just North of Loch Gorm) they had a mixed flock of 20 Redwing and Fielldfare. Round past Ballinaby, they had 20 Ringed Plover and over the crag at Kilchoman, a Peregrine zipped past. Finally down over Loch Gorm they saw a possible Marsh Harrier.

Tuesday 28th January

A great day out here, no wind and better still no rain, but the high hills on Mull have got a dusting of snow on top of them.... Last Monday David and Jane Griffiths had a Golden Eagle out over Storakaig. Yesterday at Ardnave Loch, they had 15 Lapwing, 13 Oystercatcher, some Curlews, 3 Whoopers and 2 Mute Swans with "many Choughs" flying overhead. On their way home they had a ringtail Hen Harrier out quartering between between Bridgend and Bowmore. This morning on the reserve at Gruinart, James had 2 male Hen Harriers and also a Merlin.

Thursday 9th January

What a great day over here, I know that there were a few showers rolling in from the sea, but on the whole for January, a good day and to top it all little wind to speak of, what else can one wish for? I just happened to turn the TV on at the right moment late afternoon to see the end of the "The Great British winter" on BBC 2 and who was on but John Wilson covering a feature on Leighton Moss, it was great see John on "his" patch, also on was footage from the Somerset levels and the impressive Starling murmuration. So what happened here today, well just after breakfast, a Golden Eagle soared over from Rockside and appeared to follow the crag and away on towards Kilchiaran, never beating a wing, it was quite high but luckily I had my bins with me at the time. Later on, there were some Buzzards around calling away as ever and to finish off with a few Chough were ducking and diving about as they do while flying about, very vocal too...

Wednesday 8th January

Sorry folks but did not get round to an entry last night as I was not in top form, a stinker of a cold, no voice either, Margaret thought she was in second heaven in the house... Forgot to mention back on Sunday that James has Snowdrops out in his garden at Mill cottage, looking at ours down beside the burn this afternoon, think they are a few days off yet. Yesterday Peter had see the Iceland Gull at Uiskentuie, 2 Whoopers at "smelly corner" and 120 Wigeon further on round the top of Loch Indaal towards Bridgend. Ed yesterday had a Golden Eagle trying its' luck with some Whitefronts. At Craigens, Ed saw another Iceland Gull eating the remains of a Barnie and he reports that the Glaucous Gull was still at Bruichladdich yesterday. Today up at Craigens, Ed had an imm. White tailed Eagle fly over towards Loch Gruinart.

Wednesday 27th November

Not much news sent through so just more birds from the Oa. Another good day for seeing raptors, with Golden Eagle, Merlin, male and female Hen Harrier, 3 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk all seen whilst out and about today. Yesterday 2 Goldeneye were on Loch Kinnabus, a Red Grouse was seen on the hill and a good count of 93 Rock Dove also at Kinnabus.

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.

Monday 25th November

Whilst gathering sheep on the hills of the Oa today we saw 2 Golden Eagles, 3 Woodcock, 5 Snipe, and a female type Hen Harrier. Some counts from the Oa from last Friday included 427 Twite, 51 Chaffinch, 54 Golden Plover and a Grey Wagtail.
Today, Pete had seen a Water Rail well when flushed from a ditch at Bolsa Track near Port Charlotte. The saga in his garden continues with a very bold rook flying off with the food he put out for the Blackcap yesterday. Undaunted he has crushed another one of his fat balls and put that in a more sheltered spot in the garden in the hope that smaller birds may find it more accessible......

Wednesday 4th September

Today, Dave had seen a Sand Martin flying over the Oa. Visitors who had gone on out to the American Monument on the Oa today had seen 2 Golden Eagles while on their walk. The weather turned out a not bad day, got some painting done and grass cut too.... Come to think on it, Monday was supposed to be good and it turned out opposite to the forecast.... say no more!!

Wednesday 21st August

Bob yesterday had walked round Ardnave Point and had seen the following birds, 4 Barwits, 20 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 50 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, a flock of 45 Chough flying around, several small groups of Linnet and Twite. On Ardnave Loch itself, Tufted Duck and a Mute Swan along with 4 cygnets. On the way down the road, 2 Wheatear and 6 Stonechats were seen. Down over the flats at Gruinart, Bob counted 250 Greylags. Today, about a mile South of Bowmore, we had an immature Hen Harrier fly across the road in front of us, further on over the moor before Duich, a young Golden Eagle was out hunting over the moor, not that far off the road. Bob's brother in law who is over for a few days had a White tailed Sea Eagle over at Lagavulin this afternoon.

Sunday 9th June

Danny did not manage to break the magic 100 on his recent trip to Islay,only 95 species noted. He  had not seen Grey Wagtail, Long tailed Tit or Turnstone... roll on next May! Thanks to Danny for sharing his images with us along with his sightings. Jeremy and Kim, the other day had seen 30 Dunlin along at Saligo. Malcolm had heard a Blackcap singing down at the Community Garden at Bridgend early this morning. On our way up to Sanaigmore around midday, we had a cracking view of a Golden Eagle out over the hill behind Coille. This evening going up the gully behind our house there were at least 25 Rock Doves flying around in small groups, more than seen at similar times in other years, possibly as there are no Peregrines around! We also had a Cuckoo fly past when we were there too. The corncrake count last night/ early this morning which we carried out tallied out at 11 calling birds. Conditions were good, as there was hardly any wind which means that there was no noise from sea....

Thursday 4th April

With the weather holding out, some of the farmers are getting itchy feet and thinking of sowing their barley, at least making a start to the initial groundwork.  Mick yesterday had 6 GND in Kilnaughton Bay and then along the road out past the distilleries he had a total of 3 Golden Eagles! Out at Proaig Bay, he had 10 Turnstone and on his way home, he had a male Hen Harrier at Glenegedale. Yesterday too, Bob had a Sandwich Tern also down at Kilnaughton Bay. Back in the fields beside his house, Bob had a mixed flock of 32 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird. This morning, on our way over to Gruinart, there was a male Hen Harrier, and at lunchtime, looking out of the kitchen window, a Golden Eagle soared lazily out from the crag. Late afternoon, there was a flock of 14 Chough out above the crag.  

Wednesday 27th March

Yesterday, Malcolm had a Barn Owl out hunting at 14.30 just opposite the Gaelic College at Bowmore.  Also yesterday, Bob Young had a Buzzard mobbing a Golden Eagle up at Ardnave. Later on, over at Killinallan, Bob had a White tailed Sea Eagle being initially being mobbed by a Gull and then by a Shelduck! Coming home last night, we had a few single Woodcock taking off at the "edge" of our car lights along the flats at Gruinart and up towards the former Kilchoman school.The Bolton birders today had started the day off with 2 Razorbill and a GND at Saligo. Ardnave Loch held 6 Tufted Duck, 2 female Goldeneye, 1 Red breasted Merganser, 2 Mute Swan, 25 Teal, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Lapwing. While out round Ardnave Point, a juv. White tailed Sea Eagle was seen flying in from the North, and later on a Golden Eagle flew across from the other side of Loch Gruinart. 45 Chough were seen tumbling around in the sky close to Traigh Nostaig. On the ground there were 22 Twite, and on the shore 6 Sanderling and 10 Ringed Plover. 3 large Canada Geese were seen up towards Ardnave Point. 12 Eider were counted off Nave Island with 1 Snipe at the Lobster ponds. Over close to Killinallan gate, a ring tail Hen Harrier was present and later on another was close to Sunderland Farm. Down on the Sound of Islay, Mick and Edmund had a White tailed Sea Eagle and soon after a Golden Eagle as well.

Tuesday 26th March

Late entry folks as just back in from the bird nerds, the date may be should have read the 27th but not quite but almost. Short entry, here goes.... The Bolton Birders had been over towards Bunnahabhain today. Highlight definitely was seeing 2 prs of Golden Eagles probably both at the edge of their territories. Out on the Sound of Islay, 5 GND were noted as were Black Guillemot, Shags, and Red breasted Merganser as well as an Otter! The Iceland Gull was present down off Bunnahabhain itself. Finlaggan held 2 Mistle Thrushes along with Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and some Robins. They counted 18 Pale belied Brent Geese down at Gortan on their way home. They also had a White tailed Sea Eagle over towards Port Askaig. They had also seen 6 Redwing and 6 Fieldfare in the field alongside their cottage. Buzzards were seen through their whole day!

Tuesday 26th February

Another early entry tonight as as I an away out shortly to go to the "Islay birds nerds", so here goes...James on Sunday had a flock of 300 Golden Plover in a field close to his house, there were 95 Skylarks present too. Yesterday on the estuary at Gruinart, James had 2 White tailed Sea Eagles, on the floods James spotted the Green winged Teal out in front of the hide. Also yesterday, visiting birders had been over on Jura, with 2 Golden Eagles, and also 2 Hen Harriers being seen. They also had Jack Snipe on the roadside. Back on Islay again, they saw a White tailed Sea Eagle towards Bunnahabhain and a Hen Harrier over the reserve at Gruinart. Bob yesterday also had a good raptor day with 2 Golden Eagles, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and a Kestrel, all seen down on the Rhinns.

Saturday 23rd February

This image of a Chough was sent through to me yesterday, taken earlier this week. Mind you the weather is still holding dry. In fact it has been trying to snow here all day but with no real effect....Earlier in the week Michal had been speaking with visitors who had seen a Purple Sandpiper up at Ardnave. Other birders who have left today  had 2 Brambling up towards Sanaigmore, a Golden Eagle at Ardnave, the leucistic Barwit also at Ardnave and had seen Pale bellied Brent Geese on Loch Indaal. . John and Carol Warner who also left today had seen a juv Golden Eagle up behind Sunderland Farm and later on a male Hen Harrier over at Kilchiaran. Michal yesterday had heard a Mistle Thrush singing outside the Visitor Centre at Gruinart and later on he had 2 Golden Eagles over the reserve at Gruinart and also a male Hen Harrier. Michal this morning heard another Mistle Thrush singing away outside his house at Moulin. Other visitors had seen a Brambling  along with some Linnets today at Coille in a mixed finch flock close to Coille. Going over the hill from Gruinart to Carnain, they had a count of 50 Ravens and also female Merlin. Earlier on at Ardnave, they had seen 9 Sanderling, 1 Barwit with 5 GND offshore. Bob this morning had more Thrushes around possibly due the cold weather on the mainland. They included 13 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 8 Blackbird and 20 Meadow Pipits. This afternoon, down on Machir Bay there was around 50 Oystercatcher on the wing, while just above the tide line there was a dead Guillemot, no sign of any oiling or being caught in any fishing nets. Over at the flats at Gruinart, amongst the Barnies present, Phil and Kath had the Canada Goose hutchinsii sp.

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!!!!