Thursday 7th November

Yesterday James had a Brambling in his garden at lunchtime! This morning looking out at the willows in the garden here at home, there was a charm of at least 50 Goldfinches. Ian and Susan (visitors from Cumbria) had 2 GND and 2 Red Breasted Merganser in the bay below the Dower House past Kildalton. Michael had seen a ringtail Hen Harrier scaring off all the ducks away from the floods at Gruinart. The said Harrier kept quartering the floods but to no avail as it had already moved any "takings" on! Michael also had an immature Golden Eagle over the reserve this morning as well. Later on, a Merlin flew across the road as Michael headed into Bowmore. Finally coming home, he had a male Hen Harrier close to Foreland. The weather today, well, squally heavy showers with the wind gusting to 49mph just after 15.00 according to Mike's stats!

Wednesday 31st October

Another image of the Red breasted Goose, taken yesterday by Jim Dickson along at Sunderland Farm, thanks Jim! Some sightings through from yesterday, the Bartley family who I met up with at the Bird Fair are over for the week, and while sitting down at Whinpark close to Bridgend, as well as seeing the many Barnacle Geese present, saw the 2 White tailed Sea Eagles there too. The Eagles managed to have a Heron while they were there, a change from a Barnie or the odd Hare you might argue!! Also present down on the merse were some Curlews and Bar tailed Godwits. Further on between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte, a Guillemot was on Loch Indaal and later on, up behind Rockside a Sparrowhawk and some Chough were seen. Robin from Settle had the Long tailed Duck on Loch Indaal along with 3 Slavonian Grebe. At Claggain Bay, 2 GND were noted. David and Jenny last night had a Woodcock on the roadside going along the flats at Gruinart. This morning, they had 8 Pale bellied Brent Geese at Blackrock and a charm of 20 Goldfinches at the Gaelic College at Bowmore. At Sunderland Farm at lunchtime we had 8 Long tailed Tits. George today had  a GND in summer plumage on Loch Indaal below his house. At his house, 2 Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, several Blackbirds, heard a Fieldfare and up beside his ponds, fresh Otter spraints were seen.