Sunday 30th June

One of the 7 Shelduck ducklings which someone,(no names here Paul), kindly gave us a fortnight ago. The 7 of them were abandoned down on Machir Bay, with no sign of any parents around, the only thing that perhaps saved them from being devoured by predators like Gulls was probably that the beach was busy with folk and there were a few dogs running around. The same ducklings are much bigger now, doubt if they would sit on your hand now, but might try and catch one tomorrow for another image....

At lunchtime today, Peter had a Sandwich Tern feeding just off Bruichladdich Pier. This afternoon coming home from Gruinart, we had 3 different Hen Harriers, a male close to Grainel, a ringtail further along the road towrads the former Kilchoman School and off reserve, below Culbuie towards Grulinmore, another ringtail. We saw a Buzzard further on, just before the turn off leading to Sanaigmore, and finally another Buzzard over the reedbed at the Coastguards' houses.

Sunday 7th April

Almost a week away in April and it is not getting much warmer, at least it is staying dry! Quite a few sightings for you tonight, so here we go.... On Friday, Mary had 2 Wheatears up at Ardnave. Yesterday, down at Portnahaven, there were 2 large Canada Geese in the Bay. Today they had moved up to Claddach Loch. The Chough down at Portnahaven have been active of late flying around over the village.  Peter on Thursday had a pr of Grey Wagtail and also a Dipper on the River Sorn. In the trees there, a Treecreeper was seen and also several Goldcrest. Yesterday, between Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte, Peter had 9 GND, but all none in summer plumage. Today over at Loch Allan, the birds were out singing good style, Wrens everywhere, plenty of singing Chaffinches,  Dunnocks, Robins, Tits in general including several Coal Tit as well as 6 Goldcrest and 3 Treecreepers. Overhead a Sparrowhawk flew past. Later on a Bullfinch was seen. Peter also had a Greater spotted Woodpecker, his first on Islay. On Loch Allan itself, 2 separate Little Grebes were heard calling and a pr of Tufted Duck were present. Martin has had no Goldfinches for some time at his feeders, but today he put out some Nyger seed and within 15 minutes had his first one! Martin now reckons that he has had 9 today plus a Siskin, eating on either the Nyger seed or on the other food which has been on offer all of this time! Visitors had seen Chough up at Ardnave and also a Golden Eagle, a Merlin and Peregrine up there too. Earlier this morning, they had 3 Sandwich Terns down at Machir Bay. This evening along at Sunderland Farm, we saw a mixed flock of Geese, mainly Greenland Whitefronts, some Greylags, a few Barnies as well as 8 large Canada Geese. For the last few Springs, we seem to have had the appearance of a few large Canadas, but fortunately for us, they move on!

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.  

Monday 1st April

No, it's no April fool joke being played, but the rainfall was more for March this year than it was back in 2012. This year, we have had 1.75" compared with 1.5" last year, and back in 2011 it was 3", still it has been dry again today with no sign of any rain as of yet! Yesterday Mick had a Wheatear over on the Sound of Islay. Today, up at Ardnave Point, he had a Sandwich Tern. Over towards Nave Island, 2 GND and a Black Guillemot were seen and at  Traigh Nostaig, there were 25 Sanderling on the shore while inland there were over 25 Chough in the air. Clive Hancock had a pair of Red breasted Merganser at Sanaigmore today.