Tuesday 29th October

Latish entry again, no excuse really but it was bird nerds meeting, with 12 folk coming along, including 3 visitors. Yesterday, RAFOS highlights included a Merlin seen off the High road above Glenegedale Lots, a flock of 98 Scaup at Blackrock, Peregrine over the back of Machir Bay (? possibly the same bird that Ed had seen), and 2 Black Guillemot at Claggan Bay. Peter had 22 Common Scoter off Bruichladdich yesterday. One of the retrap Barnies that Steve had yesterday was initially rung 13 Years ago! Ed had a pr of Golden Eagles out on the West coast today, Emily had a ringtail Hen Harrier on the Oa walk this morning, George counted 40 Common Scoter on Loch Indaal today off Bruichladdich. Gordon and Pauline had counted 60 Twite, a Merlin and a Sparrowhawk up at Ardnave. At Bruichladdich they saw 20 Turnstone.

Saturday 7th September

Yesterday may have been a great day, but as I wrote last night, it started to rain and it just kept raining all night and for most of the morning, not a down pour, a steady rain yes, net result is that the rain guage so far for the month has registered almost an inch... and the temperature has dropped too, into single figures on the car at lunchtime when headed out to Bridgend. Bob counted 132 Scaup in a raft on Loch Indaal down at Gartmain. Visiting birder Paul had a White tailed Sea Eagle from the ferry as he came up the Sound of Islay.