Monday 28th October

Forgot to mention last night that I had to empty the rain gauge out as it was full, normally it can hold the rainfall for the month but not the case this October...Highlights from the RAFOS group from yesterday included seeing a flock of around 200 Golden Plover, a Merlin and also a pr of Hen Harriers. Yesterday afternoon along at Rock Mountain we saw 8 Collared Doves together and this morning we had a 20 Redwing in the willows just on the edge of the reserve at Gruinart. This morning, Steve Percival shot the cannon nets and "caught" some Barnies, so James did a quick phone round to get helpers to come along. Job was all done by 1pm with 118 geese rung and recorded and also 2 recaught birds from previous years. Ed Burrell who has just come to carry some work with the Whitefronts over the next few months got a quick introduction to us all!!! Later on Ed was down on the Oa and had a Hen Harrier there and also a Merlin. Gordon and Pauline are back over for the week and had been out and about today. Loch Skerrols had 40 Mute Swans and 2 Whoopers flew in while they were there, 7 Whoopers were seen coming in to Gruinart with another 7 seen flying out over Port Ellen. Down close to the Airport, a male Hen Harrier was seen as was a Sparrowhawk. At Ardtalla, 100 Siskin were seen and finally at Gearach, 80 Redwing and 20 Fieldfare were present.

Thursday 6th June

Another great day over here again.... Yesterday, Jeremy and Kim had 2 Whimbrel over at Loch Gruinart, James had a Yellowhammer and also a Golden Eagle over the reserve. Nick had carried out his second round of his tetrads yesterday as well. The tetrad immediately around here proved quite interesting, with the highlight being a total of 13 Chough counted, Corncrake heard in "Minister's field", 2 Twite present as were Linnets, Sedge Warblers and Reed Bunting. The tetrad over beyond Coull, taking in Carn Mor and some of the coastline had a completely different set of birds, Herring Gull, Lesser BB Gull, Fulmars, Black Guillemots, Razorbills out on the sea, Gannets flying past, back on land, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Comic Tern and plenty of Lapwings. Nick's other square was North of Bunnahabhain, on land,  pr Whinchat, Whitethroat and Skylark while out on the Sound of Islay, Gannets, Shag, GND and Black Guillemot  were all seen. Thanks Nick. Yesterday Stafford had a Golden Eagle over behind Ballygrant. He also saw 2 Cuckoos pursuing each other and finally 2 Curlew. Here at home, the Redpolls and the Siskins are still present as were 2 Collared Doves today

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!

Tuesday 11th December

Another frosty night last night coupled with the brilliant starry skies and more of the same again tonight by the looks of things. Malcolm on his way home last night from Bowmore had a Barn Owl beside the Auction market at Bridgend and just along the road at the entrance to Whinpark, he had a couple of Woodcock in the car headlights.This afternoon down towards Sunderland Farm, a Sparrowhawk took off from a straining post on the fence line. Just coming into Bruichladdich, there was a small group of  11 Pale bellied Brent Geese on the edge of Loch Indaal. Earlier on, back at home we had our first Siskin of the winter on the bird feeders, I know they are seen often over at The Woolen Mill, and also in the trees around Ballygrant, but over here it was great to see one.