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.

Saturday 23rd November

Ian away for a few days and no news sent through as yet, so I thought I would just post a nice picture from yesterday of the twite flock on the Oa. Spot the greenfinch!

Tuesday 6th August

Another good day in out here, on the "Islands on the edge", the odd wee scuff of rain but not a lot... Mark down on the Oa had seen 2 Golden Plover on the silage aftermath at Upper Killeyan, there were also 25 Twite present too. On the guided walk there this morning, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Chough and a Golden Eagle were seen, all common to us to but many folk would give their back teeth to see them.....

Monday 29th July

A quieter day again in some ways... I awoke this morning at the back of 4 o'clock and smelt burning, it was like grass/ heather burning, but could not see anything out and about. When I did get up after 6 am, the smell was not as strong but still lingering in the air. I spoke to a friend in the Fire service later on and he knew nothing about a fire... so am a bit puzzled about that!!! Yesterday evening, up on the garage that we are getting built, there were over 50 Starlings on the roof couples and also a few House Sparrows having a look around as well. Today on the overhead wires, 24 Swallows were perched up, youngsters out and about no doubt. Today, the weather has been sunny and really heavy showers thrown in for good measure. Dave down on the Oa has still got a Corncrake calling away in his garden, out on Loch Kinnabus Dave had a Tufted Duck with 3 ducklings. On one of the silage fields on the reserve, there was a flock of 60 Twite.

Monday 19th November

A really wet and wild night- more than an inch of rain. The view from my kitchen window over the Gruinart Flats was an extremely moist scene.
Still more whoopers moved through the reserve, with a total of 23 split into 2 groups. Also on the mud were 120 golden plover all huddled against the wind.
Dave sent me through a report from the Oa (thankyou)- a Glaucous gull, 330 twite, 2 golden eagles, a ringtail hen harrier, 5 goldeneye, a red breasted merganser and several groups of fieldfares and redwing.

Friday 2nd November

David and Jenny on Wednesday had been down on the Oa and had a flock of 200 Twite. Yesterday over at Cluanach up behind Bridgend, they saw 2 Yellowhammer, 50 Fieldfare, 40 Twite and 7 Buzzards. Further on at Storakaig, they had 2 Golden Eagles and up at Bunnahabhain, they saw an Otter. The Bartleys have now headed home, but well pleased with their stay, highlights for them was seeing Hen Harriers, Golden Eagles, the White tailed Sea Eagle as well as Merlin and all the Geese!