Monday 3rd March

A clear and sunny day today- the Lapwing calling and the Skaylarks singing, plus 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls at Gruinart. I usually see some in Feb, but they are late this year. Other records from Gruinart include a Bullfinch, Treecreeper and 2 Goldcrests all on the woodland trail - seen by Mary. Lots of records for yesterday: From the BurbageBirders, Off the ferry- 2 Black Throated Divers, 4 Red Throated Divers, 7 Great Norther Divers, 17 Razorbills, 13 Guillemots, 40+ Black Guillemot and a White Tailed Eagle. At their accomodation An-Innes they had 6 Woodcock. Records from the 1st March: 1st winter Iceland Gull nr. Kilmeny, male Hen Harrier at Erasaid, Slavonian Grebe just off Bowmore and 4 White Tailed Eagle in the Sound of Islay. It has also been noticed that the Gannets are back cruising the coast.

Wednesday 26th February

Yesterday Bob had seen a Sparrowhawk just out of Bowmore. Today Ed had spotted an adult Glaucous Gull on the shore at Blackrock, later on he had an adult White tailed Sea Eagle near to Ballygrant. Back here at home, over the few days, some of the Lapwings appear to be pairing up and dislaying. This morning the Fulmars were back at the crag again...

Sunday 23rd February

Forgot to mention last night that we had seen the adult Iceland gull over at Duich in a rather badly poached grass field. Bob was telling me today that some Greenfinches have returned to his feeders, 5 male and a female were there today. Ed had seen a Snow Bunting and also a Merlin. Later on, South of Bowmore, Ed saw 2 Peregrines. Around midday, Malcolm had an imm White tailed Sea Eagle up behind Bridgend and then later on an adult bird over towards Port Askaig. Returning visiting birder Paul from Notts had seen an imm White tailed Sea Eagle at the reserve at Gruinart this morning, also there were over 100 Pintail, 1 Whoopers, and over 80 Dunlin. Up towards there were 30 Chough in a grass field along with the grazing sheep. Paul also commented on the numbers of Skylarks and Reed Buntings around. Over at Loch Ballygrant, he had a ringtail Hen Harrier with 24 Tufties on the Loch itself. Close to Bowmore, on Loch Indaal, Paul had 2 GND and also a Red throated Diver. Below the generating station there were 8 Scaup, 3 males and 5 females. Back here at home, a new garden bird on the ground today, a Raven, been seeing some of them carrying nesting materials back to their nests of late!! For those of you on Islay this coming week, the bird nerds are meeting in the Lochside Hotel at 7.30pm for a blether and a pint, soi if you are around, see you there!

Saturday 22nd February

The Hampshire Birders yesterday, up on Ardnave Loch had 2 Whoopers, Goldeneye and Tufted Duck, round at Saligo they saw Reed Bunting and back at Crosshouse/"smelly corner" they had Mute Swan, Raven, Barwits, Curlew, Mallard, Shelduck, Barnies, Dunlin, Oysterctacher and Ringed Plover. Thanks to Gary and Wendy for your sightings while you were over. Gordon and Pauline on their way to the ferry yesterday am, had a White tailed Sea Eagle tucking into a Barnie at the top of Loch Indaal, also present was a Raven and a GBB Gull waiting patiently for any scraps! Whilst waiting for the ferry to leave Port Askaig, a Peregrine flew past the ferry about 20 feet away! Today down at Bowmore, in the harbour there were 2 cracking prs of Goldeneye. Coming home, and just past the Rockside road end, a male Hen Harrier flew over the road,less than 30yards ahead of us, not sure how it did not clip the top of the fence!

Thursday 20th February

Just as well that I emptied our rain guage yesterday as we had another inch through the night, the ground is laden with water, out on the Machir in places that I have not seen before, water everywhere... Yesterday,the Hampshire birders had a Dipper on the River Sorn, out on the Sound of Islay they had seen Black Guillemots, Eider and GND. Over Jura they saw a pr of White tailed Sea Eagles. They also saw a pr of Stonechats on Islay. Visitors from Cambridge had seen a male and a female Hen Harrier, a Brambling, a GND, Canada Goose hutchinsii sp and 10 Barwits while out and about round Gruinart and the Loch Gorm area. The Rochdale birders were telling me that the flock of lbj's at Corsapol has turned to mainly Chaffinches rather than as many Linnets seen there. James had some birds seen from the ferry when he was away for a few days. He saw a White tailed Sea Eagle on the Sound of Islay, both coming and returning! Also seen were "loads" of Tysties in summer plumage in the Sound of Islay, as well as Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, GNDs, a Red throated Diver, Black throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter, 5 Slavnian Grebes. Highlight for James was a Great crested Grebe in West Loch Tarbert

Wednesday 12th February

Back to normal, thanks to James for writing last night's entry. It was rather miserable outside for some time last night, and I believe today that the gritters / snow ploughs were out over the other side of Islay. Yesterday, before the weather broke the Hampshire birders had been out from Scarrabus up to Loch Cam. They had a Peregrine, several Reed Buntings with a Golden Eagle up at Loch Cam itself. A few moments later they had a White tailed Sea Eagle there on. On the Loch itself, 50 Teal were present. Today, the Rochdale birders had counted 17 Pale bellied Brent down close to Gortan, on the shoreline there they had 1 Dunlin along with 8 Turnstoe. Over at Corsapol at Gruinart, they had a mixed finch flock of around 300 birds consisting of Twite, Linnet, Meadow Pipit and Skylarks. Peter had 36 Pale bellied Brent towards Uiskentuie today.

Tuesday 11th February

Its been snowing - Ians internet dish is covered with snow, so I am blogging. Just finished building the snowman, you have to make sure you don't miss an opportunity on Islay. Eleanor is out in the dark putting the final touches to the snow creation. Yesterday the Hampshire birders had some good birds around Loch Indaal- a White Tailed Eagle at Smelly Corner and Black Guillemot, Goldeneye, Bar Tailed Godwits, Great Northern Divers, Black Throated Diver, Black Tailed Godwits, Lapwing and Grey Plover all between Bridgend and Bowmore. At Kilchoman 12 Fulmars came in to the cliff and yes today its windy and snowing! Today the Sevenoaks birders had a pair of Stonechats, a Buzzard and a Female Hen Harrier up close in the blizzard on the Oa. Thanks for the records Ian and Duncan. I was out and about at Gruinart and had big flocks of 1240 Golden Plover and 520 Lapwing on the Flats as well as 29 Redshank, a Sparrowhawk and a Hen Harrier.

Sunday 9th February

Some sightings through from the Sevenoak birders who are over for a few days. Yesterday from the old hide at Gruinart they had a White tailed Sea Eagle, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Greenshank, 6 Whooper Swan, 5 Red breasted Merganser and a Roe deer. Along at the new hide, they saw some Barwits, Redshank, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing. Up at Ardnave Loch they saw 8 Goldeneye on the Loch itself with some Culew and Oystercatcher on the shore. Today down at Port Ellen, a Rock Pipit was added to their list. Later, better still, a Golden Eagle at Storakaig, a pr of Stonechats along with several Buzzards seen on their travels. Up at Bunnahabhain, they saw 3 GND, an Otter munching its way through a crab, with a Red breasted Merganser seen there too. At Gruinelbeg (just North of Loch Gorm) they had a mixed flock of 20 Redwing and Fielldfare. Round past Ballinaby, they had 20 Ringed Plover and over the crag at Kilchoman, a Peregrine zipped past. Finally down over Loch Gorm they saw a possible Marsh Harrier.

Friday 7th February

Bob was telling me last night that the Starlings near his house had been mimicing other birds, Curlew, Black headed Gulls and Coots, so I wonder if the Starlings that were on song for a Coot were birds that were ones moving through as we do not have many Coots here for the Starlings to "learn" from... Pia this morning had seen a White tailed Sea Eagle Eagle tucking into a Barnie up past Ballygrant, later on on the grass close to Finlaggan there were over 35 Fieldfare and Buzzard in the same fields poking about successfully looking for food and the Fieldfares were not put off by the Buzzard. Later on from home at Bruichladdich, Peter had 35 Eider, 15 Red breasted Merganser, 8 GND, 4 Red throated Diver along with 2 Goldeneye out on Loch Indaal.

Thursday 6th February

After a late entry last night, tonight you are getting an early edition, 'cos I am going out (not again, I can hear you all saying) and I have some sightings to share with you, so off we go... Last night, James had a Barn Owl as he came along the road towards "The Hedges" down below Rock Mountain. The Hampshire birders are back over for another stay... Yesterday at Carnain they had 2 Snipe, a White tailed Sea Eagle on the spit, a GND on Loch Indaal, and later on a ringtail Hen Harrier. In the trees, going into Loch Skerrols they saw 2 Long tailed Tits and a Treecreeper too. This morning round at Ballinaby, there were 11 Hooded Crows together, the fields over there are laden with all the rain that we have had of late. This afternoon, on our way home there was a Merlin flying along the roadside beside us just after Sunderland Farm.

Thursday 30th January

Today while out goose counting on the Oa, Bob saw a female Marsh Harrier having a tussle with a Buzzard below Upper Cragabus. Yesterday he had a Peregrine at Finlaggan and aslso a Goldeneye on the loch there.. He was also was telling me that there were 4 Hares out running about this afternoon in the fields joining his house, odd how they are not seen and then they reappear, it is not that they migrate or hibernate, they just are not to be seen as much! James did a Goose count on the reserve at Gruinart today with the tally being 3530 Barnies, 150 Greenland Whitefronts and 52 Greylags. Today Pia had seen the White tailed Sea Eagle over the raised beach between Gortan and and the spit towards Uiskentuie

Wednesday 29th January

Some sightings through from yesterday, Amy who is a "long term" vol at Gruinart and the Oa had done walk along the trails at Gruionart with her tally coming through at 3 Wren, 6 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Great Tit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Blackbird, 10 Fieldfare and 3 Mistle Thrush. David and Jane had 2 Golden Eagles up at Sanaigmore yesterday, with another 2 later on, possibly the same pair. Up behind Bridgend, they had a Merlin on their way home. George reported through to say that he only has been seeing the 2 juv. Whooper Swans of late on his ponds, no sign of the adult bird. On our way out to the Bird nerds last night we had a Barn Owl sitting on a fence post at the side of the road at Lyrabus, and on our way home another close to Grainel as we dropped James off. Last night was our "social" night out with 18 folk enjoying the evening at the Golden Dragon in Bowmore... No tales to tell from there! Today Malcolm had a 2nd yr Iceland Gull down at Portnahaven this morning and around midday an imm White Sea tailed Eagle out over the hill at Coultorsay

Thursday 16th January

Forgot to mention last night that I had a ringtail Hen Harrier fly past when I was up at Shepherd's cottage speaking with the builders... Coming home last night, we had a Barn owl sitting on a fence post down close to Foreland. This morning, around 10am, Pia had a White tailed Sea Eagle soaring overhead while she was out with her dog, along from Gortan towards the spit, with the Eagle high up over the raised beach. Going round to Gruinart around the same time, we had a Kestrel, hunkered up in the gravel quarry at Coull. On our travels, we saw 3 Buzzards and another 2 over the wood outside Bushmills. We also had a Hooded Crow up past the old Kilchoman School. Back home again, and the Lapwing flock were out towards the War Graves again, and a couple of Chough flew past as well, can't they ever not fly past quietly? Bob around 3pm had the White tailed Sea eagle directly above his house.

Wednesday 8th January

Sorry folks but did not get round to an entry last night as I was not in top form, a stinker of a cold, no voice either, Margaret thought she was in second heaven in the house... Forgot to mention back on Sunday that James has Snowdrops out in his garden at Mill cottage, looking at ours down beside the burn this afternoon, think they are a few days off yet. Yesterday Peter had see the Iceland Gull at Uiskentuie, 2 Whoopers at "smelly corner" and 120 Wigeon further on round the top of Loch Indaal towards Bridgend. Ed yesterday had a Golden Eagle trying its' luck with some Whitefronts. At Craigens, Ed saw another Iceland Gull eating the remains of a Barnie and he reports that the Glaucous Gull was still at Bruichladdich yesterday. Today up at Craigens, Ed had an imm. White tailed Eagle fly over towards Loch Gruinart.

Sunday 5th January

Yes, think the Fulmars were correct in coming in to pay us a visit early yesterday, as the weather broke down again after lunchtime with more heavy rain coupled with the wind picking up too. The ferry was hoping to come over this evening and the afternoon plane arrived a wee bit later than scheduled, at least it came! James made the most of it and got some birds on the reserve at Gruinart this morning, a flock of 17 Reed Buntings, 5 Gadwall, 11 Whoopers, a Greenshank and also a White tailed Sea Eagle. Think the weather is due to settle down after tomorrow, we will just have to wait and see...

Thursday 5th December

Apologies to those of who may have kept looking last night for yesterday's entry, well I did write it up but due some computer glitch somewhere, it just would allow me "publish" the said entry until today. And even then I had to wait until our power supply was restored, by which time it was almost midday today... On Monday Ed had seen 3 Hen Harriers whilst he was out round the Rhinns, later on up on Ardnave Loch, he counted 14 Goldeneye. On Tuesday, down at Uiskentuie, Ed saw an adult WTSE, and at Cruach behind Bowmore, 2 Golden Eagles were present. Yesterday, down at Ballivicar outside Port Ellen, Ed had a ringtail Hen Harrier flushing a Snipe. Also yesterday, James a Woodcock on the reserve at Gruinart, and also a count of 1,000 Golden Plover. James also was telling me that Ed's 2 Whitefronts with neck collars 21 and 22 are still present at Gruinart, so keep your eyes open for those neck collars and we will pass any sightings on to Ed. Thanks should be given to the hard working crews who have been working hard through today's weather in re-connecting us on again so quickly, well done lads! By the way the plane did not come today at all, while Calmac' evening ferry was the the only ferry connection here today, mind you I would not have thanked you to attempt either method of attempting to go to the mainland today, I heard that the strongest gust was 79 mph over at Airport today....Boy the sea was rough this morning!!!!

Tuesday 26th November

Today the WWT guys, whilst carrying out research on Greenland White-fronted Geese, had seen 2 Golden Eagles and a Peregrine at Coille, Merlin at Kilchoman and Tawny Owl at Gruinart. On Sunday they also had a young Golden Eagle, a White-tailed Sea Eagle at Gruinart.
Back to today, James had 2 Goldcrest and 2 Hen Harriers also at Gruinart. Whilst RSPB volunteers, John and Amy, had 14 Yellowhammer, 12 Curlew and a Chough all at Kintra.

Sunday 24th November

A beautiful calm day. Out along the coast today past Ardbeg, with Islay canoe club, we had two sightings of White-tailed Sea Eagles, 3 Black Guillemots, and 10 Great Northern Divers. The GND's were making their unusual eerie call constantly whilst we were on the water.
Pete tells me he has a fine male Blackcap in his garden hedge at Bruichladdich. Concerned for its well being he has been trying to coax it with one of his fat balls, but so far it seems disinterested.

Thursday 21st November

Back on Tuesday morning, Malcolm had counted 7,800 Barnies resting up at the head of Loch Indaal. This morning while going into Bowmore Malcolm had seen 2 juv WTSE on the mud flats after the former blacksmith's at Pennycraig, no doubt sussing up which Barnie to have for eats!!! Ken and the Burbage birders had their last full day yesterday, they had an adult WTSE past Bridgend, up at Bunnahabhain a dog otter was present while in the Sound of Islay off Coal Ila, 2 Red throated Divers were seen. Thanks to Ken and his group for their highlights. Today, Peter had a Woodcock on the track leading to Bolsa up behind Port Charlotte. The Brambling is still present here at home and tucking in to the food on offer!!!

Friday 15th November

A busy day for me today and busy emptying kayaks this evening. A few birds around the Gruinart reserve. A White Tailed Eagle juv sitting on the salt marsh surrounded by barnacle geese at dawn. 15 Whooper swans arrived in front of the new hide and a male Hen Harrier near the visitor centre.