Wednesday 15th January

Yesterday while walking back in from the Singing Sands over at Port Ellen, David and Jane Griffiths watched an Otter which was close by in the sea close to the shoreline. Tracey sent through the figures from the International Goose count carried out on Monday and Tuesday with tally being 41,951 Barnies and 5,329 Whitefronts. Thanks to Tracey and the team from SNH for sharing these figures. On his way home at lunchtime today, Bob had a second year White tailed Sea Eagle between Port Charlotte and his house. A quick look at the rain guage today showed that we have already had 3.5" of rain this month... say no more...

Tuesday 14th January

This morning, Ed had a Common Crane over at Loch Skerrols. The geese were uneasy and Ed had a quick look around and saw the Crane flying South East... Bob had been out on the Ballygrant/ Keills run doing the Goose count today. At Esknish he saw a pr of Bullfinches, shortly afterwards a Red legged Partridge, possibly a formerly released bird. Along at Keills, a Grey Wagtail was spotted and then a Sparrowhawk further on. Bob was saying that there were several groups of Reed Buntings about, the geese themselves appeared to be quite skittish today! Here at home, a Peregrine zipped past

Monday 13th January

A better day over here, no rain to speak of, altough not the warmest of days...still it is January!!! Yesterday Peter saw a Razorbill and also a juv. Kittiwake, both off the pier at Bruichladdich. Today Peter reported through that the Iceland Gull was still along close to Uiskentuie, but no reports of our ever faithful Iceland Gull over at Bunnahabhain so far. Over at Port Ellen today, Bob had 4 female Goldeneye in the bay, down on the Oa, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers were seen with a male along the low road and another male close to his house up behind Port Charlotte, late afternoon.

Sunday 12th January

As forecast, the weather was not too great, rather a dreich sort of a day, wet and raw.. The other day, James had a Grey Wagtail over at Craigens, on the reserve he saw 4 Greenshank out on the "floods" with a count of 960 Golden Plover over the reserve as well. George was in touch to say that the 3 Whoopers were still present on his ponds this morning, also there were 25 Whitefronts, 8 Mallard and also a Heron.

Saturday 11th January

Another great day out here on the Western extremities, no real complants on the weather front, more of the same please... Yesterday Bob had done a count along the top end of Loch Indaal with his tallies coming through at 86 Barwits, 300 Curlew, 48 Lapwing, 180 Oystercatcher, 42 Shelduck, 202 Mallard, 187 Teal, 293 Wigeon and 3 Buzzard. Between Blackrock ang Gortan, Bob had 2 groups of Pale bellied Brent with a total of 82 Geese noted.

Friday 10th January

Some sightings through from yesterday, Mary had a Snow Bunting up at Ardnave and 4 GND off Ardnave Point. Carol Andrews saw a family group of Whoopers at Bruichladdich, there was an adult and 2 youngsters. Peter reports that the Glaucous Gull is still at Bruichladdich and the Iceland Gull along at Uiskentuie. Between Bruichladdich and Uiskentuie, Peter had count of 56 Pale bellied Brents. Today George had seen the Whooper family up on his ponds, also there were a Snipe and also a Heron. George counted 17 Brents along at Bruichladdich and saw more round at Uiskentuie but could not get a count as he was driving at the time.

Thursday 9th January

What a great day over here, I know that there were a few showers rolling in from the sea, but on the whole for January, a good day and to top it all little wind to speak of, what else can one wish for? I just happened to turn the TV on at the right moment late afternoon to see the end of the "The Great British winter" on BBC 2 and who was on but John Wilson covering a feature on Leighton Moss, it was great see John on "his" patch, also on was footage from the Somerset levels and the impressive Starling murmuration. So what happened here today, well just after breakfast, a Golden Eagle soared over from Rockside and appeared to follow the crag and away on towards Kilchiaran, never beating a wing, it was quite high but luckily I had my bins with me at the time. Later on, there were some Buzzards around calling away as ever and to finish off with a few Chough were ducking and diving about as they do while flying about, very vocal too...