Sunday 9 March 2008

Fri 6th - Sun 8th March

During the better weather on Thursday, a Water Rail was seen over at RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve, the skylarks were singing away while the Lapwing were displaying, definately more signs of Spring! Some more Frog spawn was found again on the reserve, remember that Stacey had some down in Glen Astle back in February! Also seen on reserve was a Moorhen skulking about! There were definately only 2 Snow Bunting to be be seen up at Ardnave, so possibly the Merlin that Roger had observed has had the other 2 birds right enough.
On Friday itself, there was a separate Goose count on the reserve, producing 4,733 Barnies and 138 Whitefronts, 9 Greylag, but time was taken out to count a large flock of 470 Skylark.
Today, Sunday and there were some Woodcock seen at Woodside and also further along the road at Moulin in the rough grass in a garden. A Sparrowhawk was also at Grainel. JRH
The other day, down at Carnain there were several Pintail in amongst the the other Duck present, mainly Mallard, Wigeon, Teal and Shelduck. On Saturday, at Bowmore, there were Goldeneye and Eider Duck close inshore. Coming home last night there was a Barn owl out hunting, the first that I have seen for quite some time, perhaps I should go out more often! At lunchtime today, there was a Golden Eagle to be seen from the back door, while late afternoon there was a male Hen Harrier flying about 50 feet up across the garden. There have been a small flock of 13 Greylag Geese in the fields here at home recently. IKB

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