Saturday 19th April

Another great day out here, long may it last, time for my "solar panel" to heat up...Some sightings through from yesterday, "solo" from Dumfries had seen 3 Swallows, 2 Buzzards and a Raven chasing a Golden Eagle over close to the Sound of Islay. "Solo" alais Mick Durham has headed home now, so thanks to Mick for giving us some sightings while he was over, hw was aided by his friend Edmund Fellowes at the start of his stay. The Bearsden birders, Ken and Karen Graham have also headed home but they heard the Corncrake calling at Gruinart yesterday.One of the folk over for walkislay, Armin Grewe had 3 Buzzards, 3 Golden Eagle, 2 Mute Swan, 5 pr of Goldfinches and a few Siskins while on the walk out from Ballygrant yesterday. Carl Mitchell yesterday had heard a Cuckoo calling over at Ballivicar at Port Ellen, seen a single Pale bellied brent Goose at Bowmore and also 6 GND in the bay at Sanaigmore. Michal had seen 8 Yellowhammers and also a Kestrel while walking from Gortantoid round to Bunnahabhain. Finally Carl Reavey had seen Blackcaps at Skerrols and also at Eollabus, 3 Chiffchaff at Skerrols, noted the large fall of Willow Warblers, seen "everywhere", over 60 Linnets seen at Newton, Wheatear at Octovullin, Comic Terns on Loch Indaal, a Merlin at Port Charlotte and a Peregrine at Craigfad. We had a male Hen Harrier fly past Shepherd's cottage yesterday afternoon