Saturday 26th April

The Argyll birder (Jim Dickson) has headed home now, but yesterday had seen the "Kumlien,s Gull with some Thayer's features" down at Bruichladdich again. Jim noted an increase in waders with 758 Dunlin, 129 Ringed Plover and 76 Barwits and a single Blackwit present at Gruinart. 10 Whimbrel were at Uiskentuie wth 10 Arctic Terns seen there too and also a female Long tailed Duck flying towards Black Rock, there were also a tight group of 23 GND and a further tally of another 15 GND on Loch Indaal itself. Blackcaps were heard at Gruinart and also at Loch Skerrols, 2 Common Sandpipers were present too as well as a female Sparrowhawk. He also heard a Cuckoo at Lagstoban. Carl had a Common Sandpiper at Gortan. Another visiting birder has come this week based down at Portnahven, today he had 40 Whimbrel close to Nerabus, a Cuckoo on the overhead cabling as he came out of Portnahaven and off Port Wemyss, 5 GND were seen. George had seen House Martins, Sand Martins and also some Swallows at his house today, a good sign!