Sunday 28 August 2016

Sunday 28th August

Some sightings through from Gary and Sam who have had no internet connection over the past few days. Back on Thursday, they saw a male Bullfinch fly across the road between the trees close to Bridgend and later the same day, they had a ringtail Hen Harrier out quartering the fields opposite their house. On Friday, they saw a smart looking male Hen Harrier out on the wing up towards Finlaggan. Today they had walked out from Bunnahabhain towards the lighthouse at Rhuvaal. They had seen loads of Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Whitethroats on their walk and then saw a Golden Eagle overhead. Yesterday evening, just after we watched the Chough flying to their roost, there were 32 in total, we had a probable Marsh Harrier fly past before it briefly landed on the crag, giving us a better view of it through the scope. Today Bob, David and myself carried out the WeBs count from Bowmore down to Gartbreck, a week late I know , but as we were at Rutland last Sunday, the old saying that you cannot be in 2 places at once, comes to mind... Today's birds were as follows, 1 Gannet, 5 Heron, 12 Shag, 45 Greylag, 10 Mallard, 4 Eider, 35 Oystercatcher, 41 Curlew, 3 Arctic Tern, 78 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 11 Knot, 1 Lapwing, 87 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling,6 GGB Gull, 110 H Gull, 3 C Gull, 6 BH Gull, 1 Buzzard. We also saw a Wheatear as we took one of the vehicles down to Gartbreck and another during survey as well. On my way down to Bowmore,  I had a Merlin flying along in front of me before it swerved into a field close to Sunderland Farm. Back at home a Sparrowhawk zipped through the garden at lunchtime and then early afternoon, over the crag we counted 8 Buzzards before they split into 2 groups of 4, one following the crag inland, with the others flying along the ridge towards the masts above Kilchiaran. In between times, we have been watching various liners sail past, be it from a distance...
Remember to read the blog tomorrow night as we will let you know where the monthly meeting of where the birds will be on Tuesday evening

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