Tuesday 28 February 2012

Tuesday 28th February

A bit of a late entry, sorry about that folks, but tonight was the "monthly" gathering of the "bird nerds" here on Islay. We were well pleased with 19 folk coming along, including 9 visiting birders, great to meet up with the visitors especially and show them that we are a friendly bunch!

John Lumbie from Bruichladdich had a Short eared Owl, up behind Port Charlotte last Tuesday and today he had 2 Red Grouse near there too.

Paul Beresford from Nottingham, left to go home today, but gave me through his sightings from yesterday. Craigens, first winter and a second winter Glaucous Gull and also a first winter Iceland Gull. RSPB Loch Gruinart, 5 Whooper Swan, 22 Greylag, 11 Mallard, 27 Pintail, 26 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 500+ Teal, 2 Red breasted Merganser, 1 Greenshank & 1 Redshank. On the feeders outside the visitor centre at Gruinart, there were 2 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 40 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch & 20 House Sparrow. Ardnave Loch had 9 Whooper Swan, 10 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard and 60 Chough along with some Jackdaws. On the estuary, at Ardnave, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Shag, 100 Bar tailed Godwit & 6 Raven. Thanks Paul.

David and Jenny from Staffs, had an imm. Golden Eagle being mobbed by a Buzzard at Mulindry, with a further 2 near to Dun Nosebridge., and then a fourth Eagle that was displaying out over the Eastern hills as they headed up to Ballygrant. Also a Mulindry, there were 30 Fieldfare, and a ringtail Hen Harrier. They also had a male Hen Harrier at Finlaggan, while on Ardnahoe Loch, 3 Goosanders were present. 3 Pale bellied Brent were were close to Bridgend, and a female Pochard seen on Loch Skerrols . One of the other visitors told me this evening that this morning, they had seen a Magpie down at Ardbeg.

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