Walked around Ardmore Point this lunchtime. Weather good but seabirds well offshore, with only single Red throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe and Great crested Grebes identifiable (together with a few Shags and Black Guillemots (the latter in winter plumage)). Highlights were four Knot feeding in North Bay, some striking fungi growing on a piece of driftwood (above), and the quite intoxicating aniseed-like smell of Sweet Cecily unexpectedly wafting along the South Bay path.

Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Spent much of the day in the Appin area. Highlights there were Red breasted Mergansers and Mallards loafing on dead flat waters, and 10 Rock Pipits along the shore of Airds Bay. Later that day, walked around the outskirts of Benderloch. Undoubted highlight was a Barn Owl which gave fantastic views as it flew over a roadside field (in broad daylight) and watched me for a few minutes from a fence post before gliding away.
On the way back to Glasgow, passed single Rabbits and Roe Deer (and two dead Badgers) not far from Tyndrum. Later, 4 Red Deer crossed the road just south of Crianlarich.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Drove to Oban in warm autumn sunshine. Stopped for lunch at Tyndrum where a pair of House Sparrows were taking scraps from the tourists. Stopped again at Bonawe Ferry (south side) where 6 Wigeon and 3 Greater black backed Gulls were sharing a patch of seaweed and rocks out in the loch. Arrived at Benderloch mid afternoon.Birds seen from the house there were Hooded Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Buzzard, Pheasant, House Sparrow, Robin and Wren (the final two species in song).