Islay Day 3

The mercurial Islay weather struck again today with strong winds and heavy rain. However having taken the whole day off as annual leave, that meant I had until the ferry at 3.30pm to birdwatch. Headed to the head of Loch Indaal first thing and was soon watching a small group of Bar tailed Godwits. Round at Bruichladdich, 20 Dunlin were dodging the breakers. Headed south on the Kilchiaran road and had singing Grasshopper Warbler and Cuckoo at Loch Gearach. Three broods of Greylag goslings were on the loch. Over at Kilchiarin, two Common Sandpipers were acting like they had chicks nearby. Also there were Rock Dove, Chough and Buzzard. Driving south produced more Choughs, a couple of Ravens and a male Stonechat. Three more Sonechats (possibly a brood) were at Portnahaven. Also notable were five singing Corncrakes in the Portnahaven / Port Wemyss area. The afternoon was spent walking in Bridgend and Ballygant woods The latter was very disappointing, possibly because strong winds and rain drowned out most bird sounds. Nevertheless, a good number of common species were found including Grey Wagtail, Greenfinch, Bullfinch and Blackcap. The ferry journey was excellent with a scattering of Manx Shearwaters and Gannets in the channel and summer plumaged Red throated and (surprisingly) Great norther Diver in West Loch Tarbet. The drive back to Glasgow filled in more gaps in the trip list including Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Siskin and Magpie. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android