Visits to various places ((10th July ) produced little until a walk along the beach from Traigh an Luig to Uiskentuie. Three separate parties of Redshank, Sanderling and Turnstone showed that waders from the high Arctic are now on their return migration southwards. The plumage of the latter was already begining to lose it's defintion and intensity and that of the Sanderlings was something of a "half way house". An unintended pun, the latter comment might actually represent what some of these birds still have in front of them in terms of their migration, as all the species mentioned can winter way down in Africa and, therefore, still have a long way to go. On the other hand they may opt for the winter sun of the Mediterranean or , slightly further south, become part of the vast wintering flocks of waders on the Banc d'Arguin, off Mauritania.
Sadly, the above beach and adjacent areas no longer showed any terns to be present and, as in so many previous years, it would seem their breeding attempts have failed or that they'd moved to other sites as terns can often do. By contrast several pairs of Ringed Plover were present, all acting as if they had young somewhere, which would perhaps suggest second attempts at breeding, and quite successful ones at that! Thankfully the open grazed areas to one side, and the sloping beach on the seaward side, allow a route to be chosen that leaves the shingle undisturbed except, of course, the diehard dog walkers whose inquisitive charges find it irresistable.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
9th July,2009.
Infrequent postings as I'm a bit restricted with a return of this .............ear infection. It's like operating in an echo chamber and a bit painful to boot!!
Continuing good weather and sallies out to the beach with the girls to get fresh air , look in the rock pools and collect pebbles to repair the track!! Suddenly Meadow Pipits seem to be everywhere, which suggests they've had a good season along with Wheatear, Stonechat and Linnet. As ever Common Eider seems to enjoy very limited success here with very low productivity ( I've yet to see a creche on Islay! ). The sea was noticeably quiet with only the odd Gannet around, although better numbers of Herring Gull, Common Gull, Fulmar, Shag and Arctic Terns are around the offshore islands.
Back at home I watched a couple of Ravens systematically scour a hillside opposite whilst adult Curlews went ballistic. Chicks are now quite well grown but I suppose Ravens would have no difficulty in despatching one! Rabbits are very slowly begining to reappear at various points around the island following myxamatosis taking its toll previously. The large warren above the house has never recovered . Coincidentally, and rather obviously, sightings of local Buzzards are fewer in number this season as, presumably, they hunt over a wider area. The very pale local individual gave absolutely tremendous views the other day and I often wonder what visitors make of it!!!
Have had some time to think about what is best required to draw attention to the woeful situation of raptor species in parts of the UK. Clearly any support people can offer to local conservation initiatives and to national campaigns is to be welcomed. But it needs more than that. The fight needs taking to the perpetrators first of all via a firm declaration by national institutions, even by Government, that the situation is simply not going to be tolerated . Over the years the relentless efforts of the RSPB must have cost an enormous amount , a case of a voluntary organization baling out Government in my view. It's ironic that , whilst the Government spends money fulfilling its responsibilities to designate Special Protection Areas (SPA's ), under obligations within European law, in the Forest of Bowland's case one of the main resources ( Hen Harrier ) it was drawn up to protect is under siege. And don't try and persuade me differently anyone as I helped draw up the data etc for JNCC! OK, we've had recovery projects and so on, but the nett gains are minimal. If it was viewed in commercial terms it would be deemed a failure set against the outlay made available. So, review, regroup and retaliate........let's all act/speak with a single voice and let it be known that things are going to change!!
Continuing good weather and sallies out to the beach with the girls to get fresh air , look in the rock pools and collect pebbles to repair the track!! Suddenly Meadow Pipits seem to be everywhere, which suggests they've had a good season along with Wheatear, Stonechat and Linnet. As ever Common Eider seems to enjoy very limited success here with very low productivity ( I've yet to see a creche on Islay! ). The sea was noticeably quiet with only the odd Gannet around, although better numbers of Herring Gull, Common Gull, Fulmar, Shag and Arctic Terns are around the offshore islands.
Back at home I watched a couple of Ravens systematically scour a hillside opposite whilst adult Curlews went ballistic. Chicks are now quite well grown but I suppose Ravens would have no difficulty in despatching one! Rabbits are very slowly begining to reappear at various points around the island following myxamatosis taking its toll previously. The large warren above the house has never recovered . Coincidentally, and rather obviously, sightings of local Buzzards are fewer in number this season as, presumably, they hunt over a wider area. The very pale local individual gave absolutely tremendous views the other day and I often wonder what visitors make of it!!!
Have had some time to think about what is best required to draw attention to the woeful situation of raptor species in parts of the UK. Clearly any support people can offer to local conservation initiatives and to national campaigns is to be welcomed. But it needs more than that. The fight needs taking to the perpetrators first of all via a firm declaration by national institutions, even by Government, that the situation is simply not going to be tolerated . Over the years the relentless efforts of the RSPB must have cost an enormous amount , a case of a voluntary organization baling out Government in my view. It's ironic that , whilst the Government spends money fulfilling its responsibilities to designate Special Protection Areas (SPA's ), under obligations within European law, in the Forest of Bowland's case one of the main resources ( Hen Harrier ) it was drawn up to protect is under siege. And don't try and persuade me differently anyone as I helped draw up the data etc for JNCC! OK, we've had recovery projects and so on, but the nett gains are minimal. If it was viewed in commercial terms it would be deemed a failure set against the outlay made available. So, review, regroup and retaliate........let's all act/speak with a single voice and let it be known that things are going to change!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
7th July, 2009.
It seems Islay plays host to yet another rare breeding bird!! The reserve warden on the RSPB Oa Reserve rang to say that the male Tree Sparrow we'd spoken about previously is still "on territory " and chirping away but that, also, there is a pair at another location with young!!
Great news indeed for a species that was thought to be extinct ,as a breeder , within Argyll for around the last twenty years. With the population within the UK having reduced substantially, and dramatically, in recent times it's intriguing to consider where these birds might have originated. It made me smile afterwards as this is going to be depicted, in the eventual publication relating to the BTO Atlas, as one of those very isolated dots way away from other breeding strongholds that ,very often, produces a "What on earth?" reaction!! Such is the interest that Argyll county listers are known to be visiting shortly ( which eventually will include me )!!! The first step towards being the Inner Hebridean "" Fair Isle"...................
Great news indeed for a species that was thought to be extinct ,as a breeder , within Argyll for around the last twenty years. With the population within the UK having reduced substantially, and dramatically, in recent times it's intriguing to consider where these birds might have originated. It made me smile afterwards as this is going to be depicted, in the eventual publication relating to the BTO Atlas, as one of those very isolated dots way away from other breeding strongholds that ,very often, produces a "What on earth?" reaction!! Such is the interest that Argyll county listers are known to be visiting shortly ( which eventually will include me )!!! The first step towards being the Inner Hebridean "" Fair Isle"...................
Monday, July 6, 2009
6th July,2009
A mixed bag in many respects. A rather relalaxed day at home after yesterday. The Swallows have hatched young in the barn which means a whirr of chaos every time you enter!
Catching up on various things I was disgusted to discover the senior constabulary of the Lancashire area, which covers the Forest of Bowland , are to be awarded up to 15% salary bonuses for, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Lancashire Police Authority states, " excellent performance" !!! As I see it if a senior police officer had overseen the theft of a series of national treasures, say art, on their "watch" would they be qualifying for bonuses!!! I hope you'd agree "no" !! Your thoughts are probably in line with those of Burnley Council, Hynburn Council and the Ribble Valley MP!! Constituent parts of our natural heritage, e.g Hen harriers, especially protected by law, should require to be part of the equation wherein the measure of success is made against which, in the current season, the Lancashire Constabulary has failed miserably in my view. It's no good pointing to the success achieved on United Utilities estate ,who bend over backwards to protect their rare birds of prey, when nothing is being produced from identical habitats alongside on different estates. All a question of statistics I suspect and a reduction in urban crime, welcome, but not the whole story!! As previously, the old headmaster would have said, " Can do better"!!
Off Sanaigmore on Sunday my colleague, Stuart Graham, had a cetacean that we're still not sure about. A picture has been sent off for a definite identification and we'll post both it and details in due course.
Catching up on various things I was disgusted to discover the senior constabulary of the Lancashire area, which covers the Forest of Bowland , are to be awarded up to 15% salary bonuses for, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Lancashire Police Authority states, " excellent performance" !!! As I see it if a senior police officer had overseen the theft of a series of national treasures, say art, on their "watch" would they be qualifying for bonuses!!! I hope you'd agree "no" !! Your thoughts are probably in line with those of Burnley Council, Hynburn Council and the Ribble Valley MP!! Constituent parts of our natural heritage, e.g Hen harriers, especially protected by law, should require to be part of the equation wherein the measure of success is made against which, in the current season, the Lancashire Constabulary has failed miserably in my view. It's no good pointing to the success achieved on United Utilities estate ,who bend over backwards to protect their rare birds of prey, when nothing is being produced from identical habitats alongside on different estates. All a question of statistics I suspect and a reduction in urban crime, welcome, but not the whole story!! As previously, the old headmaster would have said, " Can do better"!!
Off Sanaigmore on Sunday my colleague, Stuart Graham, had a cetacean that we're still not sure about. A picture has been sent off for a definite identification and we'll post both it and details in due course.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
5th July, 2009.
Collected Rachael and Katherine from Kirkhill, Inverness by 1000 hours and we commenced our journey back to Islay via the Great Glen route. Again a sunny and hot day with little respite due to the distance needing to be travelled. As can be imagined cars, caravans and motorbikes were also enjoying the delights of the Highlands and the whole journey was somewhat of a "convoy" operation. A stop in Oban for the habitual supermarket top-up provided variety followed by a busy, full but non eventful ferry journey arriving on time shortly after 2000 hours in Port Ellen, thereby allowing us to get back around 2115hours. A full day!!
4th July,2009.
Up and away at 0530 hours to catch the 0700 hours ferry. Between Bruichladdich and Carnain Pools area had at least nine ,presumably family parties, of Pied Wagtail suggesting they've had a good season. In shallow water at Bridgend Flats had a pair of Wigeon, which was a surprise suggesting they were failed local breeders, non breeders or early returning birds.
The ferry crossing and subsequent journey was rather hot and quite busy. I had a couple of calls to make so went from Fort William across to Newtonmore, which provided me with an opportunity to do some birding. Called at a few favourite sites but didn't have much, although the atmosphere of the old Caledonian Pine forests is always a tonic in themselves as far as I'm concerned. Fantastic views of Osprey, Red-throated Diver, but also a wonderful showing of Dark Green Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Heath butterflies. All amidst a backdrop of the Cairngorms massif, by now almost bereft of snow patches in the high corries. Sadly, this year, time didn't allow for any exploration.
The ferry crossing and subsequent journey was rather hot and quite busy. I had a couple of calls to make so went from Fort William across to Newtonmore, which provided me with an opportunity to do some birding. Called at a few favourite sites but didn't have much, although the atmosphere of the old Caledonian Pine forests is always a tonic in themselves as far as I'm concerned. Fantastic views of Osprey, Red-throated Diver, but also a wonderful showing of Dark Green Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Heath butterflies. All amidst a backdrop of the Cairngorms massif, by now almost bereft of snow patches in the high corries. Sadly, this year, time didn't allow for any exploration.
Friday, July 3, 2009
3 July,2009.
Today started early and dramatically!!
The bull from the adjacent farm had forced its way through the fence into the field adjacent to the house and a battle royal then ensued with the resident "bruiser". Protracted lowing from the attendant cows (C'mon, big boy!)caused any early morning slumber to be abandoned. At a ton each, at least, a continual joust of head to head pushing for two hours left both beasts exhausted. Finally, they parted, only to then occupy vantage points eyeing one another up from a distance following the transgressor's return to home ground!! The solution seems to be stringing an electric wire along the fence line to deter both of them, a job I guess the farmer could have done without.
Given the day then turned foul, with mist and rain until late, I spent quite a period looking at recent reports of persecution of Peregrine and Hen Harrier, which appear to have risen dramatically during 2009. Various press releases issued by the RSPB and others provide details of the infinite variety of methods employed and the wide distribution of localities involved, one of which is very close to my heart and memory.
During the period 1979 to 1999 I worked for the RSPB and had responsibility for the Forest of Bowland area in Lancashire. Such is known as an English stronghold for Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin. It mostly comprises large, private upland estates including that held by United Utilities ( formerly North West Water ). Except on one tenanted portion little shooting is carried out nowadays over the latter's area. The remainder, however, are exclusively managed for grouse production.
Within the above twenty years a lot of time was spent cajoling the water company into adopting conservation measures and abandoning less sympathetic land management. To their credit, this they have done such that their Bowland Estate now virtually provides the last bastion of hope in North Lancashire for the raptor species mentioned. Now, as years ago, the breeding success such birds enjoy on the private shooting estates is minimal at best.The greatest tragedy of all is that, having retired ten years ago, the situation today is no better than at the point when I first started the job thirty years ago!!
Given the Hen Harrier is a rare breeding bird within the UK, and enjoys special protection such that its persecution carries heavy penalties, why then should this arise? Sources advise me that each year sees nests mysteriously fail and adult birds disappear. Cries of innocence are raised, alongside attention directed at the token presence of odd pairs of birds which, in my view, is little more than outright arrogance and a self-regulated "contribution" to the requirements of law. It is sad that, in this day and age, our natural heritage can be set aside so peremptorily in the interests of a minority within which, one suspects, are those whose influence, wealth and position could bring about such positive change to the contrary. Here on Islay, where we have very few Red Grouse, no conflicts arise as the quite abundant harriers, and other raptors too, pose little or no threat to the interests of the Estates.
For ten years I've willingly espoused the hope that new approaches would secure change and improvement. Well, enough is enough, things aren't improving and the time to be heard and for independent pressure has arrived, unshackled by the niceties of corporate protocols. As a start may I encourage you all to read
www.raptorpolitics.org.uk
and to continue reading it. Passionate, yes, but laced with the frustrations and sheer desperation that people feel for our declining raptors, it also contains commentary about the apparent inadequacies within our law enforcement in certain areas.
From time to time I'll update everyone on this theme, as it's unlikely to go away, like me, even in the medium term!
The bull from the adjacent farm had forced its way through the fence into the field adjacent to the house and a battle royal then ensued with the resident "bruiser". Protracted lowing from the attendant cows (C'mon, big boy!)caused any early morning slumber to be abandoned. At a ton each, at least, a continual joust of head to head pushing for two hours left both beasts exhausted. Finally, they parted, only to then occupy vantage points eyeing one another up from a distance following the transgressor's return to home ground!! The solution seems to be stringing an electric wire along the fence line to deter both of them, a job I guess the farmer could have done without.
Given the day then turned foul, with mist and rain until late, I spent quite a period looking at recent reports of persecution of Peregrine and Hen Harrier, which appear to have risen dramatically during 2009. Various press releases issued by the RSPB and others provide details of the infinite variety of methods employed and the wide distribution of localities involved, one of which is very close to my heart and memory.
During the period 1979 to 1999 I worked for the RSPB and had responsibility for the Forest of Bowland area in Lancashire. Such is known as an English stronghold for Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin. It mostly comprises large, private upland estates including that held by United Utilities ( formerly North West Water ). Except on one tenanted portion little shooting is carried out nowadays over the latter's area. The remainder, however, are exclusively managed for grouse production.
Within the above twenty years a lot of time was spent cajoling the water company into adopting conservation measures and abandoning less sympathetic land management. To their credit, this they have done such that their Bowland Estate now virtually provides the last bastion of hope in North Lancashire for the raptor species mentioned. Now, as years ago, the breeding success such birds enjoy on the private shooting estates is minimal at best.The greatest tragedy of all is that, having retired ten years ago, the situation today is no better than at the point when I first started the job thirty years ago!!
Given the Hen Harrier is a rare breeding bird within the UK, and enjoys special protection such that its persecution carries heavy penalties, why then should this arise? Sources advise me that each year sees nests mysteriously fail and adult birds disappear. Cries of innocence are raised, alongside attention directed at the token presence of odd pairs of birds which, in my view, is little more than outright arrogance and a self-regulated "contribution" to the requirements of law. It is sad that, in this day and age, our natural heritage can be set aside so peremptorily in the interests of a minority within which, one suspects, are those whose influence, wealth and position could bring about such positive change to the contrary. Here on Islay, where we have very few Red Grouse, no conflicts arise as the quite abundant harriers, and other raptors too, pose little or no threat to the interests of the Estates.
For ten years I've willingly espoused the hope that new approaches would secure change and improvement. Well, enough is enough, things aren't improving and the time to be heard and for independent pressure has arrived, unshackled by the niceties of corporate protocols. As a start may I encourage you all to read
www.raptorpolitics.org.uk
and to continue reading it. Passionate, yes, but laced with the frustrations and sheer desperation that people feel for our declining raptors, it also contains commentary about the apparent inadequacies within our law enforcement in certain areas.
From time to time I'll update everyone on this theme, as it's unlikely to go away, like me, even in the medium term!
2 July,2009.
Well, shortly after I'd mentioned torrential storms yesterday, and their effects, we had one to be remembered when a significant amount of rain fell in quite a short period. The remaining part of the day was very oppressive with just odd spats of rain. No future as a weatherman then!!
Remained locally but with nothing much of note. A couple of Corncrakes are still calling around the village and further north at Lossit and a Grasshopper Warbler has struck up again, presumably after a first breeding attempt. A report of 5/6 Bottle-nosed Dolphins in Portnahaven Bay was something which, hopefully, might be repeated.
A report dealing with declines in woodland birds on Earth News (BBC), based on work undertaken by the British Trust for Ornithology, provides alarming reading. The results, from the Common Birds Census survey carried out over 30 years (1966-1999) have shown significant declines in seventeen (17) species. Some of these overwinter in tropical West Africa where their habitat is being destroyed. The species involved are: Nightingale, Common Starling, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser spotted Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Willow Tit, yellowhammer, european Turtle Dove, Tree Pipit, Woodcock, Marsh Tit, Common Cuckoo, Dunnock, Willow warbler, Song Thrush and Bullfich ).
Having seen some of the habitat loss in Gambia, West Africa in 2002 and 2004 such changes perhaps come as no surprise. The real challenge is to halt the trend, but when agricultural intensification is involved in a third world country the raft of issues involved becomes even more complicated! A personal concern links with the ever apparent effects of climate change, the potential for vast changes within the Sahel Zone, immediately south of the Sahara Desert, and the possible onset of drought and extensification of the area. Such changes decimated our Whitethroat and Sand Martin populations previously when a vast extension of the area southwards caused the distance needing to be covered by migrants to increase enormously with no hospitable areas available en route for respite.
To me, the most intriguing results refer to some of our more resident bird species (Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock and Bullfinch) and the
causes for their decline. It would seem the possible reasons are still not absolutely determined.
Further research is to be carried out, including in Ghana and Burkino Faso, in an attempt to determine more precisely what the factors are involved.
Remained locally but with nothing much of note. A couple of Corncrakes are still calling around the village and further north at Lossit and a Grasshopper Warbler has struck up again, presumably after a first breeding attempt. A report of 5/6 Bottle-nosed Dolphins in Portnahaven Bay was something which, hopefully, might be repeated.
A report dealing with declines in woodland birds on Earth News (BBC), based on work undertaken by the British Trust for Ornithology, provides alarming reading. The results, from the Common Birds Census survey carried out over 30 years (1966-1999) have shown significant declines in seventeen (17) species. Some of these overwinter in tropical West Africa where their habitat is being destroyed. The species involved are: Nightingale, Common Starling, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser spotted Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Willow Tit, yellowhammer, european Turtle Dove, Tree Pipit, Woodcock, Marsh Tit, Common Cuckoo, Dunnock, Willow warbler, Song Thrush and Bullfich ).
Having seen some of the habitat loss in Gambia, West Africa in 2002 and 2004 such changes perhaps come as no surprise. The real challenge is to halt the trend, but when agricultural intensification is involved in a third world country the raft of issues involved becomes even more complicated! A personal concern links with the ever apparent effects of climate change, the potential for vast changes within the Sahel Zone, immediately south of the Sahara Desert, and the possible onset of drought and extensification of the area. Such changes decimated our Whitethroat and Sand Martin populations previously when a vast extension of the area southwards caused the distance needing to be covered by migrants to increase enormously with no hospitable areas available en route for respite.
To me, the most intriguing results refer to some of our more resident bird species (Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock and Bullfinch) and the
causes for their decline. It would seem the possible reasons are still not absolutely determined.
Further research is to be carried out, including in Ghana and Burkino Faso, in an attempt to determine more precisely what the factors are involved.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
1st July,2009.
Light showers in the early morning which soon cleared but we then never realised the wonderful warm weather of the past couple of weeks or so. Hope that's not summer over!!!
Things generally are rather quiet and routine but lots of young birds now begining to appear . Overall it seems likely that it's been quite a good breeding season up here. At the crucial time we seem to have missed any prolonged cold periods with rain , or torrential downpours that flood things out!! On a local moor a Sort-eared Owl provided phenomenal views, simply sitting on a knoll around thirty metres away just ignoring me!! Tremendous. Later , returning home, I was intrigued to see a party of Rooks, a mixture of adults and young birds, feeding in a field which had been cut for silage a couple of days previously. The nearest rookery is about seven kilometres away and yet the birds arrive almost on cue as they don't feed regularly in this area. A case of learned behaviour by the adult birds linked to seasonality and passed on to the younger birds in the process? Nearby a group of sixteen Choughs was a great sight! Unfortunately they were far too mobile to be able to look for colour rings!
Things generally are rather quiet and routine but lots of young birds now begining to appear . Overall it seems likely that it's been quite a good breeding season up here. At the crucial time we seem to have missed any prolonged cold periods with rain , or torrential downpours that flood things out!! On a local moor a Sort-eared Owl provided phenomenal views, simply sitting on a knoll around thirty metres away just ignoring me!! Tremendous. Later , returning home, I was intrigued to see a party of Rooks, a mixture of adults and young birds, feeding in a field which had been cut for silage a couple of days previously. The nearest rookery is about seven kilometres away and yet the birds arrive almost on cue as they don't feed regularly in this area. A case of learned behaviour by the adult birds linked to seasonality and passed on to the younger birds in the process? Nearby a group of sixteen Choughs was a great sight! Unfortunately they were far too mobile to be able to look for colour rings!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
30th June, 2009.
Another great day with lots of sunshine. Had a session seawatching, more to underpin simple enjoyment rather than realise an expectation of anything turning up that was special. The pleasure of sitting in the sun (no midges)just watching endless lines of Gannets moving to and fro against a backdrop of a shining blue sea was great. Artic Terns wheeled incessantly in the nearby bay, confirming their increased numbers locally had arrived quite late this year.
However,my laziness wasn't quite without intent. I've been looking recently at the various work which has been done on seabird passage off Islay and decided to try and repeat some of it over the next couple of years or so. Way back in the 1970's various observations were made off Frenchman's Rocks, and then repeated again in the mid 1990's. Looking back at the results it appears some quite radical changes have taken place in the numbers of certain species, suggesting it to be worthwhile to revisit the situation. Seabird numbers appear to be on such a rollercoaster of a change at present and it seems to me to be quite important to try and generate data at this point in time. Doubtless many of the future sessions will be far less cosy than was today's!!
On to Bunnahabhain to try and get a photograph of the Common Rosefinch which appears to have taken up residence there. Despite a period hanging around the area where we saw it last week, the bird never showed and may now have moved on. It wasn't all a wasted journey though! Confirmation of breeding Raven, Whinchat, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin were all welcome additions to the BTO Atlas project. Returning home a further confirmation near to Bridgend of breeding Bullfich was a bonus as it's not a particularly common species on Islay.
However,my laziness wasn't quite without intent. I've been looking recently at the various work which has been done on seabird passage off Islay and decided to try and repeat some of it over the next couple of years or so. Way back in the 1970's various observations were made off Frenchman's Rocks, and then repeated again in the mid 1990's. Looking back at the results it appears some quite radical changes have taken place in the numbers of certain species, suggesting it to be worthwhile to revisit the situation. Seabird numbers appear to be on such a rollercoaster of a change at present and it seems to me to be quite important to try and generate data at this point in time. Doubtless many of the future sessions will be far less cosy than was today's!!
On to Bunnahabhain to try and get a photograph of the Common Rosefinch which appears to have taken up residence there. Despite a period hanging around the area where we saw it last week, the bird never showed and may now have moved on. It wasn't all a wasted journey though! Confirmation of breeding Raven, Whinchat, Lesser Redpoll and Siskin were all welcome additions to the BTO Atlas project. Returning home a further confirmation near to Bridgend of breeding Bullfich was a bonus as it's not a particularly common species on Islay.
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