Saturday dawned somewhat cloudy with frosty conditions still prevailing. A little later, and following a few snow flurries, the temperature improved and much of the remaining snow and ice began to disappear, although, in all honesty, it didn't feel much better!!
Birdwise the changes didn't result in any immediate alteration in feeding areas so the "birdscene" was much as yesterday. Looking at Loch Indaal from afar, so as not to cause any undue disturbance, nothing really new was apparent.
Later , in a quest to locate a suspected new Hen Harrier roost, I managed to get a bird on dusk in transit to wherever is actually being used, a small step further, and so can move the vantage point half a mile or so!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Induced behaviour changes?
Whilst out goose counting all day in relatively pleasant conditions ( for observers ) such are now begining to cause quite discernible changes to the activities of certain birds from those normally expected! Last night very low temperatures were experienced in many parts of Scotland and it is alledged that, currently our temperatures are lower than at certain locations near the South Pole, a fact I find difficult to believe but, if true, then salvation is the only solution!!!
I think I can honestly say that I have seen more Common Snipe today than in all the ten years that I've been here, and mostly in unexpected and unlikely locations. Birds flying south along Loch Indaal, in roadside ditches ( again), feeding openly on a football pitch and just appearing periodically, even opposite the house, suggested they were finding the conditions difficult and casting around for feeding areas. Similarly, a Woodcock flying south over open fields mid-afternoon was a little unexpected. Whilst thrushes were again a feature, a party of Twite frantically moving across a field looking for an unfrozen feeding area reinforced how desperate small birds were finding the circumstances.
An opportunity to overlook Outer Loch Indaal in the late afternoon showed a good array of all three diver species ( Great Northern, Black- throated and Red-throated) , which , hopefully, I shall have an opportunity to count this weekend. Black Guillemots in both transitional and all winter plumage were also dotted around and the odd party of Common Scoter.
In the fading rays of the sun a male Hen Harrier slowly hunted over a local rush-ridden field suggesting that the day's hunting had not been terribly successful up to that point! A species at the top of the food chain with seriously weakened, albeit few in number of prey individuals available, underscored how tough the situation must be.
I think I can honestly say that I have seen more Common Snipe today than in all the ten years that I've been here, and mostly in unexpected and unlikely locations. Birds flying south along Loch Indaal, in roadside ditches ( again), feeding openly on a football pitch and just appearing periodically, even opposite the house, suggested they were finding the conditions difficult and casting around for feeding areas. Similarly, a Woodcock flying south over open fields mid-afternoon was a little unexpected. Whilst thrushes were again a feature, a party of Twite frantically moving across a field looking for an unfrozen feeding area reinforced how desperate small birds were finding the circumstances.
An opportunity to overlook Outer Loch Indaal in the late afternoon showed a good array of all three diver species ( Great Northern, Black- throated and Red-throated) , which , hopefully, I shall have an opportunity to count this weekend. Black Guillemots in both transitional and all winter plumage were also dotted around and the odd party of Common Scoter.
In the fading rays of the sun a male Hen Harrier slowly hunted over a local rush-ridden field suggesting that the day's hunting had not been terribly successful up to that point! A species at the top of the food chain with seriously weakened, albeit few in number of prey individuals available, underscored how tough the situation must be.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
No let up in weather conditions!
The freezing conditions persist despite periods of daytime sunshine. Out all day goose counting in ideal conditions of visibility , but an icebound ground surface on all but the major roads ( we managed to "float" off a very icy horizontal track into the woodland edge at Loch Skerrols). Some large "packs " of Barnacle Geese were in evidence, often on south facing ground where the sun was encouraging a slight thaw. Greenland White-fronted Geese, as commented on previously, are now tucked away and using all manner of small areas to seemingly good effect. Two Common Snipe in a ditch alongside a busy road also demonstrated how adaptable birds can become.
I was surprised at the number of Lapwing present on various pastures, possibly in higher numbers than a few days ago. As ever Rooks, Hooded Crows, Jackdaws and Common Gulls keep an attentive presence around any foddering out areas, or where there has been some muck spreading. Whilst it is difficult to be certain, the number of Blackbirds appears to have increased and there was a couple of areas where numbers of Redwing and Starlings were feeding, along with lesser numbers of Fieldfare. All possible evidence of birds moving around in search of food.
A male Sparrowhawk failed in an attempt to catch prey at Carrabus but doubtless, given the conditions, some weakening candidate will become available.
And finally.....a Collared Dove in Bowmore in song and display flight. Ardour in the arbour, as it were!
I was surprised at the number of Lapwing present on various pastures, possibly in higher numbers than a few days ago. As ever Rooks, Hooded Crows, Jackdaws and Common Gulls keep an attentive presence around any foddering out areas, or where there has been some muck spreading. Whilst it is difficult to be certain, the number of Blackbirds appears to have increased and there was a couple of areas where numbers of Redwing and Starlings were feeding, along with lesser numbers of Fieldfare. All possible evidence of birds moving around in search of food.
A male Sparrowhawk failed in an attempt to catch prey at Carrabus but doubtless, given the conditions, some weakening candidate will become available.
And finally.....a Collared Dove in Bowmore in song and display flight. Ardour in the arbour, as it were!
6th January,2010.
A mixed day with a journey around the Rinns. Other than the sea lochs open water areas are now frozen over with a further light covering of snow. Whereas a week ago pathetic little gatherings of Teal and Mallard could be seen sitting out the conditions on the lochs' frozen surfaces such areas now seem to be largely abandoned.
Applicable yesterday in Scotland, a shooting ban was announced by the Scottish Government Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, which ostensibly applies for 14 days, but which is reviewed after a seven day period. The mechanism is based on advice received from Scottish Natural Heritage, with the Government then bringing in a ban under Section 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, all this usually happening after a seven day period of voluntary restraint advocated by the non-governmental shooting organizations. The "device" first came into being in 1983 and it's now thirteen years since it was last used, a good indicator of how severe our current weather conditions are. It seems likely that a similar ban will be applied in England and Wales too.
Equally important is the question of disturbance, as geese , ducks and waders doing " aerial circuits" over a wintering site are using up vital levels of energy reserves, which could then literally be the difference between survival or succumbing to what are now beginning to be very low temperatures indeed. In this context birdwatchers , dog walkers, joggers, all can try and avoid obvious concentrations of birds just attempting to sit out the conditions!
Applicable yesterday in Scotland, a shooting ban was announced by the Scottish Government Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, which ostensibly applies for 14 days, but which is reviewed after a seven day period. The mechanism is based on advice received from Scottish Natural Heritage, with the Government then bringing in a ban under Section 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, all this usually happening after a seven day period of voluntary restraint advocated by the non-governmental shooting organizations. The "device" first came into being in 1983 and it's now thirteen years since it was last used, a good indicator of how severe our current weather conditions are. It seems likely that a similar ban will be applied in England and Wales too.
Equally important is the question of disturbance, as geese , ducks and waders doing " aerial circuits" over a wintering site are using up vital levels of energy reserves, which could then literally be the difference between survival or succumbing to what are now beginning to be very low temperatures indeed. In this context birdwatchers , dog walkers, joggers, all can try and avoid obvious concentrations of birds just attempting to sit out the conditions!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
5th January,2010.
A long day involving a journey to and from Oban for the return of the girls. Thankfully road conditions here hadn't worsened despite a little snow overnight. The nice surprise was a beautiful sunlit morning ,which converted the ferry journey into one of those worthy of remembrance! The bright sun, blue sky and sea and the panorama of snow clad peaks to the north , both on the islands and on the mainland, was absolutely spectacular and a fitting memory for any tourists returning after a holiday here. All seen, of course, from the comfort of the upper deck lounge!!
Whilst the mainland roads weren't good we got there in the end! Sadly the second leg of the journey , for Yvonne and the girls back to Kirkhill, Inverness, was nightmarish with blizzards coming in from the east and a much longer journey than normal. At least it was " mission accomplished" despite the trauma.
Of birds , there was little to be seen. All of the inland lochs appeared to be frozen over, and little seemed to be on the move. Forlorn little parties of Mallard and Wigeon were strung along the loch edge south of Lochgilphead, together with a few Oystercatcher, Curlew and Redshank, and much seems to have vacated the area altogether. The forecast for the next few days doesn't appear too good but we will simply have to see, and cope!
Whilst the mainland roads weren't good we got there in the end! Sadly the second leg of the journey , for Yvonne and the girls back to Kirkhill, Inverness, was nightmarish with blizzards coming in from the east and a much longer journey than normal. At least it was " mission accomplished" despite the trauma.
Of birds , there was little to be seen. All of the inland lochs appeared to be frozen over, and little seemed to be on the move. Forlorn little parties of Mallard and Wigeon were strung along the loch edge south of Lochgilphead, together with a few Oystercatcher, Curlew and Redshank, and much seems to have vacated the area altogether. The forecast for the next few days doesn't appear too good but we will simply have to see, and cope!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Treacherous winter's day!!
Pre-dawn saw me up-end whilst walking across the concrete canopy to the barn due to serious black ice! Rain overnight had frozen in a thick layer that was an absolute nightmare. By lunchtime we managed to get out to attend to a few things, despite no one having managed to travel along our road. Later the consequent reasons for the road conditions became probably apparent when viewing the much diminished stocks of salt/grit at the depot near Bowmore!.
Managed to oversee Inner Loch Indaal for a period....an absolute bonanza! Duck and waders were spread out and utilising any and every feeding niche they could exploit. Shelduck, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Pintail, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Eider, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser plus Curlew , Redshank, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Add to this a never ending succession of changing numbers of Barnacle Geese, some Grey lag Geese and Light-bellied Brent Geese and odd Slavonian Grebe and the picture was complete despite the intervention of sleet showers and variable visibility. A lovely start to a New Year's birding however short in duration.
Elsewhere, as often happens after the turn of the year anyway, geese were tucked into all sorts of new and odd feeding "corners", particularly Greenland White-fronted Geese. I'm surprised that there has been no mention of the Bar-headed Goose recently which was afforded such notoriety last winter. Still here , possibly with "son of", and I think well ensconced with the feral farm yard lot he's now associated with! I suspect it may have been picked up by either Barnacle or Greenland White-fronted Geese in Ireland, when they had skipped across early on in the passage period or due to bad weather, given it's known there's a few "loose" individuals there!
The day ended with No 2 daughter skating on Loch Finlaggan, me scalding my hand doing the final meal of "the visit" and the weather appearing "iffy" in the face of our intention to take on Islay and the mainland tomorrow! What's new?
Managed to oversee Inner Loch Indaal for a period....an absolute bonanza! Duck and waders were spread out and utilising any and every feeding niche they could exploit. Shelduck, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Pintail, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Eider, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser plus Curlew , Redshank, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Add to this a never ending succession of changing numbers of Barnacle Geese, some Grey lag Geese and Light-bellied Brent Geese and odd Slavonian Grebe and the picture was complete despite the intervention of sleet showers and variable visibility. A lovely start to a New Year's birding however short in duration.
Elsewhere, as often happens after the turn of the year anyway, geese were tucked into all sorts of new and odd feeding "corners", particularly Greenland White-fronted Geese. I'm surprised that there has been no mention of the Bar-headed Goose recently which was afforded such notoriety last winter. Still here , possibly with "son of", and I think well ensconced with the feral farm yard lot he's now associated with! I suspect it may have been picked up by either Barnacle or Greenland White-fronted Geese in Ireland, when they had skipped across early on in the passage period or due to bad weather, given it's known there's a few "loose" individuals there!
The day ended with No 2 daughter skating on Loch Finlaggan, me scalding my hand doing the final meal of "the visit" and the weather appearing "iffy" in the face of our intention to take on Islay and the mainland tomorrow! What's new?
3rd January,2010.
I should be grateful if the owners/operators of www.vechileoline.ro chose some other option to promote their pizzeria rather than posting a comment in a foreign language as a comment on my Blog. This has been brought to the attention of Blogger as an undisguised spamming venture so I doubt much benefit has been derived!!
Islay Birder.
Islay Birder.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
2nd January,2010.
Out and about in the afternoon saw Islay's landscapes at their best with snow on "the tops", serving as a backdrop to a cold tranquil setting elsewhere. Seemingly birds appear to be holding their own , but I guess a lot have moved out elswhere ( only to find conditions not that improved, if not worse! ). These conditions are redolent of times in the past when winter weather used to regularly decimate some bird species ( Wren, Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest ), particularly if freezing fog occurred and the trees and bushes were coated in ice. Their populations used to plummet after a bad winter ( remember 1963 ) only to yo-yo back later.
Herons too were often victims, which we were reminded of as we watched a single bird languidly cross a fozen landscape towards Loch Indaal in the manner of an avian metronome, doubtless leaving behind favourite , now frozen, inland feeding areas for the open sea loch.
Given it's New Year I suppose a "times they are a changing" entry doesn't go amiss. Not that long ago a welcome sighting from a winter visit to Norfolk would have been one , or more, Little Egrets. Previous to that a sighting anywhere would have been a "red letter day" and demanding of a description to the local Bird Recorder. Such has been the successful incursion into the UK that ,now, they are breeding to the south and present in places like Argyll and Dumfries and Galloway in winter, a far cry from their Mediterranean haunts of yesteryear.
Herons too were often victims, which we were reminded of as we watched a single bird languidly cross a fozen landscape towards Loch Indaal in the manner of an avian metronome, doubtless leaving behind favourite , now frozen, inland feeding areas for the open sea loch.
Given it's New Year I suppose a "times they are a changing" entry doesn't go amiss. Not that long ago a welcome sighting from a winter visit to Norfolk would have been one , or more, Little Egrets. Previous to that a sighting anywhere would have been a "red letter day" and demanding of a description to the local Bird Recorder. Such has been the successful incursion into the UK that ,now, they are breeding to the south and present in places like Argyll and Dumfries and Galloway in winter, a far cry from their Mediterranean haunts of yesteryear.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Caught in the morning light!
As the song goes " It's a new day, it's a new dawn" and, yes, it's a NEW YEAR, albeit a cold one for the first couple of hours. This was the opening of 2010 at home, a frost ridden landscape bathed largely in silence. For a while the Chough on the small sign at the entrance was the only evidence of birdlife!! The assortment of passerines about locally is low, although they seem to spend an equal amount of time searching out "natural" food, despite the conditions, as opposed to relying on the feeders.
At dusk various skeins of Barnacle Geese streamed overhead , with their barking, grumbling dialogue of calls, as they made their way for another night's feeding on farm pastures to the north .
31st December,2009.
A rather cold day but enjoyable nonetheless! A general run around Loch Indaal produced no surprises, although the usual array of species was present, except in reduced numbers. Surface feeding duck were exploiting all sorts of odd corners not too badly affected by the freezing conditions. Barnacle Geese were gathered out on the mudflats after roosting all day following night feeding under the moon. As darkness fell a tranquility and peace descended over the loch that , hopefully, will be a general feature in out troubled world during the oncoming year.
As we reached home the moon lit up the whole landscape with suffused illumination. This Full Moon was significant in that it was the second to occur within the month......the fabled Blue Moon. The first had occurred on the 2nd December and this one, following the 29.5 day lunar cycle, appeared to grace the end of one year and the begining of the next! The name is wholly artificial in that it is never associated with colour at all ,but was simply adopted and is now used
to describe any second full moon occurring within a given single month. The cycle makes the phenomenon just possible and it occurs in some month about every 2.5 years! The next to occur at the very end of a year will, however, not be visible until 2028!!
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