The 12th January might yet go down as an important date when it comes to Government action on raptor persecution. On Wednesday the Scottish Parliament's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee supported Stage 2 of the WANE Bill and the clause on vicarious liability it contains. Somewhat predictably John Scott, MSP, was the only voice of dissension, whose objections were robustly described by Roseanna Cunningham ( Minister for the Environment and Climate Change ) as "nonsense". Amendments will now proceed to Stage 3 and, if the Bill is finally adopted it will mean that landowners will be held responsible for activities on their holdings and could be liable for prosecution. The continuing levels of persecution make the possibility of self regulation by shooting interests a complete joke as there is clearly no intention on the part of a certain proportion of landowners to pay any heed to such requests. Sadly they also, collectively, bring into disrepute those landowners and keepers who do make positive conservation efforts and work within the framework of the law.
The debate can actually be viewed on
http://www.holyrood.tv/library.asp?
iPid=3§ion=102&title=Rural+Affairs+and+Environment+Committee
Coupled with all this is the assurance now made by Scottish Natural Heritage that the Hen Harrier Conservation Framework Report will be published before the Scottish Parliament has completed its considerations of the WANE Bill. Rumours suggest that the report contains utterly damming evidence relating to the levels of raptor persecution and akin activities.
In a wider context, and in my view, it seems a great pity that the awaited report from Natural England on its harrier research over the last ten years can't be hastened on and made public. To see the sad picture raptor persecution presents in modern times, both in England and Scotland, would lend tremendous weight to the overall case for concerted action to be introduced and maintained in the UK as a whole. Given the cutbacks one hears have been applied to Natural England, as part of the austerity measures, I sincerely hope the revelations aren't to be gently set aside for fear of upsetting Tory interests within the ruling coalition and incurring further wrath!!! A few well directed letters to Liberal MP's might not go amiss at an appropriate time.
"And finally", ( another take from Jeff Randall Live.....I do like that programme!). Did you know the US was suffering from a BEDBUGS problem. Way back in September the US Government declared the bedbug invasion was reaching epidemic proportions!! However literal that might be you have to give it to the Americans!! There's even a Bedbug web site where you can view reports relating to hotels all over the States.....see http://www.bedbugreports.com/ for some biting remarks.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
13th January,2011.
A very dull start to the day ensured dawn was somewhat protracted at best. In keeping with the weather birding unfortunately followed a similar pattern despite effort!
If I'm very honest I saw nothing today that was remarkable, or different to that recorded over the last few days, except a single Mistle Thrush, which was new for the year!! The day provided an opportunity to call in and retrieve survey forms from various people so nothing was lost. Predicted opportunities to complete Low Tide Counts ( BTO ) over Inner Loch Indaal have been partially frustrated due to tidal levels not turning out as schedules had suggested!! Clearly sufficient time remains to get one, or even two sessions in before the month end by keeping an eye open for the patterns of inundation occurring in the inner part of the loch.
If I'm very honest I saw nothing today that was remarkable, or different to that recorded over the last few days, except a single Mistle Thrush, which was new for the year!! The day provided an opportunity to call in and retrieve survey forms from various people so nothing was lost. Predicted opportunities to complete Low Tide Counts ( BTO ) over Inner Loch Indaal have been partially frustrated due to tidal levels not turning out as schedules had suggested!! Clearly sufficient time remains to get one, or even two sessions in before the month end by keeping an eye open for the patterns of inundation occurring in the inner part of the loch.
Auks and petrels.
Somewhat murky day, but a degree or so warmer which meant black ice and such had receded as a threat!
Goose counting once more with some numbers again apparent , but not necessarily in traditional places. A further look for the collared bird as I returned home at the end of the afternoon was unsuccessful......patience!
Odd Fulmars were around at Kilchoman cliffs, 26-30 at Kilchiaran and at least 28 at Claddach Bay, with ten pairs noted at each of the latter sites, serenely sitting out on the cliffs as if spring was upon us. These periodic visits in winter are quite intriguing and suggests they congregate at their traditional haunts to "touch base" for a while after being farther out at sea. Other birds were offshore too, as were odd Razorbill flying north and a single Puffin. We don't enjoy all that many Puffin sightings off this coast , but occasional birds are picked up dead around this time of year, usually as part of the Beached Bird Survey organized by RSPB, confirming that odd ones are around.
Other sightings included a flock of about 120 Rock Doves ( one of 160 had been present on the Oa recently ) and a male Merlin chasing Rock Pipits along the shore of Loch Indaal.
Goose counting once more with some numbers again apparent , but not necessarily in traditional places. A further look for the collared bird as I returned home at the end of the afternoon was unsuccessful......patience!
Odd Fulmars were around at Kilchoman cliffs, 26-30 at Kilchiaran and at least 28 at Claddach Bay, with ten pairs noted at each of the latter sites, serenely sitting out on the cliffs as if spring was upon us. These periodic visits in winter are quite intriguing and suggests they congregate at their traditional haunts to "touch base" for a while after being farther out at sea. Other birds were offshore too, as were odd Razorbill flying north and a single Puffin. We don't enjoy all that many Puffin sightings off this coast , but occasional birds are picked up dead around this time of year, usually as part of the Beached Bird Survey organized by RSPB, confirming that odd ones are around.
Other sightings included a flock of about 120 Rock Doves ( one of 160 had been present on the Oa recently ) and a male Merlin chasing Rock Pipits along the shore of Loch Indaal.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Goose numbers back on track!
A pleasant day eventually, but marred by stories of the effects of "black ice" here and there. A comment on my level of alertness in the mornings being that I drove through the "worst" area without noticing anything!!
A few minutes after departure from home the sight of a hunting Barn Owl at 0830 hours was both pleasing and intriguing. Very rarely do our Barn Owls appear in daylight at either end of the day, particularly compared to other parts of the UK, e.g. Norfolk in winter, where they can sometimes be seen for a significant part of the day in certain areas and attract photographers on that basis. Nonetheless , a welcome sight!
Goose counting all day. Numbers now seem to be "normal" and a flock of 1000 Barnacle Geese in flight and 1700 feeding nearby indicated a return to more usual levels!! As we were counting a "hard core goose route" few other bird sightings of much interest arose, despite looking !!
A few minutes after departure from home the sight of a hunting Barn Owl at 0830 hours was both pleasing and intriguing. Very rarely do our Barn Owls appear in daylight at either end of the day, particularly compared to other parts of the UK, e.g. Norfolk in winter, where they can sometimes be seen for a significant part of the day in certain areas and attract photographers on that basis. Nonetheless , a welcome sight!
Goose counting all day. Numbers now seem to be "normal" and a flock of 1000 Barnacle Geese in flight and 1700 feeding nearby indicated a return to more usual levels!! As we were counting a "hard core goose route" few other bird sightings of much interest arose, despite looking !!
Intriguing raptor!! Monday,10th january, 2011.
Having consulted three weather forecasts I was unsure what to expect they were so different!! In the event the morning was quite pleasant, but the afternoon became quite murky with some light drizzle at times.
The first birds of the day were three Fieldfares near home that were obviously migrants. resting up a little they then left high to the north east. A bit early for return passage I would have thought!! Soon after a couple of Chough moved from their nearby territory over to some favoured feeding area in the east.
A day in the south of Islay at various spots. Port Ellen Bay produced little except a few Red-breasted merganser and Goldeneye, all of which were in display at some time or another. The nearby Kilnaughton woods were somewhat quiet but calling Great Tit and Blue Tit lent further strength to the fact that the birds , at least, felt there was an improvement in the weather. A Treecreeper , possibly two , were also noted, as were a pair of Collared Dove in active display!
A visit to the Oa Reserve showed the flock of Twite at Kinnabus to still be at least 900!!! At one point, 700 birds were on the track alongside the "fodder crop" deliberately put in place and a further 200 on nearby wires. What a sight!! Odd Bramblings were amongst them and a small number of Chaffinch. A fine male harrier swept through and caused some understandable confusion!!
Now, as Jeff Randall says on the Sky channel financial programme , " You heard it here first, folks ". In mid December, 2010 I had a distant,large falcon in the Sound of Islay, which was moving away from me, was decidedly large and powerful and light in colour. That was about the extent of a very distant fleeting glimpse!! Similarly views of a bird occurred on the Oa that month, but with no more detail. Now two residents on the Oa have reported separate sightings, the best of which included detail that "it looked like a large white Peregrine". Keep your eyes open!! It can't be the Gyr from last year as, sadly, that individual was eventually found dead so we may have another one in residence ( although that can mean using most of the island as a territory!! ).
The first birds of the day were three Fieldfares near home that were obviously migrants. resting up a little they then left high to the north east. A bit early for return passage I would have thought!! Soon after a couple of Chough moved from their nearby territory over to some favoured feeding area in the east.
A day in the south of Islay at various spots. Port Ellen Bay produced little except a few Red-breasted merganser and Goldeneye, all of which were in display at some time or another. The nearby Kilnaughton woods were somewhat quiet but calling Great Tit and Blue Tit lent further strength to the fact that the birds , at least, felt there was an improvement in the weather. A Treecreeper , possibly two , were also noted, as were a pair of Collared Dove in active display!
A visit to the Oa Reserve showed the flock of Twite at Kinnabus to still be at least 900!!! At one point, 700 birds were on the track alongside the "fodder crop" deliberately put in place and a further 200 on nearby wires. What a sight!! Odd Bramblings were amongst them and a small number of Chaffinch. A fine male harrier swept through and caused some understandable confusion!!
Now, as Jeff Randall says on the Sky channel financial programme , " You heard it here first, folks ". In mid December, 2010 I had a distant,large falcon in the Sound of Islay, which was moving away from me, was decidedly large and powerful and light in colour. That was about the extent of a very distant fleeting glimpse!! Similarly views of a bird occurred on the Oa that month, but with no more detail. Now two residents on the Oa have reported separate sightings, the best of which included detail that "it looked like a large white Peregrine". Keep your eyes open!! It can't be the Gyr from last year as, sadly, that individual was eventually found dead so we may have another one in residence ( although that can mean using most of the island as a territory!! ).
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday, 9th January, 2011.
After a rather rough night, with the waste bin being thrown across the full extent of the yard, the day itself turned out to be rather pleasant, but with the wind rising again in the evening. However, one more day towards spring and the afternoons are already stretching noticeably!!
An attempt to try and get close to the local Greenland White-fronted Goose flocks met with no success so the collared bird must, at least for the present time, remain somewhat of an enigma. A call into Loch Skerrols saw a good assembly of waterfowl and swans. At least five Coot were still present, possibly part of a movement that saw eight birds on Tiree recently, indeed the same birds might be involved. With about 60 swans ( Mute and Whooper ) dip feeding into the loch , each individual bird had its attendant group of Wigeon, ever circling the larger bird to pick at food morsels disturbed from the bottom. The scene resembled a never ending ballet as birds swirled around in greater or smaller circles of frantic activity. The Coot were as much a part of this as the ducks, but also indulged in their own comic attempts at "diving", an action that I find akin to trying to get a balloon to stay under water!!
An attempt to try and get close to the local Greenland White-fronted Goose flocks met with no success so the collared bird must, at least for the present time, remain somewhat of an enigma. A call into Loch Skerrols saw a good assembly of waterfowl and swans. At least five Coot were still present, possibly part of a movement that saw eight birds on Tiree recently, indeed the same birds might be involved. With about 60 swans ( Mute and Whooper ) dip feeding into the loch , each individual bird had its attendant group of Wigeon, ever circling the larger bird to pick at food morsels disturbed from the bottom. The scene resembled a never ending ballet as birds swirled around in greater or smaller circles of frantic activity. The Coot were as much a part of this as the ducks, but also indulged in their own comic attempts at "diving", an action that I find akin to trying to get a balloon to stay under water!!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A day of several parts!
Dawning was cold , even icy in places, but as I wound northwards along the Rinns circumstances got no worse. Then, a little before reaching Port Askaig, it snowed, and conditions were poor only to reverse completely with blue skies and sunshine developing. Later the former conditions returned and the wind rose........a fairly typical winter's day!!!
Survey conditions over the Sound were generally good for a few hours. Activity levels of Black Guillemots were both apparent and new, and, strangely, several parties of Rock Dove moved northwards. A local shoot disturbed several Woodpigeon and, eventually, 10-15 perched up in nearby woodland, a good figure for Islay in winter. Odd Red-breasted Merganser were around, a Great Northern Diver at intervals in addition to more normal species, but best of all were two Little Auk in typical winter plumage that flew south with extremely rapid wing beats!
Daylight was falling as I returned home, but Inner Loch Indaal looked bleak and forlorn and not exactly holding an excess of birds. With Low Tide Counts imminent, time will tell!
Survey conditions over the Sound were generally good for a few hours. Activity levels of Black Guillemots were both apparent and new, and, strangely, several parties of Rock Dove moved northwards. A local shoot disturbed several Woodpigeon and, eventually, 10-15 perched up in nearby woodland, a good figure for Islay in winter. Odd Red-breasted Merganser were around, a Great Northern Diver at intervals in addition to more normal species, but best of all were two Little Auk in typical winter plumage that flew south with extremely rapid wing beats!
Daylight was falling as I returned home, but Inner Loch Indaal looked bleak and forlorn and not exactly holding an excess of birds. With Low Tide Counts imminent, time will tell!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Typical winter's day!
After four days of intensive academic work the opportunity to count geese today was both potentially restorative and exciting in its appeal!! The day itself proved to be a bit of a surprise with low temperatures and a fresh covering of snow. As I travelled north up the Rinns a Merlin tried vainly to catch one of several Redwings and various geese arriving on their "feeding fields" looked as bewildered as I felt about the weather!
Whilst the day did improve, with some sunny periods, it remained cold. The eventual summarized figures will show the true position, but I had a distinct impression the numbers of geese overall had increased, particularly those of Grey lag Geese, in which I've a personal interest. The last couple of winters has seen around 600 remain with us on Islay, but I suspect that, currently, rather more are present. At one point I located a Greenland White-fronted Goose carrying a numbered collar. Such individuals have reduced over the years and only a few "new" birds have been similarly marked .......renewed effort will be made to identify this one and the extremely useful information it will generate. Even at a superficial level an appreciation of the number of miles such geese have covered, moving to and fro from Greenland, is mind blowing!! Hopefully, more information will follow!!
Finally , after returning home, I went down to the Post Office in the local village and was overjoyed with the following sight!!
It does rather look as if Northern Ireland is on fire (!) but , as a picture possibly entitled " A tea time visit to the Post Office" it captured the end of what had been a very enjoyable day.
Whilst the day did improve, with some sunny periods, it remained cold. The eventual summarized figures will show the true position, but I had a distinct impression the numbers of geese overall had increased, particularly those of Grey lag Geese, in which I've a personal interest. The last couple of winters has seen around 600 remain with us on Islay, but I suspect that, currently, rather more are present. At one point I located a Greenland White-fronted Goose carrying a numbered collar. Such individuals have reduced over the years and only a few "new" birds have been similarly marked .......renewed effort will be made to identify this one and the extremely useful information it will generate. Even at a superficial level an appreciation of the number of miles such geese have covered, moving to and fro from Greenland, is mind blowing!! Hopefully, more information will follow!!
Finally , after returning home, I went down to the Post Office in the local village and was overjoyed with the following sight!!
It does rather look as if Northern Ireland is on fire (!) but , as a picture possibly entitled " A tea time visit to the Post Office" it captured the end of what had been a very enjoyable day.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Miscellaneous jottings! 2.1.2011.
In reality what I saw to day, as far as species were concerned, was a repeat of yesterday , with even the odd species missing! However, a few observations lent weight to the thought that things are still happening and changing.
As always occurs at the beginning of the year, Common Gull numbers begin to increase quite markedly, as do those of Herring Gull. Fields where mucking out has occurred had noticeable assemblages of gulls,along with Rooks and Jackdaws and Starlings. At several points along the southern Rinns parties of Grey lag Geese were present, including two flocks of around a hundred. In the past few days I've had an occasional distant group of high flying,unidentified geese moving north across from the house suggesting the possibility that birds were moving back after vacating the island in the bad weather. Whilst the forthcoming counts will prove the point I still have a feeling that, overall, numbers of Barnacle Geese in particular are reduced, despite odd larger groupings being in evidence.
Sadly the Greater Scaup flock numbers appears to be at a low ebb with a little less than 400 hundred present. However, as the flock sometimes splits up and is difficult to locate, there may still be room for optimism. Numbers have gradually gone down over successive recent winters with, from memory, the flock reaching 860/900 last winter. It's always worth going through the flock as other species sometimes accompany them, notably Slavonian Grebe ( and rarer species, remember last January!! ). I was intrigued to see successive little groups of Light-bellied Brent Geese join them way out on the Inner Loch , but to immediately be working their way through the confines of the flock and repeatedly "chivvying" birds in their way. I've always thought our Brents were a rather placid species!
A single sighting of a Greenfinch at home brought as much joy and excitement as any other species given I can't remember when last I recorded one. Disease has decimated their ranks and certainly it is no longer the common species it was, both here on Islay and elsewhere too.
As always occurs at the beginning of the year, Common Gull numbers begin to increase quite markedly, as do those of Herring Gull. Fields where mucking out has occurred had noticeable assemblages of gulls,along with Rooks and Jackdaws and Starlings. At several points along the southern Rinns parties of Grey lag Geese were present, including two flocks of around a hundred. In the past few days I've had an occasional distant group of high flying,unidentified geese moving north across from the house suggesting the possibility that birds were moving back after vacating the island in the bad weather. Whilst the forthcoming counts will prove the point I still have a feeling that, overall, numbers of Barnacle Geese in particular are reduced, despite odd larger groupings being in evidence.
Sadly the Greater Scaup flock numbers appears to be at a low ebb with a little less than 400 hundred present. However, as the flock sometimes splits up and is difficult to locate, there may still be room for optimism. Numbers have gradually gone down over successive recent winters with, from memory, the flock reaching 860/900 last winter. It's always worth going through the flock as other species sometimes accompany them, notably Slavonian Grebe ( and rarer species, remember last January!! ). I was intrigued to see successive little groups of Light-bellied Brent Geese join them way out on the Inner Loch , but to immediately be working their way through the confines of the flock and repeatedly "chivvying" birds in their way. I've always thought our Brents were a rather placid species!
A single sighting of a Greenfinch at home brought as much joy and excitement as any other species given I can't remember when last I recorded one. Disease has decimated their ranks and certainly it is no longer the common species it was, both here on Islay and elsewhere too.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Dawn of a new year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!
Bright lifts the light of dawn,
And kindles in the breast of all,
Hope that what lies ahead
Is better than before
Airigh Sgallaidh, Jan. 2011.
The day proved fine, but cold in the NNE wind, and cloud soon moved in. A trawl around the coast showed little over the sea, but the 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull was eventually located, seemingly enjoying dive bombing a couple of Hooded Crows nearby! Odd Curlew and a flock of 35 Lapwing suggested the first half of winter, at least, was over and birds were moving back already. Such can be a bit of a see-saw process if bad weather returns!
Outer Loch Indaal held very little and, overall,even adding in birds within the Inner Loch , numbers of Great Northern and Red-throated Divers were low. Slowly moving north around the loch, which was to take the whole day, but provide some good birding, the variety of birds soon mounted.....Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Pintail, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck, Slavonian Grebe, Mute Swan and the various goose species, including Light-bellied Brent. Waders also were much evidence with Oystercatcher,
Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Grey Plover, Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, and Dunlin.
As I finally returned home, calling in at a small loch usually devoid of birds, proved to be a surprise, with Whooper Swan, good numbers of Mallard and Teal and a fine showing of Common Gull. Nearby a mixed feeding flock of titmice held Blue and Coal Tits , but also a party of Long-tailed Tit, all of which had obviously survived the rigours of the recent severe weather. All in all, a good day!!
Bright lifts the light of dawn,
And kindles in the breast of all,
Hope that what lies ahead
Is better than before
Airigh Sgallaidh, Jan. 2011.
The day proved fine, but cold in the NNE wind, and cloud soon moved in. A trawl around the coast showed little over the sea, but the 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull was eventually located, seemingly enjoying dive bombing a couple of Hooded Crows nearby! Odd Curlew and a flock of 35 Lapwing suggested the first half of winter, at least, was over and birds were moving back already. Such can be a bit of a see-saw process if bad weather returns!
Outer Loch Indaal held very little and, overall,even adding in birds within the Inner Loch , numbers of Great Northern and Red-throated Divers were low. Slowly moving north around the loch, which was to take the whole day, but provide some good birding, the variety of birds soon mounted.....Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Wigeon, Greater Scaup, Pintail, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck, Slavonian Grebe, Mute Swan and the various goose species, including Light-bellied Brent. Waders also were much evidence with Oystercatcher,
Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Grey Plover, Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, and Dunlin.
As I finally returned home, calling in at a small loch usually devoid of birds, proved to be a surprise, with Whooper Swan, good numbers of Mallard and Teal and a fine showing of Common Gull. Nearby a mixed feeding flock of titmice held Blue and Coal Tits , but also a party of Long-tailed Tit, all of which had obviously survived the rigours of the recent severe weather. All in all, a good day!!
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