Sunday, 30th January, saw me on Jura all day, with not a lot that could be described as "inspiring". Monday, too, saw me undertaking the same journey with few expectations, all of which were confirmed when I summarised the day as being the quietest I'd experienced there!! On the way northwards from home I'd exchanged a friendly wave with RSPB colleagues who were obviously intending to undertake some survey or monitoring work on the Rinns.
Imagine, when I got home, to find a series of telephone messages advising that a Killdeer had been seen by one of the RSPB personnel I'd waved to!! Imagine further that the bird had been seen in a coastal bay a kilometre north of the house I live in and on the same farm. Imagine still further the news that the bird had flown off shortly after being photographed!! Such was incredulous news received after dark , thereby closing any opportunity to go and look for the bird!!! Worse still was that I was committed to work the following day, that involved leaving in darkness and returning late in the day, and was leaving on a ferry at 0700 hours the day after!!!
Despondency followed!
To date ( 4th February ) the bird has not been relocated, and the weather in between has been filthy with hurricane force winds on the 3rd, followed by heavy rain today. Is there just the outside chance of it being there? Hopefully so, and this weekend someone might just generate such good news following such a series of gut wrenching frustrations! I can imagine quite clearly the areas the bird might just have moved to, if it simply moved along the coast, and effort can be put into giving these a good going over next week when I return to Islay. It would be nice to say, "Watch this space, further news will follow".
Friday, February 4, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Raptor persecution debate hots up!!
Close on the heels of the recent disclosures has come two initiatives that point to the above subject being "kept alive" A question in the Scottish Parliament, raised by R.Gibson (SNP Party), asked for the Minister's response to a recent letter circulated by the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association, which suggested persecution incidents were reducing. The Minister confirmed the assertions had been examined, were a mixture of confirmed and unconfirmed statistics and that they didn't reflect the true situation.
After the damning evidence of persecution put on record within the last year this was clearly little more than a diversionary tactic to try and put some positive spin on the exposed position, in PR terms, that the sporting fraternity in Scotland find themselves in.
Following this the Daily Telegraph newspaper then revealed that Peter Peacock ( Member, Scottish Parliament ) intends to submit a new amendment for the forthcoming Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland ) Bill that, in effect, would allow the Government to licence sporting estates that persistently poison birds of prey.
Previously, at the drafting stage of the Bill, the idea of licensing any sporting estate to carry out its activities was mooted, but resisted. The latest initiative singles out estates which exhibit a recurrent approach to bird of prey persecution based on a variety evidence.
I suspect that , even if adopted, such action would be hard to implement and feel even I could itemise the elements around which the debate would circulate. However, what I feel the sporting fraternity are missing at the moment is that they are all being tarred by the same brush, that they, themselves, should be prepared to take "action" against the prevailing minority within their peer group that insist on carrying out persecution and that publicised incidents will continue to harden the public attitude. In other words, the issue is unlikely to go away!! Some attempt at action would generate respect, however grudging, from current critics and allow their sport to proceed without any criticism. Huffing and puffing on the sidelines is the preserve of grumpy old men with entrenched views, questionable credibility and little more than an expression of impotence of their no longer being mainstream and in a position to influence anything! If such is the case, the view of the majority will eventually prevail, via legislation, the reputation of the sport will be forever tarnished and additional suspicion as to whether persecution is widespread will continue, which is the widely held view at the moment, until such time that the basic opportunity to operate shoots will be withdrawn. The sport may have been spawned in Victorian times but its own attitudes now need to reflect the needs, requirements and values of this Millenia !!
After the damning evidence of persecution put on record within the last year this was clearly little more than a diversionary tactic to try and put some positive spin on the exposed position, in PR terms, that the sporting fraternity in Scotland find themselves in.
Following this the Daily Telegraph newspaper then revealed that Peter Peacock ( Member, Scottish Parliament ) intends to submit a new amendment for the forthcoming Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland ) Bill that, in effect, would allow the Government to licence sporting estates that persistently poison birds of prey.
Previously, at the drafting stage of the Bill, the idea of licensing any sporting estate to carry out its activities was mooted, but resisted. The latest initiative singles out estates which exhibit a recurrent approach to bird of prey persecution based on a variety evidence.
I suspect that , even if adopted, such action would be hard to implement and feel even I could itemise the elements around which the debate would circulate. However, what I feel the sporting fraternity are missing at the moment is that they are all being tarred by the same brush, that they, themselves, should be prepared to take "action" against the prevailing minority within their peer group that insist on carrying out persecution and that publicised incidents will continue to harden the public attitude. In other words, the issue is unlikely to go away!! Some attempt at action would generate respect, however grudging, from current critics and allow their sport to proceed without any criticism. Huffing and puffing on the sidelines is the preserve of grumpy old men with entrenched views, questionable credibility and little more than an expression of impotence of their no longer being mainstream and in a position to influence anything! If such is the case, the view of the majority will eventually prevail, via legislation, the reputation of the sport will be forever tarnished and additional suspicion as to whether persecution is widespread will continue, which is the widely held view at the moment, until such time that the basic opportunity to operate shoots will be withdrawn. The sport may have been spawned in Victorian times but its own attitudes now need to reflect the needs, requirements and values of this Millenia !!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Supplementary goose count. 26/1/2011
A fine day but with a cutting wind from the NW! Helped with a count on the Oa route , which had had to be cancelled before. Conditions were perfect, but numbers of Barnacle Geese were slightly lower than expected.
As usual on goose counts the opportunity to look for other birds is limited, so you've to accept what you come across as the best on offer! A temporary dump for scallop shells near Port Ellen had attracted around 200 Herring Gulls and 15 GBBG, but no white -winged gulls or even Red Kite! As an activity, the catches of scallops must be enormous, judged by the number of shells discarded at this site. The Oa provided fleeting views of a Peregrine, two flocks of Twite, one of 150 and the other of 300 birds, which also contained odd Reed Bunting, Linnet and Chaffinch. The large accumulations of recent times have obviously now reduced ,probably as the food resource has depleted. A flock of 60/70 Rock Doves at the Kinnabus site was also noteworthy.
As I returned home at dusk a single Woodcock made a determined flight out from the Ellister plantations to the open pasture nearby.
As usual on goose counts the opportunity to look for other birds is limited, so you've to accept what you come across as the best on offer! A temporary dump for scallop shells near Port Ellen had attracted around 200 Herring Gulls and 15 GBBG, but no white -winged gulls or even Red Kite! As an activity, the catches of scallops must be enormous, judged by the number of shells discarded at this site. The Oa provided fleeting views of a Peregrine, two flocks of Twite, one of 150 and the other of 300 birds, which also contained odd Reed Bunting, Linnet and Chaffinch. The large accumulations of recent times have obviously now reduced ,probably as the food resource has depleted. A flock of 60/70 Rock Doves at the Kinnabus site was also noteworthy.
As I returned home at dusk a single Woodcock made a determined flight out from the Ellister plantations to the open pasture nearby.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Raptor persecution finally put to flight?
The last couple of weeks has seen a plethora of information, exposure, accusations and denials associated with the now well aired subject of raptor persecution. It has to be said that Scottish Government initiatives are leading the way in many respects contrasted against its southern counterpart.
Looking at what has emerged, in chronological order, the first item of interest, and commented on by BBC News, was a map, commissioned by the Scottish Government, that showed the "hotspots" where confirmed cases of poisoning of birds of prey had occurred. This was based on official data gathered by the Scottish Agricultural Service (SASA ) for the period 2004-2008 and drew firm attention to places like Midlothian, the Borders, the Highlands and South Lanarkshire being the main areas where incidents had occurred. The Environment Minister, Michael Russell, described the depiction of such incidents as "appalling".
Quickly following this was the story by Rob Edwards in the Sunday Herald of 16th January, 2011, entitled "The Killing fields " and based on a leaked report, "A conservation framework for the Hen Harrier in the UK". The full text can be read by following the reference below:
http//www.robedwards.com/2011/01/revealed-scotlands-bird-killing-fields-html#tp
A further article emerged the day after largely based on the same information. And again,
http//www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/the-killing-fields-1.1080172
Now I don't propose to cherry pick main aspects from any of those items, but would encourage everyone to consult them. The point is aptly made by the various scientific authors that there is suitable habitat in Scotland capable of holding between 872-1157 pairs of Hen Harriers, but which are not present, that such areas appear, generally, to be maintained for grouse shooting and that there is a close coincidence between those general geographical "locations" and those outlined on the map referred to above. That there is obviously a concerted effort amongst certain private estates to follow a policy of non-tolerance of birds of prey is clearly a conclusion one must inevitably arrive at if set alongside reported incidents of persecution of which, regrettably, far too few result in successful prosecution.
Very shortly a further report is to appear that alleges 50 Golden Eagles per year are killed illegally, a figure much higher than previously thought. Given the current deliberations of the Scottish Government's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee in connection with the Wildlife and Natural Environment ( Scotland) Bill, all these revelations are timely, even if the "Harrier Report", due for publication on 16th December but delayed after landowner opposition based on their claim that they had only been given eight days in which to comment, has not yet emerged officially. Scottish Natural Heritage, who commissioned the report, have since admitted that they had mishandled the consultation procedures!! How many consultation exercises are they engaged in during any one year!!!
Whether these dreadful statistics will assist in the progression of the "vicarious liability" clause, about which I've posted previously, is difficult to say. Certainly this is a time to keep the subject alive and to confront the indignant protestations of the landowning fraternity. A comment made by Lord Johnstone ( Annandale Estate ) made me howl with laughter...." The proposed new offence of vicarious liability...risks alienating the very people capable of resolving the issue". Sorry, Lord Johnstone, the cavalry's arriving much too late given the habit's been in place since Victorian times and there's been endless indications previously relating to the problem.
Will all this cause any cessation of entrenched habits? I doubt it, and certainly not overnight but, gradually, a head of steam will build up whereby the increasingly vocal urban population, and their willingness to pronounce on countryside matters, will see the matter entirely differently. The possibility of them calling into question the legitimacy of pastimes whose operation runs parallel with illegality could be a powerful weapon in the demise of the countryside sports enthusiasts. Licences to operate shoots, "awarded" to estates with a proven record of responsible management, might be the best end of the whole process and a potential threat that lends weight to Lord Johnstone's belated lament that they should perhaps be prepared to clean up the activities of their peer group after all. However, such self regulation needs to emerge imminently and to be adhered to.
Recent questions raised about the absence of responses to the revelations made by Rob Edwards are not surprising in my view. I suspect discussions on damage limitation will be taking place now, and for a time yet. As a report, it could hardly be welcomed by the sporting lobby, nor could it be refuted and trivialised given evidence coming forward relating to actual incidents.
I think we can expect a collective response emerging at some point that reflects the reactions of those against whom the general thrust of the conclusions in the various reports is directed. Such is most certainly likely to emerge when the report is officially released by SNH or immediately previous to the Stage 3 debates on the WANE Bill. It might actually mean the alleged recalcitrant minority have been contacted , which would signify some success in itself. Whether sufficient self discipline might then emerge in future times to make persecution a thing of the past is unlikely. And that is why it must stop, and be made to stop, given it is exercised by a privileged minority who are cocking a snoot at the law and those of us who accept such in everyday life, without option and who draw enjoyment from seeing birds of prey within our landscapes.
Looking at what has emerged, in chronological order, the first item of interest, and commented on by BBC News, was a map, commissioned by the Scottish Government, that showed the "hotspots" where confirmed cases of poisoning of birds of prey had occurred. This was based on official data gathered by the Scottish Agricultural Service (SASA ) for the period 2004-2008 and drew firm attention to places like Midlothian, the Borders, the Highlands and South Lanarkshire being the main areas where incidents had occurred. The Environment Minister, Michael Russell, described the depiction of such incidents as "appalling".
Quickly following this was the story by Rob Edwards in the Sunday Herald of 16th January, 2011, entitled "The Killing fields " and based on a leaked report, "A conservation framework for the Hen Harrier in the UK". The full text can be read by following the reference below:
http//www.robedwards.com/2011/01/revealed-scotlands-bird-killing-fields-html#tp
A further article emerged the day after largely based on the same information. And again,
http//www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/the-killing-fields-1.1080172
Now I don't propose to cherry pick main aspects from any of those items, but would encourage everyone to consult them. The point is aptly made by the various scientific authors that there is suitable habitat in Scotland capable of holding between 872-1157 pairs of Hen Harriers, but which are not present, that such areas appear, generally, to be maintained for grouse shooting and that there is a close coincidence between those general geographical "locations" and those outlined on the map referred to above. That there is obviously a concerted effort amongst certain private estates to follow a policy of non-tolerance of birds of prey is clearly a conclusion one must inevitably arrive at if set alongside reported incidents of persecution of which, regrettably, far too few result in successful prosecution.
Very shortly a further report is to appear that alleges 50 Golden Eagles per year are killed illegally, a figure much higher than previously thought. Given the current deliberations of the Scottish Government's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee in connection with the Wildlife and Natural Environment ( Scotland) Bill, all these revelations are timely, even if the "Harrier Report", due for publication on 16th December but delayed after landowner opposition based on their claim that they had only been given eight days in which to comment, has not yet emerged officially. Scottish Natural Heritage, who commissioned the report, have since admitted that they had mishandled the consultation procedures!! How many consultation exercises are they engaged in during any one year!!!
Whether these dreadful statistics will assist in the progression of the "vicarious liability" clause, about which I've posted previously, is difficult to say. Certainly this is a time to keep the subject alive and to confront the indignant protestations of the landowning fraternity. A comment made by Lord Johnstone ( Annandale Estate ) made me howl with laughter...." The proposed new offence of vicarious liability...risks alienating the very people capable of resolving the issue". Sorry, Lord Johnstone, the cavalry's arriving much too late given the habit's been in place since Victorian times and there's been endless indications previously relating to the problem.
Will all this cause any cessation of entrenched habits? I doubt it, and certainly not overnight but, gradually, a head of steam will build up whereby the increasingly vocal urban population, and their willingness to pronounce on countryside matters, will see the matter entirely differently. The possibility of them calling into question the legitimacy of pastimes whose operation runs parallel with illegality could be a powerful weapon in the demise of the countryside sports enthusiasts. Licences to operate shoots, "awarded" to estates with a proven record of responsible management, might be the best end of the whole process and a potential threat that lends weight to Lord Johnstone's belated lament that they should perhaps be prepared to clean up the activities of their peer group after all. However, such self regulation needs to emerge imminently and to be adhered to.
Recent questions raised about the absence of responses to the revelations made by Rob Edwards are not surprising in my view. I suspect discussions on damage limitation will be taking place now, and for a time yet. As a report, it could hardly be welcomed by the sporting lobby, nor could it be refuted and trivialised given evidence coming forward relating to actual incidents.
I think we can expect a collective response emerging at some point that reflects the reactions of those against whom the general thrust of the conclusions in the various reports is directed. Such is most certainly likely to emerge when the report is officially released by SNH or immediately previous to the Stage 3 debates on the WANE Bill. It might actually mean the alleged recalcitrant minority have been contacted , which would signify some success in itself. Whether sufficient self discipline might then emerge in future times to make persecution a thing of the past is unlikely. And that is why it must stop, and be made to stop, given it is exercised by a privileged minority who are cocking a snoot at the law and those of us who accept such in everyday life, without option and who draw enjoyment from seeing birds of prey within our landscapes.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Divers and Long-tails!
A rather grey day and somewhat calm until late afternoon when the wind rose. Out to the south west the sea was choppy, with a fog band repeatedly revealing or obscuring Ireland!
A seawatch first of all showed a few Gannet flying south, the first I've seen this month, and a bit of "auk activity". Around 60 flew north, probably all Razorbill, but farther round into the mouth of the loch ( Loch Indaal) there was even more activity with up to 150 birds tooing and froing from way out to the SE, i.e. a point well offshore to the SW of the Oa. Sometimes some of these movements are quite bewildering!
I then spent a full day doing BTO WeBS and Low Tide Counts around Loch Indaal. There was very little in the Outer Loch, as previously, but a fine winter plumage Black-throated Diver and a couple of Great Northerns provided some respite. Farther in, a few more Great Northerns were in evidence, but numbers are well below the expected norm. Again,in the Inner Loch, a handful of Red-throated Divers was present along with a few Slavonian Grebe. Long-tailed Duck were actually into double figures and several fine males splashed around and pursued the minority number of females that accompanied them. Similar activity occupied the Common Scoter flock of 40-50 birds , but despite watching their antics intently none of them showed any white patches in the wing that would have made them Velvet Scoter! The 45 or so Light-bellied Brent Geese remain, some of them again being within the flock of Greater Scaup that was getting a battering late afternoon in the wind backed waves of the Inner Loch.
A seawatch first of all showed a few Gannet flying south, the first I've seen this month, and a bit of "auk activity". Around 60 flew north, probably all Razorbill, but farther round into the mouth of the loch ( Loch Indaal) there was even more activity with up to 150 birds tooing and froing from way out to the SE, i.e. a point well offshore to the SW of the Oa. Sometimes some of these movements are quite bewildering!
I then spent a full day doing BTO WeBS and Low Tide Counts around Loch Indaal. There was very little in the Outer Loch, as previously, but a fine winter plumage Black-throated Diver and a couple of Great Northerns provided some respite. Farther in, a few more Great Northerns were in evidence, but numbers are well below the expected norm. Again,in the Inner Loch, a handful of Red-throated Divers was present along with a few Slavonian Grebe. Long-tailed Duck were actually into double figures and several fine males splashed around and pursued the minority number of females that accompanied them. Similar activity occupied the Common Scoter flock of 40-50 birds , but despite watching their antics intently none of them showed any white patches in the wing that would have made them Velvet Scoter! The 45 or so Light-bellied Brent Geese remain, some of them again being within the flock of Greater Scaup that was getting a battering late afternoon in the wind backed waves of the Inner Loch.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Gulls galore!
Intended arrangements for the day were brought to an abrupt halt when I woke up to a thick fog, and one that persisted all day, albeit clearing for short periods in strange patterns. It appeared to envelope the whole island, including the northern part of the Sound of Jura. Evening finally saw it beginning to diminish.
A trip to the local village to post off survey forms included an examination of all the likely spots where the adult winter Little Gull had been seen yesterday. Sadly it seemed to have moved on, but various people who had seen it were clearly fascinated by this small bird, erratic flight and its "upside down" colouring ( pale above and darker underwings!). In any event the search enabled me to locate the 1st winter Glaucous Gull, the second individual we have had already this winter.
Later, on meeting a colleague associated with the Sound of Islay surveys, we saw the adult winter Iceland Gull whilst I was being shown one of the additional vantage points. Sadly. the visibility was poor and did little to show off this resplendent bird.
Earlier, a brief look at Loch Gruinart, (rather more of a peer given the conditions), revealed two Greenshank feeding with odd Redshank , all of which yelped their escape away into the fog!. Nearby a small flock ( 15+ ) of Linnet was a welcome addition to the very gradual increase in passerine numbers which appears to be taking place.
A trip to the local village to post off survey forms included an examination of all the likely spots where the adult winter Little Gull had been seen yesterday. Sadly it seemed to have moved on, but various people who had seen it were clearly fascinated by this small bird, erratic flight and its "upside down" colouring ( pale above and darker underwings!). In any event the search enabled me to locate the 1st winter Glaucous Gull, the second individual we have had already this winter.
Later, on meeting a colleague associated with the Sound of Islay surveys, we saw the adult winter Iceland Gull whilst I was being shown one of the additional vantage points. Sadly. the visibility was poor and did little to show off this resplendent bird.
Earlier, a brief look at Loch Gruinart, (rather more of a peer given the conditions), revealed two Greenshank feeding with odd Redshank , all of which yelped their escape away into the fog!. Nearby a small flock ( 15+ ) of Linnet was a welcome addition to the very gradual increase in passerine numbers which appears to be taking place.
Friday, 21st January,2011.
A day spent on Jura in reasonable weather, although not as nice and bright as yesterday. Very light winds and "grey" light throughout provided enjoyable conditions.
Seabird presence has increased noticeably with Black Guillemots being more in evidence, one showing off its full summer plumage! Completing fixed point observations at regular intervals over several hours makes you appreciate the patterns which emerge in bird activity. Strong tidal currents, in either direction dependant on the cycle, transport birds within the Sound , only for them to fly back and repeat the process. You can actually see Eider and Shag going through this process at several points during the day! Another element which intrigues me is gull migration. At this time of year Common, Herring and GBBG numbers increase here and, soon, we can expect the first LBBG to commence their arrival. Very seldom are there any heavy movements, but doubtless the few birds seen here and there are actually on migration as we know it! Yesterday saw a small number of GBBG's move through north, and not necessarily within the Sound , but over open moorland too.
Seabird presence has increased noticeably with Black Guillemots being more in evidence, one showing off its full summer plumage! Completing fixed point observations at regular intervals over several hours makes you appreciate the patterns which emerge in bird activity. Strong tidal currents, in either direction dependant on the cycle, transport birds within the Sound , only for them to fly back and repeat the process. You can actually see Eider and Shag going through this process at several points during the day! Another element which intrigues me is gull migration. At this time of year Common, Herring and GBBG numbers increase here and, soon, we can expect the first LBBG to commence their arrival. Very seldom are there any heavy movements, but doubtless the few birds seen here and there are actually on migration as we know it! Yesterday saw a small number of GBBG's move through north, and not necessarily within the Sound , but over open moorland too.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
19.1.2011
A somewhat routine repeat of yesterday given I was counting on the same route! Lest this might be interpreted as a grumble, ...it isn't. The survey is designed to be carried out over two days so a more accurate picture can be gained of the goose numbers concerned in any given sector. Research has shown that geese are very "loyal" to a given feeding area so that , give or take a few fields, they are present within the overall same locality. The slight complication at the moment is that we have a virtual full moon so that means geese are feeding out overnight and remaining on the saltmarsh resting up during the day. Our route included part of the Inner Loch on which we had in excess of 2500 Barnacle Geese, the majority of which appeared to be present in the late afternoon, following a day of relaxation in the ever warming sun!!
Several farms had Chaffinch flocks around their stack yards numbering between 100 and 150 birds, but containing nothing else. And at last, in three places, I heard partial song from Wrens, whose numbers appear a bit low at present to say the least. Stonechat too is a bird that appears to have been hit by the recent poor weather. I wonder whether the extent to which poor weather in early winter is actually worse than that which appears in , say, mid February. In December the nights are very long and available foraging time is very limited , at least in February the day has extended by an hour or two which might make a big difference in terms of survival, particularly if it coincides with the worst of the winter.
Several farms had Chaffinch flocks around their stack yards numbering between 100 and 150 birds, but containing nothing else. And at last, in three places, I heard partial song from Wrens, whose numbers appear a bit low at present to say the least. Stonechat too is a bird that appears to have been hit by the recent poor weather. I wonder whether the extent to which poor weather in early winter is actually worse than that which appears in , say, mid February. In December the nights are very long and available foraging time is very limited , at least in February the day has extended by an hour or two which might make a big difference in terms of survival, particularly if it coincides with the worst of the winter.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
International Goose Count 18/1/2011
A quite reasonable day with some sunshine , a few showers, but basically acceptable!!
The first of two days of the International Goose Count aimed at establishing the current situation vis a vis the Greenland White-fronted Goose about which I have posted much in the past. A sub-species about which there is much concern such that it is treated, in many ways, as a fully fledged species in its own right. Pressures and changes on its breeding grounds are leading to continuing concerns as to its future numbers etc so that , within its wintering areas, particular surveys are given over to establishing numbers present. Certainly recent years have seen continuing declines and it would be good news indeed to see a rise in numbers , however small. The summated totals from today , and tomorrow , will reveal the picture in due course.
With such an intensive survey little time is available to take in other observations. However one, in particular, stands out! Towards the end of the day we were in the very north east of Islay, towards Bunnahabhain, and looked out routinely for the adult Iceland Gull that is present in the area. I managed to pick out the bird , with other gulls , around a fishing boat moving south down the Sound towards Port Askaig, but then lost it. Imagine my surprise when my companion said " Is this it" ? There it was sitting on the gunwhale of the small fishing boat, like some seasoned mariner, hitching a lift to Port Askaig where, doubtless, it would take advantage of the discarded spoils from the days catch! It's obviously learned a few short cuts in its repeated returns over the past few years given it first turned up as a first winter bird!!!
The first of two days of the International Goose Count aimed at establishing the current situation vis a vis the Greenland White-fronted Goose about which I have posted much in the past. A sub-species about which there is much concern such that it is treated, in many ways, as a fully fledged species in its own right. Pressures and changes on its breeding grounds are leading to continuing concerns as to its future numbers etc so that , within its wintering areas, particular surveys are given over to establishing numbers present. Certainly recent years have seen continuing declines and it would be good news indeed to see a rise in numbers , however small. The summated totals from today , and tomorrow , will reveal the picture in due course.
With such an intensive survey little time is available to take in other observations. However one, in particular, stands out! Towards the end of the day we were in the very north east of Islay, towards Bunnahabhain, and looked out routinely for the adult Iceland Gull that is present in the area. I managed to pick out the bird , with other gulls , around a fishing boat moving south down the Sound towards Port Askaig, but then lost it. Imagine my surprise when my companion said " Is this it" ? There it was sitting on the gunwhale of the small fishing boat, like some seasoned mariner, hitching a lift to Port Askaig where, doubtless, it would take advantage of the discarded spoils from the days catch! It's obviously learned a few short cuts in its repeated returns over the past few years given it first turned up as a first winter bird!!!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Seek and ye shall find! 17.1.2011.
Birding part of the day around other "domestic" commitments. After the windy weather of late things had settled down and eventually it turned out to be a very pleasant sunny day.
Circumstances proved perfect to catch up with the local Greenland White-fronted goose flock which I've been repeatedly trying to get close to recently. Luck then provided an easy opportunity to read the collar details on the bird that I saw a couple of weeks ago and suspected was still around. Thankfully I can report J3H is alive and well and using favourite fields close by to where I first found it in early October, 2008. See the posting on 9/10/2008 for full details. Remarkable to think that , even since that date, the bird has completed four more trips either returning to West Greenland or to here. An adult male when caught on 16 July ,2008 it must have completed trips previously as well!!
Had an opportunity to look at Outer Loch Indaal but really very little. Great Northern Diver numbers were extremely low and few other birds were in the mouth of the loch. Called at the RSPB Gruinart office for some survey returns and had an opportunity to have a brief look at the reserve. Some nice Pintail, Shoveler, and Wigeon plus various parties of Teal. small birds very much seem to be at a premium at the moment.
Circumstances proved perfect to catch up with the local Greenland White-fronted goose flock which I've been repeatedly trying to get close to recently. Luck then provided an easy opportunity to read the collar details on the bird that I saw a couple of weeks ago and suspected was still around. Thankfully I can report J3H is alive and well and using favourite fields close by to where I first found it in early October, 2008. See the posting on 9/10/2008 for full details. Remarkable to think that , even since that date, the bird has completed four more trips either returning to West Greenland or to here. An adult male when caught on 16 July ,2008 it must have completed trips previously as well!!
Had an opportunity to look at Outer Loch Indaal but really very little. Great Northern Diver numbers were extremely low and few other birds were in the mouth of the loch. Called at the RSPB Gruinart office for some survey returns and had an opportunity to have a brief look at the reserve. Some nice Pintail, Shoveler, and Wigeon plus various parties of Teal. small birds very much seem to be at a premium at the moment.
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