3rd November 2008 – Islay – the south east and Loch Gruinart
Whilst on the island of Islay, I stayed at an excellent bed and breakfast just outside Port Ellen. The location, room, breakfast and hospitality were second to none and I would highly recommend it. I don’t think I am allowed to mention the name here but if anyone wants details then please contact me by private message. Here is the view that you get at breakfast time!
Whilst I stayed at the bed and breakfast, the owner’s bird feeders provided regular sightings of
Robin,
Dunnock,
Blue Tit,
Great Tit,
Coal Tit and
Blackbird and I also saw
Goldcrest and
Grey Wagtail close to the bungalow. The shoreline of Kilnaughton Bay produced
Rock Pipit,
Oystercatcher,
Mallard and
Hooded Crow with a
Common Seal just offshore.
My first full day on Islay was generally very sunny with blue skies although it did cloud over towards late afternoon.
On my first day, I decided to start by visiting the south east and specifically the route up to Claggain Bay. Last year I saw an Otter at Claggain Bay but again unfortunately this year I had no luck.
Loch an t-Sailein sightings: 13
Common Seal, c.30
Greylag Goose, c.50
Golden Plover, c.15
Red-breasted Merganser, 1
Heron, 2
Curlew
Ardlistry Bay sightings: 17
Common Seal, 4
Red-breasted Merganser, 2
Mute Swan 
Kildalton sightings: 6
Red Deer hinds, c.50
Fieldfare/Redwing, c.5
Mistle Thrush, 1
Song Thrush, 2
Blackbird, 2
Raven, 2 male
Pheasant, 2
Hooded Crow
Kintour sightings: 3
Red Deer stags, 3
Common Buzzard 
Claggain Bay sightings: 3
Great Northern Diver, 3
Black Guillemot, 2
auk species, c.10
Shag, 1
Cormorant, 2
Mute Swan, 2
Mallard, 3
Oystercatcher, 3
Rock Dove, 1
Grey Wagtail, 1
Robin,
Raven, 1
Common Buzzard 
On the return route back from Claggain Bay to Port Ellen, I spotted a very large bird of prey flying low and towards me near the Laprohaig whisky distillery. Yes, it was my first
Golden Eagle of the trip and it flew by in the field adjacent to the road, beautifully lit by the sunshine. I was so in awe that I forgot I had a camera with me!
From Port Ellen I travelled up to Loch Gruinart, the location of a RSPB reserve and working farm ….
The RSPB: Loch Gruinart
Apart from the huge numbers of wintering geese and ducks, the highlights here were a female
Hen Harrier, a female
Merlin and 2
Roe Deer.
Loch Gruinart sightings (reserve hide and surrounding areas): 2
Roe Deer, 1
Brown Hare, very large groups of
Barnacle Goose, smaller groups of
Greenland White-fronted Goose, large groups of
Wigeon and
Teal, small groups of
Shoveler,
Pintail and
Mallard, 5
Whooper Swan, 1
Heron, 3
Black-tailed Godwit, 2
Curlew, c.50
Lapwing, 1 female
Hen Harrier, 1 female
Merlin, 1
Common Buzzard, 1
Kestrel plus
Hooded Crow,
Jackdaw,
Pheasant,
Starling,
Goldfinch and
Wren 
After visiting the RSPB reserve, I continued travelling up the west side of Loch Gruinart to where the road ends at Ardnave.
Loch Gruinart sightings: very large groups of
Barnacle Goose on the sandflats and adjacent fields, 1
Common Buzzard
Ardnave Loch sightings: 18
Whooper Swan, 6
Mute Swan, c.50
Greenland White-fronted Goose, c.50
Greylag Goose, c.10
Wigeon, 2 female
Goldeneye, c.10
Mallard, c.20
Tufted Duck, c.20
Teal and 1
Cormorant 
On the return south to the farm at the Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve there was a fine sight of
Barnacle Geese in flight against the setting sun.
The day closed with a beautiful sunset over Loch Indaal.
Richard