Islay & Jura November 2021

Common Seal - Islay

Saturday 6 November

8 a.m. ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig - Strong winds and regular showers.

Herring Gulls, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Shag.

Bunnahabhain Bay

Mute Swan, Mallard, Starling, Oystercatcher, Hooded Crow, Raven.

Knocklearock

Chaffinch, Brambling.

Lock Gruinart

Barnacle Geese, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Shelduck, Pintail, 5 Greenland White-fronted Geese, Grey Heron.

Sunday 7 November

The Rhinns

Strong winds and sunny

Choughs, Stonechat, Buzzard, Rock Dove, Mistle Thrush, Rock Pipit, Grey Seal.

Chough - The Rhinns

Ardnave

Male Hen Harrier, c12 Choughs. Whooper Swan 2.

Monday 8 November

Very wet until midday then cloudy

Loch Gruniart North side

Meadow Pipit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Sandling, Bar-tailed Godwits, Redwing.

Loch Skerrols

Whooper Swans, Tufted Duck.

Islay Woollen Mill feeders

Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit.

SW of Bowmore.

White-tailed Eagle.

Bruichladdich

Great Northern Diver. First Summer Eider.

Port Charlotte

Red-throated Diver.

Tuesday 9 November

Sunny, dry and moderate winds

Port Charlotte

Two Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver.

The Or

Apart from a flock of over 50 Twite on the feeders at the RSPB car park, which kept getting spooked by a Sparrowhawk , fairly quiet.

Twite - The Or

Lagavulin Bay

An Otter was feeding constantly out in the bay. No soon had it caught some prey which was quickly consumed, it then dived and caught more.

Otter - Lagavulin Bay

Near the Kildalton Cross

A large flock of Fieldfare dropped onto some grassland. Jack Snipe flushing from side of road. First Red Deer of the trip all females/juveniles.

Black Rock, Loch Idaal

A small flock of mainly male Common Scoters close inshore at dusk.

Wednesday 10 November

Sunny, cloudy with a few showers.

Isle of Jura

Compared to previous visits, a fairly quiet drive up and down the island's only road. No Otters. Raptors were Buzzard 11, Kestrel 2 and an adult White-tailed Eagle which flew low over the car near Luss. As usual lots of Red Deer. Apart from regular Great Northern Divers along the coast little of interest bird wise.

White-tailed Eagle - Luss, Isle of Jura

Thursday 11 November

Sunny morning strong winds and rain showers in the afternoon.

Gruniart Flatts

Much as expected mainly Barnacle Geese and Widgeon.

Machair Bay

Sheep field 50 plus Ringed Plover, 50 plus Curlew, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Choughs,

Friday 12 November

Strong winds and frequent showers.

Virtually all the wildlife seemed to be keeping their heads down, with little of note all day.

Saturday 13 November.

Loch Indaal, Port Charlotte

At least 5 Great Northern Divers close inshore and a Common Guillemot next to the harbour wall.

Great Northern Diver - Loch Indaal, Port Charlotte

Loch Indaal, Black Rock

At least 2 Slavonian Grebes.

1 p.m. Port Askaig to Kennacraig Ferry - Very calm and mostly sunny

Great Northern, Black-throated and Red-throated Divers, Black Guillemot.