This weeks Islay nature report by Jeremy Hastings from Islay Birding: Again the weather has not been too favourable this week with sea hars, rain and sunshine as well as a cold north westerly. The benefits have been that the wild flowers are late in flowering: Bog Asphodel, late Orchids, Purple Loosestrife, Rosebay Willow herb and Brambles also coming into their finest too. (We will have some cracking jam later this year!)

The team from islay Birding; Tink, Rhona and I have been running another camp for the Wildwood Wisdom programme. Sixteen local children under canvas, cooking in the woods and discovering, fishing and playing too. A cracking time has been had by all. Plenty of finch flocks, Gannets off shore, and red Throated Divers calling. To end the week we had a pair of Golden Eagles overhead.

Out birding today with clients and we had super views of seven Crossbills and two Goldcrests at the new abattoir site. This maybe quite a good place for birding in the future as the forestry on the other side of the road has been completely removed. This allows marvellous views of the high hills and obviously those birds that used the forestry have had to move! Chough have done well in some places and not so well in others. At the Foreland Road End six have been regularly spotted as well as the Eider still in moult. Some birds are still on eggs – second brood and if all goes well they will probably be successful. We will like always, just have to wait!

Tink and one of the kids from the Wildwood wisdom programme

Tag: nature birding wildlife