Down at the Oa

The last couple of days have been spent down at The Oa reserve on the South of the island.  Yesterday the wind was strong and was occasionally accompanied by stinging rain.  We managed a limited FBS, although it was not a day for birds to be out in the open.  However, we still saw a pair of Peregrine and a hardy flock of Reed Bunting/Twite/with some possible Linnet.  I wonder how David can tell the difference, even more so after I check my bird book.  He also thinks we saw a Tree Sparrow in amongst them, quite a rarity.

Later, whilst shopping in the Co-op in Bowmore, there was a House Sparrow flying about inside the shop.  I nailed the id on that one.

Anyway, today the weather was fine.  Still a bit of wind, but mostly blue skies.  We finish the FBS, as well as a WEBS (wetland bird survey) of the Astle Lochs.  On the loch there are Tufted Ducks and Goldeneye, and what looks very much like a Scaup.  We see plenty of Buzzards, a Kestrel, and then I see an Otter.  It seems big to me, and is moving from the shore up a burn on the Eastern side of the loch.  I give David a shout but by the time he looks it’s gone.

Then we see a Golden Eagle, pretty close, fly over the loch.

After finishing the surveys we go to hang a gate, and watch a Hen Harrier fly up to and swoop down through the field we’re about to work in.  The gate hangs, and works (!) after only a little adjustment.  A fine achievement given the slope we’re on.

So that’s six different types of bird of prey in just four days.  Woaw, that’s special.  Even more so as I’ve not knowingly seen a Merlin or Hen Harrier before coming to Islay.