Leading Tours since 1987

December 29th: Glasgow - Kennacraig - Port Ellen - Bridgend - Port Charlotte.

Weather: Cloudy with occasional rain showers, 7c.

Everybody was waiting for me at Glasgow Airport, late arrival due to rental minibus paperwork. We set off towards Scotland's west coast passing by Dumbarton and Tarbert before stopping on the quayside of Inverary. In the bay we recorded Black-headed, Herring and Common Gulls, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Eurasian Curlews. Deeper water attracted Common Goldeneyes in display and Red-breasted Mergansers. Arrived at Kennacraig the departure point for Port Ellen on the Isle of Islay. Birding from the ferry along West Loch Tarbet produced Great Northern and Red-throated Divers, European Shag, Great Cormorant, Common Eider, Common and Black Guillemots, Razorbill and in more open sea areas Black-legged Kittiwakes. Mammals included Atlantic Grey and Common Seals. Docked at Port Ellen on schedule. Passed Port Ellen maltings taking the back road to Bridgend. Quickly found flocks of Barnacle and Greenland White-fronted Geese feeding on grassland. Common Buzzards also encountered. At Bridgend we stopped on the north side looking over the exposed mud of Loch Indaal. Barnacle Geese roosting in there thousands. Waders present were Eurasian Oystercatcher and Bar-tailed Godwit. Wildfowl comprised of Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard and above average numbers of Common Shelducks. As the light disappeared we made the short journey to Port Charlotte our base for the next five nights.

December 30th: Port Charlotte - Portnahaven - Machir Bay - Loch Gruinart - Ardnave Loch.

Weather: Overcast with sunny spells, cool winds. 4c/7c.

From the hotel car park we checked a rather choppy looking Loch Indaal recording Great Northern Diver and European Shag. The gardens held Rock Pipit and European Robin. Travelled west to the depopulating village of Portnahaven the most westerly point on Islay. The harbour is a quiet backwater holding Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Curlew but little else. Headed inland following the coast road passing by small groups of Greenland White-fronted Geese. Headed back to Port Charlotte where a marshy area had Whooper Swan, Grey Heron and Mallard. En route to Bruichladdich a pair of majestic Golden Eagles entertained us at close range, superb views. Shortly afterwards a group of Brent Geese (hrota race) fed on seaweed close to shore. We headed back towards the coast with Machir Bay being our destination. Another Golden Eagle and mixed parties of the two common goose species. Near the cottages at Machir Bay close views of feeding Red-billed Choughs. At the car park several Common Stonechats perched on fence posts. Remainder of the day along Loch Gruinart peninsula with a visit to the hide and visitor centre. At the former wildfowl comprised of Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard and Eurasian Wigeon. Little Grebe and Eurasian Curlew also present. A large female Peregrine Falcon swooped down onto the flood almost without notice missed the intended target of a teal. Ardnave Loch produced Greylag Geese, Whooper and Mute Swans, Common Pochard and on the moorland Peregrine Falcon and Hen Harrier. Stopped along the Gruinart road to watch geese coming into roost plus several Common Buzzards. Returned to base as the temperature started to drop sharply.

December 31st: Port Charlotte - Bruichladdich - Bridgend - Bowmore Power Station and Pier - Kintra - Loch Skerrols - Loch Gruinart.

Weather: Overcast with persistent drizzle, 4c.

The last day of 2002 saw us head along Loch Indaal with a brief stop at Bruichladdich - similar birds to yesterday. Before arriving at Bridgend we stopped to observe a raft of Common Scoter, Greater Scaup and Red-breasted Mergansers. Near the road junction to Collabus a house with feeders attracted Eurasian Jackdaw, Common Chaffinch, Great and Blue Tits. At the head of Loch Indaal good numbers of Barnacle Geese, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon and Mallard plus the usual gulls. On the entrance to Bowmore another viewpoint enabled us to observe Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Oystercatcher and Eurasian Curlew at close range. A seaweed-covered rock lured a pair of Ruddy Turnstones. From the elevated lay-by at Bowmore Power Station a flock of beautiful Common Eiders and distant views of Slavonian Grebe and Common Goldeneye. At the pier the only birds of note were four sleeping Dunlin. Visited Bowmore rubbish dump, fairly quiet apart from a Common Snipe. Headed down to Kintra near Port Ellen with the weather deteriorating en route. Fields here held Fieldfare, Redwing and almost 500 Common Chaffinches feeding in a stubble field. Golf course had Greenland White-fronted Geese. Returned north to Loch Skerrols where our luck changed as we located a vagrant Canada Goose and two Pink-footed Geese feeding with the two common species. Peregrine Falcon flew over the woodland where both Coal Tit and Goldcrest called. Ended the day at Loch Gruinart in dreadful light conditions, similar birds to yesterday. As dusk fell thousands of geese came into view one of nature’s spectacles. In the evening we enjoyed a Hogmanay meal and afterwards a firework display.

January 1st: Port Charlotte – Port Ellen – Port Askaig – Bunnahaibian – Loch Gruinart.

Weather: Overcast with occasional showers, 4c.

A later start today due to New Years Eve celebrations. We headed down to Port Ellen on the south coast of Islay and then towards Laphroig Distillery. In a short time we quickly located our target a blue phase Snow Goose from Arctic Canada feeding with Greenland White-fronted Geese. Buoyed by this we visited the sheltered waters of Port Ellen harbour and environs. The bay held Red-throated Diver, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and a surprise find in a female Velvet Scoter. A bonus was a Common Otter swimming across the bay before showing well on exposed rocks. The latter is a rare winter visitor to Islay. We went along the High Road to Ballygrant and turned right to Port Askaig. Stopped at the woodlands where a Goldcrest flitted in front of us. A beautiful male Hen Harrier flew over the wood looking for prey. Lunch taken at Bunnahaiban a small village overlooking the Straits of Islay. Not many birds present but we added a pair of Black-throated Divers, Grey Heron and Black Guillemots in winter plumage. Decided to end the day again at Loch Gruinart as the weather was starting to deteriorate. Usual birds present outside the hide including the sought-after male Green-winged Teal.

January 2nd: Port Charlotte – Sanaigmore – Loch Gruinart – Ardnave – Loch Indaal.

Weather: Persistent rain with strong winds, 4c.

Today was truly miserable weather-wise making birding almost impossible and birds especially passerines hard to find. We headed towards the cliffs of Sanaigmore checking agricultural fields for pipits, finches and buntings in addition to geese. We managed to find a flock of Common Chaffinches, Eurasian Linnets and a few Eurasian Skylarks in a turnip field. Common Snipe flushed from a flooded ditch. Brief visits to Sanaigmore farm and Loch Gruinart before visiting Ardnave Loch and peninsula. The rain relented for a short time on arrival. The loch held Whooper Swan European Golden Plovers in flight and the commoner wildfowl. Nearby fields attracted thousand of Barnacle Geese. Embarked on a walk through the sand dune system and adjacent fields searching for a vagrant Red-breasted Goose (without success). Flock of Red-billed Choughs flew past. Ended the day looking into Loch Indaal. A weather dominated day although we recorded the second highest day total of the tour.

January 3rd: Port Charlotte – Port Ellen – Kennacraig – Inverary – Glasgow.
Final species total: 89
Weather: Sunny and cold, 3c.

Today dawned bright and clear with ice on the windscreen of the minibus. An early breakfast before making the journey down to Port Ellen for the 0955 ferry back to Kennacraig. The crossing again proved to be good for seabirds with Black-legged Kittiwakes off the Islay coast. Brian and myself had brief views of a Minke Whale. In West Loch Tarbert birds were abundant. We recorded Great Northern, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Common and Black Guillemots, Razorbill, Common Scoter, Common Goldeneye and Common Eider. Docked at Kennacraig and then onto Inverary for lunch. En route a pair of Eurasian Jays flew in front of the bus. Arrived at Glasgow Airport where we said our goodbyes. An end to an enjoyable and productive few days on Islay.

Mammals recorded: Minke Whale, Atlantic Grey Seal, Common Seal, Common Otter, Red Deer, Roe Deer, Common Rabbit and Brown Hare.

For details of the full species list or to request further information about the next time we will be offering this trip. Contact us at enquiries@birdwatchingbreaks.com.