Isle of Islay 2026

Mark Finn
January 27th-31st

January 27th: Glasgow, Lochwinnoch, Loch Gilp, Drimvore, Ardfern
Daily 37 New 37 Running 37
Weather: Rain showers and cloud on a strong ESE wind 4c

Due to the weather conditions all ferry services to Islay were cancelled today which meant a replan of the itinerary. Our first stop was at Lochwinnoch where the feeders were active with Great, Blue and Coal Tits, European Robin and Dunnock. On the scrapes water levels were high attracting Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Common Moorhen, Grey Heron, Common Gull, Northern Lapwing and a few Greylag Goose. The weather worsened as we went towards Lochgilphead and Loch Gilp. The latter attracted wading birds - including Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit and Ruddy Turnstone. Ducks were present in the water pools with sightings of Common Shelduck, Mallard and the commoner species. Drimvore was next where we quickly located the long staying Cackling Goose among the flocks of Canada Geese. Finally we visited Ardfern where the deeper waters held Little Grebe, Great Cormorant and Red-breasted Mergansers. On the grass fields we observed feeding European Herring and Common Gulls. A brutal day for weather let’s hope it improves for tomorrow.

January 28th: Ardfern, Kennacraig, Port Askaig, Loch Skerrols, Bowmore, Loch Indaal
Daily 49 New 25 Running 62
Weather: Sunny spells and cloudy conditions on a light ESE wind 3c-8c

The hotel car park held a few House Sparrows before departing to Kennacraig and the ferry to Islay. A short stop at Loch Gilp produced Common and Red-throated Loons, European Shag, Common Eider, Black Guillemot and Ringed Plover. The ferry departed on time for Port Askaig and along the route we recorded many loons which were mainly Red-throated and Common. Other species seen included Black-legged Kittiwake, Great Black-backed and European Herring Gulls, Northern Gannet and near the shoreline pairs of Mute Swan. An island attracted a White-tailed Eagle and in the adjacent sea Common Guillemot, Razorbill and a drake Common Goldeneye. On arrival in Islay the group visited Loch Skerrols which attracted Tufted Duck, Common Merganser, Eurasian Teal, Mallard and Little Grebe. On nearby farmland our first views of Greenland White-fronted and Barnacle Geese. Birds of prey were also seen including Common Buzzard and a female Hen Harrier. A visit to Bowmore pier had a Rock Pipit and on the return to Bridgend a wader roost held Bar-tailed Godwit, first year Greenshank, Red Knot, Dunlin of the schinzei race, Ruddy Turnstone and Eurasian Oystercatcher. The light was starting to fade as we checked in at our base in Bridgend.
Mammals: North Atlantic Grey Seal (6)

January 29th: Loch Indaal, Portnahaven, Kilchoman, Sanaigmore, Ardnave, Loch Gruinart
Daily 47 New 12 Running 74
Weather: Rather mixed with sunny and cloudy spells on a biting SE wind 3c-5c

Today the group concentrated on the west and north of the island which has many important areas for birds. Loch Indaal was still rather choppy with waves making observations difficult. On the way towards Portnahaven a house with bird feeders was attracting Common Chaffinch, European Goldfinch and House Sparrow in good numbers. In the field around Portnahaven we recorded the scarce Red-billed Chough, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow and Rook plus several Common Pheasants. The back roads were taken to Kilchoman with its abandoned church and crumbling cliffs. A seasonal pool by the beach attracted Great Black-backed, European Herring and Common Gulls, Ringed Plover, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Eurasian Curlew and Northern Lapwing. I decided to take lunch at the isolated farm at Sanaigmore with views towards Colonsay and Mull. This proved to be an extraordinary area for birds of prey with up to three very close Golden Eagles, two juvenile White-tailed Eagles both of which were being mobbed by Peregrine Falcons. In the fields we located several Hen Harriers including a male and four females and a Northern Raven. I ended the day at Loch Gruinart with its extensive flooded grasslands and fields. Careful scanning produced another White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harriers, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel and a nice range of wildfowl including Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Teal, Eurasian Wigeon and Whooper Swan plus the unusual sight of four Little Egrets. On the way back we stopped to scan large flocks of Barnacle and Greenland White-fronted Geese for any strays in the flocks, this time without success. The last new bird of the day was a Mistle Thrush perched on a wire.
Mammals: Brown Hare (3), Red Deer (c)

January 30th: Finlaggan, Woolen Mill, Port Ellen, Oa, Loch Indaal, Kilinallen, Loch Gruinart
Daily 60 New 9 Running 83
Weather: Cloudy with occasional sunny spells on a cold SE wind 4c-8c

Our last full day started with a pair of Collared Doves on wires outside the hotel. Finlaggen was first on our list of birding sites with trees around the old manse attracting Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird and a singing Mistle Thrush. The woolen mill was on the return route where a White-throated Dipper was located under the bridge. Feeders at the mill attracted large numbers of Common Chaffinch whilst the feeders had Great, Blue and Coal Tits. The back road to Port Ellen was taken where the seaweed strewn beach attracted Great Black-backed and European Herring Gulls, Ringed Plover and offshore Common Loon and Red-breasted Merganser. A diversion to The Oa quickly produced a party of Twite attending the bird feeders which are installed here in the winter months for supplementary feeding. Time was getting on as we approached Loch Indaal and a stop near the old power station. A scan into the loch revealed a few Common Scoters and Common Goldeneyes. Near Bridgend the flats had good numbers of Northern Lapwing and overhead a group of European Golden Plovers. Lunch was taken at Bruichladdich and from there a visit to the other side of Loch Gruinart. The fields held the common goose species and at least three White-tailed Eagles. The tide in Loch Gruinart attracted hundreds of wading birds with sightings of Dunlin, Sanderling, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew and Northern Lapwing. On the water edge and adjacent fields the group located small groups of Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon and Northern Pintail. Passerines were few in numbers although Eurasian Skylark and Common Stonechat were added to the list. As dusk started to fall a male Hen Harrier was seen plus a female Merlin chasing passerines for food.
Mammals: Brown Hare (4), Common Rabbit (2), Roe Deer (1)

January 31st: Bridgend, Loch Indaal, Bunnahaibhan, Port Askaig, Perth, Inverness
Daily n/r New 3 Final 86
Weather: Rather mixed with a strong E wind and rain 6c-9c

Our last day on Islay was a visit to Loch Indaal where the water was much smoother to previous visits. This made viewing easier and a group of Greater Scaup were located numbering around 12 birds, around 25 years ago the loch held around 800 birds a dramatic decrease due to changes in the whisky industry. A diversion was made to Bunnahaibhan with the entrance road passing through old woodlands and a freshwater loch. Nothing much around so a visit to the information centre where the manageress gave us a few malt whisky samples. Checked in for the ferry departing at Port Askaig for Kennacraig. A pair of adult White-tailed Eagles flying above us was a bonus. The ferry journey held similar birds from a few days ago. The journey back to Perth took time due to weather conditions. A Western Barn Owl near Crieff was the last species of the trip.