Exploring various areas along the coast was enjoyable in itself, but yielded nothing of particular significance. Whilst lacking any data, I sense a reduction in Peregrine pairs over the last few years on Islay, as successive areas/territories where you might expect to come across the odd regular pair now have nothing. Perhaps something that bears looking at?
As might be expected at this time of year birds seen moving over the sea comprised the "usual suspects" with no exceptional numbers being involved. This will change fairly soon as feeding movements are more apparent, followed not too far ahead , with birds beginning to move off south. The season marches on, although, in reality, there's a number of weeks before things really commence to get serious!! Nonetheless , some high Arctic waders will be on the move already and are worth keeping an eye out for.
Locally, some young birds are in evidence ( Northern Wheatear, Stonechat, Mistle Thrush, Reed Bunting ) and much activity from Skylarks and Meadow Pipit suggest it may have been a reasonable season. The resident Starlings have already moved off and doubtless will be scouring the increasing number of fields from which silage has been cut. Singing Sedge Warbler and pairs of Goldfinch and Lesser Redpoll locally confirm breeding activity is still proceeding apace. The next few days will no doubt see the appearance of the first young Willow Warblers and Common Whitethroats as they begin to disperse in time honoured fashion. Single pairs of both Lapwing and Curlew on the hill continue to be fiercely protective of unseen young, presumably the late products of failed breeding attempts earlier.
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