Page 4 - Out Birding Issue 109 Winter 2022

Event Reports
Please send reports as a Word a􏰃achment or in the body of an email to Pat: pat.cro􏰂on@b􏰁nternet.com
Isle of Jura and Cowal Peninsula 13-16/05/2022
During fish and chips in the Holy Loch Nature Reserve hide on the Friday evening, we decided to do a day trip to the Isle of Jura on Saturday and stay closer to base on Cow- al on Sunday. On the way to Portavadie early next morning, we made a quick stop to see how one of our Osprey pairs was ge􏰀ng on. Surprisingly, both adults were perched above their nest, enjoying the morning sunshine. The nearby Ormidale Sand Mar􏰁n colony was busy, and had been joined by a single, late Whooper Swan. As we waited for the ferry, we enjoyed the many Black Guillemots about to nest on one of the sea walls. The crossing of Loch Fyne was quiet except for a steady procession of Gannets. As we sailed out of West Loch Tarbert towards the Isle of Islay, many of the hundreds of Great Northern Divers that overwinter in the seas off Argyll were s􏰁ll about, moul􏰁ng into their breeding finery. Once past the northern 􏰁p of the Isle of Gigha, we came across several dozen Gannets feeding with Ki􏰀wakes, Guillemots and Manx Shearwaters. On the entry to the Sound of Jura, a White-tailed Eagle watched from a rocky island as we sailed towards Port Askaig. Many assorted seabirds were flying up and down the sound between Islay and Jura; while wai􏰁ng for our third ferry journey from Islay to Jura, we watched an Arc􏰁c Skua chasing Ki􏰀wakes trying to make their way towards open water.
On Jura, the first thing we came upon was a colony of Common Gulls nes􏰁ng on the beach. We made our way up the Inver Estate track to the sound of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits overhead. A ring-tail Hen Harrier flew up and then dipped out of view. Further on, a Whimbrel gave out its characteris􏰁c call as it flew along the beach. At the lodge, a noisy group of Common Redpolls were whizzing about in the treetops. On the way back, we were preceded by a family of Stonechats, while Goldfinches fed on seeding Dandelions. Back at the ferry, there was a big commo􏰁on as Ringed Plover parents fended off marauding gulls as their wee chicks foraged in the machair. One of many Wheatears sang from the beach.
A􏰂er a very long sleep, I popped out early next morning to find a Spo􏰃ed Flycatcher had arrived in the village overnight. The usual Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at the end on my drive; the village was alive with the dawn chorus which included many Tree Pipits. I picked up John and Gavin, and we headed to Dunoon Crazy Golf to see if there were any Purple Sandpipers s􏰁ll on the rocks, but they had all le􏰂 for the Sum- mer. A pair of Greenfinches were foraging on the beach just as a Shag, which breeds on the nearby pier, landed in front of us, giving fabulous views of its dark-green plum- age. We headed around the Holy Loch and checked on an Oystercatcher nes􏰁ng on a
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