Great three days on Colonsay and Oronsay, wasnt really a birding trip as such, more of Island bagging, exploring trip. Seen some superb wildlife nonetheless. Weather was absolutely sensational. Would highly recommend the beaches alone are worth the trip. White golden beaches. Stunning islands.
Birds seen on both Islands.
Golden Eagle seen one individual on Colonsay a young bird, three Hen Harrier a Male just outside Scalasaig and two Females both around the Strand the tidal Causeway separating Colonsay and Oronsay. Cuckoo unbelievable numbers around both Islands. Seen a to total of 9 birds with many more heard. The main wader on the Islands were Oystercatcher seemed to be everywhere, other waders included, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Knot, Lapwing, Dunlin and Sanderling. Smaller birds Meadow Pipit the most numerous, along with Skylark, House Sparrow and Robin. Good numbers of Song Thrush and smaller numbers of Mistle Thrush. Swallow and House Martin both around the two Islands. Plenty Stonechat about also.
Oronsay produced the most Corncrakes although we didn't see any (April according to the RSPB warden is the best time to see them) we heard about 9 different singing birds and two on Colonsay, one which continued to sing for a good hour and half solid. Was literally a foot away from one over the priory wall, an amazing sound.
Chough was a lifer for me with quite a few birds seen around, Kiloran Bay, the sand dunes around Balnahard Bay and some of the Cliffs around the West Coast.
Seabirds, lots to be seen around the West Coast and out to sea.
Puffin Guillemot Razorbill Gannet Great Northern Diver Black Throated Diver Shag Cormorant Great Skua Common Tern Fulmar Lesser Blacked Backed Gull Great Blacked Backed Gull Black Headed Gull
Might have missed a few off, If I do remember I will edit. Should really write my sightings down, would help.
Birds seen on both Islands.
Golden Eagle seen one individual on Colonsay a young bird, three Hen Harrier a Male just outside Scalasaig and two Females both around the Strand the tidal Causeway separating Colonsay and Oronsay. Cuckoo unbelievable numbers around both Islands. Seen a to total of 9 birds with many more heard. The main wader on the Islands were Oystercatcher seemed to be everywhere, other waders included, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Knot, Lapwing, Dunlin and Sanderling. Smaller birds Meadow Pipit the most numerous, along with Skylark, House Sparrow and Robin. Good numbers of Song Thrush and smaller numbers of Mistle Thrush. Swallow and House Martin both around the two Islands. Plenty Stonechat about also.
Oronsay produced the most Corncrakes although we didn't see any (April according to the RSPB warden is the best time to see them) we heard about 9 different singing birds and two on Colonsay, one which continued to sing for a good hour and half solid. Was literally a foot away from one over the priory wall, an amazing sound.
Chough was a lifer for me with quite a few birds seen around, Kiloran Bay, the sand dunes around Balnahard Bay and some of the Cliffs around the West Coast.
Seabirds, lots to be seen around the West Coast and out to sea.
Puffin
Guillemot
Razorbill
Gannet
Great Northern Diver
Black Throated Diver
Shag
Cormorant
Great Skua
Common Tern
Fulmar
Lesser Blacked Backed Gull
Great Blacked Backed Gull
Black Headed Gull
Might have missed a few off, If I do remember I will edit. Should really write my sightings down, would help.