Alastair Rae
London birder
We spent New Year on Islay.
The island itself is beautiful but the weather was poor. The geese didn't mind, though. They were the main attraction. Huge flocks of Barnacles and lots of Greenland Whitefronts (flavirostris) See Piccy. We also recorded were Light-bellied Brents (hrota), Pink-footed and gen-u-ine Canadas. (We didn't attempt to assign the latter to races, though). We worked quite searching for a reported Redbreasted but no joy. Best of all, was my first Brit tick in two years, a blue-phase Snow Goose.
Waders and ducks were a bit disappointing. Merlin was conspicuous by its absense but we did get cracking views of three Golden Eagles and an Otter.
There wes brilliant sunshine on the day we left, but not until we were on the ferry.
Also of interest was the vast array of malt whiskies available in the hotel bar. You have to have something to do on those cold, dark evenings.
B
Great place to visit.
The island itself is beautiful but the weather was poor. The geese didn't mind, though. They were the main attraction. Huge flocks of Barnacles and lots of Greenland Whitefronts (flavirostris) See Piccy. We also recorded were Light-bellied Brents (hrota), Pink-footed and gen-u-ine Canadas. (We didn't attempt to assign the latter to races, though). We worked quite searching for a reported Redbreasted but no joy. Best of all, was my first Brit tick in two years, a blue-phase Snow Goose.
Waders and ducks were a bit disappointing. Merlin was conspicuous by its absense but we did get cracking views of three Golden Eagles and an Otter.
There wes brilliant sunshine on the day we left, but not until we were on the ferry.
Also of interest was the vast array of malt whiskies available in the hotel bar. You have to have something to do on those cold, dark evenings.
B
Great place to visit.