# Bird Watching on Islay Bird watching on Islay from the shore of Loch Indaal — Shorefield's own bird hides and wetland, plus RSPB Loch Gruinart, choughs, sea eagles and 30,000 wintering barnacle geese. Where to stay and when to come. Source: https://portbahnislay.co.uk/explore-islay/bird-watching-islay > On Islay you can start birding before you've left the house — the loch is on the doorstep, and Shorefield was built by birdwatchers. ## Bird Watching from Your Doorstep Most birding guides send you out across the island. On Islay you can start before you've left the house. Our three self-catering properties sit on the shore of Loch Indaal — a wide sea loch that pulls in waders, divers and wildfowl through the year — and Shorefield House, in particular, was built by birdwatchers. Shorefield was built by birdwatchers - the woodland and ponds behind the house were planted and dug by hand, with bird hides looking over them, and the house is still full of bird books, binoculars and a telescope. From the study window or the hide you can watch waterfowl on the ponds and, beyond, the loch and the Paps of Jura. Around a third of our Shorefield guests come specifically for this. You don't have to be a serious birder to enjoy it. Plenty of guests who'd never call themselves twitchers end up out at the hide for an hour with a coffee, just seeing what turns up. ## What's on Loch Indaal Loch Indaal, the sea loch our houses overlook, is a birding site in its own right. Through autumn and winter the shallows and mudflats hold waders — oystercatcher, curlew, redshank, dunlin — alongside wigeon, teal and the occasional diver out on the water. Sea eagles work the loch and the hills behind it; we see them often enough that guests stop being surprised. Time it with the tide. A falling tide exposes the feeding flats and brings the birds close to the shore road and the coastal path; high water pushes them up onto the fields. A scope helps, but a lot is visible from the path along the front of the houses — step out the door and you're on it. For the full sweep of Islay's wildlife — the eagles in more detail, seals, otters and the seasons — see our [Islay wildlife guide](/explore-islay/islay-wildlife). ## Barnacle Geese on Islay Every October on Islay, a great spectacle in the birdwatching world takes place — around 30,000 barnacle geese migrate from their Greenland breeding grounds and settle on the fields across the island, particularly around the broad estuary of Loch Gruinart where the RSPB sanctuary is. Standing watching a vast flock lift off in a synchronised ripple, turn and settle again is quite a mesmerising sight. ## Places & Attractions ### Loch Indaal Category: nature-reserve Island: islay Loch Indaal is a large sea loch forming the western shore of central Islay. Common and grey seals are frequently visible along its shores, and the Portbahn Islay properties overlook it. Location: Bruichladdich / Bowmore (both shores) ### RSPB Loch Gruinart Category: nature-reserve Island: islay RSPB Loch Gruinart is a tidal loch and nature reserve on the northern Rhinns of Islay, managed by the RSPB. It is Islay's flagship reserve for migratory barnacle geese (30,000+ birds arrive from Greenland each October), and also hosts eagles, waders, and other raptors. Free to visit with hides and nature trails. Location: Northern Rhinns Distance from Bruichladdich: 20-minute drive Website: https://www.rspb.org.uk Phone: +44 1496 850505 ### RSPB The Oa Category: nature-reserve Island: islay RSPB The Oa is a nature reserve on the Oa peninsula on the south coast of Islay, featuring dramatic sea cliffs, choughs, seabirds, and coastal scenery. Free to visit. Location: The Oa, south Islay Distance from Bruichladdich: ~40-minute drive Website: https://www.rspb.org.uk Phone: +44 1496 300118 ### Portnahaven Harbour Category: attraction Island: islay Portnahaven harbour is a small natural harbour at the southern tip of the Rhinns peninsula on Islay. Grey seals are the most commonly spotted, almost always present on the rocks and in the water — visible from the harbour wall and the adjacent An Tigh Seinnse pub. Common (harbour) seals are also present in the surrounding coastal areas of the Rhinns. Location: Portnahaven Distance from Bruichladdich: 20-minute drive Hours: [object Object] ### RSPB Loch Gruinart Woodland Trail Category: route Island: islay The RSPB Loch Gruinart Woodland Trail is a 1-mile accessible walk from the visitor centre at Aoradh Farm to the viewing platform and hides overlooking the tidal inlet and flooded fields of Loch Gruinart. The reserve hosts 30,000+ barnacle geese from October to April. Location: Loch Gruinart, northern Rhinns Distance from Bruichladdich: 20-minute drive ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Where should I stay for bird watching on Islay? Shorefield House is our pick for birders. It was built by birdwatchers, with its own bird hides over wetland and ponds, and binoculars and a telescope in the house, on the shore of Loch Indaal. All three of our Bruichladdich properties overlook the loch, so you can watch waders and wildfowl from the doorstep — Shorefield just leans into it. RSPB Loch Gruinart, Islay's flagship reserve, is about twenty minutes' drive. ### Can I watch birds from the property? Yes. The houses sit on the shore of Loch Indaal, which holds waders, wildfowl and divers, and sea eagles work the loch and the hills above it. Shorefield House has bird hides over its own ponds and a telescope indoors. The coastal path along the front of the houses is good for a slow scan, especially on a falling tide. ### What birds will I see on Loch Indaal? Through autumn and winter: waders such as oystercatcher, curlew, redshank and dunlin, plus wigeon, teal and the odd diver, with sea eagles overhead. Spring and summer bring breeding waders and, on the wider Rhinns, choughs. The island's headline is the 30,000 barnacle geese that arrive from Greenland each October, best seen at RSPB Loch Gruinart.