Bird Watching on Islay

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.

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.

More about Barnacle Geese on Islay →