Bird Watching on Islay

From the Doorstep

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.

On Loch Indaal

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.

The Winter Spectacle

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.

More about Barnacle Geese on Islay →

Bird Watching on Islay

Bird Watching on Islay — Places & Services

Locations

Find the Places

5 locations on Islay

Loch Indaal

RSPB Loch Gruinart20-minute drive

RSPB The Oa~40-minute drive

Portnahaven Harbour20-minute drive

RSPB Loch Gruinart Woodland Trail20-minute drive

Common questions

Bird Watching on Islay

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.

Accommodation