All images copyright Islay Natural History Trust
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More photographs of Islay's wildlife can be found here.
In late July, at least two pure white Swallows were seen near Bridgend. One disappeared quite quickly, but the other stayed around until nearly the end of August. It was a young bird, presumably hatched and reared somewhere near Bridgend. It was seen feeding with other Swallows which, however, tended to bully it rather. It will be very interesting to see if it survives its long migration to southern Africa and returns here next spring. It is an almost pure albino with completely white plumage a pinkish-yellow beak and a pinkish eye.
Photograph by George Jackson. This one doesn't enlarge any more!
A Cuvier's Beaked Whale found dead at Saligo Bay in March 2002. This is the first specimen of this species to have been found on Islay. It was very dead and smelly when it arrived. The skeleton has now gone to the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.
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This strange heron frequented the Portnahaven area in autumn 2001 and was identified by some birdwatchers as a Purple Heron. However, it lacked the proportions of that species, especially the very long neck, and was finally determined to be a very dark specimen of a juvenile Grey Heron, a species which breeds on Islay in small numbers.
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