'Mios ro gach ràith a choltas'
A month before each season, its appearance comes

 

Technically the Chough pronounced 'chuff' and latin name Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax is a member of the crow family. It has a red bill but its legs are unlike any other member of the crow family. It is quite rare (with Amber Status) and only generally found in the West coast of Scotland (and Ireland and Wales) It commonly provides visitors with displays of flight, diving and swooping with great agility. A solitary nester, the Chough can be found in flocks in autumn and winter. On Islay they can be seen at Port Ellen Bay, The Rinns, Loch Gorm, Machir Bay and even derelict buildings on the RSPB reserve.