October is a great time to be on Islay. The arrival of the geese and swans, the large flocks of finches and the passage of migrant thrushes and other birds make the reserves feel bustling with life. Amongst the finch flocks on the Oa over the last few, up to four bramblings have been seen.
October is also the time that grey seals give birth to their pups.
This pup on the Oa is a couple of weeks old, in a week or so it will shed it's white fur coat and have to learn to swim and hunt for itself.