Scotland 2017

Friday May 19 Did it have to pour down on our last day? I had every intention of being out early this morning, I even set the alarm clock. One look out of the bedroom window, which had streams running down it and it was back to bed for a read.  Pam dressed and got the moth trap in - after emptying two inches of water out of the suitcase lid. I took it apart and dried everything, finding no moths at all and, sodden egg boxes. We were due to collect my made up earrings to-day, as good a destination as any. Considering the number of birders who visit these islands, they are very dilatory in producing appropriate jewellery. The same two bird designs as last year, neither of them particularly desirable.The shop in South Uist is also their workshop, they made a couple of tie-pins into earrings for me. I'm sure that Puffins would go down very well with general public, not only birders. The first little parking area at Loch Mor was full, we parked at the westerly end again. on the

Thursday May 18 Our latest start yet, for no apparent reason. Weather was good, as was our humour, we (I in particular) loafed about. My snail pace was because the WiFi worked for a while and I made use of it. The moth trap was sodden again. When does it rain?  At night obviously, about which we should be pleased. I’d really like a few moths before leaving and, to-night is the last night possible. We met BB a few days ago.he’d trapped very few but, at least he’d had something in his two weeks here. I wonder if he’ll be in Norfolk again this year. To-day’s aim was the island of Berneray The Isle lies at the northern end of the Uists, but historically was part of South Harris. It was joined to North Uist by a causeway in 1999. It’s only 2 miles by 3 in area and well worth a visit. Last year we had non stop heavy rain and determined to visit it again. In the very north of Uist shortly before the causeway, there is a ruin on an island in a loch. Luckily, there is a good information boar

Wednesday May 17 No internet again. So frustrating, it loads part way then crashes. After a lovely day too. Still too much wind for comfort, the sun and blue sky makes up for it. South Uist and Loch  Aineoart on the east coast was the destination, there’s a clump of trees here for passerines (rare on these islands) and a lovely view. It should be sheltered to-day in a south easterly wind. One false turning, to Flodda, which is an unmarked dead end. No matter, another road explored. Unfortunately Aineort is well known to birders. The small parking place for about six vehicles at the end of the track was full. We parked up the hill, near the boat shed, from which we could view the loch. Two Ravens and a Hooded Crow - the latter nowhere near as widespread as they are on Mull - two Red-breasted Merganser, the inevitable Eider and a few basking seals. We, I, couldn’t walk up the high hill beyond the wood, which is where we saw Golden Eagles and passerines last year. Fortunately, I’d point

Tuesday May 16 The only sensible thing to do was... stay in bed and read.  A howling gale still, rain lashing against the bedroom windows. I can only suffer sitting up in bed for a short time, it's too uncomfortable on my knees. Fortunately, the rain eased, we were encouraged to chance the day. I'd planned to start at Aird an Runair, to see if the wind had brought us some skuas. Instead we ordered the Telegraph at Bayhead supermarket -  not in until 5, late boat on Tuesdays - and made for South Uist and the Phalarope loch. Alhough the sky ahead looked pretty dark, it cleared, the sun came out and we saw our first Short-eared Owl of the day. Two brawling Buzzards had us flummoxed for a while. Reaching Loch Mor, we started scanning from the eastern end. Shelduck, Oystercatchers and Arctic Terns. There's a grassy hillock at the western end where we parked and scanned the favoured end of the loch. I was scoping Wigeon, a pair of Gadwall and two pairs of Arctic Tern. Pa

Monday May 15 Not much to write about to-day - except to express the British obsession with the weather. Hebrideans say that when the wind stops blowing on Tiree, all the inhabitants fall over. We had to struggle to stay upright IN the wind.  It's been blowing a real gale here to-day with intermittent rain. Not cold, peculiarly, due to the southerly wind. I had to hold the car door  open so that Pam could get in. It was lunchtime before  we left the cottage with several chores in mind. Stamps for the postcards and a battery for my watch. I must be able to get one somewhere. A shop assistant at Bayhead, down the road, said that their post office was shut as it only opened on Monday and Friday mornings until noon. The main Post Office was in Lochmaddy. I should be able to get a battery in Benbecula. And..... having driven the 20 miles there especially, the Lochmaddy Post Office also closed at noon every day and it was now 1 p.m. How helpful !!! There's a large RAF stati

Sunday May 14 Last year, my case moth trap was new, so I heeded the advice not to put it out in the rain. It has a rain guard, why should I be so limited? We only used it twice on this island last year. It wasn't raining when we went to bed, there had obviously been a heavy shower during the night. The actinic tube was still hooked up but not alight. No moths either. We emptied the trap, left the egg boxes to dry out and left for Balranald. A lovely sunny morning with a stiff breeze, Skylarks singing, Lapwings Peeweeing, Redshanks whistling and at least two Corncrakes craking. None in our garden so far. Straight out to Ard an Runair beach, the area around the Reserve centre ( a small stone shed) and the loos was full of people, a coachload had arrived. The metal road soon descends to a very rough stone and sand track through the machair. Very few vehicles at the beach, half a dozen at the most. Parking where we could see the bay, scanning brought a host of Sanderling wit