A Surfeit of Scenery
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 pointed out a Goldie on the way down the glen. We heard and eventually saw, Dunnock, Robin, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Goldfinch and Wren. All the Hebridean Wrens are thought to be individual suspecies, particular to each island. I didn’t manage a photo....
I like to explore somewhere new when we return to a previous destination. I’d earmarked the west coast of South Uist this time. Returning to the main road, we took the next turning west, signposted Staoinebrig.
A landscape lost in historic Hebridean time. Only a few working crofts, some inhabitated, others ruins with dead - eyed windows and doors, open to the elements, their feet-thick stone walls still standing. One or two tarted up to look like the originals, thatched roof with rope and interval-tied stones around the edge to weigh the thatch down. Necessary in the relentless wind. The whole area had an air of desolation and dreams of feet which once walked the machair. Dykes containing Marsh Marigolds were evidence of marshy areas.
Eventually reaching the coast, we were put off driving the ridge, so that we could see the view, by the funnels of sand blowing over the top. Thoughts of sand blasted car enamel were enough of a deterrent.
Further on, the dunes flattened out to smooth grass where a small saloon was parked. Should be fine for us. Waw. Reaching the top, a vast silver sand bay stretched out in front of us, reaching far into the distance on the north side, to Aird a’ Machair. At the southern end, which is where we found ourselves, was the attractive bay of Tobha Beag. A lone woman, probably the owner of the other car, could be seen as spoiling the view....... better to say that she gave some perspective to the dimensions.
There are many monolithic remains on Uist, there were Ancient Chapels and Gravestones in this area. Just piles of grassy rocks now.
About 2-300 Sanderling made the sand move in their perpetual motion about the bay, occasionally flying as a mass for no apparent reason.
Closer inspection through my scope, identified at least three, adult, pristine white, Iceland Gulls feeding along the seaweed strand.
After another dead end road where we chased Corncrake - we must have heard at least five - Pam saw a Short-eared Owl in her rear mirror and reversed. I re-located the bird, sitting in long grass, near a fenceline in a rough field. We waited ages, hoping it would fly. Eventually, the penny dropped - when it moved about shuffling its wings. It was sitting on a nest. We moved, enough ignorant disturbance for one day.
Reluctantly, we moved on, returning to the main road north where it was sign posted to Peninerine back the way we’d come.
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 pointed out a Goldie on the way down the glen. We heard and eventually saw, Dunnock, Robin, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Goldfinch and Wren. All the Hebridean Wrens are thought to be individual suspecies, particular to each island. I didn’t manage a photo....
I like to explore somewhere new when we return to a previous destination. I’d earmarked the west coast of South Uist this time. Returning to the main road, we took the next turning west, signposted Staoinebrig.
A landscape lost in historic Hebridean time. Only a few working crofts, some inhabitated, others ruins with dead - eyed windows and doors, open to the elements, their feet-thick stone walls still standing. One or two tarted up to look like the originals, thatched roof with rope and interval-tied stones around the edge to weigh the thatch down. Necessary in the relentless wind. The whole area had an air of desolation and dreams of feet which once walked the machair. Dykes containing Marsh Marigolds were evidence of marshy areas.
Eventually reaching the coast, we were put off driving the ridge, so that we could see the view, by the funnels of sand blowing over the top. Thoughts of sand blasted car enamel were enough of a deterrent.
Further on, the dunes flattened out to smooth grass where a small saloon was parked. Should be fine for us. Waw. Reaching the top, a vast silver sand bay stretched out in front of us, reaching far into the distance on the north side, to Aird a’ Machair. At the southern end, which is where we found ourselves, was the attractive bay of Tobha Beag. A lone woman, probably the owner of the other car, could be seen as spoiling the view....... better to say that she gave some perspective to the dimensions.
There are many monolithic remains on Uist, there were Ancient Chapels and Gravestones in this area. Just piles of grassy rocks now.
About 2-300 Sanderling made the sand move in their perpetual motion about the bay, occasionally flying as a mass for no apparent reason.
Closer inspection through my scope, identified at least three, adult, pristine white, Iceland Gulls feeding along the seaweed strand.
After another dead end road where we chased Corncrake - we must have heard at least five - Pam saw a Short-eared Owl in her rear mirror and reversed. I re-located the bird, sitting in long grass, near a fenceline in a rough field. We waited ages, hoping it would fly. Eventually, the penny dropped - when it moved about shuffling its wings. It was sitting on a nest. We moved, enough ignorant disturbance for one day.
 |
| I can see it !! |
The roads on these islands are so much better than those on Mull. More twin carriageway roads and the single carriageway sections have more and better passing places. Better in that they are an elegant curve rather than a pot-holed scoop. The edges of the road and the passing places are edged with a clear white line too. What amused me to-day was that oncoming drivers still wave thank you when they pass, despite the two way traffic ! Must be ingrained.
We had a mid afternoon lunch outside a scenically situated Co-op supermarket on Benbecula.
The islands are all connected by causeways, looking like an entity,. From north to south they are: North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay. Last year, the island of Berneray was connected to North Uist.
Committee Road disappointed for the first time. Nothing at all.
Hebridean sheep and their lambs are so photogenic. I can't resist. Should have used a different lens, no time to change it as we were stationary in a narrow lane.
Hebridean sheep and their lambs are so photogenic. I can't resist. Should have used a different lens, no time to change it as we were stationary in a narrow lane.
Balranald and Aird an Runair? We pass our cottage to get there. At last, a view of a singing (I use the term advisedly) Corn Bunting.
The bay looked as lovely as always, although with fewer small waders on the shore, a few Arctic Terns flying past, more Eider and nothing else. Can one suffer from a surfeit of scenery? I can’t, it all fills my soul, I save it up for the dismal days of a grey winter.
The bay looked as lovely as always, although with fewer small waders on the shore, a few Arctic Terns flying past, more Eider and nothing else. Can one suffer from a surfeit of scenery? I can’t, it all fills my soul, I save it up for the dismal days of a grey winter.
Our first views of Lapwing chicks on the way home. They are delightful and, very wayward.
Parent was still sitting on other chicks/eggs and was going steadily demented trying to call its nomad offspring to safety.
Trap out again to-night. We’re not sure that the bulb stayed on last night, only one more trapping night possible after this.
9.30 p.m.
Some WiFi access at last, the first since last night.
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