Last Day

Friday Oct 7 

The road to the lighthouse and the Tobermory ferry offers the best birding opportunities in the area.  It was decided to try it again. After a rainy morning, the sun helped visibility, and we actually had Blackbirds, Starlings, Jays and Wood Pigeon flying about. 

As we left the coast to cut inland across the moor, we saw a Red Deer stag standing about 100 metres away. Unusually, instead of running away, he stayed and bellowed his frustration into the cool air. 9C to-day. A thrilling noise. I can't see that he is going to be very successful as he'd already lost one antler, the remaining one still decorated with bits of vegetation.






Soon after this we took a dead end track to a small settlement. 

 


A small group of hinds fed nearby, another stag lying down amongst them, looking very happy with his lot. We added Stonechat, Buzzard, and two more Golden Eagles to to-day's viewing list.

The cows were out in force again, leaving just about enough room for us to weave our way through. Pam loves cows. At one point, she told one that she'd like to give it a cuddle. It was wet, and  excrement caked. Each to her own.

We did  a bit more sitting around, looking for birds and enjoying the views - when the weather allowed. We had one more hail shower amongst all the usual stuff, April showers in October.

Again, the situation of our chalet is lovely, the living conditions all that one could reasonably wish for away from home. We've had to make an effort at times  to enjoy the week, as the weather has marred everything. Raptors do not fly in these conditions, summer birds have gone, and winter birds are yet to arrive. Ardnamurchan is beautiful - but not the best birding destination for the time of year.

 

Moth List - only 2 nights trapping possible, a few yet to be named.

Black Rustic

Merveille du Jour

Small Wainscot

Grey Pine Carpet

Spruce Carper

Large Yellow Underwing

Northern Arches

Angle Shades

Rosy Rustic

Green Carpet

Common Marbled Carpet

 

 

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