Red Flag

 Thursday May 4

Stinky Bay was this afternoon.  Careful scanning showed that the apparently empty beach held a fair number of small waders, feeding amongst the seaweed. Predominantly Dunlin, with a few Sanderling, Turnstones and Ringed Plovers. In a small bay amongst a rocky outcrop, twenty plus Eiders splashed and displayed, their head throwing yowls carrying along the beach. Just watching the busy-ness was very enjoyable. 

We moved on, travelling south from Benbecula , crossing the long causeway to South Uist before taking the road west to The Range. Our first Arctic Tern of the year flew across the road in front of us, betraying its identity by its graceful bounding flight and long tail streamers. 

Oh no. The red flag was flying at the entrance to the Range. For the first time ever. The signs were quite clear too, I thought that the area was out of commission to the forces. There's a big sandy bay nearby, with plenty of space to park at the grassy shore looking down onto the rocky, white sand beach. Again, an apparent emptiness soon proved to be a moving battalion of small wafers. Seaweed mounds and rocks were covered by dozens of all the small waders we'd seen on Stinky Bay. All the Dunlin were in full breeding garb, inky black belly and brown scalloped backs. The Turnstones are spectacular too. More chestnut brown scalloped backs and wings plus black face and head mask. My photos do not do them justice.

Amongst them I found half a dozen Knot, all in winter dress. As were the 107 Black-tailed Godwits Pam found flying in to the shore. Probably first calendar year non breeders.

The tide came in, covering the rocky islands offshore, producing clouds of flying birds disturbed from their nap. All but two of the godwits disappeared never to return.

 

However enjoyable, it was time to leave. Committee Road was calling..... I'm going to call it CR from now on. The male Hen Harrier didn't let us down, it appeared on the way up and again on the way down. No Short-eared Owls tonight until well on the way back to Carinish when one crossed the road in front of us, Another flew past the cottage window at Supper time. How lovely.