Day 24

 Saturday May 18

 Maybe we are not meant to go to Berneray. Last time it was fog, this time a lorry blockage.

We started at Committee Road, enjoying at least one, possibly two, male Hen Harriers quartering the hillside. Only the second Kestrel I've seen this trip joined in for a short while.

The sun was out, as was the Lewis ferry, as we crossed the causeway to Berneray. Past the turning to John's Bunkhouse, we got to a narrower (even)  part of the coast road, to find a lorry bonnet down in a ditch to the left side of the road, its back wheels in the air, not enough room for us to pass. It must have only just happened, as we  watched the driver's door swing open and an older man get out, hitch up his trousers and climb up to inspect his tow-bar bracket. By this time there were cars waiting behind him, and two more drove up behind us. Pam did a quick manoeuvre, and we got out of there and back the way we'd come.

We decided to try all side roads. One of the first dead ends had a derelict shed which a pair of Swallows had used  to base a nest. They landed on a nearby barbed wire fence.

 


Soon after joining the North Uist Road, Pam noticed a Golden Eagle on the hillside in front of us. As it spiralled away, it was joined by another, before disappearing over the ridge.

 A Cuckoo and a Meadow Pipit had a disagreement, probably another appropriated nest, and we left for the longish sandy lane drive down past a large cemetery, to a secluded bay where Motorhomes may camp for £20 a night - Honesty Box provided, no facilities.

It's a lovely shallow white sand bay with a rocky shore.

 


At least eight Motorhomes had already made the trek, several had dogs tethered outside. The old cemetery is rather lovely, the mound covered in a carpet of Primroses.




Nearby, we watched a few days old Lapwing chick doing its best to avoid its parents.

 


Back to Sollas and Committee Road, where we parked in the Raptor Watchpoint car park. A very brightly coloured male Stonechat kept us company, constantly on the move, never coming close enough.


 

A Raven kronked softly from overhead, a lovely noise which always reminds me of Cwmgiedd, my birth home. Time to drive home. On the way down the hill, we noticed a Curlew making its stealthy way across the thickly heather covered hillside. 

 


Closer inspection saw two baby Curlews, their diminutive size making them even more difficult to see. I managed to snatch a photo of one of them with a parent. The male had an obviously longer bill than the female.

 

Although  thwarted, we'd had an enjoyable afternoon.

Moths

Just 7 last night, Buff-tip the only new one for the trip.

 


Yesterday's Brown Silver-lines




 

 

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