Anne's Journal

 Tuesday May 14 Rain was not conducive to an early start.  In response to a phone call from Sue with generous information as to where to see Black-throated Diver, we set off on the Lochmaddy Road. Pausing to shut the gate, a male Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl appeared across the road from us. What a place to stay.  Eventually we found the correct bit of old Lochmaddy road and drove along it, looking at all the lochs, large and small, that we came across.The road is still in good enough condition, very narrow, through peat bog and moorland. Interesting. The largest loch was a challenge. Not only very large, it was irregular in shape with many islets and crags. Pam was the first to notice a Black-throated Diver making its very distant way from behind the left bank to the other side of an islet. Yes, we were delighted, having missed one in the Highlands for the first time ever. Apart from a Stonechat and the inevitable gulls the rest of our visit was quiet. The Paible l...

  Monday May 13   The day started slowly and ended at a gallop. A morning spent doing chores meant an even later start than usual, well past mid-day. Loch Druidibeg was the intended destination but we missed the turning and ended up at Loch Eynort. Both are in South Uist, but Druidibeg is not signposted on the northern approach. We even found a parking space in the small six car parking area, where we sat looking at a pretty empty sea. Eventually, Red-breasted Merganser, Shags, a Great Northern Diver and an Otter on the sea and Willow Warbler, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Cuckoo, and a Lesser Redpoll from the small wood alongside. AS we reversed away, Pam noticed the reg plate on the car beside us. It was WOC, Ian and Sue's car. We left them a note and drove on in the rain. We found Druidibeg this time. RSPB Scotland Loch Druidibeg, a community nature reserve formed in partnership with local crofters and the community estate. It is a Special Protection Area and Site...

  Sunday May 12 l Our best moth catch of the trip last night. Two female and two male Emperor Moths were the pick of the bunch, We've trapped female Emperors before but never a male. As with raptors, the females are larger than the males. Female She left us some eggs Male Emperor - damaged unfortunately   We started with the drive down to Kallin on the east coast, the centre of the islands' shellfish industry. A small harbour with Namara's  processing plant around the corner, surrounded by mountains of discarded shell.   We are a small seafood processing company located in The Isle of North Uist, in The Outer Hebrides, surrounded by some of the cleanest and pollution free waters in the world. We own some fishing vessels and take fresh catches on a daily basis from several other boats. Our local harbour is adjacent to us and the boats catch a diverse range of shellfish. All our products are sourced from the pristine waters around the Outer H...

Saturday May 11  A day of warm sun and cloud, we spent the afternoon on Berneray. Berneray is the northern-most of the chain of islands in the Outer Hebrides linked by causeways. This particular 900 metre long causeway was only opened in 1999, by the present King Charles. The ferry for Lewis leaves from here and that terminal was only built in 1990. It's one of our favourite places to visit, especially on a sunny day when the views and scenery are stunning. The lane to Borgh was the first port of call. This takes us up a steep track to a large plateau of machair, farmed extensively, but in a rota. The island is famous for growing potatoes. When you look at the land, one wonders how it grows anything. It looks like pure sand.  Not many birds on the machair today. An Arctic Tern flew through, it's buoyant flight unmistakeable. A few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers ran about the furrows. On to West Beach where we can park looking over the Sound of Lewis to the island of Harris and Lew...

 Friday May 10 Sue and Ian had seen a Red-necked Phalarope  yesterday, a remarkably early arrival. That's where we thought we'd start our day. Via Stinky Bay of course. The sun was making an appearance although the tide was well out still.   The usual large flotilla of loafing Eiders in the near corner and a good scattering of the usual waders feeding madly on the swathes of seaweed. The summer plumaged Turnstone are so handsome.   Despite gazing at the loch for some time, no Phalaropes for us. A female Ruff (Reeve), Shelduck, Redshank and Mute Swan was not a good result. We drove on to Peter Port, on the eastern side of South Uist not far from Benbecula. The road out is even narrower than normal with more water than land viewable on either side. Wheatear, Stonechat and the moorland plankton Meadow Pipits, the birds visible en route. At the end of the road there is a mountain of crab and lobster pots, neatly stacked plus the usual fishing detritus of coiled ropes, bu...

 Thursday May 9 Despite the mizzle ( thick mist and light drizzle), we went out mid morning.  The causeway to Baleshire island is a few miles north of here. As always, the Lapwings had their wayward bundles of fluff on legs to care for. The first pair had three about a week old. Quite delightful, and completely lacking in discipline, ignoring their parents' calls of alarm. A Corncrake called from a distance, Snipe abounded, several sitting on fence posts, probably escaping the wet grass. As we returned to the main road, a female Merlin, initially sat on a roadside post, flew fast across the road and away.  Pam drove part of the way up Committee Road so that I could have my meal in relative peace. Almost immediately, an Arctic Skua crossed our path, flying strongly towards its breeding area. I enjoyed my meal whilst watching a Stonechat fence hopping for its own meal, ending opposite the car. So dark, the photos are silhouettes. Then, a Wheatear made a short appearance. D...

 Wednesday May 8 A cold north easterly wind which brought showers on and off all day. We stayed indoors.  Plenty of bird action on the feeders Pam has hung in the Willows outside our front window. House Sparrows, Greenfinches, Goldfinch and Starlings. Blackbird, Robin and Collared Doves feeding on the fall-out below. The Starlings have already demolished six fat balls.  Sue and Ian spent much of a very pleasant afternoon with us, catching up with all that has happened bird and moth-wise. 'Our' male Hen Harrier put in a close appearance for them, making two fly-pasts just across the road. After putting it on charge, I set up my new Kindle which arrived this morning and then photographed this morning's moth catch. Two more Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpets, Clouded Drab, and Red Chestnut.   A new book which was published shortly before I left for Scotland. Not and ID book, more of an atlas. It's beautifully produced. Poor photo of a Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet. The best s...