2022 Hebridean Adventures, Pt. 4 - 27th to 29th May

This is my fourth, and final, post of my account of our visit to The Outer Hebrides in May this year. If you missed them you can find my previous posts on my visit here:- 

https://peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2022/06/2022-hebridean-adventures-pt-1-19th-to.html

https://peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2022/07/2022-hebridean-adventures-pt-2-23rd-may.html

https://peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2022/07/2022-hebridean-adventures-pt-3-24th-to.html

Friday, 27th May                Clachan Sands ; Loch Portain ; Balranald ; Clachan Sands

This was, effectively, our last day in the Outer Hebrides, as we would be leaving early the next morning. In anticipation of a relatively arduous day as we set off homeward, we decided not to wander too far from base.

The day started very windy, but calmed considerably later, ending up at 22-28 mph (35-45 kph). It was a day of sunshine and showers with temperatures of around 11°c with the wind chill making it feel more like 8°c (according to my weather app.).

A wander up the lane after breakfast produced a Short-eared Owl which, I suspect, was after nestlings, and a confiding Oystercatcher.

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) - Clachan Sands, North Uist

Oystercatcher  (Haematopus ostralegus) - Clachan Sands

The dead-end road to Loch Portain is quite close to where we stay, and we have only visited there once before, so we reckoned it was worth checking out again. We were not disappointed.

We soon found an obliging Meadow Pipit that was probably feeding young.

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) - road to Loch Portain, North Uist

Lindsay spoted two Red Deer on the hillside on her side of the car and, fortunately, there was a place where we could pull in without blocking the road. I was amused by the 'eight-legged deer' in the second shot below!

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) (female) - from road to Loch Portain

I was distracted by a Wheatear that flew in. It didn't stay long and didn't present itself in a very photogenic manner, but I'd seen so few of them in this year's visit to the Outer Hebrides that it warrants an inclusion.

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) (female) - road to Loch Portain

When I turned round again, the deer had become one four-legged one!

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) (female) - from road to Loch Portain

Having travelled each of the three 'forks' at the end of this road, we set off westward, stopping at The Wee Cottage Kitchen for a light lunch, and then heading south-west down the Committee Road. Maybe it was the windy weather that was keeping the birds down, but the Committee Road had been far less productive during our stay this year than on previous years, and the only thing I found to photograph on this day was a Stonechat.

Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) (male) - Committee Road, North Uist

Lindsay fancied a walk on the beach near the RSPB reserve at Balranald and, as this was also a place with good propects for observing waders, I was more than happy to oblige.

As we set off along the track across the machair, I spotted a very confiding Corn Bunting, on my side of the car. This is a species that I rarely see, and Balranald is a good place to seek them. This one was proudly calling, showing that amazing bill that is a feature of this species.

Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) - RSPB Balranald, North Uist

Lindsay set off for her walk along the beach and headed southward, away from the area frequented by birds. I descended  to the nearby rocks and found myself a spot where I could sit and wait for the birds to come to me. I didn't have to wait long.

Just four species of wader (the usual suspects :- Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone) were noted. Sometimes they came really close.

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) - beach by Balranald

Sanderling (Calidris alba) - beach by Balranald

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) - beach by Balranald

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) - beach by Balranald

I did get a shot of Dunlin and Turnstone together. Although the Turnstone is very much out of focus, I show the shot here as it gives an understanding of the difference in size between these two species.

 

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) + Dunlin (Calidris alpina) - beach by Balranald

It was now time to head back to base. 

 

As we approached our lane, I noted that one of the pair of Mute Swans that hed young nearby was near to the road, with two young cygnets in attendance.

 

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) (adult + young) - from B893, North Uist

After tea, and some basic packing in preparation for our early departure in the moning, I decided to have a last session sitting in my car up the lane from the cottage. This turned out to be my best session, by far, of this whole Outer Hebrides break, purely because of my love of Short-eared Owls.

 

Within minutes of me parking in my chosen location, an owl appeared. It stayed distant at first, but then started getting closer. I got a shot of it sitting on a post, not too far away.

 

Short-eared Owl (Asius flammeus) - Clachan Sands

At one point in time it came really close and, frustratingly, hovered behind a gate before dropping to the ground and then zooming off. I did get a shot, and it would have been a very satisfying one - if the gate had not been in the way!

 

Short-eared Owl (Asius flammeus) - Clachan Sands

After a while, the owl flew up the road towards me, on my side of the road, and on a course which would have it passing my open car window at a distance of about 5 metres. When it got to around 10 metres away it veered across the front of my car, looking at me through the windscreen as it did so, and passed on the opposite side!

 

About fifteen minutes later, it did exactly the same thing - very frustrating!

 

After another ten minutes or so, it looked as if it was going to repeat the action for the third time. To my delight, this time it passed on my side of the car at close range and I'd managed to wind the lens back to 170mm and got three frames in before it was too far behind me to follow further.

 

Short-eared Owl (Asius flammeus) - Clachan Sands

After this, it stayed more distant. I feel sure that it had been checking me out and, having satisfied its curiosity, continued to carry on with business. I did take many more photos that session and here are a few.

 

Short-eared Owl (Asius flammeus) - Clachan Sands

The session ended as it had started - with the owl on its favourite post!

 

Saturday, 28th May                Lochmaddy, North Uist to Kinross, Perth and Kinross 

We were pleased to note that the forecast was for a much calmer day, with sunny spells and temperatures reaching 13°c. The alarm was set to wake us at 04.45 to ensure that we were at the ferry port for last check-in at 6.45 Having finished packing and sorting out round the cottage, we departed and arrived at the terminal in good time.

The ferry departed on time and, as usual, I spent the whole of the one and three quarter hour crossing out on deck looking for birds and cetaceans. No cetaceans were seen but I was pleased to see more birds than I did on our outward crossing. Here are a few.

Gannet (Morus bassanus) - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

Guillemot (Uria aalge) - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

A few Guillemots, more common in the north of their range, have 'white spectacles' and these are referred to as Bridled Guillemots. This is such an individual.

Guillemot (Uria aalge) - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)  - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

Razorbill (Alca torda) - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

Puffins are delightful birds, with rather short wings, and so it takes some effort for them to take to the air when on water. I have seen on several occasions that, when they are approached by a ferry, they tend to flap furiously and splash across the surface of the water before coming to a halt with a splash when they feel that they are at a safe distance.

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) - from Lochmaddy to Uig ferry

From Uig, we had an easy run across the Isle of Skye followed by a lunch stop at the GlenCoe Mountain Resort. and the another stop for tea and cake at the Artisan Cafe and Deli, south-east of Tyndrum. By the time we got to Kinross Travelodge, a snack purchased from the M&S Food shop in the service area was all that we required.

Sunday, 29th May         Kinross to Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire

Lindsay had had a disturbed night, and was somewhat under the weather in the morning, which we subsequently found was due to her having caught Covid.

I remember little of the last leg of our journey home, except that it passed without major incident. We had a very enjoyable lunch at Harts Coffee House & Deli in Boston Spa that we had found on our outward journey, and arived home in time for tea.

Thus ended a very enjoyable stay on the Outer Hebrides, in spite of having the worst weather week that we've had there so far, and returning with the dreaded virus. 

I will take this opportunity to thank Ian and Heather for another splendid stay in the comfort and magic of Tigh na Boireach. It is absolutely perfect for our requirements and we look forward to returning in 2023!

 

My next blog post will almost certainly feature some local observations and, as a consequence, be somewhat shorter than my recent blog posts!

In the meantime, thank you for dropping by. Please take good care of yourselves and Nature - - - Richard.

Hebridean Adventure, 2019 - Pt.2 - 29th May to 2nd June, 2019

Welcome to the second part of my report on the holiday that Lindsay and I spent in the Outer Hebrides earlier this year - you can find Pt.1 here:- http://peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2019/07/hebridean-adventure-2019-pt1-23rd-to.html. I know it's been a long time coming, but I ran into a few obstacles along the way! I'd prepared most of this post before those obstacles hove into view.

Wednesday, 29th May        the Sound of Harris, Loch Euphort, and Balranald

Our original plan had been to wait for a better weather day, and make a last minute ferry booking to take the car over to Harris, with the sailing itself being a major attraction. We failed, as the ferry was fully booked for vehicles. I then had the idea that it would be great for us to book as foot passengers and have an out-and-back without getting off at the other end, and this we did - at a fraction of the cost of taking the car with us!

Before we set off for a relatively early sailing, however, I did have time to take a turn round the property.

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) - garden, near Clachan Sands

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) - from garden, near Clachan Sands

Our ferry departed from Berneray at 10h25 for the one hour sailing to Leverburgh. Although nothing really outstanding was seen, it was a very pleasant journey.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - Sound of Harris

Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) - Sound of Harris

Razorbill (Alca torda) - Sound of Harris

Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) - Sound of Harris

Gannet (Morus bassanus) - Sound of Harris

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) - Sound of Harris

Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) (juvenile) - Sound of Harris

Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) - Sound of Harris

The return journey was equally enjoyable. Please let me know if you think I've misidentified the diver, below!

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - Sound of Harris

Gannet (Morus bassanus) - Sound of Harris

Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) - Sound of Harris

Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata) - Sound of Harris

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) - Sound of Harris

Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle) - Sound of Harris

Eider (Somateria mollissima) - near Berneray

The ferry had us back on Berneray for 12h40 and, having made up a picnic, we set of southward on North Uist, taking a long dead-end road we'd not visited before, which led alongside Loch Euphort. Here we found a very pleasant spot to have our picnic.

Loch Euphort, North Uist

We then headed off towards Balranald. Just before the left turn which heads for the camp site and the RSPB visitor centre, there is a small lochan and the Whooper Swan was there again, as was a Common Sandpiper - both into the sun.

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) - near Balranald, North Uist

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) - near Balranald

A trip down to the beach by Balranald revealed some birds while I helped Lindsay look for shells.

Sanderling (Calidris alba) - Balranald beach

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) - Balranald beach

Eider (Somateria mollissima) (male - Balranald beach

On our way back to base, on the Committee Road near the southern end, I spotted a Meadow Pipit attacking a large moth. I stopped to investigate, and the pipit departed. The moth, although still alive was probably beyond redemption. I moved it out of the road, not wishing to disturb it further.

Fox Moth (Macrothylacia rubi) (male) - Committee Road

At the northern end of the Committee Road, Lindsay spotted a very distant Short-eared Owl at the woodland edge. I was so focused on the owl that I totally missed seeing the deer nearby until I processed the images some weeks later!

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) - from the Committee Road

We moved a few hundred metres down the road until we were opposite the owl, but it just didn't cooperate!

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) - from the Committee Road

There was, however, an unexpected bonus when a splendid male Hen Harrier flew across the road in front of us.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) (male) - from the Committee Road

Just before reaching base, we had another pleasant surprise, with a Cuckoo on the roadside posts.

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) (female) - near Clachan Sands

The fun was not over yet - as we approached the property, a Short-eared Owl flew low over the garden! By the time we stopped, it had disappeared - but not a bad 'garden tick' to have.

That night we enjoyed another simple, but splendid, seafood supper.

Thursday, 30th May                   Grimsay, Baleshare, and Malacleit 

Today was to be a Lindsay day, and we felt in need of a gentle start,. The day started rather wet, cold, and very windy, so it was quite late in the morning when we set off southwards.

The Committee Road yielded little but a Raven (no usable photos) and a male Hen Harrier (another 'record shot').

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) (male) - from the Committee Road

We'd timed our departure so that we'd arrive at the Namara sea-food café at lunch time.  There were no White-tailed Eagles seen this time, but the lunch was superb - I had scallops with black pudding, but I don't remember what Lindsay had. Afterwards, we went round the corner to the Kallin Shellfish shop and bought the makings for our meal that night.

Lindsay fancied a return to the beach on Baleshare to have a stroll and look for shells. There were only a few distant Sanderling here, so I spent most of my time with Lindsay.

I knew that the previous year the beach by Malacleit had been one of her favourite places, so a return was needed. At that time, we had visited when the tide was well out. This time, however, it was nearly high tide, with little beach exposed.

There were very few birds around, but there was what seemed at first to be a very confiding Dunlin bumbling about. However, I soon realised that it was in very poor shape, with blood on its breast and almost closed eyes - it might even have been blind. I don't know if it had been attacked or whether it had come to grief in the storm the preceding night. I wanted to help the poor bird, but had no idea what to do in such a sparsely populated area, and we had nothing we could put it in to take it anywhere. I left it to fend for itself, but still guiltily wonder if I could have been more proactive.

injured Dunlin (Calidris alpina) - Malacleit beach

On a happier note, there was also a Wheatear on the grass above the beach.

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) (male) - Malacleit

It possibly sounds as if our food was boring if I tell you that we had seafood again that night. I can assure you it was not, and one of the delights of the Outer Hebrides is the absolutely wonderful seafood - to which Lindsay and I are extremely partial!

Friday, 31st May           a byway, Grimsay, Griminis, and Balranald

Unlike the previous day, this day would prove to be one of the most productive days of the week, although it started off rather wet and windy.

The A867 road south-westward from Lochmaddy has, at some time in the past, been greatly upgraded. Running to the north of this road, for some 5 km, are the remains of the original road. We'd not taken this route before, so decided to explore. It proved to be an interesting diversion, and will certainly be included next time we visit the Uists.

We'd not gone far before we reached the edge of a lochan and briefly spotted a pair of divers on the water in the distance. However, they almost immediately disappeared behind a promontory. We waited for quite some time and eventually saw them fly away. I didn't get time to raise my binoculars so they weren't identified, although I suspect that they were Black-throated Divers.

Whilst waiting for the divers to reappear, I noticed a small flock of Hooded Crows on the far hillside. I had only ever seen single Hooded Crows before this so was quite surprised. I guess there were about 20 of them. Here's part of the group.

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) - near A867, North Uist

There were several Meadow Pipits and Stonechats along the way, although the latter weren't successfully photographed.

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) - near A867

Near the far end of the road, we had the pleasure of seeing a distant male Hen Harrier, carrying prey.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) (male) - near A867

After exploration, it was time to head for Grimsay and an excellent farewell seafood lunch at the Namara Café.

From Grimsay, we headed down onto Benbecula to have another attempt at the Red-necked Phalaropes by Griminis. It was relatively windy with on-and-off showers on the way there. This is a location where the form is to stay in one's car beside the road and wait for the action. At first we just had distant sightings. However, within half an hour or so, a female of the species came relatively close, giving me my best shots to date - all from the comfort of the car! This is a species where the usual sex roles are reversed, with the females having the brighter plumage and the males incubating the eggs.

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) (female) - by Griminis, Benbecula

It was soon time to head to Balivanich for a 'comfort stop' before heading north for Balranald and another attempt at Corncrake. The weather was showing a distinct improvement!

As we gained the access road to Balranald, the Whooper Swan with the red-stained head was in the water and fairly close in.

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) - near Balranald

At the visitor centre, I first visited the 'ablutions' and as I emerged a kindly gentleman asked if I was looking for the Corncrakes, as there was one putting on a show just round the back of the building. Sure enough, there was one showing well, and croaking its heart out!

Corncrake (Crex crex) (male) - Balranald

Eventually the Corncrake disappeared into the vegetation, and so Lindsay and I set off for the beach where I helped Lindsay look for shells. I did, however, take some shots of a Dunlin.

Dunlin (Calidris alpina) - Balranald

Returning to the Visitor Centre, it was getting late in the afternoon and I felt the need to have another attempt a Corncrake. Another person was already there, and we soon had great views of a bird out in the open for a short while. I don't suppose that I'm ever going to get better than these shots!

Corncrake (Crex crex) (male) - Balranald

The Corncrake disappeared and it was time to depart. I noticed a bird alight on a distant fence, which my companion immediately identified as a Corn Bunting. I managed to get a little closer without disturbing it, and got a few shots.

Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) - Balranald

Heading back homeward for a late evening meal, the Whooper Swan was now out of the water.

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) - near Balranald

The journey back to base was uneventful - until we approached the property, when we added a male Hen Harrier to the 'garden list' as it flew low over the garden!

That night we had a quick seafood meal and then spent time packing as we had to leave early the next day.

Saturday, 1st June

We were up early as we had a ferry to catch back to Skye at 07h30, which meant we had to check in before 06h345.

The sea voyage was a pleasant one, with a few sightings during the journey. Perhaps the most exciting sighting was the Common Dolphins which passed in front of the ferry. Sadly, I only got a rubbish shot, but I include it here 'for the record'.

Razorbill (Alca torda) and Guillemot (Uria aalge) - from ferry, Lochmaddy to Uig.

Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - from ferry, Lochmaddy to Uig.

Puffin (Fratercula arctica) - from ferry, Lochmaddy to Uig.

Manx Sheerwater (Puffinus puffinus) - from ferry, Lochmaddy to Uig.

We landed at Uig on the Isle of Skye at 09h16, and set off on the long journey south. We stopped at Dornie for a visit to the 'All The Goodness' coffee and bake shop there, which had wonderful cakes as well as excellent coffee. From here there were great views of the iconic Eilean Donan Castle.

Eilean Donan Castle

Lunch was taken at the Artisan Café, near Tyndrum, that we'd found on the journey northward, and we arrived at the Scottish Antiques and Art Centre at Doune just in time for tea and cake before it closed for the day. 

That night, we stayed once more at the Travelodge outside Stirling.

Sunday 2nd June

We had a relatively early start, and had an uneventful journey home, arriving just in time for tea.

It had been another superb stay on North Uist, in spite of the cold and windy weather, and we look forward to returning there. 


Thank you for dropping by. I'm not sure when my next post will be, or what the subject will be either. I've potentially got some difficult times ahead!