Waking to rain pouring down the window does not set the heart racing. Neither is it unxpected - it's Scotland. It did mean a latish start for Aird an Runair via Balranald. We'd been informed that the wind would go north westerly for a couple of hours around mid-day, with the possiblity of a Skua passage. As we drove the sandy dune track to the point, a figure trudged towards us, battling the wind. It was Sue, on her way to the loo. Ian was parked one car away from us, someone had newly vacated a space, leaving room for one car on the front row. Later, the car next to Ian also left and we ended up parked close enough to have a conversation - short ones as it was cold with the windows down.
We'd missed a perched Glaucous and a fly-by Iceland Gull but added Little Tern, Great Skua, 2 close Pomarine Skas and three Arctic Skuas in the next couple of hours.
Ian and Sue left to walk to the Point. Pam and I drove north along the coast, before returning to drive Committee Road in intermittent sun.
We ended with a pair of Hen Harriers - how wonderful is it to see them daily - a Buzzard, Raven and a Kestrel. The Griffins also made the road their nightly visit before retiring.
Except that we did not retire. It was a beautiful evening, golden light, blue sky with banks of contrasting white cloud. And wind.North through HoughHarry past Balranald and along the coast as far as our Corncrake, Iris gully. That bay was almost full of water, it shelves steeply so does not have an enormous, white shell sand expanse, at any time. Small waders dashed about in small clouds as their rocks were covered, the sea thrown against the rocks and rugged coastline giving white-splash interest to the scene.
A Common Gull cruised by, effortlessly using the wind to progress in their endless search.
No sign of the Corncrake to-night, Immaculate but very wary Rock Doves refused to be photographed. This female Wheatear dotted and dashed the machair, never getting quite close enough.
Wow. Pam called ''Skua''. One dark phase and, one striking pale phase, Arctic Skua, arrowed across the other side of the lochan, departing swiftly over the hillside. I managed to get a photograph..........spot the skua.
The large number of stays in the photo are necessary to anchor aerials in the wind.
Another very enjoyable day with plenty of birds to keep us happy on these lovely islands.
Another very enjoyable day with plenty of birds to keep us happy on these lovely islands.
Good company makes it fun too.
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