Island Change

Saturday May 12

This - Medina - is the best B and B we have ever used. A lovely, well and tastefully furnished room, large bathroom, room to sit and use my laptop at a bureau and a good breakfast. Last but not least, a landlady who loves White-tailed Eagles and whose brother does the boat trips to see the Portree pair.

Making our leisurely  way to the Uig ferry on a beautiful sunny day, we took an unmarked, grass centred, side road which ended at a large  enviable house beside the sea. Quick reverse to an almost circular open cave like area where we could park to enjoy the view. Good choice. Two male Wheatears were squabbling over territory, one female made a short appearance but neither took any notice of her.

Small movements at grass level betrayed the presence of a few Twite. They are such restless birds, not still for more than a second or two. I got several accidental flight photographs again and this one which is acceptable - if not of the whole bird.

Too early for the ferry really but we can usually see birds in the bay. Not to-day, all our previously used parking spot have been coned off by the house owners who live opposite. I'd got the Saturday Daily Telegraph prize crossword to do and Pam was enjoying her book so we checked in and were first in the disabled queue line. Then.... Barry Barnacal drew in behind us and he and Pam had a lengthy conversation, ending in the exchange of mobile numbers and an invitation to coffee.

Carrying on with my crossword, I almost hit the ceiling when an unseen Ian spoke to me. Thank goodness they managed to find a B and B last night after all, lucky that there was a cancellation fifteen minutes before they knocked.

The boat was nearly an hour late arriving and therefore leaving. Pam and I sat in the roofed open area at the rear, under the top deck. The birding was very slow compared with previous years. A smattering of Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills, three Gannets, a few Kittiwakes and about twenty Terns around an upwelling, full of food. Mainly Common with a few Arctic.

After an hour, I was getting cold so we went in for a hot drink. A chat with Sue and then Ian helped pass the time pleasantly before disembarking at Lochmaddy. 

We were first off the ferry and thoroughly enjoyed bowling along traffic free roads on a good surface, the sun gilding the unspectacular scenery. North Uist is flat compared with Mull but it has its own charm for us. 

The gate to our cottage was open, we drove straight in, emptied the car  and immediately drove to Balranald and Aird an Runair - the peninsula beyond the centre where we seawatch across and along, a spectacular bay. The latter had a very thick, wide and lustrous shoreline of fresh seaweed, more than we've ever seen here before. Last couple of days storm I suppose.

More of the machair has been - and still is - ploughed this year. Well it's their land, tourists think it's a shame. All those precious machair flowers, the seeds will survive though.

A few Arctic Terns flew through, Turnstones, Dunlin Great Ringed Plover and Sanderling  scurried along the water's edge feeding on the insect rich weed. Our first Corn Bunting of the year jangled from the top of a weed, two Whimbrel seemed to be contemplating life from a dune shelter.

Only a short way back towards the campsite, Barry pulled up and told us of a Semipalmated Sandpiper seen 'in the bay'. We returned to find no sign of Barry, he has a proper 4x4 Discovery and had driven on much further down an almost track. Needle in a haystack task. We cut our losses and left.
The farmer had called his cattle off the beach. They were in their pen feeding. Unusually, this had attracted a large number of gulls. We've not seen that before.What was the feed?

 Another check of the lochans seen on the way in. Nothing to add to the Wigeon, Whooper Swan, Little Grebe, Moorhen and Tufted Duck seen on the way out.

Known as Committee Road yet signposted Sollas, is a favourite run of ours. Especially good for raptors, the road climbs through moorland to what passes for a mountain before descending to Sollas. There's a bird table at the only house on the road, Siskin, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and a Blackbird, none of them common birds on here.On the return journey, a Hen Harrier was quartering the fence line along a distant plantation. Extraordinarily difficult to see against the dark heather. Female or immature male? It then crossed in front of the car and I took a few hasty shots as it sped up the hill and out of view.

We met Sue and Ian at the T junction, Sue had kindly phoned me earlier to inform me of the Semi-P and 3 Dotterel at PaiblesGarry. I'm still a total dumbo with the Android smartphone and didn't manage to fish it out in time to respond - didn't recognise the ring tone at first. I did manage to return the call....... Without a pager and my Iphone I don't have Bird Alert messages in the field. I have to wait to check my laptop. Nuisance.

More than time for bed, forecast looks OK for to-morrow but our moth trap wouldn't light up to-night. Too tired to deal with it now, will check in the morning.

 

I Wish

Friday May 11

I felt a bit cheated this morning in that our Mull stay is shortened by one day because of different changeover days and, the need to spend a night on Skye so that we can catch the Saturday afternoon ferry to Lochmaddy, North Uist. If there was a very early ferry from Mull we could leave on the Saturday and still make it. 7.25 a.m. is not early enough.

Even better would be a transfer capsule complete with luggage packer. I wish.

We left Dervaig in a howling gale, open car doors banged shut and the tops of the mature conifers whipped like saplings. Queued up behind a rubbish lorry on the slipway at Fishnish, who should pull in behind but Sue and Ian. Of all the chances. Very long odds indeed. They intended stopping off at Strontian on Ardnamurchan to search for the long staying Black Duck. Thank goodness we've seen one - on Tresco before it was shot by hunters.

First stop was Morrisons in Fort William to stock up on petrol and shopping, before the lengthy drive to Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye bridge. Scenically lovely. Snow capped and gullied mountain ridges, lochs and rocky rivers, forests and glens. Slowish though, very few chances to overtake and a lot of holiday motorhomes and offroad bikes. Plus a long delay due to re-surfacing, where we had to wait for an escort vehicle before proceeding. All the flashing police car blues was explained at the other end. Three mighty lorries transporting what looked like giant turbine blades, waited to be escorted through.

Then it rained. A lot and for a long time.

My first visit to Skye was rather a long time ago, on a camping expedition with a group of 14 year old boys in Mike Shewan's campervan, sitting across tents and rucksacks that didn't fit on top. The road to Lochalsh was dirt, frequent stops were necessary to allow herds of Red Deer to cross. And, we under-estimated the time needed for the journey and had to camp overnight in the middle of nowhere. The crossing to Skye was by boat then too. I believe I serenaded the gang with a rendition of ' Speed Bonnie Boat Like a Bird on the Wing '. Eat your heart out Joan Sutherland. We then camped on the beach in the Cuillins where Highland cows ate seaweed, the walk to the loo was hazardously muddy and it never stopped raining. Great fun. The boys loved it.

This camping site is also where a friend of my daughter Sara went to the loo on the mountainside equipped with trowel, paper and matches, as recommended. She set fire to the paper - best practice - and set the hillside on fire too. She did have a penchant for accidents. Must have been drier in those days.

We have a new B and B this year, recommended to us by our usual one in Portree - he's in hospital for an operation. Never having been before, following complicated instructions,  we drove miles too far and had to turn round. The wrong turning was atually in Portree !! Once we got back to the correct turning, it was easy to follow the given route to the bungalow where we were  warmly welcomed by the landlady. Our en suite room is lovely. Spacious and well furnished, the bed looks high enough to get out of easily☺.

Breakfast at 8.00 in the morning with plenty of time to drive to Uig and the ferry terminal. Fingers crossed that the sea has abated by then, after to-day's gale.

Two Pams Day

Thursday May 10

Our decision to spend the day on a Pam and Arthur Brown tour turned out splendidly. We both had a lovely day with nice people and good wildlife. And........good weather. Sun all day apart from a short sharp shower, hurled by a stiff south westerly, during lunch.
Due to start at 9.15, we arrived at the Brown's farm at 9.10 to find the other six participants already there. One married couple and their 20+ son, another couple and a single older woman who was staying in the Brown's self catering. Oh dear, all had cameras, only one wore binoculars.  A false impression. All were keen birders of differing experience, the bins appeared from somewhere. Pam Brown was pleased by this as sometimes they get people who are not interested in Natural History at all, or, only want to see Otters and Eagles.
Pam B sorted us into our seats for the day - they usually change round - Pam T in the front, Maggie and I in the centre with our own exit, the family in the back. Good plan. I never did get everyone's name.
Visiting the adjacent White-tailed Eagle nest got the day off to a good start, followed by a male Hen Harrier along the Loch Frisa entry track.  Pam B then found a female Hen Harrier along the Glen Aros road.
No sooner had we reached the southern shore of Loch na Keal than there was a call of 'Otter' from Stephen in the back seat. A smooth, sleek, bundle of muscle, dog Otter running through the seaweed on the loch's near shore, before dropping back into the water and disappearing out of sight. I managed three iffy shots through the tinted window. I'm not happy with any but......

Disappearing into the water - headless male Otter

Two more White-tailed Eagles sitting on an island, same two as on Tuesday we think, and another flew across the loch very determinedly before returning low and fast with food. By the end of the day we'd seen six WhEagles, one Golden Eagle and four Hen Harriers.  A highlight for me was watching a pair of Hen Harriers in display flight, the legendary Sky Dancing. Awesome. We had twenty more Whimbrels in three groups, many Great Northern Divers and Red-breasted Mergansers. This GN Diver at Ulva Ferry was in full summer plumage. The water really was this colour.

Our first views of Greenshank at Loch Cuin - all but two of the Dunlin had moved on - and a couple of Kestrels.  Buzzards are a regular sighting as are Ravens and Hooded Crows.
Pam B's historical and geographical knowledge is impressive. I once said that all roads out o the sea in Scotland are dead ends - cemeteries. Pam explained that any land it was possible to cultivate was not used for burial, rocky barren areas were chosen and then soil imported from elsewhere to help cover the bodies. Railings around graves were there to deter body snatchers. She evn managed to add more detail to Arthur's Inch Kenneth, Mitford sisters story.

The island is 55 hectares in area and is Geologically different from the rest of Mull. Inch Kenneth is one of the most historically important islands in Scotland. Along with Iona, this island has a significant number of important burials of the kings of Scotland. The island (Innis Choinnich) was named after St Kenneth, who founded a monastery on the island.
Composed of sedimentary conglomerates and limestones, Inch Kenneth is a fertile oasis amidst the volcanic lava flows that predominate much of Mull’s landscapes. The island’s fine, sandy soil promotes flower-rich grassland in Spring and Summer, while providing nourishment for a 200-strong herd of Barnacle Geese that arrive each Autumn from breeding grounds in Greenland.
Inch Kenneth was the home of the song writer and philanthropist, Sir Harold Bolton. Bolton wrote the lyrics to the ‘Skye Boat Song’. The island became infamous during the Second World War due to its connection with the Mitford family, who bought the island in 1938.
One of six sisters, Unity Mitford was a staunch supporter of the Fascist movement and an admirer of Adolf Hitler, with whom she became a friend. Held back in her early life by her prettier and more clever sisters, Unity craved attention and developed a desire to shock. An exhibitionist, with a coarse sense of humour, Unity discovered that her love of Nazism allowed her to stand out from the crowd. Having attempted suicide, with a pistol given to her by the Fuhrer, when the Second World War was declared, Unity returned to Britain and spent her last years on Inch Kenneth. There she spent her time improvising religious services in the medieval chapel and planning her own funeral.
Following the death of their mother, Lady Redesdale in 1963, the island was inherited by the surviving Mitford sisters. Diana, Nancy, Deborah and Pamela sold their shares in the island to their sister and fellow beneficiary Jessica. Jessica had previously let it be known that she would donate her part of the island to the Communist Party, and Lord Redesdale cut her out of his will.
The island was sold by Jessica Mitford in the late 1960s and it remains under private ownership. The house belongs now to Charles Darwin’s grand-daughter and is still accessed by a small rowing boat, depending on weather.

A lovely and most enjoyable day to end our all too short stay on Mull.
Drive to Skye to-morrow, for a night's B and B before travelling to Lochmaddy, North Uist, by Caledonian McBrayne ferry from Uig on Saturday afternoon.

More Dreich

Weds May 9

In no hurry to leave a warm bed this morning. The opened curtains showed leaden skies and steady rain. The moth trap was dry, the rain must have just started. This cottage is supposed to have underfloor heating. Not discernable. Pam's warm enough, I'm not.

Checking my Emails, I found the following response from the organiser of to-morrow's planned eight hour wildlife cruise from Tobermory. We were let down last year, I mailed them to check that all was well for this year.

Hi Anne,

Thanks for getting in touch.

At the moment, yes. However, we are keeping a close eye on the weather. At the moment it is forecast to be very windy tomorrow, calmer on Thursday but then a strong gale on Friday. So on it’s own, at this point, we would be going out on Thursday. However, with strong winds tomorrow there may be some residual swell that could become problematic with moderate winds on Thursday, so there is a very real chance that tomorrow we may have to cancel for Thursday but we would rather wait and get the updated Met Office inshore waters forecast before we make the call. I’ve had it in the past where we’ve cancelled a couple of days in advance and it actually turns out to be a very nice day and everyone has missed out for no reason. 

Do you have a deadline or cut-off point by which you need to know? We’ve normally got the up-to-date forecast in our hands by 1pm and then a short chat with the skipper before I send an email if we do need to cancel. I will have a better idea of whether we will be going ahead or not earlier in the morning if you need to know earlier than that?

Best wishes,

Richard

Sea Life Surveys

Taigh Solais

Ledaig

Tobermory

Isle of Mull

PA75 6NR

Having read this, we cancelled and have had a full, unrequested, refund. Most impressive.

As a day off for Pam, Discover Mull had two places for to-morrow , we called in to their farm and booked them. Pam Brown is leading to-morrow, we shall miss Arthur but Pam B is good too.

Despite the rain, we departed for Tobermory at 11.45. The hordes of Siskin etc here have eaten all our sunflower hearts and we needed to replenish. Unfortunately she couldn't get any, returning to the car rather wet but happy, having seen a Dipper in the stream near the car park.

Aros Park is one of the largest deciduous woodland on Mull with a lake, river and numerous rocky, white foaming, downhill rushing, streams. We were hoping for Wood Warbler here. Only Song Thrush, Blackbird and Robin, defied the rain.

Salen Spar had a Telegraph for me and Thousand Island dressing for Pam, she's tired of Vinaigrette on her nightly salad. After filling up with petrol, we returned to Dervaig via Aros Glen, checking the bay for waders. About twenty Dunlin, a Redshank, one Great Ringed Plover and four male Goosanders flew in.

Yes, the female WhEagle was on the nest, no sign of the hoped for sitting male. No self respecting raptor will be flying to-day.

On to Caliach Point, the most north-westerly point on Mull, noted for its sea watching possibilities. There was a big swell and the waves were crashing in, not as big a sea as we'd expected from the very strong wind. It was difficult for me to hold the car door open in order to get out and open the gate, part of the way out there.

Wheatear, Twite and Meadow Pipits - Arthur calls the latter plankton - around the moor-like shore, Gannets, Fulmar, a few Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Great Northern Divers, Shags and a few Manx Shearwaters passing by.

Still raining.......

Time to get back to the cottage. It stopped raining at 4.30. We checked the Eagle nest again and then the bay, nothing new, and retired for the evening.

Ian sent me this photo of a Corncrake which he took yesterday from behind the Fire Station on Iona. Such a tricky bird to see, let alone photograph.

Mull Dreich

Tuesday May 8

Dreich (Old Scots origin)

A combination of dull, overcast, drizzly, cold, misty and miserable weather.

That describes the morning to a T.

 We stayed cosy in the cottage, photographing yesterday's moths before releasing them so that we could use the pots for last night's catch. After yesterday's warmth and sun I'd been hoping for a better catch. Instead, there were a lot of Common Quakers. I thought we'd left them behind in Norfolk.

It did include Peppered Moth, Green Pug, Flame Carpet, Autumn Green Carpet, Early Tooth-stripe, Nut-tree Tussock and a Scalloped Hazel. Finding a Caithness 'Flying in May' site helped considerably with identification.

http://www.caithnessmoths.org.uk/whatsflyingmay.html

It was gone 1.00 p.m. before the weather improved and it  stopped raining. Whilst sitting in the car, waiting for Pam, I noticed three Redpolls on and around our wonky bird feeder. Pam had seen them earlier. I took this through the windscreen. Must try and get a better photo.

Siskin and Redpoll

Our original plan was to visit Croggan on Loch Spelve, so we did.

The phrase "off the beaten track" has a very literal meaning in some of the more remote parts of Scotland. Roads that see very little traffic can be identified by occasional tufts of grass sprouting out of the tarmac between the paths taken by vehicle wheels. The more grass you see, the less the level of traffic using the road. Sometimes, very rarely, traffic levels are so low that tufts of vegetation can become established as a continuous stripe up the middle of the road, and the more normal grass is supplemented by flowers and other plants, or, more unusually (in densely shadowed areas) by a layer of moss.

Anyone wanting to see this for themselves could do far worse than drive along the road to Croggan. The fact that few people have heard of it is why the road to it is so little used. Croggan lies in the little visited far south east of Mull, at one end of the large chunk of land almost turned into a separate island by the incursions of Loch Buie and Loch Spelve.

The way into this remote area is via a minor road that turns off the A849 at Strathcoil, near the northernmost tip of Loch Spelve. From here the road heads over the shoulder of Cruach Ardura before descending to run alongside Loch Spelve to its western end at Kinlochspelve. Here, next to a massive stone post box, is a road junction. Carry straight on, and you end up in Lochbuie. Turn left and you find yourself on the four mile stretch of road that ends at Croggan.

As you round the end of Loch Spelve, you pass the drive leading up to the small collection of houses that comprises Barachandroman, primarily of interest because it is a candidate for the title of longest single-word place name in Scotland. From here you drive along the south east shore of Loch Spelve on a road that contains more greenery, of greater variety, than on most roads you will find in Scotland.

There are a couple of isolated dwellings beside the road, and a fish farm in the loch. But otherwise this is a pretty empty area.

We'd heard of it from Ian and Sue who visited the area earlier in the week - on a warm, sunny day. They were luckier with birds than we were, but we  thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The view across the loch was magnificent, multi layered mountains across which we saw Buzzard, Golden Eagle and a White-tailed Eagle, the latter hassled by a Raven.
A roadside waterfall bore testimony to the earlier rainfall. 

A fish farm, Salmon I believe.

As usual, Eiders loafed around the farm looking for scraps, two Black Guillemots fished nearby and a Yellowhammer sang from a nearby tree. We were parked in a lichen encrusted, no leaves, birch wood, beside the loch. There we stayed for an hour or so before  - reluctantly - leaving.

It was getting late, yet we still called in at Grass Point, seeing only three Red Deer hinds.

After a convenience call at Craignure, we were not home until 7.00.

The cottage owners returned yesterday, I thought that it was odd that we hadn't seen anyone in the Lodge. It was Graham's 50th birthday and they'd flown to Southampton to collect his present - a silver sports car, a Vauxhall Lotus. It was so hot there that Sally had to buy new clothes so as to be comfortable.

We are now parking the car up the slope near some bamboos, where we can enter our cottage via a gate and NO STEPS. We may well re-consider and come again.

Accidentally Social

Monday May 7

What a relief. I switched on my laptop and, without real belief, tried to get online. Back to normal. Maybe what I did last night actually worked.

The first thing I did was to check on the Estonian White-tailed Eagle nest webcam. Bingo. The two weeks old to-morrow eaglet we've named Kassi and both its parents, Meri and Kot were in attendance, Meri feeding her little one newly brought in fish. Trout I think.

We were able to leave the moth trap out all night for the first time and had our best catch so far.  We identified Puss Moth and Early Thorn immediately, before releasing them as they were struggling madly in the pots - and we needed the pots. I hate to see them damaging themselves too. The others were put in the fridge until we came back later.

Loch na Keal is a favourite destination. On the southern side, two juvenile White-tailed Eagles flew low over the water, landing side by side on a narrow sand spit. 
Another White-tailed Eagle nest on the northern side of the loch where  the birds can sometimes be seen well when returning from fishing. Fish remains their favourite option, although Greylags and Canada Geese also enter the menu. A couple of years ago, one nest had a lamb draped across the edge for a week. Tactless birds..........

Killiechronan Castle driveway where we pulled in to let a car through, came up trumps with a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Thank you Tom Silver (Boots hearing specialist). 

The usual viewing layby  only had two cars. Almost immediately a WhEagle flew in, landing near the top of a Fir tree. After about fifteen minutes, the bird flew off, as another appeared and joined it spiralling ever upwards.I attempted some distant flight views.

On to Ulva Ferry where there is a well known and used public lavatory. The first time I warned someone that the lights in the Ladies were motion sensitive, leaving one in the dark, needing to wave a hand around, I was unaware of the implications. I'm not now. The lights now stay on all the time.

We met the Morrisons, driving away from their boat trip with Martin . We were able to stop for a chat before a car came along. They'd had a very good trip, both Sue and Ian were on the same boat. As we  neared the loos, S and I drove out of the car park and accepted our invitation to come back to ours for a coffee. They'd never been to Dervaig and it's worth seeing our 'luxury accommodation'.
Ian is a very good photographer and took this shot from Martin's boat where eagles are fed a couple of fish per morning session - as agreed with the RSPB. Thanks Ian.

Stopping off at Loch Cuin viewpoint, we added a small flock of Dunlin and a Redshank to the Mull list. A pair of Goosander fished the bay.

S and I had trapped last night too and had brought some along. We had a very pleasant hour or so trying to identify both their and our moths. With varying success. Finding a 'what's flying in May in Caithness' website helped. Who'd have thought that an Autumn Green Carpet was normal. We also had a pristine Streamer, a truly Green Pug, a Flame Carpet and a Pug yet to be ID'd. There may be others......Talk about de-skilled.It warmed up this afternoon, I'm hopful for to-night.

After saying our goodbyes, Pam and I drove to Calliach Point again. As soon as we turned down the side road past Calgary cafe, a beautiful male Whinchat flew across in front of the car, before perching in long grass. 

Not just two but twenty Twite fed, fought and displayed in a trackside field. It was very pleasant again, Pam loving more time with the cattle and their teddy bear young. 

When I'd finished my puzzle, we drove back. As I closed the gate, Pam called Whimbrel which she'd seen rise from a field. Instataneously, the three called.  I love their call, even more evocative of moors and wild places than that of Curlew.

Bluebells are beginning to show a blue haze beneath the trees, a contrast to the bright yellow of Celandines and the soft yellow of Primroses. Lovely. As are the round, brown, moss covered stones topping dry stone walls, looking like crouching furry animals.

The oblgatory drop in to Loch Cuin viewpoint. The Dunlin numbers had increased to 60. Back to puzzle out yet another washing machine......I wish I hadn't left a tissue in my trouser pocket 😣

Gentle Pace

Sunday May 6

No WiFi to-night. It was excellent last night, what’s happened ? Shall have to copy and paste this when it comes back on.

(Monday morning. All is well again. I spent some time last night with Windows Troubleshooter, maybe that's what did it)
Sheer decadence to start the day. Sitting up in bed, cup of tea on the bedside table, waching all the birds on our sunflower hearts feeder hung on the telegraph pole to the side of our sloping garden. There is a nearby Willow, and a conifer, which make a handy perch for incoming birds . They also use the Cordyline below, which catches the thrown out food. That too is a favourite, especially with ground feeders. Up to a dozen Siskin, Goldfinch, Blue and Great Tits, Robin, Blackbird and a Chaffinch. A procession of Common, Greater Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls flew east along the river running through the reed bed below. This is the largest reed bed on Mull - a fraction of the size of Cley e.g. Hooded Crows waited longingly in a nearby Sycamore. Five Red Deer made their way up the mountain the other side of the reeds, lovely.
Having forced myself to get dressed, we drove to the head of Loch Cuin, where we usually see waders. The ubiquitous Common Sandpiper, a newly established Common Gull breeding colony, Greylags scattered about and some Oystercatchers.
Up the hill to view our local White-tailed Eagle nest. Pam Brown was walking their new Sheltie pup, Lucy, training her to sit when cars pass by rewarding her with pieces of sausage. Pam and Arthur run the excellent Discover Mull tours, with the best home cooked soup, sandwiches and cake. They both run the tours but it’s mostly Arthur with Pam as relief.
Having re- located the nest, my scope allowed me to see one adult bird sitting, only the head showing. Pam B knows that one at least of the three eggs laid has hatched.
Caliach Point to the north of Calgary Bay is a favourite of ours. Only one gate with a dodgy catch - haven’t they all - for me to open and close before reaching a grassy verge littered with animal dung where we can park and seawatch the bay, stretching across to a misty Ardnamurchan. We added Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill, many Fulmar, Kittiwakes, two Great Northern Divers, Shags and a Great Skua. The latter was a good spot by Pam.

 Below us wandered a scattered herd of Highland cattle cows , several had calves of differing ages in attendance. The calves were either calling for their errant mothers or hassling her to stop so that they could feed. 

Please stop

 

At last

All very entertaining if noisy. The cows were black, all the calves a variable shade of brown. Who's the daddy? 

One of these?

The small piles of dung everywhere is what attracted two Twite which came in to feed on the insects around them. At no time were they in clear view for me to photograph although tantalisingly close. Through the windscreen, yes. Between the wing mirror and the windscreen, yes. I've never been able to photograph them to my satisfaction. To-day was no exception.

 At last a few Bluebells roadside, normally there are swathes of them everywhere, such a late spring. It does mean that the Primroses are fresh and very lovely.

Driving back to the main track, we visited the tourist highlight of Calgary Bay. Its white shell sand, Caribbean blue sea backed by Machair, is picture postcard material - and there are many to be bought. 

The Gaelic word ‘machair’ means an extensive, low-lying fertile plain. Found along the coast of north and west Scotland and western Ireland, machair is a type of grassland associated with calcareous sand (mainly made of shell) which has been blown inland from beaches and mobile dunes.

The small car park was full, we only wanted to turn round anyway. 
We took a high moorland track, seeing a White-tailed Eagle in the distance, before returning to Dervaig. A quick check of Loch Cuin... two Goosanders and a small flock of Stock Doves to add to the Mull list. Pam thought that she’d heard a Sedge Warbler in the reed bed but I didn’t. Try again to-morrow.