A Ruff Day

Sunday May 15 

Waking to a beautiful sunny morning, our choice of Berneray as to-day's destination seemed a good one. The views there are stunning, not easily photographed, especially from the car, but one can never do them justice. A wide angle lens and panorama vision would help. 

Our moth trap held four moths of four different species this morning. 

A Pebble Prominent 

 


Flame and Twinspot Carpets, and a Red Chestnut.

 

CommRo was devoid of birds, apart from a distant, and rapidly disappearing, Short-eared Owl. The whole drive of thirty plus miles was devoid of birds, plenty of time to look at the scenery. and to avoid the many cyclists.

The ferry to Lewis was being prepared at the North Uist end of the causeway, the car queue at the other end.  The distant mountains are on the Isle of Harris.


About 50 Arctic Ringed Plovers on the machair at Borve were flushed by a tractor, A few Twite, Wheatear and the usual Lapwings and gulls did not stay long either.

On to the high machair cliffs overlooking the Sound of Lewis, one of our favourite spots. The weather had become misty and overcast, my intention to take a better photograph was not possible. At a very low tide, there were eight Whimbrel bathing and preening in a beach pool, Arctic and Little Terns plunge fishing, a trickle of Gannets passing by and our only Black Guillemots of the trip. 

 


Having exhausted the possibilities, in ever worsening light, we photographed the island's only harbour, at Bays Loch. This is the original Berneray Harbour, built for the Lewis Ferry and to carry potatoes across to Lewis and Harris.

 

 



CommRo was evoid of birds - but the Raptor Watchpoint was as crowded as I've ever seen it. Three Bird Tour minibuses, their occupants standing outside, and at least two cars. WE hastened past, turning right at the end of the road for Loch Sanderay. A local WhatsApp message had alerted us to a pair of Ruff being present there. Only one car present, searching for the birds. I thought that I'd seen them at the far end of the loch, Pam was getting my scope for me, when the other birder called that they were there. and had then flown to the near side.

We then had twenty minutes of entertainment. The male was in full breeding plumage. Black body, golden ruff and tail, red face and head. Through my scope he was magnificent. But, he did look completely loony as he strutted his stuff to the totally uninterested blonde female. Crouching, raising his golden ruff which looked like two big wings on either side of his head, before raising his tail feathers and making short dashes through the vegetation. 

My photos are a complete disappointment as it was against the light and his movements unexpected and very fast. I shall have to try editing with my programme on the PC at home, I can't seem to be successful with the one on my laptop.







 

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