Ends With a Bang

Wednesday May 11

Undecided as to what to do today, it was early afternoon before we drove south to Benbecula township. MacLennons for a newspaper, no birds on Stinky Bay, Coot, Tufted Duck, Shoveller, and Mallard on Coot Loch. Next stop, Loch Druidibeag.

 Loch Druidibeag is a freshwater loch situated on the island of South Uist, The loch is near the northern end of the island, to the north-east of Howmore.

The loch is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar site, and forms part of the South Uist Machair Special Area of Conservation and the South Uist Machair and Lochs Special Protection Area. Loch Druidibeg was designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), but was de-declared in 2012. The loch was also formerly a biosphere reserve, being so-designated in 1976, but this status was withdrawn in 2013. I can't find out why this happened.

It's run by the RSPB in conjunction with the local farmers and crofters. 

We spent a pleasant hour or more scanning the mountainsides, finding two separate White-tailed Eagles, a heronry, and Pam saw a diver, probably Great Northern.

We could only get an early booking for supper at the Westford, five o'clock is nursery tea time. We missed out lunch and thoroughly enjoyed our meal in the company of the Griffins.

Still time to spare, Committee Road was calling. Early in the drive, two White-tailed Eagles soared away to our right, one being hassled by a Raven. We later saw a group of thirty + Ravens flying together. Parking in the designated Raptor Watchpoint, a Peregrine appeared above the plantation, making a fast exit below the hillside. Next, Pam noticed a bird flying across the plantation, an adult Pomarine Skua, identified  by Ian. Pam and I stayed in the parking area, seeing the Peregrine again, and a pair of Golden Eagles which flew across the valley and over the plantation.

After driving down to Sollas, then turning around for the return journey, a Short-eared Owl sped along the valley, obviously on a mission.

A lovely way to end the day.

 

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