Even Heather Says

 Thursday May 12

Yes, it's the weather again. More very strong wind with heavy blustery showers. The latter are very local. Several times today, we drove through one where the wipers were not coping to find a dry road 200 metres away. Landlady Heather, mentioned how bad it was and, that it was usually nice in May - our previous experience too. Maybe some sea-watching at Aird an Runair would be worthwhile.

On the slow lurch out along rutted, potholed, sandy machair, a Twite sat quietly. We've seen them in several places this year without a chance of photography. Despite the conditions, I gave it a go.

 

The same thing goes for this lovely Wheatear.


 

The parking area at Aird only has space for about six cars facing the sea, they were full, two of them Motorhomes. We took up position part of the way up the slope so that we could see over the top. Before I could set up my scope, a large SUV parked in front of us, obscuring our view. I pointed this out, the driver continued to park, and then left his vehicle whilst he walked to the point. I had a restricted view, so continued. We stayed at least two hours, seeing two Great Northern Divers, Eider Ducks, Gannets, Arctic and Little Terns, two Pomarine Skuas and one Arctic/Longtailed Skua (far out).

Chilled, we left for a drive along Committee Road, where we saw an adult Golden Eagle disturbed out of the plantation by two Ravens, and a male Hen Harrier. A female Hen Harrier flew over the car on the road home. No Corncrakes calling today, can we blame them.

 

 

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