Short and Eventful

 Sunday May 8

Pam had a bout of IBS overnight, it was best to stay near home. The morning was enlivened by a visit for coffee by Ian and Sue. They'd already had a spell of seawatching at Aird an Runair, a stones-throw away from their campsite. A probable flight of distant Shearwaters the highlight.

News of Garganey at Loch an Feathean came through again. Should we? We drove to Griminish, scoped the loch. No Garganey. Surrounding water held, Red-breasted Merganser, a confused male Shoveller displaying to a male Wigeon, Little Grebe, Arctic Terns, and a Cormorant. 

Brainwave. Check Birguides app on phone. Yes, the Garganey had been reported on there as well as on the local WhatsApp group. The link to GoogleMaps said that we were 45 minutes away. What? Were there two identically named lochs? Entirely possible. Off we went, knowing that the cemetery mentioned sounded familiar. When we were instructed to turn left down Balranald road, the penny dropped. This loch is behind the cemetery near the RSPB office and loos, and has to be walked to. 

Driving the narrow road towards the campsite, two head to head cars blocked the road ahead. I opened my window, the unmistakeable call of a Corncrake resounded from a nearby Iris bed. At last. A bit of manoeuvering by all of us allowed the cars in front to go in their chosen direction and us to  reverse into pole position. Within  a few minutes, a Corncrake appeared in the open, called, put its head down, and scuttled into the depths of the iris bed. Not enough time for me to take a photo. A car appeared, we had to drive on. 

We decided to drive as far as Aird an Runair. A Corn Bunting rattled its discordant song from the dunes. The tide was out and we were the only car present. Bliss. It's a lovely bay, even under an overcast, dull sky.



Two Great Northern Divers, the usual Eiders, just a few Dunlin and Ringed Plovers along the shore. As we left, I noticed a White Wagtail exploring the dung heaps - the nominate race of which our Pied Wagtail is a sub species.


 'Our' Corncrake was singing again, Pam turned the car, before stopping so that I could be on the correct side for a photo. I swear that the bird was under my left armpit, so loud and close. Could I see it? No. Another car, move again, this time it was Ian who was on his way to locate the Glaucous Gull newly announced on WhatsApp. at Loch Paible. Where was that exactly? We are all confused, as not all lochs are named on the maps, most of them in the original Gaelic too. I consulted BirdGuides again, set the SatNav and ended up at the correct location. Instruction, 'park your vehicle and walk to your destination'. That's twice to-day. Thank you and Goodbye.

Another first. As we left the Balranald road, a Corncrake flew strongly across the front of our car before landing in a nearby field. A whirring, rusty brown - and very fast. They need to be strong flyers for the migration flights, very interesting to actually see it.

Committee Road was the last call of the dull evening. A male Hen Harrier and a male Stonechat were the reward.

It's due to be very wet and windy tomorrow.

 




 

 

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