Hail in May

 Tuesday May 7

Not unusual in Scotland to have hail in May . We've had snow in the Highlands in late May. We didn't expect it from the forecast, which said 9 C in Tobermory. We needed a few bits of shopping so decided to visit the capital with its famous brightly  painted houses and shops in the crescent facing the harbour.
The moorland around Loch Frisa - home of the famous Springwatch eagles Itchy and Scratchy - has been good for Hen Harrier in the past. We parked up and waited. No Harrier but, at last, a Willow Warbler which showed well enough for a photograph. They're everywhere but this is the first time I've been able to get one for my year folder.

It hailed heavily as Pam set off for the chemist in Tobermory, we then had steady rain and hail at Aros Park and decided to go back to the cottage to await the drier conditions expected in he afternoon.

And...........the roads were dry as soon as we left Tobermory.  

We'd seen a White-tailed Eagle on the way in but plenty of traffic meant that we couldn't stop. There's a splendid parking area on the top of the steep hill approaching Dervaig. We sat there scanning the extensive view of the glen, village, reedbed and Loch Cuin below. Nothing flying to-day.

Next stop, our favourite vantage point overlooking Loch Cuin. The tide was high earlier, now it had receded enough to clear some areas of mud for feeding waders and Shelducks ( a ghosting Redshank photo bombing in front).

Home to Witch's Cottage for lunch and another frustrating internet experience. It's so slow here that I can play a game of patience whilst waiting for a photo or web page to load. Even then, parts will be missing. It took me three goes and well over an hour to upload photos to my Blog last night. My IPad is unable to get the Liverpool/Barcelona match for Pam to-night, signal not strong enough.

We hadn't yet driven as far as Croig harbour, we did on the way out. 

This was taken from the car. It's a very small stopping place  with only enough room for six cars to park. 

A quick look at the machair at Calgary bay showed that it was nowhere near in bloom yet. On to Calliach Point. I must bring an oilcan on holiday in future. The gate on the way to the Point is very difficult. It's large and metal, has sunk on its hinges and has to be lifted whilst trying to lift the knob to release the bar. It then needs lifting again as it fouls the road and the grass !! Our cottage gate bolt is stiffly rusted too.

 Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots, Gannets, Great Northern Divers, in small numbers, Shags were numerous. A CalMac ferry seemed to take forever to pass by between  Mull and Tiree and Coll.

We both find Highland cattle irresistible. A small group was near the road to-day, enabling photographs. This little beauty had panda eyes.

His mother owned a splendid set of horns.

The same two bulls as last year were actually on their feet and feeding as we left the Calliach lane. It also gives some idea of the countryside.

A lovely sunlit evening. The wind has dropped even further, but it's still cold for moths. Our worst catch yet overnight, four of four species with nothing new. Still rather better than many trappers around the country who are getting nil returns. Let's hope for some warmer weather before we leave on Friday. 
The birds have found our feeders. Coal Tits to-night, adding to the Blue and Great Tits, Siskin, Goldfinches and Greenfinches already recorded.