Overnight strong wind had shut the 'drive' gate. As Pam carried a stone to hold it open, she noticed a moth on a daisy. With considerable excitement, she entered the kitchen, cupped hands held out before her and said ''You'll never guess what this is''. One look and I knew. It was a female Emperor Moth. She was very worn but still beautiful.
We've only had fleeting views previously, usually as the male swoops in to a lure. I must try the lure here.
We also had a second Puss Moth and a Knotgrass.
After a short visit to Ard an Runair to check the sea - only a Great Northern Diver - no Skua passage, we saw a Corncrake fly into an iris bed and disappear. Due south through two islands via causeways which do not show on the SatNav , we appear to be driving on water, we turned off for Grimnis. No Phalaropes for us but the Harcups and the Griffins saw one later. Stinky Bay is almost devoid of seaweed so did not live up to its name.
Loch Ainort is a favourite of ours. Its on the east coast of the mountainous and much softer looking South Uist. Its reached via a narrow road through rocky terrain, following water lochans and streams until reaching the dead end, in a limited parking area near a small wood. The latter is a real novelty on the islands. Fat, glossy, sea slug Common Seals loaf on flat rocks,
Red Breasted Mergansers slip away warily
and we need to keep an eye on the sky. We saw our Golden Eagle some way up the approach valley. A path leads through the wood and up the mountain to where Golden Eagles and Ravens nest. We lunched here before leaving for Kallin, another favourite of ours. The other four are out on a boat trip from there this afternoon. On previous visits I'd decided that the landing steps would not be suitable for me.
We took the turning down to the fish factory and cafe first, seeing many gulls scavenging on the massive pile of Scallop shell detritus. They were obviously finding enough scraps of flesh remaining in the shells.
A magnificent clump of Primroses caught the eye and the camera lens.
Back home via a lengthy stop at Bayhead for petrol and a few essentials.
Back home via a lengthy stop at Bayhead for petrol and a few essentials.
After a phone call from Sue, we decided to dovetail our evening visit to Committee Road so that the others could see to-day's moths. We eventually met both pairs and showed off the moths both to them and to another pair we have met on Mull and, latterly, at Lakenheath.
It was a very satisfying visit in beautiful, still warm, sunshine to-night. We ended up with sightings of at least three Hen Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls and a pair of displaying Arctic Skuas.
A group of 16 Red Deer came down the hillside, all making vertical take-off jumps over the fences before standing and staring, the low-setting evening sun back-lighting their ear tufts and profile. Magic.
It's now almost 11 p.m. and I'm making mistakes. Time to add a few less than pleasing photographs and to retire to my book.
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