We woke to enjoy a lovely sunny morning, breakfasted with two Americans from Oregon and a load of chat from our delightful Glaswegian landlady.
We eventually got away for a west to east, in and out of sea inlets drive, to Uig. Early for the ferry, we signed in and were first in the assisted travel queue. We were eventually joined by Sue and Ian and then, Pat and Mike. Having caught up with B and B news, moth-ing sessions and birds seen, it was time to board the ferry. Pam and I always sit in the outside area below the top deck. It's a little more sheltered - a fact acknowledged by the other four who had braved the top tier. Fewer Auks than last year, mostly Guillemots, a steady patrol of Gannets, a few Kittiwakes and little else. Sue thought someone had called a Bonxie upstairs.
The usual slick disembarkation at Lochmaddy ensuring that we were on our way to HoughHarry by 4.15.Pam suggested that we go to Ard an Runair first - passing our cottage en route. Someone else had been even faster. As we entered the sandy track, a man witth whom we'd shared the lift (he had a stiff right leg and used a crutch) came towards us, wound down his window and gave us instructions on where to find the birds. i.e. Look on the sandy machair for two photographers lying down and follow where their lenses are pointing. We did exactly that, finding three well camouflaged Dotterel making short dashing forays into the machair before pecking for food. They never came near enough but, nevertheless, we both photographed happily.
The beach was devoid of seaweed, probably explaining the lack of small waders exploring the stranded mounds for insects and other invertebra. Just a few Sanderling.
Not a single Corncrake called while we were out, the Irises are still extremely short. Are the birds back on territory yet? A recent entry in our visitors book, made by birders who have been visiting for thirty years, commented on the decline in the number of birds on the islands. Interesting.
We did find, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Shoveller and Whooper Swan on roadside lochs. We have a Whooper on the lochan opposite our cottage. Ian and Sue passed us, going to Balranald for the birds themselves. Our Whatsapp group is working as a message confirmed that they'd seen the Dotterel and another from Mike who had also seen the birds.
Barry Barnacal pulled in opposite us and had time to pass on the info that there were Curlew Sandpipers at Baleshare before another vehicle enforced moving.
Whimbrel whinnied their way away from our lochan and towards the sea as we drove in. Lovely.
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