An even later start, I made up for the previous night's three hours sleep. Not a promising day weather wise. Grey overcast, a gusting wind with a few rays of sunshine and drizzle at intervals. We really have been very lucky so far - and I feel sorry for the crofters who are desperate for some rain.
We've never visited Lochboisedale, once the islands' main harbour and the destination for the Oban ferry. Pam suggested that we make that our primary aim. It lies at the south east corner of South Uist.
We'll not bother going again. It's neither scenic nor interesting. Many of the buildings are in need of a coat of paint, the area is flat and generally uncared for.
Having dismissed that....... I read the cottage wildlife guide and was attracted by the estuary of Uist's only river. The Howmore. It's marked on the map above's west coast.
Passing an ancient chapel site, Tobhamor, chapels have been there since 12C, we drove a tractor track down to the estuary - where we found two motorhomes !!
The track took us over the river via a small bridge, where we turned round. Not a lot of water until the sea comes in again. Dunlin were feeding on the shores and mossy rocks, little other wildlife. It's said that it's good for rare gulls. Another day.
Loch Eynort beckoned. No room to park at the end but, we have a favourite place on a nearby grassy mound overlooking the inlet, where we ate lunch. Red-breasted Mergansers cruised the creeks, a polyglot collection of Harbour Seals draped the rocky islets, Ravens kronked by and a Shag spent more time under water than above. Lovely.
Our final call was Committee Road which has been lacking raptors for the last few days.
I don't know whether it's the season for it, but peat cutting has been occurring regularly since we came. There are many different methods of stacking the peat to dry. On the ground, in piles and in decorative rows. Family tradition?
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Halfway back, a large speck appeared, hovering, above the ridge. We watched it for some time, whilst discussing its identity. I'd called it as a Goldie just from the shape of the wings and its general jizz but, wavered when a second hoverer appeared, they had a tussle and separated. My photos were inconclusive until it dropped onto prey and I managed a photo which, when hugely enlarged, showed the golden head and ruff of an adult Golden Eagle.
Home for a cuppa before leaving to have a drink with Sue and Ian before we all went for a final meal at the Westford Inn. A very pleasant evening.
The icing on the day. As we drove home, a Short-eared Owl hunted the verges on both sides of the road in front of us before rising with prey in its talons and flying away.
The icing on the day. As we drove home, a Short-eared Owl hunted the verges on both sides of the road in front of us before rising with prey in its talons and flying away.
One more day before we leave these lovely islands.
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