Wanderings

Wednesday May 22

After a WhatsApp exchange with Ian, we decided that the Skuas were not going to fly past Balranald. We headed south. Shortly before the junction with Committee Road, Pam called a male Hen Harrier flying north on the west side of the road. No handy passing place and following cars, we couldn't stop. That happens frequently.

Committee Road there and back produced a Spiralling White-tailed Eagle. Known as The Plank to me, it has the longest wingspan of all the world's eagles and is the fourth largest. Its long, broad wings held straight out from the body make it easier to identify, even at distance. 

No Phalarope at Loch Mhor nor at Loch Fada to-day. No room to park either, we went on to Stinky Bay. Parking alone on the verge overlooking the bay, with the receding tide exposing several tide-lines of seaweed for small waders to fossick, we settled to photoraph. Pam moved to the back seat on my side, we stuck our cameras out of the window and...... a car pulled up behind us, as closely as possible. Five middle aged people got out, slammed doors, sat on the low sea wall, changed boots, donned outdoor wear and then walked the narrow gap between us and the edge, climbed down onto the beach and walked away. I know all about selfish photographers, that public performance took the biscuit. They ignored us completely. The birds had gone.
A few Eider remained on the fast receding surf edge.

A final check of Loch Mhor before driving to South Uist and the Range area. No red flag flying, the exercise is over. We sat ourselves beachside again and tried to photograph the dozens of small waders scurrying constantly in the search for food and the best positions. Dunlin, Sanderling, Turnstone and Ringed Plover, a few Bar-tailed Godwits at the ebbing sea's edge. 

Dunlin in summer plumage (black belly)

Ringed Plover

Sanderling in summer plumage

Sanderling in winter plumage

Turnstone in summer plumage

Overcast to-day but, by early afternoon, there was occasional sun.

A lone Arctic Skua gave us a brief view as it flew out to sea. Where was it perched?

Petersport is signposted to the east of the road north. We'd never been, so we went. We'll probably not bother again. Not very scenic, it ends in a small fishing jetty strewn with nets, crab pots - the usual fishing detritus. 
Kallin harbour is a favourite. Another look at the pile of Scallop shells where I practised taking flying gulls

 before turning round in front of the small cafe/shop. This is the menu board.

It was Pam's turn at the shell pile on the way back. Not a bird in sight.

Not late, yet the light was fading fast, we even had a few spots of rain. Committee was casting its spell. No birds at all this time, apart from Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Goldfinch on the end house feeders. Home fpr a glass of wine and the inevitable photograph sorting,

When Pam went to put the moth trap out for the night, she found a moth we hadn't previously seen in the bottom well. Where did that come from? My photographs are not good and Pam mistakenly released the moth. The colour is gingery as shown in one pic, the pattern is better shown in the duller pic. Pam thinks that it's a Clouded Bordered Beauty.