White

We had 5 Common Scoter and a couple of Common Tern to get us off to a good start on this tour. There are quite a few Curlew that are keeping an eye on their chicks so it was no surprise to find this bird calling to the young.

We had a brief view of a Golden Eagle and decent views of the WT Eagle but things went a bit quiet for an hour so the likes of Stonechat and Meadow Pipit fill in the time. A single white Bluebell was admired along the way.

A distant view of a tatty looking 2 year old WT Eagle was followed up with a close Golden Eagle...

...but as that bird disappeared a 3 year old WT Eagle drifted into view!

A couple of Cuckoos were seen while we had a look at the Tawny Owl and a single Whinchat was spotted. There are plenty of Redshank around but I haven't seen any young yet.

A chipping Snipe was heard and then located on a gate post.

Good views of Mountain Hare, plenty of Common Seal, an Otter and lots of Red Deer too.

The wanted.

Numbers for the end of May - Patchwork challenge 100 species 124 points....Year list 133.
The top of the wanted list was Otter on this tour so after weighing up the options we went for that species first. The weather wasn't too bad to start with but as soon as we found two Otters on the shore the heavens opened! Cracking views though.

Another difficult viewing of the WT Eagle but we managed. A few Grey Heron were fishing the shallows...

...and, it appears, there are only a few Great Northern Divers lingering and they are all first summer birds.

A Curlew gave us a close view as it sailed over the top of us.

Another species on the wanted list was Golden Eagle and they put on a superb display. We had them perched up, flying around, yelping, the chick flapping and finally one of the birds bringing a Mountain Hare in!

The Bluebells may look and smell fantastic but the Bracken will cover them soon - enjoy them while you can.

There are a few midges starting to appear so a walk for Wood Warbler will soon be off the itinerary.

The afternoon was spent soaking up the atmosphere of the varied landscape but the sightings were still relevant - Adder, Whinchat, Mountain Hare, Wheatear etc and the Rock Pipits are feeding young.

Staffa again.

Wednesday the weather turned and a trip to Staffa was on the cards as my sister and brother-in-law were visiting. The skies were almost clear on the way out and there were Common Seals were basking.

There were rafts of Manx Shearwaters on the way out and a few Shags on Staffa to greet us.

We ventured round to the cave first before heading up for the Puffins. There were plenty of birds on the water but a patrolling Great Skua kept them there for a while. I busied myself with the Twite that were flying around and the Bluebells were eyecatching too.

Just before we were due to leave the Puffins started to come ashore.

I had another chance with the Manx Shearwaters on the way back to Iona and managed to get a half decent shot.