Different stuff

The guests on this tour were not that interested in the big stuff but more interested in what else was around. We started off with both pipits, Lapwing and Skylark.

A flock of 300 Eider were quite impressive as they were spread along the loch and the guests were pleased to see a Golden Eagle at low level instead of their usual high flying sights.

We picked up Hen Harrier, WT Eagle, Little Grebe but it was the Stonechat that took pride of place.

A heavy shower slowed us down a bit but a pair of Slavonian Grebe were found as we drove along.

Another WT Eagle was seen and a Peregrine caused some havoc as it tried to take a Redshank. So it was nice to concentrate on the small stuff for a change and get a few photographs of different birds like this Wren.

Threes

A day of few photos but a collection of birds seen in threes. We had three Whooper Swan, three Great Spotted Woodpecker and three Golden Eagle.

We'd started the day with good views of a WT Eagle and then another flying past us. A single Northern Wheatear was seen by the loch with a number of Meadow Pipits and a couple of Stonechat. Plenty of people say they see Golden Eagles at close quarters but this one took it to another level.

We had initially seen the birds drifting off only to see them fly towards us and circle above us. The big problem was when they disappeared again I left the camera in the motor and one of the birds did a fly past at about 10 yards!

We didn't see an Otter on the day but I gave plenty of advice to the guests and they managed to catch up with them the following day. I managed to get some sighting while out on an errand. A couple of Common Teal were nice to see with the male looking splendid.

A pair of Grey Wagtail were feeding along a burn.

A pair of Slavonian Grebe were dancing on the loch...

...while the Goosander were not going to hang around.

A Whooper Swan was a bit more obliging though.

Close encounters of the furry kind

A trip out to look for Otters in decent light was reasonably productive. Riding shotgun with Doc it wasn't too long before we came across our first Otter. A squad of Oystercatchers kept their distance...

...and a Shag kept it's eye on us...

...as the Otter swam by.

Another otter was seen in the distance and heading our way - it wasn't too long before they were together and they headed for the holt.

Another Otter was seen a bit further along and this one had an obvious kink in it's tail. With high tide fast approaching it was no surprise that this one headed into a holt too. A well marked Rock Pipit was flitting along the shore as we headed back to the car.

A few Slavonian Grebe were seen on the loch with just one of them coming close enough for a shot.

A Dipper was seen keeping a low profile behind a rock...

...and a flock of Teal were hugging the shoreline on the high tide.

We had lunch beside a 30 strong flock of Curlew...

...a Sparrowhawk landed on a post right next to the car so there was no chance of getting a photo of that while the Golden Eagle was a bit too far!

White-tailed Eagle, another Sparrowhawk, two more Otters that were a bit distant were all seen before we managed some close encounters of the furry kind. We spotted an Otter heading for shore with a crab but it hid itself away in the rocks to eat it's catch. A bit of patience and it was back out fishing again then back to shore and into the rocks. Back into the water again and then it brought a crab onto a rock - much better!

It certainly had a good spot for catching crabs.

Runt

Postie called in to the shop the other day so I asked if he wanted some company for the day. The target for the day was to get a view of the Otter family. We headed along the road spotting the odd GN Diver, RB Merg, Greenshank and the inevitable view of a larger bird cruising along the ridge. We stopped for a better look at this sub-adult Golden Eagle.

While scanning around for any Otters I picked up this Slavonian Gebe...

...and then an Otter surfaced not too far away. This one was on a bit of a mission, only stopping occasionally to munch on a fish.

We strolled along, keeping an eye on it but it was heading for the holt. We moved on and found another Otter on a distant point eating a large fish but there was no sign of any youngsters. We headed back towards the first Otter to see if there was a reason behind the haste - a bit of waiting around and then these three came swimming past - result.

It was nice to see these Otter going about their business but you can also see it's quite a demanding time for the mother. The youngsters need to learn how to swim, dive and find food but she will be the only provider to start with. Just to add to the pressure there is a runt in the litter who is not too fond of staying in the water yet! The small one did get most of the fish that were brought ashore. They are not the only Otters in the area - just look in the background of this shot.

Not all encounters will be friendly but this one was.

Always learning, the youngsters will do as their mother does...

...but when it comes to hunting there is no better provider...

...and you just have to hope that the runt will survive.

Food

A couple of things that needed done saw me travelling from one end of the island to the other with a bit of wildlife watching along the way! Some nice sightings of Red Deer on the roadside and a group of Grey Heron looked nice as they roosted on a spit of land and the sun was rising behind them - no time to stop unfortunately. A quick stop on the way back to base was productive as an Otter was seen heading into the loch as I stopped, plenty of RB Merg, a few Goosander, a flock of Wigeon and a couple of Buzzard squabbling over some food. The action of the Buzzards drew the attention of the Hooded Crows which caught the eye of a WT Eagle...

...the smaller birds cleared off as the eagle swooped in...

...and made off with the food.

A brave Hooded Crow briefly perched on the back of the WT Eagle.

Not bad for a 10 minute stop but I had to keep going. Back to base for a quick lunch and then it was straight back out again and I had a bit more time for fun this time. A Hen Harrier was seen dropping into long grass so I hopped out and pointed the camera in the right direction just in time to see the bird come into view with it's catch.

It was obviously a day for feeding well as there was, just behind the harrier, a Buzzard sitting on the fence with food...

...a Stonechat catching flies...

...the PF Goose was grazing in the field...

...as was a juvenile Whooper Swan...

...and a single Barnacle Goose.

I spent a bit of time waiting for a Slavonian Grebe to come close - it never really came into range but it was a nice bird to watch.

Heads you win, tails you lose.

With bits of sunshine breaking through there was nothing for it but to go reptile hunting. A bit of a hold up when I came across the Otter family fishing just offshore. They hauled out at one point and it looked like that was going to be it but they chose to swim back the way and into camera range. The only way to keep a look out...

...and it must be thirsty work as they clamber out for a drink.

It was a nice way to start the outing and there were two WT Eagle circling overhead at the time! A Cormorant was drying off in the breeze - I noticed the bird was sporting a ring when checking the photos.

I didn't have any trouble finding this Common Lizard...

...but, somehow, I didn't pick up the Adder until the last second when it's tail was disappearing into the vegetation. I gave it 10 minutes and had another look - no problem.

The following day I found a Slavonian Grebe reasonably close to the shore so I grabbed some shots.

A couple of Woodpigeon feeding in the open were hard to resist. They seem to be increasing in numbers on the island.

I picked up a year tick in the shape of a Peregrine - nice view through the scope but not worth pointing the camera at it but you can see what it is!

A few Pied Wagtails are appearing, all males, along the lochs. It's a real treat to see them back.