Two's company . . .

Tuesday was a fine day to start with and we finished up in rain. A good start to the day with both WT Eagle chicks still sitting on the nest and as we left the area to look for Otters we picked up an adult bird in flight. This bird wasn't alone - a Common Buzzard and a Hen Harrier were there for company! Everyone was pretty keen to see the Otters and it took some searching but we found a mum with two cubs from some distance away. We moved to a closer spot and lost them!! They turned up again, on the shore, right in front of us and then gave us a masterclass in hide and seek.

It was a struggle to get views of the Lesser Redpoll and I missed two chances of getting an Adder photo. Another Otter was picked up while we had lunch. We had the friendly Buzzard too.

The clouds were gathering and it was spitting on with rain but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm. Yellowhammer, Tufted Duck, Wheatear, Stonechat and Mountain Hare were all seen before a cracking encounter with an adult WT Eagle that came flying down the road towards us.
Wednesday was forecast to be a cracking day - they weren't wrong.

It wasn't just the weather that was good - Slow Worm, WT Eagle and Golden Eagle were seen in the morning. We spent an hour and a half with three Otters while we had lunch. Butterflies showed well through the day too with Scotch Argus, Speckled Wood...

...and Grayling all seen.

I'm trying to keep an eye on this Common Lizard to see how long it takes for it's tail to grow back.

We had a stunning encounter with a pair of Red-throated Diver. The views were not the best but the birds calling to each other and echoing around us was simply awesome. Our last stop of the day gave us good views of four Dunlin and lots of Sheep.

Good and bad.

More spycam stuff...a couple of vids from a while back to start with.

A couple of photos that show the dawn chorus brigade...

...not just singing but a dance routine too!

I finally captured what I was after last night and it looks like this...

Yep, I'm disappointed too. I will be going for a second attempt but don't hold your breath. What is it? It's a Tawny Owl.

August here we come.

August got off to a good start - it looked like this in the morning.

With the guests on board we went in search of some photos and the cameras were given a good work out. We found a Slow Worm early on and that was followed up with a juv WT Eagle. I picked up an Otter not long after that and managed to pick the right place to catch it as it came ashore. A bit damp to start with...

 ...a quick shake will help.

 There, that looks better!

It's still not right, there's only one thing for it...a good roll around on the seaweed.

The Otter wasn't the only one keen to get things in tip top condition as this Buzzard gave a fine display of preening.

After all the rain yesterday the grass was still damp but it didn't stop the Scotch Argus butterflies from flying about and, surprisingly, landing low down in the vegetation.

Next up was a squadron of screaming gull giving away the presence of a WT Eagle - top stuff.

The trio of reptiles are still showing but it took a bit of looking to get them today. This Lizard was the best performer of the three.

A great selection of small birds were seen too with Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Bullfinch, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, Linnet...

...and Stonechat all featuring.

The Mull Meercat seen us out in fine style.