10th June

A very windy day today. Holding the bins or camera steady was tricky.

We visited various sites around North Uist including Balranald (see photo of beach) where we heard Corncrakes calling but were unable to see them. Lots of these purple orchids.

A bit of a wader fest today. The male Ruff in breeding plumage was of particular interest as they breed in the high Arctic. Nice to get some photos of Short-eared Owl.

9th June

We catch the ferry to Eriskay and drive to our next hotel with a few stops on the way. We are staying at the Temple View Hotel at Carinish.

The weather is very blowy so not many photos today. We did see 3 Hen Harriers (1 male) and about 8 Short-eared Owls. Hope to get some photos over the next 4 days.

Snipe x 2, Red-breasted Meganser, and Red Deer. The last 2 are record shots.

The male Red-breasted Meganser is unusual for this time of year and as we also saw a female we are going to report it to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel.

June 8th

Today spent on Barra and Vatersay. We saw our first eagles distantly today – White-tailed and Golden Eagle.

There are a lot of areas called Machair with lots of different wild flower species from common ones like buttercups to rarer ones like this Early Marsh Orchid.

The beaches are empty and look great for beach cricket. But they are quite soft making for a bit of a sticky wicket. I am sure you will never see Camber Sands this empty. Mum did want to bring some pebbles home to go round the pond but I said no.

The airport on Barra is actually on the beach. I have a video of the plane taking off.

7th June – ferry day

We catch the ferry from Oban on the mainland to Castlebay on Barra.

In this sequence of scenic photos the first is Oban, the fourth is Tobermory on Mull, the next to last is Castlebay and the last is the view from our hotel room in Castlebay with the ferry in its berth.

A lot of distant birds and several dolphins. This was the most obliging. Also strange metal fish!

6th June

Last views if Boat of Garten and its herons. Moving on today

First stop Carrbridge with its old bridge and river with Dippers. The grey bird is a young one.

Lastly Loch Ruthven. The target bird is Slavonian Grebe. This is what is called a record shot. Meadow Pipit as well. Still no Osprey!

First couple of days in Strathspey

The weather is good and the views are spectacular

No big raptors so far but some lovely birds anyway