Clouds and Cuckoos

Tuesday, May 18 

News of a Dotterel on the machair at Aird An Runair made that our first port of call. My appetite had been whetted by seeing Ian's very good photo. The bird had moved onto harrowed land, was much more distant - and down a deep furrow. It took some finding. Pam walked down the track until she could see up the ruts, and there it was, preening. And there it stayed for the next hour, still preening. It must be the most immaculate bird in Scotland. An elderly gentleman said, 'it must be a female'. Tut. It actually was.

Having seen no more than a head and shoulders - from the back - we decided to move on. Griminis always has birds for us. Pretty birdless to-day. A few small waders and Eider in the bay, Arctic Terns, Shoveller, Wigeon, Shelduck on Loch Mor. We were patient, but no Phalarope. 

Such a beautiful day, it was a pleasure to witness the countryside - or more accurately, the seashore.  The sea is visible from everywhere, white shell sand, rocks and varying shades of blue water according to its depth.There was always some cloud but strata of white fluff with occasional grey patches, enhances the view.

Another visit to Aird an Runair showed that the Dotterel had not moved from its distant rut. Shame. On to view the bay itself, one of the loveliest. Horseshoe shaped with gleaming white gold sand, its a challenge to try and photograph enough of the whole to do it justice. I'll keep trying.



Who can resist Wheatears? Not me. A male landed on a post between us and the sea.

 


ComRo is on the way home. I think that our car turns off there automatically. We drove all the way to the Sollas end without seeing a single bird. Well, Pam saw a Stonechat, I missed it. We turn around opposite the only house at the end of the road. Sharp-eyed Pam noticed a Cuckoo sitting on a nearby fence, about 50 metres away. By the time we'd turned, the hassling of Meadow Pipits had driven it twice as far away, still on the fence. Three Pipits constantly mobbed it, the bird eventually flying away, to return with a fat caterpillar. On this occasion - I think that Pam is right - the cuckoo had food on its mind rather than predating a nest.

 

Our viewing of the bird was not improving. It was time to drive home. Sue and Ian visited for the first time this morning, agreeing with us that Bonnie View is a real find. Thank you Donald for recommending it.

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