Moths and an Owl

 Saturday, May 15

A week already gone. One more to savour. 

Only one moth again this morning, What a moth though, a female Emperor, the first we've ever seen. She has laid four eggs for us so we'll see if we can rear them.


Yesterday's Puss Moth was rescued from the refrigerator and also photographed, rather badly. 

 

We spent some time to-day using the Emperor lure again, in several different places. All were successful, the results the same. Frantic fluttering in the proximity of the lure without ever getting close. As Pam remarked, it's a wonder that they ever procreate successfully.

Another sunny day, the temperature rising to a tropical (for Uist) 15C, spent exploring, looking for Corncrakes, generally relaxing. Loch Paibles was new to us. A sea inlet loch with the cutomary white sand beaches, rocky shores, marram covered sand dunes, and azure sea. Just lovely. Again, nearly empty of people - one other car and solitary driver - empty of birds too. There was no seaweed, so no small waders. We couldn't see the Pale-bellied Goose said to be present either.

As requested, a photo of the Baleshare causeway,. All the causeways are dual lanes - apart from this one.


 

There seem to be very few Corncrakes around so far this year. The nettle clump near the Balranald Centre had one calling bird, it did not appear for us. Ian had good views of it yesterday - whilst Sue was dutifully fetching their bacon rolls from the campsite cabin.

As we were leaving Committee Road to drive home, the very dark Short-eared Owl previously noted, flew across in front of us, landing on the ground. No passing place handy, we turned onto the main road where Pam was able to stop for a couple of minutes in a traffic lull so that I could take a few shots.

 

Another flew across the road from Bonnie View, and landed, to-night. It's wonderful for us to see them so regularly in their favoured habitat.

When we got home, two new sheep had appeared in the front paddock. An enormous, roman nosed tup I named Goliath, and a Blue Texel christened Grumpy.  Heather appeared. Goliath fathered her lambs, Grumpy belongs to daughter. Daughter runs a dog grooming service from home whilst owning her own farm animals. Heather's Christmas present to her last year was two White Galloway cows.Heather has three rescue Chihuahuas who don't look much like Chihuahuas I've seen before - apart from the pop eyes.

The cat has just appeared, pressing his tabby nose against the door. He's a stray who lives here, he has his own rather nice looking kennel outside the side gate to the house. He's not allowed indoors because he spraints everywhere. I've named him Willie.

Interesting place.

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