* Update from the Isle of Lewis *

[darwin]

Further to my request for wildlife sites on Lewis, I am writing this on a glorious sunny morning up here. The weather here has been T shirts and shorts weather and hot enough to go into the sea also, light winds mainly which has meant the midges have been out in force.

Saw our first Goldie while driving back from Bernera, and then saw 3 more flying from The Harris hills to Lewis, virtually directly over the car!

A possible White Tailed Eagle over the Bay/sea at Husinis, too far away for positive ID but it was a large BOP and my wife was sure she spotted a pale head through the binoculars so it could well have been.

Plenty of Buzzards about, I wonder how many people will be telling people back home they have spotted an Eagle without realising its 'only' the Tourist Eagle!

Spotted a Raven in the grounds of Lews Castle near the coast, quite surprised , used to seeing them in the hills of the Lake District and higher/rougher ground.

Nothing much spotted in the sea except the usual Cormorants, Gannets etc and a Seal swimming at Sinntean.

Not got to the Uists yet, we were planning on going last Tuesday but something cropped up which delayed our trip but maybe next week although the forecast is poorer for then but then again, the expected rain hasn't really happened up here at all.

The light up here is amazingly bright and sunglasses are essential when the sun is shining and even when its just 'bright', it can be too bright for bare eyes. It has to be experienced to be believed.

Taken hundreds of photos, and the holiday is only half over.

Planning on doing a coastal walk today over the West side so we may spot something else in the sea.

Thats all I can think of for now, I will update later in the week if there is something interesting to say.

Darwin

[ron1863]

Sounds as if you are having a great time and the weather has been kind. Hope the rain keeps off for you but it has been forecast wet for this weekend. Looking forward to seeing your phots.

[deer boy]

Sounds fab darwin hope the weather holds out & u continue to have a great time

[shei111]

Hello sounds as though you are enjoying yourself keep us posted. shei

[darwin]

Still nothing really out at sea but the skies are the place to look!

Saw 3 Golden eagles getting attacked by 2 Buzzards, the Eagles came gliding through their territory. The Buzzards were diving down on them and the Eagles had to turn and fly upside down to fend them off with their talons.

The Buzzards won, even though the Eagles were simply passing through anyway.

Off to the Uists for an overnight stay this week and maybe spot some Otters.

Weather continues to be great, a bit more breezy but blue skies and sunshine and still warm enough for T shirts and shorts.

Up here it's a case of - Don't believe the National Forecast!

Will update later in the week.


Darwin

[deer boy]

Good luck with the Otters & hope the weather holds up

[ChrisJB]

It sounds magic. I was on North Uist and Harris last week and loved every minute of it. On the seawatching front, it was rather quiet, though quite a few Manx Shearwaters, Arctic Skuas and Bonxies.

Regards, Chris

[PMG]

Fantastic! Looking forward to pics and further updates - so glad the weather is better - it was not so kind for us back in June/July

Pauline

[darwin]

We got to the Uists-staying on South Uist, the Weather wasn't so good down there, varying from drizzle to rain but it was fine and dry down in S Uist. It's amazing how the weather can change in driving just a few miles up here.

Weather at S Uist was initially cloudy and no wind-midge heaven!! Plenty Buzzards about and managed to spot an Otter in the sea just off the Eriskay causeway. That was on our wedding anniversary too so it was made a bit more special.
The next day, the weather was sunny so we headed back to Eriskay (just in case), but no Otters today. However, a Corncrake ran across the road just in front of the car-an unexpected bonus!

Turnstones on the beach at Benbecula, a first for us, and loads of other waders, ducks etc.

Divers, Cormorants, Gannets etc on the way back across the Sound Of Harris.
I remember at the age of 11, I knew virtually every 'land' bird but was never any good at water birds and it still remains the same-30ish years later!

This is the last update from the Western Isles but I will add something when I return home this weekend.

I will also try to upload a few photos, probably only scenery (but what scenery!), the few bird shots I have are poor but I do have a Macro of a dragonfly eating a bee on S. Uist.

Many thanks for the comments, it is a glorious place, I'd love to live here and someday-who knows.

Forecast for the weekend is rain so maybe it is time to go home after 2 glorious weeks.

Thanks to you all.

Darwin

[deer boy]

Glad you saw your Otter darwin look forward to the pics

[Rob_D]

Originally Posted by darwin

The next day, the weather was sunny so we headed back to Eriskay (just in case), but no Otters today. However, a Corncrake ran across the road just in front of the car-an unexpected bonus!
Darwin

Well done on the Corncrake.

Glad you liked the islands Darwin. Just come back from S. Uist last week myself. Highlights for me were the Baird's Sandpiper, Snowy Owl (on the same rock at Balranald as last year), a few WT & Golden Eagles, many Hen Harriers & SE Owls, glimpses of a few Merlin, Peregrines attacking the waders, big flocks of Twite, the White Herring gull, 2 Otters and sadly, but notably one dead headhog! No corncrakes for me though.

Didn't do much seawatching this time as the wind was in the East. Watching off the ferry to Oban was productive with a few porpoises, one Minke Whale and 3 or 4 Basking Shark fairly close.

I want to go back to the Uists again next year, but I think May or June would be better to avoid the Midges, more daylight and to get more of the bird chorus on the Machair.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Rob_D

Well done on the Corncrake.

Glad you liked the islands Darwin. Just come back from S. Uist last week myself. Highlights for me were the Baird's Sandpiper, Snowy Owl (on the same rock at Balranald as last year), a few WT & Golden Eagles, many Hen Harriers & SE Owls, glimpses of a few Merlin, Peregrines attacking the waders, big flocks of Twite, the White Herring gull, 2 Otters and sadly, but notably one dead headhog! No corncrakes for me though.

Didn't do much seawatching this time as the wind was in the East. Watching off the ferry to Oban was productive with a few porpoises, one Minke Whale and 3 or 4 Basking Shark fairly close.

I want to go back to the Uists again next year, but I think May or June would be better to avoid the Midges, more daylight and to get more of the bird chorus on the Machair.

Yes glad to hear you've enjoyed it Darwin - looking forward to your pics - tho bet your not looking forward to coming home...........

It could almost be a wab meet out in the isles then next May June seeing as a few of us have 'plans' to get out there .......

Pauline

[darwin]

Back home now , I know where I would rather be.

I will try and upload photos somehow, not sure how but sure I can work it out. Almost all be scenery, only really got Buzzard photos and they are with digital zoom so are not brilliant.

Forgot to mention, my wife almost had a Merlin in the face! We had been watching a pursuit whilst at a monument, when my wife left the monument, the Pipit came fluttering by-totally exhausted. My wife took another step and then the Merlin came in for the kill and just missed my wife's face, it did a quick somersault to come back for the Pipit and must have thought better of it and left the scene. The Pipit, after 20 seconds rest, barely flew away to hide somewhere.

We did visit Balranald Reserve but to be honest, it was on the way back to the ferry so we were almost running round and didn't spot anything at all! Glad you saw so much in there.

If anyone has any objection to me posting landscape etc, please say and I will think of another way to show some photos-they really are worth seeing!

I won't forget-promise

[darwin]

Originally Posted by PMG

It could almost be a wab meet out in the isles then next May June seeing as a few of us have 'plans' to get out there .......

Pauline

Good news for you all, I believe the ferry prices are to be slashed as from October this year, I heard the ratio of £1.50 per mile for the car. We paid approx £180 for the Ullapool-Stornoway crossing, the new prices would make it £75 ish.

If anyone wants to stay in Stornoway, I can recommend our accomodation-Self Catering, 5* Luxury and 110% Customer Service and that is not an exaggeration. If anyone wants to know wher, just ask

[darwin]

Originally Posted by Rob_D

Well done on the Corncrake.

Glad you liked the islands Darwin. Just come back from S. Uist last week myself. Highlights for me were the Baird's Sandpiper, Snowy Owl (on the same rock at Balranald as last year), a few WT & Golden Eagles, many Hen Harriers & SE Owls, glimpses of a few Merlin, Peregrines attacking the waders, big flocks of Twite, the White Herring gull, 2 Otters and sadly, but notably one dead headhog! No corncrakes for me though.

Didn't do much seawatching this time as the wind was in the East. Watching off the ferry to Oban was productive with a few porpoises, one Minke Whale and 3 or 4 Basking Shark fairly close.

I want to go back to the Uists again next year, but I think May or June would be better to avoid the Midges, more daylight and to get more of the bird chorus on the Machair.

Last year, we went in June, really light with only about 3 hours total darkness-less midges but the average temps. were only about 10-12 degrees. Lovely sunny days but the wind was cold, Goretex coats were the order of the week.

Saying that, talking to someone this year, they were on the islands this June and it was red hot!

[PMG]

Yes it was red hot and it broke down finally two days before we arrived ......

Pauline

[Rob_D]

Originally Posted by darwin

Good news for you all, I believe the ferry prices are to be slashed as from October this year, I heard the ratio of £1.50 per mile for the car. We paid approx £180 for the Ullapool-Stornoway crossing, the new prices would make it £75 ish.

If anyone wants to stay in Stornoway, I can recommend our accomodation-Self Catering, 5* Luxury and 110% Customer Service and that is not an exaggeration. If anyone wants to know wher, just ask

That is very good news about the ferries, though I swore I would fly next time....

The weather does seem a tad unpredicatable (the BBC had it 100% wrong each day I was there) but at least the long daylight hours in May and June are reliable