16th – 21st April – During the week we covered most of the island in search of Eagles, Harriers, Owls and Otters. Both Eagles were seen well, as was Otter and Hen Harrier. Plenty of good views of several “Grey Male’ Hen Harriers but alas heat haze beat us, and birds remained distant, having been close to roadsides the previous week. Several Short-eared Owls were seen and again too far away.
Small numbers of Great Northern Divers were in full summer plumage, and I was surprised to see how many there were around the islands, on many sea lochs.
The first of the spring migrants had arrived and during the week we had the first Cuckoo, Common Sandpiper and Tree Pipit. Lots of Northern Wheatear and Willow Warbler. A number of large skeins of migrating Pink-footed Geese were seen on 18th April, all heading back north to their breeding grounds.
A pleasurable trip, stunning weather, in fact at times too good for photography, fantastic encounters with Otter and 88 species of bird seen during the week
