Essential Domestics, Moths and some Birds

Sunday May 15

After a morning of sorting the washing and the machine instructions, we put the clothes in the tumble dryer. They came out warm and dirty, it was the tumble dryer. Then, the actual washing machine, set on Eco, took hours.

The moth trap had two moths after another cold night. One was a superb Puss Moth. I have a photo but the internet’s lack of speed will not allow me to download them yet. 

Pam heard a very close Corncrake whilst dealing with the moth release, probably in the iris bed the other side of the back garden wall.

Yes, I managed to get the router to work too. I unplugged it, fiddled with it and my laptop (not very scientific) and it worked reasonably for a short time before dropping out again. J and D texted from Aird an Runair where there was nothing happening and then, called in for a coffee, as we are very near the Balranald turn-off. When they departed after a very pleasant hour, we drove to Aird an Runair ourselves, stopping to scope a handsome male black Ruff doing a full display. Head thrown back and then bowing forward, breast and back feathers expanded like a tutu around his shoulders, neck feathers raised in a ruff around his head.  Brilliant, I’ve never witnessed a full display before.

Little Grebe, Shelduck, Wigeon, Shoveller, Tufted Duck and Moorhen on the same loch - not to forget the two Whooper Swans upending on the other edge.

After buying a late lunch drink and filled roll from the campsite mobile shack, we took the very rough, sandy track to the shore.

Our first Corn Bunting perched on a marram tussock near the beach, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone reigned on the beach itself, a Great Northern Diver out to sea and a Little Tern hovered near the northern rocks. It’s a great place.

Dunlin and Sanderling in summer plumage

Back home to take the last of the washing out, put it in the tumble dryer and yet another frustrating attempt to upload photos before leaving for Solas. J had generously asked us to a meal at their cottage. The Committee Road route is slightly longer but offers more birding opportunities. Good choice. We saw two Short-eared Owls, one of which I unsuccessfully photographed in terrible light. 

A Buzzard was new for the Uist list.
Much more peat digging than last year, commercial machines are being used, which really scars the landscape.
We had a lovely meal and a very enjoyable evening with J and D before returning home via Committee Road. Thank you both. 
No birds seen but, a dozen Red Deer .