Sunday, May 29, 2011
Driving north on our last day, we both spotted the golden eagle that flew across the road in front of us. This being the second or perhaps third sighting we've had in the Coigach area.
We were on our way to Knockan Crag, where you can learn about the geology of the area on a waymarked trail that winds up and across the hillside.
There are several pieces of rock art dotted about, with a raven making use of this one.
Knockan offers a good opportunity to gain some quite stupendous views without actually going up a whole hill. This is looking west across Lochan an Ais to Stac Pollaidh (Stac Polly).
The going is fairly steep but rock steps make it easier. As we turned to descend the zig-zagged path, I looked down to see a dark bird on these steps; it was a few seconds before I realised it was a ring ouzel. 
I don't like photographing birds carrying food in the breeding season. But as he was right on the path and as he was clearly determined to carry on until he had a full load, there didn't seem much point in not clicking off a few shots. Eventually he flew off strongly across the hillside.
A cuckoo was very vocal in a nearby plantation and a wheatear was on the flank of the hill where the ouzel had flown. A bright male kestrel was seen landing on the crags above.
We drove to Kylesku for lunch. A plaque tells you that the bridge was opened in 1984 by the queen - honestly, the work that woman gets through! But how did she lift those girders?
I'm used to seeing loads of common terns here, and the odd razorbill; and a willow warbler singing was no surprise given that willow warblers were singing everywhere we went. But a short, repeated song from an unseen singer in the scrub had me flummoxed. While I waited a reed bunting emerged; but I don't think it was the bunting singing.
As if to remind me that I should be looking for more exciting things, a smart drake Eider flew up the loch far below. But the bunting, like the godwit, gave me a Scottish tick.
I'm used to seeing loads of common terns here, and the odd razorbill; and a willow warbler singing was no surprise given that willow warblers were singing everywhere we went. But a short, repeated song from an unseen singer in the scrub had me flummoxed. While I waited a reed bunting emerged; but I don't think it was the bunting singing.
As if to remind me that I should be looking for more exciting things, a smart drake Eider flew up the loch far below. But the bunting, like the godwit, gave me a Scottish tick.
It was a good last day. It had been a very good week.
// posted by Christine @ 6:18 AM 
