Sunday, November 09, 2014
Despite the day being lovely and still, there was a heavy swell in Achnahaird Bay for some reason, with long breakers foaming and spraying onto the rocks and the sand. Two long-tailed ducks were keeping company with a common scoter on the far side, disappearing every so often in a trough between waves. Nearby, a tiny-looking twite was busy collecting what looked like green caterpillars but were probably seeds.
At Badentarbat the water was sheltered and much calmer. The bird life consisted mainly of ringed plovers, rock pipits, and shags.
Hearing a sort of gruff bark, I looked up to see five grey geese flying south and clicked off a shot, thinking they could be interesting as I didn't recognise the call. It's a rotten photo but good enough to show they were white-fronted geese.
I drove home as the light drained from the landscape. Stonechats (at least four pairs) flew from the roadside onto bushes as I passed. Near the turn-off for Rhue a lovely blue-grey raptor was sitting on a fence-post. I slowed up but it was spooked and flew off. I had ideas of a late merlin but I think it was a sparrowhawk.
At home, we saw a male blackcap in our neighbour's garden from the kitchen window - which made a nice end to the day.
// posted by Christine @ 10:36 AM 
