Sunday, January 4, 2009

3rd January, 2009.

A rather busy and tiring day involving the return of the girls and our catching the 0700 hours ferry, so up at 0515hours ( not the natural rising time for young ladies, let it be said ). The "conversation" did mention parental cruelty but didn't go quite as far as threats to caLL Esther Rantzen, that doyen defender of sub-five footers!!! I'd looked forward to the journey along the Portnahaven-Kilchiaran coastal road before any disturbance had occurred but all we saw was a single Woodcock fleeing a roadside feeding patch!! The ferry journey was in darkness, as was my return one, so produced nothing!!

Following the hectic schedule I managed half an hour on my return in Lochgilphead. I was surprised at the good numbers of Black-headed Gulls around compared to the token presence we have on Islay currently. I couldn't find the Mediterranean Gull which had been seen recently but, save for one, I couldn't really find any useful vantage points either!! The outer areas of Loch Fynne were almost devoid of birds other than a few gulls, Heron, Mallard, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Mute Swan and a couple of Little Grebe but, by then, the light was failing badly.


The late journey down the Rinns produced a really nice Barn Owl perched on the coastal fence between Carn and Craigfad Farms showing its back pattern off to good effect.

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