Isle
Of Islay Spring 2010. Flowers, Birds,History |
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Day
1: Arrival |
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This
was my first visit to Islay, publicised as “The Isle with
a song in its heart and whisky in its soul”. As the ferry
approached Port Ellen on a rather cloudy dim evening I pondered
whether it was an Isle with birds on its body! |
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As
we neared the port, a busy fishing boat nipped in, in front of
us, trailed by another Grey Seal looking, no doubt, for a free
meal. |
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lone Grey Seal seemed totally disinterested perched lazily on
a large rock. |
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The
next morning I set off from my B&B in Bruichladdich for an
early morning walk along the shores of Loch Indaal. I started
from the Port Bhan War Memorial near Port Charlotte. |
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In
a field, adjacent to the monument, a huge hare seemed unconcerned
at my presence. |
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Some
Meadow Pipits were also keeping an eye on me. |
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As
I clambered down to the shore a lonely Shag could be seen surveying
the seascape as a Great Northern Loon went about its business. |
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The
noisy, ever-present, Oystercatchers foraged among the seaweed
watched by a Ringed Plover. |
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Several
handsome Wheatears caught my attention near an area of land sectioned
off and marked with a sign warning the public that it was an important
wildlife breeding site. Within this site I spotted a Songthrush. |
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As
I returned to the car I spotted what I think was a Leucistic Greylag
Goose grazing in a field. This beauty could be of domestic stock. |
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From
Port Bhan I headed for the south part of the west peninsula of
Islay, called the Rinns. Almost as soon as I turned of the coast
road I came upon an unexpected site – Llamas! |
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As
I photographed the llamas a Buzzard circled close by. |
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A
common sight throughout my journey would be the busy Pied Wagtail. |
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Further
along the single-track road I spotted a lonely Curlew (or perhaps
a Whimbrel?) perched on a fencepost as an incredibly large and
noisy flock of geese emerged from over the hill. These turned
out to be mainly Barnacle Geese with groups of Greylags. |
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After
the activity died down I proceeded along the road and spotted
some delightful Stonechats and nearby a Reed Bunting. |
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Moments
later I managed to capture this beautiful Skylark and an equally
beautiful Meadow Pipit. |
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As
I approached Kilchiaran Bay I had to stop the car to capture this
view. |
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Further
along the road I came upon a small loch. As I walked towards it’s
edge a large raptor fled as it spotted me. I suspect it was a
Buzzard or even a Hen Harrier. |
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| Close to Gearach a Pheasant rummaged in the grass while yet more Meadow Pipits stood proudly by. | |||||||||||||||||||
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As
I approached the end of my journey at Port Charlotte a roadside
field held wild sheep with a scary looking ram with 4 horns. |
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A
remarkable specimen. I really wouldn't want to meet the dog that
could worry this... John P |
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Not
a bad haul of sightings for my first morning on Islay. Now for
the Oa! Day 1 |
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