Hebridean Flora and Fauna

Snipe

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The flora and fauna on the recent trip to the Uists was simply spectacular. I'm not denying that a bit of luck was involved in turning up 64 bird species in the 5 days, harbour porpoises in Loch Maddy, an otter on the Lochportain road, and prolonged views of a school of minke whales off Aird an Runair and a whopping basking shark in Uig bay on Skye.

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Redshank

Of the birds, it was nice to see cuckoos again and also several sightings of hen harrier, golden eagles and short-eared owls. Several red-throated divers, one of which was sitting on its nest, and a couple of great-northern divers. We even managed to bag the elusive corncrake which is often only heard but not seen. As far as island rarities go, we scored a sparrowhawk and a linnet which, although pretty common on the mainland, are very unusual on the outer isles.

Nesting fulmar

The machair was in full bloom and I've actually found out how to work my "Super Macro Mode" so now I too can take photos of very small things. Its great. A muppet like me can come up with great pictures. Isn't technology amazing these days!

Kidney Vetch

Daisies

Creeping Buttercup

Heath Spotted Orchid (on the heath, not the machair!)