Last day on the reserve

David caught the 7am ferry this morning so it’s just me, on my own today.  And there is a big RSPB get together of some sort, in Glasgow, today, so it’s just Neil and James about on the farm and in the office.  As a result I’ve been enlisted to help clean up the cows this morning.  It’s physical stuff, which is great, having not done too much of this kind of thing over the last couple of weeks.

Most of the rest of the day is dedicated to cleaning up the bothy.  This process is interrupted by James, at 3 in the afternoon, who calls by to tell me that a Sea Eagle is down by the Loch.  We head down to the viewing platform, just above the hide, and spot the Eagle on the Salt Marsh.  It has a yellow tag, on it’s wing, with a black spot.  It’s, apparently, a juvenile, and so does not have a fully developed white to its tail.

After watching the Eagle for some time, myself and James move around Gruinart for a Hen Harrier roost count.  The rest of the day is spent cleaning, eating and taking Ghilean (we’re looking after Catherine’s dog while she is away) for walks.