Improved communications
So, I’ve worked out that I can connect my laptop to the Forest Lodge network. So, I’ll try and upload some pictures from the last few days. Firstly, on Saturday before coming down the snow covered track to the lodge at 6.30pm, I went for a walk near Loch Garton, in the Scots Pine woods. As mentioned in my previous post, I saw a Goldcrest and a couple of Treecreepers, as well as Great tits and Coal Tits. The Loch was totally frozen over. And I found (Roe) deer tracks in the wood. Apparently the local RSPB deer policy is for an almost zero tolerance of the deer in outlying regenerati0n areas, but deer in the wood are left alone.
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- Time to say goodbye to “Uncle Pat’s” croft.
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- Loch Garton
Arrival at Forest Lodge
It’s Sunday morning and the sun is shining. But it’s cold. Very cold. When I woke this morning I was in need of the toilet, but it took me a good half an hour to pluck up the courage to get out from under the two duvets on my bed.
I have a twin room all to myself, and myself and Tom are the only volunteers in a flat big enough for 6. The flat is just a tiny part of the lodge, which harbours 3 other flats, offices, and meeting facilities. The walls are clad with wood, and the ceilings are high. This place was built in the 1880’s. As a result it must take a bit of energy to heat. There is ice on my bedroom window.
Anyway, the point of this post is not to complain about the conditions, because this place is beautiful, especially with 6 inches of snow outside; it’s to say that I don’t have internet access from my laptop. I’m writing this from a PC in the RSPB guest access room. So, I may not be able to update for a while, and pictures aren’t going to be easy.
Today, I’m going to walk about the place a bit, to see what’s about. Apparently it’s minus 10 outside, and even the birds are hiding away. After yesterday’s Goldcrest and Treecreeper, I’m hoping for big things.
Time to master the art of cross country skiing
I let it slip to John that I’d once been on a dry ski slope when I younger, so he hired me some cross country skis and we went out skiing for the day. However, my exploits on the dry slopes of Pembrey were around 20 years ago, and it’s fair to say that I don’t remember my skis then being quite as thin as the ones I’m wearing today.
To give me a fighting chance John and Stella kindly walk me up hill (Creagan Gorm), from Glenmore, then explain that we will ski down the other side.
Some way between Creagan Gorm and Tulloch, Stella manages to locate a cairn created to mark the spot where one of her distant relatives died, whilst staggering back home across the moor drunk one night in 1885. Later on the walk we also discover an abandoned croft, coincidentally built in 1885. John discovers that fascinatingly, the ceilings have been lined with newspaper from the same decade. We get a bit lost and end up getting back to Tulloch after dark.
It’s a fine line between sliding down the hill in a controlled manner and feeling like I might not be in control anymore. It turns out that starting on a down hill slope was not an advantage. In fact it was bad. As I had no idea how to stop once I hit a slope I would either crash into a mound of heather, lose balance, or just sit down to avoid either of the other two options. There was only so many times I could fall over, going downhill, before I opted to walk. On the flat things are different, and by the end of the day I’m liking skiing a lot. I’d like to give down hill skiing a go sometime, with some proper downhill skis. And maybe some tuition.
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- The view from my bedroom window in “Uncle Pat’s” croft.
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- Lairig Ghru. Somewhere I must visit one day.
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- A greater Spotted Woodpecker, as we leave Glenmore, is a nice way to start the day out
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- John and Stella next to a proper gnarly old Scots Pine in a mixed plantation nr Glenmore
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- This one is for Jane (soon to be fellow Focaliser) – see how John loves his dog too…
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- Rowan is clearly happy to be out today
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- It’s easy when you’re not moving
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- Stella, amazingly, finds the cairn she rebuilt with her uncle many years earlier
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- John and Stella try to navigate is out of Narnia
From Findhorn to Aviemore…
Today I left Findhorn, after a very pleasant spell in the TFL office. Many thanks to Jane and Jock for putting me up, and putting up with me, for the last couple of weeks. For the last few days I’ve stopped at the telescope by the road each morning, to view the birds on the water. I’ve seen Widgeon, Red breasted Merganser, Mallard, and other ducks, and I now wish I’d spent more time checking them out.
This morning the TFL office accompanied me to the Universal cafe for tea and cake, by way of a leaving party. The cake was good, but very expensive, which seems to me to be rather typical of the offerings available from the Findhorn Foundation.
This evening I finished up in the office and then drove to Aviemore (which is very busy). I met John and Stella in town and they then lead me back to the croft that had been owned by Stella’s uncle up until he’d died recently. As I was driving further from sea so there was an increasing amount of snow on the ground. Here, just outside Nethy Bridge, there is 3 or 4 inches on the ground, and tonight the sky is cloudless. The stars are especially bright thanks to there being no street lamps or house lights for miles. It’s beautiful.
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- The sun setting over Findhorn bay as I left this evening.
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- I had to stop on the B9007 after Burnside, to take a quick picture of the snow covered moor with the moon overhead
Some snow in Findhorn
Today there was a sprinkling of snow on the ground when I walked to the TFL office. It’s not much, but it makes me happy.
The mood is cheery in the office. I’m finding the work on the web site interesting, and a good opportunity to brush up my html/php/css skills.
And last night myself and Jane went to see Sherlock Holmes. It’s really rather good. The best film I’ve seen since “In Bruges”. Entertaining from beginning to end. Definitely worth seeing.
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- Kate boldly charging through the snow on her way in to the office
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- Snow in The Park.
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- A female pheasant outside the TFL office window
Walking near Forres
Today I go walking in some Scots Pine woods near a place called Half Davoch (Altyre woods). Some of the woods are open, with large gaps between the trees, but a lot of what I walk through is planted in plantation format. I spend a bit of time walking through an area of around 25 years growth, and then a younger plantation where the trees are just 7 or 8 years old.
In the open woods the few standing Scots Pines are fantastically tall, majestic looking trees, probably hundreds of years old. Their bark is deeply fissured, and there are plenty of young broad leaf trees growing around them.
In the maturing plantation area there are a few sickly looking Birch, and much less light. But despite this I see lots of moss and lichen on the trees and ground, and hear constant bird noise from the Tits, Finches and Wood Pigeons that are flying around me in amongst the trees. I walk into the woods, far enough that all I can see are trees. It would be easy to imagine that the woods went on forever, but I can always hear the traffic on the nearby A940.
On a side road on the way home a hare runs out into the road ahead of me, and a small deer with a small white tail crosses the road at speed.
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- This birch was just off the path entering the pine plantation.
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- So, I have a book about lichen, and I’ve looked through it, but this could be one of about three different types. I’m going for Evernia, because I like the name.
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- This moss covered the floor of the pine plantation
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- This is birch seed ready to disperse. It’s lightweight and easily taken by the wind.
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- Cladonia cornuta.
The good, the cold and the quite ridiculous.
Life in Findhorn is good. I walk to & from work, in the TFL office, every day. It’s cold but that’s good. I walk alongside the bay, from the village to the park. There is a telescope on the way, and on Friday morning I take a bit of time out to watch three pairs of Widgeons on the bay.
The web site work is going ok. Check it out. Please bear in mind that I didn’t design the new site. I, along with Sky, from the foundation IT team, just helped moved it from the old design to the new. A lot of content on the site relates to tree dedications bought through the site. The office is always upbeat, and it’s great to be involved in a project that has a positive impact on so many people’s lives.
Today, Saturday, I get up at 9am. I feel good about the day ahead. I go for a walk along the bay. Although it’s overcast, the air is clear and there is snow on the hills. The tide is high, but there are a few birds in the bay. Mallard, Widgeon, Redshank and Curlew.
On the way back to the house I pop into the Findhorn shop to pick up some cake, crisps and Hobnobs. I then break open some beer and watch the Wales Scotland match. The match is crazy, with Wales relying on a big come back again (their last one, against England, was disappointingly too little too late). I’m determined not to get wound up, but by the end of the game I’m exhausted. Wales have somehow won, even though they were second best for the majority of the match. However, it’s a while before I’m able to stop smiling, and this doesn’t seem to go down well with my Scottish housemate.
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- The sleepy town of Findhorn, a jigsaw puzzle picture waiting to happen
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- Findhorn bay, with the mountains of Easter Ross in the distance
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- Looking South West, towards some mist.
Aspen and Avatar
Today I manage to tag along on a TFL trip to Dundreggan. Alan and Mick are going to a meeting with the FCS, Jane is along for a meeting with Steve, and Dan is going to take me Aspen root collecting.
Jane comes with us in the morning, and we set off to find GM47 (Glen Moriston stand no 47). Some quality map reading later and a long walk into the woods near Ceannacroc Lodge and we find the Aspen stand. Dan shows us how to take samples and then takes a GPS reading and some photos of the stand.
Aspen send out suckers to create new trees. It is rare that they flower and produce seeds, but they can send out large numbers of suckers. As a result, a group of Aspen trees, like those we’ve found today, are usually all part of the same “clone”.
After taking the GPS reading Dan realises that we are nearly 3 km away from where we’re meant to be. But this is good news! We’ve been taking samples (19 – a good haul) from a previously undiscovered stand of Glen Moriston Aspen. It’s time for lunch, so we walk back to the van, feeling somewhat fortunate.
In the afternoon Mick joins us, whilst Jane has her meeting with Steve. The burn where GM47 is actually growing is spectacular, a narrow gorge headed by a waterfall. The Aspen stand seems to originate from two very old looking, twisted trees near the top of the gorge. It’s harder to get samples here, we have to guess where the suckers are and dig for them. But we collect a few samples and head back to Dundreggan to pick up the others following a successful day. On the way home all the passengers in the van sleep at one point or another.
Last night myself and Jane went to see Avatar, in 3D. During the adverts before the film, I felt slightly sick, especially when anything on screen was in the extreme foreground. However, thankfully, the makers of Avatar have not thrown in too many of these extreme close up moments, and after a couple of minutes of the film I forget these feelings.
I must admit, I loved Avatar. Life on Pandora is stunning, the 3D worked for me, although it’s maybe not as spectacular is it’s made out to be. But, more importantly, the story, which millions of people are apparently watching, has a very strong message. Hopefully, when the kids watching Avatar today, are making tomorrow’s big decisions, they’ll pay heed to what they felt during the film.
If you haven’t seen it, see it at the cinema, in 3D if possible. Leave your cynicism at the door, immerse yourself in the film and love it for what it is, a simple but well told story with superb visual effects.
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- Dan and Jane discuss tactics next to our newly discovered Aspen stand
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- Sphagnum capilifolium. Expect a post about the painting Jane is going to do of this in her art class.
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- Is it in my lichen book, or my fungi book, because I can’t find it…
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- The bottom of this dead tree appears to be an eco-geek’s paradise. Except, where’s all that oil coming from?
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- Woaw, all this stuff near the ground is so amazing. I think this is maybe some green liverwort.
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- Hmm, peltigera hymenina, and/or p. membranacea. Common UK dog lichens.
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- The view looking North from our side of the Glen.
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- The gorge harbouring GM47
A walk in Ledmore and Migdale Wood
Today, following an arrangement made at the Focaliser conference that I’d almost totally forgotten, myself, Craig and his nipper, Calum, and Dan make a trip up to Ledmore and Migdale wood to meet Chris Williams. Chris has had some involvement with TFL, both on work weeks and helping out with other tasks when needed, as well as posing for the photo on the front of the work week brochure. Now he has a job as a ‘woodsman’ in the wood he grew up in.
The wood is a marvellous place, lots of young growth in the midst of a good mix of trees. We walk part way up a small hill to eat lunch and then head down to Loch Migdale, which still has a good covering of ice on it. There are some great cliffs nearby, dotted with a few Scots Pine, a habitat untouched by human hand (probably). It’s easy to imagine that there might be some Peregrine nesting up there somewhere.
Many thanks to Chris, who speaks passionately about his wood. It’s well worth a visit, for a walk, or to catch up with Chris during one of the events he’s organising for this year.
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- Men of the woods
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- Craig shows us his ice testing tool
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- A Birch Catkin
More TFL web site work
On Wednesday Allan and Russell helped me pack all the Pine cones into my van and I drove over to the TFL office. It was a cold morning, but the roads were relatively clear and the journey was good. In the office I dropped the cones off and agreed to do some work on the new TFL web site over the forthcoming days.
I spend the rest of the week in the office by day, and staying in Jock’s spare room by night (Jock is the landlord of Jane, the TFL marketing manager – he’s rarely home and has very kindly agreed to me staying for a couple of weeks). Today, Saturday, I take the opportunity to walk the beach here, at Findhorn, and make use of my new(ish) camera.
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- Jane and Steve, the living teddy bear
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- Hmm, should I get the board out…?
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- Xanthoria parietina. Maybe.
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- Seals lounging about in the Scottish sunshine
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- Not North America
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- The zoom on my digital compact captures a seal in the bath
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- Some Oystercatchers and a Curlew
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- Findhorn bay by night
There are 25000 seeds to collect…
…so, myself and Russell brave the sun and the snow at Inverwick, to top up the Scots Pine cone stock. Apparently a local tree nursery reckon that they can give us trees to plant, from these seeds, by the Autumn.
It’s a hard day, with the sun beating down on us and the air totally still, I have to strip down to just a t-shirt and jacket on top. And the only reason for the jacket is because it has pockets to collect the cones in while I’m up in the trees.
At one point I see a Coal Tit in a nearby tree, and a couple of Great Tits flying about. At the next opportunity I discuss this with Russell, thinking that a Coal Tit is a good spot, at which point he proceeds to tell me that a Crested Tit was sat in the tree he was in, barely 4 feet away from him. I’ve never seen a Crested Tit before, but as much as I try to follow the noise of the small flock of tits, as they fly around in the trees near us, I don’t get to see one today either.
Back at Dundreggan all the other Fs have left. Russell cooks, I start the fire, and Steve eats with us whilst polishing off some left over wine.
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- Thanks Julie. I would never have suspected that a washing line could be so interesting.
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- Not Austria.
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- Frosted Birch regen showing through a stand of Scots Pine
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- Some birch trees, on Dundreggan
More Focaliser conference, and some post conference chores…
Last night we ate and talked and played the odd game until late into the night. I can’t remember laughing so much for a long time, especially each time Andrew De La Haye claimed “My name is Flump Jockey” during the “My name is…” game.
Anyway, Alan’s attempts to get us all in a photo were worth it in the end…
Focalisers. And Steve.
Today a lucky handful of us are able to stay on to collect some seed source for future planting. Howard and Joan collect Pine cones on Dundreggan, while the rest of us take the AWD TFL minibus to Inverwick to collect cones there. There’s snow on the ground, and sporadic snow showers, and a great view of the Glen. In fact it’s just beautiful and I wonder why we don’t have work weeks at this time of year. But then I remember Rosie saying that the early work weeks are always slow to fill. Maybe if people could just see this snow…
Where's Russell?
How many times in this blog have I mentioned that I've not had this much fun since I was a kid..?
5 Focalisers, a 4 wheel drive minibus, and lot's of snow - is there a better way to spend a Monday?
The Focaliser Conference 2010.
…I have to stop in a layby on the A84, at just gone 1am, somewhere near Kingshouse. The moon is pretty much full, and is shining off the snow so brightly that I don’t need headlights. Of course I do use them up to the point where I pull over. I prepare my bed and get 5 hours sleep.
I’m up at 6.21am, Saturday morning. The moon is still up, just about, and it’s a beautiful crispy clear morning. It’s also cold. I struggle to get out of the sleeping bag. But I do, and get some clothes on and start driving. By the time I get to Loch Lochy I have to stop for 20 minutes kip. I’m then on my way again, and I make it to Dundreggan by 10am.
So, I walk into the conference in the middle of Alan’s introduction. Alan says hello and, amazingly, there is an empty seat, which I take, as Alan talks us through some of the fantastically positive stories from TFL history. TFL stands for Trees for Life, and Focaliser is the term TFL use to describe the two people who lead each volunteer work week.
The conference is an amazing experience. The people, the location, the well chaired debates, the snow falling behind people’s heads as they talk, and the way we manage to keep ourselves entertained in the evenings – it’s a brilliant weekend. With some great snow ball fights.
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- The cameras before the storm
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- Lining up for the big photo shoot
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- Myself and the mighty Calum wear our best photo faces
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- Check out Rob’s snow comet
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- Dan seems to be hiding behind Howard, and my hands are getting pretty cold
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- That’s Gordon’s bedroom out there
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- One half of the group explores the start to the introductory walk
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- Calum plays with the legendary Alison McGillivray (check her out on youtube)
Travelling North – pit stop at Manley Common
Last night I drove up to John’s to stay, as a good stop off point on my way to the Focaliser conference at Dundreggan, due to start tomorrow. Today John called me, as I was about to leave, to say that he and his boss were going cycling to recce out some routes to take the kids from their outdoor centre on. There were flurries of snow, but none of it stuck. Hopefully it will be sticking in the North.
As a result I’m quite late leaving John’s for Scotland (6pm). A night in the van for me then…
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- The first signs of snow on my way North
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- During our ‘short’ bike ride we are able to see 7 counties, apparently, including Jodrell Bank centre right.
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- John in foreground, Chester in background.
New year plans…
Exmouth's moon, tonight.
So, following recent discussions with the very accommodating Jane, from the RSPB office, and the people at TFL, I’ve a sort of schedule for the spring. It’s like this:
January – The Focaliser conference comes up at the end of this month, at Dundreggan. It’s my first one of these, but this year there are more people going, it’s on TFL grounds, and there’ll be a lot of first timers about. Including Colin, the new work week co-ordinator, and Steve from Dundreggan.
February – Hopefully, I’ll then get to spend a bit of time doing some TFL web site work, before I head off to the RSPB reserve at Abernethy for the 21st Feb. A week later and I’ll be getting ready for the first TFL work week of the season.
March – I have two work weeks booked for March, although there now appears to be some doubt that they will all happen when they were originally meant to, but anyway, after that I’m volunteering for the RSPB again, this time at Loch of Kinnordy. I’m there for 4 weeks during April, and then I have one more TFL work week, in early May.
Middle of May onwards – After that I’m looking for work (preferably paid), so if anyone has any ideas (IT, conservation, getting my hands dirty, etc, it’s all good) please let me know.
But hey, look at that for a schedule. It looks great doesn’t it? I’m chuffed.
Brighton.
This weekend I went up to Brighton to see the Big Fella. I was amazed at the amount of snow that was lying around – 6 to 8 foot piled up in car parks, even though all the snow on the roads had melted. Funny how different it’s been from East to West.
Anyway, myself and Mike spent most of Saturday out and about, having a few drinks, playing (or throwing, in my case) a few darts, eating an “all you can eat…” veg curry, etc. Before meeting up with Julie, and Fran and “It’s a hat!” Andy later.
Brighton is a nice place, there’s pretty much something for everyone. I think you’d like it.
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- Round the clock, going for three, every dart rests against a piece of wire – amazing.
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- Four good reasons to like Brighton…
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- Me modelling the “It’s a hat!” hat
John & Vic get married
The venue – The Ettington Park Hotel. I liked this place. Mostly because it was covered in snow. But also because no one had a go at us when we were still in the downstairs bar at 4am playing the piano, talking crap and dancing sporadically.
I gave Dave, the best man a lift there (hence the opportune photo of him keeping me awake on the way back), crashed on the floor of the room we shared with the groom the night before, and added chocolate coins to the tables.
One more thing – Manoj lost his camera. It’s an Olympus u1050, or something equally as waterproof. If you find it it’s got the best wedding photos on it, please give it back…
Snow in Exmouth! And a new camera.
Two things I really wanted for Christmas, but knew were a bit beyond Santa’s budget, have turned up in the last couple of days. Yesterday a new camera, with zoom, and today, more importantly, some snow finally fell on Exmouth, after hearing about lots of it falling elsewhere in the country. The camera is a budget digital compact, but should still do better than my phone. The snow was just a thin covering, but was much better than nothing. Here are some pics. The camera’s instruction manual is fairly lengthy so some of them may still fall short of it’s full potential…
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- I wake up, open the curtains and… it’s snowed, c’mon!
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- New zoom facility – I also took this shot, of Phear park, from the same bedroom window.
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- Exeter Rd
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- It’s snowed, so most of Exmouth decides to go out to check it out…
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- Zara building a snowman
John the stag
Saturday
Venue – Britannia Hotel on New Street, various pubs, Slobs and some other altogether “Bit casual that mate”, posher club.
Activities – Karting, drinking, eating, drinking, dancing and walking around in the cold looking for food and the hotel
Attendees – John, Dave, Dave, Darren, Manoj, Tom, Mark, James, Doug, Dave, Jungle Boy, Ben and myself.
Sunday
Venue – Some Wetherspoons pub where we could all eat some cheap fried breakfast
Activities – buying and eating the fried food
Attendees – John, Dave, Dave, Darren, Manoj, Tom, Jungle Boy, Ben and myself. I think.
Following the food we made our way home (hopefully I’ll be able to get hold of some pictures from Saturday night at some point):
Job done, let's go home...
Driving home for Christmas…
Even though I had to be up for 5 the next morning, when I went to bed late on my last night on the Gruinart reserve I was feeling good, and not a little excited. This was after spending most of the day cleaning. After just 4 hours sleep I was up for 5.15am (Sat 19th), eating a quick breakfast and putting the last few items into the trusty wagon. A last walk for Ghilean and I was on my way.
Road conditions were tricky. There was no wind and the sky was completely devoid of clouds, the stars twinkling brightly with no light pollution to dull them in this part of the world. So, I couldn’t feel the cold, but I could sense it through the steering wheel. On the road to the ferry terminal a tanker was driving at a snail’s pace down the hill to Port Askaig. At the terminal itself extra grit was being laid following some arse/pavement action. I carefully made my way in to claim my tickets for the 7am ferry.
The crossing was glassy smooth, but I was asleep on a sofa/chair arrangement in one of the lounges. With few people on board I wasn’t disturbed until an hour into the journey, when I woke to the sound of a small boy’s laughter. I sat up and he smiled at me, a big beaming smile, so I said hello to him and his Mum and decided it was a good time to go and see what was going on.
Approaching Kennacraig
Outside the first light of day was beginning to wash over West Loch Tarbet as the ferry glided up the loch towards Kennacraig. Every now and again we passed some ducks, or swans, and I could see rings appearing in the water with no obvious culprits.
Soon after, I was on the road, the only other traffic being that which had accompanied me on the ferry. We gingerly made our way along the wonderfully scenic A83, through Tarbet, Lochgilphead, “Rest and be Thankful”, and eventually on to Arrochar. By this time I had been joined by a new set of unknown travelling companions, and made a brief stop to refuel. Edith Bowman and James King were providing the company inside the van.
Three hours after alighting the ferry I was on the A74 South of Glasgow, and finally felt I could trust the road to not slide out from underneath me, mostly because everyone else on the road seemed to be travelling at 80mph plus. If their cars were gripping the road ok then my heavyweight wagon should be fine.
Cold but bright in the Scottish Lowlands
There were tales of snow on the radio and the ratio of Christmas songs was high. I can’t say that his is my favourite Christmas song (Greg Lake takes that prize), but when Chris Rea’s “Driving home for Christmas” came on the radio it summed up my mood nicely.
Looking bleak in the Lake District
First stop, Barton-under-Needlewood. So began my attempt to fit in some much anticipated cross country socialising on my way South. After a night out in Lichfield with John, Vic and friends, watching The Villians, their soon to be wedding band, we made our way in to Nottingham on Sunday (20th), where Breige had very kindly organised a Christmas meal for the Mona Street posse and friends.
After a few beers and a night on some sofa cushions I set off for Manoj’s on Monday (21st) morning. Thankfully, a bit more snow was evident, but still not the many feet that had reportedly fallen in the South East. My journey was rewarded with a trip to the British Car Auctions with Manoj and Harmesh.
Snow on the streets of Nottingham
It seemed to be snowing across most of the country, which made for good looking news. No new snow in Wolves though and after an eventless trip to the auction and a few films I continued on my way, yesterday (22nd).
Snow on the streets of Penn
This time I got as far as Portishead, where it’s very icy, for a few alcohol free Becks with ex-work colleagues, Mike and Dean, in the Poachers’.
I made it back to Exmouth at half past midnight, last night. The house was warm and Christmassy. It’s great to be back. I feel excited. Oh, and Carol, my conveyancer, called to say that the house sale had finally completed.
Today has been spent catching up with family and unpacking the wagon. Round at Han and Ian’s Flynn and Willow both have colds. But I still managed a bit of reading time with Flynn. I’m now “Phwo”, and he seems to know lots of words, rather than just the “Shoeshoe” that he knew when I left.
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.
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- The biggest town on Islay, Bowmore.
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- A view across Loch Indaal from the pier at Bowmore
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- The scope pointed at the Eagle on the salt marshes
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- This is Ghilean’s slightly disconcerting favoured sleeping position.
Bird of Prey species no 7!
After working on some dry stone wall on Smaull Farm, myself and David take a little time to walk the nearby cliffs. As we approach we notice a white bird perched on the seaward side of the top of one of the nearby high points. Our first glance is a casual one, but it looks like a bird of prey. Is it really that white, or is it somehow shining in the sun?
It seems to be facing us and it looks like a Falcon of some sort, but neither of us has seen anything quite like it before. We take it in turns to watch it whilst the other one moves into a closer position, with a better view.
Eventually David has climbed the hill between us and the bird. It still hasn’t moved, but from my position I can see that it isn’t just the front that’s white. It’s turned to the side, and it has pale wings, with dark flecks down them and it’s front. At the bottom of each wing is a darker tip.
David is in place so I make my dash for the hill. As I get to the top he’s standing up. Apparently, in the small amount of time it took him to shift position, the bird has flown, and we don’t know where.
We head over to the house of Ian & Margeret Brooke, local RSPB volunteers, and author of an Islay bird blog. Ian has some photos that he shows us from the last time such a visitor was seen nearby, and it confirms David’s suspicions that we have been watching a Gyr Falcon, the white form, probably a visitor from Greenland.
On the way back to the farm we see two Hen Harriers and numerous Buzzard and a decent sized group of Geese (although the groups about now are small in comparison to the numbers that arrive together, in Autumn).
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- The RSPB office. An extensive list of volunteers are listed on the board…
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- David, a wall and the West coast of Islay
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- Here, David can clearly be seen stalking the Gyr Falcon
I’ve been counting geese…and an otter
For two days now, all I’ve been doing is counting geese. Geese, geese and more geese. 25 White Fronts here, 3040 Barnies there. I turn around and more geese are flying over. Some land, some don’t, they’ve all got to be counted as being somewhere. Every goose counts, for the International Goose Count.
It’s great! On the first day we count over 10,000 barnies, and hundreds of White Fronts, and on day two we count more. On day two my co-counter, Fiona, is some kind of counting master. My “Oooh, look, there’s some there, hiding in the rushes!”s are invariably met with a “yeh, I’ve already done them”.
Yesterday, which was a beautiful weather day, with almost no haze, I was able to watch a male Hen Harrier fly fairly close by for some time. Hen Harriers have a distinctive white bar across the top of their tail, and this fella was a striking pale grey with dark wing tips. He was also extraordinarily agile in the air, twisting and turning a few feet above the heather with barely a wing flap.
Then, whilst down by the other side of the Loch (from the farm), Louise points out an otter. It’s swimming about in the water less than 50m away. It comes up and then climbs out onto a rock to eat something. Even though the dogs are running about nearby, and we’re not exactly quiet, it seems unperterbed, and I get a chance to watch, rather than see, an otter. Fantastic.
Today, Fiona and I spotted three Golden Eagles together, up in the fields behind the farm. Two adults and a youngster, the same youngster that myself and David saw last week, I assume. Later a pair fly right over us while we are driving around Ardnave looking for geese.
And then I get a chance to watch a female Hen Harrier down by the sea while Fiona nails a gaggle of around 3000 geese. Unfortunately, this log does not do these sightings justice. My time in Islay has made me realise that I can’t keep using my phone as my only camera. Unless they’ve created a (decent) camera that can act as a phone? Have they? Anybody?
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- Louise, counting geese across the Loch
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- Can you see them? The otter came out of the water on the rocks just in front of us
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- Looking West across part of the reserve. The farm is in the middle of the picture (roughly). The next building to the right (white) is the RSPB offices.
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- This pic is a great demonstration of the failings of my camera. The light on the opposite hillside was amazing, late in the day. The Hen Harrier was flying down near the sea.
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- Sunset of Loch Indaal. Ireland can just be seen in the distance to the right of the open sea
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- A field containing a mix of White Fronts and Barnacles. This wasn’t a field included in the count, but it’s the best geese pic I have
Life since the office 
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