:: Wild Places Blog ::

Can’t believe it’s nearly four years since i’ve been in the islands. What the heck is the attraction, you might ask, of bleak windswept islands off the north-west coast of Scotland. The weather is always cold and windy isn’t it? Mmm, you just keep believing that and stay away

I’m sure that Ian has got truly fed up with me waxing lyrical about the place for the last few years, although, he obviously must have liked the sound of it as when he was thinking about settling down, travelling less and hopefully contributing to science and conservation in the UK instead of far flung places he suggested the Outer Hebrides. Who am i to disagree? Not that Ian had ever been to the islands so i suggested that really he ought to visit as it isn’t everyones cup of tea.

So, there we were heading north in the middle of the night, on schedule to catch the Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) ferry from Uig in Skye across to Lochmaddy on North Uist. OK, i won’t bore you too much with lots of text, the pictures speak for themselves really.

The Isle of Skye. The first thing that struck Ian was how cold it was

We arrived at Uig, Skye in plenty of time for the ferry so headed further north on the island to do some birding. After 5 minutes Ian remarked that perhaps he hadn’t bought enough warm clothes with him. I told him not to worry and that he’d soon acclimatise.

Birding at Bornaskeitag, Skye

Looking down on the harbour at Uig, Skye

A very important job while waiting for the ferry was to stock up with Isle of Skye Brewery beer - Ian hadn’t sampled these delights before and i discovered that there was a new beer that i hadn’t tried - Cuillin Beast.  We got a “pick and mix” box of a few bottles each of 5 different beers Black Cuillin, Red Cuillin, Blaven, Hebridean Gold and Cuillin Beast. Mmmm…

Birds in the harbour: Great Northern Diver, Redshank and Black Guillemot.

Aboard the MV Hebrides and heading for Lochmaddy

The ferry crossing was excellent and there were plenty of birds: Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, Manx Shearwaters, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and a Great Skua.

We arrived at Lochmaddy late afternoon and drove straight to the holiday cottage that we’d rented as we were pretty knackered after our overnight drive. The cottage, Rona View,  was great, right on the shoreline. It is basic but was very comfortable and had everything we needed and was also complete with central heating which very rapidly took the chill off. A well earned beer o’clock, dinner and an early night.

The holiday cottage we used: Rona View, Grimsay, North Uist

Not a bad view eh?!

One of our aims while here is to go house hunting and we’d got quite a list of properties to do “drive-bys” of so thats what we did on Sunday as well as managing to squeeze in a bit of birding. Monday and Tuesday was house viewing - we were disappointed that our number one choice of property - which had been on the market since before December 2008 (we know this as it didn’t have a Home Report) was just about to go under offer - sad as it had everything we require - a garden with mature vegetation (rare in the islands!!) and ideal for ringing, “tinkering” (workshop) space for Ian, a garage, an open fire, oil-fired central heating, double glazing and as a bonus it also had a sea view, a mooring, 5 bedrooms and a studio. Ah well c’est la vie!

Don’t really understand what is going on, as most of you will know, my own house on Lewis has now been on the market for nearly four years. And there has been very little movement in the property market up here over the last 18 months to 2 years. As soon as we arrive here to view places they start selling like hot cakes. Of the 10 properties that we definitely wanted to view 7 of them went under offer either just before we arrived or the week we were in Uist. Typical. And i don’t think i can even blame Monty bloody Halls as his TV series on the Uists only started the week before we arrived - surely not enough time to generate lots of interest in the islands and put the prices up.

Seal watching in Berneray

Well i guess it might have seemed like a good idea at the time :-)

Our last evening at the holiday cottage and a peaceful cuppa on the bench outside. Even Ian was acclimatising by now ;-)

Just beautiful!

Saturday the 1st May saw us heading north on the ferry that runs from Berneray to Leverborough on Harris.

Surely on a sunny day those beaches in Harris have to be some of the most beautiful in the world?

Looking across to Luskentyre, Harris

We stayed with my friend Linda - most famous for her hand made soap - she runs the Hebridean Soap Company and is based in Breasclete on the west side of Lewis. It was great to see her again and meet the dog, Mindy, that i’d only read about in Linda’s blog.

Ian birding at the Butt of Lewis

The rugged coastal scenery at the Butt of Lewis

Butt of Lewis lighthouse. Of course i had to go on and on and tell Ian all about the day the Purple Martin turned up here, a first for the Western Palearctic, an exciting day for the dozen of us that were there on that Sunday...

The clean, fresh air promotes the growth of plenty of lichens

Eoropie Beach

Thrift (Sea Pink), i think, correct me if i'm wrong!

Boats at Skigersta, Ness - took the photo to make into a birthday card for my daughter - Kathleen

Orca!! Ian spotted these - the first time we've ever seen Orca - a very exciting moment!

There were at least 4 Orca and they were pretty close in - about 60 yards from us at their closest. Can’t tell you how excited i was - i phoned my daughters, texted mum and dad and various friends. On the way home called in to see Martin. When he said he had a job one of us could do we just looked puzzled. Anyway, i volunteered and was handed a plate with a couple of pieces of salmon on it. I must have still looked blank but Martin pointed to the corner of his garden. A Gannet! It had been taken in with a strained wing and was recovering. The only thing i regret is not taking a photo of it

A grey, dull day at Stornoway harbour

A grey, dull day in Stornoway.

One of my favourite spots on Lewis - Valtos harbour

Valtos, Lewis

A rare thing on this blog - a picture of me!

MV Isle of Lewis. Stornoway to Ullapool. So we came to the end of our stay - time to head back to the rat race - yuk! But hopefully not for too long. Time now to kick some solicitor butt so we can head back to the islands make an offer on a house. Needless to say Ian did like it here :-)

Over the two weeks we clocked up 95 bird species just in the Outer Hebrides, not bad considering we weren’t in “serious birding” mode

Packed our ringing gear and headed up to Lincolnshire on Friday evening, arriving around 9pm. A couple of beers and a catch up with James then an early night in readiness for getting up before the crack of dawn.

17th April 2010

James has recently been developing another part of the site we had been to previously. We put up a selection of nets and caught slowly but steadily throughout the day. Our first Chiffchaffs of spring were caught and ringed plus a Pied Wagtail, a couple of Yellowhammers and a few Linnets. The day was warm and sunny with very little wind - a really pleasant way to spent the day and a good selection of species ringed: Chaffinch, Robin, Dunnock, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail and Goldfinch.

James gave us news that the Goldfinch we caught last time we were here (17th and 18th October 2009) had originally been ringed in Kent.

Male Linnet

Pair of Linnets, in the net together

Pied Wagtail

This time we had all mod cons with our Argos special picnic table

18th April 2010

Up early again and another day of good weather. Willow Warblers singing this morning and James heard Lesser Whitethroat. Caught and ringed our first Willow Warblers and Blackcap of spring. Another nice bird was a male (by CP) Mistle Thrush.

My bird of the day had to be a stonking male Ring Ouzel which flew over, landing on a nearby bush giving me a great view. I wasn’t sure if the others had seen it so dashed off to find them - happily James had picked it up flying over although Ian had missed out.

Willow Warbler

A great weekend at a lovely spot - we hardly saw a single person. Yes, it feels like spring is here at last!

Well, our first proper night mothing on the 5th April brought us a nice catch. The night had a low of 4′C and the wind dropped to virtually nothing:-

1 Diurnea fagella, 2 Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, 1 March Moth, 16 small Quaker, 16 Common Quaker, 4 Clouded Drab, 12 Hebrew Character, 1 Chestnut. Plus 1 Nut-tree Tussock was found on the low wall surrounding the patio and 1 each of Hebrew Character and Common Quaker were found on the conservatory.

Diurnea fagella - our micro moth challenge

Another micro moth, a plume moth, Amblyptilia acanthadactyla

March Moth (Alsophilia oescularia), male - the female is wingless

Nut-tree Tussock (Colocasia coryli)

Nut-tree Tussock, seen from the side

A couple of days later saw us visiting mother-in-law in South Ockendon, Essex (VC 18, South Essex). The night was cool but dry and we managed to capture a few moths - i didn’t think it was too bad for a tiny garden in a built up area: 1 Emmelina species presumed to be Emmelina monodactyla, 2 Small Quaker, 4 Common Quaker, 1 Clouded Drab, 1 Early Grey.

Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)

Clouded Drab (Orthosia incerta)

Emmelina species of plume moth, presumed to be Emmelina monodactyla

Back at home we put the trap out on the 9th April. A calm, mild night.

Over thirty moths in the trap the next morning: 1 Emmelina species of plume moth, again, presumed to be Emmelina monodactyla, 11 Small Quaker, 16 Common Quaker, 4 Hebrew Character (plus another 2 found on the conservatory) and a moth new to our garden, a Pine Beauty.

Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea)

Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica)

Probably the most amazing experience of the morning was that long after we’d emptied the trap and id’d all the moths in there we were drinking coffee, looking out of the conservatory window. Ian said “is that a leaf or a moth” i grabbed a pot and went out and collected a moth. In the meantime Ian had grabbed another pot as the one he’d spotted wasn’t the same one as me. While we admired our finds we found yet another moth on the patio, a Nut-tree Tussock. Now, all these moths must have come out after we’d sorted the trap as we thoroughly searched the patio, steps, wall and fence area for “strays”.

The moth that Ian had thought was a leaf turned out to be a Purple Thorn - what an amazing moth, surely as beautiful as any butterfly?!

Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria)

Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria)

The remaining moth took us a while, we went through the books a couple of times - feeling like real novices - but we got there in the end, Brindled Beauty.

Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria)

I have to say that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our first week - that feeling of never knowing what is in the trap when you visit it the next morning is quite addictive and we both really enjoy the id challenges and we both just love to learn about the subject. We are now looking forward to the coming week, hoping for mild weather. Planning ahead, we are also looking forward to a visit to Shropshire in a couple of weeks time and then on up to the Uists and on to Lewis - the moth trap will definitely be packed!

Must mention a couple of the good web sites i’ve been using to learn about moths over the last couple of weeks or so:-

UK Moths - an excellent resource for id and information

and the forum Back Garden Moths - full of friendly, helpful people

Steve Duffield’s site Western Isles Wildlife also has lots of information about moths in the Outer Hebrides.

Well, my birthday present arrived this week - a Robinson type moth trap - purchased from Bioquip and very pleased with it i am too!

Why moths? It’s been something i’ve been considering for some time now. I was shocked to read recently that many British moth species have declined rapidly - one report i read quoted the Spinach moth (Eulithis mellinata) as having declined by 95% in 35 years and Butterfly Conservation say that 60 species of moths in Britain have become extinct during the 20th century. Phew! If i can contribute just a little to moth research i’m sure it will be worthwhile. This year i’m hoping to run the trap in Hertfordshire (until Ian’s house sells), Shropshire (i’m sure mum and dad won’t mind :-o) and also in the Hebrides as we are planning on heading up there in 3 or 4 weeks time for a visit.

Being very much a beginner on the moth front i’m using the following books to start me off:-

It’s going to be a steep learning curve i know, but hey, i like a challenge! If you have any other suggestions or advice i would be very interested to hear from you.

Most British bird observatories run a moth trap at night and when i’ve visited the Jews Gate bird observatory in Gibraltar the last task in the evening was to put out the moth trap. The next day Charlie Perez of the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS) would arrive and go through the moths. When i was there in September 2005 i was thrilled to see my first Death’s-head Hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos) . On the odd occasion when Charlie was unable to come up and empty the moth trap i would have a go myself and enjoyed trying to sort out what was in there - this was the first time i’d seen hawk moths and tigers - i hadn’t realised how colourful moths can be.

When in Canada last year, while looking for Indigo Bunting near Riding Mountain National Park, we were lucky enough to find a Luna Moth (Actias luna). I managed to get a photo although i only had my small lens on the camera. But what an amazing sight - it must have been as big as my hand!

Luna Moth

I was amazed to find that the University field station we were working at had no researchers studying Lepidoptera. Everything else - birds, water quality, fish, plants. We couldn’t even find a book in their library to help us identify the moth in the picture below. There were quite a good number of them around and they flew during the day.

Despite trawling the internet i have been unable to identify this moth. Any suggestions?

I used the internet to identify the caterpillar pictured below

Found outside the ringing room. From what i was able to find out from the internet this is the caterpillar of the Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris).

During my time at Innis Point bird observatory, Ontario, in Spring 2008 i was fascinated by what i was told were “tent caterpillars” i’m not sure of the species, it was possibly the Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum).

Lots of the trees had these silk "tents". I'm told that in some years the caterpillars can defoliate the trees on a large scale, although not usually causing enough damage to kill the tree.

As you will probably have noticed, i’m advertising my house in the Outer Hebrides for sale on this blog. I was really surprised to learn that during the last couple of days the Hebrides has been added to Google’s ever increasing Street View series. I must say that i was pretty amazed by the quality of the images, perhaps a bit wibbly wobbly where the joins are but that’s just being picky really.

(For the non-geeks amongst you when the map loads drag the little yellow man from his perch on the navigation tool - Street View roads will show up on the map outlined in blue)

Here is the link: 14 Upper Carloway, HS2 9AG House and croft for sale

For more information about my house: 14 Upper Carloway, particulars

To contact me for more information or to arrange a viewing: Contact me

Why am i selling such a beautiful house? Well all i will say for now is that i’m not abandoning the Hebrides and “watch this space…”

Had news from the BTO that one of the Greenfinches i ringed in Shropshire back in January 2009 has been found dead in Daventry, Northamptonshire, where it had unfortunately flown into a window. Not the greatest distance covered by a GREFI but always interesting to know what has happened to the birds i’ve ringed.

View Greenfinch recovery in a larger map

Had to pass on details of this position - i spent Spring 2008 as the bander-in charge at Innis Point Bird Observatory and enjoyed every minute. The birds are great, both for watching and ringing and the BO directors and volunteers are a  great bunch of people.

“VOLUNTEER BANDING ASSISTANT–Innis Point Bird Observatory, near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - The Observatory is located on the south side of the Ottawa River about 15 km west of downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It has been in operation since 1982, with a Spring Migration Monitoring Program (SMMP) since 1997. Duties of the assistant will include helping the Bander-In-Charge with carrying out the daily field protocol (banding + recording), data entry, light maintenance around the building/netting area. We can offer accommodations in the form of spartan accommodations on site at no charge. The site is located on DND property and the facilities include two buildings, equipped with basic living amenities; although there is no running water and no telephone, there is electricity, heat, internet access and an outhouse toilet. Food is your own responsibility, although we may offer a small allowance. A car would be helpful since the station is located on the DND property. Positions are for at least 2 weeks, and the spring program runs from 24 Apr to 7 Jun. Interested candidates are invited to apply, with CV, to CELIA BODNAR (Phone: +1 613-836-7907;  Email : bodnarmATmagma.ca)“

American Pipit the first one ever caught at Innis in the Spring

Pine Warbler, a new bird for me

View from the accommodation (coyote not guaranteed!)

The accommodation is indeed spartan and doubles as the ringing room but is certainly more luxurious than camping - i for one had NO complaints!

Sunrise over the river taken from round the back of the accommodation

Find out more about the observatory at their website: Innis Point Bird Observatory

Latest newsletters:-

Summer 2009

Summer 2008

Spring 2008

Ah! Happy memories. If i wasn’t heading off to Greece next week i’d be sorely tempted…

Just a few days in Shropshire as i wanted to see all the family before heading off to Greece on the 16th March.

Weather cold with frosty mornings - it will be so lovely to experience warmth, blue skies and sunshine - this winter seems to have gone on for so long!

Only ringed Monday am, Tuesday and Wednesday. Nothing has happened yet with the derelict houses next door though i believe there is now planning permission for 4 houses to be built there - it’s going to be very sad if the hawthorn hedge gets ripped out, there are birds in it all the time.

Not a bad selection of birds - 43 new of which 18 were Goldfinches! The Goldies seem to love the sunflower hearts that mum puts out for them. We re-trapped a Dunnock which we had originally ringed in October 2006 and we captured a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch with rings that weren’t ours, will have to wait and see where they were ringed. Also had a House Sparrow retrap, one i’d originally ringed in April 2007 - it would have hatched in 2006 or before - so a minimum of almost 4 years old.

Sparrowhawk is a frequent visitor to the garden here but was a new species to be captured - aged as a 7 (meaning it was hatched not last year but the year before, i.e. 2008).

Sparrowhawk

Just a few remaining juvenile (worn and brownish) feathers on the rump

Also had a chance to see my neice Kerrie and her son, Seth who was born 1st January - hadn’t seen him since he just came home from hospital so got some practice at being a Great Aunt in and had some cuddles.

Great Aunt Yvonne and Seth. I did wonder after if i should perhaps have taken off my rather minty BTO ringing smock. Ah well, good to test a child's immune system i suppose!

Birds ringed: Sparrowhawk, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch. Retraps: Song Thrush, Dunnock, Robin, House Sparrow,

What, you may be asking is Sule Skerry?

Well, it’s a rocky outcrop 45 miles west of Stromness (Orkney) that has breeding Puffins, Guillemots, Gannets and Shags. The Sule Skerry Ringing Group have been visiting and monitoring and ringing birds there for the last 35 years - the expedition is every other year and i’d put my application in late last year. Today i was thrilled to receive an email to say that i’d been accepted to join the group for their next planned trip in July 2011

Link: World’s second oldest puffin still going strong

Now, where did i put my tent?….

As a contribution to the BTO’s Bird Atlas 2007-11 we volunteered in a rash moment to take on another TTV (Timed Tetrad Visist) for this season - we chose the tetrad (a 2km x 2km square) that was vacant and did the early winter visit on the 15th November 2009. Cold and grey day today.

Our chosen tetrad was TL32P which started in the very picturesque village of Aspenden. Lots of small bird activity in and around the village but as we got further out into the countryside - mostly a ploughed agricultural desert - there was scant pickings apart from Woodpigeons.

Surveying from the public footpath, a little bit of hedgerow but mostly agricultural desert, mostly devoid of any birdlife.

Here is a run-down of our sighting (a total of 39 spp) from last visit and this:-

We did almost start to get excited by a small spot just outside our tetrad when we spotted a stonking male Smew along with a couple of female/immatures. However, scanning through the ducks and discovering 3 Red-breasted Geese and 3 Snow Geese the word “collection” immediately sprang to mind!

One of the beautiful cottages in Aspenden