It’s been a while

Yes, I’m still here!, thought I’d better write another update as I was being nagged at by certain individuals (you know who you are!). We’ve had some fantastic weather over the last few weeks so you can imagine that sitting in the office has not been my top priority.

It definitely feels like spring now as the lambs are all running around in the fields, flowers such as Coltsfoot, Primrose and Butterburr are emerging and our summer birds are back. There are lots of Wheatear around and the Corncrake are also back at Loch Stiapabhat although they have been fairly quiet so far. The White billed Divers have also been sighted around Port of Ness and Skigersta again.

Coltsfoot

We’ve had quite a lot of activity at the Loch recently with some interesting sightings such as a Pectoral Sandpiper, Shovelers, Brent Geese and a Killdeer which caused a bit of excitment as it’s only the 7th record of one on the islands. We also had some sightings of the Snowy Owl again on the Galson moor but it seems to have disappeared again for now.

I also got some great sightings of Red Grouse and a Golden Eagle when walking out on the moor last week with Mick from John Muir Trust.

Sheiling

We went out to look at some sheilings which were summer houses used by the crofters family when livestock was moved onto the moor as crop was being harversted on the machair.

As well as walking and wildlife watching I’ve also been working with the local school at Barvas. We spent a day a the castle grounds learning about trees and then a morning out planting trees at the new hall in the village. I’ve also been visiting the nursery in Borve where we made some bird cakes. As you can see I’ve very busy and there is still plenty to do with walks soon to start and coaches and cruise liners arriving on the island.