Tag Archives: Black-headed gull

Outer Hebrides – Barra

Blasdale Home Posted on by

10th May 2024

Today was predicted to be sunny, and it was.  Started off with clouds around the hills, these eventually evaporated. In the morning, we went for a walk towards the North, visiting the cemetery and the beach across the Machair. There was a standing stone in the Machair, which we rudely thought rather small, and insignificant. On the walk we spotted birds, and for the record I have posted sample pictures of them. birds. The Northern Gannets were too far out for good photos, but I do have one with its beak almost touching the water. Seaside cemeteries are very much a feature of the islands, which have no crematorium.

We walked further North to a beach which had warnings of quicksand. This probably was caused by a river and lake on the land side of the beach

Back to the campsite (Borve Camping & Caravan Site), and R was talking with an Irish lad, who told us about the Corncrake, a noisy, highly unmelodious bird which calls for a mate all day and all night. During the day it makes a few croaks every 10 minutes. It is a master of disguise, and though you hear it, you don’t see it. We tried to find the Corncrake. We could hear it but could not see it. 

The owner of the campsite, who is also the postman, gave us the option of moving the van, so we took this up and positioned the van overlooking the sea. This move came about because a group of three were arriving on today’s boat and they would prefer to be together. We now have a prime position overlooking the sea.

I mentioned the owner was the island postman, and he would turn up at the campsite in the post van or his own white van, depending on what he was doing.

We then went for a drive to the north east coast. Saw a plane take off from the beach. The beach is absolutely huge and flat. It supports three runways, used depending on the wind direction. We stalked a few birds.  Drove to a jetty recommended for pictures and photographed some lobster pots.  There were many sheep and lambs walking along the roads, they did have road sense and would amble to the side as you approached in the van.

We also drove to the port at Ardmhòr where we will be leaving the island, just to check out where it was. Very small with a carpark for waiting. A very small jetty for loading cars.

We tried to find a shop in Castlebay. I forgot there was a Co-op and a distillery off the main road. We didn’t find anywhere to purchase food.  We will be back tomorrow to get milk and other provisions.

Back at the campsite we tried again to find the Corncrake. This time we encouraged it with a recording of its call. Out it came, coming towards us, to fend off a competitor male. Yes, we saw it, pictures taken. Not a very glamorous creature.

Sunset was not as good as it should have been.

Birds Photographed:

  • Oyster Catcher
  • Common Gull
  • Northern Gannet
  • Pied Wagtail
  • Arctic Tern
  • Common Sandpiper
  • Black-headed Gull
  • Pied Wheatear
  • Great Northern Diver (aka Loon)
  • Corncrake
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra
Outer Hebrides - Barra

Track

Morrison goes to Southwold to sample the Adnams

Blasdale Home Posted on by

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Our first outing in Morrison this year, the delayed start was caused by our trip to New Zealand. The weather looked good for a few days, so we booked a space in the campsite at Southwold in Suffolk for three days from the Tuesday. We have packing the van and getting away down to a fine art. No preparation until the day of departure and we are normally away by 10. Today was no exception.

We arrived and parked in the campsite, the same pitch 330 as last year. We soon headed out on foot along the harbour, stopping at the Harbour Inn for some liquid refreshments.

Watched a chap cutting the verges using a remotely operated large machine. Looked very exciting, even better than a ride-on.

Refreshed we headed across the fields, then the golf course to Southwold town where we looked for Fat Face to buy me a new top. It had gone, the shop had been demolished, though there was a sign pointing us to the temporary location. Phew. Fat Face purchased, it was time for more liquid refreshments at the Sole Bay Inn, and then back to the campsite along the sand dunes.

Wednesday was another bright and Sunny day, so we though about catching the foot ferry to Walberswick. We had not thought this one through, but we did land on our feet. The notice at the ferry said it was operative only at weekends, though a chalked notice showed that the previous day (Tuesday) it had run. We lurked and sure enough a man arrived on the far bank and rowed across for us, updating the notice board to say it was open today.

At Walberswick we happened to bump into some Kingswood villagers in the car park, Ian and Judith who were having a week in the area birdwatching.  Exchange of birding notes. Went down to the beach which both of us remember, from 35 years ago, as being sandy. It isn’t now, with patches of sand & shingle. Lunch at the Bell Inn, very nice, and then we continued our walk along bridleways, (where Rosemary found an “exciting” plant) and across the River Blyth, returning back to the campsite.

Thursday was Adnams Brewery Tour Day. I was booked in, on my own, for a tour and beer tasting. A small group of around 12 people were shown around. The highlight at the end was a beer tasting where we sampled 6-8 beers. Well worth the trip. Adnams brewery is now pretty high tech, with the most energy-efficient brewery in the UK, all German technology. We then stocked up on some beers at the shop, two suitable mugs to use with our new (to us) chrome-plated New Zealand teapot, and headed for lunch at the Sail Loft.

Friday was our last day, packed up, again this is so easy in Morrison, and so we were soon away after breakfast. We headed to the RSPB at Minsmere, where we walked around the main hides overlooking the scrapes, and were impressed by the badger fencing.  The Sandmartins put on a great display as they gathered insects and returned to the cliff to feed their young.  On the way back from the scrapes we encountered a Tawny owl perched in a tree, and an adder wandering across the woodland floor.