Tuesday 21st May

Yesterday George heard a Corncrake calling close to the Oil depot down at Bruichladdich, but it sounded as if it was on the shore side of the road. He also heard a Cuckoo calling and up at his ponds he had seen some fresh Otter spraint. Today, down on the Oa, on the RSPB guided walk , visitors saw a Golden Eagle. This afternoon, a female Dotterel was seen on reserve at Fang Dhu and Dave had counted 14 Long tailed Skua together over the reserve, flying inland. Here at home, there were a few more Swallows around, possibly arriving in with the slightly warmer weather yesterday! Having said that, the Swallow nest at the back door has fallen down already, the mud could not be of the right kind. I remember a few years back and all the House Martin nests fell down, again possibly the wrong mud...