Hen Harrier Spectacular
Any visitor to Islay in summer is bound to be impressed by the number of sightings of Hen Harriers.The prolonged cold, wet weather with northerly winds has produced the latest breeding season in the last fifty years. Most of the females were still incubating eggs and I even watched a male sky-dancing. The result of this is that virtually all Harrier sightings were of hunting males. Sadly the other effects of the cold and wet weather were numerous nest failures of not only Harriers but also Eagles throughout Scotland
– another climate – change disaster!!
Not only is the Sound of Islay a good place for Otters it is brilliant for Black Guillemots. Last week we came across three places that were home for a dozen pairs, at least, of these birds. As they are the latest sea bird to start breeding there was plenty of activities to watch and film.
Everybody wishes for good weather when you are away on holiday but sadly we have no control over what comes our way. On Islay ,for the last two weeks, we have had Northerly winds and a maximum temperature of only 15 degrees. What might appear to be bad news turned into a bonus as it delayed the migration north of up to a hundred Bar Tailed Godwits. These Arctic breeding birds provided me with the only flight shots I have ever taken of these waders before they finally headed north. Islay’s breeding Dunlin, Curlew, Snipe and Redshank also made good subjects for the camera!
Here are some of the more traditional prey items captured the other week by the Kingfishers for their young. All have now fledged, thankfully before the recent spells of torrential rain.
It may have taken more than fifty years but last week we had a new species visit the garden – it was a Jackdaw! By chance I had just been watching Jackdaws taking fine hair off the local cattle to line their nests.The wet weather also brought into the garden hordes of Starlings with their young and Song Thrushes who found no trouble finding slugs in the rain.
Despite the awful weather I have just had the best week of a lifetime with the local Owls.Starting with three different male Long Eared Owls, then the male Barn Owls and culminating at 9pm one night with the oldest male Short Eared Owl that I have ever seen. His face goes whiter and whiter with age and this male is the best I have ever seen. Check my Facebook page for all the others – you will not be disappointed! www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife