28-31 May 2008 - a brief trip to the Western Isles, the weather still holding. First, the RBA Sula Sgeir overnight trip - lots of seabirds seen, including Bonxies, Arctic Skuas and all 4 auks, but no Black-browed Albatross...
then the ferry over to Lochmaddy, North Uist, and a day of beautiful sun on the lochs and beaches. Large numbers of breeding waders in the fields and especially on the coast in the Balranald area - Redshanks everywhere (pic), also Lapwings, Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, and drumming Snipe. A pair of Hen Harriers, a Short-eared Owl and, amazingly, 2 perched adult Golden Eagles, were along the interior road. I heard at least 6 Corncrakes (photo) at Balranald in the evening but couldn't see any of them.
Finally, both Red- and Black-throated Divers seen on various mainland roadside lochs, and a group of 5 Great Northern Divers in summer plumage were at the E end of Broadford Bay on Skye.
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