A journey through the Uists

Today's leg of the journey saw us on the Barra to Eriskay ferry at 11.10. Not a huge amount to report from the crossing, perhaps 20 Gannets and a single bonxie, as well as the obligatory Arctic terns.

From Eriskay we headed north through South Uist to Vorren island, little more than a jumble of rocks surrounded by silver sand beaches, yet this place holds happy memories because it was here in 1984 I saw a drake Steller's Eider in amongst the small Eider flock.  Looking inland, the view from here was breathtaking, with flower filled meadows and iris beds and bright blue skies providing the perfect frame for the dramatic Bheinn Mhor mountain range.

Next it was onto our campsite at Carinish on North Uist where we put up the tent and made a meal of locally caught smoked salmon.

Finally we went for an evening stroll at the RSPB reserve Balranald. On the way a ringtail hen harrier flew across the road. On the loch at Hougharry there was a shoveler with 2 chicks, at least 3 tufted ducks with chicks and about 50 bar-tailed godwits but no sign of the long staying American wigeon.