A flat calm day today, perfect for whale watching and midges, and Peterburn,
just north of Gairloch, is a great place for both. Following a another good
morning at Big Sand with more views of the Pacific diver, I spent the
afternoon at my favourite mainland viewing point and counted at least seven
minkes scattered across the huge panorama of the Minch.
The midges were just awful but honestly, who cares when the reward is this?
Looking towards Skye.
The black-throated diver flock at Big Sand had reached 16 birds today, all
adults in summer plumage. The Pacific diver flew in to join them but was soon
harassed and decided to keep it's distance.
Sadly still no great photos of the Pacific diver.....
....but perhaps I can make out a chin strap on this photo? or perhaps not.
Don't be misled by the apparent white flanks. The bird is in the process of
rolling over for a brief preen. That's why you can see it's foot!
Little and large. This small Canada goose was with a larger version at Big
Sand. Is it a different race carried over one winter with the wintering
flocks of barnacle geese or pink-footed geese on the Hebrides and now roaming
North West Scotland, or just a runt? I guess we'll never know.
It is quite small though.....
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