Thursday 29th
What a lovely morning! We drove past the Glenborrodale visitor centre as we were 20 mins. too early for opening time. (Luckily as it turned out with our next sighting). We saw a white-tailed eagle in the sky in the distance in front of us 5 minutes later and we were driving right towards it. Great views as it drifted in a circle –quite low to start with then getting higher. A man who was on his way to work at the centre stopped and said it was probably one of the birds from Jura (white wing tag) which was often around this area.
Next stop was Sanna. The sun shone on the white beach and pale blue sea. It was very windy. We set up the telescopes on the beach – but just saw cormorants/shags & gulls.
When we got to the lighthouse the heavens opened as we were getting our picnic from the car boot.
Then to Ockle where we were looking out for a wildcat. We didn’t see one but probably more likely at dusk. It wasn’t convenient to be here at dusk – it’s much too long for a night drive from the chalet so I suppose our chance was gone. (Never mind – will have to content myself with my cat at home who looks like a wildcat but that’s where the similarity ends!)
On the way back we stopped the cars as we saw another (the same?) white tailed eagle. Then, as it went out of view a golden eagle rose up above us. We heard the call of a buzzard very close but out of sight over some nearby trees. The eagle came down in a fast stoop to vanish behind the trees – wish we could have seen what happened next!
We were held up in a couple of places where there were roadworks but we landed back at the chalet in daylight, in time to prepare the evening meal for the pine marten before we made ours – well, let’s get our priorities right!
Friday 30th
The food had only partly been eaten. Very wild and windy then it started to rain. Drove over to our old stamping ground in the Acharacle area.
[We used to come and stay in this area years ago when I was a Mike Tomkies groupie and was tracking down where he lived. It was one of my most satisfying days when we hired a boat all those years ago from Dalilea and went down the loch on the trail of the cottage where he had lived and studied the wildlife around it. It felt like a pilgrimage to me at the time and I still think the man is wonderful].
Walked over the sands to Castle Tioram – well, as far as we could as the castle is now in a state of disrepair and is dangerous. The fishing platforms at the Shiel fishing ponds were under water because of the heavy rain. We didn’t stop for the usual photo – we have photographs of us all sitting on this wall over the years. As we approached the castle pheasants slowed us down as they ambled across the road in front of us – there were the usual pheasant and a number of black ones.
Then to Ardtoe and then Arivegaig, where we also had stayed some years ago. Back to the chalet then for a sandwich lunch then Tiddy & Sharon went for a last drive while we started on the packing. When they returned they reported a golden eagle on the Kingairloch road approaching Loch Linnhe.
Had a lovely meal at the Strontian hotel tonight – was my treat as thanks to both of them for sharing our holiday.
Saturday 31st: Home James!
THE END……. until next time
For next time:
Otters on Ardnamurchan: the hottest spots I know of are the adjacent bays to the Glenborrodale wildlife centre, that's the centre bay itself, Port na Croisg and the bay with the old (DEFUNCT: don't disturb the private owners!) Cala Darach B&B in the corner: also the seafront by Resipole Farm Caravan site between Salen and Strontian; the sandy harbour at Strontian, and the head of Loch Sunart. In general I would recommend concentration on a small area rather than extensive touring by car when searching for Otters.
Its still difficult to beat peanut butter and jam for attracting Pine Martens, and small cut sandwich squares will hold them in one place for several minutes. I put eggs out last year and found the local cat taking an interest.
Wildcats are an after dark spotlighting activity unless you get very lucky indeed.
I've never eaten at the Strontian - staying at Resipole the Salen Hotel is my local!
I can't wait to get back up there again.....
John