Otters, birds, and boats...

Wow – what a day! More sunshine (sorry) and once again that was NOT what the forecast suggested. Temperatures up into the low 20’s, definitely a “suncream” sort of day!  We started off heading for one of the RSPB’s organised walks – this one was out of Langass Lodge – about a 20 minute drive away – and was with the purpose of seeing otters. Normally lead by our pal Stuart, but today “The Boss” – AKA Jamie – was in charge, and I think someone must have told the wildlife!  We got great views of otters, seals, Red Throated Divers, and a Hen Harrier among other things – all a little too distant to photograph really, but through binoculars – brilliant! What I can show you is one of the lovely views we get on this walk though – this one across to Burrival (Eaval’s little humpy mate – remember?)

After three hours of otter-watching we returned to the starting point and jumped back into the car to head down to the Island Deli on Benbecula for lunch – this had been recommended by friends who were here last week – we’d attempted to eat there last year but had arrived just minutes after a coach party so the place was packed and we gave up. This time our timing was better though and we were able to get straight in, and we were glad we did as the food was excellent! (The cake, in fact, was SO good I forgot to take a photo – sorry!) From there we wandered North again as this afternoon we had our long awaited boat trip booked. Now we’ve been wanting to do this trip for several years – first of all we came up too early in the year, then the first year we were here at the right time the boat was out of the water for maintenance, then last year Nick was away…this year however everything has worked out well and it was in some excitement we headed to Kallin Harbour on Grimsay to find the “Lady Anne”. ..

Nick introduced himself immediately we headed for the boat – he explained that although all 6of those booked were there already he was going to hang on to see if anyone else turned up as the boat easily takes more. The time was well spent as he brought out a well used Ordnance survey map to show us where we’d be heading. As it happened on this occasion we set off bang on time with just the six of us on board, but it’s good to know that we can risk heading round on the spur of the moment if we decide to go again. Things started fairly calmly with some Red Deer…

…and these Cormorants…

…and then hotted up a bit with a Great Northern diver – not massively rare, but unusual enough to be of note, and getting this close to one is fairly unusual too – normally you’re struggling to identify through binoculars!

A little further on though, we saw this…

…and then this…

…which then flew off as it got mobbed by a couple of Ravens!  We then got some of the most astonishing views imaginable – I was extremely glad to have the new camera and lens as frankly, the 40D and the older lenses would have struggled a little.

Astonishing views, and all entirely natural – these are tricky birds to see up close but Nick clearly knows every inch of the waters he takes the boat round and knows exactly where to go to get the best views and the most likely sightings.

We were out on the boat for 2 hours, and for that Nick charges £25 per person – absolutely brilliant value, frankly if we’d not seen anything much we’d still have had a wonderful afternoon out on the water, so much so that we’re considering going again next week, weather permitting! For anyone considering visiting Uist we can’t recommend the trip highly enough. Nick can be contacted via his website www.uistboattrips.com where he also has a “next week”showing what trips are going.

Robyn

(For clarity, Nick has no idea I am writing this post, this is a genuine opinion and is not in any way influenced.)