Holiday to Scotland (Pt 3)

We arrived at Kennacraig Ferry Terminal in good time for the crossing to Islay on the M.V. Finlaggan. I had hoped to photograph Black Guillemots as I had missed them in Oban but there were only  a couple perched way out  in the distance..

 and a single bird flying the wrong way!

An Osprey circled the terminal whilst we were waiting and hovered several times but without success.

We have been to Islay twelve times previously during the past 30 years or so had always chosen the same time of year as it has  proved to be best for weather and for lack of mossies! This year was different in one respect.....rain every day! There were a few bright patches on some days and then we seized the opportunity to get out and about.

The RSPB Reserve at Loch Gruinart has a good hide and was a useful retreat in the wet!

A Sedge Warbler was building a nest close by and afforded some close up photography. 

A young Lapwing was feeding in the grass

...and a Hare almost came into the hide!

Numerous Redshanks were breeding and one particular stump in front of the hide proved popular, so when the sun emerged briefly, it provided a good photo opportunity. 

Other birds around the island were duly photographed...

Common Sandpiper

Stonechat

Common Gull

Rock Pipit

Ringed Plover

Scoter (m)

Wheatear

Hooded Crow

The highlight on the island is the Chough and on our last afternoon the sun shone and we were able to obtain a few flight photos of this  beautiful corvid...

Chough

...and a single perching bird (as the clouds loomed up again)

...but a sunny evening on the very last day

Eider family on Loch Indaal

This is what it should have been like all the time but at least we could enjoy the last few hours in Islay!

To be concluded.