Peregrine, Osprey and Kites.

Red Kites at Agarty


Seals in Salen Bay

Otter with Seals in Salen Bay

Travelled home today, the best weather of the fortnight. Came through Glencoe which was stunning. Had a Peregrine travel along with the car over Rannoch Moor - stunning sight. Stopped off at Doune to see the Kites again. About 30 in the air at once, a very worthwhile visit. Then to our surprise when travelling towards Stirling near Blair Drummond an Osprey carrying a fish flew across the road.
A few photos of the seals on the island from yesterday along with the otter which appeared from nowhere with a fish.

Whale of a time!

It is still raining but managing to see a few bits and bobs in between the showers. Highlight of today was a Minke Whale seen from the shore at Glengorm Castle looking over towards Ardnamurchan. Unfortunately not everyone saw it (only Sylvia) so everyone else a bit miffed! very!!!!!!!! Also today whilst taking photo's of the seals we watched an otter devour a fish. The toadstools we would not have seen but for the rain as we went into the pine trees to shelter.Fallow Deer

Red Deer

Wren

Robin with a tick?

Toadstools in the woods

Otter in Tobermory harbour

complete with seaweed hat!

Still enough sun for the butterflies to sometimes come out.

so weary they stay on your hand

Grass of Parnassus

Rain, rain and more rain.

The Lizards appear quickly in the sunshine.

The first time we have seen a family of 5!

Presumably the sheep fell in the rain to attract two Golden and Two White Tailed Eagles!

A male and female Wheatear

A family of porpose near Duart Castle from the shore.

Is this a Dunlin or something else?

A Dunlin.

Oops a duplication and I can't get it removed!

Loch Buie in the sunlight.

The road to our cottage was flooded.

It makes the waterfalls look good, even the ones that are not usually there!

Poor cattle, so wet!

They enjoy a moment in the dry.

The swallows are getting ready to go back and we don't blame them!

Even the Razorbill was calling about the weather.(He wanted more rain - not possible)

A Spotted Flycatcher on a good day.

A Dipper on a wet day.

About 60 Dunlin flew onto the beach one day.

They were very obliging birds.

So cute.

2 Weeks on Mull. Have not been able to get on the internet until today, probably too much rain for the signal to get through!!!!!!!!! Actually the sun is shining at the moment but dare not blink or we might miss it.
Posting some pictures, one of the road the day we had floods and could hardly get back to the cottage and a few of some of the birds and wildlife we had seen inbetween the showers over the past week or so.

Barnie

Barn Owl

Driving home from work this morning 0630 spotted our local barn owl. This time it sat long enough to take a couple of quick photos before retreating into its hole.

Looking forward our trip to Mull - hope the weathers OK.

A lovely evening.

Weasel

Red Underwing

Sandwich Tern

Painted Lady



Stayed more local today and had a run down to North Gare this evening. We spotted two playingweasel on the Zinc Works road and managed to get a photo of one of them. Even at 8.30 there were still Painted Lady butterflies in flight. At Seaton Snook there were hundred of gulls and terns (mainly terns) coming in and out with fish. Whilst doing jobs at home on the afternoon we also spotted a Red underwing moth which was nice to see.

Fritillaries galore at Smardale.

Dark Green Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillary

Scotch Argus

Scotch Argus

Spotted Flycatcher

Swallow and House Martin

Buzzard

Smardale Gill Viaduct


Views from Smardale Gill Viaduct

As the weather was good we decided it was a good day to visit Smardale near Kirkby Stephen to look for butterflies. It was absolutely beautiful and if you have never visited Smardale before and you enjoy butterfly spotting or enjoy walking in beautiful scenery then this is one of the places for you. The walk takes you along the old railway line and across the Smardale Gill Viaduct and past the old lime kilns. It is part of the coast to coast walk I believe.

Along the walk we saw lots of Scotch Argus and Painted Lady butterflies along with small skipper and a few Small Heath. We only saw a couple of Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshell and only one Red Admiral but as we walked to the far side of the viaduct we spotted a Fritillary. It was one of the butterflies we had been hoping to see and sure enough it was, it made our day. On the way back in the late afternoon sun we saw lots of them, most near the viaduct but some also along the walkway heading back to the car. We also spotted a male and female Common Blue and what we think was a Brown Argus.