Cow Ambush

Today we're going to check out a sea loch in North Uist, Loch Euphort, but of course you can't just drive through Benbecula without checking out Coot Loch, Loch Mor & Stinky Bay again in an attempt to upgrade our probable Red-necked Phalarope sighting to an actual Red-necked Phalarope sighting!

Well now being a bit more familiar with the lie of the land we parked up and viewed the loch, Mrs L remained in the car while I went to the high point of the road where the view was a bit better and bingo! A definite Red-necked Phalarope. Okay very distant, but absolutely definitely a Red-necked Phalarope. I signalled Mrs L to join me and we both watched the bird for a bit. Contented we packed up, then I decided to point the telescope in another direction - three Red-necked Phalaropes!! And closer (relatively speaking). Got a couple recognisable photos then a 4x4 pulled up and started chatting to us (the driver not the 4x4).

It was the farmer with the bull from yesterday (he didn't have the bull with him today - it was on the ferry to Skye), he'd seen us hanging around the last couple of days. We chatted about farming on the Uists and about the Phalaropes that were on his land so I asked if there was a better viewpoint. He gave us permission to go through one of his cattle fields and gave us a very specific route that would mean we'd remain out of sight of the Phalaropes.

Excellent and as you can see from the photo we saw our birds - Check out RCB's Blip for a closer view of the Red-necked Phalarope.

Now I did say it was a cattle field. Can't say Mrs L was entirely convinced about entering a field full of these vicious beasts, but I escorted her carefully to our viewpoint where she started to relax. Then I hear "I'm scared" - "Not now dear, I'm photographing the Phalarope!" - "I'm scared" - I look round and these nice friendly cows have come to investigate these intruders in their field - we're surrounded. Ah well, just as well the Phalaropes have moved a bit further away and I've got some decent shots, cos I think it's time I rescued Mrs L. Back in the car and the other side of the fence she's feeling safe again, although I do point out that if they decided to stampede through the fence their razor sharp teeth would soon tear through the flimsy metal of the car body - you've seen The Matrix haven't you.

Anyhow, back to reality and this little diversion has eaten into the day - we decide to head home for a late lunch and then went of to explore a fairly quiet Loch Euphort. Nothing out of the ordinary on the bird front and the local cows all seemed quite friendly.