Just Your Standard Eagle

Y'know yesterday I said there could be few finer starts to the day than I'd had? Well...

There was a beautiful blue sky as I walked into the vista of our front window; I had a wee 7 mile there-and-back on the bike to the Mangurstadh air traffic mast (one of my favourite places on the Isles); got back to the cottage to a fry-up prepared by Mel; then was treated to a close encounter of the avian kind as not one, but two, White-tailed Eagles* sauntered about the sky almost directly above the cottage.

Yeah, that beats yesterday.

A less walky day today, just a few kilometres out to a Golden Eagle hide (nada), and a reacquaintance with the north of Harris. But then tomorrow is the BIG day. We're booked on a trip to St Kilda - 3 and a half hours there; 3 and a half hours ashore; 3 and a half hours back. The weather gods seem to be shining on us, so fingers are being crossed while touching wood and trying to find/avoid black cats (can never remember if they're good or bad luck).

By the way, I should probably explain the bird count. Save for popping to the Golden Eagle hide today, I've not been specifically seeking out birds, but just recording those that we do see. The list proving just how easy a life these Lewisian and Harrisian birders have...

White-tailed Eagle
Redwing
Rock Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Fulmar
Pied Wagtail
Wheatear
Jack Snipe
Bird count: 34

*the White-tailed is still up for debate. The sheer size, and the big flat wings immediately made me think it was a White-tailed, but that white tail is edged in black, which in some of the books I have could make it a young Golden. Just seemed too big for that, but... Getting a definitive ID before committing entirely!