Trip reports
Local Group Outing
Elspeth Sweeney
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
This was a few days before, but off we set in choppy seas. Soon we were seeing our first gannets and auks. Nearing the island the boat took us slowly along the coast, inquisitive grey seals popped up everywhere and the auks were beside us. Going into the jetty four turnstone flew passed us and soon we were amongst nesting noisy beautiful arctic terns with black caps, blood red beaks and feet, and long tail streamers.
Once ashore after a brief talk from the SNH warden on the island`s wildlife and how to behave, we set off in small groups. Our group went north, looking down on kittiwakes calling their name, marvelling at guillemots nesting precariously on the cliffs, razorbills slightly more secure and fulmar pairs amongst the thrift. Prehistoric fluffy young shags were begging for food. Puffins were everywhere, standing in small groups, scurrying with sand eels and trying to avoid the ever waiting gulls. Everything was getting back to normal.
Making our way eastwards we saw many meadow pipits and pied wagtails with young in the sea campion, a few rock pipits on nearby rocks. Walking Holyman`s Road we had to be alert to spot the motionless nesting female eiders, what fantastic plumage.
All too soon we were back on the boat for a long and rough crossing. If you were not too queasy you could now watch all the seabirds revelling in the huge waves. Once ashore we made our way to a local café for fish and chips or ..... everyone managed!
What a day and such a delight.
Eppie Sweeney