Scotland: part two

[wellinghall]

What happened on Wednesday? Oh yes - we took the passenger ferry to Hoy, and walked up to the Dwarfie Stane.


We didn't see the Sea Eagles that are nesting near there, but we did see stonechats (like this one), young meadow pipits, and (not so) common redpolls.



On Thursday, we went to Yesnaby, and headed north. We saw the broch of Borwick, meadow pipits, a wheater making a valiant attempt at hovering, and the gorgeous (and very rare) primula scotica. You can probably work out which is which ;-)









And on Friday, we went to South Ronaldsay, for a two-hour-long guided tour of the dig at The Cairns. This shows a souterrain leading into the former broch entrance.


Then down to the Tomb of the Otters.


And finally back to the flat, and a chance to see the swallows desperately trying to feed their brood.


Right, time for University Challenge and Only Connect. More tomorrow.

Comments

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Looks like you had excellent photography weather (I bet the swallows were pleased, that one looks rather hassled!)

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Yes, the weather was pretty good for photography, and indeed for most things :-)

I spent one evening watching the swallows in the courtyard behind our flat - there were two adults feeding three (or, possibly four, chicks). I think that one of the adults few straight off from the nest each time, while the other one often took a quick breather on the windowsill below the nest.

There was a shallow (1 - 3 feet deep) loch very close to the flat, and we often saw swallows swooping low over there - I guess that it provided good breeding conditions for insects, and the swallows and trout were competing for them.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Wow, fantastic photos!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)