No trip to Islay is complete without time spent searching out and filming its Hen Harriers.They are without doubt one of Britain’s most magnificent raptors, even on Islay they are sometimes illusive to find. We went several days without seeing any hunting males but then we saw four different ones before mid-day.It helps to make every day on Islay an exciting adventure.
www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
The Sound of Islay is one of the best places in Scotland to see Black Guillemots and last week was no exception. As they are one of the latest birds to breed each year,there was plenty of action. Pairs were formed and copulation took place. A visit in July would be required tosee them feeding their young.
www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
One of those birds that you look to photograph when you visit Islay is the Chough. Normally your photo opportunities are restricted to birds feeding in the coastal dunes. However, last week I was in for a treat when I came across four recently fledged young Chough in an old barn on a friend’s farm. The lighting conditions were appalling but with care I was able to obtain some photos of the adult Chough as they fed their offspring.
www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
Now is the time to go out around the moorland forests to look for hunting Long Eared Owls.The demands on his time to find voles for his recently fledged young are such that he regularly goes out to hunt in daylight. This only lasts for a couple of months before he reverts back to his strictly nocturnal ways. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
In the last period of drought I was able to film the two wading birds that typify the high Pennines – the Dunlin and the Golden Plover. Both breed on the high Pennine tops and while some have failed through the drought and moorland fires all now is back to normal with enough food available for their young.
www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife