Eagle Eyed

Instantly one of my best wildlife experiences (and there are a few to compete), so it makes Blip (in place, much to Mel's consternation, of some wonderful views we saw today this, or this, or this, or this). We'd seen a bit eagle soaring over a ridge that we were actually planning on skirting round, but up and over we went (on a climb we'd done from a different direction, on a hill a walking book describes as 'arduous'). I'd figured the eagle would be gone, but just as I'd switched back to the big lens, after taking photos of some bog cotton I heard Mel shout 'Eagle!'. As I looked up I shouted in return (for she had wandered some distance ahead) 'Where?!' while simultaneously looking up ad having my vision filled.

The eagle proceeded to soar, turning a few times, about 40 yards away from me (close enough so that I can even make out there's a tag on this one's leg). Just utterly beautiful. At first I thought it was a Golden, but is changed my mind and think its either a young, or plumage-changing, White-Tailed. The bill is just huge, and the wings carried straight rather than in a shallow V. Added to that as we descended the ridge we sent up two very clearly juvenile eagles. They were more distant, but with some profile shots of one as it swept back against the sea, again I'm sure the beak is the bigger, heavier one of a White-Tailed.

Stunning stunning encounter on an fabulously sunny day with little wind. We were making the most of it having seen forecasts for tomorrow as being awful, but a skipper in Leverburgh clearly thinks differently as a boat trip we'd provisionally booked to the Shiants looks like it's going ahead. 240,000 Puffins nest there. You can expect a third bird blip in a row...

Golden Plover
Monarch of the Isles

Oh, and heard Corncrakes again briefly, and had a cuckoo fly past the window of the house.