Ardnave

Our first visit to Ardnave and Ardnave Point, just up the road from the Gruinart RSPB reserve.

Ardnave

The weather had flipped from cloudless blue skies and blazing sun to thick, grey cloud. Saw a Hen Harrier many times along the way, but always too far away (or frustratingly just behind a slightly too tall wall).

We tried to see the Corncrake near the RSPB visitor centre but still couldn't find it. No problem seeing or hearing the noisy Sedge Warbler, though.

Sedge Warbler

 Ardnave Point itself is a reasonably long walk along farm tracks and grassy fields, quite sandy in places.

Young Rabbit

I went for a wander down to the shore on the east side, quite a long way out while Gill waited and watched some Rabbits. There were Seals, Sand Martins, Shelduck and possibly more but everything's a long way out.

Gill waiting patiently

We settled down by a rocky shore looking over to Nave Island. There were hundreds of Grey Seals snoozing on the beaches and rocks opposite but too far away to photograph. Lots of Divers flying back and forth.

Great Northern Diver

Grey Seal

Near the farm buildings a Corncrake was calling away. We spent ages trying to spot it and finally saw it, once, as it fluttered from one patch of long grass to another. Meanwhile a Chough perched behind us.

Chough

Juvenile Barn Swallow

Meadow Pipit

Twite

While wandering around the dunes a male Hen Harrier sailed past out of nowhere. It hung around just long enough to get some rough shots.

Male Hen Harrier

Male Hen Harrier

A lot of Ringer Plover and Dunlin were resting on the rocks.

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Flock of Dunlin on the beach

Flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover snoozing on the rocks

Ringed Plover

Greylag Goose

One of the many cows grazing had what looked like a complete set of mismatched white socks.

"Socks" the Cow

Meadow Pipit

Information at the car park

Bands of rock next the beach and sea