Rabbit for tea....

Had the enormous privilege, gruesome though it is, to see a White-tailed Eagle hunting) successfully at the end of a long walk today. It had lazily flown over us, and I was happy to just watch through the binoculars. But then...

I don't know if it turned because of the attentions of the gulls mobbing him, or if the initial pass was looking out for possible prey, but as it headed back towards us I got the camera out of the bag.

Then the Lapwings joined in. We were walking in an area where dozens of them nest (as well as Redshanks, Oystercatchers and elusive Corncrakes). A flock of Greylag Geese went nuts.

Then the talons came out, and it was clear there was a target. The drop was spectacular, completely ignoring the now apoplectic entourage.

The snatch was made behind a bank (dammit), but there was clearly something in the talons. I presumed a fledgling bird for its own nest.... But....

On closer inspection, a bunny was the victim, the eagle heading off across the sands. You can stick your reality TV and frankly any sports spectacle (and I'm a sports fan), I'd take this over viewing anything else any day of the week....


This was at the end of an 11 mile slog around the peninsula looked over by Ceapobhal, by Northton, which we've seen White-taileds at before. This time in the distance far above were a couple of Golden Eagles. I thought that would be our raptor highlight. Hah.


A few shots in the extras, with some hidden beaches (only one of which was accessible, and the second, that giant hole is actually an arch heading away from camera) - no swimming today, unlike yesterday, as at the time it had just stopped raining and was a good 5-7 degrees cooler than yesterday; a shot of the moody hills of North Harris; and a Cuckoo on the wires near the holiday home when we got back; oh, and the amazing Scarista Bay.


Oh, and a very interesting and enlightening chat for a good hour with the owner of this place before we went out this morning. Covered all sorts of topics, but one thing is clear, Mel is after a very specific type of polytunnel now....