I met Bob Grove at the Tigh an Truish at 1400 hrs on 29th November 2007 to show him the Tetrad NM71 (Z) for the Bird Atlas 2007-2011. More importantly I introduced him to Fiona behind the bar whilst I drank a glass of Highlander. As we started our walk, the weather was reasonable, considering the amount of rain that had preceded our visit.
Buzzard and Raven were quickly noted, and looking north from Clachan Bridge a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls were sat on the water in Clachan Sound. Pheasants were calling from all directions, probably following a recent release of young birds.
To our left a pair of Mistle Thrush sat on the telephone wires and a group of five Long-tailed Tits were busily feeding in a small bush. At Auchnasaul we turned right towards Ardmaddy as a pair of Hooded Crows flew along the ridge above us. Another bird attracted my attention as it flew across the road into some trees, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a fairly uncommon species in this area.
To our right over open marshland a Sparrowhawk glided silently east, whilst to our right a Kestrel hovered over the marsh. As we approached Ardshellach Farm, a group of thirteen Meadow Pipits sat on the wires along with a single Pied Wagtail. After chatting with Doreen Gilbert from the farm we made our way along the new access road towards Clachan Seil Sound.
We finally reached the shoreline and whilst I was interestingly looking at a good selection of seaweeds, Bob shouted “Otter”. I later discovered at the Community Council Meeting, that a dog Otter has been regularly appearing in the Sound at about 1600 hours most days, and has also been observed by several thrilled Scottish Water workmen.
We continued along the strandline to Clachan Bridge occasionally making detours away from the water where access was difficult. It was almost dusk now and the whistles of several Wigeon could heard clearly, and Curlew also landed on the opposite bank. Eventually as the tide was coming in we had to leave the shoreline and find our way across rough scrub back to the road. This was hard going, but on reaching our goal we proved this circular walk was possible. The whole walk had taken us two and a half hours but the “Otter” sighting had made the experience very worthwhile.