Being a mum…

… isn’t always easy, especially if you’re an Oystercatcher.

We set out this morning and it was greyer than it had been recently. Nevertheless, there was still interest on the length of the coast running down to Lochranza.

This Oystercatcher parent braved the elements (and the sea was particularly rough as it was on the day we arrived on Arran) time and time again to search for cockles between the rocks to feed her baby.

SUCCESS!

Each find was brought back to the pebbles and Junior was expected to catch up while Mum winkled (!) out the cockle from its shell.

Then the tricky bit… Mum needs to transfer the precious cockle to Junior…

OH NO! DROPPED IT!

WELL DONE JUNIOR!

Tearing ourselves away from this charming pair, we saw a female Hen Harrier flying along the cliffs on the other side of the road…

Not having seen the Fulmar on her nest recently, we are a little concerned that the Harrier may have something to do with it.  Just along from the Fulmar nest is this strange marking in the cliff face. Does it look like a man to you? Peter thinks so. I can see what he means in this photo…

Back on the beach, another Curlew…

… and a Ringed Plover atop a giant rock:

Further down the coast the weather had cheered up a bit and the sea was blue again.

We had promised ourselves a scone at The Lighthouse, a little restaurant with tables outside at the village of Pirnmill.  It was rather a disappointment overall. The scones tasted like shop ones and it’s always a worry when the jam is in individual portions. My ‘cake’ was a curiously named Empire biscuit.  I thought it sounded interesting but it was really a softish shortbread sandwiched with a miniscule amount of jam and fake cream, topped by some icing and a jellytot that wasn’t even in the middle!

Nowhere even comes close to the Airport Cafe on Barra.

A curiously named boat:

Some wonderful rocks of all shapes and sizes:

My newest favourite in the bird population…

Black Guillemot – love those feet!

The colour of the sea changed yet again in the late afternoon and is now like molten silver.

This truly is a magical island – so much to see and enjoy.