Uists wildlife Jul 2019

[denfinella]

A few from our first afternoon on North Uist last month - more to follow! ID's welcome

1. Halfway up Eaval (how we managed to get so close, I'll never know!):

2 & 3. On the road to Langass Lodge - loads of these around.

4. A pair of these birds circling above Beinn Langais:

[Stobart]

Good photos. I think the first two are a vole and a Burnet Moth.

[SummitStupid]

The burnet moth is beautiful, nice shot.

[denfinella]

Thanks both. Any idea on the birds?

There were hundreds of the burnet moths around the road back from Langass Lodge, so photographing one at close range was pretty easy!

[CharlesT]

Thanks both. Any idea on the birds?

There were hundreds of the burnet moths around the road back from Langass Lodge, so photographing one at close range was pretty easy!

Out on a limb a bit, but could be female hen harrier. Second picture shows possible white band at base of tail, which is characteristic.

Think the caterpillar is a Garden Tiger Moth.

[denfinella]

Thanks Charles. I'd thought hen harrier too (and they're supposedly very common on the Uists)

[CharlesT]

Thanks Charles. I'd thought hen harrier too (and they're supposedly very common on the Uists)

Apparently there are 30 to 40 breeding pairs on the Uists, where they appear free from persecution and excessive predation since the virtual elimination of feral American Mink. Other mustelids are absent too, though introduced Hedgehogs are a problem for the tern and wader colonies.