Otter under a Rainbow

Weather: Windy, wet and occasional short spells of sun between the rain.

Theo's Wilderness explorer:

Before even reaching our first spot, Theo spotted a big dog Otter fishing at high tide while driving down the road! Managing to pull up, it bought a fish ashore not too far away and tucked into it before heading off.

At the next stop we had Harbour Seals, Kittiwakes, Bar-tailed Godwits and Ringed Plovers of note. Red Deer were out on the moorland further down.

Arriving at our lunch spot an Otter was fishing just offshore before bringing a small fish ashore right in front of us before wandering along the shoreline down the coast to fish.

After avoiding a few squalls and having lunch we went out on our walk. A Juvenile WTE flew over the near hillside and a dog Otter was fishing out in the channel beneath us. 2 Common Sandpipers flew by, a fairly late date for them to still be here.

Reaching the end point of our walk with Cormorant and Shags on offshore island, a guest spotted another Otter running down to the shore, we had fantastic views of it hunting just walking around the shoreline seaweed catching small fish and crabs for over 30mins!

Walking back we spotted 3 WTE's flying down to the shoreline, 2 of them were adults and they perched up. 1 quickly flew off and dived into the sea and caught a Mackerel! Over the next 20mins we watched both birds have many failed attempts and a few more successful ones catching more fish.

Further down a guest spotted our 5th Otter of the day ambling on the shoreline, before heading off to feed. We headed back to the van before the next squall and incredibly wet drive home.

I promise there's an Otter under the Rainbow!

Jack's tour:

Despite the beginning of the day feeling like being inside of a wind tunnel, Jack and the group managed to spot a distant white tailed eagle screaming north over a nearby ridge at the first stop of the day. Below the ridge, the Red Deer are beginning to assemble for the upcoming rut with a large herd of approximately 25 animals and a Golden Eagle flying overhead with a full crop (at first glance it almost resembled a pelican).

Carrying on with the day we had 2 adult WTE overhead from the van, with the female elegantly hanging in the air allowing fantastic views in the scope for everyone. After lunch we spotted the local female Otter with her large cub running along the shoreline before hunting in the shallows. Quick toilet stop then onto the moors for Hen Harriers- which we got almost immediately. We watched a wonderful juvenile Hen Harrier quartering over nearby moorland, before retreating to the van to hide from a particularly nasty squall. On the way back to base we stopped to look at some Wading birds and 2 Irish Hares in a local field.