Overnight stay at Proaig

Proaig 'bothy'

Seven of us set off on Friday afternoon for the hike to the 'bothy' at Proaig. I have never stayed there before although I have visited several times before. Each of us carried our own supplies, including our two youngest members, Isi and Becca, both only 7 years of age. The clegs were worse than the midges by far and we were relieved to reach our destination after seeing an adder and lots of butterflies en route - Red Admiral, Dark Green Fritillary, Green-veined White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Common Blue - all in abundance. The birds were not so much in evidence, but we still saw Lesser Black-backed Gull, Starling, Rock Pipit, Reed Bunting, Twite, Redpoll, Shag, Red-breasted Merganser, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail and Hen Harrier. We had a lovely stay, frying up lots of food and toasting marshmallows on the fire. Definitely to be recommended.
Becky

Becca with a Common Frog

Hoverfly - Volucella bombylans

Isi and Becca at the start of the walk

Niall - fully laden!

A walk to Proaig

Last Tuesday several of us ventured to the east of the island for a walk from Ardtalla to Proaig. We saw lots of wildlife en route.
Becky

Emperor Moth caterpillar - 1st instar

Herb Robert (Robertiella robertiana)

Peacock Caterpillars near Proaig

Reed Bunting

Six-spot Burnet moths mating

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - an unusual sighting for Islay

Small Copper

Nyree's footbridge

On my recent walk to Proaig, Jim (and Lorna with her leaky wellies) got their feet wet crossing the River Proaig just before the bothy. If we'd looked closer, however, we'd have seen Nyree's footbridge. I saw her name in the bothy visitor book and emailed her to say so (she has been in touch reguarly with various moth lists since their visit). This is part of her reply, together with a photo of them 'constructing' the bridge:

"With regards to Proaig we all walked from Ardtalla, but only my dad & 
I went right to Proaig, only to find that we couldn't cross the 
heavily swollen river. However we found a large plank on the shore and 
made our own bridge. Did you use our bridge!!"

Thanks Nyree - all I can say is you're braver than me!
Becky

Fallow Deer with cattle - Niall Colthart

Nice shot this - a young fallow deer scrounging a meal from a cattle trough.  Taken by Niall Colthart during a walk to Proaig and MacArthur's Head.