Two more old Islay farmsteads. Corra Ghoirtein translates as Corncrake and is evocative of a time when this now rare farmland bird once inhabited our land in dense numbers.
Coille Mhòr (Big Woodland) is another poignant title as it suggests a time when woodland was more extensive than it is today, although I was encouraged to see evidence of the Rhododendron eradication/native woodland regeneration project at Coill' a Chorra Ghoirtein.
Fiona and I saw a quality total of 7 species of birds today: Golden Eagle (fantastic - never tire of it!), Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Teal, Twite, Meadow Pipit and Common Gull. We saw a plethora of unknown lichens though on the old walls and an interesting pellet.
My only regret (and some would say I was being petty) is that we chose the one dull day sandwiched between two glorious days. Still, it was a joy to explore territory neither of us had really seen before - and that's saying something! Thanks for the company, Fiona - and the excellent map reading!
Becky
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdY3lV7qlQ6wPX87jRcZ62m5i-xzLG4vRCBmYf7IoQuD6_4iHmKqxrtoRWHvbS3cJ_0HSIcFvw60y6SHO2tq3P625Hx6-h1HwPHFlHg6Gqip101HYzk08Z_n65oZ9_2tzihgk9eBKRRQB/s400/+Coille+Mhor.for+blog_2.jpg) |
Coille Mhòr (Big Woodland) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8h-U-M0jGtCo3xXax014K7tjUmDOt1Q7czpo0tZwkAhkUTRTATWToJJA19RPzkH0VmcL2oEtGvwvFFjAuGbS-FtPj9iIywaCaZ8AwWJaRntXYuJXkDFnnWFqjM-EFrZ0ujEq6CMJY7pSh/s400/Regeneration+NR30418+69757.for+blog_2.jpg) |
Regenerating woodland at Bun an Uillt |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ithdr5WjjuPUJoHVm_6PfBAovCzup8LgNeYnPyzv_zP8Iozk__3T4HCyzFyu-82kNl0KjIqarxKM6x9fnmfkqHWKGDigKybFNqzIhxEaYinZUBd0wsNp4HfcGCrW4Zu8auzzeVsRyIP5/s400/pellet.for+blog_2.jpg) |
Interesting pellet |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlb3sq79gxtU3jtnpGAzXTf8wzEYpnQLBzyDudPCdj5MjYFOt2sz9B0xYMqLQjJNAGbwUSNCtuqwfquf_I0LDottAjNmvCjmsOzZC5kQ5SSQhXMEu90oUV6QHwqJjjbL2L_vbWeHeQtxw/s400/Lichen.for+blog_2.jpg) |
Lichen at Corra Ghoirtein |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4h94P7BpWpIVXTRBMDBijg_M2LMoAuHYb6fjtpEFiVqbACrk-3LPiVxWHXkIuBPbztinsSzR8C2G6rdO5h4kMd4mvx5nRSh_IWoSXeBvzE4BOgx5eDf28owdrxAqTvUn6pRkJ0A2RMwD/s400/Corra-ghoirtein+NR31347+69665.for+blog_2.jpg) |
Corra Ghoirtein |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYWCDLB_zHLCiHPBAjHRqzQDgIp-VQGTa5nHmDtKbhT3xmSGcngiEhF-FKhNrQj7QSdF-Ydxv0f5UOBfUDVlYRFxz3y30x77wuHwAOPfM95JgJZuXAM3PTwfF-lvA6pMuJ8E-xZeJfPAH/s400/Fuscidea+Cyathoides_2.for+blog_2.jpg) |
Fuscidea Cyathoides |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGNgEpwHgDS6AdzQNBtKnyLN0pLHaB65KvoH4-pKPnTjpecSOKaM6HvK3tgE5s19YTq0TVk8fXULO5GJZB4lTXIB55rZXO5b7TS6m6VEBprOabCsrK_UT48Vujjbg-ZJnZqGZRavkS1EK/s320/Loch+a+Cnuic+Bric+NR32352+69038.for+blog_2.jpg) |
Loch a' Chnuic Bhric |