The weather in May was not much of an improvement on April on the whole. There were some lovely sunny days but always that cold northerly wind. The month was dominated by more migrant waders heading to Arctic breeding grounds. Huge numbers of Sanderling, Dunlin and Turnstone passed through, with Ringed Plovers and Whimbrel too. Corncrake numbers slowly picked up and offshore both Arctic & Little Terns fished the azure shallows. There were still loads of Great Northern Divers offshore, most in full breeding plumage, and on still nights their haunting calls could be heard accompanying the 'crex crex' of the Corncrakes and drumming of Snipe. Despite the weather the skies were filled with Skylark song and the island was awash with breeding waders - Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank & Snipe.
Botanically the month was very slow. The only orchids were Early Purple and most of the areas that one would expect to be carpetted with wildflowers still looked as though it were winter. This obviously had a big impact on the numbers of bumblebees that were seen.
I did quite a few Wild Tiree tours during the month and although I felt somewhat disapointed, the customers certainly didn't. I maintained my 100% record of showing people Corncrakes, and with Little & Arctic Terns, thousands of waders, as well as Twite, Great Northern Divers, seals and orchids, there was always plenty to see.
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| Sanderling and Turnstone in breeding dress |
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| A stunning male Twite |
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A sunny day at Hynish
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Whimbrel
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| Great Northern Diver |
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| Great Northern Diver |
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| Dunlins & Turnstone |
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