A White-tailed Eagle Tale from the Isle of Lewis

One of our most far-flung members, indeed a Director of SIH, David Roberts from Galson Farm Hostel on the Isle of Lewis has been observing some unusual behaviour from a White-tailed Eagle (often referred to as Sea Eagles).  I would thoroughly recommend visiting David's website and reading the news/gossip tab which lays out in delightful detail the seasonal happenings on his farm.

Recently we have been hearing a huge clamour from the ever increasing flocks of Greylag Geese. Rushing outside, it became clear the mayhem had spread miles along the coast, with several packs rising in abject panic. This was not a one-off since this recurred over several days.The cause of the pandemonium was a juvenile White-tailed Eagle. Having witnessed Golden Eagles overflying geese without reaction for many years, it would seem logical to suggest that the Sea Eagles are predating on the Greylags. Whilst l am aware they do take smaller geese on the lower Isles, these are a sight heftier a challenge, and l have yet to witness an actual kill..Is it possible that they have been taking young goslings and juveniles to date,hence the reaction? Will it transpire that as they acquire a taste,will harsher winter conditions force them into taking on fully grown adults? This would be  beneficial in controlling an ever increasing out of control Greylag Geese population with no existing predator,and maybe deflect damage away from lambs in spring, especially if this were to lag behind slightly,with hatching.

At the Hostel Door

When all five lums in and around the hostel here are gently reeking with woodsmoke we feel the wind of seasonal change from Autumn to Winter is just about on us.  We lost our Soay ram this week as he simply could not make the transition from grass feeding to a diet of hay, sheep mix and the last of the vegetation.   Today, after the big winds we are inching our way around in the white stuff and keeping an eye on road conditions for tonight's party, oldie hill walkers returning for at least their fifth visit.

 
That inauspicious start to the festive season apart we are happy to look back on a bumper summer and autumn which have brought to us so many different discerning visitors.  A number of North Americans we learn like to spend time both in Ireland and then Scotland or the other way round.  This Celtic pilgrimage is echoed also by Bretons and Basques whose shores share in our rich seaboard heritage.  Add then to this our Welsh and Cornish cousins for whom, as with the Scots of old, it was the seaways more than land routes which saw them trading and of course fighting to protect or conquer and we can begin to understand the bonds which bring those North American descendants to explore our treasured Scotland.

Solo Travellers in Hostels: Peter Wright of Inveraray Hostel

Are Hostels geared to catering for the Solo Traveller?

 

Solo travellers get a poor deal from accommodation in general. In hotels and guest houses they pay much more, often twice as much, as anyone else. Thank goodness for  Hostels, where solo travellers are charged no more than others!

So are hostels geared to catering for solos?