Isles of the West, Scotland: The mature ones persist in pursuing them along the shore, as if scolding mischievous youngsters seizing control of a bowl of sweets.
On a day wrapped in mist, we meander along a rugged path and traverse the uneven tractor track that unfolds towards the machair—a coastal canvas of sandy grassy allure. Here, early marsh orchids, silverweed, and bird’s-foot trefoil compose a vibrant tapestry. Amidst this natural gallery, a bedraggled ragged robin, its appearance akin to our bantam chicken Willow on a sodden day, steals a moment in our gaze.
Carpets of daisies, flag irises, meadow buttercups, and marsh marigolds form a living border to the bogs. In the boggy ditches, horsetails stand sentinel, while cuckoo flowers and red-stem stork’s bill grace the sandy trail, and cotton grass sways in sync with the breeze. Passing by remnants of rabbit feasts, perhaps claimed by a white-tailed eagle, our journey unfolds to the symphony of lapwings, oystercatchers, redshanks, and snipes. Overhead, Arctic terns assert their territorial claims as we reach the untouched white sandy beach—void of human presence, except for the timeless calls of sea birds and waders.
Unexpectedly, a spectacle unfolds, a flock of birds dancing in the air—unlike the familiar oystercatchers, ringed plovers, or sanderlings. They wear the guise of lapwings, an improbable sight. Swiftly grabbing a phone, I capture their lively chattering and peeping, and an identification app reveals them as turnstones.
Cloaked in snowy-white feathers adorned with distinct black stripes, their chestnut-brown backs boast artistic black blots. Meanwhile, juvenile turnstones sport a subtle palette of light grey with daisy-white and black-beaked elegance. In the realm of seaweed, the turnstones play a delicate dance, hunting insects and hidden treasures. The adults, akin to seasoned ringmasters, assert their dominance, chasing away the spirited juveniles, a scene reminiscent of mischievous children vying for coveted sweets. “Stop being naughty, turnstones!” we jest, captivated by this coastal performance that etches itself into the album of our unique adventures.