26/02/2010 A long period of snow on the ground with still bright days was replaced by two days of high winds from the north east,and my goodness it was cold.Given that the mainland highlands had a dumping of 2 foot of snow,we escaped fairly lightly with only their export of cold air.As l sit here typing this ,the starlings outside my window are ferrying huge amounts of nesting materials in frenzied competition,so they must reckon springs on its way.The spring bulbs however are not entirely in agreement,with only the first signs of emergence.Given that the daffodils were almost over at this time last year,there is likely to be a sudden rush shortly.Our ewes are waddling around with heavy bellies and we will bring them into lambing quarters this weekend,which means our replacement gimmers will be evicted ,having spent the winter inside, to make way.But at least they have the prospect of three benign days in which to acclimatise

15/02/2010 l have just been informed by our local RSPB officer,that during a recent visit to Egypt,he was told that in one area they were eating an estimated 8,000 corncrakes annually.Given that in our Ness area we have somewhere in the region of 25-50 breeding pairs,our efforts to conserve and increase numbers are bought into stark reality by this news.As l struggle to get just one pair back into Galson,this is not the news l wanted to hear.After years of hearing that it is farming practice in the UK responsible for the decline in their numbers,it would appear that it is not so straightforward.One thing absolutely sure is that the only chance of the species future lies in the western europe breeding grounds,with Egypt playing the role of spoiler.Whilst it shows that one mans threatened species is anothers dinner,the answer is "not for long in a declining situation".All of this got me thinking if only we get Greylag geese to change their migration patterns and extend their winter range out from Lewis into Egypt.Giving an exchange rate of at least six corncrake to a goose,this would at a stroke change the barbeque habits along the Nile delta,whilst relieving the problem of expanding and high overwintering greylag numbers here.All of the above just shows how complicated,linked,and difficult conservation management becomes for mere mortals.

08/02/2010 After receiving snow,rain,hail and sleet with a delivery speed of up to 40mph for the past few weeks,it is nice to have a fairly quite week to look forward to.With rumours that glaciers are once again forming in parts of the highlands,roofs collapsing from the weight of snow,and temperatures so low that you could park the freezer outside with the power off, it would appear that we are getting a proper old fashioned winter.All of this leads me to wonder if the larson ice shelf is making up lost area,and the north west passage is seeing plenty of ships plying their trade.Looking back this time last year,l had my poly tunnel planted up,garden dug and the first seeds planted.In contrast,l have still to lift potatoes,just dug over the onion bed in polytunnel and will plant tomorrow,and will get beds ready inside to plant early potatoes.On the animal front,we are feeding ewes concentrates ready for lambing in four weeks time,having brought them onto sand park,which is dry underfoot and close to the buildings.Unfortunately have one very blind cow,Bre,who has succumbed to silage eye.Caused by scratches to the eye lens from grass stalks,becoming infected,the eye clouds over completely.Both eyes are affected,and she absolutely loathes the antiseptic powder blown into her eyes.Each day is a challenge for both parties,with ever increasing slyness on both sides  to invade or evade.We have seen it previously and it usually resolves within a few weeks.This is just as well because 700 kg of fast moving cow ,possesing no steering,brakes or the remotest idea of what is approaching is not to be reccomended for a long healthy life of those working near her.This apart,the cattle are in rude health,as are horse and donkey.

16/01/2010 Back to rain and wind with the odd still day thrown in .Huge fun had by all as we tackled trimming the cows feet.By a method of ropes,patience by our helpful vet,Hector and a liberal covering of the brown stuff,it was a good job done.As is usual in these things,we emerged from proceedings like refugees from a big crisis,whilst the cows rolled their big eyes suggesting mountains had been produced from molehills.Two things now strike me as l type,firstly l need to buy a cattle crush for next time.Secondly,l have no chance in catching up with them over the coming months,since they can now sprint for Scotland.Thankfully Fraser the bull did not need doing.He proved the fact by taking one look at the approaching Hector,and hurtled round off into his shed.Obviously this was at same time as l decided to duck into his shed out of harms way.As l pointed out that we could not both fit through the doorway at the same time,he disproved my theory,and oh yes we could,since as bullies go ,he is just so much better at it than me--ouch

08/01/2010 Whilst all around us have had large amounts of snow and ice,Galson has remained free.As a result we have had very large numbers of golden plover,lapwing,snipe,woodcock and a covering of everything else that probes the ground for food.Our wet,tightly grazed fields proving a safe haven in bad weather,with good feeding as it was heavily manured in autumn,so plenty of worms.But we find ourselves over the past two days with rock hard frozen ground with not a bird in sight.Given the fact that l have already picked up several dead birds in the past few days,this winter will prove a disaster for a great number.Normally they can fly on to somewhere better to feed,but since up until now,we were that place.Any flight will prove useless with exhausted hungry birds arriving to no salvation,since further south is a completely frozen and snowbound..At midday today our pebble beach was frozen solid within a few feet of the ocean.Our whooper swan was still in residence up until two days ago.

21/12/09 All the recent suggestions that we should keep less cattle and cut methane emissions ,thereby global warming and save the planet,has made me feel guilty.The alternative suggested is to grow crops for human consumption,so here is my proposed future plan.l will plough and cultivate all my land thereby increasing my fossil fuel dependancy severalfold in order to fuel my machinery.l will overlook the carbon this will release into the atmosophere,paying no attention to the fact that peat soils contain so much more.Of course l will need to put lots more artificial fertiliser on (fossil fuel again) as no animals means no manure.Paying no heed that l live in a high rainfall area,l will ignore that a higher amount of nitrates will leach into the watercourses than with slow release,low nitrogen animal manures.Of course l will need several fertiliser applications along with several sprays,involving tractors once more.When harvesting in our regular wet autumn,higher diesel use will be in order,not too mention a whole load for the presumed drying of aforementioned crops.l will endeavour to turn a blind eye to the large amount of soil erosion washed into the rivers,from harvest and subsequently until the following spring(very late here-May)when l am able to get a covering crop in to stabilise soils.l will live in hope for a heavy rain free period as l cultivate to gain establishment.Having grown all this wonderful food,in the hope that the resident greylag geese will leave some behind, l will of course need to transport it south in juggernauts for processing,distrbution,sales(yet more diesel) and not forgetting Tescos much needed profits(helicoptors,planes,large bonuses) .

It is a source of shame to me that it took a high profile third party to point out this my misjudgement in my choice of agricultural practice in choosing to keep animals.In an effort to make amends l have thought long and hard and have considered taking a position far removed from farming,like writing music,films ect,in short a celebrity,but still keeping an active interest by pointing out farmers shortcomings.However on reflection l realise that in truth l should stay with what l know,growing grass for animal feed not "grass" for human abuse. Instead of promoting what could be a lot of balls,LET IT BE, and stick to one bull,and the goods news is that ours,"Galson Stormprince Fraser"is doing his bit in the production of hot air,having covered three of our girls in the past two days.And it should never be overlooked that cow dung is considered by experts,to be the perfect food source for BEATLES. So,as Fraser continues to enjoy his christmas period,it seems a good time to wish all past guests,friends and readers of this Seasons Greetings and a delicious New Year

20/12/09 With white water all of half a mile out from the beach,huge rampaging black clouds roaring in with five minute blasts of horizontal sleet/snow accelerated by 50 mph gusting weather fronts,the view to sea for the past two days has been truly epic.With temperatures bouncing back and fro some 10 degrees within hours,predictions are hopelessly inadequate.What little snow we have had ,did not stay long as is usual.Working outside is no hardship with this scenery as a backdrop,as long as you see plastic objects lifted off the sea coming at you and judge the correct way to duck--ouch

16/12/09 Recently read a summary of this years weather that stated that North West Scotland had enjoyed a 150% increase on the average of sunshine this summer.Here on Lewis that certainly meant spring and early summer benefitted.With jan/feb/mar drier than normal,and the following april/may/june/july having most of the extra sun available,it was inevietable that late summer would be hard pressed to keep up,and so it proved,with haymaking proving troublesome.Summer made a welcome return in October,with a glorious three week spell,before November muscled in with huge amounts of wind and rain.December is proving more normal with wind from all quarters bringing a mix of all weathers,from the deliciously benign to the very briskAnimals are well with the exception of a three legged Clydesdale,who was feeling very sorry for himself and close to death if his demeanour was anything to go by.With treatment for a fungal infection he is much improved and back on his food.Normally such a bang,crash wallop fellow,it is very noticeable when he does not feel 100%.Hazel says its like man flu,with the end "very nigh".

19/11/09  our whooper swan must be equipped with long range radar with weather prediction facility.Given the extremely bad weather further south,he is in no hurry to move on.New calf has been named Reegan but given her sprinting abilities perhaps Lewis (Carla?) might have been more fitting.The positive is that l harbour no illussions about chasing her and can concentrate on the "leading role".Shed is now fitted out and bedded so we can bring animals in at short notice,but the weather is still mild and we still have some grass left to clear,so energy blocks are out to balance low forage nutrition,and cows will be left out whilst conditions are in their favour

10/11/09 took some time away,thanks to neighbours prepared to hold the fort regards animals.Arrived back to find new boiler fitted and a new calf ,who made her appearance two weeks ahead of schedule.Full of life,our bull fraser is throwing very precocious young ladies,and has managed to provide a full belt (see 16/08) and has secured what was looking a shaky future.Grazing is in short supply and we will begin to house stock.Once again we are currently playing host to a very large whooper swan who arrived a few days ago absolutely exhausted.He is replenishing himself on our vacant water-meadow,and can now lift his neck to full height.

09/10/09 Autumn storms are upon us with the odd calm day before the next blow hits.Temperature dived for 6 hours as wind swung north east and reminded us that winter is not far away.Concrete pad is laid in two days,one each in following weeks and both with no rain.Animals have all been treated for worms/fluke/fly/scab ect,with a new pour on product for cattle meaning no injecting.This has been greeted with great enthusiasm by man and beast for obvious reasons,and the orthopedic dept at our local hospital can stand down.All have been moved to fresh pasture,and the rams are back visiting the girls.Our lambs actually sold for money this year,but our heating boiler has just departed,so the feel good factor has dissapated somewhat as the arithmatic tells us we needed to sell three times as many lambs to balance the books.Oh well,some things never change

28/09/09 abysmally wet and windy weather has ended with a peach of a sunny warm calm day.Set me thinking why the ladies buy defoliating creams to remove dead skin ect,when 6o seconds facing into the oncoming weather here on lewis,would have the same effect,plus taughten wrinkles and put colour in the cheeks for free..The only good thing to say of the previous week is that it was warm and wet,,so as a result the grass has gone into super ballistic mode and turned emerald green and grown.Busy on putting shuttering in ready to concrete a new pad to the rear of the livestock shed.What was to happen friday has been bought forward to thursday,since rain and gales are forecast.Lots of bewick and whooper swans flying in this week  taking advantage of the break in the weather,and reminding us that the seasons are rushing by.Geese are also on the move and true enough l did see a lone bee today,which l suspected of wearing a flak jacket,albeit colour coded to a  bee pattern

17/09/09  A week of dry weather has seen me rushing to finish my neighbours haylage crop ,which was made in ideal conditions.This was an improvement,since l was finished wrapping by midnight.No time to rest as the stables and accummalated muck heaps are being spread whilst ground conditions allow.Since my loader (me with a fork) is somewhat time challenged,this is taking a few days.Hopefully a little rain and some more warmth will allow some more growth before the sheep are turned in,at the back end of october.One good thing is that the 300 greylag geese that were feeding here have taken the hump and departed.l had always thought that they were finding food visually,but now question if they are using SMELLivision.As l can only do a small area of the field daily,they still have plenty to graze,but they departed on day one.Given that l can smell the grass as the wind blows through it,the idea might have some merit.The concept that applying nasty smelly stuff can act as a deterrent is tempered by the fact that my neighbours downwind  would apply for a culling licence for ME if it were a regular event.If only l could find a "goose only smell".The last two swallows left here on 5th september and l wished them well ,with a safe return.My attention is turning to getting a concreted and fenced hardstanding at the rear of the new livestock shed.l have installed a mezzanine storage area inside with a lift up stair access.As is my wont,the stairs and guardrail are of substantial proportions and weight and my original idea of conterbalance weights  have had to make way for a heavy duty winch.Lambs are now sold,and just crept from the insult to the actual money bracket.Ewes will receive a little extra nutrition in readiness to meet with our rams.Cattle  are disgacefully well and very happy on our water meadow which they usually detest and demand movement within a day.This may have a lot to do with a dry summer meaning that it produced lush sweet grass as opposed to a  harder acidic type.The wildflowers certainly much preferred the damp but not soggy conditions.My apologies for lack of recent news for regular readers,but l am on the go--honest>Oh  and we still have bees flying this week with a new flush of red clovers acting as incentive

16/08/09 new calf born this week and she is a little stunner,and named rania ,which given her speed of movement is very appropriate.One small problem is that that our last two calves born,do not posess full belts,which is not so good on pedigree belted galloways.A stern word to our bull fraser might seem in order.Weather is patchey with wind and rain and glimpses of sun,not good when we still have hay too get

08/08/09 finished haymaking for ourselves and just have a few neighbours left to do.Fourteen swallows overflying tonight just showing how a few good summers can turn things around,given that we had none only two years since.Being at the top end of their range,little changes bring big differences.It is pure joy on my part to see them skimming our fields in search of food,and l hope that they travel kindly,winter well,and as many as possible make it back next year,as l wait in hopeful anticipation for the sound of their excited calls as they celebrate and announce their return home

31/07/09 very happy today,as l have managed to bale some more haylage,we have a nest full of 5 very healthy swallows in our stable,and l came across a corncrake in our water meadow today.It may well just be passing through,but at least it knows where we are for future reference--lets hope it spreads the word

26/07/09  this is the now the second sunday of the new ferry service operating on this day,from the isle of lewis to ullapool.My thoughts are that it will not be this fact that will change how the island becomes,but the subsequent actions of the residents,time will tell.Have just learnt that as our payments for rural stewardship reach the end of our first agreement,the prospects of obtaining any extension is pretty nigh hopeless,not just for ourselves but for most islanders.This is of course "wonderful news" just as we are making significant progress to have the ground cut from beneath us and amply demonstrates,if any were needed,the bizarre nature of government/public body funding.The really galling thing is the knowledge that it is not dependant on your previous efforts,which seem to count for nothing,and all to do with the accessability of preferred advisors to submit your claim.The isle of lewis and harris has one overworked man,mainland scotland has many more with wealthier farming clients,so no prizes for picking the winners in latest lottery

2/07/09 bizarrely enough l found myself grateful for the showers of rain that have just commenced after a long dry spell.Everything is so dry and lack of enough grass to make hay for the animals winter feed is a real concern.Although we have lovely flower meadows,they come at the price of greatly reduced grass.On sand park this looks by as much as 66%--ouch.New Calf born,a daughter to bre named rhiannon,whose activity level since birth has been manic.Have made a start at haymaking,on some donated grassland on a neighbouring croft.Good opportunity to fire up machinery on the relaxed pressure of several wonderfully hot sunny days,before the pressure of a bigger area of our own meadows are upon us

27/06/09 Stunningly good weather in the past 10 days,means that visitors really have seen the islands dressed in their very finest clothes.We are now being compared too the Greek islands and the Agean sea by our latest guests,and rightly so.The haymeadows are a riot of colour from the wildflower,the scent from them can get you heady within 5 minutes,and their are Battalions of Bumblebees taking full advantage,including the odd Great Northern this year.Having spent the past week erecting a new fence around the sand park meadow,the vibrancy of it all is staggering,and improving year on year.Orchids abound everywhere and are of generous proportions in terms of number,size,and intensity of colour in contrast to the normal wee huddled versions trying to survive.How much hay we will finally cut remains to be seen ,since a dry start certaily held back the grass and favoured the flowers.The Yellow Rattle which is a parasite on the grasses has also spread completely across the field,also putting a check on growth.With our Rural Stewardship Funding ceasing this year it will put pressure on us should we be unsuccesful in applying for more.Having had to purchase Hay for winter feed last winter,it does raise questions as too sustainability.But one fact is clear to all that visit,in the five years of funding,they have watched a green,single species desert,transform back to a traditional multi-specied oasis for wildlife,with effort and desire and a little help from our friends in government.Animals are doing well, with a new calf due shortly.On a sadder note,our blind ewe Bramble passed away,but having spent almost 3 summers with us,it was a good life despite the hardship.Memories will remain of spring days with her chasing up and down the hill in play with her small group of minders---she was never last

16/05/09 two weeks of dry sunny breezy weather with north easterly winds has dryed everywhere up but we now desperately could do with some significant rainfall.Wildflowers are now bursting forth and a walk yesterday through our water meadow shows a huge leap in the number of orchids this year.

28/05/09 White tailed sea eagle flying on the north galson moor today being mobbed by hoodies.Forced to land you can see just how big they are.Having just had a letter printed today in the local paper on the subject of sea eagles,it was l suppose,inevitable that one would make an appearance after a long absence.Our local estate ranger has this year put together a series of guided walks around the estate,so if you are interested please let us know and we can forward  a brochure

23/05/09 A new calve has been born to peigi.Named Roisin,she is now bouncing around in our big field alongside the lambs,who are mutually fascinated by each other.We are delighted as we really were hoping for a female,and it is a challenge to pick who is proudest between ourselves and mum,but l concede that she would have the edge.After a short pause recovering from surgery,l took advantage of a dry spell to spread well rotted manure onto sand park.Grazed hard earlier to allow wild flowers to compete,we are hopeful of a lot more colour in this haymeadow this year.It was absolutely white,being covered in daisies this year,which is encouraging,and all the signs are positive.The water meadow is smother in rich yellow water marigold,and we look forward in to seeing it dressed in a sea of brilliant reddy pink of ragged robin shortly.All is go with nesting birds and our swallows have returned again this year,and will hopefully successfully rear.they seem to have returned to the low height of the horse stable,ignoring the large new shed adjoining

7/05/09  Big flock of curlew(200) with a few whimbrel in amongst them,taking advantage of the first real wet weather for a few weeks to probe for food on our home field.Its a real pleasure to see them close up with their big curved bills.Walking down to sand park by the shore ,had a merlin whistle past on a following wind and watched a peregrine hunting along the shoreline.The herring gull must be sitting eggs as visits are short ,demanding affairs.l am hoping to see birds nesting in our livestock shed,and a pair of swallows would be great,but we will have to wait.Talking of which a corncrake has still to take up residence on our water meadow.The cows have spent a few weeks in there opening up areas and leaving dung piles to attract crake food so fingers crossed again.Two cows due to calve anyday now,so l am crossing everything else for a good outcome

30/04/09  Phew,my neighbour witnessed our acrobatic crows routine today,so l am not barking or blind.Now all we have to do is hope that the crow does not expand his routine too include petrol and matches

28/04/09  What is it with the Hebrides,crows,and electricity cables?Walking out yesterday l saw what looked like at first sight a very large bat hanging upside down on a power line.Upon closer examination as it displayed its wings ,l realised this was a crow.As it flapped its wings l pondered how it had managed to get trapped.It then proceeded to swing ever higher back and forth for a few minutes,when l became aware of another bird sat on a nearby pole.Approaching ,thinking how the heck do l help it to get free,it suddenly dropped,clapped its wings,spun over and soared off with presumeably its mate.Now it impressed me,so goodness knows what effect it had on the other bird.Spring is in the air,mates need to be impressed,and it is a continuing challenge to come up with new routines to impress the ladies----l scored this one at 99/100

16/04/09  Summer has arrived here on the isle of lewis with sunny days and drying winds over the past 9 days with high daytime temperatures contrasting with cooler nights,grass growth is still hesitant.We have taken advantage and turned out our stock,with ewes and lambs skipping around Sand Park and the Cows on the water meadow.We have held two ewes with triplets and an older ewe inside to give them extra feed and attention,and two of the cows due to calve in May.Stonechats are back and a Snowy Owl has made an appearance on the common grazings.We have a large flock of golden plover on the fields by the shore

05/04/09  Three days of drying conditions followed by two days of heavy downpours,which has done little to help the fertiliser application put on our most sheltered field in an attempt to get some earlier grass to turn ewes and lambs onto.Our last ewe lambed last night,the task finished in 27 days which is very quick compared to the previous 5 years.Named Lucky because she was born so tiny,she lived up to her name by aking sure we were there to assist her birthing,since her lamb was presented badly and she would not have been able to cope by herself.She is very proud of her new son and is currently penned with her mum and her son.

28/03/09  Three days of truly wonderful dry sunny days have been followed in quick succession by four days of lashing gales,with every type of nastiness hurled in at us.Winds have veered to every quarter in quick order,and the fields that had shortly before dried up,have become an ankle gripping morass once again.As l write this the wind has died,the sleet and hail storms receeded,and the sun is out warming the day.Looking out the daffodils have taken a battering making you appreciate the good sense the native flowers employ by making a later appearance.Lambing continues, but we are past the halfway stage,and ewes and lambs are bouncing around inside strawed pens oblivious to it all.One thing we are noticing is a marked increase in growth,obviously using their energy input in this direction as opposed to throwing it all towards pure survival exposed to the elements.The other bonus is contented happiness and joy,this being the case for animal and people,never ever to be underestimated.The downside is the amount of time spent in their company,the need to beat a retreat greatly diminished in the comfort of shelter

18/03/09 The red deer stags are back on the common grazings by the side of the road,at the top of the township.l am constantly amazed how well they blend in to their surroundings,and you usually only see them as you are on top of them,hence accidents with cars.Thankfully with a full head of antlers at this time of year,it was these against the background of sky that made me aware of their presence.

12/03/09 Busy time setting up the sheep pens in the shed ready for lambing,and made it by the skin of my teeth as the following morning(Monday) saw the arrival of our first lambs of the the season,twin males.Mother has a damaged udder and not much milk,so it has been bottle feeding from the start.A course of antibiotics has relieved inflammation and now it remains to be seen if she will "come on her milk" and manage to rear her offspring without extra help.With lots of well rounded big bellied ewes it looks like this weekend will see the start of a hectic period.After being introduced to their new quarters for the past 4 days by feeding inside and allowiung them free access,tonight has seen the ladies shut in for the nights.They will be let out during the day in reasonable weather.Hopefully this will avert chilled frozen lambs at birth or any deaths by hooded crows,or black backed gulls.Our tame herring gull,Hattie, has arrived back from her winter at sea in tip-top condition and will be breeding shortly.The first snow buntings arrived back here this monday and the pair are still here as of today.Calves are looking disgracefully well but little Niamh is tiddlely  compared to her counterparts,Fergus and Aoifa.She is obviously not getting too much milk from mum and everytime we see her she is tucking into hay.She is getting a larger than normal amount of concentrate and despite her stature she has the heart of a lion and pushes the other two calves off to gain some of their share.Although l know she will eventually catch them up,it does show how well animals do on mums milk.The entrance foyer has been refurbished in the past few weeks and  hopefully is a big improvement of what was there before.Lots of job losses on the island due to fish processing and the shutdown of the islands largest tweedmill,along with Woolworths,as the ripples of the financial crisis lap on the Hebrides shores,and like others l can only hope that it is a shortlived gloom from which a strong light can burst forth for those affected.Efforts are on-going to find a companion for our donkey Apple,and we remain hopeful that these will prove successful

18/02/09 Mixed weather in the past ten days has seen the GOOD, the BAD, but very little ugly.Taking advantage of the better days, the sheep have been vaccinated for pasteurella, cattle tested for tuberculosis(all clear) and finishing touches continue on the livestock shed. With renovations to the house in progress and thoughts turning quickly to the vegetable garden, its all go. At a meeting tonight looking at the road equivalent tarrif and how the 50% reduction in ferry fares is affecting our lives. So a timely reminder to mention this scheme runs until spring 2011,just right to potential visitors to take full advantage.Remember this operates on all routes throughout the western isles.

7/02/2009 Biting winds with sleet feeling like shotblast has finally given way to a still day and a beautiful covering of snow. This week has seen trough feeding commence to the sheep and we expect lambs in mid march. Given the weather this has been welcomed by them. They look in good condition and with the ability to lamb and hold inside this year, we are looking forward to a good lambing. The croft has played host to a large flock of lapwings (greenplovers or peewits) this week and takes me back to my days as a "farmers boy" in Warwickshire.Etched into my memory is the time l was sent out to spray a spring cereal field upon the arrival of sunny dry weather, somewhat later in the year than was normal. Upon arrival l discovered lapwing chicks everywhere, instead of nest sites or eggs,and caught between not wishing to harm these wonderful birds or failing my employer, whose answer to most problems was a shotgun and large supply of cartridges, called for radical solutions and fast thinking if l was to avoid carnage or  dismissal for failiure. Remembering a large stored pile of cardboard boxes in a farm building,  l spent a somewhat torrid hot afternoon chasing all over the field catching and boxing chicks whilst being repeatedly beaten up by understanderbly upset concerned parents. Chicks boxed and safely contained away from the spray at their nest sites, spraying completed , dried and chicks released, l was thankful to see parents coming in and gathering their charges no harm done. Thankfully the field in question was out of view from the farm buildings. Elation however was shortlived as l arrived back at the farm to find l was very late for milking and the boss was away leaving me to it. Arriving back home late he was less than pleased to find me still at it, called me an idle slacker, threatened to sack me and docked my wages. Now,all of this l could cope with but l had not reckoned with my farming neighbours, who to my chagrin had a clear(ish) view of proceedings and delighted in telling my employer (but not me) of the lunatic he had successfully employed. Moreover, left out in the sun too long, he was apt to run amok aimlessly. Finding this out years later explained why he continually treated me like the village idiot and never worked with me.---so you see l do have much to thank lapwings for and yes they did continue to nest on the site, but thankfully after a bad cereal harvest (blamed no doubt on bad spraying by an idiot) the field was put into permanent grassland. This week saw an influx of fieldfare and redwing, presumably retreating from the snow sweeping England and mainland Scotland, as it is somewhat early for normal migration

30/01/2009 We have commenced hauling large hay bales from the port of ness to feed the stock. This was made from a wildflower seeded meadow under an RSPB scheme and is valued by ourselves as a method of introducing seeds onto the croft. Although l have seeded the croft this autumn with ox-eye daisy and field scabious, passing this purchased feed through the cattle will give us another route to establishment. We intend to continue this process over the coming years and are especially hopeful of returning flower rich pastures to our lower sandy machair, which l am told were previously covered in flowers. Hopefully the cows will be happy to assist as their hay contains a great diversity of plants and flavours and will produce that rare occurance of a win-win situation

28/01/2009 A week of strong winds and driving rain has challenged the outdoor work programme somewhat this week. Our local buzzard is working overtime whenever the wind drops to allow for flying ,which is mainly mornings. He seems determined to exploit the bunnies that have moved off the shore and are active on our croft. My very best wishes for its great success, since we have protected sites which are not helped by vigorous hole digging. Have not seen any other birds of prey for a while, but this will change now l have said that. Tremendous seas with large swells and offshore breeze making a very dramatic picture, but in a calm moment, shelduck spotted off the mouth of the river.

20/01/2009 The island was battered by gale force winds and rain,with a "top speed" of 103mph recorded at the Butt.Most damage was to Stornoway side.The new shed was completely intact and the cows happily tucked up inside, wondered what all the fuss was about.Re-design mk 3 seems to have hit the spot, so l am now on with fabricating the main entrance doors for the tractor access.

11/01/2009 The first of the January storms hit last night and continues today, with the inevietable loss of power for a few hours. Strong winds and driving rain tested the new shed and discovered all the weaknesses of design. Wishing to maintain lots of fresh air within for the good health of the cows means l have tried to leave areas of the side unsheeted. However today the rain drove in to the far corners of the shed, making redesign mark 3 urgently nessacery as the cows are in residence tomorrow and a wet bed is hardly very healthy. After removing what l spent a day putting in, l think l now have the balance right. l await the critics response with baited breath, after all is said and done, l realise the animals are the experts and masters and l am the trainee with enough intelligence to look and learn and make adjustments as required

03/01/2009  Apple is doing doing well and has now found a new freedom in her life. We now realise that the great burden of responsibility she has carried so diligently over the past 3 years in caring for her friend has now been lifted and she is now in her element with our Clydesdale as companion, and can get up to all sorts of things previously off limits due to her carers role. Out all day and indeed most of the night, galloping about and all manner of playfulness, it is great too see the burden lifted from her and she can now express her own character once more. We now hope that this will continue for many years ahead and look forward to taking a great pleasure from this

Earlier this year we suffered power cuts seven nights in a row and always at 11pm. As you can imagine this became frustrating as we had to reprogramme a host of electrical devices. Our first enquiry led to a response of bird strike, but a few days later this was amended to a bird nesting. It turned out to be not just any bird, but a very determined hooded crow, who was using dicarded fence wire in amongst nest materials for his construction on top of electricity poles. A neighbours son, Murdo Louis, is the linesman for the area and a policy of early nest removal was in place, as previous years had seen several poles ablaze from non eviction. The time chosen was deemed the least inconvenient to users. The ensuing struggle was well contested by both parties and it seemed only proper to recollect the event from both perspectives and after all there can be only one winner, can there not?   

THE CROFTING CROW

l've no place to go, said the crofting crow,     

eying up the electricity pole,

its nice up here, bright fresh and clear,

far better than the usual bolthole.

l will make my nest big, using the odd twig,

and maybe a branch or two,

a little wire, to start a fire,

will do nicely to finish "my feu".

now whats all this, theres something amiss,

heres a man with a very big stick,

he's poking my home, suggesting l roam,

off into another district.

it's the "clearance" for me and my family,

evicted before they are born,

 l'm not finished yet and you'll come to regret,

evicting me quite so soon.

thers plenty more to choose, lots of poles left to use,

and one thing l can state with certainty,

Murdo Louis will get no rest, his efforts l will best,

and you lot can forget your electricity.

The moral is clear, l'm not leaving here,

fighting for my right to be free,

so if you want bright, nice electrical light,

go out and PLANT UP A TREE

    THE FINAL WORD

A man of some power, l am paid by the hour,

working for the SSE,

out in all weather, pulling together,

to ensure your electricity.

Out travelling my round, whats this l've found,

a real mess on top of a pole,

its not quite a goodie, aye-aye its a hoodie.

setting up home is its goal.

DAY 1

Here now you bird, have you not heard,

that its dangerous around electricity,

so off you go, you silly old crow,

fly off and nest in a tree.

DAY 2

Its you again, did you nae ken,

our conversation of yesterday,

l feel you should know, its time to go,

and don't come back this way.

  DAY 3

did l not say, get off to Stornoway,

theres plenty of "wood" over there,

well its out with my stick, its you l'll evict,

soon have this pole nice and bare.

   DAY 4

its trouble and strife and grief from the wife,

because l am so on the go,

its hard you see, a great difficulty,

explaining a date with a crow.

    DAY 5

this has gone past fun, will l fetch out my gun,

have l got to threaten your life,

you can no longer stay, get off on your way,

mind, don't forget your wife.

   FINAL DAY

now l have done my duty, given him the bootie

he's no longer a meanace or pest,

l am pleased as can be, off home for my tea,

its certainly a load off my chest.

The message is clear, l won't stand for it here,

any threat to the power supply,

so for this particular bird, l know he has heard,

time to leave, OR DIE

 POSTSCRIPT

now money is tight, my wallet feels light,

with doubletime set to disappear,

the bills keep on coming, standing still feels like running,

can we do it again next year?

  (caw really?--THE CROW)