22nd June 2009

Arrival in Sutherland for a week, starting off at Sandwood Bay.  I came prepared with a folding bike to save a bit of time from the 9 mile round trip from Blairmore, though I think this one was more suited to City folks than to the rocky path.  Just one slow motion tumble into the heather later, I was at the Bay.  There were a few bumblebees active, though the sky was overcast and it soon began to drizzle with variable intensity.  Going through the Marram it was clear that there was an enormous amount of Bird's-foot Trefoil flowering, with some White Clover, Tufted Vetch and I came across a single Bush Vetch.  No sign of any Great Yellow Bumblebees.  By the time I made it to Durness, the drizzle had eased, and there was enough time to check the cliffs, where there was an abundance of Kidney Vetch and Bird's-foot Trefoil, with a good mixture of other bumblebee–friendly flowers, including some Red Clover.  The day was rounded off by chatting with a couple of local crofters, and a wee dram.