Signs of Summer

The transition from winter through spring into summer seems quicker every year. With the recent spell of fine weather, the aubretia has burst into flower, attracting the Peacock butterflies which have managed to survive the winter. Most of them look in good condition.

The first martens have appeared, swooping over the lochan near The Ferry Stores. These are sand martens, probably those which nest in the bank near the Sanna turn each year. We're waiting anxiously for the return of our house martens; readers will recall that 2010 was a terrible year for them here.

Another sign of the changing season is the yachts appearing in the Sound. This neat boat was moored in Kilchoan Bay yesterday, sitting in a silver sea and flying a large saltire at her stern....

....while another seasonal visitor, the small and select cruise ship Hebridean Princess, was once again moored in Bloody Bay opposite us on Sunday night, though the weather wasn't too special for her passengers.

On the subject of ships, there's some good news. The Ship AIS site, which has been out of action for most of the winter, and which The Diary has sorely missed, is working again, so readers can follow the ships making passage through the Sound of Mull, here.