The recent excitement on Iona is the return of the corncrake, a rare bird that only breeds in the Western Hebrides.  It is more often heard than seen, so its arrival is known by a loud cricket-like sound. It hides in tall grass, like in the field outside our manse apartment. Many of the visitors to the island are bringing their binoculars and cameras hoping for a sighting. We are fortunate to have a "bird's-eye" view of the field from our second floor apartment window and have been able to spot several of them.  Perhaps we should charge admission!