     
     
 
June 2018
June 23rd to July 7th
As we will be away there will be
no tours or blog but we will be leaving
Lucy, the house and self-catering cottages
in our friends Pete and Jenny Latham's
capable hands. If you wish for any
information about future tours or the
self-catering accommodation do not
hesitate to give them a call on 01688
400415 and they will be happy to help. In
the meantime some photos taken on a recent
tour or in our garden in the last few
days.
June 22nd
The last tour for a fortnight as
we are off looking for Polar Bears,
amongst other creatures, on an Ice breaker
ship in the far north. Today the tour was
hard work as the wildlife was taking a day
off with no Golden Eagles or Otters seen,
which goes to show that it is wildlife and
as such is not always putting in an
appearance as we are not a zoo.
White-tailed Eagles were seen well as were
Red Deer but once again it was the Hen
Harrier that stole the show, what a shame
that this iconic bird is being so
persecuted in Britain, it is no supprise
that it is only flurishing in areas where
there are no grouse moors, there
traditional habitat. The fact that the
owners of these moorlands and their game
keepers cannot explain why this is the
case is remarkable, saying it has nothing
to do with them and now they are killing
Mountain Hares in there hundreds, the
traditional food of Golden Eagles, they
will certainly be wanting rid of them next
and all in the name of shooting Gouse.
June 21st
A wonderful day for rapters
today with White-tail Eagles seen sitting,
flying, 4 in the sky together at one time,
and chick in the nest with an adult.
Golden Eagles were also seen flying and
sitting and the day ended with this
fabulous female Hen Harrier flying right
over our heads, a special moment for one
of my guests who really wanted to see Hen
Harrier. It may not have been as exciting
as Arthurs 20 minutes yesterday but the
sightings were spread out through out the
day which was nice. Eider Ducks with
duckings, a Goosander on the river and
Stonechat on a wire were amongst other
enjoyable sighting for the day.
June 20th
Today we saw all Mulls
Specialities and more but it was the 20
minutes at our Hen Harrier stop which will
stay with me for a long time. As we
arrived a guest saw I big bird flying, so
we all got out of the bus very quickly as
it was a White-tailed Sea Eagle, the one
in the photo below. It was being mobbed by
a female Hen Harrier and this carried on
for about 5 minutes before a Raven joined
the fun and the Eagle flew off leaving us
with a very triumphant Hen harrier rising
on the thermols and calling, probably to
her chicks. It was then that a Golden
Eagle flew through, this one was a
juvenile with its white tail and white
under wing bars, it was being mobbed by a
Buzzard giving us great size comparrison,
they hung around for another fiove minutes
before going up high in the clouds. I have
been doing this job for 17 years and this
was one of the most spectacular sightings
I have ever had. God bless Mull and the
birds that fly over her.
June 19th
The rain stayed away till the
end of today's tour and the wildlife
appreciated this as much as we did and
performed admirably. There was a
White-tailed Sea Eagle in a tree by the
nest and we could just make out the chicks
replete after an early breakfast. We saw
at least 3 more White-tailed Sea Eagles
flying during the day. Redshank and Common
Sandpiper were seen before we had a
fantastic sighting of a Hen Harrier which
flew past us as we were looking for none
existent Adders. Whitethroat was seen
after singing its little head off
competing with the more melodious Willow
Warblers. We had a spectacular view of
a Kestrel from a high vantage point
which flew below us mobbing a hapless
Buzzard. Buzzards were everywhere but I
was grateful to the one mobbing the Golden
Eagle and giving my guests very good size
comparison proving that all the Buzzards
we had seen, and there were lots of them,
were indeed not Golden Eagles, we only saw
one of them. We saw 2 Red Throated Divers
and I did get a distant photo to prove we
had seen them, don't look for the second
one it's not in the photo. We had a
fabulous Otter sighting which we watched
as we drank afternoon tea. We finished the
day at the high waterfall in Aros Park and
I took some Photos of a Bracket Fungi, the
waterfall itself and a baby fledged
Dipper.
June 18th
Very windy and showery today and
another difficult day for finding the
wildlife but in the end we managed to see
all Mull's special species including a
close female Hen Harrier at the end of the
day and we found our first Red Deer calf
of the year hiding in the bracken. The
Buzzard chicks on the nest contine to
delight our guests, they are grownig well
now and the largest chick is showing adult
plumage including the distinctive 'chain
of office' as we call the white band
around it's front, mum & dad are
continually flying to and fro with food
for the growing chicks and only stay long
enought on the nest to drop the food
before flying off to fetch more. For all
mulls small birds and mammals its a case
of watch out watch out there's a Buzzard
about.
June 17th
Another fantastic tour for all
Mulls special species, Hen Harrier prey
passing at one of the early stops and this
was after the White-tailed Sea Eagle had
been seen near the nest. We missed out
again on Adder but there were 2 Toads
there instead, check out the photo below.
On our way back to the bus two
White-tailed Sea Eagles flew over our
heads and getting up yet another Hen
Harrier, it was a great sighting. Also at
this stop were 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Reed
Bunting. Lapwing, Buzzards, Red Deer and
Eider Duck with ducklings followed, then a
lovely view of House Martins flying around
and landing on mud , photo below. Fallow
Deer, Common Seal and Grey Seal and 2
fantastic Golden Eagles were to come next
and this was after 4 Great Northern Divers
in Salen Bay. A very good Otter and a
brief Snipe and of course the Buzzard
chicks on their nest and then lunch.
Gannet, Kittiwakes and a Blck Guilliemot
were the highlights of the afternoon, then
it started to rain so an early end to a
fantastic tour, thanks to all my guests
who once again made the day special.
June 16th
A very wet morning and Pam
cleaned the self-catering cottages and was
pleased to get all the washing dry on the
Aga. In the afternoon as the weather had
improved she went sea swimming which I
must admit she loves doing so she was
really happy. I had a day off watching the
cricket and football on the television so
I was really happy as well.
June 15th
A similar day to yesterday
although there was less rain and the high
winds were a strong breeze. mammals were
all seen well today that is all except
Otter which we missed as we were looking
for and finding a Snipe which was a first
for some of my guests. Another highlight
today was a Cuckoo which gave very good
views sitting on telephone wires and then
flying right past us, another first for
some guests. We saw both types of Eagle
but the Hen Harrier at the end of the day
stole the show today with an excellent
flying display. On my way home I took this
photo of a Little Grebe on the Mishnish
Lochs, not a great picture but I think you
can just about make out what it is.
June 14th
Today started very wet with
almost gale force winds and four of our
guests failed to show up, now it is a free
country and that is their perogative but
to not turn up without informing us is
just rude not just because we had catered
for them, we also waited 20 minutes for
them which is not fair on the guests who
did turn up. We take our bookings on trust
and will continue to do so as it is only a
few people who have no manners. Just in
case you are wondering what sort of tour
we had today, Red Deer, both types of Seal
and 2 seperate Otters were seen whilst it
was still raining as was a probable Black
Tern, on Loch Na Keal a very rare bird for
Mull and probably only there because of
the gales. After the rain stopped although
it was still very windy A white-tailed Sea
Eagle flew right over the top of the bus
giving guests great views and a fabulous
Golden Eagle flew very close below us so
we could really see all the flecks of
colour on its back and wings and 3 Hen
Harriers to end a very special day. The
guests who turned up were really up for a
great day and we and the wildlife gave
them one. The Woodpeckers are now bringing
their young to feed in the garden.
June 13th
Today we hosted our Marie Curie
fund rasing event at our home and £1000
was raised for them on the day. Our house
was full of people chattering, friends,
holiday makers and 3 representatives from
Marie Curie including a lady all the way
from London HQ. Our thanks to all who came
along and supported us and special thanks
to all who baked delicious cakes and or
donated prizes for the tombola and to
Cheryl, Janet and Moria for all their hard
work and not forgetting Sarah, our lovely
Marie Curie nurse (left in picture).
June 12th
Just occasionally you get an
almost perfect tour and today was my day.
It started with Wheatear at our first stop
and 3 Hen Harriers at our last and in
between well you had to see it yo believe
it. Short Eared Owl at a stop I have not
seen Short Eared Owl in before, we also
had Lapwing and Whinchat here. My guests
of course wanted Otter but at coffee we
saw Herons, flying Red Breasted
Mergansers, Common and Grey Seal and a
long distance White-tailed Sea Eagle. We
had already seen Red Deer but an amazing
spot by one of my guests and we got Fallow
Deer as Well. We went and found a much
closer White-tailed Sea Eagle and a Sedge
Warbler and as I was scanning for the
Slavonian Grebe which we did not see I
picked up a distant Otter which we watched
getting closer and closer for over half an
hour until it hauled itself out onto a
nearby seaweed rock, I could do no wrong
today. At lunch the Buzzard chicks
performed brilliantly prompting a guest to
say it was like Springwatch for real. We
also had a great view of a Meadow Pipit ,
Ravens, and a spectacular interaction
between a Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon. In
the afternoon it was Golden Eagle that
stole the show but not before a Cuckoo and
Stonechat had been seen well. the day
ended with the Three Hen Harriers and a
brief view of a flying Whitethroat, not a
bad little outing. However there is no
such thing as a perfect day the Adder was
a no show. On a brighter note we have a
Spotted Flycatcher in our garden a first
for Ardrioch.
June 11th
Pam did the tour today and had
what she called an Eagle fest with
White-tailed Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles
seen well, this was a good job as her
guests particularly wanted to see Eagles
and particularly Sea Eagles, (see what I
did there). David a regular in our
self-catering has been getting twitchy as
he had not seen the local Spotted
Flycatcher but today he did on our garden
fence for over an hour catching insects to
take back to the nesting female, to put it
mildly he was right chuffed. I bought a
new toy for Lucy to run and fetch and Pam
said all she did was chew it. I beg
to differ check out the photos below.
That's my girl erm dog, nice one Lucy, any
chance of brownie points Pam.
June 10th
A tour again today and this time
it was Golden Eagles and Otters to the
fore with 3 of each species seen really
well with one of the Golden Eagles being
exceptional, it flew in being mobbed by a
Buzzard and then landed in full view
giving our guests great views of its
golden head and gold flecked plumage.
White-tailed Eagles were seen but most of
my guests missed the flying one in spite
of its great size. Other notable sightings
today were a Slavonian Grebe in full
breeding plumage and the Glaucous Gull
again in Tobermory Harbour.
June 9th
I could not go birding today,
for at home I had to stay,
we have a coffee morning on
Wednesday, so I was cleaning windows.
The cause is the Marie Curie Nurse, guests
will come with pounds in purse,
so I really should not curse, when I'm
cleaning windows.
With windows cleaned our guests will see,
to the Loch over the trees,
and our garden birds and bees, after I've
cleaned windows.
Pam, well she has had to bake, she has
made her lemon drizzle cake,
for our guests to partake, while me, I'm
cleaning windows.
June 8th
Prey passing Hen Harrier, Adder,
White-tailed Sea Eagle and chicks, Lesser
Redpoll and Siskins with 2 Red Throated
Divers at coffee break. Cuckoos, Skylarks,
Kestrel, Buzzards and Stonechat and all
before lunch. Red Deer, Fallow Deer,
Common and Grey Seals, Wheatear, Linnet
and more White-tailed Sea Eagles. To end
the day a Glaucous Gull in Tobermory
Harbour. What more could you want on a day
out on Mull, Golden Eagle and Otter,
that's what. We missed the Golden Eagle
because we were watching the Fallow Deer,
we missed the Otter because we were trying
to locate the Golden Eagle, dissapointing,
yes, but it is this that makes wildlife
watching so facinating, it is wildlife and
you can't get what you want all the time
or it would become boring. A prey passing
Hen Harrier some birders go through their
lives witout seeing. Guests are delighted
to see a Cuckoo and Lesser Redpoll and as
for a Glaucous Gull on Mull in June,
that's just rediculous. You will have
other chances to see Otter and Golden
Eagle but probably not a prey passing Hen
Harrier or a Glaucous Gull in June.
June 7th
A great start to the day with
both male & female Hen Harriers
hunting and feeding chicks on the ground,
this was followed by Adder and White-tail
Eagle chicks in the nest. (so far this
sounds just like Arthurs day
yesterday) Again, like Arthur, we
had 2 Golden Eagles flying but this time
they were distant, after looking at a few
small birds, Skylark, Meadow Pipit &
Whinchat we turned and there were 2 very
close Golden Eagles behind us being
harrased by 2 Hooded Crows, they stayed
close for 10 or 15 minutes giving us great
views. More Eagles were seen in the
afternoon along with Red Deer and Seals
but unfortunatly the Otter remained absent
today.
June 6th
Today was just amazing, we
pulled up at our first stop and saw a
White-tailed Sea Eagle on her nest with
her chicks, then on to a Hen Harrier spot
and there she was hunting before landing
where we could all see her well through
the scope. Next stop Adder and there it
was a little dozy so early in the day so
it stopped around for photo's. After
coffee break 4 Red Throated divers and a
Great Northern Diver, these were shortly
followed by Whinchat and a Cuckoo both
giving great views. Next the sighting of
the day with 2 Golden Eagles flying down a
valley givind us superb views of their
golden heads and gold flecked upper wings
it was my best Goldie sighting of the
year. On we went for lunch and the Buzzard
chicks were showing well on the nest and
also here my Linnet family turned up as
usual, check photo below. In the afternoon
we saw Red Deer and Common Seals and more
White-tailed Sea Eagles both sitting and
flying. The highlight of the afternoon for
my guests was the Otter that we watched
fishing for half an hour, in fact we took
the oportunity to have afternoon tea and
cake. By now my guests were thrilled but
tired so like Zebedee I said 'time for
bed'.
June 5th
It was a day with low cloud and
sea mist but what a great day we had with
Mull's special species with a fantastic
sighting of a female Hen Harrier to start
the day, it was seen hunting and then
landed where all my guests got to see this
iconic bird in all its glory on an island
where it is free from the disgracefull
persecution it suffers in most of the UK.
We had 5 Otter sightings today although I
suspect there were only 3 Otters, one seen
three times although I might be wrong.
White-tailed Eagles sitting and flying
with no feeding boat in sight, also chicks
on a nest. We also had Buzzard chicks on a
nest a lot of Buzzards. We had to wait
till the end of the day for Golden Eagles
because of the mist but like buses two
came along together. Red and Fallow Deer
were seen as were Common and Grey Seals
and quite a few other birds including my
Linnets, so all in all a good day was had
by all.
June 4th
I stayed home today strimming
although I did take a photograph of the
lovely Lesser Redpoll on one of our Niger
Seed feeders by the flowering Rowen. Pam
taking over writing and we had an Eagle
day today with either Golden or White-tail
being seen at almost every stop, once at
the same time. One of my guests was
desperate for an Otter which can really
put the preasure on us guides, luckily I
eventually found one where we don't
normally see them but it was quite a
distant view. Lots of lovely small birds
seen again today as they are all busy
feeding their young in the nests.
June 3rd
The promised rain did not appear
but I have to say the wildlife today did
not dissapoint, we went looking for Hen
Harrier and it duly appeared with a
Kestrel and Buzzard. Whinchat and adder
were seen at the next stop followed by a
White-tailed Sea Eagle and Red Deer. We
stopped to look for a dipper and saw a
Grey Wagtail, followed by 3 male Eider
Ducks and a Shag. On we went and saw both
types of Seal, fallow Deer and an Otter.
At lunch we had the Buzzard chicks on the
nest with a parent and my cup runneth over
with 4, yes four Linnets. At afternoon tea
a White-tailed Eagle flew past us and the
Golden Eagle got up to see it off giving
great interaction between these two iconic
birds. 56 birds seen today including the
Reed Bunting in the photo, there were also
Eight mammals seen as we saw Porpoise to
end a super day on the magical Isle of
Mull.
June 2nd
Lawn mowing and other chores
today including washing the mini-bus, this
was a red letter day for the bus as I
can't remember when I last gave it a bath,
for guests who have been out with us this
year I have discovered the van is still
blue. The frog in the photo below popped
out as I was mowing the lawn, it was such
a bright coloured one I had to get it to
pose for me, the Swallow is one of the
pair nesting in our shed. Pam continues to
swim in the sea but at least the water has
warmed up a little and apparently is quite
refreshing after the seriously hot weather
we are having at the moment, according to
the weather forecast we might get our own
thunderstorms tomorrow, I hope it is after
the tour.
June 1st
Another hot humid day in which
we saw plenty of Eagles both White-tailed
and Golden, but no Otters, Pam had them
all yesterday. We saw lots of Red Deer
mostly under trees in the shade or
wallowing in mud trying to keep cool. We
saw both types of Seal and quite a few
late Great Northern Divers, some in
breeding plumage, they had better get a
move on if they want to breed this year. A
lot of other birds were seen including the
Wheatear and Curlew in the photos below,
yes they are mine you can tell as they are
a little fuzzy, Chris Packham would not be
impressed. My favorite bird of the day was
of course the Linnet at lunchtime, it
really is a bonny bird, as are Whinchats.
June
2017
June 30th
It was
a day that Golden Eagles took centre
stage with the one in the photo below
being the iceing on the cake, it had to
be my best Golden Eagle sighting of the
year and in my top 10 sightings ever.
The day started with a Golden Eagle
being mobbed by 2 Hen Harriers and then
a Buzzard joined in, there were two
other good Goldie sighting before the
show stopper towards the end of the day.
I could tell you about the rest of the
day but that would be an injustice to
the fantastic bird that is the Golden
Eagle.
June 29th
Although it was very
windy today the rain managed to stay off
until 3pm when the heavens opened and we
came back to Ardrioch for afternoon tea.
We saw a Golden Eagle bringing in prey
to the nest but it did not hang around
for long although it gave us great views
before going behind the hill and out of
the wind. White-tailed Sea Eagles,
Kestrel and lots of Buzzards were seen
well and we saw a very good Otter. Small
birds seen included Whinchat, Stonechat,
Bullfinch, Wheatear, Whitethroat and my
favorites Linnets. On the wader front we
saw 2 Greenshank at different locations
today.
June 28th
As we had some
appointments to go to today we did not
have a tour but on our travels we saw
this Red Breasted Merganser with new
ducklings. The photo shows how quickly
they learn to follow Mums lead,
unfortunately they only scored seven out
of ten for their synchrnised swimming
routine as one of the chicks was a
little bit like corporal Jones of dad's
army fame and a little behind the rest.
There is always one that lets you down.
June 27th
No tour today as I
was catching up on gardening as it did
not rain after lunch, so I thought I
would tell readers the tale of the
White-tailed sea Eagles at Killiechronan
this year. It was all going swimmingly,
the eggs had hatched and their new
family was doing well, all was well in
their world. One day the male went out
hunting and was accosted by a young
White-tailed Eagle and as is their
inclination a fight ensued. It was a
good scrap by all accounts from someone
who witnessed it but as in all fights
there are winners and losers and in this
one the younger bird prevailed and
killed the resident male. This had dire
consequences for the female and her
chicks, as a single parent she could not
feed and protect the young chicks so
they
died.
(Small space for cries of horror). As
you can imagine the female bird was
quite distraught at this turn of events,
not only had she lost her lifetime
partner but also her new family. However
there is a happy ending to this tragic
tale, within days the female had got
over her trauma and taken up with the
new virile
victor.
(longer pause for your obvious cries of
heartless hussy). The picture below
shows the hussy in a tree above the bird
killer, now we know who wears the
trousers in this new relationship or
could it be a case of sleeping with the
enemy. Who needs soap operas we have
it here on Mull in the real wildlife
world.
June 26th
It almost felt like
summer today, 15 degrees celcius and no
wind, it was quite balmy. The birds
certainly enjoyed it with over 50
species seen well and we also saw 6
mammals. We are seeing more and more
Common Seal with calves now always an Ah
moment when ladies see baby anything but
you know they are enjoying themselves.
Other ah moments today, the fast growing
Buzzard and White-tailed Sea Eagle
chicks which showed particularly well
again today. Little birds in abundance
with Stonechat, Bullfinch, Redpoll and
Whitethroat being the standouts. Otter
seen very well today as were 4 Fallow
Deer and Red Deer stags but it was
Golden Eagles that proved the bird of
the day as lots of them came out to
enjoy a bit of warmth.
June
25th
What makes a great
day out, keen guests who want to see
wildlife that does not have to be in the
palm of your hand, who enjoy a laugh and
have oodles of patience, today was a
great day out. One of my guests
requested Hen Harrier and we saw one a
male, it was not too close but it gave
us a good view for about a minute, I got
a handshake for that sighting. Two of my
guests both ladies and good wildlife
watchers had never seen Otters in the
wild, we saw 2 a mother and cub and they
were a long way off but perfectly
visible in the scopes and they gave us a
great show for over 20 minutes. I got
hugs and kisses for that sighting and
not a single moan that they could have
been closer. We saw White-tailed Eagles,
Kestrel, Bullfinch and Spotted
Flycatcher Lesser Redpoll and many other
little birds and on the Mammal front a
Common Seal suckling its mother and my
first Red Deer calves of the year. It
was the Golden Eagle that proved
illusive due to the continued autumnal
mid-summer weather we are induring,
heavy showers and high winds and cold,
we had to wait 50 minutes at our last
Eagle stop to see a Golden Eagle which
we did, not close but all my guests saw
it for about 5 minutes and were
absolutely delighted, today was what
wildlife watching is all about, it was a
priviledge to take you all out. Todays
photo is of a juvenile Cormorant which
was close enough to photograph.
June
24th
It was a very sad day
at Ardrioch today, our friends Sue and
Jerry went home and a young Woodpecker
flew into the office window and died
instantly. This was a very sad occurance
as we have watched this bird becoming
more independent over the last few days
and it was a joy to see it regularly
coming to the feeders. On a happier note
there were heavy showers at regular
intervals today, they lasted long enough
and often enough to prevent me from
being able to mow the lawns, yeah. We
have Swallows nesting in our big shed
and I managed to get some photo's.
June 23rd
A very windy and
mixed day of weather which started well
with a lovely Yellowhammer in our
garden. Pam did the tour and saw all of
the Mull main species including a female
Hen Harrier seen as she was waiting for
roadworks to clear, first problems with
Knock Bridge now roadworks which should
have been completed last week, oh joy. I
took our friends out to try and find
Short Eared Owl and much to their
delight and my relief we did see a pair,
the sighting was very good but they
could have stuck around for a little bit
longer as it was perishing cold looking
for them. We had a good meal with our
Cheshire friends and Jaqui and Mike from
Enjoy Mull at the Glen Forsa Hotel this
evening, it was a lovely evening full of
laughter.
June 22nd
Hi ho hi ho its back
to work I go and after the deluge of
yesterday the wildlife was really
playing ball, at one of my stops we had
2 White-tailed Sea Eagles sitting
around, just chilling before taking off
as if they were going somewhere, flew
100 yards, turned back and landed to
resume chilling, I don't know what that
was all about. At the same time A Golden
Eagle flew in and landed in full view
and hadn,t left the spot when we did,
maybe it was a day just for chilling. It
wasn,t for us for while we were watching
all this Eagle inaction an Otter came
out and started fishing, it caught a lot
of fish in a relatively short time
before it disappeared. " Where has it
gone"? someone said, probably chilling I
thought.
June 21st
Thunder bolts and
lightening very very frightening, not
really but it rhymes, it also poured
with rain at times, why am I not
complaining about the weather you may be
asking, well its because we were in
Glengorm tearooms with friends who are
staying with us. Whilst it was all
happening outside we were inside
enjoying great Crab sandwiches, well
three of us were Pam doesn't eat Crab,
watching the weather with smug
expressions on our faces thinking it was
a good day not to be doing a tour.
June 8th to June 20th
June the eighth will
go down as a day when everything went
wrong, well actually 3 things went
wrong, first I had a flat tyre on the
mini-bus and discovered I needed 4 new
tyres, big bill. The motherboard went on
the computer hence no blog, so we needed
a new computer,big bill. Then the iron
broke down as Pam was ironing, new iron
required, little bill. This explains why
there has been no blog postings for a
fortnight so I will give you a brief
catch up. It RAINED, yes for the
first 10 days we had rain in all its
guises, torrential, just heavy, light,
drizzle, low cloud and mist, showers,
suffice to say the dam runneth over. A
lot of fledglings in our garden died of
being waterlogged which was tragic, some
friends left early as they were sure if
they didn't the Arc would be full. On
the wildlife front the midges love this
weather and little birds are being seen
again as their first broods have
fledged. We are seeing more Otters and
Golden Eagles now with 2 Otters and 4
Golden Eagles seen well on todays tour.
Last but by no means least, Knock
Bridge opened again on Friday the 16th
on time and they have done a great job
on it. The photos are of an adult
and baby Great Spotted Woodpeckers on
one of our feeders and lovely Whinchat,
a bird seen a lot on the tours this
year.
June 7th
Today was a Golden
Eagle fest with 7 birds seen and all
really good sightings, 2 of my guests
were really pleased as this was the one
bird they had yet to see on Mull this
holiday. The Buzzard chicks being fed by
its parents was another highlight and we
saw White-tailed Sea Eagles but not in
anything like the numbers of the Goldies
and I can't say that often. Very good
close views of both types of Seal today
giving my guests very good comparisons
betwen the two species. No Otter today,
Pam saw them all yesterday, will I ever
hear the last of it?
June 6th
It is always a good
day when you get an Otter at your first
stop and it's an even better day when
you get another at the second stop. The
weather was cold, wet and windy all day,
and so sitting and flying White-tail
Eagle at our coffee stop was also good
to see. No Golden Eagles as was expected
at lunch time, still in the rain, but
some lovely small birds including
Linnet, Wheatear, Swallow, House and
Sand Martins. Later we were suprised by
a flying Golden Eagle and even more
suprised when we found another 2 Otters.
My guests were pleased to have afternoon
tea and cakes in our warm kitchen whilst
watching our garden birds. At last it
stopped raining and on the way home we
had male and female Hen Harrier to
finish off the day.
June 5th
A great tour today
even if at one stop it was warm and
Midgy and at the next cold and windy, it
was like the Hokey Kokey, put your best
coat on take your best coat off, me I
just stayed in my shirt and short
sleeved jacket and nearly froze to
death, numpty that I am. Over 50 species
of birds were seen with a total of 6
White-tailed Sea Eagles and 2 Golden
Eagles, 2 Hen Harriers and several
Buzzards. We had diving Gannets, a
lovely Kittiwake, Wheatear, Stonechat,
Whinchat and Tree Pipit. On the Mammal
front, both types of Seal, Red Deer and
Rabbits. In our garden at a comfort
break Coal Tits, Great Spotted
Woodpecker, Yellowhammer and Siskins
were the highlights prompting one guest
to say we could stay here all day. One
guest wanted Orchids so we got her some
seeing Dipper and Grey Wagtail at the
same spot and at the end of a lovely day
I took this photo of a beautiful male
Red Breasted Merganser. Now I am off for
a hot bath and hot toddy to ward off
pneumonia.
June 4th
Today I had to re-gig
the tour as it was the Isle of Mull Bike
Ride with between 300 and 400 cyclists
taking part. Meeting 10 or a dozen on
normal tours can be fraught but 300+ not
on your nelly ( apologies to anyone
called Nelly who reads this blog ). So
today was as much about cyclist
avoidance as wildlife watching. In the
event we saw 2 very good Hen Harriers, 2
White-tailed Sea Eagles, a Golden Eagle,
Red Deer, Common Seals, Eider Duck with
ducklings see photo, Grey Wagtail,
Whinchat, Lesser Redpoll, Whitethroat,
Willow Warbler, Skylark, Buzzard with
chicks amongst a total of 50 bird
species seen during a fruitfull day. We
only had to overtake about 10 bikes and
one of them three times and on each
occasion the rider was off the bike. Is
this why they are called push bikes?
June 3rd
No tour today as we
work changing over in the 2
self-catering cottages and keeping the
garden tidy for the self-catering guests
and the birds. Although both of us were
very busy we decided to count the birds
we could see from within the house and
garden during the day. In total we saw
22 species of birds including
White-tailed Sea Eagle and Buzzard
flying over with Great Spotted
Woodpecker, Siskins, Chaffinches, and
Blackbirds all with young now coming
into the garden with their parents.
Unusual garden sighting 2 Grey Herons
flew over, looked around and then flew
back again. We also have lots of Rabbits
and for younger readers lots of little
Bunnies.
June 2nd
Mulls main species
performed in spectacular fashion today
with a wonderful sighting of a female
Hen Harrier hunting and then perched. It
can't start better than that I thought,
oh yes it could, as 2 Golden Eagles and
a Buzzard came out to play giving us a
special display. On to my White-tailed
Eagle nest and sure enough both adult
birds were there, the tour was only an
hour in and Mulls main bird species had
all been seen. A comfort stop at
Ardrioch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker
was on the feeders along with Siskins
and Lesser Redpoll. At coffee time we
saw Gannets, Guilliemots
Kittiwakes and Shags and an inquisitive
Grey Seal. Red Deer and Buzzards nest
with 2 chicks, a male Hen Harrier and a
great Kestrel sighting after lunch but
the Otter which one of my guests
desperately wanted to see remained
absent. Two more White-tailed sea Eagles
giving us a flying display were the next
major sighting but it was at afternoon
tea stop that we spotted an Otter
and it gave my guests half an hour of
great pleasure as we were the only
people around to see it. Needless to say
afternoon tea was very late today.
June 1st
Thanks Donald, you
are a star not believing the climate is
changing, here we are on the first of
June and it is cold, wet and windy, at
the same time last week heatstoke,
what's going on, nothing in Donalds
world. Todays tour was difficult as it
rained for most of the day, just look at
the moody dark picture taken during the
best part of the day. To brighten
readers up we saw White-tailed Eagle,
very brief Golden Eagle, Otter, Seals by
the had all been seenscore
behaving in a funny manner and Red Deer.
The sighting of the day however was
brilliant Short Eared Owl, It
flew and hunted right past us within 50
yards it was spectacular and we had it
off and on for over 10 minutes, it was
certainly worth getting cold and wet
for.
June 2016
June 30th
Not the best day
for weather as it started off
wet became dry for a time but
feeling cold in the wind and
then rained for most of the
afternoon. Common Seals with pup
were seen at the start of the
day and then a Golden Eagle
sitting on a rock using a small
tree as an unberella spotted by
Eagle eyed Pam out with us
today. Shelducks with all their
ducklings still intact and a
Skylark seen well and as we were
looking for an Otter we spotted
some Grey Seals. We saw a total
of 4 White-taile Sea Eagles
mostly in trees but one flying
being mobbed by Gulls. A guest
had requested a Yellowhammer and
as we were looking at one
through the telescope a Hen
Harrier flew through although
not all our guests saw it. Just
before lunch we picked up an
Otter fishing which we watched
for a cosiderable time, at the
same spot were Lapwing, Snipe,
Redshank, Cormorant, Stonechat,
Buzzards, Kestrel, Linnets
another Golden Eagle seen
briefly and a full breeding
plumage Black-headed Gull a bird
we don't often see in the Summer
so I took this picture. The
weather turned somewhat in the
afternoon and apart from some
Red Deer there was little to
see, so we went back to our
house to warm up and have
afternoon tea.
June 29th
We are a bit stuck at
the moment as the car has gone by car
ambulance (breakdown truck) to Fort
William, heart trouble (electrical
fault) at least it is still under
warranty, only 10 months old. I had to
take the van to go and see the nurse to
give more blood so no tour again today
but I did pick up some more stuff for
Pam's plank painting, got to keep her
busy? She was guiding on a bus tour
today, someone in this firm has to work
to keep the Wolf from the door. Just in
case any of you get the wrong impression
we don't have any Wolves on Mull!!!
June 28th
A very wet day and no
tour, hoorah, I was supposed to do some
work in the garden but due to the heavy
rain I could not get out, at least
that's what I told Pam. As I was in the
house contemplating life Pam was in the
shed painting planks, I will leave that
to your immagination.
June 27th
A lovely day out and
the weather behaved, just, and at our
first stop we saw a White-tailed Eagle
chick and both parent birds one sitting
and one flying in with a Buzzard flying
round for good measure. Shortly after we
had left the White-tailed Sea Eagles we
were watching as 2 Golden Eagles flew
over a ridge on which were Red Deer
stags, not a bad start to a day if I say
so myself. We were to see more Eagles in
the day and an Otter which appeared by
two Hooded Crows which actually gave the
Otter away. A family of Linnets were my
highlight of the day, it is great to
know my favorite bird has successfully
bred on Mull again this year.
June 26th
Mull is back to
normal weatherwise after the seven week
drought and today was a rush to get
Eagles before the rain came. We were
lucky to find a Golden Eagle sitting as
if it was waiting for the rain to fall,
not the most upbeat Eagle I have seen
but my guests were delighted. We then
saw the pair of Shelduck and amazingly
they still have 12 fast growing
ducklings, how they have escaped the
clutches of Otters and Eagles I don't
know but long may they continue.
White-tailed Eagle flying over our heads
being mobbed by Ravens and an Otter were
seen at our next stop with Common Gulls,
Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe and Herons all
seen well. At lunch we saw Black
Guilliemots, Great Northern Diver and
one Buzzard chick and then down came the
rain and mist and it became almost
impossible to see anything although we
tried and were in good spirits after the
morning. Afternoon tea in our kitchen
looking at the birds on our feeders and
then back to Tobermory. I nearly forgot
my first new Red Deer calf of the year
and a Common Seal pup suckling its
mother, another good Mull day out.
June 25th
Today I did my second
count on my BTO breeding bird square,
the weather was perfect for seeing birds
dull but with good light and little
breeze. The highlights for me were
Willow Warblers, Siskins, Blue Tits with
young, Wrens with young, Blackcap, and
Lesser Redpoll. It is not easy to see
birds in trees when they are in the
foliage so you often have to rely on
sound. Two unusual happening today,
there were no birds of prey seen in the
square and I managed to lose myself in
the wooded area, basically I could not
see the wood for the trees. My
sympathetic wife wife was not at all
surprised as I have got lost in a wood
before.
June 24th
A good day today
starting and ending with Otters, a
mother and cub in both cases. Both
Eagles were seen, plenty
of Kestrels and Buzzards and a
flying Cuckoo
as well as Red Deer stags and one single
hind, the hinds seem to be in hiding at
the moment as they are having there
calves which they are still keeping well
hidden in spite of not having any mammal
preditors on Mull. The Common Seal pups
are starting to appear on small islands
around the coast and they are taking to
the water with their mothers. A lovely
evening out with friends tonight at the
Hebridean Lodge in Tobermory, we all
enjoyed a very good meal and a lot of
laughs.
June 23rd
Another successful
day with all Mulls main species seen
well particularly a female Hen Harrier
and 2 Otters but for me this was a
little bird day. We had very good views
of Whitethroat and a family of Grey
Wagtails a bird I have not seen this
well for quite some time, Linnet my
favorite bird were seen and we saw the
pair of Stonechats on their usual
territory. My bird of the day though was
this Whinchat which gave us some
stunning views, where have you been
hiding all summer until today. The
weather outlook is brighter, It
rained a lot last night, our burn
is filling up as I write.
June 22nd
The van was in at the
local garage for a service which was
dissapointing as it had been serviced by
a dealership garage only 3 monthe ago,
but warning lights were going off like a
nineteen eighties disco - they are not
anymore. I took Pam to the Bellachroy
Inn in Dervaig for luch today and we
were rewarded with another great meal,
thanks to Anthony and Christine and the
chefs for a lovely lunch break. A few
word about Midges, they are little
buggers, although my Midge machine is
lessening them in great numbers, which
is just as well as they are breeding
like Rabbits this year.
June
21st
Today we started with
the usual high hopes and we were soon
rewarded with an Otter, this usually
takes the pressure off but today in a
very cool wind it was the start of an
unusually frustrating day. We were
seeing plenty of Seals but very little
else except for 3 Red Deer stags which
were only seen by three of us before
they disappeared over the hill, we did
see a few hinds later in the day but
they were hardly mind blowing. It was
almost lunch time and we had stopped to
look at some Lapwings and then my moment
of the day a brilliant fly past of a
male Hen Harrier, if I had been Chris
Packham I would have rubbed holes in my
trousers, it was that good. A long
afternoon looking for Golden Eagles
without success but we saw Stonechats
and Lesser Redpoll and a very nice
female Kestrel. A desperate ploy for
Eagles brought 3 White-tailed Sea Eagles
mum, dad and fast growing chick, my
guests were delighted even if the chick
moved more than the adults which were
more interested in preening than
entertaining my guests. Another
Springwatch cliffhanger as I stopped at
a spot where I might see a Golden Eagle
and surprise of surprises there was one,
it was not exactly close but my guests
were suitably impressed, me, I have
never been so relieved to see an Eagle
in my life. My guests were great and
their patience was equall to that of a
Grey Heron stalking prey and today they
needed it.
June 20th
A cooler dry day and
once again the Eagles performed and we
had a spectacular sighting of a couple
of Peregrine Falcons mobbing a Golden
Eagle for several minutes before the
Eagle had had enough and flew off. Today
an Otter put in an appearance, did its
thing and left stage right and did not
come back for a curtain call. The
buzzard chicks are growing fast and now
are looking more like adults, yes they
have lost the AHH factor. Lots of other
bird sightings today with Lesser Redpoll
and Siskins being guests highlight and
we also had a flypast Cuckoo. On the
grapevine lots of Hare a Red Grouse and
Short Eared Owl found in A Golden Eagle
nest when chick was ringed. I can not
forget to mention we saw Red and Fallow
Deer today and both Common and Grey
Seal, we also counted 12 yes thats
twelve Shelduck ducklings in one family
group, they are growing well, are the
Eagles just waiting for them to get
bigger, only time will tell?
June 19th
Something unusual
happened on north Mull this afternoon,
It Rained, Yes it rained steadily
for about 7 hours and everything has
freshened up - hoorah. We knew the rain
was forecast and as we had a Dervaig
start we start looking for wildlife from
the word go, we were soon watching
White-tailed Sea Eagles and soon after
that Common Sandpipers, Grey Herons,
Common and Herring Gulls, Hooded Crows
and Ravens flew over us. We then stopped
and found Red Deer stags, Meadow Pipits
and Curlew which we only heard but saw
later. On we went and then a shout from
the back ' bird on the ridge', I do like
all my guests spotting, you miss less,
this bird turned out to be a female Hen
Harrier and at the same spot there was a
Kestrel, all this and we had only been
going for 50 minutes. A stop to look for
and find Dipper then onto a comfort
break where Mute Swan and House Martin
were seen. Without stopping we went to a
Golden Eagle site and almost
immeadiately spotted an Otter which gave
us great views whilst we had our coffee
break as did the Common and Grey Seals.
After washing the cups we turned our
attention to the Golden Eagles and after
only a few minutes they flew giving my
guests a real treat, they truly are
magnificent birds. In two hours we had
seen everything my guests wanted to see
and more. Were we finished - not a bit
of it - we saw more Kestrels, a
Peregrine Falcon mobbing a Buzzard,
Black Guilliemot and the Buzzard chicks,
not fogetting Lapwings. We then took
lunch before the rain started in earnest
and then we carried on and saw the nutty
Yellowhammer which performed
brilliantly, Shags, a flying Cormorant
another White-tailed Sea Eagle, Gannets
and more Red Deer and then home for
afternoon tea and a rest. Nope, in the
garden we saw Chaffinch, Goldfinch
Greenfinch, Redpoll and Siskin. Day
Over.
June
18th
A day off to do
chores and maintenance but too tired to
do any of them. It Still Hasn't
Rained???
June 17th
Another good tour
with great guests and they enjoyed
everything we saw which included a
White-tailed Sea Eagle flying over our
heads and a very obliging Sedge Warbler
at the same spot. Two Golden Eagles
performed really well flying past before
sitting on the hill so we could see them
really well through the telescope. It
again took all day but at the end of the
day we found an Otter which one of my
guests although desperate to see had not
told me so as not to pressurise me. The
smile on her face when she saw the Otter
more than made my day.
June 16th
A day out birding
with friends as Pam was out with the
mini-bus taking out a group of American
ladies who were on a walking holiday and
who wanted a day off walking, they had a
lovely day out as did I with our
friends. We saw 51 species of birds the
highlight being a great sighting of a
female Hen Harrier, we also saw a
Peregrine Falcon and 2 Otters, a newly
fledged Dipper and a Spotted Flycatcher.
The weather was damp although the much
needed rain in the Dervaig area failed
to materialise, mores the pity.
June 15th
Raindrops keep
falling on my head, just not enough of
them for our water supply which is still
low. A harder day today although by the
end of the day we had seen all of the
Mull specialities even if the Hen
Harrier was brief, very brief. I had
given up on Otter when we found one at
our very last stop, no honestly this was
not a contrived Springwatch
cliffhanger, it was so late in the
day that I had to call Pam and tell her
I would be late back, it was that late!
My guests were delighted and as
Shakespear might have written 'Alls Well
That Ends Well'.
June 14th
Arthur obviously has
not perfected his rain dance as we have
another warm, dry day. We had Golden and
White-tail Sea Eagles, Buzzards on nest,
Kestrels, Yellowhammer and Otter and
they continue to please and entertain
our guests and today we had diligent Curlew and Snipe sitting
above the areas where there young were
hiding seeing off any predatory Hooded Crows and
Buzzards. A lovely half hour was spent
at the end of the day looking at the
lovely wild flowers now coming into
bloom with, one of my favourates, the
Fragrant Orchid along with Northern
Marsh, Butterfly, Heath and Common
Spotted Orchids and other wildflowers
including Heath & Ladies Bedstraw,
Water Avens, Wild Strawberries, Sundews
and Butterworts, and just appearing Bog
Asphodel.
June 13th
It rained this
afternoon at Calgary and the road to
Croig was very wet but at Ardrioch where
we need rain for our water supply it
remained as dry as a bone, I am staying
at home tomorrow to practice rain
dancing whilst Pam does the tour. Today
was again a Golden Eagle spectacle with
some more fantastic views but they were
run very close by 2 Peregrine Falcon
sightings one when a Peregrine attacked
a hapless Buzzard. Two good Otters,
which made my guests day, as did the
White-tailed Sea Eagles which were
completely upstaged by some of the other
wildlife we saw, they need to up their
game.
June 12th
A lovely day out
today and Hen Harrier and Golden Eagles
stole the show with fantastic views of
both species. The female Hen Harrier
flew over our heads as we were watching
the 3 buzzard chicks at lunch time and
proceeded to hunt the hillside opposite,
a real treat for our guests. Then we
found a sitting Golden Eagle which all
our guests saw before it took off and
was joined by its partner and they gave
us our own Golden Eagle flying display,
a WOW moment. Other highlights Goosander
and Shelduck with ducklings, very cute
and a very good White-tailed Sea Eagle
but I am afraid it was upstaged by the
Harrier and Goldie performances.
June 11th
The promised rain did
not materialise in the Dervaig area on
Mull so we are still in drought
conditions and some people are getting
worried about their water supplies. We
did get enough rain to dampen the dust
and give the Midges even better
conditions to thrive if that were
possible. I emptied another 6 ouncies of
Midges from our Midge machine and this
followed the 8 ounces from last week. I
took some pictures of regular visitors
to our garden today with Rabbits and
Rock Doves appearing to prosper.
June
10th
Another dry day
although it was a little murchy but we
waited out a Golden Eagle in the
morning which was just as well as
we would not have been able to in the
afternoon as the HAA came back in.
Really good Otter sightings again today
and White-tailed Eagles at two spots
with one pair together appearing to have
a domestic as the continuously shouted
at each other. Evocative Curlews calling
over moorland as they flew was one
highlight today as were the Gannets at
the end of the day. Confirmed breeding
of Goosander at Dervaig this morning
with mum and ducklings seen well. Little
birds of the day, Linnets, Lesser
Redpoll and you guesed it the
Yellowhammer although it was on good
behaviour today. The photos below were
taken yesterday which is why the is no
fog in them.
June 9th
A day out with Pete
and Jenny and their friends from
Cheshire still celebrating their Ruby
Wedding and as a perfect present at the
end of a very successfull day we found
some Porpoise, yey. We saw our first
Shelduck ducklings of the year always a
highlight for us and we counted 15
little humbug ducklings. White-tailed
Eagles out in force today and another
great Otter sighting which some of Petes
friends were desperate to see. Golden
Eagles, Red Deer and both types of Seal
made for a really nice day out and with
temperatures soaring again Pam's hot
soup was really appreciated by all.
Congratulations to Pete and Jenny for
reaching this milestone, they are a
lovely couple and great friends.
June
8th
With the mist covered
mountains it was a baptism of fire for me to find
wildlife this morning, ( one for Shiela
and Blake in there) in the event below
the mist line we found the Salen Boats a
picture everyone but me seems to
photograph so I decided to put that
right. Before Coffee break we had seen
Red Deer and Fallow Deer and through the
fog a single Common Seal, a Shag and a
Common Sandpiper. Thank goodness for an
obliging Sedge Warbler that came out and
sang on a bush giving great views
and Sand Martins with their fog lamps on
trying to find insects. Then just as we
were leaving an Eagle eyed guest spotted
a White-tailed Eagle flying in the mist
and although it took some finding we did
eventually see it sitting on a tree and
as the mist lifted we all managed to see
it well through the telescope. A very
good Otter sighting, flying Golden Eagle
and Buzzard chicks followed and a
Stonechat, not to be out done put in an
appearance. Willow Warbler, the nutty
Yellowhammer and to end a great day out
a Great Northern Diver in breeding
plumage. My guests were all very pleased
with our day out, me, well relief
springs to mind. I took the photos of
the Marsh Thistle and Green viened White
Butterfly at a comfort stop which is
pretty manic at the moment.
June 7th
Yep, it was too good
to last and today we had rain, it was so
hard it nearly wet the road, then the
sun and Midges returned and life on Mull
returned to what is now becoming normal,
hot. I had a chortle today as the
R.S.P.B. were ringing one of our
White-tailed Sea Eagle chicks and were
up in the nest when we arrived, "
Nest Robbers " I shouted and was
nearly knocked over by one of my guests
who was quite indignant and annoyed that
this behaviour might still be going on.
She was relieved and saw the funny side
when I explained what was actually
happening, and we were able to get great
views of the two indignant parent birds.
June
6th
Would you believe it
25 degrees and scorcio once more. It was
more of the same today although we did
see Otters and a Hen Harrier today as
well as Mull's other main species. The
nutty Yellowhammer was at it again and
could win a prize on Britains got
talent, I am not sure its a talent but
it is very entertaing. The AHH moment on
the tour at the moment are the Buzzard
chicks which are growing steadily and
now the largest one is standing on the
side of the nest. We are still seeing at
least one Great Northern Diver a day
which pleases guests who have not seen
them in breeding plumage.
June
5th
Scorcio again, It
really isn't easy to find wildlife
during the day when the weather is so
hot although the Sea Pink or Thrift is
particularly nice this year. Golden and
White-tailed Sea Eagles again today and
nice views of Fallow Deer before they
lay down probably exhausted. Little
birds were at a premium but we did get
some cracking views of Whitethroat
always a nice bird to see and an Eider
Duck creche at Calgary.
June 4th
Saturday, a day off,
not a bit of it, Pam had two houses to
clean, which she is very good at but
like most ladies does not enjoy much but
hey ho needs must. I had to get the lawn
mower out, this is a particularly
brilliant lawn mower that keeps starting
year on year without much servicing, its
a pity it does need someone to push it ,
me. Then it was out with the old, the
strimmer I mean, which also started but
this could have been because I have a
brand new one waiting in the wings and
it does not become obsolete. once more
it takes me to operate it, so there goes
our day off.
June 3rd
Pam did the tour
today as I had an emergency appointment
with the dentist, not my favorite
occupation but neccessary as I had a
broken tooth. the news from the dentist
is not good, roots, canals and caps were
mentioned which all sound painfull to
me. Pam had a good tour with lovely
guests and saw 3 Otters, two of which
were in a new area for us this summer
and she asked me to mention Ava a nine
year old girl who was delightfull and
wanted to see everything and was not
dissapointed.
June 2nd
A welcome breeze
today and we saw the big three very well
in the morning and for some time, so
much so that we were over an hour late
at our lunch stop. The Golden Eagles
flew for several minutes before
conveniently landing on a grass bank
where we could see all their amazing
colours through the telescope. The Otter
we saw was just out for a morning meal,
after which it spent time grooming and
rolling aroud enjoying itself as only
Otters can, completely oblivious to us
as we had kept a safe distance away. We
had White-tailed Eagles flying, sitting
and one on a nest administering to its
chick. The Buzzard chicks are
progressing well and giving our guests a
lot of pleasure as did the Buzzard being
mobbed by crows as it carried an Adder
towards another nest site. The views are
spectacular at the moment, Mull in all
its finery, even if most of Mulls small
birds are keeping their heads down.
June 1st
Out with friends up
here on Mull for their ruby wedding
anniversary, it was still too darn hot.
June 2015
June 30th
Great news, the last
day of June and my winter clothes have
at last been put away in the wardrobe
well they will be when Pam has washed
them?? It was not a great day for the
Mull main species today although we did
have very good White-tailed Eagles, Red
deer and a brief Hen Harrier. I however
had a great day as we saw 3 birds rarely
seen on a Discover Mull Tour, firstly a
Jay, not common on Mull flew in front of
the bus. We were driving up a hill and
there on the road in front of us was a
pair of Red Grouse with at least 8 young
all big enough to fly out of the way
with their parents, a fabulous sight on
Mull. The best sighting however was the
full breeding plumaged Black Throated
Diver in Calgary Bay, it had me rubbing
my thies a la Chris Packham, what a
sighting.
June 29th
A much warmer day
today with the rain staying off until
just after 3 pm and by then we had seen
2 Otters, White-tailed Eagles, a very
good Golden Eagle and all the other
usual Mammals including Red Deer. The
warmer weather brought out some of Mulls
smaller birds with Swallows, Sand
Martins, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler,
Yellowhammer, Wheatears, Stonechat,
Whinchat and the dust bathing Skylark in
the photograph below. Once again the
rain came down preventing us from seeing
a Hen Harrier but to compensate we got
two adders a male and female before we
we gave into the rain and called it a
day.
We had a flying start
to the day with both types of Deer seen
including Red Deer calves, both types of
Seal including Common Seal pups, an
Otter in very rough water but very close
and Rabbits which we count as they are
not only wildlife but play an important
part in the food chain. As we were
watching the Red Deer a female Hen
Harrier flew past and gave us great
views for about 5 minutes. On we went
and found some White-tailed Eagles,
Buzzards and Kestrels and then the rain
came down to put an end to most of the
spotting, although the waterfall at Eas
Force was a particular if wet highlight
after last nights heavy rain.
June 27th
Changeover day and
with the help of the family and their
lovely friend Jaquie we finished early
and were able to go to Tobermory for the
afternoon with them. A nice walk in Aros
Park with our son and youngest Grand
Daughter for me and some shoe buying for
Pam. We then all enjoyed a lovely Ice
Cream from kyle's wonderfull ice cream
parlour in blazing sunshine, yes that
unusual orb in the sky did put in an
appearance. In the evening we went to Am
Birlinn for a meal and had a lovely time
with good food and company and great
service, thanks to all the staff and to
our friend Catherine who kindly baby sat
for us to enable to enjoy the evening.
Nia is lovely as are all our Grand
Children and it is special to spend time
with them.
June
26th
A day out with
visiting family and a trip to Staffa and
Lunga. Thanks to Iain Morrison from
Turus Mara for giving us a lovely
day out and his information and banter
is infectious. Here are some of the
nesting sea birds taken on Lunga.
June
25th
The forecast was for
no rain, it was wrong, no surprize
there. We started the day with a very
good female Hen Harrier and this was
followed by a White-tailed Eagle flying
into a nest and the chicks feeding. Red
Deer soon after and Buzzards and
Kestrels and two Cuckoos. Then the rain
came down and we were reduced to seeing
some waders and ducks and Geese with
Goslings. We did however get more views
of a separate White-tailed Eagle ans a
pair of Shelduck with 6 humbug like
ducklings which made my day.
June 24th
Male and female Hen
Harrier and a family of White-tail
Eagles in the first half hour of the
tour was a good start to the day when
bad weather had been forcast from lunch
time onwards. A Golden Eagle and a
cuckoo, heard but not seen, Red Deer and
Seals were also seen before the rain
started. It's a good job Otters don't
mind rain as we found a hunting dog
Otter later in the day. The bird of the
day for me though was a tiny Goldcrest
who was too busy filling his bill with
insects in a close bush to notice
a group of people watching him.
June 23rd
A dull day but NOT
WINDY, so we had fabulous views
of Otters today, one was an
inexperienced cub. We knew this as it
came into land carrying a large fish, up
on land it dropped it and the fish
escaped back into the water into the
water, so the Otter went back in
and caught the fish again, on land
it dropped it into the water and had to
go and catch it again. This went on for
at least 4 times before the Otter lost
the fish altogether, so todays score on
the Doors, Otter nil Fish one. Super
views of Whitethroat, Cuckoo and Heron
today with White-tailed eagles, Golden
Eagles and Red deer seen well. Exciting
view of the day 2 sensational flying
Kestrels mobbing a hapless Buzzard for
several minutes, a real bird watching
few minutes.
June 22nd
A day of more
sunshine but still cool and windy and
the wildlife playing hard to get.
Patience was the name of the game
although this Sedge Warbler in the
picture was determined to be seen and
heard as the sun came out. We had to
wait nearly all day for Golden Eagles
and then 4 came out and two in
particular gave us great views. At the
last stop we had a large group of Red
Deer stags and a female Hen Harrier,
these with the earlier seen White-tailed
Eagle and brief Otter meant that all the
Mull main species were seen during the
day. Two other notable sightings today,
a fiesty Kestrel really having a go at a
Buzzard and a Cuckoo trying to get out
of the wind but finding two Meadow
Pipits a bit troublesome.
June 21st
The longest day,
Summer soltice, and we got drizzle and
breeze and temperatures soaring to 11
degrees but with coats and gloves on we
set off undetered. White-tailed Eagles
were as usual fairly easy to find and we
saw at least 6 today, the Golden Eagle
was not so easily found but when we did
get one it was a really good one and my
guests were truly made up. Kestrels
mobbing Buzzards, Red Deer stags and
hinds, Common Seal with Pups were all
seen as well as they could be
through the water on the binoculars but
the real highlight of the day was the
pair of Hen Harriers with the male
carrying prey. 3 other good sightings on
the day were Dipper, Stonechat and this
nice Spotted flycatcher working
diligently and like Flycatchers do
returning to the same spot time and time
again.
June 20th
Chageover day and
chores to do, no birding today as I am
trying to rest my eyes whilst I can. I
was not sitting idleing my time away
however, I wash and valeted the bus,
sorted out our water supply, tidied up
the drive, fed the birds and fetched a
very nice lady from the bus stop in
Tobermory who is staying for a week in
our self-catering. Aaaah, I do like to
have a day off occasionally to put my
feet up? yes love I will help fold the
sheets!!!!!
June 19th
Dolphins on the tour, Hoorah;
June 18th
Pam at the
helm again today and despite wind and rain
we had a good day. White-tail Eagle sitting
in a tree then flying over head. 2 Otters,
in the water, out of the water and generaly
having a good old scrap. Short-eared Owl and
Cuckoo when we were not expecting anything
and a couple of first for this year, Common
Seal with a new pup and a Red Deer calf
skipping around enjoying the joys of spring
even if it was still raining. We also had 2
Fallow Deer stags one of which was an
albino. Back to our house for afternoon tea
and a warm by the AGA, as we were
leaving the house 2 White-tail Eagles
flew over our heads followed by a female Hen
Harrier.
June 17th
Same Old weather not
a lot to report.
June 16th
Low cloud, windy and
cold Spring has turned into summer on
Mull. The wildlife was having a laugh
today and decided to play the panel game
just a minute. We had three Golden
Eagles today and between them they flew
for just a minute, admitedly they flew
without hesitating, deviating or flying
back on themselves in other words they
did not repeat their flight. An
Oteer appeared for just a minute it did
not hesitate, deviate or repeat itself
just disappeared. The Hen Harrier could
not even stick around for just a minute,
disappearing after 15 seconds but not
before we had all seen it. The
White-tailed Eagles, Buzzards and
Kestrel were more obliging and performed
to a much better standard, as did the
Red and Fallow Deer and Common Seals.
Other birds seen today included Cuckoo,
Dippers, Linnets, Redpoll, Goosander and
Shelduck with duckling, the last one of
the brood still swimming. I took a photo
today of a young Rabbit on the Machair
at Calgary, it might only be a Rabbit
but they play a significant role in the
eco system that is Mull and thus should
not be overlooked either by us or the
birds of prey.
June
15th
After his day
yesterday I though Arthur deserved a day
off and so I (Pam) did the tour for him.
The White-tailed and Golden Eagles
preformed well today as did a mother and
cub Otter although they did not come out
of the water much. But, the stars of the
day came in the afternoon when, whilst
watching a cuckoo sitting on a telephone
wire, a Short-eared Owl flew passed and
sat not too far away on the hill side,
whilst we watched it in the telescope a
male Hen Harrier flew over the hill
behind. The Short-eared Owl then flew
back and sat to our left and whilst
watching it again one of my guests
spotted something in the distance which
turned out to be a Golden Eagle being
bombed by Ravens. 'The best 10 minutes
bird watching I've ever had in my life'
was how one of my guests described it.
June 14th
Although the weather
was perfect for wildlife watching
finding the big stuff can sometimes be
hard and today was one of those days. I
must thank my guests for their patience,
particularly with Golden Eagle, one
eventually appeared and gave us
brilliant views but we had waited for
over an hour as it was our last real
chance of seeing one during the day. One
good reason for being patient was that
whilst waiting for the Eagle we spotted
an Otter and she had a cub with her as
well and we got a resonably close view
of them on a fast disappearing island as
the tide came in. White-tailed Eagles
were seen well and we saw fallow Deer as
well as Red Deer today and a distant
view of a Hen Harrier but bird of the
day were Kestrel seen everywhere.
June 13th
Change over day and we just rested
up after the chores were done as we had
been out to Am Birlinn, the restaurant
up the road from us and like the
Bellachroy Inn in the village well
within walking distance. The food at
both places is excellent and with the
drink drive laws now more stringent in
Scotland it is nice to be able to walk
to either place on a pleasant evening.
June 12th
Another lovely day
with White-Tailed Eagles being mobbed
again the highlight, I did manage to get
a couple of Photographs of the Eagles
not of them being mobbed. Cuckoo again
today and a nice view of the Dipper on a
rock in a river but all in all a quieter
day wildlife wise. My guests were again
delightful and pleased with everything
that they saw. A special mention to Dave
Bowen who has kept me informed and
amused during the last couple of weeks,
we will miss you at the Golden Eagle
site, you were close to becoming a tour
highlight, see you next year all being
well Mate.
June 11th
A beautiful day
brought the Eagles out in force, with
the Golden Eagles giving us fabulous
views that on any normal day would have
been the highlight of the day, however
today it was the White-tailed Sea Eagles
that took the prize. I don't know what
they did but today they really seem to
have got up the beaks of the Crows and
Buzzards as everyone we saw and there
were 5 altogether were being mobbed and
this resulted in several 360
degree rolls by the Eagles. It was, Wow,
birding as the gasps of delight and
amazment from my guests was a joy to
behold. On most days seeing Cuckoos is a
great sighting but today they almost
fell flat as the Eagles pulled another
stunt. Dipper and Whitethroat were the
runners up on the day and a very good
spot by a guest of a really smart
Stonechat. It is days like these when I
feel truly blessed to be living here and
doing this job, thanks to all todays
guests for the pleasure of their
company.
June
10th
It was my day off
today and Pam did the tour leaving me to
rest, it is an age thing now I am old
enough to have my pension, she tucks me
up and tells me to rest and then leaves
me with a bunch of chores to do, I think
Pam calls it multi-thinking. I did
manage to get out into the garden and
take some photographs of some of the
birds but missed the White-tailed Sea
Eagle which flew low over the house
being mobbed by a very persistant
Buzzard.
June
9th
The almost Spring
like weather continued and the birds
came out to play, as well as the usual
White-tailed Eagles and Golden Eagles,
we had Buzzards and Kestrels being
mobbed by Hooded Crows and in one
instance 2 Kestrels bombing a young
Raven as it sat on the grass close to
their nest. Two Cuckoos seen today with
Twite, Lesser Redpoll, Whinchat and
Stonechat in the same location. A
request for Divers this morning and
there were 2 Red Throated Divers in
Calgary Bay. A very good Otter before
afternoon tea and our day was complete,
a proper day birding. A special mention
to Pam for her catering, I think guests
come as much for the red hot soup and
cakes (they are not hot) as they do for
the wildlife given the comments and
praise for the food at the end of the
tours.
June 8th
Wow no rain, and a little less windy,
it was almost Spring like.
All of the Mull specialities were seen
really well today with the Eagles and
eventually an Otter all strutting their
stuff, well the Otter was more stuffing
its face as it took 30 minutes to eat a
large fish before returning to the water
to look for some more, greedy or what? A
fantastic view of a Kestrel fly past was
another highlight of a great tour with
lovely guests in such sunny weather my
sunglasses had to come out of mothballs.
June 7th
Better weather but
still cold and windy. the best part of
the day was at the start a great view of
a hunting Short Eared Owl with a
Stonechat at the same spot. A
White-tailed Eagle flew across our path
and we had good sightings of two more
later. Red Deer and Seals were seen and
we had good sightings of Linnets today.
Buzzards were everywhere and a really
good kestrel, although Golden Eagle
sightings were short and distant. It was
not a good day for us on the water as we
saw mainly white horses, a Black
Guillemot in the calmer waters around
Ulva Ferry probably the highlight.
Singing Skylarks let us know it was
supposed to be Summer even if the
weather didn't.
June 6th
No tour today as it
is Saturday and changeover day in the
self-catering and I had to valet and
clean the bus after another wet week. We
had a surprize in the post today when a
certificate of excellence from Trip
Advisor came through the post for the
second year running. Although we do not
ask guests to post us on Trip Advisor it
is nice that they do so unsolicited and
great for us that so many seem to enjoy
their time with us. We would like to
take this opportunity to thank all our
guests for your support with the tours
and thanks to all of you who have
written such lovely things about the
tours on Trip Advisor we both really
appreciate them.
June 5th
Back on tour duty and
more rain, lots of it but at lunch time
it cleared up enough for brilliant
sunshine to appear.There I was
scrabbling in the bus looking for my sun
glasses which I knew I had put in the
bus in April but had not had to use them
sin appreciate your coce, thankfully I
found them. All Mulls main species seen
well today but the standouts were Golden
Eagle and male Hen Harrier. Waterfalls
and Spring Flowers are now on the list
of Mull that guests want to see,
Waterfalls because of all the rain and
flowers because they are peeping through
at last.
Pam did the tour
today and gave me a day off? and a list
of things to do, typically the weather
was the best o the week. I did manage to
sneek across the road to the Loch and
see a Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler
and Blackcap, this with our garden birds
including Siskins, Coal Tits and Lesser
Redpoll made it a good day off? Pam came home and
told me they had seen Otters, Golden
Eagles, White-tailed Eagles, Seals, Red
Deer and lots of other stuff - I thought
thats what we do but you don't get wet,
I didn't say it though.
June
3rd
Sunshine, but still
only 11 degrees and the rain put
in a guest appearance in the
early afternoon as we were
watching 2 Otters fishing in the
sea. All my guests got back in
the bus when the rain started
and I was left out waiting for
the Otters to come ashore to get
them some better views. The
Otters eventually came out on
land and my guests got a lovely
sighting of Otters skylined
running over the rocks, I got
wet. We saw 4 Golden Eagles
today as the sun came out in the
afternoon, it was good to see
Golden eagles again as we have
missed them for 3 days due to
the rain. Spring flowers have
started appearing, I think the
have worked out if they don't
show they will turn into
bi-annuals so they are risking
the weather. I took this photo
of some lovely Sea Pinks
clinging to a rock for grim
death in fear of being blown
away.
June
2nd
Although today
started brighter it soon reverted to
type with rain and winds. We had another
good day with over 50 species of birds
seen but it was mammals that stole the
show today. We had both types of Seal,
excellent Red Deer, Rabbits, and 3
Otters with 2 cubs making us all laugh
with their antics and chasing each other
over rocks. The highlight however was a
Discover Mull first, A Polecat
Ferret which was walking bold as
brass up the side of the road. Just for
once I managed to get the camera out to
get the two photos below. My guests were
really impressed to see this creature
and I was delighted as I have only seen
them in ditches and crossing the road at
night before.
June 1st
Hoorah, Summer at last, Flaming June?
Mull weather 9 degrees, gale force
winds, driving rain, Hail.
The weather might
have been awful but the wildlife and
company were great and those who
cancelled missed a fantastic if wet day
out. The White-tailed Eagle was amazing,
we saw one in an old nest site but the
second one flew down in front of us
after a Hooded Crow, it missed but it
did enrage a nearby Raven which chased
it on to a rock not far from where we
were standing and then proceeded to mob
the Eagle relentlessly, a WOW sighting.
Two Otters followed running over rocks
and play fighting each other and seen
really well through the telescopes, the
Red Deer sighting today was also
fabulous, I usually just show guests
where the Deer are and leave it at that
but these were really close and gave us
special view easy for guests to
photograph even though it was raining.
We had afternoon tea at our house and
were treated to some lovely bird
sightings, with Coal Tits, Siskins and
these lovely Lesser Redpoll being the
standouts. 49 species seen on an awful
day weatherwise.
June
2014
June
30th
Weather like yesterday with the same
result and we had very good spotters
on board how I hate warm sunny days
for wildlife watching. It was a good
job the Eagle sightings were so good
and my guests were really pleased with
them but for me the Whinchat at the
start of the day stole the show. Adder
again proved a real hit as were the
lovely wild flowers but it was the
second day running without Otter which
after a 98% hit rate on this years
tours was a bit of a downer.
June 29th
A hot, sunny warm day great for views
but lousy for wildlife as nothing
flies and even the mammals don't do
much in this kind of weather, it
amuses me when I pick up guests on
days like today and they say what a
lovely day and I say I prefer cooler
cloudy weather for wildlife watching.
Today it was hard work even the Mull
regular wildlife watcher were not
seeing much after the very early
morning. We did see both types of
Eagle and Red Deer, Common Seals with
Pups and some nice little birds but
overall it was a difficult day except
that the views were brilliant as were
the flowers and grasses.
June 28th
More good weather but I had to help
Pam with change overs in the
self-catering but I did manage a few
garden bird and Rabbit pictures also
in the garden and rather cute.
(Ha,ha......that made me laugh, he
carried the hoover over and emptied
the dustbins....Pam)
June 27th
Lovely Day, fantastic guests, wonderfull
birds, great Mammals I had a marvellous
time, nuff said.
June 26th
A warm sultry day after the rain of
yesterday and I stayed home to mow the
lawns and watch the birds in the garden
including our Jay and Great Spotted
Woodpecker, I nearly got a photo of the
Jay but had the camera on the wrong
setting. Pam had a hard day as hardly
anything was flying but they did manage
most of Mulls main species particularly
the Hen Harriers and then she dropped
this bombshell on me, a full breeding
plumged Black Throated Diver in Calgary
Bay only 4 miles from home and she did
not phone me, maybe we will be speaking
to each other again tomorrow, or maybe
not.
June 25th
A very wet day all day with light rain,
not the best for wildlife watching, none
the less we did see a really nice
whinchat at our first stop and then the
Hen Harriers got up and gave us a great
display. 2 Red Throated divers and a
Black Guilliemot at another stop s all
was not lost. We saw a very wet
disgruntled looking White-tailed Eagle,
a Great Northern Diver, 2 Kestrels and
Common Seals with Pups and just about
managed a couple of Red Deer. A golden
Eagle Chick was seen by one guest before
settlingdown out of the rain and we
eventually found 2 Otters, so although
it was not a brilliant day it was still
interesting and proved that wildlife can
still be seen in the rain.
June 24th
An Otterly fantastic day with a grand
total of SEVEN Otters seen
a mother and two cubs, then a single,
another mother and cub and finally
another single. The day had started well
with a Great Skua and Gannets and a Grey
Seal and of course the Sand Martins but
it was from lunch time that the day
became really special. We saw 2
Kestrels, several Buzzards, 4 Golden
Eagles, 6 White-tailed Eagles, 2 Hen
Harriers and some Red Deer stags as well
as the formentioned Otters, with
everything else we saw it was an
extraordinary day.
June 23rd
A warm dull day more than brightened up
by todays guests who gave me a great day
out. Yes I did say gave me a great day
out because I had such a good time it
did not feel like work at all, just fun.
Adder and a distant Hen Harrier at the
start of the day although I did not
convince all my guests that it was a
Harrier, but it certainly, definitely,
positively was. Both types of Eagle
performed well today and we had my first
Common Seal pup of the year. Towards the
end of the day we saw 2 Otters on the
last bit of Island visible as the tide
came in, they performed well too when
not asleep.
June 22nd
A dull warm day just right for wildlife
watching and the Eagles, Buzzards and
Kestrels not dissapointing. The day
started with Curlews a bird one of my
guests really wanted to see, with a bit
of sea watching which brought us
Gannets, Fulmar and Kittiwakes and with
both White-tailed Eagles and Red Deer
seen in the same area the day had got
off to a flying start, particularly with
the Eagles. Before and after coffee
break we spent some time on wild flowers
Orchids and Bog plants but when we
reached our first comfort stop the Sand
Martins again stole the show. An otter
put in an appearance before lunch and a
Golden Eagle at our lunch stop. In the
afternoon the Eagles put on an amazing
performance with the White-tails flying
over our heads and a Golden Eagle flying
in and landing on a tree with no leaves
giving superb views through the scope, a
wonderful end to a great day out. Just a
thank you to Pam for the food guests are
really impressed by the quality of the
food she provides for the tour and this
makes my job so much easier, Pam also
does the booking of tours and seeing I
am in the right place at the right time.
I might be the face of the Discover Mull
tours but Pam is like the Swan paddling
like crazy to make sure everything is
alright on the day. Pam also puts all
the pictures on this Blog.
June 21st
The longest day and boy was it a long
one even if the weather was pleasant.
Lawn mowing not my most enjoyable
occupation but as we have a young boy
coming into the self-catering it had to
be done. This evening we went Owl
spotting and were fortunate to see our
local Barn Owl sitting outside his box,
two Short Eared Owls out hunting and
also a male Hen Harrier, all good stuff
I thought but that was before we got the
flat tyre on the car, that was a bit of
a buggar and so was the tyre, buggared
and we had only had it on for a week not
my best day of the year apart from the
birds.
June 20th
A dull day but mainly dry and some sea
birds today, not a lot but very good
Gannets and Kittiwakes. Imust mention an
often forgotten because they are so
numerous and easy to see Wheatear,
rather like the Oystercatchers even
beginners tend to notice them and they
are really beautiful birds, so today
three cheers for the humble Wheatear.
All the main stuff seen on Mull again on
todays tour but for me the standouts
were Lesser Redpoll, Whitethroat and
Sedge Warbler and the Yellowhammer seen
in the garden whilst I was doing the
flasks.
June 19th
'Don't worry if we are not seeing the
big stuff, let us worry about that' we
tell our guests every day, and so I
smiled to myself when a guest whispered
to me at morning coffee 'how often do
you see eagles?'. 5 minutes later as we
rounded a bend in the road 'Golden Eagle
right in front just above the road' I
shouted eagerly, '2 cyclists on the
road' the worried guest by my side
shouted. A wonderful day with lots
of Eagles, sitting, flying and feeding
on the nest. Due to the tides more
patience was needed for the otter but 3
with afternoon tea made everyones day
complete. The Wildflowers are looking
splendid at the moment with Heath
Spotted, Northern Marsh, Fragrent and
Butterfly Orchids all flowering in one
spot that we visited along side many
more species of flowers. By the way Mum
and Dad now have a computer and I know
they read my blog to see what we are up
to so may we take this opportunity to
wish them both a very happy 66th wedding
aniversary today, congratulations to you
both.
June 18th
A day of mist, cloud and some sunshine
but much cooler which was much
appreciated by the wildlife. We started
with Hen Harriers but it was mainly the
male we saw, this was followed by great
views of a Cuckoo being harassed by
Meadow Pipits and then Adders and a
single Slow Worm, Adder picture below.
the Sand Martins next and once again
they proved a big hit with guests and
then having dragged them away from the
Martins we saw 2 Otters which we watched
throughout coffee break and for some
time after. We now had to make up time
and as the mist was so slow in lifting
this was not difficult, we did stop
however to take photos of Beinn More
with its peaks showing well above the
mist, a spectacular sight. On our way to
lunch we saw some Red Deer including a
young stag and as soon as we got out of
the bus at our lunch stop The Golden
Eagle appeared as if by magic. 6
White-tailed Eagles, 2 more Golden
Eagles and another Otter in the
afternoon and let us not forget, as if
we could the Sedge Warbler, another
fabulous day wildlife watching on Mull
with lovely guests, could life be better
than this? I think not.
June 17th
Very warm but not unbearable as it was
cloudier than yesterday. We started well
today as both the male and female Hen
Harriers were flying, taking prey to
their young, no Slow Worms today but we
saw an Adder and Toad instead, good
stuff. Red and Fallow Deer were seen
well as were both types of Eagle and the
Sandmartins and Wheatears although the
Otter we saw was very brief and only
seen by myself and one guest. On our
tours it is not only the wildlife that
interest guests but everything and these
Highland Cows standing in the estuary
water to keep cool and looking like a
scene from a Constable painting were
lovely and created quite a distraction
as we waited for a Golden Eagle to show
up: it didn't. We had a couple of
photographers out with us today so a
stop to photo the boats a Salen was
compulsory, regular visitors to Mull
will know where I mean.
June 16th
Scorcio and sunny with light breeze so
no midges but our lawn mower man came
and mowed the lawn for the first time
since May 4th and for midges it was like
having your home knocked down and they
have fled in droves not good for them
but great for us and our guests. This is
great growing weather if my whiskers are
anything to go by it is a shame my hair
doesn't seem to have noticed. Pam heard
a Corncrake on her tour today and we now
have Great Spotted Woodpecker chicks in
the garden and a regular Jay and a
Sparrowhawk flew through this morning.
June 15th
A tour today and the weather was
fantastic with sunshine and a strong
breeze which stopped it becoming too
hot. We had wonderfull views of Sand
Martins today feeding chicks not far
from fledging, I took these photos of
the birds, eat your heart out
springwatch. White-tailed Eagles and a
Golden Eagle in the air together today
giving guests great views and thanks to
a sharp eyed guest an Otter very close
but quite difficult to see in rough
water. Other good sightings today a
brilliant Lesser Redpoll, 2 Grey
Wagtails, close Gannets and lots of
Buzzards and Kestrels.
June 14th
The day after the wet day before and our
friends Jac and Mike are coming for the
weekend and I think I might try to get
Mike to help me finish the trench
digging. Several hours later and me and
Mike are digging a trench out of rock
and concrete surrounded by midges but we
soldiered on and managed to finish the
job, thanks mate. In the morning I took
the Photo above of our wild Rabbits and
Rock Doves cleaning up underneath our
largest bird seed feeder.
June 13th
A very wet driech day with low cloud and
like the England football team we set
out with low expectations. At our first
stop the wildlife was much in evidence
although we saw little of it just felt
it, out came the Avon Skin So Soft or
which ever midge repellent you could
find and we were forced to leave. At
stop number two we had better luck with
Whinchat, Slow worms and my first Adder
of the year seen. Redshank and Common
Sandpipers were stop threes highlights
and then on to coffee break where I
could here a little chuntering about the
weather and we would see nothing, Otters
I said as 3 of them a mother with her
two cubs appeared and gave us a
fantastic half hour of Otter watching.
Red Deer before lunch and then the rain
stopped and so did we as I hurriedly
prepared lunch in the dry and then the
Golden Eagle flew giving very good views
until the cloud came down and the rain
returned. Onwards we travelled and we
reached a White-tailed Eagle site and
the mist lifted long enough for us to
see the female in a tree over the nest
site and a breeding plumaged Great
Northern Diver, by which time my guests
were overjoyed and not a little
impressed. Fallow Deer were seen and
some Seals before we had afternoon tea
and then the Midges returned and so did
we, returned home I mean to end a very
successfull day. By the way the views
would have been stunning if we could
have seen them.
June 12th
A much better day than forecast as the
rain did not start falling till after
4pm by which time we had seen all the
Mullspecialities except Hen Harrier. The
day got off to a good start with this
Buzzard sitting in a tree top not far
from its nest and then I saw my first
confirmed Great Skua of the year and
then 2 Otters, it is always good to get
Otters early in the day as it takes the
pressure off trying to see them all day.
A Great Northern Diver and Kestrel for
Meg for her Mull list were other
highlights but brilliant White-tailed
Eagles were the stars of the day.
June 11th
Pam driving the bus again today and what
a beautiful day we had with delightful
guests. A mother Otter with
2 cubs before morning coffee at a place
were we used see them but they have not
been there this year, our guests were so
enthralled with them we stayed for an
hour until eventually they curled up and
went to sleep, (the otters not the
guests). Cuckoo's are getting harder to
see now so we were pleased to see one
flying past a kestral a species they can
be confused with, and a Curlew with
chicks were spotted hiding in a boggy
area. White-tail and Golden Eagles were
seen well also Seals, Red-throated
Diver, Red and Fallow Deer which
were very close to the road.
June 10th
A good day for the Mull specialities
with very good Golden Eagles at
lunchtime following a distant one early
doors. the same hapened with the
white-tailed Eagles, a distant view in
the morning but great sightings in the
afternoon both flying and roosting. Red
Deer which were requested and Fallow
Deer were seen as was an Otter, not our
best but for quite a long time fishing
and both types of Seal seen well. Other
birds of note Hen Harriers by 2 guests I
had dropped off whilst I fetched guests
from Tobermory, Linnet, Curlews,
Lapwings , Common Sandpiper Stonchat and
Plankton, whoops I mean Meadow Pipits.
One other species which we struggled to
see but certainly felt as we were
watching the Otter, MIDGES.
June 9th
Another nice day and Arthur is back
digging. Male Hen Harrier, Slow Worms
and our first Adder of the year set us
off to a good start to the day followed
by an Otter in a spot where we don't
normally see them, so nobody was too
worried that we did not get any eagles
until the afternoon although we did get
a male Teal, unusual for this time of
year. By 3 oclock we had seen everything
that had been requested for the day and
thanks to regular guests and blog
readers Ita and Ann we did not miss a
single buzzard.
June 8th
A beautiful sunny day with a strong
breeze to keep the midges at bay. Very
good Otters today check out the pictures
below, the tide was almost in and only
the rock and a bit of seaweed was
showing on the surface and the Otter was
on the rock eating a large fish, with
the wind in our faces and a very quiet
group we were able to watch the Otter
without a hint of disturbance, the way
it sh ould be done. A lovely view of the
Shelduck ducklings enjoying the weather
and having a great time was another good
watch on another very good day of
wildlife watching, you cannot beat Mull
when conditions are like they were
today, stunning views, no midges and
great wildlife, my cup runneth over. By
the way we did also see both types of
Eagle, both types of Seal, Red Deer, a
Black Throated Diver and over 50 species
of wildlife in another wonderfull day on
paradise island.
June 7th
A nice day till late afternoon when the
heavens opened but still enough time for
more trench digging. A garden bird
report today which includes
Rabbits, Hedgehog and Slow Worms. On the
bird front over 20 species visited our
garden this week including Bullfinch,
Spotted Flycatcher, Siskins, Jay,
Buzzard, Swallows, Great Spotted
Woodpecker and Yellowhammers with
White-tailed Eagles and Hen Harrier
occasionally being seen flying over the
wood behind the house, with the wild
flowers in the wild garden this is like
living in a wildlife oasis. I must thank
our tour guests for their unsolicited
support for our tours on Trip Advisor as
today through the post we got a
Certificate of Excellence from the
organisation which was totally
unexpected but it does please us that so
many of our guests enjoy the tours as
much as we do. So a big thank you to you
all for your continued support, may we
never take it for granted and continue
to give you all a happy, pleasant tour.
June 6th
Another fabulous day with the weather
feeling scorcio although it was only 19
degrees. Both male and female Hen
Harrier were seen at our first stop and
with Slow Worm, Stonechat, Whinchat and
Whitethroat at our second stop so the
day had got off to a flying start.
Talking of flying that was what we saw
with a Cuckoo being mobbed by a hapless
Meadow Pipit and 2 Golden Eagles flying
right over our heads, they were though
very high up enjoying the thermals.
White-tailed Eagles seen well as were at
least 8 Buzzards, a cameo appearance of
a Sedge Warbler, a Cormorant with Shags
giving guests time to tell the
difference and finally the shelduck
family always a real treat not only for
us but for the White-tailed Eagle
chicks. We had fabulous views of 2
Otters which made my guests day and on
our way home 2 Red deer appeared, the
first we had seen all day.
June 5th
Arthur must have seen the weather
forcast again and sent me out with low
cloud and missly rain all day whilst he
continued with his digging. Both eagles
were seen well but only sitting, not
flying but we were compensated by 2
Otters playing on an island for over
half an hour, rolling over together,
fighting and fishing. Other nice birds
seen today we 4 Red-throated Divers and
4 Black-throated Divers, Dipper, Kestrel
and Bullfinches. Not so nice birds were
2 Hooded Crows attaching a 3rd crow with
such ferocity that we thought the 3rd
crow was going to be killed, after being
held upside down and being pecked for
over 5 minutes the 3rd crow managed to
escape and fly away.
June 4th
A really nice day and with enough breeze
to keep the Midges at bay as I spent the
day in the trenches, literally, digging
trenches for Solar Panel cables. Many
thanks to Meg and Stephen who
unexpectedly gave up a day of their
holiday to come and help me, on the plus
side we got a lot done on the minus my
knee has swelled up again. Pam did the
tour today with 4 Americans on board it
is starting to feel like we do United
Nations tours, I hope Nigel Farage
doesn't book on. I was very jealous when
Pam came back with the news they had
seen a Peregrine Falcon giving very good
views and a Linnet, while the best I
could offer was beautiful Siskins in our
garden a little distraction from the
digging.
June 3rd
A beautiful sunny warm day which was
just as well as we had a pary of Indian
people on the tour today so they were
not cold until later in the day as the
wind picked up. A lovely couple David
and Bernice were out with us and David
wanted birds but Bernice really wanted
an Otter and to her delight and my
relief we found one at the end of the
day doing all the things that make
Otters so cute and she was looking
through the scope as it got up and
walked off the island we first found it
on, we found it again on a separate
island giving even better views. Eagles
seen well again today as were both types
of Deer and Seal, so with lots of extra
Photo stops for the Indian guests a good
day was had by all. My thanks to David
Yates who did the door and saw my other
guests were well looked after, checking
for birds as I was looking for Otter and
being an all round good egg.
June 2nd
Arthur must have seen the weather
forcast before sending me out today, low
cloud and mist for most of the day,
again another bunch of very patient
guests saw little more than a single
slow worm and a buzzard before lunch
time. As I came around the corner to
head down Loch na Keal the clouds lifted
and so did my guests spirits as they had
wonderful views of White-tailed Eagles
followed by Fallow Deer and Golden
Eagles. There patience was rewarded when
a White-tail Eagle flew across the loch
towards us and less than 50 yards away
plucked a Shellduck ducking from the
rocky seaweed being chases by 4 adult
shellducks. Our Otter was a bit more
elusive with only half my guests seeing
it as it swam in a choppy sea. Other
birds seen were cuckoo and
Great-northern Diver and lots of wild
flowers were found by a couple of very
keen guest botanists.
June 1st
A dull but dry day and the wildlife
proved hard work and everyone on the
tour wanted to see an Otter, it might
have taken all day but we eventually saw
2, a mother and a cub and although they
were some distance away they stayed out
fishing for a long time giving our
guests god views through the telescopes
and with both types of Eagle seen well
our guests went home happy with 50
species being seen in the day. On a
happy note I bumped into a man I had met
8 years ago on Mull who was recuperating
after suffering a broken back in an
accident, I am glad to say he has
recovered and still loves Mull as the
place where he regained his his health
and equalibrium after his terrible
experiences. He has just had a book
published as he is now a writer and he
told me he was going to write a book
about his recovery time on Mull. It is
going to be titled "10 Days on Mull," it
is one to look out for in the future and
good look to him and his delightful
wife.
June - 2013
June
30th
A day
of showers which became a day of dodging
them and being in the right place to see
wildlife when they stopped. We saw both Red
Deer and Fallow Deer the latter due to a
great spot by a guest, Common Seals with
young and a brilliant view of Golden Eagle
when it stopped raining for the first time
and we managed to get morning refreshments
in the dry. On we went through heavy rain
and as we saw some blue sky rushed to a
White-tailed Eagle site and low and behold
as the clouds lifted we saw both adults but
not where the gathering crowds were looking
for them, local knowledge of the birds and
weather conditions came into force but we
did show them to a competitor who had missed
them so his guests did not miss out.
Returning the same way to show guests the
views they had missed in the morning we
spotted an Otter at a place we had searched
earlier proving that wildlife watching is
either patience or being in the right place
at the right time. This was certainly proved
when Pam spotted a male Hen Harrier as we
made our way back home, the bird gave guests
a tremendous end to a very good day out
given the conditions and their expectations.
Some of our guests were very interested in
the geology of Mull and this is where our
other strings to our tour come in very handy
particularly on trying days like today.
 
June
29th
A
better day and a BTO breeding bird square
for me to do, lots of species seen with the
highlights being Goldcrest, Bullfinch and
Spotted Flycatcher.
June
28th
A wet
day for the most part and one guest in
particular was loath to come out with us and
thought seriously about cancelling but I
persuaded her not to. The rain stopped for
about an hour and a half at lunch time and
we saw White-tailed Eagles flying very
close, 2 Golden Eagles also close, a male
Hen harrier, 2 Buzzards and 4 Kestrels
within about 30 minutes, there were times
when we did not know which way to turn.
Speaking of Terns there were 2 Common Terns
at Calgary along with 6 Common Scoters and
the day finished with a very close Peregrine
Falcon. Was the lady glad she had not
cancelled, you bet she was. As for the other
guests they came with an open mind and with
a great sense of humour and were duly
rewarded, my thanks to you all.
June
27th
Low
cloud all day but mostly dry, we call these
'use your imagination tours' as we try to
point out our beautiful views which seem to
be having a day off, like Arthur, who spent
the day relaxing whilst I (Pam) did the
tour. We saw White-tail Eagle and a good
Otter today but it was the small birds who
stole the show with lots of Whinchat,
Stonechat, Wheatears, Pied Wagtails, Willow
Warblers and more all busy finding food for
their young. The highlight for me was a pair
of Snipe calling and flying in the mist.
June
26th
Another
dull but dry day and more Eagles seen well
as were Buzzards, Kestrels and a male Hen
Harrier. Bottle Nose Dolphins were seen the
4th time on our tours this year and a Hare
raced up the road in front of the van. No
Otters seen today but they were hardly
missed as we spent a lot of time watching
Common Seals feeding new born pups, a really
nice sighting for all the ladies on the
tour. Great group of very happy, chatty
people on the tour today which makes our job
so much easier.
June
25th
Weather
dull and warm with sight breeze, 3 separate
Hen Harriers seen today with one a female
giving us excellent views as did the
White-tailed Eagle that flew directly over
our heads. Otter was seen before lunch but
we had to wait until late afternoon to see a
pair of Golden eagles. Bird of the day was
Kestrel with 10 birds seen including young.
Small birds seen well were Tree Pipit,
Stonechat, Whinchat and Whitethroat and the
Common Gull was in the same spot as the
Swallow had been in a picture on the 18th.
 
June
24th
Cool
and cloudy with a breeze, much better
conditions to be out and about than
yesterday but the wildlife was not playing
ball initially, probably trying to recover
from yesterdays gales. The Golden Eagles
with 2 chicks are giving me super views at
the moment it is either they have to hunt
all the time to feed a growing family or
just showing off as they have 2 chicks and
all the other Golden Eagle pairs have one or
none. We had an Otter briefly before lunch
but at the end of the day a very close one
giving my guests a great sighting. As they
were watching the Otter I managed to get a
photo of this silhouetted Heron also fishing
but using the patience technique not the
dashing catching of the Otter both were
successful. The other picture of the Curlew
was seen whilst we were watching Red Deer
Stags, in the wildlife watching game you
never know what may show up.
June
23rd
A
windy and cool day and after a little bit of
patience the Golden Eagle performed
brilliantly for us. The White-tailed Eagle
played hide and seek with us for some time
but when found posed for us before flying
off who knows where. An Otter next scared by
a noisy guest and then a photographer, not
in our group but with about as much field
craft as a charging Rhino. We had a good
sighting which could have been a lot better.
The wind had now reached gale force so with
little else to do we took in the views and
did the history of the drove roads and
clearances until at the end of another great
day we found a male Hen Harrier hunting,
alls well that ends well
June
22nd
No
tour today as it was change over in the
self-catering and as there were heavy
showers all morning we just basked in the
glory of all the wildlife we saw yesterday.
I spent the morning watching Lions, the
rugby ones, not real ones, fed the birds and
checked out our water supply and getting
very wet into the bargain.
June
21st
A day
that started damp and dull but improved as
the day went on, light winds. 6 Otters, 5
Golden Eagles, 4 White-tailed Eagles, 3
Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and Partridge in a Pear
Tree, no there was no Partridge in a Pear
Tree but our guests thought all their
Christmas wishes had come true on todays
wildlife tour and as for us we wish it could
be Christmas every day.
 
June
20th
A dull
day with light drizzle all day, not a day to
be out wildlife watching or so most of my
guests would think, WRONG. We started at
Dervaig and at our first stop we saw
Goosander, Redshank and Common Sandpipers
amongst other stuff, at our 2nd stop, Red
Deer and 2 Hen Harriers a male and female
giving brilliant views particularly the
male. On to stop 3 and Lapwings and
White-tailed Eagle and the only things
bothered by the drizzle were my optics and
glasses. After a comfort break we went for
coffee and 2 Golden Eagles flew for several
minutes really close even I was surprised by
this sighting. We nearly had an Otter at the
next stop but the dratted thing played hide
and seek, but we had a good one before
lunch, so even though it had drizzled
continuously we had seen all the Mull
specialities really well which we rarely do
on bright sunny days which I keep banging on
about. Also seen today were a very close
Sand Martin, lovely Shellduck ducklings,
beautiful yellow Flag Iris and Northern
Marsh Orchids. Now I know we are a wildlife
tour that takes you out to look for the
wildlife but today one little bit of
wildlife came to see us as this baby Pied
Wagtail took shelter from the drizzle in the
van as we ate our lunch, ain't he cute.
 
 
June
19th
Dull,
breezy and cooler with low cloud and rain
for a time. Congratulations to my Dad and
Mum who celebrated 65 years of marriage
today, quite an achievement in todays world,
good on you both. The Mull specialities are
still playing ball at the moment with 2
Otters again today , not the same ones as
yesterday. A great sighting of a Swallow
today on the picturesque boats near Salen,
you could say it was a swallow on the Crows
nest. White-tailed Eagles put on a show for
us today and we have a pair of Great Spotted
Woodpeckers regularly visiting our feeders
in the garden. The other great sightings of
the day a pair of Great Skuas, Kittiwakes
and Shellducks with newly hatched ducklings,
enough to make the most hard hearted male
birder go ah.
June
18th
Dull
but calm and cooler conditions brought out
the wildlife, Golden Eagle being mobbed by
a Raven, White-tailed Eagle being mobbed
by a Buzzard, a very good Hen Harrier, 2
separate Otters, Fallow and Red Deer, Grey
And Common Seals a lovely view of a Song
Thrush, Common Sandpipers and a Willow
Warbler. Whinchat and Cuckoo were seen
well as were Kestrels and Lapwings and
Redshank, Wheatears are everywhere and a
Common Tern in Calgary Bay. Just another
day of fun, frolics and a little wildlife
watching on a Discover Mull Tour. Great
guests and some great spotters on the tour
today, more of the same tomorrow please.
 
June
17th
Hot
but not quite scorcio with light breeze and
another good Eagle day but for me it was the
Red Throated Divers, Linnets, Twite and
Otters which were the highlights. A lot of
Kestrels were seen today and 3 dancing
Cuckoos provided great entertainment for our
guests. I have got the midge magnet going
and the box was half full of midges this
evening, Pam will be well pleased.
June
16th
Hot
and dry again on Mull where the drying out
water holes could soon become a problem. The
question on most peoples lips at the moment
is will factor 30 be strong enough. The ewes
who just a few weeks ago were shivering in
the cold wondering if the grass would ever
grow are now pushing and shoving as they
queue jump to be sheared. Pam did the tour
today and saw everything, my word that girl
is good, it is a good job she doesn't do
tours or us boys would all be out of
business.
Arthur
forgot to mention in all his rambling - I
took our group to see if there was an Adder
under a tin sheet that Arthur had put down
earlier in the year disappointingly there
was nothing there, as we walked back to the
mini-bus I spotted a Buzzard flying towards
us, as it got closer we saw something long
dangling from the Buzzards feet ....... it
was our Adder being taken off (still
wriggling) to feed the Buzzards chicks. Pam
June
15th
A
lovely day again and we were not feeling to
great after we had guests round last night
to celebrate the finishing of our new
bathrooms and copious amounts of beer and
wine were consumed. Thanks to all involved
in the bathroom project, Richie, Billy and
Josh (the mole) the heating engineers Ian
and Gary the electricians and Angus the
builder who has been great. I must mention
Pam who kept all these guys going , provided
refreshment, sanded and painted doors, walls
etc in fact she was everywhere.
Congratulations to you all on a job well
done, now I can come out of hiding.
June
14th
Another
lovely day and splendid Otters for which I
am extremely grateful as one of my guests
was feeling unwell but made the effort to
come out and was really hoping to see an
Otter. A proud pair of Golden Eagles
watching over their fast growing chick was
another good sighting, also on the Golden
Eagle front I have been reliably informed
that one of the Golden Eagle pairs I watch
has 2 well grown chicks this year. A
beautiful Black Guillemot was seen quite
close in and for once I managed to get a
decent photograph.
June
13th
A
lovely if cool day and again all the Mull
specialities were seen very well including 2
very good Otter sightings which my guests
loved. At the end of the day just as we were
about to give up a Hen Harrier got up
and gave us a spectacular flying display for
several minutes, what a cracking way to end
a great day. The Golden Eagle sightings were
excellent but although we saw good views of
White-tailed Eagle none of them would fly. A
Cuckoo flew past as we waited for the Hen
Harrier and we had a great view of a Willow
Warbler but as I had to wait for al my
guests to see it through the scope it did
not hang around long enough for me to get a
photo.
June
12th
The
rain continued through the night bringing
with it lots of wildlife, Midges. Never the
less we started out on todays tour full of
optimism as the forecast predicted it to
clear as the day went on and what happens
after 36 hours of rain, everything gets up
and flies and it did. We saw all Mulls big 5
including 2 Otters whilst it was still
raining, Brilliant Golden Eagles,
White-tailed Eagles, Red deer and a Hen
Harrier finished off a great days wildlife
watching and I got Linnet again, my cup
runneth over.
June
11th
Drizzle
all day and 10 degrees cooler and we set off
in high spirits, jumpers, coats and
gloves. At our 2nd stop we found two Red
Deer Hinds with this years calves and one
was the smallest I have ever seen about the
size of a large hare if you cut its legs off
a real Bambi sighting. Golden Eagle sitting
and chilling, literally in the rain was seen
at Coffee break followed by a White-tailed
Eagle at our next stop. By now the mood of
the guests had really brightened up even if
the weather hadn't. Lunch provided a special
view of a male hen Harrier which flew
directly over our heads and then a flock of
Linnets flew in and we also had a good view
through the telescope of a Twite which was
with them and the drizzle continued . less
excitement in the afternoon proving my
theory that the early starters catches more
wildlife.
June
10th
A
cooler breezier day much more pleasant to be
out in and newly fledged little birds were
out enjoying themselves as the pictures of a
young Robin and Wheatear show. A Jay flew in
front of us on our way into Tobermory this
morning giving guests a great view of this
scarcely seen bird on Mull. Brilliant
sighting of an Otter with a cub which we
were watching very quietly at relatively
close quarters when 2 cars turned up parked
and filled the passing place completely
illegally and banging doors scared the
mother Otter off to hide her cub, she
reappeared on her own but this was
disturbance of wildlife big style and forced
us who had found the Otter to leave the
Otter or face the wrath of the police who
blame the wildlife tour operators if passing
places are full and we are there. Now I know
everyone wants to see Otter but this selfish
behaviour and disturbance behaviour drives
us tour operators to distraction as well as
being wrong to our guests who have paid to
come out with us. A Hen Harrier at the end
of the day completed a tour in which all the
main Mull species had been seen well.
 
June
9th
SCORCIO
it was too hot today but we still had a
great tour with a fish carrying Mink being
chased and harassed for over 100 yards by
Oystercatchers and a very persistent Hooded
Crow. A very close Otter soon followed which
we had for about 25 minutes because my
guests were brilliant and kept very quiet
and still, voices carry a long way on Mull
and Otters have great hearing but are short
sighted, so congratulations to you all you
deserved your great sighting. A lovely
Whinchat, both Eagles and both Seals were
other good sightings and as we were in no
rush we were able to stop and spend a lot of
time out of the van which was like a
greenhouse at times, unusual for Mull.
June
8th
The
weather remains warm and sunny and no
tour today but our friends Mike and Jaquie
have come to stay and as it was Mikes magic
number birthday they came with me to do a
waterways survey. What a time Mike had as we
had very close views of Goldcrests, feeding
Spotted Flycatcher and Ringed Plover amongst
29 species seen. The highlights however were
mammals with a Bottle Nose Dolphin, 2
Porpoise and 2 Otters seen very well in a 15
minute period, he was really chuffed. We
then went to look for a Redstart as I had
not seen one yet this year and after some
time we found a pair feeding young and this
made Mikes day complete. The day ended with
a great meal at the Bellachroy and Pam and
Jaquie ate the Mull platter for 2 between
them for which they have have mike and my
admiration. Mike and I both had a very good
rump steak which along with the best best
beer on Mull completed a great birthday for
Mike. Many thanks to Nick, Debbie and the
staff at the Bellachroy for their continuing
high standard of food and beer and
atmosphere , it is no wonder they are nearly
always full, cheers to you all.
June
7th
More
breeze today which made it feel a little
cooler and today we had a Golden Eagle fest
with really good close views of 3 birds. the
first was being mobbed by 2 Hooded Crows and
thus giving us good size comparisons and the
other 2 were together as they came over a
low hill disturbing a startled Kestrel which
soon disappeared. The 2 eagles then soared
round each other giving us a fantastic
display for several minutes, we don't get
Golden Eagles that close very often.
June
6th
Scorcio
again and the earlier starts are certainly
proving a winner wildlife wise as again we
had all Mull main species today, we
also had Stonechat, Whinchat, Linnet, Willow
Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. On
the water we had Black Guillemots,
Guillemots and Razorbills, Gannets, Common
Terns, Red Breasted Mergansers, Shellducks
and a lot of Shags. My highlights today were
Linnet and Whinchat, which I love, a male
Hen Harrier and a good Otter which as guests
really want to see I am always delighted for
them when we find one. I was just about to
take a photo of the Whinchat when a Cuckoo
came and sat on a wire and I had to move my
scope as some guests had never seen a Cuckoo
before and guests always come first, never
have I been so disappointed to see a Cuckoo.
June
5th
A
beautiful hot day spoilt at the start by
more on the morning cancellations but I am
pleased to say it was their loss. The 9-30am
start proved a winner again as we had a
great Otter sighting before too many people
were around to scare it off. This was
followed by a brief Golden Eagle and a
flying White-tailed Eagle. We had more
White-tailed Eagle sighting in the next 20
minutes and it was just 11am and trips
starting from the ferry would only just have
begun. Brilliant views of Golden Eagle after
lunch and Kestrel mobbing 2 Hooded Crows
provided great entertainment. We spent half
an hour just chilling at the coast in the
main heat of the day as we had seen all the
main Mull species very well, the early bird
and all that. As we sat and chatted by the
coast a Gannet and several Manx
Shearwaters flew past, 2 Grey Seals joined
us for a few minutes, Shags enjoyed the sun
on a Rock as did a single Common Tern.
Guillemots dived for fish on a still sea and
we were serenaded by a Skylark, a magical
half Hour at a place I love. On the way back
to Tobermory we had a Fabulous view of a Hen
Harrier right over our heads probably the
sighting of the day. As for those who
cancelled, so sorry you missed it all.
June
4th
Scorcio
again and I am glad we had a 9-30am start as
there was a lot to see early doors including
both types of Eagle, both types of Seal,
Common Terns, Great Northern Divers, Gannet
and a Cuckoo being harassed by a pair of
harassed Meadow Pipits, "I wonder what the
female Cuckoo was up to whilst both Pipit
parents were away from the nest?." In the
afternoon the highlights were the heat, a
pair of Red Throated Divers and a
brilliant female Hen Harrier being mobbed by
2 Curlews.
June
3rd
Another
great day for the Mull specialities
including a female Hen Harrier at the end of
the day The weather was great but a little
hot and it was very quiet during the heat of
the day so we are aiming to start our tours
at 9-30am now instead of 10am to give us
more chance to see stuff. The Eagles are
showing well at the moment as the ones with
chicks are out and about more and talking of
chicks we are starting to see more of other
species now which are very nice to see after
the cold Spring. The trees are looking
spectacular now with different species in
separate greens depending on type . There
was a localized HAA, coastal fog at Calgary
and this gave a very different if a little
spooky view of the islands.
June
2nd
A
great day for wildlife watching not to
sunny and calm and boy did the wildlife
oblige. The day started with Redshank,
Dunlin and a great Red Deer stag in the
Dervaig reedbed. At our next stop a Golden
Eagle came soaring over a hill and at the
next a Robin, followed by a White-tailed
Eagle at the 4th stop first sitting and the
flying being mobbed by Common Gulls. In
Salen Bay we saw several Eider Ducks and
Mute Swans with a single cygnet. Grey and
Common Seals were then seen as were Arctic
Terns, Great Northern Diver and 2 brilliant
Red Throated Divers. Shortly after we saw
more great views of Golden and White-tailed
Eagles and a Sedge Warbler. Lunchtime and
exceptional views of Golden Eagle only
eclipsed for me by my favorite birds
Linnets. A lovely view of Red Breasted
Merganser, Lapwing and Shellducks and with
Swallows and Sand Martins fly all around us
lunch was complete. The afternoon was
quieter as always but Kestrel, Common Terns,
Black Guillemots and Gannets kept us going
until at the very end of a great day we saw
an OTTER.
June
1st
Another
cool day and very windy at times and a very
tricky day wildlife wise but that is because
it is wildlife and if you want to guarantee
seeing stuff you should go to a Zoo or out
to places where they feed the wildlife but
that is not true wildlife watching. Birds
and wildlife should be free and we on our
tours try to stress this point, Exhilaration
and disappointment are the two sides of true
wildlife watching. Out with a friend at her
Sauna tonight, thanks Mari for a lovely
evening and sorry we forgot your birthday,
no excuse.
June 2012
June
30th
Weather
awful and I had a day off ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ I
feel better after a good days rest.
June
29th
A
mainly dry day produced lots of raptors
which pleased guests immensely a few little
birds and Auks but all in all it was a slow
day wildlife wise which can happen at this
time of the year, it was definitely a day
when it was the quality of wildlife seen and
not the quantity. Talking of quantity as I
write this blog I have counted over 90 Rock
Doves sitting on the electric lines waiting
for me to go out and feed the
birds......Pigeon pie anybody.
June
28th
With
another very wet day forecast Arthur was
pleased to have his day off but as we often
say 'they get it wrong'. In light rain we
found a golden Eagle sitting we watched for
a while and as I was packing up to leave a
shout of 'it's flying' went up. It didn't
fly far, just enough to shake the rain from
it's wings but in the next few minutes it
flew 3 times giving great views. Then we
found the wet White-tail Eagle sitting in a
tree, just as we were about to leave he
decided to fly for us. It was now starting
to clear up and the afternoon was dry. A
very close male Hen Harrier followed hunting
and narrowly missing a very relieved Meadow
Pipit and 2 more White-tail Eagles, one
flying right over us. A fishing Otter
rounded the day of very nicely.
June
27th
Wet,
Wet, Wet no not the pop group , the weather
And although it was very wet we still
managed a Soggy Golden Eagle, a flying White
tailed Sea Eagle which soon landed and
looked like the soggy Golden Eagle, a very
soggy, sorry looking Yellowhammer, Red Deer,
lots of Seals of both kinds and an Otter for
over half an hour and it was still raining.
Other notable sightings on a very wet day
were Red Throated Divers, Guillemots,
Shellducks, Eider Ducks and Red Breasted
Mergansers, Pam's Homemade piping hot soup
and Sandwiches for lunch much needed and
appreciated on the day as were the cakes and
biscuits at morning coffee and afternoon
tea. I might have mentioned it rained for
most of the day and yes these sightings are
not made up we do still see stuff on really
bad weather days, it just means I get much
wetter....Atishooo?
June
26th
A
bright start to a day that ended in pouring
rain. A birding group today so guess what we
saw a lot of birds including a Great Skua,
Gannets, Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Black
Guillemots, Shags, a Cormorant. Red Throated
Divers, a Snipe, Ringed Plover, Redshank,
Common Sandpiper, Curlews, Swans and Geese.
Little birds seen were Wheatears, Whinchats,
Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Meadow and Rock
Pipit and Skylarks. We saw both types of
Eagle and a brilliant view of a female Hen
Harrier and both types of Deer and Seals
including baby Seals, lots of Buzzards and
Kestrels and acrobatic Ravens. As you can
tell we had a very good day largely due to
the fact that we were open to everything
Mull had to offer wildlife wise. I nearly
forgot the Common Spotted and Heath Spotted
Orchids, Fragrant, Northern Marsh and
Butterfly Orchids we also saw and had some
interesting Geology commentary from a
knowledgeable guest, phew we packed a lot
into a very good day.
June
25th
A dull
start turning sunny and hot, sometimes when
I take people out I get frustrated not with
the guests but for the guests, although the
conditions were perfect for seeing Otters we
did not find one today. I know how much
guests want to see Otter but they are the
most unpredictable animal and sometimes no
matter how much you try they just don't
appear, I hope for better tomorrow. We did
see a lot of wildlife including both types
of Eagle seen well, Red and Fallow Deer,
Common Seals with newborn pups. Red Throated
Divers, lots of wildflowers including
Orchids but no Pesky Otters.
June
24th
Overcast
and breezy, dry and cool today and we had
news of 7 Bottlenose Dolphins in Tobermory
Harbour this morning heading west so I
decided to start the tour at Cailaich Point
on the off chance we might see the Dolphins,
in the event we didn't but did see lots of
Manx Shearwaters, Kittiwakes and some
Gannets as well as Orchids a request from
some guests. Another great Eagle and Otter
day check out the Goldie photo below,
although we had to wait till lunchtime
before our first Eagle, as I always say
Wildlife Watching can severely test your
patience. and we also saw new Red Deer
calves and Common Seal pups all in all a
very good day was had by all. Just a mention
about Pam whose soup and baking keeps
getting rave reviews and she does most of
the office work and now gives me a day off
every week by taking out a tour. I might be
the body work that guests see of this
business but it Pam who is the engine that
keeps it running.
June
23rd
It
rained all day and for once I did not do any
wildlife watching but caught up on a few
chores and paid a couple of bills and did
some maintenance on our water supply. Pam
did the cleaning of the self-catering
chalets and once again guests left with
lovely comments, see s/c page, it is nice to
know that we offer such a perfect base for
guests to enjoy what this island is all
about. We must also thank Dougie for his
wonderful new shop in the village, Nick,
Debbie and the staff at the Bellachroy for
providing guests with such good food and
beer if they wish to eat out. Guest wanting
fine dining can enjoy Am Berlinn or Killoran
just up the road and well within walking
distance. Finally guests who are into art
can visit Andy and Helen Mortly at Frachadil
House or Calgary art gallery and tea room at
Calgary Bay just 4 Miles from Ardrioch Farm.
June
22nd
After
needed overnight rain a dull calm day
ensued, perfect for wildlife watching and we
saw over 50 bird species and 60 species
altogether. In a year when Otters have been
difficult to find we saw 6 in total today as
well as 5 White-tailed Eagles and a Hen
Harrier. Whinchats were seen feeding young,
Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Willow
Warblers were all seen well as were Red
Throated Divers, Black Guillemot and
Razorbills. We also saw an Adder and several
species of wild flowers including Orchids.
As I constantly say the more you look for
the more you seem to see, if you just spend
time searching for Eagles and Otters you
might not find them on the day and miss
everything else the magical Island of Mull
has to offer.
June
21st
Pam on
the road again today and with a forecast of
rain coming in for the afternoon we were
pleased to get our Eagles in the morning. 3
unusual sighting today which pleased me as
well as the guests: a Hedgehog marching down
the side of the road, it went off into the
ditch as we drove along side it and up the
bank on the other side, it's surprising how
fast they can move. At least 3 seals
'porpoising' out of the water, I don't know
why they do this but I think it is the
'teenagers' just having fun and finally a
Fallow Deer fawn, only the second I've ever
seen as they are so small you can not see
them for the vegetation at this time of the
year.
June
20th
A hot
sunny day and our guests were very happy
saying what a good day for wildlife watching
but as I keep saying dull mild days are far
better. We did see all the big stuff Mull
has to offer but at a distance, Golden Eagle
5000 feet up although it was right above our
heads. A White-tailed Eagle sitting on an
island in the middle of a Loch trying to
keep cool in a none existent sea breeze. We
found a distant Otter and guests saw it but
not too clearly due to the extensive heat
haze, it would have been a much better
sighting had it been cooler. We did see good
Red Deer but no stags and 2 Hen Harriers but
again one was very distant up in the clouds.
So wildlife watchers beware what you wish
for if you want good sightings of wildlife
you don't want it too hot or too sunny, even
showers can be better for wildlife, although
not wall to wall rain.
June
19th
A
dullish day and great for wildlife with 3
Otters seen; a mother with cub and later a
dog Otter fishing very close oblivious to
our presence as guests were very quiet and
the wind was into our faces so the Otter
could not scent us. Golden Eagle, White-tail
Eagle, Hen Harrier, Kestrels and Buzzards.
Sparrowhawk, Red Deer Stags were all seen
well and we had all sorts of other stuff on
a great day. Waders seen included Curlew,
Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher and
Redshank. Ducks seen were Eider, Mallard and
Shellduck, we also had lots of Greylag Geese
and Red Throated Divers. Sea birds included
Kittiwakes, Shags, Guillemots and Razorbills
and Gulls seen were Common, Herring, Great
and Lesser Blacked Backed. Little birds were
Yellowhammer, Stonechat, Whitethroat,
Wheatear, Swallows, House Martins and Sand
Martins, Pied Wagtail, House Sparrows,
Chaffinches and a Redstart. Mammals, other
than Red Deer and Otter, were Fallow Deer,
Common and Grey Seals and Rabbits. I have
forgotten some of the stuff we saw but you
can tell we had a pretty good day.
June
18th
A
sunny day and we had to work hard for
everything we saw wildlife wise today but
with perseverance we managed very good
White-tailed Sea Eagle and another fantastic
Hen harrier sighting not the same one as
yesterday. It was a bit little and large
today as we saw a White-tailed Eagle and a
really nice Whitethroat, check out the
pictures below. Late news we had some
substantial rain last night so our water
supply should have been somewhat
replenished.
 
June
17th
After
a dull start the day just got better with
bright and sunny at the end of the tour.
Today we had a van full of wildlife spotters
and so we saw everything very well, Both
types of Eagle both sitting and flying quite
close, close enough for our guests to get
some decent Photographs. Both types of Seal
and Deer were also seen as was a good but
distant Otter and we also had a good
sighting of Bottle nose Dolphins. The day
ended with a brilliant view of a hunting
female Hen Harrier. Other good sightings on
a fabulous day were Great Skua, Kittiwakes,
Razorbills, Red Throated and Great Northern
Divers, Whitethroat and Yellowhammer. All
todays sightings were really good and as I
always say the more people looking the more
you see, or the less you miss, so a big
thank you to all todays guests I had a
brilliant day.
June
16th
the
chance of needed rain seems to have passed
us by as we had another cool dry day with
the forecast saying it is set to
improve....... HOW? I did our breeding bird
square around Ardrioch which again proved
that we have more bird species in the
Dervaig area than anywhere else on Mull. In
other words it was very productive and I
enjoyed it immensely.
June
15th
Light
drizzle and cool for a lot of the day but
the rain not amounting to much. The
highlight of the day came at the end of the
day with an absolutely brilliant male Hen
Harrier we watched it hunting for 20 minutes
and the show included a prey pass to the
female a sight few people ever get to
witness in the wild.
June
14th
Cloudy
but warm again just the right weather for
wildlife watching. We had a Hare raising
experience on the tour today although it was
probably a Rabbit, two White-tailed Eagles
flew in and one, the female was carrying
prey being constantly mobbed by a Hooded
Crow. The male bird flew round like a
fighter plane giving the female as much
protection as he could, it was indeed a good
couple of minutes of Eagle watching. Great
Hen Harrier and the three Otters again today
but we also had good views of Grey Wagtail
and Sedge Warbler and Linnet my day was
complete. I nearly forgot the Adder we saw
today so I must Adder it to todays sightings
June
13th
Overcast
but warm, cooling off during the afternoon.
Otter, Otter, Otter boy did we have Otter, 3
of them, a mother with 2 cubs giving us a
fantastic half hour of playing, fishing and
all together doing what Otters do best
entertaining us what a way to start a day's
wildlife watching. Both kinds of Eagles
followed but a handsome male Linnet almost
stole the show from the 2 Whitetail Eagles
who were sitting high up in a tree. Later in
the afternoon a call of 'Cuckoo's flying
towards us' made us all turn, the 2 Cuckoo's
flew over our heads and behind them against
the hill side was a Golden Eagle, 2 Kestrels
and 2 Buzzards all in the same binocular
shot, it could only happen on Mull, what a
day.
June
12th
A dull
start to the day which ended in bright warm
sunshine. We had an enormous Dog Otter
today, it was so big we initially mistook it
for a Common Seal but its passage through
the water told a different story. Eagles as
usual and a very nice obliging Sedge
Warbler. On our way home from Tobermory with
Dave a guest at our self catering we stopped
to look for Little Grebe on the Mishnish
Lochs and Dave spotted one on a nest in the
reeds, nice one Dave.
June
11th
Cloudy
but dry morning showers and low cloud in the
afternoon. We were lucky to have some great
views of Eagles before the rain but the
highlights of a great day out were Dolphins
in Loch Na Keal with very close views as
they leapt completely out of the water, I
was so pleased and surprised I forgot to get
my camera out as we watched them. After
lunch we had sightings of 2 separate Otters
the second one was excellent bringing a very
large fish out onto a small island and
proceeding to eat it with some relish, no I
don't mean thousand Island dressing I mean
with gusto, check out the photo below.
June
10th
It
rained today, yes it was real rain for 2
hours but not heavy but it freshened up the
air thank goodness as it was becoming
oppressive. A good day given the weather
with Eagles and Otter both types of Deer and
Seals seen well even if the Otter was a
little distant. One of my guests needed Red
Throated Diver and Yellowhammer for her Mull
holiday list and I am very pleased to say we
got both on todays tour.
June
9th
Another
warm sunny day without rain and I went with
Nick one of the Dervaig bird group to do a
breeding bird square for The BTO, it is not
a really productive square but we did see a
brilliant male Hen Harrier. a Buzzard,
Kestrel and a distant Peregrine Falcon
mobbing a Golden Eagle. Red Deer were also
seen and as soon as they heard us they were
off, small birds seen were Whinchat,
Wheatear, Meadow Pipits and lots of
Skylarks. This afternoon I went with Pam and
did some sea watching from land and had
fabulous Gannets plunge diving and lots of
Manx Shearwater lovely birds to see and
although we did not manage to see any
Basking Sharks we did see about 8 really
close Harbour Porpoise and each of us saw a
different Minke Whale in separate locations
on a flat calm sea.
June
8th
The
break in the weather happened last night
when we had a very light shower, back to
normal today sunny and very warm at times.
It is very quiet wildlife wise at the moment
now migration is over and the tours
concentrate on Mulls premier species. Today
we saw brilliant White-tailed and Golden
Eagle, Hen harrier good but distant, lots of
Buzzards, Kestrels, both types of Deer and
Common Seals. Other notable sightings were
Mute Swans still with 5 Cygnets and Greylag
Geese with Goslings and also Canada Geese
with Goslings not as common as Greylags on
Mull but we get more each year. Back at
Ardrioch some friends called on Pam and had
tea and cake in the kitchen, their bird list
for the hour included White-tailed Eagle,
male and female Hen Harrier, Buzzard,
Siskin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit,
Great Tit and Coal Tit, Rock Dove,
Blackbird, Collard Dove, Robin and
Goldfinch, it might be quieter on Mull but
not from our garden. The pictures below are
of a Golden Eagle wrestling with a large
Hare or Rabbit in an attempt to take it to
the nest but finding it too heavy to lift,
it was taken on todays tour.
June
7th
It
tried very hard to rain , we even had a few
drops on the window of the van, it was
raining on Coll, Canna, Rhum and Eigg but it
remained dry on Mull. White-tailed Sea
Eagles proved to be the bird of the day
although we did see 5 Golden Eagles. We had
lovely views of the Fallow Deer today and
some really nice Highland cows, calves and a
bull in wonderful scenic surroundings.
June
6th
Yet
another dry day with Pam leading the tour.
We had a great start with Porpoise seen
feeding in the Sound followed by both kinds
of Eagles. We found a distant Otter but were
able to watch it for quite some time feeding
and out of the water so everyone had a good
view through the telescopes. Whilst we ate
our lunch a White-tail Eagle flew right over
our heads, only to be attacked by a Buzzard,
the Eagle spun over in the sky to ward of
it's attacker giving us spectacular views
for about 10 minutes. A great day was ended
with a pair of Red throated Divers doing
their courtship display of running
together over the water.
June
5th
On
another dry day we again saw both
White-tailed and Golden Eagle very well and
also a Golden Eagle chick on its nest being
fed by mum. Otter however was the sighting
of the day as they are being particularly
hard to see this year and all my guests in a
full van saw it through the telescopes both
in and out of the water eating fish, it took
some finding though and a great deal of
patience was needed. Linnet, Whitethroat and
Great Skua were other notable sightings on
the day.
June
4th
It
tried hard to rain at one point but failed
so another good day wildlife watching with
very nice guests. As well as Eagles and
other raptors we saw a lot of small birds
today and 2 very nice Red Throated Divers to
end the day. We spotted these Fallow Deer
trying very hard to hide in the long grass.
On returning home the Dervaig bird group
Jubilee party was already underway and the
beer handed to me as I walked through the
door was most welcome. We all had a great
time as you can see and the ladies made some
wonderful 'Royal' food including these
lovely cakes.
June
3rd
It
looks like the great weather is going to
break soon but we are making the most of the
sunshine while it lasts. Today I had another
Wow moment while a guest was shouting Short
Eared Owl I was shouting Swifts over the
hill on the left, in the event we saw both
species really well. We had 2 Otters today
which was nice as Otters are proving
extremely hard this year. Eagles, Deer and
Seals seen well as usual today but birds of
the day after the Swifts were 2 newly
fledged Kestrels and 3 young Curlew chicks.
The Kestrels must have fledged on Saturday
as they were still in their nest on Friday.
Another great tour, great Day, isn't
wildlife watching great, we are so lucky to
be able to live in such a glorious
place.
June
2nd
Another
great day weather wise and a day for going
little bird watching with friends. best
birds seen today were a Bullfinch in the
garden when I woke up, a pair of Stonechat
and whinchat on a walk and fabulous views of
male Kestrel and Cuckoos also on the walk.
Good news for all guests coming to stay at
ardrioch self-catering we still have plenty
of water at the moment.
June
1st
The
good weather has continued into June And on
todays tour we had a real WOW moment that
will live in our minds forever. We were
watching 2 Cuckoos flying past the van which
my guests particularly wanted to see, when
as they flew away over a nearby hillock a
huge Golden Eagle which must have been
sitting just out of sight got up. I am not
Joking when I say it filled my binoculars,
we were all just awe-struck, this bird is
massive and I am positive I will never have
a closer sighting of a Golden Eagle unless I
am actually in a nest. Nothing else to say
about the day as this sighting eclipsed
everything else seen on the day.
June
2011
June
30th
Weather
the same as yesterday with a stronger breeze
- Well now June is over and I can definitely
say that no one on Mull has suffered from
heat stroke, let us hope for a bit more sun
and warmth in July. The good news on the
wildlife front Despite the poor weather the
White-tailed Eagles seem to have had a
reasonable breeding season and the Golden
Eagles have also done better than expected
and Hen Harriers and Short Eared Owls are
feeding young with voles thus enabling the
smaller birds to recover from 2 harsh
winters. If the birds at the top of the food
chain are doing alright in spite of the poor
breeding conditions weather wise the eco
structure on Mull is in reasonably good
health.
June
29th
Weather
cloudy, cool at times - The only bird that
Jan, one of my guests, saw today was a
Chaffinch, and that was because it almost
ran over her foot. When you have a guest who
is parochially sighted you have to look at
the tour in a different way, we smelt the
Fragrant Orchid and the Bog Myrtle, we
listened to Eas Force water fall, Skylarks
and a beautiful Yellowhammer, and felt the
soft flower head of the Cotton Grass.
Sometimes we need to realize that what most
of us take for granted is not available to
all and we should be more thankful for what
we have than crave too much what others
have, be careful what we wish for.
June
28th
Weather
a little better all round than yesterday -
After being so good yesterday the wildlife
today decided to play hard to see and apart
from the White-tailed Eagles everything else
had to be looked for and a great deal of
patience was required by us all. Sighting of
the day for me were 5 red Throated Divers
all together at lunch time and again we had
super views of a very obliging Yellowhammer.
June
27th
Weather
overcast with some sunny breaks light breeze
but still cool - I had a very easy day today
with all Mulls specialist species coming out
on cue. We turned up at a White-tailed Eagle
stop and there they were and then they flew
right over us. We went a quarter of a mile
up the road for morning coffee and proceeded
to watch an Otter for half an hour. On to a
comfort break and shortly after arriving
there we had a female Hen Harrier which flew
round for ten minutes. We went on to our
lunch stop where we look for Golden Eagle
but did not see one, we did however see
Buzzards , Kestrel, 2 Red Throated Divers, 2
Black Guillemots and a Cormorant. Before
leaving our lunch stop we had seen a couple
of Common Seals with pups and shortly after
lunch we were watching Red Deer and later we
saw some newborn Red Deer calves. A
brilliant Yellowhammer followed which
pleased guests as much as the big stuff but
still no Golden Eagle. Tea break and as I
was serving Pam's lemon drizzle cake the
Golden Eagle got up and gave us a good
display flying for several minutes before
disappearing and then returning for another
look, perhaps the Eagles have also heard
about Pam's now legendary drizzle cake.
June
26th
Weather
rain for most of the day with one short
break, warm with light breeze - Thanks to
the short break in the rain it turned out to
be a good bird of prey day with both types
of Eagle coming out to take advantage of the
rain break to dry out giving us good views
much to my relief. We also had very good
sightings of Buzzards and in particular a
Merlin and whilst having afternoon tea in
our kitchen we saw a very good Sparrowhawk
carrying prey, not bad for a very wet day.
As well as raptors we saw Red Throated
Divers and diving Gannets and some good
views of Red Breasted Mergansers, Redshank,
Common Sandpiper and to one guests
delight a very close Skylark. Mammal
were also seen well with 2 Otters both Grey
and Common Seals and Fallow and Red Deer and
not to be forgotten Rabbits.
Our
guests arrived expecting little from a very
wet day and ended the day surprised and
pleased with what we had been able to see.
June
25th
Weather
light rain but warmer - No tour but also too
wet to mow lawns which was some compensation
for the damp weather. After Pam had finished
cleaning the self-catering cottages the rain
stopped so we went out for a couple of hours
to try and find some birds not already on my
Mull year list. We got really lucky as we
managed two new ones for the year, a Grey
Wagtail in short supply on Mull this year
and a Wood Warbler here in good numbers but
the first one I have seen having annoyingly
heard lots.
June
24th
Weather
similar to yesterday with less breeze - Hard
work on the wildlife front today as most of
the main species were playing find us if you
can. We did eventually find nearly all of
them but our patience was severely tested
and I worked very hard trying to keep my
lovely guests entertained. When you have
guests who really care and try not to
pressurize you it makes you try even harder
to make the day out special for them, so
thanks to all of you on todays tour and I
hope you were rewarded for your patience and
good humour. The Harriers at the end of the
day were very good weren't they even if the
lazy Golden Eagle only sat there and would
not fly.
June
23rd
Weather
sunny but with cool strong breeze - A tour
with all of Mulls prime species seen but to
get the Otter we had to go down a road which
arguably has the worst surface in Britain
and takes me 40 minutes to travel 5 miles.
The Otter we saw after slaloming round the
deep crevasse pot holes was extremely good
and made up for journey from hell. We had
several Golden Eagles today and a brilliant
White-Tailed Eagle and superb Kestrel, both
types of Seal and Deer were seen and we
ended the day with a male Hen Harrier.
June
22nd
Weather
rain all day but warmer - We had lots of
wildlife wherever we went today, small black
insects that certainly made their presence
felt on some of our guests who even when I
found fantastic Otter at lunchtime would not
get out of the van to see it claiming they
were watching a family of Goldfinches
feeding on seaweed. That is what makes
wildlife so great but also frustrating for
tour operators, you can't please everyone at
the same time. The Otter was brilliant
though.
June
21st
Weather
cloudy start with rain from midday onwards -
Arthur had a day at home today to get the
lawns mown before the rain started again and
I (Pam) took the tour which got off to a
good start with the White-tail Eagle flying
directly over our heads. Although some of
the larger species were kept down with the
rain we had some great sighting of Cuckoo,
Great Northern and Red throated Divers,
Yellowhammer and a newly born Red Deer calf
my first of the year as well as a lot of
laughs with a friendly group, all members of
the 'wet right knee society' after kneeling
to smell a lovely Fragrant Orchid.
June
20th
Weather
sunny and warm with light breeze - Today the
wildlife was a struggle although we did see
both types of Eagle none of the sightings
however were spectacular. We did however see
lots of Red Deer stags more than I have seen
for some months and a few more Common Seals
with their babies. A lot of sea birds were
seen in particular a very large group of
Shags which had obviously found a shoal of
fish and were taking full advantage of it
while they could.
June
19th
Weather
sunny, Dry and warmer with light breeze -
Weather perfect for both views and wildlife
watching and all Mulls star species obliged,
particularly Otter, and both types of Eagle.
Good news on the Golden Eagle front more
chicks have survived than we thought after
the very cold wet conditions in May. We are
seeing more of this years Red Deer calves
now and we also saw our first newborn Common
Seal of the year today.
June
18th
Weather
cloudy but dry and little wind - No tour
today so I did my breeding bird square which
is around the farm. I saw lots of species
with young including Bullfinch, Lesser
Redpoll, Blackcap, Great, Blue and Coal
Tits, Blackbirds and Thrushes, lots of
Yellowhammers, Sparrowhawks, Buzzards and
Hen Harrier, Great Spotted Woodpecker,
Treecreeper, Woodcock and lots more, over 30
species were seen within a kilometre square
of where we live and that does not include
the Barn and Tawny Owls, we are lucky to
have so many bird species in and around the
farm even after the poor spring.
June
17th
Weather
back to autumnal conditions with strong
breeze and heavy rain all day - We managed
to see 2 White-tailed Eagles in the morning
just sitting waiting for the rain to stop,
they were in for a long wait. A nice Sedge
Warbler, a few Red Deer and a couple of Red
Throated Divers were seen as we spent most
of the day searching for Otters then at our
last stop we found a mother and cub. After
our guests had got drenched with the Otters
I took them back to Ardrioch where they had
afternoon tea and home baked cakes in
front of our aga drying off, warming up and
watching lots of fledged young birds which
had hatched in the nest boxes around the
garden on the feeders set strategically
around our house and self catering cottages.
I was able to show a guest who was not so
interested in birds several wildflowers
including 4 species of Orchids as well
today, Wildflowers are like toilet stops
nobody appears to want them but when you
stop everyone seems enthusiastic.
June
16th
Weather
another beautiful day - Roller, Roller,
Roller did I mention Roller we saw
one on Mull today not on the tour but Pam
had it in the morning and we both went and
found it again in the evening, a first ever
sighting for both of us, thanks to Brian
Rains for the information. Todays tour was
excellent again and we saw all Mulls major
species, with both types of Eagle carrying
prey and Otter eating fish, Hen Harrier
hunting and a very good Red Deer stag. WE
also saw a ROLLER
June
15th
Weather
the same as yesterday but cool when the sun
went in - My thanks to Dave Cole and family
who private hired the van for todays trip
and were an absolute joy to take out put me
under no pressure and were delighted with
everything they saw. Their highlights were
brilliant White-tailed Eagle flying directly
over the van, gorgeous Lesser Redpoll and
Yellowhammer, Bottle Nose Dolphins and Hen
Harrier to end the day. We also saw Golden
Eagles but not the best views ever but the
good news is that the Goldies in our area
have had a good breeding season despite the
awful weather conditions in May.
June
14th
Weather
sunny and warm with a light breeze - It was
a perfect day, great guests, good weather,
fantastic views of Mull in its prime and the
birds and other wildlife were pretty great
too. Some days are just brilliant on all
counts and this was one of them, thank you
one and all.
June
13th
Weather
mainly sunny but with freshening wind no
rain - I had a day off so Pam did the tour
and was Eagled out when she got home. I went
out with a friend and added Redstart and
Spotted Flycatcher to my Mull year list, I
always like to see Redstart as it is such a
striking bird. I met and chatted with a
couple of fellow BTO members who confirmed
that Stonechats and Grey Wagtails have
suffered badly in Scotland after 2 very hard
winters.
June
12th
Weather
warm and sunny with light breeze - Two
notable sightings on todays tour Bottle
Nose Dolphins in Loch Na Keal 5 or 6
of them quite close in and towards the end
of the day we had brilliant views of a Short
Eared Owl hunting right by us as we were
looking for a Hen Harrier which did not
appear. Another good Eagle day and we also
had cracking views of Sedge Warbler and
Whinchat and 2 Cuckoos.
June
11th
Weather
sunny and warm with light breeze - At last
it feels like spring, maybe summer is just
around the corner . I do not normally do
tours on a saturday but today made an
exception and was I glad I did as we saw all
Mulls major species really close in high
definition, I can count the times on one
hand that this actually happens. After an
hour and a half one of my guests said to me
'we are not seeing much are we' and at that
stage we hadn't but wildlife does not always
come out to order. At the end of the day the
same guest said 'is that the best day you
have had this year' as I keep saying
wildlife watching requires patience, if you
have that and a little faith you can be well
rewarded. Although we did not see Hen
Harrier today we saw fabulous Short Eared
Owl instead.
June
10th
Weather
sunny and warmer but definitely not hot -
Red Deer stags in their velvet, White-tailed
Eagles, Golden Eagles, Buzzards galore and
Kestrels all seen as well as three Red
Throated Divers, Great Northern Divers, sea
birds and Seals on another very good day.
Today however the winner was Mull at last
seen in glorious Technicolor, views that
made you gasp from the Outer Hebridies to
Skye, it was just special and guests when I
could get them to take me seriously were
literally gob smacked. We had a slight
insect problem today with a small creepy
crawly in the van as one of my guests tried
to usher it out with a Mull map she lost her
grip on the map which disappeared through
the window and off down the road in the
wind, when I had stopped laughing I gave
chase and retrieved said map not to badly
traumatized after its adventure. Many thanks
to all my guests today for making it such an
enjoyable day out, particularly Margaret who
climbed the hill to the consternation of her
daughters she was a a breath of fresh air
and a joy to take out.
Note
from Pam - Whilst Arthur is busy with the
tours I have taken a little time out from
baking to look at all the new baby birds
which are now coming into the garden.
Although Greenfinches are having a hard time
nationally they are doing very well here as
can be seen with these 3 babies on the
branch by the feeder. Arthur put up 10 new
bird boxes around the garden last winter and
a number of these have been used this
spring.
June
9th
Weather
another nice day but it is still very breezy
and was cooler than yesterday - Both types
of Eagle were brilliant again today, this is
becoming a nice habit long may it continue.
We saw lots of Red Deer and a single Fallow
Deer, a very dark one, and plenty of Seals
but no Grey ones. Chicks and ducklings are
appearing with their parents with
Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Shelduck and Eider
being seen as well as lots of Goslings.
Great views of Linnet and Whinchat today
which always pleases our guests and me in
particular. I thought we were not going to
see a Hen Harrier today but just as we
approached Tobermory my guests spotted one
in a field which flew right past us,
fantastic, as I always say on the tours I
don't mind who spots, I am not proud , nine
pairs of eyes are a lot better than
one.
June
8th
Weather
Sunny all day with light breeze but still
cool and it is June - Another great Eagle
day, boy they are performing well for us at
the moment, sometimes guests have to be
patient but the results are worth waiting
for. Otters today, nice to know they still
exist, we also had very good views of Fallow
Deer as well as the usual Red Deer. Kestrels
were well in evidence today which means they
are probably feeding young and we also saw a
very late Great Northern Diver. Another good
day to DISCOVER MULL as the views
were stunning with views of the Outer
Hebridies, the Small Isles Eigg, Muck , Rhum
and Canna and the Black Cuillins of Skye.
June
7th
Weather
dull with cold showers during the day - I
(Pam) gave Arthur a well earned rest today
and the tour got off to a great start with a
White-tail Eagle flying over our heads,
unfortunately it then rained on and off for
most of the middle part of the day and
finding eagles was difficult. Eventually at
4 pm the Golden Eagle flew and we had good
views of it hunting against the hill side
getting all it's golden colours on it's head
and back. Just before the end of the day we
found a hunting Short-eared Owl that caught
a vole and took it back to the nest sight,
as it reappeared it was being attacked by a
male Hen Harrier - fantastic - it flew off
only to be attacked by a neighbouring
Short-eared Owl who even did a 'wing clap'
for us - wow - we had waited all day, but
what a finale.
June
6th
Weather
white Cloud but dry with a little breeze,
very pleasant - Yesterday I forgot the
Cuckoo fest with 3 Cuckoos either chasing
each other or being chased by Meadow
Pipits, very exciting and the first
Cuckoos my guests had seen for some time
or not at all. Today was a great day for
the Mull specialities but the stand out by
far was the magnificent views of a male
Hen Harrier at the end of the tour, by far
the best view we have had this year, talk
about leaving guests on a high note, well
this was it.
June
5th
Weather
sunny and warm for most of the day but
deteriorated after afternoon tea - the day
began with a male Hen Harrier and a
Buzzard having a fracas which went on for
several minutes. At our next stop a
Buzzard having a longer fracas with a
Sparrowhawk, I think the Buzzards must
have got out of the wrong side of their
nests this morning. Red Deer were then
seen and a Curlew flew in front of the van
and we spotted 2 Goosanders on the river,
all this and we had only been on tour for
45 minutes. Good views of both Eagles and
great views of 2 very close Red Throated
Divers followed and we even took time out
to look at a very smart Snail. A really
good day out with nice guests and a lot of
laughs, I don't know why so many people
think wildlife watching has to be deadly
serious, I don't even though I love it I
go out to have a Good time and enjoy
everything I see.
June
4th
Weather
sunny , warm with light breeze - We had
friends staying with us this weekend and so
after Pam had cleaned the self-catering
cottages we had a leisurely lunch before
heading to Cailiach Point. We spent 3 hours
walking and watching Fulmars, kittiwakes,
razorbills, Guillemots and Shags we also saw
a single Gannet and lots of Wheatear,
unfortunately we did not see any Puffins.
The scenery was stunning and with no one
else about we were just able to while away
the hours and chill out, Mull must be one of
the best cures for stress ever.
June
3rd
Weather
we learnt today we had had 306 millimetres
of rain in May 3 times the normal rainfall
for May. Today we had Beautiful warm
sunshine all day with very little
wind Hoorah - A great
day today with all target species
seenand we were all in shirt sleeves. The
highlight bird of the day had to be the male
Merlin that flew in front of the van so
close that even guest in the back had very
good views of it. We went with friends to
the Killoran
Hotel this evening for a meal it was Really
Fabulous.
June
2nd
Weather
cloudy morning improving in the afternoon
breezy, cool but dry - A very good Eagle
day, particularly Golden Eagle which gave us
a great display. We had good sightings of
both Linnet and Twite as we waited for the
Golden Eagle to appear. 2 Otters were seen
early in the day and we also had good views
of Great Northern and Red Throated Divers.
We saw our first Eider ducklings of the year
today and it is nice to see new life
appearing after the recent poor weather.
June
1st
Weather
Still windy with low cloud - We started the
day on the calm side of the island which was
just as well as we saw an Otter at our first
stop unfortunately it disappeared nearly as
soon as we had picked it up. We quickly
drove to another vantage point and picked it
up again much closer this time and watched
it fishing and then out of the water, a
great start to the day. We had another good
day of White-tailed Eagle sightings and also
saw both grey and Common Seals requested by
one of my guests, another happy chappie and
both types of Deer were seen well. At lunch
my highlights with Wheatear, Linnet and
Twite all seen well, we also had good
sightings of both Red Throated and Great
Northern Divers. The afternoon was quiet and
although we tried hard very little appeared
under the low cloud and wind but guests
enjoyed some very good Drizzle Cake at tea
time.
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This is the web
site of Pam & Arthur Brown,
Ardrioch Farm, Dervaig, Isle of
Mull. PA75 6QR
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