July 31st
Weather cloudy but dry and breezy morning becoming
wet and windy in the afternoon - All the usual suspects seen today but
none that were particularly notable. We did however see a very nice Red
Throated Diver and brilliant Great Skua in the afternoon despite the worsening
weather. Lots of birds on our feeders when we had afternoon refreshment
at our house in the dry.
July 30th
Weather mainly sunny and windy with occasional
short sharp shower - No tour today as we had to have a new front window
in the bus as a stone had put a crack in the old one. We had a female Hen
Harrier hunting over our wood today which really delighted us, I also saw
a newly fledged White-tailed Eagle chick in a tree as I returned from a
trip to Salen today.
July 29th
Weather sunny but windy - The day with guests
up for anything started with Little Grebe, Great Northern Diver followed
after a brief Golden Eagle being harassed by a Buzzard. Sea watching provided
Fulmar, Kittiwakes, gannets, Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots and Great Skuas.
A White-tailed Eagle gave us a fly past before we had a great view of Golden
eagle carrying prey as we pulled up at the lunch spot. The afternoon continued
in the same way with waders Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Oystercatchers,
redshank and Greenshank all being seen. Mammals of the day were the Common
Seals porpoising right out of the water having a great time and so were
we. On the tour today we also saw and photographed a Golden-ringed Dragonfly.

July 28th
Weather very windy but dry morning, rain and
even thunder in the afternoon - 2 Otters today one playing now you see
me now you don't, the other giving great views. Seals and Deer also seen
along with both types of Deer although the Red Deer was unusually hard
to find today. We had afternoon tea at our house out of the rain watching
the birds in our garden and playing with the dogs. All in all another nice
day with very nice guests.
July 27th
Weather after heavy overnight rain it tuned out
nice again but windy - A great group today who wanted to see any thing
we could show them. After the rain Eas Force waterfall was well worth the
stop, as were the stunning views from the top of the hill. We saw 4 White
tailed Eagles today including a newly fledged youngster but the birds of
the day were Ringed Plovers and Kittiwakes. This Lesser Black-backed looked
lovely on the machair along with the delicious smelling Wild Thyme.


July 26th
Weather sunny and windy with an
occasional squally shower - Today the wildlife was in a tricky mood, an
Otter showed well but only for a short time then it was gone so not all
the guests saw it. The same could be said of a Golden Eagle being Mobbed
by Crows it flew round a couple of times then disappeared, it was a good
job the Deer, Seals and White Tailed Eagles were better behaved.
July 25th
Weather sunny with a light breeze - This was
the comment in our self-catering guest book today - what more can I say.
There is simply not enough room to write about
all the wonderful things we have seen and done this week. Lovely accommodation,
fantastic trips with Arthur, Turus Mara and Iona. Wildlife is breathtaking
– Golden & White-tail Eagles, otters, Basking shark, deer etc. etc.
Spent 30 minutes tonight watching a White-tailed Eagle in a tree – simply
amazing. Other highlights – Loch Ba walking, Boathouse restaurant, puffins
(wall to wall) Wish we had another 14 days! Pam and Arthur are great –
very knowledgeable, helpful and dedicated to wildlife. This was our first
trip to Mull but it will not be our last. We hope to be back here next
year. Thanks for a great week.
David & Yvonne
July 24th
Weather sunny and warm with a slight breeze -
Great White-tailed Eagle today both flying and landing in a Pine tree,
see the photograph below. All the big species turned up today but only
giving brief views but the scenery today was outstanding with views as
far as the Outer Hebrides and Skye. At the end of the day we enjoyed a
relaxed cup of tea whilst watching a Basking Shark, Gannets and Skuas.
Pam & Misty who had been doing a 'Wildlife walk' at Calgary joined
the group for afternoon tea.

July 23rd
Weather cloudy with a breeze cool in the breeze
- The day started badly with a lorry blocking the Tobermory road so we
were 25 minutes late starting the tour but the guests were really understanding
so the day was not spoiled. Ben a young boy on the tour was really enthusiastic
and knowledgeable about birds of prey and really enjoyed seeing the Eagles
and Buzzards and the Great Skuas. Calgary Bay is really beautiful at the
moment in the good weather we continue to have here on Mull.
July 22nd
Weather sunny and warm after a dull start with
little or no breeze - A lovely group of guests on a holiday with the Whale
and Dolphin Conservation Society today and we were rewarded with good views
of both Common & Grey Seals which they wanted to see. Whilst looking
at the Grey Seals an Otter appeared in the flat calm water and gave us
a half hour demonstration on how to catch fish. Leaving the Otter still
fishing we went and found a White-tailed Eagle enjoying the warm weather
sitting in the top of a tree. Golden Eagle was seen at lunch time and lots
of Buzzards during the day. The day finished with a Basking Shark and brief
views of Porpoise. There were lots of sea birds including diving Gannets
and the 2 Great Skuas giving us glimpses of their acts of piracy.
July 21st
Weather lovely morning deteriorating from lunchtime
- No Golden Eagle today but all the other Mull specialities were seen including
both Deer and Seals. On my way back home after taking our guests back to
Tobermory a female Hen Harrier flew across the front of the car giving
me a great if unexpected sighting. My birds of the day however were the
Manx Shearwaters seen at the end of the day.
July 20th
Weather sunshine and very breezy - Great day
Otters, Eagles, Basking Sharks all giving great views. Two families on
the tour today with 3 boys, they were enthusiastic and good fun, if mountain
climbing and river jumping were to be included in the 2012 Olympics we
would be in with a chance of gold medals. A truly memorable day as you
can see from the photos.


July 19th
Weather showery morning wet & windy afternoon
- A wader day today with Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Common
Sandpiper, Dunlin, Redshank and Curlew all seen at one spot. Fantastic
views of Great Skuas chasing Gannets not long after we started the tour.
A White-tailed Eagle flew right over the van in the morning then I took
this picture of one drying out after the heavy afternoon rain.

July 18th
Weather warm & breezy, light showers - lawn
mowing and cricket on TV today, Pam called me out to see a beautiful Red
Poll on the feeder this afternoon.
July 17th
Weather sunny & warm - No tour today, enjoying
a rest. Pam is doing a 'Wildlife walk' at Calgary next week for the Calgary
Wood Week and went down to check out what is about, she saw feeding
families of Swallows, Whitethroat and Whinchat as well as enjoying a walk
down the beach with Misty. There are lots of Sandmartins flying over the
dunes and 2 Black throated Divers in the bay. Pam will be leading the walks
on Monday and Friday mornings through the woods and down on the beach.
July 16th
Weather rain in the morning brightening up during
the day - No tour today so we went to Oban to get a few essentials. It
was good to catch up with friends on the ferry.
July 15th
Weather sunny & calm - Along with the usual
wildlife there was a small pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphins seen again today
feeding and leaping out of the water, what a show, later in the day we
saw 4 Basking Sharks and 2 more Bottlenose Dolphins.
July 14th
Weather warm, sunshine and cloud after heavy
overnight rain - What a difference a day makes all Mulls regular top species
without much trouble except Otter which did take some finding, when we
did find one it gave guests great views for over half an hour. When looking
for the Otter we saw a Black Throated Diver and 2 Red Throated Divers and
a Red Breasted Merganser with Ducklings. There were lots of Common Sandpipers
with young out and about as well today.
July 13th
Weather warm, sunny and calm, the forecast rain
did not materialize - apart from great views of 4 White-tail
Eagles most of the wildlife eluded us until nearer the end of the day.
We eventually got Red Deer stag at the top of a mountain with male Hen
Harrier hunting in the near foreground and Kestrel hovering near by. The
highlight was the Golden Eagle chick fledging from his nest, flapping around
on the ground, looking longingly back at his erie and wondering how he
could get back, eventually the adults came and circled the top of the mountain
looking down as if to say 'this is the way to do it'.
July 12th
Weather low cloud and drizzle but calm morning
improving to warm sunshine as the day went on - Dolphins, 2 Bottle Nosed
Dolphins performed brilliantly for us today leaping right out of the water,
the first Dolphins we have seen on a tour this year. We also saw 3 Peregrine
Falcons giving a flying display as only Peregrines can and a total of 5
White-Tailed Eagles giving great views were seen during another fun filled
day with a lot of laughs.
July 11th
Weather sunny, warm with light breeze -
Change over day in the self-catering so no tour today, just lawn mowing,
still although no wildlife to talk about Mull still throws up a talking
point, check out tonight's sunset.

July 10th
Weather Sunny, warm and calm - We had a great
trip with all Mull's famed wildlife performing brilliantly. Birds of the
day Peregrine Falcon in an area we seldom see them, Kestrel flying and
then remaining perched so we all got great views and a Barn Owl siting
in its box entrance as we travelled home. Mammals, we had great Otter at
the first stop and Fallow and Red Deer and Grey and Common Seals were seen
during the day. Today's scenery was terrific with outstanding views of
the Small Isles, Skye and the Outer Hebrides. All in all an absolutely
fantastic day, special thanks to John Bond and his wonderful 9 year old
daughter, Ruby, who was a complete joy to take out, entertaining us with
her enthusiasm and fun. Thanks also to Cheryl and Moira for help in spotting.
It was a day to remember.
July 9th
Weather cloudy with sunny periods, cool but dry
- A good day with more really nice guests another eagle and raptor day
today with White Tailed Eagles again being the star of the show. I had
our sheep sheared this evening, my word they do look queer, judging by
all the noise from the lambs I don't think they recognize their mums.
July 8th
Weather cloudy, windy and cool - A mammal day
today with 3 separate Otters, both Common & Grey Seal, Fallow Deer
and eventually a fine group of Red Deer stags. Finding birds particularly
raptors proved difficult today and we did not manage to see Golden Eagle
however after a good deal of searching we managed to find a very good White-tailed
Eagle this was the 3rd one of the day but the other 2 were very distant.
July 7th
Weather cloudy, windy cool with occasional showers
- A big 5 day today, it was a nice day out but with nothing special to
report however I had a really good time and enjoyed some lively banter
with a competitor whilst guests watched 2 Otters for over half an hour.
July 6th
Weather Sunny & calm morning turning to heavy
rain in the afternoon - Mull specials today with 3 White-tail Eagles and
a Golden Eagle. At lunch time a lot of Red Deer stags all together on top
of a hill, unfortunately we then proceeded to eat venison sandwiches. During
the afternoon 2 Otters were see frolicking in the sea weed before climbing
out onto a rock and going to sleep. The sighting of the day were 3 Peregrine
Falcons sitting together on a rock by the loch side.
July 5th
Weather Sunny, warm & very pleasant - Dipper
seen at our first stop then on to Eider & ducklings and Greylag Geese
with goslings all ready 3/4 grown. Common Seals and Otter at the next stop
set the tone for the rest of the day. You know you are having a good day
when you worry that the only wildlife you are struggling to find are Red
Deer and even they turned up eventually. My bird of the day a beautiful
Yellowhammer singing it's little heart out.
July 4th
Weather Cloudy but calm and warm - Saturday so
no tour today and I had lawns to mow and Pam had self-catering cottages
to clean. It is very difficult to concentrate on chores when we have so
many beautiful birds to see in our garden and a Sheltie pup trying very
hard to trip you up every time you walk up and down the garden.
July 3rd
Weather Cloudy morning with some rain the day
improved in the afternoon but not much - lots of little birds today as
I had American guests who were interested in all the birds on Mull, it
made an interesting change from just looking for Eagles and Otters which
was just as well as did not see any Golden Eagle, but our guests retracing
our steps the next day saw 5. In the evening we went to The
Boat House Restaurant on Ulva with friends including Alan 'Mullbirds'
Spellman as a thank you for his continued help with this web site, the
meal was fantastic and we fully recommend this venue.
July 2nd
Weather Sunny and warm - What can I say just
a really great day with excellent company great wildlife and Mull looking
spectacular. Bird of a brilliant day were the 4 Sandmartin chicks filling
their sandy hole just prior to fledging. Pam and I went back in the evening
and took these pictures of these beautiful hirondines.

 
July 1st
Weather Sunny & hot morning low cloud in
the afternoon - Hen Harrier was bird of the day giving us great close views
hunting a near by hill. Red breasted Merganzers provided good viewing for
guests who had not seen then before it's always nice to show guests life
time firsts. The Fallow Deer which have been hiding of late showed well
today and we saw our first Red Deer calf of the year. |