Sunday, May 13, 2012

Photos from Mull

                                      White Tailed Eagle
                                     Golden Eagle
                                     Short Eared Owl
                                      Raven
                                      Puffin
                                      Great Northern Diver

                                     Whimbrel
                                      Black Guillemot
                                       Corncrake
                                     Corncrake








Sunday, May 6, 2012

Rest of The Mull Trip

1st May

Had a boat trip booked for today to visit the Treshnish Isles took the bus from  Craignure to Tobermory then onto the boat we were told we would be picking up on the main land then off we set to the Island of Lunga on route I had Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Black Guillemot, Guillemot, Razorbill,  Great Backed Gull, After we landed on Lunga we made our way to the top of the cliffs here we had Puffin, Fulmar, Shag, more guillemots and Razorbill, Great Skua, Raven, Herring Gull, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, We had 2 hours on the island and the time just flew by so it was back on the boat then we headed for Staffa and a look at fingal’s cave where we had ½ hour then back on the boat for the return to Tobermory but has we had to drop off on the main land first we did not get back till five past four meaning which means I had missed the last bus back after miss reading the time table I had a walk in a small wood by the car park where I found Redstart, Chaffinch, Great Tit Blue Tit, and at the top of the burn I had a Dipper so After realising my mistake I then got a taxi back to Craignure so ending a long day but a very good one
2nd May

Today I had booked another of the wild life trips the route was much the same as Mondays trip but just as good we did look but no otter today, As I was walking to the meet point some shouted Eagle which I found it was a White Tailed Sea Eagle and had very good views and managed to get a picture of it at the meet point they had been watching 2 WT Eagles so we started of our first stop was for WT Eagles but has we had already had good views we moved on birds on the loch included Red Breasted Merganser, Eider, Common Gull, Great Northern Diver, Black Guillemot, and along the shore where Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Meadow Pipit, Starling, We then stopped at Salern for a toilet break but the toilets where closed so after a short stop at the pub for the toilets we then set off for Knock where we stopped for lunch just as we started lunch the call went up Golden Eagle which we watched and had good in flight views it then landed and started plucking at something it had on the ground and stayed there for the rest of our lunch break we then continued on round the loch birds seen included Lapwing, Raven, Linnet, Meadow pipit, Wheatear, Eider, Great Northern Diver, and a Whimbrel (hopefully some good pictures) we did stop at a spot for more White Tailed Eagles and had the pair, We then moved on to Glen More here we had Short Eared Owl we did stop when the call went up maybe a Harrier but we could not relocate it so it was then back to Craignure to end a very pleasant and enjoyable day

3rd May

Today decided I would try for the Corncrake on Iona so caught the bus at 08-35 to Fionnphort then the ferry to Iona walked towards the abby and stopped at the organic gardens at the Columbia Hotel I had been told this was where to look I heard 2 Corncrakes calling but no sign so decided that I would take the walk to the north shore birds seen along the walk included Rook, Hooded Crow, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear, Herring Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Starling on the return route much the same so now decided to have a look at the organic garden again this time the gardener said we could come in set our self up he told us where a Corncrake had been showing well all morning and after half a hour it put in a appearance and what an appearance (got some good pictures) did not expect them thought I would be lucky just to see one in the end I heard five of which I saw two, I then decided to have my lunch in the hotel very nice it was Corncrake calling outside the window, After lunch which was very nice I then returned to the garden and took some more pictures as it was still showing well the gardener said another 4 days and you will not see it as the grass and reeds will be to high so well pleased then back on the ferry to Mull and a hour wait for the bus where I took the time to update what I had been doing over the past few days made sure I did not miss this bus as it was the last for the day then back to Craignure for 5 o’clock a nice beer shower then off for a meal then went for a walk hoping for Otter but no luck

4th May

Decided to leave the Island on the ¼ to 11 boat today the weather was not as good as the week had been so thought might do a seal trip from Oban not a lot from the boat and when I arrived in Oban the tide was out so no boat trips for today as i was booked on the 18-15 coach to Glasgow what to do with the day, as I could see some Black Guillemots out in the harbour decided on a walk along the shore north of Oban did manage to get some picture of the guillemots but a bit distance I walked for just over a hour then started on the return as I came back the Guillemots where a lot nearer so got some more pictures these where a lot better, Then lunch in Oban after I had a look north of Oban took a walk up to Pulpit Hill some good views from here as it was quite steep decided to come down via the road not as bad as the footpath up, Then time for a coffee and some  time for shopping, I had decided to have my evening meal before I got on the coach this done I then had a short time to wait for the coach to Glasgow and then another short break before the coach to London arriving back at 07-00 Monday morning so ending a great trip to Scotland