Trip to Mull

Hi all,

I have some free time this week and was thinking of a trip to mull, I was wondering if it would be a good time to go, i have never been there before so any info of what and where to photograph and which species to expect, etc. would be very welcome. Im not 100% fixed on mull so any other places in that general area would also be given thought, if they would be more rewarding for animal/bird photography at this time of year.

Regards
Brian

White-tailed Eagles and Otters would be top of my list.



Paul

I was wondering if any hen harriers would be able to be photographed and maybe if divers would be in summer plumage yet too ????????

On the Sea Eagles.
The Mull nest that is normally photographed and filmed has failed this year. The chicks were found dead below it. There is some debate as to what caused this, but suspicion is falling on a nearby Golden Eagle that has been seen flying very close to the nest. More info should be had by this w/e.

BTW spring has sprung about three weeks early up this way this year.

BTD and RTD are nesting in secluded sites at the moment and should be given a lot of space and privacy

Oh no that's terrible news, but i suppose that's nature for you !!!!!!!! Does that mean the bites will start early too ???????

Hi Brian,

Its a good time to go. I might go myself in a couple of weeks. Its tends to be the best weather from end of April thru to June. The midges aren't out until end of June, but they have been weaker in numbers every year for the past decade.

Eagles are easy to see over the lochs. Just drive point to point and loom around. Its an easy place to see wildlife. Harriers can be seen at Carsaig and Grasspoint or indeed anywhere where there is moorland it seems. Otters are tough to see. I would go with a view of seeing them, not photographing them unless you are up for a real stalk and have great field craft skills.

The divers arrived in March when I was there. Each loch has at least one pair, normally 2-3. Loch Scridain and Carsaig are probably the easiest places to them, maybe Loch Ba. There were goldeneye, eider, and razorbills on some of the lochs. Every loch as dozens of grey herons.

Other places to bare in mind would be Skye and the Ardnamurchan Peninsular. I haven't been to the latter but it is supposed to be superb for wildlife, both mammals and birds.

Good luck, let me know how you get on

P.s. Following on from John's post - don't try to seek out eagle nests or you will be stopped by the police. They are all watched and covered by CCTV. Mull has very passionate wildlife watchers and wardens. They dealt swiftly with a photographer using recordings and speakers to attract the divers! Best to take a day trip with one of the organised wildlife watching tours, then just go back to the same places with your own car. Its what most people do and they have a great time with good results.

I was there a couple of years back for a week. First thing i did was to call at the police house and give him my car reg and just to let him know i was only there for the photography. He was very pleasant and said it made his job a lot easier with the mull eagle watch. He also gave me a few tips. I was at ben more. But it was rather quiet. But saw a couple of otters on the way to finnish ferry. Sorry cant remember the name of the loch.

My advice is drive off the ferry and turn left!

Grasspoint is good for WTSE and HH, but watch out for traffic jams, as the tour guides tend to go there each day!

I normally see HH and SEO through Glen More, particularly up by the three lakes, where there are young plantations and as you trundle down to sea level. When you reach the loch, turn right at the bus shelter and follow the scenic route, keeping an immediate eye out for otters on the islands on your left.

There are less midges in more exposed places, like lochs, as they don't like the wind.

Definitely turn left off the ferry. You'll notice that 95% of the ferry traffic turns right to Tobermorry