Bad weather but its otter on mull!
We awoke to the sound of gale force winds, as we ate breakfast the rain lashed against the windows, oh dear. But we pulled on our water-proofs and headed out as other hotel guests muttered about going back to bed!
At our first stop we had a brief view of an otter out in a choppy bay frustratingly this lovely animal was soon lost to view in the waves. Next stop we scanned a flock of gulls and were delighted to find yet another Iceland Gull, our fifth of this trip.
We followed the shoreline of a huge sea-loch enjoying views of Great-northern Divers, Black Guillemots, Red-breasted Mergansers, a Hen Harrier, Stonechat and even a Treecreeper, not in the loch, but try as we might, no more otters.
A stunning Red Deer, but not the otter we were hoping for!
We changed lochs and scanned and scanned, a flock of Whooper Swans were a fine sight on the shore here. Just when we decided we really should get some lunch Ruth spotted an otter! Just below the road in the water, so close we could see each whisker! Wow! Luckily this large dog otter was in the mood to show off and repeatedly dived just a few yards from the beach. Twice this enchanting animal came ashore, just below us, to feast on a fish, munching away happily as we all soaked up the views. We watched the otter for over half an hour before he slowly moved further along the shore. A group of elated wildlife watchers were ready for their lunch too!
Lunch, otter-style!
Fish devoured, the otter posed for the cameras!
After a great meal washed down with mugs of hot chocolate were ready to brave the elements again. We had not driven far when a Golden Eagle soared above a nearby hill – emergency stop! We all piled out and the eagle showed off nicely, three times it landed in view and the Leica scope gave great views of this majestic raptor.
To finish the day off we watched a flock of some 200 Barnacle Geese feeding in fields as the gale force winds rocked the mini-bus, this really was wild weather!
Rough seas off Mull. Anyone for a boat trip?!
It is amazing what you can see if you have the right mind set and the right clothing!
Luckily the weather forecast for tomorrow is much better so who knows what we will find….