The Sun Just Kept Shining On The Isle Of Mull
Our last full day of our Birdwatching Trip to the Isle of Mull and another blue sky and sunshine day dawned, so very lucky! We had gone far from our hotel when we spotted a male Hen Harrier and pulled over for a better look. This ghostly grey raptor was displaying – the famous “sky-dance” of the Hen Harrier, the male climbs up and dives down towards earth, twisting and turning, breath-taking stuff! Then a second male Hen Harrier floated across the moor and really showed off in the morning sunshine, what a start to the day!
We followed the shore of a sea-loch soaking up the stunning scenery in the glorious sunshine enjoying a super male Merlin posing for us, Great northern Divers, Eider ducks, displaying Lapwings and more. We reached a wonderful bay and stopped here for a welcome cuppa sitting in the warm sun watching a dozen Great northern Divers fishing offshore. There were also two Black-throated Divers here coming into their lovely black, white and dove grey breeding plumage and a single Red-throated Diver.
Heading up in to the hills we saw a raptor soaring low over a conifer plantation, emergency stop and we bailed out fast! Goshawk! This powerful hawk was really showing off circling low over the pines in the perfect sun light, yet another real wow! Further in to the hills we stopped to scan the ridges and again enjoy stunning scenery, a distant White-tailed Eagles was the bird highlight here.
Dropping back down to the coast we enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch sitting in the sun surrounded by snow-capped mountains and feeling really warm, was this really March in Scotland? A White-tailed Eagle drifted over and two Golden Eagles were mobbed by Common Buzzards as Great northern Divers loafed in the bay in front of us, not a bad spot for lunch.
We followed a spectacular coast road allowing just jaw-dropping views out to the island of Staffa and beyond. More Great northern Divers, Slavonian Grebes, Black Guillemots, Eider and a wonderful encounter with a fishing otter made for a super afternoon and all in sunshine with not a cloud in the sky.
Sadly we had to leave the wonderful Isle of Mull the next morning and took the ferry back to the mainland. But the wildlife kept coming, from the boat we watched more divers, both Great northern and Red-throated, two lovely Gannets cruised past us at eye-level, Black Guillemots and two harbour porpoises. Back in Oban Harbour we enjoyed great views of an Iceland Gull – the birds just kept coming on this amazing trip!
We would love you to join us for the very best Birdwatching Trips please email us here for details of all our tours….