Once again a really mix of weather.
Monday; our “ short breakers “ headed over to Iona to look for the “elusive “ Corncrake. We managed to break our record by seeing it within 5 mins of getting off the ferry. Even Helen was able to see it, which was a great break through after spending 25 mins the day before trying to point out a group of Red Shanks only 20 meters away. Of course it helped that I had painted a small Corncrake, Otter and Eagle on her bino’s lenses the night before.
In the afternoon we headed over to Staffa with good views of Manx Shearwaters, Fulmer’s and Great Skua nesting, Purple Sands, Red T Diver, Brent Goose, Common Tern and of course Puffins. A sad farewell was said to Pete and Ken as they went north to look for other birds and wildlife.
Tuesday; Our hearts were very much deflated not because of the weather but “ our “ much beloved mad aggressive Pheasant was spotted at the road side on the drive home not moving. At the evening meal even Karen was quiet and the spirits were only lifted after 2 bottles of wine and of course H hitting the whiskey bottle. A glass was raised to our two missing friend's and in some cases lifted often for a couple of hours.
Wednesday; after an early breakfast we all travelled to catch the ferry back home at Craignure ,when our hearts were lifted as “ our Pheasent “ was back from the dead, looking as scraggy as ever. He had either been playing possum or another rival had met his match.
Miracles of Miracles by Loc C, Helen spotted the SEO as we drove along. I was amazed as I had not painted a SEO on her bino’s. It was only when she said it was over there next to the Corncrake and Otter that I realised that the “ Eagle “ paint must have run.
I felt quite sad as I waved everybody off at Craignure as the ferry sailed away. I was even sadder when I found that both cafe’s were shut. I would like to say a big thank you to John and Sharon, Karen and Helen, Lynne and Graham and Pete and Ken for making it a very enjoyable time with close to 90 birds spotted in, at times difficult conditions. Wednesday’s tour in a lot better weather produced again SEO, WTE HH Otters Peregrine GE my first Grasshopper W singing and at last 2 Cuckoo’s.
Thursdays; Highlights of the 1/2 day tour was not the Otters HH or GE but was with out a doubt, 6 juvenile WTE sat together on the rocks at Loc S. We all ways see Seals on these rock but not today and no sign of the Hoodies attacking them. Who would want to take on this group !.
Friday; in better weather it was very much as Thursday with out the group of WTE. I did get an enquire shortly after 9amfrom a party of people who had been waiting for a few years to go out on my wildlife tour but had been to busy. So to MR Clegg, Alexander Kennedy and Farage. I look forward to seeing you here on Mull.
Saturday; Lovely weather produced a raptor feast with WTE bringing food into female on the nest who then fed the young eaglet at Loc K. GE forcing a WTE out of its territory at Loc C. HH passing food at new nest site at Loc Q. Peregrine making several stoops to drive away a Buzzard at Loc B. Then after dropping everybody back at Craignure with my Latte in hand, watching the Deer at Loc D spotted the Osprey sitting on a fence post then hunting high up over the water.
Sunday; had a request from the Scottish tourist board to stop putting weather write ups on this blog so will skip Sunday.
Monday; our “ short breakers “ headed over to Iona to look for the “elusive “ Corncrake. We managed to break our record by seeing it within 5 mins of getting off the ferry. Even Helen was able to see it, which was a great break through after spending 25 mins the day before trying to point out a group of Red Shanks only 20 meters away. Of course it helped that I had painted a small Corncrake, Otter and Eagle on her bino’s lenses the night before.
In the afternoon we headed over to Staffa with good views of Manx Shearwaters, Fulmer’s and Great Skua nesting, Purple Sands, Red T Diver, Brent Goose, Common Tern and of course Puffins. A sad farewell was said to Pete and Ken as they went north to look for other birds and wildlife.
Tuesday; Our hearts were very much deflated not because of the weather but “ our “ much beloved mad aggressive Pheasant was spotted at the road side on the drive home not moving. At the evening meal even Karen was quiet and the spirits were only lifted after 2 bottles of wine and of course H hitting the whiskey bottle. A glass was raised to our two missing friend's and in some cases lifted often for a couple of hours.
Wednesday; after an early breakfast we all travelled to catch the ferry back home at Craignure ,when our hearts were lifted as “ our Pheasent “ was back from the dead, looking as scraggy as ever. He had either been playing possum or another rival had met his match.
Miracles of Miracles by Loc C, Helen spotted the SEO as we drove along. I was amazed as I had not painted a SEO on her bino’s. It was only when she said it was over there next to the Corncrake and Otter that I realised that the “ Eagle “ paint must have run.
I felt quite sad as I waved everybody off at Craignure as the ferry sailed away. I was even sadder when I found that both cafe’s were shut. I would like to say a big thank you to John and Sharon, Karen and Helen, Lynne and Graham and Pete and Ken for making it a very enjoyable time with close to 90 birds spotted in, at times difficult conditions. Wednesday’s tour in a lot better weather produced again SEO, WTE HH Otters Peregrine GE my first Grasshopper W singing and at last 2 Cuckoo’s.
Thursdays; Highlights of the 1/2 day tour was not the Otters HH or GE but was with out a doubt, 6 juvenile WTE sat together on the rocks at Loc S. We all ways see Seals on these rock but not today and no sign of the Hoodies attacking them. Who would want to take on this group !.
Friday; in better weather it was very much as Thursday with out the group of WTE. I did get an enquire shortly after 9amfrom a party of people who had been waiting for a few years to go out on my wildlife tour but had been to busy. So to MR Clegg, Alexander Kennedy and Farage. I look forward to seeing you here on Mull.
Saturday; Lovely weather produced a raptor feast with WTE bringing food into female on the nest who then fed the young eaglet at Loc K. GE forcing a WTE out of its territory at Loc C. HH passing food at new nest site at Loc Q. Peregrine making several stoops to drive away a Buzzard at Loc B. Then after dropping everybody back at Craignure with my Latte in hand, watching the Deer at Loc D spotted the Osprey sitting on a fence post then hunting high up over the water.
Sunday; had a request from the Scottish tourist board to stop putting weather write ups on this blog so will skip Sunday.