Last two weeks I have been away again for a few days trying to sort out my “wintering migration “ location. On the way back I stopped at a large supermarket petrol station in Breahead in Glasgow at about 5pm after seeing the price of the fuel an even bigger smile was brought to my face as a Fox came within 15 feet and sat down on the grass . I fed it a whole bag of Chocolate cookies which it enjoyed.
Here on Mull we have had the usual mix of weather. The Hen Harriers seem to be moving further afield with several juveniles hunting along with their parents. The SEOs have go missing for their nesting site and I have not seem them for over a week as the sighting of the Osprey have also dried up. Otters on the other hand have been spotted on my last 5 tours with sighting of 4 and 5 on occasions. They do not have a set breeding season but there are 3 family groups about with Mum and 2 Kits [or pups depending on which side of the fence you sit on ] to be seen. Fallow Deer also have their Fawns as have the Red Deer.
Some of the small birds are reappearing, likes of Stone and Whinchat are back on the fence and gorse tops but Cuckoos are long gone. My feeders in the garden are busy with Great Tits, Goldfinch and Green Finch feeding their young. I had a Red Poll on the feeder last week and my WTEs have been seen over the last few days back in the trees by their nest site.
Have met some very nice people over the last few weeks which has made my job more enjoyable and easy along with some great sightings, as most people will know July can be a difficult month for seeing wildlife with plenty of daylight and clear blue skys with hot sunny days!!.
Have people staying next weekend one, is keen to see Grouse Ptarmigan and Dotterel along with Owls, so yesterday went up to the top of Ben More to see what was about. Other than a lot of Pipits “ nothing “ so will not be going up there next week. “hopefull “ of getting Owls as those who have been out with me will know we have been getting some close views of several Owls almost as if they are caged in.
On Monday 20th July there was only one young WTE left on the nest and by Wednesday the nest was empty with both Egles having fledged. Well done to this pair ,as last year when they were the only pair to raise two chicks they have done it again.
July 21st was a Raptor fest day with views of; Kestrel, Peregrine WTE GE HH, Buzzard and Sparrow Hawk along with Porpoise and Stout.
Very busy this morning watching a male Kestrel hunting as I sat on the decking with a cup of coffee, then heard the high pitch alarm call of the Chaffinch as the Sparrow Hawk full into the flock of Rock Doves. Out of the corner of my eye caught the sight of my wife shacking her head. “ have you not got any work to do “ she said, I pointed out that this was me working, I was” just working from home today” and if she was going back into the house could she bring me another piece of cake with my next cup of coffee and could she close the door quietly as not to disturb the birds feeding.
Have to go now as it seems I have to make my own tea as Fiona is on strike. Often wonder if the solitary male GE in the lakes ever had a partner. Its her birthday tomorrow when she will be back to her happy self, cannot wait to see her smiling face when she see’s the new hoover I have got her. Advert said it the one every women would love to have. I know, I am just an old romantic.
Here on Mull we have had the usual mix of weather. The Hen Harriers seem to be moving further afield with several juveniles hunting along with their parents. The SEOs have go missing for their nesting site and I have not seem them for over a week as the sighting of the Osprey have also dried up. Otters on the other hand have been spotted on my last 5 tours with sighting of 4 and 5 on occasions. They do not have a set breeding season but there are 3 family groups about with Mum and 2 Kits [or pups depending on which side of the fence you sit on ] to be seen. Fallow Deer also have their Fawns as have the Red Deer.
Some of the small birds are reappearing, likes of Stone and Whinchat are back on the fence and gorse tops but Cuckoos are long gone. My feeders in the garden are busy with Great Tits, Goldfinch and Green Finch feeding their young. I had a Red Poll on the feeder last week and my WTEs have been seen over the last few days back in the trees by their nest site.
Have met some very nice people over the last few weeks which has made my job more enjoyable and easy along with some great sightings, as most people will know July can be a difficult month for seeing wildlife with plenty of daylight and clear blue skys with hot sunny days!!.
Have people staying next weekend one, is keen to see Grouse Ptarmigan and Dotterel along with Owls, so yesterday went up to the top of Ben More to see what was about. Other than a lot of Pipits “ nothing “ so will not be going up there next week. “hopefull “ of getting Owls as those who have been out with me will know we have been getting some close views of several Owls almost as if they are caged in.
On Monday 20th July there was only one young WTE left on the nest and by Wednesday the nest was empty with both Egles having fledged. Well done to this pair ,as last year when they were the only pair to raise two chicks they have done it again.
July 21st was a Raptor fest day with views of; Kestrel, Peregrine WTE GE HH, Buzzard and Sparrow Hawk along with Porpoise and Stout.
Very busy this morning watching a male Kestrel hunting as I sat on the decking with a cup of coffee, then heard the high pitch alarm call of the Chaffinch as the Sparrow Hawk full into the flock of Rock Doves. Out of the corner of my eye caught the sight of my wife shacking her head. “ have you not got any work to do “ she said, I pointed out that this was me working, I was” just working from home today” and if she was going back into the house could she bring me another piece of cake with my next cup of coffee and could she close the door quietly as not to disturb the birds feeding.
Have to go now as it seems I have to make my own tea as Fiona is on strike. Often wonder if the solitary male GE in the lakes ever had a partner. Its her birthday tomorrow when she will be back to her happy self, cannot wait to see her smiling face when she see’s the new hoover I have got her. Advert said it the one every women would love to have. I know, I am just an old romantic.
