We were taken around by David Woodhouse of Isle of Mull Wildlife Expeditions, and had some amazing sightings of big game.
Several Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles were seen. At one point there was a male Sea Eagle and female Golden Eagle in the air together, the sexes being determinable because they were both the same size. We were able to get plenty of practice in distinguishing the two species and telling adults from immature birds. We would often see the eagles circling in the air to gain height, on one occasion disappearing into the clouds. Due to his knowledge of the terrain David was able to spot eagles perched on the skyline, and could often predict their behaviour.
Through the telescope that David provided we watched a Golden Eagle perched on a hilltop. When it eventually took to the air, it was mobbed by a Kestrel, which looked tiny in comparison. Another time, a pair of Ravens rose up when a Golden Eagle passed through their area, to try and see it off.
David knew the Golden Eagle territories in the area and explained that the young eagles we were seeing were looking for territory for the season, but would be chased off from everywhere by the established eagle pairs.
Buzzards were more numerous than anywhere I’ve seen them. We watched a dispute over territory or food between three buzzards, one of which was very pale in colour. David told us that it had been an albino ten years ago, but had gradually acquired more feather markings with each moult.
The highlight for me was seeing Hen Harrier display flights for the first time. Three females were in the air at once, apparently competing for the attentions of a single male skulking in the forest, whom one or two of us saw briefly. One of the females treated us to a prolonged display of the spectacular undulating sky-dance, which is performed by either sex. She also showed the threat behaviour of drooping wings and outspread tail, towards the other females. While we were watching these birds a trio of buzzards, one carrying prey, flew into the midst of them.
We saw several other female Hen Harriers during the day including another one displaying. We also saw the Meadow Pipit display flight which was the first of the year for me. We got good views of a Greenshank, with a Redshank close by for comparison, and in another place spotted a Redshank standing on a fencepost. Snipe were performing their chippering song. Lapwings were seen in several places. Other birds included a pair of Linnets, two Great Northern Divers, a Grey Wagtail, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard, not seen). At Pennyghael a Sparrowhawk appeared from nowhere to land on the back of a wader on the shore; the wader escaped and the Sparrowhawk dashed back to cover. Opinions varied as to what its intended prey had been (Oystercatcher, Redshank?) as there was only time to look at the retreating hawk.
An Otter fishing in a bay nearby frustrated us for a while as it would keep appearing above water for about a second in between lengthy dives. David explained that it was catching Butterfish and that sooner or later it would find something larger and take it to the shore to eat. We motored round to get closer to the point where it was likely to climb onto the rocks with its meal. Sure enough, it soon did this and, after eating its catch, marked its territory on the seaweed, rolled around for a bit and then settled down for a nap.
We weren’t near enough to anything for my camera take usable pictures, but I thought I’d give a brief write-up to a fantastic day out. Richard told us that this year was a high point in the vole cycle, providing good conditions for Hen Harriers, Buzzards, Kestrels and Short-eared Owls. I don’t know whether the cycle on the mainland is synchronised with that on Mull, but I have noticed a few voles about.
There were 8 Black Guillemots together in Oban Bay as we boarded the ferry, and on the way back there were 2 Gannets at about the halfway point of the journey, one sitting on the water, the other flying right over the boat. But generally speaking the ferry crossing was devoid of wildlife interest as on my last visit in July. It is never without scenic interest though.
First Dog Violet of the year in flower noticed on Mull.