11th April 2023: Mull-Otters, eagles and more
Photos taken this time last week in this set: 1. Otters on Loch Spelve, it really was such a mesmerising and euphoric moment when we saw these couple of Otters in the water, swimming to shore and dashing under one of the many in flower gorse bushes that adorned Scotland last week. I had dreamed of seeing a wild Otter for so long and we pinned a lot of hope on this Scotland trip including Mull so for us to see them was astonishing. Mammalian beauties who’s fur glistened in the fine spring sunlight. 2. View from near where we saw the Otters. 3. Grey Seal at Croggan on Loch Spelve, another fantastic mammal I was excited to see in perhaps my best ever week of mammal watching with so many seen. 4. View from Croggan a lovely spot. 5. A wholesome Wheatear at Croggan, for a second April running they’ve starred in a holiday for me. 6. The Pheasant I photographed moments before we had word of the Otters as me and my Mum walked away from the group to explore momentarily and I ran back to see the Otters. 7, 9 and 10. More beautiful views of the rugged and inspiring Mull, what a tranquil and enticing place. 8. Common Seals in the rain at Salen a great sight too.
Also standing out was of course the whirlwind sightings of eagles with two glorious Golden Eagles including a juvenile and five gigantic White-tailed Eagles including astonishingly three at once at one point seen. Otters and eagles are what Mull is so famous for and I was in my element getting so lucky to see them. It was sensational to see a milky male Hen Harrier flying and get a breathtaking close view of a magical Merlin flying and hunting a Meadow Pipit flock around rocks. My first Razorbill seen this year, Gannet, Black Guillemot, loads of Great Northern Diver, more stunning summer plumage Slavonian Grebe views, singing Grey Wagtail on a wire which I’d never seen for this species before, a neat Redwing seen very well a believed Icelandic bird a good one to make the most of before they migrate, Turnstone and Oystercatcher bringing back memories of my childhood early birdwatching in one of the best weeks I’ve ever had for bird and wildlife watching, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Crow and lesser celandine were other highlights. One of the best days of my life.