Mull Birdwatching Trip Notes
by Susan & Allan Parker
17th February
On a fine sunny morning, with a hard frost, we set off down the A849 on our first Isle of Mull birdwatching trip to explore the Ross of Mull peninsula. The drive through Glen More gave us stunning views of Ben More with its top covered in snow. Rising to 966 metres it is the only mountain on the Isle of Mull to hold Munro status, alongside the road we noticed a female Snow Bunting which appeared to be gritting.
We explored along the A849 to its end at the CalMac ferry terminal for Iona which is at Fionnphort, where we checked out the birds at the seashore. We noticed a Hen Harrier which flew low and commenced hunting in the fields up from the beach. Several Oystercatchers, Gulls, Meadow and Rock Pipets and Common Starling.
Our next destination was towards Fidden and Knockvologan along unclassified roads. It is a very interesting and productive area for birdwatching on Mull. Here we saw approximately 9 Golden Plovers, 70 Eurasian Skylarks and Song Thrush. The Ross of Mull is well worth exploring with its mixed habitat it has a good wide range of bird species and is the only area where you will find Rook. Anywhere after Glen More as the road runs along the sea loch we noticed Red Throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and Cormorant to name but a few. We also came across Otter here.
18th February
Today we set off in the opposite direction to yesterday heading along the A849 towards Craignure. We had hoped to drive up hill to the radio/telephone mast in the hope of seeing Ptarmigan, an area listed as a possible site for this species. Unfortunately the gate at the bottom of the hill is locked and only accessible to authorised vehicles. So we decided to drive towards Salen, and after turning left onto the B8073 passed through Gruline and headed for Loch Ba.
On arrival here, there is a parking area for a few vehicles and to enter one must be on foot. Here, we noted several breeding Mallard, Tufted Duck and Common Goldeneye. From here we headed towards loch na Keal and watched along the shore alongside other birdwatchers. We saw many Herons, Common Shelducks, Teals and Eurasian Wigeons. We also noted Common Redshank, Red breasted Meganser and Eurasian Curlews. Then we headed towards the moorland which dropped down towards picturesque Calgary bay with its superb beach and a number of confiding Hooded Crow. Along the beach we spotted 15 Common Ringed Plovers, Common and Herring Gulls and Eurasian Oystercatchers. We also noted 2 Winter Wrens, Dunnock and Rock Pipit.
Afterwards we moved onto the pretty village of Dervaig with its unusual round, white painted church tower. Here we took the unclassified road through Glen Aros which returned us to the A849 at Aros north of Salen. This road runs parallel to Loch Frisa but at no stage can you see the Loch. This is the Loch where Mulls White Tailed Sea Eagles 'Itchy' and 'Scratchy' of BBC Springwatch 2005 fame were born and fledged, and is a Mecca for many people who are on a Mull birdwatching holiday. The RSPB and Forestry Commission jointly hold visits to the hide twice a day and this has now become a highlight in the birdwatchers itinery. On reaching the main road we turned left and then in about a half mile left again, into the Forestry Commission Offices for some information regarding the White Tailed Sea Eagles on Mull and other Mull birds.
Finally we then took the return journey back towards our accommodation at Twelve Oaks with a short divert towards Grasspoint. We believe that here at the old Packhorse Bridge, amongst the rocks is a reliable site for a female Kingfisher. Towards the bottom of the road there have been sightings of Golden and White Tailed Sea Eagles and it is also a good haunt for the much loved Otter. Back home at Twelve Oaks we heard the calls of a Tawny Owl which regularly frequents the woodland garden as the night approaches.
19th February
More birdwatching on Mull and our morning today took us back to Grasspoint. After another look at the Kingfisher perched on a rock at the bridge we saw two Grey Herons, one perched fishing from the rocks and another in flight. We also noted Common Redshank. Above us were two White Tailed Sea Eagles accompanied by two Ravens in flight. Once again we decided to take the road through Glen More and saw many Buzzards and noted a female as it hunted low across the moorland. We also saw Common Stonechat and Hooded Crow. Turning right onto the B8035 past the head of Loch Beg we saw various seabirds including Oystercatchers, Curlews, Redshanks and Gulls. There was also Meadow and Rock Pipit and Common Stonechat.
We then continued on towards Loch Scridain and noted a beautiful pair of Mute Swans. We also noted approximately 20 male and 1 female Eurasian Widgeon feeding alongside each other, accompanied by Common Teal and Common Goldeneye. After turning inland through moorland and forestry areas we arrived at the awsome scenery of the Gribun area and the south shore of Loch na Keal. it was here that we saw 28 Greylag Geese feeding in a field nearby. We also note two Buzzards, one in flight and one perched on a roadside cairn, 2 adult Winter Wrens and in the water, Common Shelduck and Red Breasted Meganser. At the other end of the Loch we had sightings of Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Great Black-backed Gull, Guillemot along with Oystercatchers and Curlews.
For the last part of our day we travelled back towards Craignure and decided to spend some time birdwatching back at the point where we started, Grasspoint.
20th February
Once again Grasspoint was the first point that we decided to cover and we were not disappointed. Our early morning sightings gave us the White Tailed Sea Eagle soaring over the ridge followed on by a companion before disappearing towards a sheep carcass. This was Isle of Mull birdwatching at its best and was really quite thrilling. This was later followed by the sight of a Golden Eagle which was being mobbed by Hooded Crows before heading for the carcass. Then later on, 2 Common Ravens followed suit. Once again we headed off along the Glen More road and headed out towards various hamlets including Knockan. This is a low lying crofting area which is particularly suitable for Short-Eared Owl at the right time of the year. We came across Eurasian Skylark, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird and Common Starling. Then we took the Fidden road from Fionnphort and noticed a Raven building its nest upon the rocks before our return and a quick look over the beach and the views of Iona.
Finally, we ended up once again in Grasspoint. Again we saw the White Tailed Sea Eagle accompanied by two young Golden Eagles flying along the ridge who had decided to gang up on it with no effect whatsoever. The White Tailed Sea Eagle had finally decided to have another go at the sheep carcass, thus leaving the Golden Eagles soaring over the ridge. Altogether, this holiday has been a birdwatchers dream, and if there is any birdwatcher considering taking a holiday on Mull then please dont hesitate, as the birdwatching here is really quite a unique and an unforgettable experience for birdwatchers. For more information about Mull Birds please see our Mull Links Page.
The above Isle of Mull birdwatching trip notes were taken from a comprehensive report on Mull birds prepared by Susan & Allan who are regular visitors here at Twelve Oaks.
