Trip Reports - Mull - Day 6

And so to the final day. Windy again and quite grey. Up early again and into the hide for a few more garden birds - mostly siskin again, plus a few more moths from the moth trap.

Out and about the wind made it difficult for the small birds so I found a few plant species to photograph including milkwort, sundew and helleborine. I used a series of flashes with the macro ring flash acting as the master to wireless trigger. I will do a separate technique section on that at a later date.

Then it was off to Craignure for the talk tonight and my thanks to the thirty or so that turned out. I enjoyed it and hope they did to.

Good view of a Tawny Owl on the way back. Final bird count at 89 species for the week so hoping for an early morning barn owl on the way to the early ferry to make it a round 90.

Thought I wasn't going to be able to post tonight, but just made it, keeping up our record of posting every day since Dave and I started the blog back in January.

Martin

Trip Reports - Mull - Day 5

Just a short one tonight as I am being serenaded by the twittering song of Swallows on the wing overhead in the warm evening sun.

It has again been warm here in Scotland, although quite breezy again and grey for a while.

I got up early again this morning and inspected the moth trap - a much better result as it was less windy overnight.

Here is one of the more spectacular captures. If anybody could identify it for me I would be most grateful.

I then spent an hour or so in the hide to get some of the garden birds here. Best of the bunch were the siskins today.

After a decent breakfast it was down the glen with a brief viewing of the Loch Frisa pair of White Tailed Sea Eagles as they flew almost overhead before I went to a location where I has seen Dipper. Well I drew another blank today. So that makes it about five hours in total watching for Dipper now and not an image to show for it. Some days work and some days it doesn't.
After a few other great spots around the shores of Loch Na Keal, I found a small flock of Golden Plover looking fine in the summer breeding plumage.

These really are great birds with such fine markings on their backs.

A quick sighting of another White Tail and Golden on the way back rounded the day off nicely.

So it is my last full day tomorrow so will look to make the most of it and catch up with a few things I haven't photographed yet, particularly some of the plants here such as Sundew, before I give my talk at the end of the day.

Martin

Thank you

Sorry that i have been away soo long but my mothers funeral was delayed and only happened yesterday, I am flying back to the states tomorrow and hope to back to some kind of normality over the weekend and will start 'blogging' again, A big thankyou to Martin for keeping things going here and to all those who have sent their good wishes over the last few weeks either on the blog or by personal messsage, It has helped myself and family whilst going through such dark times

Dave

Trip Reports - Mull - Day 4

Yet another hot and very bright day with quite a strong breeze that made wildlife watching and photography more tricky.

Watched the garden stuff this morning first thing with a lovely Male Redpoll, plus numerous Siskins. I altered the set up after a while so am hoping to get some time in the hide tomorrow and get a few of some of the species I am a bit light on images of. Also got some great images of Rock Doves who also pop in every day.

Further afield, I had a great time watching Male Hen Harrier again as well as more Golden and Whiter Tailed Eagles.

Also find a nice small herd of Red Deer which enabled me to add these to my Mull image bank.

No other new species today to add, as it was quite a tricky watching day, plus I was feeling pretty lazy after the two previous tiring days.

As I mentioned previously on the blog last week, I am giving a talk on Friday to close out Wild Isles Week on the programme so caught up with the projector today to make sure it all connects properly. There is nothing more infuriating, particularly for the audience when IT difficulties surface. So preparation is the key.

So two days left - time flies by, sadly, when you are having fun.

Martin

Trip Reports - Mull - Day 3

Another early start to check out the local patch today before breakfast. Good sightings of Hare with partial white winter cat still showing, heron catching breakfast, a few Sandpipers, fifteen Dunlin, three Whitethroat and a male Great Northern Diver in summer plumage.

Male Sparrowhawk made two appearances in the garden, but disappeared before I could get my camera to it. It certainly sent the Siskins for cover.

After breakfast, it was up to Caliach Point right at the north western tip of the island for a bit of sea watching. Not many birds although I got some decent Gannet shots, and also added Razorbill for my weekly list.

Best sightings were five porpoises, followed by a second pod of three.

Followed by this Seal in bottle pose.
















and finally this Dog Otter who was quite a way out to sea when he caught a fish

I then moved on to see if I could find the Short Eared Owls, but sadly didn't see them today, but did catch a great pair each of both Whinchat and Stonechat, as well as nine different Green Hairstreak butterflies. These are delightful tiny little butterflies that are very difficult to see. I once heard it said that you don't find these, they find you, and that was true today. As I pulled into a parking place, they flitted up and drew my attention to them. So I had a great time with them and the 180 macro lens. Will save those images for another day.

Martin

Trip report - Mull - Day 2

Well I bottled out of the overnight camp - it was about zero deg C last night here and pretty much the same again tonight is forecast, so I have opted for creature comforts of a proper bed and warm room.

No pictures tonight as this is just a quick update. Left the accommodation at 0600 this morning, after scraping ice from the car and drove the 90 minutes it takes down to Ffinnaphort at the south western tip of the island to get the ferry across to Iona. Lots of great sights en route, including a lovely backlit heron that I got a few images of.

The Lochs were glassy calm and with the clear air the scenery was stunning.

While waiting for the ferry, I was entertained by a few Gannets fishing, with their characteristic dive bombs into the water.

Corncrakes on Iona were remarkably quiet today. I heard a total of five but just had brief sightings of one, of which I managed to get a few images, although sadly against a mown grass background.

I did see my first Painted Lady butterfly of the year which was an unexpected bonus though.

Great sightings of both Golden and White Tailed Eagles on the drive back through Glen More.

I stopped off at a couple of locations where I have seen Otter before but sadly none showing this evening.

A final drop in to a Sand Martin colony yielded a few more images to end the day. A great day, out for a total of 14 hours.

The light was stunning this morning so will be looking forward to a few more early starts.

Arthur put his moth trap out for the last two nights - I was hoping to photograph whatever we caught, but sadly none on either night.

Martin

Trip Report - Isle of Mull Day 1

I arrived on Mull yesterday after a very wet drive up, still it made for some great snow up on Glencoe.

Once on Mull I went to one of the first of the Wild Isles Week events, Confessions of a Wildlife Cop, an illustrated talk by Sgt Finlay Christine of the Argyll Police Force.

Finlay is a great guy and does fabulous work protecting the wildlife on Mull. My advice to all photographers who visit is to get in contact with him and let him know you are going to be on the island photographing. I make a point of letting him know before hand, with my car details so it is one less for him to worry about. There is a great network on the island who guard there wildlife passionately.

Great weather today - it has been pretty bad the last few days so I am told so was grateful for that.

I went on the Discover Mull trip today with 7 others. I usually do this on the first day as it is a useful reconnaissance to see what is about. Successful day with 68 bird species, 6 mammals, tow butterflies and a Common Lizard.

Saw all the big five of White Tailed and Golden Eagles, Hen Harrier, Red Deer and Otter by 2 pm. In fact the Golden Eagle count was seven separate birds by the end.


Wheatears, like this one were very common.

And just as I sit outside writing this, a Male Bullfinch has just flown over my head, glowing in the evening sun. Simply beautiful

Off to Iona tomorrow and will probably stay out overnight in my little tent so if you don't hear from me tomorrow you will know why.

Hope to be back the following day with some Corncrake pictures.

Martin

Trip Preparations - the final touches

So your kit is cleaned and you have packed it for safe travel. What next?

My final preparations include checking the Met!! So it is off to The Met Office to see what weather we can expect or Met Check is another good source, which also gives sunrise and sunset times.

If you have a way to drive, check out the Highways Agency site for travel conditions, and if I want en route up to date, I sometimes call their Information Line on 08457 504030, the old cones hot line for routing information.

The car is packed but I make sure I have what I need ready to hand to shoot that sudden situation that presents itself. So the camera is set with all the settings that I think I might need, the 500 with the 1.4 eftc fitted. Bean bag at the ready and binos too.

You can bet your bottom dollar that something will present itself to you, your gear wont be ready and by the time it is your subject will have fled.

One of the first things I also do when I arrive in a location is to get a tide table, as this will be vital for those seascape shots plus all of your wildlife that is water dependant

Finally, I have just been reminded don't forget your sunscreen and anti midge juice (which I have)

Martin