Last Day on Mull

Friday May 6

Last days are always a mixture of last chance to see and not driving too far. We started with a drive as far as we could go at Fidden, to the end farm which has a sign for the reserve of Knockvologan - walking only. Near here I saw my first Stonechat of the trip and we were to see 3 more to-day. Where have they been hiding? The cattle were out in force to enhance the view.

Not quite as good a view as from where we ate supper every night.

The lambs are delightful.

Via Penn-y Ghael and Loch Beg to the other side of Loch Scridain, stopping to photograph some Red Deer posing on an outcrop and a Common Sandpiper standing still for once.

About nine people sitting on lochside rocks, cameras at the ready, gave us a clue.....A beautiful dog Otter fishing, eating crabs, actively going about its business. We watched him for 20 minutes before driving off. He was a little distant for photos from the roadside but I got a couple worth keeping.

Only the sitting bird's head and shoulders visible on the White-tailed Eagle nest, no sign of the other adult coming in to take over.

Spot the nest.....

 After fifty minutes we left, returning via Scridain where they were still watching the Otter. No-one has been seeing one this week - until to-day.

Approaching Bunessan, a Golden Eagle soared overhead, soon spiralling out of sight behind a cloud. Sunny to-day but with a fair bit of cloud too.

A half mile from Bunessan is the unmarked turn off for the Scoor Estate. The tarmac soon runs out, the remaining track very potholed and rough, climbing up to the allowed 'car park' - a piece of rough ground along the track. Room for half a dozen cars. The view over an un-named lochan and Loch Assapol to the sea is stunning. We ate lunch, enjoying the dozens of Sand Martins flying like giant midges over the lochan surface. Our only Little Grebe of the trip popped up for a few minutes only.

Sudden panic... a male Hen Harrier rushed into sight before shooting off up a gully. It re-appeared flying fast across the mountain top, far too short a view of this charismatic bird.
A quad bike and trailer pulled up behind us, a tall and lean man got off and approached Pam's window. Oh Oh. He was utterly charming (James, John told us later), asking if we'd seen the Corncrakes on the lochan edge (!!). The Manchester boys are staying at his cottages and had found the birds earlier this week. He then asked if we'd been to the beach. Pam replied that we were not good walkers, drive there he said, you'll get there in this. A mile down a rutted track later, we arrived at a most beautiful white sand bay, one of many without a name, only accessible via the sea and this farm track.

Pam walked down - she's that dot!

We felt privileged.