Oban....info please

[turkish van]

Any info on birdwatching/general nature watching sites around Oban and the surrounding area? 40/50 mile ish radius probably. Never been, so anything would be very helpful.

What birds? Anything and everything :-), though osprey and eagles are probably top of the list. Also some chance of seeing otter would be nice, and whales/dolphins - though we are planning on a boat trip for that. Any suggestions of the best?

Would also like to hop over to Mull for a day - what's the best way to take in as much as possible?

Thanks in advance.....

[Capercaillie71]

Hi Laura

Here is a thread I started earlier in the summer with some suggestions for Argyll:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=61104

I think what you see will depend on when you are planning to go. I have to say it isn't the sort of place that is packed with fantastic birding areas (except for Mull), but it is the sort of place where interesting things could turn up just about anywhere.

Loch Awe is good for ospreys - we saw one at the north end. I have also seen them fishing in the sea at Ardfern on previous visits. I found the atlantic oakwood reserves at Taynuilt and Dalavich very interesting, but probably best in spring and early summer (Ignore any Forestry Commission leaflets that talks about capercaillies being found in the Loch Awe woods - they became extinct there in 1997).

I haven't been to Mull for about 10 years, but the last time was around September if I remember correctly. Took a boat trip to Staffa in calm millpond conditions and there were stacks of Manx shearwaters and porpoises about.

[mooskibaby]

Like Capercaillie71 said go to the isle of mull i went there for a week in april it was amazing saw the white tailed eagles and took a trip to staffa and the treshnish isles. The treshnish isles are amazing saw puffins and seals, fulmars and loads more.
It was even better when the boat was heading back to land because dolphins swam by the boat with us. Now is the time to see the minki whales as well so go there its amazing.

[mooskibaby]

Its an amazing experience!
Also on the isle of mull i saw a slavonian grebe there which was the highlight sadly no golden eagles but mull is the best place apperentely for golden eagles.

[markho]

A lot of people are reluctant to give out info on line, for obvious reasons, its sad but there you go. So I would suggest taking one of the excellent wildlife tours operated on Mull. You will see everything and more. they are great value. Especillay if you only have 1 day there. And when you go back , you already know where the best spots are. I've been there this summer and seen both eagles each day several times, plus harriers, otters etc. You might be a bit late for Seabirds on Staffa and treshnish, I always go in June. Saw Minke Whale , Basking shark and harbour Porpoise on the crossing and apparently thats unusual for June.

[turkish van]

Great start - thanks all.

It's not purely a birding trip (family holiday) - just got to squeeze in as much as possible! ;)

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Hi Laura,

I was in Oban a couple of years ago and popped over to Mull for the day. The ferries are regular and there should be buses leaving from some of them, which you can catch to various parts of the island. I got a bus just a few miles to Lochdon and walked along the quiet road to Grasspoint. If you don't mind walking then this is a good way to see a wide variety of birds and it's a fairly well known and well publicised site for seeing White-tailed Eagles. Also good for Otters.

You can also do other island trips from Oban, although they may take up a whole day. A good trip to do for seabirds and cetaceans is to Coll and Tiree. I've seen Storm Petrels and Basking Sharks on this ferry (at about this time of year too) and have seen Minke Whale breaching off the end of the boat. Sadly you don't get much time on the islands if you do it as a day trip. If you fancy a really long sail, then on Thursdays the ferry goes onto Barra, leaving Oban at 8:30am and getting back at 10:15pm. Should be a good trip though.

Oban itself is very good for seeing Black Guillemots. An early morning wander along the front should have them sitting about on the pavement in front of you!