Best way to see Mull in a day? (1 Viewer)

[oncebittern]

My wife and I, plus 2 non-birding friends, are staying a few miles south of Fort William for 5 nights in mid September. I quite fancy a day out on Mull, and am looking for some advice on the best way to handle it.

Obviously, we could simply jump in the car and do the best we can, but I am also wondering if a guided trip might be a better approach. This would free me up to do more watching than driving, which also has its appeal.

I have never been to Mull before, and whilst I would normally go it alone, and find my own targets, I don't want to get it all wrong and let down my wife and friends.

I'm sure many of you will have done this trip in the past, so I look forward to your recommendations.

Steve.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Steve

You'll no doubt get lots of advice and info coming in - to start though, have a look at the Opus article and also the Mull Birds website.

Hope these help

D

 

[Strandman]

I had an outing with Dave Woodhouse- http://www.torrbuan.com/frames.htm last autumn organised as an insurance policy, in case my own finely -honed bird and beast finding skills had let me and my son down over a couple of previous days.

As it happened, we found everything we were after independently, but he was very good- and will pick up and drop off from the Oban ferry. He took us to the usual sites on the Loch na Keal- Scridain- Glen More -Grasspoint circuit and we did score more heavily with him than without- I guess you tend to wait for eagles with more conviction when you know are in the right spot, as opposed to just thinking you are.

 

[d.steeley]

By taking one of the tours you wll travel to Mull as a foot passenger which is much cheaper than the cost of taking your car as well. The tours are good, they know the whereabouts of all the major specialties Mull has to offer. I went out with David Woodhouse a few years ago and he was excellent. Arthur Brown of Discover Mull is also very good but I don't think he picks up from Craignure ferry terminal.

Dave

 

[Capercaillie71]

I would definitely recommend using a guide. I spent a week on Mull in September a couple of years ago (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=97861) and eagles were a less than daily occurrence. We saw at least one because a guided tour had stopped at a favoured roosting site to watch one perched in a tree. We could have easily missed it otherwise, so the local knowledge of a guide will be a huge advantage on a one day trip.

 

[Sandra (Taylor)]

Message for Steve - OnceBittern
----------------------------
You're in for a treat, Steve. I would recommend going as foot passengers on the ferry from Lochaline to Fishnish and being collected by one of the excellent tour guides. We haven't done one of these tours ourselves but are always coming across one or more of the tour buses on our travels - in fact we've had sightings pointed out by the guide. It works the other way too. Me & Bob were watching an otter a couple of years ago and flagged down one of the passing tour buses for which they were very grateful.

Pity our visits don't coincide - we could catch up with you there if you were going in October! So would be grateful for any feedback on your return.

Sandra
:t:

 

[oncebittern]

Thanks for all the info. It looks like the guided tour is going to be the best answer then...just have to hope I can get something booked in now.

I've emailed 5 tour operators already, and the first one has just replied - fully booked :-C

Yes Sandra, I'll definitely report back.

 

[Boom]

Expect to pay a few bob though- as incredible as Mull is (and it is truely incredible) it is well geared for the tourist wildlife safaris.

If you`ve only got a day though you would no doubt be better off on an orgainsed tour.

good luck.

cheers

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

There is a map of Mull birds built on my site from over 20 visitors. It also has the details of some of the safari operators.

Good luck!

http://ebirder.net/mullgen.aspx

 

[oncebittern]

3 guides have got back to me with vacancies on the dates we want, so spoilt for choice now. Prices seem reasonable, at between £35 and £42 per person for about a 7 hour tour. Cheers for the map Marcus - interesting stuff.

 

[oncebittern]

Went with David Woodhouse in the end, and what a knowledgeable guy he is. There again, I guess anyone who lives in a place like that and has been doing guided tours for 29 years would be hard pressed not to be.

Highlights were Hen Harrier, adult and juvenile Sea Eagles, 8 or 9 Golden Eagles, Peregrine, Porpoises, and Common Seals. Weather conditions were actually too good, with little wind, and clear blue skies, which kept the eagles at long range, and I never even got the camera out of its case, even with the 500mm lens. Disappointingly, despite trying very hard, we didn't find Otters, but as far as I'm aware, nor did anyone else that day, so they must have been hiding away somewhere. Oh well, I suppose I'll just have to go back another time - what a hardship that will be

Thanks again for all the advice - the tour was the right way to go for this first trip, but having sampled the delights of Mull, I think my next trip will be just the two of us, and probably for a week.

 

[bob hastie]

Just as well you didn't get your camera out.
Check out his diary entry for 21/5/08
Not very photographer friendly!

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Just as well you didn't get your camera out.
Check out his diary entry for 21/5/08
Not very photographer friendly!

:eek!: Can I point out that if people do want that they should have a quick peek at my website :king:

Hope you are settling in well Bob :t: