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Message: <blockquote data-quote="joannec" data-source="post: 1262230" data-attributes="member: 30076">Our trip to Mull really begins in Oban Harbour with a few of the resident black guillemots  seen from the shore happily bobbing about between the yachts and fishing boats.  Lifers for me as this is my first trip north since becomming bird obsessed.<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> They're real sweeties with their bold white wing patches and red legs and feet.|:d|  From the ferry fom Oban to Craignuir we also see social groups of common guillemots , a few gannets, commic terns and an unidentified distant diver.  An unexpected treat is several harbour porpoises seen swimming alongside the ferry.We're on an early ferry and it is too early to go to the pre booked B&B so we make the short trip to Lochdon and on Delias recommendation head for Grasspoint, stopping at the bridge for a rest and really just to see what's about.  We are not disappointed because within half an hour of arriving on the Isle of Mull we see our first White-tailed Sea Eagle! Wooo; it's fantastic!  We hear it call first and watch it fly down the valley towards the loch only about 50 yards from us.  It is a momentous moment and a very fine welcome to Mull!!:-O We really couldn't have asked for more.  It turns out Lochdon, where we are staying is one of the strongholds of sea eagles on Mull.  We would see three more during the week; two maybe the same ones but at least one other as one is much lighter in plumage and an immature.We're staying at High Oatfield B&B just up the hill from the loch.  Red deer and hen harriers are seen daily from our room; the red deer usually in the evenings and the hen harriers, male and female seen quartering the moor, in the mornings......where else could you have hen harries from your bedroom window!?  I recommend this place without hesitation to anyone thinking of going to Mull...nice people who have a good knowledge of the local wildlife, and wonderful birds, nice room too. Lochdon, a tidal loch, is a great location....plenty of waders at low tide to keep us amused in the long light evenings.The next day, as the weather is good; Mediterranean even, we decide on a boat trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles.  On the way to Ulva Ferry we see the first ravens of the trip and more buzzards than we can remember.  Both are common here, especially buzzards and we are told they have found a real niche here as there are no foxes on Mull and they fiull the gap. From the boat we see Manx shearwaters ,  a Great skua, Fulmar, Kittiwake and other common birds. Common seal, grey seal and common dolphin we also see; the seals all lolling about on rocky shores.  The Treshnish Isles are a major nesting place for Puffins; it is late in the nesting season and most chicks have fledged but there are still some with chicks in their burrows.  We see about 20 and watch from a distance as the parents return to the burrows, bills full of fish for their youngsters.  They are such charmers and I manage a few overexposed pictures. :-O Fulmer chicks are still in their cliffside nests and we watch the parents tending them.  Lots of shags, including many young also seen throughout this fantastic trip.A few pictures so far. Lifers for me in colours.  Part II later.Joanne</blockquote>

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