Sunshine after the rain.

Merlin on the rocks.

Merlin on the beach.

Turnstone

Guillemot

Sanderling

It was pouring down when Mick came home from work but I had been in the house all day and needed to make the most of the days left before the return to school so we decided to go to South Gare in the hope the rain would ease off, and it did. There did not appear to be too much about but we had a walk along the beach when something shot past us and landed on the beach, it was a Merlin. It sat for quite a while before flying off. We then came across it again sitting in the evening sun on the breakwater rocks, it did not even seem that bothered about us being there. A very impressive bird. On the way back to the car we located a Whinchat and a few Meadow Pipit not far from the Bomb Hole. All in all a very productive evening.

Around and about.

Common Sandpiper

Just a few sightings from the past couple of days. Noticed today how the flowers are going to seed and it makes you realise that although there are plenty of some species of butterflies still around their days will be numbered - where does the Summer go! Will just have to look forward to the returning Autumn and Winter and the return of some of the wintering birds.

Plenty of Ruff around Saltholme area today.
2 Greenshank on Saltholme reserve

Dunlin on Saline Lagoon

2 Red Admiral along the Zinc Works Road

Small Heath

Lots of Common Blue on the Sand Dunes at North Gare

3 Roe Deer at Bowesfield Marsh

Willow Warbler at Coatham Stobb

Back on own patch

Whiskered Tern giving excellent views on East Saltholme

Whiskered Tern and Black Necked Grebe record shot together

Common Darter

Lots of Wall around today

Female Common Blue

Peacock

Small Copper

Common Blue

After trying to get the washing done and gardens back in trim after the holiday we had a run down to Dormans Pool this afternoon. The sun came out and it turned out to be a lovely day. Plenty of butterflies around with lots of Wall Brown and Small Coppers with the odd Common Blue and Peacock. Also managed to catch up with the Whiskered Tern and Black Necked Grebe on East Saltholme.

Holiday on Mull

White Tailed Sea Eagle - Killechronan

Crossbills in garden most days.

Dark Green Fritillary

Wood Warbler

Red Deer

Red Deer were plentiful this year with good numbers of young

Tree Pipit

This young Tree Pipit was located in the woods in the Aros area. Photo not to good but nice to see anyway.

Willow Warbler.
Plenty of these, seem to be everywhere you look.

Golden Ring Dragonfly
A very common species on the the Island.

Whinchat

Numbers seem to be low on the island this year with only a couple of sightings, this one was just behind the cottage in Glen Forsa.

Raven
Lots around at the moment with excellent aerial displays being given.

Raven

Willow Warbler (juv)

Scotch Argus.

This Scotch Argus landed on Sylvia's gaitors.

Heron

A good year for these.

Knockvollogan.
Visited the south end of the island on one of the better days -weatherwise- a beautiful area.

Grayling

Located several of these around rocks at Knockvollogan

Buzzard
'The tourists eagle!!'

Redpoll on the feeder at the Loch Frisa Eagle Hide.

Female Hen Harrier around the Loch Frisa hide

Buzzard near Aros Castle

Lots of Common Lizard around the island, this one near the Loch Frisa hide.

Plenty of wheatear around Loch Na Keal

Herd of Fallow deer around Loch Ba.

House Martin on the path around Loch Ba.

Otter at Craignure Pier, also spotted them at Duart Castle and Calgary Bay.

Hooded Crow one of our favourite birds.

Our Mackerel tea caught by ourselves.

Well the holiday came and went in a flash but we had a really relaxing and enjoyable time. Due to the lack of internet connection we could not post any sightings whilst we were there so will post a few photos now we are back. August is definately not the best time to visit Mull, most of the birds seem to be in hiding, well especially where trying to get decent photos are concerned, but we wouldn't go anywhere else.
We did manage to see Dark Green Fritillary butterflies right outside the cottage garden and spotted over 30 species of birds both in and around the garden in Glen Forsa including both Golden and Sea Eagle, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Raven and heard Barn Owl, Tawny Owl and Nightjar in the woods opposite the cottage. Also our first Grayling sighting on Mull at Knockvologgan beach.