Dotterel - a nice bonus.

The weather today was grim to say the least, with light rain and grey skies. Opted for a visit to Hartlepool Headland to see what was about. A ringing session was going ahead at the Bowling green so didn't hang around here for long. At St Hilda's church yard a Whinchat was nice to see.....1st of the year, but didn't see much else in the area. Got a shout that a Dotterel had been seen at North Gare Golf course, so had a drive over. The bird was located after about 15mins but remained distant, bit of a dull bird but an unexpected bird. Also in the area was a Swallow and a late staying Pink-footed Goose.

Whinchat

 Dotterel

Swallow

Pink-footed Goose

Black Tern and Wryneck - nice to be home 'NOT' !!!

Had a look around the North Tees area today to catch up with some of the birds that had turned up while we had been on holiday. A Black tern had been around for a couple of days on East Saltholme, Sedge Warblers had turned up and numbers are growing and a Common Whitethroat was seen nest building. A bonus bird today was a Wryneck that had turned up on North Gare Golf course....always nice to see.

An Eventful Journey Home.

The day started superbly with not a cloud in the sky and a Sea Eagle circled over the cottage just before we left.  Another Great Northern Diver in the Sound of Mull before we got on the ferry at Fishnish, very smart too he was.

The Black Guillemots appeared to be nesting at the pier at the Corran Ferry and we had a swim by of six Slavs too along with a Great Norther Diver further along the road.

To top it off we stopped for a break at the Abington Service Station on the M74 and just as we were about to pull away and continue our journey an Osprey flew overhead and proceeded to fish in the river nearby.

The Good and The Bad.

The Good - 5 Golden Eagle sightings with two together flying fairly close overhead.  the Bad - Ventured to Iona again as we knew the sun was shining and we love it there and also decided that today would be a good day for a Corncrake to turn up.  However we didn't manage to see or hear one but read when we got back to the cottage that one had been heard today!!

Also great to watch a male Hen Harrier dipping and diving high in the blue sky and also 2 Gannets diving into the sea off Iona with a couple of Razorbill and a Guillemot to keep them company.

The Harrier photos are not too clear as the bird was so high in the sky but the contrast with the blue sky was remarkable.

Good to see a flock of 14 Turnstone at Pennyghael village.

A wren was shouting at us on Iona, presumably we were somewhere near it's nest.

Another stunning day on Mull.

Greenshank and Common Sandpiper

Another good day on Mull, wish the temperature outside of the car was as hot as inside the car was showing even though it was a very pleasant day out of the slight breeze.

Watched Sea Eagle and Golden Eagles soaring high in the sky today.  Lots of Slavs around too, more than we have seen before at this time of the year.  There seemed to be lots of Swallows around from the word go today even at the cottage and we got our first Common Sandpiper today together with a Greenshank which is always good to see.  Red Throated Divers also today along with lots more Great Northern but none to match the bird we saw yesterday.

Crossbills high in the confiers feeding on the cones and Twite again with lots of Willow Warbler which seemed to turn up over night. Tree Pipit also seen and heard at Loch Ba together with Redpoll and Siskin.
Finished the day off with two Short Eared Owl and a female Hen Harrier but too distant for any decent photos.

Temperature inside the car.

Loch Scridain

Crossbill

Wheatear

Shag

Slavonian Grebe

White Tailed Sea Eagle

Common Lizard

Wondermull

What a wonderful time we are having on Mull, the weather was great yesterday and the views stunning. The wildlife has been brilliant with plenty of goodies seen and still plenty more to search out. Fantastic views of Golden Eagle, summer plumage Great Northern Diver, Twite, Buzzard and a family of 3 Otter. The sunset finished off the day in style. 

(Also watched the ISS overhead last night).........................Brilliant!

Great Northern Diver

Twite

Otter

Buzzard

20 Whooper Swan

Loch Na Keal Sunset

Wet and wonderful

The weather showed its mean side today with plenty of torrential rain and wind. This gave us the opportunity to visit Tobermory for an hour during the morning. The afternoon came and we decided to have a drive through the wilderness to Pennygael. This gave us Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, GN Diver, Stonechat and plenty of Red Deer. 

Mull doesn't dissapoint. 

 A cracking male Hen Harrier

 Sparrowhawk

 Red Deer

Curlew