Mull wildlife

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GerryD

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Gerald Davies
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Ok, good news I'm off to mull during June. Mainly looking for Otters and the treshnish isles for some of our feathered friends.

Right I know Otters can be found around craignure, salen and loch scridain, but I had trouble getting close to them. Does anyone know of a good location where I can get them with in range of my 400mm? I've countless head shots when they are in the water. :(

Does anyone have any other good locations? Or recommendations for other good wildlife opportunites
 
I think you just need to find the spot and sit patiently to wait. I remember when I was over there we found a few places where they came to dump on the rocks but never had time to sit and wait to see them.

I envy you going there though. It's a great place.
 
AndyB said:
I think you just need to find the spot and sit patiently to wait. I remember when I was over there we found a few places where they came to dump on the rocks but never had time to sit and wait to see them.

I envy you going there though. It's a great place.
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Thanks Andy, where did you find these locations?

Really starting to look forward to going now :)

alexsmith said:
i know a great place to stay by bunnesan. saw harriers there too....
b+b btw
al
lucky you i love mull...
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Than Alex, got digs sorted :)
 
Not sure about places for otters mate maybe Ian might know, wish it was me going to Mull im going to try and get there myself this year.
 
we saw otters last year feeding on the beach/waters edge at Salem. Park up at the boat wrecks, and then sit and wait....

BTW - tide was in when we saw them, but have no idea if that makes a difference or now
 
Tobermory Harbour. I had an encounter with a young otter last October and it came within about a foot of me!! There is also a large male which frequents the harbour. Watch for the fishing boats coming in, the male sits and waits for whatever is thrown from the boats!

We did spot some in February but can't think which bit of coast it was as we went all over that day.

Jealous. We have to wait until October before our next trip.
 
macky799 said:
Not sure about places for otters mate maybe Ian might know, wish it was me going to Mull im going to try and get there myself this year.
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Thank Macky799. I've been thinking of PM in Ian. I'll do that later, I know he was on Mull lat year.

Good luck with your trip, drop me a PM, if you go, and I'll pass on any useful places.

GoLotus said:
we saw otters last year feeding on the beach/waters edge at Salem. Park up at the boat wrecks, and then sit and wait....

BTW - tide was in when we saw them, but have no idea if that makes a difference or now
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Salem is a good spot, I've been told a lot of filming goes on there. High tide does help, as it brings them closure to the shore.

Thanks GoLotus

CarMac said:
Tobermory Harbour. I had an encounter with a young otter last October and it came within about a foot of me!! There is also a large male which frequents the harbour. Watch for the fishing boats coming in, the male sits and waits for whatever is thrown from the boats!

We did spot some in February but can't think which bit of coast it was as we went all over that day.

Jealous. We have to wait until October before our next trip.
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I've heard Tobermory harbour can be a good spot for otters. I had heard one was in the harbour, not two. Ok that doubles my chances :)

Enjoy you're trip in october.
 
The youngster was outside the new Harbour Association building. The adult was over the other side of the bay where the fishing boats are tied up. Definitely two as the one we saw was a real youngster. And very inquisitive.

We'll try our best to enjoy our October trip.
 
I've no tips for location but if you're staying on the island then it's always best to be up and out before the first ferry. Again it's good in the evening to head out when the last ferry has sailed. Less tour buses! :clap:
 
CarMac said:
The youngster was outside the new Harbour Association building. The adult was over the other side of the bay where the fishing boats are tied up. Definitely two as the one we saw was a real youngster. And very inquisitive.

We'll try our best to enjoy our October trip.
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Thanks for a pointing out a good location. We'll have to check that out :thumbs:

Joe T said:
We're going in June too....Might see you there! :D
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Be good to meet up. I on the island between 20th and 24th

Julie1979 said:
I've no tips for location but if you're staying on the island then it's always best to be up and out before the first ferry. Again it's good in the evening to head out when the last ferry has sailed. Less tour buses! :clap:
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The tour buses can get a little mad. Especially going down to Iona.
 
I just came back from mull last week although it was dreadfully wet, which is not the case this week. Still managed to see alot of wildlife when it did dry out including sea eagles golden eagles and otters! Loch scridain was where we spotted otters and got some good pics too! There are other places like the ones mentioned. Best to drive up and down the coast line in your chosen area, looking just off the rocks for any movement.

mullotter.jpg



Hope this helps and good luck its a magic world up there!!
Chriswad
 
Richard Peters said:
Otters, on Mull you say??


:D ;)


I was there last week, weather was awful for the most part!!!
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Richard!! I have been admiring your website. Some amazing shots!! Do you have any of white taled sea eagles. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed our time despite the weather. I managed to get some good shots but was restricted by my lens and probably experience too! What lens do you mainly use for your bird photography? 600m f4?

Very impressed with your website!!
 
chriswad said:
Richard!! I have been admiring your website. Some amazing shots!! Do you have any of white taled sea eagles. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed our time despite the weather. I managed to get some good shots but was restricted by my lens and probably experience too! What lens do you mainly use for your bird photography? 600m f4?

Very impressed with your website!!
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Thanks buddy :thumbs:
Only grab shots of the eagles from a distance, the one good chance I had was of one flying about 50 foot off the floor and straight over head with 3 crows chasing...I was driving though with camera in the back so all I could do was sit and watch! Most of my images are taken with the 600 although I do use the 200-400 from time to time as well.

I was on Mull the same time as the ever so talented Mr Neep and even crossed paths on the single track roads, but didn't realise until after I got back lol.
 
Richard Peters said:
Otters, on Mull you say??


:D ;)


I was there last week, weather was awful for the most part!!!
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Thanks for posting the link top your website Richard. I enjoyed reading about you adventures on Mull and sorry to hear the weather was so bad for you. I had similar problems last September.

Great photos and hopefully I can get some images up to your standard. You where very lucky to get so close to the otters.
 
chriswad said:
I just came back from mull last week although it was dreadfully wet, which is not the case this week. Still managed to see alot of wildlife when it did dry out including sea eagles golden eagles and otters! Loch scridain was where we spotted otters and got some good pics too! There are other places like the ones mentioned. Best to drive up and down the coast line in your chosen area, looking just off the rocks for any movement.

mullotter.jpg



Hope this helps and good luck its a magic world up there!!
Chriswad
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Thanks for the tips Criswad :)
 
Hi taxi

Pop into the Argyll Arms Pub in Bunessan. They have shots of local wildlife taken in the area on slide show on big screen telly. Ask locals best places to find otters.
 
taxi said:
Thanks for posting the link top your website Richard. I enjoyed reading about you adventures on Mull and sorry to hear the weather was so bad for you. I had similar problems last September.

Great photos and hopefully I can get some images up to your standard. You where very lucky to get so close to the otters.
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Your very welcome :)

Oh it's also a good idea to take binoculars too!
 
Rockshifter said:
Hi taxi

Pop into the Argyll Arms Pub in Bunessan. They have shots of local wildlife taken in the area on slide show on big screen telly. Ask locals best places to find otters.
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Thanks for the tip Rockshifter. Its a pub, if I'm passing I'll be calling in :lol: :lol:
 
midge hood..whatever you do, don't forget a midge hood. Mull is the midgiest bit of scotland I have ever visited.
 
Joe T said:
Can you recommend any particular product? Thanks. :)
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Hi Joe,

There is an oil called "Buzz Off", for scented oil burners etc. If you rub this on your hands and face, you will NOT be attacked. I wore it in Mull all week, and I was the one of two people in a group of 5, not to get bitten. We both used the same product. It is not the "Buzz Off" bugs spray, it is stuff from the shops in Tobermory. I will ask my Aunt where she got it exactly.

Also, I hear Avon's "Skin So Smooth" is just as effective.

Gary.
 
Joe T said:
Can you recommend any particular product? Thanks. :)
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Best to get (so long as not allergic) Deet based, and stronger the better. Boots Repel Extra Strength and Jungle Formula Extra Strength have 50% Deet and work well.

I also find taking a headnet which works with a bush hat is worth having if it gets really bad and it also doubles up as effective face camouflage with a cammo bush hat http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/psec/mosquito_nets/mosquito_headnet.htm
 
EdinburghGary said:
Have seen them around Tobermory harbor a lot. Just back from a week, sadly no sightings this time.

Gary.
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Cheers Gary. I've seen some of your images and they look great.

Gwaelod said:
midge hood..whatever you do, don't forget a midge hood. Mull is the midgiest bit of scotland I have ever visited.
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i have midge hood, and it will be going with me :)

EdinburghGary said:
Hi Joe,

There is an oil called "Buzz Off", for scented oil burners etc. If you rub this on your hands and face, you will NOT be attacked. I wore it in Mull all week, and I was the one of two people in a group of 5, not to get bitten. We both used the same product. It is not the "Buzz Off" bugs spray, it is stuff from the shops in Tobermory. I will ask my Aunt where she got it exactly.

Also, I hear Avon's "Skin So Smooth" is just as effective.

Gary.
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Joe T said:
I;ve got two bottles of Skin So Soft dry oil body spray ready to go! :D
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The Matt said:
Skin so soft works pretty well. I'm off to Mull next month! :)
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Biko said:
Best to get (so long as not allergic) Deet based, and stronger the better. Boots Repel Extra Strength and Jungle Formula Extra Strength have 50% Deet and work well.

I also find taking a headnet which works with a bush hat is worth having if it gets really bad and it also doubles up as effective face camouflage with a cammo bush hat http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/psec/mosquito_nets/mosquito_headnet.htm
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Thanks all for the tips. I am ready harmed with the skin so soft as well. It comes with a recommendation from many people. Even to the point where people use it on their horses to stop them getting bit.

I tried the jungle formula extra strength, but not with much luck. I did get bitten, only the once, but that's once to many :(

REally looking forward to going now.
 
chriswad said:
Richard!! I have been admiring your website. Some amazing shots!! Do you have any of white taled sea eagles. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed our time despite the weather. I managed to get some good shots but was restricted by my lens and probably experience too! What lens do you mainly use for your bird photography? 600m f4?

Very impressed with your website!!
Click to expand...

Just one of a Sea Eagle i got in September last year :)

White_Tailed_Sea_Eagle2~0.jpg
 
EdinburghGary said:
Don't forget the Landscapes!! :D I know Wildlife is your goal, but Landscapes stand still for as long as you need :D (Well ignoring the light and weather!).

Gary.
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Thanks for the gentle hint, Gary I might do a little landscape stuff while I'm there. We'll see what happens.
 
IanC_UK said:
Just one of a Sea Eagle i got in September last year :)

White_Tailed_Sea_Eagle2~0.jpg
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VERY NICE!!! What lens did you use? I got some snaps where one actually had a guillemot in it's tallons. Trouble is its quite a distance away and once cropped and zoomed it's not very sharp, unlike your very nice shot... Well done!
 
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