Tobermory, Isle of Mull

 Saturday 13 September

Tobermory on the Isle of Mull for a full day and able to get ashore via the tender by 9.15 where greeted by the local House Sparrows.  Time for a quick walk up and down Main Street before returning to the pier to take a trip round the harbour with three other guests from “Ambience.”  No sooner underway than a resting Heron and making a stop near the main waterfall we were shown the Shag’s nest with two well-grown chicks from the third brood along with a single parent.  A Hooded Crow was perched atop a bare tree in the distance and then time for a passing Herring Gull before heading out the island playing home to many immature and this year’s young.

Shag Gulosus aristotelis and chicks

Mainly Great Black-backed Gulls including a few adults along with a good number of Shag of a variety of ages.  Mixing with the gulls a few Common Gull and even a Cormorant. As we watched a couple of Curlew landed on the back of the small island.

Great black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Round into the next bay where we found a young Harbour Seal resting in typical “banana” pose and then, just a few feet away, a mother seal with her pup.  Across the small bay a dozen or so resting Harbour Seals.

Harbour Seals Phoca vitulina

As we made our way back to the pier we were able to watch a quartet of Raven above the trees on the hill in front as they displayed to each other and reaffirmed their bond.

Raven Corvus corax

A short walk eastwards took me to the two mile path through the trees, now with steady rain falling, to the lighthouse.  Upon reaching my destination a Common Gull resting on the shore below and taking a closer look at the area near the lighthouse came across a couple of Stonechat.  A fishing Cormorant was seen in the water below the close lighthouse.  With the rain now stopped, I made my way back to town and came across a couple of Robin on the way.

Common Gull Larus canus 

Still only around 1.30 so decided to take a westerly walk following the path up the hill from the Harbour House and on to the stint car park above the inland lake.  Great Tit, Goldcrest and Great Tit seen on the journey but nearing the end once more heavy rain albeit a little shelter from the trees either side of the narrow road.  Upon arriving, a solitary Hooded Crow rested atop a tree in the car park where some sort of frisby competition was under way in the rain.

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix               

Being offered a lift back to the town, even if the rain had now stopped, and saving another two mile hike, I gladly accepted and was, therefore back aboard ship much earlier than I had anticipated!

Mainly Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus

 Birds seen:

Shag, Cormorant, Heron, Curlew, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Hooded Crow, Raven, House Sparrow.

Common Gull Larus canus

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix 

Harbour Seals Phoca vitulina

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