Happy Easter from Heatherlea! I hope you are all enjoying the fantastic weather at the moment. The Heatherlea guides are over on the West coast with the group, hopefully enjoying similar sunny weather conditions to Nethy Bridge, and will return tomorrow evening after visiting Mull. Here are some of the highlights from last week’s group who enjoyed fabulous views of White-tailed Eagle while on Mull ….

 

Sunday
The day started with a visit to some local feeders where within minutes we were all enjoying fantastic views of Crested Tit feeding at close range, already the cameras were clicking. A short drive to the forest got us Crossbills as straight as we were out of the bus, sitting on top of a pine; the bills were clearly visible and quite large. Quite a good chance they were Scottish type, as there are not many Common around that area and they certainly were not Parrot Crossbill. After a short walk, we were heading back to the bus when we noticed several birds fluttering amongst the lichen clad branches to our left, Waxwings! Feeding on juniper berries and looking very at home in what must be a very similar habitat to their native breeding grounds.

Monday
After driving to Mull, and a stop on the way to admire a very obliging Black Grouse at the roadside, we were soon enjoying fantastic views of a stunning White-tailed Eagle perched at a favourite spot we know. Despite heavy persistent rain one we managed to view numerous great northerns from the van, and one bus was lucky enough to spot an Otter as it swam across a sea loch as we returned to the hotel.

In the evening we visited a secluded glen to search for Pine Martens. Our patience was rewarded by stunning views, one even coming with yards of the bus as we sat silently holding our breath.

Tuesday
The weather cleared and not long after leaving the hotel a Golden Eagle was spotted drifting along a ridge to our left. We jumped out and managed to get brief views before it sailed over the top, but it wasn’t long before it was back in view, drifting effortlessly through the wide misty glen, until it was lost from sight as it slipped in to the cloud base.

As we headed back towards home along a sea loch, we lost count of the number of Great Northern Divers we saw, many at exceptionally close range. Black Guillemot in stunning summer plumage were already at their breeding holes along an old rusting pier near the ferry, and a few Slavonian Grebes swam amongst them.

John Poyner