Tuesday 23rd June 2026: Mull

 We had a brilliant start to the day with a magical and exhilarating experience with a reeling Grasshopper Warbler in the field behind our hotel. It sang from atop a small birch for a full five minutes, turning its head from side to side as it poured out its continuous, monotone song. We were able to note the attractive markings on the back, the black patterning beneath the tail, yellow gape and a small black gorget as we watched it through the scope. It was a truly special and joyful encounter with this not easily seen species, and probably my highlight of the trip.

After breakfast we all wandered down to Loch Shiel where the ubiquitous Common Sandpiper peeped from a post and a distant female Teal and Red-breasted Merganser were on the water. A Willow Warbler acrobatically twisted and turned as it searched for insects along the fenceline. 

Common Sandpiper

Next we headed to Mull, getting off to a cracking start with an immature White-tailed Eagle which soared across the water at close range. Our first stop was at Scallastle for a brew whilst overlooking the loch. The shores were a nesting site for terns, with both Common and Arctic Terns present. Around fifteen Eider loafed amongst the seaweed, together with the inevitable Oystercatchers. Elsewhere, a small raft of six Red-breasted Merganser floated on the calm waters.

Scallastle

Moving on, we spent some time along the shores of Loch Spelve, scannng the skies for raptors. Our guide called a Hen Harrier, a distant bird on the horizon, that we would never have managed to ID but took his word for it. Fortunately we soon had a further sighting which was substantially closer and the grey colouration and black wing markings made us confident this was indeed a male Hen Harrier. And later, as we reached the western end of the loch, a third male bird appeared hawking low over the ground just feet away from us, a thrilling sighting. In Sussex we rarely find male birds, although ringtails are not uncommon in winter. 

Loch Spelve

Alongside this bird activity, we were well entertained by otters, with a single bird swimming close to the shore, then finding food and coming on shore to rest and digest, where he stayed for some time, completely unfazed by the melee of photographers with cameras trained on him. We drove to the other side of the loch for lunch, and were astonished to find another pair of otters playing in the water right in front of us. Equally amazing, was a small pod of common dolphins in the centre of the loch, jumping and belly-flopping in the water with a great splash. 

Cute Otter