where to see eagles mull
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where to see eagles mull, wildlife, birdwatching, white, tailed, golden, otters, scotland, trips, find, merlin, harriers, divers, ornithology, peregrine
The biggest mistake that visitors make when they come bird watching in Scotland is that they underestimate the sheer size of the landscape. The Island has almost 300 miles of coast line, all of it rugged, rocky, often very wet under foot and sometimes very dry! Therefore our hot tip is settle on one destination and use this as a base from which to explore a particular area. You will also get a “feel” for the landscape in that region and you might also get tips from local people on what might be around. Wildlife tour operators in Scotland are pretty approachable and so don’t be shy about asking for their advice if you come across one of their trips.
Another basic mistake that the visitor often makes is assuming that if the day begins wet, it will stay wet, or vice versa. In short never assume anything regarding the weather in Scotland. Also bear in mind that birds do not like rain anymore than we do and so they are going to be on the wing as soon as there is any indication that it is going to stop. In a nutshell check the weather forecast and if it is going to be poor all day go coastal, where you are more likely to get better weather and at least see seabirds, sea ducks, Otters etc. If the weather is more optimistic you can head for the mountains and hopefully see raptors of all shapes and sizes.
Take note of the wind direction!! because almost all birds of prey hunt head into wind.
If anyone ever mentions a sighting of a bird to me then I always have to ask about the habitat that it was seen in first, this is because you do not always get Hen Harriers sitting on sea cliffs for instance. The Hen Harrier is a typical harrier-shape bird with V-shaped wings. The male is strikingly pale in colour (white and grey) but with black wing tips. Females and young birds (collectively known as ringtails) are brownish but share the male's white rump. The Hen Harrier breeds on low hills between April and August. Hen Harrier nests are found in a wide variety of upland habitats but in Ireland, the most frequently used nesting habitat appears to be pre-thicket second rotation conifer plantation. Hen Harriers hunt small birds (e.g. meadow pipit) and small mammals (e.g. bank vole). It is a Buzzard on that telegraph pole and not a Etc etc. So habitat is critical when Bird Watching. Crossbills are in pine forests, it is probably a rock pipit on a rocky shoreline and not a meadow pipit and if you are in open moorland away from the coast it is a meadow pipit.
Sightings during the breeding season are quite different to sightings in the autumn or winter. For instance waders are very territorial during spring and summer and yet they are highly sociable in the winter months. A Golden Plover will nest on some remote and bleak moorland and yet outside the breeding season they can be in large flocks in a field quite close to a road.
I also often get asked the question about bird watching gear and my answer is to recommend bringing sensible footwear because in Scotland you will be walking on rocky, boggy and perhaps seaweed covered terrain. Wear layers of clothing and always carry a lightweight waterproof. It can also be extremely hot and sunny here and therefore bring a couple of t-shirts and a pair of shorts. The sea off Mull and the other Hebridean islands is particularly clear and you will almost certainly be tempted to have at least a paddle off one of our beautiful white sand beaches, so bring swimwear.