Mull ‘23
A total haven for photographers and wildlife lovers, the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland is a Mecca! After my first visit in 2022 I just had to return! I arrived back on the island in May and as I left I had already decided I was coming back in October! Here are some Mull highlights from 2023…
Mull is nick named “Eagle Island”. It contains the highest density of nesting Eagles in the whole of Europe thanks to major conservation and reintroduction efforts. I saw a couple of eagles at distance on my first visit was magical but I had to get back to Mull if only to get on board the “Lady Jayne” boat from Mull Charters, who take you out onto the sea lochs to witness these “flying barn doors” fishing up close. This was so good in May that I booked straight onto it again for October - their waiting list can be a year in advance in summer!
These White Tailed Eagles, also known as Sea Eagles are the largest bird of prey in the UK, with a wingspan over 2 metres. They really are huge and I find it hard to imagine ever not being amazed to see one - such majesty! I’m going back in 2024 and I will be out on the loch again….I cant wait!
Red Throated Diver
Guillemot
Shag
And above are some of the birdlife seen out on the loch…
Deer are very numerous on Mull with populations of Fallow (above) and Red (below). When driving around the island in the late or early hours they can be all over the place so you need to keep an eye out when driving! I enjoyed trying to spot them among the vegetation although I’m still after that ultimate shot of a fully mature stag!
Buzzards are very numerous here too, a cracking bird of prey in its own right but on an island famed for its eagles, a buzzard sadly becomes “just a buzzard”. It can be tricky to photograph them however - they seem to know when a lens is pointing at them! These shots were all taken from my car, using the car as a hide to try not disturb the bird.
And here are some of the smaller birds seen while driving around the island constantly looking out for wildlife to photograph - it is everywhere! These again all taken from the car!
Whinchat
Cuckoo
Stonechat (female)
Grey Heron
Stonechat (male)
Ringed Plover
There are many reasons to visit Mull, but the main 2 are eagles…and Otters! With its 300 miles of coastline the island is home to lots of Otters hunting away. The key to photographing them however is fieldcraft and knowing their behaviour. Whilst driving around the edges of the sea lochs I am looking for signs of the otters hunting, hoping to see them as they surface from a dive. Once one has been spotted it is then a tracking game and trying to get into position.
When they dive, I have about 15-20 seconds before they resurface, so this is the time to move and duck down before it surfaces again. By moving this way, only moving during dives I am aiming to get in front of the otter and bedded down low out of sight. I want the otter to come to me. Eventually the otter will catch something it can’t manage in the water and bring it onto the land to eat it…and hopefully this will be close to where I am waiting!
I am dressed in camouflage, laying low and my camera shutter is set to silent. The otter never knew I was there which is perfect. I want to get close and get the images but ultimately do not want to disturb the animal. Their eye sight is not great but their smell and hearing is amazing, so they do glance in your direction if they smell you! The one in my shot looking straight at me couldn’t actually see me and even curled up and went to sleep only about 5 meters away! This alone was my favourite wildlife encounter of the entire year…
And some other bird life seen around the edges of the lochs whilst searching for otters…
Hooded Crow
Curlew
Common Sandpiper
Although wildlife is the main reason I come to Mull, there are some stunning sights to see other than the animals! Here are a few landscape shots from my two visits in 2023…
Approaching Mull
Moy Castle
Loch Spelve
Lochdon
Tobermory
Salen Pier
Last up are Highland cows! Not wildlife but I simply cannot resist stopping to grab a shot of this iconic Scottish cattle! What an amazing island Mull is! After 3 visits I am still keen to get back up there! I stayed close to Tobermory the first two times but found that the majority of time was spent in the lower part of the island so for my third visit I stayed near Lochdon which cut down on quite a bit of travelling around. The island is also well known for Owls and Hen Harriers but I didn’t manage to get close enough for shots this time - yet another reason to return!