Isle of Mull

[Alex90]

Hi All,

I was hoping someone might be able to give me some hints and tips on where to look for several species on Mull.

We went a few years ago and had no problem finding otters, seals, eagles and deer... however i would really like to see some of mulls over inhabitants.

Ideally i would like to see, Mountain Hares, Short eared Owls and any of the mustelid inhabitants.

does anyone have any good locations or know of any hides where these species and others can be seen?

Thanks

Alex

[JeffH]

Hi Alex

For Mountain Hares and Short-eared Owls try the A849 through Glen More. We had up to 6 S-eOs in view at once there during our stay on Mull last year.
Also saw them along the B8073 running along the northern shore of Loch na Keal towards Killiechronan.
As you may know, the Killiechronan camp site is also an excellent viewing point for Sea Eagles.
Have a good trip

Jeff
(Schedule 1 licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[ChrisJB]

I was on Mull at the end of May and was told by a chap 'in the know' that the last year or so on Mull has seen far fewer short-eared owls. For mountain hares, the circular ridge walk up Beinn Fhada via Beinn nan Gabhar, from Loch na Keal, I have read to be good for them, although I have never done it myself. Having just checked out the route on the map, a reasonable level of fitness would be required for this walk I suspect.
Have a good time.

Chris

[Alex90]

Thanks for the replies, i have spent the last few months researching (something i neglected to do properly the first time) and there is very little info on where to see Hares nad SeO's other than the fact they are around. I never thought to ask on here until yesterday.

What sort of times would you recommend looking for SeO's and Hares?

I'd imagine mountain hares arent too different from brown hares in terms of being very active dawn and dusk.

We are usually out and about by 6 -ish and rarely return to our accomodation until nightfall.

also there is an error in my initial post thats bugging me big time over should be other!!!!

[Doggle Avaddit]

Originally Posted by Alex90

also there is an error in my initial post thats bugging me big time over should be other!!!!

I doubt anybody noticed that. I didn't.

Here's why:

MRC CBU, Cambridge » Matt Davis

[ChrisJB]

My experience of short-eared owls is late afternoon to dusk is best, but that is during the winter when it goes dark earlier. Mountain hares I have seen all through the day (I've never seen any on Mull though).

Regards, Chris

[RobSutton]

Mountain Hares occur at low level in the Loch Don area - I've seen them pretty regularly on the salt marsh from the minor road that runs along the east side of Loch Don towards Gorsten. As I understand it they were introduced for "sporting" purposes and have become established at much lower altitudes than one would normally expect to see them.

Short-eared Owl numbers fluctuate from year to year with vole numbers - lots of voles means lots of owls. If it's a good vole year the road through Glen More is good especially around the forestry areas once you come down from the top towards Loch Scridain.

[kiyasmum]

I saw a short eared owl on Mull in early June. I am hopeless on road names, but it was on the road from Craignure going towards Glen More. Very close to the Loch Spelve mussel farm. Came across the road and sat on top of a post on a hillock. That would have been about 8ish at night. Not sure I have seen any hares.

[Alex90]

Thanks for the fantastic responses, i have added these to a list of places we are going to look around, with a bit of luck i'll be able to see and photograph some of these target species as well as the otters and eagles!

Shame we werent going earlier in the year as staffa was fantastic with the puffins and other seabirds!

[darwindisciple]

I've seen several mountain hares in the fields to the left of the main road from craignure to tobermory, just before and after the roads' highest point.
Best of luck.