Grasspoint, Mull

[Emma S]

Hello folks,

I'm off to Mull tomorrow to hopefully see bags of wildlife and enjoy the scenery.
I've been looking into where are good spots for seeing wildlife and Grasspoint has been mentioned as a good spot.
However I've just seen on another forum someone mention that people are being asked to keep away from Grasspoint - presumably due to some wildlife sensitive issue. No details were available on that forum however.
Can anyone clarify if this is true? I'm not asking for details of what the wildlife sensitive issue might be as it's best not to say on an open forum, but does anyone know anything about this request to keep away and if it has been issued by one of the wildlife organisations?
I don't want to go somewhere if there is a good reason to keep away, but if it is just some grumpy landowner fed up with people with binoculars then I shall continue to uphold the Scottish right to roam!!

Cheers

Emma

[Emma S]

Anyone?

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Emma S

.......However I've just seen on another forum someone mention that people are being asked to keep away from Grasspoint - presumably due to some wildlife sensitive issue. No details were available on that forum however.
Can anyone clarify if this is true?.........

It may be something to do with the fact that a pair of White-tailed Eagles have nested at a site very close to the Grasspoint road for the last few years and have been subjected to a great deal of disturbance by people parking along the road (from where the nest was visible at one point!) and looking for the nest.

When I was last on Mull there were 'Eagle Watch' signs along the road but this didn't stop some irresponsible people searching out the nest, as shown by this press article -

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/874888

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

[earthdragon64]

Try phoning the Craignure visitor centre who take bookings for the RSPB Mull Eagle Watch (also well worth a visit), link below;

The RSPB: Dates with nature: Mull Eagle Watch

I was on Mull last year in August, which is after the Eagles have fledged, and was on the Grasspoint Road a couple of times. There were Eagle watch notices up at that point, asking people to only park in the designated parking area, not at the side of the road, there are working farms along this very narrow road, it really isn't fair to inconvenience people going about their business. One thing I'd say about the Grasspoint road is that unless it has been repaired, there are some very deep potholes on it, it isn't the sort of road you want to go tearing down.

A couple of points about Scotland's Access laws, firstly, they do NOT cover motorised vehicles, so you can't exercise your access rights by taking your car up private roads or forestry tracks unless permission is given, eg signposting to forestry car parks. There is also something in the laws that allows access to be restricted for reasons such as health and safety or wildlife sensitivity.

I'd really recommend the RSPB Eagle watch, the wardens are incredibly knowledgable and enthusiastic about all the birds locally, not just the White-tailed Eagles. I hope you have a great holiday.

Regards, Audrey.

[The Woodman]

Waters deserved what he got, 30m from a nest, unbelievable.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Waters deserved what he got, 30m from a nest, unbelievable.

But did he get what he deserved - just a £600 fine - nothing like severe enough in my opinion

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

[Emma S]

Many thanks for the replies. It certainly clarifies the situation for me!
I think I'll keep well away from that area if there is any risk of disturbance to the nest. I'm already booked onto the Loch Frisa sea eagle watch. I was just thinking of going to Grasspoint as apparently it's a good spot for various wildlife, I had no idea that there was nesting sea eagles nearby.

Thanks all x

[solus]

There's absolutely no reason to avoid the Grasspoint area as long as you stay on the public roads. have a great time on Mull, wherever you go and hope you see loads!

[Emma S]

Thank you!

I'll post a little wildlife / trip report when I get back.

[chazzpott]

Grasspoint is a lovely place and the road is public all the way to the end, so you have every right to use it. I was there in July 2008 and it was where I saw my very first wild otter.

Here he is


And this is the road to Grasspoint.


Enjoy your trip, Emma.

Charlie