Mull in Autumn, photography trip

[Joel.W]

Hi guys,

I am hoping to go to Mull this Autumn as a bit of a treat for myself for completing my thesis! I have been before with my girlfriend and we had an amazing time but it was a bit of a last minute trip without too much planning. We went in July 2010 and were lucky enough to see lots of great wildlife (Deer, sea eagles, porpoise, basking sharks, puffins, a Hen harrier, an otter and even a sunfish) and ever since then I have been desperate to get back. This time i will be going alone which will mean more time behind the camera for me building up my portfolio (the main reason I want to go). I want to go for around a week and want to fit in as much into this time as possible. Has anyone been at this time of year before? Any tips? I would really really like to see golden eagles, otters, divers, short eared owls, mountain hares and of course the amazing sea eagles. Does anyone know of any good spots for any of the above? I know I will see plenty when I'm there but i really want to maximise my time! Cheers,

Joel

[caernerch]

Great Island, all the usual hotspots like Glenmore and Ben More. I have a few good 'alternatives' Around the Ross of Mull - Loch Scridain for divers, look for Otters where the small burns run into the loch, to the high point of the road from Pennygail to Carsaig for alternative spots for Goldie and Sea Eagles (Along the Ross can be clear when the rest of the Island and mountains are clouded in). Loch Spelvie near Croggan for Otters - go to the road end and walk arond the SE corner of the loch. Its such a great spot its worth sitting anywhere where there is suitable habitat for each species you can almost pick the scene you want and wait for the wildlife to turn up. Loch Don has a few good loafing spots for Sea Eaglen when they're missing elsewhere.
I'm jealous. Good Luck. Let me know how you get on.
caernerch

[Joel.W]

Some great tips there, thanks, i will get on google maps and jot those locations down. Having seen divers there in the past, what do you think photo opportunities will be like? I know its mostly luck and they will likely be really far out from the shore line but I have never seen any and would love to get my first sightings on this trip. I will be sure to post on here when I get back. Does anyone else have any must see areas or hotspots for the species I mentioned? Many thanks,

Joel

[ChrisJB]

The northern side of Loch Scridain is excellent for otters, with the shoreline leading up to where the road heads over to Loch na Keal being especially good. Look for sea eagles around here too. The best place for golden eagles I know is in the vicinity of the highest point of the road through Glen More. The climb up Ben More, via the 'tourist path' is good for golden eagles too and Ben More is a splendid Munro, not as taxing as a lot of them. Hen harriers I've seen near the Ulva ferry, but to me the Ross is the best for these. Between Bunessan and Ardtun I found to be productive. Boat trips to the Tresnish Isles and Staffa may well give you basking sharks and/or minke whales (plus other cetaceans) and there should be plenty of manx shearwaters also. Try Ardalanish Bay too. Not only are there twite here (sometimes), but it is an incredibly beautiful beach, great for beachcombing and rockpooling. Both Loch Scridian and Loch na Keal are good for divers.

Anyway, have a great time, Chris

[caernerch]

I've had red and black throated diver on loch spelvie and skridain down to 5metres away but they really don;t seem happy unless they're about 50m or more away. They paddle off as soon as you come into view so you've got to be quick or use a hide. Otters on the other had can be quite confiding as long as you're quiet,

once again good luck.
caernerch

[operanut1972]

Hi Joel,

Sorry no advice, just really jealous, hope you have a great time, blow some cobwebs off after finishing your thesis. Most importantly for me (greedy individual that I am! ) please post here when you've sorted them out.

All the best!

[Joel.W]

Originally Posted by caernerch

I've had red and black throated diver on loch spelvie and skridain down to 5metres away but they really don;t seem happy unless they're about 50m or more away. They paddle off as soon as you come into view so you've got to be quick or use a hide. Otters on the other had can be quite confiding as long as you're quiet,

once again good luck.
caernerch

That's brilliant! It would be amazing to see divers, and to see them that close must have been incredible! I plan to get camoflauged and sit and wait to see what comes! Although i will probably do a fair bit of roaming around until i get lucky with some good photo opportunities too! Thanks for all your advice. I will be sure to put any good photos I get on here

[Joel.W]

I am off tomorrow morning at 5am for two weeks on the isle, so I thought I would just ask for any last places or tips before i head off! Cheers,

Joel

[canny]

Not long since I came back but would love to be there again.
Mountain hares down the ross at Fidden and Kintra. Shorteared owls and Hen harriers jut out of Lochdon on the road toward Glenmore. Dont forget the rutting stags which are all over the place. It's been very wet lately so with a bit of luck you may get some good weather. Look out for juvenile white tails sitting on shore line rocks and skerries.
Let us know how you get on.

[Joel.W]

Well, i'm back and i couldnt have asked for a better trip! The weather was incredible, the wildlife was everywhere and I am very happy with some of the photographs I managed to get! I am currently working on a more detailed blog post on my website, but for now I thought some of you might be interested in a short video i managed to snap of one of my many many encounters with wild otter! Their is also a small album which I am adding more photos from the trip to daily. I have quite a backlog at present

clipEuropean Otter Video Clip | Joel Walley Wildlife Photography

Thanks for all the tip offs guys, I think i would have missed some great locations without your help. All the best,

Joel