Ferry to South Uist - Scotland trip (Day 2)

As we packed the car in Stontain the Black Duck swam past heading towards the shoreline behind the local shop & petrol pump. Had we just been very lucky ? Next stop would be Mallaig where we would need to cross to Lochboisdale, South Uist by ferry. The roads were quite difficult and the crossing was a bit rough. We had hoped to find a white winger in the dock but we had to be content with a smart pair of Eider's, Great Northern Diver and a Great Black-backed Gull.

From South Uist we drove up through Benbecula, the central island, before reaching North Uist in fading light & driving rain. These Red Deer were visible from the bed & breakfast bedroom window. One of the ferryman tipped us off to try the Stepping Stones restaurant (one of only two places to eat in winter months) which was excellent and set us up for a big days birding for day three.

Magical Mull - Day 1

Mull

Loch Lomand

Ferry to Mill

Hooded Crow

Oystercatcher

Common Buzzard

A trip to Mull has been on my bucket list for very long time and after months of anticipation we set off at 5.30am for a long weekend. The early start paid dividends as we missed two accidents and even with two stops in Cumbria and the Lake District the journey only took seven hours.

Just before Oban we stopped at a small Garden Centre called Poppies that had a fantastic café over looking the loch and we were soon watching Oystercatchers, Whimbrel, Common Sandpipers, Eiders and Hooded Crows. The ferry journey over took about 40 minutes where we saw our first Black Guillemots, Gannets  & Manx Shearwaters of the trip. Landing in Craignure in blazing sunshine was a real delight and it looked liked we had timed our break perfectly.

Our hotel was the Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa situated just two minutes from the ferry the hotel had fantastic views of the loch. To eat our meals looking out to such a wonderful view was a total pleasure. Even the hot-tub had an amazing view. We took advantage of the spa facilities before having the first of three fantastic meals.

Taiga Bean & Hooded Crow star in Slimbridge Twitch

 Black-tailed Godwits

 Mandarins

 Taiga Bean Geese

 Hooded Crow

 Hooded Crow

Kingfisher

Despite a full day in Cambridgeshire the day before and a bad forecast the draw of super birds at Slimbridge made it another early start. On the way to picking up @midlandbirder in Stourport I stopped in Shenstone to locate a couple of Corn Bunting. As I approached Stourport, Craig text me to drive through to the field gate as two of the local Mandarin were sitting up on a tree by the river.

Once arriving at Slimbridge we headed straight to the Holden Tower to locate the two Taiga Bean Geese. A seriously rare bird in these parts. They are normally only ever seen in small numbers in Norfolk. The birds were close enough to enable us to get some excellent views. Other notable sightings were 5 Little Egret, 14+6 Golden Plover, 2 Peregrines, Lapwings, Oystercatchers, Pintail and Skylark. 

It was then down to the Kingfisher & Ziess Hide to locate the Hooded Crow. After about 30 minutes I saw the Crow land in the field. I'd never seen one of these birds before and I  was struck with how striking he was. Whilst in the Kingfisher hide we observed a pair of Kingfisher sat outside the nest they were excavating. It was brilliant to watch the Kingfisher at close quarters, normally I only see these birds flying fast. Upon leaving the hide a Swallow past over head - a sure sign that summers round the corner.