The Isle of Mull Wildlife Expedition with Iolo Williams - April 12-16 2025

Day 1

We all met in Tobermory and headed straight to explore areas in the north of the island. We checked the head of a local sea loch to start with and saw Redshank, Common Gulls, Grey Heron and a WT Eagle on the skyline. Sparrowhawk and Buzzard soaring overhead added to the list.

We arrived up on the moors and whilst enjoying hot drinks and cake we watched Short-eared Owls ghosting over the moorland. Meadow Pipits and a distant Cuckoo were also heard. As we ventured further round the island and into the evening, we saw a Golden Eagle perched on the skyline getting mobbed by a Hooded Crow. We saw more Short-eared Owls and a Hen Harrier before arriving back to Tobermory to finish off the first day!

Day 2

We ventured south today and at our first stop we saw Great-northern Divers, Red-breasted Mergansers and Harbour Seals. We spotted an Otter on a spit of land, and managed nice views in the spotting scope.

Further to the west, we checked a Golden Eagle territory and got views of both birds breaking the craggy skyline! We stopped for lunch and enjoyed watching an active WT Eagle site, with the female hunkered on eggs.

We checked some coastal habitat further south and saw more GN Divers, Shags, RB Mergansers and Grey Herons.

We then back tracked up the west coast and admired a sizeable feeding hurry of Gannets, mixed gulls and Razorbills. There was a Minke whale reported nearby, but we did not manage to connect on the day.

Day 3

The group headed down to the south-east of the island and had two wonderful wildlife encounters during the day. The first was prevailed views of Otters along the coastlines and possibly most of the guest's highlight of the week...skydancing Hen Harrier! The group watched a male bird undulating and down in the air waves, twisting and turning! A memorable seasonal spectacle!

Day 4

An exploration of central parts of the island produced WT and Golden Eagles and, later in the day, 2 Otters on a northern sea loch. A dram overlooking loch Tuath was enjoyed by all, see the below pic! A reptile focus to finish the day, and we managed 2 Slow Worms but no Adders, unfortunately. We think the Adders have got into such a good condition in recent weeks, due to the sun / heat, that they may have dispersed from Spring hibernacula sites early.

Day 5

On our final day, we covered the eastern side of the island and headed straight to a pinewood to take a look and search for Crossbills. A huge bonus as we watched a whopping c45 Harbour Porpoise in the Sound of Mull feeding with gulls and Gannets! Song birds included Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Siskin and Redpoll. As we got back to the vans and had a hot drink, we saw a WT Eagle flying over the pines and then got a message from Theo of an Otter nearby, so we jumped into the vans and headed to the site. The Otter showed very well, brining its food ashore a few times, providing great views in the scope.

We also got onto 4 Crossbills shortly afterwards, feeding on pine cones up in the Sitka Spruce trees.

We checked the river Aros to finish and no sign of Dippers, but we did get Sand Martins and Swallows as their numbers continue to build.

Many thanks to the guests for their company along with all their patience and perseverance throughout the 5 days.