Wildlife clips from across the island

One of our regular visitors to Mull has been posting some fantastic footage of wildlife captured on his trip to the island over the Easter weekend.

Andy Tait has been a frequent visitor to the island for many years and it was seeing the wildlife here that inspired him to start making wildlife videos.

Red Deer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FmfEM_9kJU

Fallow deer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CCxbXeI418

A trip out with Sea Life Surveys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnvlEXEFr3U

We have also had more reports of Bottlenose Dolphins seen from Calgary Bay yesterday and there was a report of a Minke Whale within the last couple of days so we are hoping that we will start seeing them from our trips any day now.  There have also been reports of Basking Sharks and Common Dolphins which are species that are usually seen later in the year and there has also been a report of a Humpback Whale. This species is not a regular sight around the Isle of Mull, however there are 1 or 2 sightings every season. For more information on recent sightings around the Hebrides have a look on the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust website http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/sightings-recent-sightings.asp

Mull Charters have a ‘Splashy’ start to the season

Mull Charters had their first trip of the 2012 season aboard the Lady Jayne on Wednesday and what a trip is was. As well as the amazing sight of a Sea Eagle, the 4^th largest Eagle in the world catching a fish right beside the boat they were accompanied by a group of up to 7 Bottlenose Dolphins. These sociable animals were splashing and playing alongside the boat giving all the passengers an early season treat.

Bottlenose Dolphins are a transient species in the waters around Mull and pass through as and when, so to see them at any time is fantastic but to have them on a first trip is surely a sign of a great season to come.

Mull Charters run trips throughout the summer season with their Sea Eagle adventure tour running most days and also the chance to go fishing or join a trip to the island of Inch Kenneth.

This picture was taken on a Mull Charters trip last year, but shows the playful nature of the Bottlenose Dolphins

Pic by E Birder Marcus Conway.

 By Thursday the Dolphins hadn’t ventured too far as they were seen by Turus Mara out by the Treshnish Isles. These were not the only unusual animals seen on this trip yesterday as a Sea Eagle was spotted out at Staffa. Although these birds can fly huge distances and the short trip presumably from Mull to Staffa is but a short hop it is unusual to see these impressive predators out at sea.

As the 2012 season kicks off for us at Explore Mull from our new premesis in Ledaig carpark in Tobermory & the launch of our new website www.exploremull.com where we have information on Mull as well as a booking system for trips and tours on the Island.
We are already getting great sightings back from the boat trips of Harbour porpoise, White tailed eagles, Gannets, Manx shearwaters & a few Puffins and many other sea birds.
The land toursare producing all the normal wildlife seen on Mull  including White tailed & Golden eagles, Red deer, Fallow deer, Otters & many other migratory birds.
Local information on Tobermory including an events diary can be found at www.tobermory.co.uk & for local information on Iona and what on go to www.isle-of-iona.net .
As well as writing the blog we intend to put sightings on our facebook wildlife page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Explore-Mull-Wildlife/101051896607492 on a regular basis and general information on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Explore-Mull/328490013858?ref=tn_tnmn.

New for the 2012 season is that the Eagle hide has moved to Glen Seilisdeir still bookable on 01680812556 trips twice daily 10am & 1pm each trip lasts aprox 2 hours and costs £6 per Adult and £3 for under 16's.

Now thats the general information to start the season, the wildlife blogs start here.