Well the season is coming to an end and the weather has
definitely taken on an autumnal feel, however when the weather permits and
sometimes even when it doesn’t there are still plenty of wildlife spectacles to
be seen.
The highlight of August has to be the sighting of Orca just
off Mull. Throughout the year there had been a number of sightings reported by
fishing boats, but as Silver Swift set off on the 24th August,
little did the people know they were to be the first passengers to catch up
with this amazing species this year. The day started off a bit wet and
overcast, but the boat was soon treated to a visit from some Common Dolphins,
after this they headed further out the Sound of Mull and then someone saw the
unmistakable sight of a male Orca surfacing, with their 6 foot dorsal fin they
are very hard to miss. There was another wildlife boat out so they were quickly
contacted and everyone felt honoured to see these magnificent animals in their
natural environment.
Footage filmed by
Andy Tait on Sea Life Surveys boat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJfNixg9D08&list=UULZZwkWdIZIvpHrAuXNNWow&index=16&feature=plcp
Even though the weather isn’t being particularly kind to us
at the minute we are still getting good views of the local wildlife. We have
been lucky enough to have an Otter that has been sighted in the Bay a number of
times in the last few weeks. As many returning visitors will know we lost Elvis
our resident Otter a couple of years ago, but it is fantastic that another has
taken over the area.
Otter filmed in Tobermory Bay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJf-h117Ve8&list=UULZZwkWdIZIvpHrAuXNNWow&index=2&feature=plcp
Our Eagles are still making their presence known, this year
we were lucky enough to have Sea Eagle and Golden Eagle young successfully
fledge and they are still being seen on a regular basis
Juvenile Sea Eagle attacked by Golden Eagle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENfpcpU81ng&list=UULZZwkWdIZIvpHrAuXNNWow&index=1&feature=plcp
this is an amazing bit of footage and shows just how quick the Golden Eagles
are, this was seems to appear from nowhere!
Whilst the Basking Sharks seem to have moved on, or at least
under, when conditions permit the Minke Whales are still being seen well,
hopefully this weather will let up and allow us to get out further afield a few
more times before the end of the season. We will give a final end of season
round up in a few weeks and let you know what has been about.
