Welcome to ‘Eagle Island’
Mull is indeed a fantastic island and a paradise for wildlife and nature lovers, and it has been so popular in the past that this will be our third trip there in the last six years. The varied habitats provide wonderful wild scenery including rugged high mountains, endless moorland, forests, dramatic cliffs and 300 miles of unspoilt coastline. So, if it’s eagles you want, this is the place to be. In addition to both Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Mull is home to a wide variety of other raptors including Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin and Buzzards galore. On top of this, we can also expect to see Red and Fallow Deer, Common Seal and hopefully Bottle-nosed Dolphin and Otter.
Leaving Eastwood by people carrier at 8am, we drive north of the border to Oban for the early evening ferry across the Firth of Lorn to Mull, arriving in time for dinner at The Isle of Mull Hotel. This three star hotel with en-suite rooms overlooking gardens, Craignure Bay and the Sound of Mull, has a gym, sauna, swimming pool, outdoor hot tub with the possibility of roding Woodcock and hunting Hen Harriers in the grounds! During our five night stay we shall explore the island at a leisurely pace, and in spite of the rugged terrain, we shall enjoy the scenery and wildlife on a number of fairly easy level walks. In addition to the raptor fest, we can hope to see other exciting birds like Eider, Red-Breasted Merganser, Arctic Tern, Black Guillemot, Rock Pipit, Ring Ouzel, Whinchat, Dipper, Crossbill, Twite, Hooded Crow, Raven and maybe a lingering Great Northern Diver in magnificent summer plumage. During the week, we shall also visit the small island of Iona, with its early Christian abbey founded by Saint Columba, where we hope to pinpoint one of the breeding Corncrakes. On the last visit we had a full length view of a calling bird! There will also be a day trip to the Treshnish Isles where the seabird colonies provide close encounters with Shags, Razorbills, Guillemots, and of course, Puffins. During this cruise we shall also visit Fingal’s Cave on the isle of Staffa, and maybe we will be lucky enough to see Gannets, plus Skuas, Petrels, Shearwaters and even a Basking Shark.
Cost £695
What the price includes:
Return transport by people carrier from the Nottingham area to Oban, five nights half board en-suite accommodation, return ferry to Mull, all excursions on Mull, including ferry to Iona and day trip to the Treshnish Isles, bird checklist and the services of your guide.
Deposit: £200
Single supplement: £160
White-tailed Eagle