Tonight i go to bed a happy man Waxwings at Last!

Until this morning one of my birding goals was to see a Waxwing alive in the flesh. After 41 years i had never managed to catch up with one today things were about to change!

The last few days i have heard reports of Waxwings coming in and think lucky people who spotted them.

Today i managed to see some up close and personal and was just blown away with just how beautiful these birds are.

They seemed to like Rowan Berries in preference to Hawthorn which are second best the pallette of a Waxwing.

During the days a total of x24 Waxwings were spotted. The Birds this afternoon had very full crops and you could visually see a big bulge!.

Also they seemed to be passing the berries very fast as well. Just like a production line.

Waxwing Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

This Waxwing briefly came into a garden and around 8-9 Birds cleared the remaining berries in a matter of minutes.

They continued in the local area in their quest for food.

The Colours are just simply stunning from the vivid red, Yellow markings to the delicate pastel shades of the main plumage colouration.

So a brilliant day really and a first for me.



Tuesday 25th October 2010 In search of Waxwings!

Well today broke with a hard frost and a bit of defrosting required abut this gave way to another lovely day although a bit on the cold side!

The Stags are beginning to settle down with the majority of the work done after a long hard Rut!

They really do look mean but also extremely lean rutting takes it out of them, sex is the only thing on their minds and sleeping and eating take second place during October.

Curlew, redshank, greenshank, wigeon, teal, mallard, red-breasted
merganser, great northern diver, little grebe, greylag, grey heron. all species making an appearance of late.

Adult White tailed overhead this afternoon with a lone Adult Golden eagle in Glen More.

This afternoon i went in search of Waxwings a few flocks have been sighted on the island. Not in luck today but never give up trying the best sightings come when you least expect it in the world of wildlife watching.

Brilliant sighting this morning after observing a large number of gulls on the water in Loch Scridain the scope came out and there amongst the action were x2 Minke whales. They put on a magnificant display for around an hour. Always check out large numbers of Gulls they are there for a reason.

Well you never know what might turn up next so stay posted.

Mike & John.

Friday 15th October Our New Logo!

As mentioned in our last blog Mull In Focus has been awarded a 4 star rating by the Visit Scotland Quality Assurance scheme,

We can now proudly show our new logo we are legally entitled to use for promotion and advertising our business.

A 4 star rating Wildlife experience considers our business to offer an Excellent service.

So if your travelling to Mull In 2011 we are looking forward to welcoming you to a magnificant island its scenery and fantastic wildlife.

Mike.

Stars in their eyes! October 12th 2010

Mull In Focus subscribes to the visit Scotland Quality assurance scheme. We have just recieved some fantastic news our business has gained 4 stars which ranks us as (Excellent).

We are very proud of our ranking and fully committed to giving our customers a quality wildlife viewing experience.

I recommend customers to look for the Visit Scotland Quality Assurance logo when visiting websites etc.

Well the rut is now in full swing and mornings and both evenings provide a great atmosphere in the glens and moorland.

It really is very special and we love listening and enjoying the atmosphere.

John had a nice outing today with great views of a Bitch Otter and two cubs in the water fishing, playing and well dozing on the rocks close to shore.

Weather great here on Mull Heatwave! Only joking but very nice.

A while later a couple of adults White-Tailed Eagles soared over the horizon and gave us a great display.

One of our local sea lochs produced a few Great Northern Divers. Red Breasted Merganser, Shags and Comorant.

Loads of species of fungi around at the moment and quite a few Dragonflies still around.

A trip to a favourite spot just a few days back produced a mixed flock of around 20 Rooks, Hooded Crows and Ravens in aerial jousting. Some of the birds seemed to be carrying stones pieces of wood in their beaks.

So is the nice weather the calm before the storm? Only time will tell but Mull is great whatever the weather.

John & Mike.

Wednesday 29th September. Its a hard life being a rutting Stag!

A very cloudy start to the day yesterday as we made our journey to collect the days guests. On arrival we met a happy go luck group all keen to explore Mull and the great outdoors.

Heading off our first sighting of the morning A White Tailed Eagle overhead i think the Greylag Geese flying in total panic helped us there!.

If the birds go up suddenly its a matter of looking around 360 degrees and finding the predator in the sky.

There it was gliding across towards us and the Geese heading in the opposite direction. Sometimes i wonder what if must feel like being an eagle you walk in the room and everyone else walks out!

Great sightings of x2 Hen harrier before we left great to see them a bit scarce this year. Flying across a loch instead of grassland for a change.

We moved on and spotted a Grey Seal in the shallows as well as Common seals and loads of  Herons yes they really are everywhere.

Coffee and Biscuits came next as we discussed the finer points of life and a host of various interesting subjects.

A single Merlin was next on the menu and we captured a brief glimpse of one which took off from a nearby rock as we passed.

After finishing too many biscuits again! i drove our group along the lochside and we quickly spotted our first Otter of the day. Great views diving and fishing, two of our guests had only seen a brief glimpse of a live Otter once before so glad we could put that right.

Our next spot a Golden Eagle flying across the cliff face distant views i must admit and cant say it danced for us, it didnt and we lost sight as it glided over the ridge.

A few moments laters we were busy in discussion Corvids was the topic and talking about Ravens and how clever they are when a local Raven peformed an upside down display for us. Almost shouting out look how clever i am!

Next up a large group of Hinds below us a relatively large group for Mull and i am sure this number of hinds will be guarded very shortly with an impressive stag. A small upright stag was present but nothing majestic and no signs yet of an impressive Autumn Stag moving in.

They havent quite warmed up yet although some stags have started roaring the hormones havent peaked and they are not in full flow.

Odd groups around with 3-4 Spring stags always happens in early rut. Later as time moves on a dominant Stag generally moves in and will not tolerate any young pretenders around his girls!

Lunchtime stop and views of Curlew, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Oystercatcher and Redshank. Heron another Common Seal floating around in the bay.

Throwing in a few Buzzards the list was growing by the second.

The guests were in wildlife spotting mode and all eyes again scanned the loch looking for more intimate views of Otters.

Just had a hunch that the tide was perfect and i wanted to go back over the ground we had just covered once more.

Yes over there x3 Otters rolling playing around on an exposed weedy rock just offshore brilliant views. Suddenly the telescope was busy and suddenly the guests turned into digiscoping mode using their cameras and some real innovative methods of taking a few snaps through the scope.

Sometimes Otters appear like magic!

Quite impressed as i didnt have a digiscoping adapter with me.

Delighted with great views of Otters we moved in search of more Eagles didn't take long to find our local female perched in a favourite place and both telescope and live screen gave excellent images.

Then a few minutes later on cue we had x2 WTSE overhead and an adult perfomed a fantastic low level display for us to the gasps and wow sounds around me.

We moved through the glen looking for more Golden Eagles and sad to report that we couldn't find any. No birds flying and a systematic search of the area we couldnt find a perched eagle either.

Last Stop a well know rutting stand and an impressive sight of around 35 Hinds and 4-5 stags again smaller but no real signs of aggression and activity. The stags looked quite happy with each others company.

The Rut is a game of stamina and fitness i think they are just drawing breath before the long month ahead.

They hardly sleep, feed and certainly only have one thing on their minds.

Staggering how a well conditioned stag can enter at the start of October and at the end of October has lost a considerable amount of weight and well looks completely knackered.

Well it was a great day and we all enjoyed ourselves the wildlife sightings made up for the grey sky which shrouded us for most of the day.

Mike.

Monday September 20th 2010 Wow that was just amazing!

Today i made my way past the local loch all was very quiet no cars no people. I spotted the local Otters swimming together they seemed to be enjoying themselves too!.

Slowed down but never intended to stop. Then something caught my eye yes a White Tailed Heading straight towards me.

Well i had to stop and have a closer look. The Otters carried on Swimming and fishing and one of them surfaced with a nice fish to eat!.

The White-Tailed headed closer and then closer and then a stoop Wow!. The Otters Both dived the Eagle turned and circled.

Otters Popped up and again in came the Eagle. I had heard about this behaviour before but never managed to see it for myself.

The Eagle tried three times in vain to take the Otters prize but the Otters won the day.

Reckon the cub must have said what was all that about Mum!

The Otters came straight into the shore with their prize and just vanished.

The White Tailed Landed on a near by rock and stayed observing the scene. I think we both wondered how two Otters vanished into thin air!

Well after 5-10 mins the Eagle gave up and gently took off and flew back across the loch.

It was all over in a few minutes but what a spectacle and one i will remember forever !.

Guess i just got lucky!



Local Mull Otters Close Bond.





September 18th When is a Buzzard not a Buzzard!

During the last few days at various locations my binoculars have been trained on the sky when a little voice says but how can you tell if its a Buzzard or Sea-Eagle, they all look the same to me!

Well heres my attempt just for you Gary.

I know when they are just tiny dots in the sky its difficult but there are differences some of which i have pointed out below.

Buzzards really do have a different wing profile than WTSE.

Autumn is very much here shorter days combined with colder evenings.

Even the Bracken looks nice with different colous brightening the landscape.

Not really a Bracken lover, It spreads rapidly, Harbours the ticks that bite me, Cuts my hands when i try to pull it up, and produces Carcinogenic spores yuk hate the stuff.

Not sure if Bracken or Midges are my least favourite   hmmmm   No i will go for Midges although a valuable food supply for the rest of the food chain.

Cant we develop a new strain which cant bite!



Exhibit 1 White Tailed Sea-Eagle in Profile.



Long Protruding Head
Very Rectangular wing. (Deep)
Distinct Saw Toothed trailing edge.
Long Fingers.
Short White Tail

Glides on very flat wings.

Wingspan  2.0-2.45m

Common Buzzard.




Buzzard Dark wrist patches.
Narrower Wing.
Short Head.
Soars with Raised wings.
Wedge shaped tail.

Wingspan 1.13m-1.28m

Greylag Geese grazing on Mull.


The numbers of Greylag Geese seem to increase  by the year.

Should we be worried i will let you ponder!





15th September 2010 Mixed Bag!

Well its been a mixed bag here on Mull.

Yesterday it rained for nearly 24 hours and eventually stopped.

The rivers in spate and the waterfalls are just stunning after rainfall like that!

Just the other morning after taking a look at the Mull Birds website http://www.mullbirds.com/

 I just could not help myself an Opsrey had been recorded fishing on Lochdon for a period of around 9-10 days.

Met check warned me of the heavy rain to come so i just had to get up there and check it out!.

Might be my only chance.

At 6.00am i left avoiding the Red Deer which always want to cross the road in front of you.

On arrival the light was terrible but then over my head came the Osprey couldnt have hoped for better timing.

The bird prospected the loch for a few minutes turning and putting on a magnificant display for me!.

Must say i was very chuffed!.

The Tide was very full and not ideal for a hunting Osprey and it headed off in a southeast direction towards Grasspoint and Loch Spelve.

Alan commented that the bird has now probably left for Africa and i had these thoughts also with the bad weather quickly approaching.

So i saw my Osprey and said goodbye from all of us good luck my freind and have a safe flight.

Its Websites like Mull Birds that provide up to date information on sightings and give us all the chance and pleasure of seeing these magnificant birds.

The Smaller spring stags are starting to find their voices i heard a few murmers the last couple of days.

The rut is rapidly approaching and groups of hinds are starting to occupy areas.

Tuesday 7th September 2010. Singing in the Rain!

Well the brief spell of hot summer has come to an abrupt end.

The last couple of days here on Mull have been very windy and today showers which were very heavy at times.

Some of the local swallows have left us and we wish them well on their journey to Africa wouldnt mind a trip myself!

Loch Scridain tide and gathering wind.

The Red Deer hinds are starting to gather. I spotted a group of around 35 grazing today.

Wont be long before the younger Spring stags start paying attention and hanging around.

Enjoy their time while it lasts the bigger stags wont be interested for another 2-3 weeks.

But when they do they certainly wont accept the advances of smaller Spring stags laying claim to their patch and the youngsters will be sent packing!

Great day for Eagles today during the cloudy spells their was lots of action in the skies and around the island had sightings of WTSE, Goldies and a magnificant Peregrine falcon one of my favourites.

Otters resting after fishing the Loch.

The Local Otters have provided excellent viewing and well rain they just carry on as normal.

Had to laugh today came across a photographer stood in the road and he kept turning and looking from one side to the other.

I just had to ask him what he was doing!.




The trouble with Mull he added there's WTSE up there and on the other side an Otter sat on the rocks i never know which way to look next!

Curlew Loch Spelve.

Glad to say he managed good views of both subjects.

A few nice Curlew at Loch Spelve and a nice group of Oystercatchers around 20 in number.

Reports of Common dolphins in loch Scridain last few days.

I consider myself unlucky with Dolphin sightings i have to admit.


Well lets go pack up the van a taking a group out tommorrow on another exciting wildlife Tour of Mull.

I love my job because you never quite know whats round the next corner.

Latest news an Osprey has been spotted fishing around Lochdon, last few days on an incoming tide so if your around that area lookout!

Cant wait!

Michael Leigh-Mallory

Mull In Focus.

Friday September 3rd 2010 Tropical Weather pour me a cocktail!

The Last few days here on Mull have been simply stunning. Sunshine ,Sunshine and well more Sunshine.
Oban yesterday not a million miles away recorded the highest temperature in the UK.

The swallows are starting to gather on the telegraph wires and i think just sitting around enjoying the sunshine.

I feel however that when this lovely spell of weather breaks most will be packing their bags and heading off to even more sunshine elsewhere.

Swallow Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

Lots of the birds around the island are moulting and tend to hide away just that little bit more.

John had a nice sighting of an Otter fishing in one of the freshwater lochs on a journey up to Craignure just the other day.

The Otters are so versatile and we are fortunate to have good numbers on the island.

Speckled wood Butterflies, Peacocks and a sighting of the Red Admiral this week.

The Mull stags are now wandering alone having split from the batchelor herds that are found earlier in the year.

Their Manes more pronounced and are busy gathering a breath before the Rut begins!.

Hormones building they change from a docile creature into something very different!



The Evening light and some spectacular sunsets are the order of the day at present. Down on the Ross of Mull they are particuarly special.

River Cauldoir settling after spate. Michael Leigh-Mallory Copyright 2010.

Hoping to unpack my fishing rod at some point very soon.

Theres nothing quite like a fishing session to relax the mind and cleanse the soul,

And sometimes you might even catch supper!

Thistle symbol of Scotland.

Wednesday 1st September 2010 Eagle Feast!

At 6.00am this morning i heard the sound of raindrops falling on the roof.

Ahhh no i thought not a horrible miserable rainy day, thats not what Met check said, my trusted weather provider.

Well by 8.00am the cloudbase was high and the rain well a past memory.

A busy day tour ahead a full bus x8 guests all wanting their taste of Mull Wildlife.

So what did they want Eagles and Eagles seemed to be the main theme so Eagles it was!.

Our first stop was very lucky i must admit. As we scanned the shoreline i was busy telling our guests all about the Sea -Eagle program when all suddenly every bird in the district took to the air.

A flock of Greylags had also taken to the air around 60-70 and the noise was just electric, well amazing.

We scanned and picked up the problems WTSE hunting the shore and heading back to the safety of the conifers.

Is that a pet Eagle you have trained to do this a guest commented!.

A perfect example of luck combined with right place and right time i added.

Nice sightings of the usual Oystercatchers and a couple of nice Curlew, Common Gull and the frantic views of flying Geese.

The Guests busy at work.

The next few stops were very quiet to be honest with not a lot to report so i worried the guests with rockfall stories and a quick stop at Tragedy Rock a well know landmark on the island.

A quick stop for coffee and Tea we moved on the nest spot. Wheatear numbers have fallen away during the last week the next stop was buzzing with them but today empty.

Stonechat, Pair Red Throated divers but very distant views.

I always feel a touch of sadness saying goodbye to some of our migrants.

See you again next year!

Around the corner we stopped and scanned the cliffs nothing much to report.

Then a mile down the road the fun began. It started with the sighting of an overhead eagle so we stopped pulled off the road for a closer look.

Then 7 or 8 Ravens then another Eagle it was all happening.

I assume there must have been a carcass somewhere over the ridge and the Ravens didnt seem happy about giving it up!

Then turning behind us a juvenile WTSE and just 25 feet above our heads. We certainly didnt need binoculars for that one.

Then the Guests shouted Eagle and x2 Adult WTSE joined in the fun the Ravens tried to intercept them providing an excellent aerial display.

Then another guest shouted Eagles and we had just been joined by a pair of Goldies.

We had at this moment in time 3 WTSE in the air and 2 Goldies and a whole bunch of Ravens it was chaos.

Everyone struggled to keep up with the action. Best Eagle display i have seen for ages.

Calming down we took lunch and headed for Otters. All very quiet then a voice shouted is that one!

Yes it  was but there was a photographer on the shore and then i spotted another Tour operator watching this Otter from further down the road.

Being fair i wasnt going to pull over get out with x8 people and spoil it for them.

We pulled in further down the road and at least the guests got distant views of the Otter as it fished its way out of sight.

A good day a real Eagle Feast but lacking on our bird species count. It was very quiet everywhere birdwise today in our usual haunts.

Mull In Focus.

Sunday 29th August 2010 Take a little time!

Summer today on the Isle Of Mull with a strongish breeze if your sat in the wrong place.

First sighting of the day x2 WTSE's circling overhead enjoying the early morning sunshine.

A Golden Eagle sat proudly on the cliff the light was fantastic and the bird looked majestic through the telescope. The Golden head clearly visible with the sunshine adding to the effect.

Chaffinches well i counted around 60 in a flock today and then another 30 a little later in the day.

Took a trip into Glen More. A pair of Golden eagles circling overhead this is a favourite place for me it really has a special place in my heart. I often wonder what the scene would look like in the distant past as glacial ice carved its way through the glen.

Couldnt help taking a picture and trying not to get run over in the process!

It was quiet and it appeared i had the glen to myself very quiet just the sound of the wind and distant birdsong.

Its really is an inspiring place and sometimes nice to sit down and allow the scenery and mood of the glen to enter your body and soul.

Glen More  Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

On the way back through the Glen i looked up and yes more Sea-Eagles

Another two up and away Mull really is the best place to see these magnificant

birds.

The Tide was very low when i arrived back at the loch time for a spot of Otter

watching. Camo gear on and a nice secluded hole amongst some rocks. Well

all was very quiet just the sound of the lapping tide 3 hours passed. Then yes a

Otter at last came into view heading straight towards me.

The wind was in my favour everything perfect hidden and just a little bit of luck

required. The patience had been worth it great views of an Otter in the western

Isles of Scotland. Had it picked me up? Obviously not as it fished and dived

around me sometimes within 4 feet of me.

The Otter stayed with me for a good 5 mins or so and then headed out onto a

spit to dry itself and have a good roll around. Managed a couple of snaps during

this encounter. I am a great believer of letting wildlife come to me and never advocate

running down the shore or chasing Otters. Yes sometimes it takes time and patience

but overall the results are worthwhile and fantastic.

Only managed a couple of pictures. One heading straight towards me and the other as it made one of its many fishing dives.

Couldnt risk taking any more or the Otter would have picked me up.

Sometimes its better to sit back and enjoy rather than taking pictures.

Otter Swimming  Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.



Heres the other Picture. Their tails look so odd when they dive!.

Otter Diving Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

The days are growing shorter and there is a chill about the air tonight. Wont be long and the Autumn will be upon us once more.

But when something ends on Mull theres always something new and exciting waiting in the wings.

Thats what makes Mull such a special place.

Michael Leigh-Mallory

Mull In Focus.

Saturday 28th August 2010. Whats next on the menu!

Today has proved to be a challenging day. Sunshine showers, Then Wind then back to summer it really has been hard to keep up!.

Started the day with great Otter spots Bitch and 2 cubs and then a little later another family Bitch and x1 cub so that was the Otters sorted.

Managed to find a Golden Eagle sat high on the cliff not sure if he or she was enjoying the rain just sat there waiting for the skies to clear.

This Red Deer hind posed for us just the other day, very relaxed and not bothered by us at all. The stags have shed their velvet and the colour of the antlers on Mull are very dark compared to the Red Deer found in places such as Exmoor and the Quantock hills in the Southwest of the UK.

The peat helps to darken them and this darkens even further as the year progresses. During th rut in October stags are continually scent marking and rubbing their proud weapons in the wet peaty soil.

Red Deer Hind. Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010

Our Local Sea-Eagle family put in a great show as they soared over the house at low level. Its the first time i have seen them all flying together.

Lets hope this chick has a better future than (Oran) the Male chick that fledged from this nest last year.

Oran is still missing and no data being recieved from his satellite tag.










The Hares put on a great display a couple of days back as well. We counted x6 in one field they really are one of my favourites.

Mull Hare Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

Carl Zeiss sponsored Mull In Focus earlier in 2010 and since this we are able to supply all of our customers with the best optics available.

In a small box unopened a Carl Zeiss Fotoadapter has been sat there waiting, crying out to be used.

After looking at some of the cracking images posted by keen birders using the Carl Zeiss Victory Diascope 85* I just have to get out there and give it a go.

So just awaiting my mount so i can connect my Canon 7D (DSLR) directly to the scope and i will give it a go!.

The blog will consist of pictures taken exclusively with the Zeiss equipment  Digiscoping style once i work out how to use it properly.

Digiscoping is a real art and it might be a bit of time before i work out the best settings but hey we like a challenge.

So watch this space for some Mull wildlife with Zeiss digiscoping.

Mull In Focus.

Friday 27th August 2010 You are my sunshine my only sunshine!

Well its Sunny here on the wonderful Isle of Mull. The last days have provided sunshine and well more sunshine.Its funny how photographers moan about the weather.Its rainy and too Dull its sunshine and too bright!.

Dont think the conditions are ever perfect for us!

The last few days have been great Otters, Red Throated Divers, Golden Eagles, White Tailed Sea eagles, Mountain Hares

The list is kinda endless but it really has been great.

Also did see my first ever Golden Eagle sat on a telegraph pole not by the side of the road but a little off of the beaten track but hey on a pole!

Caught This WTSE Soaring a couple of weeks back so i have posted the best image below.
Sometimes you are lucky to have a bird soaring beneath you or turn slightly and angle its wings for you.

This is a welcome relief from an overhead shot.

White Tailed Sea Eagle Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

Loch Scridain has looked at its very best during the last few days hardly any wind and the water like a Mill pond.

Loch Scidain Isle Of Mull.

Tuesday 24th August 2010. Otter feast!

Well the rain has given way to a breezy and Sunny afternoon.

Just sat chatting with a friend when an Adult White Tailed Eagle came to say hello!.

Flew over our heads and very low!.

The contrast between the bird and the trees was just amazing. She really is a magnificant and regal bird and why anyone would ever think of poisoning them is beyond me!

Spent a lot of time filming a family of Otters and just trying to go through some of the film archive.

All pictures on todays blogpost are stills taken directly from film,

These are the views our customers get using our modern equipment and High-Definition screen.

Tommorrow i promise something different than Otters but they are one of my favourites.


All images Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

Playtime this session last for over 5 minutes and its easy to see why Otters are firmly one of the nations favourites.

   

This Mum and her cub really do seem to have a special bond.

The closeness and warmth and affection shown for each other is plain for all to see.

 

Give me a break trying to have a sleep!

Oh what big teeth you have!














I never wanted that Crab anyway.....!












Here i am Otter surfaces from a dive.














Back to the food larder for some more tasty fishy things!

Monday 23rd August 2010. Singing in the Rain its glorious if your a duck but maybe not a Heron!

Well today the rain started falling and well continued and didnt stop all day so it was kinda difficult.

The views of the rivers and waterfalls are however outstanding.

Small trickles turn into raging rivers very quickly.

Creates an intense atmosphere of vision and sound!

So not much to report really this evening.

A couple of WTSE eagles flying a short sortie as the rain eased this evening.

Couple of Red Deer stags with some strands of velvet hanging the Autumn Rut is approaching fast!

Nice display from a passing flock of Redshanks.

Picked up a very wet Heron looked like it had just been through a wash and then spin cycle in a washing machine looked very fed up with the whole situation.

Didnt seem to be having much success fishing. Being so wet i think it was kinda thinking of jumping straight in after the fish.

A local Otter 25 metres away wasnt bothered by the rain and just looked happy as ever going about its business of fishing and very successfully i might add to the Herons dismay!

Mike.

Saturday 21st August 2010.

No Customers today so a chance for me to catch up with filming the local Otter family.

Over a peroid of around 6 hours the total number of spots was 8 Otters but i must admit some of these were of the same animal.

The Otter archive is building so watch the website later in the year when i put the Otter clips together.

Today i was thinking about my friends down in Devon. The Badgers in particular, we used to feed up to 10 Badgers every evening and i suppose operate a lazy mans badger watch. Just lie on the sofa upon the patio doors and well they just turn up like clockwork and have provided many years entertainment for visitors and friends.

I do miss them lots!.

Heres a picture of a few of them.

They become very tame and i used to sit right next to them only a couple of feet away.

No Badgers here in Mull Though or Foxes so the chickens look a liitle more relaxed!

Otters however do enjoy a bit of  the Colonels KFC every now and again though.

Sat chatting with a fellow tour operator Brian this afternoon always good to catch up. With that the Juvenile White Tailed soared over the trees behind us nice to see the bird is now adventuring more and spreading its wings.

Wont be long before we can all track this Eagle as this bird has a satellite tag fitted and we can all watch progress at the RSPB Mull Eagles website.

Just a picture i took a few weeks ago whilst out and about these birds really do look magnificant against a dark background such as trees conifers or the slope of a nearby mountain as a backdrop.

White Tailed Sea-Eagle Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010

Makes a change from the dark shape of an overhead eagle, very dark against an often very bright sky.

Road leading into Glen More the gateway to wildlife paradise!

Over many years i always enjoyed at this cattle grid for me it was the entry point to the Wildlife paradise that Mull Offers.

So you want to see a Sea-Eagle up close Introducing Mull Charters!

Many visitors to Mull have Sea-Eagles as their main viewing objective!.

Well now you have the chance to get up close and personal let me introduce Mull Charters based at Ulva Ferry.

Martin and Judith take parties out to a location where Martin offers a pair of Sea-Eagles fresh fish.
The Male birds swoops down sometimes as close as 50-60  feet it really is amazing.

Mull Charters operates with guidelines set by the RSPB.

Its professional and an amazing experience and has to be on the must do list when you visit Mull.

Its a photographers dream a chance to photograph a wild Sea-Eagle swopping down and taking a fish from the water.

I have been a few times now and have taken a few pics i am not saying its easy the action is very fast but a challenge and very worthwhile when you get that magical picture.

You can contact Martin at
Tel 01680 300444
Mobile 07788 677131

Website http://www.mullcharters.com/

White-Tailed Sea Eagle Copyright Michael Leigh-Mallory 2010.

Mull In Focus Offering Live Action In HDV!

Mull in Focus offers it customers live HDV High-Defintion images as standard. We use the equipment to view distant wildlife and provide excellent image quality.

This is a first for a wildlife Tour operator and probably the first in the world!.

The equipment produces an image that far exceeds what can be offered by a telescope alone.

We are also kindly supported by Carl Zeiss Sports Optics UK and offer a range of their binoculars as standard on our excursions as well as top quality Zeiss Telescopes.

Live Screen Images in Full High Defintion (Colour).



Below is an image taken with our Live viewing technology it shows a Female White Tailed Sea-Eagle known locally as (YBS) Yellow Black Spot.

Hello Summer Hello Rain!

Thursday August 20th 2010.

Well its back to rainy and very dull weather this morning but hey we have enjoyed some great sunshine over the past few days.

This Female Adder was found on a nearby footpath as we took a walk a few days back she stayed long enough for a few pictures before making her way into the undergrowth.

Female Adder ( Vipera berus).












A customer asked me the other day what an Otter spraint looked like so heres a piture i took when we found one. You can clearly see the undigested shells of Crustaceans and other scales and skin etc.

(Otter Spraint).

Otters also produce anal jelly but i will spare you those pictures.

Welcome to the new Mull In Focus Blog!.

Mull In Focus offer Wildlife Tours & Digital Photography Experience days based on the Isle of Mull In Scotland.

This Hebridean Island is world renowned for its whildlife and scenic beauty.

Species include White-Tailed Sea-Eagle, Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Short Eared Owl to name but a few.



Mull In Focus operate Wildlife Tours and Digital Photography experience days. For further information see our website http://www.mullinfocus.co.uk/

email info@mullinfocus.co.uk

Tel 0845 519 5042      Mobile 07824 568 456

We offer Daily Tours, Evening Tours and also family days.

We will be using our blog to keep you updated on the sightings and whats happening here on Mull!