Bass Rock - Part 1

Took a trip to the Bass Rock back in late June, just have not had any time recently to start processing the images so here is a sneak preview of what's to come. I hope to have several more posts of Bass Rock to add to my blog in the next few days.

Local Peregrines

Have been visiting the local Peregrine family most mornings recently, but have really struggled with some crap light conditions. Dull, dark weather followed by a couple of days of dense fog coming in off the sea.

Anyway that's enough of the moaning lets get to the birds. The three juvenile birds are in overdrive at the moment chasing Kittiwakes like there's no tomorrow, with the adults just perched on the cliff face watching with amusement. At one stage I very nearly had all five birds in my view finder, which would of made a very interesting image.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for a good day of decent weather so I can make another visit and try and get some sharp images.

Isle of Lunga

I took a boat trip out to the Isle of Lunga to spend sometime with my favourite bird - The Puffin. I have been many times to the Farne Islands and Bempton Cliffs to see the Puffin, but on Lunga is the closest I have been to this species. You can get so close, to within 3 0r 4 feet to be exact.

I got talking to a couple of wardens on the island and they were telling me how the seabirds on the island have taken quite a decline this year. I noticed how hardly any birds where frequently returning with sand eels and what I thought would be great numbers to be seen on the island just turned out to be a few hundred.

I buried myself in to a small community of Puffins for a couple of hours and managed to get some great shots, above is just a taster of what I have taken on my visit to the island. I will probably add another post later in the year, just to remind myself what a great place Lunga is for photographing this little special seabird.

Red Kite

On the way back from Mull, dropped in at the Red Kite Feeding Station at Bellymack Hill Farm, Nr Laurieston, Galloway. This is the first time I have visited a feeding station and what an incredible site. I actually had missed the main feed by an hour, but there was still 40+ birds present flying around the farm.

Local Osprey

Took a drive up to Wykeham Forest Raptor View Point (only 10 mins from my house) to try and capture a glimpse of the Honey Buzzards that have been seen recently. Had know joy with the Buzzards, was just about to pack up when a large raptor came gliding past at a distance and to my surprise it was an adult Osprey, my very first local tick, just managed to snap a few record shots.

Mull's Mammals

Red Deer

Bearded Seal

Grey Seal

Just a couple of the many species of mammal you can see on Mull. The rare Bearded Seal has been present off the Isle of Ulva for quite sometime, notice the very long whiskers of this species. Both Common and Grey Seals are present on the island, but I could just not manage to get any shots of the Common Seal.

Red Deer (what a sight) can be seen across the island especially very early in the morning (4.30am), lots of females present, but you can not fail to be drawn in to the stags with their outstanding antlers. I also saw Basking Shark off the island, and after many attempts of looking for Otter,  I could just not get a glimpse of this beautiful mammal.

Grey Heron

Incredible views of Grey Heron on the Isle of Mull, Argyll. This bird is present on most lochs and estuary's across the island feeding on the eels and fish that are plentiful in these waters.

Isle of Mull

Snipe

Short-eared Owl

Common Buzzard

Common Sandpiper

Hooded Crow

Rock Pipit

Lesser Black Backed Gull

Common Gull

Black Guillemot

My first time on Mull, and I am lost for words, all I can say is you have to make a visit even if it is just once in a lifetime, just do it. Magnificent wildlife from Red Deer to Puffins, Basking Shark to White-tailed Sea Eagle, Mull is a must for all wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

White-tailed Sea Eagle

A trip to the Isle of Mull to see the magnificent White-tailed Sea Eagle. The shear size of this bird is just breath taking, with its 8 foot wing span, huge bill and scary talons, you can not really fail to identify this species once you make contact.

The reason why I haven't updated my blog recently is due to the fact that I have been away in Mull, plus also I have visited two other special places, so I have got so many posts now to add to my blog. It will take some time to get them all posted, so bare with me and enjoy!