Goose migration, Autumn has arrived!

A showery day and windy, but turned out nice in the afternoon.

Theo's Tour:

We started the day with the local pair of WTE perched up in the spruce. Further down, we briefly had a dog Otter wandering around on an island just offshore before it disappeared off to fish. Harbour Seals further down.

We then had our first skein of Pink-footed Geese of the day flying over south heading down from Iceland for winter, we ended up with 4 flocks totalling 280 birds over the day.

Onto the moorland we saw 2 Hen Harriers, an Adult Female and a Juvenile and lots of Red Deer.

Back to a coastal spot for lunch we saw Common Terns, a Great-northern Diver and Manx Shearwaters before a guest well spotted 2 Otters, a pair of well grown cubs probably recent left Mum. We had great views of them feeding before they headed further out.

We had a great drive by male Hen Harrier further on.

Into the mountains, brief views of a Golden Eagle, Kestrel, Ravens and a Sparrowhawk there also.

Pink-footed Geese

Back to the moorland we spotted a group of birds over the hill containing no less than 1 Golden Eagle, 2 Hen Harriers, Ravens and 3 Buzzards! A Juv WTE then flew below them! They headed before another Juvenile Hen Harrier flew along closer by.

To finish the day we headed back to the coast watching another dog Otter fishing at high tide before it headed fast for shore.

Nearly at Tobermory we spotted an Irish Hare feeding in the field.

Klay's Tour:

We began at a sea loch with two White-tailed Eagles before heading across the moors, where Hen Harriers hunted in the wind. Along the coast, Otters gave us brilliant views as they fished and marked the shoreline.

The highlight came at lunch: three White-tailed Eagles soaring overhead, swiftly challenged by two Golden Eagles in a dramatic aerial battle. More Golden Eagle sightings followed, including one hunting low over a ridge.

Out on the water, Gannets plunged in huge numbers, and we ended the day on the moors with a proud Red Deer stag keeping watch over his hinds.