Otters, Eagles, Dolphins and more Otters!

Light clouds and a gentle breeze set the perfect scene for another incredible day exploring Mull’s wild coastlines.

We began at a sea loch where an Otter mum and her two cubs rolled playfully through the seaweed — a fantastic start to the morning. Further out on the loch, two Slavonian Grebes and several Great Northern Divers dived in the calm water.

Before long, our first eagle appeared — a magnificent White-tailed Eagle perched at low tide, keeping watch not far from yet another Otter family resting on the rocks. Harbour Seals dotted the loch, but the real spectacle came when over 20 Common Dolphins raced in, breaching and tail-slappping!

Further along, a lone Otter feeding in the shallows gave us a perfect view as it climbed ashore to spraint before slipping back into the water.

Lunch was spent in the company of two soaring Golden Eagles, catching the breeze across their territory, while Kestrels and Buzzards circled nearby. The Dolphins reappeared mid-lunch, feeding even closer to shore, and a pair of Goosanders were snorkelling nearby along the edge of the loch.

As we set off again, two more Otters stole the show — another mum and cub, playing and rolling on the rocks after mum landed a Scorpionfish right in front of us. Their playful antics went on for several minutes, a joy to watch.

Heading inland, we spotted another White-tailed Eagle perched high in a tree overlooking the Sound of Mull, before reaching the moors where the sound of roaring Red Deer stags filled the air. Among them, two stunning male Hen Harriers swept low over the heather.

Our final stop brought a lovely surprise — a Dipper bobbing and feeding along the river, providing a perfect end to the day.

Other highlights included Red-breasted Merganser, Fallow Deer, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Redshank, and Black Guillemot.