Wednesday 1st April

A misty and rainy start to the day but brightened into a lovely but breezy afternoon.

Theo picked up his group and headed for the more sheltered east of the island. A few spots along the way yielded little noteworthy due to the heavy rain, March deluge into April showers here we go!

Heading for coastal habitats we found a large herd of 31 Whooper Swans resting up grounded by the weather followed by 2 Adult Whooper later on as well as a few Great-northern Divers, Eiders, R-B Merganser and Black Guillemots. An Otter briefly appeared viewing from the vehicle but didn't hang around for a 2nd look. In the easing rain we headed for a coastal walk, finding some great lichens and Fungi including there Hazel Gloves pictured.

A female Golden Eagle then rose up above the hill soaring as the rain cleared and she perched a few times on the hill giving great scope views. Heading back we had an immature WTE fly along the shoreline perching up mantling to dry off before another appeared soaring before landing in with a Red Deer herd! an unusual site.

Back at the van we had superb prolonged views of a female Otter fishing tight inshore bringing in a Rockling, Wrasse and Scorpionfish for us to enjoy her watching. 3 WTE and 2 Golden Eagles soared over the hills now in the bright sunshine.

Back round to moorland habitats we had great views of a pair of Hen Harriers soaring together, before the male went and perched up and the female flew right over our heads. 2 more WTE were over the far hills, a Buzzard and Kestrel drifted over and a chiffchaff was calling as was a Stonechat. We saw a few more Red Deer, a Little Egret, a Goosander and Wigeon on our way back to Tobermory.