This holiday came as a great surprise! I was asked by my best mate if I wanted to go as his mate had to pull out because of personal reasons, so I jumped at the chance, even though it was only three weeks after I returned from Wales. We set off on May 22nd [Saturday] and stayed overnight near Lockerbie, it was a wonderful location especially for birders! Instead of going on the Corran ferry I drove round via Glenfinnan and well pleased I did because my mate spotted a Golden Eagle, at the time I was being tail-gated by a female driver and she wasn't best pleased when I indicated to stop, in fact she looked to be very annoyed
but hey she shouldn't have been so close! This was my first sighting of this fantastic bird which luckily came high over us!
The lodge was at Kilchoan and it had great views across to Mull. The ferry could be seen crossing from the village to Tobermory every day and we could see all the other ships etc.
On the Monday we went to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse but although it was sunny it was also very windy, my mate saw a whale but I was in too much pain with a bad back too see it! Next day we visited Ben Hiant and Pete spotted a Ring Ouzel high up the mountain, also saw a colony of Sand Martins. Wednesday we had our first trip to Mull, on the way over he spotted a Great-northern Diver which for me was a first! Pete had arranged for us to go on a WT Eagle tour and we were first there, but in total about twenty people attended. We were told by the wardens we may not see them and as it turned out we didn't but it didn't matter. I asked for info about other places and was told a few places to look. Before the day was out we both saw this fantastic bird along with many other birders, again this was a lifer for me! We went back to our lodgings well happy and just for good measure also saw an Otter in the harbour.
On the Thursday we stayed around the village and the lodge. Never seen so many Siskin's and especially males, we must have had upwards of fifteen of them plus the juvs along with Willow Warbler which had a nest out back, and loads of other species. The lodge was overrun with Cuckoo's, we think there must have been upwards of a dozen! And they were very close but well hidden. I didn't need an alarm clock they woke me up most mornings at five!
On the Friday we went over to Mull again to see the WTE and we were not disappointed. I managed some distant videos and pics.
We left the lodge on the Sunday [30th] and drove to a B & B near Lanark for a couple of nights. While there we were advised to visit the Falls of Clyde reserve to see the Peregrine. We went next day but I had to turn back as my back was very painful and I told Pete to go on, he was very concerned about me, but I told him not to worry. I met up with him later and he showed me brilliant pics of the bird. Later on we had a drive round the area to the south of Lanark.
During our ten days in Scotland we saw a total of 93 species of bird and at the lodge we also had Pine Marten, Hedgehogs and a 90mph Mouse
Every night Pete would put the jam and peanut butter out for the Pine Marten but it only showed very briefly, Harry the Hedgehog made sure it didn't go to waste and after a few nights even brought a couple of his mates to enjoy the snacks
They provided us both with endless entertainment!!!!!
This for me was a brilliant holiday and must rate as one of the best I've had. Lastly my thanks go to Pete for asking me. I know he really enjoyed the trip as well.
Kind regards
John aka Max
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