Scotland Holiday 2018 Day 6 : 18th June 2018 Mull and Lunga

One of the most exciting visits to bird colonies must surely involve the visit to Lunga, one of the several islands that make up the Treshnish Islands. There can be no better birding site for views of Puffins from a foot or two away anywhere in Britain. It is not without it’s little difficulties however.

Despite poor recent weather we managed to get to Lunga without rain. It was very windy on top of the boat and you had to be desperate to try to get out of your seat and walk the length of the boat to get to the stairs that led to the lower level. I did it once but was never assured of repeating the exercis without mishap!

We stopped off at Kilchoan to pick up a few extra passengers then we rounded the north coast of Mull and down the western side of the island heading more out to open sea until we eventually arrived at Lunga. The crew had managed to tie a new plastic pontoon to the boat and from there they rammed it onto the rocky shore of the island. The first wave of passengers contained a woman who immediately slipped on the seaweed covered rocks and cut her hand. She was very stoical and cheery about it but it made us very wary so we eased outselved over the slippery rocks and felt pleased when we reached the dry rocksy part of the shore.

That wasn’t dry for long as it started to rain heavily and we had to be careful again until we reached the thin strip of sand and some safety. The rains stopped after a bit which was handy because the ascent of the rock in the rain would not have been fun. Fortunately, there had been a lot of dry weather recently and the path, although very narrow and steep, was at least not muddy – or not very muddy.

At the top awaits the prize – dozens of Puffins happy to be so close to you that some people were getting good photos just with their phones.Realy it was the photo opportunity that drew me there again. We have seen plenty of Puffins and Guillemots and Razorbills at other sites already this year but this was something special and I chose to stay at this first section of the rock instead of walking the path to the far side where the big colonies are. Be that as it may, I still got all the expected sea birds with Shag being the only “year tick” I managed to get some excellent photos of ROck Pipits there which seem to be everywhere.

Time flies out there and soon it was time to return to the boat. We all scrambles over the rocky beach and got on the pontoon again. This went without incident but a slip is never far away.

Next we were on to Staffa and FIngla’s Cave. I wasn’t that much bothered with the cave itself because, having seen it, it was too much bother waiting in line to be worth doing it again. As it happend the cave was closed to the public due to erosion by the waves and has been for a while. I knew this before we went but was content just to walk up to the top of the cliff looking for birds.

Neither thing was going to happen, however, as the sea was so rough a landing wasn’t possible. This may have disappointed a lot of people but we got great views from the boat and, of course, there were plenty of birds to be seen anyway. We did stay long enough to see every fifth wave break right over the path that leads from the landing place ususally used by boats. It was clear that trying to land would have been reckless in the extreme so we all enjoyed the sight of Staffa amoung the foaming, heaving seas.

Then it was time for the long journey back. But what a day! I always think that this maybe the last time that I can have such a chance so it is always worthwhile making the effort – even in rough seas. Anne doesn;t agree!

A last, sepcial, pleasure was a close viewing of a sea stack just off the north east coast of Mull – nearly opposite Kilchoan (56°39’15.5″N 6°07’09.1″W) where a young White-tailed Eagle was on a nest. Further searching located one of the parents in nearby trees. We got as close to the rocks as we could and for as long as it took for everyone to get views of the birds before returning back to Kilchoan then Tobermory.

Too tired to think of eating in a restaurant or even eating at home we stopped off at the most splendid Fish and Chip Van at Fishermen’s Pier to pick up a take away. Back home we tucked into possibly the best fish and chips in the world – possibly even better than the Rainbow in Musselburgh itself a considerable achievement.

 

 

Bird Sightings : Lunga 18th June 2018

 

Species	Count
Northern Fulmar	30
European Shag	40
White-tailed Eagle	2
Common Guillemot	30
Razorbill	4
Atlantic Puffin	200
Herring Gull	30
Great Black-backed Gull	10
Rock Pipit	20