Going to Mull in May (can't wait!!!!!!!!!). Have booked a day with a gentleman that does wildlife tours on my first full day there so that I can put his knowledge and advice to use for the rest of my week there! Been following his blog and am feeling quite optimistic about seeing quite a few species!
Anyhow, I'm also thinking of booking a boat trip to the Treshnish Isles. Has anyone done this? Any recommendations? For me to venture out on a boat it needs to be like a millpond, but I would so love to see the puffins and other seabirds that nest there!
Thanks!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Hi MarJus,
You lucky thing, how exciting. I've never been up there but I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time. I'd love to see puffins but it's hard-going trying to persuade OH to agree to a bird watching holiday this year! I have a list of things I want to see before I get to old to go out and look for them and I ticked dolphins off the list when I was in Australia. Puffins are next... ;-)
Best wishes,
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
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Hi Marjus,
Sounds like a great trip. I've been out to the Treshnish Isles, when I was holidaying on Mull in the mid-90s (crikey how time flies!).
It was a fantastic experience and wasn't at all rough on the day I went out. A gorgeous, sunny and warm June day if my memory serves. It was the first time I'd seen puffins, so it certainly stuck in my head and I remember going back to school and telling anyone who would listen (and some who almost certainly weren't!) that puffins were now my favourite bird.
It's not just puffins though, we had lunch perched upon a rock (overlooking a mass of guillemots) and half way through our lunch a razorbill popped out from underneath the rock and gave us a quizzical look before disappearing back under the rock.
I can't remember which company we went with, I was only about 12 at the time, but the trip itself certainly left a lasting impression on me, in fact I might have just decided on this year's holiday plans! So I'd heartily recommend it. Enjoy...
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How exciting MarJus. No wonder you can't wait.
I'm hoping for some puffins when we go to Anglesey in April.
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi,
my info is that the Puffins are usually on the cliffs near the lighthouse at South Stack.
S
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seymouraves said: my info is that the Puffins are usually on the cliffs near the lighthouse at South Stack.
Thanks Seymouraves, I will look forward to that.
Hi Marjus we go to Mull on holiday and two years ago in mid May went to the Treshnish Isles on the trip from Ulva ferry area think the trip called something like Turus Mara,we were lucky it was flat calm suggest you perhaps get 5 day forecast and try and pick a calm day.It is a fantastic trip as lots of other birds but thousands of Puffins just a metre away and they carry on nest building as if you are not there, they also call in on a island with Fingals cave there and really good rock formations.As luck would have it we saw a Basking Shark and Minke Whale on the way back and skipper stopped and let us see them until they disappeared.You are sure to really enjoy it.Good luck.Suppose you are going on the wildlife tour with Bryan Rains,I follow his blog and he seems to see lots of wildlfe but Mull in general is a fantastic place for wildlife.
Hi MarJus
I can feel the 'enthusiasm' for your visit coming out of you post. I am sure that you cannot wait to visit the islands now
What a fabulous place to visit. Not been there myself but by what has been said on this thread it sounds like a dream place to do some bird watching.
Puffins have such comical characters, and are cute!
That is the thing about getting out and about.
It gives a different dimension to Bird Watching.
Love to hear about your trip on your return, plus of course the pictures too.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Marjus, I haven't been on the boat trip to the Treshnish Isles but my OH says you really must go and I can remember he was thrilled with what he saw. He also hates boats if it is not a mill pond. He forgot I didn't make it to Treshnish so now he is getting enthusiastic about it again, so we would go together.
Thanks everyone for the info! Especially Kevin, Brenda and Sooty! {thumbs up!!}
Blackbird - I have no doubt that there'll be many, many pics to share.... ;-)
Sooty - indeed it is Bryan Rains that I'm booked with! The list of critters seen on his last tour just the other day was amazing! If I can see white tailed eagles, golden eagles, otters (been wanting to see one in the wild for years!!) and mountain hare too, then I shall be very VERY pleased!
The boat trip you took sounds ideal! That's so close to the puffins!! I am SO excited!
(I promise to try not to got on about it too much beforehand...lol)
It does all sound exciting, and please keep going on about it as much as you want - this is what is so great about this forum, we all enjoy sharing in everyone else's excitement.