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The biggest mistake that visitors
make when they come bird watching in Scotland is that they
underestimate the sheer size of the landscape. The Island
of Skye for instance has over 1000 miles of coast line, my own
island, the Island of Mull has almost 300 miles of coast line,
all of it rugged, rocky, often very wet under foot and sometimes
very dry! Therefore our hot tip is to settle on one destination
and use this as a base from which to explore a particular area.
You will also get a “feel” for the landscape in that
region and you might also get tips from local people on what
might be around. Wildlife tour operators in Scotland are pretty
approachable and so don’t be shy about asking for their advice
if you come across one of their trips.
Another basic mistake that the
visitor makes is to assume that if the day begins wet, it will
stay wet, or vice versa. In short never assume anything
regarding the weather in Scotland. Also bear in mind that birds
do not like rain anymore than we do and so they are going to be
on the wing as soon as there is any indication that it is going
to stop. In a nutshell check the weather forecast and if it is
going to be poor all day go coastal, where you are more likely
to get better weather and at least see seabirds, sea ducks,
Otters etc. If the weather is more optimistic you can head for
the mountains and hopefully see a Golden Eagle on the wing or
maybe a White Tailed Sea Eagle. Sea Eagles can of course be more
coastal in their behaviour than Golden Eagles and you may find
them sitting on a rocky islet as they wait, like you, for the
weather to clear.
Take note of the wind direction!! because almost all birds of
prey hunt head into wind especially Golden Eagles, Hen Harriers,
Kestrel, Buzzard, Short Eared Owls etc.
If anyone mentions a sighting of a bird to me I always ask about
the habitat that it was seen in first, because you do not get
Hen Harriers sitting on sea cliffs for instance. Nor do you get
Golden Eagles sitting on the shoreline. It is a Buzzard on that
telegraph pole and not a Golden Eagle!! etc etc. So habitat is
critical when Bird Watching. Crossbills are in pine forests, it
is probably a rock pipit on a rocky shoreline and not a meadow
pipit and if you are in open moorland away from the coast it is
a meadow pipit.
Sightings during the breeding season are quite different to
sightings in the autumn or winter. For instance waders are very
territorial during spring and summer and yet they are highly
sociable in the winter months. A Golden Plover will nest on some
remote and bleak moorland and yet outside the breeding season
they can be in large flocks in a field quite close to a road.
I often get asked about bird watching gear and my answer is to
recommend bringing sensible footwear because in Scotland you
will be walking on rocky, boggy and perhaps seaweed covered
terrain. Wear layers of clothing and always carry a lightweight
waterproof. It can also be extremely hot and sunny here and
therefore bring a couple of t-shirts and a pair of shorts. The
sea off Mull and the other Hebridean islands is particularly
clear and you will almost certainly be tempted to have at least
a paddle off one of our beautiful white sand beaches, so bring
swimwear.
Regarding binoculars and possibly telescopes. It is very a big
country here and you will get excellent use out of a telescope.
Whether you are a birdwatcher or not, binoculars are
“essential”. If you are joining one of Scotland’s land based
wildlife tours you will probably find that they provide you with
binoculars for the day, but often sea trips do not, remember
there is always a chance of seeing that distant whale.
Binoculars are great for scanning seabird colonies, or looking
for dolphins offshore. That sitting Eagle on a mountain side can
also drive you potty if you do not have your binoculars with
you.
Finally remember you are coming to one of the best nature
watching destinations in the world where the scenery can be
equally spectacular.
Pages written and sponsored by
Isle of Mull Wildlife Expeditions
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