Spring on Mull

Few locations in the British Isles offer bird and wildlife photographers the wealth of opportunities present on the magical Isle of Mull. Incredible scenery, close wildlife encounters and a diversity of birds and animals not to be rivalled ensure Mull resides long in the memory and deep in the heart of many wildlife photographers. We are delighted to be one of the only operators offering dedicated wildlife and bird photography tours of Mull and certainly one of the longest established.

Summary

Location Mull, Iona, Treshnish Isles

Dates 2014: 18-24 May Tour highlights: Key Species White Tailed Eagle, Short Eared Owl, Buzzard, Snipe,  PRIVATE BOAT Cuckoo, Great Northern Diver, Corncrake, Puffin, Twite, TRIP TO PHOTO- Eider, Whinchat, Mountain Hare, Otter GRAPH WHITE TAILED EAGLES Duration 5 days, 6 nights; Sunday pm-Saturday am  OWL HUNTING

IN THE EVENING Group size Maximum of 4 SUNLIGHT

Fee £1195  PHOTOGRAPHING OTTERS ON THE Inclusions Accommodation, hearty breakfast, two course dinner, packed MULL SHORELINE lunches, hot and cold drinks, boat charters to photograph White Tailed Eagle, boat charter to Treshnish Isles, ferry to/ from Iona, car transport on the island

Exclusions Travel insurance (which we recommend you consider), travel costs to and from Mull, alcoholic drinks, items of a purely personal nature Spring on Mull

Arrival

Guests should arrive on Mull on the 1600 ferry from Oban. As all transport is included in the tour there is no re- quirement to bring a car onto the island, however, many of our previous guests have preferred the convenience of their own vehicle. If you are leaving your car at Oban there is ample parking. Free long-term car parks are available at Lochavullin and Longsdale . We have used these facilities in previous years without issue. We will settle into our accommodation before enjoying a home-cooked evening meal. This will be followed by a presentation to explain the week’s itinerary and to familiarise guests with the hosts and each other.

Monday

There is an optional early After breakfast we will There will be some time to start on our first full day as head to Ulva Ferry for the download images before we head to a site favoured first of our two boat trips dinner. After dinner, we THERE IS AN by Otters. We may also to photograph White will use the evening light OPTIONAL photograph waders in the Tailed Eagles. We will be to look for Owls and Harri- EARLY START ON Glenmore area such as on the public charter on ers for those that have the OUR FIRST FULL Golden Plover, Ringed our first day to help pre- energy! DAY AS WE Plover, Oystercatcher and pare for our exclusive HEAD TO A SITE Curlew. charter later in the week. FAVOURED BY OTTERS Tuesday

Another optional early learned on day one to After dinner we will head start to make use of the achieve the optimum shots out to sites favoured by early morning light. of these amazing crea- Owls and Cuckoo. tures. We also have the After breakfast we return opportunity to schedule to Ulva Ferry and to a pri- this trip during the early vate boat charter to view hours to maximise light – the White Tailed Eagles. this will depend on recent We will use the skills Eagle activity. Spring on Mull

Wednesday

After an early breakfast we will head We will head to the best places for years we have seen spectacular num- on the ferry from Ffionphort to look views and with luck may get a chance bers of waders – one of the bonuses for Corncrakes on the fabulous island for a photograph (though not always bad weather can bring of Iona; a tiny island of typically Heb- guaranteed with these elusive birds). ridean beauty. It holds a unique place The evening can be spent relaxing in the story of Scotland and kindles After the Corncrake we will visit after a long day in the field or photo- the imagination of thousands who some of the remote beaches and graphing landscapes in the area sur- journey there each year. bays in the South West. In some rounding our accommodation.

Thursday

Day four is all about puffins ines on Lunga, although it Again this is an exclusive DAY FOUR IS ALL as we set sail for the Tresh- can be hard not to become private charter. This means ABOUT PUFFINS nish islands; to Lunga and too distracted by the Puf- there will be just our group AS WE SET SAIL the friendliest puffins we fins. and around 4000 puffins on FOR THE a secluded island- Puffin have ever found TRESHNISH On the crossing we should therapy! We will look at how to get ISLANDS; TO also see Fulmar, Shag and some truly memorable LUNGA AND THE Kittiwake. We will also keep 'picture postcard' shots of FRIENDLIEST our eyes out for Minke these quizzical creatures. Whales and other Cetace- PUFFINS WE Redpoll and Twite can be ans which are occasionally HAVE EVER among the confiding passer- seen. FOUND

Friday

The final day will be spent revis- Come and join our bird and iting our favourite and most wildlife photography tour of productive sites from the week Mull - experience the magic! and making sure we use the last of our time to get any shots needed. Snipe, Golden Plover, Eider and Curlew are all on offer as we travel around the island . Processing advice will be available on Friday afternoon and after the tour to ensure you make the most of your images.

Accommodation

We will be staying at Torlochan Cottage centrally situated near Salen, Isle of Mull - a perfect base from which to explore the island. The house has distant views of the sea from the upper rooms and looks out to Loch Na Keal. The tranquil country setting offers peace and quiet surrounded by trees and fields and only a mile from the coast. From the cottage we have seen Golden Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Cuckoo, Whinchat, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Short Eared Owl, Wheat- ear and Grasshopper Warbler. Tastefully refurbished to a high standard the house offers convenience and quality. You will find Torlochan Cottage is comfortable, spacious, and well equipped. There are four bedrooms all with Egyptian cotton bed linen and towels. There is a spacious lounge with French windows overlooking the hills, leather settees, widescreen television, polished wood floors and an open fire. The house has a bathroom upstairs and shower room downstairs and a separate toilet.

Ebirder About ebirder

Toll House Ebirder is run by award-winning photographer Marcus Conway and family . Ardersier Based in the Scottish Highlands, Marcus has been leading wildlife photography Highland tours since 2007. IV2 7SX Ebirder is a small and specialist operator which focuses on providing a high

quality experience for all of our guests. Marcus has taken the time to get to Phone: 01667 462504 know the local sites, and a maximum of four people on each tour ensures that Mobile: 07957 123274 all our guests receive personal attention. With a BSc degree in zoology and a E-mail: [email protected] passion for British wildlife photography, Marcus uses his knowledge and experience to help photographers of all levels get the most out of their time amongst the fabulous scenery and fauna of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.