Captain's Log

 

Sunday 13 October 2013

Glengorm Sunset - 12th October 2013

Fantastic weather on Mull in the last couple of days. Here is yesterdays sunset from Glengorm.

Wildlife Adventure - 11th October 2013

Glorious sunshine throughout the trip today as we encountered some small groups of Harbour Porpoise as we sailed through the Sound of Mull. Another highlight was viewing a pair of Golden Eagles and a pair of White-tailed Eagles together in their neighbouring territories. Guillemots and Kittiwakes in good numbers out in the open grounds as we enjoyed fantastic views of the highlands and islands in pristine light. Our local Harbour Seal colony were showing well in healthy numbers and another good plankton trawl was taken. A wonderful four hours at sea.

Friday 11 October 2013

White-tailed Eagle - 10th October 2013

An adult White-tailed Eagle seen on today's Ecocruz.

Wildlife Adventure - 9th October 2013

Strong winds made for challenging conditions today as we covered waters in the Sound of Mull. Gannets and Kittiwakes seen tackling the strong winds with ease and a good number of Common Seals at their local haul out site. A great plankton sample was displayed on the microscope for all to see. The changeable weather produced some fantastic rainbows and shades of light on the hills of Mull and Movern.

Monday 7 October 2013

Red Deer with Harbour Seals

No trips today but here is a photo from one of last weeks Wildlife Adventures showing our local Harbour Seal colony hauled out with a group of Red Deer watching on from the woodlands edge.

Wildlife Adventure - 5th October 2013

Lovely sunshine this morning once the scotch mist cleared with the first highlight being a group of Harbour Porpoise which included juveniles. Later on we saw a Cow Grey Seal with her new born pup hauled out on a skerry. A single Manx Shearwater was seen and also 5 Great Northern Divers arriving back from their breeding grounds to the north. A visit to the local Common Seal colony produced healthy numbers and a rich plankton sample was enjoyed by all. Other sightings included feeding Gannets, Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Buzzards, a Kestrel and Eider ducks. Crisp light and the autumn colours make for superb landscapes at this wonderful time of the year.

Thursday 3 October 2013

Wildlife Adventure - 2nd October 2013

Strong winds again this morning as we headed down Loch Sunart in search of wildlife. Gannets, Guillemots, Kittiwakes and Razorbills seen and Common and Grey Seals hauled out on the shore. A rich plankton sample was taken and displayed under the microscope by Andy (Professor Plankton). The famous Sunart Oakwoods are turning into their autumnal state at this beautiful time of the year.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Whalewatch Explorer - 1st October 2013

The strong winds restricted us to sheltered waters today with the highlight being a few encounters with Harbour Porpoise. Gannets were seen in good numbers with plenty of feeding taking place. Other species seen were Harbour Seals, Arctic Skuas, Kittiwakes, Black Guillemots, Common Guillemots and Razorbills. The variation in light and cloud formations throughout the trip was simply breathtaking.


Tuesday 1 October 2013

Wildlife Adventure - 30th September 2013

Lovely crisp sunshine as we headed out of Tobermory this morning with the first encounter being a small hurry of Kittiwakes with diving Gannets above. We saw a couple of Atlantic Grey Seals hauled out on the shoreline before visiting our local Harbour Seal colony with a group of Red Deer showing in the woodland behind consisting of 5 hinds and a stag. Other species seen were Guillemots, Shags and a Common Buzzard. A great plankton sample under the microscope finished off the trip.

Wildlife Adventure - 24th September 2013

The highlight of today's trip was a group of around 20 COMMON DOLPHINS including 2 very young calves. They came over and traveled with us for a little while but we also stopped with the engines off and enjoyed watching them milling around us. Perfect flat calm conditions meant we were spotting porpoise from a long way off, we saw a white-tailed eagle perched close to the shore, common seals, eiders, kestrel, kittiwakes and guillemots



Common Dolphin surfacing off our bow on today's Wildlife Adventure.