Mull 2014 Pictures

Day 0: Saturday 31st May 2014.
Day 1: Sunday 1st June 2014.
Day 2: Monday 2nd June 2014.
Day 3: Tuesday 3rd June 2014.
Day 4: Wednesday 4th June 2014.
Day 5: Thursday 5th June 2014.
Day 6: Friday 6th June 2014.
Day 7: Saturday 7th June 2014.
Click here to return to the General 2014 Pictures page.

Photos Thursday 5th June 2014, Calgary Bay, Croig and Dervaig.

It was a quiet day due to bad weather. Heavy rain that went through during the morning cleared as Jack, Stella and I arrived at Calgary Bay. What a lovely beach! We failed to spot any Sand Martins but instead we got to see Great Northern and Black Throated Divers together. The latter bird is rather rare. Then we made a quick stop at Croig on the way back where Oyster Catchers ruled. It may have been a grey day but the scenery still shined.

Calgary Bay

After first heading Southwards along the main road for a while, we turned Westwards at the mouth of the Aros river onto a minor road which took us up into Glen Aros. Some way up the road we turned off onto a rough track that led to a house that looked straight out of a fairytale. Here Stella had a flute lesson for an hour while Jack and I returned to the road and waited in a layby experimenting with the cameras. Eventually Stella appeared and we carried on Westwards. The road led us to Dervaig, where we turned left and carried on West all the way to Calgary Bay. The rain, having stopped, made for a much more pleasant wander around. Jack was hoping to find Sand Martins in the dunes but alas it seemed like they had moved on. However there were a group of bird spotters on the beach and we soon discovered why. There were some Divers in the sea. One of them was a rare Black Throated Diver. There were also plenty of other birds including a creche of Female and baby Eider Ducks and the scenery was epic. After spending time on the sand I followed a path off to the right along the North side of the bay. Here the light levels were better and I got some good shots of the Divers.

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The fairy tale house in Glen Aros where Stella had her flute lesson.	On the beach at Calgary Bay, looking along the beach, out to sea, and a 360 degree panorama.

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Waves crashing against rocks on the beach.	A creche of female and baby Eider Ducks on the sea water.		A Wheat Ear bird on the rocks.

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A juvenile Meadow Pipit.		Great Northern (top) and Black Throated Divers.	Black Throated Diver.	Looking back at the beach from the cliff side path.

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Panorama on the cliff side path. The bird spotters can be seen further along the path, while others remain on the beach.	More shots of the juvenile Meadow Pipits on the rocks.

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Lamb and ewe on the grass above the beach.

Croig

Once we left Calgary Bay we stopped at a café in Calgary itself before returning Eastwards. A short way along the road we took a diversion Northwards to Croig for a quick look around.

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Looking just East of North across the sea to the Point of Ardnamurchsan, the most Westerly point on the British mainland.	Meadow Pipit.	Oyster Catcher.	Two shots of a Sparrow.		Black and White lambs.

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Another Meadow Pipit.	More sheep.	Oyster Catcher in flight.	Another Meadow Pipit.	Another Oyster Catcher.	One more Meadow Pipit.

Dervaig

After leaving Croig we backtracked Eastwards to Dervaig, where we stopped to visit a small supermarket. Outside there were large bird feeders that attracted many local birds including Siskins, which I have never seen before.

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Blue Tit.	Robin.	Two shots of a Sparrow, Goldfinch and Siskin.

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Siskin.	3 Siskins and a Goldfinch.	2 of the Siskins and a Goldfinch.

Homebound

We took the direct route back to Tobermory, along the B8073. On the way back we passed the ruins of a small building. (This was seen on the 1st June but I didn't get a picture.) After getting back we went down to the harbour to book the boat trip for tomorrow before returning to base.

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Ruined building.

Ao tomorrow we are booked on a boat trip to the Treshnish Isles of Lunga and Staffa. Lunga should have colonies of Puffins. Other sea birds and panoramic scenery is promised at both. The weather forecast is looking good too so should be a good way to spend the last day before I have to go home.