Isle of Mull, October 2011

Otter at The Shielings, Craignure Bay

Just back from a two week trip to Canada, I was straight off again with our photographer chief (cousin Dave) for a week's stint on the Isle of Mull, with camping, birding and playing with a very expensive 400mm lens all in store.

It started well enough, with a fine sunset over our campsite at Killiechronan, at the head of Loch na Keal, where we had a stunning view over the beach and the obliging Whooper Swans, Curlew and other waders.

We woke to the dark skies and on-and-off rain that would accompany us for the rest of the week but, more importantly, two White-tailed Eagles were sat quietly on the beach - as they would be on the next two mornings as well. We also had fantastic views of them in flight around the head of the loch and perched in the tops of nearby conifers; there are several roadside pull-offs where you can stop to scan for the birds.

The weather rapidly deteriorated, with gale force winds and driving rain leading to dripping wet camera gear, soaked clothes and a tent pole snapping like a dry twig at 5am...so the following day we relocated to the fixed (and heated!) tents at The Shielings in Craignure. This was a great spot, overlooking the coast, and a with two minute walk we could sit and scan the sea and shoreline for passing seabirds, migrants and otters, with some success. We had good views of Red-throated Diver, passing Guillemots and superb views of flying and diving Shags and Cormorants. The resident Otter was also rather curious of us and showed on two days on shoreline rocks within ten metres, as well as giving longer-range views swimming and feeding.

Eas Fors waterfall: the lower falls plummet 100 feet onto the beach

After a couple of wet days exploring some of the local sights, we had some decent weather in the north of the island and out on the Isle of Iona. From the Iona ferry we spotted a small group of Barnacle Geese flying south and later located a single at Fidden.

We explored Grasspoint on a couple of occasions to watch and photograph the rutting Red Deer; the stag was extremely vocal (in fact, the whole island echoed to the sound of bellowing stags!) and he had a large group of perhaps 30 hinds. This area is Buzzard central and we also enjoyed watching a hunting female Hen Harrier.

Loch Don was perhaps the biggest surprise of the week; it hadn't turned up much in the pre-trip research but this very tidal sea loch is superb for waders, gulls and duck with the added bonus of a large raptor roost. We visited only shortly before dusk on our last night but had Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Goldeneye and Goosander; this will be first stop next time. The roost had up to 13 Hen Harriers in the week we were there.

All in all a superb trip, despite the weather, and the island definitely lived up to its reputation as one of the UK's top wildlife destinations; we'll be back in the spring, for sure.

Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park, July 2011

Mute Swan

After getting to know Windsor Great Park over the last year, I'd been keen to visit the beautiful lake of Virginia Water. With Heather horse riding in the park tonight, and with the weather looking good, I took the chance to explore.

Virginia Water is part of the The Royal Landscape (map here), one thousand acres of landscaped gardens at the south end of Windsor Great Park comprising Savill Garden (paid entry), Valley Gardens and Virginia Water, the latter being the most informal area. Dammed in 1753, the lake was the largest man-made water body in England until large reservoirs began to be created. The surrounding woodland was planted when the lake was created and is now a mature habitat, with the areas to the south and west part of the Windsor Forest and Great Park SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), mainly for the veteran trees.

Looking south along the eastern side of Virgina Water

I decided to try the Virginia Water entrance, off the A30 near Wentworth, as it's the shortest walk to the lake itself. With the car park shutting for the evening as I arrived - the park itself is open from dawn until dusk - I parked in a layby approximately 200m north of the entrance. Even at nearly 7pm, the area around the park entrance was quite busy, but after a few minutes walk it appeared that most groups weren't venturing much beyond the first viewpoint over the lake. The light was beautiful - I was enjoying concentrating on the photography rather than the birds for once - and promised a lovely sunset.

Looking north on Virginia Water's most easterly arm, towards Wick Pond

Sweet Chestnut

After reaching as far as Wick Pond, I walked in the easterly fringes of the Valley Gardens. This 250 acre area is a beautifully landscaped and planted woodland garden, with extensive shrub beds and grassy clearings amongst the trees, where flowers carpet the forest floor. It's an enjoyable walk and a fine area to photograph.

Valley Gardens, The Royal Landscape, Windsor Great Park

(photo by Wendy Cutler via Creative Commons)

With the sun starting to set behind the trees, I quickly headed back to the viewpoint near the Virgina Water car park, from where you can look west down the entire length of the lake: perfect for sunset shots! The area was pretty deserted now so I had only the odd walker to share a stunning sundown with.

Whilst concentrating hard on the camera and the beautiful scene unfolding before me, an equally beautiful Mute Swan crept up on me to investigate my camera bag - allowing me to take the portrait at the top of the post at extremely close quarters! Finding no food and scared by the rather large camera lens, he made a sharpish exit and swam away...allowing me to catch a shot of him bathed in the sunlight.

Mute Swan

An enjoyable couple of hours - and no doubt just the first visit of many.