Ardna Not so Murky

 

The Cairngorms as we left yesterday morning.

Saturday May 5

Because of different changeover days from Garten to Mull, we spent a night in a B and B, Heatherbank, near Strontian on Ardnamurchan. The house was set at the top of a moorland road with a wonderful view across the valley to layers of mountains.

During a breakfast conversation with the owners, we discovered that the nearby houses fed Pine Martens and that the Ranger who lived next door had camera trapped Foxes and Badgers in the area.  

The road between Strontian and Lochaline for the ferry to Mull is single track with passing places. It's obvious when a ferry has just come in, it's like a one way racetrack. We were not in the race this morning but met them coming towards us. Still low lying cloud so no raptors flying.

Again, the ferry was arriving as we lined up, no waiting time at all. As it's a Saturday and Bank Holiday weekend  to boot, the larger ferry was on duty. That meant that we couldn't see anything during the crossing across the Sound of Mull as the sides are enclosed. Via Craignure Stores for my beloved Saturday Daily Telegraph, we made our way to Grasspoint where Mull's original White-tailed Eagle nest was established. The female died about three years ago but the old male can often be seen.

There's a small parking area before the end farmhouse, we stayed there for a couple of hours plus, entertained by the said White-tailed Eagle  making a short flying visit, a pair of Stonechats, 

two Wheatears, this was taken through the windscreen, unfortunately.

a Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Raven and a Cuckoo.

And who turned up? The Morrisons (have I remembered their name correctly?) from Cley. They arrived yesterday and go on to the Highlands the following week. A shortish chat before we had to leave for our SC home in Dervaig.

Passing Craignure golf course this morning, we'd noticed the Mull Eagle Watch signs up. The RSPB have moved their guided visits tours here. The previous pair moved nest site, forcing the issue. We stopped and had a quick look before travelling on.

The roads here are as bad as Norfolk's, single track, even more difficult to swerve the worst examples.

Our  place is called the Little Old Theatre - because it was - in the grounds of a Lodge yet totally separate. It's been beautifully renovated and furnished, very well equipped whilst only for two people. The enormous bedroom has one glass wall with an open tile area outside where we have put the moth trap to-night. The view from high is over Dervaig river and reedbed leading to Loch Cuin. We've got flowers in the garden and a few mature trees, should get a few moths. Fingers crossed.
Better still, the WiFi connection is excellent.