Time

What was seen
Special sightings in red

Other Wildlife/Birds in vicinity

Map Ref:

Weather/Sea conditions /Tides

Photos

31.08.10

17.50

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

56'44.463N 06'14.554W

Still lovely and calm with the sun getting lower in the sky

Behaviour:

Group of 4 seen but a very quick glimpse.

31.08.10

17.00-17.30

Minke Whale(probably the same one as below)

Quite a lot of shearwaters.

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

Just as we hit the drop off into the deap water on the way from Muck to Ardnamurchan Point

56'47.862N 06'13.3687W

Slight atlantic swell but generally flat calm and still sunny.

View
Photos

Behaviour:

We had at least 6 seperate sightings. We were hoping it would not have moved far from where we left it and as we hit the deap water we found a medium sized group of Manx shear waters feeding (15+). The whale came up about 20meters from the birds, quite unexpectidly and within 50meters from the boat. The first sighting it had an unusual 9 breaths before diving again. The remaining sightings had an average of 4-5 breaths per surface. We watched the whale moved around from one spot to another but all very local to its first surface and us whilst it fed and then it gradually moved away in a general south easterly direction.

31.08.10

15.00-15.30

Minke Whale

Shearwaters and Gannets

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

Just south East of the entrance to Muck Harbour

56'48.620N 06'13.297W 56'48.020N 06'16.603W

Slight atlantic swell but generally flat calm and still sunny.

View Photos of Muck

Behaviour:

Seen in the distance by the crew. We had four sightings altogether. 1 breath on the first 2 sightings, 4 breaths on the 3rd sighting still only seen by the crew then as we thought we were moving closer to its location it then came up quite far in the opposite direction (where we had just come from). On the last sighting behind us it had 4 breaths and some of the guests spotted it. At this stage we decided it was happy feeding and that we go and get our lunch and have a better look for it on the way home from Muck.

31.08.10

13.00-13.30

Birds and Seals, Cairns Wildlife

Herons, Shages, Cormerants, Gulls and waders presumed to be Godwits.

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

The Cairns of Colll

Calm and sunny

View
Photos

Behaviour:

Common seal and their pups, pups getting bigger but this years pups are still readily identifiable. All pretty much lazing in the sunshine.

31.08.10

12.00

Basking Sharks x 2

Gannets

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

56'40.070N 06'12.746

Calm and sunny, perhaps a slight breeze

Behaviour:

2 sharks seen feeding as we carried onto the Cairns of Coll.

31.08.10

11.50

Basking Sharks x 8

Diving Gannets

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

56'39.498N 06'12.318W

Calm and sunny, perhaps a slight breeze

View
Photos

Behaviour:

Surrounded by sharks of different sizes in all different directions. All hapily feeding no breaches this time. One particularly big one, please see pictures.

31.08.10

11.40

Basking Sharks x 2

Shearwaters

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

Near fishing bank

56'39.762N 06'10.919W

Calm and sunny, perhaps a slight breeze

View
Photos

Behaviour:

1 small shark next to us, happily feeding, another a way off in the distance around 700meters south

31.08.10

11.20

Jumping Seal

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

Just at Ardmore Point

56'39.969N 06'00.341W

Flat calm and sunny

Behaviour:

It's head was seen first swimming along the surface. It then proceeded to jump clear out of the water twice.

31.08.10

10.40

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

Close to fishing bank

56'39.969N 06'00.341W

Flat calm and sunny

Behaviour:

Group of 3-4 feeding heavily.

31.08.10

10.20

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

Just south of Sealach Mor

56'40.005N 05'58.313W

Flat calm and sunny

YouTube Video

Behaviour:

2 porpoises spotted not far off our port side. We stopped and watched them for a few miutes then they swam towards us. The proceeded to swim right past the boat and surfaced a number of times right on the stern of the boat please see the video link. One of the nicest sightings of the year.

31.08.10

09.40

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and whale watching trip

On the way over to Carna

Flat calm and sunny

Loch Sunart Photos

Behaviour:

Only saw a quick glimpse as we travelled over to the island to pick up guests.

28.08.10

18.00

Very small mouse

Hendrix the dog

Laga Bay Office

In the hall

Behaviour:

Tiny mouse was found sitting in the middle of the hall way, right under Hendrix's nose and he didnt see it. Jim picked it up and released it outside and away from the dogs.

27.08.10

19.05

Common Seal

R1 - Private trip with Sue

Just South of Glenborridale Castle

Sea Calm, Weather over cast with sunny spells

Behaviour:

Swimming close to the boat, and around the rocks here. Was curious as to what we were up to and kept and eye on us.

27.08.10

18.50

Guillemot Juveniles

R1 - Private trip with Sue

North of Oronsay

Sea Calm, Weather over cast with sunny spells

Behaviour:

2 chicks repeatedly diving and following the boat. Talking to each other and quick happy surfacing and following the boat about 1meter away.

27.08.10

18.35 - 19.00

Shearwaters

Gulls, Cormorants, Shags

R1 - Private trip with Sue

In the deap waters between Carna, Oronsay, Risga and the main land

Sea Calm, Weather over cast with sunny spells

Behaviour:

Heavily feeding, moving around in large groups.

27.08.10

18.30

Common Seal

R1 - Private trip with Sue

Dorlin House

Sea Calm, Weather over cast with sunny spells and rain

Behaviour:

Only seal seen out of the water on this trip, very high tides and the rest must all have been hunting.

27.08.10

17.50

Sea Eagle

Heron, Terns, Cormorants

R1 - Private trip with Sue

Carna Narrows

Sea Calm, Weather over cast with sunny spells and rain

Behaviour:

The eagle was spotted sitting on the rocky out crop the south west end of the channel. I though it was an overly large rock that I didnt recognise we then slowed to inspect and it was an eagle. It sat there for a few minutes looking around, a heron was hunting from the island in the middle of the channel. The eagle then took off, flew over the heron causing it to take off. The eagle then flew away east out of the channel, harased by hooded crows as it went.

26.08.10

18.30

Porpoises (around 15)

Lots of feeding Shearwaters

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Sealach Mor

Getting slightly overcast but still sunny

Behaviour:

3 different groups all feeding

26.08.10

17.00

Common Dolphins

Lots of feeding Shearwaters

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

On the way home from Muck, just North of Ardnamurchan Point

Clear and Sunny, wind behind us so a warm trip home

Behaviour:

Seen splashing in the distance they came towards us and were jumping along side the boat, moving between the bow and the breast of the boat. We then slowed and stopped they proceeded to swim around us then moved off and started jumping out of the water - not overly acrobatic like bottle nose dolphins but the whole body was leaving the water. We watched them in total for around 20minutes then moved off.

26.08.10

14.00 - 15.00

Porpoises

Diving Gannets

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Between Cairns of Coll and Muck

Slight swell, sunny with a slight NW breeze

Behaviour:

Porpoises seen at quite a distance, presumed feeding. Lots of Gannets around all feeding heavily.

26.08.10

13.30

Common Seal Pup

Cairns wildlife

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Cairns of Coll - The channel next to the landing rock

Clear, calm and sunny

Behaviour:

One very curious seal pup watching us closely. It followed the boat, swam underneath and around. Water was so clear we could see it swimming along the sea bed looking at us, playing in the sea weed and surfacing feet from the boat. Again just summersaulting and twisting in the water. Stayed with is for about 10 minutes - it was very special!

26.08.10

13.00

Basking Sharks x 25

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Between Mull and Cairns of Coll

Clear, calm and sunny

Behaviour:

Several sharks all the way to the Cairns 25 counted in total (including the 7 with the Minke whale)

26.08.10

11.20 - 12.00

Minke Whale

Basking Sharks and Gannets

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

North of Glengorm

56'39.402N 6'10.984W

Clear, calm and sunny

Behaviour:

1 lone Minke whale not unsociable but happy feeding stayed quite local to where we first found it. saw at least 5 surfaces with an average of 3 breaths each surface but sometimes more. Lots of basking sharks around, 7 counted here - one possible breaching shark. With the sun shing and the amount of porpopises and eagles seen this morning it felt a bit unreal to have such a casual sighting of a Minke surrounded by so many sharks - lots of food around.

26.08.10

11.15

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Just west of Bloody Bay, Mull

56'39.410N 6'07.196W

Clear, calm and sunny

Behaviour:

1 adult and 1 juvenile travelling

26.08.10

10.30

Sea Eagles x 2

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Bloody Bay, Mull

Clear, calm and sunny

Behaviour:

One seen on rocks sitting there. We then went around the bay to look for the other one when we saw they were both in flight. A fishing boat was sorting his pots and the eagle with the blue tag swopped down and lifted something from the water and flew away with its legs down as if carrying something all about 70meters from us.

26.08.10

09.50

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Near Ardslignish

56'40.393N 5'55.699W

Clear, calm and sunny

Behaviour:

Group of 5 feeding heavily

25.08.10

16.00

Minke Whale (quite a big one)

Laurenca - Private Charter

East side of Coll, just near the Tapti wreck

Calm and sunny

Behaviour:

Seen 3 times, 2-3 breaths each time. The skipper was concentrating on the fishing.

25.08.10

15.30

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Private Charter

East side of Coll, just near the Tapti wreck

Calm and sunny

Behaviour:

Feeding.

25.08.10

15.00

Basking Sharks

Laurenca - Private Charter

Down to Gunna Sound on the east side

Calm and sunny

Behaviour:

Loads of basking sharks roughly a dozen surrounding the boat.

25.08.10

14.00

Basking Sharks

Gannets

Laurenca - Private Charter

Down the west coast of Coll

Calm and sunny

Behaviour:

4 different sharks seen. 1 came right up close to the boat we could see the gills, the shape, the colour everything - amazing!

25.08.10

12.30

Seals, bird life, shore life

Usual for the Cairns

Laurenca - Private Charter

Cairns of Coll

Calm and sunny

Behaviour:

25.08.10

11.30

Swooping Cormorant

Terns

R1 - private trip with Sue

North West coast of Carna

Sun shining, water calm

Behaviour:

Flew right at the boat like a jet then skimmed our heads, thankfully no poo!!

25.08.10

11.00

Gannets - diving

Herring Gulls, Cormorants, Shearwaters etc.

Laurenca - Private Charter

Ardnamurchan Gully (fishing spot)

Calm and sunny

Behaviour:

Skipper was throwing some of the fish back and the gannets were diving down and fishing them out again - right next to the boat.

25.08.10

10.50

Mallard Ducks

Terns

R1 - private trip with Sue

Loch Teacuis

Sun shining, water calm

Behaviour:

4 flying together - cool sight.

25.08.10

10.45

Sea Eagle

Terns

R1 - private trip with Sue

Just as we got to Goat Island

Sun shining, water calm

Behaviour:

We were just discussing how a breeding pair used to live in the trees in that area when the sea eagle flew right over our heads. Wonderfull view of the whole bird in flight. It looked like it was quite bedraggled yet its tail feathers were fairly pronouced white, making it about 4 years old. Flew past us then headed for the thermals in the middle of the loch there. We watched it as it gained height and became a dot in the sky.

25.08.10

10.30

Common Seals 25+ Adults and Pups

Herons, Shags

R1 - private trip with Sue

Entrance to Teacuis

Sun shining, water calm

Behaviour:

Lots of seals on the rocks, all basking in the sun. A couple came into the water but m,ost watched us watching them from the rocks. 2 very small ones seen. A couple curious seals came up close to the boat to check us out, some jumping with the current.

25.08.10

09.00

Porpoises

Laurenca - Private Charter

Just after MacLeans Nose

Overcast but calm

Behaviour:

Feeding hard

24.08.10

17.40

Porpoises x 3

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Just south of Drumneich

Sea much calmer in the local waters, sun still shining.

Behaviour:

3 porpoises feeding

24.08.10

17.30

Porpoises x 7

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'39.94N 05'58.53W

Sea much calmer in the local waters, sun still shining. Temperature cooling so hot water bottles came out.

Behaviour:

Came within 20meters of the boat, feeding heavily. Group of 7 adults and juvenile mix.

24.08.10

17.15

Porpoises x 3

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'40.249N 05' 56.441W

Sea much calmer in the local waters, sun still shining

Behaviour:

3 porpoises travelling not seen much.

24.08.10

16.15

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'42.716N 6'14.922W

Going with the wind now in lovely sunshine, boat still moving around a bit but not so bad since we are going with the wind.

Behaviour:

Again quite happily feeding possibly the same shark as earlier. Swam quite near to the boat maybe 10meters and we all got a good look.

24.08.10

12.00

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Just North of Ardnamurchan Point

56'43.204N 6'14.569W

Sun shining although sea quight swelly now, state 3-4 wind picking up to a 5.

Behaviour:

Happily feeding as we happened to pass by it. Only seen by the crew who initially thought it couls be a sun fish but then saw the open, white mouth through the water.

24.08.10

11.30

Sea Eagles x 2

Cormorants, shags, gulls

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Bloody Bay

Slightly overcast, sea state 2-3, just as we left there was a very heavy downpour

Behaviour:

First seen as it flew in and landed on a tree, the other was spotted just before we left, it was standing on a rock at the top of the cliff and had been there the whole time.

24.08.10

10.25

Seals, common

Cormorants, shags, gulls

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Sealich Mor

Slightly overcast, sea state 2-3

Behaviour:

30+ seals seen, some playing in the water splashing around the rest hauled up on the rocks.

24.08.10

10.15

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Near Oronsay, Loch Sunart

56'40.258N 5'56.172W

Slightly overcast, sea state 2-3

Behaviour:

Group of 3 feeding

19.08.10

16.50

Lone Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'46.294N 06'13.404W

Behaviour:

Feeding

19.08.10

14.00

Seals

Birds - lots

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Cairns of Coll

Sun shining

Behaviour:

Lots of Common and Grey seals mostly basking on the rocks.

19.08.10

11.20

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Near Ardmore Bay

56'39.414N 06'07.377W

Behaviour:

19.08.10

11.00

Sea Eagles

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Bloody Bay

Behaviour:

2 eagles seen, one on the far side of the bay the other sitting on the top of the cliff. We sat with the engine off for maybe 20minutes watching them. We were drifting ashore and about 10-15meters from the shore we were about to turn the engine back on and move off before we hit the beach when the eagles on the far right took off and flew between us and the shore with its tallons stretched out. The water beneathe it moved with the beat of its wings but the water also came alive as a shoal of fish there went into a mad panic. The eagle was unsuccesful and carried on flying landing near to its partner. We were all very impressed, if any one got a good picture please send it in - it would be much appreciated.

19.08.10

10.40

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56''40.166N 6'02.164W

Behaviour:

Group of 3-4 feeding

19.08.10

10.30

Jumping Seal

Shearwaters

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Between MacLeans Nose and Sealach Mor

56'40.406N 6'00.623W

Drying up, sun coming through, sea state ok

Behaviour:

Lone seal jumping a few times. Lots of shear waters around, mainly rafting up.

19.08.10

10.05

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Near Drumneich

56'40.595N 05'55.628W

Calm, wet, sun breaking through at Ben Resipole

Behaviour:

Large group of 7-8 with adults and juveniles.

08.08.10

08.00

Porpoises

Laga Bay

Laga Bay

Sunny, calm, some early morning mist

Behaviour:

Moving in a group around the bay, looked as though they were feeding

05.08.10

18.20

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'40.543N 6'02.986W

Behaviour:

A brief encounter

05.08.10

18.00

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'40.461N 6'08.705W

Behaviour:

Quick glimpses, very shy

05.08.10

17.15

Lone Basking Shark

Gannets

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'44.592N 6'14.018W

Behaviour:

Lone Basking Shark with several gannets around diving

05.08.10

16.45

Lone Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'48.062N 6'14.159W

Behaviour:

Feeding

05.08.10

14.15

Bottle Nosed Dolphins x 4

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Port Mor, Muck Harbour

Sunny & Calm

Behaviour:

3 seen to begin with, they met us as we came into the bay, the fourth joined in maybe 10-15 minutes later. Bow riding intially until we slowed down for the harbour then lots of jumping, showing off. They were very close to each other often surfacing together, rolling over each other possible couting/playing. Was a real treat to have them so close and playing inside the harbour.

05.08.10

14.00

Basking Shark (Lone)

Laurenca - Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

56'48.365N 06'14.781W

Behaviour:

On it's own, feeding away

04.08.10

14.30

Bottle Nose Dolphins

Gannets, Puffins, Storm Petrills

Laurenca - Whale Watching Trip

Off island of Muck, Port Mor

Sunny, West 3

Behaviour:

Riding on the bow of the boat and round the harbour entrance

04.08.10

13.30

Basking Sharks

Terns, Gannets

Laurenca - Whale Watching Trip

Between Coll and Muck

Sunny, West 3

Behaviour:

Breeching

04.08.10

12.00

Basking Sharks

Common and Grey Seals

Laurenca - Whale Watching Trip

Cairns of Coll

Sunny with some showers

Behaviour:

Feeding

25.07.10

19.20

Sea Eagles

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

Bloody Bay

Behaviour:

One spotted in the trees over looking the bay. Second flew in and landed on the tree beside it. Huge birds, they both watched us for a while and then flew off and away to the west. Some great pictures taken by our guests.

25.07.10

18.00

Minke Whale

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

Between Coll and Mull

56'40.843N 06'17.220W

Slightly over cast again but sea calm

Behaviour:

First seen by Tom ahead of us to the port side maybe 100m. We slowed down to see its next surface and it came up 10meters from our port side moving from the back of the boat to the front. We were all watching for the next surface but it come up again on the starboard side, we heard it then turning round we saw a huge splash as it landed. Instead of surfacing it appears that it jumped out of the water under 15meters from the boat. We kept watching off the starboard side a bit miffed we had missed it breaching so close when it did it again about 70meters away. It wasnt breaching though it was more of a jump like a dolphin forwards out of the waterand a head dive/belly flop back into the water. After the 2 jumps it came up for another 3 surfaces in quick succession think it was quite tired and then it moved off. We wanted to be sure it was a minke so followed it for its next couple of surfaces to be sure. Saw it four times in total with an average of 4 surfaces each time.

25.07.10

17.00

Basking Sharks

Cairns Wildlife

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

Cairns of Coll

Calm and Sunny

Behaviour:

3 large sharks were feeding in between the rocks at the Cairns pretty much in the middle of our channel as we exited. They were very enthusiastic in their feeding and took very little notice of us.

25.07.10

16.30

Common Seals

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

From a Sandy beach on the North coast of the island of Coll

Calm and Sunny

Behaviour:

After a great BBQ on the beach the guests had a race (beating the crew) and went for a swim (the crew abstained). A couple of common seals were very interested in the swimmers and swam around watching them until we departed.

25.07.10

13.00

Wildlife at Cairns of Coll

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

Cairns of Coll

Sun has come out, sea state comfortable

Behaviour:

Lots of seals Common and Grey, common seal pups swimming around the boat under the crystal clear water. Lots of common terns around and a large number of Shags drying their wings on the rocks.

25.07.10

11.30

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

Fishing Bank

56'39.713N 06'11.842W

Slightly over cast but dry, sea state 2-3, little bit bouncier in the middle of the channel.

Behaviour:

Group of 5-6 porpoises, within 20meters of the boat just came up beside us. Appeared to be quite keen on feeding and ignored us.

25.07.10

11.15

Andy and Graeme

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

Just on the north coast of Mull

Slightly over cast but dry, sea state 2-3

Behaviour:

Andy and Graeme were on the last stint of their journey up from Wales with Graeme's new live on board floating house (boat). Both looking a little unshaven and tired but very much appreciated the pies donated by the guests to keep them going. New boat looks good!

25.07.10

11.00

Basking Sharks

Laurenca - Full day Private Charter

Just North of Ard Mor, Mull

56'39.480N 06'08.564W

Slightly over cast but dry, sea state 2-3

Behaviour:

2 basking sharks spotted from a distance, as we approached another vessel came up behind so we kept away at which point the other came towards us. Both quite happy feeding.

24.07.10

13.20

Sea Eagle (adult)

Laga Lodge

Over Carna

Behaviour:

23.07.10

16.30

Golden Eagle

Laga Lodge

Ben Laga

Behaviour:

19.07.10

08.20

Pine Martin

Sue's car on way to work

Between Salen and Camas Inas

Fairly dry morning not so much wind

Behaviour:

It ran along the right hand side of the road, then crossed over and ran along the left hand side of the road stopped turned and looked at me for a bit then disappeared into the trees. Seemed to be a young adult on its own.

18.07.10

20.30

Red Deer - Stags

Shore

Laga Bay

Lovely evening, flat calm

Behaviour:

Grazing on Ben Laga against sky line and lower down hill

15.07.10

18.00

Porpoises

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Opposite Kilchoan

In the lee of Ardnamurchan now with sun shining.

Behaviour:

Brief sighting of a small group as we passed Kilchoan

15.07.10

16.00-17.30

Basking Sharks 15+

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

On the return journey from Muck to Home

Going with the waves, sun shining

Behaviour:

Past several groups of 3-4 sharks and other smaller pairs and individuals. A lot around on the way home.

15.07.10

15.05

Basking Shark - very large one

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

On way into Muck

56'48.938N 006'13.537W

Going with the waves, sun shining

Behaviour:

Feeding

15.07.10

15.00

Basking Sharks (15+)

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

On way into Muck

Much calmer and the sun is starting to shine.

Behaviour:

Saw lots of sharks on the way into Muck could see 8-10 in most directions, some very large.

15.07.10

14.50

Basking Shark being hassled by birds

Mixture gannets, turns, shearwaters

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

More SWW of Muck

56'47.288N 006'16.702W

Much calmer and the sun is starting to shine.

Behaviour:

Spotted this shark whilst we were watching the Minke. Lots of birds were feeding heavily all around it, it appeared that they were hassling the shark but it carried on feeding finally diving before we got close enough to see things clearly.

15.07.10

14.50

Basking Shark being hassled by birds

Mixture gannets, turns, shearwaters

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

More SWW of Muck

56'47.288N 006'16.702W

Much calmer and the sun is starting to shine.

Behaviour:

Spotted this shark whilst we were watching the Minke. Lots of birds were feeding heavily all around it, it appeared that they were hassling the shark but it carried on feeding finally diving before we got close enough to see things clearly.

15.07.10

14.40

Minke Whale

Small group of mixed birds off to the north

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Just SW of Muck

56'47.288N 006'16.702W

Much calmer and the sun is starting to shine.

Behaviour:

First spotted by the crew at a distance heading SE. We went towards it and then waited. Surfaced in front of the boat maybe 150meters 3 breaths then away again. We had 4 surfaces each with 3 breaths and on the final sighting it took 5 breaths. Seemed very sociable and appeared to be feeding. We moved away to look at another shark.

15.07.10

14.00

Basking Sharks (8 on the surface)

Porpoises (see record below)

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Between Coll and Muck

56'45.083N 006'20.234W

Slight swell but no wind, weather clearing up.

Behaviour:

We stopped to see the porpoises and then spotted the sharks. There were a couple in every direction. We sat and watch them at a distance as the porpoises moved away and then carried onto Muck and towards a small group. There were 2 sharks very close to each other, one following the other. They swam towards and around the boat and fed off the starboard side for around 10 minutes.

15.07.10

14.00

Porpoises

Basking Sharks (see above record)

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Between Coll and Muck

56'45.083N 006'20.234W

Slight swell but no wind, weather clearing up.

Behaviour:

Small group 2-3 passing by the boat. We could here them breathing, saw 4-5 surfaces and then they moved off.

15.07.10

12.00-13.00

Cairns wildlife, plus large gull chick on beach. A number of common seal pups

Oyster catchers, eider ducks, herons, shags, cormerants, gulls and more

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Cairns of Coll

Calm in amoungst the cairns, small swell coming through from the NW side.

Behaviour:

Gull chick walking down towards the sea, then swimming around, very bold. Seal pups of varying sizes some very small on the rocks and playing in the sea weed. Surrounded us as we ate our soup.

15.07.10

11.50

Basking Shark

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Just as we got to the entrance to the Cairns of Coll

Much calmer in the lee of the Cairns. Rain has stopped.

Behaviour:

Quite a small shark, popped up right beside us and moved away. Not so interested in being watched

15.07.10

10.30

Large group of Sea Birds

Manx Shearwaters, guillimots, puffins, gannets, razorbills

Full day marine wildlife and Whale Watching Trip

Just SW of Ardnamurchan Point

Sea state 3-4, slightly choppy but not rough, raining

Behaviour:

Grouped together, some feeding but mainly floating on the current, presumable waiting for the tide to change and the feeding to start

15.07.10

08.45

Single Otter

Sue's Car on way to work

Between camas torsa and Camas Inas

Sea flat calm, weather pretty torrential rain

Behaviour:

Swimming out to sea from the beach, swam along the surface for a bit then dived down, tail flicking in the air, presumable hunting.

15.07.10

08.35

Single Otter

Sue's Car on way to work

Resipole Just west of the camp site

Sea flat calm, weather pretty torrential rain

Behaviour:

Swimming ashore, could see the full length of it head to tail on the surface.

01.07.10

19.00-18.00

Porpoises

Gulls

Laurenca - Private Charter Fishing Trip

Just off Glenmore, Ardnamurchan

Sea quite calm, windy a little breezy but the sun is out and very warm, slight showers but this brought rainbows

Behaviour:

A fairly large pod swimming around us, hunting, 2-3 adults with 2 very small and 2 medium sized. We were at anchor with engine off and they seemed to surround us, some surfaces very close on several occasions.

01.07.10

13.30

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Private Charter Fishing Trip

The Fishing Bank between Kilchoan and Mull, Glen Gorm

Was a rough morning but the sea calmer now and the sun is coming out

Behaviour:

Small shark appeared right beside the boat in front of the fishermen, swam the length of the boat and kept on going.

29.06.10

13.30

Treshnish Wildlife and Seals

Lots

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

Lunga

Photos here

Behaviour:

Common seals are singing can be heard from the boat and the shores of Lunga. The shag chicks are getting much larger and the puffins are nested. Bird count appears to be going on on the island this week.

29.06.10

13.00

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

On the approach to Lunga

56'32.907N 6'22.218W

Fairly calm and sunny, wind 3-4

Photos here

Behaviour:

Breaching, only seen when out of the water not seen before or after.

29.06.10

11.00-12.00

Basking Sharks

Wide variety not all directly related to the Sharks

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

Betweem Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan and Caliac point, Mull

a few recorded 56'38.260N 6'04.332W 56'34.711N 6'20.895W

Fairly calm and sunny, wind 3-4

Behaviour:

Several sharks seen, some large and some small dotted all around. One breaching. Seperately a large and small shark where swimming really close to each other, very strange behaviour and then moved apart. The larger stayed very close to us and we got some great pictures thanks to a loan of a camera card, awaiting the email.

23.06.10

13.00

Birdlife

Treshnish population

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Tresh and Staffa

Lunga, the Largest of the treshnish islands

Again drizzly but dried up before we got back to the boat.

Photos here

Behaviour:

Puffins are on the nests now, more on the island than the water. Not many chicks for the guillemots yet but numbers have been very high since the start of June.

23.06.10

12.25

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Tresh and Staffa

Around Caliac point, Mull

56'36.861N 6'19.077W

Drizzly Overcast slight swell wind 3-4

Behaviour:

One Large shark, huge dorsal feeding.

23.06.10

12.15

Basking Sharks

1 Skua and Gannets

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Tresh and Staffa

Just Before Caliac point, Mull

56'36.795N 6'19.108W

Drizzly Overcast slight swell wind 3-4

Behaviour:

2 Sharks one smaller slightly skittery, one larger very happy feeding away close to the boat.

23.06.10

10.05

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Tresh and Staffa

Just before the Stirks

Slightly over cast, water calm

Behaviour:

Very brief sighting 2-3 surfaces.

23.06.10

09.50

Common Seals and pups

Laurenca - Full day Wildlife Trip to Tresh and Staffa

Rocks off Oronsay, Loch Sunart

Slightly over cast, water calm

Behaviour:

Small Pups were just sitting there watching us.

17.06.10

20.00

Minke Whale

Laurenca - Full Day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

Near the fishing bank

56'39.642N 6'10.344W

Calm return, nice sky

Behaviour:

First saw it just south of the fishing Bank between Mull and Ardnamurchan we had 4 surfaces with 3 breaths each time and then 4 breaths on the last surface. It was very sporadic, we stopped where we first saw it then a large ferry went through the channel and it appeared to be very scattered in its surfaces after that finally returning towards us and where we first saw it. At this point we thought it best to leave it.

17.06.10

16.00

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full Day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

Just outside fingals cave

56'25.793N 06'20.722W

Slight swell but nice weather.

Behaviour:

Feeding not around for very long, quite a few boats around.

16.06.10

18.00

Minke Whale

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

South of Ardnamurchan point about to come around to have kilchoan in view.

56'41.727N 6'13.170W

Mist completely lifted from us and our destination, sun shining. Sea 2-3 swell gone

Behaviour:

1 lone Minke, sporadic surfaces, saw 4 seperate occasions average 3 surfaces each time then 4 on the last sighting.

16.06.10

17.30

Porpoises

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Off Ardnamurchan

56'41.804N 6'14.159W

Mist completely lifted from us and our destination, sun beggining to shine. Sea smooth with a bit of swell.

Behaviour:

2-3 porpoises keeping to themselves.

16.06.10

17.15

Shear Waters

Gannets, Guillemots

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Just North of Ardnamurchan

56'45.835N 6'12.577W

Mist completely lifted from us and our destination, sun beggining to shine. Sea smooth with a bit of swell.

Behaviour:

Large flock of birds rafted and heavily feeding. Gannets diving, shear waters skipping along the surface and head diving in. Water very mixed up with the commotion. Some birds just rafted up cleaning but most busy. No Cetaceans to be seen.

16.06.10

14.00

Shear Waters

Gannets, Guillemots

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Between the Cairns and Muck

Large swell but smooth, mist still here but not too wet

Behaviour:

Lots of birds flying around, none feeding some rafting. Amazing to see so many passing us and surrounding us in the mist.

16.06.10

13.10

Porpoises

Flock of Manx Shear waters

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Just NE of the Cairns

56'43.211N 6'24.756W

Small swell as we head out mist still around but light

Behaviour:

Group of 4-6 feeding, saw them 4-5 times. Right next to a large flock of Shear waters just rafted up, no feeding.

16.06.10

12:00 - 13.00

Seals Grey and Common

Cairns Wildlife

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Within the Cairns of Coll, on rocks and in sea

56'41.895N 6'27.325W

Calm in at the Cairns, weather drying up a bit as the mist moves further north.

Behaviour:

Mixture of Grey and common seals on the rocks and in the water. No common pups spotted yet. Some very curious and swimming close by, think they can smell the soup!

16.06.10

12:20

Basking Sharks

Cairns Wildlife

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Within the Cairns of Coll, feeding in the large area behind the small lighthouse.

56'41.941N 6'27.337W

Calm in at the Cairns, weather drying up a bit as the mist moves further north.

Behaviour:

2 sharks close together feeding heavily and without much diversion, no significant submerging for the whole time we were around the Cairns looking at the seal and birdlife.

16.06.10

12:10

Basking Shark

Cairns Wildlife

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Within the Cairns of Coll, right up beside the rocks

56'41.567N 6'27.525W

Calm in at the Cairns, weather pretty wet

Behaviour:

Again a big shark and feeding in and around a big rock just as your being surrounded by the Cairns

16.06.10

12:10

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Within the Cairns of Coll, very close to Coll

56'41.401N 6'27.454W

Calm in at the Cairns, weather pretty wet

Behaviour:

Very Large and close to the Sandy beach on Coll

16.06.10

12:03

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Just before the Cairns of Coll

56'41.340N 6'26.341W

Sea 2-3 reasonably calm but misty, mist getting a bit wetter

Behaviour:

Feeding

16.06.10

12:00

Basking Sharks

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Just before the Cairns of Coll

56'41.214N 6'25.652W

Sea 2-3 reasonably calm but misty

Behaviour:

2 sharks feeding, both quite small but not as shy. One about 10-20 meters away the other 50 meters away.

16.06.10

11:50

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Just before the Cairns of Coll

56'41.362N 6'25.241W

Sea 2-3 reasonably calm but misty

Behaviour:

1 shark feeding, quite small and shy

15.06.10

13:30

Treshnish Wildlife

Laurenca - Full Day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

Lunga

Sunny and dry

Behaviour:

All birds in great numbers, puffins sitting on nest all along the pathway and cliffs lots of activity all around.

15.06.10

13:00

Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full Day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

Approach to Lunga

56'37.675N 06'16.363W

3NE Sunny now

Behaviour:

1 large shark feeding about 10m away

15.06.10

12:00

Basking Sharks

Laurenca - Full Day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

56'37.388N 06'18.104W

3NE Over cast and drizzly

Behaviour:

3-5 sharks surrounding us all feeing within 500m 1 very close.

15.06.10

11:45

Basking Shark

Guillemots

Laurenca - Full Day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

Caliac Point

56'37.518N 06'16.900W

3NE Over cast and drizzly

Behaviour:

1 larger shark feeding

15.06.10

11:30

Basking Shark

Gannets

Laurenca - Full Day trip to Staffa and the Treshnish Islands

NE of Caliac PT

56'38.016N 06'15.459W

3NE Over cast and drizzly

Behaviour:

1 small shark feeding

08.06.10

18:00

1 Basking Shark

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

1/2 mile south of Ardnamurchan Point, near Kilchoan

Calm, overcast

Behaviour:

1 feeding, 10m away

08.06.10

17:00

3 Basking Sharks

Laurenca - Full Day wildlife and whale watching trip

Trench off Muck SE

Calm, overcast

Behaviour:

3 Feeding. Came up to the boat around 3meters away.

03.06.10

19:30

Basking Shark

Gannets, Razorbills

Laurenca Treshnish Trip

North of Mull

Sunny, calm

Behaviour:

03.06.10

19:00

Swimming Deer

Self Drive - Laga Lodge guests

Risga Channel

Calm and sunny

Behaviour:

4 hinds were seen swimming from the mainland to the island of Risga.

03.06.10

12:30

Puffins, Cormorants, Guillemots, Razor bills, Terns

Skua, Black back gulls

Laurenca Treshnish Trip

Lunga

Sunny, calm

Behaviour:

Sitting on Nests, feeding

03.06.10

10:00

Porpoise

Gannets

Laurenca

North of Oransay Loch Sunart

Sunny and calm

Behaviour:

Feeding

02.06.10

16:30

Porpoises

Manx Shearwaters, gannets

Laurenca - Full day wildlife and whale watching trip

Off the north eastcoast of muck and again off the south east coast

Fairly large ocean swell but nice weather, sunny and dry.

Behaviour:

First sighting was of 2 porpoises slowly moving up the sound between Eigg and Muck. Saw them 5-6 times. Second sighting off the south east coast was much briefer but much much closer they almost crossed our bow in the large swell and then dissapeared.

02.06.10

14:30

Minke Whale

Manx Shearwaters, gannets

Laurenca - Full day wildlife and whale watching trip

Just off the entrance to the Island of Muck

Fairly large ocean swell but nice weather, sunny and dry.

Behaviour:

Very sneaky, popped up behind us and pointed out by another boat (cheers James). We followed it for a couple of surfaces and then lost it in the swell. On to Muck for tea and cakes hopefully find it on the way home...

02.06.10

12:15

Eider Ducks

Cairns - wildlife

Laurenca - Full day wildlife and whale watching trip

Cairns of Coll

Sunny spells and a little overcast but dry.

Behaviour:

2 - 3 large groups sitting on rocky outcrops.

02.06.10

12:00

Grey and Common Seals

Cairns - wildlife

Laurenca - Full day wildlife and whale watching trip

Cairns of Coll

Sunny spells and a little overcast but dry.

Behaviour:

Several lounging on the rocks others following the boat around the bays whilst we humans ate our soup!

01.06.10

13:30

Nesting Razor Bills, Guillemots and Fulmers

Treshnish Wildlife

Treshnish and Staffa Trip

Lunga

Sunny and breezy

Photos

Behaviour:

Most birds sitting on eggs whether they have built nests like the fulmers or just in the colonies like the guillemots.

01.06.10

13:00

Puffins

Razor bills, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmers, artic skewer, black guillemots

Laurenca - Treshnish and Staffa trip

Lunga and journey to the island

Wind 3-4 occasionally 5, weather overcast at first then glorious sunshine on Lunga.

Photos

Behaviour:

Puffins nest building, mainly flying around in groups, on the water in groups and then landing on the cliffs in Groups.