Mull 3

 Thursday Sept 29

The usual latish start to the morning, after opening the moth trap. Green-brindled Crescent seem to be doing well here. We had our first micro too, an Acleris Notana/ferrugana. We set off down the glen to Loch Spelvie, on  a beautiful day, warm, blue sky with very little wind. What a pleasure to be out and about, admiring sun gilded views. Taking the Loch Buie turning, the road ended at a rocky beach with parking places. picnic tables and a cafe.Who could resist? Hot chocolate for both of us, Pam had  cake.

A nearby field held a few Fallow Deer, obviously farmed animals, impossible to photograph. As was the Golden Eagle, rising slowly on a thermal before drifting away. As they do.

On the return journey, we took the road to Croggan. This rustic lane follows the loch shore, where several salmon farms are situated. Unusually, there were no birds at all around the marker buoys. The fish farms are usually a magnet for Eider, we didn't see a single one during the whole week. Off moulting somewhere?

Shags and Cormorants use the buoys to rest and dry their wings. All the buoys are festooned with guano as proof of their habit.

 

Pied Wagtails are delightful, the ballerinas of the bird world. This one was dashing around the rocks trying to catch the sand flies for lunch.

 

All the trees on Mull bear testimony to the strength and regularity of the western winds. The oaks at Croggan, particularly so. They are less than half the expected height, their carunculated branches twisted, gnarled, and lichen covered. Many also lean as though trying to stay on their feet. It is said that on the Isle of Eigg, exposed to Atlantic gales, that when the wind stops everyone falls over. 

This Hooded Crow was dry, I find them to be very handsome birds. 

 

My scope revealed that a distant blob was a Black Guillemot . 

After a restful hour or so, we drove back to Craignure for some shopping and today's papers, taking the turning for Grass Point on the way home. We pass a splendid Otter sign near the entrance to the glen.

There, we were entertained by a herd of Highland cattle, many well grown young amongst them, deciding to leave the field for the road. Two of the cows chose to use the parking space sign to ease an itch. Probably why it is rather damaged. Driving through them is a little worrying, those massive horns, which they swing about, could do the car some damage. 

Friday Sept 30

The tail of Storm Ian hit overnight. One of the most devastating storms to  have ever made landfall in Florida. What we had was bad enough. Torrential rain most of the night and day, branches, twigs and trees on the roads with flooded rivers raging past. Our placid river became a hurtling torrent, flooding the field behind the cottage.

Before

 

After 

We did go out in the afternoon, when the storm had abated. I had to remove a branch from the windscreen, which, fortunately didn't seem to have done any damage.

A flock of Golden Plover in a field near Garmony was a trip tick, We filled up with petrol in Salen, ready for tomorrow's departure, then drove to Loch na Keal and back, seeing only Hoodies playing in the wind.

Time to start preparations for tomorrow, Pam bearing the brunt of the packing, both in the house and the car. We have to be out by 10, the more we can do tonight the better. 

Saturday Oct 1

As Pam was packing the car, a man who introduced himself as the Estate Manager, John, came along. A very affable gentleman, he helped Pam put my Rollie in the car and was very perturbed to hear of our WiFi problem. He didn't know, and could have arranged for us to share a neighbour's !!  Apparently they've had a terrible summer up here with lots of rain. Difficult to accept when we've had so much sun with high temperatures.

We've enjoyed the cottage, it was not really suitable for the elderly - but then, where would be?

Moth List 

Merveille du Jour

Spruce Carpet

Grey Pine Carpet

Dark Arches

Juniper Carpet

Chestnut

Dark Chestnut 

Large Yellow Underwing

Angle Shades

Green-brindled Crescent

Ear Moth

Red-line Quaker

Common Marbled Carpet

Dark Chestnut

November Moth

Spruce Carpet 

Yellow-line Quaker

Dark Marbled Carpet 

Beaded Chestnut

Rhomboid Tortrix 

Autumnal Moth 

Acleris notana/ferrugana