One of my guests on the Mull Tour last week said these were her favourite ducks. I see what she means; we saw several in Yorkshire on our way north … but I prefer something less brash and subtle than a Mandarin. Bit over the top these Orientals!
The upper reaches of the valley we walked in during our trip to Mull last week was full of chirping Pied Flys. Lovely birds these so bold in colour and movement. Sweeping through the branches to perch motionless until a tasty morsel flying past temps them to sally out. Both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers entertained us – interestingly Redstarts were less common.
On the recent tour to Mull we called in at the Yorkshire Dales for a stop off overnight on the way North. It was an ideal opportunity to go for a walk in the higher valley of one of the momentous Yorkshire rivers that tumble down from the peatlands.
We stumbled upon many birds but one in particular was very confiding. I had to step back from this Nuthatch to get him into focus!
Mull is a great place to see wildlife and on our tour this year we saw two to three Minke Whales. These cetaceans are real show stoppers.
