Wildlife on Mull

Red deer are seen on the hills and in the many forests here. In the winter they are often found along the shoreline licking the salt from the rocks. Fallow deer inhabit the wooded area around Gruline and Salen and wild white goats are found from Grass Point in the south-east down to the Ross of Mull in the south-west. 

Both the common seal and the Atlantic grey seal (the third rarest seal in the world) are frequently seen. 

For more information on whales and dolphins in Scotland and the best places to see them on Mull, visit the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's Marine Discovery Centre in Tobermory. 

Field voles and mice help feed the buzzard population and of course the many cats, both domestic and feral, that live on the island. There is a good population of shrews and pygmy shrews, the latter being a protected species. 

Evidence of moles can be seen almost every where and they have been known to appear by the roadside. An unusual sight for a passing walker! 

Lizards can be found basking in the sun on dry stone dykes and slow worms sunning themselves on the grass and moss. Frogs are plentiful and there is also a healthy population of both toads and newts. Grass snakes and adders do well here, too. 

Beautiful dragonflies are regular visitors to ponds and bogs in the summer and there are always plenty of colourful butterflies and moths to be seen, along with their creepy crawly, hairy caterpillars. 

One of Mull's natural assets is its rich variety of bird life. What follows is just a brief summary which attempts to give some impression of a very large range indeed! 

Flocks of Great Northern Divers can be seen in the spring on sea-lochs, displaying their summer plumage before pairing off to breed. Red-throated and Black-throated Divers are much rarer but are occasionally seen. Little Grebe breed by some of the inland lochs and there have been regular sightings of the Slavonian Grebe. 

Many ducks nest or over-winter here, one of the most attractive being the Eider. A variety of geese visit the island, either during migration or to pass the winter months. 

There are many Buzzards, Sparrowhawks and Kestrels on the island, and there are resident Golden Eagles, Merlin, Peregrine and Hen Harriers. Sea Eagles have nested here in recent years. 

Red Grouse and Ptarmigan are resident, along with numerous Pheasants. There are a few Water Rail, but these shy birds are very difficult to spot. 

Lapwing and Ringed and Golden Plovers breed here, as do Snipe and Woodcock which are quite numerous although localised. Many waders either reside on or visit Mull, the most commonly seen and heard being the Curlew. 

Short-eared Owls are often seen flying over moorland and young forestry plantations during the breeding season and there are some resident Tawny and Barn Owls. 

The list of small birds would seem endless, but would include Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat. Brambling are seen in the winter feeding with large flocks of Chaffinch. There are a small number of Crossbill which are very localised. 

Hooded Crows are everywhere and flocks of Raven are often seen, particularly in early spring. Jackdaws are common in some areas. 

If you have caught a tantalising glimpse of an eagle or a peregrine, at Wings over Mull you can see birds of prey at close quarters - from the diminutive Merlin or the beautiful Barn Owl to the magnificent Golden Eagle, and the owners can tell you all you want to know about these awe-inspiring birds."

Wildlife expeditions with local experts are available on the island,  picking up from either the ferry or from hotels.  This is certainly the way to make the best of a wildlife visit and saves a lot of research and effort.