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Listings for Wildlife Week are being updated all the time. Please
keep checking the website for new events.
Mull and Iona
Wildlife Week
7th
to 13th May 2011
Saturday 7th
May
The Craignure Visitor Centre, WDCS and the HWDT
The Craignure Visitor Centre, WDCS and the HWDT will be holding a
family event at the Visitor Centre in Craignure between 11.00am and
2.00pm The event will start in the centre with talks about the
diverse animal and bird life to be found on the islands with plenty
of information on hand. This will be followed by an hour long
coastal walk searching for land and sea creatures with our
experienced guide. In addition, there will be activities and lots
of fun things for all the family to take part in.
Wildlife watching from the Oban Ferry
8.30am
– 12.45pm
HWDT staff will be on the observation deck to help you spot and
identify the varied wildlife to be seen from the MV Isle of Mull as
you cross over. No additional charge.
Sea Life Surveys – Tobermory
10.30am
Feed the Lobster. An opportunity to feed the lobster and to learn
about the wildlife in the seas around Mull. Visit the Marine
Conservation Society for more fun and info. Free - Just turn up
Ranger led Cycle Ride - North Mull Community Woodland
2pm-4pm
Come and join a ranger led cycle around this beautiful woodland.
Please bring your own bikes and helmets and meet at Langamull
carpark. Further details tbc.
Sunday 8th
May
Craignure Visitor Centre and Wings over Mull 11.00am
– 3.00pm
The Craignure Visitor Centre and Wings over Mull would like to
invite you to meet some of the beautiful birds you may encounter on
the islands. There will be a owls, hawks and a falcon present at the
Visitor Centre together with an experienced guide from Wings over
Mull who can answer all your questions about them. There will also
be information on the White Tailed Sea Eagles, owl pellets for
children to dissect, mini nest boxes, and free literature to take
away.
The Great Honeybee Hunt!
Join Mull and Iona beekeepers searching for feral honeybees and see
what other insects you spot.
Island(s)-wide. £3 donation includes basic photo guide and record
form. Map & compass/gps plus digital camera would be useful but not
essential. Telephone 01688 302008 for full details.
Beach Clean and Work 'Party' at Calgary Bay.
2.00pm meet at the camping end of the bay
Come
and join the Friends of Calgary Bay for an afternoon of activity,
helping get Calgary ready for the season.
Light
refreshments will be provided so bring something along for the
feast!
Sea Life Surveys – Tobermory
10.30am
Feed the Lobster. An opportunity to feed the lobster and to learn
about the wildlife in the seas around Mull. Visit the Marine
Conservation Society for more fun and info (Sat & Sun only). Free -
Just turn up
Monday 9th May
Rock Pool Discovery – Calgary Bay
2.30pm – 4.30pm
HWDT will lead an educational based activity afternoon, exploring
and identifying creatures found in the rock pools at Calgary Bay.
Supper with the Puffins, Turus Mara - Ulva Ferry at 5.30pm
and returns about 10.00pm. Times tbc.
This trip provides a wonderful opportunity for an evening excursion
to the Treshnish Isles. For those unfamiliar with the event, it
consists of an Oyster cruise out to the islands and a BBQ dinner on
the beach at Lunga with lobster, langoustine and mussels served up
with homemade bread and fresh salads, all washed down with a glass
of wine, of course. No one lives on Lunga so your fellow diners
will mostly be feathered!
Bookings should be made with Turus Mara on 08000858786 or 01688
400242 and places are very limited so please book early. A truly
memorable supper! Charge £45 adult, £25 children, all inclusive.
Tuesday 10th
May
Full day photography tour, Sam Jones – 9.45am at the
Islandscape Photography studio at Taigh Solais (the Harbour Visitor
Centre) returning at approx 4.30pm
This
full day photography tour is primarily field based, with an emphasis
on exploring the best photographic sites on the island, accompanied
by helpful tuition and advice in the field. The tour will be by Land
Rover Defender and numbers are restricted to four, so book early to
avoid disappointment. Please bring boots, waterproof gear and your
camera.
Special offer charge of £75 per head
Inch Kenneth with Mull Charters
Meet
at 12.50pm at Ulva Ferry
Mull
Charters will take you on a trip to Inch Kenneth to look for wild
flowers with a local guide. Departure at 1300 from Ulva Pier.
Bring warm, waterproof clothing and suitable footwear. £30 per
person, landing by small boat. Bookings by telephone 01680 300444
or 07788 677131
Film Screening – HWDT
On the hour, every hour between 11.00am and 4.00pm
HWDT will screen their DVD in the shop on the Main Street. A brief
introduction into the workings of the Trust will be provided and
questions will be encouraged.
Mull Rocks!
8.00pm at the Western Isles Hotel, Tobermory
A talk and presentation by Mull geologist James Westland about the
many and varied rocks to be found here on Mull. There will also be
a question and answer session. To be followed by a field trip
tomorrow (Weds).
Owl
Prowl
Meet at 9.00pm at Duart Castle Car Park
Look
and listen for owls in their natural habitat. Bring a torch!
Charge £3 Booking essential, numbers limited to 20. Tel 01680
812377
Wednesday 11th
May
The Geology of Mull 10.00am at
the Lochbuie old Post Office
A field trip to discover and examine the rocky outcrops at Lochbuie.
There will be a walk along the North West shore in the morning and
then on the South West shore during the afternoon. With James
Westland our island geologist. Please bring a packed lunch and
stout shoes.
Talk
on bird Ringing and Raptor Chicks by our island's raptor expert Sue
Dewar.
7.30pm
Meeting at Craignure Village Hall. Charge £3 at the door
Beach clean – Kilninian
Ranger Service led beach clean. Full details and timings are yet to
be confirmed.
Searching for Corncrakes on Iona – Start 10.50 and 1.20 from
the slipway, Iona 2hrs
Pam Brown of Discover Mull tours will lead a walk to search for the
elusive corncrake. If you want picking up on the way she may be
able to help. Charge £10 bookings via Pam before hand at
01688400415 or 07780 600 367 max 12 people
Thursday 12th
May
Trip to the Top
Meet
at Ardmore Forest Car Park at 2.00pm
Come and join a ranger led walk around the northern most tip of
Mull.
The walk offers the chance to view eagles, seals and coastal and
woodland birds and to learn about the local flowers and
archaeology.
Charge £3 Booking essential, numbers limited to 20. Tel 01680812377
Full day photography tour, Sam Jones
9.45am at the Islandscape Photography studio at Taigh Solais (the
Harbour Visitor
Centre) returning at approx 4.30pm.
This full day photography tour is primarily field based, with an
emphasis on exploring the best photographic sites on the island,
accompanied by helpful tuition and advice in the field. The tour
will be by Land Rover Defender and numbers are restricted to four
so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Please bring boots, waterproof gear and your camera. Special offer
charge of £75 per head.
Friday 13th
May
An island Apart- Ulva
Meet at Ulva Ferry at 10.00am
The
walk starts with a short boat trip to the Isle of Ulva, Join the
Ranger Service for a walk around part of this tranquil island where
there will be opportunities to learn about the island's past and
view island life today, constantly surrounded by wonderful scenery
and wildlife.
Charge £3 Booking essential, numbers limited to 20. Tel 01680
812377
Discover Mull Wildisles special in conjunction with Calgary 'Art in
Nature'
Meet
at 10.30am Art in Nature Car Park
'A wild walk' meet at Calgary Farmhouse and 'Art in Nature' car park
at 10.30 am (duration approx 2 hours) £2 per person, proceeds to
Wildisles Week. To book phone Pam Brown (Discover Mull) on 01688
400415
Events taking place every day
Wildlife Art Exhibition – The Gallery in the Woods at Calgary
open 10.30am to 4.30pm
Paintings, photographs, and ceramics from island artists and
visitors tea room. Free
Tall Tales of Mull.
Unique all day tours with Finlay Christine. Local myths, legends,
history, flora and fauna and amazing wildlife around the Isle of
Mull. Finlay will reduce the costs of his all day tours to £30
per head if you quote Wildlife Week when you book between 7 and 13
May.
Call 01680 814215
for further details.
White tailed Eagle Viewing Hide – Loch Frisa
Daily at 10am & 1pm
Ranger led visit. The first and only white tailed eagle viewing hide
in the world. Call 01680 812556 to book (dedicated Hide Booking
line) £5 adults/£2 children
Organic Farm Tours – Ardalanish farm
Part of the Soil Association Demonstration Farm system and the ‘Get
On My Farm’ Initiative. Visitors are welcome to walk the organic
trail all year round and visit the tearoom. There is also a Mill
tour at 1pm each day to see the weaving. Parking and tour are
free. No dogs.
Cruise on ‘the Hebridean Adventure’ from Tobermory harbour
- Start 2.00pm for 3 hrs (not Sun)
Charge £35 adults £28 children Book direct at 01688 302 916
Wildlife Art Exhibition at Glengorm Castle
For cold wet days, there is a permanent display of wildlife
paintings and prints at Glengorm Castle, by Scottish artist, Derek
Robertson. www.derekrobertson.com
All walks require stout
footwear and waterproof clothing (just in case!). Please be aware
that many areas can be quite slippery. We are unable to guarantee
the safety of our guests, and cannot accept liability for any damage
they may incur as a result of taking part in any of the above
events.
Mull & Iona Wildlife
week is sponsored by Holiday Mull, Forestry Commission - Scotland,
Mull & Iona Ranger service, Mull and Iona Community Trust, and the
RSPB.
Please remember to
follow the outdoor access code and to exercise your access rights
responsibly. Act with courtesy, consideration and awareness. Look
after the places you enjoy, and leave the land as you find it. Act
with care at all times for your own safety and that of others.
Thank you.
In the spirit of being
'greener', and of saving our planet, why not use a bicycle, or
public transport or maybe share a car to reach venues or starting
points. Thank you.
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