August 12/13th - had a short break on the West coast near Oban, primarily to do a wildlife boat trip out of Seil Island in the hope of seeing Minke Whales and Basking Sharks. Luck was not on our side for these two, Minkes had been seen regularly until the weather broke but the choppy conditions didn't help us. The skipper said that no sharks had been seen all season, which is unusual.
However there was still plenty to see with an ad and Juv White-tailed Eagle along the coast of Jura, plenty of Harbour Porpiose around the Gulf of Corryvreckan, one Otter, Common and Grey Seals, Arctic Skua and Bonxie. The trip took us around some beautiful coastline and Islands( The Garvellachs, Luing, Lunga, Scarba and Jura with Mull in the distance) as well as the Corryvreckan Whirl Pool.

Obliging Tysties by the harbour wall at Oban where they nest in the drain holes.

The area is important for Common Seals, a declining species in the UK

Grey Seals are doing better because they can travel further and dive deeper in search of food

Harbour Porpoise came close to the boat in the Gulf of Corryvreckan

Kittiwake-these dapper gulls are one of my favourites

Adult and Juv White-tailed Eagle