Birdwatching is having a moment – and not just with retired people carrying giant cameras and flasks of tea.

New research from the RSPB found that regular birdwatching among Gen Z in Great Britain has surged by 1,088% since 2018, making it the second fastest-growing hobby for 16 to 29-year-olds in the UK (just behind jewellery-making). Almost 750,000 young people now count themselves as regular birdwatchers, drawn in by nature apps, a pair of binoculars, and the appeal of a genuinely “slow hobby” that gets them off their screens.

And guess what? the Isle of Mull is one of the best places in the UK to fall in love with it.

This island has become legendary among wildlife lovers because you don’t need to be an expert to see incredible birds here. You can be driving to the beach and suddenly spot a white-tailed eagle overhead.

Mull is peaceful, yet wild, dramatic, and full of moments that feel unreal when you see them for yourself.

Why Mull Is So Good For Birdwatching

The Isle of Mull is often called “Eagle Island,” thanks to one of the highest densities of nesting eagles in the UK.

The mix of mountains, sea lochs, moorland, woodland, and coastline means a huge range of species thrive here all year round, including:

• White-tailed sea eagles
• Golden eagles
• Puffins
• Hen harriers
• Short-eared owls
• Corncrakes
• Peregrine falcons
• Black guillemots
• Guillemots
• Gannets
• Divers
• Sea ducks
• Wading birds

And the best part is that you’ll often spot wildlife while doing something else entirely. Birdwatching on Mull doesn’t have to mean standing silently in camouflage gear for six hours. Sometimes it means watching sea eagles soar past while you’re out for a coastal walk, spotting puffins on a boat trip, catching owls hunting on an evening drive, or hearing corncrakes calling from the croftland as you pass.

Best Places To Go Birdwatching On Mull

Loch na Keal

One of the island’s most famous wildlife spots. This huge sea loch on Mull’s west coast is one of the best places to see white-tailed sea eagles, with mountains rising straight from the water for a properly dramatic backdrop.

You’ve also got a good chance of seeing golden eagles, otters, divers and other seabirds here. Go early morning or later in the evening for the best light and the most activity.

Loch Frisa Eagle Hide

A dedicated wildlife hide near Loch Frisa lets visitors watch white-tailed sea eagles from a safe distance during the breeding season — a brilliant starting point if you’ve never seen one before.

Keep your expectations realistic: this is real wildlife, not a zoo. Sometimes you’ll see plenty. Sometimes you’ll mainly see sheep and rain. That’s part of the fun.

Grass Point

A favourite among local wildlife watchers, with good chances of spotting seabirds, white-tailed eagles, gannets and guillemots — plus the occasional dolphin or porpoise if you’re lucky. Bring layers, even in summer.

Ben More and the surrounding glens

If golden eagles are on your list, head inland to the hills and moorland. Golden eagles tend to favour the mountainous interior, while sea eagles are more commonly seen around the coast and lochs.

Staffa and the Treshnish Isles

If puffins are what you’re after, book a boat trip. From late spring into summer, the puffins arrive and the cliffs become packed with seabirds — one of the most photogenic wildlife experiences in Scotland. Bring a camera with decent zoom if you have one.

Are There Any RSPB Reserves On Mull?

There’s no single official RSPB reserve on Mull in the way you’d find elsewhere in Scotland. Instead, the island works closely with wildlife organisations and conservation groups, with managed eagle-viewing areas and hides in key locations.

In a sense, the whole island is your wildlife reserve — birdwatching on Mull is less about visiting one designated site and more about staying alert wherever you go.

What Birds Can You See At Different Times Of Year?

Spring (March–May) — Probably the most exciting season. Returning seabirds, arriving puffins, displaying eagles, calling corncrakes, and plenty of migratory birds coming back. Ideal if you want variety and longer daylight hours.

Summer (June–August) — Peak wildlife season, and the best time for puffins, seabird colonies, young eagles, corncrakes and boat trips. Long evenings give you extra time for wildlife watching too.

Autumn (September–November) — Quieter and moodier, but you’ll still see eagles, raptors, seabirds and migrating species — against landscapes that turn properly dramatic.

Winter (December–February) — Underrated. The island feels wild and peaceful, and you can still spot sea eagles, golden eagles, divers and sea ducks. Winter birdwatching on Mull feels remote and cinematic in a way no other season quite matches.

What Equipment Should You Bring?

You don’t need expensive gear to enjoy birdwatching. A beginner setup is more than enough:

• Binoculars
• Waterproof jacket
• Layers
• Phone with a bird ID app
• Snacks and water
• Portable charger
• A small notebook, if you like recording sightings

Apps like Merlin Bird ID have become hugely popular with younger birdwatchers, since they can identify birds from sound recordings alone.

Where Can You Buy Birdwatching Equipment On Mull?

If you forget something — or fancy upgrading your gear while you’re here — Tobermory has a few useful options.

Brown’s Tobermory is a long-established shop selling outdoor gear, binoculars and general supplies. You’ll also find other outdoor shops and local stores around the island carrying waterproofs, maps and walking essentials during the tourist season.

Tips For A Great Birdwatching Day On Mull

• Start early — wildlife is often more active in the morning
• Our roads are single track, so please don’t pull over into the passing places to spot wildlife. Here’s more on driving in Mull
• Pack waterproofs even if the forecast looks good
• Bring snacks, as cafés can be far apart
• Keep noise low near hides and nesting areas
• Don’t get too close to nesting birds
• Be patient — the best sightings often happen after waiting quietly

And importantly: take all rubbish home with you. Mull’s landscapes and wildlife are part of what makes the island special, and disposable cups, food wrappers and plastic waste can damage habitats and harm the animals that live there. Leave places exactly as you found them, so the next visitor gets the same incredible experience.

Why Young People Are Falling Back In Love With Nature

Part of the reason birdwatching is taking off with younger people is because it offers something increasingly rare: quiet. No pressure to constantly post. No notifications. No productivity mindset — just being outside and noticing things. It’s slow travel and soft travel friendly and the perfect antidote to just about everything else going on in the world.

There’s something addictive about it once you start. The first time you spot a white-tailed eagle soaring over a sea loch on Mull, you’ll understand why people keep coming back.