The chick is named! And a fond farewell...

On Thursday the 5th September I went to Tobermory School to visit the primary 6/7 class I had been working with in the early part of the year during the spring.

The teacher Richard Gawthrope helped me to facilitate the group and we had a slideshow on the chick’s progress and what happened during the season. I gave the children copies of the photographs and information sheet to keep.

They had been given homework the previous night to think about some names for the chick, so I had them work in pairs to come up with one name each.

The next part was funny as the children wanted to vote with their heads on the table so they could not see who else was voting for a secret ballot and they raised their hands if they wanted to vote…

The last two names were Rambo and Orion…

The reason for Rambo was “my dad watches these films” and the reason for Orion was “the birds are hunters and when you watch them fly so high they go up into the sky and disappear to the stars and the star sign for a hunter is Orion.”

We then had a secret paper vote which was opened up in front of staff and children…and Orion won!

The winner who picked the name was Mari - pictured at the front of the picture to the right. Well done Mari for an excellent well thought out name and thank you.

On Monday 9th September I did my last hide walk with a lovely group of people and guess who appeared just on cue…as we were walking back the newly-named juvenile Orion came out and flew over our heads, it was like a fly pass to me saying goodbye!

Tomorrow, I do my last Ranger event, a walk out around Lochbuie with John Clare the RSPB ranger who I have worked with for 6 months and I would like to personally thank him for all his help and support.

I would also like to say well done to Nicky Adcock that has come out on all, the ranger’s walks this season I have done and has supported me over many miles. We have seen some amazing wild life, flora and scenery. Nicky has taken some fantastic photographs and I look forward to seeing them in the winter.

I have met some wonderful extraordinary people at the hide; some very local who came over five times to the hide during the season, to people from abroad who have travelled many, many miles to see these wonderful birds.

I thank all of you that have come to see us at the hide. We have had an extra 700 visitors this year and I hope that many of you return next year to see these wonderful birds. (If you’ve visited in August and September, do return to Mull in the second week of May through to middle of July to see the most activity at the nest during springtime.)

On my journey to work and homeward bound I have seen much wildlife on the road, but last Friday I stopped on the way home to speak to some people who were looking out to sea. This is a favourite spot for seeing an otter. I stopped and went over and got told they were looking at five otters. I got the scopes out the back of the van and sure enough five otters all in one place fishing in the seaweed. Then I saw an amazing view which they had not seen themselves - a basking shark behind the otters swimming and feeding, what a sight! I call that “A  Platinum  Moment” one I shall cherish in my memory for life.

Have a good autumn, winter and stay safe wherever you travel.
I am off to a wedding soon to be a best women that’s a first for me.

Take care, kind regards thank you for following this blog.

Cheryl Callow
Seasonal Ranger