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Latest Reports - April-June 2004-2009
Latest reports for June 2009
30th JUNE  :  CALGARY BAY (North shore)
Colony of Grayling butterflies now on the wing on coastal lava cliffs at North end of Calgary Bay (6 - 7 butterflies seen); also colony of Transparent Burnet moths observed feeding on Wild Thyme in same area. Birds included ad. Golden Eagle, 3 Kestrels, Common Gull nest with one chick and another 'chipping' egg, 5 singing m m Whitethroats and singing Tree Pipit - Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson 
29th JUNE : LOCHDON (Gorsten Area)
1 Marsh Fritillary seen nr High Oatfield; small colony of Large Heath now on wing on coastal moorland North of Gorsten (4 - 5 butterflies seen); pair of Hen Harriers in same area; 3 prs Linnet in gorse scrub; ad. WTSE being mobbed by Raven and Common Gulls along North shore of Lochdon; also 3 Common Porpoise in nearby Firth of Lorne. Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
30th Loch Pottie 1 Whooper Swan still present. Uisken 1 Swift. Loch Beg 1 Mute Swan, 7 Golden Plover, 2 Greenshank. Crossbills are showing in reasonable numbers in various locations.  Bryan Rains
20th Male Hen Harrier flying down glen Forsa  early evening (this was about 2 miles down the glen)
21st Brief sighting of a Male Ring Ouzel (this was about 2 to 3 miles down the glen Forsa)
21st Lesser whitethroat at the car park on B8073 at the north end of Loch Frisa
25th on the shore near Aros Castle  2 Storm Petrels fly south also a Whooper Swan at this site  Geoff Trigg
28th LANGAMULL; 3 Crossbills over plantation; Red-throated Diver calling and seen on sea; 50 Greylag Geese on sea; 14 Sand Martins over colony where 5 out of 22 nest holes active; family party Linnets in coastal scrub; pr Oystercatchers with b/2 harassed by Mink.
Orchids;  5 species seen, Greater Butterfly, Fragrant, Northern Marsh, Common Spotted and Heath Spotted.
Butterflies/Moths:  Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Small Heath, Pearl-bordered sp , Six-spot Burnet and Slender Scotch Burnet all seen despite overcast conditions.
24th SALEN FORT 1 Swift --> S at 22.20 hrs; family party of Whinchats.
25th TIRORAN - TAVOOL  18 Crossbills in plantation.  Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson 
28th: 2 gannets flying south & about 6 porpoises,  near the lighthouse . Felicity Hansen & Mary Sparrow
25th 1 Swift near Treshnish cow-barn and about an hour later 1 (possibly same) at Haunn.
The Quail has not been heard since the 21st and i have reliable report that it was first heard on 31st May a week before i first heard it, Anand Prasad 
25th Tiroran-Tavool: Butterflies; 30 common blue, 40 small heath, 20 pearl bordered fritillary, 12 meadow brown, 10 speckled wood, 8 painted lady plus both burnet moths, Ruth Flemming & Stuart Gibson.
24th, 2 black guillemot by the pier in Craignure, easily seen from shore.  Felicity Hansen
24th Uisken: Common Swift at Uisken Bay along with a Sedge Warbler and male Hen Harrier. Ashley Saunders
23rd Tobermory: at least 12 Swift over the town. jenny & Chris Buckley
16th Kellan Lodge Mill (Loch na Keal) a 1st year MALE COMMON ROSEFINCH, a very 'rare bird' indeed and a first for Mull, previously one was on Iona in 1989.  kindly reported by Ben Dickinson
23rd Loch Buie: a LESSER WHITETHROAT  Loch Buie. The previous record was one on Iona in 1965,  Ashley Saunders Oriole Adventures
21st Glen Bellart:  heard Quail calling from grid reference NM455485, about 200 yards north of the coniferous forest where the road crosses the cattle grid and disappears into the wood on the road south of Dervaig towards Salen. It appeared to be coming from an area between the fence line and the river. Between 17.00 and 17.25 it called about a dozen times in short bursts - the "wet-your-lips" call being unmistakable. We scanned the area were it appeared to be located but were unable to see it. also saw a Whooper Swan this morning on Loch Pottie.   Thanks to Peter Hodgson, Jim and Lynda Coyle
20th,  Good day out,  60 species, including Bullfinch in Glen Aros and singing Wood Warbler in trees alongside Salen Bay.  Fragrant Orchids, amongst others, and Chimney Sweep Moths also in Glen Aros.  Mike Wagemakers
20th Whooper Swan on Loch Frisa, Crossbills  at the hide fragrant orchids, common spotted orchids, small pearl bordered fritillaries, painted ladies just in front of the loch frisa sea eagle hide hide. Debby Thorne
17th Garmony:  a whooper swan at Garmony and on 22nd 2 Turnstone. Dave Pieirce
15th Langamull: 600 Manx Shearwater, 10 sand martin, 60 painted lady, 44 small heath,24 chimney sweeps, 2 six spot burnet moth, pearl and small bordered fritillary, Ruth Flemming and Stuart Gibson
15th Calgary: FEMALE HAWFINCH seen 1.15 pm Frachadil House garden  by Andy and Helen Mortley 
14th Caliach Point: 500+ Manx Shearwaters on the water, 10 Goosander at Dervaig.  Arthur Brown
13th Over 40 species seen on the Cailaich road BTO sqare including lots of Meadow Pipits and over 30 Skylarks
12th Staffa: 7 Twite and 2 Wren on Staffa, 8 Manx Shearwater and a Corys Shearwater at very close range together between Staffa and Lunga. I have seen Corys many times in the uk and abroad and I am 100% certain of this sighting. Robert Hoare
7th Iona -on sea on west coast nr. Stac Liath: Slavonian Grebe in summer pl. Bonxie past Port na Curaich -south coast of Iona 
10th Corncrake showed well on Iona -in recently mowed field next to hotel. Whimbrel -Ardalanish beach, Mull
12th Uisken beachHen Harrier -female, Greenshank -Loch Beg.  Neil Osborne + reports from Hayley Tomlinson 
10th male Hen Harrier and Turtle Dove near the river aros just past the first cattle grid  from salen, summer plumaged Great Northern Diver in the sound of mull near the pier at Craingure.  Juv Great Northern Diver and 2 Summer plumaged Black Throated Diver and Black Guillimot loch Buie also female Whinchat on fence posts on the approch road. Robert Hoare 
10th Calgary bay near beach: 5 female Eider ducks with 17 newly fledged chicks! One red-throated Diver in bay.
At Langamull 92 Slender Scotch Burnets and  Frog Orchids. Anand Prasad  more Orchids here
9th : summer plumaged Great Norther Diver this evening on the sea near the fish farm from Garmony. Robert Hoare
8th Treshnish headland: Quail calling on Treshnish headland walk track . Anand Prasad
8th Craignure:  5 black guillemots today just off Craignure (from ferry).Felicity Hansen and Peter Verity
A few highlights from our week on Mull.
Pair of Shelduck plus one chick at Croig, with WTSE ominously overhead (6th), Wood Warbler on the Tobermory Lighthouse walk 5th Loch na Keal: drake Tufted Duck at head of Loch Na Keal on the low tide pool by the campsite at Killiechronan. Geoff Pain.
(5th), Pair of Arctic Tern on Langamull beach, with the male fishing for the female: plus a Swift overhead at the same location (1st), Whinchat singing at Carsaig, and Treecreeper in the woods at Carsaig (30th): Spotted Flycatcher in the woods at the Calgary Hotel (2nd), Pair of Red Throated Diver at Calgary Bay (all week) and a pair at Loch Tuath (4th): Bullfinch at Dervaig (3rd): Male Wigeon at Aros (4th). 
During the week, Cuckoo's at Calgary, Ulva, Treshnish Pt, Ardmore (pair), Carsaig, Loch Don, Langamull (on the telegraph wires on the way to the beach) and Otters at Calgary Bay, Treshnish Point (x2), Flat Rock Glengorm (x2) and Loch Scridain 
In all 89 species in a week (mainly North Mull + Iona) - a record for me
Overall highlight was perhaps a hugeBasking Shark in Calgary Bay on 1st - by far the biggest I've ever seen
Matt Atkin 
4th Ferry Crossing Craignure to Oban: In the Firth of Lorn were 8-10 Pomarine Skua drifting west, excellent views. Alan
4th Aros. 1 Dipper and at least 5 Grey Wags on the burn. 1 male Wigeon on the sea in Aros Bay.1 male Hen Harrier  between Aros and Dervaig. Martin Sage
4th  Loch na Keal: 2 red throated divers calling. greylags with goslings. On Scarisdale rocks were 2 WTSE. RF & SG
4th Aros estuary:  an 'out of season' Wigeon here today. Martin Sage
3rd between Iona and Mull. Great Skua robbing 2 gulls between. also found Rooks on Iona 
3rd Loch Buie: a pair of summer plumaged Black throated diver have been giving excellent views here for the last three weeks. WTSE flew over. several Swifts over Grasspoint road. Alan
1st Lochdon. I watched stunning whinchat in the mornings sunshine, and where was my camera, in my car 100 yards away. will I never leaarn ? Alan
1st Gribun: Lots of painted ladies at Gribun. also peacocks. We have a resident tawny owl at gribun this year , and the peregrines have moved to be replaced by a pair of kestrel on the cliffs. Liz and Richard Hallam
1st Gruline Mausoleum. Spotted Flycatcher. Eurasion Jay at Gruline., (scarce for mull) Martin Sage
Latest reports for May 2009Report from last week.

Last weekend I took a photograph of a bird (Rose coloured Starling)  taken on Friday 29th May, above Tobermory, on the Dervaig road, at approximately NM499551.    Steve Brown
Reports from last week: Uisken: Arctic Skua, dark phase adult flew south, Great Skua, 2 from NW beach Iona , 2 more on crossing between Lunga and Staffa. Whooper Swan & Tufted Duck  on Loch Pottie , Golden Plover – summer plumage adult Pennyghael, 3 Whimbrel, 3 flew over Grasspoint, Merlin – Female/immature seen from road near Lochdon, W of Grasspoint, SE Owl also here, Uisken. Hen Harrier – males seen most days  also W of Bunessan, Grasspoint, and Glen Bellart (between Salen and Dervaig), Barn Owl – East of Pennyghael, Peregrine at Calgary Beach , Corncrake, 5 males calling Iona. . Whinchat – stunning male Grasspoint and Twite – 2 Ardalanish Beach pm Sun 24th, 2-4 North end of Iona.   David & Janet Franklin
But the best sighting (in that it was alone of all we saw was a lifer for us) was several Narrow-leaved Helloborines in wood containing sculpture trail near Calgary Beach . Also 40 Early Purple Orchids near Ardalanish Beach. 
Reports from last week:
25th May – Otter north of Salen, reeling Grasshopper Warbler in the garden of our self-catering cottage seaview in Salen (also calling on 26th but not after) 26th May – Adult Long-tailed Skua close to Lunga , also Arctic Skua near Ulva 27th May – Great northern Diver (Loch Scridain), Slavonian grebe and Red-throated Diver (Loch Buie)
28th May – Male Hen Harrier east of Bunnesan, 5 or 6 corncrake calling around Baile Mor on Iona 29th May – Black-throated Diver, Bonxie, and 8 possible Pomarine Skuas very distantly (west end of Coll from the whale watching trip)  Ben Lascelles
Reports from last week:
Sunday 24 May: Great Northern Diver, summer plumage at grasspoint.  Also at Grasspoint was an Arctic Skua harassing an Arctic Tern.  2 Otters in Salen bay. Monday 25 May: Cuckoo, spotted flycatcher by Aros Castle
Wednesday 26 May: 2 Great Skuas at Lunga. Thursday 27 May: 3 great northern divers, winter plumage on Loch Buie. Friday 28 May: Aros Mains: 2 Tawny Owl calling in the woods. Saturday 29 May: Grasspoint : Flock of 18 Dunlin, golden eagle.  Reports from another holiday maker of 3 mink in the old pier (2 adults and 1 juv noticed significantly less calling cuckoos than last year. Carl Winkley
Roding Woodcock over Laggan Lodge, Lochbuie, 10.50pm Friday 29th May.
Shelduck drake, Little Laggan beach, Lochbuie.. Pair red breasted mergansers, Lochbuie end, Loch Splevie
Common gull nesting colony completely crashed this year  - Little Laggan beach, Lochbuie   – not even one nesting bird.  It used to team with nesting gulls. Alastair Gossage
Latest reports for May 2009
31st An invasion of Painted Ladies. We had at leasdt 26 in 1km stretch Anand Prasad. one in Stuart Gibsons garden at Salen. Keep a look out there will be many more over the next week or two. Alan
30th Calgary Bay:  a pair of long tailed duck at Cagary Bay, female Goosander at Mishnish lochs, Swift flew over Loch na Keal & s/p Golden Plover at Calliach Point. Arthur Brown Discover mull Tours
30th Lochdon: an Osprey stopped here this pm ,caught a fish and found a tree in which to eat it. Alan 
28th Loch Buie: 3 Black Throated Diver (2 summer plumage, 1 winter plumage), 1 Red Throated Diver
Loch Uisg: Golden Eagle, Common sandpiper.  Jonathan Scragg
28th Iona: Great Skua flying North through the Sound, Male Peregrine circling Dun I (29th) 
Highlight was the s/p Slav Grebe (already reported to you) in the bay-at-the-back-of-the-ocean - sitting tight, out of the wind about 10 yards from the shore.  Matt Atkin 
27th Carsaig Bay: two summer plumage Black-throated Diver – Carsaig Bay – Carol Marshall
27th Iona: 5 rasping Corncrakes mid-day between ferry and 'Bay at the Back of the Ocean'; adult. s/p Slavonian Grebe giving prolonged views at Bay at the Back of the Ocean; migrant flock of ca. 20 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover and 6 + Sanderling on tide-line at Bay of the Back of the Ocean; 2 ad. ff Shelduck with creche of 8 recently hatched ducklings at Bay at the Back of the Ocean; 22 Eider (inc. 9 prs) at Bay at the Back of the Ocean; pair of Twite giving excellent views as they bathed in puddle along track to St Columba's Bay; pair of Ringed Plover, St Columba's Bay.3 Great Northern Divers (inc 2 in imm/non-breeding plumage), Loch Scridain.
Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson 
26th Loch na Keal: two summer plumaged Great northern Diver here today. We have a pair of Black Guillemot nesting in the old pier at Craignure. Peregrine on the north side of loch na keal Kevin Boothroyd
25th Loch Buie: all three divers here, including 2 summer Black throated divers. Jim and Linda Hurles
24th Quinish (by Dervaig):  3 singing Wood Warblers, White narrow leaved Helleborine near the path; Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Whitethroat, Wheatear, Stonechat; 2 singing male Reed Buntings; single Whimbrel and Red-throated Diver, along with Otter, near Quinish Point. Ruth Fleming/Stuart Gibson
23rd  Haunn cottages, Treshnish: Saw my first Spotted Flycatcher here today. Anand Prasad 
23rd Loch Ba: nesting Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Lapwing & Oystercatcher, RB Mwerganser. Grey Wagtail, calling Golden Plover. Ruth Flemming & Stuart Gibson.
20th had our suspicions about the swan on Loch Pottie, was certain we had a Mute Swan a few weeks ago, today I found Whooper Swan under the protection of a Canada Goose.  Mike Wagemakers
20th Ardalanish beach: 6 Whimbrel and 3 Sanderling and Early Purple Orchids, (33 plants). Alan 
19th Ardnalish, Ross of Mull:  Great Skua and Red Grouse, Golden Eagle, Great Northern Diver and 2 Common Terns nearby at Traigh Gheal. Anand Prasad
19th Garmony picnic area: a group of 6 summer plumaged Ruddy Turnstone here. Dai Roberts & Andy
19th Laggan Bay: the White billed diver has been seen again in the bay. Alan Coles et al mullbirds self catering.
19th Track to Killean/Gualachaolish (Lochdon)  Male Whinchat in song; Tree Pipit and Willow Warbler (2) singing at Killean Burial Ground; 2 Short-eared Owls hunting in late afternoon; Meadow Pipit nest c/5 found, Killean - Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
13th May along the Salen to Dervaig road (Glen Bellart)  a Red Kite  photographed.  Zara Tivey.
18th Treshnish point: at dusk saw a Swift  moving northwards over Treshnish House . Anand Prasad
18th Swift in Fionnphort area for it's second day yesterday also Merlin, fem Hen Harrier and 30 Dunlin. Uisken has 2 Common Tern, 2 RT Diver, Whinchat, Cuckoo and Sedge Warbler. Wild About Mull.
17th Iona Corncrake seen also Gannets in the sound with Arctic Terns, Summer plumaged Great northern Diver on Loch Scridain by Pennyghael. Felicity Hanson/Alan/Judith Spellman
17th  Iona Corncrakes seen and heard  and one Lesser Redpoll nr Tigh Shee.Later on Mull at Loch na Keal 6 Golden plover, and a Yellow wagtail (blue headed race) information to follow. Christine Rose and Bob Bailey 
17th May - Salen fort/Glenaros farm Immature. WTSE over Salen; singing Redstart, Wood Warbler and Tree Pipit, Glenaros track; Ad. s/p Red-throated Diver, Salen bay. Also, male Green Hairstreak butterfly and two Meadow Pipit nests, each with c/4, Salen fort - Ruth Fleming & Stuart Gibson
16th Duart Castle:  a  Corncrake was calling at Duart Castle near the car park.Also of note were 2 calling, summer plumage Black throated Divers on Lochbuie on Friday 15th,  and on a walk from Pennyghael to Carsaig on Thursday was a Male Hen Harrier and at the beginning and later end of our walk were 2 Golden Eagles above the summit of the road. 3 Red throated Divers in Calgary Bay. 11th-12th. Vivienne Fish.
16th Treshnish headlands: Snow Bunting (male) and a Swift passing through. Ruthe Flemming & Stuart Gibson.
15th Sound of Mull:  Terns over small island north of Craignure (18 counted airborne, as well as numerous small parties commuting south to fish in the confluence of the sound and Loch Linnhe. Both Common and Arctic seen fishing and resting on Lady's Rock? 2 Arctic Skuas seen off Duart point heading north up the Sound together, 1 pale phase and 1 dark phase.       Richard Howells
14th Hawn Treshnish car park: a eurasion jay here John Mason
14th Fionnphort:  3 Dunlin (with black bellies) on the beach 
14th Sound of Iona:  Common Terns, Arctic Terns, Kittiwakes (inc one perfect 1st year plumage), Great Skua (around 1445, heading south, close inshore). 13th Ishriff Glen More:  Male Merlin south across road.
14th May - Loch Beg 1 Greenshank and ca. 10 Golden Plover - Stuart Gibson
13th May - Ulva  Ringtail' Hen Harrier, 2 Cuckoo; singing Tree Pipit, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wood Warbler, Goldcrest, Redpoll and Siskin; also 1-2 calling Crossbills - Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
13th May - Salen  Local Barn Owl hunting in gardens along old road (may be seen in general area opposite Salen Hotel/Post Office from 19.00 hrs) - Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
10th Burgh off the Treshnish road: a beautiful male summer plumaged Snow Bunting. Photos to follow Eddie & Josie Gibson. see photographs here.
10th May - Salen  Hunting Barn Owl and 3 - 4 prs Goldfinch and large nos of singing Siskin during 'Wild Isles' birdsong evening walk - Stuart Gibson
13th Ulva: Above the ruins of Ormaig: Peregrine Falcon hunting - adult male. Adult male Hen Harrier - excellent views as it came over a ridge and was surprised to see us there. Earlier on Ulva  -  adult male Sparrowhawk. 
15th Laggan Bay: White billed diver here this afternoon, Pam Brown et al Discover Mull Tours
14th Off Grasspoint: a summer plumaged Pomarine Skua flew past. Marcus Conway
13th Report from visitor of two Brent geese on lagoon below Glen Forsa Air Strip
13th Loch na Keal: 5 Great northern Diver & 6 Red throated Diver, Black Guillemot, an Osprey flew over yesterday. Red breasted Merganser, Eider. 6 Golden Plover, 4 Ringed Plover, Goldies+WTSE. Alan
13th Craignure: An Ortolan Bunting seen & photographed at Craignure camp site on 9th. This very scarce migrant has a very distinctive and diagnostic eye ring and is a first for Mull and Argyll. 
I Hope to have images on site and a more detailed report soon. Alan
12th Fidden 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel. Loch Pottie 1 Mute Swan.Uisken 1 Whinchat, 3 Sedge Warbler. Wild About Mull. Bryan Rains   You can buy the latest bird report at the Pennyghael post office. 
12th :There are several pairs of Canada Geese noe breeding around the island, at Garmony, Loch na Keal and Ulva Ferry. Threee years ago there were none staying to breed. Alan
11th Ardrioch Farm Dervaig: 8am Barn Owl. Corncrake seen on Iona on a Corncrake walk for Wildisles week. Pam Brown. www.discovermull.co.uk 
11th  heard greenshank on moors off A 849 Glen More 12th May Calgary Bay - 3 Twite on footpath beside bay north side. Had a great time  - and found the Mull Bird Report very interesting and helpful. Chris Roome 
11th Loch Frsa: WTSE, Goldie and Osprey flying south down loch. Dave Sexton
10th Pennygowan: at 1230 a Long eared Owl sitting on a roadside fence post at Pennygown, nr graveyard. It was jumping from verge to post clearly trying to hunt. May well have been sick or just very hungry after the recent weather to have been out in the day. Dave Sexton
10th Iona north beach: 70 Dunlin plus 16 Sanderling & Ringed Plover. Ruth Flemming & Stuart Gibson
10th Oban Bay: 10 Black Guillemot in bay, viewed from Ferry. Judith Spellmman
9th Lochdon: 20.00hrs 10 Whimbrel, 5 Shelduck, Short eared Owl, Grasshopper Warbler (heard). Alan
9th Gamony: 23 summer plumage Dunlin, 3 White Wagtail, 2 singing Redpoll. Ruth Flemming/Stuart Gibson
7th Langamull: 6 Arctic Tern, 1 Great Skua and 1 Arctic Skua, 15 Dunlin, 1 Black throated Diver. David Hatfield.
7th Calliach Point: a trip here produced 5 Whimbrel, Fulmar, Shelduck, Shearwater, Cormorant, Shag, Auks, Wheatear, Wagtails, a SparrowHawk and Sea Eagle and lots more. Phillip Gatley/Alan
7th Grasspoint: an Osprey at Grasspoint whilst watching WTSE. We were in the car park bit & the Osprey flew over as if from Lochdon, heading seawards, then we lost it. One WTSE on the shore at Lochdon; a couple of GNDs in Loch Scridain at Pennyghael & a couple of Goldies at the top of Glen More. Edwina & David Sharp
7th Tobermory Harbour:1st summer Iceland Gull still hanging around the area. Stuart Gibson
7th Langamull: 6 Arctic Tern and an Arctic Skua here this morning. David Hatfield
7th Loch Beg: Peregrine hunting waders, loch na keal: Goldie,Uisken: Ringtail Harrier. Rick Thornton
6th  May ’09 – Iona – 6 Purple Sandpipers on rocks on North Beach. 2 Arctic Terns. Whimbrel. Fidden – 7 Whimbrel. Lochdon (Eagle Watch caravan) – 3 Hen Harrier (adult male, female and 1st Summer male) at dusk. Craignure – Wood Warbler in song behind Craignure Inn.
Also plenty of Black Guillemots, G N Divers, etc at various locations.      Ross Facer
5th Loch Na Keal – male Whinchat.  Iona – at least 5 calling Corncrakes (1 seen very well in the open). 3 Twite, female Hen Harrier offshore flying North over the sea at North Beach , Grasshopper Warbler reeling in the Organic Garden in the evening.  (late reports just received)
4th Grasspoint – WTSE, Golden Eagle (ad), 2 S E Owl (viewed  from the car park area ), 1 Hen Harrier. 
Lochdon – 1st summer male Hen Harrier from Eagle Watch caravan at dusk. Grasshopper Warbler (heard).
4th Calgary: 3 Twite and 1 Linnet here. Havid Hatfield.
4th Garmony: a pair of Goosander in the estuary. David & Edwina Sharp
3rd Loch na Keal: a trip round loch na Keal this morning found us 1 WTSE. 5 Golden Eagle , 2 Great northern Diver and Black guillemot. Phillip Gatley/Alan.............(3 life ticks for Phillip)
2ns Glengorm: 2 Whinchat, 37 Raven north of the  waste dump. David Hatfield
2nd a Whinchat (only second so far) reported by David Hatfield 
2nd Ardrioch by Dervaig: a singing Redstart and another by Killiechronan. David and Edwina Sharp
1st Langamull beach:  Great Northern Diver in full breeding kit offshore .David Mellor
April 30th Haunn: first Whinchat was on 30th April at Haunn seen by Nick Evans a guest at Haunn cottages,
cheers, Anand Prasad
28th Calliach Point: 5 Great Skua, at Dervaig 6 White wagtails. David Hatfield
27th Dervaig  Two male Hen Harriers dancing in the twilight , Long eared owl hunting , Barn Owl present ... 28th Dervaig  Sea Eagle came thru, radio and wing tagged . Woodcock roding late in the day ...                   Quinish Point: Great Skua on its travels.Taighe Sithe area: six lapwings and 16 Sand Martins present ...

Latest reports for April 2009
30th: Just a note to let you know that on my trip today, (in the pouring rain this morning!) we spotted both Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler on the Grasspoint road . Pete Hall
28th Iona: the first Wood Warbler in the organic garden. David Allan
28th Glen Forsa shoreline: 1 Whimbrel, 6 Wheatear, 12 Meadow Pipits and 25 White Wagtai. Stuart Gibson. Croggan 30+ Pinkfoot flew north over Crogan flying north. Alan Spellman/Athur Brown also here a Common Whitethroat heard. Pam Brown
27th Dervaig reed beds: a newly arrived Sedge Warbler heard mimicking the call of a Spotted Crake. Is there one hiding somewhere in the reedbed ? Alan
27th our first Sedge Warbler & Cuckoo at Haunn, Treshnish farm.Also today 2 Great Skuas off the North of Treshnish Isles, Anand Prasad
27th Salen Bay: 2 summer plumaged Black tailed Godwits here this morning. Stuart Gibson
27th: 1st summer Iceland Gull still present at Tobermory harbour, also, 2 singing male Blackcaps, Back Brae, Tobermory, including one mimicking song of Garden Warbler - Felicity Hansen & Stuart Gibson.
24th Loch Buie: 6 Great northern Diver,, 1 Red throated Diver. Salen Bay a Whimbrel. Stuart Gibson
24th Tobs: First cuckoo heard at Viewmount today.  Pair of siskins on the peanut feeder this morning, and a pair of grey wagtails seem to have taken up residence in the garden as I've seen them most days for the past fortnight.  Sheila Barnard
24th Tobermory: The Iceland gull is in Tobs harbour this morning, close to wall, very easy to see with naked eye, preening, standing with several herring gulls.  Felicity Hansen
24th Loch Scridain: 1 Black-throated Diver.Uisken 3 Dunlin, 1 Red-throated Diver. Fidden 1 Purple Sandpiper, 50 Dunlin, 300 Golden Plover, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Whimbrel, 3 Turnstone. Bryan Rains
23rd: 2 Short Eared Owls on Dervaig to Torloisk hill road, also 3 Bar Tailed Godwits and a Greenshank at Dervaig and we had our first Yellowhammer of the summer in the garden yesterday and now have Siskins in good numbers here. Arthur & Pam Brown
22nd Glengorm - A flock of about 25 Raven around lambing sheep at Glengorm. - Shaun Mccullagh
16th  Fidden: 2  Ravens, 8 Tufted duck on Loch Pottie, Peregrine at Tiraghoil. Tony Jenkins
17th Scoor to Shiaba: 2 Golden eagles, 2 Hen Harriers, 5 Buzzards and single Kestrel, plus Song Thrush, 12 Sand Martins over Loch Harrison.Tony Jenkins
18th Rossal: Cuckoo in woodland, 6 Twite at Fidden, Canada Goose flying towards Kinloch, Woodcock flying over Bunessan, 2 Gannets offshore south of Iona
19th Fidden: 2 Bar tailed godwits, 120 Golden Plover, several Dunlin, 20+ Ringed Plover, Little Stint, 6 Curlew and single Whimbrel. Greenfinch & Rred Throated Diver off Iona. Tony Jenkins
20th - Up to 12 Great northern divers  on Loch Scridain, plus single Black throated Diver & several small parties of razorbills, Twite still present at Fidden Tony Jenkins
21st Oban Ferry: a Manx shearwater seen from Oban ferry. Felicity Hanson. Caliach Point: Manx Sheerwater watched from here, between Coll and Mull.
21st Dervaig/Loch Cuin: 20 summer plumaged Bar tailed Godwit stopped here to rest & feed en route north Arthur Brown.
21st Tobermory:The Iceland Gull was still in Tobermory harbour today around the chip van. Two Peregrines were circling over the town for a few minutes. Anand Prasad 
20th Fidden:a flock of circa 100 Golden Plover plus Skylarks, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits all over the place and at least 7 White Wagtails amongst them. Alan
20th Salen: Stuart Gibson reports a male Orange tip butterfly in his garden today.
18th Bird Club Field Meeting Duart and Torosay.  Total of 45 species seen.  The main highlight was at least 
7 singing male Blackcaps in Torosay Woods.. Today 20th - Male Long Tailed Duck still showing well at Lagganulva.  On Ulva there is a male Canada Goose paired with a female Grey Lag.  Pair of Black Guillemots seen close to the ferry.  Shaun Mccullagh
13th Dervaig: Andrew Mortley reports seeing a Male Marsh Harrier on the Dervaig-Tobermory road near Dervaig. A close sighting along the side of the road. A very scarce passage migrant, usually seen between April—June
A female Marsh Harrier was seen on the 27th April 2007. The sighting was at Grasspoint at around 19.00hrs, and the bird appeared to come in from the coast and flew within about 50 yards of our group  Malcolm Taylor
In 2006 an immature female was seen flying along the coast at Salen 7th May. Possibly the same bird that was reported on Coll on 8th and Tiree on 9th. 
19th: The long tailed Duck showing very well and very close at lagganulva bay. 
18th 42 Meadow Pipits, 16 Skylarks, 12 Wheatear, 2 Linnets, 2 Grey Wagtails, a Golden Eagle and a Peregrine Falcon amongst 24 species seen on the Gribun Tetrad.  Arthur Brown
19th Tobermory: Iceland Gull in the harbour with other gulls. Alan
14th Treshnish: first Manx Shearwater for this year, 2 birds between Treshnish Point and Treshnish Isle and another about an hour later. Anand Prasad
12th Laggan Bay: 5 Great northern Diver, single male Long Tailed Duck, Razorbill. Karen and Dave Leeming
13th Torloisk-Dervaig: male Hen Harrier seen at 11.00 am. Callum McEwan (aged 12) and Dad
16th Craignure Golf course: White Fronted Goose  along with 13 turnstone. 4 ringed plover on shore near airstrip and chiffchaff heard near Glenforsa hotel.  Razorbill in Loch na Keal - Griburn end. - Iceland gull still present in Tobermory. 17th  Mick & Sylvia Brennan.
15th Housemartin with Sandmartins on airstrip along with several wheatears. 
14th Single Redwing with two Mistle Thrush, male Merlin hunting meadow pipits also over Glen Forsa airfield. 
13th - Iceland gull in Tobermory. Dave Pierce
12th 4 whooper swans on loch in the wilderness along with 6 golden eagles in the air together and 4 short eared owls around the same time in the early evening.  Common Sandpiper near pennygael along with single greenshank. Really good otter sightings near griburn rocks. Mick and Sylvia Brennan
18th Dervaig: The first Grasshopper Warbler seen and heard at the reed bed, also a Reed Bunting and Common Sandpiper. Pam & Arthur Brown,
16th Loch na Keal/Scarisdale: Cuckoo calling on & off for the 1.5 hrs. Dave Pierce
17th Loch Frisda: a summer plumaged Black throated Diver here. Debbie Thorne.
17th Iona: I have a report of Corncrake  being heard on the island.
13th Salen: a singing Blackcap, Stuart Gibson, also Loch Frisa produced 7 Raptors, Golden Eagle, WTSE, Buzzard, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel & Hen Harrier plus Crossbill and singing Goldcrests.
13th Kiloan: 1 Common Tern seen from the Kiloan ferry. Swallow seen regularly by Loch Frisa since 8th April. 4 House Martins seen by Loch Frisa on 16th April. Felicity Hanson
16th Lagganulva: first reported House Martins at Lagganulva Bay today. Arthur Brtown
15th Fionnphort: a Chiffchaff singing here. Bryan Rains
14th Loch Beg:  1st summer Ring-billed Gull. Bryan Rains.  www.wildaboutmull.co.uk
13th Ardness: 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Uisken 4 Linnet, 4 Twite.14th Glen More: a cracking female Merlin perched at the roadside. Lots of Swallows and Sand Martins. Bryan 
12th Aros Estuary: first Common Sandpiper here this afternoon. Stuart Gibson
12th Dervaig Arthur Brown reports 2 Lesser Black backed Gull  here.
12th Salen: 3 Short eare4d Owls and 2 Hen Harriers over this morning. Stuart Gibson
12th Lochdon: 2 Swallows reported by Own Tyson.
11th Knock: There was the first Cuckoo calling today.Colin Moody
10th Loch na Keal: Grey Wagtail, 15 Eider duck, 3 Great northern Diver, lots of Meadow pipits & Skylarks. AS
5th top of Beinn a' Graig. (behind Scarisdale Point, Loch na Keal): a Ring Ouzel here today by visitor, Peter Holmes.
9th Lochdon: Siskins and a male Blackcap on my garden feeder today. Alan Spellman
9th  Craignure Golf course: a single White fronted Goose and a Willow Warbler. Andy Oldacre 
8th Scoor: Four Yellowhammers at my feeder at Scoor this afternoon  Scott Scott & Dianne Gates
7th Loch Beg:  4 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 female Goosander. Bryan Rains 
5th Dervaig: a second Willow Warbler here today. Shaun & Elizabeth Mccullagh
4th Croig: Our first Willow Warbler sighted by Shaun Mcccullagh
4th Tobermory: 2 Iceland Gulls in harbour, 7 Slavonian Grebes on Loch na Keal.20 Sandmartin at Killiechronan, 20 Skylarks at Kellan.  Stuart Gibson
2nd Knock:  group of 6 redshank on the shore. Colin Moody
2nd Loch Buie: first swallow today down at Loch Buie - has summer arrived? Debby Thorne
2nd Tobermory: Three redwings in the garden this morning.  Sheila Barnard.
1st Laggan Bay: a summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe, one on Loch Cuin. (by Dervaig) plus Greenshank, Redshank, Teal, Wigeon. At Caliach Point were 3 Lesser black backed Gulls. Steve Kirk/Alan Spellman
1st Loch Torr: 2 swallows over Loch Torr. Had a close view of WTSE just over my garden wall (Viewmount Tobermory). Sheila & Tim Barnard 


Latest reports for June 2008
29th Craignure: A Nuthatch was found this morning on the nut feeder in Pete and Jan Halls garden, This is only the second record of the species on Mull, the first ever being only last month at Calgary & Dervaig.
28th 7 Hen Harriers seen today:-male Grasspoint, Glen More, Killiechronan and  Loch Beg, adult female and two juveniles on the wing just east of Pennyghael before junction of Glen More/Gruline road. 2 Short-eared Owls by this junction also Merlin Glen More and pair of Golden Eagles there Ashley  Saunders 
27th Pennyghael: an adult Long-eared Owl and two calling young in the wood behind the Kinloch at Pennyghael. Common Crossbill flyover by the Glen Seilisdeir Sea Eagles, and a Mistle Thrush there, Ringtail Hen Harrier Loch Beg and 3 Otters. At Fionnphort, an adult Whooper Swan flying over, and two Bottle-nosed Dolphins in the sound. On return crossings to Staffa, 3 European Storm-Petrels, 200+ Manxies, 100+ Arctic Terns, pale phase ad Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua. Ashley Saunders Oriole Adventures
26th Iona - Common Swift and 2 Sandwich Terns fishing in the sound of Iona. At Fidden male & female  Hen Harrier. Ashley Saunders 
24th  a singing male Mealy Redpoll at Loch Buie Also 3 Short-eared Owls in Glen More
25th  a Black-tailed Godwit in the bay at Dervaig, ringtail Hen Harrier by Loch Frisa, Tree Pipit by Loch Ba and Wood Warbler at Knock Bridge.  Ashley Saunders Oriole Adventures
23rd  Balmeanach Camp site: Report from visitor," heard Nightjar again at Balmeanach , Fishnish "
An update on the Long eared Owls - (Pennyghael) they have fledged at least 2 young. We saw 2 young birds and one of the adults late on Thursday night (19th).   Bryan Rains
20th 4 Whooper Swan at Fidden.
21st 2 Red-throated Diver on Loch na Keal. Wild About Mull   Bryan Rains
19th undiclosed sites. Another good year for Barn Owls on Mull as young were ringed today
8 June: 1 Great Skua flew south down the sound of Iona
9 June: 2 summer-plumaged great northern divers close inshore at Ardalanish Bay (+2 black-throated divers)
11 June: 1 Pale-phase Arctic Skua from ferry to Iona
12 June: 3 Great skuas NE over western Iona
13 June: 2 probable  Pomarine Skuas from the Mull-Oban ferry  Geof Barlow
We found the road between Torloisk and Dervaig excellent for hen harrier, s/eared owl, and had good views of golden eagle, wtse and raven there as well. 
10th June - a single and very out of place Redwing was seen on the road from Dervaig to Loch Torr. Meg & Stephen Davies 
7th Calliach Point:  a Sooty Shearwater just off Cailleach Point on the afternoon of Saturday 7 June.
also two Great Skuas on the headland itself - from their behaviour it appeared that they might have been nesting there. (the first recorded nesting birds on Mull) George and Anne Burns
11th Calgary Bay: a Hobby was seen here this morning, it flew in from the north & circled the bay before flying north again  John Mason (visitor from Yorkshire)
10th Dervaig: Saw my first Jay on Mull at the Glen Aros/Glen Belart watershed  yesterday. Arthur Brown
8th Pennyghael: We have Long-eared Owls breeding in the wood beside the Kinloch -youngsters
calling every night for the last 2 weeks. Also the Short-eared Owls at Loch Beg have at least 1 youngster. 7th there was 3 Whooper Swan (2 adults, 1 juv) at Fidden.   Bryan Rains
7th  Loch Scridain 2 Red-throated Diver. Loch Beg 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Red-breasted Merganser. Uisken 1 Short-eared Owl. Wild About Mull   Bryan Rains
7th Loch na Keal: The Bearded Seal is still there on the north shore and showing well, also there today was a drake Teal, Excellent views of Sea Eagles by the camp site at Killiechronan. Alan Spellman 
6th Uisken 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Twite, 3 Cuckoo  (female bird seen laying egg in Meadow Pipit nest!). Beach 6 Lesser Redpoll. Bryan Rains
5th Langamull walk: 6 cuckoo's sitting on telephone wires, both male and female. Langamull, in the  first clearing about 20 yards from the cart park, a family of Crossbill, male, female and young, the female was feeding the young. Langamull beach, 2 Ringed Plovers.   Pam Brown
3rd I have just received a report of a probable Common Crane on Ulva on 29th May. Carl Winkley. Any further information would be appreciated, to Alan please.
2nd Langamull  - 6 cuckoos perched on the overhead powerlines near the farm house, including a brown phase female.  This was the first time for many years that I have heard the female call - sounds a bit like someone with catarrh clearing their throat - a bit bubbly.  Each bird was dropping down into the bracken underneath the power lines and then resuming its perch while it consumed a caterpillar.   Shaun Mccullagh
1st Calgary Bay: a drake Common Scoter here today. Arthur  Brown. 'Discover Mull Tours'
Late May reports
24th Ulva Ferry: 5 Swift, Lochdon 2 Whimbrel, 27th Lochaline ferry: a single Sandwich Tern, 28th Iona 3 summer plumaged Sanderling, Corncrake at Fidden. Tony & Jan Jenkins 
Isle of Ulva "27th May   a Hoopoe in the rocks above Cragaig at about 13.45. It was perched on the rocks above the path (there is only one path at Cragaig) but flew away when I got nearer, the crest and wing markings were unmistakeable."    Mike Collins 
There was also a Hoopoe at Loch Buie (Laggan Sands area, near the Chapel) on 26th
31st May Loch Spelve: The first returning Nightjar was seen at Loch Spelve today. Guido D'Isidoro. Visitor from Manchester
25th May:Turtle Dove,  seen in flight twice and briefly at rest at Glas Eilean, South East Iona Brian Stone

Latest reports for May 2008
25th   Crossbills in forestry walk at Glen Shillister, Rock Dove at Ulva Ferry.
26th Black-tailed Godwit non-breeding bird at Lochdon, 2 Rooks at Pennygown Farm, Glen Forsa, 2 Wood Warblers singing also. in Ardura woods, Andy Bayes, Natalie and Hanna.
27th Slavonian Grebe, Loch Na Keal, Crossbills again in Forestry as above.
28th Canada Geese & 7 goslings Craignure Golf Course, 
29th Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kilbeg cottage garden. Sand Martins round the cottage also, 
30th Sedge Warbler, Killiechronan camp site, 5 Red Throated Divers, Loch Na Keal just past Knock, 4 breeding plumage and one not  Andy Bayes, Natalie and Hanna.
31st Loch Spelve:  first report of our returning Nightjars here today. Guido D'Isidoro. Visitor from Manchester
30th Caliach Point: Pair of Bonxies displaying at Cailaich Point near the trig point this afternoon.  Shaun
30th Loch na Keal: Summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe showing well (see pix here) Alan 
29th Lochdon: Our Osprey was over again this morning fishing the loch at 0900hrs. Lionel Whitehead
26th The Osprey has made an appearance at Lochdon for the third day running and there is a Hoopoe at Loch Buie (Laggan sands area, near the chapel)  Guido D'Isidoro. Visitor from Manchester
26th Fionnphort: an Osprey over Fionnphort yesterday morning about 10ish.  Came from Iona direction and carried on east. Janis & John Allen
25th Lochdon: an Osprey fishing  the loch 1215hrs today (same bird as yesterday?) Alan Spellman
see Osprey images here
A Goshawk was reported over Salen Forest by visitor Derelk Lister.
24th Fishnish: a Cattle Egret in the area on the left as leaving the ferrry. Richard Atkinson guests
Week 18th-23rd: 2 Summer plumage Purple Sandpiper on Staffa 19th .Male Goshawk over Salen Forest time 08-01 chased by passerines 18th. 3 Black throated Divers in Display on Loch Scridian 23th. Derek Lister
24th Calgary beach: 2 summer plumaged sanderling on beach early this morning, Arthur Brown
24th Lochdon: an Osprey fishing the loch this morning at 10.00 hrs Alistdair Purfitt, Andy Oldacre
22nd  Summer plumage Slavonian Grebe - Loch na Keal, west of Scarisdale Point, Swift - Grasspoint Road, Woodcock - Grasspoint Road, Greenshank - Loch Beg.  Mike Wagemakers Isle of Mull Experience.
Report from guest 20th 2 Corncrake calling Fidden Campsite
21st Killiechronan  Male Merlin,  one seen earlier in the week in same area. Arthur with Discover Mull Tour.
11th Loch Beg: Golden Plover a flock of 8 birds in breeding plumage. 15th Ardnacross Farm:  Turnstone 
Flock of 5 on the Sound of Mull  Flock of 10 at Calaich point on 16th May. 
13th. West Shore of Iona   Sanderling a single bird with a flock of 10 Ringed Plover, then a flock of 8 birds in varying stages of moult (3 at least in breeding colours) 
12th  Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, Purple Sandpiper,  6 near the  and a single on rocks off Fladda 
13th West Shore of Iona on  Dunlin  Single bird in breeding plumage, 3 at Dervaig on the  15th
12th Fladda  Great Skua. Three birds around Caliach Point on 15th and 16th May. We thought these birds were passing when we saw them on the 15th. However, they were still around on the 16th and appeared to be displaying and were landing on the flat top of the highest area of the point. On both days they were seen to be pursuing Gannets and GBB/Herring Gulls for food. 
16th Caliach Point  Arctic Skua  Single pale phase bird over. Nick & Stella Laughton
13th LochBeg/Scridain area: a passage Osprey was seen flying North West    David Mann 
17th Fidden:  Breeding bird survey & BTO tetrad at Ardalanish, 30 Linnets in total, 8 Twite, 21 Dunlin and 50+ Lapwings. 2 Turnstone at Ardalanish also 1 calling Corncrake at Fidden. Arthur Brown
14th Glenforsa Hotel. a flock of 17 Crossbills in pines close to the Glenforsa HoteL.  Most were females and juveniles with two males.  The pines were close to the Forsa river on the hotel side. Chris Roome
15th A Whooper Swan on the Mishnish Lochs this evening, great views of 3 Short Eared Owls At Loch Frisa this morning. Probable Great Grey Shrike ai lagganulva 14th landed in a tree then flew off with bounding flight.  The Shrike seen by Martin Dyer a very good photographer staying with us. Arthur Brown
13th all over the island: The Isle of Mull Bird Club, birds race found 102 species in the day.
12th Treshnish Isles Lunga: a small party of Purple Sandpiper here today. Nigel Matthews (visitor)
12th Loch Beg 2 Greenshank, 3 Golden Plover, 10 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck. Uisken 3 Red-throated Diver, Whinchat, Stonechat, 3 Dunlin, Cuckoo, Sparrowhawk. Fidden 2 Corncrake, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Golden Plover, 3 Snipe .Bryan Rains  Wild About Mull.
12th Iona a very late Iceland Gull by the north beach. Fidden 2 Corncrake calling. visitor
4th Fishnish 1st Summer Iceland Gull off Fishnish. 3rd Iona: a single Tree Sparrow,  with sparrows on feeders in the nunnery gardens. Several Grasshopper Warblers singing at various locations between Lochdon and Loch Spelve.  Ray & Ross Facer
11th Common Scoter still at killiechronan, at least 6 Red Throated divers today Loch na Keal, Loch Tuath and Calgary. Slavonnian Grebe in partial summer plumage still on Loch na keal also lapwing with chicks and ringed Plover here. Short Eared Owl and Hen Harrier Loch frisa, Whinchat and Whitethroats everywhere. Goldeen Eagle at Ulva  gave spectacular views . Reed Bunting at Dervaig reed bed with at least 5 Sedge Warbler. Cailiach Point 100's Manx Shearwater, kittiwakes, and all 3 Auks which could be heard from land never known it to be so busy fantastic feeding frenzy.70 birds seen in the day Arthur Brown.
9th Loch Beg: Shoveler (very scarce for Mull) by the Kinloch. Short eared owl showing well opposite the deserted farm between the eagle watch caravan Pete Hall
Mike Richardson 105 species for the week.      staying at  Mullbirds self catering
8th Loch Buie 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 9th Lunga: passage Swift. Mike Richardson 
8th Breeding plumage Great Northern Diver Loch na Keal (close to Inch Kenneth salmon farm); PairGoosander Ishriff/LochSguabain, GlenMore - Mike Wagemakers,Isle of Mull Experience
8th Calgary: a drake Pintail here and at Killiechronan Canada Geese with 5 goslings
8th Lochdon: a Garden Warbler along the Gorsten road Mike Richardson
6th Loch na Keal: Common Scoter; female, over the week 15 Great N orthern Divers.  Mike Richardson
5th Loch Beg :Pink-footed Goose; 1 with Grey-lags Mike Richardson
5th Obvan - Iona: on the Waverley cruise from Oban to Iona on Monday 5th May and we recorded some intresting sightings a breeding plumaged Black-throated Diver and 5 Arctic Terns plus 3 Harbour Porpoises halfway between Oban and Mull. On Iona there were 5 calling Corncrakes, a singing Cuckoo, 6 Wheatears, a Twite, 2 Whitethroats and 3 Willow Warblers around the village/abbey area and a Great Northern Diver and 21 Arctic Terns in the Sound of Iona. On the way back we recorded a Whimbrel, a Puffin and 3 Harbour Porpoises along the south coast of Mull and 10 Swifts over Oban    Allan Russell
6th Iona Sound - 2 Black Tern in amongst many Common Terns and Gannets, from the Iona Ferry - John Almond, visiting from Lancashire
6th Glen Bellart: Grasshopper Warbler on the glen roadside near crannich. Duncan Hall
5th north end of Loch Frisa: May Grasshopper Warbler & 3 Cuckoos, 
6th, 4 Dunlin Craignure and about 15 Arctic Terns in the sound feeding with gulls, 4 Wood warblers singing in and around the Hedgehod Wood, Torosay.Andy & Hazel Kirkham
2nd May Loch Beg 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Woodcock, 1 Common Whitethroat. Fidden 8 Common Tern, 1 Dunlin, 2 Twite. Wild About Mull 4th May Loch Beg 1 Short-eared Owl. 5th May Loch Beg 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler. Uisken 8 Dunlin. Fidden 6 Common Tern. Wild About Mull. Bryan Rains
5th Fionnphort, Corncrake heard near Catchean this evening - Mike Wagemakers
4th Bottom end of Glen More:  on the hillside; Ring Ouzel.Several Corncrake seen on Iona.
Two female Hen Harrier near Loch Beg. Barn Owl just along the Grasspoint Road. Ray & Ross Facer
2nd Killiechronan: a   Black tailed Godwit was here today by the camp site. Richard Atkinson
2nd Dervaig: The female Pintail was seen again in the freshwater by the reed bed
1st Hen Harrier and Short eared Owl now regularly seen at the Dervaig end of Loch Frisa. Arthur Brown
30th Iona : a Magpie was reported here in a local garden Michael Timms
29th April two Corncrake heard calling on Ulva  Tony Fearn 

Latest reports for April 2008
Nuthatch at Calgary by Andrew Mortley
Nuthatch  by Andrew Mortley                            Lapland Bunting by Mick Brennan

30th Loch Scridain: a pair of Shelduck this morning at Kilfinichan Bay, also cuckoo at Tavool on Sunday and here (Glen Seilisdeir) yesterday. Good to see our nesting swallows back. Michael & Lynda Hadow
30th Calliach:  2 Whimbrel flew over Cailiach and 1st Whinchat of the year on territory down Cailiach point road. 1st Sedge Warbler at Dervaig reed beds. heard and seen, Arthur Brown
29th Dervaig: 4 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plover. 1 Hen Harrier in Glen Bellart and 2 at Loch Frisa. 2 full summer plumage Black-headed Gulls at Aros Castle and a Cuckoo and a single Red Grouse at Torloisk. 

29th Golf Course: Canada Geese in Bowmans field opposite golf course. Clare Fellows
29th Killiechronan: heard Cuckoo here today and a Tree creeper on my plum tree. Jan Fuller
28th 24 Whimbrel at Fidden, 5 Hen Harriers at various locations including a male displaying with 2 Golden Eagle flying , Cuckoo at Uisken and Loch Beg, 3 Dunlin and 5 Golden Plover at Loch Beg. Wild About Mull. Bryan Rains
28th - Fidden  11+ newly arrived Whimbrel - Carol Marshall
27th :Todays sightings included - Loch Beg 1 male Common Scoter, 2 Dunlin. Bunessan 1 Gadwall. Fidden 1 Wigeon, 3 White Wagtail plus Whimbrel heard. Bryan Rains 
27th :As well as birds mentioned on field trip also saw  Redstart good day with 22 members.
On a tour on sunday 27th displaying male Hen Harrier Glen Bellert, Cuckoo Glen Aros, Reed Bunting and Twite Lagganulva, full summer plumaged Red Throated Diver Calgary Bay and finally at Cailliach Point 6 Manx Shearwater, Gannet and a Great Skua and  Tree pipit Ardrioch Farm.
Arthur and Pam 
26th Bird Club Torosay Walk : Wood Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Grassjhopper Warbler
26th Iona First Corncrakes heard today Sr jean Lawson
24th Treshnish Point:  about 1 hours watching, 2 Manx Shearwater,1 Great Skua Anand Prasad
24th Lochdon: Tonight, (2030hrs) a flock of House Martin over. Approx. 30 birds. Andy Oldacre
23rd  Loch Beg 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Razorbill, 1 Black Guillemot, 1 Cuckoo. Uisken 20 Redshank, 2 Dunlin  Beach 2 Tree Pipit, 1 female Hen Harrier. Fidden 1 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Golden Plover. Bryan Rains
21st - Off Lismore Lighthouse single Manx Shearwater - seen from ferry - Mike Wagemakers
22nd lochdon: Michael Timms had a Magpie in his garden this afternoon,
20th Dervaig. Rod Little reports the Nuthatch nowin his garden (opposite the church) Rod Little
18th Todays sightings included 1 female Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Long-tailed Tit at Beach.1 drake Gadwall at Bunessan and 1 Black-tailed Godwit at Fidden - Wild About Mull tour.
18th Loch Pottie Pair Common Sandpiper, Canada Goose taken up territory by island at southern end, Gadwall still in Bunessan Bay - Mike Wagemakers
16th Glen More:  a first Redstart in Glen More  and one heard one along the Grasspoint Road 17th Andy Oldacre
16th Dervaig: The Nuthatch has turned up in Dervaig in Shauns Garden.     Shaun Mccullagh
16th Lochdon: A first Sedge Warbler along the Gorston road. Geaf Brody 
15th Tobermory:first  House Martin Jack Brodie
13th-16th Glen Forsa: A Lapland Bunting along the road towards Kilbeg Cottage. Mick  & Sylvia Brennan
14th Loch na Keal: 2 Iceland Gulls Derryguaig, Loch Na Keal 17.00  Jack Brodie
14th Grasspoint: First Cuckoo seen but not heard along the Grasspoint Road. Alan Spellman
14th Lochdon: I have just received a rather late report from Richard Atkinso (Wildlife tour operator) of a very early Common Sandpiper seen at Lochdon bridge on 2nd April 
Dates: 2 - 12 April 2008   Northern Wheatear everywhere especially along the Calgary - Tobermory coast. Also, big flocks of Redwing everywhere. Female Pintail  on Dervaig bog/Loch Cuin
8th: 2 female Merlin (or same one twice) chasing Meadow Pipit on coast between Croig and Langamull. One male at very close range over Dervaig bog in evening. Willow Warbler seen singing by roadside - Dervaig (evening). Dervaig bog until dark: Water Rail calling. Small flocks of Sand Martin and Pied Wagtail roosting in reeds at dusk. Snipe drumming, Woodcock roding. 9th: Dervaig bog until dark: first Swallow.
Water Rail seen briefly at close range emerging from reeds and calling (shrill scream) 
10th: Loch Cuin (am) Common Sandpiper.          David Hatfield.
12th Loch Na Keal, 3 Swallows, 3 Great Northern Divers, 5 Slavonian Grebe (a first for me) and heard 2 Willow Warblers singing. And near Eorsa, one of the East coast WTSE, tag white 7, being mobbed by Buzzards and Ravens.   Andy & Hazel Kirkham
12th Loch Buie: Saw my fist pair of swallows  Alastair Gossage
12th Lochdon: Hen Harrier flying high, also an Otter was spotted in the fiels in front of the hide area Janet & Bill Ackroyd
11th Check flocks of Pied Wagtail for White Wagtail, up to 3 Alba along Loch na Keal Alan Spellman
10th, Nuthatch at bird feeders, Frachadil House, Calgary. A first for Mull. Very excited !. Andrew Mortley
10th This morning at the Eaglewatch: Small party of Redpoll [6 birds] Common Crossbill [5 birds] Pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker Andy Oldacre
10th Lochdon: 1030hrs 25 Whooper flying North over the Eagle watch hide area Alan Spellman
28th March - 4th April.    Spring migrants in large numbers at Treshnish point – recorded  8 Wheatear, goodnumbers of Meadow and Rock Pipit and 15 Pied Wagtail on  31st.  Raven, Buzzard, Fulmar, Great Black Backed Gull, Guillemot and Gannet also showing well. Malcolm Ward
On Calgary beach, 2nd, 1st Sand Martin of year.  A single Great Northern Diver seen every day at entrance to bay.   Malcolm Ward
7th Lochdon:I managed to see the Chiffchaff at the Eagle Watch hide yesterday but I also saw a Jay there too! There is still about 300 Barnacle Goose on Inch Kenneth(7th). Bryan Rains
5th Loch Beag (Beg) White Wagtail (with a Pied)  N shore, also along Loch na Keal (AS) and pair Goosander on Mishnish lochs yesterday 7/4   Dave Pierce
8th Lochdon:Chiffchaff at the Eaglewatch caravan this morning [also heard by Alan Skeates] and later near our house, the unmistakable call of our First Willow Warbler. Andy Oldacre, Alan Skeats
8th Loch Spelve: 8 Golden Plover in full summer plumage, plus Lapwing and 4 Wheatear (2m/2f) A S
8th Look out for a hybrid Carrion/Hooded Crow by the Mishnish Lochs above Tobermory. A Brown 
8th Lagganulva: The first Swallow was reported over Lagganulva by Pam Brown Discover Mull Triip
6th Fishnish Bay: there were 16 Turnstones at Fishnish bay    Dave Pierce
6th Salen: One sand martin flying over garden    Iain and Helen King Seaview,Salen
5th Loch na Keal:Two bullfinches attacking my plum blossom today Jan Fuller
On na Keal I got 27 Great Northern Divers and 40 Slavonian Grebe. Both were spread throughout the loch as far as Eorsa. The same afternoon I managed a quick count of Loch Scridain and got 17 GND and one Slav at the loch head only.   Dave Shackleton
3rd April - 3 Wheatears (2 male, 1 female) between Fionnphort & Fidden - Carol Marshall  Mike W
3rd  Breeding plumage Black Throated Diver well seen from the Loch Frisa Hide, also Golden Eagle  and of course the WTSE's. - Shaun Mccullagh
3rd  Just had half a dozen Sand Martins this morning, flying past Craignure towards Duart. Andy & Hazel Kirkham
2nd April 2008, 19.00 hrs. One Sand Martin flying over our house in Lochdon Andy Oldacre



Latest Reports for June 2007
24th Pennyghael: Hobby seen at Pennyghael l chasing house martins. Maybe the same bird seen earlier (14th) on Iona?
18th Ardalanish beach: a party of 4 Little Stint at 0615am (you have got to get up to see thie birds) 
19th Pennyghael: a single Purple Sandpiper and 2 Whinbrel aropund Ardachy House. Robert Wagner
22nd Tobermory: a Turtle Dove at the camp site, Glendarroch, Dervaig Road, Tobermory Sandra Davies.
21st Fionnphort: Heard a Corncrake between 1 & 3 am, from bruach mhor B&B outside fionnphort.   On Ulva a Short-eared Owl, & twite      Tony Kennelly
21st Inverlussa: 2 female Goosander fishing in the estuary Alan
21st Knock: a 'probable' Goshawk was seen flying into Knock woods. Common Crossbills in the woods at Knock.Irene Boston
13th Dervaig: 2 Common Swift were flying in the village Irene Boston
15th Loch na Keal: Also 2 Swifts,  Dave Sexton
14th Iona: An RSPB group had a confirmed Hobby on Iona. Dave Sexton
11th Grasspoint road: a very rare Red backed Shrike was spotted along the road just below the cottages, this is the first record since 1998 when one was seen at Pennyghael.          Alison Borlase
11th Lochdon: Sea Eagles tagged,  white with black letters M and P, others to follow. Dave Sexton
29th April-3rd May Balmeanach: "I had the Nightjar on Mull calling over Balmeanach campsite (NM658415) on 29th April - 3rd May (inc.) hawking over the site usually from 10pm onwards. I guess this may be a female as I never heard any churring, interestingly could be a returning bird as one was mentioned here in the Mull bird report at this site on 25th & 26th May 2006."   Keith Langdon 
8th Eas Fors: Short eared Owl above Eas Fors falls. Likely breeding site given its demeanor. D Sexton
11th Loch Scridain: While watching a White-tailed Eagle being mobbed by Hooded Crow and Buzzard..
Two Swifts joined in the fun  Bryan Rains   www.wild about mull tours
10th Grasspoint: a pair of Short-eared Owls along the Grasspoint road in the last couple of days,
Andy Oldacrer
10th Torosay: There was a short-eared owl down by the railway at Torosay . (one of the very few reported this year) Alan Schofield
8th Loch na Keal: at least two Tree Sparrows in low scrubby bushes, feeding with chaffinches. By the newly built house at Gribun. @ 5.15 to 6.30 pm. seen by Meg & Stephen Davis 
2nd Fidden: Corncrake callin near the camping site. Tony & Jan Jenkins 
4th Uisken Beach: 1 Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Curlew Sandpiper, in summer plumage, on the beach at Uisken also 1 summer plumage Black-throated Diver on Loch Scridain. There are 12 Common 
Terns on Scridain that look like they'll settle down to breed                 Bryan Rains
Holiday list 26th May - 2nd June 2007. 2 x Juvenile Black Throated Divers - Calgary Bay, 1 x Canada Goose with Grey Lags - Loch na Keil,3 x Sanderling with Dunlins - Iona Golf Course   Steve Follows 
26th May Garmony: a Jay  on 26th May Canada Goose and goslings at Killichronan on 27th - Wood Warblers at Glengorm (28th) and Ulva (29th) - 2 Bonxies and a Whinchat at Callaich Pt (31st) - Pair of Bullfinch at Knock on June 2nd - Dipper at Calgary on May 31st - Tree Pipit at Ardura on 30th  Matt Atkin 
3rd Loch na Keal: 2 juvenile Black Throated Divers, dark phase Arctic Skua and Great Skua at Cailiach Point also Reed Bunting and Whinchat here with Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots, Razorbills and Fulmar.  Arthur & Pam Brown Discover Mull Tour in continuous rain
1st Glen Bellart: an Osprey flying north west towards Frisa. 10.15 hrs.  Andy Bayes & family
1st Killiechronan: Good news, Canada goose seen with goslings. Bad new Ganada Geese. Arthur Brown
29th May Iona: Tree Sparrow seems to have taken uop residence with House Sparrow on Iona near Abbey.a Grasshopper Warbler and Whinchat just E of Pennyghael on the 28th, 2 singing Wood Warblers in Aros Park (31st) and a Pomarine Skua from the ferry in the Sound of Mull on June 1st.
many thanks to visitors, Jim Nicholson & Ali Nimmo
21st May Croig: a report of a Lesser Yellowlegs has been received, if accepted then this will be a first record for Mull. Peter Thompson

Thanks to: Peter Thompson, Andy Bayes, Arthur Brown, Jim Nicholson & Ali Nimmo, Arthur & Pam Brown, Matt Atkin, Steve Follows, Alastair Gossage, Alan Schofield, Meg & Stephen Davis,  Bryan Rains, Tony & Jan Jenkins , Alison Borlase,  Keith Langdon, Alan Schofield, Andy Oldacrer, .Irene Boston, Tony Kennelly,  Sandra Davies.


Latest Reports for May 2007
31st Dervaig: We were just watching a Spotted Flycatcher today in our front garden. Ive not seen one here before  in our garden.  Clare Fellows
26th Iona: at least 7 corncrake heard and one seen on Iona. Also male Hen Harrier at the south end of the island. 
27th Iona: 1 corncrake showed very well between iris beds near the "Catholic House of Prayer". Single Tree sparrow near the abbey.
28th Dervaig:  Spot fly, Great spot wood and Yellowhammer (male) at Dervaig. 3 otters in the loch here. In the afternoon an otter and adult sea eagle over Grass point plus family of stonechat with 3 fledged young. 
Dave Lowe
Holiday list from John Dowson
Great Northern Diver, Northern Gannet, Shag, Cormorant, Grey heron, Mute Swan, Greylags, Shelduck, Mallard, Common Eider, Red Breasted Merganser, Goosander (1 male seen at Dervaig on the 15th May), Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Common Pheasant, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank (1 pair, again @ Deraig on 15th), Tree Pipit, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Gulls - (Black Headed, Common, Herring, Greater and Lesser Black-backed), Common Tern, Black Guillemot, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Rock Dove, Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallo, House Martin, White-tailed Sea Eagle, Golden Eagle, Pied Wagtail, Dipper, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff (singing male, road near Aros River), Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Hooded Crow, Raven, Common Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Redpoll, Common Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting.  John Dowson.
28th Glen Gorm: a 2nd year Glaugous Gull over the bathing pool at Glengorm castle and drifting west towards Sorne Point, and later a White Wagtail near the carpark at Calgary Bay, Graham Shortt.
27th Penmore: Penmore.. a Magpie. It was around here last year..or its brother ! Sylvia Swift
23rd Treshnish point: watched a Pomarine Skua, for a little under an hour,  pirating off a Kittiwakes and Manx Shearwaters flock off Treshnish Point. There was also a Great Skua nearby,  Prasad
22nd Treshnish point: , today saw a dark phase Arctic Skua flying north past Treshnish Point and 2 Red-throated Divers off Ensay Burn mouth, Treshnish. Great Northern Diver is still seen daily, Prasad
22nd Loch na Keal:  a dark phase Arctic Skua in loch  today also a male Bullfinch at loch Don by the Eaglewatch Caravan. Also seeing Whimbrel most days and have seen several Twite lately.
Possible Lesser Yellowlegs repoted to me today at Croig, have not had time to check it out but for your information if you get another report. Arthur Brown Discover Mull Tours
22nd Uisken:  2 summer plumage Sanderling on the beach.Quite a few Common Terns around now. We had them at Loch Scridain, Fidden,Fionnphort and Uisken today.Bryan Rains
22nd Bunessan: the bay had a flotilla of Razorbills  feeding frantically whilst being rained upon by a squadron of mixed gulls desperate to get at the food source. Tonight a pair of Shelduck appear to be looking for accomodation in the area.  Callum Entwistle
19th Iona north beach: "my father and I watched a 1st summer Sabines Gull off Iona North Beach at 12.30pm on Saturday 19th May during strong westerly gales". (a full description report is being supplied) Ross Facer This N American-Greenland Vagrant is rarely seen in our waters.
Had a fantastic few days birding on Mull & Iona including a very confiding Corncrake on Iona.
17th. Pale phase Arctic Skua from Oban to Craignure ferry approx 12.20
18th.2 Dark phase Arctic Skuas and Great Skua from 9.50 Iona ferry.
Sea watching from north end of Island produced 1 sub-adult pale phase Pom Skua, thousands of Manx Shearwaters, good numbers of Kittiwakes including good numbers of 1st year birds. One was very well marked and we initially thought it could be Sabines Gull but all agreed on Kittiwake.
We also saw 2 possible Storm Petrels but they were to far out to positively identify
19th.Adult pale phase Pom Skua from Oban to Craignure ferry approx 13.00       Phil Woollen
18th off Craignure-Oban ferry. up to 6 Cory's Shearwater flying alongside the ferry giving excellent views of this very scarce marine bird and exceptional for Argyll.. John & Jackie Edwards.
Treshnish point : a large movement of Manx Shearwater all moving south (up to 200 in 5 minutes for over an hour) John & Jackie Edwards
19th Off Ferry. 20+ Pomerain Skua seen from Oban-Craignure Ferry 1630hrs this afternoon. It's very rare to find this species so close inshore, further south at Bowness on Solway  there was a large movement of 232 birds counted on Saturday including 173 Pomerine Shua2 Great Shua, 38 Longtailed Skua & 19 Arctic Skua
visitors & Clive McKay
Fidden 2 Sanderling in summer plumage, 5 Turnstoneand 2 Black-tailed Godwit at Fidden Bryan Rains
18th Wild About Mull trip sightings for today...... 1 Knot with 12 Whimbrel, 2 Red-throated Diver and 1 Arctic Skua at Uisken. 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstone and 2 Twite at Fidden. 5 Golden Plover and 1 Greenshank still at LochBeg. Bryan Rains
17th  On Ferry just past the Lismore Lighthouse and Duart Castle Diana and I saw a group of about    25 Storm Petrels feeding.  a couple of Gannets and a few Razorbill and Guillemot. Andy Oldacre
also about 40 'Comic' terns by the lighthouse. Stuart Gibson.
16th Loch Scridain/Fiddden/Loch Beg: 2 Common Tern and 1 Tufted Duck (unusual) on Loch Scridian.5 Turnstone in summer plumage, 6 Dunlin, 2 Common Tern and 1 Whimbrel at Fidden. 12 Dunlin at Uisken. 1 Greenshank at Loch Beg.                       Bryan Rains
14th Garmony   male Goosander & 30 Common Tern
15thKilliechronan  Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Crossbill, several Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whimbrel, Great Northern, Tree Pipit & many others (total of 41 species) seen at Killiechronan by Stuart Gibson and myself while doing an early morning dry run for the dawn chorus. Not bad for an area of about 1 mile square. 
15th  Cuin Road Dervaig - 5 Crossbill in the scots pines - seems to be a good year for this species.
Shaun Mccullagh
13th  Reudle: in late afternoon one Osprey just south of Treshnish Point (flying north), Prasad
13th Ardura:  a spotted flycatcher (the first) in the oakwoods, also a good sightings of a grasshopper warbler. Pete Hall  Dee Emm Wildlife tours from Craignure
10th Loch Ba: 3 scarce Wood Sandpiper along the shores of Loch Ba. Dr J Law
10th Treshnish point: a Short eared Owl, one of very few seen this year to date.John & Jackie Edwards.
10th Mishnish Lochs. an Osprey was aropund the mishnish lochs today. York Bird Club members
10th Loch Beg: a female scaup on Loch Beg opposite the Kinloch Pete Hall Wildlife tour
9th sightings as follows 4 Arctic and 10 Common Terns in the Sound of Iona, 6 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone and 15 Whimbrel at Fidden. Lesser Redpoll and Grasshopper Warbler at Bunessan. Bryan Rains
7th a single Black Tailed godwit at Dervaig, 2 Whimbrel at Salen, 4 at Killiechronan Arthur Brown
7th Eas Mor: a male Ring Ouzel and 4 Lesser Redpoll at Eas Mor today on the tour.Bryan Rains
6th Bloody Bay: Tim and Rebecca Barnard spotted a pair of Canada Geese at Bloody Bay yesterday .
6th Oban: A Swift (the first of the year) was seen in Oban today. Stuart Gibson
4th Loch Frisa: an Osprey flew in at 8pm Dave Sexton
3rd Staffa on sea: a very rare summer plumage White-billed Diver was seen out on the  sea near Staffa. Bryan Rains Orger recent sightings on the tours have been Whinchat at Bunessan on 28th April, Common Whitethroat at Loch Beg and Common Scoter on Loch Scridian on 28th,Sedge Warbler at Bunessan Black-throated Diver in full summer plumage on Scridian 2nd May. Bryan Rains

Mayl Thanks to|:
Bryan Rains, Dave Sexton, Tim and Rebecca Barnard, Stuart Gibson, Arthur Brown, Barry Bishop, Pete Hall, 
Anand Prasad, Andy Oldacre, John & Jackie Edwards, Callum Entwistle, Ross Facer,  Clive McKay, Phil Woollen, Dr J Law SOC, Sylvia Swift, Graham Shortt, John Dowson. Clare Fellows, 



Latest Reports for April 2007
18th Loch Frisa:
both chicks at Loch Frisa had been found dead beneath the nest tree, It seems that the chicks may have fallen out of the nest when the adults were in territory dispute with a pair of Golden Eagles
29th Iona: white wagtail Joyce Watson 
29th  first Whitethroat at Loch Torr  also a male Goosander there  Arthur Discover Mull  Tour
Great views of Whinchat down Cailiach Point road you could get a good picture. Had a reeling Grasshopper in a boggy part of our wood yesterday am
25th April    6 Crossbills including one male feeding in scots pines Cuin Road Dervaig.
27th April    one Wood Warbler, lighthouse path Tobermory
28th April    One Redstart heard in Quinish woods
29th Killiechronan:    firstWood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, first Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest all heard at  - Shaun Mccullagh
29th  between Salen and Tob - at the Tob end is a layby on the seaward side of the road. Red kite over there today at 5pm, moving from the sea side of the road towards the Loch Frisa side. Celia McIntyre
28th Ross of Mull: sighting of around 60  Golden Plover in fields at Ardachy, also a lovely close up view of a Tawny owl sitting on a wall at Monachuich.  Gillian MacNeill 
26th  Dun da Ghaoithe: 3 Snipe on lower slopes, 2 Goldies at summit.Probable of Ptarmigan, heard a call coming from above the second mast, Had Cuckoos calling on most days at various places, especialy towards the end of the week when weather picked up. Andy & Hazel Kirkham 
24th Salen: House Martins put in an appearance. Norma Dowling
24th Dervaig 6 Black tailed Godwit Anand Prasad 
27th Dervaig: 4 reeling Grasshopper warblers at Dervaig this morning 6-30am and I managed to get good sightings of one of them. At Calgary a Twite, 4 Lesser Black Backed Gulls & a pair of Ringed Plover doing their courtship flight. At Cailiach there were Wheatear everywhere a pair of Linnet, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Pied Wagtails, a courting pair of Reed Bunting and lastly a pair of pristine summer plumaged Whinchats my first of the year. The views werte stunning, at 6am temperature 1 degree celcius by 8am it was up to 9 degrees.  Great morning Arthur.
26th Loch Pottie: We have keeping an eye on a nesting Canada Goose for week or two in the hills between Fidden and Loch Pottie, still well settled. Carol Marshall & Mike Wagemakers
26th   8 Whimbrel , 11 Shelduck, Summer Great Northern Diver, 6 - 10 Teal amongst the usual at Fidden.  Single Sand Martin Loch Pottie.  Carol Marshall & Mike Wagemakers
20th Loch Scridain: a pair of Long-tailed duck on Loch Scridain from Penyghael (last record was Sept 2006 at Calgary & Loch Ba) also about 15 great northern divers. Heard Corncrake (Iona) and had a female merlin over the north beach.Peregrine mobbing a golden eagle along Glen More on the 19th.  14 Arctic Tern pass the ferry in the Sound of Mull on our way back to Oban on the 22nd April.  Rachel Coombes & Robin Harvey
19th Fidden: a small flock of 43 Pale bellied Brent Geese, resting before moving north later that day, also about 20 Black tailed Godwit. Bryan Rains
23rd Dervaig reed bed: a first Grasshopper Warbler singing Arthur Brown
22nd Grasspoint: visitors Andrew & Hazel Kirkham have heard a Cuckoo at Grasspoint  today.
Black tailed Godwit22nd Killiechronan: 14 Black tailed Godwit some in summer plumage feeding in field. Arthur Brown
21st Dervaig: male hen harrier this morning over Antium farm and surrounding area. Watched it for some time while it flew about the hills. Clare Fellows
21st from Oban-Craignure ferry: Great Northern Diver summer plumage, Red Throated Diver  Immature in. Craignure bay,6  Razorbill  in Firth of Lorn (from Craignure-Oban ferry)  Stuart Gibson.
20th Pennygowan: an Osprey flew north over Pennygowan today. Sue Dewar
17th Glen More First Cuckoo heard, Dervaig Farm - Male Hen Harrier, Loch Spelve - Peregrine
18th Lochdon - Several Bar Tailed Godwits - Redshank.
19th Lochdon 10 Black Tailed Godwit in Summer Plumage,  Loch Scridain - Single Ring Billed Gull
Nev Paterson
16th Salen: a Magpie flew through a local garden in Salen. Roger Johns
8th Dervaig reed bed:  Moorhen in the reeds by the river, and 2 Grey Phalaropes on Loch Na Keal. Barnical geese 80 Barnacal geese on staffa. Adam Walmsley, David Jowett,
Tree Sparrow
18th Iona : Tree Sparrow with the House Sparrow's feeding  in the garden of the Bishop's Palace on Iona is the first Mull record since 1985.  Alex Nicol
Also Single flock of 300 Golden Plover at Ardalanish & single Sanderling on the beach at Ardalanish still in winter plumage. Alex Nicol

19th Cailaich Point :7 Lesser Black-Backed gulls and a single Knot , also Tree Pipit in garden. A Brown
19th At the EagleWatch caravan [between 08.00 and 12.00 hrs] I Swallow, Sand Martin,Male Hen Harrier
Siskin & Redpoll. Andy Oldacre.
11th Tobermory : a group of 20+ migrating Redwings feeding in our garden in Erray Road ,  at around 7 p.m, presumably on their way back to Scandanavia. Monica & Ian Wilson Creagorry B & B Tobermory
18th Dervaig : a female Pintail (scarce) at Dervaig reed bed area this morning. also for the wqeek, 7 Greenshank at Lochdon, 5 Slavonian Grebes (Summer plumage) Loch na Keal, Water Rail calling and Reed Bunting at Dervaig, David Hatfield
16th Iona. First Corncrake heard by local resident. Sr Jean Lawson
7th -14th Mull & Iona:  100 species recorded which was most satisfying.some of our more interesting sightings being:-
Slav Grebe Summer plumaged birds- 2 Sound of Mull, opp. Golf Course. Redwing 10+ Salen Airfield, also at  Killichronoran fields, t Croggan, and Calgary hotel , Black-throated Diver Pair. Loch Ba, & 1 off Penyghael, Gooosander  Drake on Aros river & Loch Torr, Canada Goose, 2 Craignure golf course, with Grey-lags on the Salen Airfield, Barnacle Goose, 50+ visible on Inch Kenneth, Crossbill at Aros bridge,
Golden Plover  15 on fields at Fidden, 64 over Iona. On 13th  First Common Sandpiper, Kinloch  hotel shore, Pink-footed Goose, c160 flying high north up Sound of Mull, Salen on 14 th & c120 flying high north over Loch Don, from Grasspoint on same day, David Clugston et al.
17th April, flock of Golden Plover on the moor behind the house (Bunessan). Male Hen Harrier hunting on the seaward side of the road. Pair of Canada Geese still in Bunessan Bay. Callum Entwistle
17th OBAN: The Ring billed Gull was showing extremely well this afternoon (14.30 hrs on 17th) on the George street foreshore, OBAN, quite literally strutting it's stuff, in it's own inimitable way. S Gibson
16th Devaig:  saw a pair of Bullfinches yesterday on the road to Quinish. Also sandmartins in the big layby where the nestholes are, where the logs are stored (Glen Bellart) a pair of Goldeneye on Mishnish Lochs Louise Fellows, Clare Fellows.
14th Croggan / Loch Spelve    3 Great Norther Divers together one in summer plumage, 4 Black Guillemot  (pair & 2 singles), Raft of 105 Eider by the fish farm, 2 Swallows and several Willow Warblers. Shaun Mcc:
14th Tobermory: a male Hen Harrier on our way to  Tobermory,  Also a pair of Crossbills in light wood between Balmeanach tea room and Jimmy the vet.  Also a Leucistic Chaffinch at the feeder in our garden. Lynda and Miachael Hadow,  Tigh na Con, Tiroran.
13th Treshnish : Heard a Chiffchaff yesterday (13 April) in the wood byTreshnish House. Prasad
14th Lochdon:2 Greenshank still on the pools above the bridge, plus two Snipe. The latter given away by their calls. Five pairs of Red-breasted Merganser too. Plenty of Willow Warblers in evidence now and a Swallow  up by Ardnadrochit Farm.Andy Oldacre
Loch Torr 2 male and a female tufted duck Duncan & Sue Hall
13th OBAN: The Ring billed Gull appears still to be present at the George Street foreshore,seen in gathering gloom at 20.30 hrs this evening. Stuart Gibson
13th Willow Warbler in woods around Aros Loch and single GSWP, single Little Grebe on Mishnish Lochs.
12th Adult Golden Eagle, single male Goosander on Loch Torr, Quinish Heronry - 8 nests with hatched young. Shaun Mccullagh
11th Loch Frisa: Peregrine (Male) flew past Loch Frisa WTSE hide. also one here about 10 days ago, single Red Throated Diver at Loch Frisa Fish Farm. Shaun Mccullagh
For the last 3 or 4 years there has been a small rookery near Tobermory Golf Course, but no sign of any birds or nests this year.  Shaun Mccullagh
13th Scoor: Sandmartins and Bunessan Redshank   Tony Jeffree
13th Loch Beg: First Common Sandpiper seen here today. Bryan Rains
12th TIREE: First Corncrake of the year reported today.  John Bowler
11th Bunnessan: This morning was 'busy' in the bay opposite the house, at one time I had the following in my scope - 2 pair Canada geese, 2 pair Greylag, 2 pair Red Merganser, one pair Eider and a seal swimming about in the middle of them. The Gadwall drake was at Bunessan Bridge at midday, unfortunately he still seems to be a bachelor! Callum Entwistle
10th Killiechronan: 35-40 Redwings at killiechronan today, Red throated Diver at Lagganulva. Arthur Brown
9th Loch Torr: Male Goosander on loch Torr  also a Redwing At Gribun. 8th Merlin Female at Cailiach.AB
9th Coll: first Crex Crex seen and heard today on Coll. Simon Wellock RSPB
8th Lochdon: The Swallows have returned today seen by Andy & Diana Oldacre and Pam & Len White.
9th Tiroran:A pair of Bullfinches are busy destroying our plum blossoms but they're so handsome, who can begrudge them?  Sheila Barnard
8th treshnish Point: first Great Skua of the year today off shore from Haunn, Treshnish towards Treshnish Isles. Several Manx Shearwater also seen today but they have probably been around for a few days judging by the numbers. Also seen today, 2 Twite at treshnish cowbarn. On 3rd April there were two Merlins huntingtogether above Ensay Burn, Treshnish and on 5 April 21 Whooper Swans flew noth over Treshnish Lochan, sometimes they land there.We have a pair of Redwing still at Haunn cottages,Treshnish as of yesterday 7th April, they have been heard singing. 
Last night a female Emperor Moth came to a light trap and layed eggs on the funnel of the trap! It has been moved to safety in the heather. Anand Prasad
8th Lochdon: On Eaglewatch, Owen Tyson saw our first Willow Warbler.
7th Various places: Dippers at Aros bridge and Eas Fors, A female Merlin at Ulva Ferry and at Tobermory Lighthouse walk a Treecreeper and female Bullfinch, Yellowhammers in the garden Arthur Brown.
6th Tobermory: A very noisy flock of redwings spent a short time resting in our tall spruce trees this evening.  Too many to count (and some well hidden in the trees) but they certainly made their presence known! Sheila Barnard
5th Treshnish lochan. 21 Whooper flying north over Treshnish lochan Anand Prasad.
5th Ensay Burn 2 Merlin,  hunting in cooperation over Ensay Burn , 9 singles on other occasions.Anand Prasad
5th Ledmore: We saw 2 female crossbills on conifers above Ledmore. Duncan & Susan Hall
4th Dervaig: Flock of about 50 Redwing over the garden this morning. Shaun Mccullagh
4th Lochdon:l Sandmartins over the Eaglewatch Caravan, plus Reed Bunting. Andy Oldacrem, 
3rd Inch Kenneth: a single Black throated Diver, 6 Greenshank resting before moving north again. A Brown
3rd Lochdon-Craignure: a single Housemartin flying along the road. Andy & Diana Oldacre
3rd Killiechronan: 3 newly arrived Sandmartins at Killiechronan camp site today. Arthur Brown

April thanks to:-
Arthur Brown, Andy & Diana Oldacre, Stuart Gibson, Shaun Mccullagh, Duncan & Susan Hall, Sheila Barnard. Owen Tyson, Anand Prasad, Pam & Len White, Callum Entwistle, John Bowler,Tony Jeffree, Duncan & Sue Hall, Lynda and Michael Hadow,  Louise Fellows, Clare Fellows, Callum Entwistle, David Clugston, David Hatfield, Monica & Ian Wilson, Alex Nicol, Adam Walmsley, David Jowett, Roger Johns, Sue Dewar, Nev Paterson, Andrew & Hazel Kirkham, Coombes & Robin Harvey,  Carol Marshall & Mike Wagemakers, Norma Dowling, 


Latest reports for June 2006

30th Lochdon. An Osprey spent an hour fishing the loch and finally caught a fish only to be harrased by a Sea Eagle which caught the fish in mid air when it was dropped by the Osprey. D Woodhouse et al

28th Lochdon. 35 Whimbrel at high tide 8.00pm on the spit of land along Gorten road. Alan Spellman.  Treshnish point a Great Skua: 1 flying from the southwest around Anand Prasad

27th Killiechronan. Shaun Mccullagh reports seeing a Goshawk whilst completing his BBS survey.

24th-25th Quinnish.  a Nightjar was heard "churring" near the house  about 9.30pm.  and is certain that it was a Nightjar. Shaun Mccullagh (pp) Nick Reed 
(this is the third bird heard and/or or seen this year. Alan)

26th Loch Scridain. 2 Black Scoter (Common) Richard Atkinson.
26th Grasspoint. 2 Swifts flew over, Grasshopper Warbler, Craig Round, Speyside Wildlife, also Reed Bunting, Whinchat , Blackcap and Whitethroat all along the Grasspoint road.
Lochdon a Green Woodpecker was reported at a bird table Speyside Wildlife (pp) Jim Smith.

Early in June:
3 Sandwich Terns in Loch Buie on 10th and an Osprey at Loch Buie on 13th.Mark & Helen Porter

25th Treshnish point:  one Swift flew passed Treshnish Point towards the north-east. Anand Prasad
Lochdon: a Velvet Scoter and an Osprey during the week. Speyside Wildlife Tour

22nd Dervaig: Black-tailed Godwit:  at Dervaig. Anand Prasad

Eurasian Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) : 22nd -23rd  May. " I clearly heard his song 2 evenings near the farm of Scoor (near the forest of conifers, where there is a broad deforested band). Certainly, the same invidual. It was a surprise for me, like you." Dr Jérôme Fournier..(fr) 
We also have the now confirmed record of Eurasion Nightjar at Balmeanach on 25th -26th May (also a male) Dr Geoff Campbell..(Ireland). These sightings are encouraging. Listen here

20th Iona. Corn Crake. 20 calling males on Iona and circa 6 now establishing on Mull. Dave Sexton.

please follow the corncrake code (above) and help safeguard these special birds.

19th Cailiach Point Arctic Skua flew across  Calliach Point in strong north westerly winds giving great views, also close Gannets and Auks including puffins. Yesterday possible Jack Snipe at Gruline. Arthur Brown

20th - 27th May report. Whooper still at Loch Assapol, Common Pochard on Loch Spelve, 3 Curlew Sandpiper & White Wagtail at Scoor, Sandwich Tern at Uisken and a Nightjar also at Scoor. Dr Jérôme Fournier..(fr) more information has been received.

13th Ardachoil. a  report of a Garden Warbler in the garden. Pam Brown  (we get very few reports of this species)

11th Ulva Ferry. King Eider drakereported at Ulva ferry. Flew into Loch na Keal. Fiona Harmer 
11th Tiroran: 2 chiffchaff calling in Tiroran House garden.  Shaun Mccullagh

10th  2 Swifts today at Reudle this morning.  a Red Kite was at Loch na Keal and a female Ring Ouzel at Tiroran. Arthur Brown.

1st June. have just received a report of a male summer plumaged Long tailed duck on Loch Ba at the Knock end. Jenny & Chris Buckley

Helen & Colin Wilkinson have sent the following report:
28th MayTurnstone: four on Iona, Bay at the Back of the Ocean,  21st: Whimbrel:  4 on Mishnish coast north of Glengorm Castle. 
Snipe:  probably 8-10 territories between Fidden and Kintra, Ross of Mull – many birds drumming. 
28th:Great skua:  two offshore from Mingarry Point, Glengorm estate, one  Sound of Iona, 
20th: Arctic skua: 2 (dark-phase) from Oban-Craignure ferry, 21st: 4 with great skuas and other seabirds in major feeding frenzy off Mingarry Point, 1 light-phase flew east over Glengorm Castle, 26th: 1 flew east, well inland just north of Mishnish Lochs, 29th: 1 chasing Arctic tern in Sound of Iona, 2nd June:1 dark-phase in Sound of Mull from ferry.
23rd May: Dipper: 1 on Mishnish Lochs, Unusual - first I've ever seen 'dipping' in still water 
20th+: Mistle thrush:  breeding pair collecting food at Sorne Cottage, Glengorm estate,
25th: Wood warbler:  singing males heard nr. Dervaig, Salen Bay,  Flat Rock, Glengorm estate, 
Chiffchaff:  1 heard singing in oak woods nr. Loch Spelve, 24 May 
Spotted flycatcher: 1 on woodland edge near Flat Rock, Glengorm estate, Mull, 
Chough: one flying over Oban harbour, 20 May - disappeared over wooded hill/gardens on south side of the ferry vehicle boarding area.
23rd -28thMay Twite:  four at Calgary Bay,  2 at Kintra bay, male near Iona marble quarry, 
Reed bunting:  several males seen/heard, inc. two at Mishnish Lochs, 1 at Dervaig, 1 by road near Bunessan, 1 at Loch Spelve, Helen & Colin Wilkinson. 

6th-7th Port Haun.  one Great Skua  in the evening chasing Herring Gull and 2 Gannets then
resting on the water and 100 (hundred) Manx Shearwaters passing north passed Haunn in late evening also 1  basking shark off Burg and another off Port Haunn Today Wednesday 1 basking shark off Port Haunn.  Anand Prasad. 7th Loch na Keal  heard a Corncrake calling in iris beds near the old school house (with the red roof) Pete Hall et al.

4th  Fionnphort.  there were 3 Basking Shark in the sound of Iona just off the harbour. A fantastic sight. Ardalanish beach  had 15 sum plumage Sanderling (3rd). There were at least 50 Manx Shearwater on the North side of Loch Scridain on Friday morning heading back out to sea. Bryan Rains & Joy Hardy

4th This years WTSE tags are 'custard' yellow and young birds will be tagged over the next few weeks. A full list of Mull tags will be on the Sea Eagle page.
4th Loch Cuin/Dervaig. This evening 9 (nine) male Goosander on the south shore roosting at low tide, Quinish Woods a Wood Warbler in  singing lustily and well seen .Langamull - 3 Dunlin in breeding plumage and 1 pair Ringed Plover Shaun Mccullagh. Treshnish Point. 3 Great Skuas over the cliffs . On Saturday (3rd) evening one Basking Shark was in Calgary Bay, Anand Prasad

2nd, ' Kilbeg Cottage' Glen Forsa. a singing Grasshopper Warbler at 04.15hrs in the garden, plus Woodcock above the large pines at Kilbeg. Andy Bayes Treshnish point 2 Great Skua .Calgary Beach  2 Red throated Divers and a Merlin. Tobermory.  Peregrine over Tobermory mini-roundabout/ temp traffic lights  3/6  Matt Atkin

1st Garmony. a male Hen Harrier hunting along the coast by the picnic area. 4pm Alan Spellman
Croig. Wood Warbler Just off main road going down to Croig, also along Aros/ Salen road opposite the rocks where the seals are, and 2nd on road at Ardura in woods where our nest boxes are. Andy Bayes Treshnish Point an adult WTSE attacking the seabird colony. Matt Atkin

1st Islands. Heard a corncrake calling from Taurus Mara on the small islands near Lunga   Alastair Gossage
29th-2nd Laggan/Loch Buie.  male Merlin on two separate days last week Alastair Gossage

31st May Croig Harbour. Magpie seen at Croig harbour.Roger Wilson 30th May - Dipper at Eas Fors.
30th May an Osprey carrying a fish was seen flying west around the loch Torr area. Dr Barry Prater
28th May Loch Buie on walk to castle. Chiffchaff. Andy Bayes

25th-26th May. I have just received a report of a Nightjar heard and seen at Balmeanach camp site at around 11.30pm on two consecutive nights. Geoff Campbell.


Latest reports for May 2006
31st  Glen Forsa behind the airstrip.  A pair of Canada Geese were feeding in the outfall from the burn, but no sign of breeding, Shaun Mccullagh.

30th a summer plumaged Great northern Diver in Sound of Mull at Garmony picnic area & summer plumaged Golden Plover on the golf course this evening.  Alan Spellman
30th Loch Cuin-Dervaig. one female Crossbill feeding in the scots pine trees on the Dervaig/Cuin road.  Bird was very green, possibly about 7 others, but I didn't get a good look at them, although it's more than likely that they would be in family parties at this time of year. Shaun Mccullagh.

14th-15th Strathcoil (Adura turn off)  Redstart  & Wood Warbler  singing in woods near Strathcoil (NM6829). Sedge Warbler - singing, Pier Road, Salen on 15th-17th May. Jim Guthrie
Pairs of Bullfinches at Tobermory Distillery (27/5) and Calgary (28/5) Matt Atkin.

29th Loch Tor. 2 male Goosander on Loch, plus an Osprey fishing there pm   Barry Bishop
29th Loch Ba. a single Osprey over the fish farm. Richard Atkinson
28th Treshnish Point within 15 minutes at 9pm.105 Manx Shearwaters passed
19th Loch Frisa. 1 Bullfinch near Lettermore farmhouse, Loch Frisa 2 Red-throated Divers flew over the fish farm at Loch. Frisa, Anand Prasad

21st Bunessan/Fionnphort. a Turtle dove at the side of the road between Bunnessan and Fionnphort 11.00am. Julia Holmes
27th Loch Cuin-Dervaig. 1 Greater Scaup plus 2 Tufted Ducks. Loch Beg. 20 Manx Shearwater.4 Goosander. Artuhr Brown.

20th April. A female Black Redstart  was photographed (see above) on 20th April at Kilbeg in Glen Forsa by Sylvia Brennan. This is a first record for Mull.
24th Iona A Jack Snipewas flushed whilst looking for Corn Crake from the iris beds on the shore by the Abbey  (visitors)
23rd Loch Buie. 3 Red throated Divers.  male Hen Harrier in Lochdon area.   Chris More

22nd Loch na Keal. 3 Little Stint on loch shore near Dhiseig Farm area. John Suckley. 
Salen : Spotted flycatcher on wires at roadside near boat wrecks at Salen, Rebecca and David Waterhouse
21st Fidden. two Pale bellied Brent at Fidden.  Carol Marshall.
Iona. Corncrake.  6 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin  in bloody bay. 8+ Gannets at Fionnphort, Ian Woosey

19th Fidden. Corncrake calling this evening near Fidden, in rushes a few hundred metres Fionnphort side of the new bungalow, before Fidden Farm - Carol Marshall. Corncrake still calling at Bruach Mhor, Fionnphort. Mike Wagemakers

18th Oban-Craignure ferry. a Great Skua.  Ian Woosey
17th Loch Ba. a scarce male Ring Ouzel was found on the scree slopes in Glen Ba, Grid Ref NM549383  by visitor Richard Lunardi 

14th Iona.  A Rose Coloured Starling was rescued from a cat on Iona.  Gareth Knass 
12th "whale watching boat" today and saw 2 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 80+ Arctic Terns in a feeding group, 100+ Manx Shearwaters, All the usual Auks including several Puffins, Gannets, Kittiwakes and Shags. Arthur Brown

11th Treshnish. "We have a Turtle Dove here at Treshnish. (it is rare on Mull but  has been seen here last year and possibly the year before that". Somerset Carrington, Anand Prasad
10th. Treshnish point: best birds.a 'raft' of 33 Manx Shearwtaers off Treshnish Point &1 Reed Bunting near Haunn. Anand Prasad

7th May. "I had excellent views of an imm female Marsh Harrier flying over Salen Pier yesterday morning (7 May) at 8.30 am. The bird then flew along the coast heading towards Fishnish and Craignure." Ross Facer

9th  Lochdon. an early morning walk produced a  Garden Warbler plus Whitethroat, Redpoll & Siskin.  Eddie Crabtree (visitor) Craignure/Lochdon Housemartins are more numerous now.
There is also a report of a Reed Warbler heard on Staffa,  ( a very scarce bird for Mull) 
9th Quinish Point/Dervaig. a single  Pomarine Skua  seen very close in (almost across the rocks) also a Peregrine, Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and 4 Puffin, at the Point. 5 Manx Shearwater quite far out, off Quinish Point. A male Blackcap  near Quinich House and Wood Warbler Quinish woods, at least 6 heard. 2 drake Goldeneye still present on Mishnish Lochs. Anand Prasad

7th Treshnish Farm. 12 Arctic Terns (First) (later a group of 6) 1 Great Skua off Treshnisn Point, headed towards Treshnish Isles, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6+ Whitethroat (first for here) 1 Spotted Flycatcher ( in adifferent area from yesterday) 3 Manx Shearwater 5 Great Northern Diver 2 Puffin.  Anand Prasad.  Salen. Grasshopper Warbler heard reeling (evening) Norma Dowling. Merlin at mouth of Ensay Burn, Treshnish. Anand Prasad.  off Glengorm - A Great Skua was harassing the gulls that were following a fishing boat  off Glengorm. Peter Stevick

6th Haunn cottages, Treshnish Point. asingle Common Swift seen here today (see table below of 
previous sightings of pasage birds) plus  3 Twite and a single Merlin. Treshnish Woods ,a first Spotted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff in the evening. Anand Prasad
6th near Fidden, evening.  30+ Whimbrel  Carol Marshall. Iona. 2 Spotted Flycatchers. A Greenshank on Lochdon and  2 Puffins on Loch Scridain. Ross Facer.  Calgary Bay 3 Great northern divers, 4 razorbills, two gannets and five common terns were in the bay. A sedge warbler was in the reeds nearby. The area with scattered trees to the north of the beach held a whitethroat, and a goldfinch. Peter Stevick HWDT

5th Loch na Keal. A pair of Twite at Dhisaig we followed them up Loch Na Keal for about a mile this afternoon. Arthur Brown.  (note: there was a breeding pair along the loch last year) AS
Iona. a group of 6 Golden Plover were on Iona North Beach. Ross Facer

5th Haunn cottages, Treshnish Point. Merlin, Twite, a group of two and a group of three on Treshnish farm, also two Twite on the 4th May, 2 on the 2nd May and 1 on the 27th April the first sighting of the Spring here. Anand Prasad

3rd Griburm: first Whitethroat also Whimbrel at Langamull & Loch na Keal. Pam & Arthur Brown
Calgary Bay: 3 Gannets, 5 Great northern Divers, 1 Red throated Diver, Manx Shearwater and
first Common Tern. First Winchat there (Treshnissh Farm) was on May 2nd and that individual is still around. Anand Prasad

1st. Loch na Keal: Black throated Diver & 2 Great Northern Divers  in summer plumage.
Arthur & Pam Brown. Discover Mull Tours. AS, Edwina & David Sharp.
Aros esuary: Single Whimbrel amongst 3 Curlew. Loch na Keal Common Sandpipers singing all
along the shore. Jenny Reddaway.
Loch Scridain:  Great northern Diver 'almost'  summer plumage AS, Edwina & David Sharp

29th April. Bruach Mhor, Fionnphort:  Corn  Crake has returned to the croft at Bruach Mhor,
calling only spasmodically and weakly at the moment but reportedly first heard/arrived on Saturday     Derek Crook



 
latest reports for April 2006
30th Iona. first Corncrake  heard on Iona, Sr J Lawson. 2 Corncrakes singing in front of abbey
1st winter White-fronted Goose with 12 Greylags in pasture just north of abbey. 3 Great Northern
Divers and 1 Red-throated Diver in Sound of Iona. 4 Whimbrel, 10 Dunlin and 1 Turnstone on shoreline here too.  About 30 nests active in Rookery. Chiffchaff (migrant) in allotments.  Mark Newsome. Yarrow, Tyne and Wear
29th Lochdon. a single Curlew Sandpiper in the evening at high tide. David Edwards (visitor) Lochdon. John & Angela Preston had 4 Bullfinches (2 pairs) visit their garden. Wood Warbler singing  in woodland by Toronsay Castle, along with Blackcap, 2-3 Lesser Redpolls and Treecreeper.2 adult Whooper Swans, 1 Goldeneye and 4 Tufted Ducks on Loch Pottie. Mark Newsome 28th Aros Bay. 60+ Golden Plover in field at Tenga today, Black Throated Diver at Aros Bay.Grasspoint road. first Wood Warbler. singing about half mile past forst house. Alan Spellman 1 White Wagtail near Ulva ferry. 8 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers and 15 Red-breasted
Mergansers in Loch Na Keal. Mark Newsome 
27th Kentallen. Pair of Canada Geese and six Golden Plover in fields by Kentallen.Jenny Reddaway
Fidden. single Whimbrel. Carol Marshall.
26th Lochdon. heard a Grasshopper Warbler this morning, a few yards from his house. Andy Oldacre
Loch na Keal. first Blackcap by the side of the loch.
25th Gruline. 2 Housemartins reported by Pam & Arthur Brown.
24th 1 male Whinchat (first) at Loch Spelve and 2 Puffins from Lochaline-Fishnish ferry.  Mike Coleman (Heatherlea Wildlife Tours) Loch Cuin. 31 Black tailed Godwits flew in to rest. Charles Morgan
24th Knock fish farm outfall. an Iceland Gull amongst Herring & Common Gulls. Pam Brown
On Eagle Watch this morning, the female Merlin was back along the fence posts and the favourite rock. It has been around in the same area for over a week now. Andy Oldacre.one Loch Torr held a lone Whooper Swan. Loch na Keal.  Iceland Gull on the north shore of Loch na Keal adjacent to the boat house in a group of immature Herring Gulls  Shaun Mccullagh.  Killechronan 2 Goldcrests amongst my shrubs. Jan Fuller.
21st Lochdon bridge. First Sedge Warbler, 3 Greenshank, Great Spotted Woodpeckers
drumming, 3 prs Red breasted Merganser. Stuart Gibson. 2 lesser black backed gulls at Dervaig
today our first of the year. Pam & Arthur Brown. (Discover Mull Tours) Langamull area: two White Wagtails. David Hatfield
20th Glen Forsa.  in garden of kilbeg cottage, glen forsa. a female Black Redstart. (photographed) plus golden plover at edge of Loch na Keal.  Sylvia Brennan.
20th: Glengorm headland: Sea Eagle (ad. over cliffs at Port Chill Bhraonian); Ravens; SlavoinanGrebe (2 close in at Port Chill Bhraonian); lots more W Warblers; Cuckoo seen & calling (Glengorm Castle woods); Mishnish lochs: almost certainly a 2nd year Ring-billed Gull washing with Herring & Gt BB Gulls; Whooper Swan (Loch Tor). Loch Cuin: Greenshank (1); quite a few Swallows. David Hatfield
20th . A possible Little Egret - Judy Fairbairn who lives in Cuin Lodge is fairly certain she saw one flying down Loch Cuin early one morning about 2 days ago.  Her discription fits and judging from their rapid spread north, not impossible.  her discription was "heron like but smaller and totally white with faster wing beats".  If it was a L E surely someone else may have seen it!
We have had up to six Bullfinches in the garden this week feeding on hawthorn buds, fortunately they haven't yet gone for the fruit trees. Shaun Mccullagh. Garmony, a Bonxy creating havoc along
shore line. Duncan Hall. Lochdon 14 yellowhammers in my garden this afternoon. Also, an Osprey  flying down Loch Frisa  this evening and a cuckoo was heard and seen at Loch Frisa. John Preston et al, Susan & Duncan Hall
20th Lochdon.First Grasshopper Warbler heard this morning by Andy Oldacre on eagle watch
11.00 a.m.Penmore: Cuckoo Sylvia Swift. now reported for many areas on the island.
19th Garmony picnic area.First Tree Pipit. Alan Spellman.  Lochdon bridge pool a Red throated Diver has spent the last couple of days in the bridge pool, showing very well. Alan
18th/19th Loch na Keal. 2 Slavonian Grebe, Great northern Divers are  still about. Lagggan Bay. 2
Snow Geese, Snipe seen and heard calling at Loch Ba and also Dervaig, Great Spotted Woodpeckers
Drumming. Anand Prasad, Shaun Mccullagh et al. First Housemartin seen near Grasspoint. Doug Bennett.
17th Loch na Keal. an Osprey seen flying over the north side hills towards loch Frisa. AS
Penmore...my garden..siskin,yellow hammers,greenfinch, 1 swallow flying around, plenty of wheatears and a Spotted flycatcher nearby. Sylvia Swift  Oban. 2nd winter Ring billed Gull has
now  been around for 13 months. Stuart Gibson Loch Torr. 1 Whooper Swan,1 Goldeneye. Prasad.
15th Loch na Keal. an Iceland Gull around the Knock end near the outlet pipe. Lochdon. 2 female &1 male Hen Harrier Arthur & Pam Brown. 17 Shelduck AS
Treshnish and North Mull Fulmar: at least 32 ledges were occupied on the western side, Treshnish Point, also 5 Rock Dove, a single Gannet. 6 Manx Shearwater off Haunn plus 6 Gannet. 2 Puffin, Razorbill & Kittiwake in 30 mins sea watching. Anand Prasad. Cuckoo at Loch Buie. Matthew Simpson.
14th Grasspoint, a scarce passage migrant being a Purple Sandpiper, on the shore behind Grasspoint Cottage. Arthur Brown et al & Alan Spellman Loch na Keal. 200 Barnacle Geese at Inch Kenneth and at Bunessan  male & female Gadwall Arthur Brown. The Burgh. First Cuckoo heard . Martin Keivers.
13th Lochdon. First Common Sandpiper. (last yaer 13/4) Visitors R. A. Manning & M. Rothwell, also 12 Shelduck.Loch na Keal. a summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe giving excellent close up watching. Alan S mouth of Calgary Bay. 4 Manx Shearwater, 100+ Kittiwake present for about an hour, a single  Puffin Sound of Coll unidentified Sheerwater with much paler upperparts and white underparts,  (possible Corys ?) Anand Prasad. Craignure. First chiffchaff  singing strongly  near Torosay railway station & a short-eared owl hunting over valley floor in front of Lochdon eagle watch caravan.    Chris & Sian (Craignure)
12th Tobermory. 3 male, 1 female bullfinch on our fruit trees this morning. No fruit again this year,
worth it for the spectacle. Susan & Duncan Hall Gruline. female Merlin seen again in this area. AB/AS. 11th Bowmans field opposite golf course. 2 Canada Geese. AS. Calgary Bay 2 Great Northern
Diver (1 in breeding plumage on the south side), Manx Shearwater: 11+ at the mouth of Calgary Bay
1  Gannet & 7 Fulmar, 2 Arctic Skua flying south. Anand Prasad. Inverlussa. pair Goosander,
Wigeon,Teal, Golden Eagle, Loch na Kea l Merlin, Golden Eagle, Great northern Diver, Slavionan Grebe,
R B Mergansers,  Eider.AS & David Trainer. Loch Spelve. a rare  Little Auk seen near the
north shore, by visitor Neill Foster.
10th Lochdon. First Willow Warbler whilst on eagle watch this morning. Andy Oldacre
9th Loch Spelve. 2 Great northern Diver also 3 on Loch Scridain, Greenshank. Griburn area Peregrine
WTSE, GE and lots Wheatear & Meadow Pipits about now. AS + Mathew, Roger & Maureen.Treshnish Farm male Hen Harrier near Haunn,17 Whooper Swan  landed on the lochen near
Treshnish House, Anand Prasad Kilichronnan camp site. we saw the herring gull that was coloured
last  year.It is still alive and getting its original colour back although it is still a washed out pinky
orange. Susan & Duncan Hall. Oban male Chifchaff in song, Stuart Gibson. Craignure.heard a male long-eared owl calling near the Isle of Mull hotel c. 11pm Chris & Sian (Craignure)
7th AprilLedmore Hill a Short Eared Owl seen through bins at about 30 yds hunting along the
line of the ditch beside the track. Angus Slorach Lochdon.Female Merlin from the caravan again this
morning plus Siskin on our feeders at home.Andy Oldacre
6th Lagganulva.a single Pinkfoot amongst Greylags. Arthur Brown
5thSalen. male brambling coming into spring plumage in the garden today. Dave Sexton. Lochdon. a female Merlin hunting, it missed its catch but I saw the feathers flying behind a large rock on the hillside, also a Swallow flew over the caravan Andy Oldacre
2nd-4th Dervaig Bridge - 2 shelduck, 3 merganser,  2 redshank, also had a good look over the reedbed hoping for water rail, but not a sound.  There were however several teal and a few mallard. Shaun Mccullagh
1st Lochdon. drake Gadwall still in Bunessan Harbour.  Long stay Whooper Swan has returned toPottie after being absent for a week or so.  First Wheatears have been seen in Pottie and Fidden areas this weekend.  Hunting Peregrine near to Fidden Sunday. Mike Wagemakers



Latest reports for April - June 2005 from Alan Spellman
Migrants arrived or passed through. On 1st, a fall of some 60+ Redwings in a local Tobermory garden stayed until 7th. Returning Whooper Swan were at Lochdon with 30 birds on 4th for an overnight stay before moving north again. The first Cuckoo was heard on 6th at Calgary by Andy Mortley. On 8th an Osprey was reported at Loch Frisa, the first of the year where it rested, fished and moved on the next day.  Excellent views of Merlin at Loch Beg & Killiechronan on 8th as they arrived following Meadow Pipits moving north, and a single Red Kite flew over Garmony heading north.
Spring migrants arrived on 10th the first Willow Warbler was reported from Aros Park. A displaying male Hen Harrier was also watched at Lochdon – Grasspoint area.
On 14th a pair of newly arrived Short eared Owls were displaying in the Lochdon area at a regular site. And the first Common Sandpiper was seen on Loch Cuin shoreline on 14th  by Shaun Mccullagh.
There was a singing male Blackcap 20th along the Grasspoint road and a singing Tree Pipit (23rd) in the forestry plantation. But it was 25th before our first Whinchat and Sedge Warbler were picked up in Glen Aros and Dervaig. On 26th Corncrakes were heard for the first time this year on Iona, (25th last year). The first House martin was at Killiechronan on 28th   and Grasshopper Warbler at Fionnphort on 30th.
A rare passage migrant on 27th, being 2 Wood Sandpiper along the north shore of Lochdon were reported by visitor Stan Midgley.  At Caliach Point on 19th was a female Snow Bunting. Other interesting birds on the move were summer plumaged Golden Plover at Loch na Keal (26th) a pair of Scaup at Pennyghael, Loch Scridain (27th), by the golf course on 18th 40 migrating Ruddy Turnstone were resting and feeding on the shore line.
In the Glen Aros Forestry area were a flock of 30 crossbills reported by Dave Sexton RSPB and flocks of up to 30 Yellowhammers have been visiting local gardens.
At Balmeanach, Sound of Mull a pair of Canada Geese appear to be nesting again this year
Throughout the month White winged Gulls were two 1st W Iceland, A bleached and worn 1st Summer immature Ring-billed Gull in Oban harbour and Iceland also in Tobermory. Up to 300 Eider spent most of the month by the mussel farm on Loch Scridain.
May 2005. Loch Scridain gave us our first Whitethroat on 5th in scrub by loch side.
Loch na Keal. (2nd) there was a Slavonian Grebe in full summer plumage from boathouse, plus  7 Great  Northern Divers, 23 Dunlin, (most in summer plumage) and 2 pairs of nesting Ringed Plovers. Also 17 Whimbrel in field by Kentellan farm on 8th.
On 4th a pair Black throated Diver and 2 Red throated Diver, 1 Common Scoter. Short Eared Owls have been scarce this year and so at Dervaig, a pair displaying were a delight to watch. Alan Spellman.
An Osprey flew over Torosay - Lochdon on 6th but did not stay around, and another on 31st at Loch Frisa, spent most of the day fishing in the loch unsuccessfully.
A pair of swifts were performing a high speed acrobatic display at Ledaig, Tobermory and were the first Swifts of the year on 10th. Lochdon had 4 Swifts feeding over the loch on 24th briefly whilst on passage.
There were 3 Dotterel on the stony summit slopes of  Dun da Ghaoithe on 24th, I am sure there must be many other migrating birds that are not recorded. On Iona (28th)  there was a flock of 12 Sanderling on the west side of the island. Ardalanish beach is another good place to see Sanderling.
Corncrake are now establishing on the Ross of Mull at 3 sites so far this year and Staffa have  3 calling males on the island again this year. At Fionnphort on 14th there was  a brief sighting of a Spotted Crake at Torr Mor  by Mike Wagemakers
On 16th by the  Mishnish Lochs area, a Knot in full breeding plumage, a scarce bird for Mull this one, reported by Peter Gionannini
Caliach Point is excellent for sea watching a male Black Scoter (Common Scoter), 2 Arctic Skuas 1 Great skua, diving Gannets, Guillemots, Fulmars and Kittiwakes plus Manx Shearwaters were all reported off Caliach point. The first Arctic and Common Terns were in the Sound of Mull on 5th & 6th at their usual site.
All three Divers have been recorded on sea lochs this month, Red throated Diver and Black throated Diver in summer plumage with Great Northern Divers in mid change (eclipse) plumage
At  Croig nr Dervaig on 27th there was a single Magpie on the road to the harbour.
White winged Gulls have stayed around this month with 1 Iceland Gull with other gulls just outside  Fionnphort. village, and also birds remained at Tobermory and Oban.
A Sea Eagle chick (Lochdon ) was wing tagged this month.
June 2005 At Lochdon (3rd) there is a report of a male Ring Ouzel at Gorten turnoff. and Mike Wagemakers reported “a brief glimpse of a calling Ring Ouzel, flying east from Fionnphort” (28th). A Grey Pharalope was seen at Garmony picnic area on 11th. And a Spotted Crake was heard calling in Dervaig reed beds on 16th. On 24th a  late returning Waxwing  was sighted at the Croggan/Lochbuie.
Information on WTSE is that we have 8 chicks this year, the most successful year so far. Frisa Sea Eagle chicks  were wing tagged red with white letters I & S for "Itchy and Scratchy", names by the school children. A Barn Owl hunting along Gorten Road, Lochdon at mid day on 21st was encouraging as it would have been feeding young. Another Osprey flew north over Loch Beg on 27th and there were more. good sightings of both Short eared Owl & Hen Harrier near the Crannog loch through Glen More.
Two juvenile Green Woodpecker on 14th at Lochdon   briefly visited John & Angela Prestons garden and Great Spotted Woodpecker were bringing young to feeders. Len White had a flock of 30 Long-tailed Tits feeding  on tree in front garden.
The lone Whooper Swan was still on Loch Pottie on 28th, and on 24th at Knock there was a single Widgeon at end of Loch Na Keal. Neither of these birds should be here at this time of year.
On Lunga Corncrake were heard on the Treshnish Isles. The Iona Corncrake survey counted between mid night & 0300hrs had 23 calling males. (Dave Sexton RSPB)
Seen from the Craignure - Oban Ferry (27th) were 300 Manx Shearwater off Lismore Lighthouse.
There were 2 Tufted Duck at Aros Bay on 23rd near the Castle end, this is  unusual as Loch Pottie & Loch Assapol are the regular sites for these birds. At Lochdon on 14th  9 Canada Geese (park geese) spent the day on the loch.
Divers have shown well with 2 summer  plumaged Black throated Divers on Loch na Keal on 29th by Inch Kenneth and a summer plumaged Great northern Diver (30th) Red throats have been seen on all sea lochs and Loch Ba


Summary of reports for June 2004
 On 2nd Loch Tuath held a pair of summer plumaged Black throated Divers and a single Great northern Diver whilst Loch na Keal on the same day a pair of Red throated Divers. Also on Loch Assapol and along the Ross of Mull were Red throated Diver on 12th.  Loch Buie is a good place for seeing divers and during the month held all three species. .Breeding Greylag geese numbers have increased over the years and several pairs with young were reported including, by the golf course, 3 pairs with 14 goslings between them. The pair of Canada geese at Bàn    Eilean (Sound of Mull) attempted to breed but no goslings have been seen, perhaps suffering from mink predation. On Loch Assapol, a pair of  Whooper Swans have remained, but there is no confirmed breeding attempt at present.
The leucistic Willow Warbler along the road to Grasspoint has been successful in raising young and one appears to be a paler (leucistic) bird. A leucistic Siskin was regularly seen in a Salen garden and in a Tobermory gardena  young  Leucistic Blackbird was a regular visitor.
On 8th at Loch Spelve there were four Swifts flying high, a scarce bird for Mull with only passage birds being seen usually in late May, early June. Another very scarce bird was a Magpie just south of Salen on 8th.
In the North of Mull at Calliac point on 17th, a sea watch produced 100’s of Manx Sheerwater rafting between Ardnamuchan point and Mull plus Gannets and several Storm Petrel with another single bird at Fishnish having been blown in by gale force winds on 19th. At Calgary beach Shaun MacCullag found a summer plumaged Sanderling with Ringed Plover.
On 6th at Grasspoint an Osprey was being mobbed by a pair of Sea Eagles, and on 15th in Glen More (east end of glen) another Osprey. On 26th one was seen at Loch Frisa and again 0n 28th at Loch Uisg a bird was fishing before moving through Glen More. It’s only a matter of time before we will have a breeding pair on the island. On 15th a Peregrine Falcon was observed flying along the Grasspoint road and other birds were reported from different sites. Hen Harriers have been showing well at regular sites, with two visitors excitedly reporting seeing their first food pass.
All Sea Eagle chicks are now wing tagged, (both right & left wings)  Bottle green with White lettering with the following letters; A, H, O, X, Y, Z.
Barn Owls are not often reported, but we do have a good population on Mull, on 12th a bird was hunting around the Mull rail station at Craignure at 11.30pm and another on 15th was at Lochdon. Short eared Owls, now busy feeding young, have been reported through Glen More, Loch Frisa, Lochdon, Glen Bellart and several other areas.
Summary of reports for May 2004
May was a month full of surprises, not least was the return, on 7th, of a Leucistic Willow Warbler to exactly the same area it was at last year, along the road to Grasspoint where it was again breeding successfully. A  Leucistic Siskin was seen visiting a Salen garden by bird club member, Angus Slorach.
A very rare visitor to Mull was a female Smew on Loch Pottie on 17th. This bird stayed for one day and is only
the third ever record for Mull.The first record being in December 1982 at Aros Park and again in January 1983 and on the Mishnish in March 1983. Loch Uisg on 11th  held a single Greater Scaup, a very late bird, we usually have only a few reports in winter months from Loch Torr, but nothing so late as May.
The first recorded Reed Warbler at Ardalanish reed bed on 16th singing in competition with a sedge warbler and a Little Stint was among feeding Dunlin on the beach at Ardalanish, also on 16th
The last few spring migrants arrived with the first Blackcap and first Wood Warbler on 6th seen along the walk tp Tobermory lighthouse
A pair of late Snow Buntings were at Iona, then Fidden and Uisken beaches from 1st to 11th, the male in summer plumage. Also on Iona Corncrake have been showing well with several visitors reporting their first ever sighting of this elusive bird. And a real treat for one visitor who reported “On  5th May whilst on the 4pm crossing from Oban to Mull, the boat disturbed a flock of about 125 Pomarine Skuas rafting on the sea, at about the half way point. The flock all got up and flew alongside for a while then gradually wheeled around the bows and headed off back towards the general direction of Oban”
A Purple Sandpiper was at Staffa on 3rd May and there is a pair of Great Skua nesting on the island.
There was a report on 11th from Craignure Golf course. of 48 pinkfoot geese, (not usually seen in these numbers). There is a pair of breeding Canada Geese at Bàn Eilean for the second year. At Loch Assapol is a pair of Whooper Swans plus 6 Tufted Duck and a pair of Little Grebe.
Ospreys have been reported from these locations, Mishnish Lochs (21st), Salen Bay,(25th), Loch Frisa (28th) and  Loch Assapol (29th), whilst some of these birds may be the same bird, I think it is only a matter of time before we have a pair stop off and breed .on the island.
Both Common and Arctic Terns returned to the Sound of Mull area around 2nd of the month. Calliach Point is an excellent area for sea watching and on 21st  200 plus Kittewake with 100 plus Manx Shearwater also  Guillemot and Razorbill in groups of 20-30 regularly passed through very close. Gannet  feeding in Calliach Bay daily giving spectacular diving displays. 23rd Great Skua off Caliac Point close to shiore gave great displays.
A few Whimbrel were still passing through with 4 on Iona (5th) 2 at Salen (9th) and 4 birds at Ardalanish beach on 15th. There was a flock of 87 Golden Plover at Fidden on 5th in a field on the road to Knockvologan..
Dervaig reed beds on 8th produced 8 calling Sedge Warblers and 3 calling Grasshopper Warblers and 3 Whitethroat there were 8 half grown Mallard ducklings 4 Common Sandpipers  4 Redshank and a tree pipit
In the early part of the month there were good numbers of Great Northern Divers about, most in various stages of summer plumage but as the weather warmed up by the end of the month many had moved north and were getting hard to find. Red throated Diver in summer plumage are to be seen on  Loch na Keal and Loch Scridain, whilst Loch Frisa on 16th briefly held a Black throated Diver, also in full summer plumage..
The month ended with the report of a Kingfisher at Bunessan and a single first Swift was at Croggan on 25th
Summary of reports for April 2004
April is the month when most of our spring migrants arrive, and so they did, having heard earlier reports of Swallows at Portland Bill in January it was no surprise to record our first arrivals with, Sandmartins at Gorsten and Tree Pipit at Lochdon on 1st of the month. And a Garden Warbler on 4th (often missed) at Loch Frisa. A few days later on 11th the first Osprey on passage was seen first at Calgary and the Loch Frisa. Also on 11th the first Chiffchaff was heard at Loch Spelve. The first report of singing Grasshopper Warbler of the year, and a very early bird, was on Seil Island by Bill Jackson who had two birds in his garden on 12th of the month..
The first Cuckoo of the year was first heard and seen at Loch Uisg and at Loch Buie on 16th. Other new visitors were Corncrake  which arrived on Iona on 25th (3 days earlier than last year). A Corncrake was also heard calling at Bàn Eileenan, north of Garmony point on 27th, but had moved on by the following day, in the same area the first Whitethroat of the year was found also on 27th. At Dervaig 10 newly arrived House martin were feeding over the reed beds with swallows and a Reed Bunting was heard singing. A male Redstart was heard singing in Quinish woodland, eventually being spotted it high up in an oak tree.
A flock of very late Redwings of about 60+ birds were at Salen, Tobermory and Dervaig between on 12th -15th stripping trees of the few remaining berries and moving north.
 On the beach near the Glenforsa Hotel a 1st winter Glaucous Gull was found by the Speyside Wildlife Group on 15th. This group also spotted up a single Purple Sandpiper at Grasspoint (on passage) and a male Goshawk, gave a brief display over woodland, whilst chasing Raven. Plantation  Road NW of Kilfinichen Bay.
There were other very scarce birds for Mull seen this month, being a pair of Northern Shoveler at Fidden on 13th and at Garmony were a pair of Pintail by the picnic area on 13th and again seen at Lochdon the following day. On 20th at Loch Scridain area a very rare Black Kite was seen on the north side of the loch by the Heatherlea Birdwatching group
At Loch na Keal on 20th, a  2nd summer Iceland Gull was following trawler in the loch.
There was a flock of 40 twite here feeding on the Iona shore on 11th. Two male and one female Goosander were seen at Loch Torr on 28th and two on Loch Frisa with four, (two pairs) at Lochdon on 16th. Reports of Divers have been fewer but those Great Northern Divers that have stayed have shown spectacular summer plumage, on 16th - 17th Loch Spelve. Held 8 Great Northern Diver (3 in summer plumage) plus 1 Black throated Diver. Whilst on 18th at  Ledmore end of Loch Frisa. Rod & Gill Little reported ……“3 red throated divers in scope field at one time. Also and most exciting one Black throated Diver, at one time alongside red throat, wonderful comparison to confirm identification”.
Loch na Keal. held  8 Slavonian Grebe, plus a Red throated diver in summer plumage.
At Lochdon, (14th) a passage of 36 Whimbrel, were recorded plus 6 Redshank, 8 Red breasted Merganser, and on 15th a further 16 Whimbrel feeding frantically on the Lochdon shore line.4 Whooper swans flew north over Lochdon on 14th and also  Loch Pottie held 4 Whooper swans on 13th, (possibly the same birds). Croig on 8th held eight Comon Sandpiper at Eilean Bàn
Bullfinches have shown well this month with 2 pairs regularly coming to a Tobermory garden at at Bàn Eileenan, north of Garmony point and also at Loch Buie and Torosay woodland walk, And a pair of Linnets also in a Lochdon garden. Yellowhammers have been reported from many garden sites with a peak of 11 birds in one garden at Lochdon early in the month.
Short eared Owls arrived with three at Lochdon on 12th and in Glen More a prospective pair were displaying on 15th. There have only been a few Merlin sightings at regular spots and finally its good to be able to report that we now have White tailed Sea chicks.