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Latest reports for November 2012
 
 

Latest reports for November 2011 

12-00 Monday 27th - 13 Whoopers on Loch Cuin. Rod & Gill Little
27th Loch Scridain: a female long tailed duck on Scridain the other day just as you see the loch having come from Glen Seilesdair
a short weekend trip to Mull. Some sightings: Iceland Gull – 1W Killiechronan, 26/11; 1W Gribun 27/11 – possibly the same bird, Common Scoter – 9 Calgary Bay, Brambling – F, West Ardhu, Dervaig, Great Spotted Woodpecker - F, West Ardhu, Dervaig, Barnacle Goose – 9 Gribun, Greenland White-fronted Goose – 15 Fidden, Lapwing – 19 Fidden Tufted Duck – 6 Loch na Poit-I, Whooper Swan – 1 Loch an t-suide, Bunessan, Rock Pipit – 35 Uisken  Greenshank – 3 Lochdon , Canada Goose – 12 Scallaste  David Jardine
26th Dervaig: a female Brambling in the garden this morning. Arthur Brown
25th pair of Gadwall at Cailiach this morning. Arthur and Pam
25th the 9 scoters are still at Calgary today. I will let you know if they disappear rather than when they are present, Prasads Blog
23rd: 1 Purple Sandpiperat Lainne Sgeir, Calgary and at least 8 (probably 9) Common Scoters near Calgary pier,  Prasads Blog
22nd Lainne Sgeir, Calgary, 3 Purple Sandpipers (no sign of the Common Scoters), Prasad
21st Killiechronan: an Icelend Gull. lots of Common Gulls, a few Black-headed , 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 31 Ringed Plover. On the drive from Salen  a flock of 6 Bullfinches and a lone Whooper with Greylags.  Angela Plumb
20th approx 70 Teal with 6 Widgeon by Scarisdale Rocks on Loch na Keal. Mixed flock of Widgeon, Teal and Golden Eye by Knock out-falls. Juliet Vines
20th Had a Jay in the woods at Killiechronan today at about 4pm. David Woodhouse
20th Lainne Sgeir, Calgary, 9 Common Scoters. Anand Prasad 
20th  Caliach Point: 10 Whooper Swan resting  in fields. Pam & Arthur Brown
18th 40 Goldeneye on Loch na Keel, Knock out-falls. I rather lost looking Lapwing in field with Greylags Killiechronan. Juliet Vines
18th Loch Pottie 3 Juvenile Common Scoter, also 1 pair Teal, 6 female Goldeneye, 6 (1 male) Tufted Duck – Mike Wagemakers
18th Dervaig: One male Blackcap on peanuts in garden at Tigh Fraoich this morning!. Rod & Gill Little
15th at Glenforsa: White-tailed eagle, fem hen harrier, 5 buzzards - 1 being mobbed by 2 kestrels, flock 30  oystercatchers, 20 ringed plover, 10  turnstones, 20 wigeon, 4 teal, 1 canada goose amongst large flock of grey lags, 4 red breasted merganser, pr goosander, great northern diver. Debby Thorne
15th Calgary: 6 Common Scoter in bay. Pam & Arthur Brown
14th Ulva: A Jay flying into Pine trees near Ulva Church, Ulva this morning. Jamie Howard.
13th Loch Buie: I saw a Brambling and Great Northern Diver. Juliet Vines.
11th Laganulva: Greenshank, 50+ Fieldfare 30+ Redwing in mixed flocks, Killiechronan, 70+ Fieldfare. Charlie & Pam Liggett
11th Loch Frisa: 2 Woodcock this evening at Loch Frisa – first time I’ve seen them there. Debby Thorne
11th Calgary pier, 5 Common Scoters. 9th Calgary bay, 2 Gannets. 8th Croig, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit  Prasad 
10th Salen: Brambling and a blackcap in the garden today. Debbie Thorne
9th a Little Egret was recorded and photographed at Loch Beg, Pennyghael. only the secons Mull record. Andy Howard 
8th Gribun: a Wheatear, David Sexton RSPB Officer
8th Treshnish, 5 Greenland White-fronted Geese flying over. Prasad. 

Little Egret at Pennyghael on 9th November, (only the second Mull record)  Andy Howard

7th Nov Fidden 4 Twite, 1 Swallow. Bryan Rains wild about mull 4th Nov Pottie 2 Sparrowhawk, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff.
7th 7 Little Grebe in Ulva Sound this morning.Martin Mull Charters
6th Knock out-falls, 1 1st winter Iceland Gull and c100 Black-headed Gulls. Knock bridge, 1 Dipper. Killiechronan, 5 Slavonian Grebes. Laggan, c200 Fieldfares. Prasad. Prasads Blog
7th Dervaig: The first Brambling (male) of the year for Tigh Fraoich (Dervaig) this morning (7th), feeding at a bird table with Chaffinches (now arriving with a vengeance!). Rod & Gill Little
5th Salen pier: Common Tern fishing off pier (was also here yesterday fishing in bay. 2 redwing feeding on lawn. sparrowhawk flew through Rhuba nam Buth: 30 golden plover roosting at high tide.15 wigeon. 6 teal. 2 redshank. f hen harrier quartering over fields
River Forsa outlet: 3 Goosander just offshore (easily id'd as there were 3 mergansers near them).40 oystercatcher on beach
Glen Forsa: 6 crossbills feeding top of tall pines where main road crosses river. 2 goldcrests in woods
Sound of Mull: 5 rt divers winter plumage. 4 gt northern divers still summer plumage. 2 black guillemots winter plumage.  wt sea eagle flew onto Eileanan Glasa. Steve Chapman and Juliet Vines
5th Caliach: 24 Whoopers flying from north and landing at sea (Anand Prasad & Mike Shepherd), Prasad
4th: Treshnish, 23 Greenland White-fronted Geese flying south. Lainne Sgeir, Calgary, 1 Purple Sandpiper. Ensay c200 mixed Fieldfare/Redwings. Prasad
4th Salen:15 wigeon Loch na Keel:5 goldeneye off fish farm, Knock 1 male, rest f/juv 1 red-throated diver off fish farm
2 rt divers flew in from sea.Sparrowhawk in field behind fish farm. Glen Aros forest walk:12 siskin in 1 flock near car park
5 crossbill in 1 flock flew over. 2 goldcrest. 10 coal tits. 1 male Hen Harrier over hillside. 1 sparrowhawk. Steve Chapman and Juliet Vines
3rd Salen:15 wigeon. Loch na Keel: 5 goldeneye off fish farm, Knock 1 male, rest f/juv,1 red-throated diver off fish farm, 2 rt divers flew in from sea, Sparrowhawk in field behind fish farm. Steve Chapman and Juliet Vines
3rd Glen Aros forest walk: 12 siskin in 1 flock near car park, 5 crossbill in 1 flock flew over, 2 goldcrest, 10 coal tits, 1 male Hen Harrier over hillside, 1 sparrowhawk. Steve Chapman and Juliet Vines
2nd 1 pink foot amongst the large flock of grey lags at Killiechronan plus a single whooper amongst them too.  In the same field, redwings and fieldfares.  Walking along the track to the Burgh, 2 goldcrests in a Scots Pine. Debby Thorne
1st still 1 whooper swan near Killichronan and dippers seem to be a regular daily feature.  150 Barnacle Geese on Inch Kenneth . Also three female hen harriers around Ardvergnish and a  male in Glen More. Peter Hall. wildlife tours
1st Killiechronan, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Whooper Swan. Knock outfalls, 40+ Black-headed Gulls. Lagganulva, 2 Rooks, 1 Gannet and 1 Hen Harrier hunting over the water. Craignure, c80 Canada Geese, 4 Turnstones, c50 Redwings. Reudle Schoolhouse, 8 Fieldfares. Prasad. Prasads Blog

Latest reports for  November 2010 
30th Salen: a small flock of 8 whooper swans in The Sound of Mull just behind the house slowly drifting in the direction of Salen Bay. Debby Thorne
27th Bunessan: A Brambling in the garden with Chaffinches Bob Lawson
20th-26th Calliach: there was a pair of Gadwall at Caliach today. Prasad/Arthur & Pam Brown/ Alan
23rd Loch Pottie: male Long-tailed duck - back again on Loch Pottie – Carol Marshall
23rd Lochdon: male Blackcap in my garden for most of the day. Alan
22nd Dervaig: female Blackcap in the garden this afternoon (feeding on apple still on tree). Rod & Gill Little
20th Fidden:  a record of Northern Wheatear  found at Fidden, at the picnic site on the right just before the farm.  Also a single pale-bellied Brent Goose near here the same day.  Richard and Mary Braithwaite 
20th Calliach: a Jack Snipe flushed with 8 Common Snipe, also Pink foor with Greylags. Bird Club trip
20th Calliach: a pair of Gadwall in the bay here. Arthur & Pam Brown/ Alan
19th-20th Calgary:  2 Purple Sandpipers & 2 Turnstones at Lainne Sgeir, & 9+ Long-tailed Tits at Treshnish wood. Prasad
18th Calgary: 1 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Turnstones on Lainne, Sgeir, Calgary and 3 Wigeon opposite the 'pink' pier Calgary. We have had a pair of first winter Whooper Swans at Treshnish lochan since the 6th. Prasad 
17th Croig: a male Blackcap in my garden for several days now. Belinda Hale
16th Quinnish: a Jay here today Mike Shepherd
15th Lochdon: Craignure to Lochdon we saw a Jay fly over the road ahead.  Andrew & Diana Oldacre
We have confirmed breeding Jays on Mull, adults with young seen this year in the north of the island. Alan
15th Lochdon: A female Blackcap in the garden this morning. Rosie Salzman
14th Lochdon:  in front of the Post Office. I was watching some Wigeon and Curlew through my binoculars when one of the Curlew suddenly shrieked and a Peregrine Falcon flew in and narrowly missed it!. Andrew Oldacre
9th Craignure : a Grey Phalarope  at Craignure. I am interested if anyone else saw this bird?   Dr Robert Irvine 
8th Salen: Sorry bit late abut I heard a single waxwing call over Salen garden 8 Nov. Didn’t see it. David Sexton
10th Salen: a Water rail in the garden this morning - heard 2 last night. yellowhammer in the garden. Debby 
9th Aros estuary: a pair of Gooseander here, Killiechronan 70+ Redwings feeding in fields.
5th: just had spectacular flock of 43 whoopers flying SSW above Seil Sound...totally amazing !!!!!!! - I have never seen a flock of that size before. John Warlow. Loch na Keal 15 Whoopers and Lochdon a family of 5 flew over this morning. Alan
4th Loch Beg:  4 Whooper Swan, 1 Goosander, 1 Merlin. Fidden 1 Hen Harrier, 35 Greenland White-fronted Goose, 80 Whooper Swan, 12 Lapwing. Bryan Rains 
4th Calgary Bay: 2 Common Scoters still here in Calgary bay, Prasad
4th Salen: 23 Whooper swans just flown over Salen heading toward Loch Na Keal Martin Keivers 
4th Lochdon: Waxwing along the Gorsten road outside my house. Rosie Salzman/Alan Spellman
26th October Pier road Salen: 3 Northern Long Tailed Tits (ssp, caudatus). Their heads were completely white. We followed them further down the road and got amazing views from just 3-4 feet away! Gorgeous birds. Gavin Hatt & William Clennell. a  description  has been submitted - unfortunately no photograph was obtained. Alan Spellman
3rd Loch Beg 1 Northern Wheatear, 1 Red-throated Diver. Bryan Rains. 
2nd  Ardfenaig 6 Greenland White-fronted Goose including two juveniles.
1st Just before the rain started at Loch na Keal 1 Peregrine, 3 Golden Eagle, 4 White-tailed Eagle, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2
Slavonian Grebe and a flock of 30 Common Teal. Bryan Rains 
2nd Calgary Bay: 2 Common Scoters in Calgary Bay, They have been here since the 24th and present on all 5 visits since then. This could be the same pair which were present (at least) from the 2nd to 20th of November last year. 
2nd Killpatrick: 2 Waxwings in Bill Ackroyds garden,  a number of Greylag Geese in the field opposite and with them one White-front. Bill Ackroyd Andrew Oldacre
Waxwings at Killpatrick by Andy Oldacre
1st Loch Frisa: Flock of about 20 waxwings at Loch Frisa yesterday and a siskin on the feeder. Debby 
1st iona: I have a report of a Snow Buntingon the bay at the back of the ocean on Iona from visitors Philip & Diana Lawson
1st Dervaig: a Brambling in Arthur Browns garden today
1st   Group of 5 Waxwings observed feeding on Hawthorn Berries and Later in the day another  plus 8 in Glen Seilisdeir.Birds full crops after feeding frenzy.
31st October 23 Waxwings observed in the Loch Scridain area of the island, plus 9 Waxwings observed taking berries from a Barrel grown Cherry. Stripped it completely of berries in a few minutes  Glen Seilisdier. Michael Leigh-Mallory

Latest reports for November 2009
30th female Merlin at Loch Beg also 5 Goosander, Loch na Keal Great northern and Red throated diver, juv Black Guillemot, Red breasted Mergansers 20+, and Slavonian Grebe. 2 male Hen Harriers today.  Pam-Arthur Felicity and Alan
29th Ardnacross: Barn Owl  perched on roadside fence-post at approx. 19.00 hrs. Ruth Fleming, Robbie Fleming and Stuart Gibson
28th Sound of Mull: four Great northern Diver west of Fishnish Ruth Flemming et al 
29th Quinnish 1 Black throated diver, 5 Great nothern Diver and a Jay in Quinnish woods. Pam & Athur Brown
Late reports: 
23rd Oct; female Siberian Stonechat at Ardvergnish  and on 5th Nov a Siberian Chiffchaff at Macdougalls Garage at Pottie  Reports have been sent to ABRC.    Bryan Rains 
18th  OBAN: Immature Swallow flying South over Station Square, Oban was a rather incongruous sight given that local mountain tops were clothed in the first real snow of Winter.   Stuart Gibson
19th Nov :  a single Little Auk between Mull and Coll.John Bowler
19th Glenforsa beach :  40 Greylags, 2 Pinkfoot amogst them, 12 Curlew, 20 Turnstones , 2 Rock Pipits. Buzzard, 3 R B Mrgs, Great northern Diver, 12 Wigeon, 30 Oystercatcher. Debbie Thorne
18th Aros: three Goosander, (2male & 1female) plus Whimbrel, Wigeon and Teal. Alan
16th Garmony: Single Great Northern Diver in Sound of Mull; Woodcock flushed from roadside ditch; 2 Crossbills calling over Sitka Spruce plantation; Two parties of Long-tailed Tits, totalling 14 birds, plus 3 Bullfinches seen along shore path to Fishnish; also drake Goosander at Aros Estuary.  Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
15th:  A Red Grouse on the walk from Loch Tor to Loch Frisa on the Dervaig side on the 14th, 3 more Red Grouse on the same side but nearer Loch Frisa today the 15th. Woodcock in the wood above Loch Frisa today seen doing more BTO tetrad squares. Arthur Brown
15th Lochdon: Our Greater Spotted Woodpecker back again this morning Alan
12th Lochdon: Greater Spotted Woodpecker at my bird feeder this morning. Alan 
11th Lock na Keal: Black throated Diver, Great northern Divers and Slavonian Grebe, R B Mergansers, Goldeneye. Alan 
9th Lochdon: a wintering male Blackcap in my garden this morning Alan
9th Loch Frisa:  a pair of whoopers on the Loch (Ledmore end) and female hen harrier 
Dozen wigeon, male and female at Glenforsa  Debby Thorne.
9th: 2 Common Scoters in usual place off 'pink' pier and 1 Purple Sandpiper in late afternoon on Calgary beach, Anand Prasad
8th a great day out on Mull today, seeing 65 species of birds and here are the highlights:
5 Goosander at Aros Bay, 4 Slavonian Grebes showing well by Scarisdale rocks, 6 Greenshank at Dervaig along with 3 Snipe, 8 Greenshank seen during the day, 20+ Greenland White-fronted Geese at Fidden, 3 Reed Bunting south of the Eagle caravan going towards Loch Spelve, a fantastic total of 30 Great-northern Divers all over the island and also 20 Common Buzzards were seen during the day.  Arthur & Pam Brown  Discover Mull
7th Killiechronan: There were 3 bar tailed godwits at Killiecronan today.  Cynthia Grindley
7th from the  Dervaig end of the Loch Frisa to  a quarter of the way along the Loch: The highlights were 3 Reed Buntings, 4 Crossbills, a single Dipper and a flock of over 30 Goldfinches, 12 wrens, 3 Goldcrests 8 Dunnocks, 10 Robins and 3 Cormorants with 22 birds seen in total  Arthur and Pam Brown 
6th Salen: we heard the distinct call of Water Rail in the swamp at the botton of our garden this morning. Richard & Debby Thorne
5th 5 Whooper Swans flew Over Calgary Bay this morning, 2 Great Northern Divers and a Black Throat there this afternoon along with the 2 Common Scoters still there. At Dervaig this morning were 8 Teal, 2 Greenshank, 4 Little Grebe and 2 Goldeneye a female and drake. Arthur & Pam Brown
4th on 1st winter Tetrad from Glenghorm Castle to Mingary 2 Great Northern Divers, a single Snipe and 2 White-tailed Eagles. we saw over 30 species in the square.   Arthur & Pam Brown
5th: those two Common Scoters still in Calgary bay today (5th) opposite 'pink' pier,  Anand Prasad
4th Loch na Meal (2 miles south of Tobermory, just left off the main road)   3 Crossbills.  Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
4th at Calgary bay:  near the 'pink' pier: 2 Common Scoters, 1 Great Northern Diver and 1 Red-throated Diver.  Anand Prasad
4th  In the last few days up to 25 White-fronted Geese at Fidden, quite a few Snipe and a Woodcock out on the moorland.  Today, after the bad weather, variety of birds around the house including 3 Yellowhammer and a single female Brambling (white rump, black-tipped yellow bill) amongst Chaffinches – Mike Wagemakers & Carol Marshall
2nd Calgary:   2 Common Scoters to west of the 'pink' pier Calgary bay. Also 24 Whooper swans flying west over the cliffs above Lainne Sgeir, Calgary bay and a Greenshank at Lainne Sgeir, Calgary bay. Anand Prasad 
2nd Nov Fidden;  25 Greenland White-fronted Goose, 1 ad fem Peregrine, 1 male Hen Harrier. Bunessan 1 male Hen Harrier being mobbed by a Sparrowhawk. Killunaig 1 juv Peregrine. Loch Beg 9 Whooper Swan. Loch Scridain a group of 6 GN Diver close to shore and a good number more further out!.      Bryan Rains. (enjoy a winter tour with Bryan) 
1st Aros Park: 200 Fieldfares and flock of 30+ Siskins,  Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson 
29th & 31st October  -  upper Tobermory: 50 Fieldfares   Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
29th. We watched a Merlin scatter a flock of 20+ goldfinches near Ardmore Point. It flew in fast and low to the ground, making an unsuccessful strike before disappearing behind trees. It was very small and agile. Also 2 Woodcock spotted on the Grasspoint Road Carolyn Whenman
28th loch na keal campsite:  Adult & juvenile Sea eagle in conifers above loch,  single Whimbrel  on shore line, single Barnacle in with group of Greylags  also single Magpie in bushes near ulva ferry     Albert Halfpenny 
Latest reports for November 2008
24th Killiechronan: 4 Sea Eagles (2 pairs)  on the sand bank by the camp site this morning. Alan
23rd Lochdon: Two Waxwings in the garden this morning, so they are still about. Andy Oldacre
22nd Loch na Keal/Knock end: 36 Goldeneye, 24 Teal and a Peregrine at Knock today. The Iceland Gull is very illusive, I have only seen it a couple of times in the last six weeks. Colin Moody
15th Killiechronan: A sightings report by Mary Heathcote, a regular visitor to the island. Loch na Keal, near the boat house.There were a flock of around 40 shag flying inland very close to the shore, she was driving along side in her car about the same speed as them when suddenly it was like an explosion as a White-tail Eagle came out of the sky above them and took a shag in flight, the eagle carried on and landed just out of sight on the shore. Mary was unable to stop as she had a ferry to catch. Regards Pam Brown
17th lochdon: 5 Goldeneye (3m/2f), pair Little Grebe, Widgeon and Teal, Mallards, RB Mergansers. Alan
12th Loch Cuin by Dervaig; 1  Female Tufted Duck on Loch Cuin today.Pam & Arthur Brown
12th Loch Pottie: There are still 2 Pintail on Loch Pottie, 1 Gadwall at Bunessan and also had a female Common Scoter on Loch Scridain.  Bryan Rains
12th Lochdon 6 Waxwings along the Gorsten road this morning. Alan
10th An amazing report from local shepherd Iain Thomson of 15 short eared owls on Eorsa. He was checking his sheep out there when they all erupted from the bracken/heather. Clearly a previously unknown winter roost - and an important one. Dave Sexton 
9th Loch Beg: There is a Swallow flying around outside the shop this morning. Bryan Rains 
On a visit to Oban on Thursday 6th Nov I saw approximately 40 waxwings feeding voraciously on rowan berries on the roundabout in the centre of the town.   There must be a huge influx of them this year judging from the numbers we are picking up locally. Cheers - Shaun McCullagh
6th Dervaig:  Flock of 10+ waxwings in cottage garden at head of Loch Cuin nr Dervaig. Malcolm Morrison 
6th Salen : Dave Sexton reports 28 waxwings over his  garden today.Dave Sexton
4th Loch Torr: 3 Whoopers on Loch   - All adult. I presume the same 3 that I saw several days ago. Shaun
Craignure Golf Course: Shiela Weir was playing Golf yesterday and struck a beautiful ball, only to watch a Raven drop down, pick up the ball and fly off.
4th John Claire had the red kite at Carsaig.   Salen a single waxwing over my garden. David Sexton
4th Lochdon 6 Greenshank above the bridge, plus 4 Redshank and Ringed Plover. Alan
3rd 3 Whoopers (2adult & 1 juvenile) on the Fish Pond on the footpath from Killiechronan to Salen together with 3 Wigeon.  This pond has been dry for about 2 years, but is now full of water again. Shaun MccCullagh
3rd Fionnphort  Single Waxwing, feeding in garden on fallen apples  - Mike Wagemakers
3rd Lochdon I my first ever Jackdaw on my bird feeder today,  Alan
3rd Dervaig by the Church, a flock of 20 Waxwings here this morning. Rod Little
3rd Loch na Keal: 12 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Goosander, 6 Great northern Diver, 1 Black throated Diver and lots of Red breasted Merganser. Alan
2nd Michael & I saw 6 waxwings today on the road to Tavool. We also have regular visits from a barn owl around the house which is good to see.  Michael & Lynda Hadow
2nd 15 waxwings this afternoon in the forest at the end of Kilmore Terrace, Dervaig - could have been part of a larger flock.  One's & Two's kept peeling off and flying towards the village.  Shaun McCullagh
1st Carsaig: Two Peregrine mobbing a Golden Eagle near Nun's Cave today. Colin Moody
1st Lochdon: 5 Goldeneye in loch (2 male/3 female) Alan
1st Craignure:  12 Waxwings (this morning at 7.30) down on the campsite at Craignure. They were feeding with the Fieldfares,  before flying  towards the village and  towards Duart.  Andy & Hazel Kirkham.
1st  Loch Pottie Flock of 24 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon, 3 Goldeneye (1M, 2F), 1 Little Grebe and 2 Long-tailed Duck.  Peregrine in hills to the west   Mike Wagemakers
31st Glen More: Red kite in Glen More today and on the Ross earlier this week Ronnie Campbell. Steve Bell said no wing tags, soaring over end of glen nr Pennyghael. also seen by Carolyn Whenman
Latest Reports for November 2007
Ad. RING-BILLED GULL at roost, OBAN foreshore on evening of 28th November Stuart Gibson
28th Knock Fish Farm: More than 90 Turnstones at Knock this morning. Colin Moody
24th Bunesan: a sikngle very late Swallow. Fidden: 33 White Fronts, 115 Barnies and 28 Greylags.
Isle of Mull Bird Club Field Visit
22nd :A few sightings from last night.... Garmony 1 Barn Owl, 1 Tawny Owl. Lochdon 2 Barn Owl, 
3 Woodcock. Glen More 2 Barn Owl, 10 Woodcock.  Bryan Rains
22nd Knock: Iceland Gull still arund the fish farm. Alan Spellman
22nd Bowmans field (opposite Craignure golf course). 14 Canada geese with 70 Greylags. Alan Spelllman
20th Kinloch: Male Goosander, 200+ Barnacle Geese Inch Kenneth - Mike Wagemakers
20th Fidden Approx 40 White Fronts, 1 Juvenile Whooper Swan, 69 Barnacle Geese (some flew and so possible went to Inch Kenneth), 30+ Ringed Plover, 20+ Golden Plover, 5 Twite;  Long-tailed Duck still on Pottie - Carol Marshall
20th Knock area:    Iceland Gull still at the Knock Fish Hatchery outlet.  Also saw in that general area a raft of about 50 Goldeneye.  At least 8 Slavonian Grebe between the boathouse and the hatchery, 2 Great Northern Divers and several Mergansers and about 50 turnstone at the outfall.  Just before we left for home we had chat to a visitor who had been up Ben More today, he said he had seen a sizeable flock of Snow Bunting on the ridge just below the Ben More summit, Shaun Mccullagh
18th Calgary:     Barn Owl flying across the road at Calgary at about 7.30pm Shaun Mccullagh
15th Knock:  Iceland Gull at Knock today.  Colin Moody
also a juvenile Whooper was found dead after coming into contact with a power cable at Knock
11th Killiechronan: Two swallows at Killiechronan still there on Sunday 11 Nov. Also a report of a swallow a week ago on the Ross (Uisken - R Campbell). David Sexton Mull Officer RSPB Scotland
14th Killiechronan: a single Pink Foot and Brent goos with Greylags in fields nearby. Arthur Brown
Thanks to Dave Shackleton for records too numerous to mention here.Dave Shackleton
11th OBAN: The Ring billed Gull is still present at the forseshore in Oban . Stuart Gibson
11th Fidden: 80+ Barbacle geese, 60+ White fronts and 60+ Greylags. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 3female Hen Harriers, Great Northern Diver. lots of Redwings. Alan Spellman, Andy Oldacre and John Preston.
10th Lochdon:  I saw 20 or so Long tailed Tits yesterday. Passing through the garden. .Jenny Smith
1 Nov-White Female Fallow Deer with this years young and a male follower
Fri 2 Nov-female Hen Harrier at Grasspoint         Steve Bell
6th .Fidden : 50 Barnacle Geese, 39 Greenland White-fronted Goose, 1 juv Whooper Swan, 4 Skylark. Bryan Rains
2nd Dervaig:  Large parties of Whooper Swans flying over the house and landing on Loch Cuin after dark - no idea how many
3rd Loch Cuin:  18 Whoopers flying high over Loch Cuin, did not land
4/11  Dipper in fast running burn close to south side of Loch Cuin near Oyster farm.  Haven't seen one around Dervaig before.    Shaun Mccullagh
6th Killiechronan: 2 swallows  and one brent goose with the greylags. David Sexton
3rd Nov :I took a guy out on a tour (Wild about Mull Tours) and we managed to get 74 species through the day - not a bad effort for this time of year. The highlights were as follows...
Loch Spelve - 1 Golden Eagle.
Grasspoint - 5 Greenshank, 2 Hen Harrier, 1 RT Diver, 1 Merlin.
Loch an Ellen (3 Lochs) 2 Whooper Swan.
Loch Scridain - 6 GN Diver, 2 RT Diver, 2 BT Diver, 2 Black Guillemot.
Bunessan - 1 Gadwall Ardness - 120 Redwing with about 5 Fieldfare. Lots of Fieldfare and Redwing all over but this was the largest single flock.
Loch Pottie - 33 Greenland  WF Goose.
Fidden - 1 juv Whooper Swan (darvic ring - awaiting details), 1 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Pied Wagtail (only one we saw on the day). 7 Otters were seen through the day too.     Bryan Rains
3rd - Long-tailed duck still on Pottie, southern end, 2 Female Hen Harrier hunting together just east of Fionnphort - Mike Wagemakers & Carol Marshall
Long-tailed suggests a Juvenile Female, not 'clean' markings on the head, uniform grey bill, no pink, and so different bird to one seen two years ago although occupying same fishing area, channel to west of island.)
3rd - Fidden, amongst all the usual 2 Sanderling, 1 Barnacle Goose and good view of Otter at Erraid Log Pile landing - Carol Marshall
2nd Loch Harrison (by Loch Assapol) a male Pochard  These are uncommon on Mull. Ron Cook
1st November - Loch Pottie - Long-tailed Duck still present , Grouse, presumed Red although showing some white underneath,white (not pure white) underneath but presumed to be a Red Grouse, no call to help identity. Also 2 Wigeon, Pair Tufted Duck, 3 Female Goldeneye- Mike Wagemakers
28th Oct-Sea Eagle White Tag ' E'  Grasspoint mobbed by a number of Hoodies
29th Oct-Sea Eagle in flight above Aros we were in the car unable to identify any tags. 
30th  Oct- Merlin at Ardmore.
31st Oct: possible  Goshawk at Croggan  Seen above and through trees on Croggan side of inlet not sure but brief glimpse showed silhouette with strong similarity to Cuckoo but larger also well fingered wings.
Latest reports for November 2006
30th: a late but very interesting report received of Nightjar heard at Arle in July of 2005. Robert Swift (Peebles)
There have been three  reports of Nightjar this year, at Balmeanach, Scoor and Quinnish areas. Alan
28th Glen Forsa: three Blackcaps have been visiting a local garden (2m &1f), also Bullfinches. Shaun & Sandra
26th A Goshawk around Loch Ba this morning and 6 Whooper Swans 4 adults 2 juveniles on loch Scridain this afternoon also a single adult Whooper Swan on Mishnish at dusk.   Arthur Brown
24th Loch na Keal: 5 Great northern Divers, Slavonian Grebe, Mergansers. Alan & Arthur.
22nd Ensay: A male Hen Harrier hunting the Treshnish side of the road. 4 Greenshank at Dervaig with 2 at Croig. A Brown
22nd Fishnish Bay. a Little Auk was brought in by Jimmy the vets cat, it was released into the sea. Alan
21st OBAN: 3rd W./Adult Ring billed Gull at George Street foreshore (opp. WH Smith), Wonderful views, down to 5 metres   This is becoming a terrific habit, so long may it continue, Stuart Gibson
19th Ardrioch Farm Dervaig:1 Brambling in my garden this morning.  Pam Brown
18th:  Peregrine  at the Lismore lighthouse  flew tried to snatch an isolated Guillemot.  The auk saw it coming at the last minute and dived in the nick of time, securing it's survival on this occasion. Stuart Gibson
14th Mishnish lochs: A family of Whooper Swans on the middle loch. 
13th Aros Park: a Kingfisher flew down the loch from the reed bed end. Duncan Hall
16th Salen Bay: 6 Whoopers spent soom time in the bay before flying off again.
8th Fidden beach:   Purple Sandpiper with Ringed Plover and Turnstone, Fidden Beach    Carol Marshall
9th Loch Pottie:   7 Whooper Swans Loch Pottie Mid Morning, gone by lunchtime Mike Wagemakers
9th Bunessan Bay: male Gadwall (could it be last years?) and Brent Goose Bunessan Bay  Carol Marshall,Mike Wagemakers
9th Loch na Keal: 3 Whoopers flew up the loch, also circa 200 Greylags by campsite, single Bar tailed Godwit. Alan
6th R Ba/Knock bridge. Kingfisher seen again today flying down river towards Killiechronan. Alan
6th Killiechronan fileds 300 Greylags feeding in the fields. Alan
2nd Mishnish Lochs : One solitary Whooper and a pair of Goosander on Mishnish Lochs. Shaun Mcccullagh
2nd Killiechronan. 2 drake Goosander, 7 Goldeneye on Loch na Keal. a pair of WTSE are now regularly seen from the camp site on the sand bars, also R B Merganser, and keep an eye out for Kingfisher. Alan Spellman
1st Glen Forsa : in fields by MacGillivery's farm 8 Whimbrel.   Alan
1st Tenga. a very large flock of Redwings.  Shiela Barnard 

29th October Rock Ptarmigan on on Corra-bheinn.  Colin Moody
 21st -28th  October 
Great Northern Diver    1 off Fishnish (still summer plumage), 26/10/06
Whooper Swan                 1 Mishnish Lochs, 27th and 3 Calgary Bay, 27th
Greylag Goose                 50 on beach at Langamull, 22nd
Pink-footed Goose        5 on Iona, 24th
Barnacle Goose               1 on Iona, 24th
Greenshank                     7 at head of Loch a' Chumhainn, 22nd
Rock Pipit                      15 at Port na Ba, 22nd
Wheatear                      1 on rocks at Langamull, 22nd
Jay                                1 across road just S of Aros, 28th
Twite                           40 on Iona, 24th                 Dr Barry Prater and Ms Barbara Rodgers

Summary for October to November 2005
Early October and at Calliach a single Common Whitethroat was still about plus 46 Twite. Scarce and not often reported were a  pair of Reed Buntings at Pennygown on 6th. At Dun da ghaoithe (masts hill at Craignure) there was a late Wheatear and a Peregrine (16th).
Oban Harbour still had its Ring billed Gull which remained (on & off) until the end of November plus a peak of 33 Ruddy Turnstone in this, a favourite place. 16th Oct Loch Scridain another late departing single Wheatear. Throughout the months Loch Beg held good numbers of Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Redshank & Greenshank and a flock of 30+ Black headed Gulls. Also a  high count of 47 Black Headed Gulls at Garmony.
By 7th, flocks of winter Thrushes were scattered across the island, feeding on rowan berries. Large flocks of Redwing up to 600 at Lochdon & Loch Buie. At  Killiechronan. were flocks of Redwings flying in from the west, of several hundred birds at a time. 18th at Lochdon  an influx of Blackbirds (80+ birds) with Redwing and Fieldfare were moving through the island.
Family groups of Whooper Swans were reported at Garmony, Lochdon, Mishnish, Fidden, Loch Cuin and Loch Pottie, between 16th  Oct- 26th Nov, with a peak of 34 birds at Loch Cuin on 26th Nov.
9th Oct, and  most sea lochs held Great Northern Diver; at Calgary a summer plumaged bird plus 2 Red Throated Divers in winter plumage & on Loch na Keal (16th) a pair of Black throated Diver and a peak count of 20 Great northern Diver. Also a  count of 16 wintering Slavonian   Grebe, plus 2 Little Grebe.
Migrating Geese were on the move, flying over Mull from early Oct to mid Nov with 250 Greylags, also 300 Barnacles on Inch Kenneth and a few more at Fidden, also here were 30+ White Fronted Geese. A single Pink footed Goose was with Greylags at Killiecronan.
Teal and Wigeon numbers increased on Lochdon as birds arrived for the winter. At least 40 Red breasted Mergansers were counted around the north coastal area. On 9th on the river Aros were 2 female Goosander and others were seen at regular sites, being the Aros estuary, Lochdon and Loch Scridain.  25th Nov, Loch Pottie. Held an Immature Long tailed Duck, also Goldeneye and Tufted Duck. 1st Nov on Loch Spelve, a juvenile Common Scoter was seen by Richard Atkinson & his tour group.
Dippers have been reported from Dervaig, Glen Bellart, Lochdon & Inverlussa, a good sign of healthy rivers.
The cold weather from mid Oct brought down a few Bramblings (singles and pairs) into local gardens at Salen, Lochdon, Fionnphort & Dervaig, all had moved on by mid Nov.
Oct & Nov produced a few ‘more unusual birds’ for Mull being a Moorhen on Aros Park loch on 23rd Nov and is only the 3rd record for Mull. A Jay flew across the road at Torosay on 13th Nov and Carrion Crow at Fionnphort (29thOct) Susan & Duncan Hall spied a Waterail in their garden and a walk round Aros Park Loch rewarded them with a Kingfisher.
Only a very few Waxwing reports at Craignure, a single bird 0n 7th Nov and Killiechronan 2 birds in the garden of Jan Fuller. A single Snow Bunting at Fidden on 5th Nov
A Hawfinch (a Winter female) was in an OBAN garden, feeding on lard encrusted with Niger seeds,
between 29th - 31st Oct, a rare treat for the householder.
On 10th Nov,  Ross of Mull. Mike Wagemakers found a Leaches Storm Petrel in his garden (dead).and another at Lochdon, both had not made it through the storms of that week.
Raptors showed well throughout Oct & Nov with a male Hen Harrier regularly being seen in Glen More. Also a Short eared Owl in the Glen by the Crannog loch. Golden Eagles and White tailed Sea Eagles at regular sites and a male Merlin at Grasspoint.


 
This is the web site of Alan Spellman Maridon Lochdon Isle of Mull PA64  6AP