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Latest reports for March 2008 30th A full summer plumaged
Black Headed Gull at Killiechronan and my 1st Lesser
Black Back at dervaig this evening. Arthur and Pam
Brown Discover Mull Tours
Latest reports for February 2008 28th Flock of 50 Skylarks
at crannich Sue & Duncan Hall
Thanks to Bryan Rains, Callum Entwistle, Duncan & Sue Hall, Helen & Iain King, Mike Wagemakers & Carole Marshal, Pete Hall,Arthur Brown. Latest reports for January 2008 27th Fionnphort: There was a 1st winter Iceland Gull next to the ferry landing in. Bryan Rains 26th Calgary Bay: 14 Great Northern Divers 2 at Calgary Bay, 4 on Loch Tuath and 8 on North side Loch Na Keal, female Hen Harrier Ulva School, Merlin by Kellan Mill Loch Na Keal. Arthur Brown 11th Tetrad reports highlights West Ardhu and Dervaig Where a total of 35 species were seen. Goldeneye 3, Redshank 6, Greenshank 2, Teal 8, Snipe 2, Yellowhammers 2 and a Woodcock. 27th Ardrioch: up to 200 Chaffinches on 27th on big garden bird watch needed more eyes for a more exact count 14 species in total including female Great Spotted Woodpecker now a daily visitor and Yellowhammers also about20 Greenfinches and siskns daily. Arthur Brown 23rd Fishnish : first winter Iceland Gull. (Could be the bird from Knock). At Garmony there was 1 Goosander and a Sparrowhawk. Craignure Golf Course are there were 13 Canada Goose with the Greylags and a fem Hen Harrier hunting the marsh. Bryan Rains 20th Crannich Forest: we saw 4 bullfinch, 30 plus crossbills, a kestrel and at Tenga a yellow tagged white tailed sea eagle. Sue & Duncan Hall 17th Glen Bellart: Duncan saw a Goshawk to the west of Crannich yesterday afternoon. Sue Hall 16th Knock: There was a Peregrine flying around the fish farm today which is unusual. Colin Moody 16th Loch na Keal: There is a single Pinkfoot amongst the Greylags in fields around. Alan Spellman 13th OBAN: The adult Ring billed Gull was back at the George Street foreshore, Stuart Gibson 12th up to 12 Great northern Diver plus 5 Red throated Diver and 1 Black throated Diver on Loch Scridain. a Sanderling at Uisken. Bryan Rains 12th Pennyghael: 5 Crossbills, seen feeding young. (behind the shop) Bryan Rains 12th Knock Fish Farm: The long staying Iceland Gull is still hanging around here. Alan Spellman 12th Dervaig: Waterail were heard in the Dervaig reed bed. Shaun Mccullach 12th The Isle of Mull Bird Club 'Bird Race' : 89 species were seen by the whole group and Bryan Rains and Graham Kent were the winners with 73 species seen. Thanks to Bryan Rains,Shaun
Mccullagh,Colin Moody, Sue & Duncan Hall, Arthur Brown,
Latest Reports for March 2007 25th March Loch Beg-Male Hen Harrier 26th March Loch Beg-1 Fieldfare. Bunessan 1 Redwing. Fidden 50 Barnacle Geese. Sound of Iona 1 Red-throated Diver. 29th March Fidden 80 Barnacle Goose flying North, 2 Redwing. Uisken 1 Male Hen Harrier. Loch Assapol 1 Male Hen Harrier, 13 Greenland White-fronted Goose, 8 Whooper Swan, 1 Little Grebe. Loch Scridain 87 Eider. 30th March Loch Beg 1 Wheatear. Eas Mor waterfall 1 Female Hen Harrier. Loch Assapol 13 White-fronted Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Canada Goose. 31st March Loch Scridain 1 Black-throated Diver. The Glaucous Gull is still around at the moment but can be elusive and the Great Northern Diver on Scridain gather together in the evening when we regularly see 30 birds together!! Bryan Rains 30th Glen Sielisdar: s first migrating Osprey seen flying north. Finlay Christine et al 30th OBANl: The 3rd W Ring billed Gull has moulted it's Winter head streaking and is now a 3rd S individual, so, to all intent and purpose, an adult bird. After not having been seen for a while, this bird showed well at the George Street foreshore, OBAN yesterday afternoon (29th). Stuart Gibson 30th Loch Ba: had an almost full summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe. Fully sunlit against dark water; superb view. Luminous red eye and golden ear tufts. Andy Oldacre 30th Salen: Here's a bizarre thing, 3 rooks this morning in Salen building a nest opposite my house. The only rookery is on Iona and occasionally at Loch Assapol, although birds have been seen around Killiechronan and Dervaig areas. . Wheatear too at Gribun. Dave Sexton Three whooper swans spent at least three days at Crun Lochan, Strathcoil 23, 24 and 25 March 23rd Inverlussa: Three Canada geese at Inverlussa 23 March (chased off by the resident mute swans) 24th Carsaig: My first wheatear of the season 24 March at Carsaig Male hen harrier near Carsaig Arches 25th Loch Spelve: A black-throated diver Loch Spelve 25 March Peter Stevick 27th Lochdon by Eaglewatch: a male Merlin appeared again this morning, successfully hunting and perched on a fence post for 30 minutes. Andy Oldacre/ Alan Spellman et al 27th Inch Kenneth: 350 Barnacle Geese on island also 8 Rock Dover by Griburn Rock. Alan Spellman 25th West Ardue DERVAIG: female merlin with prey at West Ardhu, Dervaig Dave Sexton 25th Treshnish Point 4 newly arrived Wheatear Anand Prasad 24th Fionnphort: a female Black Redstart in a local garden is only our second ever record, photographed by Mike Wagemakers. Carol Marshal, Alan Schofield. 23rd Loch na Keal: Slvonian Grebe in summer plumage, single Whimbrel, singing Skylarks. Alan Spellman 22nd Ganavan Bay (Oban) 2 Great northern Diver: one already showing s/p upperpart markings) also 1 Red throated Diver (summer plumage) and 2 Long tailed ducks. Diane Elliot/Stuart Gibson) 22nd Lochdon: a first Tree Pipit seen and heard by the Eaglewatch area. Andy Oldacre 21st Lochdon Eaglewatch: female Merlin again this morning. She sat on the same fence post for over three quarters of an hour! Andy oldacre 21st Sound of Mull: 14 Whooper Swans flying north. 17th Craignure Bay : Red throated Diver, a 1st winter plumaged bird Stuart Gibson 16th Bunessan A first Wheatear at Bunessan reported by Aberdeeb birders visiting,also an early returning Manx Shearwater seen off N W mull, 13th Glen Seilisdeir a Goshawk - Bryan Rains 9th Goshawk seen near Loch Torr - Sheila Barnard 8th Tobermory lighthouse alk: Eider, Black Cuilemot, Shag, Guillemot plus Twite, Rock Pipit and Buzzard. also our first reported singing Chiffchaff. Dervaig 2 Greenshank. Dipper on Distillary burn Tobermory,Steve Dunn. 10th Bunessan: Black throated Diver in Bunessan Bay also drake Gadwall still around. Callum Enttwistle 1st Loch Beg Glaucous Gull - 2 1st winter birds on the 1st March, 1 1st winter bird, 2nd and 3rd March, last seen on the 8th March. 7th Bunessan : Gadwall - Drake, Bunessan, Tufted Duck - Drake, Loch Pottie 7th OBAN : First returning Summer migrants were 3 Lesser Black backed Gulls at Oban High School grounds. Stuart Gibson. Mishnish lochs help a pair of Whooper Swans. AS 4th Treshnish Point: Lesser black backed Gulls Anand Prasad 1st OBAN: Nice start to the new month, with the Ring billed Gull and Iceland Gull both showing well on the George Street foreshore this morning. Stuart Gibson. 17th February Inch Kenneth: 190+ Barnacle Geese, Scoor Golden Plover. Dave Shackleton March thanks to:-
Latest Reports for February 2007 22nd Lochdon Mast Hill: (Dun da Ghaoithe) : A colleague climbing the hills above Loch Don had 6 snow buntings on the top. Dave Sexton. 21st Loch Pottie: 2 overwintering Whooper Swan, 2 Tufted Duck. Loch Assapol 2 Pochard .Loch Beg has 4 Little Grebe, 15-20 Ringed Plover, 30 Lapwing, 15 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 2 Glaucous Gull(1st winter) and 4 Greenshank. Bryan Rains (Wild about Mull WildlifeTours) 21st Lochdon: Five Greenshank and a pair of RB Mergansers in the pools above the bridge in Lochdon this afternoon. Andy Oldacre (Wild Cottage B&B) 21st OBAN: The Ring billed Gull is still around and can be seen (if you're lucky !) alongside the adult Iceland Gull on the George Street foreshore in the afternoon. However, with increasing daylength, the Ring-billed Gull may be arriving later to the foreshore area, but always worth checking at any time. 21st : ad. Iceland Gull, Oban harbour at HT (09.30 hrs); 16 Black Guillemots, Oban Bay; 27 Turnstone, George Street foreshore (at High tide).Stuart Gibson 21st Inverlussa: a Dipper by the bridge over the Lussa at Ardura Alan Spellman 19th OBAN: Ad. Iceland Gull (down to 10 m.), George Street foreshore, also present was a winter plumaged Red throated Diver, actively feeding, less than 10 m. from tide-line. No need for binoculars Stuart Gibson 17th February Inch Kenneth: 190+ Barnacle Geese, Scoor Golden Plover. Dave Shackleton 16th Salen: Angus and Eileen Slorach had a single waxwing in their garden today 14th Glen Gorm: saw several small groups of crossbills today in the glen gorm forest. Susan & Duncan Hall 14th Killiechronan: up to 7 Shelduck near the camp site Tim & Rebecca Barnard 14th Craignure a male Blackcap reported in local garden Bob (Craignure Stores) 13th Garmony forestry walk. a Eurasian Jay seen on two occasions Shawn (slaughterhouse 12th Dervaig : 3 Snipe for the first time this winter, a single Greenshank and unusually 100 Rock Doves. In Aros Bay there was a single Black Throated Diver and a Dipper by Knock Bridge, On Loch na Keal there was a Slavonian Grebe and 4 Great-northern Divers & at least 18 Goldeneye Ducks &35+ Red-breasted Mergansers many were displaying. Pam & Arthur Brown. (Discover Mull Tours) 9th Garmony forestry walk: A Eurasian Jay reported here .Martin Keivers 7th Aros Park: Possible Green woodpecker at Aros on the grass near the car park. Also 4 goldeneye there and 3 little grebe and 2 mallard. 6th at Calgary: 15 ringed plover and 2 redshank. Shaum Mccullagh 5th Tobermory: have a lone Brambling also Female sparrowhawk, a flock of about 60 Barnacle geese - very dark with white underbellies and darker legs flew over Tobermory. Jenny Reddaway. 4th Loch Ba: Grey wagtail, 2 sea eagles, golden eagle, meadow pipit, 20+ curlews and 20+ lapwings, Sue & Duncan Hall. 4th Loch Scridain: a beautifu adult Glaucous Gull on the north shore of Loch Scridain today feeding on a seal carcass. Alan Spelman Also on Loch Scridain,a 1st winter Iceland Gull present Colin Moody 3rd Feb.OBAN : 9 Reed Buntings Campbell Crescent garden, OBAN. 3rd Garmony: 4 crossbills again at Garmony on Saturday.Dave Sexton 1st OBAN: an adult Iceland Gull at the George Street foreshore. Stuart Gibson 1st Bunessan: the drake Gadwall has returned to Bunessan Bay Arthur & Pam Brown/Alan Spellman February thanks to:-
Latest Reports for January 2007
January thanks to:-
Latest reports for March 2006 31st Loch Frisa. two sand martins flew over hide plus large group of Whooper Swans flying towards Loch Torr.on migration northwards. 31st Loch Spelve. 6 Redwing, Pied Wagtail and a White Wagtail feeding along shore. Alan Spellman Fidden/Ardalanish areas. good numbers of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits arriving, feeding on the shoreline 30th Tobermory harbour had returning Lesser Black-backed Gulls plus two Grey Wagtails. 30th Killechronan. 5 Slavonian Grebes in transition to summer plumage. Great northern and Black throated Divers. At Calgary Bay GN and RT Divers, particularly close views of the RT. Andy Oldacre et al 30th OBAN. 5 Lesser black backed Gulls, George St. foreshore, & 40 (exact count) Ruddy Turnstone, SG 30th loch Frisa. 6 Whooper Swans this morning; flew off gaining height over Quinish. Good view of male Hen Harrier near Tob end of centre Mishnish Lochs. Jenny Reddaway 29th Loch Frisa. 5 Red-throated divers on Frisa yesterday plus regular sightings male Hen Harrier from hide. 2 Red throated divers on Mishnish this morning. Buzzard at Frisa with very pale head but not pale all over as per Mull birds site photo. Jenny Reddaway Tobermory. a newly arrrived Lesser black backed gull around the harbour. Andy Oldacre 28th Lochdon/Grasspoint. Just sighted FIRST OSPREY flying from Grasspoint over Lochdon. Also, 6 yellowhammers in the garden today also a FIRST SWALLOW yesterday at Aros . Angela Preston 25th Lochdon 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit, Short-eared Owl quartering over the ground in front of Eastcroft and towards Gorten. Andy Oldacre et al 23rd Loch na Keal. 56 Goldeneye, 5 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Great northern divers. AS 22nd The cold weather brought a Red throated diver into Oban bay today, where it was seen preening close inshore, opposite the Corran Esplanade (White) Church, at 14.00 hrs. Stuart Gibson 22nd Oban. counting a total of 33 Black Guillemots in Oban Bay. Last year's late March count was 29 birds. This suggests that a minimumof 16 pairs may settle to breed (12-15 prs in 2004; 15 prs in 2005), Stuart Gibson 20th Oban. Single Lesser Black backed Gull, Combie St., Oban; then, two together on George Street foreshore later same afternoon. Stuart Gibson 20th Killiechronan camp site. an Iceland Gull and Little Gull in summer plumage. Pam & Arthur Brown 20th Loch Scridain. a pair of Common Scoter off the N side by Aird Kilfinichen. Arthur & Pam Brown 17th Penmore. 3 Wheatear Sylvia Swift 7th Aros - Moorhen still present on the fish cages. Shaum Mccullagh 16th loch Cuin - 15 Golden Eye seen on the Loch and also 2 Little Grebe and several Merganser. 17th Dervaig Bridge - 5 Snipe, 5 Redshank and 1 greenshank. Shaun Mccullagh 17th Lochdon Kingfisher seen again today. Andy Oldacre 5th Loch na Keal. report of our FIRST WHEATEAR at Loch na Keal. Jean Whittaker. 16th-17th Bunessan. a single drake Gadwallin Bunessan harbour this morning. Alan Schofield & Carole Marshall. this is the first Mull record for this vagrant since 1984 Alan Spellman 15th Loch Beg. Little Gull coming into summer plumage. Arthur Brown et al 15th Glen More. Short eared Owl today in the Glen More . Richard Atkinson 15th Dervaig. FIRST SANDMARTINS seen in Dervaig by Andy & Clare Fellows. 15th Loch na Keal/Knock. There has been as Iceland Gull here for a couple of weeks. Colin Moody 11 & 12th Loch Na keal - Goldeneye, snow bunting, redshank, red breasted merganser, field fare, eider 2 pair. Killiechronan - twite and starlings. Salen - a single Male Hen harrier, wigeon, shelduck and red breasted merganser. Aros park - Golden eye, bullfinch, dunnock , robin's Tony Byrne & family 11th Ferry. 120 Eider of which 95% were males, were resting on The Lady Rock as the 11 am ferry went past Stuart Gibson 11th Loch Scridain.2 Goosander, treecreeper at Carsaig and 6 Pochard ( Carsaig) Bob & Norris Millar 10th Ferry. 2 Great northern Divers in Firth of Lorn, mid-way between Kerrera - Mull, as viewed from 4pms Oban-Craignure ferry (unusual to see GND in mid-channel from ferry).also 40 Guillemot and 40 Black Guillemot. Stuart Gibson 10th Lochdon. 3 Woodcock disturbed by headlights at road side, Lochdon. Stuart Gibson 8th-17th Lochdon. Kingfisher again present by the bridge pool John Preston. (since december 3rd 05) 6th The peregrine is back at Gribun Rocks seen today on a Discover Mull Tour. 3rd Lochdon/Hazelbank. a scarce Eurasion Jay heard and seen in the oak woodland. Phil McDermott 2nd Pennyghael/Loch Scridain. a drake Goosander, Loch na Keak held 2 Black throated Divers. Pam & Arthur Brown. 2nd OBAN. a third 2nd W Ring billed Gull located at George Street foreshore, Oban Sruart Gibson 2nd Lochdonhead. a Grey Wagtail by the mill bridge, it nested there last year, perhaps again. Andy Oldacre 1st Craignure golf course. 7 Canada geese with Greylags. Loch Cuin 12 Snipe feeding on shore line AS 1st Loch Cuin. 10 Snipe and 7 Redshank, 40 Lapwings and 24 Golden Plover some in summer plumage on fields at Lagganulva. Arthur Brown. Latest Reports for Ferbruary 2006 28th Adrioch/Dervaig. a Yellowhammer feeding on corn under the seed feeders with the Chaffinches AB 27th 7 White tailed Sea Eagles and 2 Golden Eagles. Discover Mull Tour 27th pair of Common Scoter in Loch Scridain,plus Black Throated Diver, G N Divers Loch Na Keal and Loch Scridain, a single slavonian grebe Loch Na Keal and a Little Gull at Loch Scridain at the Loch Beg 27th Lochdon brodge pool. female Kingfisher showing well mid afternoon today. AS et al 27th Loch Beg. a Little Gull present here. Arthur & Pam Brown & tour group 26th Glen Seilisdeir a Merlin chasing a Snipe one of the guests said it was like watching Top Gun.! 26th Lochdon. flocks of Long tailed tits feeding on peanuts in local gardens. John Preston/Owen Tyson 24th Garmony. 5 Canada Geese (park geese) with 70+ Greylags in field opposite Golf Club. AS 24th Killiechronan. a single Pinkfoot amongst 60+ Greylags. field on right at crossroads. AS 22nd Tobermory. a Brambling in a local garden and a treecreeper has appeared briefly. collared dove killed by female sparrowhawk, and pair tawny owls on adjacent trees in garden late last night Jenny Reddaway 23rd Moorhen seen flying across Ardtun road near Knockan Thursday afternoon - Carol Marshall This is not too far from Assapol - could it be the same bird as 22nd ?? 22nd Fidden/area. Redwing, Fieldfare, Misstle Thrush, Song Thrush in small scattered flocks. AS et al 22nd Loch Scridain. 2 Great northern diver, A Spellman/A Brown/A & D Oldacre 22nd Fidden. 80+ Skylarks feeding on the shore. 50+ Lapwings. Goldeneye, Shelduck. 22nd Loch Harrison/Loch Assapol. a single Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, single Pinkfoot with Greylags. Loch Pottie, Tufted Duck, 2 Whooper Swan, A Spellman/A Brown/A & D Oldacre 22nd Aros. Two pairs of goosanders on Aros estuary. This morning. Duncan Hall 21st Lochdon. female Kingfisher still present near the bridge in Lochdon. Andy & Diana Oldacre 20th Lochdon. 30+ Bar-Tailed Godwit plus a Male Merlin flew by. Andy & Diana Oldacre 20th OBAN. 2nd W. Ring billed Gull bathing and preening on George street foreshore, Oban at 15.40 hrs today (20th Feb.), having arrived at 15.30 hrs. Stuart Gibson 20th Loch Scridain/Loch na Keal. 3 Great northern diver, Red throated diver.AS 19th Loch Assapol. pair of Pochard on loch Assapol.(a very scarce bird for Mull) Susan & Allan Parker 17th Loch Buie. Peregrine Falcon, 6 Black throated divers together,1 R/T Diver,1 Grey Wagtail Loch Spleve, 1 Pair of displaying Goldeneye,1 Summer plumage Black Guillimot Andrew Kirkham 16th Aros Estuary. 3 Goldeneye, 2 female 1 Male Displaying ,1 Pair Merganser1 Woodcock 6pm 1/4 mile up the Dervaig road form Aros Bridge Andrew Kirkham 15th Port Langamull (GR 379539). Possible Chough, heard the bird calling and it didn't come to me straight away, much more fluid and melodic than a 'Hoodie' checked on my Birds of Europe DVD and sounds very much like it. Unable to spot bird, may be worth checking if anybody goes to that area. 2 Goldeneye males Andrew Kirkham 14th Loch Na Keal by Killichronan. Sea Eagle on shore at, no tag on bird, 30+ Greylag's in fields by the loch. Andrew Kirkham 13th Loch Scridain. 2 Black throated diver, 1 Pair of Goosander Andrew Kirkham 12th Aros Castle, Sea Eagle flying down Aros estuary and round the castle out to sea.10+ Song Thrushes fields by Castle, 8-10 Rock Pipit on shore line Aros Estuary (most days) 1 Pair of Dippers Aros Bridge 15th Feb OBAN The 2nd W. RING-BILLED GULL was with Common Gulls at Cockleshell Bay, nr. Ganavan on morning of 16th Feb. (SG/Jim Dickson), and on Oban foreshore at 16.00 hrs same day. Today (17th), it was seen on George Street foreshore (with Herring Gulls) at 16.00 hrs and, again, at 16.45 hrs. It has now been in the Oban area for a full 5 months since it's relocation on 12th September 2005. During this time, it has been reported from four separate locations : George Street foreshore (where it roosts); Corran esplanade (feeding with Common Gulls); Cockleshell Bay (ca. 2 miles north of Oban, on Ganavan Road); and, Dunstaffnage Bay (3.5 miles east of Oban). Stuart Gibson 15th Loch Spelve Black throated Diver and Red throated Diver in the loch today plus Goldeneye. AS 9th Lochdon. a male Merlin sighted along the Grasspoint road between the bridge and first cottages and a 2nd bird near Dervaig along Glen Bellart road. Lynda and Michael Hadow 14th Inverlussa. A single male Goosander in splendid plumage was busy feeding in the estuary. Alan 13th Calgary. a single Magpie at Calgary nr the phone box. Dave Sexton 12th OBAN. 43 Turnstones roosting on George Street foreshore at 18.00 hrs on 12th, coincided with high tide. This is largest tally I've ever had of this species at this location, ever ! Stuart Gibson 9th OBAN Ring billed Gull : 2nd W. 'running with the pack' of local Herring Gulls, Oban harbour at 14.50 hrs today Peregrine : Hunting bird, Oban esplanade at 14.30 hrs (9 Feb.) (Stuart Gibson/Bill Allan) 8th Lochdon 2 Red Knot, 20+ Ruddy Turnstone, Greenshank, Redshank. Andy & Diana Oldacre 6th Eat Brae. a pair of dippers on the Eas Brae waterfall today at noon, and a grey wagtail on the roadside cliff opposite Aros Park entrance. Duncan & Susan Hall 2nd OBAN 2nd Winter Ring billed Gull still at the Esplanade shore. (Woolworths area) Stuart Gibson 1st - 28th Lochdon. Kingfisher still present at the bridge pool Alan Spellman 1st Garmony: Crossbills and a Jay was heard. Dave Sexton 1st Dervaig: Snipe at Dervaig Bridge with a greenshank. Calgary about 20 Ringed Plovers.Song Thrush singing lustily in the garden this afternoon - spring is coming. Shaun Mccullagh Summary for January 2005 early January. a Water Rail caught by a cat from Dervaig reed beds, released unharmed. Caroline Woods. 31st Pair of Whoopers on Mishnish and 10 Long tailed Tits in Quinish Woods this afternoon. - Shaun 30th Dervaig. 2 Greenshank, 3 Snipe & 6 Redshank at Loch cuin, 2 male Goldeneyes at Loch Torr & 3 female & 1 male Goldeneye on Mishnish.The Golden Eagle was again hunting the Loch Torr area at 1130hrs. Arthur & Pam. Discover Mull Tours 29th 31st Lochdon. Kingfisher present. Alan 29th OBAN. 2nd W. Ring-billed Gull at roost on 27th Jan. (@ 18.30 hrs & 20.15 hrs) & @ 17.30 hrs on 29th January. No sign of adult at these times, Count of 102 (52 in pre-roost flock on water in middle of bay) Common Gulls at George Street, OBAN roost at 17.30 hrs on 29th January. Stuart Gibson 29th Caliac point,. 6 Great Northern Divers, guillemots and 60+shags, also a Black Throated Diver at Calgary with 5 Ringed Plover. Arthur & Pam Discover Mull Tours 29th Loch Tor. Two whooper swans on loch Tor, plus one Golden Eagle over the loch. Tom Bettley. 28th .Highlights of Bird Club outing. A Common Scoter off Inch Kenneth Boathouse between Inch Kenneth & Mull. Goosander at Killiechronan. Displaying Slavonian Grebes from Boathouse, 8 seen in day. Total of 4 WTSE including white T on green tag in trees where forest is cut just through Glen Seilisdeir. 3 Short eared owls Glen More at 3 lochs car park flying high wing clapping & calling. All 3 Divers with 7 Great Northern 2 Black Throats and a single Red throat. White Fronted Goose still with Greylags at Killiechronan and a Greenshank &12 Golden Plover at Loch Beg. 2 Guilliemots & 5 Black Guilliemots some in summer plumage loch Na Keal, Woodcock between Craignure & Salen, 44 species seen in the day. The evening sunset produced some fantastic photo shoots particularly at Loch Beg and through Glen More. Arthur & Pam et al 25th Lochdon Kingfisher again at same site. Alan 26th OBAN highest count of 39 Turnstone at same site on same day. Stuart Gibson 14th Mishnish lochs. 2 Whooper swans on loch this afternoon, Celia McIntyre 13th Garmony, Tenga, Torloisk, Old Byre. 4 Barn Owls on way home last night from clun meeting, 1 at Garmony, 2 one mile on from Tenga on the Dervaig side of Tenga and 1 hunting between the road and Loch Cuin just past the turn to the Old Byre and Torloisk. Also a single Tawny Owl 3/4 mile up the Dervaig road from Aros Bridge. Arthur and Pam Brown (Discover Mull Tours) 10th OBAN. A single Black Guilemot in full summer plumage Tysties in Oban are barely in winter garb for four months before they change back into their summer finery.also 32 Ruddy Turnstone. Stuart Gibson 11th Aros. A Dipper in the Aros river along Glen Bellart. AS 9th-26th Jan OBAN, 2nd Winter Ring Billed Gull opposite Woolworth's. Pam Brown/Stuart Gibson 8th Lochdon. Kingfisher by the bridge pool circa 1100 hrs AS 6th Tobermory. male & female Blackcaps on the bird feeders.Tom & Barbara Bettley 4th I have just received a report that one of our Sea Eagle chicks from last year, (Red V) been recorded in Northern Ireland on 24th, 26th and 27th of December2005. 4th Lochdon. up to 30+ Ringed Plover along loch shore. 3rd-30th Lochdon. Kingfisher seen again also 3 Goosander in bridge pool & 30+ Dunlin, & Ruddy Turnstone. 1st Kentallen, merlin and kestrel plus 4 bar tailed godwits at garmony. Duncan & Sue Hall 1st Grasspoint area.The highlights of the day were the  Kingfisher,
perched in a tree just upstream of the bridge, plus Greenshank & Redshank,16
Shelduck. Redpoll & Linnet at Grasspoint. Andy & Dianna Oldacre
Summary for January to March 2005 from Alan Spellman White winged gulls remained with us into the new year. Indeed this winter has seen more such gulls in the UK for many years with birds being reported all around the country. At Loch na Keal by the fish farm outlet two 3rd year Glaucous Gulls spent several weeks, also at Pennyghael there was a regular 2nd year bird. Loch Spelve, again by the fish farm, a very white 3rd year bird spent several weeks through to February and yet another 2nd year bird was in Tobermory Harbour for a couple of weeks. Iceland Gull were at several sites including a 2nd winter bird at Killiechronan, and at Oban in Tesco car park and the harbour area. If there is a good food supply, be it a carcass on the beach or an outfall pipe from a fish farm, or a road kill, it’s the place to be checking out the flocks of Gulls. White winged gulls shine out like a beacon when amongst other gulls. A rare Little Gull was at Killechronan by the camp site for about 5 days in January. All three Divers have been
regularly seen on our sea lochs with summer plumaged Black throated Diver
on Loch Frisa into March. Lochs Buie, Spelve, Scridain and Loch na Keal
are all excellent areas to search out Divers and Grebes. A scope is required
to get the best views when often several species can be viewed together
giving good diagnostic comparisons. My count of Wintering Slavonian Grebe
peaked at only 15 birds in February, buts it’s a large loch and I may well
have missed a few.
Fidden held 60 Golden Plover
on 22nd February and Loch Beg, another good G P site held up to 80 birds
during the month. There were 34 Ruddy Turnstone at the Knock end of Loch
na Keal (28th Jan). However if you are ever in Oban, the esplanade, (opposite
Woolworths) almost always hold Ruddy Turnstone during the winter months,
giving close up views. Returning Whimbrel, with 8 birds at Loch Spelve
in February and then regularly increasing numbers throughout March. The
occasional Greenshank could always be found on a loch shore, often with
Redshank. There was a flock of 100 Lapwing by Loch na Keal in February.
By the end of March birds were already paired up and displaying along Loch
Spelve shoreline
Feeding the birds during winter,
(in Pauline & Richard Hammonds case), feeding the chickens, regularly
attracted up to 21 Yellowhammers into their Loch Buie garden. Smaller flocks
regularly checked out Lochdon gardens for a free meal giving me a chance
to take some photographs. see www.mullbirds.com.
Raptors feature in the
quarter as the Eagle watch got underway. Reports of Merlin at Grasspoint,
Loch Spelve, Fidden and Loch Beg highlight this bird as following Meadow
Pipits, (a main food source) at this time of year and again when returning
in the Autumn. We have an good population of Barn Owls which are rarely
reported so it’s nice to hear of several people getting excited about seeing
these beautiful birds, seen hunting along Aros Glen, Gruline area
and Lochdon
Spring got underway
with the first Wheatear seen at Loch na Keal and Loch Spelve on 20th March.
Returning Lesser Black backed Gulls (two pairs) in Oban also on 20th. A
first Chiffchaff was heard on 26th near Salen., The first Barn Swallow
at Aros Park on 27th and Sand Martin at Frisa/Glen Bellart on the same
day. Our first Cuckoo was heard at Calgary on 6th April by Andy Mortley
Some ‘rare bird’ visitors were a Magpie at Fionnphort on 30th March and
again at Grasspoint on 31st (possibly the same bird). We don’t have Magpies
on Mull and those few that do arrive are quickly seen off by the Hoodies
and Ravens. There was a pair of Eurasion Jays at Torosay Woodland walk
on 25th January and at Aros Park in February. A Green Woodpecker at Killiechronan
on 22nd March and at Loch Frisa 30th, (possibly the same bird). Iona
had a Red Kite fly over on 29th March and another was seen at Garmony in
April. Peter Hall reported a male Ring Ouzel on 2nd February at Craignure
Summary of reports for March 2004 The arrival of our first spring migrants is early with 3 Common Terns passing through Lochdon on 9th, and there were 4 Whimbrel at Loch Spelve feeding frantically on the shore line (17th) . Other arrivals here for the summer were on 17th our first Common Sandpiper at Loch Beg, 18th produced a singing Willow Warbler at Lochaline, 20th a male Wheatear at Penmore, Devaig, followed quickly by more in other parts of the island. Also on 20th ,a lone single Swallow was at Aros castle. A newly arrived male Redstart was seen at Lochdon on 24th and 3 Housemartins were passing through at Fionnphort on 29th. At Lochdon (Gorsten end) on 21st a flock of 30 bar tailed godwit arrived to refuel before continuing their journey north. A pair of Golden Plover were at Loch Spelvie shore with Lapwing and Ringed Plover on 21st. A large flock 50 of Lapwing on 27th were in the field by Loch Frisa and displaying birds are pairing up at many regular sites. Whooper Swan have been on the move with 46 flying north over loch Cuin by Dervaig on 28th, also 6 at Ledmore by Loch Frisa. In Glen More on the three lochs (25th/26th) were 12 Whooper swans resting and 44 were flying north over Lochdon on 29th. Returning Short Eared Owls were seen at Lussa, through Glen More, and Grasspoint and on 30th a pair in Glen Bellart were displaying together. Hen Harriers have been reported in good numbers throughout the month at regular sites and males have been displaying well on territories. One lucky couple on 21st at Loch na Keal watched a pair of White tailed Sea Eagles spiralling and tumbling out of the sky in courtship flight. There have been four reports of Yellowhammers in local gardens with up to five in one garden and also Bullfinches have been visiting gardens at Lochdon and Tobermory. There have been only 3 Brambling reported, usually with other finches, and seen feeding at bird tables in local gardens. Loch Scridain held 11 Great northern Diver 0n 29th and other sea lochs also held divers with 2 Black throated Diver, 2 Red throated Diver and 5 Great northern Diver on Loch Buie on 8th & 9th of the month. Loch na Keal on 8th still had 6 Slavonian Grebe plus 4 Red throated Diver and on Loch Spelvie on 8th there were 6 Great northern Diver and 1 Red throated Diver in full summer plumage. On the 12th there were 3 pairs of Goosander on the Mishnish Lochs, and on Lochdon were 18 Shelduck, 12 Red breasted Merganser. On Loch Spelvie were up to 8 Goldeneye with 6 on Loch Scridain and alson 6 on Lochdon. Dippers, are already paired up, at Inverlussa, Knock bridge, Pennyghael and Aros with Grey Wagtail also being reported active on our burns. And many have reported Siskins visiting gardens as they feed on peanuts getting ready for the breeding season. Summary of reports for February 2004 The long staying Iceland Gull remained at L.och Scridain until 10th February. At Fidden on 16th there was a Grey Plover on the shore by the log pile, this is a very scarce bird for Mull with only a very few records, also present were a flock of 20 Meadow Pipits. The cold weather brought down a few Snow Buntings and there was a flock of six birds about half way through Glen More 0n 26th. Divers and Grebes showed well throughout the month with as many as 8 Black throated Diver being present on sea lochs also Red throated Diver and Great Northern Diver mainly on Loch Buie, Loch Scridain and Loch na Keal. Slavonion Grebes were present on Loch na Keal throughout the month, with Little Grebe at Lochdon, the Mishnish Lochs and Dervaig, Loch Cuin. Bramblings were seen in singles only at Salen (2nd) and Dervaig (14th) Loch Frisa produced 6 Bullfinches for Sue & Duncan Hall on 10th, this is a bird that is not often reported. Loch Assapol. On 16th still had 11 Whooper Swan, and 2 Peregrine on the hills behind Loch Pottie appeared to be displaying. Sylvia Swift reported flocks of 20 Lapwing and 30 Starlings at Croig in the field and on the shore. At Aros there were both male and female Goosander on 6th & 9th, also a pair regularly frequented the bridge pool, Lochdon at high tides. On 10th 3 Wintering Greenshank were at Lochdon and Loch Beg (2 birds) also at Loch Scridain. The shores of Loch na Keal briefly held 35 wintering Ruddy Turnstone on 23rd. A pair of Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse) on the high moorland between Torloisk and Dervaig were reported on 7th. There are no ‘shooting estates’ on Mull and as a consequence we have a good population of Hen Harrier with birds being reported in many locations throughout the month. Wintering ducks on most sea lochs included large flocks of Wigeon and Teal, up to 28 Shelduck on Lochdon, with lesser numbers of Goldeneye, Mallard and Red breasted Merganser Summary of reports for January 2004 A 3rd Year Iceland Gull spent the month of January, from 3rd, feeding on a seal carcass on Loch Scridain giving excellent views. At the head of Loch Spelve there was a single Greater Scaup from 22nd to 25th. Other winter visitors were 6 Whooper Swans at Loch Assapol on 2nd and more family groups were at the Mishnish Lochs. Goosander, often in pairs, and at regular sites, being Lochdon, Aros estuary, Loch Tor, Garmony and the Mishnish lochs. A Water Rail was at Ballygowan Bay in a local garden and was being fed regularly in Dec and January. On 22nd at Griburn there were 100 Barnacle geese by the boathouse. A flock of Greylags of 100+ birds were at Glenforsa on 14th included 1 lone Pinkfoot whilst at at Fidden on 28th, a similar flock included 3 Canada Geese. Loch na Keal. On 12th held 30 Goldeneye, at Lochdon there were 5 with males displaying to females at every opportunity, also up to 31 wintering Shelduck. Divers and Grebes for the month included 8 Slavonian Grebe on Loch na Keal on 16th , Little Grebe at Lochdon, Salen and the Mishnish Lochs, Great Northern Diver reported sightings from Loch Scridain, Loch Buie, Loch na Keal, Aros Estuary and in the Sound of Mull. Loch na Keal also had Red throated Diver and a single Black throated Diver at Loch Buie on 26th. Lots of wintering ducks on all sea lochs include Widgeon, Teal, Red breasted Merganser and Mallard. whilst Loch Pottie holds our few Tufted Duck. The shore of Loch na Keal held 32 Ruddy Turnstone, plus Redshank, Greenshank and Dunlin. Brambling at Dervaig, Penmore, Lochdon and Salen were reported but only in singles or pairs visiting food stations in local gardens. Both male and female Hen Harriers were seen on territories, and White tailed Sea Eagles are now pair bonding and rebuilding nests sites. On 1st at Lochdon, a white tagged sea eagle few north over the loch 1330hrs scattering a flock of mixed wigeon and teal.
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