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| Latest reports for March 2010
31st Loch Spelve: male Hen Harrier, Wheatear, Lapwings along the loch shore. Alan 29th 8 Lesser Black Backed Gulls with Herring Gulls at Cailiach Point this morning 2 more at Calgary. There were 8 Wheatears on the Cailiach road and a calling male Yellowhammer at Tostary. Pam & Arthur Brown 28th a Slavonian Grebe in full summer plumage in Lagganulva Bay today also Redshank and Greenshank here. Lapwing on territory in fields between Ulva school and Lagganulva farm. 29th Garmony up to 30 Black headed Gulls in full summer plummer plumage here today. Alan 28th Lochdon: 2 male Yellowhammers visiting local gardens, several other reports now as new birds arrive. Alan 25th Croggan today: and the highlights were a gannet, 2 shelduck, 3 ringed plovers and 7 turnstones. Richard & Liz Airey. 23rd Loch Frisa:Two quacking Red-throated Divers, left the loch and flew northwards towards the Sound of Mull at 18.00 hrs. A Barn Owl was sitting along the track (Aros end), near the new clear fell area, at 17.45 hrs Ruth and Stuart 22nd Lochdon; a single Redwing in my garden having a fight over an apple with a Song Thrush. (the Song Thrush won) Alan 22nd 10 whooper swans on Loch Pottie, Displaying eiders - the bay at Bunessan and Loch Na Keal Shelduck on the beach at Fionnphort opposite the Ferry Shop with ringed plover and rock pipits. Debbbier Thorne 22nd Lochdon: 4 Whooper Swans flew in for an overnight stay, Peregrine and Hen Harrier this morning, Alan 21st Tobermory: Single male Redpoll at niger feeder, along with up to 40 Siskins and four Goldfinches, Tobermory garden Ruth Flemming & Stuart Gibson 21st Lochdon: a report of a Green Woodpecker heard and seen from Steve Kirk whilst on eaglewatch by the caravan 21st Loch Frisa: an exciting day at Loch Frisa today - Black and Red throated divers, male and female Hen Harrier and a Goshawk (there were six of us who saw the goshawk) - one of the guys regular watches them in Northumberland so knew for sure it was one!) Debby Thorne et al 20th Calliach Point: a male Wheatear at Caliach Point this afternoon. Richard & Liz Airey, also at Haunn Anand Prasad 21st Loch an Keal: at dusk (7pm) 58 Great norther Divers were grouped together in the loch, also in the loch were 7 Black throated Diver and 14 Slavonian Grebe. visitor staying at Redburn Lochdon 21st Lochs through glen more; A pair of Whooper swanson this small loch here this morning. Alan Spellman 21st Salen: male yellowhammer in garden today in Salen...first time seen in this part of the island. Dave Sexton 20th Ardness: 2 LBB Gull. Loch Pottie 41 Whooper Swan, 6 Tufted Duck. Fidden 1 White Wagtail. Bryan Rains 20th Loch na Keal: south shore, First Wheatear of the year. Alan Spellman/ Steve Kirk 20th Inch Kenneth: about 250 Barnacle geese on island. Alan Spellman/Steve Kirk 16th Loch Frisa/Killiechronan: 2 Crossbills and 4 Bullfinches, Loch Frisa track (Aros end). Single Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Goose with Greylags, Killiechronan, where three Bar-tailed Godwits feeding at head of loch (as seen on Bird Club outing) 15thTobermory:34 Siskins feeding on niger seed in Tobermory garden was both vibrant and impressive Ruth and Stuart 15th: A couple of sightings from todays tour - Ardness 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull. Fidden 50 Golden Plover, 6 Twite. Bryan Rains 13th Glengorm: Passing male Hen Harrier disturbed flock of 15 - 20 Siskins and several Crossbills from plantation. One male Crossbill heard singing in flight and single Redpoll seen was first returning bird of the year. A Woodcock was flushed at Cnoc Corrach. Ruth and Stuart 12th Lochdon: two Jays seen near the eaglewatch caravan flew over and into trees oposite. Andy Oldacre 12th Overlooking Loch Spelve: Seven White-tailed Eagles (including five immature birds in air together!), three Golden Eagles (two adults), pair of Hen Harriers, pair of Buzzards and Kestrel produced a truly 'raptorlicious' day out in the hills. Also, two singing Skylarks, back on the hill, made us feel that Spring may be just around the corner, Ruth and Stuart 10th Loch na Keal: Pair of Golden Eagles, two White-tailed Eagles (including immature bird), 6 - 8 Slavonian Grebes, many of which on the turn from non-breeding to breeding plumage, five Bar-tailed Godwits at Killiechronan and single Pink-footed Goose (with handful of Greylags), near Kellan Mill, Stuart Gibson 9th Dervaig: our first yellowhammer (female) in ten years in the garden. In might be common on Mull but not at Tigh Fraoich. A small group (10/12) of fieldfares flew over us on the Dervaig/Tobermory road on Friday 5th. Rod & Gill Little. 8th Lochdon 8 Shelduck, Loch Spelve: 2 Black throated Diver. Alan. 4th Loch Buie: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Glen Byre; 4 Golden Eagles in air together, nr Standing Stone Circle; 3 Yellowhammers, Lochbuie village; 8 Great Northern Divers and 3 Red-throated Divers, Loch Buie; pair of Ravens at nest, Glen Byre track. Ruth and Stuart 4th Loch Ba: 17 Whooper Swan, Slavonian Grebe, Goosander plus Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Arthur Brown 4th Salen Daves Waxwing was still in his garden today. also a Brambling (5th) around area gardens Felicity Pollard 3rd-4th Loch Ba: 4 Snow Buntings reoported here this morning Dave Sexton Arthur Brown 2nd Caliach Point: A male & female Gadwall at Caliach and 18 Golden Plover at Ulva Ferry. Pam & Arthur Brown 2nd March : Langamull- Criug-Dervaig: 4 Crossbills, male Siskin in 'butterfly' display flight, group of half-a-dozen thrushes travelling together included three Fieldfares and three 'grey-backed' Song Thrushes (perhaps of continental race?), Woodcock and partly singing male Goldcrests in Langamull forest. 2 Golden Eagles very high in sky, being mobbed by 6 Hooded Crows or Ravens; 2 immature (white wing tags) White-tailed Eagles, a Sparrowhawk and 22 Lapwings at Croig.20 returning Meadow Pipits and 8 Skylarks, Langamull beach, with 6 Great Northern Divers, offshore. Woodcock flushed at Penmore. 2 Greenshanks, 9 Snipe and 12 Ringed Plovers were at head of Loch Cuin at Dervaig. Ruth and Stuart 1st of March: there were 7 Common Scoters at Treshnish Point. Anand Prasad 1st Loch na Keal: 6 Slavonian Grebes spotted (there must be more) Goldeneye, RB Mergansers, Mallard, 4 Great nothern Diver. Loch Cuin by Dervaig: 2 Greenshank, 6 Snipe, 5 Redshank, Ringed Plover. Aros river: pair Dipper. Alan Spellman 1st : Loch Buie: 7 Great Northern Divers and single Red-throated Diver, 2 Redwings and a Woodcock flushed from under gorse at Glen Byre farm. Immature White-tailed Eagle, from main road, south of Lochdon 28th February : Gualachaoilish, (hill over Lochdon): Male Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Golden Eagle, Buzzard, Kestrel and 2 returning Short-eared Owls; also party of 14 Meadow Pipits back on high ground and Woodcock flushed. Ruth and Stuart Latest reports for February 2010 28th At Torosay down near the greenhouses, there were 3 treecreepers, 2 goldcrests and 2 wrens - great to see the small birds managed to survive the harsh winter. Also barn owl back in Salen. Debby Thorne 27th Garmony: I found a dead tawny owl on the road at Garmony this afternoon. Colin Moody 27th Treshnish: A first for our 10x10km square today . 2 Common Crossbills in Treshnish wood also 1 male Bullfinch, which we have seen for the first time at Treshnish this year (4 records in total).Aand Prasad 27th Lochdon: a male Hen Harrrier hunting in the fi3eld opposite. Alan Spellman 26th Glen More Bryan Rains was delighted to find 10 Snow Buntings in the glen this morning. Bryan Rains 24th-25th Salen: A lone Waxwing at Dunvegan, Salen in garden. Dave Sexton. photos here 24th Salen Bay: a Peregrine here this afternoon Felicity Pollard 23rd Salen: A single Waxwing and first of the year, reported by Martin Keivers from his garden Martin Keivers. 22nd Salen: a single Brambling in a local garden here. (where are all the Bramblings this year ?) Felicity Pollard Further to the Red legged Partridge (15th) report below, now have information that they were introduced to the island over the last couple of years for sporting purposes. 18th – 5 Bullfinch & 2 Crossbill – near to the meeting point for the Sea Eagle hide at Aros. Woodcock – flew over the main road just coming into Salen from Craignure. 16th – Yellowhammer – Loch Buie 15th 1 Red Legged Partridge, Kentallen Farm on the main Salen to Tobermory road. Woodcock – Aros bridge. 19th – Dipper – Knock bridge 14th, Turnstone – on the beach by Craignure golf course., Dipper – pair up stream frpm Aros bridge, present all week, Greenshank – Lochdon pool & Loch Na Keal, Shelduck – Tiroran beach, Great Spotted Woodpecker – on feeder on the main road at Lochdon Andy Bayes & family 17th a female hen harrier was "quartering " over the end of the mountain road/Loch Cuin. A regular place for the species but the first of this year. Regular sightings of ringed plover, greenshank, teal, wigeon and Snipe at low tide on Cuin. Rod & Gill Little 17th 20 Otters seen around the north of the island during one day, all of them separate Otters, quite a few mothers with 2 cubs. 18 Great-northern Divers on Loch na Keal & Loch Tuath plus 1 black-throated Diver near Inch Keneth. 18th Feb Quinish Point - Merlin, Bullfinch & Great-spotted Woodpecker & 4 Skylarks. Tree Creeper in our garden. also 5 Snipe on Loch Cuin Pam & Arthur Discover Mull 17th Loch Ba: 1 male & 1 female Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard, 6 oystercatchers. 1 heron (juvenile) 16th Langamull beach:,2 Shelduck,1 Otter (presume male due to size) fab views for 10 min as it climbed up and down the shoreline,1 Ringed Plover. Rose Day. Ranger, Peak District National Park 16th Croig inlet (near fishing boat trip pier): 3 Redshank,1 Curlew. Rose Day. Ranger, Peak District National Park 15th Loch Torr: 1 male, 1 female Goldeneye. Rose Day. Ranger, Peak District National Park 16th 2 Reed Buntings in our garden this morning. We also saw the Ringed billed Gull in Oban harbour yesterday. Thanks for the phone call yesterday. Pam & Arthur of Discover Mull, 15th Craignure: Gilbert the postie tells me he has a dozen Bullfinches at his cherry tree today. Alan 13th Bird Club Field trip down to the Ross of Mull: 2 White-tailed eagles, an adult & a juvenile feeding on a carcass being mobbed by Crows and Ravens 2 more WT Eagles were seen during the day. Great Northern, Red & Black Throated Divers were seen during the day on Loch Scriden and some Guillemots. Fantastic views of a flying adult Golden Eagle and a hunting male Hen Harrier close by the vehicles two more female Hen Harriers were seen during the day. Ringed Plover on Ardalanish Beach and 2 Grey Plover & 1 Bar-tail Godwit at Fidden. Pam Brown, Secretary, Isle of Mull Bird Club 12th: a single Ptarmigan on Corra Bheinn (NM53R), not far from Ben More seen by Emily Wilkins 12th Lochdon: On Owen Tysons bird table, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and later a beautiful male Sparrow Hawk. Owen Tyson 11th Lochdon whilst doing a webs count Andy Oldacre found 4 Red Knot, a scarce bird for Mull. Andy Oldacre 10th - Ardalanish Bay: 38 Golden Plover, 24 Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover and 12 Fieldfare and a solitary Skylark back on the nearby moor Ruth Fleming, Robbie Fleming and Stuart Gibson 9th Tobermory: A male Goldcrest was in full song in a local garden this morning 8th Lochdon: 28 Dunlin at the end of Gorten road. 2 Greenshank. & Water Rail in the garden Alan 8th Quinish Gardens: Nick Read reports 4 Jays (2 pairs seen at the same time) in his "garden". A pair were seen there last year. also has his first Bullfinch of the year going for early apple and cherry buds. Nick Read (pp Rod Little) 8th Dunaros: saw my first Goldcrest of the year. At Lochdon a male Blackcap. Alan Spellman 8th Loch Scridain: Bryan Rains reports 38 Great northern diver in the loch this evening. Bryan Rains 6th: 60 Fulmar at Cailiach this morning and 2 Common Crossbills on Loch Frisa BTO square. Arthur & Pam 6th Calgary, Calliach, Dervvaig: 3 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, Sea Eagle (pair), 5 GND in Sound of Mull. Alan 5th Calliach: A Black throated Diver, 3 Fulmars, 3 Guillemots, a pair of Common Scoter off Caliach Arthur Brown 1st-3rd Lochdon: Water Rail back again this morning in the garden 1st: Bryan Rains reports a Pinkfoot amongst Greylags at Killiechronan . Latest reports for January 2010 . 31st Lochdon:Big Garden Bird watch today and I have just had a Water Rail back in the garden on the edge of the garden, it then made a dash accross the grass and grabbed a piece of bread and back again. Judith & Alan Spellman 31st Salen: Debbie Thorne reports a Water Rail visited their garden today. Debbie Thorne 30th Fidden-Ross: a trip out with Pam & Arthur (Discover Mull) the highlights were a male Long tailed duck on Loch Scridain. four Grey Plover on the beach and Twite at Fidden, a Peregrine falcon gave a great display as it attempted to take a Lapwing at Kintra. a total of 55 species seen today. Alan, Pam & Arthur Brown 28th Killiechronan: 7 Fieldfares Acharonick, Flock of Redwings Killichronan and a Merlin flew through the Greylag Geese field at Killichronan.Arthur Brown 28th Penmore; At my bird-table today: Chaffinch...many, 3 Greenfinch, Great /blue/coal tits...several of each, 3 Siskin, Woodpecker, Blackbirds...many,1 Thrush, 4,Robins, 3Goldfinch., 3 Dunnock, 3 Rock Dove... 4 House sparrow, Sparrow Hawk IN SKY...Adult and Juv.Golden Eagles and 3 Buzzards. Sylvia Swift 27th A Tawny Owl in the woods just before Achnacraig on the Glen road from Dervaig to Salen this morning and a barn Owl flew over the car just On the Dervaig side of Crannich Farm. Arthur Brown 26th Langamull: 4 male Common Crossbills in Langamull Forest this morning Arthur Brown 24th Dun da Ghaoithe: A wonderful walk up past the television masts to the boulder ridges below the summit in search of Ptarmigan was to little avail. Indeed, only five species of bird were observed Crossbill(s) heard flying --> SE towards Lochdon and four Woodcock on the middle of the track, having emerged from the woods, at 17.10 hrs were the highlights (of interest, Buzzard, Hooded Crow and Wren were the other birds seen) Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson White tailed eagles recover on the Isle of Mull Big
Garden Bird watch on 30/31 January Details from www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
23rd Aros Mains - Crannich - Killiechronan: small
numbers of Crossbills in the forestry plantation at Aros Mains,
2 birds over Crannich farm and a noisy flock of 12 feeding on larch seeds
above Killiechronan. 3 Bullfinches in forestry above Crannich. 5
Siskins at Killiechronan included singing male (another male has been singing
in a Tobermory garden for the past few days); A Woodcock flushed itself
from birch scrub along the Killiechronan - Salen track. Ruth Fleming and
Stuart Gibson
20th Aros Estuary - Loch na Keal : Single Barnacle Goose and Canada Goose among 130 Greylags at Killiechronan, where 3 Bar-tailed Godwits still in residence. Two male Shelduck at Aros estuary are first observers' have seen this year. Lone drake Goosander snorkeling in shallow water at Aros estuary, where two drakes recorded on 19th. Congregation of 220 gulls (5 species, but predominantly Common Gull and Herring Gull), included 1st Winter immature Iceland Gull, feeding on waste flowing from the hatchery outfall at Knock; 65 Black-headed Gulls, Garmony, with 45 at Fishnish Bay. Party of 10 Wood Pigeons at Killiechronan, and 10 Siskins, near Gruline. A Dipper was feeding at Aros bridge. Stuart Gibson & Selwyn Pope. 20th Salen: just to report
1
Brambling in my garden today in Salen. Dave
Sexton
20th Lochdon: this morning, a new species for my garden
list being a Water rail in my garden taking bread off the gound,
also a male Blackcap. Alan Spellman
18th Oban: The adult Ring billed gull has returned to the Oban esplanade foreshore. Jim Duncan also Tuirnstone. Alan 18th: 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Killiechronan campsite and a count of 19 Slavonian Grebes on Loch Na Keal along with a single Red Throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver by Scarisdale Rocks. There were 2 Greenshank and a Common Snipe on Loch Cuin at Dervaig. Arthur and Pam Brown 17th Dervaig: We had been visited daily by at least a 100 Chaffinch during the freeze but no sign of a Brambling until the thaw started and on the 15 and 16th a lone female appeared (feeding on the ground under a feeder). Rod & Gill Little 14th Fidden: a single Grey Plover, Pinkfoot Goose (amongst Greylags) and a scarce Shoveler, a Merlin flew through. all were excellent finds by Pete Hall, Andy Oldacre, David Lindo and Russell (photographer) 13thTobermory; Stooping Peregrine over Breadalbane Street in morning hoping to surprise local Feral Pigeons on Main Street or gulls in harbour. Stuart Gibson 13th Loch na Keal: Iceland Gull here, small flock of Fieldfare and Redwing pus about 25 Blackbirds. Alan 11th Glen More: I went looking and found six Snow Buntings through the Glen at the highest part of the glen. Alan 10thTobermory: A Woodcock feeding on narrow strip of grass at 21.15 hrs outside Prison House, Argyll Terrace startled me so much that I warmed my backside on the ice (Oh, how the flushed bird laughed !) Stuart Gibson 10th Loch Frisa track (Aros end): Several wonderful encounters with a small number of Crossbills along the track to the Eagle Hide, including largest group of five birds (2 males) observed feeding on Sitka Spruce seeds. Also, flock of 12 Bullfinches feeding on heather (Calluna vulgaris) seeds made for a very colourful scene in the snow and frost. we even had a Woodcock rise from a ditch on our return journey. Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson 10th Lochdon: a first for my garden bird list was a Woodcock today, looking for food. Three different birds seen on my truip to Tobermory this morning.Alan 9th: Tobermory/Aros Estuary/Loch na Keal/Loch Scridain/Craignure7 Red-throated Divers , single Black-throated Diver at Loch Scridain; 14 Slavonian Grebes in excellent viewing conditions from Killiechronan; two Mute Swans, Salen Bay; 20 Canada Geese in field, Torosay; ca. 120+ Barnacle Geese, Inch Kenneth; 24 Wigeon, Aros estuary; 8 Teal, Aros estuary; 55 Goldeneye, Knock hatchery outfall, Loch na Keal; single drake Goosanders, Aros estuary and Sound of Mull (Craignure Golf course), with pair in company of female Red-breasted Merganser, near Dhiseig and again opposite Inch Kenneth; pair White-tailed Eagles on shingle bar, Killiechronan, with immature bird in minor skirmish with pair of Golden Eagles, (Ben More); single Golden Eagle over Ben More slopes; Buzzard chasing Woodcock along main road, near Lochdon; single Woodcock, Gribun and Torosay; 13 Ringed Plovers, Killiechronan, with further 10 seen at Loch Beg (Kinloch); 10 Golden Plovers, Loch Beg (Kinloch); three Lapwing, Inch Kenneth; single Common Snipe, Knock, with two on shore at Killiemore (Loch Scridain); three Bar-tailed Godwits, Killiechronan; single Greenshank, Loch Beg; four Turnstones, Aros estuary, with 12 at Loch Beg (Kinloch); two separate Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Gleann Seilisdeir; single Dipper on River Ba at Knock; and nine Fieldfares, near Tobermory were the highlights of our 'Isle of Mull Big Bird Count' today. Ruth Fleming/Stuart Gibson/Stella and Selwyn Pope 8th Tobermory: 70 Ravens going to roost at 16.30 hrs in woods near Tobermory Water Treatment Works. Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson 6th Knock Fish Farm: There was a dipper on a stone in the burn singing for a few minutes around sunset today. Colin Moody 4th January - Loch na Keal/Fidden/Iona; A siege of 19 Grey Herons at High Tide was an impressive sight near Knock, where there was also 30 Red-breasted Mergansers and 10 Teal; eight Redwings, five Skylarks and three Stonechats were recorded along the south shore of Loch na Keal near Knock. Immature White-tailed Eagle with white 'F' wing tag perched on rock giving wonderful views at Loch Beag/Loch Scridain. The single Pink-footed Goose was associating with a flock of 50 Greylags at Fidden, where 27 Greenland White-fronted Geese were seen sharing a nearby field with 17 Golden Plovers, 10 Fieldfares and a handful of Redwings.Five Great Northern Divers and 3 Kittiwakes in Sound of Iona; 10 Eiders, 17 Ringed Plovers, six Dunlin and three Golden Plovers at The Bay At The Back Of The Ocean, Iona; two marshy field corners on Iona held total of 16+ Common Snipe; Eight Fieldfares, eight Lapwings and further six Golden Plovers between Martyr's Bay and The Bay At The Back Of The Ocean; 20 Skylarks and two Reed Buntings in wet field near Martyr's Bay.Two Woodcocks flushed by car lights at 16.45 hrs along main road at Lochdon Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson2nd January - Loch Cuin Single Greenshank feeding very close to road on partially frozen head of loch, providing exceptionally good views. The continuing cold snap appears to have made this usually very alert and wary wader less inhibited. Also, six Common Snipe were feeding out on the ice, alongside four Ringed Plovers and a single Redshank Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson 2nd Knock: Happy New Year,
Plenty of Woodcock at Knock yesterday, also one at Fishnish on Thursday
. Colin Moody
Daily since December 23rd, a Woodcock has been visiting
our garden in upper Tobermory to feed on snow free areas of grass and soil.
Neil and Carolyn McHaffie
1st January - Salen/Glenaros
House A search of birch scrub and bracken along the Glenaros track
surprisingly revealed no sitting Woodcock. Perhaps this sustained period
of cold weather has forced many of the birds that would normally overwinter
on the island to leave in search of milder climes ? A loose flock
of 12 Wood Pigeons (unusual local resident) were in the vicinity of the
Beech wood near Glenaros House, as were 12 predominately 1st Winter immature
male Blackbirds that were feeding together among the leaf litter. The location,
age and behaviour of these birds suggests that they are continental immigrants.
A small number of Chaffinches feeding on fallen beech nuts contained a
single,
beautiful male Brambling, which was a delightful
way to start the New Year. Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
Latest reports for March 2009
January started with snow and ice and bitterly cold winds from the east which continued to 14th from 15th milder and wet but cvold again by end of month 31st Garmony - Tree Pipit singing at Garmony Cheers - Shaun Mccullagh 31st Knock Fishery: There was one Swallow at Knock today.. Colin Moody 28th Salen: Barn Owl hunting down the old road, Whimbrel in the Bay. Stuart Gibson 26th Gruline: to report a Swallow under the trees on the Salen-Gruline road .Roger and Marie Wilson 25th Fidden: 3 juv Golden Eagle, 1 Peregrine, 150 Lapwing, 100 Golden Plover, 200 Barnacle Goose, 2 Turnstone, 5 Snipe, 1 Gannet. Loch Pottie 10 Whooper Swan, 4 Tufted Duck. Loch Scridain 20 Eider. 63 species seen on the day plus 2 Adders and 5 Mountain Hare, Otter. Bryan Rains 25th March - Mishnish - 3 Goosander (2M & 1F), 1 Drake Merganser (unusual on fresh water) 25th March - Sgriobruadh, Tobermory - 20 Meadow Pipit, 20 Pied Wagtail, 30 Greylag Shaun Mccullagh 24th Mishnish Lochs: 5 Tufted Ducks, 3 female Hen Harriers whilst en route to Bunerssan and a pair at Ardtun, Great northern Diver on Loch Scridain. Clare Fellows 25th Penmore (nr Dervaig) new to my garden, 3 Rock Doves, a resident Sparrowhawk which terrorises the wee birds but haven't seen it catch any. Sylvia Swift 25th Fidden: 200+ Barnacle Geese, 50+ Lapwings and lots of Skylarks just arrived. 10 Whooper on Loch Pottie, Steve Kirk/Alan Spellman 25th Tiree: John Bowler (RSPB officer) reports a White morph Gyrfalcon here yesterday & today. 23rd Lochdon: a male Blackcap visited my bird table this afternoon, also Sea Eagle over loch. Alan Spellman Thanks for February records from Irene Boston 20th Todays tour produced Greenland White-fronted Goose, Common Snipe, 100 Golden Plover and a single Northern Wheatear at Fidden plus 2 Common Scoter,10 Razorbill, 20 Eider on Loch Scridain. 20th Whoopers are moving north now and about 40 flew north west over Lochdon/Craignure (Pete Hall) also swans dropping off at Loch Scridain this week with 4 - 11- & 14 birds (Bryan Rains) at Lochdon 14 (Alan) good views of Hen Harriers & Golden Eagles through Glen More, Slav Grebes on Loch na Keal. Alan 19th Calgary first Sandmartin seen here today. 2 Short eared Owls Glen More. John Mason et al 18th Treshnish: First Wheatears at Treshnish today Anand Prasad, also one at Loch na Keal. Peter Hall 18th Loch na Keal: 6 Great northern Diver, 5 Slavonian Grebe, 35 Goldeneye, WTSE, at the Golf course were 13 Canada Geeese with Greylags. Alan 16th Lochdon: just seen a Wheatear (10am this morning ) on the forest walk. John & Angela Preston 13th Loch na Keal (Knock end) The White billed Diver was seen here today. Andy Oldacre 13th Loch Frisa: an Osprey was reported here. On Loch na Keal were Slavionian Grebe and one in almost full summer plumage Andy Oldacre. 12th Yellowhammers are back, several reports of birds visiting gardens to feed from Lochdon to Dervaig. 12th reports of good numbers of Skylarks (singing birds) arriving at Fidden, Knock, Loch na Keal. 10th Fidden Single Pink Footed Goose amongst Greylags. – Carol Marshall 3rd Loch na Keal foreshore :I watched 3 Snow Buntings for about 30 minutes by Ben More Suzanne Hull 6thGlen Aros/Glen Bellart: 50+ Redwings, 5 Field fare passing throufgh. Stuart Gibson 5th Aros estuary: 3 Black throated diver in bay by Aros Castle, an over wintering Whimbrel also here. Stuart Gibson, Jennie Hilton 7th Loch na Keal: White billed Diver close to Inch Kenneth, 200 Barnacles on Inch Kenneth. Arthur Brown 6th Loch na Keal: 40 Great northern Divers near Eorsa (worth looking for White billed Diver ?) Dave Sexton. 6th a trip out with Arthur Brown (Discover Mull) and we saw: GND, Little Grebe, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Bar tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Greenshank, Redshank, Common Gull, Black headed Gull, Herring Gull, Greater Black backed Gull, Heron, Buzzard, Hen Harrrier, Hooded Crow, Dipper, RB Merganser, Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Shelduck, Mistle Thrush, Hooded Crow, Raven, Starling, Alan 5th Lochdon: 7 Redshank, Hen Harrier, an unusually large number of Herring Gulls in the loch. Alan 5th at 10am - 2 Golden Eagles sitting on hill opposite 'Ardness House (B&B)' not seen them so close before, plenty of smaller birds flying with them. Gillian MacNeill 4th Loch na Keal: 13 Slavonian Grebes, about 44 Goldeneye here, Fishnish Bay 2 female and drake Goosander. Alan. Bryan Rains reports a Longtailed duck (drake) at Laggan Bay 3rd : 3 Great Northern Divers In Laggan Bay, No White billed Diver, 3 more GND on Loch Na Keal north shore and 3 in Aros Bay along with 3 Red throated Divers and a single Black throat. Despite the awful conditions I have seen 38 bird species today. Arthur (Discover Mull) Brown 1st Glen Forsa Bay: 81 Wigeon, 5 Great northern Diver here today.Stuart Gibson 1st Laggan Bay:An adult White-billed Diver at Laggan Bay, plus Great northern diver viewed from the layby, also 1 Greenshank, 2 Black Guillemot, 2 Slavonian Grebe., two x 1st w Iceland and one 1st w Glaucous Gull at Tobermory harbour. Ringtail Harrier at Grasspoint and a Black throated diver from the Ferry plus 12 summer plumaged Black Guillemots. Andy Carroll 1st Loch na Keal: 7 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Goldeney, 2 Shelduck, Red throated Diver. Alan Spellman Latest reports for February 2009 29th Glen Gorm: A drake Long tailed duck at Glen Gorm today, also a few Redwing about Arthur Brown 28th Dervaig: mail from Shaun Mccullagh: "My next door neighbour Brian Abnett was here today to repair our central heating flue. He does contract gardening and tree surgery amongst other things. He had an interesting story to tell. He was recently doing some tree surgery in a garden opposite Dervaig reed bed. About 20 feet up a tree he came upon a typical Shrike larder. Three small birds impaled on thorns - a chaffinch & coal tit were still recognisable. He estimates that the corpses had been there 3-4 weeks. At this time of year a Great Grey is the most likely. Have there been any possible sightings anywhere within a reasonable distance? Cheers - Shaun ."I have not received any sighting reports" Alan 27th a trip round Loch na Keal to Loch Scridain highlights were: 300 Barnacle Geese on Inch Kenneth. a male Merlin at Griburn, four Great northern Divers, 2 Common Scoter on Loch Scridain, 3 WTSE at Killiechronan, 2 Golden Eagles, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Ravens, at Glen Sielisdeir. Arthur Bown/Alan Spellman 23rd a male Tawny Owl singing at Salen Stuart Gibson 18th Glen Forsa Hotel: two male Mistle Thrush singing & at bAros were 4 singing birds. Stuart Gibson 16th At Glenforsa shoreline: 23 Oystercatcher, 24 Turnstone, 11 Ringed Plover, 2 Rock Pipit, Aros: 2 Teal 22nd-24th Tobermory Harbour: a Glaucous Gull was in the harbour today with other mixed gull by the distillary outflow burn. Alan (see image above) 21 Wigeon in Salen Bay. Stuart Gibson 19th at Salen Bay, an overwintering Wimbrel from 30/1/09 19th Aros: two Dippers carrying next material under the old bridge at Aros . Felicity Hanson. weekend of the 14/15 February 4 male Goosander at the mouth of the Aros river, 8 Goldeneye (one female) on loch Uisg and two Golden eagles soaring together about 1km before the Dervaig end of the plantation on the Salen to Dervaig road. David Pollard We also watched 8 bottle nosed dolphins giving a fantastic performance near the Craignure jetty over the same weekend. Apparently they were there for most of the morning. 16th Aros : a pair of Goosander plus on 18th a dead male Goosander at Aros 15th Salen Bay: 34 Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye. Stuart Gibson Feb 11th We had a Mull rarity at Calgary today a Coot on a private pond , Arthur Brown 5 Woodcock at Salen Woods, Stuart Gibson. 9th Salen Bay: 4 Black Guillemot here today. Stuart Gibson 2nd Bowmans field opposite the Craignure Golf course: 14 Canada Geese with Greylags. 1st Loch na Keal: a very scarce, Red necked Grebe, also Great northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe, 7 Barnacle geese. Dafydd Roberts. visitor from Wales 1st Loch na Keal: by the fish farm ouitfall pipe were lots of Goldeneye, Teal, Mallard plus a Shellduck and Red breasted Mergansers, a few Wigeon. Herring Gull, Black headed Gull, Mew Gull. GBB Gull, Oystercatcher Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Redshank, A single Whimbrel and Curlew, Grey Heron. Alan Spellman 31st Jan Salen Bay & Aros estuary: a single drake Goosander. Stuart Gibson 29th Salen Bay: Iceland Gull (1st winter) Stuart Gibson Latest reports for January 2009 31st Seen today around the north of Mull: 2 Lapwings, 2 Great northern Divers, 2 Golden Eagles, 1 juvenile White-tail Eagle (white wing tag 5) Kestrels & Buzzards.Arthur & Pam 27th: The Glaucous Gull was on Scarisdale rocks today, also Goosander at Crannich well up the river Aros and heading towards Loch Frisa, there was another one at killichronan. 5 Little grebe at Dervaig today and 2 in Aros Bay but the best sightings of the day had to be 10 Otters, a record for us on a single day Cheers Arthur and Pam Brown 26th Sound of Mull: 5 Great northern Diver, 2 drake Goosander, Wigeon, R B Merganser. Alan Spellman 25th Salen. Dave Sexton reportstwo Waxwings this this morning. Dave Sexton 24th Killiechronan: 5 Sea Eagles put on a display (2 Adults & 3 Juveniles) also 6 Bar tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel, Shellduck, Glaucous Gull, lots of Ring Plover & Oystercatcher and a field full og Greylags. AS 21st Killiechronan. I watched a pair of Sea Eagles attempt to snatch a Glaucous Gull off the water, after several attempts they failed and flew off, leaving one lucky gull grinning all over its face (thats if gulls can smile) Alan Spellman 20th A round up of some birds seen on a quick tour around the very north of Mull: 2 Ring tail Han Harriers 7 Buzzards, 7 Kestrels, 2 hunting Golden Eagle, 1 Sanderling, 3 Turnstone, 19 Ringed Plover, 19 Oystercatchers.Arthur & Pam Brown 19th Aros Park Tobermory : a Kingfisher on the lochan in the park. Anne Thomson 17th: Weather windy with sunshine and squally showers becoming gale force with torrential rain in late afternoon - Bird Club Field trip today began spectacularly with 4 White-tail Eagles at the meeting point, although very windy we saw 5 other raptors including 2 Golden Eagles, 3 Hen Harriers, 4 Kestrels numerous Buzzards and a hunting Sparrowhawk. Other birds of note were Great northern Divers, Slavonian Grebes, Black Guillimots, a Dipper but the best sighting of the day had to be the large flock of Barnacle Geese. As well as the birds 48 in total in the day we also saw Red Deer and an Otter rolling and playing in the sea weed. Arthur Brown and Group 10th Mull Bird Club members - Annual Bird Race Weather gale force winds and lashing rain with occasional hail - Not the best day for the bird club annual January bird race but 12 hardy souls set off at 9 30am in 4 vehicles to find as many birds as they could in 6 hours. All together 72 species were seen in the day, a very creditable amount giver the conditions, only 17 down on last year when 28 people took part in 8 vehicles. The highlights in our vehicle were Snipe and Goosander at Dervaig, a Ring billed Gull on Loch Na Keal, White Tailed Eagle at Gruline and a single Barnacle Goose on the Rugby pitch at Garmany. Good sightings of winter thrushes, Pied and Grey Wagtail and a female Hen Harrier. The highlight from the other vehicles was Common Scoter on Loch Scridain. Arthur & Pam Brown 7th Calgary: 2 Great northern & 1 Red throated divers in the bay. A Short eared Owl on the hills. Alan 5th Salen: Female Hen Harrier and Male on New Years day & fly past almost daily by WTSE Iain & Helen King. ' Seaview' 1st Killiechronan: a Purple Sandpiper, 6 Bar tailed Godwit and a Treecreeper. Michael & Andrea Jackson 1st: Driving between Salen and Craignure, saw 2 Barn Owls, at Garmony and by Fishnish turn off. Alan 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 30th Loch Spelve and Aros: a few Whimbrel can now be see along shorelines. AS/AB 27th Grasspoint: a Purple Sandpiper was here today 26th first Wheatear at Ghisaig 26th (10 days later than last year) Pam Brown on a Discover Mull tour 25TH oban: The now adult Ring billed Gull can still be found on the foreshore in Oban opposite Wooklworths (area) Stuart Gibson. 24th Loch Frisa: 4 Whooper Swan here this morning. Jenny Reddaway 2pm Sunday 23rd March - Golden Eagle being mobbed by Hooded Crow and followed by a posse of Gulls seen from Ardtun out towards the mouth of Loch Scridain. Callum Entwistle 5th Loch na Keal: Iceland Gull still around near fish farm outfall. Irene Boston 3rd/4th Loch na Keal: Slavonian Grebe, also in Loch Ba. Tufted Duck on Loch Assapol. Irene Boston. 7th Loch Assapol: Greenland white fronted, Canada and Greylad Geese on the Loch, Irene Boston 18th Bunessan:- 3 x Whoopers flew over Bunessan Bay this afternoon. Callum Entwistle Wedneday 19th March - Goldeneye drake with two females feeding in Bay this morning. 17th Glen More: 4 Whooperw Swan on lochs through Glen More, male Merlin showing well at Lochdon eagle watch, pair of Goosander on Loch Scridain Alan Spellman 14th: OBAN: Stuart Gibson reports an Iceland Gull on Oban fore shore today 14th Fidden about 40 Whitefronts here Mike Wagemakers, also Short eared Owl through Glen More 13th First CHIFFCHAFF heard at Gruline by Owen RTyson 12th En route back from Salen tonight about 10.15 ish - two barn owls. First one just before trees after Arle; second one near Aros Park; both viewed in car headlights Still only one tree sparrow (but at least still around!) - three whoopers in Fishnish bay below Jimmy Wilson's Sat am. Two little grebes in Tob bay this afternoon -Jenny Redddaway 1st Loch Beg 1 fem Hen Harrier. 2nd Fidden 50+ Skylark, 2 Snipe, 64 Golden Plover, 90 Lapwing, 80+Barnacle Goose. Loch Beg 2 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 24 Golden Plover, 12 Ringed Plover. 3rd Loch Beg 1 male Merlin, 2 Goosander. 4th Loch Beg 4 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 12 Teal, 30 Lapwing, . Loch Scridain 15 Great Northern Diver. 8th Pennyghael Stores 12 Collared Dove (highest count I've had here). 10th Loch Beg 1 Whooper Swan resting up then flying East up the Glen. 11th Fidden 4 Reed Bunting, 60 Lapwing, 60 Golden Plover. Ardness 12 Rock Dove. Bunessan 1 Little Grebe, 1 Gadwall, 2 Hen Harrier (1 male, 1 fem) just outside Bunessan. Mussel Farm 12 Eider, 1 Red-throated Diver. Loch Beg 1 Greenshank, 6 Wigeon, 1 Goldcrest. 2 White-tailed Eagle (Adult Green T and juv White with black spot from Skye). . Bryan Rains www.wildaboutmull.co.uk 10th OBAN : two Lesser Black-Backed Gulls were at Oban High School. Stuart Gibson This morning 11/03/08 - saw 3 Redshank, 3 Curlew, a pair of Lapwing, several Oyster Catchers, 2 Heron on the smallrocky outcrop in Bunessan Bay off the Ardtun Road. A female Hen Harrier hunted for some time on the seaward side of the road also. Callum Entwistle 5th a female hen harrier by Loch an Tor on a couple of occassions, a pair of Golden Eagle close to Ledmore, south of Loch Frisa and a pair of Merlin over the forest between Dervaig and Salen (Druimnachroish), Helen Spencer 8th Bowmans Fields by Craignure Golf course. 8 Canada Geese regularly here 3rd Treshnish: Today saw a Rough-legged Buzzard fly over my house at Treshnish at 13.15. It disappeared out of site and I drove around trying to re-locate Anand Prasad 3/3 Fishnish 1 Crossbill Shaun Mcculagh Latest reports for February 2008 28th Flock of 50 Skylarks at crannich Sue & Duncan Hall 28th Carrion Crow Ardalanish - Mike Wagemakers 25th mainland:There was a Kingfisher on the fish farm cages at Loch Arienas near Lochaline today.Colin Moody 24th Tobermory: Jenny Reddaway reports a Tree Sparrow amongst her House Sparrows in the garden. 24th Golf course: at least 5 Canada geese in fields opposite the golf course. These birds have been here on and off throughout the winter Alan Spellman 20th Killiechronan:Approx 80 Greylags in field by Killiechronan and four pink-footed geese 3 Great Northern divers further up Loch na Keal.2 red throated divers near Aros estuary.Jenny Reddaway 18th Tireragan, Ross of Mull Pair of Golden Eagle soaring over the deserted township and mobbed by a Merlin - Mike Wagemakers/Carol Marshall 15th Treshnish : two Glaucous Gulls around a lobster boat at Port Haunn, Anand Prasad 16th The Bird Club had an excellent trip on Saturday, the highlight of the day being the crossbills. There were some 1/2 doz or so at Fishnish and another three at Loch Frisa (in a broadleaved tree!).Pete Hall 15th Pennyghael: Had a stunning male Merlin fly in front of the shop yesterday (15th Feb). 14thUisken: Lots of Redwing around (biggest flock was 18 birds) with birds seen at Uisken, Killunaig, Ardchrishnish and Beach. The male Gadwall is showing well in Bunessan. 1 turnstone with 5 Ringed Plover and a Snipe on Uisken beach. Bryan Rains Bryan also mentions that he has seen lots of Adders about enjoying this last period of warm sunshine. 13th Fidden/Bunessan: 6 Grey Plover Fidden, Male Gadwall Bunessan - Mike Wagemakers/Carol Marshall 12th Aros: three Jack Snipe at mouth of Aros River today, also female Hen Harrier from the back of our garden. Helen and Iain King Seaview Salen 12th Killiechronan camp site: 3 Bar tailed Godwit, 70 Greylags. Duncan & Sue Hall. 12th Feb Loch Scridain. 3 Hen Harrier at Loch Beg. 8 GN Diver, 2 RT Diver and 10 Guillemot Bryan Rains 8th Feb - Male Hen Harrier hunting on moor behind house. 6 Rock doves. Callum Entwistle 7th Feb 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Goldeneye, 4 Wigeon at Loch Beg.Bryan Rains 5th Feb 14 Common Crossbill behind the shop.(Pennyghael stores) Bryan Rains 5th Feb - two Great Northern Divers, 2 Curlew, Flotilla of Mergansers. Callum Entwistle 4th Bunessan Bay and around our house on Ardtun Road - lonely drake Goldeneye Callum Entwistle 2nd Feb 1 Merlin at Loch Beg. Bryan Rains
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.
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
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 Gullon 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
Latest Reports for January
2007
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 female Kingfisher, perched in a tree just upstream of the bridge, plus Greenshank & Redshank,16 Shelduck. Redpoll & Linnet at Grasspoint. Andy & Dianna Oldacre
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