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Latest Reports - July-Sept
Report for July 2010
26th Two Corncrake calling one either side of the road beyond Fidden Farm – Carol Marshall   
25th Loch Pottie Amongst the usual were  4 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, Pair of Little Grebe feeding Young and the Whooper Swan is still there – Mike Wagemakers
26th 1 female Goosander by Aros Castle and male Hen Harriers Glen Bellert. Arthur Brown
25th Quinish: four Jays seen and heard here today,  in a family group, confirming breeding birds of this scarce bird for Mull. 
Alan (pp) John Howard
24th Oban to Craignure ferry: ca.40 Common Terns feeding at entrance to Oban Bay, along with 50 Manx Shearwaters. Total of 250 Manx Shearwaters on sea near entrance to bay is closest this observer has ever seen this species to Oban Bay itself. Small numbers of 'Daddy' Guillemots with juveniles seen in Firth of Lorne during today's 16.00 hrs crossing.   Stuart Gibson
23rd Loch Scridain: Kingfisher at Killiemore. pair of hen harriers & Short eared Owl at lochdon. Ryan Walsh & Vickie Lawton
20th Loch na Keal: We had Red Throated Diver with young on Loch Na Keal today.  Martin 
19th Killiechronan camp site:  at about 13:30 - Osprey first seen overhead being mobbed by gulls and Oystercatchers, flew off towards Knock, returning 25 minutes later - mobbing a White tailed Sea Eagle which had just taken flight. Carolyn Whenm (currently staying in Dervaig)
A few sightings from this quiet time of year...Bryan Rains 
19th July Loch Beg 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Golden Plover, 6 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 1 RB Merganser.
13th July Fidden 30 Linnet, 1 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 6 Greenfinch.
12th July Loch Beg 3 Goosander.
9th Loch Beg : 25 Redshank, 12 Dunlin and 3 Grey Plover had all moved on by lunchtime.
19th Aerial combat observed Loch na Keal  (Male) White Tailed Sea Eagle and Osprey 13.30 hrs. Michael Leigh-Mallory 
18th July Male Hen Harrier and a single Snipe at Ensay, Greenshank at Salen,2 Common Crossbills at Crannich 
Arthur and Pam 
14th Calliach Point: 3 Great Skuas at Cailiach Point today and 5 Ringed Plovers at Calgary. Arthur and Pam Brown
3rd to 9th July, from Geoff and Christine Carr; Richard and Liz Airey
Species Highlights:  Red-throated Diver 2 birds on Loch Buie on the 6th Great Northern Diver 1 bird in summer plumage near Tobermory lighthouse on the 4th Manx Shearwater 100s passing on the sea near Treshnish farm on the 8th
Hen Harrier 1 female hunting the marsh at Dervaig on the 8th
Goshawk A primary feather found near the church on Ulva on the 5th. (experience of Sparrowhawk and Goshawk feathers from ringing- Geoff Carr) 
Kestrel 1 bird at Treshnish Farm on the 8th Peregrine 1 bird near the Tobermory lighthouse on the 4th, 1 hunting over Tobermory on the 7th and 1 at Glen Gorm on the 9th Great Skua 1 bird near the Tobermory lighthouse on the 4th and 1 near Treshnish Farm on the 8th Stonechat A brood on Ulva on the 5th and a brood at Loch Gorm on the 9th Grasshopper Warbler 1 bird singing on the edge of the reed-bed at Dervaig on the 8th Sedge Warbler 6+ birds singing in the reed-bed at Dervaig on the 8th Garden Warbler 1 bird singing singing at Salen on the 6th Blackcap 3 birds singing on Ulva on the 5th Wood Warbler 3 birds in Aros Park on the 7th Twite 30+ around Treshnish Farm on the 8th Lesser Redpoll 6 at the Tobermory lighthouse on the 4th and 2 on Ulva on the 5th Bullfinch 1 bird near Tobermory lighthouse on the 4th and 3 birds in Aros Park on the 7th
Reed Bunting 2 males on Ulva on the 5th
14th Griburn: a Tree Sparrow here today. Mike Shepherd. (we have had previous records of Tree Sparrow here. AS)
8th Knock: a buzzard-sized raptor flying low and purposefully across the field behind the hatchery. The bird was brown with pale barring to the underside. VERY white undertail coverts were particularly striking. The slow yet powerful wingbeats were also noteworthy. Having crossed the field (and flushed dozens of Twite and Redpoll in the process), the bird disappeared into the Pines behind the bungalow to the right of the track. There was no attempt to catch any of the small birds.
The whole sighting lasted about 5-6 seconds and there was no chance to get a good view of the head. However, we are experienced birders and, living in the Peak National Park, we have observed Goshawk previously and see Sparrowhawk in the garden on a regular basis.
We realise that this sighting is probably not detailed enough to be accepted as an official record, but thought you might be interested for your own information. Mark & Helen Porter
8th Ardalanish:There was  a Corncrake in hay meadow to the right of the beach path at Ardalanish.  Mark & Helen Porter
10th Lochdon: male Hen Harrier in field opposite eagle watch caravan.Alan Spellman
6th Killiechrionan: 23 Black headed Gulls on the spit here today. Jenny Buckley
1st Lochdon: 2 Short Eared Owls  between the Eagle watch caravan & Loch Spelve on caravan side of the road. Arthur Brown
Late June – Aros Park  :At least four pairs of Spotted Flycatcher  giving good views, including pair at road entrance to park and pair at Ledaig Car Park, Tobermory. Best views I’ve had of this under-observed migrant visitor for quite some time. Lots of Bullfinch activity in the park, with sightings at six different locations, including several juveniles with their higher pitched calls. Adult male also feeding fledged juvenile at Prison Brae, Tobermory recently. Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard calling on several occasions and two male Chiffchaffs in song along the park’s main driveway   Stuart Gibson
Latest reports for September 2009
 

Hummingbird Hawk Moth at Craignure and Salen on 17th September 2009 

30th  Fionnphort -  parties of geese, mainly Barnacles,  over all day, yesterday 30-40 Whoopers touched down on Pottie before going on again.  Loch Pottie - 36 Tufted Duck (including two showing a lot of white and pale patches on head Scaup/Hybrid?), a few Teal, 1 Little Grebe and 4 (2 pair) Gadwall.  One party of Barnacles (about 40) had 18 Brents flying in company.  Looking for first Long Tailed Duck – thought had one last week but light bad for definite identification but diving in typical style (open wings)! Mike Wagemakers

30th: I had 5 Barnacle Goose flying West yesterday at Bunessan. Bryan Rains   
29th  Salen:  A Ringtail Hen Harrier flying low over Mediterranea in Salen.  Ruth and Stuart
29th Loch Cuin by Dervaig: 15 Tufted duck here (unusual) almost all our Tuftted duck are usually on Loch Pottie. Arthur Brown
25th Glen Forsa Airfield: 7 Brent Geese on Glenforsa airfield - yesterday evening Debby Thorne
23rd September - Aros Estuary 5 Brent Geese Ruth and Stuart
20th a Red Kite soaring overhead. in the company of 2 Ravens which were giving it a bit of a hard time. This all happened at 14.20 hrs. means it was born on Black Isle in 2000, unfortunately I could not get it's number.  Bob Hastie 
check out Bobs website,  
"Sorry for this late report sighting but I thought you'd like to know of a Glossy Ibis I found, NNW of Knocklovogan near Fionnphort (NM312 203) on the 16/09/09.  The bird was refound on the 17/09/09 down on the estuary between Fidden campsite and Erraid Island. I have only just submitted my sighting to birdguides as I've just come back off the Island and had very little signal on my phone at the time of finding the bird, then it decided to die! Unfortunatly the bird was not photographed. "      Alein Shreeve
(a full detailed descriptive report is required for the extremley rare bird,  the last Argyll record was in Oct 1958 on Tiree. (only 6 records in the 20th centuary) lets hope this can be achieved - Alan
18th Glen Aros House: Party of 5 Crossbills nr Glen Aros House; further 3 over Killiechronan spruce plantation. 20 Wigeon and single Whimbrel, Salen bay. A Small Copper butterfly nr the recumbent standing stone at Killiechronan was the observers' first of the year
Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
18th Ardura: River walk area: a small party of 10 Crossbills flew over. Dai Roberts
17th Loch Scridain: 11 Brent Geese flying south over loch scridain Bryan Rains
17th  Iona:  Single Wheatear and (at least) one White Wagtail in group of Pied Wagtails feeding  at the Bay at the Back of the Ocean
Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
17th Killiechronan. a very late Common Whitethroat on the campsite in the gorse showed  well. five Golden eagles together through Glen More.    Alan Spellman - Dai Roberts
15th: Langamull area 2 Jays flew across road into plantation nr Langamull car park;  Jay(s) heard but not seen in Killiechronan spruce plantation on 7th Ruth Flemming & Stuart Gibson
14th Salen and Craignure: a Hummingbird hawk moth by the Salen shop, feeding from honeysuckle and another by the Spar shop Craignure feeding from the flowers for sale just outside the shop. Alan Spellman
13th Loch Beg: 20 Golden Plover,15 Turnstone, 5 Greenshank,  ++ Redshank,10 Teal, 4 Knot and Dunlin.1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Northern Wheatear, 1 Hen Harrier. Kevin Boothroyd. Bryan Rains
13th Fidden area: Merlin chasing Meadow Pipits, 2 Sparrow Hawk and 2 Kestrel. 2 Hen Harrier. Kevin Boothroyd
11th Marble Quarry, Iona - Female/First Year Pied Flycatcher (possibly two) doing their 'thing'  from the boulders in the Marble Quarry.  Viewing against the light so colouring not perfectly clear - on returning home and checking the book - picturing the white wing markings  - Mike Wagemakers
10th Croggan: 2 Wheatear and 5 House martins in area.Black throated Diver in Loch Bui. Kevin Boothroyd
10th  Killechronan. 4 bar-tailed godwits, 2 blackheaded gulls, 1 dunlin, a dozen or more ringed plovers and a WTSE flying around in front of us as we ate our lunch. Pam Brown and Felicity Hansen
9th Sept - 2 Bar-tailed Godwits still at Killiechronan , a very good Red Throat in Calgary Bay showing red throat well and great Golden Eagles and Hen Harrier at Reudle. There was a Arctic Skua in Salen Bay giving very close views chasing a gull. Arthur & Pam Brown  Discover Mull
9th Fidden: a Wheatear, Bar tailed Godwit, juvenile Ravens, lots of Greylags and Pied and White Wagtail all over the place. Kevin Boothroyd-Alan Spellman
6th - 7th Sep - Aros Estuary  2 Bar-tailed Godwits, with 3 there at HT roost on latter date
6th - 7th Sep - Loch na Keal (Killiechronan) 2 Bar-tailed Godwits; 2 ad. WTSE nr camp site on 6th; Peregrine being chased by Oystercatcher nr Kellan on 6th; 20+ Mistle Thrushes nr camp site on 7th; party of 8 Siskins and 5 Bullfinches in woods above Killiechronan on 7th; 14 Kittiwakes roosting at burn mouth nr Ben More car park on 6th   Ruth Fleming, Stuart Gibson, Tom & Barbara Bettley
7th Salen Bay:A Whimbrel, also Wigeon here and a Great Northern Diver in the Sound. Arthur & Discover Mull
7th Loch na Keal: 4 newly arrived summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe, here to spend winter with us. Arthur Brown
3rd Ferry Oban-Craignure: up to 12 Manx Shearwater seen flyiong west. Alan, Tom & Barbara Bettley, Pam White.
2nd Lochdon: Sheila Weir reports an Osprey over Lochdon this morning.
2nd Dervaig: An Osprey flew over my house again around 9 am.It came from the direction of the tree's to our left and flew directly towards the house then turned and flew off towards Loch Cuin. Pam Brpwn
31st Aug Dervaig/Loch Cuin:3 groups of Crossbills in forest nr Standing Stones, totalling 27 birds - largest flock was of 21 individuals; 3 Little Grebes and single Greenshank at High Tide on Loch Cuin  Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
30th  Killiechronan:  15 Mistle Thrushes on dead tree opposite camp site  Stuart Gibson
29th Aug Tobermory: Peregrine viewed from service bus, approx. 2 miles E of Tobs at 09.35 hrs.  Stuart Gibson
28th Loch na Keal: 2 dark phase arctic skuas at the head of the loch na Keal in very wet & windy weather David and Felicity Pollard
27 August. Family of three woodcock took to the wing by Loch Uisg road, Loch Buie. July/August. House Martin successfully nested Laggan Lodge, Loch Buie. This a first.     Alastair Gossage

Latest reports for August 2009
30th Aros Estuary: first returning Wigeon (4 birds) and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits; Crossbill heard over plantation near Aros Castle
Loch na Keal:5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 75 Ringed Plovers and 7 Dunlin at High Tide near Killiechronan camp site; single late Common Sandpiper along south shore of loch and 24 Kittiwakes roosting and bathing at burn near car park for ascent of Ben More - Dhiseig.  Ruth Fleming, Stuart Gibson, Tom & Barbara Bettley

16th 2 Woodcock and 1 Tawny Owl near Kilbeg Cottage Glenforsa.  Sparrowhawk seen daily hunting around cottage and 28th Killbeg Cottage: 2 crossbill in conifer in garden of cottage .  Male Hen Harrier hunting during a dry spell on 23rd
17th - Family of spotted flycatcher on walk from Craignure to Torosay through forest.  Razorbill, Guillemot and 2 Black Guillemot close inshore near pump house at Duart.  Also excellent views of a whole family of lizards on corrigated sheets near pump house - very reliable place to go and see lizards as they were there each day we looked (If the sun was out)
22nd - 60+ dunlin came in to land along with 16+ ringed plovers in estuary opposite Aros Castle.  Also one  Sanderling 
23rd - 2 Golden Eagle and 2 Sea Eagle feeding on a sheep in a field opposite Pennyghael stores heading around loch just before turn off to Tirroran House. Sylvia Brennan 
24th - Single swift at Loch Buie flying over cottages also a  Dunlin here. Sylvia Brennan 
Otters - Salen Bay - single.  Craignure pier - 3 together one evening.  Tobermory - Single in bay. Sylvia Brennan 
Basking shark - 1 very close inshore at Craignure Pier at high tide one evening.
27th Glengorm Minke Whale seen when sea watching from Glengorm Castle  Sylvia Brennan 

27th Dervaig: An excited Pam Brown phoned to tell me that she had just watched an Osprey from her kitchen window, her first Osprey on Mull. Pam Brown Discover Mull Tours
25th Lochdon: two Osprey fishing successfully in the loch and feeding at the Gorsten end on a dead tree by the side of the loch which is used regularly. Rosie & Rod Salzman.(neighbours)
15th - 22nd :  1 immature white tailed eagle  over Glen Bellart, Tail was brown and the bird looked like a young immature. it was this years chick from Loch Frisa just over the ridge, birds not tagged this year. Peter Smith
16th - 1 corncrake!! - Was just walking down the road  (just above Killiemor on north side of Loch na Keal)  On view for about 30 seconds before it crossed the road and disappeared into bracken.  Peter Smith
17th - 1 adult white tailed eagle sitting on ridge of "A Mhaol" (460327) as viewed from the B8035 at about 4pm.  After about 15 mins took flight and was chased by 2 golden eagles for about 1 minute!  The white tailed eagle had a blue tag on its right wing, but none on the left wing.  Unfortunately I could not read the number. Peter Smith
19th - 1 Bonxie chased a Herring Gull and then carried on south past the North West end of Iona,  Peter Smith
22nd Ben Buie: 3 Ptarmigan just below the north summit of Ben Buie.  Fidden - Approx 20 Bar T Godwits,  several Greenshank amongst good numbers of Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher and a few Dunlin - Mike Wagemakers
12th Mishnish lochs: at least 10 Little Grebe on the loch including 2 juveniles. Andy Bayes
11th, adult Twite feeding young in the middle of the road under Gribun cliffs  Andy Bayes
3rd Uisken: 10 (pure bred) Rock Dove plus 4 Twite.
4th Kellan Mill: Golden Eagle - 2 adults together plus a Hen Harrier - 1 ringtail over Kellen Mill. Arctic Skua - 1 dark phase off Duart point
5th Loch na Keal: 25 Red breasted Merganser 
6th August: two golden eagles on the road to Loch Buie. Adan Hartley
6th Glen Aros: Hen Harrier  - 1ad male, Great Northern Diver - summer plumage adult at Laggan Bay 
Golden Eagle - 1 over hills above Laggan Bay. White tailed Eagle - adult over Kellen Mill in morning, another adult high over Torosay  heading towards Grasspoint, Salen Bay: Greenshank, Whimbrel 
7th August: basking shark at Grasspoint in the morning , Great Skua soaring high over Iona, Bay at the Back of the Ocean: ~20 ringed plover, ~10 dunlin, 1 turnstone. Good numbers of porpoises and dolphins in the Sound of Iona. AH
7th Loch na Keal: Red throated Diver - 1 ad summer, Laggan Bay Golden Eagle - 2 together over hills. Ian Hartley
1st highlights last week: 4 Peregrines hunting over Tobermory Bay. Basking shark on the sealife adventure tour plus manx shearwater guillemots, razorbills , gannets. Otter on 3 occasions in Tobermory harbour.Sea Eagles on loch Frisa, absolutely amazingplus a bonus of Golden Eagle.flock of Common Scoter from Calgary. Common Sandpiper at Dervaig, at Craignure: Common Tern, Black Guilleomot  plus White throat from train.  The Harber Family
8th Penmore: this afternoon I had a juv.Golden Eagle in my garden for over an hour..it sat on a large tree stump, preened itself, relieved itself (I have the evidence!), flew to another perch, back to the stump then swooped into my wild bit, then back to devour ts catch then away. 8.00p.m a White Tail flew low over the garden. Friday a Merlin and ...I kid you not, Wednesday a juv.Peregrine harassed my bird table for about 10 mins. Could it be my Chanel No.5 attracting them? or my surname?   Cheers,  Sylvia Swift
8th Balmeanach, Griburn:  Colin Moody saw a Swift here : Grasspoint Adam Hartley found a Whinchat: at Loch Assapol Bob Hastie found an early drake Golden Eye plus Yellowhammers, Adults and juveniles.
Whilst cleaning out a nest box today I discovered a second nest containging 3 eggs underneath the one that had been used successfully this year. ALan
Last week an injured juvenile Hobby was found at Glen Forsa, it was taken to 'wings over mull' but late died.
6th Grasspoint: Red throated Diver, 2 Porpoise and 1 Dolphin. Adam Hartley
5th Iona: Perigrine falcon, 6 Twite, 10 Rock Doves Andy Bayers
4th Grasspoint: Twite, female Hen Harrier and Arctic Skua out at sea from Grasspoint.  Adam Hartley
4th Grasspoint: a male Hen Harrier and 2 Short eared Owls. Jim & Linda Hurles 
3rd Loch Beg: Greenshank, 10 Golden Plover & 6 black bellied Dunlin Andy Bayers
3rd Laggan Bay: At least 5 Twite in a mixed Finch flock including Linnets, Greenfinch and Goldfinches Arthur Brown
3rd Loch Scridain: Common Scoter. 4 Porpoise at Grasspoint this evening. Adam Hartley
2nd Lochdon/Grasspoint road: 2 Greenshank in the bay above the bridge. Jenny Smith
2nd Glen Forsa: a male Hen Harrier Andy Bayers
2nd Grasspoint: 2 Knot there this evening. Adam Hartley
2nd Tobermory: juvenile peregrine screeching at its mum from tall spruce tree in our garden (Viewmount).  Very, very noisy - could hear it through double glazing! Last Saturday: whitethroats (possibly feeding young in brackeny area as there was a lot of noise and activity), Bloody Bay.  Sheila Barnard
1st Dervaig: 2 Black tailed Godwits, 6 Bar tailed Godwits, 8 Greenshank, 3 Dunlin, 4 Curlews and a Redshank at Dervaig this morning also 9 goosanders here. Arthur Brown
Latest reports for July 2009
30th Uisken road: Merlin - female near road from Bunessan to Uisken, plus 2 Raven. Iona: Corncrake - 3 rasping in fire station meadow  Jonathan lethbridge
30th Lochdon: an Osprey fishing (unsuccessfully) at Lochdon this afternoon  12.30pm Alan

27th Off Grasspointl: a drake Velvet Scoter here, also an Osprey passed over Lochdon.  David Woodhouse
26th Iona: 1 rasping Corncrake, in meadow beyond Fire Station, two separate flocks of Twite, totalling 28 birds  nr The Bay At The Back Of The Ocean and first returning Arctic waders of 'Autumn',a flock comprising 14 Dunlin, 12 Sanderling, 10 Ringed Plover and 4 Turnstone at The Bay At The Back Of The Ocean  - Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
23rd Croig: 1 Greenshank, 40 + Oystercatchers, 8 Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 60 Greylag Geese + 2 ads with four goslings, 29 'redhead' Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 ad ff Eiders with two ducklings, 14 Great Black-backed Gulls, first two fledged Common Gulls and pair of Buzzards with fledged juvenile over Quinish estate. 
21st Lunga: 1 Basking Shark,  Manx Shearwaters, 2 Great Skuas, 3 Snipe, 2 Twite, plus Common Blue, Grayling and Meadow Brown butterflies,  Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
21st Calliach Point: 3 basking sharks, Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 9 black guillemots, small group (3 - 5) linnets, gannets including quite a few juveniles, Scotch Argus butterfly, all at .  Felicity Hansen and Pam Brown
17th  Dervaig stones: First emerging Scotch Argus butterfly of the season noted today - Ruth Fleming\Stuart Gibson
15th & 16th: Dervaig standing stones: 12 Dark Green Fritillaries; also colonies of Grayling, Speckled Wood & Meadow Brown; Lempke's Gold Spot moth; Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest & Bullfinch - Ruth Fleming and Suart Gibson
15th:  2 immature Cuckoo's on our fence waiting to be fed by 1 meadow pipit  6:30 tuesday evening. Susan Hall
14th Loch Scridain 1 Common Scoter, 10 Razorbill, 30 Manx Shearwater, 5 RT Diver.Looking out towards Staffa 300+ Manx Shearwater, 2 Porpoise. Loch Assapol 1 RT Diver, 1 Mute Swan. Wild About Mull.  Bryan Rains
13th Beach:  up to 4 summer plumage Red-throated Diver present all week.
13th Uisken road 1 Quail calling briefly also Yellowhammer, Grey Wagtail and Twite. Loch Beg 3 Greenshank, 7 BH Gull, 5 LBB Gull amongst the 100+ gulls present at the moment, 2 Dunlin. Killunaig 30 Common Tern.  Bryan Rains 
12th Aros Park:  Ad. Spotted Flycatcher feeding fledged young near the lodge entrance.
10th Loch Tuath:  20 Graylings  along this coast; 10 Dark Green Fritillaries  Ruth Fleming/Stuart Gibson
12th Loch na Keal: a hunting pair of Merlin here today. Declan Visitor
12th Beach (Pannyghael) a pair of Black throated Diver in full summer plumage. Declan ?
11th   Raft of 50+ gannets off Tobermory lighthouse, and Great Skua. Seen from Kilchoan ferry. Felicity Hansen
10th Loch Frisa: A summer plumaged Black throated Diver on the loch last few days. 
10th Loch Frisa: One chick at Loch Frisa has died , it was retrieved from under the nest tree today. Appeared to 'fledge' a couple of weeks ago, very early at only 10.5 weeks (usual is 12 weeks). Looking at the nest today, quite a lot has fallen out too so perhaps the first chick went with it. It will be send it off for a PM, but the likely cause is an injury when it fell out and even though it may have survived a while it was never able to feed properly. It was never an option to go in close before today as a visit at this late stage could have caused more problems and perhaps caused the second chick to fly before it was ready. 
The second chick did fledge normally this week and is now down by the lochside in the usual place with the adults bringing in food. It is very sad that one chick has died but one chick and the adults are still very visible and it is still well worth visiting the hide this summer.  Dave Sexton RSPB Officer
10th Tobermory:  July: Good close sightings of male Blackcap, Prison Brae Tobermory.  Felicity Hansen
8th Tobermory Golf course: Peregrine falcon at Tobermory golf course  Helen and Iain King
9thLoch Buie: 2 Red throated Diver close-in and calling. Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
9th Glen More: a flock of 30 Crossbills in the Glen. Pete Hall   
9th Salen Killiechronan: a pair of Bullfinch here today. Alan
3rd Dervaig:  Sparrowhawk - male, Greenshank - 2 feeding on Loch Cuin (if this is the same Greenshank we had in the winter, I hope it means they stayed and bred) Irene Boston 
5th Greenshank Loch Beg, Quail still calling at Ardalanish and 3 RT Divers out in the bay.  Mike Wagemakers
5th Duart: Female Hen Harrier hunting at Duart Bay; pr Oystercatchers with 2 fully-grown juvs, Duart Bay; 2 prs Grey Wagtail, Torosay; 8 ads + 8 juv Greylag Geese, Sound of Mull; 4 Common Terns, Sound of Mull; 3 singing Blackcaps, Torosay; ad. Spotted Flycatcher hawking insects, Torosay Castle and singing male at (Craignure) entrance to woodland walk; and juv. Redstart, Torosay Castle.Ruth Fleming and Stuart Gibson
5th Glen Seilisdeir:  20 Common Crossbill (mainly males). Ardalanish 1 Quail still calling.Bryan Rains
2nd Ardalanish: Quail calling from the fields to the left of the track that leads  to the beach. Bob Hastie
(and welcome to Mull, hope this is the first of many rerports we shall receive from you)
2 July, 10 Swifts flew south over Treshnish Point, Prasad
1st Loch Buie :Great Northern Diver in cracking summer plumage in the bay (one of the highlights of the week!).  have been there for the previous couple of days. Also 2 Red-throated Diver  in bay Irene Boston 
1 July  Quail calling near to track down to Ardalanish Beach – Carol Marshall, Norma Dowling and Bev Maidment. & Steve Young  Also a Sand Martin colony at the east end of the beach near the stile. ,


Latest reports for September 2008
30th  Tobermory, Sgriob Ruadh  - 6 Rooks  Shaun Mccullagh
30th Loch Spelve: 45 Eider duck by the fish farm, Juvenile Wheatear still hanging around. Alan
28th Reudle: 1 Immature Peregrine & 1 Wheatear, Dervaig garden - 1 Willow Warbler
27th Lochdon: 4 Juvenile Whooper Swans have arrived overnight. Alan
25th Lochdon: 50+ Wigeon arrived overnight to spend winter here. Alan Spellman
25th Bowmans field by 'Craignure' Golf course. 17 Canada geese with Greylags. Alan
22nd Caliach Point: 60 Brent Geese flying south   at Killiechronan Camp site, Black throated Diver visitor Brian Anderson & Alan Spellman
19th Killiechronan: a female Gadwall present this morning. Arthur Brown. Discover Mull Tours
17th Lochdon: An Osprey over Lochdon this morning. Alan Spellman 
16th Aros :2 Bar tailed Godwit, On Loch na Keal a single Slavonian Grebe in eclipse plumage. Arthur Brown
15th Craignure Golf course: Little Tern. We had one hovering close in at the lay by just past Craignure golf course. Dennis Morrison
15th Bunesssan: 2 Common Swft seen by Bryan Rains Wild about Mull Tours
15th Treshnish: Just now (Monday) had a Swift fly by my house at Treshnish, Anand Prasad
14th Knock Fish Farm: Iceland Gull at Knock Fish Hatchery Outfall.  Perhaps the same one as last year returning for another winter of rich pickings.  Also large numbers of Mallard, Black-headed, Common and Herring Gulls, 2 Greater Black-backs and a few Teal. Shaun Mccullagh
11th Sept Loch Beg 3 Goosander, 1 Greenshank, 4 Turnstone, 4 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe. 
11th Craignure Golf Course: up to 32 Canada Geese in fields with Greylags. Alan/Kevin Boothroyd
11th Caliach Point: 30+ Pied Wagtail, amongs them 2 White Wagtail. Alan/Kevin Boothroyd
9th  Loch Scridain 5 Black Guillemot, 2 WT Eagle hunting the Gannets. Bryan Rains Wild about Mull Tours
9th Fidden: 1 single White Wagtail, Skylarks and Twite, 150 Greylags Kevin Boothroyde/Alan Spellman
7th Loch Harrison by Loch Assapol)  1 Whooper Swan, 3 Tufted Duck. Fidden 1 Peregrine.
Northern Bottlenose Whale. Loch Scridain 9th Sept 2008Two Northern Bottlenosed Whales in Loch Scridain 9th September 2008
Northern Bottlenose Whales by Chris and June Banks

8th Loch Scridain:  A very Rare sighting of two Northern Bottlenose Whales. very close inshore, just south past the Kinloch Hotel, Loch Scridain. Normally a deep water Whale from the Arctic and they can stay under for up an hour.  Kindly reported by Chris and June Banks  visitors from Dronfield in Derbyshire. 

9th Loch na Keal: 5 Velvet Scoter on the loch today. Alan Heeley (visitor)
7th Lochdon: 50+ Ringed Plover plus a few Dunlin on the mudflats. 2 male Hen Harrier. Kevin Boothroyd
4th Tobermory: Approx 120 Brent geese flew over tob bay nw-se this pm. Jenny Reddaway
2nd Sept Loch Beg 2 Little Grebe, 1 juv Hen Harrier, 4 Turnstone, 4 Greenshank, 1 Northern Wheatear. Beach 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Black Guillemot, 200 Eider. Ardchrishnish 4 Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Uisken
1 Northern Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail, 3 Yellowhammer. Fidden 1 fem Sparrowhawk. Young Adders are delighting the guests and they are out in good numbers at the moment. Wild About Mull. Bryan Rains
2nd Loch Frisa: Chris Griffin reports a Hobby briefly at Loch Frisa yesterday. It flew up with one of the Frisa juvs and 2 peregrines. went off towards Dervaig.
2nd Lochdon: an Osprey flew over Lochdon today at 1550hrs. Alan Spellman


Latest reports for August 2008
30th Loch Frisa: The Osprey still hanging around the loch having spent most of the summer in the area
29th Craignure: a Magpie was heard but not seen this evening. John suckley from Bradford.
28th Kingfisher Salen Bay, mid afternoon, flying past the view point towards the fishing boats. MW
27th  5 Teal - North shore Loch na Keal  Mike Wagemakers
27th 300+ Greylag Geese at Killiechronan 50 more at various spots, 6 dunlin flew over Aros Bay, 20 Ringed Plover at killiechronan with 10 Redshank. Ring Tailed Hen Harrier at Lagganulva and Linnets and Meadow Pipits here in good numbers. A  Whinbrel flew over Salen calling and the dipper are back at Aros Bridge 
Great Skua seen regularly at Cailaich this week. Arthur and Pam Brown
25th Loch Scridain 1 dark phase Arctic Skua, 20 Common Tern, 30 Kittiwake, 100 Manx Shearwater, 1 Balearic Shearwater. Bryan Rains
24th Loch Beg 4 Turnstone. Uisken 40 Manx Shearwater, 1 Basking Shark. Fidden 10 Twite, 1 Tree Pipit in a field looking a bit lost! Wild About Mull.
20th Aug Uisken 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Yellowhammer. Loch Scridain 20 Manx Shearwater, 3 Porpoise, 1 Minke Whale. Loch Beg 50 Redshank, 40 Dunlin, 50 Golden Plover, 6 Sanderling, 1 Greenshank, 1 Knot, 15 Turnstone. Wild About Mull.
19th Aug Loch Beg 2 Little Grebe. Loch Scridain 11 Red-throated Diver,2 Guillemot, 30 Common Tern. Fidden 3 Whinchat, 8 Ringed Plover. Bryan Rains
21st Loch Frisa: an Osprey flew over Loch Frisa. Caroline Davies 
18th Loch Cuin: 12 dunlin & 2 Greenshank on Loch Cuin. Pam Brown
14th Lochdon: The Nuthatch was seen again this morning in Phil McDermotts garden at "Twlelve Oaks"
Phil also reports a Turtle Dove in the garden earlier in May. AS
13th Craignure: The Nuthatch has again been seen in Pete Hall's garden this morning, it was seen here in June. Presuming it to be the same bird, it was first seen at Calgary in April and was the first ever record for Mull and then in Dervaig a few days later. 
11th Killiechronan: a summer plumaged Black tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and Redshank. Arthur Brown
8th  Bunessan: a Rose Coloured Starling at Mill Bray, just N of Bunessan village, has been feeding in a local garden since 4th. Jack Degnan. Alan Spellman. Bryan Rains, Andy & Diana Oldacre
4th Loch Assapol:  1 Whooper Swan, 2 Tufted Duck.
5th Fidden : 10 Dunlin, 4 Twite. Uisken 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Basking Shark.
6th Uisken 4 Basking Shark. Bunessan 4 Black Guillemot, 200 Manxies offshore. Loch Beg 4 Greenshank. Loch Scridain 6 Goosander. Wild About Mull Bryan Rains
4th Killiechronan: Richard Atkinson reports a male Pied Flycatcher on the wires at Killiechronan
3rd Bunessan: a Turtle Dove photographed in a local garden a mile outside Bunessan. Pauline Reid.
3rd Lochdon: An Osprey fishing in the loch. Dokie Bennettt
3rd  Fidden 24 Dunlin, 70 Greylag Goose, 6 Canada Goose. Loch Beg 60 Golden Plover, 1 Hen Harrier, SE Owl, 4 Greenshank. Glen More 1 juv Sparrowhawk. Lots of Lesser Redpoll in various places showing well.Also had 8 Basking Shark and 6 Bottle-nosed Dolphin today! Wild About Mull. Bryan Rains
2nd  Loch Beg 1 Knot, 16 Dunlin, 70 Golden Plover. Killunaig 6 Goosander (1 fem, 5 juv). Fidden 70 Greylag Goose, 6 Canada Goose. Bryan Rains Wild about Mull Tours
1st Lagganulva: A single Common Swift seen here. Alao at Caliiach Point:  50+ Manx Shearwaters in a 30 minute sea watch. Red Throted Divers and lots of Black Guillemots. Finally Kestrels with young at several spots on the tour at the moment. Arthur Discover Mull Tours.

 Latest reports for July 2008
30th Dervaig by the sub station. At 0800hrs, a Rose Coloured Starling  Pam & Arthur Brown
31st Dervaig: There was a male Rose coloured starling feeding on the side of the road at Dervaig on the 28/08/08 at 11:00hrs. Regards Maurice Webber 
10th Croggan: A Jack Snipe was flushed from the roadside at Croggan on two occasions. Andrew Carey
25th Salen Bay:  Sandwich Tern sheltering on island in Salen Bay - Mike Wagemakers
24th A juvenile cuckoo sitting on a fence post, we watched it for some time whilst a Meadow Pipit come to feed it, sometimes when it brought food it sat on the cuckoo’s back and the cuckoo turned it’s head to take the food – amazing.  Pam Brown & Discover Mull tour
23rd Pete Hall Craignure reports the return of the Nuthatch to his garden feeder this morning. Pete Hall
21st Lochdon: An Osprey attempting to fish , being harassed by Sea Gulls. Alan, Jean and John Burnham
1st-14th: Excellent sightings of Hen Harrier at- road to Ardmore, Loch  Beg, Glen Seilisder (Gribun end), Carsaig, Ardalanish, Ardtun  they're doing well very well tjhis year. Ulva female Merlin & Griburn Rocks a Peregrine, also Short eared owl at Loch Beg area.   Twite - Balmeanach farm (Gribun)  Dark Green fritilary butterfly (Ardtun) 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 7 Golden Plover, 20 Dunlin amongst the usual L Beg evening wader roost on 10th July Alex Carlisle
15th  A pair of Arctic Skua South West Iona Morven Petrie & Joyce Watson
16th Balmeanach Camp site: Nightjar heard churring last night . Alex MacFadyen
15th Lochdon: 2 Greenshank, 2 Bar tailed Godwit, Looks like there are a few birds on the move at last.
15th Calgary Bay:  2 Red Throated Divers in the bay. and 2 adult Shelducks with 9 well grown ducklings AB
15th Garmony: Family of Greylags with 6 large Goslings in tow, also 2 Canada Geese. Alan 
11th Loch Tuath: 3 Red Throated Divers together on Loch Tuath. Arthur Brown  Discover Mull Tours
8th  Loch Beg 3 Greenshank, 2 Dunlin, 12 Golden Plover, 10 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 3 Red-breasted Merganser. Bunessan 1 juv Whinchat, 3 Stonechat. Loch Scridain 4 Red-throated Diver.  Bryan Rains 
7th Fidden 1 juv Twite, 6 Skylark dust bathing, 1 fem Hen Harrier. Uisken 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Twite, 6 Linnet. Bunessan 1 Whimbrel. Loch Scridain 70 Kittiwake, 3 Puffin, 100+ Razorbill, 3 Guillemot, 30 Eider.
3rd a Short eared owl chase away a Hen harrier, the harrier was then chased by a Lapwing, across the loch north of Aird of Kinloch. 6th Saw a Hen harrier chase a Kestrel at Ardtun. Colin Moody
4th  evening,an Osprey was back over Lochdon. Seen by Len & Pam White, Diana & Andy OldacreI.
4th  saw 2 Swifts flying west over Haunn, Treshnish Point, Anand Prasad
3rd Loch Beg:  6 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 1 Short-eared Owl. Loch Scridain 4 drake Common Scoter still present, 1 Red-throated Diver. Beach 25 Swift, 2 Sparrowhawk. Ardalanish 1 Basking
Shark, 1 Red-throated Diver. Wild About Mull. Bryan Rains   
1st July: Loch Scridain 4 Common Scoter. 70 Siskin, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Golden Plover and 4 Dunlin 2   Black-headed Gull Loch Beg. 1 Common Tern, 1 Black Guillemot, 30 Manx Shearwater,150 Kittiwake, 5 Cormorant Bunessan. 6 Linnet, 2 Snipe Fidden. Bryan Rains

Latest reports for September 2007
28th Lochdon: "........regularly had two 'Marsh Tits' on our bird feeders since July.  The birds were still there yesterday.   Sue Dewar 
(a photo is required to confirm Marsh or Willow but either would  be a first record for Mull)
27th Tobermory: It has been an amazing day up here at Tobs for geese!  On a faily frequent basis since about 8am we've had flocks of graylags, usually in skeins of between 17 and 25 birds flying in from the north.  At 4.00pm circa 150 Pale bellied Brent geese flew in from the north-west.  landing on Calve island and Bay.  Jenny Reddaway.
27th Loch na Keal: Slavonian Grebe  adult and two juvenile also juv Black Guillemot and a Black throated Diver. Alan Spellman
26th OBAN: First returning (2) w/p Black Guillemots back in Oban Bay today, after ca. 6 week absence for post-breeding moult. Stuart Gibson
25th Fidden - 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Northern Wheatear, 60 Skylark.  Bryan Rains, 
25th  N. Connel-Loch Etive,  12 Whooper Swans (all adults) that have been on Loch Etive, opposite Achnaba, today. Graham Brennan, Stuart Gibson
25th Finnphort:  100+ Barnacle Geese over Fionnphort, heading south-east, lunchtime - our first sighting of  returning birds this year.  Mike Wagemakers
20th Killiechronan:  200+ Greylags plus a single  Black tailed Godwit.  K Boothroyd/Alan Spellman
19th Loch Beg : 6 Greenshank, 1 Turnstone. At Fidden 5 White Wagtails with Pied plus Skylarks and 8 Twite. Kevin Boothroyd/Alan Spellman
19th Loch Pottie: Juvenile Moorhen, in reed beds North West Corner (this may be a first breeding record for Mull) - Mike Wagemakers
8th-15th Grasspoint 6 Twite, 9th Pale bellied Brent at Garmony, Slavonian Gebe Loch na Keal. Merlin hunting Meadow Pipits along Loch na Keal and at Dhiseig. 12th Leaches Petrel off Tobermory, Red throateed Diver with Juvenile at Loch Spelve, a juvenile Black Tern at Ulva Ferrry & 5 Pink footed Geese flew south over Craignure (15th) Andrew Gouldstone, Area Conservation Manager, RSPB 
17th OBAN: Aduilt. Ring billed Gull at roost on George Street foreshore, Stuart Gibson
17th Lochdon: 2 Whooper Swans & up to 4 Goosander with juveniles. Discover Mull
4th Glengorm: Goshawk 4th Sept Road between Glengorm Castle Road where it forks to the Dervaig road 
5th Loch Frisa: an Osprey at the Farm ( not fish farm ) end of Loch Frisa 
7th Loch Ba: an Osprey at the head of Loch Ba  in the trees before the House that sits on the Loch 
14th Salen Bay: An Arctic Skua and a 'rare' juvenile Little Tern  Pam &Arthur Brown. Discover Mull 
12th OBAN: The adult (or 4th W. if still the same bird as originally seen in Spring 2005) Ring billed Gull gave superb, close-up views (down to only 3 metres !) on the George Street foreshore, 
10th Lochdon-Grasspoint. female Hen harrrier with young on the south side. David & Felicity Pollard
10th Burgh:8 Buzzards circling over the house at Burgh. David & Felicity Pollard 
5th-6th Lochdon 5 Wigeon, Loch na Keal Black throated diver, 60+ Meadow Pipits at Grasspoint , Willow Warbler at Grasspoint. Michael Richardson
7th Griburn road by Loch na Keal: our spot of the week was a Goshawk  It flew across the road from the shore to the hillside in front of the car. We followed it as it flew along the hillside chasing small birds  Gordon and Sylvia Crawshaw 
8th Lochdon: An Osprey at Lochdon this morning briefly and then flew south. Charlie Weir
6th Sept - Uisken 2 Whitethroat  Bryan Rains
4th Aros Park:  a Kinfisher was spotted here  Visitor pp Jenny Reddaway
4th Sept - Killunaig 1 Turnstone, Loch Scridian 1 RT Diver (sum pl).
4th  Aros Castle: 3 Widgeon at Aros castle today my first this autumn.
2nd Calliach Point: 60 Manx Shearwater through Cailiach Point in 15 Minutes. Arthur Brown
3rd Sept - Loch Scridian 1 BT Diver (sum pl), Loch Beg 1 Hen Harrier, Fidden 6 Twite.
2nd Sept - Loch Beg 1 Hen Harrier.
1st Sept - Loch Beg 1 Knot (sum pl).Bryan Rains

Latest reports for August 2007
26th Lochdon bridge poo:l  a Kingfisher by the bridge on the grasspoint road, and a second bird was at Aros 28th.  Peter Hall, Andy & Diana Oldacre & visitors Mr & Mrs No Name
9th to present Loch Beg 1 Black throated Diver and 1 juv Black Guillemot. Also up to 6 Crossbills seen in trees behind the shop. Barn Owl has been seen or heard most evenings this month.
The Golden Plover flock has been between 70 and 100 birds most of the month. 6 Greenshank all month. Up to 3 Turnstone during the month. 14th Loch Beg 1 Swift. 17th to present Loch Beg 1 Knot. 24th Fionnphort 2 Bar-tailed Godwit. Bryan Rains
23rd Pennyghael had c130 Golden Plover, along with a solitary Turnstone, as well as about 10 each of Redshanks, Greenshanks, Ringed Plover. Finniphort ? had c200 Shags, which impressed me. Sam Forest
23rd Oban foreshore: a  Ring billed Gull was on the George Street foreshore this evening  Stuart Gibson.
18th Tobermory:  A Black Redstart was spotted in Tobermory in the Ledaig car park area. this is only the third record for Mull.   Vaughan Evans
17th Loch Cuin:  3 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, Shaun Mccullagh.
5th Oban-Craignure Ferry 50+ Manx Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua (dark phase) and 1 Storm Petrel
9th Ulva, House Martin/Swallow Hybrid just behind café. Dr Martin Fowlie
19th Kilfinichan Bay: up to 8 Common Scoter in the Bay David Stafford.
15th Loch Tuath: a  very scarce Velvet Scoter drake seen very close in shore by David Stafford
20th am  'Erraid Estuary', Fidden  - 2 Juvenile Knot  East of Erraid Log Pile - Carol Marshall
8th Glengorm Castle:  sea watching at Dun Ara close to Glengorm Castle .I was watching a gannet fishing just off the shore when  a Great Skua briefly attacked the gannet before flying out to sea. 
 9th Caliach Point: about a mile inland from Caliach Point a peregrine falcon flew over us. Trevor Walker
14th Griburn Rocks area: a 'probable' Goshawk Arthur Brown  Discover Mull Tours
13th Loch Buuie:3 WTSE at Gull Point ( south side) Lochbuie Bay. I adult plus two juveniles. Alastair Gossage
10th Oban:31Swifts feedingover Oban at 21.00 hrs Stuart Gibson
9th Oban: 4 Swifts feeding over Campbell Crescent/Oban High school Stuart Gibson
9th Griburn: 5 Twite at Gribun on 8th also saw the B.T. Dive. Arthur Brown
Arctic Skua (dark phase) seen daily on Loch Scridain chasing the CommonTerns. Bryan Rains
8th Aug - 2 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Black-throated Diver and 30+ Golden Plover on Loch Beg.
6th Aug - 1 Peregrine, 1 Sanderling at Fidden. 2 Great Northern Diver at Uisken. Bryan Rains
Wild about Mull tours.
6th  Loch Na Keal: 4 Whimbrel on the south shore, also a Red Throated Diver the Usual Gannets Kittirwakes and guillemots and a black guillemot.  Arthur Brown  Discover Mull Tours
5th Aug - 2 RT Diver on Loch Scridain. 1 Sanderling at Fidden.
2nd  - Probable Goshawk gliding from Quinish Woods south across Loch Cuin.Shaun Mccullagh.
1st August - 3 Peregrine and 1 Hen Harrier at Loch Pottie.
6th July: late report of a Nightjar at Dervaig by the Heritage Centre. P A Robinson


Latest reports for July 2007
White tailes Sea Eagles tags for this year are white with black lettering and there are 8 chicks on Mull. 6 have been tagged with lettters A E G L M P and two will not be tagged. Dave Sexton
28th   Loch Pottie :8pm - Pair Arctic Skua, one light morph, one dark morph over Loch Pottie heading towards Fidden - Carol Marshall
27th Loch Beg: Arthur Brown reports a single Sanderling here (rarely seen at this site)
20th Loch Buie: Red throated Dive, 2 pairs in bay at Lochbuie, pair of Canada Goose: pair at Garmony, 
Peregrine: 1 at Lochbuie, Dunlin: small group at Grasspoint, Greenshank: 1 Dervaig 18/7, 1 Garmony 20/7.Bonxie: group of 3 buzzed Staffa querulously 17/7; 1 off Grasspoint 16/7.
briefly glimpsed in Dervaig reedbed 18/7 appeared to be Reed Warblers, but no song and they never re-appeared to provide a decent view.  Sedge Warbler at Garmony, Redpoll: Garmony, and in trees beyond carpark at Grasspoint, 20/7               Anthony Cheke
July 2 to July 5.  Short-eared Owl, July 2:  fence post at the side of the road in Glen More, Merlin, July 3:  adult male, Fionnphort, Twite, July 3:  Iona, near Sligneach, Hen Harrier, July 3:  adult male, between Fionnphort and Achaban House. Golden Eagle, July 4:  Killiechronan, also the Loch Scridain.
Manx Shearwater, Gannets July 5:  ferry from Craignure to Oban.       Mark Kulstad
22nd Loch Beg - 72 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover(juv), 6 Greenshank, 24 Lapwing and 8 Dunlin(3 juv). Bryan Rains 
20th  Family of Peregrine 2 Adults and 2 Juvenile - Gribun;  Black Guillemot, Red Throated Diver - Loch na Keal  Mike Wagemakers
records from visitor John Beal : Already showing signs of wader movements with 14th, 1 Greenshank Lochdon, 13th  1 peregrine Bameanach, 14th male Wigeon Dervaig, male hen harrier Glengorm, 15th 2 twite Staffa, 1 red grouse near Eas Fors( in grassy woodland, not on moors) and 16th 9 Swifts between  Lismore and Craignure.
19th Loch Scridain - 5 Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Puffin,1 Black Guillemot, 40+ Common Tern. Loch Beg - 4 Greenshank, 15 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Black-headed Gull. Fidden - 3 Dunlin (juv), 4 Black-headed Gull.  Bryan Rains
17th Fidden: Greenshank Fidden pm today -  Carol Marshall
15th Fidden - 2 Great Skua, 1 Dunlin and 1 Corncrake heard. Loch Beg - 1 Greenshank, 3 RB Merganser, 1 Peregrine. Loch Scridain - 1 Puffin, 3 Manx Shearwater, 40 Common Tern, 1 Black Guillemot. Bryan Rains
15th Loch Scridain:  Pair Red Throated Diver Mussel Farm, ; 8 Crossbills from forest track bridge Gleann Seilisdeir. Michael Wagemakers
13th Garmony: 100+ Arctic Terns, 20 Turnstone, Ring Plover with 3 chicks. Alan Spellman
13th Loch Beg:  3 Greenshank on Loch Beg and 1 Great Skua on Loch Scridain.  Bryan Rains
11th Loch Scridain: .c100 Manx Shearwater, 1 Black Guillemot, 1Red-throated Diver  Bryan Rains
10th Balmeanach Camp site. A Nightjar heard and seen over last couple of nights, very clearly seen at Garmony picnic area early this evening having been disturbed (1640hrs) Tony & Sylvia Holmes.
7th Loch Cuin Dervaig: 13 immature Goosanders on north shore of Loch Cuin.Shaun Mccullagh
Corncrakes on Iona: one of 17 calling males on 14/6 and one of 27 calling males on 23/6. Total figures will be worked out in due course. 
Mull records appear to be 7 calling males, at Kintra,  Fionnphort,  Knockvolagan,  Fidden.  Staffa. and Treshnish (2)
9th Tobermory: Jenny Reddaway reports two Tree Sparrows in her garden. Jenny Reddaway
9th Salen Bay:an Osprey over salen Bay now, heading to L n Keal.Later seen at Loch Frisa.  Dave Sexton
9th oban bay: For the past four weeks, up to 40 Arctic and Common Terns have been opportunistically feeding on the large shoals of  fish ('fry') that are present this Summer in Oban harbour. Stuart Gibson
Pair Shelduck with youngster at Fidden,  Pair Canada Geese and single youngster Loch Pottie - Carol Marshall
6th  Lochaline: Off Mull but a suspected hobby just north of Lochaline .pp Dave Sexton
4th Balmeanach camp site: a Hobby hunting insects at the back of Balmanach camp site also 2 woodcock over same area that evening other birders on site had a  female merlin at Gamony Point same day
David and Lorraine Marsden
6th Quinnish Estate: a Nightjar heard one morning last week at about 4am whilst out with the dog.  same area as last year (Quinish eatate) at about this time.  Suggests possible breeding.  Nick Reed 
8 Barn Owl chicks from 2 nests were ringed by Sue Dewar a few days ago, one near Croig and one near Calgary. 
2nd July, Oystercather with her chick very visible on little grassy Island off Ardtun road. Female Hen Harrier getting an aerial bombardment by Lapwings on old peat moor behind house.     Callum Entwistle
1st July, Pair of Tufted Duck and Great Northern Diver in Bunessan Bay. Callum Entwistle, 


Latest Reports for September 2006
30th Lochdon : 5 Greenshank feeding on the loch shores at 3 pm in the afternoon. Alan Spellman
30th Lochdon : 5 Whoopers on the loch this morning Alan
28th Lochdon: 3 Whooper Swans flew in this evening at 17630.hrs Alan Spelllman
27th Kintra : a Water Rail by her garden pond, near Kintra, heard calling in the night and seen at close range from her kitchen window, possible injured wing.  Seen briefly by myself. Elvyn Blomfield, Mike Wagemakers
25th  Ulva Ferry :    Single Spotted  Flycatcher.   Pair of Black Throated Divers,  6 Dunlin,  10 Oyster Catchers and a single Long Tailed Duck in Calgary Bay.    4 Little Grebe at Dervaig.     One White Tailed Eagle (adult) flying overhead on the back road from Dervaig to Salen         Kevin Lock and Paul Harwood        Nottingham
23rd  Loch Spelve 14 Turnstone on the shore of Loch Spelve (near Ardnachoil farm)   Pair of Hen Harriers (Male and Female) in Glen More 10.40 am
23rd  Grasspoint : Ringtail Hen Harrier, near bridge on road down to Grasspoint. 4 Golden Eagles: all Adults. Two at West end of Loch Spelve and two at Glenmore, displaying!  Trevor Donaldson et al, Aberdeen  Bird Club group
 Loch Beg :We had an unusual wader at Loch Scridain, turned out to be Eclipse plumage Sanderling, associating with two Dunlin, one Knot ( winter) and a Golden Plover. Trevor Donaldson et al, Aberdeen  Bird Club group
26th Killiechronan campsite:   1st Little Gull of the autumn at Killiechronan campsite today .  Arthur with tour
25th Cagary Bay :  a juvenile Sanderling with 4  Dunlin at Calgary Bay,  Anand Prasad
18th Sept – Merlin, Fellonmore.  19th Sept – 2 Sooty Shearwater, Loch Scridain – 1 Little Grebe, Loch Beg
20th Sept 3 Pale-bellied Brent, Fidden        Bryan Rains & Joy Hardy
23rd Lochdon : at 1900hrs 30 Turnstone, 75 Golden Plover, 97 Whimbrel, 20 Dunlin, 30 Bar tailed Godwit,
35 Oystercatcher. Alan Spellman
22nd Laggan Ulva. a single Brent goose. Arthur Brown Discover Mull Tours
21st Lochdon at high tide 1900hrs. 115 Whimbrel, 8 Redshank, 4 Bar tailed Godwit, 20 Golden Plover, 50+ Wigeon. Alan
17th  Glen More :Possible juvenile Goshawk in Glen More opposite the quarry, Buzzard size but like Sparrowhawk, did not hover but held on wind when not circling kept diving short and fast darts to ground before rising again. Arthur Brown
16th Salen : male blackcap in my Salen garden yesterday  David Sexton RSPB Officer
16th Killiechronan :   I Got my Black Tailed Godwits at Killiechronan in a small bay to the left of where we were this morning. A little later both birds, there was 2 of them, flew off showing white wing bars and black tail.  Arthur and Pam
16th Caliach Point : 50 Twite and a single White Wagtail amongst a few Pied Wagtails. Pat & Bob Stone & Alan
12th Fidden : 3 White Wagtails with up to 50 Pied Wagtails on the shore near Farm. Also Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Twite all busy feeeding in the field and on the  shore line.  A Merlin flew past. Alan Spellman & Kevin Boothroyd
12th Loch Beg  : 5 Greenshanks were presant opposite the Kinloch Hotel, plus Redshank, and Golden Plover. Kevin B
11th by Ulva Ferry. Flock of 30 Eider by fish farm. David & Felicity Pollard
11th Lagganulva: 2 Black throated Divers, Dipper on aros river, 120 Greylag Geese put up by WTSE great noise and spectacle off Killiechronan campsite, also there 60+ Ringed Plover at high tide. Arthur Brown.
10th Loch Beg : 2 Knot g, 2 Red throated Divers and a Great Skua Loch Scridain also my 1st Teal of the autumn on the 8th. Great Golden Eagle everywhere at the moment a lot of them juveniles.   Arthur Brown.
7th Carsaig. Nuns Cave. flock of 16 Twite on shore. David & Flicity Pollard.
10th Lochdon at high tide, (20.30hrs) I counted 136 Whimbrel and 23 Bar tailed Godwit, plus a few Dunlin. Alan
10th Killiechronan. 8 Black tailed Godwits in field . Alan Spellman
9th Lochdon. : at high tide on a small spit of land.(0900hrs) 34 Whimbrel, 37 Golden Plover, 20 Bar tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and 4 Wigeon plus 6 Herons.       Alan Spellman
8th Killiechronan.1900hrs 15  Black tailed Gowits in field counted.  Alan Spellman
7th Lochdon :  Osprey over Lochdon this morning 08.20 hrs. Andy Oldacre
6th Grasspoint : 2 Red throated Divers - Osprey - Mussle Farm  Loch Spelvie - Redwing - Loch Spelvie. Jan & Pete Hall
6h Killiechronan. 189 Greylag Geese in fields (no tags) plus 25 Black tailed Godwit in partial summer plumage. By the Camp site were 37 Ringed Plover and a single juvenile  Knot.  Alan Spellman
5th Fidden : 100+ Meadow Pipits feeding on the shore near the farm.20 Pied Wagtails and juveniles alos 4 Alba race Wagtails. 16 migrating Dunlin on shore and 120 Greylags in fields. Alan Spellman.
5th Lochdon: Bar tailed Godwits and an Osprey also  Crossbill at Garmony.   David & Felicity Pollard
4th Calgary Bay:  best bird was one Great Skua flying into Calgary Bay also one Basking Shark in  Bay.Anand Prasad
3rd Aros Bay:  2 Black throated Diver & Bar tailed Godwit in the bay. Arthur Brown  Discover Mull Tours
1st Loch Beg: 80+ Golden Plover plus Ringed Plover, Redshank and Greenshank. Pam & Arthur Brown

Latest reports for August 2006
30th Treshnish Point.  one Great Skua at Treshnish Point and about 6 Common Scoter flying around the Point. Anand Prasad
30th  Black  throated Diver at Dhisaig on Loch Na Keal   Also Slavonian Grebe by outfall from hatchery at knock Arthur & Pam
23rd Cailiach point. 8 Arctic Skua were seen off the point today.  Anad Prasad
21st Loch na Keal. A Slavonian grebe  from the boathouse also a Great Skua at Croig and 20 Kittiewakes at Lagganulva. Yesterday 20th 150 Golden Plover Loch Beg  Arthur & Pam Brown
5th-12th Loch Scridain. Great Northern Diver (2nd summer) between Pennycross and Killunaig.
Oban-Mull ferry crossing. c 200 Manx Shearwater   5th Aug,
9th Loch na Keal Arctic Skua - single dark phase adult  plus 3 adults on Loch Scridain opposite Killunaig (1 dark , 2 light) and one there on 12th Aug.
8th & 11th Loch Scridain/Loch Beg opposite the hotel at NM5328, single Greenshank
10th Killunaig. a single Merlin - 1 fem/juv and Hen Harrier Ad male on 6th and 9th  Loch Don
11th over Killunaig. Red Kite - (blue wing tags) comes from the Black Isles population: 1 was seen over Killunaig 18:30h, heading slowly west.
6th Grasspoint: 2 Twite, flock of 40 Siskin at  Killunaig on 11th Aug .   flock of 50+ Rock Doves on Iona (8th)  Ian Hartley
16th Ross of Mull 'Ormsaig'  a Merlin from the window of the bungalow. Tony Jeffree
10th August, 5 Wheatear near to Fionnphort, 11th, Actic Skua in the Sound of Mull. Martin Izzard
Canada goose was confirmed breeding this year on Mull at Garmony/Scallastle. At least one pair. Brood of at least 3 seen.  Dave Sexton
10th Loch Beg. 30 Golden Plover along with 6 Dunlin flew into Loch Beg Arthur Brown
9th Oban Ferry. 200 Arctic Terns around Ladyrock, also 5 Gannets.3 Shearwaters.  Alan
8th Oban Ferry. 3 Manx Shearwater, 1, Black Guillemot, 4 Little Tern,  Diana & Andy Oldacre/Pam Brown. also a Little Gull briefly at Lochdon. (circa 12.00hrs) Alan
6th Loch na Keal. Black throated Diver in summer plumage, Pam Brown. 17 Whimbrel, Gannet, .Black Guillemot, 100+ Greylag, Eider.  Alan
5th Croig. a single Goldeneye, this is very early for this 'winter species' Arthur Brown
2nd. Ben Buie.  a covey of eight ptarmigan, in summer plummage, just below the summit of Ben Buie, put up by the dog below us. Also Sea Eagle across Loch Buie.    Alastair Gossage
1st Loch na Keal. 5 Whimbrel along south shore. Alan

Latest reports for July 2006
Dervaig - 22nd to 29th July; mainly from area of tidal pond
Red-breasted Merganser - max 18 together on sea loch on 25th
Sparrowhawk - a female and a male on 23rd
Peregrine - 1 flew E on 23rd; 1 flew W on 27th
Dunlin - max 5 on 23rd; 1-3 regular
Snipe - 4 on 23rd and again on 26th
Black-tailed Godwit - summer plumage adult present 22nd, 23rd and briefly on 25th
Whimbrel - single on 23rd and 24th
Greenshank - max 5 on 24th; 1-4 regular
Common Sandpiper - max 3 on 23rd; 1-2 regular
Tawny Owl - 2+ calling after sunset on 25th and 28th           David Williams
28th Loch na Keal (Knock end) a Great Skua seen by Colin Moody, also a 'probable Little Gull isreported from Ulva Ferry
27th Fionnphort a single swift reported by Mike Wagemakers
26th Treshnish Isles.  three Great Skuas over Treshnish Isles Anand Prasad
25th Croig. 30 returning Dunlin at Croig today Anand Prasad
22nd Ardnamurchan. I have just received a report confirming the sighting of a Bee Eater at Arnamurchan, near Killchoan Village on 8th May.
July 10 Little Grebe:at Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs).12th Great Skua: 1 chasing a Gannet and flying southwest around Treshnish Point 18th Great Skua: 1 at 19.40 of Port Haunn. Prasad
Loch Frisa sea eagle hide now closed for 2006. Both chicks fledged successfully.
The hide still there so people are welcome to watch from there but it is now locked. Chicks and adults will be visible in the general area for several months to come. Please still read wildlife law notices and do not hang about on the track as it may stop adults bringing in food
LAST WEEK. circa 10th. A drake  King Eider was seen around Ulva Ferry it may still be around. Fiona Harmer
17th Lagganulva. a single Little Auk was here this morning. Arthur Brown.
A summer plumaged Great northern Diver in the Sound of Mull this morning. Peter Bradley
16th Lochdon. 37 returning Whimbrel at high tide (9pm), 12 Golden P[lover Alan Spellman
10th Lagganulva. 3 Common Scoter close in shore and 1 Red throated Diver. Arthur Brown
5th Killiechronan. a Reed Bunting also on 7th 3 male Goosander at Garmony. S & H Duckworth
1st Lochdon. Yesterdays Osprey returned  to fish lochdon, (pm) only to be chased off by the Sea Eagle.
30th June. Garmony: Jay in woodland (this is a first 'summer/breeding season' record? We normally only get them in winter months) Dave Sexton
30 June/July Iona.  midnight to 3am corncarke survey : 32 calling birds; 1 also at Fidden.
30th June at 10.00 am a Goshawk flew low across the Dervaig - Salen road about 200m North of the hill fort/ abandoned village in a NE direction.  Andy & Chris Marshall
29th June Craignure Golf course.  3 swift flying south along the shore line .Pam Brown. Discover Mull Tours.
27th June, 2 Twite on the raised beach between Port Haunn & Crackaig. Andy & Chris Marshall
22nd June. a late report of a Black tailed Godwit at Dervaig. from Colin Sedgewick Thanks

Summary for July to September 2005 from Alan Spellman
A long staying 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Bunessan Pier from 17th July to 19th August.
Calliach Point has been excellent all through this quarter with up to 130 Manx Shearwater, Gannets, Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots and Black Guillemots all being sighted. Both Great Skua (Bonxies) & 8 Arctic Skuas were seen on 23rd August. Further out to sea on the Oban to Coll ferry (22nd Aug), a Great Shearwater, 6 Sooty Shearwater & 2 Cory’s Shearwater were recorded plus 45 Storm Petrel & a Grey Phalarope (all in the mouth of the Sound of Mull) Simon Welloch RSPB Coll
In the calmer waters of Loch na Keal on 29th Aug, up to 10 Manx Shearwater were skimming across the loch and 6 Gannets were busy plunge diving for fish.
Summer plumaged Divers with juveniles included, on 22nd Aug, a Red throated Diver off Bunessan pier, and various dates in Loch na Keal and Loch Scridain. An adult summer plumaged Black throated Diver with a juvenile in Loch na Keal on 22nd and in Calgary Bay 2 summer plumaged Black throated Divers. There was even had a summer plumaged Great northern Diver at the mouth of Lochdon reported on 12th Aug
As we moved into August there were signs of waders on the move, 12 Sanderling recorded on 29th July in Calgary Bay and later (19th Aug) 2 birds at Ardalanish beach. At Langamull, Shaun Mccullagh reported a summer plumaged Sanderling on 2nd with Ringed Plover.
24th Aug, and  Lochdon  briefly held 24 summer plumaged Bar tailed Godwit, resting and feeding with 27 Golden Plover, 18 Whimbrel, 8 Curlew and 20 Dunlin on the spit at high tide.
On Ardalanish beach on 21st Aug there were 37 Dunlin, 15 Oystercatcher, 40 Ringed Plover, and Loch Beg, opposite the Kinloch Hotel, there were 71 Golden Plover & 40 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Greenshank, Redshank and a single Bar tailed Godwit. At Lochdon on 10th Aug.The Discover Mull Tour reported 12 Greenshank at Loch Don, (an unusually high number of birds)
A single Magpie was seen on the road to Croig on 7th Aug close to the Dervaig Road.
Ardalanish beach area ‘came up with the goods yet again’ with a flock of 40 Linnets feeding in the fields.
Meadow Pipits were on the move, 60 plus birds flew in from the north at Caliach point on 21st Aug and at Killiechronan there was a male Redstart by the camp site at 12th. A Wood Warbler was heard calling in the sunshine as late as 1st Aug at Craignure.
Ospreys were recorded on 5th Aug; two birds perched together at Knock by Loch na Keal. A  single bird was fishing over Lochdon on 7th  and  another migrating bird at Craignure over the Sound of Mull. A female Merlin was seen at Fidden (always a good bet) and at Grasspoint  a hunting male, and scattered sightings were reported during Aug & Sept. Peregrines were still around regular sites and  on  11th Aug newly fledged Peregrine Falcon were giving very good views.
Corncrakes on Iona 2005: 25 minimum calling males are recorded. On Mull there were 5 confirmed calling
males spread from the Ross of Mull to Calgary, Torloisk and Treshnish Point. Staffa had two, Treshnish had three.”We have a very encouraging corncrake recovery underway on Mull”. (Dave Sexton, RSPB)
A Red breasted Merganser with 7 young was in the pool bridge at Lochdon on 20th Aug and there were 10 birds on Loch Cuin by Dervaig on 27th, and on Loch na Keal birds can always be found, I counted up to 25 during most of August. Large rafts of up to 300  Eider by the mussel farm and a single male Goosander on Loch Scridain.
Loch Pottie still has its single Whooper Swan on 19th Aug plus Little Grebe and 5 Tufted Duck
September brought two first records, both from north American with a rare Sabine’s Gull between Lismore point and Duart Castle, seen from the Oban-Craignure ferry on 23rd & reported by Bill Jackson. And earlier from 3rd-4th at Loch Beg by Kinloch, an American Golden Plover with other Golden Plovers, reported by Bryan Rains & Joy Hardy. Yet another rare bird from north America was a 2nd winter Ring billed Gull which spent most of the month at Oban Harbour, George Street foreshore, giving outstandingly close views & joined by a second 1st winter bird. The Glaucous Gull was again at Bunessan Pier and a Little Gull was at Loch Beg  on 18th. A Sooty Shearwater was spotted from the Craignure to Oban ferry near the lighthouse on the last day of the month by visitors John Evans & Paul Bridges.
Large movements of migrating waders continued through the first two weeks of September tailing off as the month ended. Including  peaks at favourite sites, Loch Beg, 90 Golden Plover, 39 Ruddy Turnstone, 100+ Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Lochdon, on a spit of land at high tide on 1st-3rd were 55 Whimbrel, 47 Oystecatchers, 64 Golden Plover, 40 Ruddy Turnstone, 8 Knot & 20+ Dunlin plus 8 Redsahnk & 2 Greenshank. (I looked very hard but could not find another American golden plover.)
At Calgary on 9th, a single Curlew Sandpiper was reported by Shaum Mccullagh, also 4 Sanderling. Dervaig Bridge site briefly held 15 Dunlin and had regular influxes of Snipe, indeed this area is perhaps the best for getting close to Snipe. Bill Jackson reported and photographed a Grey Phalarope flying over the seanear Duart Castle on 28th return ferry trip
A few returning winter ducks,Teal & Wigeon flew into Lochdon on 5th, and Red breasted Merganser in family parties were regularly fishing the loch. On 14th at Caliach point,a female Long tailed Duck was present.  Caliach point in September gives excellent sea watching with large movements of birds including 300+ Kittiwake, 100+ Gannets, Great Skua and large numbers of Manx Shearwaters. Duart Castle sea watching highlighted 50+ Arctic Terns on the move south plus Gannets aerial acrobatics as they hunted fish close inshore. 18 Pomarine Skua flew through on 29th at Caliach.
The first returning Slavonian Grebe was back on Loch na Keal on 2nd and a scarce Black necked Grebe  was there on 4th.
On 6th along the old Glen More road a Pied Flycatcher, a first year bird was found by Chris & Tony Johnson. Along the river Lussa near Ardura there was a Kingfisher on 19th. A lone single House Martin was still about on 20th in Glen Seilisder. At Ulva Ferry (6th) a Corncrake ran across the road in front of a tour bus.
Barn Owls are not often reported but Shaun Mccullagh watched one for several minutes along the Grasspoint road on 26th. Short eared Owl have been scare this year, on 24th visitors David & Felicity Pollard were lucky enough to see a single owl at Ease Force on 24th.