The Gruline area of Mull has historically held breeding Chiffchaff and the nearby area is one of the few places on the island where the triumvirate of nesting Phylloscopus warblers (Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Wood Warbler) may be heard on Mull later in Springtime.'

'The Skylark is predominantly a Summer visitor to Mull, with most breeding birds departing for unknown pastures (quite literally !) and coastal areas in the Autumn.

A return passage or arrival is usually noted in late February - March, when the first males back on breeding territory may be tempted to indulge the listener with an early virtuoso performance of it's beautiful song from on high.

A good place to look for such arrivals is on the South and South-West coast of Mull, where places, like Fidden, may hold moderate-sized flocks, often with Meadow Pipit and Twite for company.'

'Only a very small number of Merlin remain to breed on local moorlands in Spring, but this dashing little falcon is often reported more widely at this time of the year (Feb. - Mar.), as passage birds arrive on the tails of incoming flocks of Skylark and Meadow Pipit.'

'The sighting of three Jack Snipe on the Aros estuary was a super recent find, as these diminutive 'Half-Snipe' are, surely, one of the island's most under-recorded visitors.
'Jack Snipe are notoriously secretive in their habits and birdwatchers, invariably, have to put in an effort in order to flush them.
'The few records that emerge on Mull represent what is likely to be only the tip of the iceberg, as far as this migrant from Fenno-Scandia and Russia is concerned.  Inland sedge and juncus marsh, as well as coastal saltings, may be favoured on Mull, but this is a bird (unlike the Common Snipe) that will sit tight until it is almost trodden on, relying on it's wonderfully cryptic plumage to protect it while lying prone on the ground.
'The likelihood is that this tremendous, little wader is to be found in suitable habitat throughout the island from October through to April, but to catch a glimpse of one usually means donning a pair of wellies or risk getting your feet wet in their favoured wetland environs.

'From their breeding grounds in the Russian High Arctic, the Grey Plover is a very scarce Winter visitor to Mull shorelines, although small over-wintering populations of this chunky wader are to be found on both Islay and Tiree.
'The prospect of encountering one or two passage birds on the island in Autumn offers the local birdwatcher with his or her best chance of encountering this long-distance migrant, so the party of six birds that graced Fidden recently was quite remarkable.
'It will be interesting to note if these birds remain in the area for the rest of the Winter period, although I suspect that they may be a group of mobile birds from neighbouring Tiree.

'Likewise, the three Bar-tailed Godwits reported from the head of Loch na Keal.  These long-billed waders may have travelled to be with us from as far afield as Western Siberia, yet their presence during the Winter months is unusual on Mull, as (again) both neighbouring islands of Islay and Tiree are more favoured destinations.
'Small migratory flocks are regular at Lochdon during Autumn passage, but very seldom are birds reported during the Winter period.  However, these far-travelled waders are highly mobile and groups from other over-wintering locations, e.g. Islay or Tiree, may pay Mull a visit from time to time in Winter.

'February is usually a good month during which to catch up with the drake Gadwall that has become a feature at Bunessan on the Ross of Mull in the late Winter of recent years.  Previously, it has been accompanied by a female and local birdwatchers had hoped that it may bring one or two friends along if it returned this year.
'As a breeding species, Gadwall are sporadically found on Islay and Tiree.  Indeed, any record in Argyll, away from these islands, has become unusual in recent times, which helps put the significance of the Bunessan bird into perspective.' 

'The mid-December report of Crossbills feeding young at Pennyghael is very interesting, as it may constitute the first confirmed November breeding of this parrot-like finch anywhere in Argyll.
'Although Crossbills are renowned early breeders, juveniles are not often observed until late Winter or early Spring.  However, for fledged youngsters to be on the wing in mid-December suggests that the parent birds must have settled to breed in early November.
'Autumn nests have previously been reported elsewhere in Scotland and have been related to the early ripening of the cone crop of Sitka Spruce plantations.  It is likely that a similarly good cone supply on Mull may have encouraged local Crossbills to breed early.

'Often a highlight in a birdwatcher's calendar is the sighting of a 'white-winged gull' during the Winter months.
'Although both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls can be found on the island, the former has been a more prevalent visitor to Mull in recent years.
'However, this Winter has been poor for sightings of either of these much-anticipated Arctic travellers, although reports continue to be received regarding the 1st Winter immature Iceland Gull that was first seen at Knock (Loch na Keal) in November.
'Another 1st Winter immature was seen near the ferry landing slip at Fionnphort in late January, although it is conceivable that these 'two' birds may be one and the same.
'The stormy, wintry weather that Mull and the West Highlands is currently experiencing may provide a bonus for birdwatchers in the form of freshly arrived Glaucous and/or Iceland Gulls in the days that lie ahead.'