         
mobile 077 896 77177            Latest sightings for June 2019 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latest sightings for June 201830th Little Gull - a
mull first for me, first-summer feeding in
the tidal race off Grasspoint with Common
& BHGulls and Kittiwakes. Bird has a
partial hood. Likes resting on the rocks off
there with the other gulls. Also there fledged
juv Tree Pipit and Redstart and family of
Whinchats with at least one young.
27th - Aros Park.
A male Wood Warbler was still singing here
this afternoon.. Stuart Gibson30th
Jay - one flew across road into conifers
just west of Lochbuie turn off. Ashley
Saunders. Oriole Birding Tours
30th
Slav Grebe - one in
full plumage in Loch na Keal,
close to the sea eagle lay-by on north
side beyond Killiechronan campsite
27th Swift - single over
Caliach Point , one over Pennyghael
29th Ashley
Saunders. Oriole Birding Tours
30th
Redstart - pair feeding young in nest box
in oak woods at croggan
30th
Black-throated Diver
- a second calendar year bird
(non breeding plumage) is in Loch Scridain
off Pennyghael hotel, present same spot
every day
26th June:
Java/Craignure Bay - Single Eider Duck,
Fishnish - Whitethroat (I think), Spot on Nancy
30th: Treshnish,
Corncrake still calling at Haunn (first
heard on 23rd May). Several reports of 2
being heard, prasad -- http://treshnishbirdlog.co.uk29th: Craignure Bay - single black guillemot 30th: Craignure/Torosay coast - Male Hen Harrier carrying prey (photos on Facebook); 15 Canada geese. Garmony: 2 Mallards. juveniles, I think. Nancy Somerville28th Great Northern Diver - one in full plumage in bay on west coast of Iona. Ashley Saunders. Oriole Birding Tours 26th
Two RT Divers and GN Diver on Loch na
Keal today. Cuckoos at Lagganulva and
Reudle. Only one SE Owl record on North
Mull in last three weeks. Male
Peregrine, Loch Cuin. Little Grebe with
four young on Loch Uisg. Ewan Miles www.naturescotland.com
26th -
Glengorm. Two pairs Whinchat whose
behaviour suggested young out of
nest in near vicinity, near Cnoc
Achadh nam Fuath.
26th -
Tobermory. The immature Iceland Gull
is still present.. Stuart Gibson
25th - Croig. Two Great Northern
Divers (one immature) in outer Loch Cuin.
25th - Tobermory. The 1st Summer
immature Iceland Gull is still frequenting
the loafing area viewed from car park).
Stuart Gibson
 afternoon, Tobermory: Greenfinch just beside the car park, where the rivers comes out. with House Sparrows and Goldfinch. evening, Garmony: Flock of seven Redpolls. Five immature Eider drakes, Four Eider ducks with about ten ducklings, Juvenile Dipper. Nancy Somerville   19th -
Tobermory. The 1st S imm. Iceland Gull was
seen a 12.30pm and again at 8.15pm (the evening
sighting was at the new sandy beach, on which this
gull was completely camouflaged!) Stuart Gibson
18th
Loch na Keal. a Slavonian grebe in partial
summer plumage at the head of the loch. Also had
a white
fronted goose in Salen bay. Wasn’t sure
if that had been reported before. visitor Sally
Nowell
18th - Tobermory. A 1st
Summer immature Iceland Gull in Tobermory
harbour (near car park) this early afternoon.
Stuart Gibson
18th - Fishnish. Six
Crossbills over forest this afternoon. Stuart
Gibson
18th
Craignure. For the first time ever we have just
had a beautiful
Jay on our feeders in
the garden. Pete and Jan. www.mullwildlifetours.co.uk
17th Salen Bay 4 great northern divers
together at Salen Bay. Andrew Blagden on holiday. White tailed Eagles
from a trip on 'Lady Jayne' with
Martin & Alex today 17th June
2018. pix by Alan Spellman
   White tailed Eagles from a trip on 'Lady Jayne' with Martin & Alex (Mull Charters) today 17th June 2018  Common Sandpiper chick at Craignure by
Nancy Somerville
Latest reports for June 2015
14th Loch na Keal. I have a report
of a Black
Tern flying down Loch na Keal any more information would
be appreciated. A full detailed
description is required for this 'rare'
bird. Alan (pp) Pam Brown and
visitors
8th - Tobermory. The Glaucous Gull is still in the harbour and looking very much at home. Stuart Gibson   7th Ross of Mull
(undisclosed site) an adult Rose coloured
starling briefly
here. Alan (sorry but I cant be more
specific)
 Slavonian
Grebe in full summer
plumage at the head
of Lock na Keal June
2018
6th -
Tobermory. 1st S immature Glaucous
Gull still around today. Stuart
Gibson
5th - Tobermory. The 1st S imm. Iceland Gull was in the harbour at 10.00 am this morning, while the 1st S Glaucous Gull was there at 6.00 pm. Stuart Gibson 4th
We saw a male whinchat on a walk through
Knockvologan nature reserve, singing and
flitting about on Monday 4th June, and
another male whinchat at Grass Point on
Tuesday 5th June afternoon. Helen
Lumley, visitor to Mull
6th
Loch na Keal: a trip
round the loch
produced three Golden
Eagles and four white
tailed Eagles plus a
real prize being a Slavonian
Grebe in full summer
plumage at
the head of the Loch.
Alan, Anna Carey, Ewan
Mile and his group. www.naturescotland.com
  Glaucous Gull at Tobermory in June 2018 by Stuart Gibson 4th - Tobermory. Somewhat
ironical that in our current heatwave
Tobermory should play host to two Winter
visitors : Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull.
Like the immature Iceland previously, this
Glaucous Gull appears to be a 1st Summer
immature (it was an egg this time last
year!)
 Juvenile dipper at Tobermory
distillery burn June 2018 Stuart
Gibson
1st Summer
immature Glaucous Gull present in
Tobermory harbour this afternoon (4th)
Stuart Gibson
1st Loch na Keal. Summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe on Loch Na Keal at Kellan viewpoint. Andy Beevers (Visitor)  1st
- Tobermory. 1st Summer immature
Iceland Gull again at confluence of
Tobermory river and bay. Striking and
unmissable bird!. Stuart Gibson
1st we had a pair of Red
Throated Divers from Craignure Golf
Course. Pete and Jan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latest
sightings for June 2017
30th - Sound of Mull/Staffa. A Great Skua attacked and drowned an unfortunate Herring Gull, near Ardmore in the Sound of Mull; another two Great Skuas ganged up on a more fortunate Herring Gull (it got away with its life), off Staffa. Stuart Gibson  You may be interested in my sighting of two Short Eared Owls together in Glen More this morning, one hunting close to the road. I attach a photograph of this bird in action. Martin Basson 30th Lagganulvaq. a Long tailed duck here but far out, difficult to see. Arthur Brown 29th - Sea to West of Mull . First Razorbill and chick on sea today, along with (yesterday's) Guillemot and chick; good nos of both Gannet and Kittiwake feeding along East side of Coll, where two Arctic Skuas and three Great Skuas seen; two Red-throated Divers flying off sea towards Isle of Coll. Stuart Gibson 28th June. A male Marsh Harrier photographed at Ardtun in the south of the island 27th-28th June David Holden 28th - Sea to the West of Mull. A dark-phase Arctic Skua harassing a Kittiwake; a Great Skua annoying a flock of Manx Shearwaters; another Great Skua menacing a Gannet; a dozen Gannets feeding off Glengorm; first father and son Guillemot and chick on the sea; several Puffins and a single Storm Petrel. A dozen Manx Shearwaters were in the Sound of Mull, off Kilchoan. Stuart Gibson 28th Golden Eagle over Ben More, Adult Great Northern Diver opposite car park at Dhiseig, Male and Female Hen Harriers hunting near Beinnaird, White Tailed Eagle opposite holiday cottage near Cnoc Moine. 4 calling Corncrake on Iona Graham Sigworth 28th Thought we'd let you know we have had two sightings of a single Jay between, Kilsyth & Corry Meadows, Fishnish.. Jean & Neil Wilkinson 27th - Tobermory A single Crossbill over Baliscate Standing Stones a.m; and, two Crossbills flew out of trees at Baliscate House, Tobermory p.m. Stuart Gibson 27th Was delighted this morning to see a male (more russet-pink than the llustration in my bird book so maybe immature male?) crossbill on the drive this morning, feeding with a siskin (half the size!) and a sparrow. Not sure what it was digging out of the stones but we have European Larch and spruce so maybe fallen seeds. It had a small red band on its right leg and a large white band (or two small ones??) on the left. That's the first one I've seen but maybe you can explain the leg bands? Sheila Barnard, Viewmount, Tobermory 23rd We had good views of an Arctic Skua (Dark Phased) from the Craignure to Oban ferry today. Pete Hall and Stuart Gibson. 23rd I have received a report of a leucistic House martin flying around Tobermory caravan park via facebook David Crane 23rd Red necked Phalarope one at sea from boat between Iona and Staffa this morning, then flew towards Loch Scridain. pp Jim Dickson 22nd - Sea from Sound of Mull to Treshnish Isles Three Great Skuas at sea between Ardmore, Mull and Lunga, Treshnish Isles; single dark morph Arctic Skua North of Treshnish Isles; 12 Gannets in Sound of Mull, near Ardmore; and two calling Corncrakes and several Twite on Lunga, 21st - at sea NW of Mull 9+ Storm Petrels in a feeding frenzy that also included Gannets and Manx Shearwaters and a Minke Whale. Stuart Gibson 20th - Sea to NW of Mull. 720 Manx Shearwaters in one raft, two Great Skuas and a single Red-throated Diver this afternoon. Stuart Gibson 20th Great-northern Diver in breeding plumage on Loch na Keal yesterday. Ewan 18th A cock Crossbill in the middle of the road feeding from Larch cones half way up Eas Brae, Tobermory, this morning at 8am! Ewan On holiday our Mull we saw a long eared owl, travelling past Lochdon we saw it on the right hand side of the road. visitors Jacky & John Reynolds 12th Whilst carrying out my bat survey on Sunday evening, (47 Pipistrelles), I had a woodcock roding over the cottage. Yesterday we had 4 short eared owls. 2 in the large field after the Grasspoint turn, and 2 separate owls above the three lochs. Pete Hall 12th Loch na Keal: a summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe close to the camp site. Arthur Brown 11th Carrion x Hooded Crow Hybrid at the Mishnish Lochs. Ewan 8th - At sea N of Mull (towards Isle of Muck) Six Storm Petrels, a single Great Skua and several hundred Manx Shearwaters. Stuart Gibson 8th Splendid few hours in Glen More today; several Short Eared Owl and Hen Harrier, male and female. One female Hen Harrier was particularly obliging; image attached; taken about half a mile West of three lochs car park. Dave Derrick (Visitor) 7th - At sea off NW Mull: It's beginning to sound like a stuck record, but there were three Storm Petrels and a Great Skua harassing feeding Gannets today. Stuart Gibson  male Bullfinch by Andy
Fellows Dervaig
5th Loch Spelve today. two
Black throated divers across
from the fish farm, just up from the first
old cottage. Jacqui
Murphy 5th - At sea NW of Mull Three Storm Petrels. 4th - At sea NW of Mull Up to five Storm Petrels and three Great Skuas; a late Great Northern Diver was off Glengorm. Stuart Gibson 3rd Hen Harrier - 2 fem type Blar Mor, Ardtun. Short Eared Owl - Three Lochs. White Tailed Eagle - 2 Craignure Golf Course. Brian Howe, Norwich, 2nd a Short Eared Owl on hillside Glen More from the A849 2nd June. Ron Cordeiro 1st Female Peregrine over Laggan Bay. Ewan 1st Treshnish, 1 Mealy Redpoll in Treshnish wood showing signs of breeding. prasad. 1st Hen Harrier - female Blar Mor.Brian Howe, Norwich, Norfolk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Latest sightings for June 2016 29th spent last week at tiny cottage at Croggan.It was our 8th visit to Mull and first time at Croggan mainly to hope to see Otters but only one sighting late on Sunday night! But had good views of both eagles from cottage garden.On a walk round to the mouth of loch shelve noticed what looked like a golden eagle sitting on the hill opposite side of the loch.It took off and was joined by 2 white tailed eagles, in the end there were 4 together. Dave Parsons 29th: We saw the Ring Ouzel on the 26th in a field that led up to a large White House, opposite the scallastle bay I am told. We also saw 4 female hen Harriers today, and a male hen harrier in the fields near loch beg. Another mention is the two black gullimots we saw in the waters between mull and ulva, visitor Joshua Toogood 26th a single female Ring Ouzel in fields opposite Salen Bay. visitor Joshua Toogood 28th four Swifts crossing the Sound of Mull heading South. Ewan Miles. 27th Balmeanach by Fishnish: a report of a Yellow Wagtail from here, more information required please. Alex McFadyen. 22nd Treshnish: one Swift over Treshnish wood. Prasad 18th left Craignure and we were escourted all the way by a femail Hen Harrier which kept pace with the boat and made landfall to disappear beyond a hill to the south west of Oban. Stunning views all the way. Tina Stafford and Tony Nayager. 14th Staffa: three Great Skuas over Staffa. Mark W. 12th Treshnish, 1 Common (Mealy) Redpoll at boathouse showing signs of breeding behaviour.  Northern Marsh Orchid Alan
Spellman
14th -
NW Iona Two Great Skuas harassing gull
colonies off NW Iona today; 47 Kittiwakes
(mainly immatures) and five Arctic Terns.
Stuart Gibson 14th Treshnish, 2 Swifts over the wood. prasad 13th Cock Chiffchaff in song at Scallastle and a non-breeding Great-northern Diver at the head of Loch Na Keal. Ewan Miles 9th Last night whilst looking for bats , the bird club members had excellent views of 2 separate woodcocks over our cottage. Today on my tour we had excellent views of a white wagtail on the north shore of Loch Scridain. Pete 6th Interested to read of the male Hen Harrier sighted 4th June. We saw the same yesterday heading out of the Sound of Mull just before the lighthouse. We were returning from Whalewatch boat trip with Sea Life Surveys around 5pm having seen 8 or 9 Minke, including young. Fab day!. Wonderful website by the way? visitor Marion Criswell. 6th - Torosay Three Black Guillemots in the Sound of Mull; male Whitethroat in song; 'singing' Cuckoo; seven Oystercatcher and three Common Gull territories now with chicks or eggs on verge of hatching due to their resilience in the face of everyday disturbance from (dog)walkers; and three Marsh Fritillary, two Painted Lady and single Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary and Small Heath butterflies noted in what was a rather subdued day for wildlife due to the continuing warm weather. Are we truly ever happy?. Stuart Gibson !2nd June - Highlights for us viewed from Lochdon, w/t sea eagle 29th May - short eared owls (2) 28th May - hen harrier, cuckoo, tawny owl. Elsewhere on the island we saw Gt. Northern Diver (29th May, off Calgary / Caliach), redstart (Loch Ba), golden eagle (Glen More), peregrine (Iona) and eider (Iona) plus many of the other species you associate with region. Many thanks and I will continue to enjoy reading your blog :) visitor Tim Preece 5th Marsh Fritillary, Pearl Bordered Fritillary and Green Hairstreak about now. Alan (mullbirds) 5th - Aros Park. Very few birds singing in the heat, but what were included a single Wood Warbler, several Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs. Stuart Gibson 4th - At sea, off NW Mull: An incredible sight of a male Hen Harrier far out at sea, heading towards Ardnamurchan from the Isle of Coll. Seen from the port side of boat, while a Minke Whale was showing on the starboard side. Now, that's not something that is seen everyday, is it?!! Also, two Bonxies and raft of ca.200 Manx Shearwaters in same area. Stuart Gibson 4th Just spent a glorious week here on mull,of all my sightings just thought you may be interested in was a calling Quail at the back of dobhran cottage at 4.55 this morning at Lochbuie. Great blog by the way Thanks Brian Jones 3rd - Tobermory harbour. A 1st S. immature Glaucous Gull was an unseasonal find this evening. Stuart Gibson 2nd - Iona Calling Corncrakes at a premium until mid-afternoon, possibly due to cold wind; three calling, with two seen, including bird at the Fire Station; first brood of Eider (two ducks with eight ducklings) at the Bay at the Back of the Ocean. Stuart Gibson 2nd - Inverlussa Hunting female Hen Harrier, with a male over the main road near the Guline Dubh, on outskirts of Tobermory. Stuart Gibson 3rd two Dippers at Knock and a Golden Eagle from the Torloisk road lookinh East, found by Summer aged twelve. 2nd Spotted Flycatcher, Stonechat family and Whinchat on Grasspoint road. Dipper at Knock and two male Hen Harriers again in Glen More. Andy Bayes 1st Lochdon Marsh Fritillaries and Small Heath out at Lochdon yesterday near parking area at gate at Gorsten Farm. Arctic Skua harassing Gulls from Duart Castle. Mick and Sylvia Brennan 30thTreshnish: 1 Swift flying west at boathouse. prasad. 30th: Arthur Brown had a good day out today picking up a Jay by the 'old Byre' and a pair of Red Grouse and eight large chicks on the hill road. In Calgary Bay was a fully summer plumaged Black throated Diver. 28th - Torosay: Two Crossbills high over the castle grounds; a nice find was a Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk moth in same area. 28th - Tobermory: The local Magpie is still doing the rounds. s 29th Mull Orchids are now in bloom accross the island, check hereto know your orchids. 29th Sightings over the last couple of days have included Common Crossbill,Red-throated Diver, 5 Greenshank at Loch Beg, Small Pearl Bordered,Marsh and Dark Green Fritillaries at various locations. Bryan 28th Salen: We have a pair of House Martins nestbuilding Debby Thorne 26th a Jay from the road across from Salen to loch na keal. Adrian & Glenis Bury. North Yorkshire 26th Grasspoint: Saw a party of up to 20 plus Swifts in the lochdon area from grass point this afternoon. 23rd 15 Common Scoters in flight heading north and 2 Storm-Petrels in waters between Mull and Coll this morning. Ewan  young Whinchat 23rd - Tobermory: A bird showing characteristics of Common (Mealy) Redpoll was taking nyger seed in the Mull Magic garden this evening. Interesting that Prasad has had several doing likewise at Treshnish recently. We found a Mealy Redpoll on Ulva two years ago during the breeding season and had it confirmed that this species, as well as Lesser Redpoll, were likely to be nesting locally. 23rd - Aros Park: Singing Wood Warbler and Chiffchaff (Willow Warblers too busy with young to be singing) and four male Blackcaps in song. 22nd Tobermory: The Aros Park male Wood Warbler is still in song; a Spotted Flycatcher was nearby.Stuart 17th Female Peregrine carrying large prey on the north shore. A non-breeding Great-northern Diver at Croig and a one in breeding plumage at Lochbuie. Ewan 16th Lady Jayne, Loch na Keal: We had great views of a group of 6 Red Throated divers with 2 displaying and calling. Location, near Scarisdale Rocks Loch Na Keal. Martin 21st Glengorm A Solstice stunner! Nine male and three female Beautiful Demoiselles defying the showers 14th Croggan: A Bordered Straw moth. A migrant from the Mediterranean and North Africa. Previously unknown on the Isle of Mull or on mainland Argyll, this migrant moth is a Scottish rarity. Stuart Gibson   photos by Stuart Gibson 13th a whale watching tour gave us Red throated Diver in flight, Black Guillemot, Bonxies. visitor Rick 12th Loch Ba: an Osprey here, also White tailed Eagles,Hen Harrier (f), visitor Rick 14th I've just returned from Holidaying on Mull. Unfortunately due to having no internet whatsoever while on Mull i couldn't find whom to report this sighting to. The Mink came past me on the river bank at Knock Bridge on Thursday 11th June. It was coming from Lock Na Keal & heading up stream towards Loch Bar. Paul Biggs 13th Treshnish: at leaste one common redpoll still present. Prasad 12th Burgh: a Magpie here. Carolyne Charrington. 12th June - single whooper swan on Loch Assapol also one osprey still around .Felicity Pollard 12th Lochdon: Our Osprey is still hanging around (since early May now) and can often be seen fishing on the loch, usually around high tide or receding tide. Alan 11th six common Crossbills high up in the spruce trees next to the Guthrie Memorial at Duart Bay, Craignure today. Angi Harrell 10th a Red Grouse on the hill abouve Gribun tonight. Colin Moody 10th Fishnish Bay: a full summer plumaged red throated diver in Fishnish Bay. Pete  9th Treshnish: at least one Common Redpoll present. Prasad 8th - Loch Ba Four singing Tree Pipits and a single male Redstart still in song; three calling male Cuckoos; family party of Goldcrests calling in Spruce and Lesser Redpolls, including what was probably a family party of six birds; a pair of Grey Wagtails food carrying for young; Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin over loch; several Snipe, including a 'drumming' bird and a pair of Redshank with young out of the nest; a Red-throated Diver in flight and a female Goosander 7th - Craignure Male Blackcap and Whitethroat singing; 200 Kittiwakes feeding and resting in Sound of Mull, off Craignure, where 50 feeding Common Terns (in three separate groups) heading NW up the Sound; also several Gannets and single adult s/p Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver. 6th - Croig/Langamull Three (two male) Goosanders were at Croig, while the breeding Arctic Tern pair at Langamull are nesting on the sand in what looks a particularly vulnerable location. 5th - Tobermory A Chiffchaff was in song on Prison Brae today. Stuart Gibson 5th excellent views of a male Merlin in Glen More, near to Craig. Also watched a short eared owl quartering over the field opposite the derelict farm near Loch Spelve, at the Grasspoint turn 3 cuckoos together, and the Osprey made an appearance.Pete 4th - Tobermory: A calling Crossbill flew SE high over the bay towards Aros Park this morning. Stuart Gibson 5th: 1 Swift on Cruachan Treshnish (Graeme Hutchinson & Angie Craft) and at least 1 Tree Sparrow still present 3rd: 1 pipit showing Scandinavian Rock Pipit features & pair of breeding Arctic Terns, Langamull 5th A Jay flew across the road in front of us this morning at Torlochan. Martin Mull Charters  a family of Stonechat along the Grasspoint road. 4th June 2015. Alan Spellman 4th Salen: Just looked out office window to see fantastic male Hawfinch on lawn, flew into trees and not relocated. Bright breeding colours. Real surprise. David Sexton Mull Officer Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) extremely scarce, only a few records for Mull 2009 a female in garden at Calgary June. 2010 a female at Treshnish on a garden feeder April.2014 on 6th-7th May at Killiechronan. Jan Fuller 2015 a male in Dave Sextons garden at Salen 4th June     Common Gull chick, Colin Moody, Knock Barn Swallow, Lochdon, Alan Spellman 2nd Treshnish, at least 2 Tree Sparrows and several Common (Mealy) Redpolls, prasad. 1st Pennyghael: Male Hen Harrier over fields, just west of post office. Two Golden Plover along shore of Loch na Keal near footpath to Ben More. Phil and Carol Sharp1st Martin reports a Little Gull seen from 'Lady Jayne' in Loch na Keal.  Corncrake Iona by Andy Bayes May 2015 Latest reports for June 2014 30th Female peregrine at Glengorm and 4 swifts heading north. Ewan 30th - Loch Ba: Breeding confirmed: a pair of Dunlin with minimum two chicks on sphagnum and Bog Myrtle hummocks. a once regular breeder, this is the first known record of confirmed breeding in ‘recent times’ Ruth Fleming, Stuart Gibson. 28th - Craignure 3 Arctic Skuas (one pale and two dark morphs) flying ---> NW up Sound of Mull past Craignure at 17.00 hrs today; also, an adult White-tailed Eagle over camp site. Ruth Fleming. 26th 6 Common Swift over Iona , Great Spotted Woodpecker in trees just down from the WTE watch point this morning also female Cuckoo, a pair of Hen Harrier bringing in prey to the same area of heather, Rob Hoare 26th June Eas Fors - Garden Warbler, Spotted Fly, pair Grey Wagtails and a Dipper in the waterfall burn Dervaig - 5 Goosander, 3 Beautiful Demoiselle, Four-spotted Chaser Killiechronan - 1 Common Swift Glen Seilisdeir - 3 Common Crossbills, Tree Pipit, 10+ Golden-ringed Dragonfly Caliach Point - ringtail Hen Harrier Ashley Saunders. Oriole Birding. 26th - Torosay Single Red-throated Diver in Duart Bay; singing male Blackcap and Sedge Warbler; male Hen Harrier along coast near camp site; and a Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth and an Elephant Hawkmoth on our walk today. Ruth Fleming 26th Treshnish, 20 Swifts over Treshnish wood 26th A Humpback Whale was washed up dead at Fishnish  24th June: 3 summer plumaged Great Northern Divers on Loch Buie Marsh, Dark Green & Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at the turning to Loch Buie off the main road. This site was fabulous for odonata too and we had Common Hawker and Highland Darter here. More importantly, we also had a Northern Emerald. Large Heath was also on the wing at Grasspoint. Whinchats at Three Lochs and Inverlussa. Male Hen Harrier and Tree Pipit Glen Forsa, Tawny Owl in Pennyghael. Ashley Saunders. Oriole Birding. 24th Short-eared owl north of Loch Frisa and 7-8 common scoter in waters north of Mull. Ewan 24th - Loch Ba: A pair of Dunlin on suitable breeding habitat, including singing male; a chick was briefly observed; displaying Snipe and six other species of breeding waders; seven ad. Greylag Goose with seven goslings; fem. Mallard with brood of four ducklings (< 1 week); single Grey Wagtail; one singing Tree Pipit; two fledgling Wheatears; and two Crossbills at Knock. 23rd - Sgurr Dearg: Male Golden Eagle; male Hen Harrier hunting ridge near summit; single Snipe at 1,500 feet; and Sparrowhawk on our mountain walk. Ruth Fleming s 22nd Summer plumage Great Northern Diver on loch na keal from eagle watch point this pm Rob Hoare 22nd Osprey over Mishnish lochs at 4pm today, bit of a tussle with a buzzard then gained height, heading NW. Rachel French Ranger Service 19th The Australian black swan was at Glenforsa this morning - got a poor photo on my iPhone. Debby 17th - Up to ten separate frenzies of gannets feeding hard which included one with up to two hundred birds. Ewan 16th - 8-10 common Scoters in flight north of Mull, 2 GN Divers flying north and the largest number of storm petrels I have seen in five seasons covering these waters, which included hurries 20-30 strong. g 16th - Tobermory A Garden Warbler in song about 1 km SE of entrance to Aros Park, where a Chiffchaff was heard singing. Over 400 Northern Marsh Orchids counted along road verge immediately SE of entrance to Aros Park; the local Magpie was in the Mull Magic garden this afternoon. Ruth Fleming. 16th: Treshnish, 1 Osprey flying north-east over Calgary bay. 11th-14th Bunessan: a Rose Coloured Starling visiting a garden feeder. (pp) Emily Wilkins (this is the seventh mull record of the species since 2002) 14th - Loch Ba. Six species of raptor on our walk today, including an Osprey being escorted off the premises by three Oystercatchers, a male Hen Harrier hunting the hillside and a Sparrowhawk; lots of Lesser Redpoll activity, displaying Siskin, and singing Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit and Whinchat; and a Snipe nest with c/4 near hatching. Ruth Fleming. 13th Loch Ba: a pair of Redstart here nesting in a naturual site on the point of fledging. Andrew Mortley   Redstart image Andrew Mortley. Rose Coloured Starling 12th - Torosay 3 Red-throated Divers in Duart Bay; 8 ad. Greylag Geese attending 8 goslings Oystercatchers nest with single recently hatched chick (< 24 hrs) and two yet to hatch eggs; Common Gull with b/2 in nest and single unhatched egg; displaying Rock Pipit and Meadow Pipit; singing Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher and Whitethroat in woods. Ruth Fleming. 9th male Teal in Laggan Bay Pam Brown Discover Mull 12th Just had an Osprey at the north of Loch Frisa, near the car park. 12 of us on my ranger service event there saw it, great sighting! Rachel French 11th 2 Swifts crossing the open sea north Calliach point on the 10th, good numbers of European Storm Petrels seen in the last 7 days in waters north of Mull. Two light phase Arctic Skuas off Loch Cuin on the 9th. Ewan 10th Treshnish, 2 Swifts at 11.30 at schoolhouse. Prasad. 9th: 3 Swifts at Treshnish at about 5pm and guests saw 4 at about 11am Anand Prasad 9th a Swift underneath where the Golden Eagles normally are on the south side of Loch Na Keal. Had lovely views of the White Tailed Sea Eagles on the north side today along with a pair of Sedge Warblers, a couple of Whitethroat and Willow Warbler at Fishnish. Bekki Pierce 8th - Loch Ba 5 Crossbills in plantation at Knock; single Grey Wagtail hawking insects by loch shore; the Redstarts in the birch wood appear to have fledged young; and a male Chiffchaff was singing at Gruline. Ruth Fleming. 8th Walk to Loch Spelve and the ruined village. Short eared owl on post between the path and Grasspoint lane, 2 female hen harriers and male hen harrier hunting in same general area. Female cuckoo at gate on way out. White tailed eagle hunting shallows at lochdon and landed on rock. Probably after the cygnets as previous mentioned. Ted Humphreys 8th Lochdon: adult White tailed eagle circling our newley hatched signets, doesn't bold well for them. 7th Iona: just heard the Spotted Crake on Iona (00:20) in same location, grid ref NM 287244. James Hudson. PS Found your guide very useful during our week here. Thank you. (first heard on 7th May).  This photo kindly supplied by Dave Barnes see his web site www.pbase.com/davebarnes Breeding adults have a brown back with dark streaks, a blue-grey face and an olive-brown breast - all covered with white flecks and spots. The under tail is a warm buff colour .6th Female Hen Harrier sighted between Bunessan & Fionnphort. Mike & Kath on holidays 6th Iona. waders on the golf course beach today. 11 Sanderling, 1 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone & several Ringed Plover, also a pair of Shelduck with 6 ducklings. James Hudson 4th Iona: Spotted Crake herad calling from the irises on shore side of the path between Bishop's House and the Abbey (same area as recorderd earlier, grid ref NM 287244). Only heard not seen, while doing a corncrake count. Emily Wilkins. Ranger - South Mull, Iona, Burg and Staffa NNR 4th a run round some of my favourite places gave me a stunning male Redstart singing in Ardura oak woodland, a beautiful male Whinchat a close quarters at Inverlussa. Common Whitethroat at Gorten and a singing Wood Warbler and a pair of Stonechat along the Grasspoint road, good numbers of Eider on Loch Spelve, and then a Woodpecker on my feeder. Who needs eagles ? Alan 4th 2 redpoll drinking from roadside pool at finnan. 4 eider at beach. Ted Humphreys. 3rd - Langamull Single Red-throated Diver and a late Great Northern Diver; two Guillemots and several Gannets offshore; 60+ mixed gulls (predominantly Herring and Lesser Black-backed) feeding on abundance of Garden Chafer beetles on machair; Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover with chicks; Common Gull, Arctic Tern and Common Tern on eggs on beach. Ruth Fleming. 2nd Tobermory Magpie This bird is now permanent here, it will should be paying Council tax Alan 3rd loch ba. 2 whimbrel 2 curlew 8 lapwing m and f red breasted merganser Ted Humphreys 2nd Glengorm. Whinchat, cuckoo, stonechat 3 mistlet thrush 2, A handful of common tern on small outcrop off craignure golf course. Ted Humphreys 2nd 5 red throated divers on Loch Assapol this morning. Felicity Pollard & Juliet Vines 1st 2 Swift over Bunessan 6pm 31st May, 14 Sanderling including a ringed individual (details will be sent to BTO) Ardalanish Beach 8pm 1st June. visitors James Hudson & Tim Plowden 17th-31st May list Ernest Escott pp Peter Keeley Staffa Cottage Griburn 28th May - Evening, from 'Knockan' we observed at least 100 Manxies, in rafts on the water and flying in and out of the mouth of Loch Scridain. 28th May - Evening, from 'Eorabus' there was a s'pl Great Northern Diver close inshore.Wood Warblers heard on 27th & 29th by road south of Craignure near the Duart Castle turn. Cuckoos seemingly everywhere Including 4 together at Loch Asapol. Good numbers of Common Whitethroats too. Sand Martins at Uisken beach and pair of Yellowhammers there. Darren Robson |
