June
Nightjar: 1 at Quinish sometime in June (Isle of Mull bird report 2006)
June 1
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult attacking the Fulmars at Treshnish Point (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com)
June 2
Red-throated Diver: 2 at Calgary beach (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com). It is not clear if this record is from the 2nd or 3rd June
Merlin: 1 at Calgary at Calgary beach (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com). It is not clear if this record is from the 2nd or 3rd June
Great Skua: 2 at Treshnish Point (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com). It is not clear if this record is from the 2nd or 3rd June
June 3
Basking Shark: 1 in Calgary Bay at 7.00-7.30pm at least (seen earlier by MD & SD)
June 4
Fulmar: 38 occupied ledges are visible at Treshnish Point, some have not yet laid
Gannet: 3-5 off Treshnish Point (Prasad), 1 off Port Haunn (CE & AV)
Manx Shearwater: 5 off Treshnish Point
Shag: about 10 sitting on ledges at the Starling roost cliff, one was sitting on a fairly large juvenile and also had an egg (presumably infertile as she was not sitting on the egg one hour later and the juvenile looked to be too big). There were about 100 roosting on rocks
Goosander: 9 at Loch Cuin-Dervaig (Shaun McCullagh on www.mullbirds.com)
Shelduck: 1 flew northeast around Treshnish Point
Greylag Goose: 7 flew northeast passed Treshnish Point and then about 30 minutes later flew passed in the opposite direction and then again about 30 minutes later 3 flew passed towards the northeast
Buzzard: 1 above the wood to the west of Treshnish House where there is probably a nest
Common Sandpiper: 2 between Port Haunn and Treshnish Point (Prasad), 1 at Port Haunn (CE & AV)
Common Ringed Plover: 1+ at Port Haunn (CE & AV), 1 at Langamull (Shaun McCullagh on www.mullbirds.com)
Dunlin: 3 at Langamull (Shaun McCullagh on www.mullbirds.com)
Unidentified tern species: 2 probably Common Terns off Treshnish Point
Kittiwake: 4 off Treshnish Point
Great Skua: 1 flew southwest over the cliffs at Treshnish Point at about 2.30pm and two more flew in the same direction and also over the cliffs at about 4.30pm (the www.mullbirds.com lists the Great Skua as breeding on the Treshnish Isles)
Razorbill: 40 off Treshnish Point
Guillemot: 3 off Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 1 off Treshnish Point
Puffin: 2 off Treshnish Point
Starling: at least 3 bringing food to nests on the cliffs below Haunn cottages
Song Thrush: 1 juvenile between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Stonechat: juveniles below Haunn cottages
Northern Wheatear: adults acting as though they had fledged young below Haunn cottages
Robin: a juvenile near the Nissan-hut tool shop
Rock Pipit: at least three pairs at Treshnish Point (1 pair had at least 3 fledged young)
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor cottage
Twite: a pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor cottage (the male singing from a fence post), a pair at Treshnish Point (the male singing from a rock),
Linnet: 2 below Haunn cottages, and 2 in front of Toechtamhor cottage behaving as though they have a nest there
Reed Bunting: a pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor cottage, this is the first male seen since May 10th
Overview May 29-June 4
The occasional tern may now be seen along the shoreline. Large congregations of Kittiwake were at Caliach Point exploiting a food source. The Dunlin on the 31st were incredibly tame allowing approach up to 3 metres. The Arctic Tern observed flying and calling with a fish towards south Coll was interesting. The only explanation that I can come up with is that it was flying to the Treshnish Isles and was taking a wide curve far out around Treshnish Point. Arctic Terns eggs generally begin to hatch in mid June (earliest beginning of June) and Common Terns generally begin to hatch after the first week of June (earliest beginning of June). Perhaps I have misidentified this bird as an Arctic Tern (instead of Common). Another possibility is that it was a gift to its mate. Arctic Terns generally begin to lay after the third week of May (earliest after first week of May), Common Terns generally begin to lay after the second week of May (earliest after first week of May).
The White-tailed Eagle seen at Treshnish farm on the 29th is probably one of the Loch Frisa adults. At mid day one of the Loch Frisa adults was seen on the ridge between Dervaig and Loch Frisa (the pair had been observed by others flying from Loch Frisa to this ridge), by 12 noon only one was over the ridge. It seems very likely that the White-tailed Eagle seen at Treshnish at about 12.30 was one of these birds. On May 16th one of the Loch Frisa adults was most probably the White-tailed Eagle observed carrying food at Treshnish farm and flying to the north-east and interestingly it was at about the same time, noon. There have been several seabird kills along the cliffs at Treshnish Point and at least 2 pellets have been found there: it appears that the eagles regularly hunt successfully at the Point.
The Reed Bunting female has been observed with a male and are presumably breeding.
The Fulmars at Treshnish Point have not all laid their eggs and although some appear to have, none have definitely.
By now fledged juveniles of Song Thrush, Robin, Stonechat and probably Northern Wheatear have been seen at Treshnish farm and unfledged Shag and Starling have been observed.
June 5
Great Northern Diver: 1 flying southwest around Treshnish Point
Red-throated Diver: 2 in Calgary Bay from below Treshnish House
Manx Shearwater: 1 from below Treshnish House
Shelduck: a pair flying from Treshnish Point towards Caliach Point
Buzzard: 3 above the cow barn (calling)
Common Sandpiper: 2 at Ensay Burn mouth in evening (Prasad), 1? in morning (CE & AV)
Common Gull: chasing a Buzzard as though it was defending a nest
Guillemot: 4 from below Treshnish House
Black Guillemot: 2 from below Treshnish House
Wood Pigeon: 2 in the wood to west of Treshnish House and 1 calling in Treshnish Wood
Whinchat: 1 female below Treshnish House
Meadow Pipit: 1 juvenile
Rock Pipit: 1 at Ensay Burn, 1 below Treshnish House
Linnet: 1-2 pairs below Treshnish House (Prasad), 1? at Haunn cottages (CE & AV)
Greenfinch: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Goldfinch: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Coal Tit: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Otter: 1 about half way between Treshnish House and the Point and looked like it was going to its holt
Mountain Hare: 4 between Treshnish House and the Point (CE & AV)
June 6
Manx Shearwater: 100+ flying north passed, out from Treshnish Point in late evening (this appears to be a daily occurrence (the www.mullbirds.com list mentions them breeding on Rhum, although the Mull Bird Club report 3, by the same author, lists them breeding on the Treshnish Isles. Judging by the high numbers flying north most appear to be breeding on Rhum)
Gannet: 2+ of Port Haunn
Grey Heron: 1 near Crackaig
Red Grouse: 1 on Beinn Duill
Buzzard: 1 near Haunn and again about 5 hours later, 1 near Treshnish House and again about 6 hours later
Kestrel: 1 calling at Lòn Reudle
Snipe: 1 heard calling and seen on Beinn Duill, 1 heard in low-lying area below Haunn cottages
Kittiwake: hundreds between Port Haunn and Treshnish Isles
Great Skua: 1 chasing a Herring Gull and 2 Gannets before resting on the sea off Port Haunn
Auks: hundreds between Port Haunn and Treshnish Isles (no telescope)
Guillemot: 1 off Port Haunn
Black Guillemot: 4+ off Port Haunn
Hooded Crow: 1 adult sitting on nest at Crackaig
Skylark: singing inland in the sunshine (previously only heard on coastal strip but probably only because the inland walks have been in cold weather)
Starling: 2 flocks totalling about 30 birds flying towards the Treshnish Point roost cave
Rock Pipit: 1 at Lòn Reudle
Whinchat: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor and 5 hours later 1 just below Haunn cottages
Linnet: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Twite: 1? At cow barn (CE & AV)
Reed Bunting: 1 female in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Otter: 1 between Crackaig and Port Haunn came onto land and looked like it was going to its holt. The next day I found some holes there which were obviously used by Otters
Basking Shark: 1 in Loch Tuath south of Burg and later 1 between Crackaig and Port Haunn
June 7
Gannet: 2 at Crackaig
Golden Eagle: 2 hunting together at Cruachan Treshnish
White-tailed Eagle: 1 flying from Calgary Bay to Treshnish Point at 4.00pm, at hill above Ensay at 4.45pm for 15 minutes (CE & AV)
Buzzard: 1 calling below the wood to the west of Treshnish House at mid-day, 1 by cow barn in the evening (exactly same spot as previous evening)
Kestrel: 1 at Cruachan Treshnish and 3 hours later 2 at Lòn Reudle
Common Sandpiper: 1 calling at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 2 at Crackaig
Common Gull: mobbing Golden Eagle (along with Hooded Crows) as though protecting a nest
Black Guillemot: 2 at Crackaig
Rock Dove: group of 7 together at Haunn
Starling: 1 juvenile at Haunn cliffs
Stonechat: 1 juvenile between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Rock Pipit: 1 at Crackaig, 1 at Port Haunn
Northern Wheatear: at least four families with fledged young between Crackaig and Haunn
Red Deer fawn: small deer about the size of a Roe Deer (possibly smaller) sleeping in the heather on the moor. When I was within about 3 metres it ran off. It had white spots on its back, which formed a line either side of the spine. The tail was orangey brown
Basking Shark: 1 from Crackaig
June 8
Grey Heron: 2 at Dervaig
Greylag Goose: 7-8 families with young and 14 more in flight at Dervaig
Goosander: 11 males and 3 females at Dervaig
Red-breasted Merganser: 3 males at Dervaig
Eider: 1 male and 2 females at Dervaig
Mallard: 10+ males at Dervaig
Shelduck: 1 at Dervaig
Buzzard: 1-2 at Dervaig
Curlew: 1+ at Dervaig
Redshank: 2 at Dervaig
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Dervaig
Snipe: 1 heard and seen drumming, and 1 also heard calling at Dervaig
Black-headed Gull: 3 at Dervaig
Collared Dove: 1+ at Dervaig
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 at Dervaig
House Martin: nesting at Dervaig
Pied Wagtail: family with juveniles at Dervaig
Whinchat: 1 at Dervaig
Sedge Warbler: 1 at Dervaig
Reed Bunting: 2-3 singing males at Dervaig
June 9
Grey Heron: 1 below Treshnish House
Buzzard: 1 near Treshnish House
Great Skua: 1 flying south between Port Haunn and Crackaig in the morning (CE & AV)
Wood Pigeon: 1 above Treshnish Wood
Otter: 1 at Crackaig (CE & AV)
Mountain Hare: 1 below Treshnish House
Narrow-leaved Helleborine orchid: 1 on track east of Treshnish House (shown to SC by MD & SD, discovered by Arthur Brown) (has been recorded in less than 100 1km squares in Britain)
Common Twayblade orchid: several near the shore below Treshnish House
June 10
Swift: 2 at Reudle (Ruth & Arthur Brown on www.mullbirds.com)
June 11
Manx Shearwater: over 200 feeding with Kittiwakes of Treshnish Point and 7 in a quick scan off Crackaig
Gannet: 10 at Treshnish Point and later, possibly some of same, 7 at Crackaig
Buzzard: 1 above Treshnish House
Kestrel: 1 at Lòn Reudle
Golden Eagle: 1 at Treshnish
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Port Haunn
Common Gull: 3 near the small pond above Treshnish House behaving as if they have nests
Kittiwake: several hundred feeding off Treshnish Point
Auk species: large numbers off Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 1 flying from the cliff ledge at Lòn Reudle
Whinchat: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Rock Pipit: 1 at Crackaig
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Reed Bunting: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly: 1 male photographed on Treshnish headland
Overview June 5-11
Fledged young of Northern Wheatear and Starling have been seen for the first time this week. Large numbers of Manx Shearwater can be seen, sometimes feeding, off Treshnish Point. Great Skua was seen twice this week and is no doubt under-recorded.
June 12
Gannet: 1 immature seen twice at about 3pm at Treshnish Point, several adults also seen
Manx Shearwater: for at least 45 minutes there was a constant stream passing north at about 2pm and also at the same time over 200 feeding on the water close in to Treshnish Point. The most common seabird outnumbering the auks and Kittiwakes, which were also present. At about 3pm there was a movement towards the south.
Fulmar: the breeding birds at Treshnish Point are seen also around the cliffs
Great Skua: 1 at about 2.30 flying from Treshnish Point to below Treshnish house and about 30 minutes later another or possibly the same flying south passed Treshnish Point
Kittiwake: good numbers passing Treshnish Point but not the huge flocks of previous days
Auk species: good numbers passing Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 4 close in at Treshnish Point appear to be breeding
Collared Dove: 2 at 8.30pm on wires outside The Studio. (CC saw 1 on April 16th, otherwise there have been no other Treshnish records this year)
Starling: about 25 at 8.30pm on wires outside The Studio probably on their way to the roost cave at Treshnish Point
Meadow Pipit: 1 fledged juvenile
Whinchat: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Twite: 2 at Treshnish Point
Linnet: 3 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
June 13
Manx Shearwater: large numbers flying passing Treshnish Point, some very close in (not as many as yesterday and no large flocks on the water in 1-2 hours of observation)
Gannet: 11+ around Treshnish Point
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult flying southwest around Treshnish Point at 2.30pm
Buzzard: 1 at Treshnish Point and later probably the same individual between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Kittiwake: small numbers passing Treshnish Point
Auks: all four common species seen quite close in to Treshnish Point
Whinchat: 1 male below Toechtamhor
Basking Shark: 1 between Treshnish House and the Point at about 1.45pm
Northern Marsh Orchid: 1 at Treshnish Point
Fragrant Orchid: 2-3 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
June 14
Manx Shearwater: about 100 feeding with Kittiwakes at Port Langamull
Gannet: 2+ at Port Langamull (Prasad), 1+ at Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Fulmar: 1+ at Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Cormorant: 2 at Port Langamull (the first for several weeks in Calgary area)
Buzzard: 1 at Ensay
White-tailed Eagle: 1 seen at 10.20am flying from Treshnish Point to the east possibly carrying prey, at 13.00 flying from Treshnish Point towards Ensay and then eastwards, at 14.15 flying along the shoreline between Ensay Burn and Treshnish Point and again at 15.00 flying in the opposite direction, carrying prey (possible gull or fulmar chick), towards the hill behind Ensay where it circled and headed eastwards (CE & AV)
Greylag Goose: flock of 21+4 adults at Port Langamull
Redshank: 2 at Dervaig
Whimbrel: 1 at Port Langamull
Common Ringed Plover: at least two pairs at Port Langamull
Lapwing: 2 at Port Langamull
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Port Langamull
Kittiwake: hundreds between Port Langamull and Crackaig
Arctic Tern: 1 at Port Langamull flew calling with a fish, towards Crackaig
Auks: large numbers of Razorbill (but fewer than Manx Shearwater) with the odd Guillemot, 1 Black Guillemot, 1 Puffin at Port Langamull
Sand Martin: 2 at Port Langamull near nest holes
House Martin: 1 at Dervaig
Spotted Flycatcher: 1 at Treshnish graveyard (CE & AV)
Rock Pipit: 1+ at Port Langamull
Otter: 1 at Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Basking Shark: 1 from Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Slender Scotch Burnet: 1 at Port Langamull. Although this moth is ‘found on sunny south facing slopes with an open sward,’ I am fairly confident of the identification. I have no moth experience at all but it was obviously a burnet and I wrote down that it had 5 red spots the outermost of which was a double spot. Only the habitat makes me doubtful. ‘This is the rarest Burnet moth in Argyll and is only found in a handful of sites on Mull and Ulva,’ (Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ pamphlet of Butterfly Conservation Scotland),’
[Northern Eggar moth: 2 disturbed in daylight at Langamull were only seen briefly but thought to be this species]
Early Purple Orchid: several at Port Langamull (we are pretty sure that this was the first Orchid out at Treshnish but this is the first one we have positively identified)
Fragrant Orchid: several at Port Langamull
Early Marsh/Northern Marsh Orchid: Leena identified one or two at Port Langamull as Early Marsh Orchid (Prasad is not sure that they were not Northern Marsh Orchid). We are finding the Dactylorhhiza orchids -Spotted and Marsh Orchids- very difficult to identify although Prasad is pretty sure that Heath Spotted-orchid is the pink, most common species at Treshnish
June 15
Twite: 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
June 16
Starling: 15 at Haunn
Linnet: 2 by The Studio
June 17
Meadow Pipit: fledged young between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Pied Wagtail: fledged young between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Robin: fledged young by the Studio
Song Thrush: fledged young by the Studio
House Sparrow: fledged young by the Studio
Mountain Hare: on the rocks by shoreline below Treshnish House (DR & LR)
Common Seal: (DR & LR)
Greater Butterfly Orchid: several around Toechtamhor cottage (SC)
June 18
Buzzard: 1 seen twice between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Snipe: one sitting and calling from a fence post between Treshnish and Haunn cottages and another heard
Jack Snipe: 1 possible at Gruline (Arthur Brown)
Common Sandpiper: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Mountain Hare: on the rocks by shoreline below Treshnish House and behind Duill cottage (DR & LR)
Otter: 1 male at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Mink: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Common Seal: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Basking Shark: at Calgary Bay heading towards Coll (DR & LR)
Fragrant Orchid: several between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, especially around Toechtamhor
Small White Orchid: several around Toechtamhor cottage (SC)
Overview June 12-18
Manx Shearwater, Great Skua, White-tailed Eagle are the highlights from Treshnish Point. White-tailed Eagle may be passing below Treshnish House fairly regularly. There are very few terns being seen and Alan Spellman has e-mailed to say that he has visited the tern colony in the Sound of Mull and found no active nests. A Minke Whale was seen from Treshnish Point by the G family (sometime between 3-17th June).
June 19
Arctic Skua: ‘1 flew across Caliach Point in strong north westerly winds giving great views,’ (Arthur Brown on www.mullbirds.com)
[Curlew: 2 probables flying over Treshnish Farm on 19th or 20th, may have been Whimbrel: (CC)]
Mountain Hare: on the rocks by shoreline below Treshnish House (DR & LR)
June 20
Manx Shearwater: 13 from Treshnish Point
Gannet: 4 from Treshnish Point
Buzzard: 1 seen twice between Treshnish house and the Point
Snipe: calling and drumming near Toechtamhor
Starling: flock of 12 at Treshnish Point
Rock Pipit: 1 at Treshnish Point
Stonechat: juveniles at the low-lying area below Toechtamhor were catching food
Whinchat: 1 male in the low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Sedge Warbler: 1 in the low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Northern Marsh Orchid: several around Toechtamhor
June 22
Gannet: 1 below Treshnish House
Grey Heron: 1 below Toechtamhor flying to Treshnish Point, 1 at Dervaig
Eider: 3 at Dervaig
Golden Eagle: 1 above Toechtamhor cottage
Hen Harrier: 1 male flying above Treshnish Lochan at about 8.30pm
Buzzard: 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig
Redshank: 1 at Dervaig
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Dervaig
Common Gull: definite breeding in progress near Treshnish Lochan (mild dive bombing)
Collared Dove: 1 around Toechtamhor cottage
Starling: flock of 80+ below Toechtamhor cottage
Whinchat: 1 below Toechtamhor cottage
Early Marsh Orchid: several near Treshnish Lochan. After a bit more experience this species has now been safely identified
June 23
Wood Pigeon: 1 flying from below Treshnish House to the Point
Gannet: 1+ offshore from Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Common Sandpiper: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Rock Pipit: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Otter: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Mountain Hare: on rocks at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Common Seal: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
June 24
White-tailed Eagle: 1 flying northeast over Treshnish Lochan at 5pm
Nightjar: heard at Quinish (‘Shaun McCullagh (pp) Nick Reed’ on www.mullbirds.com)
Meadow Pipit: adult feeding fledged juvenile between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Linnet: a pair at West cottage Haunn
June 25
Gannet: 3+ around Treshnish Point
Fulmar: several still occupying ledges at Treshnish point and several flying or swimming nearby
Shag: a few visible sitting on ledges near the Starling roost, one pair has two nearly full grown juveniles still on the nest ledge, both adults were busy preening the young (see June 4th)
Cormorant: 1 flew around Treshnish Point
Golden Eagle: pair hunting over Treshnish Lochan and a few hours later over
Haunn and Treshnish Lochan
Buzzard: 2 over Treshnish and later 2 over Treshnish House
Common Sandpiper: 1 below Treshnish House (Prasad) and between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Lapwing: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Common Ringed Plover: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Kittiwake: 2 at Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 6 at Treshnish Point
Swift: 1 flew around Treshnish point heading to the north-east at about 6pm
Rock Pipit: 1 at Treshnish Point
Whinchat: 1 pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor and another pair in same but below Haunn cottages with fledged young
Stonechat: 2-3 fledged families in low-lying area below Haunn
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Linnet: 2 below Treshnish House
Twite: 1 at Treshnish Point
Mountain Hare: 1 on rocks below Treshnish House
Common Seal: on rocks at low tide off Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Basking Shark: 1 half-way between Treshnish House and the Point
Painted Lady: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Common Blue Damselfly: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
June 26
Gannet: 1+ from below Treshnish House
[Cormorant: 1 possible flying around Treshnish Point]
Fulmar: 17 on water at Treshnish Point so presumably there are 17+ pairs breeding
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult at 2.10pm flying overland from Treshnish Point to Calgary carrying a food item, possibly a Black Guillemot
Hen Harrier: 1 adult male flying from east of Treshnish Point towards Treshnish graveyard at 9.50pm
Buzzard: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
[Whimbrel: 1 flying northeast along the shore below Treshnish House]
Kittiwake: 2 from below Treshnish House from where a large flock of about 100 could be seen off Caliach Point
Black Guillemot: 5 at Treshnish Point
Razorbill: 3-5 at Treshnish Point
Meadow Pipit: adult feeding fledged juvenile
Sedge Warbler: 1 near shore half way between Treshnish House and the Point
Linnet: 2 between Treshnish House and the Point
Twite: 2 at Treshnish Point
White Ermine moth: a pair of medium size near Cuckoo-spit, creamy with small black spots on upper wings and larger spread out clear cut black spots on the underside of the body. It could have been a Muslin Moth but I do not remember there being so few spots and the flight season is given in Waring, Townsend & Lewington 2003 as May-Early June (NM3548)
Chimney Sweeper moth: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
June 27
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult flying with prey at 11.17am over Treshnish Lochan towards Calgary, the Common Gulls give a great early warning system
Curlew: 1 heard near Ensay
Common Tern: 1 at Crackaig
Rock Pipit: 1 at Crackaig
Basking Shark: 1 offshore from below Treshnish House
June 28
Manx Shearwater: 7 from Treshnish Point
Gannet: none today
Grey Heron: 1 near Port Haunn
[Cormorant: a couple of possibles flying around Treshnish Point]
Golden Eagle: 1 at Treshnish House
Buzzard: 1 at Treshnish Point
Kestrel: 1 at Lòn Reudle
Common Ringed Plover: 5 adults and 6 juveniles near Port Haunn
Great Skua: 1 flying from the southwest around Treshnish Point at about 4pm
Black Guillemot: 2 at Treshnish Point
Razorbill: many large flocks flying to southwest around Treshnish Point
Rock Pipit: 1 at Treshnish Pont
Starling: 7 below Toechtamhor
Whinchat: 1 male and 1 pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor and Haunn
Willow Warbler: adult with juvenile in low-lying area below Haunn cottages (much less singing in the last few days)
Linnet: 2 by cow barn
Twite: 3 together by low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Transparent Burnet moth: two together just below Crackaig village and one just above Crackaig village. ‘There may be as few as 30 colonies in the UK and all of them on the west coast between Skye and Kintyre’ (Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ pamphlet of Butterfly Conservation Scotland)
Golden-ringed Dragonfly: 1 at place where stream from below Toechtamhor runs through the cliffs (large, about 9cm long, black and yellow stripes)
June 29
Curlew: 2 below Treshnish House (apparently breeding on Ensay and this pair is probably from there)
Linnet: 1 below Treshnish House
Mountain Hare: 1 below Treshnish House
June 30
Osprey: 1 at Loch an Torr (Barry Prater on www.mullbirds.com)
Linnet: 1 at Treshnish House
Nightjar: 1 at Quinish sometime in June (Isle of Mull bird report 2006)
June 1
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult attacking the Fulmars at Treshnish Point (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com)
June 2
Red-throated Diver: 2 at Calgary beach (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com). It is not clear if this record is from the 2nd or 3rd June
Merlin: 1 at Calgary at Calgary beach (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com). It is not clear if this record is from the 2nd or 3rd June
Great Skua: 2 at Treshnish Point (Matt Atkin on www.mullbirds.com). It is not clear if this record is from the 2nd or 3rd June
June 3
Basking Shark: 1 in Calgary Bay at 7.00-7.30pm at least (seen earlier by MD & SD)
June 4
Fulmar: 38 occupied ledges are visible at Treshnish Point, some have not yet laid
Gannet: 3-5 off Treshnish Point (Prasad), 1 off Port Haunn (CE & AV)
Manx Shearwater: 5 off Treshnish Point
Shag: about 10 sitting on ledges at the Starling roost cliff, one was sitting on a fairly large juvenile and also had an egg (presumably infertile as she was not sitting on the egg one hour later and the juvenile looked to be too big). There were about 100 roosting on rocks
Goosander: 9 at Loch Cuin-Dervaig (Shaun McCullagh on www.mullbirds.com)
Shelduck: 1 flew northeast around Treshnish Point
Greylag Goose: 7 flew northeast passed Treshnish Point and then about 30 minutes later flew passed in the opposite direction and then again about 30 minutes later 3 flew passed towards the northeast
Buzzard: 1 above the wood to the west of Treshnish House where there is probably a nest
Common Sandpiper: 2 between Port Haunn and Treshnish Point (Prasad), 1 at Port Haunn (CE & AV)
Common Ringed Plover: 1+ at Port Haunn (CE & AV), 1 at Langamull (Shaun McCullagh on www.mullbirds.com)
Dunlin: 3 at Langamull (Shaun McCullagh on www.mullbirds.com)
Unidentified tern species: 2 probably Common Terns off Treshnish Point
Kittiwake: 4 off Treshnish Point
Great Skua: 1 flew southwest over the cliffs at Treshnish Point at about 2.30pm and two more flew in the same direction and also over the cliffs at about 4.30pm (the www.mullbirds.com lists the Great Skua as breeding on the Treshnish Isles)
Razorbill: 40 off Treshnish Point
Guillemot: 3 off Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 1 off Treshnish Point
Puffin: 2 off Treshnish Point
Starling: at least 3 bringing food to nests on the cliffs below Haunn cottages
Song Thrush: 1 juvenile between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Stonechat: juveniles below Haunn cottages
Northern Wheatear: adults acting as though they had fledged young below Haunn cottages
Robin: a juvenile near the Nissan-hut tool shop
Rock Pipit: at least three pairs at Treshnish Point (1 pair had at least 3 fledged young)
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor cottage
Twite: a pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor cottage (the male singing from a fence post), a pair at Treshnish Point (the male singing from a rock),
Linnet: 2 below Haunn cottages, and 2 in front of Toechtamhor cottage behaving as though they have a nest there
Reed Bunting: a pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor cottage, this is the first male seen since May 10th
Overview May 29-June 4
The occasional tern may now be seen along the shoreline. Large congregations of Kittiwake were at Caliach Point exploiting a food source. The Dunlin on the 31st were incredibly tame allowing approach up to 3 metres. The Arctic Tern observed flying and calling with a fish towards south Coll was interesting. The only explanation that I can come up with is that it was flying to the Treshnish Isles and was taking a wide curve far out around Treshnish Point. Arctic Terns eggs generally begin to hatch in mid June (earliest beginning of June) and Common Terns generally begin to hatch after the first week of June (earliest beginning of June). Perhaps I have misidentified this bird as an Arctic Tern (instead of Common). Another possibility is that it was a gift to its mate. Arctic Terns generally begin to lay after the third week of May (earliest after first week of May), Common Terns generally begin to lay after the second week of May (earliest after first week of May).
The White-tailed Eagle seen at Treshnish farm on the 29th is probably one of the Loch Frisa adults. At mid day one of the Loch Frisa adults was seen on the ridge between Dervaig and Loch Frisa (the pair had been observed by others flying from Loch Frisa to this ridge), by 12 noon only one was over the ridge. It seems very likely that the White-tailed Eagle seen at Treshnish at about 12.30 was one of these birds. On May 16th one of the Loch Frisa adults was most probably the White-tailed Eagle observed carrying food at Treshnish farm and flying to the north-east and interestingly it was at about the same time, noon. There have been several seabird kills along the cliffs at Treshnish Point and at least 2 pellets have been found there: it appears that the eagles regularly hunt successfully at the Point.
The Reed Bunting female has been observed with a male and are presumably breeding.
The Fulmars at Treshnish Point have not all laid their eggs and although some appear to have, none have definitely.
By now fledged juveniles of Song Thrush, Robin, Stonechat and probably Northern Wheatear have been seen at Treshnish farm and unfledged Shag and Starling have been observed.
June 5
Great Northern Diver: 1 flying southwest around Treshnish Point
Red-throated Diver: 2 in Calgary Bay from below Treshnish House
Manx Shearwater: 1 from below Treshnish House
Shelduck: a pair flying from Treshnish Point towards Caliach Point
Buzzard: 3 above the cow barn (calling)
Common Sandpiper: 2 at Ensay Burn mouth in evening (Prasad), 1? in morning (CE & AV)
Common Gull: chasing a Buzzard as though it was defending a nest
Guillemot: 4 from below Treshnish House
Black Guillemot: 2 from below Treshnish House
Wood Pigeon: 2 in the wood to west of Treshnish House and 1 calling in Treshnish Wood
Whinchat: 1 female below Treshnish House
Meadow Pipit: 1 juvenile
Rock Pipit: 1 at Ensay Burn, 1 below Treshnish House
Linnet: 1-2 pairs below Treshnish House (Prasad), 1? at Haunn cottages (CE & AV)
Greenfinch: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Goldfinch: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Coal Tit: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Otter: 1 about half way between Treshnish House and the Point and looked like it was going to its holt
Mountain Hare: 4 between Treshnish House and the Point (CE & AV)
June 6
Manx Shearwater: 100+ flying north passed, out from Treshnish Point in late evening (this appears to be a daily occurrence (the www.mullbirds.com list mentions them breeding on Rhum, although the Mull Bird Club report 3, by the same author, lists them breeding on the Treshnish Isles. Judging by the high numbers flying north most appear to be breeding on Rhum)
Gannet: 2+ of Port Haunn
Grey Heron: 1 near Crackaig
Red Grouse: 1 on Beinn Duill
Buzzard: 1 near Haunn and again about 5 hours later, 1 near Treshnish House and again about 6 hours later
Kestrel: 1 calling at Lòn Reudle
Snipe: 1 heard calling and seen on Beinn Duill, 1 heard in low-lying area below Haunn cottages
Kittiwake: hundreds between Port Haunn and Treshnish Isles
Great Skua: 1 chasing a Herring Gull and 2 Gannets before resting on the sea off Port Haunn
Auks: hundreds between Port Haunn and Treshnish Isles (no telescope)
Guillemot: 1 off Port Haunn
Black Guillemot: 4+ off Port Haunn
Hooded Crow: 1 adult sitting on nest at Crackaig
Skylark: singing inland in the sunshine (previously only heard on coastal strip but probably only because the inland walks have been in cold weather)
Starling: 2 flocks totalling about 30 birds flying towards the Treshnish Point roost cave
Rock Pipit: 1 at Lòn Reudle
Whinchat: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor and 5 hours later 1 just below Haunn cottages
Linnet: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Twite: 1? At cow barn (CE & AV)
Reed Bunting: 1 female in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Otter: 1 between Crackaig and Port Haunn came onto land and looked like it was going to its holt. The next day I found some holes there which were obviously used by Otters
Basking Shark: 1 in Loch Tuath south of Burg and later 1 between Crackaig and Port Haunn
June 7
Gannet: 2 at Crackaig
Golden Eagle: 2 hunting together at Cruachan Treshnish
White-tailed Eagle: 1 flying from Calgary Bay to Treshnish Point at 4.00pm, at hill above Ensay at 4.45pm for 15 minutes (CE & AV)
Buzzard: 1 calling below the wood to the west of Treshnish House at mid-day, 1 by cow barn in the evening (exactly same spot as previous evening)
Kestrel: 1 at Cruachan Treshnish and 3 hours later 2 at Lòn Reudle
Common Sandpiper: 1 calling at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 2 at Crackaig
Common Gull: mobbing Golden Eagle (along with Hooded Crows) as though protecting a nest
Black Guillemot: 2 at Crackaig
Rock Dove: group of 7 together at Haunn
Starling: 1 juvenile at Haunn cliffs
Stonechat: 1 juvenile between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Rock Pipit: 1 at Crackaig, 1 at Port Haunn
Northern Wheatear: at least four families with fledged young between Crackaig and Haunn
Red Deer fawn: small deer about the size of a Roe Deer (possibly smaller) sleeping in the heather on the moor. When I was within about 3 metres it ran off. It had white spots on its back, which formed a line either side of the spine. The tail was orangey brown
Basking Shark: 1 from Crackaig
June 8
Grey Heron: 2 at Dervaig
Greylag Goose: 7-8 families with young and 14 more in flight at Dervaig
Goosander: 11 males and 3 females at Dervaig
Red-breasted Merganser: 3 males at Dervaig
Eider: 1 male and 2 females at Dervaig
Mallard: 10+ males at Dervaig
Shelduck: 1 at Dervaig
Buzzard: 1-2 at Dervaig
Curlew: 1+ at Dervaig
Redshank: 2 at Dervaig
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Dervaig
Snipe: 1 heard and seen drumming, and 1 also heard calling at Dervaig
Black-headed Gull: 3 at Dervaig
Collared Dove: 1+ at Dervaig
Great Spotted Woodpecker: 1 at Dervaig
House Martin: nesting at Dervaig
Pied Wagtail: family with juveniles at Dervaig
Whinchat: 1 at Dervaig
Sedge Warbler: 1 at Dervaig
Reed Bunting: 2-3 singing males at Dervaig
June 9
Grey Heron: 1 below Treshnish House
Buzzard: 1 near Treshnish House
Great Skua: 1 flying south between Port Haunn and Crackaig in the morning (CE & AV)
Wood Pigeon: 1 above Treshnish Wood
Otter: 1 at Crackaig (CE & AV)
Mountain Hare: 1 below Treshnish House
Narrow-leaved Helleborine orchid: 1 on track east of Treshnish House (shown to SC by MD & SD, discovered by Arthur Brown) (has been recorded in less than 100 1km squares in Britain)
Common Twayblade orchid: several near the shore below Treshnish House
June 10
Swift: 2 at Reudle (Ruth & Arthur Brown on www.mullbirds.com)
June 11
Manx Shearwater: over 200 feeding with Kittiwakes of Treshnish Point and 7 in a quick scan off Crackaig
Gannet: 10 at Treshnish Point and later, possibly some of same, 7 at Crackaig
Buzzard: 1 above Treshnish House
Kestrel: 1 at Lòn Reudle
Golden Eagle: 1 at Treshnish
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Port Haunn
Common Gull: 3 near the small pond above Treshnish House behaving as if they have nests
Kittiwake: several hundred feeding off Treshnish Point
Auk species: large numbers off Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 1 flying from the cliff ledge at Lòn Reudle
Whinchat: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Rock Pipit: 1 at Crackaig
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Reed Bunting: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly: 1 male photographed on Treshnish headland
Overview June 5-11
Fledged young of Northern Wheatear and Starling have been seen for the first time this week. Large numbers of Manx Shearwater can be seen, sometimes feeding, off Treshnish Point. Great Skua was seen twice this week and is no doubt under-recorded.
June 12
Gannet: 1 immature seen twice at about 3pm at Treshnish Point, several adults also seen
Manx Shearwater: for at least 45 minutes there was a constant stream passing north at about 2pm and also at the same time over 200 feeding on the water close in to Treshnish Point. The most common seabird outnumbering the auks and Kittiwakes, which were also present. At about 3pm there was a movement towards the south.
Fulmar: the breeding birds at Treshnish Point are seen also around the cliffs
Great Skua: 1 at about 2.30 flying from Treshnish Point to below Treshnish house and about 30 minutes later another or possibly the same flying south passed Treshnish Point
Kittiwake: good numbers passing Treshnish Point but not the huge flocks of previous days
Auk species: good numbers passing Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 4 close in at Treshnish Point appear to be breeding
Collared Dove: 2 at 8.30pm on wires outside The Studio. (CC saw 1 on April 16th, otherwise there have been no other Treshnish records this year)
Starling: about 25 at 8.30pm on wires outside The Studio probably on their way to the roost cave at Treshnish Point
Meadow Pipit: 1 fledged juvenile
Whinchat: 1 male in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Twite: 2 at Treshnish Point
Linnet: 3 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
June 13
Manx Shearwater: large numbers flying passing Treshnish Point, some very close in (not as many as yesterday and no large flocks on the water in 1-2 hours of observation)
Gannet: 11+ around Treshnish Point
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult flying southwest around Treshnish Point at 2.30pm
Buzzard: 1 at Treshnish Point and later probably the same individual between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Kittiwake: small numbers passing Treshnish Point
Auks: all four common species seen quite close in to Treshnish Point
Whinchat: 1 male below Toechtamhor
Basking Shark: 1 between Treshnish House and the Point at about 1.45pm
Northern Marsh Orchid: 1 at Treshnish Point
Fragrant Orchid: 2-3 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
June 14
Manx Shearwater: about 100 feeding with Kittiwakes at Port Langamull
Gannet: 2+ at Port Langamull (Prasad), 1+ at Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Fulmar: 1+ at Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Cormorant: 2 at Port Langamull (the first for several weeks in Calgary area)
Buzzard: 1 at Ensay
White-tailed Eagle: 1 seen at 10.20am flying from Treshnish Point to the east possibly carrying prey, at 13.00 flying from Treshnish Point towards Ensay and then eastwards, at 14.15 flying along the shoreline between Ensay Burn and Treshnish Point and again at 15.00 flying in the opposite direction, carrying prey (possible gull or fulmar chick), towards the hill behind Ensay where it circled and headed eastwards (CE & AV)
Greylag Goose: flock of 21+4 adults at Port Langamull
Redshank: 2 at Dervaig
Whimbrel: 1 at Port Langamull
Common Ringed Plover: at least two pairs at Port Langamull
Lapwing: 2 at Port Langamull
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Port Langamull
Kittiwake: hundreds between Port Langamull and Crackaig
Arctic Tern: 1 at Port Langamull flew calling with a fish, towards Crackaig
Auks: large numbers of Razorbill (but fewer than Manx Shearwater) with the odd Guillemot, 1 Black Guillemot, 1 Puffin at Port Langamull
Sand Martin: 2 at Port Langamull near nest holes
House Martin: 1 at Dervaig
Spotted Flycatcher: 1 at Treshnish graveyard (CE & AV)
Rock Pipit: 1+ at Port Langamull
Otter: 1 at Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Basking Shark: 1 from Treshnish Point (CE & AV)
Slender Scotch Burnet: 1 at Port Langamull. Although this moth is ‘found on sunny south facing slopes with an open sward,’ I am fairly confident of the identification. I have no moth experience at all but it was obviously a burnet and I wrote down that it had 5 red spots the outermost of which was a double spot. Only the habitat makes me doubtful. ‘This is the rarest Burnet moth in Argyll and is only found in a handful of sites on Mull and Ulva,’ (Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ pamphlet of Butterfly Conservation Scotland),’
[Northern Eggar moth: 2 disturbed in daylight at Langamull were only seen briefly but thought to be this species]
Early Purple Orchid: several at Port Langamull (we are pretty sure that this was the first Orchid out at Treshnish but this is the first one we have positively identified)
Fragrant Orchid: several at Port Langamull
Early Marsh/Northern Marsh Orchid: Leena identified one or two at Port Langamull as Early Marsh Orchid (Prasad is not sure that they were not Northern Marsh Orchid). We are finding the Dactylorhhiza orchids -Spotted and Marsh Orchids- very difficult to identify although Prasad is pretty sure that Heath Spotted-orchid is the pink, most common species at Treshnish
June 15
Twite: 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
June 16
Starling: 15 at Haunn
Linnet: 2 by The Studio
June 17
Meadow Pipit: fledged young between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Pied Wagtail: fledged young between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Robin: fledged young by the Studio
Song Thrush: fledged young by the Studio
House Sparrow: fledged young by the Studio
Mountain Hare: on the rocks by shoreline below Treshnish House (DR & LR)
Common Seal: (DR & LR)
Greater Butterfly Orchid: several around Toechtamhor cottage (SC)
June 18
Buzzard: 1 seen twice between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Snipe: one sitting and calling from a fence post between Treshnish and Haunn cottages and another heard
Jack Snipe: 1 possible at Gruline (Arthur Brown)
Common Sandpiper: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Mountain Hare: on the rocks by shoreline below Treshnish House and behind Duill cottage (DR & LR)
Otter: 1 male at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Mink: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Common Seal: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Basking Shark: at Calgary Bay heading towards Coll (DR & LR)
Fragrant Orchid: several between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, especially around Toechtamhor
Small White Orchid: several around Toechtamhor cottage (SC)
Overview June 12-18
Manx Shearwater, Great Skua, White-tailed Eagle are the highlights from Treshnish Point. White-tailed Eagle may be passing below Treshnish House fairly regularly. There are very few terns being seen and Alan Spellman has e-mailed to say that he has visited the tern colony in the Sound of Mull and found no active nests. A Minke Whale was seen from Treshnish Point by the G family (sometime between 3-17th June).
June 19
Arctic Skua: ‘1 flew across Caliach Point in strong north westerly winds giving great views,’ (Arthur Brown on www.mullbirds.com)
[Curlew: 2 probables flying over Treshnish Farm on 19th or 20th, may have been Whimbrel: (CC)]
Mountain Hare: on the rocks by shoreline below Treshnish House (DR & LR)
June 20
Manx Shearwater: 13 from Treshnish Point
Gannet: 4 from Treshnish Point
Buzzard: 1 seen twice between Treshnish house and the Point
Snipe: calling and drumming near Toechtamhor
Starling: flock of 12 at Treshnish Point
Rock Pipit: 1 at Treshnish Point
Stonechat: juveniles at the low-lying area below Toechtamhor were catching food
Whinchat: 1 male in the low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Sedge Warbler: 1 in the low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Northern Marsh Orchid: several around Toechtamhor
June 22
Gannet: 1 below Treshnish House
Grey Heron: 1 below Toechtamhor flying to Treshnish Point, 1 at Dervaig
Eider: 3 at Dervaig
Golden Eagle: 1 above Toechtamhor cottage
Hen Harrier: 1 male flying above Treshnish Lochan at about 8.30pm
Buzzard: 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig
Redshank: 1 at Dervaig
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Dervaig
Common Gull: definite breeding in progress near Treshnish Lochan (mild dive bombing)
Collared Dove: 1 around Toechtamhor cottage
Starling: flock of 80+ below Toechtamhor cottage
Whinchat: 1 below Toechtamhor cottage
Early Marsh Orchid: several near Treshnish Lochan. After a bit more experience this species has now been safely identified
June 23
Wood Pigeon: 1 flying from below Treshnish House to the Point
Gannet: 1+ offshore from Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Common Sandpiper: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Rock Pipit: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Otter: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Mountain Hare: on rocks at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Common Seal: at Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
June 24
White-tailed Eagle: 1 flying northeast over Treshnish Lochan at 5pm
Nightjar: heard at Quinish (‘Shaun McCullagh (pp) Nick Reed’ on www.mullbirds.com)
Meadow Pipit: adult feeding fledged juvenile between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Linnet: a pair at West cottage Haunn
June 25
Gannet: 3+ around Treshnish Point
Fulmar: several still occupying ledges at Treshnish point and several flying or swimming nearby
Shag: a few visible sitting on ledges near the Starling roost, one pair has two nearly full grown juveniles still on the nest ledge, both adults were busy preening the young (see June 4th)
Cormorant: 1 flew around Treshnish Point
Golden Eagle: pair hunting over Treshnish Lochan and a few hours later over
Haunn and Treshnish Lochan
Buzzard: 2 over Treshnish and later 2 over Treshnish House
Common Sandpiper: 1 below Treshnish House (Prasad) and between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Lapwing: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Common Ringed Plover: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Kittiwake: 2 at Treshnish Point
Black Guillemot: 6 at Treshnish Point
Swift: 1 flew around Treshnish point heading to the north-east at about 6pm
Rock Pipit: 1 at Treshnish Point
Whinchat: 1 pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor and another pair in same but below Haunn cottages with fledged young
Stonechat: 2-3 fledged families in low-lying area below Haunn
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Linnet: 2 below Treshnish House
Twite: 1 at Treshnish Point
Mountain Hare: 1 on rocks below Treshnish House
Common Seal: on rocks at low tide off Treshnish Farm (DR & LR)
Basking Shark: 1 half-way between Treshnish House and the Point
Painted Lady: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
Common Blue Damselfly: between Treshnish House and Port Haunn (DR & LR)
June 26
Gannet: 1+ from below Treshnish House
[Cormorant: 1 possible flying around Treshnish Point]
Fulmar: 17 on water at Treshnish Point so presumably there are 17+ pairs breeding
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult at 2.10pm flying overland from Treshnish Point to Calgary carrying a food item, possibly a Black Guillemot
Hen Harrier: 1 adult male flying from east of Treshnish Point towards Treshnish graveyard at 9.50pm
Buzzard: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
[Whimbrel: 1 flying northeast along the shore below Treshnish House]
Kittiwake: 2 from below Treshnish House from where a large flock of about 100 could be seen off Caliach Point
Black Guillemot: 5 at Treshnish Point
Razorbill: 3-5 at Treshnish Point
Meadow Pipit: adult feeding fledged juvenile
Sedge Warbler: 1 near shore half way between Treshnish House and the Point
Linnet: 2 between Treshnish House and the Point
Twite: 2 at Treshnish Point
White Ermine moth: a pair of medium size near Cuckoo-spit, creamy with small black spots on upper wings and larger spread out clear cut black spots on the underside of the body. It could have been a Muslin Moth but I do not remember there being so few spots and the flight season is given in Waring, Townsend & Lewington 2003 as May-Early June (NM3548)
Chimney Sweeper moth: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
June 27
White-tailed Eagle: 1 adult flying with prey at 11.17am over Treshnish Lochan towards Calgary, the Common Gulls give a great early warning system
Curlew: 1 heard near Ensay
Common Tern: 1 at Crackaig
Rock Pipit: 1 at Crackaig
Basking Shark: 1 offshore from below Treshnish House
June 28
Manx Shearwater: 7 from Treshnish Point
Gannet: none today
Grey Heron: 1 near Port Haunn
[Cormorant: a couple of possibles flying around Treshnish Point]
Golden Eagle: 1 at Treshnish House
Buzzard: 1 at Treshnish Point
Kestrel: 1 at Lòn Reudle
Common Ringed Plover: 5 adults and 6 juveniles near Port Haunn
Great Skua: 1 flying from the southwest around Treshnish Point at about 4pm
Black Guillemot: 2 at Treshnish Point
Razorbill: many large flocks flying to southwest around Treshnish Point
Rock Pipit: 1 at Treshnish Pont
Starling: 7 below Toechtamhor
Whinchat: 1 male and 1 pair in low-lying area below Toechtamhor and Haunn
Willow Warbler: adult with juvenile in low-lying area below Haunn cottages (much less singing in the last few days)
Linnet: 2 by cow barn
Twite: 3 together by low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Transparent Burnet moth: two together just below Crackaig village and one just above Crackaig village. ‘There may be as few as 30 colonies in the UK and all of them on the west coast between Skye and Kintyre’ (Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ pamphlet of Butterfly Conservation Scotland)
Golden-ringed Dragonfly: 1 at place where stream from below Toechtamhor runs through the cliffs (large, about 9cm long, black and yellow stripes)
June 29
Curlew: 2 below Treshnish House (apparently breeding on Ensay and this pair is probably from there)
Linnet: 1 below Treshnish House
Mountain Hare: 1 below Treshnish House
June 30
Osprey: 1 at Loch an Torr (Barry Prater on www.mullbirds.com)
Linnet: 1 at Treshnish House
