July 2
Gannet: 1 at Port Haunn
Grey Heron: 1 between Port Haunn and Crackaig
Buzzard: 2 near Treshnish House and later 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Cuckoo: 1 female at Crackaig
Meadow Pipit: adult flushed off eggs
Whinchat: 1 at the Lochan near Crackaig
Linnet: several heard near the cow barn
Transparent Burnet moth: 37 on the coastal path up to Crackaig village, 5 at Crackaig village
July 3
Gannet: 1 from Port Haunn
Linnet: 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Transparent Burnet moth: 7 on southwest facing slope above cliffs between Haunn and Crackaig
[Slender Scotch Burnet or Six-spot Burnet: 2 on southwest facing slope above cliffs between Haunn and Crackaig]
July 4
Red-throated Diver: 1 near Calgary beach
Grey Heron: 1 at Port Langamull
Common Ringed Plover: 5 adults and 1 juvenile at Port Langamull
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Port Langamull
Lapwing: 2 heard at Port Langamull
Common Tern: 2 adults at Calgary beach (1 feeding the other in courtship ritual)
Pied Wagtail: fledged family at Port Langamull
Whinchat: fledged family at Port Langamull
Rock Pipit: fledged family at Port Langamull
Sand Martin: 1+ near nest burrows at Port Langamull
Twite: heard beneath cliffs on road to Calgary
Otter: 1 female with cub fishing for 30 minutes at Port Langamull
Transparent Burnet moth: 1 at Port Langamull, 2 at Langamull House
Slender Scotch Burnet moth: 3 at Port Langamull and two near farmhouse inland (photographs taken and identified by experts). See discussion on 14 June and July 5
[Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: 1 at Port Langamull (had a black outer edge, which is not shown in the illustration in the pamphlet ‘Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ by Butterfly Conservation Scotland but apparently this is a variable feature]
Six-spot Burnet moth: 5+ at Port Langamull
Small Heath butterfly: 1 at Langamull
Dragonfly: 1 blue dragonfly at the Langamull settlement
July 5
Puffin: 1 from Haunn
Whinchat: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Sedge Warbler: 1 heard in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Twite: 1 by low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Transparent Burnet: a few (5+) between Haunn and Treshnish cottages, 80 counted in 30 minutes in a small area above cliffs at Port Haunn
Six-spot Burnet moth: 25 counted in 30 minutes above cliffs at Port Haunn. 3 photographed between Treshnish and Haunn cottages were thought to be Slender Scotch Burnet moth. Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ pamphlet of Butterfly Conservation Scotland states ‘Only species in Argyll with 5 spots on each forewing. Outer spot comprised of 2 fused spots.’ But according to ‘Field guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland’ by Waring, Townsend & Lewington, Six-spot Burnet also sometimes has the merged outer spot. In this case Six-spot can be eliminated by its ‘larger size, more thickly scaled forewing, less hairy body and legs outwardly black’ (Slender Scotch has ‘forelegs yellowish brown in part’ and also a ‘very narrow black border to the hindwing’; according to my photos Six-spot has a broad black border).
Using these diagnostic features the borderline individuals at Treshnish appear to be Six-spot Burnet
[Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: several between Treshnish and Haunn cottages were thought to be this species. Photographs taken so identification possible]
Chimney Sweeper moth: fairly common at this time, photographed
July 6
Eider Duck: 2 female adults with two chicks by Calgary beach and 2 female adults in Calgary Bay
Arctic Tern: 1 near Calgary beach
July 7
Grey Heron or White-tailed Eagle flying east below Treshnish House, seen too briefly for identification
July 8
White-tailed Eagle: 1 with food item at Treshnish Point flying to Calgary beach at 12.40-12.45
[Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: 1 just below Toechtamhor cottage, see discussion on July 4]
July 9
Gannet: 1 below Treshnish House, 1 at Port Haunn
Buzzard: 2 above Treshnish House
Snipe: 2 calling and drumming between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Meadow Pipit: singing
Twite: 1+ by The Studio, 6 flying from Haunn to Treshnish Point
Red Deer: 2 young near Beinn Duill
[Pearl-bordered or Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary: 2 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages]
Six-spot Burnet: 1 on cliffs above Port Haunn, 1 at Crackaig
Transparent Burnet moth: 8 on cliffs above Port Haunn compared to 80 on 5th (probably due to the windy conditions and heavy rains of the previous night), 47 counted in 30 minutes, on path from Crackaig to the shore, which is comparable to the numbers on the 2nd at this more sheltered site
Magpie moth: many near the isolated Blackhouse between Beinn Duill and Crackaig
Fox Moth caterpillar: 1 at Crackaig
July 10
Eider Duck: female with two chicks at Dervaig
Little Grebe: 1 at Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs)
Twite: 1 by The Studio
July 11
Manx Shearwater: 1 from Treshnish Point (with a 2 second glance through binoculars at the distance)
Gannet: 1 from Treshnish Point
Shag: the nest by the Starling roost cave still has the two juveniles being fed by two adults (see June 4th and June 25th)
Cormorant: 1 flying below Treshnish House
Goosander: 2 males flying southwest around Treshnish Point (my first for Treshnish Farm and an addition to RH’s list for Treshnish Farm)
Buzzard: 2 at Treshnish Point
Common Sandpiper: 1 near the ruined boathouse
Kittiwake: 5 passing Treshnish Point within a few minutes
Black Guillemot: 5 at Treshnish Point
Guillemot: 1 near the ruined boathouse
Grey Wagtail: 1 near the ruined boathouse (last seen on March 18th at Treshnish Farm)
Rock Pipit: 2+ near the ruined boathouse
Linnet: heard below Treshnish House
Twite: heard at Treshnish Point
Mountain Hare: 1-2 near the ruined boathouse
July 12
Manx Shearwater: 3 in a one-minute scan of the sea
Gannet: 3+ from Port Haunn
Golden Eagle: 1 and later 2 by Port Haunn
Common Ringed Plover: 1 at Port Haunn
Great Skua: 1 chasing a Gannet and flying southwest around Treshnish Point at 19.25 and presumably the same bird taking off from the water at Port Haunn and flying southwest at 19.46
Whinchat: 1 below Haunn cottages
Linnet: 3 flying at Haunn cottages
Twite: 1-3 at Port Haunn, 1 by Haunn cottages, 1 by the cow-barn
July 13
Lesser Redpoll: 1 by The Studio (my first for Treshnish farm, which is interesting as Rick Hayward lists it as a summer visitor to here)
Twite: 7 by The Studio
Bottle-nose Dolphin: 7-8 (with young one) from Treshnish Point to Port Haunn, very close in at 5pm (AN & JN)
[Harbour Porpoise: from Treshnish House (walkers), see above]
July 14
Buzzard: 1 by Treshnish House
Twite: 1 by The Studio
Otter: 1 at Ensay Burn mouth Haunn (AN & JN)
Bottle-nosed Dolphin: pod of 4-5 in Calgary Bay north-side (GW, LW & KW)
[Harbour Porpoise: from Treshnish House (guests), see above]
July 16
Sparrowhawk, Merlin or Cuckoo: brief view as it hunted beside The Studio (neither of the first two species has been seen for some time)
Common Ringed Plover: 1 heard at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 5 at Port Haunn (close in)
Common or Arctic Tern: 1 at Port Haunn
Lesser Redpoll 1 by The Studio
Twite: 5-9 by the cow-barn/Studio
Linnet: heard at Haunn
Small Heath butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
[Unidentified butterfly: small, blue upper-wing. Folded wing was grey-brown with one row of small eyes in the outer third of the wing and an inner ring of at least two eyes (possibly Common Blue)]
Overview 10-16 July
Goosander, female Hen Harrier and Lesser Redpoll, (my first Treshnish records) and Grey Wagtail (unrecorded for six weeks), were seen this week. Cormorant is now fairly common along the coast at Treshnish Farm. My second Mull record of Little Grebe was seen on July 10th at Mishnish Lochs, the first being on February 28th at Tobermory. These records are probably due to post-breeding dispersal.
Between 1-14 July BF & FF, whilst staying at Haunn, saw a male Hen Harrier ‘on a few occasions flying along the base of the slope to the east of the track to the cottages. Always evenings.’ During this time they also saw a White-tailed Eagle ‘just beyond west cottage, looking towards the headland over the cliffs. We saw it quite close on a couple of occasions as we sat out of sight under the rock outcrops’ and between 1-7 July a Great Skua ‘around the shore directly below the cottages and moved off to the Treshnish islands,’ and between 1-14 July Arctic Tern and Golden Eagle were recorded at Treshnish Farm.
July 17
Twite: 1 by the Studio
Mountain Hare: 1 in farmyard at Treshnish House
July 18
Manx Shearwater: 7 close in at Port Haunn, many further out
Gannet: 2+ from Port Haunn
Cormorant: several from below Treshnish House
Hen Harrier: 1 female at 10.10am between Treshnish House and the Point
Buzzard: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages in morning and evening
Common Ringed Plover: 2 at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 3 close in at Port Haunn
Common Tern: 1 at Port Haunn
Great Skua: 1 at 19.40 of Port Haunn landed on the water and still there drifting north at 20.10
Guillemot: 1 from below Treshnish House, 1 at Port Haunn
Black Guillemot: 1 at Port Haunn
Snipe: heard drumming and calling at Haunn cottages and 1 perched on the wall by the wet low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Meadow Pipit: in flight song
Skylark: no singing on this hot summer day and not heard for a few days
Sedge Warbler: 2 at the wet low-lying area below Toechtamhor (1 in full song, heard for the first time)
Linnet: heard between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 3 by the cow-barn
Twite: 1 at the cow-barn in morning, 4 in the afternoon
Lesser Redpoll: 1 in front of The Studio in morning and presumably the same in front of Studio and Treshnish House in the evening
Mountain Hare: 1 near the boathouse
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: 1 photographed between Haunn and Treshnish cottages; this may be the common butterfly I presumed was Small Pear-bordered Fritillary
Grayling butterfly: a pair copulating at Port Haunn (photographed)
Common Blue butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages]
Small Heath butterfly: common
Beautiful Golden Y moth: 1 photographed between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Oysterplant: patch at Port Haunn, discovered by M (has been recorded in less than 100 1km squares in Britain)
July 19
White-tailed Eagle: 1 at 11.15am flying from Treshnish Point to Treshnish Isles. ‘The bird returned after a while being mobbed by gull. Another returned flying to the south of us at the same time (AN & JN)
Common Tern: 1 from below Treshnish House
Twite: 6 by The Studio
Basking Shark: 1 in middle of Calgary Bay (AN & JN)
Dark Arches moth: 1 by Treshnish House
July 20
Gannet: 1 in Calgary Bay from below Treshnish House
Manx Shearwater: 1 close in from below Treshnish House
Grey Heron: 2 by Ensay Burn mouth flew to the boathouse (the first time I have seen more than one together)
Curlew: 2 by Ensay Burn mouth
Common Sandpiper: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Common Tern: 2 below Treshnish House and soon after, presumably one of these over Treshnish Lochan, possibly investigating a breeding site. About half an hour later there were between 2-5 off Ensay Burn mouth. One that caught a fish flew west
Lesser Redpoll: 2+ on spruce trees in Treshnish Wood
[possible Slender Scotch Burnet: a burnet moth with 5 spots by Ensay Burn mouth but it flew off before I could check other features but it was very small for Six spot and very pale]
July 21
Golden Eagle: 1 above Treshnish Lochan being mobbed by Common Gulls
Wood Pigeon: 1 below Treshnish House
Cuckoo: 1 by Treshnish House in the morning and several times in the evening
Twite: 1 by Treshnish House flew to in front of the Studio
Otter: 1 extremely close by at Port Haunn (RI & parents)
Silver Y moth: 1 inside farm buildings and 1 inside The Studio (both photographed)
July 22
Hen Harrier: 1 female at 3.45pm at the low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly: 1 at Toechtamhor
[Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: 1 at Toechtamhor]
Overview 17-22 July
Common Tern is now fairly common along the coast and Curlew is regularly seen below Treshnish House.
July 23
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Whimbrel: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Dunlin: 5 at Dervaig, 1-3 between 22-29 July (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
July 24
Cormorant: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Buzzard: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Curlew: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Whimbrel: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Common Sandpiper: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Greenshank: 5 at Dervaig, 1-4 between 22-29 July (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Common Tern: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Wood Pigeon: 3 below Treshnish House
Starling: flock of about 40 by The Studio
Lesser Redpoll: 4 in Treshnish wood by the graveyard
Goldfinch: 2 Ensay Burn mouth
Yellow Shell moth: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Mother of Pearl moth: 1 in Treshnish Wood
July 25
Grey Heron: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Eider: 2 females with 2 juveniles at Croig
Greylag Goose: several family groups at Poll Athach (Quinish)
Buzzard: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Common Ringed Plover: 2 adults with 3 juveniles, 5 with a flock of Dunlin at Croig
Dunlin: flock of 29 (most appeared to be adults) and 1 juvenile at Croig
Oystercatcher: flock of 67 roosting at Croig
Curlew: 2 at Croig
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Redshank: 2 at Croig
Common Tern: 3 at Croig, 2 near Calgary beach
Collared Dove: 2 at Calgary
Spotted Flycatcher: 1 in Treshnish graveyard
Speckled Wood butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Green-veined White butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Scotch Argus butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Grayling butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 at Haunn, 1 at Port Haunn
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: common
Small Heath butterfly: common
Highland Darter dragonfly: 1+ male on track to road, 1 immature at Ensay Burn mouth
July 26
Gannet: 2+ from Port Haunn
Manx Shearwater: 1 fairly close in to Port Haunn, several further out
Fulmar: only 1 seen towards Treshnish point from Port Haunn, it is possible that the breeding pairs have had failures, there have been no sightings towards Treshnish Point for several days although closer inspection is necessary
Cormorant: 2+ from Port Haunn
Sparrowhawk: 1 below the cow-barn in the evening (no definite records since 14th May)
Curlew: 1 at Port Haunn
Common Ringed Plover: 1 heard at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 3+ close in to Port Haunn
Common Tern: 2+ at Port Haunn
Arctic Tern: 1+ at Port Haunn
Great Skua: 3 around and over the Treshnish Isles
Black Guillemot: 1+ at Port Haunn, 3 at Treshnish Point
Whimbrel: 1 at Port Haunn
Starling: flock of 95 by Treshnish House in the evening
Twite: 3 in front of The Studio and by the cow-barn at mid-day, 11-15 by the cow-barn in the evening
Lesser Redpoll: 1 on electric wires beside farm buildings
Greenfinch: 1 near the cow-barn (first one seen outside Treshnish wood since early spring)
Dolphin or porpoise species: 1+ to north of Treshnish isles
Basking Shark: 1 from Treshnish Farm (RI & parents)
Otter: 1 from Treshnish Farm (RI & and parents)
Grayling butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Scotch Argus butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: common
Small Heath butterfly: common
Gold Spangle moth: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Black Darter dragonfly: 1 female on track to road
Oysterplant: 4 patches (including 2 small) at Port Haunn
July 27
Little Grebe: 1 adult with nearly full grown chick, and 1 other adult all at Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs)
Hen Harrier: 1 female at 19.00 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Buzzard: 1 at Haunn
Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Collared Dove: 1 on wires above the greenhouse in morning, 1 in Treshnish house garden in evening
Twite: 2 by cow-barn and 2 past the cow-barn in afternoon, 7-11 by cow-barn in evening
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Whinchat: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Linnet: 3 by the cow-barn
Dolphin or Porpoise: 1 in Calgary Bay
Grayling butterfly: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Common Blue butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly: 1-2 in Treshnish House garden
Green-veined White butterfly: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: common
Small Heath butterfly: common
Meadow Brown butterfly: 1+ between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Beautiful Golden Y moth: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
July 28
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing moth: 1 in the office
July 29
Manx Shearwater: 1+ between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Gannet: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
House Martin: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages (TC & LC)
Twite: 9 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages (TC & LC)
Linnet: 3 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 4 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Otter: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages (TC & LC)
July 30
Manx Shearwater: 1 between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Gannet: 1+ between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Eider Duck: 1+ at Loch na Keel (TC & LC)
Great Skua: 1 between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Buzzard: 1 near Haunn (AA & MA)
Common Snipe: 1 between Haunn and Toechtamhor (AA & MA)
Whinchat: 1 at Haunn (AA & MA)
Willow Warbler: 1 juvenile between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Linnet: 1+ between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Grey Seal: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Otter: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn, 2 at Loch na Keel (TC & LC)
Scotch Argus butterfly: 1+ on farm track (AA & MA)
July 31
Little Grebe: 5 adults, 2 juveniles at Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs)
White-tailed Eagle: 1 female with 2 juveniles at Loch Don from Grass Point (TC & LC)
Red-breasted Merganser: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Otter: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Common Seal: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Water Rail: 1 in early January at Dervaig (Caroline Woods on www.mullbirds.com)
Gannet: 1 at Port Haunn
Grey Heron: 1 between Port Haunn and Crackaig
Buzzard: 2 near Treshnish House and later 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Cuckoo: 1 female at Crackaig
Meadow Pipit: adult flushed off eggs
Whinchat: 1 at the Lochan near Crackaig
Linnet: several heard near the cow barn
Transparent Burnet moth: 37 on the coastal path up to Crackaig village, 5 at Crackaig village
July 3
Gannet: 1 from Port Haunn
Linnet: 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Transparent Burnet moth: 7 on southwest facing slope above cliffs between Haunn and Crackaig
[Slender Scotch Burnet or Six-spot Burnet: 2 on southwest facing slope above cliffs between Haunn and Crackaig]
July 4
Red-throated Diver: 1 near Calgary beach
Grey Heron: 1 at Port Langamull
Common Ringed Plover: 5 adults and 1 juvenile at Port Langamull
Common Sandpiper: 1 at Port Langamull
Lapwing: 2 heard at Port Langamull
Common Tern: 2 adults at Calgary beach (1 feeding the other in courtship ritual)
Pied Wagtail: fledged family at Port Langamull
Whinchat: fledged family at Port Langamull
Rock Pipit: fledged family at Port Langamull
Sand Martin: 1+ near nest burrows at Port Langamull
Twite: heard beneath cliffs on road to Calgary
Otter: 1 female with cub fishing for 30 minutes at Port Langamull
Transparent Burnet moth: 1 at Port Langamull, 2 at Langamull House
Slender Scotch Burnet moth: 3 at Port Langamull and two near farmhouse inland (photographs taken and identified by experts). See discussion on 14 June and July 5
[Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: 1 at Port Langamull (had a black outer edge, which is not shown in the illustration in the pamphlet ‘Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ by Butterfly Conservation Scotland but apparently this is a variable feature]
Six-spot Burnet moth: 5+ at Port Langamull
Small Heath butterfly: 1 at Langamull
Dragonfly: 1 blue dragonfly at the Langamull settlement
July 5
Puffin: 1 from Haunn
Whinchat: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Sedge Warbler: 1 heard in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Twite: 1 by low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Transparent Burnet: a few (5+) between Haunn and Treshnish cottages, 80 counted in 30 minutes in a small area above cliffs at Port Haunn
Six-spot Burnet moth: 25 counted in 30 minutes above cliffs at Port Haunn. 3 photographed between Treshnish and Haunn cottages were thought to be Slender Scotch Burnet moth. Argyll’s Special Butterflies & Moths’ pamphlet of Butterfly Conservation Scotland states ‘Only species in Argyll with 5 spots on each forewing. Outer spot comprised of 2 fused spots.’ But according to ‘Field guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland’ by Waring, Townsend & Lewington, Six-spot Burnet also sometimes has the merged outer spot. In this case Six-spot can be eliminated by its ‘larger size, more thickly scaled forewing, less hairy body and legs outwardly black’ (Slender Scotch has ‘forelegs yellowish brown in part’ and also a ‘very narrow black border to the hindwing’; according to my photos Six-spot has a broad black border).
Using these diagnostic features the borderline individuals at Treshnish appear to be Six-spot Burnet
[Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: several between Treshnish and Haunn cottages were thought to be this species. Photographs taken so identification possible]
Chimney Sweeper moth: fairly common at this time, photographed
July 6
Eider Duck: 2 female adults with two chicks by Calgary beach and 2 female adults in Calgary Bay
Arctic Tern: 1 near Calgary beach
July 7
Grey Heron or White-tailed Eagle flying east below Treshnish House, seen too briefly for identification
July 8
White-tailed Eagle: 1 with food item at Treshnish Point flying to Calgary beach at 12.40-12.45
[Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: 1 just below Toechtamhor cottage, see discussion on July 4]
July 9
Gannet: 1 below Treshnish House, 1 at Port Haunn
Buzzard: 2 above Treshnish House
Snipe: 2 calling and drumming between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Meadow Pipit: singing
Twite: 1+ by The Studio, 6 flying from Haunn to Treshnish Point
Red Deer: 2 young near Beinn Duill
[Pearl-bordered or Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary: 2 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages]
Six-spot Burnet: 1 on cliffs above Port Haunn, 1 at Crackaig
Transparent Burnet moth: 8 on cliffs above Port Haunn compared to 80 on 5th (probably due to the windy conditions and heavy rains of the previous night), 47 counted in 30 minutes, on path from Crackaig to the shore, which is comparable to the numbers on the 2nd at this more sheltered site
Magpie moth: many near the isolated Blackhouse between Beinn Duill and Crackaig
Fox Moth caterpillar: 1 at Crackaig
July 10
Eider Duck: female with two chicks at Dervaig
Little Grebe: 1 at Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs)
Twite: 1 by The Studio
July 11
Manx Shearwater: 1 from Treshnish Point (with a 2 second glance through binoculars at the distance)
Gannet: 1 from Treshnish Point
Shag: the nest by the Starling roost cave still has the two juveniles being fed by two adults (see June 4th and June 25th)
Cormorant: 1 flying below Treshnish House
Goosander: 2 males flying southwest around Treshnish Point (my first for Treshnish Farm and an addition to RH’s list for Treshnish Farm)
Buzzard: 2 at Treshnish Point
Common Sandpiper: 1 near the ruined boathouse
Kittiwake: 5 passing Treshnish Point within a few minutes
Black Guillemot: 5 at Treshnish Point
Guillemot: 1 near the ruined boathouse
Grey Wagtail: 1 near the ruined boathouse (last seen on March 18th at Treshnish Farm)
Rock Pipit: 2+ near the ruined boathouse
Linnet: heard below Treshnish House
Twite: heard at Treshnish Point
Mountain Hare: 1-2 near the ruined boathouse
July 12
Manx Shearwater: 3 in a one-minute scan of the sea
Gannet: 3+ from Port Haunn
Golden Eagle: 1 and later 2 by Port Haunn
Common Ringed Plover: 1 at Port Haunn
Great Skua: 1 chasing a Gannet and flying southwest around Treshnish Point at 19.25 and presumably the same bird taking off from the water at Port Haunn and flying southwest at 19.46
Whinchat: 1 below Haunn cottages
Linnet: 3 flying at Haunn cottages
Twite: 1-3 at Port Haunn, 1 by Haunn cottages, 1 by the cow-barn
July 13
Lesser Redpoll: 1 by The Studio (my first for Treshnish farm, which is interesting as Rick Hayward lists it as a summer visitor to here)
Twite: 7 by The Studio
Bottle-nose Dolphin: 7-8 (with young one) from Treshnish Point to Port Haunn, very close in at 5pm (AN & JN)
[Harbour Porpoise: from Treshnish House (walkers), see above]
July 14
Buzzard: 1 by Treshnish House
Twite: 1 by The Studio
Otter: 1 at Ensay Burn mouth Haunn (AN & JN)
Bottle-nosed Dolphin: pod of 4-5 in Calgary Bay north-side (GW, LW & KW)
[Harbour Porpoise: from Treshnish House (guests), see above]
July 16
Sparrowhawk, Merlin or Cuckoo: brief view as it hunted beside The Studio (neither of the first two species has been seen for some time)
Common Ringed Plover: 1 heard at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 5 at Port Haunn (close in)
Common or Arctic Tern: 1 at Port Haunn
Lesser Redpoll 1 by The Studio
Twite: 5-9 by the cow-barn/Studio
Linnet: heard at Haunn
Small Heath butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
[Unidentified butterfly: small, blue upper-wing. Folded wing was grey-brown with one row of small eyes in the outer third of the wing and an inner ring of at least two eyes (possibly Common Blue)]
Overview 10-16 July
Goosander, female Hen Harrier and Lesser Redpoll, (my first Treshnish records) and Grey Wagtail (unrecorded for six weeks), were seen this week. Cormorant is now fairly common along the coast at Treshnish Farm. My second Mull record of Little Grebe was seen on July 10th at Mishnish Lochs, the first being on February 28th at Tobermory. These records are probably due to post-breeding dispersal.
Between 1-14 July BF & FF, whilst staying at Haunn, saw a male Hen Harrier ‘on a few occasions flying along the base of the slope to the east of the track to the cottages. Always evenings.’ During this time they also saw a White-tailed Eagle ‘just beyond west cottage, looking towards the headland over the cliffs. We saw it quite close on a couple of occasions as we sat out of sight under the rock outcrops’ and between 1-7 July a Great Skua ‘around the shore directly below the cottages and moved off to the Treshnish islands,’ and between 1-14 July Arctic Tern and Golden Eagle were recorded at Treshnish Farm.
July 17
Twite: 1 by the Studio
Mountain Hare: 1 in farmyard at Treshnish House
July 18
Manx Shearwater: 7 close in at Port Haunn, many further out
Gannet: 2+ from Port Haunn
Cormorant: several from below Treshnish House
Hen Harrier: 1 female at 10.10am between Treshnish House and the Point
Buzzard: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages in morning and evening
Common Ringed Plover: 2 at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 3 close in at Port Haunn
Common Tern: 1 at Port Haunn
Great Skua: 1 at 19.40 of Port Haunn landed on the water and still there drifting north at 20.10
Guillemot: 1 from below Treshnish House, 1 at Port Haunn
Black Guillemot: 1 at Port Haunn
Snipe: heard drumming and calling at Haunn cottages and 1 perched on the wall by the wet low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Meadow Pipit: in flight song
Skylark: no singing on this hot summer day and not heard for a few days
Sedge Warbler: 2 at the wet low-lying area below Toechtamhor (1 in full song, heard for the first time)
Linnet: heard between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 3 by the cow-barn
Twite: 1 at the cow-barn in morning, 4 in the afternoon
Lesser Redpoll: 1 in front of The Studio in morning and presumably the same in front of Studio and Treshnish House in the evening
Mountain Hare: 1 near the boathouse
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: 1 photographed between Haunn and Treshnish cottages; this may be the common butterfly I presumed was Small Pear-bordered Fritillary
Grayling butterfly: a pair copulating at Port Haunn (photographed)
Common Blue butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages]
Small Heath butterfly: common
Beautiful Golden Y moth: 1 photographed between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Oysterplant: patch at Port Haunn, discovered by M (has been recorded in less than 100 1km squares in Britain)
July 19
White-tailed Eagle: 1 at 11.15am flying from Treshnish Point to Treshnish Isles. ‘The bird returned after a while being mobbed by gull. Another returned flying to the south of us at the same time (AN & JN)
Common Tern: 1 from below Treshnish House
Twite: 6 by The Studio
Basking Shark: 1 in middle of Calgary Bay (AN & JN)
Dark Arches moth: 1 by Treshnish House
July 20
Gannet: 1 in Calgary Bay from below Treshnish House
Manx Shearwater: 1 close in from below Treshnish House
Grey Heron: 2 by Ensay Burn mouth flew to the boathouse (the first time I have seen more than one together)
Curlew: 2 by Ensay Burn mouth
Common Sandpiper: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Common Tern: 2 below Treshnish House and soon after, presumably one of these over Treshnish Lochan, possibly investigating a breeding site. About half an hour later there were between 2-5 off Ensay Burn mouth. One that caught a fish flew west
Lesser Redpoll: 2+ on spruce trees in Treshnish Wood
[possible Slender Scotch Burnet: a burnet moth with 5 spots by Ensay Burn mouth but it flew off before I could check other features but it was very small for Six spot and very pale]
July 21
Golden Eagle: 1 above Treshnish Lochan being mobbed by Common Gulls
Wood Pigeon: 1 below Treshnish House
Cuckoo: 1 by Treshnish House in the morning and several times in the evening
Twite: 1 by Treshnish House flew to in front of the Studio
Otter: 1 extremely close by at Port Haunn (RI & parents)
Silver Y moth: 1 inside farm buildings and 1 inside The Studio (both photographed)
July 22
Hen Harrier: 1 female at 3.45pm at the low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly: 1 at Toechtamhor
[Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly: 1 at Toechtamhor]
Overview 17-22 July
Common Tern is now fairly common along the coast and Curlew is regularly seen below Treshnish House.
July 23
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Whimbrel: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Dunlin: 5 at Dervaig, 1-3 between 22-29 July (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
July 24
Cormorant: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Buzzard: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Curlew: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Whimbrel: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Common Sandpiper: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Greenshank: 5 at Dervaig, 1-4 between 22-29 July (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Common Tern: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Wood Pigeon: 3 below Treshnish House
Starling: flock of about 40 by The Studio
Lesser Redpoll: 4 in Treshnish wood by the graveyard
Goldfinch: 2 Ensay Burn mouth
Yellow Shell moth: 1 in Treshnish Wood
Mother of Pearl moth: 1 in Treshnish Wood
July 25
Grey Heron: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Eider: 2 females with 2 juveniles at Croig
Greylag Goose: several family groups at Poll Athach (Quinish)
Buzzard: 1 by Ensay Burn mouth
Common Ringed Plover: 2 adults with 3 juveniles, 5 with a flock of Dunlin at Croig
Dunlin: flock of 29 (most appeared to be adults) and 1 juvenile at Croig
Oystercatcher: flock of 67 roosting at Croig
Curlew: 2 at Croig
Black-tailed Godwit: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Redshank: 2 at Croig
Common Tern: 3 at Croig, 2 near Calgary beach
Collared Dove: 2 at Calgary
Spotted Flycatcher: 1 in Treshnish graveyard
Speckled Wood butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Green-veined White butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Scotch Argus butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Grayling butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 at Haunn, 1 at Port Haunn
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: common
Small Heath butterfly: common
Highland Darter dragonfly: 1+ male on track to road, 1 immature at Ensay Burn mouth
July 26
Gannet: 2+ from Port Haunn
Manx Shearwater: 1 fairly close in to Port Haunn, several further out
Fulmar: only 1 seen towards Treshnish point from Port Haunn, it is possible that the breeding pairs have had failures, there have been no sightings towards Treshnish Point for several days although closer inspection is necessary
Cormorant: 2+ from Port Haunn
Sparrowhawk: 1 below the cow-barn in the evening (no definite records since 14th May)
Curlew: 1 at Port Haunn
Common Ringed Plover: 1 heard at Port Haunn
Kittiwake: 3+ close in to Port Haunn
Common Tern: 2+ at Port Haunn
Arctic Tern: 1+ at Port Haunn
Great Skua: 3 around and over the Treshnish Isles
Black Guillemot: 1+ at Port Haunn, 3 at Treshnish Point
Whimbrel: 1 at Port Haunn
Starling: flock of 95 by Treshnish House in the evening
Twite: 3 in front of The Studio and by the cow-barn at mid-day, 11-15 by the cow-barn in the evening
Lesser Redpoll: 1 on electric wires beside farm buildings
Greenfinch: 1 near the cow-barn (first one seen outside Treshnish wood since early spring)
Dolphin or porpoise species: 1+ to north of Treshnish isles
Basking Shark: 1 from Treshnish Farm (RI & parents)
Otter: 1 from Treshnish Farm (RI & and parents)
Grayling butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Scotch Argus butterfly: 1 on track to main road
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: common
Small Heath butterfly: common
Gold Spangle moth: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Black Darter dragonfly: 1 female on track to road
Oysterplant: 4 patches (including 2 small) at Port Haunn
July 27
Little Grebe: 1 adult with nearly full grown chick, and 1 other adult all at Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs)
Hen Harrier: 1 female at 19.00 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Buzzard: 1 at Haunn
Peregrine Falcon: 1 at Dervaig (David Williams on www.mullbirds.com)
Collared Dove: 1 on wires above the greenhouse in morning, 1 in Treshnish house garden in evening
Twite: 2 by cow-barn and 2 past the cow-barn in afternoon, 7-11 by cow-barn in evening
Sedge Warbler: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Whinchat: 1 in low-lying area below Toechtamhor
Linnet: 3 by the cow-barn
Dolphin or Porpoise: 1 in Calgary Bay
Grayling butterfly: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Common Blue butterfly: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly: 1-2 in Treshnish House garden
Green-veined White butterfly: 1 between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Dark Green Fritillary butterfly: common
Small Heath butterfly: common
Meadow Brown butterfly: 1+ between Haunn and Treshnish cottages
Beautiful Golden Y moth: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
July 28
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing moth: 1 in the office
July 29
Manx Shearwater: 1+ between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Gannet: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
House Martin: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages (TC & LC)
Twite: 9 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages (TC & LC)
Linnet: 3 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 4 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Otter: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages (TC & LC)
July 30
Manx Shearwater: 1 between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Gannet: 1+ between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Eider Duck: 1+ at Loch na Keel (TC & LC)
Great Skua: 1 between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Buzzard: 1 near Haunn (AA & MA)
Common Snipe: 1 between Haunn and Toechtamhor (AA & MA)
Whinchat: 1 at Haunn (AA & MA)
Willow Warbler: 1 juvenile between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Linnet: 1+ between cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Grey Seal: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Otter: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn, 2 at Loch na Keel (TC & LC)
Scotch Argus butterfly: 1+ on farm track (AA & MA)
July 31
Little Grebe: 5 adults, 2 juveniles at Loch Peallach (Mishnish Lochs)
White-tailed Eagle: 1 female with 2 juveniles at Loch Don from Grass Point (TC & LC)
Red-breasted Merganser: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Otter: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Common Seal: 1 between Haunn cottages and Port Haunn (TC & LC)
Water Rail: 1 in early January at Dervaig (Caroline Woods on www.mullbirds.com)
