September 2007

September 1
Golden Eagle: 2 mutual soaring and mock fighting at Treshnish Point
Kestrel: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Tawny Owl: heard from Treshnish Old School House
Chevron moth: 6 by Treshnish Old School House
July Highflyer moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 1 came to window at Treshnish Old School House, 8 came to light-trap
Pale Eggar moth: 6 by Treshnish Old School House
Barred Chestnut moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Flounced Chestnut moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Heath Rustic moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Rosy Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Square-spot Rustic moth: 8 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 7 by Treshnish Old School House
Ear moth species (under 16mm forewing length): 2 with orange (15mm). All by Treshnish Old School House
Large Ear moth (over 16mm forewing length): 1 with orange kidney mark, 1 with white by Treshnish Old School House
Large or Saltern Ear moth (16mm forewing length): 3 with orange kidney mark, 1 with white. All by Treshnish Old School House
Beautiful Golden Y moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
September 2
Golden Eagle: 2 adults at Cruachan Treshnish, 1 first winter flying along hillside behind Ensay to Creag a´ Chaisteil
Kestrel: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Tawny Owl: heard from Treshnish Old School House
July Highflyer moth: 14 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 5 by Treshnish Old School House
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Flame Carpet moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Grey Pine Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Pale Eggar moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Square-spot Rustic moth: 1 came to window of Treshnish Old School House, 16 came to light-trap by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Arches moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Barred Chestnut moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Flounced Chestnut moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Minor Shoulder-knot moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Crescent moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Large or Saltern Ear moth (16mm forewing length): 3 with orange kidney mark (incl. 1 with brownish ground-colour) by Treshnish Old School House
September 3
Hen Harrier: 1 at Reudle schoolhouse bog (NM3647)
Tawny Owl: 1 seen, (others) heard from Treshnish Old School House
Scotch Argus butterfly: 8 by Treshnish Old School House
Speckled Wood butterfly: 7 by Treshnish Old School House
Green-veined White butterfly: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Chevron moth: 1 came to window at Treshnish Old School House, 3 came to light-trap by Treshnish Old School House
July Highflyer moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 9 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 9 by Treshnish Old School House
Flame Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Pale Eggar moth: 7 by Treshnish Old School House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Flame Shoulder moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Grey Chi moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
[Dotted Clay: 1 worn by Treshnish Old School House]
Black Rustic moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Square-spot Rustic moth: 1 came to window at Treshnish Old School House, 29 came to light-trap by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
Rosy Rustic moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Neglected Rustic moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Flounced Chestnut moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Barred Chestnut: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Ear moth species (under 16mm forewing length): 2 with orange kidney mark (15mm), 2 with white (1 15mm, 1 14mm). All by Treshnish Old School House
Large Ear moth (over 16mm forewing length): 1 with gold kidney mark, 1 with white by Treshnish Old School House
Large or Saltern Ear moth (16mm forewing length): 2 with orange kidney mark (brownish ground-colour) by Treshnish Old School House
Common Hawker dragonfly: 1 near Treshnish Old School House
Highland Darter dragonfly: 1+ near Treshnish Old School House
Large Red Damselfly: 1 at wee pond above Treshnish lochan
[Emerald or Blue-tailed Damselfly: 1 at wee pond above Treshnish lochan (overall greyish blue with hint of yellow on abdomen. Wings folded)]
September 5
Tawny Owl: heard at Treshnish Old School House
Chevron moth: 4 came to window at Treshnish Old School House
September 6
Kestrel: 1 above Ensay Burn
Tawny Owl: heard at Treshnish Old School House
Otter: 1 at Ensay Burn mouth
Chevron moth: 1 in Treshnish wood, 1 came to window at Treshnish Old School House
July Highflyer moth: 1 in Treshnish wood
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 2 in Treshnish wood
Pale Eggar moth: 1 came to window at Treshnish Old School House
Square-spot Rustic moth: 2 came to window at Treshnish Old School House
Heath Rustic moth: 1 came to window at Treshnish Old School House
Broad-leaved Helleborine: 1 in Treshnish wood near roped walk (a new species for Treshnish)
September 7
Juniper Pug moth: 1 came to window of Treshnish Old School House
September 8
Hen Harrier: 3 female/juveniles on Cruachan Treshnish viewed from between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Kestrel: 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 2 by Treshnish House, 8 by Treshnish Old School House
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish House, 1 by Treshnish House
Flame Carpet moth: 5 by Treshnish House
July Highflyer moth: 1 by Treshnish House, 13 by Treshnish Old School House
Chevron moth: 6 by Treshnish Old School House
Shaded Broad-bar moth: 1 by Treshnish House
Pale Eggar moth: 11 by Treshnish House, 7 by Treshnish Old School House
Northern Deep-brown Dart moth: 1 by Treshnish House, 3 by Treshnish House
Grey Chi moth: 1 by Treshnish House
Large Yellow Underwing moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing moth: 1 by Treshnish House
Lesser Yellow Underwing moth: 1 by Treshnish House
Antler Moth: 1 by Treshnish House
Dark Arches moth: 2 by Treshnish House
Rosy Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish House, 5 by Treshnish Old School House Square-spot Rustic moth: 53 by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 11 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
Neglected Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish House
Minor Shoulder-knot moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Barred Chestnut moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
Flounced Chestnut moth: 1 by Treshnish House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
Small Wainscot moth: 21 by Treshnish Old School House
Ear moth species (under 16mm forewing length): 5 with orange kidney mark (15mm), 1 with white (15mm), 1 white (14mm). All by Treshnish Old School House
Large Ear moth (over 16mm forewing length): 8 with orange kidney mark, 1 with gold, 1 with white (worn) by Treshnish Old School House
Large or Saltern Ear moth (16mm forewing length): 22 with orange kidney mark (several with brownish ground-colour), 2 with white by Treshnish Old School House
September 9
Sparrowhawk: 1 near Treshnish Old School House
Kestrel: 1 Treshnish Old School House
Tawny Owl: 1 heard at Treshnish Old School House
Fox Moth caterpillar: 1 near Treshnish Old School House
September 10
Tawny Owl: 1 seen hunting from Treshnish Old School House
Kestrel: 1 by Treshnish House
Red Admiral butterfly: 1 at Treshnish Old School House
Speckled Wood butterfly: 9+ by Treshnish Old School House
Scotch Argus butterfly: 2+ by Treshnish Old School House
Fox Moth caterpillar: 1 to west of Treshnish boathouse
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
July Highflyer moth: 8 by Treshnish Old School House
Flame Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Pale Eggar moth: 8 by Treshnish Old School House
Small Wainscot moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Flame Shoulder moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Northern Deep-brown Dart moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Anomalous moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Lunar Underwing moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Neglected Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 15 by Treshnish Old School House
Rosy Rustic moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 5 by Treshnish Old School House
Square-spot Rustic moth: 27 by Treshnish Old School House
Ear moth species (under 16mm forewing length): 4 with orange kidney mark (15mm), 1 orange (14mm), 4 with white (15mm) incl. 1 with brownish ground-colour. All by Treshnish Old School House
Large Ear moth (over 16mm forewing length): 2 with orange kidney mark, 1 with white by Treshnish Old School House
Large or Saltern Ear moth (16mm forewing length): 5 with orange kidney mark (incl, 1 with brownish ground-colour), 3 with white by Treshnish Old School House
Highland Darter dragonfly: 7+ by Treshnish Old School House
Common Hawker dragonfly: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
September 11
Tawny Owl: heard at Treshnish Old School House
July Highflyer moth: 22 by Treshnish Old School House
Chevron moth: 9 by Treshnish Old School House
Purple Bar moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Grey Pine Carpet moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 12 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 12 by Treshnish Old School House
Pale Eggar moth: 10 by Treshnish Old School House
Grey Chi moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Square-spot Rustic moth: 47 by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 12 by Treshnish Old School House
Northern Deep-brown Dart moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 16 by Treshnish Old School House
Neglected Rustic moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Rosy Rustic moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Hedge Rustic moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Small Wainscot moth: 18 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Arches moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Angle Shades moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Lesser Yellow Underwing moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Large Yellow Underwing moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Lunar Underwing moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Minor Shoulder-knot moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Flame Shoulder moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Barred Chestnut moth: 7 by Treshnish Old School House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 11 by Treshnish Old School House
Ear moth species (under 16mm forewing length): 1 (15mm) worn, 10 with orange kidney mark (15mm), 2 orange (14mm), 5 with gold (15mm), 3 gold (14mm), 5 with white (15mm). All by Treshnish Old School House
Large Ear moth (over 16mm forewing length): 2 with orange kidney mark by Treshnish Old School House
Large or Saltern Ear moth (16mm forewing length): 1 with orange kidney mark, 1 with white, 5 with gold. All by Treshnish Old School House
September 13
Fox Moth caterpillar: 1 by Treshnish House
Buzzard: 5 near Duill cottage
September 15
Swallow: 1 at Treshnish House
September 16
Tawny Owl: 1 seen at Treshnish Old School House
Kestrel: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
‘Golden Eagle – hunting low above cliffs at Port Haunn.
Wheatear – on raised beach by Port Haunn.
Golden Eagle – the same, or another one seen an hour or so later from West Cottage and it was being mobbed by a Kestrel,’ (PR).
September 17
Kestrel: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Golden Eagle: 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages
Geese sp.: 50 flying south over Beinn Duill
Fox Moth caterpillar: 1 near cairn above Port Haunn (NM337468)
Green-brindled Crescent moth: the caterpillar which was caught and fed as a caterpillar since mid May and entered pupation on June 15th hatched tonight
Red-line Quaker moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Large Yellow Underwing moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
‘Ravens – a pair at Port Haunn (subsequently always seen around this location).
Geese – 2 x skeins of 70 – 80 birds flying high towards Loch Tuath,’ (PR).
September 18
Swallow: 2 by Calgary
‘Divers x 2 – flying low into Calgary Bay (seen from nr the pink pier) – poor light for identifying which kind,’ (PR).
September 19
‘Twite – small flock between Haunn and Treshnish Hse.
Buzzard – same location and subsequently seen often hereabout,’ PR).
Hen Harrier: 1 female/juvenile at Cnoc na Di chuimhne near Killiemor cottage (NM4840)
Common/Arctic Tern: 3+ at Ulva ferry, thought to be Common Terns
Highland Darter dragonfly: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Common Hawker dragonfly: 1 by Torloisk crossroad, 1 between Treshnish and Torloisk
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
July Highflyer moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Red-green Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Chevron moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Square-spot Rustic moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Heath Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Small Wainscot moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Ear moth species: 1 with 15mm forewing length by Treshnish Old School House
Large Ear moth: 1 with 18mm forewing length and gold kidney mark by Treshnish Old School House
Ruby Tiger moth caterpillar, early instar: 1 on Ulva farm circuit
September 20
‘Hen Harrier – male, hunting below the road thro Glen Bellart, by river,’ (PR).
September 21
Golden Eagle: 2 above Ensay farmhouse
Kestrel: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Sparrowhawk: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Swallow: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
‘Kestrel – hunting early morning by Haunn Cottages.
Twite – approx 20 at cliffs nr Treshnish Point.
Basking Sharks x 4 – close into shore seen from raised beach by Treshnish Point.
Peregrine Falcon – by cliffs beyond Port Haunn. It flew from above the cliffs and very fast down a crevice in the cliff, presumably hunting smaller birds/rock pipits/pigeons.
Ravens – 2 x separate pairs at Port Haunn,’ (PR).
September 22
‘Golden Eagle – hunting low at headland across from Haunn Cottages.
Geese – flock of 9 flying low over the water at Croig.
Terns – Sandwich and Arctic, flying and resting close into shore at Calgary Beach.
Dunlin x 2 – on Calgary Beach, by the burn,’ (PR).
Lunar Underwing moth: 1 found alive inside middle cottage, Haunn (NM339477)
September 23
Ruddy Turnstone: 1 on Calgary beach
Sanderling: 1 on Calgary beach
Dunlin: 3 on Calgary beach
Oystercatcher: 29 on Calgary beach
Common Ringed Plover: 26 on Calgary beach
Small Wainscot moth: 1 flew through window at Treshnish Old School House, 16 came to light-trap
Angle Shades moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Autumnal Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Red-line Quaker moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
September 24
Golden Eagle: 2 adults and 1 juvenile at Creag a´ Chaisteil
Tawny Owl: 1 seen and heard at Treshnish Old School House
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Northern Deep-brown Dart moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Small Wainscot moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Red-line Quaker moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
September 25
‘Geese – flock of 10 flying South at wave top height, seen from Treshnish Point.
Buzzards x 5 – circling together over cliffs at Treshnish Point.
Golden Eagle – being mobbed by a Peregrine seen from Haunn Cottages.
Kestrels x 3 & Buzzard x 1 all flying, circling and swooping around together below the track between farm square and schoolhouse.
Greenshank – feeding yards from the road at Dervaig.
Ravens x 6 – circling around by distant cliffs seen from the road nr Reudle. The high winds today seemed to be exciting all the raptors and corvids!
Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin and Turnstones – all feeding at Calgary Beach after sunset at ebb tide,’ (PR).
Golden Eagle: 1 at Creag a´ Chaisteil and less than an hour later over Treshnish House
Fox Moth caterpillar: 1 near Treshnish boathouse (NM3448)
September 26
‘Peregrine – by cliffs just before path up to Crackaig.
Golden Eagle – at lower ridge of Beinn Reudle, possibly a female, a huge dark bird!,’ (PR).
Merlin: 1 at the foot of Beinn Bhuidhe (NM372485)
Golden Eagle: 2 flying between Cnoc an Chaisteil and Treshnish Point and Cnoc an Chaisteil and Beinn an Lochain
Kestrel: 2 at Treshnish Old School House
Tawny Owl: 1 seen and two heard at Treshnish Old School House
Swallow: 2 at Calgary beach
Red Deer: stags heard rutting from this night onwards
Highland Darter dragonfly: 4+ near Treshnish Old School House
Fox Moth caterpillar: 14 on Beinn Bhuidhe (2 at NM3648, 2 at NM3748, 8 at NM3749, 1 at NM3649, 1 at NM3648)
September 27
Buzzard: 5 at Treshnish Point
Tawny Owl: heard at Treshnish Old School House
Otter: 1 at Ensay Burn mouth
‘Hedgehog – on lawn at Haunn Cottages after midnight.
Garden Birds – during 2 week stay included : mistle thrushes, blackbird, dunnock, wren, robin, great tit, house sparrow, chaffinch, greenfinch, stonechat, starling, pied wagtail,’ (PR).
September 28
Sparrowhawk: 1 by Treshnish House
Long-tailed Tit: 13 beside Treshnish vegetable garden (this species is listed by Rick Hayward as being recorded in the general area of NW Mull but was not on the Treshnish list. It was first recorded (2) by Brett Richards at Treshnish between 23-28 December 1995)
‘Otter – a large dog otter 250 mtrs from shore, swimming and diving for food at low tide between Port Haunn and Natural Arch.
Peregrine – at cliffs at Treshnish Point at sunset.
Starlings – forming a flock at Treshnish Point at sunset, starting with 9 birds and grew to 70 – 80. The Peregrine didn’t disturb them but flew N E towards higher cliffs.
Owl – flew from being perched on one of the ruins at Haunn Cottages garden, 8.30pm. Possibly one of the Tawny Owls from around Treshnish House/ Schoolhouse or possibly a Short Eared owl. Earlier in the week a bird was heard to make a hoarse barking sound during the evening when I was listening for stags roaring. From the voice descriptions in one of my bird books it could have been a short eared owl. The terrain and plenty of voles this year would certainly attract short eared owls but I never saw one in daylight which is more usual,’ (PR).
September 29
Hen Harrier: 1 female at 9.05am between Shian cottage and Treshnish House and again at 18.30 (guests at Shian cottage)
Golden Eagle: pair at Treshnish headland (guests at Shian cottage)
Twite: 6 at Haunn ‘Bay’, 20+ near Haunn Fort (guests at Shian cottage)
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Grey Pine Carpet moth: 5 by Treshnish Old School House
Red-line Quaker moth: 7 by Treshnish Old School House
Yellow-line Quaker moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 4 by Treshnish Old School House
Rosy Rustic moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Small Wainscot moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Green-brindled Crescent moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Silver Y moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Northern Dead-nettle: almost finished flowering outside Treshnish office and Shian cottage. It has been flowering for several weeks
September 30
Golden Eagle: on roadside barrier below Cnoc a' Chaisteil (guests at Shian cottage). It is very unusual for an eagle to perch like this, could this have been a buzzard?
Mountain Hare: 1 by Shian cottage (guests at Shian cottage)
July Highflyer moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Red-green Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Common Marbled Carpet moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Dark Marbled Carpet moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Grey Pine Carpet moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Pale Eggar moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Red-line Quaker moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Black Rustic moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Northern Deep-brown Dart moth: 3 by Treshnish Old School House
Green-brindled Crescent moth: 2 by Treshnish Old School House
Small Wainscot moth: 7 by Treshnish Old School House
Chestnut moth: 8 by Treshnish Old School House
Large Yellow Underwing moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Pink-barred Sallow moth: 1 by Treshnish Old School House
Ruby Tiger moth caterpillar: Yellow ‘hairy’ larva found on Spear Thistle at Treshnish Old School House was caught but was not happy being reared so photographed and released on 7 Oct. Later found to be this species with viral infection