On the 1st an occupied House Martin nest was on the new houses beside Kilninian church. This is the first confirmed breeding for the NM34 10x10km square. A Kestrel was by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, the first seen for a while although they have been heard her in the early morning. The Common Gulls have become less noisy at the colony at Treshnish lochan, so presumably some have fledged. Lesser Redpolls could be heard flying near Treshnish Old Schoolhouse and 2 were below Treshnish House, 1 Twite was below Treshnish House, newly fledged Wheatears with adults with food were below Treshnish House. Siskins were again by Treshnish old Schoolhouse and a newly fledged Meadow Pipit was also there. There were 3 Redshanks at Dervaig.
There had been a report of a possible Banded Demoiselle on the southern part of the track to Glengorm from the north entrance to Loch Frisa and I was asked to take a look. The weather was not ideal and I saw no Banded but I did find a dead Beautiful Demoiselle beside the stream and also a Golden-ringed Dragonfly laying eggs and patrolling the stream and 2 Common Blue Damselflies. There were also newly fledged Whinchats, a Lapwing, 1 Dark-green Fritillary, 1 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Heath butterflies and 2 Early Marsh-orchids near the source of the stream. Below Treshnish House there was 1 Chimney Sweeper moth. A Mountain Hare was by Treshnish cow-barn and a very large seal was at Treshnish boathouse.
On the 2nd there were at least 2 fledged Common Gulls at the colony at Treshnish lochan. A Twite was singing between Treshnish and Haunn cottages and there was 1 below Dun Haunn and another south of Port Haunn. A newly fledged Stonechat was above Treshnish cow-barn. A singing Sedge Warbler and a newly fledged Willow Warbler were at Haunn. A Reed Bunting was singing 100m below Toechtamhor cottage. 10 Swifts flew south at Treshnish point, the highest number recorded at Treshnish. 5 Manx Shearwaters flew south close in at Treshnish Point after only a minute of sea-watching, no doubt a longer sea-watch would have been interesting. There were 3 Ringed Plovers below Dun Haunn. An adult Gannet with juvenile was near Treshnish Point. There were no Fulmars seen flying around the cliffs at Treshnish Point but there was possibly a pair on the cliffs on the southern side of Treshnish Point. Fledged Kestrels were at Reudle cliffs. A Red Deer with fawn was on Cruachan Treshnish. There was 1 Dark-green Fritillary beside Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 3 at Haunn, 1 below Crackaig, 1 Meadow Brown beside Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 south of Port Haunn, 2 between Port Haunn and Crackaig, 4 below Crackaig, 2 Painted Lady butterflies below Crackaig. 2 Chimney Sweeper at Haunn, 3 Six-spot Burnet moths below Crackaig. Sea Mayweed (0) and Bog Pimpernel (+21) were flowering below Dun Haunn. Creeping Thistle (-13) was flowering and Carline Thistle (-7) was about to flower below Crackaig. Possible Zigzag Clover flowering at the top of Crackaig ‘steps.’
On the 3rd a Snipe was drumming by Reudle Schoolhouse, 2 Golden Eagles on Cruachan Treshnish. There was 1 Meadow Brown butterfly, 1 Yellow Shell and 1 Beautiful Golden Y moths below Crackaig.
There was 1 Dark-green Fritillary butterfly at Haunn, 1 Small Heath butterfly at Haunn, 1 Meadow Brown butterfly at Haunn, 1 Chimney Sweeper moth at Haunn, 1 Magpie and 1 Yellow Shell moths between Treshnish and Haunn cottages. Lesser Burdock was flowering at east of Haunn field and Rosebay Willowherb (-20) had been flowering for at least a couple of days at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse.
On the 5th 5 Snipe flew behind Treshnish Old Schoolhouse and a few minutes later one was calling from there, Lesser Redpoll were heard in flight below Treshnish House and 1 Twite was by Treshnish cow-barn. There were over 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins feeding offshore from the south of Port Haunn (Scott Smith).
Another poor night of moth-trapping with 19 species of macro moths, the least common being The Snout, The Drinker and Ingrailed Clay. Slender Speedwell found flowering on Treshnish House lawn was a new species for our 10x10km square.
On the 6th a male Lesser Redpoll was alarmed and obviously had a family nearby in Treshnish wood along the farm-track, a Siskin in Treshnish wood was similarly alarmed, 1 Twite was below Treshnish House and a newly fledged Rock Pipit was along the coast below Treshnish House. There was a Red Admiral butterfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, a Chimney Sweeper moth was seen being eaten by a juvenile Wheatear by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, and at least 10 were together near the coast below Treshnish House.
On the 7th there were 21 newly fledged Common Gulls on Treshnish lochan from the colony there and there were 28 semi-alarmed adults flying there, 1 Golden Eagle was on Cruachan Treshnish and a few hours later guests at Toechtamhor cottage had seen one above the Common Gull colony at Treshnish lochan. 1 Meadow Pipit was flushed off a nest with eggs by Reudle Schoolhouse bog. There were 5 fawns with a herd of Red Deer on Cruachan Treshnish. There was 1 Small Heath butterfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 by pond above Treshnish lochan, 1 Common Blue butterfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 Dark-green Fritillary butterfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 Golden-ringed Dragonfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 Meadow Brown near Treshnish lochan, 1 by pond above Treshnish lochan, 1 at Reudle Schoolhouse bog, 2 Silver Y, 1 Yellow Shell, 1 Silver-Ground Carpet moths by pond above Treshnish lochan, 2+ Dark Marbled Carpet moths above Reudle cliffs, 1 Four-spotted Chaser by pond above Treshnish lochan.
Lesser Skullcap (-14) was flowering and Round-leaved Sundew (-30) was nearly flowering near Reudle Schoolhouse bog, Heather (-20) was flowering at Beinn Reudle.
On the 8th there were 13 Fulmars flying around the northeast end of Treshnish Point and 7 sitting on ledges and Lesser Redpoll were flying below Treshnish House. During a walk looking for reported Banded Demoiselle dragonfly there was 1 newly fledged Whinchat at Loch an Torr NM4552, 1 Meadow Brown butterfly to east of Loch an Torr NM4652, 1 at NM4553, 1 at Loch an Torr NM4453, 1 Dark-green Fritillary butterfly to east of Loch an Torr NM4652, 5 at NM4553, 1 at NM4453, 1 Green-veined White butterfly to east of Loch an Torr NM4553, 2 Common Blue butterflies at Loch an Torr NM4453, 3 Golden-ringed Dragonfly (1 laying eggs) along the stream to east of Loch an Torr at NM4652, 1 at NM4553, 1 Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly to east of Loch an Torr NM4553, 1 Common Blue Damselfly at Loch an Torr NM4453, 7 male and 3 female Beautiful Demoiselle (1 female at NM46035284, 2 males at NM45685326, 1 male at NM45615337, 1 male at NM45635341, 1 female at NM45605350, 1 female at NM45445356, 1 male at NM45435356, 2 males at NM45415357). Water Lobelia (-8) was flowering in Loch an Torr. Wall Speedwell was in our vegetable garden. Delicate Stonewort Chara virgata a freshwater algae was in the stream to east of Loch an Torr.
On the 9th 2 immature White-tailed Eagles flew west along the coast below Treshnish House and there was 1 Collared Dove flying east over Treshnish wood and again later in Treshnish garden. A Reed Bunting was singing 100m below Toechtamhor cottage. A pair of Merlins were at Lòn Reudle (Scott Smith). There were 5 Dark-green Fritillary, 1 Meadow Brown butterflies between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Speckled Wood butterfly at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse and 1 Large Yellow Underwing moth by Duill cottage. On the 10th 1 Great Skua flying out of Calgary bay around Treshnish Point, 1 Wood Pigeon singing in Treshnish wood (the first time I have heard one singing there), 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Treshnish House, 1 Lesser Redpoll by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 2 Sand Martins near Ensay burn cattle-grid, 3 Dark-green Fritillary by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 Red Admiral by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 2 Speckled Wood along farm-track in Treshnish wood, 2 Green-veined White along farm-track in Treshnish wood, 1 below Treshnish House, 2 Meadow Brown below Treshnish House, 1 at Ensay burn mouth, 1 Painted Lady at Ensay burn mouth, all butterflies, 2 Chimney Sweeper at Treshnish House, 1 below Treshnish House, 10+ Beautiful Golden Y/Silver Y moths by Treshnish graveyard, 1 Highland Darter dragonfly along farm-track in Treshnish wood, 1 by Treshnish graveyard,
On the 11th a male Hen Harrier was seen briefly on the hill between Treshnish and Haunn cottages in the morning and presumably the same in the same area in afternoon which was with a better view identified as a second calendar male, 3 Linnets between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 Lesser Redpoll by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 male Reed Bunting singing just outside the Haunn field by farm-track at the east gate, this is the first time I have heard one singing there. Newly fledged Blackbird, Stonechat and Dunnock were seen just to west of Treshnish cow-barn. A female Merlin was between Crackaig and Reudle Schoolhouse (Scott Smith). An Adder was on the farm-track between Toechtamhor and East cottage, Haunn. Also on the 11th, 4 Dark-green Fritillary by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 5 at Treshnish House, 3 at Haunn, 3 Green-veined White by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 at Treshnish House, 2 Meadow Brown by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 at Treshnish House, 4 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 2 at Haunn, 1 Red Admiral by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 at Treshnish House, 1 at Haunn, 1 Small Heath by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 Painted Lady by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages. On the 12th presumably the same second calendar male Hen Harrier was between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, Lesser Redpoll was heard flying over the wood below Treshnish cow-barn. There was also 1 Painted Lady by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 by Treshnish lochan, 1 Red Admiral by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 by Treshnish lochan, 1 Meadow Brown by Treshnish lochan, 1 Green-veined White by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 Small Heath by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, all butterflies, 1 Chimney Sweeper moth by Treshnish lochan. Lesser Clubmoss was out to east of Cruachan Treshnish, Bog Orchid was flowering at two of the known sites closest to Treshnish House. On the 13th 2 Twite by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse in the morning, 1 by Treshnish cow-barn in the evening, 5 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages in the evening, 17 at Haunn, Lesser Redpolls were heard between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 male Reed Bunting just outside the Haunn field by farm-track at the east gate and about 30 minutes later 1 male was seen in the usual low-lying area below Toechtamhor cottage. Sedge Warblers were singing below Haunn cottages. An adult Basking Shark was off from the coast below Treshnish House and there was possibly a smaller one with it. There was 1 Green-veined White by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 4 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 Meadow Brown by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 5 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 at Haunn, 1 by Treshnish cow-barn, 4 Dark-green Fritillary between Treshnish and Haunn cottages. Grass-of-Parnassus was flowering between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, which is quite far inland for this species. 1 probable Silver Y moth between Treshnish and Haunn cottages. Only 23 species were caught in the moth-trap which is not many for this time of year but two were new for Treshnish, Oblique Carpet and Small Rivulet, the latter of which has not been recorded for about 30 years. Purple-loosestrife was flowering below Toechtamhor cottage. On the 14th a second calendar male Hen Harrier was on Cruachan Treshnish (Scott Smith). Apparently 'a pair of young Golden Eagles' were seen at Port Haunn by PS and family. On a walk to look for another reported Banded Demoiselle sighting at Torr Mòr, Pottie, on the Ross, there were no demoiselles seen but there was 1 Highland Darter dragonfly NM3121, 1 Dark-green Fritillary NM3121, 1 Small Heath NM3121, 2 Meadow Brown NM3121 and at least 4 Green-veined White NM3221 butterflies and flowering Marsh St John's-wort.
On a walk from Knockvologan to Tràigh Gheal there were Lesser Redpolls heard near Torr Fada, 2 Green-veined White near Knockvologan, 1 near Breac-achadh, 1 Small Heath near Breac-achadh, 2 Dark-green Fritillary near Breac-achadh, 1 Meadow Brown near Breac-achadh, 1 Highland Darter dragonfly near Knockvologan, 2 Golden-ringed Dragonflies near Breac-achadh. Branched Bur-reed was at Breac-achadh, 5 Sea Rocket plants were flowering at Tràigh Gheal and, Thyme Broomrape had increased since last visit to about 100 plants at Tràigh Gheal, a patch of Lesser Meadow-rue was flowering at Tràigh Gheal, Pale Butterwort (-13) was flowering at Torr Fada and Pale Persicaria was flowering at Knockvologan.
On the 15th there were 5 House Martins at Ensay. There was 1 Great Skua just to the south of Port Haunn (Scott Smith). At There On a walk to Speinne Mòr there were 2 Sand Martins, 2 juvenile Wheatears and Snipe were drumming and 3 were seen near the summit. Crowberry which is a species I have recently leant to identify was found to be common on any gravely areas and Alpine Clubmoss which I had found near the summit was also found to be abundant at another plateau area near the summit,
On the 16th an immature White-tailed Eagle was seen to south of Ensay (Scott Smith). Reed Bunting was singing vociferously again 100m below Toechtamhor cottage. Normally this species is very quiet at Treshnish perhaps this means there are now more than one pairs. There is till the occasional commotion at the Common Gull colony at Treshnish lochan but the young can also be seen at the shore. Presumably some still roost at the lochan or there is a late fledging. There was at least 1 Sand Martin with the Swallows at Treshnish House. Lesser Redpolls can still be heard flying over Treshnish wood and over the woods below the cow-barn. A group of 8 Twite were just past the cow-barn on the way to Haunn cottages and in the evening a male was seen feeding young and mating with a female near Treshnish Old Schoolhouse. Adult Siskins with young were also seen near Treshnish Old Schoolhouse. There were 2 Basking Sharks offshore from to the west of Sunipol (Scott Smith). Also on the 16th, there were at least 4 Green-veined White by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 Meadow Brown by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 2 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 Dark-green Fritillary by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, all butterflies. There was 1 Highland Darter dragonfly between Treshnish and Haunn cottages. Common Knapweed (0) and Field Gentian (-10) were flowering around Toechtamhor cottage. On the 17th a possible Peregrine was seen above the Common Gull colony at Treshnish lochan (no binoculars) and there was also a possible Golden Eagle there earlier in the day. 1 Dark-green Fritillary, 2 Green-veined White butterflies and 1 Highland Darter dragonfly were by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse.
On the 18th 1 Golden Eagle was over Beinn Duill, 1 Reed Bunting was singing in front of Toechtamhor cottage and the Common Gull colony was still showing the occasional signs of alarm. There was 1 Green-veined White by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 at Haunn, 1 Dark-green Fritillary between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, all butterflies. 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing and 1 Dark Arches were found dead in Toechtamhor cottage.
On the 19th during sheep-gathering a covey of about 15 Red Grouse were flushed above Treshnish cow-barn. This is the largest number seen in the area for several years. On the 20th adult Siskin was seen feeding a fledged juvenile in Treshnish wood and Lesser Redpoll were heard overhead. There were 3 Sand Martins hunting near Ensay burn/Treshnish wood cattle-grid.
There were 3 Green-veined White at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse and near Ensay burn/Treshnish wood cattle-grid there were at least 7 Scotch Argus and 1 Dark-green Fritillary and 1 Green-veined White butterflies. A Six-striped Rustic moth was found alive inside Treshnish Old Schoolhouse. Although this moth is common in Britain I have only caught 3 individuals in 3 years and so it does not appear to be common on Mull.
No luck so far searching for the Broad-leaved Helleborine plant, which was found in the wood on 5th September 2007, when the flowers were fading, perhaps it is still too early for this late species but this species does not flower every year. Broad-leaved Helleborine is very rare on Mull but the neighbour reported a Fly Orchid in the Ensay field only about 200m to the northeast of the Broad-leaved Helleborine site and since Fly Orchid does not occur in Scotland I am pretty sure she must have seen Broad-leaved Helleborine. Devil’s-bit Scabious (+8) and Sneezewort (+14) were flowering near Ensay burn/Treshnish wood cattle-grid.
On the 21st there were 2 possible Mistle Thrushes near Treshnish Old Schoolhouse but they flew into cover before I could get a better look. I have never seen this species in the summer months in this 10x10km square.
On the 22nd there was a newly fledged Reed Bunting, several Sand Martins (must be nests nearby), 5 Dunlin and 1 adult Ringed Plover with 2 chicks at Ardalanish beach. There were 3 Green-veined White and 2 Scotch Argus were by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 Small Tortoiseshell by Ardalanish beach car park, 3 Common Blue, 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Grayling, 1 Dark-green Fritillary and many Green-veined White butterflies were by Ardalanish beach. 3 Grayling, 1 Scotch Argus and 1 Painted Lady butterflies were also to east of Ardalanish beach.
Plants at Ardalanish included: Biting Stonecrop, Common Centaury, Crowberry, Field Gentian (70), Frog Orchid (160), Greater Sea-spurrey, Hemp-agrimony, Kidney Vetch, Lesser Meadow-rue, Marsh St John's-wort, Prickly Saltwort, Purple-loosestrife, Ray's Knotgrass, Sea Rocket, Sea Sandwort, Sea-milkwort, Sea Radish, hybrid Cirsium arvense x palustre and Hairy Rock-cress.
On the 23rd there was a Tawny Owl heard at night at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse where during the day there were also 2 newly fledged Lesser Redpolls with the female adult. There was 1 Dark-green Fritillary between Treshnish and Haunn cottages, 1 Scotch Argus, 3 Green-veined White and 1 Speckled Wood by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, all butterflies.
At night 30 species of macro-moths came to the light-tap. Of these the most interesting were Garden Tiger, Burnished Brass, Gold Spangle, V-Pug, Ingrailed Clay and The Grey. The Grey is the rarest moth found at Treshnish and this is only the second one I have caught in the 4 years I have been trapping. The other was caught on 12th May 2007 and I have just been informed that that was the first one found in 12 years in the whole of Scotland! This species is only found in Ireland, the Isle of Man and Scotland. A possible Mottled Rustic was also caught but it was badly worn and as this would be a first for Mull it will need further confirmation.
On the 24th a White-tailed Eagle flew from Treshnish Point towards Calgary and a Sparrowhawk was alarming the remaining Common Gull pair over Treshnish lochan and a Hen Harrier flew behind Treshnish Old Schoolhouse. There was 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Grayling, 3 Green-veined White butterflies by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse where there was also 1 Golden-ringed Dragonfly.
On the 25th there was a newly fledged Goldfinch family at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse. During a walk near Scoor on the Ross of Mull there was a newly fledged Spotted Flycatcher and Sand Martins near a nest site by Loch Assapol. To the south of Scoor there were 7 House Martins and several feral goats. At Ardalanish beach there were 3 unidentified divers in flight.
There was 1 Dark-green Fritillary and 1 Peacock butterflies at Loch Assapol. To the south of Scoor there was 1 Green-veined White butterfly and at the nearby beach Tràigh Bhàn na Sgùrr there were 2 Grayling. There was 1 Peacock and 1 Green-veined White butterfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse. There was 1 Golden-ringed Dragonfly at Loch Assapol and 1 Highland Darter dragonfly to the south of Scoor.
Plants found at Tràigh Bhàn na Sgùrra included: Field Gentian, Common Centaury, Carline Thistle, Fragrant Orchid, Hemp-agrimony, Lesser Meadow-rue, Agrimony, Scarlet Pimpernel, Hop Trefoil, Common Stork's-bill, Skullcap, Greater Sea-spurrey, Prickly Saltwort, Sea Sandwort, Field Madder, Scots Lovage, Hoary Whitlowgrass, Gypsywort, Thyme-leaved Sandwort. Marsh St John's-wort was found at Scoor and another 20 more Frog Orchids and over 100 Common Centaury were found near the previous site at Ardalanish beach.
On the 26th there was a newly fledged Goldcrest and 2 Wood Pigeons and Lesser Redpolls in Treshnish wood and at least 2 Sand Martins were near Treshnish Old Schoolhouse where they have been seen regularly for the last few days. A second calendar male Hen Harrier was below Treshnish House. There was 1 Green-veined White, 1 Scotch Argus butterflies by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse and 1 Grayling by Ensay burn mouth.
Field Gentian and Common Centaury were found at a new site by Ensay burn mouth.
On the 27th during a walk around the crater 'S Airde Beinn with the county recorder Lynne Farrell we saw 1 Peregrine and 1 Red Grouse.
We found many Lesser Twayblade orchids amongst the heather and on the track from the main road to Glengorm (near the road) she showed me the minute Chaffweed. Other notable plants for me were common but easily over-looked plants such as Delicate Stonewort, Shoreweed, Alternate Water-milfoil, Hairy Bitter-cress, Equal-leaved Knotgrass, New Zealand Willowherb and Knotted Pearlwort. Numerous grass, sedge and rush species were also pointed out by Lynne and she identified my samples of Thyme-leaved Sandwort from Calgary, Wall Speedwell from various localities and Meadow Foxtail from Treshnish boathouse (a new species for the Treshnish and Calgary 10x10km squares).
There were 4 Scotch Argus and 1 Small Heath butterflies and 1 Fox Moth caterpillars near Mishnish with another Fox Moth caterpillar higher up the track. To the west of 'S Airde Beinn there was 1 Meadow Brown butterfly, 1 Magpie Moth, 1 Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly, 1 Common Hawker dragonfly and 2 Common Blue Damselflies.
On the 28th there was 1 Scotch Argus butterfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse. No Irish Lady’s-tresses orchid were found at the old site at Mornish.
On the 29th there were 3 Lapwings near Frachadil and 1 Meadow Pipit fledgling still unable to fly at Bennan. A dead Barn Owl was found beside a fence at the edge of a copse at Bennan and 1 Mountain Hare at Bennan. There was 1 Green-veined White by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse and 5+ at Bennan, 1 Painted Lady by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse with another 2 fresh looking ones at Bennan and 10+ Scotch Argus at Bennan, all butterflies.
At night only 20 species of macro-moth came to the light-trap but one, Lempke's Gold Spot was new for Treshnish. Garden Tiger and Ingrailed Clay were the least common species although the latter has been more common than in previous years.
On the 30th over 30 Sand Martins flew over Treshnish old Schoolhouse, 20 Twite were at Haunn and a male Hen Harrier was seen by Treshnish House. 2 Green-veined White, 1 Painted Lady, 2+ Scotch Argus butterflies and 1 Brimstone moth were flying by day at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse.
On the 31st there is still one Common Gull, which is often alarmed by raptors at Treshnish lochan. There was 1 Grayling butterfly by Treshnish Old Schoolhouse.
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