Bird Highlights
Thought I would summarise the bird highlights at Treshnish and environs. Not including regular residents. My records unless specified otherwise.
Argyll Rarities. Those needing a rarity report to Argyll Bird Record Committee for it to be officially accepted.
Hawfinch: 1 on 30/04/2010 at Treshnish House (Carolyne Charrington). Second for Mull. Accepted by ABRC. The first was 1 on 15/06/2009 at Frachadil, Calgary (Andrew & Helen Mortley).
Sabine's Gull: 1 on 23 & 24/05/2011 at Calgary (must have passed Treshnish). Accepted by ABRC
Wryneck: 1 on 15/08/2011 at Haunn. Third for Mull. Accepted by ABRC
Scandinavian Rock Pipit (ssp littoralis): 1 on 7 & 09/04/2012 at Haunn and another on 22/05/2012 at Langamull. 2nd and 3rd for Mull.
Mediterranean Gull: 1 adult on 05/03/2012 at Killiechronan. Second for Mull. Accepted by ABRC. Not Treshnish but mine so...
Red-backed Shrike: 1 on 26/05/2012 at Treshnish.
Scarce records (for Mull):
Sooty Shearwater: 1 on 07/09/2011 at Treshnish Point, 2 on 06/9/2011 between Mull and Coll (John Bowler), 1 on 07/06/2008 off Caliach Point (George and Anne Burns)
Snow Goose:2 on 11/05/2011 nr Treshnish Point (SC). Flock on Coll bred originally at Treshnish.
Greenland White-fronted Goose: 5 on 08/11/2011 & 23 on 04/11/2011 at Treshnish, 11 on 30/10/2011 at Croig, 31 on 18/04/2011 at Ensay Burn
Barnacle Goose: 100 flying south on 11/10/2011 over Treshnish Point, 4,500 flying south on 10/10/2011 over Treshnish, 7 on 08/10/2011 flying w over Lainne Sgeir, Calgary
Pale-bellied Brent Goose: 2 on 09/10/2011 at Calgary boathouse, 34 flying s on 06/10/2011 & 88 flying s on 05/10/2011 at Treshnish Point, 5 flying s on 11/09/2011 & 50 flying s on 06/09/2011 Port Haunn, 7 on 21/09/2010 off Port Haunn (Pam Rogerson), 1 on 14/10/2008 at Treshnish boathouse, 1 on 14/10/2008 in Calgary Bay & 6 on 12/10/2008 near Port Haunn (Stuart Thomas)
Velvet Scoter: 1 on 14/12/2006 in Calgary Bay
Long-tailed Duck: 1 on 27/05/2012 off Calgary pier, 1 on 25/05/2012 (Arthur Brown), 1 on 21/10/2009 at Calgary beach, 2 in Calgary Bay on 29-30/05/2009 (Arthur Brown & Anand Prasad), 1 on 25/09/2006 in Calgary Bay (Kevin Lock & Paul Harwood - ABR 21: 39)
Marsh Harrier: 1 immature on 29/05/2012 at Haunn
Red Kite: 1 immature (possibly Lake District 2011 tagged) on 26/05/2012
Osprey: 1 on 21/05/2012 and a different bird on 27/05/2012 over Treshnish wood, 1 on 30/08/2011 above Ensay, 1 on 17/05/2010 at Treshnish Point & 1 below Crackaig on 13/05/2007
Green Sandpiper: 1 on 29/04/2011 at Duill cottage pond (also SC)
Water Rail: heard on 12/02/2012 at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 on 01/02/2010 near Treshnish Point (SC)
Red Knot: 1 on 24/09/2011 at Lainne Sgeir, Calgary, 9 on 13/09/2011 at Calgary beach, 1 on 11/09/2010 at Calgary (Arthur Brown), 1 on 19/08/2010 at Treshnish Point (Andy Stoddart & Maja Passchier)
Ruff: 3 on 12/09/2011 & 1 on 13/09/2011 at Lainne Sgeir, Calgary, 1 on 11/09/2011 at Calgary (Judith & Eddie Smith)
Grey Plover: 1 on 03/10/2010, 1 on 29/09/2010 near Calgary boathouse, 2 on 28/09/2010 on Calgary beach
Sanderling: 5 on 13/05/2012 on Calgary beach, 1+ on 30/09/2011 at Calgary beach (Andy Mortley), 1 on 29/09/2011 & 2 on 21/09/2011 at Calgary beach, 1 on 20/09/2010, 6 on 16/09/2010, 1 on 07/09/2010, 1 on 20/10/2009 at Calgary beach, 5 on 13/09/2010 at Calgary (Arthur Brown & Alan Spellman), 2 on 24/05/2008 at Calgary beach (Arthur Brown), 1 on 25/09/2006 & 1 on 23/09/2007 at Calgary beach, 1 on 25/09/2007 at Calgary beach (Pam Rogerson), 12 on 29/07/2005 at Calgary beach (MBR 3), 1 on 19/06/2004 at Calgary (Shaun McCullagh), 1 on 23/09/1991 at Calgary (ABR 8:41), 5 on 21/09/1989 at Calgary (ABR 6:31)
Purple Sandpiper: Scarce on Mull. 1 on near Treshnish boathouse. Regular at Lainne Sgeir Calgary.
Corncrake: 1 calling on 11/05/2011 at Treshnish Point. 2 males calling in 2010 at Treshnish; 1 at Haunn, first heard on 13 May calling consistently until 10th July (a pair were seen at Haunn on 2 June), thereafter heard on 24th July and last record was a sighting on 31st July. 1 at Treshnish, first heard on 16th May calling consistently until 15th July.
Quail: 1 at Haunn on 18/06/2011, 1 near Reudle Schoolhouse on 31/05/2009 (Ann & Susan Thompson) and presumably the same near Haunn from 06/06/2009 to 21/06/2009.
Iceland Gull: Massive influx in 2012 so Treshnish area records here only: 1 on 16/05/2012 at Treshnish boathouse, 2 on 21/03/2012 at Caliach - Sunipol, 1 on 14/03/2012 at Croig, 3 on 02/03/2012 off Treshnish north coast, 1 on 01/03/2012 at Kilninian, 2 on 29/02/2012 off Treshnish north coast, 2 on 26/02/2012 in Loch Tuath off from Kilninian, 1 on 18/02/2012 along Sunipol road, 3 on 15/02/2012 on Calgary machair (www.mullbirds.com), 1 on 10/02/2012 at Croig, 1 on 06/02/2012 at Croig, 1 on 12/01/2012 at Calgary, 1 on 10/01/2012 at Caliach flew to nr Sunipol and then Langamull coast, 1 on 01/01/2012 at Ensay Burn mouth, 2 on 15/12/2007 on and around a lobster boat at Port Haunn
Glaucous Gull: in process
Pomarine Skua: 1 on 06/09/2011 at Treshnish Point, 'flock of 25+ Pom/Long tails' on 27/05/2011, 'seen off Coll by boat by my son', (Matt Atkin), 1 on 09/05/2006 at Quinish Point, 1 on 23/05/2007 at Treshnish Point.
European Bee-eater2 on 24-28/04/2010 at Calgary (not sure of finder)
Turtle Dove: 1 on 11/05/2006 at Treshnish and SC also recorded it on previous years. 1 on 24/05/2006 at Toechtamhor cottage (Chris Dean & family)
Jackdaw: 2 from 02-06/05/2011 at Ensay (anon.), 1 on 01/06/2010 at Calgary (Arthur Brown), 8 on 01/04/1982 on Calgary beach (ABR 1:69).
Swift: Treshnish and Treshnish Isles are the best places to see this species on Mull. Usually seen once or twice annually but none in 2007 or 2011 and none so far in 2012.
3 near Reudle on 03/06/2012 (Arthur Brown), 1 on 23/09/2010 above Treshnish wood, 1 on 07/09/2010 over Treshnish House, 2 on 07/09/2010 at Reudle or possible Killechronan (Pam & Arthur Brown), 1 on 30/06/2010 at Treshnish House, 2 on 27/06/2010 over Haunn (Malcolm Ward), 12 flying on 26/06/2010 over Haunn, 1 on 09/06/2010 at Caliach (Pam Brown), 10 flying south on 02/07/2009 at Treshnish Point, 1 on 30/06/2009 on Beinn an Lochain, 1 or 2 on 25/06/2009 at Treshnish, 1 on 18/05/2009 at Treshnish, 1 on 16/05/2009 at Treshnish headland (Stuart Gibson & Ruth Fleming), 1 on 15/09/2008 at Treshnish Schoolhouse, 1 on 04/07/2008 at Treshnish House, 1 on 25/06/2006 at Treshnish Point, 1 on 06/05/2006 at Haunn cottages, 1-5 on 3 dates between 23/06-01/07/2006 over Lunga, Treshnish Isles (TIARG 2006), 6 on 22/06/2005 and singles on subsequent days in late June 2005 at Lunga, Treshnish Isles (TIARG 2005), 1 on 22/06/2004 at Lunga, Treshnish Isles (TIARG 2004), up to 5 from 23-26/06/2001 at Lunga, Treshnish Isles (ABR 18:77-78), 1 on 29/06/2000 at Lunga, (ABR 17:78), 1 on 22/06/1991 at Treshnish, 1 on 16/06/1990 at Lunga, 1 on 18/06/1990 at Lunga, 5 on 15/06/1986 at Treshnish Isles (ABR 4:30), 2 on 29/07/1980 at Cairn na Burgh, 1 on 07/07/1980 at Fladda, 3 on 10/06/1980 on Lunga, Treshnish Isles (ABR 1:58).
Waxwing: 4 on 23/10/2010 and 30 on 24/10/2010 at Treshnish.
Snow Bunting: 2 on 24-27/10/2011 by Reudle summit road (Arthur & Pam Brown), 1 male on 16/05/2009 near Port Haunn (Stuart Gibson & Ruth Fleming) and presumably same male on 10/05/2009 on hill cairn to west of summit of Ensay-Burg road (Eddie & Josie Gibson).
Record from others
Pallas's Sandgrouse: 2 seen in North-west Mull during 1888 invasion (Birds of Argyll). It is nice to imagine this was at Treshnish.
Common Coot: 1 on 11/02/2009 at a pond in Calgary (Arthur Brown)
Curlew Sandpiper: 1 on 09/09/2005 at Calgary (MBR 3).
Sandwich Tern: 2 on 29/05/2012 (Arthur Brown)
Black Grouse: 2 males on 25/04/1990 at Reudle (ABR 7:25)
Magpie: 1 on 13/02/2006 at Calgary (David Sexton).[I think there is a record at Ensay but can't find it].
Nuthatch: 1 on 10-12/04/2008 at Frachadil, Calgary (Andrew & Helen Mortley) and presumably same bird seen at Dervaig and Craignure until 13/08/2008.
Argyll Rarities. Those needing a rarity report to Argyll Bird Record Committee for it to be officially accepted.
Hawfinch: 1 on 30/04/2010 at Treshnish House (Carolyne Charrington). Second for Mull. Accepted by ABRC. The first was 1 on 15/06/2009 at Frachadil, Calgary (Andrew & Helen Mortley).
Sabine's Gull: 1 on 23 & 24/05/2011 at Calgary (must have passed Treshnish). Accepted by ABRC
Wryneck: 1 on 15/08/2011 at Haunn. Third for Mull. Accepted by ABRC
Scandinavian Rock Pipit (ssp littoralis): 1 on 7 & 09/04/2012 at Haunn and another on 22/05/2012 at Langamull. 2nd and 3rd for Mull.
Mediterranean Gull: 1 adult on 05/03/2012 at Killiechronan. Second for Mull. Accepted by ABRC. Not Treshnish but mine so...
Red-backed Shrike: 1 on 26/05/2012 at Treshnish.
Scarce records (for Mull):
Sooty Shearwater: 1 on 07/09/2011 at Treshnish Point, 2 on 06/9/2011 between Mull and Coll (John Bowler), 1 on 07/06/2008 off Caliach Point (George and Anne Burns)
Snow Goose:2 on 11/05/2011 nr Treshnish Point (SC). Flock on Coll bred originally at Treshnish.
Greenland White-fronted Goose: 5 on 08/11/2011 & 23 on 04/11/2011 at Treshnish, 11 on 30/10/2011 at Croig, 31 on 18/04/2011 at Ensay Burn
Barnacle Goose: 100 flying south on 11/10/2011 over Treshnish Point, 4,500 flying south on 10/10/2011 over Treshnish, 7 on 08/10/2011 flying w over Lainne Sgeir, Calgary
Pale-bellied Brent Goose: 2 on 09/10/2011 at Calgary boathouse, 34 flying s on 06/10/2011 & 88 flying s on 05/10/2011 at Treshnish Point, 5 flying s on 11/09/2011 & 50 flying s on 06/09/2011 Port Haunn, 7 on 21/09/2010 off Port Haunn (Pam Rogerson), 1 on 14/10/2008 at Treshnish boathouse, 1 on 14/10/2008 in Calgary Bay & 6 on 12/10/2008 near Port Haunn (Stuart Thomas)
Velvet Scoter: 1 on 14/12/2006 in Calgary Bay
Long-tailed Duck: 1 on 27/05/2012 off Calgary pier, 1 on 25/05/2012 (Arthur Brown), 1 on 21/10/2009 at Calgary beach, 2 in Calgary Bay on 29-30/05/2009 (Arthur Brown & Anand Prasad), 1 on 25/09/2006 in Calgary Bay (Kevin Lock & Paul Harwood - ABR 21: 39)
Marsh Harrier: 1 immature on 29/05/2012 at Haunn
Red Kite: 1 immature (possibly Lake District 2011 tagged) on 26/05/2012
Osprey: 1 on 21/05/2012 and a different bird on 27/05/2012 over Treshnish wood, 1 on 30/08/2011 above Ensay, 1 on 17/05/2010 at Treshnish Point & 1 below Crackaig on 13/05/2007
Green Sandpiper: 1 on 29/04/2011 at Duill cottage pond (also SC)
Water Rail: heard on 12/02/2012 at Treshnish Old Schoolhouse, 1 on 01/02/2010 near Treshnish Point (SC)
Red Knot: 1 on 24/09/2011 at Lainne Sgeir, Calgary, 9 on 13/09/2011 at Calgary beach, 1 on 11/09/2010 at Calgary (Arthur Brown), 1 on 19/08/2010 at Treshnish Point (Andy Stoddart & Maja Passchier)
Ruff: 3 on 12/09/2011 & 1 on 13/09/2011 at Lainne Sgeir, Calgary, 1 on 11/09/2011 at Calgary (Judith & Eddie Smith)
Grey Plover: 1 on 03/10/2010, 1 on 29/09/2010 near Calgary boathouse, 2 on 28/09/2010 on Calgary beach
Sanderling: 5 on 13/05/2012 on Calgary beach, 1+ on 30/09/2011 at Calgary beach (Andy Mortley), 1 on 29/09/2011 & 2 on 21/09/2011 at Calgary beach, 1 on 20/09/2010, 6 on 16/09/2010, 1 on 07/09/2010, 1 on 20/10/2009 at Calgary beach, 5 on 13/09/2010 at Calgary (Arthur Brown & Alan Spellman), 2 on 24/05/2008 at Calgary beach (Arthur Brown), 1 on 25/09/2006 & 1 on 23/09/2007 at Calgary beach, 1 on 25/09/2007 at Calgary beach (Pam Rogerson), 12 on 29/07/2005 at Calgary beach (MBR 3), 1 on 19/06/2004 at Calgary (Shaun McCullagh), 1 on 23/09/1991 at Calgary (ABR 8:41), 5 on 21/09/1989 at Calgary (ABR 6:31)
Purple Sandpiper: Scarce on Mull. 1 on near Treshnish boathouse. Regular at Lainne Sgeir Calgary.
Corncrake: 1 calling on 11/05/2011 at Treshnish Point. 2 males calling in 2010 at Treshnish; 1 at Haunn, first heard on 13 May calling consistently until 10th July (a pair were seen at Haunn on 2 June), thereafter heard on 24th July and last record was a sighting on 31st July. 1 at Treshnish, first heard on 16th May calling consistently until 15th July.
Quail: 1 at Haunn on 18/06/2011, 1 near Reudle Schoolhouse on 31/05/2009 (Ann & Susan Thompson) and presumably the same near Haunn from 06/06/2009 to 21/06/2009.
Iceland Gull: Massive influx in 2012 so Treshnish area records here only: 1 on 16/05/2012 at Treshnish boathouse, 2 on 21/03/2012 at Caliach - Sunipol, 1 on 14/03/2012 at Croig, 3 on 02/03/2012 off Treshnish north coast, 1 on 01/03/2012 at Kilninian, 2 on 29/02/2012 off Treshnish north coast, 2 on 26/02/2012 in Loch Tuath off from Kilninian, 1 on 18/02/2012 along Sunipol road, 3 on 15/02/2012 on Calgary machair (www.mullbirds.com), 1 on 10/02/2012 at Croig, 1 on 06/02/2012 at Croig, 1 on 12/01/2012 at Calgary, 1 on 10/01/2012 at Caliach flew to nr Sunipol and then Langamull coast, 1 on 01/01/2012 at Ensay Burn mouth, 2 on 15/12/2007 on and around a lobster boat at Port Haunn
Glaucous Gull: in process
Pomarine Skua: 1 on 06/09/2011 at Treshnish Point, 'flock of 25+ Pom/Long tails' on 27/05/2011, 'seen off Coll by boat by my son', (Matt Atkin), 1 on 09/05/2006 at Quinish Point, 1 on 23/05/2007 at Treshnish Point.
European Bee-eater2 on 24-28/04/2010 at Calgary (not sure of finder)
Turtle Dove: 1 on 11/05/2006 at Treshnish and SC also recorded it on previous years. 1 on 24/05/2006 at Toechtamhor cottage (Chris Dean & family)
Jackdaw: 2 from 02-06/05/2011 at Ensay (anon.), 1 on 01/06/2010 at Calgary (Arthur Brown), 8 on 01/04/1982 on Calgary beach (ABR 1:69).
Swift: Treshnish and Treshnish Isles are the best places to see this species on Mull. Usually seen once or twice annually but none in 2007 or 2011 and none so far in 2012.
3 near Reudle on 03/06/2012 (Arthur Brown), 1 on 23/09/2010 above Treshnish wood, 1 on 07/09/2010 over Treshnish House, 2 on 07/09/2010 at Reudle or possible Killechronan (Pam & Arthur Brown), 1 on 30/06/2010 at Treshnish House, 2 on 27/06/2010 over Haunn (Malcolm Ward), 12 flying on 26/06/2010 over Haunn, 1 on 09/06/2010 at Caliach (Pam Brown), 10 flying south on 02/07/2009 at Treshnish Point, 1 on 30/06/2009 on Beinn an Lochain, 1 or 2 on 25/06/2009 at Treshnish, 1 on 18/05/2009 at Treshnish, 1 on 16/05/2009 at Treshnish headland (Stuart Gibson & Ruth Fleming), 1 on 15/09/2008 at Treshnish Schoolhouse, 1 on 04/07/2008 at Treshnish House, 1 on 25/06/2006 at Treshnish Point, 1 on 06/05/2006 at Haunn cottages, 1-5 on 3 dates between 23/06-01/07/2006 over Lunga, Treshnish Isles (TIARG 2006), 6 on 22/06/2005 and singles on subsequent days in late June 2005 at Lunga, Treshnish Isles (TIARG 2005), 1 on 22/06/2004 at Lunga, Treshnish Isles (TIARG 2004), up to 5 from 23-26/06/2001 at Lunga, Treshnish Isles (ABR 18:77-78), 1 on 29/06/2000 at Lunga, (ABR 17:78), 1 on 22/06/1991 at Treshnish, 1 on 16/06/1990 at Lunga, 1 on 18/06/1990 at Lunga, 5 on 15/06/1986 at Treshnish Isles (ABR 4:30), 2 on 29/07/1980 at Cairn na Burgh, 1 on 07/07/1980 at Fladda, 3 on 10/06/1980 on Lunga, Treshnish Isles (ABR 1:58).
Waxwing: 4 on 23/10/2010 and 30 on 24/10/2010 at Treshnish.
Snow Bunting: 2 on 24-27/10/2011 by Reudle summit road (Arthur & Pam Brown), 1 male on 16/05/2009 near Port Haunn (Stuart Gibson & Ruth Fleming) and presumably same male on 10/05/2009 on hill cairn to west of summit of Ensay-Burg road (Eddie & Josie Gibson).
Record from others
Pallas's Sandgrouse: 2 seen in North-west Mull during 1888 invasion (Birds of Argyll). It is nice to imagine this was at Treshnish.
Common Coot: 1 on 11/02/2009 at a pond in Calgary (Arthur Brown)
Curlew Sandpiper: 1 on 09/09/2005 at Calgary (MBR 3).
Sandwich Tern: 2 on 29/05/2012 (Arthur Brown)
Black Grouse: 2 males on 25/04/1990 at Reudle (ABR 7:25)
Magpie: 1 on 13/02/2006 at Calgary (David Sexton).[I think there is a record at Ensay but can't find it].
Nuthatch: 1 on 10-12/04/2008 at Frachadil, Calgary (Andrew & Helen Mortley) and presumably same bird seen at Dervaig and Craignure until 13/08/2008.