Sunday 16 June 2013

Isle of Mull - Day 3 and Nightjars

I shall start with some food. I have been very busy the last couple of days, so no time to blog. By the way, Happy Fathers Day to all you Dad's out there! I was busy cooking all day yesterday, making a cracking Cheesecake for today and a Pizza for last nights supper.


Day 3 of Mull - Target Bird - Corncrake

We were heading to Iona today to hopefully connect with the Corncrakes. On the ferry, we saw Common and Arctic Tern, Gannet, Kittiwake, Shag, Razorbill and Guillemot. Someone reported a Mink but we didn't see it. We got over to Iona, and went to the fields at the back of the Fire Station. Straight away, a calling male was wandering below a gate.


He then came out into the open.


We got a couple of Sedge Warblers plus another Corncrake, and the Gannets were fishing out in the bay. We walked back round towards the ferry when we picked up a fourth Corncrake! Not showing very well, but you could see it's head.

We then moved on to Fidden, and we picked up about 25+ Whimbrel.


We then went to Uisken, and on the beach held Rock Pipit, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and a couple of summer plumaged Sanderling.




Very Poor Light! Sanderling on far right.

We got a nice Yellowhammer, Mountain Hare, White-tailed Eagle, 4 Great Northern Diver, and Raven on the way back to the hotel.

Raven



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On Friday Night, Dad and I went on the guided Nightjar walk at Minsmere. They took us onto the Bridleway to the heath, not Westleton Heath like last year. We could hear a Nightjar churring as soon as we got to the heath. In about 10 mins, 2 males were flying about through the woods. And then, at about 9:35pm, 3 Nightjars were flying feet above our heads. I was using the White handkerchief trick to attract them, and it actually worked. Best views of Nightjar ever. Unfortunately, I left it too late for the camera. :(

Fantastic well done to Jonny Rankin for finding the Pacific Swift at Trimley. An amazing find. Pity we can't go and see it! 

Happy Birding!

1 comment:

  1. Hi Ben excellent trip report to Mull , you saw more Corncrakes than us so well done and that cheesecake is making me feel hungry... lol
    Cheers
    Rob

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