My second week at RSPB Coll started with some more survey work early in the week. The weather was kind and we were rewarded with excellent sightings of Hen Harrier, White Tailed Eagle, Merlin, Red Throated Diver and a Lapland Bunting. The first swallow was spotted so spring was on its way! In view of this the finishing touches were put to the swallow shelter and nesting areas.
The fantastic new workbench was cemented into place along with further improvement works to the barn work area.
Work was started on some swamp bridges to aid access to the bay where the Little Terns nest, a beautiful area with some nice sightings of Wheatear and Ring plover, whilst grappling with old telegraph poles in the mud!
I spent my second weekend off with more exploring at Crossapol beach and excellent views of groups of Red Breasted Merganser and Great Northern Divers. On the Sunday I even got involved in helping move a piano from one side of the island to the other, all part of island life on Coll.
Ric Holmes – RSPB Residential Volunteer
The following week windy weather rolled in and Pat the latest RSPB Coll Residential Volunteer described the ferry journey as very nice, but a little choppy towards the end. Majestic views of the islands provided many photo opportunities.
Whilst Pat was welcomed to the reserve and taken through the induction procedures by Dave, Ben and Ric commenced maintenance on the grass harrow. Pat headed out with Dave in the afternoon to get his bearings and visited Breachacha Bay and Castle and ascended Ben Feall which gives excellent all round views of the extent of the reserve.
Tuesday it was full waterproofs and wellies and off to collect old fencing material, accompanied by the majestic site of Barnacle Geese and Lapwing overhead. More swamp bridge material was prepared in readiness for an assault on the swamp area!
Wednesday it was clear Ben and Dave had had enough of us volunteers already and decided to banish us to the high moorland of the island to conduct a Hen Harrier survey, we jumped at the chance and headed off with flask and sarnies ready for all weather. We hiked up onto higher ground and were rewarded with fantastic views all around, Ringtail Hen Harrier, Great Skua, Buzzard and Red Throated Diver sightings. The afternoon was spent conducting a stock check to count livestock in different compartments allocated to farmers. On our return to the reserve office we were treated to further fantastic sightings of another Ringtail Hen Harrier hunting.
It was all hands on deck first thing Thurs to assist the local builders unloading a large double glazing unit for the accommodation at the reserve, being flexible and willing to help with anything goes a long way as a residential volunteer! Another Ric and Pat big adventure commenced with the hunt for Hen Harrier, starting with a visit to a locals house to get information on sightings they had reported of Hen Harrier. Then it was off to a different location Loch Gorton Bay area once again with spectacular panoramic views of the island. Pats lunchtime coffee was disturbed by uninvited guests, local cows seemed keen to get friendly so Pat decided to relocate higher up the ridge.
Another fantastic week on Coll ended with further stock check work and continued repairs to the grass harrow and visitor room.
Ric Holmes and Pat Harle - Residential Volunteers