The high-pressure system continued into week 3, with yet more fine weather and low winds. Coll was firmly cementing its reputation for having some of the highest sunshine hours in the UK! The weather seemed appropriate for another WeBS survey of wetland birds, re-tracing the route David and I had previously taken the week before. Of course having had almost no rain in October, we weren’t necessarily expecting the fields to be particularly waterlogged. Upon arrival at Loch Breachacha we watched a small twittering flock of Linnet, multiple Meadow Pipit, a Red Throated Diver on the sea and very surprisingly, a late October Willow Warbler!
The loch and estuary itself contained the usual trio of Gull species; Common, Herring and Great Black Backed and many waders, made up predominantly of over 150 Lapwing. Curlew, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover were also present. As had previously been the case, the low wind and ambient conditions seemed to keep the number of species sightings fairly low though our arrival at Canal Loch soon had a multitude of Grey Herons lifting their bulk into flight. A couple of Snipe also made a swift exit from nearby cover and we heard a Water Rail calling as we watched Teal, Wigeon and Mallard on the loch itself.
Following on from last week we also witnessed a number of small flocks of Barnacle Geese, interspersed with the usual gaggles of Greylags. Colls resident population of 14 Snow Geese also made an appearance!
Loch Ballyhaugh continued to be the resident spot for our five Whooper Swans and numerous Moorhen and they continued to be joined by a number of ducks, the same species as per Canal Loch, though in smaller numbers. We had hoped to start counting winter Twite whilst undergoing this WeBS survey though unfortunately they were absent on this day. We were however rewarded with large numbers of chattering Stonechats.
Another task for the early week was to return the RSPB visitor information facilities back to their former glory. The visitor room, containing a number of glossy information boards, numerous leaflets, maps and books on wildlife spotting had become somewhat ‘unclean’ owing to a family of Swallows that had nested inside! I therefore made it my mission to fully cleanse the room and re-cover all the stone masonry in a spanking fresh coat of paint. It was a lengthy job, but by the time I’d removed much of the sand from underfoot the room was looking glorious and ready to welcome Colls autumn visitors.
Mid week I was lucky enough to join both Ben and David on a LANTRA training course. A trainer arrived on the morning ferry, no doubt a stunning journey owing to the glorious morning sunrise. The course was for ‘sit-in’ ATV’s and we duly used the RSPB Polaris Ranger for the task. The first half of the day comprised predominantly theory, though we also spent time going through the technical aspects of the ATV. The latter part of the day was the practical element and we took it in turns to complete elements of the LANTRA training, including slow hill descents, failed hill climbs, plotting an off-road course, and reversing a trailer around a corner. We then returned to HQ to complete a written test and all necessary paperwork. I didn’t expect to gain a LANTRA qualification whilst on Coll, so a real bonus!
The weather remained stunning during the latter part of the week and one day was spent completing odd tasks including the finishing of the visitor information room. I even managed to carefully prise the old Swallow nest from the wall, complete not only in form but still containing two unhatched eggs…remarkably like Cadbury’s mini-eggs we all thought!
Ben and I utilised the flawless conditions to erect a basic fencing structure around the RSPB bin, feeling that during Winter it may not be that difficult for said bin to end up in the Atlantic Ocean! This day was also the one to wave goodbye to the sturdy Massey Ferguson tractor, which departed Colls’ shores on route to being replaced by a spanking new Landini.
With clear skies and negligible wind, this week also turned out to be excellent for night time star gazing, the islands reputation as a ‘dark skies’ environment startlingly clear!
Final task for the week was to investigate field drainage in the Southern most part of the RSPB reserve. We had a crudely drawn map from yesteryear showing the location of a number of clay drains and duly spent time excavating with the services of a local CAT digger. Water logging seemed a bit of an issue in low-lying areas and it was clear that somewhere along the line the water was not draining correctly. Work to do…
David and I used time at the end of the week to repair a section of fence that we’d had to snip in order to let the CAT through! We were also able to note that the section of plastic netting erected to protect the Corncrake early cover area was surviving impeccably, great news!
James Duncan