The first Kittiwake chicks have fledged on the Mull of Galloway just last week, with many more on the cliffs, stretching their wings and preparing to fly the nest. The poor weather delayed the seabird nesting season on the reserve and many of our birds suffered due to strong westerly winds. The Kittiwakes were the last to lay which meant they would miss the poorest of the weather- or so we thought. After the first chicks hatched we had a large storm and unfortunately several birds perished. BUT- it’s not all bad! The chicks which survived have really thrived and most pairs have gone on to fledge at least one chick.
Kittiwake family (photo by Laura Shearer)
The Mull of Galloway is a very important location for migrating birds, with many stopping off on the reserve to feed up in preparation for the long journey ahead. The shrubs behind the RSPB visitor centre are a hot-spot for migrating birds with Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers recorded over the last week. A juvenile cuckoo has continued to stick around over the last few weeks and has been showing off around the visitor centre throughout the day.
Juvenile cuckoo perching on the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse Wall (photo by Laura Shearer)
Bumblebees such as Buff-tailed, Red-tailed, White-tailed and Common Carder nest in holes in the ground all over the reserve and these important pollinators can be seen feeding on the wildflowers which are currently in full bloom. Butterflies are a plenty with weekly transects recording up to 200 individuals at once. Green-veined Whites, Meadow Browns and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies can be seen feeding on the thistles and basking in the sunshine.
Meadow Brown butterflies can be seen feeding on the thistles (photo by Laura Shearer)
Green-veined White Butterflies are numerous on the reserve (photo by Laura Shearer)
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