Guillemot and razorbill numbers have vastly increased in the last week. These distinguished looking seabirds are members of a group of birds known as Auks, which also includes the black guillemot, little auk and the Atlantic puffin. Guillemot and razorbill both lay a single egg per pair on the bare rocks without constructing a nest. They spend most of the year out at sea and return to their breeding colonies around this time of the year. Mating pairs that may not have seen each other since the previous breeding season spend a lot of time rebuilding pair bonds through activities such as beak smacking, grooming and courtship calls.
Guillemot and razorbill - Photo credit: Robert Conn
Around 2500 pairs of gannet, Europe's largest native seabird, breed on Big Scare, a rocky island 6 mile of shore in Luce bay and visible through the telescope in the RSPB visitor centre. These majestic creatures can frequently be seen close in to the headland.
Big Scare - Photo credit: Robert Conn
Shags continue to gather nesting material and can easily be seen on the cliffs below the lighthouse. The pair nesting below the foghorn and visible on the screens in the RSPB Visitor Centre have laid their first egg today (Saturday 16th April).
Shag with egg - Photo credit: Iain Houston
Fulmar are best spotted on the cliffs between the Gallie Craig Coffee House and West Tarbet bay.
Fulmar - Photo credit: Robert Conn
Migrating birds, such as reed bunting, willow warbler, sedge warbler and goldcrest, often use the small patch of willows on the reserve as a sort of ecological service station at this time of year, a place to stop off, rest up and refuel before continuing their journey. Some may even hang around for a few days, increasing the chances of spotting them.
On the Heathland numbers of wheatear have increased. Rock pipit and meadow pipit continue to display and are often seen carrying beak full’s of nesting material. Stonechat and linnet are also becoming more visible as they gather material and display fervently.
Male wheatear - Photo credit: Robert Conn
Other sightings this week include small tortoiseshell butterfly and buff-tailed bumblebee, feeding on an ever increasing number of wildflowers and a common lizard.
Common lizard - Photo credit: Robert Conn
With live cameras on the cliffs, free activities for kids and local wildlife information available in the RSPB Visitor Centre, the lighthouse, its exhibition centre and stunning views all around, it’s easy to see why the Mull of Galloway is a Four Star Scottish Tourist Board Visitor Attraction.