The visitor centre at the Mull of Galloway has now been open for two weeks so I thought I’d take the opportunity to fill you all in on the wildlife that has been seen recently.
There are many shags nests visible on the cliffs including the nest below the foghorn that we can watch from the comfort of the visitor centre thanks to out fantastic cameras that provide amazing images of the wildlife on the cliffs and the water around the foghorn area . The shags have been sitting on eggs for two weeks now and incubation normally takes around 30 days so we expect to see the first chick make an appearance around the 27th.
Shag - Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Also on or around the cliffs are the very vocal kittiwakes, fulmar, raven and herring gull. These are occasionally joined by razorbill and guillemot when they are not out on the water. Black guillemot have also been around in good numbers recently, especially earlier in the day.
Razorbill - Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Just above the cliffs around the foghorn and lighthouse area is a good spot to look out for rock pipits whilst the meadow pipits are far more visible on the Heathland areas, both are very active at the moment with lots of song, display flights and tussles for territory.
Peregrine and kestrel are seen frequently patrolling the skies in search of a meal and the numbers of summer migrants have been steadily increasing. Swallows and house martins seem to be returning daily and chiffchaff, blackcap and wheatear have all been seen, with the later being seen frequently in good numbers just of the reserve around the Gaillie Craig Coffee House
Wheatear - Photo credit: Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)
Other regular sightings include stonechat, pied wagtail, wren, reed bunting, rook and snipe.
And of course there are the ever impressive gannets, often seen flying low over the water as they head off on their long distance fishing trips or diving into the water in pursuit of fish.
Grey seals have been spotted on a few occasions whereas the harbour porpoise have been very visible lately with sightings being reported most days, sometimes of pods up to 30 strong!
Sea campion, coltsfoot, lesser celandine and other wildflowers are starting to bloom around the reserve and this has been bringing out numbers of hoverflies and bumblebees as well as the occasional small tortoiseshell butterfly.
Other wildlife that has been reported includes roe deer, brown hare, house mouse and fox moth caterpillar.
A personal highlight for me though has to be the juvenile golden plover that made an appearance just as we were completing one of our regular guided walks.
For more information on our guided walks please visit our events page by clicking here