It’s visible migration season at the Mull of Galloway. A time of year to stand and visually observe what birds are migrating to warmer climes and in what numbers. Many birds are arriving, circling and resting up nearby while they await better winds and many are already making their way south. Most birds prefer to fly in to a slight headwind, so south, south-easterly winds around 5-10mph are ideal if combined with clear visibility and no rain.
Over the last week or so we have had large numbers of skylark and meadow pipit making their way south. These have been joined by flocks of swallow, house martin, house sparrow, pied wagtail, starling, linnet and goldfinch along with smaller numbers of, sparrowhawk, merlin, dunnock, grey wagtail, reed bunting, greenfinch, chaffinch, willow warbler, chiffchaff, goldcrest, red throated diver, great northern diver and twite.
Red throated diver in winter plumage - Photo credit: Steve Round (rspb-images.com).
Looking out to sea there are still plenty of kittiwake to be seen feeding or moving around along with razorbill, guillemot and Manx shearwater. Other seabirds that can be seen include herring gull, great black-backed gull, arctic skua, black headed gull, common scoter, shag, black guillemot and common gull.
Common scoter - Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com).
The RSPB Visitor Centre is still open 7 days a week until the October 30th and the Lighthouse Exhibition is open every day until October 25th, excluding the 19th & 20th with the Lighthouse Tower open weekends plus additional Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's during the school holidays.