It’s an exciting time to visit the Mull of Galloway as the breeding season for many of our birds continues. Walking around the reserve it’s impossible to miss our nesting Meadow pipits. They perform fantastic aerial flight displays- known as ‘parachuting’- flying high before gliding back to the ground. This week, several birds have been seen collecting bugs, ants and caterpillars to feed their newly hatched chicks. It takes only a few weeks before they will be ready to fledge the nest and fend for themselves.
Meadow Pipit carrying food for its young (photo Laura Shearer)
Our Stonechat chicks which fledged last week are doing well and can be seen feeding around the willows behind the RSPB visitor centre. Their protective parents are never too far away and can be heard ‘chatting’ as they perch high on the walls, encouraging the chicks development. We have had a huge influx of migrating Swallows and House Martins this week. On Wednesday over 40 Swallows and 20 House Martins were counted at once, whizzing around outside the café. They were thrilled to enjoy a buffet of flies after their long journey north from their wintering grounds in South Africa. Throughout the day there was a huge turnover as many more arrived as the others departed. We have several pairs of both species nest on the reserve and we will keep you updated on their progress.
Male stonechat keeping a close watch over his chick (right). Photo Laura Shearer
The highlight of the Mull of Galloway at this time of the year is our thriving seabird colony. The cliffs are busy with activity- many more Guillemot and Razorbill eggs are being laid each day as they settle in dense patches on suitable ledges. The Kittiwakes have been spotted nest building- ripping chunks of dirt and grass off the reserve to construct their nest bowls. They will reuse the nest from the previous year, repairing and adding to the structure to make it suitable to protect their eggs. Over the next week or so we should hopefully find our first eggs from this species. Keep up to date via our facebook page- RPSB Dumfries and Galloway or through twitter- @RSPBDandG.
The sea is full of Guillemots and Razorbills (photo Laura Shearer)
Kittiwakes settling into their nests (photo Laura Shearer)