Mediterranean Gull in the rain at Stranraer, 31 August 2008.
After our long but very successful day on Saturday we had a fairly leisurely start on Sunday morning with a walk along Auchie Glen. This site looks perfect to drag in some rare migrants someday.
The glen is an "oasis" of cover in the Mull and I'm sure that come this October Pete Berry will be phoning in a Yellow-browed or even Pallas's Wabler to the info services. Last year's Lapland Bunting (found by Pete and Chris Baines) is proof of the pudding. OK, so it was a bit quiet on our visit but come October ........
After a bite to eat in the cafe at the Mull (highly recommended even though the views were a bit restricted by fog on our visit) we headed back towards Stranraer where mobile phone signal kicked in revealing a missed call from Chris Baines who we had arranged to meet at Loch Ryan. Chris had seen an adult Med' Gull at Bishop Burn but it had disappeared so we arranged a rendezvous at Wig Bay.
Mediterranean Gull (right) with Common Gull, Loch Ryan 31 August 2008.
Driving through Stranraer in rain we noticed a gathering of gulls on the beach of Loch Ryan so a quick stop was in order. One of the closest birds was a nice 1st winter Med' Gull so we snapped off a few images in the drizzle before meeting Chris at Wig Bay. It was fairly quiet at the Wig apart from some Eiders and Mergs and drizzle was making the thought of a stroll less than inviting (at least for a big tart like me) so we decided on a quick seawatch from Corsewall Point.
The wind was just north of west at the point and Gannets, Fulmars, Manx Shearwaters and Sandwich Terns were passing very close below the lighthouse. A few Kittiwakes were noted as well as several summer plumaged Red-throated Divers. This was our first visit to Corsewall and I look forward to a return visit in suitable conditions, hopefully not before too long.
Loch Ryan at Bishop Burn near Stranraer.
Our final port of call near Stranraer was Bishop Burn. There were plenty of birds as usual, although a little distant as the tide had dropped. Chris relocated the Pale-bellied Brent Goose he'd seen earlier and there were several Sandwich Terns and Knot but no sign of the adult Med' Gull.
A close look at the Brent reveals something trailing from its open beak and unfortunately it appears to be a hook and line but I can't be sure. We said goodbye to Chris and headed back to the Mull via West Freugh where a brief scan from the car produced a pair of Ravens but little else.
