Great Cumbrae (1 Viewer)

[Adam M]

Hello,

I am heading to Great Cumbrae with my university in April. As we have got to make our own way there, there is a chance for me to do a spot of birding before and after the planned visit. I was just wondering what I could see either on Great Cumbrae itself, or on the near by mainland. Anything I should make the effort to go and see? We are staying at Millport, if that helps to put us into some kind of context in terms of location on the island.

Thanks in advance.

Adam

 

[allanpcameron]

Cumbrae is great for sea watching. I try to go down a couple of times a year and drive round, the ferry trip is good too. Pretty much what you'd expect on the west coast in April. Enjoy it!

 

[Adam M]

Thanks for your reply. Had a quick look at various websites and agree it is the usual stuff I can expect to see. Which isn't as bad as it sounds, as living in landlocked Staffordshire a few seabirds are still glaring absentees from my list. Be good to see them and get them on there.

Adam

 

[Hotspur]

Plenty of Eider, we had a number of Buzzards. When you walk back to the field station from the pub listen out for Groppers - we had at least 7 round the island a couple of years ago. Apparently there are Slow Worms at Lion rock just north of the field station. Plunge diving gannets were a feature as were a handful of Black Guillemots. Full spectrum of Carrion/Hooded Crow Hybrids along with pure birds of both. Quite a few Ravens about.

 

[Laruslister]

Unfortunately Groppers don't arrive in Ayrshire until the first week of May,so unless you are in the last week of April through to May you haven't a chance with them.You should see Black Guillemot(Tystie to the local birders who use the Gaelic name)) easily enough along with Guillemot and Razorbill .You would have to be extremely lucky to see a puffin-but not impossible.Red-throated Divers will still be around (some in summer dress) and maybe Black-throated and Great Northern Diver.Eider are extremely common on the Clyde and Common Scoter are common,though not always seen.You should keep an eye out for Long-tailed Duck as there could be one or two if you're lucky.Gannet will be very common by then in the Clyde(they winter away from here)
Keep your eyes skinned for them from the ferrry as well as both sides of the watter(two t's intentional as it is "doon the watter fae Glesca").I can't say I know the island,but you should get Peregrine and Merlin.
Rock Pipit are common on the coast along with Stonechat.Keep a lookout for Black redstart in rocky coastal areas or round the harbours.They are infrequent visitors.
Wheatears should be around in small numbers by April and maybe a Sand Martin or Swallow.Pretty much a place for common species.
if I think of anything else i'll post again.

 

[JTweedie]

The north of the island is Oystercatcher central - everywhere you look, there they are.

When you arrive on the island, it would be a good plan (if you're not carrying heavy bags) take a right off the ferry and walk round the coast anti-clockwise. Once you come down to the south coast you'll also see Grey Seals resting on rocks just off Millport.

 

[Adam M]

Just got back from my week in Millport, what a stunning place.
I'll cut a long story short, I saw;

Gannet
Eider
Guillemot
Black guillemot
Red throated diver
Bar tailed godwit (Kames bay)
Purple sandpiper (Millport pier)
Gropper (heard for one day behind the uni hostel)
Wheatear
Rock pipit
Oystercatchers
Curlew
Hooded crow
Raven (behind the uni hostel)
Tern sp (Kames bay at dusk on Thursday night, too dark to ID, but common or arctic)
Grey seals
Common seals
Porpoises
Shag
Cormorant
Plus plenty of commoner species.

7 new species for me and a wonderful week, if a little busy with uni work!

I'll upload some pictures at some point tomorrow, but after the 5 hour drive home I just want to go to bed.

Adam