CLIACT POINT
Breeding seabirds and more at this island destination
Mull is famous for eagles and the breeding seabirds on its offshore islands Lunga and Staffa, but here we find a rocky outcrop with a small number of breeding seabirds and, in the right weather, huge numbers of seabirds and other passing species. JOHN MILES
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Come off the B8073 before you drop down to Calgary. These minor roads are ideal to walk if you enjoy a long stroll. Here there is a mixture of scrub and open field, so check for species like Curlew, Greylag Geese and pipits on one side of the road while Long-tailed Tit and Willow Warbler may be found on the other side of the road.
2 A field with a large flash is home to Snipe in summer, with Jack Snipe in the winter months. Woodcock come down at night to feed in this field. Look out for raptors in this area, with Buzzard and Sparrowhawk likely.
3 After a gate you find a big area of purple moor grass on your right, ideal for hunting Hen Harriers. Not as common are the Short-eared Owls, but Barn Owls are here all year round. The road is ideal for listening out for Twite, which breed here along with Linnets. Check the sea for species like Minke Whale and Common Dolphin in summer.
4 The walk up to the high rocks which make the point is essential for the best of the seawatching. Some people watch from their cars to the right of the track to the farmhouse, but will miss a lot of birds. Just one count from mid-October this year had 295 Barnacle Geese, a Blackthroated Diver, nine Red-throated Divers, eight Great Northern Divers, 3,950 Razorbills, 40 Guillemots, 1,140 Kittiwakes, 81 Gannets, Arctic Skua and Pomarine Skua, and you can add petrels and the local breeding Manx Shearwaters.
5 The rocks were once ideal for breeding seabirds, with species including Herring Gull, Razorbill and Shag. Fulmar were here in numbers, but now there are none, possibly due to the problems with plastic in their stomach. If you continue on towards Calgary you have the chance of both eagles, Raven, summer Wheatears and Rock Pipits.