JULY 2024 - SIGHTINGS

DateSpeciesNo.CategoryNotes
2024-07-02Hen Harrier (a chunky female)birdHunting over Corncrake fields
2024-07-02Corncrake3birdSeparate individuals seen in flight
2024-07-02SnipebirdSawing and flying over breeding grounds
2024-07-02Great Skua2bird
2024-07-02Arctic Skua2bird
2024-07-02Woodpigeon1birdOver fields at Acha
2024-07-02Grass RivuletinsectDay-flying moth on the machair
2024-07-02_Tenthredo_ sp.insectHandsome sawfly sunning itself on an Oxeye Daisy flower
2024-07-02Common TwaybladesplantDozens of flowering stems in the machair - our only regular site for this striking orchid
2024-07-02Frog OrchidplantGood number now flowering in the machair
2024-07-02Northern Marsh OrchidplantA few in the machair - including hybrids with Early Marsh
2024-07-05Snow Goose5birdRegular flock of five feral birds
2024-07-05Black-throated DiverbirdSmart juvenile bird in Baigh Feall - not a species we see here very often
2024-07-05Hen HarrierbirdFemale hunting - it’s good to see plenty of females out and about at the moment
2024-07-05Sparrowhawkbird
2024-07-05Arctic Skua5birdFive separate individuals
2024-07-05Great SkuabirdStill in short supply around Coll this summer
2024-07-05FulmarbirdSeveral nesting pairs
2024-07-05Belted Beauty mothmothCracking find of a well-developed caterpillar of this machair speciality
2024-07-05Black Snail Beetleinvertebrate_Phosphuga atrata_
2024-07-05Brown Chaferinvertebrate_Serica brunnea_
2024-07-05Northern Colletes2invertebrateTwo colonies of this rare solitary mining bee found in the machair
2024-07-05Parsley-piertplantNot an exciting plant - a common weed on the main land - but a first for Coll!
2024-07-06Shelduck (a pair)6birdwith 6 ducklings on the wild sea
2024-07-06Eiderbirda regular female snoozing on rocks in Loch Eatharna
2024-07-06Twitebirda family group
2024-07-06Orchidaceae12plant12 different species of orchid found across the island in recent weeks
2024-07-07White-tailed Eagle (Herring Gull)birdObserved an adult eagle low overhead, attracted by a screaming Herring Gull.Uncommon
2024-07-08Sparrowhawkbird
2024-07-08Corncrake (a few calling males still around)bird
2024-07-08Sericomyia silentisinsecta northern and western species not previously recorded in Coll
2024-07-08Common Valerian3plantonly 3 locations for this lovely wetland species in Coll - rediscovered today at its original station
2024-07-08Northern Marsh Orchidplant
2024-07-08Frog Orchidplant
2024-07-08Common Twayblade100planta bank of maybe a hundred - the only regular location for this orchid in Coll
2024-07-08Northern Colletes2insecttwo more colonies of this rare solitary mining bee found in the machairrare
2024-07-14Greenshank (an early returning migrant)birdEarly returning migrant
2024-07-14Emperor moth caterpillarinsect
2024-07-14Prickly Saltwortplanthundreds of plants at its only known station on Coll
2024-07-14Sea BeetplantColl rarity
2024-07-14Goldenrodplant
2024-07-14Elytrigia x laxa (it’s a bit obscure but it is a new grass for Coll - the hybrid of Common Couch and Sand Couch. Not previously recorded on the island.)plantNew grass for Coll - hybrid of Common Couch and Sand CouchFirst record on the island
2024-07-14TeaselplantAnother first for Coll - a scarce plant on the west coastFirst record on the island
2024-07-14Heath Spotted and Lesser Butterfly Orchidsplantstill in flower
2024-07-14Poplar Hawkmothinsect
2024-07-14Burnished Brassmoth
2024-07-14Heart and Dartmoth
2024-07-14True Lovers Knotmoth
2024-07-14Bright-line Brown-eyemoth
2024-07-14Spectaclemoth
2024-07-14Rusticmoth
2024-07-14Dark Archesmoth
2024-07-14Large Yellow Underwingmoth
2024-07-14Gold Spotmoth
2024-07-14Common Rustic aggmoth
2024-07-14Dotted Claymoth
2024-07-14Small Square-spotmoth
2024-07-14_Eana penziana_fungi
2024-07-15Red-throated Diverbird
2024-07-15Hen Harrier (female)bird
2024-07-15Sparrowhawk (female)bird
2024-07-15Arctic Terns and Common TernsbirdBoth appear to be having a good year breeding on rocky skerries offshore
2024-07-15Red AdmiralinsectOur first for the year of this long-range migrant speciesUncommon
2024-07-16Hen Harrier (male and female)bird
2024-07-16Grayling butterflyinsectOur first of the year
2024-07-16Dark Green FritillaryinsectStill around in good numbers
2024-07-16Common Hawker dragonflyinsectOur first of the year
2024-07-16Scots PineplantYoung trees found during a long walk in the eastern moors
2024-07-16Downy BirchplantYoung trees found during a long walk in the eastern moors
2024-07-16Grey WillowplantYoung trees found during a long walk in the eastern moors
2024-07-16Bog Hair-grassplantNationally scarce species; Coll stronghold, never previously observed.Target species for today's walk.
2024-07-16PipewortplantA more dependable Coll speciality.
2024-07-17Greater Tussock-sedge (Cyperus fusiformis)plantTwo more Coll rarities
2024-07-17Lesser Tussock-sedge (Cyperus difformis)plantTwo more Coll rarities
2024-07-18Whimbrel (an early return migrant)birdObserved with Curlews.Early return migrant
2024-07-23Canada Goosebirdoccasional family groups being seen across the island now - they’ll be leaving soon
2024-07-23Field Gentianplanta delightful late summer flower that’s having a particularly good year here on Coll
2024-07-23Frog Orchid and Twaybladeamphibianin a new location
2024-07-23Lesser Hawkbitplantan uncommon plant in Scotland which we find only occasionally in the machair. Here it was flowering abundantlyUncommon
2024-07-23Allseed and Chaffweedplanta pair of nationally scarce species which are frequently seen together here
2024-07-30Northern Colletes (a day mapping nesting assemblages of this national rarity)insectMapping nesting assemblages with Sally Morris from Buglife.National rarity
2024-07-30Bordered Grey mothmothOnly the second record on Coll for this nationally notable species.Nationally notable, rare record
2024-07-30Heather FlyinsectA new species for us.New species
2024-07-30Belted Beauty mothmothA well-grown caterpillar of this machair speciality.Machair speciality
2024-07-30Many-lobed DandelionplantWe found some fresh vegetative growth today of this very rare early-season dandelion.Rare, early season
2024-07-30Field MadderplantA local rarity at a new location.Local rarity, new location
2024-07-30Bitter VetchplantAlways nice to find.