On the southernmost tip of Scotland, the Mull of Galloway is an island getaway for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. You have beautiful, panoramic views of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Cumbria and Galloways from its coastline. The birds of Mull of Galloway are the primary residents of the Mull of Galloway, and the cliffs see thousands of birds every summer for a newer
Those who love birdwatching will love a trip to the Mull of Galloway, not only for its diverse set of sea birds and plant species but also for the fantastic views of the Irish Sea. The Mull of Galloway’s also features a large cliff colony of gannets that nest upon the scar rocks.
Description
Often called the best-kept secret of Scotland, the Mull of Galloway is the most southernly point of the nation and has a wealth of unique natural attractions for visitors to enjoy, birds included! The area around the Mull of Galloway is of special scientific interest and has a wide variety of flora, fauna, and more.
Notable flora grows on the clifftop grassland, such as purple milk vetch, spring squill, sea spleenwort, and thrift. The area is also under the management of the RSPB Mull of Galloway (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), as the site is home to several seabird colonies – including a large Northern Gannet colony.
Details to Know
The Mull of Galloway is one of the best birdwatching sites in Scotland; here are the details you should know before you venture out to this stunning part of the country.
When to Visit
The best time to visit the Mull of Galloway birds is early Spring and Autumn. In Spring, birds from all over Europe flock to the Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve to breed and enjoy the clifftop habitats. Once the eggs have hatched throughout the summer months, Galloway feels alive with life.
Then, once the weather begins to chill in early Autumn, visitors can enjoy watching the diverse selection of birds start their voyage once more to the warmer parts of the world. Even in winter, however, the cliffs of the Mull of Galloway are worth visiting.
How to Get There
If you plan to see the coastal habitats along the Mull of Galloway trail, then the Mull of Galloway is the perfect place to stop by. There are a few ways to reach the Mull of Galloway: You can travel South from the town of Drummore; visitors must follow brown tourist signs for about 8 kilometres. There is an easy-to-access car park for the Galloway Nature Reserve that begins the path that leads to the seabird cliffs.
Catching a bus to Drummore is also a cheap and easy way to reach the reserve, which sits just 5 miles (about 8 kilometres) from the town.
Stranraer Station sits only 27 kilometres from the Mull of Galloway and is an easy access point for tourists traversing Scotland via train. Otherwise, the Mull of Galloway Trails allows visitors a walking route to and from Drummore.
Top Birds to Look Out For
The stunning panoramic views of this RSPB reserve aren’t the only sight to look out for as you navigate the nature reserve’s trails; the reserve consists of locally important colonies and visiting seabirds that nest along the cliff edges. Here are the top birds you should be keeping an eye out for!
Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus)
The fastest animal alive, peregrine falcons are a beautiful falcon famed for its blistering speed when it dives to catch prey. This bird species can reach over 300 km/h when it hunts and claims the title of the fastest animal without much competition.
The peregrine falcon can be identified by its yellow feet, dabbled black spots on its underpart, and its yellow eyes and beak. They are small birds, roughly the size of a crow and can often be spotted hunting other birds – although it mainly targets chicks of nesting birds.
Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca)
The adorable Pied Flycatcher is a small bird to look out for when wandering around the heathland of Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve. They are a smaller species, with a bulging white underpart, black upperpart, and short, thin legs.
They are common in early summer and can snack on insects, caterpillars, and seeds. And while the males of the species have a black overcoat, the females have a brown coat – you can see this species hopping from branch to branch at Loch Ryan.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
While red kites were once an endangered species, the Mull of Galloway has stepped back from their conservation efforts thanks to the recovery in population. These majestic birds were nearly hunted to extinction as they regularly hunted domestic animals.
Their reddish-brown feathers are instantly recognisable and cemented by long yellow legs that are visible as they fly across the sky in search of prey. You can find these kites across Dumfries and Galloway nature reserves, so keep an eye out!
Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus)
Otherwise known as common swans, the Whooper Swan is a beautiful swan that displays the brilliant white feathers and yellow and black bills associated with these birds. You’ll likely only see this swan in the summer months, so make a point to stop by the site if you’re an avid birder.
And unlike the mute swans, whooper swans make themselves known and have a wonderfully distinctive car trumpet call that means you’ll likely hear them before you see them!
Black Guillemots (Cepphus grylle)
During the winter months, Black Guillemot flock to the Gull of Galloway and other parts of the world for their breeding season – they’re easily identifiable by the white splashes on their wings, which are otherwise black like the rest of their body.
This striking plumage makes them relatively quick to spot, but their rare numbers may challenge the avid birder. They are usually seen together in pairs, especially during the busy summer breeding season.
Rock Pipits (Anthus petrosus)
The sturdy rock pipits inhabit the rocky beaches of the coastline and can be seen hopping and flying around the Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve. They flock to Scotland, the UK, and Ireland during winter to retreat to warmer climates.
If you have your binoculars, keep an eye out for their grey, cream, and brown markings all over their body and their short, thick beak. Although small, these birds can quite easily spotted in the outlying part of the UK.
Sand Martins (Riparia riparia)
Quick and agile, the sand martins are the smallest European Hirundines (which compromises martins and swallows); they weigh about 13 grams with a 26-centimetre wingspan.
The dark colours of their underwing create a contrast against their paler underbelly, which makes this small bird easy to spot on a day out.
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)
A cousin to wood warblers, the willow warbler is a cute bird with distinctive green-grey colours on this overpart and wings. This unique colouration mixed with the yellow-tinged chest makes this bird one you can’t miss when you go bird-spotting in the area.
Keep your ears out for their melodic chirp as you navigate the woods and heathland of Dumfries and Galloway.
Barn Owls (Tyto alba)
One of the most unique-looking owls, see the barn owls that call the Mull of Galloway their home the next time you stop by. Barn owls are relatively difficult to spot, usually found within the Galloway Glens at night.
But should an avid birdwatcher keep their eyes out from a peaceful and undisturbed hide, they may spot this beautiful owl species silently flying through the woods.
Nearby Accommodation
A visit to the Mull of Galloway is an excellent way to start or end your trip through Scotland. It compromises the most southerly point of Scotland, making a trip onwards to the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, or England as easy as hopping on a ferry.
The nearby Belfast, Newton Stewart, and Ramsey are all easily accessible and offer visitors the chance to relax in comfort at a luxurious Newton Stewart hotel, enjoy the privacy of self-catering accommodation, or even have a bed and breakfast to start your day off right!
Things to Do
The Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve is filled with many other unique attractions for visitors to take full advantage of while you’re here. Not only do the nature reserve’s trails offer the opportunity to spot roe deer, red deer, red squirrels, and more wondrous wildlife, but there are also attractions like the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse to look forward to.
The Mull of Galloway Visitor Centre is one of the best resources for finding tertiary activities to explore the region and the top recent sightings of the bird life that call the RSPB to reserve their home. The Lake District, Belfast, and the UK are all within half a day’s travel. Here are some nearby things to do.
