Birding Canna by Bob Swann
Canna is the outermost of the Small Isles. It is accessible from Mallaig using the CalMac ferry which sails five times a week. The sail over can be very good for birds with lots of shearwaters, regular skuas and the occasional storm petrel. In addition Minke Whales, Common Dolphins and Basking Sharks are regularly seen.
It is possible to do a day trip on a Saturday, getting the early morning boat from Mallaig and returning from Canna late afternoon. Most people, however, tend to stay for a few days. Accommodation can be a problem. There is one B and B and there are also camping pods and caravans that can be hired, though advanced booking is recommended. There is a small community shop and a café, but most folk tend to take their supplies over for their stay.
Canna is a beautiful island, with stunning views. In addition over 180 species have been recorded on the island and 78 of these have bred. The island is best known for seabirds, raptors and Corncrakes.
The largest seabird colonies are below the cliffs on the north side of the island. They are not easy to observe, however, from this high vantage point. It is a better bet to cross over the footbridge at the top end of the bay on to the adjacent island of Sanday. You can then walk round the bay to the church and cut south across the island aiming for the highest point, particularly the area round the large stack known as Dun Mor. Here there is a large colony of Puffins, which can afford excellent views, especially if you go late afternoon or early evening. On the adjacent cliffs (just to the west of the stack) is a large Kittiwake colony, with smaller numbers of Fulmar, Guillemot and Razorbill. On the moor to the east of the stack (beyond the narrow gully) is a small and recently established colony of Great Skuas. These aggressive birds can be a bit daunting to the unwary birder. It is worth walking across the moor to the lighthouse. This is a good site to scan the Sound of Canna looking for seabirds, whales, dolphins and porpoises.
It is possible to do a day trip on a Saturday, getting the early morning boat from Mallaig and returning from Canna late afternoon. Most people, however, tend to stay for a few days. Accommodation can be a problem. There is one B and B and there are also camping pods and caravans that can be hired, though advanced booking is recommended. There is a small community shop and a café, but most folk tend to take their supplies over for their stay.
Canna is a beautiful island, with stunning views. In addition over 180 species have been recorded on the island and 78 of these have bred. The island is best known for seabirds, raptors and Corncrakes.
The largest seabird colonies are below the cliffs on the north side of the island. They are not easy to observe, however, from this high vantage point. It is a better bet to cross over the footbridge at the top end of the bay on to the adjacent island of Sanday. You can then walk round the bay to the church and cut south across the island aiming for the highest point, particularly the area round the large stack known as Dun Mor. Here there is a large colony of Puffins, which can afford excellent views, especially if you go late afternoon or early evening. On the adjacent cliffs (just to the west of the stack) is a large Kittiwake colony, with smaller numbers of Fulmar, Guillemot and Razorbill. On the moor to the east of the stack (beyond the narrow gully) is a small and recently established colony of Great Skuas. These aggressive birds can be a bit daunting to the unwary birder. It is worth walking across the moor to the lighthouse. This is a good site to scan the Sound of Canna looking for seabirds, whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Although it is possible to see raptors anywhere on Canna, they just drift over from time to time, the best bet is a cliff top walk. From the gate just east of the café, follow the path up to Tighard, then at the gate at the top of the wood head NE through the field towards a gully with a fenced scrubby area – always worth checking this out as it held a Black-headed Bunting once!. Continue through the gully till you reach the eastern cliffs. You can either turn right and follow the Compass Hill cliffs back towards the pier – hopefully seeing Peregrines enroute. Otherwise turn left and follow the cliffs round to the north side of the island. Here you have the best chance of seeing Golden eagle or White-tailed Eagle. The birds often nest on these cliffs so please make sure you are not causing any undue disturbance by keeping the birds off their nests. You can follow the cliff all the way to Tarbert, where you can cross over to the south side of the island and return back along the Tarbert Road.
For the less energetic a walk out along the road to Tarbert can provide views of raptors, particularly Common Buzzards, whilst along the shore there is a variety of nesting gulls and waders. The slopes and cliffs above the road contain some of the remaining nesting Manx Shearwaters. Rats unfortunately decimated this colony in the late 1990s. Since the rat eradication project in winter 2005/06 there has been a slight increase in numbers. A walk out here on a dark stormy night will be rewarded with hearing and perhaps seeing these enigmatic birds.
There are various signed walks through the fields and woods on the south side of Canna adjacent to the bay. If you head towards the Celtic Cross you have the best chance for getting a glimpse of a Corncrake. In the evening they can be heard calling from dense cover in these fields or in the iris beds along the road bounding the bay. The bay tends to hold a variety of waders, along with Eiders, Red-breasted Mergansers and gulls. On two occasions in the past a Franklin’s Gull has been recorded, so you never know what may turn up. A wide variety of passerines are present on Canna, particularly on the croftlands or in the woods. Wheatears are particularly numerous. In spring adverse weather can result in large flocks of Redwings, Meadow Pipits and White Wagtails being present as they wait for conditions to improve to allow them to continue their migration north to Iceland.
There are various signed walks through the fields and woods on the south side of Canna adjacent to the bay. If you head towards the Celtic Cross you have the best chance for getting a glimpse of a Corncrake. In the evening they can be heard calling from dense cover in these fields or in the iris beds along the road bounding the bay. The bay tends to hold a variety of waders, along with Eiders, Red-breasted Mergansers and gulls. On two occasions in the past a Franklin’s Gull has been recorded, so you never know what may turn up. A wide variety of passerines are present on Canna, particularly on the croftlands or in the woods. Wheatears are particularly numerous. In spring adverse weather can result in large flocks of Redwings, Meadow Pipits and White Wagtails being present as they wait for conditions to improve to allow them to continue their migration north to Iceland.
