The only campsite on Coll is the wonderful yet very basic Garden House
Campsite. It's set in an old walled garden which was once part of the
Breachacha estate and it oozes character. Basic it certainly is, with just one
shower and two toilets, whilst the small kitchen comprises just a microwave
and fridge freezer, not even a kettle or toaster, and it has no WiFi or any
indoor area where you can shelter on rainy days. However it is spotlessly
clean and well looked after by the owner Ken and we thoroughly enjoyed our
stay.
Birdlife in and around the campsite was outstanding, during our four night
stay hen harriers were frequently seen including at least three different
birds, a female, adult male and 1st summer male, the latter trying to take
young birds out of the sycamore tree at the back of the tent. Highlight
was a white-tailed eagle which flew over the site on our last day, mobbed by a
buzzard.
A spotted flycatcher fed along the fence line and in the garden of the house
Ken had lots of feeders which attracted many species which otherwise would
have been quite difficult to find on Coll.
Three species of interest in the Hebrides are the starling, wren and song
thrush, which are all thought to be different races to those found on the
mainland, and all occurred at the campsite.
Adult starlings have less spots than their mainland cousins, whilst juveniles
are sooty grey rather than brown, as can be seen in the photos below taken on
Tiree shortly before our arrival on Coll.
Apparently song thrushes on Tiree and Barra are intermediate between the
Hebridean race and the mainland race.
Corncrake call from the iris beds just outside the campsite and before our
arrival one was even calling from within the walled area.
Hedgehogs are introduced in the Hebrides and much less welcome as they predate
ground nesting birds.
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