Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2018
31st March:
Lewis: 15 Iceland Gulls and 3 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were in in Stornoway Harbour.
North Uist: A Red Kite was reported from Scotvien, Grimsay where it flew south. The Green-winged Teal was on Loch Sandary. The Snow Goose was still on Borve machair, Berneray.
Redwing (Graham Forsyth)
30th March:
Lewis: An Iceland Gull was in Port Stoth today.
Harris: The drake Surf Scoter was in the Sound of Taransay.
St. Kilda: The Hooded Merganser is still present.
North Uist: The Green-winged Teal was on Loch Sandary.
South Uist: 4 Whooper Swans flew north at Ardvule this morning and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was present. The Great Tit was in South Glendale.
Marine Sightings: 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins swam north off Ardvule.
Bottle-nosed Dolphin and Glaucous Gull (John Kemp)
29th March:
Lewis: 2 Whooper Swans were on Upper Aird Loch, Point. 2 White-billed Divers were seen off Skigersta today. 12 Iceland Gulls and 5 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were in Stornoway Harbour / Goat Island.
North Uist: 2 Green-winged Teals were at Loch a' Roe, Balranald.
St. Kilda: A drake Hooded Merganser was seen on Hirta today.
South Uist: 52 Barnacle Geese and 66 Whooper Swans flew north at Ardvule this morning. A Great Tit was in South Glendale.
Barra: The White-billed Diver was off Eolligarry again in the afternoon. 3 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 2 juveniles) were at Ardveenish. A Snow Bunting was at Eoilgarry. At least 200 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west over the island in the morning.
Wren and Reed Bunting (Graham Forsyth); Great Tit (John Kemp); Hooded Merganser (Soay Sheep Project)
28th March:
Lewis: A White-billed Diver was off Skigersta Harbour this afternoon. A Swow Bunting was at the Butt and 2 were at Fivepenny.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck was on Coot Loch.
Barra: The White-billed Diver was off Eoligarry again today.
Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale was seen off the east side of Barra.
Greenfinch (Graham Forsyth); Pied Wagtail (John Kemp)
27th March:
North Uist: 4 Snow Buntings were at Balranald. The Green-winged Teal was on Loch a' Roe this morning and a Great Skua flew north off Balranald. A Green-winged Teal was also seen at Loch Sandary in the afternoon.
South Uist: Birds flying south off Ardvule this morning included 49 Gannets, 64 Fulmars, 6 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-throated Diver, 14 Razorbills, 17 Kittiwakes and an adult Little Gull. Birds flying north included 39 Gannets and 2 Great Skuas. The 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull was also present. A Great Skua also flew south off Smerclate.
Barra: An adult Iceland Gull was in Castlebay. 5 Iceland Gulls (2 adult and 3 juveniles) and a juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish.
Reed Bunting (Graham Forsyth); Black-throated Diver and Little Gull (John Kemp)
26th March:
Lewis: A White-billed Diver was off Skigersta. 9 Whooper Swans flew north-west over the Butt. A ringtail Hen Harrier was near the Butt; a Great Skua flew past; a 2nd winter Iceland Gull and 3 Snow Buntings were also present.
North Uist: 2 Wheatears were at Balranald, 3 Snow Buntings were at Aird na Runair and a drake Green-winged Teal was at Loch a' Roe.
South Uist: Movement off Ardvule today included 12 Barnacle Geese and 65 Gannets north whilst 1 Great Skua and a Manx Shearwater flew south. 2 small skiens of Barnacle Geese (20 and 22) flew north at Ardivachar today.
Other: A small bat was also seen in Barra during the day today.
25th March:
Lewis: 3 Iceland Gulls and 12 Glaucous Gulls were seen in the Stornoway Harbour area. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Loch Branahuie.
North Uist: The Crane was on Rushgarry machair and the Snow Goose was on Borve machair, Berneray this morning.
South Uist: The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: A White-billed Diver was off Eoligarry today.
24th March:
Harris: 10 Snow Buntings were seen by the Huisinish Road.
North Uist: A Sandwich Tern was off Aird an Runair and a Wheatear was seen on the headland.
South Uist: A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Ardvule. The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish. An adult Iceland Gull was on Vatersay.
Wood Pigeon (Mary Lewis)
23rd March:
Lewis: A Bonxie passed Tiumpan Head this morning. Juvenile Glaucous Gull in Stornoway Harbour today. The drake Ring-necked Duck and 2 Scaup were at Loch Tiumpan whilst 2 Snow Buntings were at Tiumpan Head.
North Uist: Several Iceland Gulls and Glaucous Gulls and 88 Brent Geese were at Rubh' Arnal.
South Uist: At Ardvule this morning northerly passage included 2 Manx Shearwaters, 89 Gannets and 1466 Kittiwakes. Also present a juvenile Glaucous gull and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull.
Iceland Gull (John Kemp)
22nd March:
Lewis: The drake Ring-necked Duck is still on Loch Tiumpan and a Snow Bunting was on Tiumpan Head. 25 Iceland Gulls, a juvenile Kumlien's Gull and 3 juvenile Glaucous Gulls are in Stornoway Harbour / Goat Island.
North Uist: 2 Great Tits were seen on Grimsay today (1 has been present for a few days)
South Uist: At Ardvule birds south were 14 Gannets, 30 Razorbills, 1 Guillemot, 1 Black Guillemot, 8 Eider, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and 1 Kittiwake while birds north included 11 Gannets, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver and a Kittiwake. Also present a juvenile Iceland Gull a 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull and 2 Shoveler.
Marine Sightings: 2 Risso's Dolphins passed Tiumpan Head during a 3 hour watch.
2nd winter Kumlien's Gull with a juvenile Iceland Gull (John Kemp)
21st March:
South Uist: The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Snipe (Graham Forsyth)
20th March:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull is in Carloway Harbour.
North Uist: A Marsh Harrier was reported from Clachan Sands today.
19th March:
North Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Loch Paible this morning.
Barra: 2 Mistle Thrush were at Creachan and another was at Brevig. A Siskin flew north at Northbay.
Snipe (Marjorie Kerr); Starling (Graham Forsyth)
18th March:
Lewis: At least 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull was in Stornoway Harbour today. The drake Ring-necked Duck is on Loch Tiumpan.
North Uist: 2 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 2nd winter) were at Loch na Reivil, Hougharry this morning. 3 Glaucous Gulls (a juvenile and 2 adults) circled high over Aird an Runair before flying north late this morning; also 28 Whooper Swans flew north out to sea here.
South Uist: The Brambling and Siskin are still in South Glendale. A Treecreeper was in Bornish. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Kildonan.
Barra: The Hawfinch is still in Castlebay. 2 Mistle Thrush are at Creachan. 3 Iceland Gulls and 2 Glaucous Gulls were at Ardveenish. Another Glaucous Gull was at Traigh Mhor. 7 Fieldfare were at Eoligarry.
Glaucous Gull (Phil Rowe); Razorbill (Mary Lewis); Brambling, Goldfinch and Greenfinch (John Kemp)
17th March:
Lewis: 3 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today.
North Uist: A Wood Sandpiper was reported from Loch Bhrusda, Berneray today.
South Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull flew south at Ardvule and a 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull was on the machair. A Siskin is still in South Glendale. A pair of Pintail were on the flooded machair at Bornish. 2 Lapland Buntings were at Ormiclate. 84 Whooper Swans were between Kildonan and West Loch Ollay.
Barra: 2 Mistle Thrush were at Creachan and 5 Iceland Gulls were at Ardveenish.
Lapwing, Snipe, Stonechat and White-tailed Eagle (Graham Forsyth); Kumlien's Gull (John Kemp)
16th March:
Lewis: 7 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today. 8 Iceland Gullls (2 adults) and a Glaucous Gull were in Stornoway Harbour.
North Uist: The Crane was on Borve machair, Berneray this afternoon (eating potatoes)
South Uist: A Mistle Thrush was singing in South Glendale first thing this morning; also a Goldcrest and Siskin here. A Great Skua flew north at Ardvule and 5 Whooper Swans came in off the sea to join 54 others on Loch Bornish.
Barra: 4 Iceland Gulls (3 juveniles and a 2nd winter) and 2 Glaucous Gulls (a juvenile and 2nd winter) were at Ardveenish.
Great Skua and Whooper Swans (John Kemp); Crane (Mary Lewis)
15th March:
North Uist: The drake Green-winged Teal was on Loch Sandary today. Good numbers of both Iceland and Glaucous Gulls are still at Rubh' Arnal; also 29 Brent Geese were present.
South Uist: 21 Whooper Swans flew north off Ardvule this morning. The Siskin is still in South Glendale. A Mistle Thrush and a couple of Fieldfares were in Askernish.
House Sparrow (Graham Forsyth); Mute Swan (John Kemp)
14th March:
Lewis: 3 Snow Buntings are still at Cross / Skigersta.
North Uist: The small Canada Goose was on Baleshare again this afternoon. 19 Whooper Swans were on Loch Mhic Coan, Baleshare and another 10 were on the sea by the causeway.
South Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull and juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Kildonan this afternoon. A Siskin and Brambling are in South Glendale.
Barra: 3 Iceland Gulls were at Ardveenish. A Chiffchaff was in Castlebay.
Canada Goose (Steve Duffield)
13th March:
Lewis: 3 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today. A drake Ring-necked Duck and a pair of Scaup were on Loch Tiumpan today. An adult Ring-billed Gull, juvenile Glaucous Gull and juvenile Iceland Gull were reported from Tiumpan Head this morning.
North Uist: The Snow Goose and Crane are still on Berneray. The hybrid Cackling x Barnacle Goose was at Sgiobanais, Grenitote. An Lesser Black-backed Gull was at Grenitote. 150 Snow Buntings are at Malaclate this afternoon. An adult Iceland Gull was in Lochmaddy Bay. The small canada goose was seen on Baleshare today.
South Uist: The Brambling and Siskin are still in South Glendale.
Barra: The Hawfinch is still in Castlebay. 2 Iceland Gulls were at Ardveenish. 11 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor.
Marine Sightings: 2 Humpback Whales were seen close in off Tiumpan Head this morning between 09:00 - 09:30.
Hybrid Cackling x Canada Goose (Steve Duffield); Snow Buntings and Corn Bunting (Bob McMillan); Goldfinch and Snipe (John Kemp)
Snow Goose (Bob McMillan); Humpback Whales (Steve Dodd); Rock Pipit (Mary Lewis)
12th March:
Lewis: 3 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta. A 3rd winter Kumlien's Gull was seen at Tiumpan Head.
North Uist: An immature Iceland Gull was at Loch Paible and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull flew north there this morning. 10 Pintail were on Loch nam Feithean and a pale-bellied Brent Goose was with Barnacle Geese nearby. 11 Whooper Swans flew north off Aird an Runair this morning. The Crane was seen by Loch Bhrusda, Berneray. 30 Snow Buntings were on the machair at Sollas. A Wheatear was seen at Balranald today.
Benbecula: 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were on the beach in Balivanich.
South Uist: The Siskin is still in South Glendale.
Barra: A Lapland Bunting was on Vatersay.
Common Frog and spawn in Barvas (Graham Forsyth); White-tailed Eagles (Steve Duffield); Wheatear (Mary Lewis)
11th March:
Lewis: 3 Mistle Thrushes were seen by Stornoway landfill site today. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Tiumpan Head and a juvenile was on Loch Tiumpan this afternoon. 5 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today. 15 Iceland Gulls and 3 Glaucous Gulls were in Stornoway Harbour / Goat Island. 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Steinish.
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Malaclate this morning. 32 Snow Buntings and a Lapland Bunting were on the machair at Middlequarter.
Benbecula: The Ring-necked Duck was on Coot Loch. 2 Barnacle Geese were on Borve machair.
South Uist: 73 Greenland White-fronted Geese were on Kilaulay machair. A Pink-footed Goose was near Hebridean Jewellery. 85 Purple Sandpipers were at Ardivachar. A Water Rail is in a garden at Carnan. A Siskin and Brambling are still in South Glendale.
Barra: The Hawfinch was in Castlebay again this morning.
10th March:
Lewis: 5 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta and 7 were in Port of Ness. A Little Grebe was on Loch Cromor, Pairc today.
North Uist: The Snow Goose was on Borve machair, Berneray and the Crane was on the west side of Loch Bhrusda. Also an adult Kumlien's Gull was at Rushgarry and at least 50 Snow Buntings were on the island.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck was on Coot Loch. A pair of Pintail were on Loch Fada.
South Uist: A male Siskin is in South Glendale. An Iceland Gull flew south past Howmore and 3 Snow Buntings were nearby.
Barra: 3 Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish and an adult Iceland Gull was on Vatersay.
Marine Sightings: A Harbour Porpoise was seen off the west side of Berneray.
Insects: 2 Dotted Borders and a Pale Brindled Beauty were caught at Loch Eynort last night. A Dotted Border was also seen at Carinish last night.
Pale Brindled Beauty (John Kemp); Dotted Border, Kumlien's Gull and Snow Goose (Steve Duffield)
9th March:
Lewis: 7 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta. An Iceland Gull was at Loch Leurbost.
North Uist: 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls flew north at Balranald this morning; also a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Iceland Gull there. 8 Pintail (3 drakes) were on Loch nam Feithean. 30 Iceland Gulls, a Kumlien's Gull, 5 Glaucous Gulls and 19 Brent Geese were at Rubh' Arnal.
South Uist: 2 Common Scoters flew north at Ardvule. A Siskin and Brambling are in South Glendale.
Barra: A Hawfinch was in Castlebay by the football picth this afternoon.
Siskin (John Kemp); Rock Pipit (Graham Forsyth); Reed Buntings (Steve Duffield)
8th March:
Lewis: 7 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta this morning. 2 Glaucous Gulls were on the shore at Barvas. An immature Glaucous Gull was at Tiumpan Head.
North Uist: The Crane was on the machair just west of Loch Bhrusda, Berneray this morning after flying over from the east side; 50 Snow Buntings were also here mixed in with a large flock of Twite and 150+ Snow Buntings were at Borve, Berneray. 13 Fieldfare were at Scotvein, Grimsay.
South Uist: A 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull and juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Ardvule this morning. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Kilbride. A male Siskin was in South Glendale. A Glossy Ibis dropped in at Ardivachar briefly before moving off towards Kilaulay.
Barra: 15 Slavonian Grebes were off Ardmhor this morning. A Lapland Bunting flew north over Eoligarry and a couple of small flocks of Whooper Swans flew north-west. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Ardveenish and an adult was at Caolas.
Glaucous Gull and Razorbill (John Kemp); Barnacle Goose (Steve Duffield); Glaucous Gull and Teal (Graham Forsyth)
7th March:
Lewis: 3 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today.
North Uist: 2 Iceland Gulls (an adult and near adult) were at Loch Paible this morning. The small canada goose was with Barnacles at Balranald. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the machair at Sollas. 3 Fieldfares were at Scotvein, Grimsay. 5 Pintail were on Loch nam Feithean. A drake Green-winged Teal was at Loch a' Roe, Aird an Runair this morning.
South Uist: The 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull was at Ardvule, The Brambling was in South Glendale.
Kumlien's Gull and Razorbill (John Kemp)
6th March:
Lewis: 4 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today.
South Uist: An adult Iceland Gull and 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were at Ardvule. The Brambling is in South Glendale.
Merlin (John Kemp)
5th March:
Lewis: 5 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today.
North Uist: The small canada goose was by Loch Sgaraigh, Balranald and a pale-bellied Brent Goose was with Barnacle Geese nearby. A pair of Pintail were on Loch nam Feithean. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was in Hougharry (Hogha Gearraidh). A 2nd winter Iceland Gull and a pair of Pintail were at Loch Paible (Loch Phaibeil) early this morning.
South Uist: 34 Eider, 1 Common Scoter, 13 Razorbills and 3 Guillemots flew south at Ardvule this morning; also present were 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls, an adult Iceland Gull and a 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull.
Marine Sightings: 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ardvule this morning.
Redwing (Graham Forsyth); Redshank and Red-throated Diver (John Kemp)
4th March:
Lewis: 4 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at South Galson. At least 28 Iceland Gulls, a Kumlien's Gull and 4 Glaucous Gulls were at Goat Island, Stornoway today.
North Uist: 85 pale-bellied Brent Geese were on Baleshare and a juvenile Glaucous Gull flew south towards Balivanich this morning. Not an accurate count but certainly around 40 Iceland Gulls and 20 Glaucous Gulls were seen at Rubh' Arnal again today, plus 29 Brent Geese.
South Uist: 4 juvenile Glaucous Gulls, 2 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 2nd winter) and a 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull were at Ardvule this morning.
Kumlien's Gull and Teal (John Kemp)
3rd March:
Lewis: 9 Snow Buntings are at Cross / Skigersta.
North Uist: video of an immature White-tailed Eagle on Baleshare here.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck and Pochard are still on Coot Loch.
South Uist: 24 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew north at Ardvule where 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls are present. The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: 13 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor. Iceland Gulls on the island included a juvenile at Eoligarry, 2 at Ardveenish and another north past Brevig whilst 2 adults were by the Vatersay causeway. The Jack Snipe was in Castlebay.
Shag and Gannet (John Kemp); Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle and Otter (Steve Duffield)
2nd March
Lewis: 5 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today. 5 Iceland Gulls (2 adults) were at the Butt this morning.
North Uist: At least 2 Kumlien's Gulls, 40+ Iceland Gulls and 20 Glaucous Gulls were at Rubh' Arnal today. The Crane was seen on Berneray today.
Benbecula: A Whimbrel was at Stinky Bay before flying inland. The drake Ring-necked Duck is still on Coot Loch.
Barra: 6 Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish. A Jack Snipe was in Castle Bay.
Iceland and Kumlien's Gulls (Steve Duffield)
Golden Plover and Redshank (Graham Forsyth)
1st March:
Lewis: 4 Snow Buntings were present today at Cross / Skigersta. A 3rd winter Kumlien's Gull was at Tiumpan Head mid-afternoon.
North Uist: A Jack Snipe was in Carinish and another was by the road just north of Grimsay.
South Uist: The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: 5 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 4 juveniles) were at Ardveenish. An adult and 2nd winter Iceland Gull flew north past Brevig in the afternoon. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was off Ardmhor. 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Loch Tangasdale. 48 Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor.
Blackbird (Graham Forsyth); White-tailed Eagles (John Kemp)