Recent Sightings

Please note that the sightings below do not reflect the variety of species you can see in a normal day out birding or wildlife watching. These reports concentrate on more unusual species or significant counts or movements. For an idea of what you can find on an average day please visit the the appropriate seasonal links on the left side of the home page.

To report sightings please contact Steve at: steveduffield@hebrides.net

County bird recorder: Brian Rabbitts [rabbitts@hebrides.net]

31st January:

North Uist: Adult Iceland Gull and Fieldfare at Clachan.

30th January:

Lewis: 6 Iceland Gulls were in West Loch Roag. 7 Snow Buntings are at Brue.

North Uist: An adult Iceland Gull is at Clachan. 7 Goldfinch are at Carinish.

Benbecula: A Jackdaw was seen heading east over Balivanich today.

South Uist: 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Garrynamonie and a 1st winter Iceland Gull south of Daliburgh along the main road by Loch Dun na Cille.

29th January:

North Uist: 3 Tundra Bean Geese and 5 European White-fronted Geese with Greylags at Balemore. 1st winter and an adult Iceland Gull were on Balemore Machair along with 2 x 2nd winter Glaucous Gulls and 16 Goldfinch. 26 Fieldfare were near Loch Sandary. A near adult Iceland Gull was at Carinish as well as 5 Goldfinch. 2 Glaucous Gulls and an Iceland Gull were at Balranald. A Glaucous Gull was on Loch Sandary in the afternoon and 5 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Kyles Paible.

Glaucous Gull and Grey Heron (Steve Duffield)

28th January:

North Uist: 26 Common Scoters were in the Sound of Harris off north-east Berneray this morning. A European White-fronted Goose and a Pink-footed Goose were with Greylags near Clachan Farm. 9 Goldfinch were at Carinish.

27th January:

Lewis: A 1st winter Ring-billed Gull was at Barvas and 2 Iceland Gulls were at Arnol. Also at Arnol 23 Greeland White-fronted Geese and 30 European White-fronted Geese between Brue and Arnol. 58 Iceland Gulls and 3 Glaucous Gull in Stornoway Harbour whilst 7 Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull were seen off the Braighe. 29 Slavonian Grebes and 215 Common Scoters were in Broad Bay.

North Uist: An adult and 1st winter Iceland Gull were on the beach near Aird an Runair. A 3rd winter Glaucous Gull was off Hougarry whilst a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and adult Iceland Gull were nearby on Loch Grogarry. A Pink-footed Goose was by Loch nam Feithean. 3 Tundra Bean Geese and 4 European White-fronted Geese were with Greylags at Cnoc a Lin. A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Bayhead. At least 6 Fieldfare were at Clachan and another 3 were at Carinish.

South Uist: 1st winter Iceland Gull on Bornish Machair and another on the beach at Ardvule. 2nd winter Glaucous Gull at Garrynamonie.

                                      Iceland Gull and Bean Geese (Steve Duffield)

26th January:

Lewis: A Kumlien's Gull was reported in Stornoway today along with 45 Iceland Gulls and 3 Glaucous Gulls.

North Uist: A drake Green-winged Teal is on Loch Mor, Baleshare. Also on the island a Pink-footed Goose, 1st winter Glaucous Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull; plus an adult Iceland Gull heading south. Adult Iceland Gull and immature Glaucous Gull at Hasten.

South Uist: 6 Fieldfare were in South Glendale.

25th January:

Lewis: 22 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Arnol and 4 European White-fronted Geese nearby at Brue. 1st winter Iceland Gull in Bragar Bay.

North Uist; 1st winter Glaucous Gull on the small island of Sromaigh, just east of the southern top of Baleshare this afternoon.

24th January:

Lewis: At least 74 Iceland Gulls in Stornoway Harbour late this afternoon plus a Glaucous Gull off Goat Island. 2 Iceland Gulls were in Brevig Harbour.

North Uist: A Tundra Bean Goose was feeding with Greylags in fields to the west of Loch Sandary today. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was on Loch Dubhasairidh and an adult Iceland Gull was at Clachan. 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Balranald today. 6 Fieldfare at Kyles Paible.

Benbecula: 2 Goldfinch are in Balivanich.

23rd January:

North Uist: 4 Fieldfare and 12 Goldfinch were at Carinish today.

Benbecula: 22 Greenland White-fronted Geese were on Loch Mor.

22nd January:

Lewis: 67 Iceland Gulls in Stornoway Harbour today and 1 on Goat Island. An adult and 2 x 2nd winter Iceland Gulls between Port of Ness and the Butt and a 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull near the Butt of Lewis; plus 18 Greenland White-fronted Geese also there.

Greenland White-fronted Geese (Tony Marr)

21st January:

Lewis: At least 65 Iceland Gulls between the inner and outer harbour at Stornoway today along with a Kumlien's Gull and 3 immature Glaucous Gulls. 2 Siskins, 5 Bramblings and up to 8 Goldfinch have been visiting feeders in Willowglen, Stornoway. 2nd winter Glaucous Gull Port of Ness.

South Uist: 2 Fieldfare on the lower slopes of Rueval today.

20th January:

Lewis: Iceland Gulls in Lewis today included 63 between Goat Island and Stornoway Harbour; 12 on Point, including 3 on the Braighe; 2 at Tolsta, 1 at Coll, 2 at Barvas and 2 at Newmarket. Glaucous Gulls were on the Braighe and in Stornoway Harbour. A 1st winter Bonaparte's Gull was also on Loch Branahuie in the morning.

South Uist: 12 Goldfinch at Drimsdale today.

19th January:

Lewis: 2 Brent Geese on Loch Branahuie. Female / immature Blue-winged Teal was at the south end of Loch Stiapabhat again today. 5 Iceland Gulls (2 adults) at the Butt of Lewis.

North Uist: Adult Iceland Gull at Balranald today.

South Uist: Adult Iceland Gull on Bornish Machair. 5 Iceland Gulls (2 adults) at Peninerine. 2 drake American Wigeon were at the south-west corner of Loch Bee. Adult Glaucous Gull at Ardivachar and an immature at Balgarva.

18th January:

Lewis: 33 Iceland Gulls and what appears to be a 1st yr Kumlien's Gull around Stornoway today as well as 2 Glaucous Gulls. The 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull was also seen in Stornoway Harbour today.

South Uist: 5 Glaucous Gulls (2 adults and 3 x 1st winters) are at Ardivachar and an Iceland Gull flew past the headland. 2 drake American Wigeon are in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 1st winter Glaucous Gull at West Gerinish.

                                                                        2 American Wigeon with Eurasion Wigeon and Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield)

17th January:

Lewis: At least 10 Iceland Gulls (2 adults and 8 imms) between Port of Ness and the Butt today.

16th January:

North Uist: 2 European White-fronted Geese by Loch Mhic Coan on Baleshare.

South Uist: 3 x 1st winter Glaucous Gulls at Ardivachar.

Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield)

15th January:

Lewis: 7 Iceland Gulls (2 adults and 5 imms) between the Butt and Skigersta.

North Uist: 11 European White-fronted Geese on the south side of Loch Mor, Baleshare and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull on the beach there.

Benbecula: 6 Bean Geese (2 Taiga and 4 Tundra) to the west of Loch Mor.

South Uist: 4 Glaucous Gulls at Ardivachar. 2 1st winter Iceland Gulls near the Pollochar.

Insects: A Winter Moth was seen at Gramsdale last night.

14th January:

Lewis: 8 Iceland Gulls (2 adults and 6 imms.)  between the Butt and Loch Stiapabhat. An adult and 1st winter Glaucous Gull at the Butt and another adult and 2nd winter Glaucous Gull on Swainbost beach. Adult Greenland White-fronted Goose on Loch Stiapabhat.

South Uist: 1st winter Iceland Gull near the Pollochar and either it or another 2 miles north along the main road a couple of hours later.

13th January:

Lewis: A female / immature Blue-winged Teal was on Loch Stiapabhat this morning and seen to fly into the marshy area at the northern end of the loch around mid-day. 10 immature Iceland Gulls were seen around the Butt / Port of Ness; a Snow Bunting flew north and 20 Fieldfare were on the machair.2nd cal yr. and 3rd cal yr. Glaucous Gulls and an adult Iceland Gull off Labost. 2nd  cal. yr. Glaucous Gull, 2nd cal. yr. Iceland Gull and 3 adult Iceland Gulls at Siadar; also 3 Snow Buntings at the latter site.

North Uist: 3 x 1st winter Glaucous Gulls at Loch Paible and an adult Iceland Gull at Hougharry.

South Uist: 2 immature Iceland Gulls (1st / 2nd winters) at Drimore. 1st winter Glaucous Gull on the Range at West Gerinish and the drake Amercian Wigeon is at the south-western end of Loch Bee. 3 Fieldfare and a Woodcock at Druidibeg.

12th January:

Lewis: Iceland Gulls today included 5 at Port of Ness (1 adult); 3 immatures on Fivepenny Machair and 2 at the Butt. Iceland Gulls were also reported from Barvas and Stornoway Harbour (Birdguides).

North Uist: 2 immature Glaucous Gull were at Balranald this morning.

South Uist: 1st winter Iceland Gull at Smerclate (by the main road). An adult and immature Iceland Gull, adult Glaucous Gull and 17 Snow Buntings at Ardvule this morning. 2 immature Iceland Gulls heading south at Stoneybridge around mid-day shortly followed by another 4 Iceland Gulls heading south at Peninerine.

Iceland Gulls (Steve Duffield)

11th January:

Lewis: At least 8 Iceland Gulls in the north of the island with 4 (all 1st - 2nd winters) just south of Port of Ness and another 4 between Port of Ness and the Butt.

North Uist: 5 Bean Geese were by Sollas co-op before flying off towards the coast. Iceland Gulls were at Carinish; 2 (adult and near-adult) at Clachan and 4 at Loch Dusary. 35 Snow Buntings on Grenitote Machair today.

South Uist: 1st winter Iceland Gull at Ludag.

10th January:

Lewis: An  adult and 2 x 1st winter Iceland Gulls at Barvas / Brue today. Also one, near adult at Swordale; a 1st winter at Holm; 5 x 1st winters in Stornoway Harbour and 2 x 1st winters at Cross Street, Stornoway.

9th January:

Lewis: 7 Iceland Gulls (1 adult and 6 immature) were between Port of Ness and Loch Stiapabhat today. 2 Goldfinch were at Eoropie.

South Uist: 2 x 1st winter Glaucous Gulls and a 1st winter Iceland Gull at Garrynamonie. 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Ardivachar. Drake American Wigeon in south-west corner of Loch Bee. 3 Fieldfare in South Glendale. 35 White-fronted Geese and an Iceland Gull at Kilpheder this afternoon.

8th January:

Lewis: 2nd yr Ring-billed Gull at Bayhead, Stornoway. 4 x 1st yr Iceland Gulls in the outer Stornoway Harbour and another on the Braigh. Adult Iceland Gull south past Port of Ness and another south past the Butt lighthouse. 2nd winter Iceland Gull on machair near Loch Stiapabhat.

South Uist: 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Drimsdale.

7th January:

Lewis: 2nd winter Iceland Gull and 2nd winter Glaucous Gull between Port of Ness and Eoropie. A half an hour sea-watch from the Butt this afternoon produced a Gannet, 5 Kittiwakes and a loose flock of 5 Iceland Gulls flying up and down the eastern cliffs.

North Uist: 1st winter and adult Iceland Gulls at Carinish today. 21+ Fieldfare at Tigharry. Female Pintail on Loch Sandary.

adult and 1st winter Iceland Gull (Steve Duffield)

6th January:

Lewis: The 2nd yr Ring-billed Gull was in Stornoway Harbour.

North Uist: 7 Iceland Gulls (at least 2 adults) and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull between Kyles Paible and Rubh' Arnal; also 5 pale-bellied Brent Geese present. Iceland Gull at Clachan.

Benbecula: 4 Bean Geese at Torlum also with White-fronts and Greylags.

South Uist: Immature Glaucous Gull at Howmore / Peninerine and an adult flew south there. Immature Glaucous Gulls also at Boisedale and Daliburgh. 2  Tundra Bean Geese reported amongst  2 European White-fronts and Greylags at Bornish. 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Orosay. Lapland Bunting at Kilpheder. Drake American Wigeon on Loch Bee.

adult Glaucous Gull; immature Glaucous Gull with Guillemot (Steve Duffield)

5th January:

Lewis: 2 immature Iceland Gulls and 2 immature Glaucous Gulls were around Loch Stiapabhat today.

North Uist: Adult Glaucous Gull at Hougharry at lunchtime. 1st winter Glaucous Gull on Baleshare this morning and immature Iceland Gull drifted north over Carinish. 1st winter Iceland Gull on Berneray.

South Uist: The drake American Wigeon was at the south-west corner of Loch Bee once again this morning and a 3 rd winter Glaucous Gull was present. 5 Iceland Gulls (2 ads, 2 sub-ads and a 1st yr) between Peninerine and Stoneybridge. Another 1st yr Iceland Gull inland at Snishival.

4th January:

Barra: 1st winter Glaucous Gull and 130+ Barnacle Geese at Borve. 20 Brent Geese at Eoligarry.

3rd January:

Lewis: 3 x 1st winter Iceland Gulls and a adult Glaucous Gull between Port of Ness and the Butt of Lewis.

Benbecula: 3 European White-fronted Geese, 3 Taiga Bean Geese and 2 Tundra Bean Geese are at Torlum.

South Uist: A 1st winter Glaucous Gull is at Ardivachar.

                                                                                                                  European White-fronted Geese with Greylag; Taiga Bean Goose with Greylags and Tundra Bean Geese.

2nd January:

Benbecula: 3 Eurasian White-fronted Geese at Torlum.

North Uist: A 1st winter Glaucous Gull and a Pink-footed Goose are on Baleshare.

1st Jaunary

Lewis: 3 x 1st winter Iceland Gulls between the Butt and Port of Ness. Also 3 Snow Buntings by the lighthouse at the Butt.

North Uist: 4 Glaucous Gulls were on Loch Sandary.

Benbecula: 4 Tundra and 1 Taiga Bean Geese at Torlum. 20 White-fronted Geese on Loch Fada.

South Uist: 2 Tundra Bean Geese and 4 White-fronted Geese at Bornish. 4 Glaucous Gulls (3 x 1st winters and an adult) at Ardivachar; also a Pied Wagtail there. At least 20 Snow Buntings on Eochar Machair. 2 Common Redpolls are at Howmore and 4 Goldfinch are at Eochar. A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was seen on the main road by Our Lady of the Isles stature this morning.

                                                                   Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese - 2 photos; adult and 1st winter Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield)