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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]
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31st October: South Uist: A female Blackcap and a Chiffchaff are in the garden of Kinloch B&B, Gorgarry. A male Blackcap is at Loch Carnan. 30th October: Benbecula: 3 Little Egrets are in the Loch Mor / Loch Fada area.
29th October: North Uist: 18 black-tailed Godwits at Aird an Runair and 14 Snow Buntings are on the machair near by. Benbecula: A Little Egret was at Gramsdale in the afternoon. Insects: 5 Small Wainscots, 4 Angle Shades and 3 Brindled Ochres were trapped at South Glendale last night. 28th October: North Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was in fields at Balemore before relocating to Loch Sandary. 3 Brambling also at Balemore and a Lapland Bunting and another Brambling on the machair near by. A Chiffchaff was at knockintorran. A Bramling and Chiffchaff were at Knock-quien. A Brambling was also at Carinish adn 2 Water Rails have been calling from the marsh there. 2 Siskins were at Langass. Benbecula: A Snow Bunting was at Uisgebhagh today plus lots of Redwing. South Uist: 30 Whooper Swans were on Loch Bornish and 5 Barnacle Geese were on the machair there. A Blackcap, 10 Brambling and 45 Fieldfare at South Glendale today. A Brambling was at Howmore. 27th October: North Uist: The Black Redstart was reported from Baleshare again today. A Lesser Whitethroat, 70+ Redwing and a Woodcock at Carinish. Benbecula: 800 Golden Plover are at Torlum. A Brambling and 30 Linnet are on airport beach, Balivanich. South Uist: A Blackcap is still at Loch Carnan. A male Goldeneye was on Loch an Eilein, Drimsdale today. 7 Brambling and a Blackcap in South Glendale. Insects: 3 Angle Shades, a Small Wainscot and a Rush Veneer were trapped last night at South Glendale. 26th October: Lewis: A Waxwing was seen in North Tolsta this morning. A Slavonian Grebe was on Loch Achmore and 5 Siskin were in the plantation there. North Uist: A Long-billed Dowitcher is on Baleshare opposite Loch na Paisg. A Black Redstart was apparently also on Baleshare this morning and yesterday. Benbecula: A Woodcock and 3 Snow Buntings on the airfield. Benbecula: 2 Little Egrets today, flew from Liniclate towards the Co-op at Creagorry at around 13:40. South Uist: 5 Snow Buntings and 2 Pink-footed Geese at Peninerine. A Brambling is at Howmore. A female Pintail is on Loch nan Smallag, Peninerine. 6 Brambling, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Woodcock at South Glendale. 18 Snow Buntings and a White Wagtail were at Smerclate. A female Blackcap is at Loch Carnan.
25th October: Lewis: Lesser Whitethroat, Crossbill, Brambling, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcaps, 50 Blackbirds and around 100 Redwing in the Castle Grounds today plus 5 Long-tailed Tits around the college. North Uist: 20 Black-tailed Godwit at Aird an Runair and a Whimbrel between there and the visitor centre. Benbecula: 4 Bramblings at Gramsdale. 6 Gadwall on Coot Loch. A Wheatear on the machair at Torlum. A Little Egret at Liniclate in the drain close to the turbine at 4 pm. South Uist: A Blackcap and Robin are at Ardivachar. An immature / female Redstart was at range control. A Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were at Drimsdale today. A Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Whimbrel were at Loch Eynort. A Blackcap, Siskin and 4 Bramblings were at South Glendale. 24th October: Lewis: 1st winter Iceland Gull, Hen Harrier, 40+ Barnacle Geese and 17 Fieldfare were in Ness today. 34 Whooper Swans were on Loch Barvas. North Uist: A Crossbill and 28 Blackbirds at Langass. Benbecula: A Jack Snipe, 2 Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting on the airfield. South Uist: A Little Egret was at Balgarva today. 3 Blackcaps, 5 Bramblings and a Woodcock were in South Glendale. Good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbirds and Song Thrush are still present throughout the island. At least 25 Blackbirds were at Range Control today. A Brambling and male Blackcap were at Carnan. 3 Jack Snipe by Loch Bee. 23rd October: Lewis: A Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 3 Fieldfare and 2 Brambling in Brue this morning. 74 Whooper Swans on Loch Barvas also in the morning and 24 on Loch Ordais. Harris: 9 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff in Tarbet. Wheatear at Seilebost.11 Slavonian Grebes and 9 Common Scoter in the Sound of Taransay. North Uist: A Little Egret was at Bayhead this morning. 800 Fieldfare heading south at Knock-quien this morning with all but 50 in half an hour. Also 12 Blackbirds, 35 Redwing and 20 Brambling. 16 Blackbirds heading south at Langass and another 20 in the garden there. 900 Fieldfare and 4 - 500 Redwing passed over Scotvein during the day today - all heading south-eastwards across the North Ford from Grimsay. Benbecula: A Swift! was seen at Nunton for 5 minutes this afternoon around 13:40 before flying south. 120 Barnacle Geese flew south at 10:20. A Woodcock was in the dunes by the airport. South Uist: At least 10 Brambling, 40 Fieldfare and a Chiffchaff at North Loch Eynort this morning. A Brambling is at Loch Carnan and one was briefly at Drimsdale. 100 Fieldfare heading south Drimsdale 11 am. 30 Fieldfare flying south at Stilligarry at 11:15 and 250 there at 12:15. Carrion Crow making its way south also at Stilligarry. A Ring Ouzel, 50 Redwing, 13 Brambling, 2 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff in South Glendale this morning as well as 240 Fieldfare moving through during the day. A male Blackcap was at Carnan this evening.
22nd October: Lewis: An incredible count of 6, 200 thrushes passing west of Stornoway in 3.5 hours this morning with an estimated 4,460 Fieldfare and 1,740 Redwing. North Uist: 20+ Fieldfare at Scotvein, Grimsay this morning with 70 there in the evening. 100 Redwing and 2 Chiffchaff in Lochmaddy this morning. 3 Brent Geese at Claddach Vallay. 35 Fieldfare, 70 Redwing, a Chiffchaff and 4 Brambling at Knock-quien. South Uist: Big numbers of Fieldfares passing over today with 300 flying south over Eochar at around 11 am; then flocks of 150, 200 and 100 at Druidibeg which all flew south-eastwards. 85 more Fieldfare and 120 Redwing flew south from Druidibeg also today. Chiffchaff at Loch Carnan. Willow Warbler and 2 (male and female) Blackcaps, plus a Woodcock at Druidibeg plantation. 2 male Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff, 18 Brambling and 30 Fieldfare at North Loch Eynort. 3 Pink-footed Geese by the Howmore River. Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Fieldfare and 20 Redwing at South Glendale today. 87 Pink-footed Geese dropped in at east Loch Bee in the evening. Insects: A Chestnut was trapped at South Glendale last night. This appears to be the first record for the Outer Hebrides. An Angle Shades, 2 Dark Sword-grass, 7 Small Wainscot and the migrant micros, Rush Veneer and Rusty-dot Pearl were also trapped at South Glendale. A Red Admiral was seen at Knock-quien today.
21st October: North Uist: 20 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Fieldfare at Aird an Runair. A Fieldfare was on the lower slopes of Blathaisbhal. 3 Brent Geese were at Claddach Vallay. 7 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Berneray. Small number of Whooper Swans were seen passing over today. Benbecula: A Little Egret was seen on Loch Fada. South Uist: A Fieldfare was at Killauley. A Brent Goose was at Balgarva. 63 Whooper Swans flew south at South Glendale at 10 am and a Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps were in the valley. A drake Pintail was at Ardvule. A Chiffchaff and Blackcap were at North Loch Eynort. 20th October: North Uist: An adult Little Gull this evening on the North Ford between Grimsay and Benbecula. A female Common Redstart was seen on Baleshare. A Wheatear was at Ardheisker and a Snow Bunting at Knock-quien. Benbecula: A Wheatear is on Torlum Machair. South Uist: An Icterine Warbler was reported from North Loch Eynort plantation. Whooper Swans, Barnacle Geese and White-fronted Geese were on the move again today along the west side of the island. 4 Pink-footed Geese were by the Howmore River and a lone Brent Goose was at Ardivachar. 19th October: Lewis: A Hoopoe was seen in Upper Barvas yesterday. Uist: Whooper Swans, Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese and White-fronted Geese were all seen on the move today in the islands. Small flocks (Ca. 20) of Whooper Swans were moving largely this morning with White-fronts mainly on the move from mid-day including flocks of 38 over Askernish at 15:15 and flocks of 46 and 60+ over Drimsdale between 16:00 - 17:00. Another 100+ White-fronted Geese flew south over Drimsdale at 18:05. North Uist: Male Blackcap at Langass. South Uist: A Chiffchaff was at Askernish. 2 Chiffchaff and 7 Fieldfare were in South Glendale today. 18th October: Lewis: Around 140 Redwing were in Willow Glen, Stornoway this afternoon. 8 Long-tailed Tits, Chiffchaff, a male Blackcap, Grey Wagtail, a Woodcock and Snow Bunting over the Castle Grounds this morning. South Uist: A Fieldfare was at Drimsdale. At least 11 Chiffchaffs were seen on the island today with 4 at North Loch Eynort along with a Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler. 6 Blackcaps were also seen including 2 in South Glendale. A Water Rail was also in South Glendale today along with 10 Fieldfare and 50 Redwing. Woodcock were seen at Druidibeg and Loch Carnan. A Lapland Bunting was over Ben Tarbet. A Brambling was seen at Howmore. A Little Egret was on Grogarrry Loch. Barra: A 1st yr Glaucous Gull was seen from the ferry to Oban. Insects: A Red Admiral was at North Loch Eynort and a Small Tortoiseshell was seen in a house in Balivanich. 17th October: Lewis: A Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Blackcaps were at Gress. Another Blackcap was at North Tolsta. Benbecula: A Little Egret was at Gramsdale today. South Uist: A male Blackcap and Woodcock were at Howbeg. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and male Blackcap were at Loch Eynort. Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff and Woodcock at Askernish today. Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps at South Glendale. Barra: Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at Nasg and Gleann. Insects: A Red Admirals were seen at Snishival and South Glendale today.
16th October: Lewis: Common Rosefinch in Barvas today. Harris: Surf Scoter reported in the Sound of Taransay today. North Uist: Swallow at Callernish. Coot and 34 Whooper Swans on Loch Grogarry. 2 female Common Scoter on Loch Olovat. A female Blackcap was at Carinish. South Uist: 58 Barnacle Geese over Ardivachar 18:10. Female Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat adn 10 Fieldfare at North Loch Eynort. Lapland Bunting Ardvule. 3 Chiffchaffs at Snishival. 70 Brent Geese south passed Howmore River mouth. Barra: Yellow-browed Warbler was at Gleann and a Redstart is also on the island. Influx of Redwings today with flocks up to 200 birds in some areas and many smaller flocks scattered throughout the islands. Insects: Red Admirals were seen at the following sites today: Barvas, Balemore, Eochar, South Glendale, Knock-quien, Teanamachar and 4 at Ardivachar. 15th October: North Uist: An adult American Golden Plover is still on Baleshare. 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese on Vallay Strand. South Uist: A Quail was flushed from stubble on Drimsdale machair. A Lapland Bunting, male Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also at Drimsdale. The Long-billed Dowitcher was again on the Howmore River along with 7 Black-tailed Godwits. Male and female Blackcap at Grogarry Lodge. Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler at Loch Druidibeg plantation. Barra: Yellow-browed Warbler at Nasg today and an exilipes-type Arctic Redpoll at North Bay. Insects: Red Admiral was on Howmore machair today. A very late Yellow-ringed Carpet was caught at South Glendale last night. It appears to be the first definite record for the islands although there is a very old one from Lewis (which is questionable). A Yellow-line Quaker was also caught at South Glendale last night and appears to be the first for the islands. Marine Sightings: Thousands of Mauve Stinger jellyfish were washed up on Baleshare beach recently.
14th October: Lewis: A Jack Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwits and 6 Pink-footed Geese at Steinish today. A Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat and female Blackcap in Bragar. 21 Song Thrushes in Brue. North Uist: An Arctic Redpoll is in Grenitote this afternoon (and apparently bearing a ring). A Swallow was at Balranald. South Uist: The Long-billed Dowticher was back on the Howmore River along with a Black-tailed Godwit. A Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and 5 Fieldfare were at Lochboisdale. A Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat are at North Loch Eynort. A Little Egret was at Loch Bornish and 19 Brent Geese were at Ardvule. A Swallow was at Daliburgh. Barra: Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll around Castle Bay, then Gleann. A second Arctic Redpoll was in North Bay. Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at Creachan and Garrygall. A Tree Pipit was seen on Vatersay. 13th October: Lewis: A Barred Warbler is at Brue this morning. A juvenile Iceland Gull at Eoropie again today a Pectoral Sandpiper the Butt of Lewis. 43 Fieldfare and 40 Redwing around the Stornoway rubbish dump. Benbecula: A Lapland Bunting flew over Balivanich this morning. A female Pintail is on Coot Loch. South Uist: Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler are at North Loch Eynort. A Willow Warbler is still at Druidibeg. Barra: Arctic Redpoll seen briefly at Aird Mhor this morning plus Yellow-browed Warblers at Creachan and Gleann. 12th October: Lewis: Pectoral Sandpiper at the Butt of Lewis: Garden Warbler and Fieldfare at Brue. A Lesser Whitethroat, Brambling and 2 Fieldfare in North Tolsta. Benbecula: A Jack Snipe and 3 Lapland Buntings are at Sunamul. South Uist: Willow Warbler, 80 Redwing, 7 Fieldfare and 8 Song Thrush at Druidibeg Plantation. 70 Redwing and a Willow Warbler at Grogarry. Brambling (flew off south-east with 6 Chaffinch), male Blackcap, Chiffchaff and 50 Redwing at North Loch Eynort. Also lots of Dunnocks around today. Juvenile Arctic Tern at Ardvule. 5 Black-tailed Godwits south over Loch Bee. 2 Little Egrets at An Liana Mhor and a Swallow is nearby. 2 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff and 40 Redwing at the Old School House, Loch Carnan. Black-tailed Godwit at Bornish. 17 Slavonian Grebes off Balgarva. 5 Feildfare and 20 Redwing in South Glendale at dawn. Barra: The Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll is still on the island at North Bay. A new Common Rosefinch was seen at Creachan. Yellow-browed Warblers were at Creachan and in Castle Bay. 11th October: Lewis: A juvenile Iceland Gull at Lionel. Arctic Terns at Port of Ness and Barvas. Chiffchaffs at Lionel and Bragar. A Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtails and 9 Siskin in the Castle Grounds today. South Uist: Yellow-browed Warbler and Willow Warbler at Druidibeg this morning with 2 Yellow-broweds reported from there later. Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Chiffchaffs at North Loch Eynort. 3 Little Egrets still at An Liana Mhor this morning and 3 Swallows nearby. Swallow at Smerclate. Garden Warbler and Blackcap in South Glendale today. Barra: The Common Rosefinch is still in North Bay and a Grey Phalarope was seen from the island. Yellow-browed Warbler and Barred Warbler also on the island.
10th October: Lewis: late news from yesterday of an Olive-backed Pipit at Mangersta. Brambling and Jack Snipe and Brue today. Iceland Gull in Ness. 2 Arctic Redpolls and a Pectoral Sandpiper in Ness. North Uist: An adult American Golden Plover is on Baleshare. Benbecula: 38 White-fronted Geese south over Sunamul, 2 Pink-footed Geese north and a Snow Bunting. South Uist: A Sabine's Gull was off Ardivachar this morning before heading south, plus 2 Arctic Terns there. Yellow-browed Warbler and Willow Warbler at Druidibeg plantation. Male Blackcap at Kinloch. Yellow-browed Warbler and male Blackcap at Howbeg. 3 Swallows at Grogarry Lodge. 3 Little Egrets are at An Liana Mhor, Daliburgh. 2 Lapland Buntings and 21 Black-tailed Godwits on Bornish Machair. Male Pintail on Loch Ardvule. Chiffchaff at North Loch Eynort. Barra: The Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll is now at Nasg and the Common Rosefinch is at Morghan. Insects: A Red Sword Grass moth was found at a lighted window in Brue this evening.
9th October: Benbecula: A Woodcock was in the dunes west of the airfield and 20 Redwing. South Uist: 136 Barnacle Geese are on the South Ford this evening and 6 (2 adult and 4 juv.) Arctic Terns are at Ardivachar. 2 Pomarine Skuas were seen from the Lochboisdale - Oban ferry this morning, just outside Lochboisdale. A Snow Bunting was on the main road at West Gerinish just before dark. 8th October: Lewis: An Iceland Gull was at Eoropie and a Glaucous Gull is at Port of Ness. 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Chiffchaff still at Brue. The Snowy Owl was seen at Mangersta on an off-shore stack. A Ruff, 6 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Linnet and 110 Twite at Steinish. North Uist: 5 Lapland Buntings are on the machair at Balemore and 20 Redwing are nearby at Knockintorran. 40 Redwing and a Swallow were at Balranald, plus 7 Pink-footed Geese on Loch nam Feithan. 30 Redwing were near the Westford Inn. 11 Snow Buntings were on Baleshare. A Siskin was seen at Langass and a Brambling at Carinish. Benbecula: A single Jack Snipe was flushed from the airfield at Balivanich. South Uist: 2 skeins of 50 and 80 Barnacle Geese over Ardivachar today. Barra: The Common Rosefinch is still in Castle Bay. 7th October: Lewis: The male Snowy Owl was seen today at Mangersta. A Hoopoe was reported from a back garden near South Shawbost today. Benbecula: A Little Egret was behind Creagorry Co-op this evening. North Uist: A Pomarine Skua passed Griminish Point. A Chiffchaff was at Knockintorran. An eastern Yellow Wagtail flew over Callernish. South Uist: A Long-billed Dowitcher was seen with 14 Black-tailed Godwits feeding in stubble to the south-west of Loch Bornish. Barra: Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll is still at Brevig and a Common Rosefinch is in Castle Bay. 6th October: Lewis: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at the Butt of Lewis and 3 Pectoral Sandpipers are still on Eoropie Machair. North Uist: A Leach's Petrel and a Grey Phalarope were off Griminish Point this morning. A Lapland Bunting was at Loch Paible and a Garden Warbler was at Knock-cuien. Benbecula: A Grey Phalarope flew south passed Stinky Bay this morning. 5 Gadwall are on Loch Fada. South Uist: A male Pintail is at Balgarva. A Lapland Bunting was at Ardivachar. 3 Little Egrets flew north through South Glendale with 1 returning south to the bay between there and Eriskay. Barra: At least 3 Lesser Whitethroats are on the island this morning. A Leach's Petrel was seen in the afternoon.
5th October: Lewis: 3 Lapland Bunting and 2 Lesser Whitethroats are at Brue. A Lesser Whitethroat is at Barvas. 3 Pectoral Sandpiper are on Eoropie Machair and Lapland Bunting is at the Butt of Lewis. South Uist: Snow Bunting at Kilpheder. 2 Brent Geese are at the south end of Loch Bee. 5 Swallows are at Askernish. Barra: The Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll is at Brevig. 4th October: Lewis: 2 Sooty Shearwaters passed the Butt of Lewis. 5 Snow Buntings and a Lapland Bunting at the Butt and a Lapland Bunting at Shiadar. St. Kilda: A Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler was seen around the village on Hirta today along with around 20 Redwing. North Uist: An American Golden Plover was on Berneray. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Carinish. South Uist: The Long-billed Dowitcher was seen again at Howbeg today. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Howmore. A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard calling at North Loch Eynort and there was a Slavonian Grebe there. Small numbers of Barncale Geese were seen passing over today. 20 Common Redpolls are at Drimsdale along with a Redwing. Redwing and Snow Bunting at Ardvule. A Garden Warbler is in South Glendale. Barra: The Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll was seen again at Sgaillairidh and a Reed Warbler is on the island.
3rd October: Lewis: 3 Gadwall on Ness Machair. 8 Barnacles were at Brue and 2 Sooty Shearwaters passed this morning. 2 Sooty Shearwaters were off Labost. Benbecula: A Leach's Petrel and Slavonian Grebe were off Balivanich this morning. A female Pintail is on Loch Fada. South Uist: A Grey Phalarope is in North Bay. A Brent Goose is at the south end of Loch Bee. At least 5 Arctic Terns were seen in South Uist today.
2nd October: Lewis: A Slavonian Grebe is on Loch Branahuie. A Scaup is on Loch Tiumpan. South Uist: A Long-billed Dowitcher was feeding with a party of Black-tailed Godwits on fields adjacent to the river at Howmore this morning. A female Scaup is on Loch Eavat at South Lochboisdale. A juvenile Baird's Sandpiper is at Kilpheder this evening. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper is at Hebridean Jewellery. Barra: An Arctic Redpoll is still at Sgaillairidh today.
1st October: Lewis: A Chiffchaff was at Bragar today. 110 redpolls, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffcaffs and a Willow Warbler in the Castle Grounds today. St. Kilda: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen today. North Uist: A Whimbrel was at Loch na Faoileige. South Uist: A Lesser Whitethroat was at Howmore and 29 Black-tailed Godwits were on the river there. A Slavonian Grebe was off Stoneybridge and a Whimbrel was at Ardvule. Barra: A Coue's Arctic Redpoll was at Sgaillairidh today.
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