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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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30th April: North Uist: A Pink-footed Goose and 13 Black-tailed Godwits were at Baranald. A pair of Scaup and 9 Barnacle Geese were at Scolpaig. A Chiffchaff was at Callernish. At least 50 Brent Geese, 20 Barnacle Geese, 2 Pink-footed Geese and a Black-tailed Godwit were on Vallay. 150 Brent Geese and a Glaucous Gull were in Bayhead this morning. Insects: A Water Carpet, 5 Autumn Green Carpet, 1 Ruddy Highflyer, 3 Dark Sword Grass and 2 Double-striped Pugs were trapped at Druidibeg last night.
29th April: Lewis: A 1st yr Glaucous Gull, 11 Barnacle Geese and a Goosander are at Loch Barvas. A Cuckoo is at Arnish. Harris: 59 Black-tailed Godwits and a Common Redpoll are at Northton. North Uist: A 1st yr Iceland Gull is at Hosta and a 1st yr Glaucous Gull was at Loch Dusary. A Cuckoo was in Ben Risary plantation. There is a Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Gadwall at Loch Sandary as well as 6 Whimbrel close by. 160+ Brent Geese and 6 Arctic Skuas flew north past Aird an Runair this morning. Another 350+ Brent Geese were around Vallay, along with 20 Barnacle Geese and 15 Black-tailed Godwits. 11 Barnacle Geese were at Balelone. 65 Black-tailed Godwits were on Loch Mor, Baleshare. Benbecula: 40 Black-tailed Godwits were by Loch Mor and 2 Sandwich Terns were in Stinky Bay. A Pink-footed Goose was on Coot Loch. South Uist: The Hawfinch is still in South Glendale and 7 Brent Geese are nearby. A Sandwich Tern, 3 Arctic Skuas, 19 Whimbrel and 21 Brent Geese were seen at Rubha Ardvule this morning. 7 Black-tailed Godwits are on Bornish machair. Insects: A Peacock butterfly was in South Glendale. Lots of Emperor moth were active today with good numbers seen in South Uist and one reported from Habost, Lewis.
28th April: Lewis: A summer plumage White-billed Diver was off Skigersta today. Shovelers were on Loch Stiapbhat and Loch Tiumpan. 8 Brent Geese and 3 Whimbrel were at Shader. 13 Barnacle Geese and 4 Whimbrel are at Loch Barvas. Harris: A Chiffchaff is at Northton. South Uist: The Hawfinch is still in South Glendale. 2 Sandwich Terns and at least 10 Black-tailed Godwits are at Ardivachar. Good numbers of Common and Arctic Terns are now around with at least 30 of the former past Ardivachar this morning and 15 of the latter feeding off there later. 5 Arctic Terns were also seen at the South Ford this morning. 16 Whimbrel and what presumably were the same 2 Sandwich Terns from Ardivachar were at Peninerine this afternoon. 100 Brent Geese flew north off Ardivachar later afternon.
27th April: North Uist: 16 Brent Geese are at Grenitote. Benbecula: 2 Sand Martins, 9 Swallows and a Common Tern are on Coot Loch. 19 Black-tailed Godwits and an Arctic Tern are on Loch Mor. 2 Arctic Terns are in Stinky Bay and 4 were off Balivanich. A dark-phase Arctic Skua flew across the South Ford causeway this morning, heading west. South Uist: The Hawfinch is and 2 Blackcaps are in South Glendale. A Cuckoo was seen at Loch Carnan. 4 Arctic Terns and 29 Brent Geese are at Ardivachar. 5 Scaup are on Loch Bee. Insects: A Double-striped Pug and Red Sword-grass were trapped at South Glendale last night.
26th April: Lewis: 3 Sand Martins, 4 Swallows and 300 Long-tailed Ducks on Loch Branahuie. A House Martin was seen in Stornoway. 13 Barnacle Geese and 55 Pink-footed Geese were in Brue. 5 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Whimbrel are at Aignis. North Uist: A 1st yr Glaucous Gull was on Loch Dusary today. 3 Whimbrel flew north over Claddach Baleshare. 30+ Whimbrel were at Hosta. A Hobby was reported from Baleshare today. South Uist: A Hawfinch is in South Glendale. 2 Sandwich Terns and 2 Common Terns were at Ardivachar this morning along with 40+ Black-tailed Godwits. 7 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore River. Corncrakes were calling at Drimsdale and Eochar today. The map below shows the route of a Black-tailed Godwit originally ringed in France in 2009 and seen in Eochar last Tuesday.
25th April: Lewis: A Gyr Falcon was seen at Eoropie this afternoon. A White-billed Diver was off Skigersta. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was seen at Mangurstadh and a Northern Eider (borealis) was at Uig. 110 Brent Geese were at Steinish this evening along with 8 Swallows. A Sand Martin. female Goosander, 114 Pink-footed Geese, plus a Whimbrel were at Loch Barvas today. 19 Whimbrel were at Breanish and several Common Sandpipers were seen today including 3 at Doube Braes. 18 Barnacle Geese were at Breasclate. A female Yellowhammer was seen at Garrabost today Harris: 2 male Surf Scoters were in the Sound of Taransay along with at least 3 Slavonian Grebes. Benbecula: A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was on the beach south of Stinky Bay this afternoon. 9 Whimbrel and a Pink-footed Goose were on Torlum machair this morning. 5 Whimbrel, 8 Black-tailed Godwits and a single Arctic Tern are on Coot Loch. 2 Black-tailed Godwits are on Loch Fada. South Uist: A Common Sandpipers are at Loch an Eilein, Drimsdale, Loch Eynort and Kildonan. A Chiffchaff and 5 Common Redpolls are at North Loch Eynort. A Chiffchaff is at Kinloch B&B, Gorgarry. 41 Brent Geese, 28 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit are at Ruhba Ardvule. 7 Swallows were on Bornish machair. Sand Martins were seen over Loch Bee and in North Bay. 12 Brent Geese are at Peninerine. 6 Black-tailed Godwits are on the Howmore River and around 20 are at Ardivachar. 23 Whimbrel are on the Range and a Little Tern is at the north end of Loch Bee. 140 Brent Geese dropped into Loch Bee near Ardnamonie this evening. Insects: A Flame Carpet was trapped at North Loch Eynort last night and a Striped Twin-spot Carpet was caught at South Glendale.
24th April: Lewis: A White-billed Diver was off Skigersta today. 120 Pink-footed Geese, a Hen Harrier, 10 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Dunnock (in the lighthouse compound), 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Goldfinch were around the Butt of Lewis / Ness today. North Uist: A Jackdaw was in Bayhead this morning before flying off towards Kyles. Benbecula: 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Whimbrel and a Swallow are at Coot Loch. 4 Black-tailed Godwits are on Loch Mor. 15 Brent Geese were in Stinky Bay. 3 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins were at Coot Loch this evening. 17 Black-tailed Godwits were on Borve machair. 2 Swallows, a Sand Martin and a pair of Pintail are on Loch Mor. South Uist: 5 Whimbrel are on the machair at Howmore and a Swallow is at Drimsdale. 27 Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel were at Ardivachar this afternoon. A Sandwich Tern was in North Bay and later at Ardivachar. 5 Common Tern and 6 Whimbrel were in North Bay this evening. 23rd April: Lewis: The following Pink-footed Geese were seen today: 110 at Barvas; 180 at South Dell; 26 at Ballantrussel and an additional 250 that headed out to sea but returned a short while later. 89 were also seen at Holm, Stornoway. A female Goosander was on Loch Barvas and 3 Brent Geese were in the area. 3 Barnacle Geese were at Brue and 6 were at South Dell. 470 Long-tailed Ducks were on Loch Branahuie. Benbecula: A Common Tern was on Coot Loch today. South Uist: 300+ Brent Geese flew north past Ardivachar at 08:25. Around 200 Brent Geese were east of the South Ford causeway around lunch time were presumably the same as the 216 on the South Ford off Hebridean Jewellery later in the afternoon. 363 Brent Geese were at Balgarva and 2 were in North Bay. 67+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardivachar. 16 White-fronted Geese and 8 Whimbrel were on Eochar machair. 2 Cuckoos were seen in Askernish today. Insects: A Golden-rod Pug and Early Tooth-striped were trapped at North Loch Eynort last night.
22nd April: Lewis: The 1st yr Glaucous Gull, 211 Brent Geese, 180 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese, 29 Whimbrel and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits were at Barvas today. North Uist: 22 Black-tailed Godwits are on Loch Mic Coan, Baleshare. 2 Swallows and 5 Whimbrel flew over Aird an Runair today. Benbecula: 5 Gadwall, a Little Tern and 46 Brent Geese are in Stinky Bay; with another 35 Brent Geese on the sea just south of here. 169 Brent Geese were on the shore at Torlum, later joining with the birds from Stinky Bay. A female Scaup, 5 Gadwall, 17 Black-tailed Godwits and a Whimbrel are around Coot Loch. 3 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Gadwall are on Loch Mor. A Corncrake was heard calling on the outskirts of Balivanich today and a male Blackcap was seen there. South Uist: A Sand Martin was over Loch an Eilein, Drimsdale this morning and a Pink-footed Goose was there in the afternoon. 47 Brent Geese were at Ardivachar early morning followed by 130 Brent Geese and 5 Black-tailed Godwits past there at 11:40. 61 Black-tailed Godwits were feeding at Ardivachar in the evening. 89 Black-tailed Godwits are on the Howmore River. A Chiffchaff and 20 Common Redpolls (north-western) are at North Loch Eynort.
21st April: Lewis: The Glaucous Gull is still at Loch Barvas. Benbecula: 47 Black-tailed Godwits were at Coot Loch this afternoon and the first Little Tern and a Whimbrel were there in the morning. 6 Black-tailed Godwits and a Whimbrel were on Loch Mor. 160 Brent Geese were feeding on the machair at Borve this morning. 3 Whimbrel flew south over Balivanich around 12:20. South Uist: A Tree Pipit was seen at Carnan around lunch time. At least 65 Black-tailed Godwits were around Hebridean Jewellery and 98 were on Loch an' t-Saile. Another 20 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardivachar and 5 Whimbrel flew north over Balgarva. 5 Whimbrel were also seen at Ardivachar around 09:00. 68 Brent Geese are on North Bay. At least 8 north-western type Common Redpolls are at North Loch Eynort. A Swallow was at Drimsdale in the evening. Insects: A Green-veined White and numerous Emperor Moths were seen at North Loch Eynort this afternoon.
20th April: Lewis: A 1st winter Glaucous Gull is still at Loch Barvas. North Uist: 58 Black-tailed Godwits are at Balranald today. Two pairs of Pintail are on Baleshare today. Benbecula: A Whimbrel flew east over Balivanich this morning and 9 Black-tailed Godwits were by Coot Loch. 2 Black-tailed Godwits are on Loch Mor. South Uist: The following Black-tailed Godwits were reported today: 203 were behind Hebridean Jewellery; 22 were at Carnan, 40 were at Ardivachar; 23 were on Loch Bee, 9 were at Loch an' t-Saile, 35 were on the Howmore River and 2 were at Peninerine. 5 Great Skuas and a Pomarine Skua flew past Ardivachar this morning. A female Pintail and Whimbrel were also at Peninerine. 8 Scaup are on west Loch Bee. 2 Pink-footed Geese, 18 White-fronted Geese and 3 Barnacle Geese are at the Eochar end of the Range.
19th April: St. Kilda: A Snowy Owl was reported from Hirta today. South Uist: 130 Brent Geese flew north past Ardivachar at 07:30. 2 White Wagtails, 24 Brent Geese and 37 Black-tailed Godwits are also at Ardivachar. 3 Whimbrel, 89 Brent Geese and a White Wagtail are in North Bay. 10 Black-tailed Godwits are at Loch an' t-Saile and another 2 are at Balgarva. 4 Black-tailed Godwits are on the Howmore River. 10 Black-tailed Godwits dropped out of the sky to feed in a creek at Loch Carnan with the onset of rain this evening.
18th April: Lewis: 15 singing Willow Warblers and 2 singing Blackcaps in the Castle Grounds, Stornoway as well as 5 Siskins. Benbecula: 4 Pintail (2 pairs), 5 Gadwall and a Black-tailed Godwit are on Loch Mor. South Uist: 400 Brent Geese are in North Bay still. A Corncrake was reported from Eochar today. 70 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 White Wagtails are at Ardivachar this evening. 12 Black-tailed Godwits are on Loch an' t-Saile.
17th April: North Uist: The Hoopoe was relocated on the machair at Grenitote today. 96 Black-tailed Godwits in the ford by the car park on the machair edge at Grenitote too. A sea-watch from Aird an Runair (08:40 - 10:10) produced: 1 Pomarine Skua, 10 Great Skuas, 41 Kittiwakes, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Puffins and a Whimbrel. South Uist: 110 Brent Geese were off Ardivachar at 08:30. Around 400 Brent Geese were feeding in North Bay. a 1,000 Golden Plover and 3 Pink-footed Geese were on the Range. 7 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch an' t-Saile.
16th April: Benbecula: 300 Brent Geese heading north over Lunnies, Gramsdale at 12:15. 15th April: North Uist: 9 Pink-footed Geese, an Arctic Skua (heading north), a Swallow and 6 White Wagtails are at Aird an Runair. Benbecula: A female Pintail was on Loch Fada. South Uist: A Cuckoo was at Rangehead. 9 Brent Geese were at Smerclate. A Long-eared Owl was in South Glendale in the evening. Insects: A Pine Beauty was trapped and 5 Early Tooth-striped were trapped at North Loch Eynort last night.
14th April: North Uist: A Snowy Owl, 2 Lapland Buntings and 3 Pintail (2 males and a female) are at Aird an Runair. Benbecula: The following Barnacle Geese were seen heading north today: 93 at 09:30; 260+ at 11:30 and 150 at 12:25. South Uist: 5 White Wagtails are at Smerclate. 341 Barnacle Geese and 10 White-fronted Geese flew north through South Glendale between dawn and 11:00. Barnacle Geese recorded over Ardivachar today include: 123 at 07:00; 25 at 10:30 and 280 at 12:00. 5 skeins containing almost 2,000 Barnacle Geese flew over Loch Carnan between 11:20 - 12:00. 11 Black-tailed Godwits are on Loch an' t-Saile. Insects: 35 Belted Beauties were recorded between Smerclate and Garrynamonie. 2 Small Tortoiseshells were in Upper Carloway this afternoon. 2 Small Tortoiseshells were at Loch Carnan and another was at Loch Eynort.
13th April: North Uist: A female Lapland Bunting is at Malaclate. The Great Tit is still in Bayhead. A Siskin was at Carinish today. 115 White-fronted Geese flew north at Loch Paible at 12:50. 10 Whooper Swans were roosting on the sands at Claddach Vallay around mid-day today. South Uist: A Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were singing at Ludag this morning. Insects: A Great Yellow Bumblebee was seen today in Askernish.
12th April: Lewis: 3 Siskins and 6 Goldfinch still coming to the feeders in Willowglen. 2 Willow Warblers were singing in the Castle Grounds yesterday. Harris: A Surf Scoter was seen in the Sound of Taransay today. North Uist: 90 Barnacle Geese flew north over Claddach Baleshare at 10:05. A Willow Warbler and Goldfinch are at Langass Lodge. 70 White-fronted Geese were at Loch Sandary and 5 were near Balranald House as well as 3 Pink-footed Geese. A Jackdaw and Brent Goose were at Kyles Paible. A Lapland Bunting was at Hougharry. 10 Whooper Swans flew over Carinish at 08:50. A Great Tit (apparently ringed) is in Bayhead. South Uist: A Willow Warbler is at Drimsdale this evening. A Blackcap and 2 Willow Warblers were in South Glendale today. Insects: A Peacock butterfly was in South Glendale today. 7 Puss Moths and 2 Emperors were trapped in South Glendale last night. A Great Yellow Bumblebee was seen today and yesterday on Baleshare.
11th April: North Uist: A Hoopoe was seen at Malaclate. A Cuckoo was reported from the north side of Grimsay. 5 Whooper Swans flew over Lochmaddy Bay heading north-west this evening. Barnacle Geese were heard moving over North Uist during the previous night and a skein of 38 flew north over Carinish at 09:40. Benbecula: A Black Redstart was at the council tip at Market Stance. South Uist: A Ring Ouzel was in South Glendale briefly this morning. At least 9 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Wood Pigeon and Goldfinch are at North Loch Eynort. Barnacle Geese were heard before dawn flying over South Glendale. Two skeins of 105 and 195 Barnacle Geese flew north at Ardivachar at 08:30. 2 Whimbrel and 2 White Wagtails were also at Ardivachar. 3 Black-tailed Godwit were at Loch an-t'Saile. A Willow Warbler was at the Old School House, Loch Carnan and 2 Chiffchaffs were at Druidibeg. 2 Blackcaps, 2 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff, Common Redpoll and Swallow were all in South Glendale today. A Whimbrel flew west over Drimsdale this morning and a Common Sandpiper was heard at Loch Carnan this evening after dark. Insects: Moths trapped last night include an Early Grey and Red Sword Grass at Loch Eynort whilst the first Emperor and Puss Moths were caught in South Glendale. 5 Early Tooth-striped and 2 Dark Sword Grass were trapped at Druidibeg plantation last night. Small Tortoiseshell butterflies seen today include 3 at Balranald, 1 at Carinish, 1 near Weaver's Point, North Uist and 1 at Daliburgh. Belted Beauties were also out in force today with 16 female and 50+ males seen on the west side of Eriskay whilst 10 males were seen at Balranald.
10th April: Lewis: A 1st yr Glaucous Gull is at Loch Barvas. 39 Whooper Swans north over Garrabost this morning. 4 White-billed Divers in Curishader Bay, to the north of Cellar Head and 2 of Skigersta today. 50 Pink-footed Geese and 70 Barnacle Geese were in a field at Lionel. A Lapland Bunting, Swallow and Sand Martin were in Brue. 26 Redwings were at the Butt of Lewis. North Uist: A Willow Warbler was singing in Grenitote this morning. A female Lapland Bunting and male Snow Bunting were at Claddach Baleshare this afternoon. South Uist: A Willow Warbler was at Drimsdale in the morning. 3 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff and a Lesser Redpoll are at North Loch Eynort. 2 Willow Warblers and a male Blackcap are in South Glendale this evening. 85 White-fronted Geese flew north off Ardivachar at 07:30. Insects: A Green-veined White butterfly was seen at Uachdar, Benbecula this afternoon. A Small Tortoiseshell was released from a garage in Carinish today. 34 Hebrew Characters and 28 Clouded Drabs were trapped at North Loch Eynort and a Belted Beauty was caught at Ardivachar last night.
9th April: North Uist: 2 male Lapland Buntings were on the machair at Balemore. Around 200 White-fronted Geese also flew north over Balemore in 3 skeins between 10:20 - 10:40. These were followed by a mixed skein of 10 White-fronted Geese and 10 Whooper Swans heading north, 11:05. 50 White-fronted Geese flew north early morning over Carinish and 70+ flew over Baleshare at 12:30. Benbecula: A Swallow was seen near Market Stance. South Uist: Around 30 Redwing are at Grogarry Lodge. 5 Goldfinch were at Drimsdale this morning and 3 are at Loch Carnan. A Swallow was seen at Askernish this evening. Insects: A Clouded Drab amongst other moths was trapped at South Glendale last night.
8th April: Lewis: The Little Ringed Plover is still at Loch Stiapabhat and a Swallow and 1st winter Glaucous Gull are also there. Benbecula: 18 Whooper Swans are on Loch Mor. 3 Scaup and at least 7 Gadwall are on Coot Loch. South Uist: A male Lapland Bunting is at Ardivachar. 7th April: Lewis: A Little-ringed Plover is at the north end of Loch Stiapabhat. Harris: A satellite tagged Whooper Swan that has wintered at Martin Mere, Lancashire was tracked to Luskentyre beach at 22:00 last night. Please have a look at this link for more info: http://www.wwt.org.uk/whooper/full-map South Uist: Two flocks of 18 and 10 Whooper Swans flew north over Stoneybridge at 12:20 today. A Pink-footed Goose and at least 11 White-fronted Geese are on the Eochar part of the Range. 8 Scaup and 2 Slavonian Grebes were at the south end of west Loch Bee this afternoon. Insects: 49 Hebrew Characters and 3 Red Chestnuts were trapped at South Glendale last night. 29 Hebrew Characters were trapped at Druidibeg plantation last night and a Belted Beauty was caught at Ardivachar. 13 Belted Beauties were seen along the south-west corner of Eriskay this afternoon.
6th April: Lewis: 2 White-billed Divers were seen off Skigersta in the evening. Benbecula: 2 female Scaup and a Pink-footed Goose on Coot Loch. 5th April: Benbecula: A male and 2 female Scaup are still on Coot Loch. South Uist: A Chiffchaff, 3 Siskins and a Wood Pigeon are at North Loch Eynort. 4th April: Lewis: 45 Barnacle Geese are at Eoropie. South Uist: 27 Whooper Swans were resting on the South Ford this morning. Marine Sightings: 2 Harbour Porpoise were off Rubh' Arnal, Balemore. Insects: A male Belted Beauty was on the dune edge at Balemore.
3rd April: Lewis: A 1st winter Glaucous Gull is at Barvas. Harris: A drake Surf Scoter is in the Sound of Taransay. North Uist: A female Pintail and White Wagtail are at Aird an Runair. Insects: A male Belted Beauty was trapped at Ardivachar last night. 7 Hebrew Characters were caught in South Glendale last night.
2nd April: North Uist: 70 Whooper Swans flew north at Carinish at 9:10 am. 2 Whimbrel flew east over Scotvein, Grimsay around lunch time. Benbecula: A male and female Scaup are on Coot Loch, plus 8 Gadwall. 7 White-fronted Geese were on Loch Mor and 22 flew north-west over there this afternoon. South Uist: 60 White-fronted Geese flew north-west off-shore from Howmore at 10:30 am; plus another 130 geese further out to sea, heading in the same direction at the same time were presumably also White-fronts. A Chiffchaff is in South Glendale. 38 Whooper Swans are on Mid Loch Ollay and 81 are on Loch Bee. Insects: Male Belted Beauty moths were seen at Peninerine and Howmore this morning. 2 Hebrew Characters were caught at Druidibeg last night.
1st April: Lewis: 5 Snow Buntings were at the Butt of Lewis. North Uist: 2 Wheatears were by Loch Hosta. Benbecula: 14 Whooper Swans are on Loch Mor. 2 female Scaup and 8 Gadwall (4 pairs) are on Coot Loch. South Uist: A Black-tailed Godwit and Wheatear were at the south end of Loch Bee. 41 Whooper Swans flew north over Drimsdale just 8 pm this evening.
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