|
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]
|
|
|
|
30th September: North Uist: 3 Lapland Buntings flew south at Balranald and a Grey Phalarope was off Aird an Runair. South Uist: A Lapland Bunting flew north at Howmore this morning. Good numbers of Barnacle Geese were seen passing the Uists today, heading south. Whooper Swans were also on the move with several small flocks seen. Insects: A Pearly Underwing was trapped at South Glendale last night along with 28 Brindled Ochre, 5 Large Wainscot, Straw Dot, Common Marbled Carpet, 3 Silver Y and 248 Small Wainscot. A Red Admiral was at Scolpaig and another was at Callanish, North Uist.
29th September: Lewis: 3 Redwings and a Lesser Whitethroat are at Port of Ness. Lesser Whitethroat at Brue and a Snow Bunting flew over. A Redwing was at north Bragar. A Lapland Bunting was on the moorland a couple of miles west of Stornoway. Good numbers of Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese were seen over Stornoway. Redwing over Stornoway. Benbecula: A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Coot Loch and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers flew south from Loch Mor (around 14:15). A female Pintail is on Loch Fada. A Brent Goose is at airport beach, Balivanich and a Slavonian Grebe is off-shore there. A Grasshopper Warbler was reported from the north end of the airfield. 6 Whooper Swans and 87 Brent Geese with 2 Wigeon south to south-east over the airport. 9 Lapland Buntings just south of Jim Luney's shop. South Uist: A Chiffchaff was at North Loch Eynort. 53 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Eriskay. 7 Snow Buntings on the Range. 42 Brent Geese flew south at Balgarva at 09:15. Insects: 10 Red Admirals in west Lewis today. Marine Sightings: At least 2 Harbour Porpoise off Balivanich, Benbecula. 28th September: Lewis: A Quail was flushed from crops at Bragar. Benbecula: A Snow Bunting and 20 Barnacle Geese at the airport before flying off to the east. 27th September: Harris: A Barred Warbler was reported in Tarbet. South Uist: A Leach's Petrel and 79 Brent Geese passed Ardvule this morning. 22 Black-tailed Godwits were on the river at Howmore. 2 Pink-footed Geese were with Greylags on the Range. 66 Brent Geese were at Balgarva. Marine Sightings: 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ardvule this morning. 26th September: Lewis: A Snowy Owl is at Managersta. Lapland Buntings are at Tong and the Butt of Lewis. A Lesser Whitethroat is at North Tolsta. 3 Grey Wagtails south of Stornoway. Pied Flycatcher at Barvas school. Snow Bunting at Butt View Stores. 32 Brent Geese at Ardroil and 12 at Brue. Benbecula: A Grey Phalarope is in Stinky Bay. South Uist: 8 Brent Geese are at the north end of Loch Bee and 1 is at Peninerine. Insects: Red Admirals were seen at Drimsdale, Gisla and Brue.
25th September: Lewis: The adult American Golden Plover is still at Eoropie. North Uist: The Golden Oriole has been seen again in the memorial plantation at Grenitote. Benbecula: 7 Lapland Buntings and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen at Sunamul, just east of Benbecula airport today. South Uist: A Leach's Petrel and 3 Pomarine Skuas passed Ardvule this morning. 5 Grey Phalaropes were at Ardivachar. A Brent Goose was at Peninerine and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Howmore. Another Black-tailed Godwit was on Bornish Machair. 24th September: Lewis: A Common Redpoll was at Steinish. A single Ruff was seen near Branahuie. North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper has been reported north of Balemartin with Golden Plover. A sea-watch from Griminish Point 07:55 - 10:55 produced: 9 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Leach's Petrels and 3 Pomarine Skuas. A Snow Bunting and Whimbrel were also at Griminish. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Paible. The Golden Oriole was reported again from the memorial garden at Grenitote today around 4 pm. Benbecula: 5 Grey Phalaropes were in Stinky Bay. South Uist: A Grey Phalarope, a Sooty Shearwater and a Snow Bunting were at Ardivachar. Rubha Ardvule from 07:30 - 12:10 produced 18 Leach's Petrels, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Arctic Terns and a couple of Great Skuas and Arctic Skuas.
23rd September: Lewis: Sooty Shearwater off the Butt of Lewis. A sea-watch from Labost 15:00 - 18:30 produced 24 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Leach's Petrels, 3 Pomarine Skuas and a Pintail. A single Brent Goose was at Bragar and 5 were at Barvas. North Uist: A sea-watch from Griminish Point 07:45 - 11:45 produced: 4 Common Scoter, 54 Red-throated Divers, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 12 Leach's Petrels, 25 Snipe, a Grey Phalarope, 17 Pomarine Skuas and a juvenile Sabine's Gull. Benbecula: 3 Grey Phalaropes in Stinky Bay this morning. A Sand Martin was at Coot Loch. South Uist: A Grey Phalarope was at Ardivachar and a Ruff at Hebridean Jewellery. 4 pale-bellied Brent Geese on the South Ford this afternoon. A sea-watch from Ardvule 07:35 - 10:20: 5 Leach's Petrels, 53 Red-throated Divers and 4 Common Scoters. 2 Grey Phalaropes were at Peninerine. Vatersay: Leach's Petrel off Vatersay again today. 22nd September: Lewis: A sea-watch from Labost between 06:30 - 11:30 produced 2 Great Shearwaters, 24 Sooty Shearwaters, 31 Arctic Tern, a juvenile Sabine's Gull, 14 Leach's Petrels, 2 Grey Phalarope, 1 Pomarine Skua, 317 Brent Geese and 3 Scaup. 13 Great Shearwaters, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, Leach's Petrel, 6 Pomarine Skuas and 2 Grey Phalaropes off Gallan Head between 15:45 - 18:00. Lapland Bunting at the Butt of Lewis. 6 Lapland Buntings were seen at Loch Ordais. 150 Brent Geese Bragar, 23 Brent Geese and a Long-tailed Duck at Barvas. North Uist: A Golden Oriole was reported from Grenitote today. A Sea-watch from Griminish Point 07:40 - 15:40 produced 102 Red-throated Divers, 17 Leach's Petrels, Grey Phalarope, 9 Pomarine Skuas, 2 juvenile Sabine's Gulls and 53 Arctic Terns. South Uist: A sea-watch off Rubha Ardvule from 07:25 - 10:30 produced a juvenile Pomarine Skua, 10 Great Skuas, 2 Grey Phalaropes, 7 Leach's Petrels, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 10 Arctic Terns and a Long-tailed Duck passed Rubha Ardvule this morning. Also a Snow Bunting there. 2 Grey Phalaropes were at Ardivachar this morning and 4 Sand Martins were grounded in the bad weather. At least 6 Grey Phalaropes were feeding along the tide line at Peninerine early afternoon. Vatersay: 15 Leach's Petrels, 3 Pomarine Skuas and 3 Sooty Shearwaters off Vatersay today. Marine Sightings: A Sunfish was off Labost today.
21st September: Lewis: The American Golden Plover is still on Eoropie Machair along with around 450 Golden Plover and 4 Lapland Buntings are at the Butt of Lewis. 6 Sooty Shearwaters were off the Butt of Lewis whilst 3 Snow Buntings were seen at the point. A Lesser Whitethroat and Sand Martin were at Port of Ness. 6 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff were at Branahuie. Benbecula: 4 Lapland Buntings at the north end of the airport today. South Uist: 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua passed Ardvule between 07:40 - 11:15. 20th September: Lewis: Adult American Golden Plover by Eoropie play park. Sooty Shearwater was seen off Arnol and 10 Lapland Buntings at the Butt of Lewis. A juvenile Sabine's Gull was on the beach at Port of Ness before flying off into fields. Also at Port of Ness a Glaucous Gull, Lesser Whitethroat and Sand Martin. South Uist: Pectoral Sandpiper on the shore line Stoneybridge / Peninerine. A Pectoral Sandpiper was also seen in flight at Ardvule (heading from the south bay to the north bay). Black-tailed Godwit on the Howmore river. Insects: A Red Admiral was at Loch Eynort, South Uist. Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale was off the Butt of Lewis.
19th September: Lewis: A Turtle Dove was seen at Steinish. Glaucous Gull at Port of Ness. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Snow Bunting were at the Butt of Lewis. North Uist: 16 Sooty Shearwaters passed Griminish Point in 2 hours this afternoon. South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Ardvule.
18th September: Lewis: 4 Brent Geese, female Pintail and 3 Whimbrel at Cross Street, Stornoway this evening. 100 grey geese over Barvas Moor were thought to be probably Pink-footed Geese. South Uist: 3 Sand Martins were at Ardivachar this afternoon. At least 2 Lapland Buntings were on the Range at the Eochar end. 3 Ruff at the south end of Loch Bee.
17th September: Lewis: Lapland Bunting at the Butt of Lewis again today. A Black-tailed Godwit was at Loch Stiapabhat. Benbecula: 6 Black-tailed Godwits and a pale-bellied Brent Goose in Stinky Bay. 2 more Black-tailed Godwits flew over Loch Mor and a Ruff was with Golden Plover at Aird. South Uist: A Wood Pigeon was at Grogarry Lodge.
16th September: Lewis: A Lapland Bunting is at the Butt of Lewis. St. Kilda: The Citrine Wagtail is still on Hirta along with a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. South Uist: 2 Lapland Buntings and a Curlew Sandpiper are at Drimsdale. Chiffchaffs are at South Glendale and Daliburgh. An Adult American Golden Plover is at the south end of Loch Bee. 148 Grey Plover off Hebridean Jewellery. Insects: A Red Admiral and 2 Silver Y's were seen at North Loch Eynort. Red Admiral and a Painted Lady were in South Glendale. Other: A bat was seen flying around a Leurbost garden last night.
15th September: Lewis: A juvenile Turtle Dove was seen at Tong today. St. Kilda: Pectoral Sandpiper on Hirta. South Uist: A Black-tailed Godwit was on the river at Howmore. 12 Whimbrel were at West Gerinish in the late evening. 14th September: St. Kilda: A Blackburnian Warbler first seen on Hirta, Saturday 12th was seen again this morning. A Common Rosefinch also there today. Lewis: The Snowy Owl was seen at Mangersta again today. Benbecula: 10 Black-tailed Godwits are in Stinky Bay. South Uist: 3 Blue-winged Teal are on the river at Howmore. Around 40 Black-tailed Godwits were also in the Howmore area. 3 Willow Warblers and a Blackcap were at Grogarry Lodge. Insects: 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths were seen feeding from Escalonia in Grenitote this morning. A Painted Lady was at Grogarry and there was a scattering of Red Admirals in South Uist. Marine Sightings: A Basking Shark was seen off Mangersta today.
13th September: Lewis: A Great Shearwater, 62 Sooty Shearwaters, a "Blue" Fulmar, 47 Great Skuas, 22 Arctic Skuas and Pomarine Skua were seen passing the Butt of Lewis between 09:30 - 13:30. 2 Lapland Buntings were also seen at the Butt. A Pied Flycatcher and 5 Willow Warblers were seen in the gardens at Port of Ness. 70+ Siskins were in the Castle Grounds between the Sawmill Centre and the college. St. Kilda: A probable Northern Harrier, Citrine Wagtail and an Icterine Warbler were seen on Hirta today. North Uist: A Corncrake was seen in a garden at Kyles. South Uist: An American Golden Plover, 16 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff are on Bornish Machair. Single Lapland Buntings were seen at Bornish and Kildonan. 7 Lapland Buntings on the Range with a flock of 5 close to Ardivachar. The male Red-breasted Flycatcher is still at Bornish. 2 Chiffchaffs and a Lesser Whitethroat were in South Glendale. Barra: An adult Laughing Gull was seen at Eoligarry today. Insects: Another Lunar Underwing was trapped at South Glendale last night and migrant micros, Diamondback Moth and Rush Veneer were caught at Ardivachar. A Red Admiral was also in South Glendale today. 2 Red Admirals and a Small Tortoiseshell at Ardivachar this afternoon. Marine Sightings: A large turtle was reported swimming west passed the Butt of Lewis today.
12th September: Lewis: A Snowy Owl was seen at Mangersta today. A Whooper Swan and Barnacle Goose are at Breasclate. South Uist: A Hudsonian Whimbrel was on the machair at Bornish associating with Curlew although flighty and last seen heading north onto the beach there around 11 am. Also a Lapland Bunting, an adult American Golden Plover, 40 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Ruff at Bornish. The juvenile Baird's Sandpiper is still at Ardvule. A juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher was on the river at Howmore along with around 40 Black-tailed Godwits. A Chiffchaff was in South Glendale this morning. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was also on the north side of Bornish Machair this evening. Insects: A Convolvulus Hawkmoth was trapped at Drimsdale, South Uist last night.
11th September: Lewis: A Barred Warbler is still at Brue. A 3rd winter Glaucous Gull is at Port of Ness and 2 Sand Martins were also there this evening. 6 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Stiapabhat and 3 Ruff were on Ness Machair. 3 Goosanders were at Breascleit. Harris: 40 Common Scoters are in the Sound of Taransay. Sound of Harris: An adult Sabine's Gull was in the Sound of Harris. South Uist: Adult male Red-breasted Flycatcher at Bornish. Insects: A worn Lunar Underwing was picked up at South Glendale, South Uist today. This is the third record for the Outer Hebrides. Marine Sightings: At least 3 Harbour Porpoise were in the Sound of Harris (close to the Harris side).
10th September: Lewis: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Lapland Bunting are still at the Butt of Lewis. A Barred Warbler was in Brue this morning. 5 Crossbills in Stornoway. Benbecula: 21 Black-tailed Godwits were at Stinky Bay. South Uist: A Grey Phalarope is at Ardivachar. A juvenile Baird's Sandpiper was in the south bay at Ardvule this evening along with 4 Black-tailed Godwits. The American Golden Plover was still on Bornish Machair with 600 Golden Plover and 2 Ruff.
9th September: Lewis: 2.5 hours sea-watch from Labost in the morning produced a Great Shearwater, 1 Leach's Petrel and 12 Sooty Shearwaters. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and Grey Phalarope were at the Butt of Lewis; plus 10 Sooty Shearwaters passed. South Uist: A Sabine's Gull flew passed Ardvule this morning and a Pectoral Sandpiper was in the south bay there. Over 700 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew south passed Ardvule this morning. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was by Loch Bornish this morning. A Nightjar was seen at a private site in South Uist yesterday although there was no sign today. An Adult American Golden Plover was at West Gerinish.
8th September: Lewis: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper and a Pectoral Sandpiper are at the Butt of Lewis. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Steinish this morning. A single Leach's Petrel was off Bru this evening. South Uist: A Sooty Shearwater, Leach's Petrel and "Blue" Fulmar were seen off Ardvule today. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was by the side of Loch Bornish this evening. A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was at Ardivachar this morning. Late news: A Baird's Sandpiper was reported from Loch Paible, North Uist - 6th September.
7th September: Lewis: A Ruff was at Steinish and 2 Sand Martins were seen over Sand Street, Stornoway. North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at Griminish this morning. A Pectoral Sandpiper is on Loch Paible. Benbecula: Adult American Golden Plover was seen at Aird. South Uist: A sea-watch from Rubha Ardvule 07:30 - 09:30 produced 3 Leach's Petrels, a Sooty Shearwater and 16 Arctic Terns. A Leach's Petrel was off Ardivachar this morning. 3 Black-tailed Godwits were at Kilpheder and 16 White Wagtails were at Orosay. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and adult American Golden Plover were on the machair at Bornish this evening. 40+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Drimsdale.
6th September: Lewis: 2 Pectoral Sandpipers were seen at the Butt of Lewis today and a Lapland Bunting was along the cliffs to the west. 3 Ruff were on Europie Machair and 2 Swifts were still in the area. South Uist: The American Golden Plover is still on Bornish Machair along with a Ruff. 20 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff are in the south bay at Ardvule and a Common Scoter was off the headland. Insects: A Red Admiral is in Druidibeg Plantation and another was at North Loch Eynort.
5th September: Lewis: A Lapland Bunting was seen at the Butt of Lewis this morning. 3rd calendar year Glaucous Gull west of Ness cemetery. South Uist: A Sabine's Gull flew passed Ardvule this morning and Leach's Petrel was off there this afternoon. An adult American Golden Plover is still at Bornish as well as a Ruff. 88 Black-tailed Godwits were in the south bay at Ardvule.
4th September: South Uist: An adult American Golden Plover was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee this morning along with around 80 Golden Plover and a Black-tailed Godwit. A female Pintail and 8 Shoveler are on Loch an t-Saile. 157 Grey Plover are on the South Ford. A Crossbill is at South Glendale.
3rd September: Benbecula: 4 Black-tailed Godwits were in Stinky Bay. South Uist: 3 Black-tailed Godwits are at Drimsdale.
2nd September: Lewis: 64 Knot and a Black-tailed Godwit at Steinish. A juvenile Scaup was on Loch Tiumpan. 3rd calendar year Glaucous Gull at Ness before moving to Swainbost. 2 Sand Martins the Butt of Lewis. 2 Swifts Port of Ness. 3 Ruff Europie Machair. South Uist: 136 Grey Plover were on the South Ford this evening. Nb: last night 11 Great Shearwaters were reported from the Oban - Lochboisdale ferry as well as 2 Common Dolphins and a Porpoise. 1st September: Lewis: 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 5 Storm Petrels were seen off the Butt of Lewis. 5 Ruff are scattered around Ness. South Uist: At least 10 Black-tailed Godwits were at Drimsdale this morning, 15 were on Bornish Machair and 76 were at Ardvule. A Chiffchaff was at Bornish. Marine Sightings: A Sunfish and 7 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen off the Butt of Lewis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
