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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 May: Lewis: A Turtle Dove was at Loch Branahuie today. Little Stint and Ruff on Loch Stiapavat. Spotted Flycatcher 1 mile north of Barvas. 2 Sand Martin at North Tolsta. North Uist: A male Bluethroat was seen in song on the moors to the west of the Committee Road early this morning only. A Yellow Wagtail was at Claddach Vallay, plus 2 Wood Pigeons over the plantation there. A Turtle Dove was on Aird an Runair this morning. South Uist: An Iberian Chiffchaff was singing in South Glendale today. If accepted it will be only the second record for Scotland. A Spotted Flycatcher was also in South Glendale and both Spotted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff were at North Loch Eynort. An Osprey flew south over Askernish this afternoon and 2 House Martins were also there. Other: 2 Minke Whales were seen in the mouth of Lochmaddy Bay this evening. Insects: The Painted Lady invasion continues with butterflies noted almost everywhere including over 80 at Ardivachar and over 100 at Ardvule, South Uist today. 10 were noted feeding on Thrift in a 30x30m square at Trumisgarry, North Uist today. Other butterflies included Red Admirals at Loch Eynort and Carnan, South Uist and Small Heath in South Glendale. Silver-Y moths have also arrived in large numbers with many seen during the day today in the Uists. Moth trapping last night produced 2 new species for the islands with a rather worn White Speck found at Ardivachar and a Cinnibar Moth at Drimsdale- both South Uist.
30th May: Lewis: An Alpine Swift was over Brue for 10 minutes this morning before heading north. Green-winged Teal, Little Stint, Black-tailed Godwit and a Sand Martin at Loch Stiapavat. Other Sand Martins were seen at the Butt and Siadar. A Spotted Flycatcher was at the Butt of Lewis whilst a Whinchat and Goosander were at Barvas. North Uist: The Spotted Crake was heard calling throughout the day at Balemore. 2 Swifts were reported over Balranald. South Uist: Drake Ring-necked Duck on the first loch when you turn right from the main road to Loch Eynort. Spotted Flycatcher South Glendale. Insects: Lots of Painted Lady butterflies arriving today with over 10 at Griminish / Callanish, plus others over the Committee Road, North Uist. 23 at Ardivachar this afternoon and 4 at South Glendale, South Uist. 5 were seen at Bayhead this evening and around 300 were estimated at the Butt of Lewis today. Glaucous Shears, Knot Grass and 2 Dark Borcade trapped South Glendale last night. Silver-Y trapped at Ardivachar.
29th May: Lewis: White-fronted Goose still on Loch Branahuie. Benbecula: House Martin and 1st yr Little Gull over Loch Mor this afternoon and in Srinky Bay this morning. South Uist: Drake Ring-necked Duck on the first loch left at the Loch Eynort turning again today. Spotted Flycatcher at South Glendale. Other: A bat, probably a Pipistrelle was seen at Branahuie, Lewis on Wednesday night around 23:30.
28th May: Lewis: A Turtle Dove at Ness today; in the first garden beyond the the social club. Benbecula: 1st yr Little Gull around Stinky Bay - Loch Mor area before heading south this evening. South Uist: A Spotted Crake and Water Rail were heard calling between Drimsdale and Howmore last night. Male Ring-necked Duck on the first loch on the left after taking the Loch Eynort turning. 2 Sand Martins behind Daliburgh Co-op. Whinchat at North Loch Eynort. Insects: Red Admiral at Carnan today. A very late Belted Beauty was trapped at Drimsdale, South Uist last night plus 2 Fox moths and a Poplar Hawkmoth. Moths trapped at South Glendale, South Uist last night included 12 Brown Silver-line, 1 Garden Carpet, 2 Fox Moths, 1 Grey Scalloped Bar, 2 Buff Ermine, 1 Red Chestnut, 7 Knot Grass, 1 Pebble Prominent, 3 Shears, 2 Glaucous Shears, 2 Narrow-winged Pug and a single Broom Moth.
27th May: Lewis: An Osprey at Brue this morning headed off west. Lesser Whitethroat in song at Eisgein Lodge. Greenland White-fronted Geese with Long-tailed Ducks on Loch Branahuie. North Uist: Little Stint and Black-tailed Godwit at Loch Brusda, Berneray. 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 7 Whooper Swans on Loch Sandary. A pair of Whooper Swans have hatched 7 cygnets at Balranald. 2 immature Iceland Gulls on the beach at Aird an Runair. Benbecula: 4 (3 female and a male) Red-necked Phalaropes in Stinky Bay today. Black-tailed Godwit on Loch Mor. South Uist: Drake Ring-necked Duck on Loch Ceann a'Bhaigh - Loch Eynort turning. Insects: 13 Small Heath butterflies recorded in and around South Glendale, South Uist today.
26th May: North Uist: 5 Long-tailed Skuas and a handful of Pomarine Skuas passed Balranald in the morning plus 7 more Poms. passed there in the evening. Benbecula: A female Red-necked Phalarope was feeding along the tide line with Dunlin and Sanderling in Stinky Bay around mid-day. South Uist: Long-tailed Skua passed Ardivachar. The male Ring-necked Duck was reported from a small freshwater loch near the Loch Eynort turning today Insects: A Puss Moth, Grey Scalloped Bar, Dark-barred Twin-spot, Narrow-winged Pug and 5 Brown Silver-lines were trapped at South Glendale last night.
Other:
A Basking Shark was spotted off Aird an Runair this
morning.
25th May: North Uist: Turtle Dove opposite the Bayhead shop this evening. Spotted Crake still calling at Balemore last night. South Uist: Male Ring-necked Duck at North Loch Eynort on the sea this evening just before the car park. 2 Sand Martins at Howmore. 1st yr Glaucous Gull at Ardivachar. Barra: 4 House Martins, 3 Crossbills and 3 Whitethroats on Barra.
24th May: North Uist: A single Long-tailed Skua see heading north passed Aird an Runair today. 2nd summer Glaucous Gull on Vallay / Callernish. 23rd May: North Uist: Turtle Dove by the visitor centre at Balranald this morning (06:30). Male Garganey and Little Stint Loch Bhrusda. At least 295 Long-tailed Skuas passed Aird an Runair today with the majority seen between 11:55 and 14:30 including a flock of 53 over the headland. Also 3 over the A865 at Bayhead at 07:30. Also 38 Pomarine Skuas heading north, 8 Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 4 Common Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck. Little Stint at Aird an Runair. 4 Long-tailed Skuas seen heading north up the Minch from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry at 17:00. South Uist: 4 Long-tailed Skuas and 7 Pomarine Skuas heading north off Ardvule this afternoon. Also 1st summer Iceland Gull, 3 Whimbrel and a male Common Scoter there. A single Long-tailed Skua was off Ardivachar around 12:30 and 2 Pomarine Skuas were off there at 15:00. Cetaceans: 6 Bottle-nosed Dolphins heading north of Ardvule this afternoon. 22nd May: Lewis: Wood Sandpiper at two locations near Geàrraidh Bhàird (South Lochs) today. Red-necked Phalarope again at Loch Barvas. Harris: 4 male Goosanders in North Harris. 42 Great Northern Divers in the Sound of Taransay. Common Redpoll at Northton. North Uist: Spotted Crake calling at Balemore (2 am) this morning. Female Redstart at Knockintorran today. 5 Pomarine Skuas and a Long-tailed Skua passed Aird an Runair (06:00 - 08:00). Little Stint, male Garganey and Black-tailed Godwit at Loch Bhrusda, Berneray today. Benbecula: Female Redstart at St. Mary's church, Griminish this morning. Other: Basking Shark in Lochmaddy Bay last night. Insects: Small Tortoiseshell at Carnan, South Uist today. 10 Four-spotted Chasers and 50 Large Red Damselflies at Druidibeg this afternoon.
21st May: Lewis: Male Snow Bunting at the Butt of Lewis. St. Kilda: Adult male Snowy Owl on Hirta. North Uist: 19 Pomarine Skuas and 11 Long-tailed Skuas passed Aird an Runair up until 12:30 today (most in the late morning); plus 12 Pomarine Skuas and 7 Long-tailed Skuas 19:00 - 21:00. Summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper also at Aird an Runair. 7 Whooper Swans still on Loch Sandary.
20th May: Lewis: Red-necked Phalarope moving between Loch Barvas and Bru. Also 11 Whimbrel, 29 Swallows, 2 House Martins and a Swift in the area. Barra: 2 male Common Scoter in the Sound of Barra (close to Barra). Garden Warbler and male Whitethroat singing at North Bay. Whitethroat singing at Brevig.
19th May: Lewis: Curlew Sandpiper at Arnol beach. North Uist: House Martin at Ahmore. Pomarine Skua passed Aird an Runair today. South Uist: House Martin over North Bay. Insects: Four-spotted Chaser seen today in east Benbecula and one yesterday at North Loch Eynort. Belted Beauty, Puss Moth, 2 Knot Grass, Dark-barred Twin-spot and Flame Carpet trapped at Drimsdale, South Uist last night. 18th May: Lewis: Pied Flycatcher at South Lochs. Whitethroat and 2 singing Grasshopper Warblers west of Gravir. Pair of Long-tailed Tits in the Castle Grounds. North Uist: A single Long-tailed Skua was seen heading north off Aird an Runair this morning. South Uist: Male Golden Oriole at North Loch Eynort; 2 Crossbills flew east over the moorland this morning and 4 others reported from there in the afternoon. A Marsh Harrier was seen heading west at Loch Eynort and then again this evening at 21:00 dropping down towards Kildonan Glen from Bornish. Long-tailed Skua and 7 Arctic Skuas passed Ardivachar this afternoon. Little Stint seen in the south bay at Ardvule and 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese in the north bay. 2 Common Redpolls and a Chiffchaff at Snishival. Spotted Flycatcher at South Glendale and Whitethroat at Ludag. Insects: Small Heath butterfly at North Loch Eynort. Clouded-bordered Brindle, Emperor Moth, 3 Flame Carpet, 4 Red Chestnut and a Puss Moth trapped last night at Carnan, South Uist..
17th May: Lewis: Pied Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff at North Tolsta today. Pied Flycatcher at Port of Ness. North Uist: House Martin and pale-bellied Brent Goose at Balranald. 6 Pink-footed Geese at Hougharry. Chiffchaff at Callernish and Barnacle Goose on Vallay. Swift at Balemore and 2 x 2nd yr Iceland Gulls at Kyles Paible. Benbecula: Northern Eider showing characteristics of borealis at Stinky Bay again today. House Martin at Coot Loch. South Uist: Male Blackcap at South Glendale. 2 Swifts over Kildonan. Insects: Small Heath at South Glendale.
16th May: Lewis: 10 Dotterel on Europie Machair and male Green-winged Teal at Loch Stiapavat. Benbecula: A 'Northern' type Eider in Stinky Bay this afternoon. 4 Swifts over Griminish. South Uist: Spotted Flycatcher at Askernish and 2 Swift over Daliburgh this morning. 4 Dotterel at Daliburgh in the late afternoon - flew in from somewhere to the north; plus a Marsh Harrier also in the same area during the afternoon. Siskin at South Glendale.
15th May: Lewis: A male Bluethroat was in a garden at Valtos today. A Whinchat around Loch Airigh na Lic today and the Coot was seen again yesterday 700 m west of the same loch. Benbecula: 1st summer Little Gull on Loch Fada. South Uist: 4 Dotterel just north of Daliburgh Cemetery again today. 4 House Martins and 4 Sand Martins on the loch behind Daliburgh Co-op. 2 House Martins and 10 Siskins at South Glendale. 2 House Martins at Snishival this morning and 2 Sand Martins north at Peninerine. A single Swift seen at Druidibeg this morning. Black-tailed Godwit at West Gerinish. Insects: Sweet Gale Moth, Puss Moth, Grey Scalloped Bar, 12 Red Chestnut, 1 Glaucous Shears, 1 Knotgrass, 1 Pebble Prominent, 1 Brown Silver-line and 1 Flame Carpet trapped at South Glendale last night.
14th May: Lewis: Grasshopper Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher in the Castle Grounds, Stornoway. North Uist: Bluethroat at Clachan Farm today, plus 6 Wood Pigeons there. Tree Pipit at Aird an Runair and Carrion Crow at Balranald visitor centre. A male Whitethroat and 2nd summer Glaucous Gull at Scolpaig. South Uist: 4 Dotterel at Daliburgh - just north of the cemetery. 5 Sand Martins and 2 Swift at Boisdale this morning. Insects: Painted Lady at Aird an Runair. 36 Red Chestnut, 4 Puss Moths, 2 Brown Silver-line, 3 Glaucous Shears, 1 Hebrew Character and a probable Common Pug trapped at South Glendale last night. White Ermine found at Ardivachar today.
13th May: Lewis: Spotted Redshank at Loch Ordais. 12 Dotterel on Europie Machair and Green-winged Teal still on Loch Stiapavat. Iceland Gull also at Europie in the morning. 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese at Steinish and a Whinchat there. South Uist: 2 Avocets still on the Howmore river in the morning but apparently absent in the evening. Whitethroat on Eriskay. 3 House Martins, a Whinchat and a Siskin at South Glendale. Swift and House Martin at Smerclate. 2 House Martins at Grogarry. 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ardvule. 2 Black-tailed Godwits at West Gerinish and a Swift there briefly. Insects: Peacock on Eriskay, a Red Admiral at Grogarry and a Small Tortoiseshell at Howmore, South Uist. Glaucous Shears trapped at South Glendale last night.
12th May: North Uist: A Fieldfare seen on the east side of Blathaisbhal today. 3 Siskins in the Ben Risary plantation. South Uist: House Martins were seen over Loch an Eilean, South Boisdale and one at Grogarry this morning. Black-tailed Godwit also at Grogarry and 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese at Balgarva. Chiffchaff at Drimsdale this morning and a Siskin at South Glendale. 2 Avocets this evening feeding on the Howmore River as well as a Black-tailed Godwit there. Insects: Large Red Damselfies have started emerging over the last two days and have been seen in east Benbecula and at Loch Skipport, South Uist. 19 Red Chestnuts, 2 Puss moths and a Hebrew Character were trapped at South Glendale last night. Other: 2 Harbour Porpoise seen in the Sound of Pabbay from the west side of Berneray.
11th May: Lewis: 2 Cranes seen heading over Sandwick towards Steinish were seen in Garrabost in the evening. Grasshopper Warbler singing in the Castle Grounds between the Sawmill and Lew's Castle; also 2 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff in the trees by the college. North Uist: Hordes of Wheatears on the Uists today with 42 in the south-east part of Ben Risary plantation alone. Siskin and 2 Lesser Redpolls at Carinish. Benbecula: Male Garganey on Loch Mor. South Uist: Wood Warbler singing at Grogarry Lodge, plus 12 Whimbrel nearby. Wood Pigeon at Druidibeg. Barnacle Goose on Loch Ardvule. Insects: Puss moth seen at South Glendale as well as 2 seen mating at North Loch Eynort today. Other: Minke Whale swimming north outside Lochmaddy bay this afternoon and a large Basking Shark in the bay in the evening.
10th May: Lewis: Waxwing at Bragar. Glaucous Gull at Mealasta and Iceland Gull at Loch Barvas. A Coot 700 m west of Loch Airigh na Lic, Stornoway. North Uist: Male Garganey still on Loch Sandary along with 12 Whooper Swans and 14 Whimbrel. Common Redpoll at Balranald. 1 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Barnacle Geese and a 1st yr Iceland Gull at Griminish. Benbecula: 8 Whimbrel on Torlum Machair. South Uist: 19 Whimbrel at Smerclate. Cetaceans: Minke Whale east of Tiumpan Head.
9th May: Lewis: A Green-winged Teal was on Loch Stiapavat this morning. North Uist: Sea-watching from Aird an Runair was pretty quiet this morning although a Long-tailed Skua and around 30 Pomarine Skuas flew north before 10:30 as well as a single Leach's Petrel and 40 Brent Geese. Male Garganey on Loch Sandary. Benbecula: 32 Whimbrel in Grimsay Island. 6 Whimbrel on Torlum Machair plus a 2nd summer Iceland Gull. South Uist: 5 pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ardvule.
8th May: Lewis: Snowy Owl reported from Mangaster.2nd cal year Glaucous Gull and 2 x 2nd cal year Iceland Gulls Stornoway Harbour. 55 Whimbrel at Loch Branahuie. North Uist: 65 Pomarine Skuas, 11 Arctic Skuas and 9 Great Skuas passed Aird an Runair (07:00 - 12:00); plus 62 Brent Geese, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 17 Whimbrel and 16 Knot. Male Garganey and 12 Whooper Swans on Loch Sandary. 2 Leach's Petrels were also off Aird an Runair in the evening. Benbecula: 10 Whimbrel at Aird and an Iceland Gull in Stinky Bay. South Uist: 4 Leach's Petrels, 9 Pomarine Skuas, 6 Arctic Skuas and 4 Great Skuas passed Ardvule this morning. Brent Goose on the Range at Eochar. Male Scaup at Carnan creak. 11 pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ardivachar, plus 6 Whimbrel there.
Insects: Great Yellow Bumblebee at Kilbride, South Uist today. 7th May: Lewis: Iceland Gull at Steinish. 2nd cal year Iceland Gull at the Butt of Lewis, plus a Brent Goose and 17 Whimbrel. North Uist: 54 Long-tailed Skuas, passed Aird an Runair, including a flock of 29 (most in the evening); also passed: 166 Pomarine Skuas and 4 Leach's Petrels. Visibility was severely hampered by south-westerly winds at storm force 11 so many (113) of the skuas were un-identified in the morning. South Uist: 8 Whimbrel at Ardvule. Single Pomarine Skua also at Ardvule and a male Pintail on Loch Ardvule. 6th May: Lewis: A Hawfinch was reported to be visiting a bird table in Garrabost today (since 2nd May). Whitethroat singing between Marbank and the tyre dump, Stornoway. 470 Ravens leaving the rubbish dump to roost in the late evening. North Uist: 69 Long-tailed Skuas and 255 Pomarine Skuas north passed Aird an Runair between16:30 and 21:30 (after the rain had cleared). Benbecula: 18 White Wagtails along the airport beach this afternoon and 2 Iceland Gulls (1st yr and 2nd summer) in Stinky Bay. South Uist: 10 Pomarine Skuas passed Ardivachar this evening.
5th May: North Uist: 108 Pomarine Skuas and 3 Long-tailed Skuas flew north passed Aird an Runair; the majority of which were in the evening. South Uist: 1st yr Iceland Gull at Ardivachar. Female Snow Bunting and 8 Whimbrel at Howmore
4th May: Lewis: 11 Siskins and a Blackcap around Willowglen, Stornoway. A single Lapland Bunting was flushed from moorland 4 miles WSW of Stornoway. North Uist: Passage off Aird an Runair today included 2 Long-tailed Skuas and 237 Pomarine Skuas. Movement picked up after 15:00 with the passing of a weather front and the winds swinging from the south-west to the west with brighter conditions. Benbecula: 7 Whimbrel on Torlum machair plus a pale-bellied Brent Goose at Borve Point. South Uist: 1st summer Iceland Gull north over Drimsdale this morning. Female Dotterel on the Range. 2 x 1st yr Iceland Gulls at Ardivachar. 7 Whimbrel at Carnan and 15 in roadside fields at Grogarry. A single Greenland White-fronted Goose in a flock of Greylag Geese at Balgarva.
3rd May: Lewis: 2 x 2nd cal year Iceland Gulls in Stornoway Harbour. 29 Pomarine Skuas north passed Mangersta between 06:30 - 15:30. North Uist: 161 Pomarine Skuas north passed Aird an Runair between 06:30 - 13:00 with another 52 picked up during the afternoon / evening. Also 2 Common Scoter, 6 Whimbrel and a handful of Great and Arctic Skuas. 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew out towards the Monachs. 12 Whooper Swans at Loch Sandary. South Uist: 1st yr Iceland Gull at Ardivachar and 9 White Wagtails at the south end of Loch Bee. House Martin at South Glendale this morning. 18 pale-bellied Brent Geese at Kilpheder. 3 Sand Martins still on the loch behind Daliburgh Co-op this evening. Other: A Basking Shark was seen off Mangersta.
2nd May: Lewis: 27 Whimbrel, 2 x 2nd cal year Iceland Gulls, 50 Pink-footed Geese and 4 pale-bellied Brent Geese at the Butt of Lewis. 2 x 2nd cal year Iceland Gulls at Stornoway Pier. North Uist: 23 Pomarine Skuas north passed Aird an Runair between 07:00 - 09:00, plus another 2 at 10:00. Also at least 24 Whimbrel north here. 1st yr Glaucous Gull at Loch Sandary. South Uist: 24 Whimbrel on the machair at Drimsdale. 3 Sand Martins and 16 Swallows over Loch nan Clacha-mora, behind Daliburgh Co-op. Another Sand Martin at Orosay. Female Dotterel on the Range. 1st May: Benbecula: Pair of Goosanders reported from Loch na Steapa, near Hacklet. South Uist: 96 pale-bellied Brent Geese flying north off Ardvule at 10:55 plus 7 Whimbrel there. 1st year Iceland Gull and 3 Whimbrel on Eochar Machair. |
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