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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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At least 157 Grey Phalaropes have been logged in the Outer Hebrides during October - this is possibly a Scottish record. 31st October: Lewis: Grey Phalarope at Siadar. 7 Waxwings at Marybank this afternoon. North Uist: 4 Waxwings in Lochmaddy, near the petrol pumps and 2 at Bayhead. South Uist: 5 Waxwings breifly in South Glendale this morning, plus 34 Fieldfare there. Brambling at Howmore and 14 Snow Buntings at Drimsdale. Waxwing flew south over Drimsdale just before mid-day.
30th October: Lewis: Grey Phalarope at Siadar. North Uist: Spotted Redshank at Claddach Vallay / Malaclet today. Benbecula: 8 Long-tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff in Balivanich this morning. South Uist: juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper at Balgarva again today. 6 Fieldfare at South Glendale.
29th October: Lewis: Grey Phalarope at Siadar. North Uist: 10 Waxwings at knockquien briefly. South Uist: juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper at Balgarva. 2 Waxwings at Eochar and 3 at Askernish. 3rd year Glaucous Gull on Loch an t-Saile. 4 Slavonian Grebe and an Arctic Tern off Balgarva. 2 Barnacle Geese at Balgarva, 3 Pink-footed Geese and a White-fronted Goose with Greylags at Kilaulay. 10 Snow Buntings at Ardvule. A female Goosander was at Loch an Duin Bhig, Balgarva.
28th October: South Uist: Snow Bunting and at least 20 Whooper Swans flew over Drimsdale in the early morning. 27th October: Harris: 10 Snow Buntings along the main road over the Clisham - 6 near the Maaruig / Renigedale junction and another 4 about half a mile further south. South Uist: A Grey Phalarope was feeding along the tide line at Peninerine.
26th October: Lewis: The following Grey Phalaropes were seen in the north-west: 6 around Bargar Bay, 3 Arnol Bay and 3 Barvas Beach. A female Goosander was at Shawbost. Off the Butt of Lewis 10 Grey Phalaropes were seen in a 3.5 hour sea-watch plus an Arctic Skua, 6 Whooper Swans, 16 Great Northern Divers and 3 juvenile Arctic Terns. Also at the Butt of Lewis were 27 Snow Buntings and 2 Pink-footed Geese. North Uist: A sea-watch off Griminish Point produced: juvenile Sabine's Gull, 20 Grey Phalaropes, Little Auk and a Storm Petrel. There was also Greylag Goose, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, a Red-breasted Mergasner, 12 Red-throated Divers, 61 Great Northern Divers, 22 Fulmars, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 1356 Gannet, 2 Great Skua, an Arctic Skua, 4 Puffin and 2075 Kittiwake (at least 615 1st winters). A Snow Bunting was also on the headland. A Grey Phalarope was also seen at Claddach Kirkibost. A Spotted Redshank was at Claddach Vallay. South Uist: a sea-watch from Ardvule produced 8 Grey Phalarope, 7 Leach's Petrel, 2 Storm Petrel, a Great Skua, 27 Great Northern Divers, 177 Kittiwake and a Brent Goose. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Peninerine.
25th October: South Uist: Grey Phalarope south along the beach at Drimsdale, plus another one the river at Howmore by the bridge. 6 Grey Phalaropes passed Ardvule between 14:45 - 15:45 plus a Leach's Petrel, 15 Great Northern Divers and a Scaup. Adult White-rumped Sandpiper at south end of Gualan sand spit in the evening. 24th October: Lewis: Rough-legged Buzzard at Eoropie. Harris: Spotted Flycatcher still at Ardasaig. North Uist: A 3 hours sea-watch from Griminsh Point: 13 Grey Phalaropes, 40 Kittiwake, 25 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver and 206 Gannet. Benbecula: 4 Grey Phalaropes passed through Stinky Bay between 14:30 - 15:00. South Uist: 4 Grey Phalaropes at Ardvule, 2 south passed the end, plus one feeding along the north side of the peninsula and another flew over.
23rd October: South Uist: adult White-rumped Sandpiper seen briefly at Balgarva again today. 5 Grey Phalaropes seen from Ardivachar. 32 Great Northern Divers and 41 Long-tailed Ducks heading south off Ardvule between 08:20 - 10:30. 22nd October: South Uist: adult White-rumped Sandpiper at Balgarva today. Whinchat at Drimsdale.
21st October: Lewis: 2 Leach's Petrel off Bru and an adult Glaucous Gull at Barvas. North Uist: Little Egret, Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff in Lochmaddy. A sea-watch from Griminish (08:40 - 13:40): 22 Grey Phalaropes, 5 Manx Shearwaters, 6 Fulmar, 1 Great Skua, 1,835 Kittiwakes, 35 Whooper Swans, 100 Brent Geese, Long-tailed Duck, 18 Great Northern Divers, 4 Curlew and 1 Puffin. Lesser Whitethroat at Knockquien. South Uist: 70 Redwing and a Siskin in South Glendale. Barra: Yellow-browed Warbler. 20th October: South Uist: A sea-watch from Ardvule 08:35 - 11:55 - Little Auk and 4 Grey Phalaropes, 42 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 96 Kittiwake, an Arctic Skua, 1 Arctic Tern, 11 Razorbills, 3 Guillemots, 1 Black Guillemot, 8 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 41 Golden Plover and 29 Snipe. Pectoral Sandpiper on the Range at LA2. Juvenile American Golden Plover on the Range (West Gerinish). At least 6 Scaup and White-fronted Geese on West Loch Bee. Other: A group of at least 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins swan south close in-shore to Ardvule at 11:10.
18th October: Lewis: Sea-watching from Arnol produced 5 Grey Phalaropes, 2 Leach's Petrels, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Great Skua and 3 Great Northern Divers. North Uist: A sea-watch from Griminish 08:15 - 14:45 produced: 13 Grey Phalaropes, 3 Leach's Petrels, a 1st winter Little Gull, a Sooty Shearwater, 10 Manx Shearwaters, a Puffin, 93 Great Northern Divers, 3 Red-throated Divers, 54 Long-tailed Duck, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Great Skuas, 16 Arctic Terns and 463 Kittiwake (184 1st winter). South Uist: 2 juvenile American Golden Plovers on the Range. A sea-watch from Ardvule between 08:15 - 10:05 produced 97 Gannets, 23 G N Divers, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Fulmar, 48 Kittiwakes, 10 Razorbills, 25 Long-tailed Duck and 10 Purple Sandpipers. Barra: Yellow-browed Warbler. 17th October: Lewis: American Golden Plover Arnol. 2 Crossbills in the Castle Grounds and 2 Swallows over Stornoway. Benbecula: female / juvenile Scaup on Loch Mor. South Uist: American Golden Plover and at least 4 Pectoral Sandpipers at the south-west end of Loch Bee. Male Blackcap at Howmore.
16th October: Lewis: 2 Leach's Petrels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Great Skua, 1 Great Northern Diver, 34 Brent Geese and a Long-tailed Duck seen from the Butt of Lewis. 4 Snow Buntings at the Butt of Lewis. A 3.5 hour sea-watch from Labost produced a 2nd cal yr. Long-tailed Skua, 4 Grey Phalaropes, 10 Sooty Shearwaters, 14 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Arctic Tern, 2 Great Skua, 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 11 Tufted Duck, 34 Barnacle Geese, 50 Greylags and 6 Whooper Swans. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Bragar. Harris: A pair of Ring-necked Ducks are on a small loch by the side of A859 3 miles south-east of Leverburgh. North Uist: 2 Little Egrets were seen on Ob nan Stearnain, Lochmaddy this morning; also 12 Siskin and a Crossbill in Lochmaddy. South Uist: Red-breasted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff still in Druidibeg Plantation. 'Comic' Tern seen off the Range this morning. Willow Warbler and 40 Redwing in South Glendale. Arrival of Redwings today with small flocks scattered throughout the Uists. Also small number of Whooper Swans moving.
15th October: Lewis: A 2 hour sea-watch from Labost this evening produced a Leach's Petrel and 3 Grey Phalaropes. Little Egret seen this evening from Cross Street, Stornoway. South Uist: 3 Grey Phalaropes passed Ardvule this morning between 09:00 - 11:20. Also 189 Kittiwakes, 4 Arctic Terns (1 ad), 1 Arctic Skua (ad.pale), 25 Barnacle Geese, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 9 G N Divers, 1 R T Diver, 1 Manx, 3 Fulmar, 150 Gannets, 1 Black Guillemot, 6 Razorbills. 5 Pectoral Sandpipers now in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler still at Druidibeg Plantation. Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff at Snishival. Grey Phalarope at Peninerine.
14th October: Harris: Spotted Flycatcher Ardasaig. Chiffchaff and Grey Wagtail Tarbet. Greenland Redpoll and Water Rail Horgabost. Grey Wagtail Bowglass. North Uist: tristis Chiffchaff at Clachan Farm. 2 Little Egrets reported from Lochmaddy. South Uist: Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler and Chiffchaff at Druidibeg plantation. 4 Pectoral Sandpipers and a Ruff in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. Barra: juvenile American Golden Plover Eoligarry. Insects: Black Darter at Druidibeg Plantation.
13th October: Lewis: 'Northern' Treecreeper and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Giosla, Uig. Brambling at Uigen. North Uist: Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Newton House plus around 30 north-western / Greenland redpolls. Yellow-browed Warbler also there. Tristis Chiffchaff at Clachan Farm. A 5 hour sea-watch from Grimonish Point produced the following movement: 7 Scaup, 1 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Divers, 42 Great Northern Divers, 4 Fulmar, 10 Manx Shearwaters, 717 Gannet, at least 4 Grey Phalarope, 4 adult Pomarine Skuas, 342 Kittiwakes (101 1st w), 6 Arctic Tern and 6 Razorbills. South Uist: 77 Whooper Swans and 127 Snipe flew south at Loch Carnan in 3 hours this morning. Lesser Whitethroat Bornish. Grey Phalarope Ardvule in the north bay. Barra: Red-breasted Flycatcher North Bay. Insects: Silver Y and 2 Brindled Ochre trapped at Askernish, South Uist last night.
12th October: Lewis: juvenile American Golden Plover at Siadar. 11 Snow Buntings, 5 Barnacle Geese, 4 pale-bellied Brent Geese, Siskin and 14 Greenland Redpolls Port of Ness / Butt of Lewis. Grey Wagtail and 8 Barnacle Geese Loch Ordais. St. Kilda: White-rumped Sandpiper reported from Hirta. North Uist: Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Lochmaddy. Female Pintail,2 Gadwall and a juvenile Scaup on Loch na Faoileige, Carnach. South Uist: Grey Phalarope south at Ardvule, plus an Arctic Tern. Snow Bunting also at Ardvule. Curlew Sandpiper on the South Ford.
11th October: Lewis: 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese and a male Scaup Arnol. A 2.5 hour sea-watch from Labost in the afternoon produced: 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Grey Phalaropes, 2 Leach's Petrels, 12 Arctic Terns, 2 Great Northern Divers, 4 Arctic Skuas and 1 Bonxie. 10 pale-bellied Brent Geese on Laxdale estuary. Coal Tit in North Tolsta. South Uist: 3 Pectoral Sandpipers south-west end of Loch Bee. Grey Phalarope, 37 Great Northern Divers, 7 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Arctic Tern and 20 Kittiwakes passed Ardvule in 2.5 hours sea-watch this morning. Barra: juvenile American Golden Plover Eoligarry. Yellow-browed Warbler Ardveenish. Insects: Angle Shades found during the day at Drimsdale, South Uist.
10th October: Lewis: 3 Grey Phalaropes on the sea between Bru and Barvas plus 90 Barnacle Geese over. Benbecula: Long-eared Owl on north end of Balivanich airport. 6 pale-bellied Brent Geese on Coot Loch plus 2 in Stinky Bay. Black-tailed Godwit on Loch Fada. South Uist: 42 Great Northern Divers heading south off Ardvule in a 2.5 hours sea-watch this morning. Barra: juvenile American Golden Plover at Eoligarry. 8th October: North Uist: Juvenile Spotted Redshank at Claddach Vallay opposite north end of Committee Road. 500+ Barnacle Geese at Balranald. Benbecula: 3 Jack Snipe on north end of Benbecula airfield. South Uist: juvenile Arctic Tern Smerclate. 2 Curlew Sandpipers on the South Ford.
7th October: Lewis: Fieldfare at Brue. Harris: Black Tern reported from the Sound of Taransay. North Uist: Chiffchaff in Lochmaddy. 7 Crossbills at Langass Lodge. Juvenile Scaup and male Gadwall on Loch an Faoileige, Carnach. Benbecula: 3 Slavonian Grebes and a Long-tailed Duck off Balivanich. South Uist: Chiffchaff at Howmore. Barra: American Golden Plover at Eoligarry. Insects: Red Sword Grass in Stronoway.
6th October: South Uist: 3 Curlew Sandpipers on the South Ford off Hebridean Jewellery. 2 female Pintail at the north end of Loch Bee. Barra: American Golden Plover Eoligarry. Yellow-browed Warbler Ardmore plantation. Other: 100's maybe 1,000,s of By-the-wind-sailors were reported by Troy Scott on Barvas beach, Lewis today. See the following link for more information on the species: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Velellavelella.htm 5th October: Lewis: Siberian Stonechat near Eoropie Tea Rooms. Yellow-browed Warbler Port of Ness and 3 Sooty Shearwaters passed the Butt of Lewis. North Uist: Pechora Pipit still at Knockquien today. South Uist: 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and Long-eared Owl at Loch Carnan. Pectoral Sandpiper Loch Bee. 7 Gadwall on Loch Stilligarry. Chiffchaff at Howmore and Snishival. 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese, Pink-footed Goose and Barnacle Geese at Ardivachar. Barra: Yellow-browed Warbler. Insects: Common Hawker dragonfly at Langass. Other: Dead female Pilot Whale with calf on the beach at Stilligarry, South Uist.
4th October: North Uist: Pechora Pipit at Knockquien today but very elusive. Also Long-eared Owl and Whinchat there. 1,000's of Barnacle Geese moving over the Uists today with over 1,000 seen over Carinish and hundreds seen out to see off Ardivachar after the rain had cleared in the morning. Birds still moving in the evening with around 60 over Nunton. South Uist: Curlew Sandpiper at Balgarva and 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Ardivachar. Barra: Common Rosefinch Garrygall and Yellow-browed Warbler at Ardmore plantation. 3rd October: South Uist: Grey Phalarope at Smerclate this morning. 8 White-fronted Geese flying north, also at Smerclate in the morning. Spotted Flycatcher at Kilpheder and a scattering of Redwings around the island. Yellow-browed Warbler still at Loch Carnan.
2nd October: North Uist: Little Egret in Lochmaddy this morning. Benbecula: 2 Barnacle Geese flew in off the sea at Stinky Bay and 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese on the shoreline there. South Uist: Rough-legged Buzzard Kilpheder - seen on the machair in the evening. Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap at Askernish. Barra: Lesser Yellowlegs seen at Brehvig before flying south.
1st October: North Uist: 1st winter Citrine Wagtail still on the beach at Aird an Runair, Balranald. Little Egret reported from Lochmaddy today. South Uist: Yellow-browed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at the Old School House, Loch Carnan.
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