Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2020
January February March Archive
30th April:
South Uist: A female King Eider was reported with a small group of Eiders in the south bay at Ardvule at 08:40 am although not subsequently. 11 Pink-footed Geese and 10 Greylag Geese heading north-west off Ardvule; also 10 Whimbrel and 15 White Wagtails there. The pair of Pintail and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.
Barra: The Magpie (2nd for Outer Hebrides) is now in Castlebay.
29th April:
Lewis: A Grasshopper Warbler was singing at Newmarket, Stornoway this morning and good numbers of Cuckoos are calling in South Lochs.
North Uist: Sedge Warblers were singing at Claddach Kirkibost and Loch Sandary this morning. 42 Arctic Terns were resting on the rocks at Rubha Raghnail.
Insects: A Great Yellow Bumblebee was seen in Carinish this afternoon.
Great Yellow Bumblebee, Small Tortoiseshell and Green-veined White (Steve Duffield); Puss Moth (Bridget Miller Mundy)
28th April:
North Uist: A male Blackcap was at Claddach Baleshare this morning. A Corncrake was calling at Balemore this afternoon.
South Uist: A Magpie was seen in Daliburgh and also at Ardnamonie. A Corncrake was also calling at Ardnamonie.
Magpie (Heather Beaton)
27th April:
Lewis: 4 Sand Martins were by Sand Street, Stornoway.
North Uist: 15 Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of Whimbrel were on Baleshare this morning. A Cuckoo was seen at Scotvein, Grimsay.
26th April:
Lewis: 2 House Martins were seen in Shulisader.
North Uist: 2 adult Little Gulls flew north-west, before turning south-west towards Balivanich; over the North Ford off Carinish late this afternoon; also 5 Pink-footed Geese were in the area.
Goldfinch (John Love)
25th April:
Lewis: 30+ Pink-footed Geese were in Ness today.
North Uist: 3 Arctic Skuas were on the North Ford off Carinish this afternoon; also 5 Pink-footed Geese in Carinish.
South Uist: 2 Tree Sparrows were still in South Glendale today.
Barra: At least 3 Grasshopper Warblers and several Sedge Warblers were at Brevig today; also an obvious influx of White Wagtails here.
Insects: A Small Tortoiseshell was in Carinish. 2 Peacocks, a Small Tortoiseshell and several Green-veined White butterflies were seen at Carnan.
24th April:
North Uist: An Arctic Skua and 3 Whimbrel flew north-west at Carinish this afternoon.
Benbecula: A 1st yr Little Gull was feeding in Stinky Bay this morning before flying over to Loch Mor; also a Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit were present. 20 Whimbrel were at Griminish and the Little Gull was still on Loch Mor this afternoon. 7 Whimbrels were seen at Borve Point; also lots of White Wagtails around. A Cuckoo was in Torlum.
South Uist: 2 Tree Sparrows, a female Blackcap and a Cuckoo were in South Glendale. The 2nd summer Little Gull was still at Ardvule in the morning along with 20 Whimbrel, a Snow Bunting and 30 White Wagtails. 22 Black-tailed Godwits and a pair of Pintail were on Bornish machair.
Insects: A Dark Sword-grass, Emperor Moth, Hebrew Character, 2 Clouded Drab and 7 Red Chesnut were caught in Carinish last night. 6 Puss Moths, 2 Dark Sword-grass, 3 Clouded Drab, 2 Acleris rufana, 1 Acleris hastiana, 7 Acleris hyemana, 1 Epinotia immundana and an Agonopterix subpropinquella were trapped in South Glendale.
Little Gull (Steve Duffield); Tree Sparrows and Golden Eagle with Ravens (John Kemp); Little Gull (Andrew Stevenson)
Great Northern Diver (Ted)
23rd April:
North Uist: 4 Pink-footed Geese are still in Carinish and a Black-tailed Godwit was also there briefly.
South Uist: A 2nd summer Little Gull was in the south bay at Ardvule. 47 Black-tailed Godwits and a pair of Pintail were on Bornish machair.
Barra: 50 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Brevig in the afternoon and 2 Tree Sparrows were present.
Insects: 55 moths of 9 species were caught in South Glendale last night including: 13 Hebrew Character, 18 Red Chestnut, 1 Early grey, 1 Dark Sword-grass, 1 Puss Moth, 16 Brown Silver-line, 3 Acleris hyemana, 1 Agonopterix subpropinquella and one Eudonia angustea. 10 male Belted Beauties were seen at Mol Greannach, Baleshare today.
Eudonea angustea and Puss Moth (John Kemp); Hen Harrier and Wheatear (Steve Duffield)
22nd April:
North Uist: 8 Black-tailed Godwits were on Baleshare and a Great Skua flew north-west over the island this afternoon.
South Uist: 8 Brent Geese, a Sandwich Tern, 4 Arctic Terns, 12 Whimbrel and 26 White Wagtails were at Ardvule. A female Pintail and 47 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.
Barra: Grasshopper Warbler, House Martin and Siskin new in at Brevig today.
Insects: A male and female Belted Beauty were seen on Baleshare.
Belted Beauty (Steve Duffield)
21st April:
North Uist: A Sedge Warbler was singing in Carinish this evening; also 4 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Swallows were seen. 32 Brent Geese arrived at Bayhead this evening at 19:35.
Benbecula: A 2nd cal yr Ring-billed Gull was in Nunton this morning.
Ring-billed Gull (Steve Duffield)
20th April:
North Uist: 3 Black-tailed Godwits were on Baleshare. 2 Whimbrel and 4 Pink-footed Geese are in Carinish. 25 Arctic Terns and 4 Little Terns were on the North Ford, off Carinish this evening. A Cuckoo was at Ben Risary plantation.
South Uist: An Arctic Skua and 2 Arctic Terns were on the South Ford this afternoon. At Ardvule / Bornish today a Lapland Bunting flew over; whilst 8 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 8 Whimbrel, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 White Wagtails, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Arctic terns and a single Arctic Skua were seen.
Barra: 3 Cuckoos were in Castlebay this morning.
Insects: A Powdered Quaker was trapped in Carinish last night; along with 19 Hebrew Characters and 11 Red Chestnuts. 2 Early Grey, 1 Clouded Drab, 11 Red Chestnut, 30 Hebrew Character, 1 Brown Silver-line, 6 Acleris hyemana and a single Acleris hastiana were caught in South Glendale. A Peacock butterfly was in Carinish again today and the first Green-veined White was also there.
Powdered Quaker (Steve Duffield); Acleris hastiana (John Kemp); Golden Eagle and Kestrel (Steve Duffield)
19th April:
North Uist: The Goldcrest and 2 Pink-footed Geese are still in Carinish. At least 22 Arctic Terns were on the North Ford off Carinish this evening.
Benbecula: A Little Egret was at Loch Fada. 13 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A Brambling was in Carnan this morning.
Barra: The Hawfinch was at Brevig and a Cuckoo was also in the area.
Insects: A Peacock butterfly was seen in Carinish again today.
Shelduck and Willow Warbler (Steve Duffield)
18th April:
North Uist: A Lapland Bunting, 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Rubh' Arnal; also at least 4 Whimbrel, 9 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Little Terns and a few White Wagtails in the area. 2 Common Redpolls, a Goldcrest and 4 Pink-footed Geese were in Carinish. 4 White-fronted Geese were at Claddach Kirkibost.
Barra: The Hawfinch was still in Brevig this morning.
Insects: 3 Hebrew Charcaters and 3 Red Chestnuts were trapped at Carnan last night. 5 male and a female Belted Beauty were seen at Howbeg this afternoon.
Belted Beauty moths (John Love)
17th April:
Lewis: A Blackcap was singing in the Castle Grounds today. 300 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Port of Ness.
North Uist: At least 17 Arctic Terns were on the North Ford off Carinish this evening.
Benbecula: 12 Black-tailed Godwits were in fields west of Loch Mor. 6 Black-tailed Godwits and 9 Pink-footed Geese were on the machair near Coot Loch.
South Uist: 3 redpolls, probably Common were seen at Carnan. 30 Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end of Loch Bee. An Arctic Skua was seen circling over Carnan late afternoon. 3 Whimbrel were at Ardmicheal.
Barra: A Hawfinch was seen in Brevig this evening.
Insects: A Peacock butterfly was seen in Carinish this afternoon. 2 Peacocks were also seen in South Glendale.
Peacock (Steve Duffield)
16th April:
Lewis: At least 500 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Ness this morning and 37 Black-tailed Godwits were on Fivepenny machair.
North Uist: A Chiffchaff was singing in Carinish this morning; also a Swallow and Water Rail there. 5 Arctic Terns, 2 Common Terns and 2 Little Terns were on the North Ford; also a Pink-footed Goose was in Carinish.
South Uist: A Wood Pigeon was at Carnan this morning. 3 Whimbrel, 6 White Wagtails, 2 Sand Martins, a Swallow, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, a pair of Pintail and 60 Brent Geese were at Ardvule / Bornish.
Barra: A Common Sandpiper was seen at Morghan.
Insects: 14 Red Chestnut, 12 Hebrew Character, 1 Early Grey, 2 Brown Silver-line, Acleris hyemana and Agonopterix yeatiana were trapped in South Glendale last night.
Agonopterx yeatiana, Red Chestnut and Brown Silver-line (John Kemp)
15th April:
Large numbers of Redwings are still around.
North Uist: An Arctic Skua flew south-east over Carinish this afternoon; also 3 Whimbrel there aswell as 2 Arctic Terns and a Common Tern over the North Ford.
Benbecula: A White Wagtail was in Balivanich.
South Uist: Around 80 pale-belled Brent Geese were on the South Ford off Carnan this morning. 3 Pink-footed Geese are at Snishival.
Pink-footed Geese (John Love)
14th April:
Lewis: A Glaucous Gull was seen on the beach at North Galson.
North Uist: 90 Barnacle Geese flew north-west over Claddach Baleshare early this morning. 3 Pink-footed Geese were in Carinish this morning.
South Uist: 3 Pink-footed Geese were at Snishival today (and on 12th). 70 pale-bellied Brent Geese were on the shore at Ardivachar today.
Pink-footed Geese (John Love); pale-bellied Brent Geese (Joe Newman)
13th April:
Lewis: A Common Sandpiper was seen in Carloway.
North Uist: 2 Little Terns, an Arctic Tern and a Common Tern are on the North Ford, off Carinish. A Blackcap and Willow Warbler were in a garden in Sollas this morning. 2 Swallows were in Carinish this evening.
South Uist: 63 Barnacle Geese flew north through South Glendale at 07:30 followed by 122 pale-bellied Brent Geese at 12:25; also a Siskin present there.
12th April:
Lewis: A Common Crane was seen in Garrabost today.
North Uist: A Swallow was in Carinish first thing this morning. 2 Little Terns were on the North Ford off Carinish today.
Benbecula: A 3rd cal yr Glaucous Gull, 90+ Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Pintail (2 f, 1 m) were at Loch na Meallaird; also 17 Barnacle Geese flew north there. 40 Black-tailed Godwits were also at Loch Bailfinlay. A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was on Coot Loch. Good numbers of Wheatears and Willow Warblers are around. A Chiffchaff was singing in Uachdar and a Pink-footed Goose was also there.
Little Grebe and Skylark (Steve Duffield)
11th April:
South Uist: A Swallow was seen in Eochar today.
10th April:
North Uist: 360 Barnacle Geese flew north-west over Carinish this morning; also a Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Whimbrel and Pink-footed Goose present. A Willow Warbler was at Claddach Baleshare and 38 Barnacle Geese flew north-west there early morning. Another 80 Barnacle Geese also passed north-westards over Claddach Baleshare around lunchtime.
Benbecula: Over 2,000 Golden Plover were seen between Lionacleit and Borve today; also a Sand Martin was seen in Culla Bay.
South Uist: 170 Barnacle Geese passed Ardivachar this morning.
Insects: 71 moths /8 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 51 Hebrew Characters, 1 Dark Sword-grass, 1 Clouded Drab and 6 Early Grey; plus micro-moths Acleris rufana, 9 Acleris Hyemana, 1 Agonopterix subpropinquella and an Emmelina monodactyla.
Willow Warbler (Steve Duffield); Dark Sword-grass, Clouded Drab, Aleris rufana and Emmelina monodactyla (John Kemp)
9th April:
North Uist: 350 - 400 Barnacle Geese and 4 Pink-footed Geese were at Scolpaig this morning. Hundreds of Redwings were down the west side of North Uist. A Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were at Bayhead. 3 Pink-footed Geese were at Cnoc a Lin. A Common Tern was on the North Ford, off Carinish this afternoon.
South Uist: 6 Pink-footed Geese were in roadside fields at Kilbride today.
8th April:
Benbecula: 3 Pintails (a drake and 2 females) were on Loch na Meallaird.
South Uist: A Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest and 55 Redwings were in South Glendale.
Barra: A Sandwich Tern was seen off Brevig.
Willow Warbler and Goldcrest (John Kemp)
7th April:
Golden Eagle (John Kemp)
6th April:
Benbecula: At least 1 Glossy Ibis is still at Loch Bailfinlay; also 17 Whooper Swans were there.
South Uist: A Red Kite was seen heading north-east towards Stoneybridge waterworks this morning; just north of Mid Loch Ollay.
Marine Sightings: 2 Common Dolphins were found beached at the bottom of South Glendale today. They were still alive and a couple of locals managed to return them to the sea.
Common Dolphins and one of rescuers (John Kemp)
4th April:
Outer Hebrides: Masses of Redwings around at the moment.
Benbecula: 2 Glossy Ibis were seen at Loch Bailfinlay this afternoon.
3rd April:
North Uist: 96 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 24 Whooper Swans were resting at Scolpaig late morning. A Wheatear was seen at Sctovein, Grimsay. A Wheatear was in Carinish. 5 Brent Geese flew west over the North Ford off Carinish this evening.
Benbecula: A Wheatear was seen at Market Stance.
South Uist: 21 Whooper Swans, 43 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 17 Black-tailed Godwits were by Loch Ardvule. 37 Brent Geese flew north past Ardvule; also 3 Wheatears there.
2nd April:
North Uist: 10+ Lesser Redpolls and a male Siskin were in Langass Wood.
Lesser Redpoll (Steve Duffield)