Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2020
January February March April May June July Archive
31st August:
Harris: 200+ Common Scoters and 3 Slavonian Grebes were in the Sound of Taransay this afternoon.
St. Kilda: An adult female Snowy Owl was reported from Hirta.
North Uist: A juvenile Sabine's Gull, 4 Leach's Petrels and a Sooty Shearwater were seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry.
Benbecula: The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper is still in Stinky Bay; also 13 Black-tailed Godwits there.
South Uist: A 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull was in cut fields, south of the Range at West Gerinish. 20+ Arctic Terns were still at Eriskay.
Barra: The Pied Flycatcher is still at Ardmhor. 23 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig this evening.
Insects: 6 Pink-barred Sallow, 1 Treble-bar and a Lunar Underwing were caught in South Glendale last night. At North Loch Eynort 7 Barred Chestnut, 1 Red-line Quaker, 2 Dark Marbled Carpet, 1 Small Autumnal Moth and 10 Pink-barred Sallow were trapped.
Acleris effractana, Barred Chestnut, Lunar Underwing, Red-line Quaker and White Wagtail (John Kemp)
30th August:
Lewis: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Ordais. A juvenile Hen Harrier was over the Butt of Lewis.
Benbecula: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and 8 Black-tailed Godwits were in Stinky Bay this morning.
South Uist: 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers were at Ardivachar and another was off Hebridean Jewellery. A juvenile Cuckoo was at Carnan.
Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was at Ardmhor.
Marine Sightings: 2 Minke Whales were seen off Tiuimpan Head this evening. 3 Basking Sharks were off Brevig.
Curlew Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)
29th August:
Lewis: A Sandwich Tern was off Tong this afternoon.
Harris: 190 Common Scoters and 2 Slavonian Grebes were in the Sound of Taransay.
South Uist: 18 Storm Petrels were seen from the Oban - Lochboisdale ferry.
28th August:
South Uist: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Ardivachar. 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers were in the south bay at Ardvule. 3 Black-tailed Godwits were at Howmore.
Black-tailed Godwit (Steve Duffield)
27th August:
Lewis: 2 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry on the Hebridean side of the Minch.
North Uist: An immature Glaucous Gull was at Loch Sandary. 12 Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald and 9 were on Baleshare.
South Uist: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was off Hebridean Jewellery.
Barra: A Pomarine Skua flew south off Brevig; also a Sooty Shearwater and Storm Petrel off there.
Marine Sightings: A Humpback Whale and several Common Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today.
Insects: 447 moths / 26 species were trapped in South Glendale last night; these included 188 Ear agg, 87 Chevron, 16 Gold Spot, 28 Autumnal Rustic, 8 Heath Rustic, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 1 Black Rustic, 1 Silver Y, 3 Acleris effractana, 1 Acleris variegana and 1 Eudonia angustea.
Black Rustic and Silver Y (John Kemp); Curlew Sandpiper (Joe Newman)
26th August:
Lewis: A Great Shearwater was reported passing Tiumpan Head at 15:00; also 8 Sooty Shearwaters past in the morning.
South Uist: A juvenile Ruff was at Loch Bee. A juvenile Cuckoo was at Carnan.
25th August:
South Uist: The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Insects: 28 species of moth were trapped in Carinish last night including 2 Lesser Yellow Underwings, 2 Pink-barred Sallows and 2 Northern Deep Brown Dart amongst many others.
Northern Deep Brown Dart (Steve Duffield)
24th August:
North Uist: A Little Stint was at Loch Paible.
Benbecula: A Common Sandpiper was at Borve Point.
South Uist: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and 5 Black-tailed Godwits were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. An adult male Red-breasted Flycatcher was trapped in Askernish this morning.
Insects: 234 moths / 31 species were caught on at Eriskay last night and included 55 Autumnal Rustic, 88 Square-spot Rustic, 1 Scotch Annulet, 1 Rustic, 1 Treble-bar, 1 Acleris effractana, 1 Acleris variegana, 1 Cnephasia conspersana, 5 Eana penziana.
In South Glendale 127 Ear moth agg, 39 Autumnal Rustic, 6 Heath Rustic, 1 Convolvulus Hawk-moth and a Small Autumnal Moth were trapped amongst others.
Convolvulus Hawkmoth and Small Autumnal Moth (John Kemp)
23rd August:
North Uist: A Spotted Redshank and 12 Ruff were seen at Loch Paible.
Barra: A Pomarine Skua was seen off Eoligarry in the morning.
22nd August:
North Uist: A Swift was hawing around Carinish this morning. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and 11 Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald.
Benbecula: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was in Stinky Bay; also a Ruff and a Black-tailed Godwit were present. 5 Black-tailed Godwits and a Pink-footed Goose were at Coot Loch.
South Uist: 8 Sooty Shearwaters and 21 Storm Petrels flew past Ardvule between 07:10 - 10:30; also a Great Skua and 367 Manx Shearwaters flew south whilst 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Ruff were present. 3 Ruff were on the South Ford
Barra: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Eoligarry this morning.
Insects: A Setaceous Hebrew Character was trapped in Carinish last night.
Setaceous Hebrew Character, Pink-barred Sallow and Northern Deep Brown Dart (Steve Duffield); Wheatear (John Kemp)
21st August:
Barra: A Spotted Redshank was seen at Traigh Mhor.
20th August:
Harris: 12 Black-tailed Godwits were at Seilebost today.
Benbecula: 2 Swifts were struggling against the wind at Stinky Bay just after midday; also a Black-tailed Godwit there. 4 Black-tailed Godwits were just south of Balivanich.
Barra: 19 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig this evening.
Dark Marbled Carpet (John Kemp)
19th August:
North UIst: 16 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch na Reivil, Hougharry today.
Barra: A Redstart was seen in Castlebay today.
Insects: 980 moths / 63 species were trapped in South Glendale and included 537 Ear agg., 1 Anomalous, 83 Chevron, 6 Striped Twin-spot Carpet, 2 Scotch Annulet, 3 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 1 Brown China-mark, 9 Acleris aspersana, 4 Acleris variegana, 10 Eudonia truncicolella, 4 Eudonia angustea, 1 Eudonia pallida.
228 moths / 29 species were caught at Carnan including 116 Antlers, 8 Dark Barred Twin-spot Carpets, 6 Northern Spinach and a Lempke's Gold Spot amongst many others.
Golden Eagle and Siskin (Steve Duffield)
18th August:
Lewis: 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 12 Storm Petrels were seen from the Butt early this morning.
South Uist: The Spoonbill is still on Loch Bee. 2 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry today.
Marine Sightings: 7 Minke Whales, 10 Risso's Dolphins, hundreds of Common Dolphins, a Basking Shark and lots of Harbour Porpoise were seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry today.
Insects: A total of 1909 moths / 29 species were trapped on Daliburgh machair. This included 602 Ear agg., 739 Flounced Rustic, 161 White-line Dart, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 22 Autumnal Rustic, 3 Hedge Rustic, 83 Crambus perlella, 109 Agriphila tristella, 16 Acleris aspersana, 8 Eana osseana and 3 Cochylis atricapitana.
Northern Deep Brown Dart (John Kemp); Common Dolphins, Minke Whale and Harbour Porpoise (Steve Duffield)
Manx Shearwaters and Sooty Shearwater (Steve Duffield)
17th August:
Lewis: A Pomarine Skua, 3 Sooty Shearwaters and 8 Storm Petrels flew past the Butt this morning. 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew north past Tiumpan Head at 3 pm.
North Uist: A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags by Loch Sandary this afternoon.
South Uist: A juvenile Ruff was on the shore at Ardivachar this morning. The Spoonbill was seen at Loch Bee.
Barra: The Barred Warbler is still at Brevig.
Insects: 629 moths / 56 species were trapped in South Glendale last night. This included 318 Ear agg., 2 Heath Rustic, 4 Neglected Rustic, 1 Minor Shoulder-knot, 2 Autumnal Rustic, 1 Anomalous, 3 Scotch Annulet, 14 Hedge Rustic, 1 Mouse Moth, 1 Beautiful Golden Y, 1 Agonopterix nervosa.
Ruff (Joe Newman); Autumnal Rustic and Beautiful Golden Y (John Kemp)
16th August:
Lewis: 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt this morning.
South Uist: The Spoonbill was at the south-west end of Loch Bee today and a Pink-footed Goose was along the west side
Barra: A Barred Warbler was seen at Breivg.
15th August:
North Uist: 24 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary this aftenoon.
Insects: 647 moths / 49 species were caught in Carinish last night including a Manchester Treble-bar, a Small Fan-footed Wave, a Brown China Mark and 10 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing; amongst many others.
White-tailed Eagle, Small Fan-footed Wave and Manchester Treble-bar (Steve Duffield)
14th August:
North Uist: A Spoonbill was at Loch Sandary in the morning.
South Uist: The Spoonbill was seen at Loch Bee again this evening.
Barra: The adult American Golden Plover was at Eoligarry on the airport beach this evening. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Brevig.
13th August:
North Uist: An immature Glaucous Gull was at Loch Sandary this afternoon. A juvenile, male Ruff was on the shore at Balranald.
South Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on the shore at Kildonan this evening.
Barra: An adult American Golden Plover is on the machair at Traigh Mhor today.
Glaucous Gull and Corn Bunting (Steve Duffield)
12th August:
Lewis: A Rose-coloured Starling was in Shulishader.
Insects: 959 moths and 61 species were caught in Carinish last night including 11 Lempke's Gold Spot, 80 Gold Spot, a Pink-barred Sallow, a Neglected Rustic and micros Agriphila selasella and Evergestis pallidata amongst many others.
Agriphila selasella, Lempke's Gold Spot, Neglected Rustic and Pink-barred Sallow (Steve Duffield)
11th August:
South Uist: 2 Storm Petrels were feeding off Ardvule early this afternoon.
Insects: Moths trapped last night include a Least Yellow Underwing in South Glendale whilst Ypslopha nemorella, Dun-bar and Golden-rod Pug were caught at Loch Eynort.
Hen Harrier (Steve Duffield)
10th August:
North Uist: 2 Black-tailed Godwits were by Loch Sandary this afternoon.
Insects: 841 moths and 56 species were trapped at Carinish last night including 11 Haworth's Minor, 2 Flounced Rustic, a Pebble Prominent, 3 Lesser Yellow Underwing and Alceris rhombana amongst many others.
19 Antler Moth, 1 White-line Dart, 1 Flounced Rustic, 1 Chevron, 1 Gold Spot, 1 Six-striped Rustic, 1 Diamond-back Moth, 1 Scrobipalpa samadensis, 1 Udea lutealis, 9 Crambus perlella, 11 Eana osseana, 3 Eana penziana and 2 Acleris aspersana were caught at Ardvule.
Udea lutealis (John Kemp)
9th August:
North Uist: 2 juvenile Siskins are in Carinish again today.
Insects: 74 moths / 20 species were trapped at Carnan last night including a Gold Spangle, 2 Double Lobed, a Lempke's Gold Spot, Light Arches and an Oblique Carpet amongst others.
78 moths / 13 species were trapped at Druidibeg last night and Included 7 Garden Tiger, 3 Scotch Annulet, 11 Chevron, 11 Chestnut-coloured Carpet, 1 Juniper Pug, 4 Hedge Rustic and 5 Ingrailed Clay.
A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen in Sollas today.
Chestnut-coloured Carpet (John Kemp); Siskin (Steve Duffield); Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Marjorie Kerr)
8th August:
North Uist: 2 Siskins were in Carinish this evening.
Insects: 237 moths / 49 species of moth were trapped in South Glendale last night and included a Fan-footed Wave, Scotch Annulet, 2 Garden Carpet, 12 Chevron, 4 Square-spot Rustic, 1 Haworth’s Minor, 1 Crescent, 4 Scarce Silver Y, 9 Eudonia truncicolella, 1 Eudonia mercurella and a Eucosma campoliliana.
436 moths and 35 species were caught in Carinish including a Dark Marbled Carpet, 2 Lempke's Gold Spot and 3 Flounced Rustic amongst many others.
Eudonia truncicolella (John Kemp); Bog Orchids and Emerald Damselfly (Steve Duffield)
7th August:
Barra: A 2 hour seawatch off Vatersay this afternoon produced 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 1236 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Puffins and 2 Arctic Skuas all going south.
6th August:
South Uist: 2 Black-tailed Godwits were on the shore at Howmore.
Insects: 359 moths / 50 species were trapped in South Glendale last night. These included 3 Scotch Annulet, 4 Chevron, 51 Antler Moth, 1 Rustic, 1 Chestnut-coloured Carpet, 1 Striped Twin-spot Carpet, 4 Lesser Yellow Underwing, 2 Small Fan-footed Wave, 1 Rustic, 1 Notocelia uddmanniana, 1 Eudonia truncicolella, 2 Eudonia mercurella, 2 Eudonia pallida, 1 Pyrausta despicata, 1 Eana penziana.
92 moths and 29 species were trapped at Carnan last night including a Silver Y, Haworth's Minor, 4 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 16 Small Wainscots and 2 Evergestis pallidata.
Black-tailed Godwits (Alan Kennedy); Lesser Yellow Underwing and Pyrausta despicata (John Kemp)
5th August:
South Uist: 4 Sooty Shearwaters and 22 Storm Petrels flew past Ardvule this morning; also 254 Gannets, 39 Fulmars, 509 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Puffins, 5 Black Guillemots, 1 Razorbill, 4 Arctic Terns, 12 Kittiwakes and 3 Great Skuas flew south. A Ruff and 3 Whimbrel were also present.The Spoonbill is still on Loch Bee. 7 Black-tailed Godwits were on the shore at Howmore
Black Guillemot, Bonxie and Ruff (John Kemp)
4th August:
South Uist: The Spoonbill was at the south-west end of Loch Bee.
Black-headed Gull and Redshank (John Kemp)
3rd August:
South Uist: Birds heading south off Ardvule early morning included 8 Kittiwakes, 1 Great Skua, 78 Gannets, 75 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Razorbills and 1 Black Guillemot. A Black-tailed Godwit was on the beach at Howmore.
Manx Shearwater (John Kemp)
2nd August:
South Uist: The Spoonbill was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee again today.
Insects: 581 moths and 34 species were caught in Carinish last night including 3 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 4 Haworth's Minors, an Oblique Carpet and a Rosy Rustic amongst others.
Buzzard (Steve Duffield); Spoonbill (John Kemp); Gannets (Alan Kennedy)
1st August:
North Uist: A Crossbill was at Clachan this morning.
South Uist: 18 Black-tailed Godwits were on the beach at Howmore this morning. The Spoonbill is still in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Insects: 223 moths / 51 species were caught in South Glendale last night. These included 1 Lesser Common Rustic, 2 Rustic, 2 Chevron, 1 Thyme Pug, 3 Wormwood Pugs,1 Barred Rivulet, 2 Small Rivulet,1 Six-striped Rustic, 1 Udea lutealis, 2 Eudonia mercurella, Eudonia murana, Scoparia ambigualis, Aphelia paleana.
Black-tailed Godwits (Alan Kennedy); Lesser Common Rustic and Thyme Pug (John Kemp)