2016
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.
30th September:
North Uist: A Grey Phalarope, 3 Arctic Skuas and 2 Bonxies were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry this morning.
South Uist: The Yellow-browed Warbler is still at North Loch Eynort. A Little Egret was by Hebridean Jewellery this evening.
Barra: The Eastern Kingbird was still present early morning and showing well in the garden opposite St. Barr's Cemetery until around 14:50 when it flew off high north and was lost. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Creachan and 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Traigh Mor.
Marine Sightings: Around 12 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were in the Sound of Barra just off Eriskay late this afternoon. A pod of Common Dolphins were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry this morning.
Eastern Kingbird and Bottle-nosed Dolphins (Steve Duffield)
29th September:
Lewis: Around 450 Pink-footed Geese (in 3 skeins) were seen heading over Point / Stornoway between 08:00 - 09:00 today. 2 Leach's Petrels were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today. The Barred Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler are still in Port of Ness.
Harris: A 1st winter Red-backed Shrike was at Luskentyre.
South Uist: Southerly passage at Ardvule this morning included 267 Gannets, 57 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Northern Divers, 7 Fulmars, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Leach's Petrels (one taken by a Peregrine), 1 Common Scoter (female), 3 Scaup (males), 157 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 20 Arctic Terns, 16 Kittiwakes and 5 Black Guillemots. Loch Bornish area had a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Pintail and a Lapland Bunting. 300 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Loch Bee at 10:00 am. Also several other flocks of between 50 - 100 were seen heading south off South Uist during the day. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at North Loch Eynort. A Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were at Howmore. At least 40 Lapland Buntings were on Eochar machair.
Barra: An Eastern Kingbird was found at Eoligarry late this afternoon and was still in the area at dusk. A juvenile American Golden Plover was on the beach at Cleat. A Common Rosefinch and Barred Warbler were at Ardveenish today.
American Golden Plover (Clive Saunders); Peregrine with Leach's Petrel (John Kemp)
28th September:
Lewis: A Yellow-billed Cuckoo is in South Dell (NB490609). A Barred Warbler and a Yellow-browed Warbler were at Port of Ness today. 3 Lapland and 6 Snow Buntings, 6 Pinkfeet landed briefly, 7 Wheatears and Whimbrel heard at the Butt of Lewis this morning. Several flocks Pinkfeet over South Dell.
North Uist: At least 12 Lapland Buntings were at Balranald. 27 Brent Geese were at Grenitote.
South Uist: 94 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Northern Divers, 48 Pale-bellied Brent, 42 Tufted Duck and a Great Skua flew south at Ardvule this morning. A Lapland Bunting was on Bornish machair.
Barra: A Turtle Dove was in North Bay briefly this morning and a Dipper was at Brevig.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Tony Marr)
27th September:
Lewis: A Red-necked Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe were on Loch Branahuie.
North Uist: 9 pale-bellied Brent Geese landed on the headland at Balranald around 11:30 today.
South Uist: Southerly passage at Ardvule today included 1,526 Gannets, 39 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Northern Divers, 3 Fulmars, 23 Manx Shearwaters, 9 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Storm Petrels, 3 Leach's Petrels (one taken by a Peregrine), 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 29 Kittiwakes, 9 Arctic Terns, 1 Black Tern juv, 34 Razorbills, 26 Guillemots, 56 Auk sp, 108 Golden Plover in off sea, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 1 Grey Phalarope, 25 Pale-bellied Brents, 3 Common Scoter and 1 Surf Scoter juv. 160 pale-bellied Brent Geese also flew south over the base of Ardvule just before midday. 2 Sooty Shearwaters were lingering off Ardivachar in the late afternoon. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Balgarva.
Barra: 7 Leach's Petrels, A Grey Phalarope and a Sooty Shearwater flew past today.
Insects: 3 Angle Shades, Brindled Ochre, Pink-barred Sallow and an Acleris variegana. were caught in South Glendale last night.
Leach's Petrel and Surf Scoter (John Kemp)
26th September:
Lewis: 5 Snow Buntings flew south-west over the Butt this morning. 2 Blackcaps,a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were in Port of Ness. A Ruff was at Loch Stiapabhat and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were on the machair. A Pied Flycatcher, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were at Borve Pottery.
North Uist: The Common Crane was at the south end of Balranald in stubble to the west of Loch Paible today.
Benbecula: A 1st winter Citrine Wagtail was in fields opposite Stinky Bay.
South Uist: A male Blackcap was in Bornish. 7 Lapland Buntings were at Frobost and 4 were at Bornish machair.
Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Brevig. Common Rosefinch were at Nasg and Glen. A Barred Warbler was at Garrgall.
Peregrine (John Kemp); Pied Flycatcher (Tony Marr); Citrine Wagtail (Steve Duffield)
25th September:
South Uist: The Swainson's Thrush was seen at Bornish again today (first garden on your left when you turn off the main road south). A juvenile - 1st winter Red-necked Phalarope, Pectoral Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and 6 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Range at West Gerinish. Southerly passage off Ardvule this morning included 422 Gannets, 59 Red-throated Divers, 1 Black-throated Diver, 5 Great Northern Divers, 9 Fulmars, 27 Manx Shearwaters, 9 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Storm Petrels, 4 Great Skuas, 3 Arctic Terns, 21 Kittiwakes, 41 Razorbills, 43 Guillemots and 49 Auks sp.
Red-necked Phalarope (Steve Duffield); Black-throated Diver and Pectoral Sandpiper (John Kemp)
24th September:
South Uist: The Swainson's Thrush is still in Bornish.
Barra: The Pied Flycatcher is still in North Bay.
23rd September:
North Uist: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Paible and a Common Crane was at the southern end of Balranald machair (visible from Loch Paible).
South Uist: The Swainson's Thrush in Bornich was seen again in this morning. At Ardvule a southerly passage included 369 Gannets, 21 Red-throated Divers, 18 Great Northern Divers, 2 Fulmars, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 20 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Kittiwakes, 1 Arctic Skua, 9 Great Skuas, 28 Razorbills, 12 Guillemots, 41 Auk sp and 1 Black Guillemot.
Barra: A Grey Phalarope landed in the co-op car park in Castle Bay for a few minutes.
Grey Phalarope (Clive Saunders); Peregrine (John Kemp)
22nd September:
Lewis: 28 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Ness this afternoon.
South Uist: A Swainson's Thrush is in Bornish. 10 Great Northern Divers, 23 Red-throated Divers, 344 Gannets, 26 Razorbills, 4 Guillemots, 1 Black Guillemot, 54 Auks sp, 1 Common Tern, 35 Kittiwakes and 1 Arctic Skua flew south at Ardvule this morning while a Slavonian Grebe flew north.
Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was in North Bay today.
Swainson's Thrush (Steve Duffield); Great Northern Diver (John Kemp)
21st September:
North Uist: The adult American Golden Plover was seen on Berneray again today.
20th September:
North Uist: An adult American Golden Plover was on Borve machair, Berneray this morning along with a Ruff. 30+ Lapland Buntings were at the north end of Berneray and at least 20 were at Balranald.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 15 - 20 Lapland Buntings were at Ormiclate.
Barra: 4 Lapland Buntings were at Eoligarry and a Sooty Shearwater was off Brevig.
American Golden Plover (Steve Duffield)
19th September:
Lewis: 2 north-western redpolls were in Ness today along with 8 Lapland Buntings at the Butt and another at Port of Ness.
Benbecula: 3 Pintail flew south over Liniclate machair this evening.
South Uist: An adult summer Sabine's Gull was resting with Common Gulls along the Gualan, off Balgarva late this morning. 2 juvenile Black Terns, an adult Pomarine Skua, a Sooty Shearwater , 12 Great Northern Divers, 59 Red-throated Divers, 148 Gannets, 2 Fulmars, 28 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Razorbills, 5 Guillemots, 24 Kittiwakes, an Arctic Skua and a Great Skua headed south off Ardvule this morning. A Lapland Bunting flew south-west at Loch Carnan this morning. Curlew Sandpipers included birds at Balgarva, Ardivachar and North Bay with 2 Lapland Bunting also over the latter site.
Barra: The Barred Warbler was still at Garrygall and a Lapland Bunting flew over. Also a Whitethroat and Blackcap were new in.
Curlew Sandpiper (John Kemp)
18th September:
South Uist: 2 Lapland Buntings were at West Gerinish.
Barra: A Barred Warbler was at Garrygall this afternoon and a Lapland Bunting was at Eoligarry.
17th September:
North Uist: 3 Ruff and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Borve, Berneray today.
Benbecula: At least 60 Black-tailed Godwits were at Griminish.
16th September:
Lewis: 14 Lapland Buntings were at the Butt.
Benbecula: At least 40 Black-tailed Godwits were in Stinky Bay.
South Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Eochar machair, south-east of Kilaulay again today along with a Curlew Sandpiper and a couple of Lapland Buntings. 120 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Ruff were at West Gerinish. 72 Black-tailed Godwits flew south at Boisdale this morning.
Lapland Bunting (Tony Marr); Peregrine, Sand Martin and Swallow (John Kemp)
15th September:
Lewis: 35 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Branahuie today.
North Uist: 40 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Carinish this morning; also a Goldcrest and Willow Warbler in a garden there. A juvenile Sabine's Gull was seen amongst a roosting flock of Kittiwakes at the head of Lochmaddy Bay.
South Uist: The Pectoral Sandpiper was still on the Range today. A brief visit to Ardvule in the morning produced 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Storm Petrel heading south.
Insects: 309 moths of 13 species were caught in Carinish last night including Silver Y and Rush Veneeer.
14th September:
Lewis: 300 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today.
North Uist: 3 Curlew Sandpipers were seen on Baleshare. 19 Common Scoters were seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 2 Ruff and 3 Lapland Buntings were seen at Kilaulay. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at West Gerinsh (where it flew south) and at least 100 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel and a 4 Lapland Buntings were in the area.
Insects: A Grey Pine Carpet, Barred Chestnut and Pink-barred Sallow were trapped at Loch Eynort last night.
Grey Pine Carpet (John Kemp)
13th September:
Lewis: A Pectoral Sandpiper and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper were seen at Loch Stiapabhat today.
North Uist: A juvenile Little Stint was at Northton.
North Uist: A Barred Warbler was at Claddach Baleshare and a Lapland Bunting was at Baleshare. 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper were at Borve, Berneray; also a Lapland Bunting over.
Benbecula: The Common Crane was seen flying over Coot Loch towards Torlum.
South Uist: A Lapland Bunting was over the moor south of Loch Carnan this morning and 9 were near Boisdale. 3 Brent Geese were at Smerclate and 13 were at Kilpheder. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on the south part of the Range today. 3 Lapland Buntings were west of Carnan. A Little Stint was off Hebridean Jewellery.
Insects: A Vestal was trapped in South Glendale last night along with 65 Small Wainscot, 4 Lunar Underwing, 3 Red-line Quaker, 2 Angle Shades and micro-moths Acleris variegana, Acleris caledoniana, Epinotia caprana and Depressaria radiella. 171 moths and 20 species were trapped on Eriskay which included 91 Red-line Quaker, 1 Lunar Underwing, 6 Mouse Moth and micro-moths 4 Depressaria badiella, Depressaria radiella, 2 Agonopterix yeatiana, 2 Acleris laterana and 2 Acleris effractana. 2 Angle Shades and 2 Silver Y moths were caught in Carinish. A Rush Venveer was seen on Baleshare. A Painted Lady was in Carinish this evening.
Vestal, Red-line Quaker and Acleris laterana (John Kemp)
12th September:
Lewis: A Grey Phalarope was feeding at a roadside pool near the Butt lighthouse; aslo 4 Lapland Buntings were in the area. 25 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruff and a juvenile Little Stint were at Loch Stiapabhat, plus a Pectoral Sandpiper there in the evening. A Grey Phalarope was at Siadar today
North Uist: A Lapland Bunting flew over Carinish today.
Benbecula: A Slavonian Grebe is off Balivanich. 170+ Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff were at Liniclate.
South Uist: 96 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Arctic Tern, 5 Great Skuas and a Whimbrel flew south at Ardvule this morning. 5 Lapland Buntings and 1 Ruff were on Bornish machair.
Grey Phalarope and Lapland Bunting (Tony Marr)
11th September:
Lewis: 35 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Stiapabhat this morning. The adult Lesser Yellowlegs is still at Steinis today.
Harris: A Curlew Sandpiper, a Ruff and 2+ Lapland Buntings were at Northton.
Benbecula: At least 33 Black-tailed Godwits were on Liniclate machair.
South Uist: Southerly passage off Ardvule this morning included 334 Gannets, 3 Great Northern Divers, 7 Red-throated Divers, 242 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Storm Petrel, 3 Leach's Petrels, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Tern, 25 Kittiwakes, 18 Razorbills, 4 Guillemots and 1 Grey Phalarope. 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and a Lapland Bunting were at West Gerinish.
Black-tailed Godwit (Steve Duffield)
10th September:
Lewis: An adult Lesser Yellowlegs is at Steinis. 45 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today. The Little Egret was still on Loch Stiapabhat today and 6 Lapland Buntings were south-west of the lighthouse at the Butt.
North Uist: 7 Lapland Buntings were on Grenitote machair.
South Uist: A seawatch at Ardvule this morning produced 2 juvenile Sabine's Gull (together), a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, Pomarine Skua, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 453 Manx Shearwaters, a Puffin, 27 Razorbills, 2 Arctic Terns, 4 Great Northern Divers, 6 Red-throated Divers and a Black-throated Diver heading south. 12 Brent Geese were on the north side of Ardvule. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Stoneybridge. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrel and 2 Lapland Buntings were at West Gerinish. 17 Brent Geese were at Balgarva.
Barra: Pied Flycatchers were at Cuithir and Brevig. A 2 hour seawatch off the west side of Vatersay this afternoon produced 14 Sooty Shearwaters, 4,500 Manx Shearwaters and 3 Bonxies.
Long-tailed Skua (John Kemp); Brent Geese and Whooper Swans (Steve Duffield)
9th September:
Lewis: 12 Lapland Buntings were on the cliff top by the lighthouse at the Butt this morning. A Little Egret, Little Stint and 35 Black-tailed Godwits are at Loch Stiapabhat. 2 Ruff were at Lionel.
North Uist: A juvenile American Golden Plover was seen in flight at Aird an Runair along with 4 Lapland Buntings. A juvenile American Golden Plover was in fields at Balemore along with 4 Ruff.
South Uist: There was a southerly passage of 308 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Storm Petrel, 2 Arctic Terns, 2 Arctic Skuas and 5 Great Northern Divers at Ardvule this morning. 6 Brent Geese flew south at Boisdale.
Barra: A Garden Warbler and Pied Flycatcher were at Brevig today. A Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, 9 Bonxies, 5 Arctic Terns and 8 Sooty Shearwaters flew south off Leinis this afternoon.
8th September:
Lewis: The juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs and a Little Stint were at Loch Stiapabhat this morning. A Little Egret was at Loch Stiapabhat in the afternoon although no sign of the yellowlegs. 82 Sooty Shearwaters past the Butt (08:30 - 09:00) and a Swift was seen. A juvenile Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Loch Ordais. A Leach's Petrel, 30 Sooty Shearwaters and a Pomarine Skua were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry.
North Uist: A Lapland Bunting, 10 Black-tailed Godwits and around 4 Ruff were at Grenitote today. A juvenile American Golden Plover was at Aird an Runair in the morning although it flew off south. 2 Lapland Buntings were also at Aird an Runair.
South Uist: 2 Ruff were on Bornish machair. 3 Black-tailed Gowits were at Peninerine. A Curlew Sandpiper was at the south-west corner of Loch Bee with another 3 at Balgarva.
Barra: A Lapland Bunting and 7 Brent Geese were at Allasdale this morning. 30 Brent Geese flew south past Brevig this morning. A Ruff was at Traigh Mhor. A southerly movement of around 120 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen during the day.
Curlew Sandpiper (John Kemp)
7th September:
Lewis: An adult American Golden Plover is half a mile south-west of the Butt lighthouse and 915 Sooty Shearwaters flew past (08:30 - 11:30). A Lesser Yellowlegs was at Loch Stiapabhat this afternoon. Also 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Ruff and a Lapland Bunting were in the area.
North Uist: Around 30 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Ruff were on Baleshare this afternoon. 70 - 80 Brent Geese were at Sollas today.
South Uist: A Baird's Sandpiper was on the shore at Boisdale today; also a Whimbrel, 11 Black-tailed Godwits and 31 Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading south there.
Barra: A Pink-footed Goose was at Scurrival today. 19 Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor. A new Pied Flycatcher was at Brevig with good numbers of Wheatears on the island.
Insects: 412 moths and 35 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 4 Lunar Underwing, 2 Angle Shades, 2 Pink-barred Sallow, 5 Mouse Moth, 1 Hedge Rustic, 17 Heath Rustic, 2 Small Autumnal Moths, 1 Chestnut-coloured Carpet, 2 Striped Twin-spot Carpet and micro-moths Depressaria radiella, 13 Epinotia caprana and 3 Acleris variegana.
Black-tailed Godwit and Painted Lady (Andy Williams); Baird's Sandpiper (John Kemp); American Golden Plover (Tony Marr); Lesser Yellowlegs (Toby Green)
6th September:
Benbecula: The Common Crane was at Coot Loch this afternoon.
South UIst: 9 Brent Geese were at Loch Bee. A Sabine's Gull, 2 Grey Phalaropes and 32 Sooty Shearwaters south past Ardvule this morning as well as 7 Great Northern Divers, 909 Gannets, 112 Fulmars, 1567 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Terns, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Black Guillemot and 8 Razorbills.
Insects: Painted Lady butterflies were seen at Loch Carnan, Eochar and Howmore today.
Marine Sightings: 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins swam south at Ardvule this morning.
Sabine's Gull and Sooty Shearwater (John Kemp)
5th September:
Lewis: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is still 800m south-west of the lighthouse at the Butt this morning.
North Uist: A Lapland Bunting was at Balranald this morning.
Benbecula: 200 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff were at Griminish this morning. 9 Ruff were on the machair near Borve Point and the Common Crane was seen in flight heading towards Torlum.
South Uist: A Pomarine Skua passed Ardivachar. 3 juvenile Ruff were at Bornish.
Snipe (John Kemp)
4th September:
Lewis: 43 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Ruff were at Loch Stiapabhat today.
North Uist: The juvenile Western Sandpiper was still at Aird an Runair this morning and the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was nearby.
Benbecula: The Common Crane was on the machair at Borve before flying towards Loch Fada.
South Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper and 116 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardivachar. 18 Wheatears were along the road in South Glendale in the evening.
Insects: 242 moths and 29 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 2 Lunar Underwings, 1 Chestnut-coloured Carpet and micros Lobesia littoralis, Acleris variegana and Bactra lancealana.
Lunar Underwing (John Kemp); Western Sandpiper (Peter Stronach)
3rd September:
North Uist: The Western Sandpiper was seen at Aird an Runair again this morning.
Benbecula: The Common Crane was on the machair near Borve Point.
South Uist: 100+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardivachar this morning. 10 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Ruff were at Stoneybridge. 21 Sooty Shearwaters and 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew south at Ardvule this morning. 7 Black-tailed Godwits were in the north bay at Ardvule and 5 were on Bornish machair. Lots of Meadow Pipits are also on the move with 140 at Ardvule alone.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Andy Williams)
2nd September:
Lewis: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was 500m south-west of the Butt of Lewis lighthouse this morning. 3 Leach's Petrels were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today. 6 Black-tailed Godwits at Holm Farm, 7 at Loch Branahuie and 71 at Maryhill. A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Bayble.
North Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on the shore at Aird an Runair this afternoon and the Western Sandpiper was reported from there.
Benbecula: The Common Crane was at Loch Fada this afternoon.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper and 110 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardivachar this morning. 7 Black-tailed Godwits also flew south over Loch Bee and a Brent Goose was on the loch. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was near the Orosay net factory, Boisdale along with a Curlew Sandpiper; also 3 Whimbrel and an Arctic Tern flew south there. 83 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew south between Ludag and Boisdale. 10 Black-tailed Godwits flew south at Garrynamonie.
Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Steve Duffield); Arctic Tern and Buff-breasted Sandpiper (John Kemp)
1st September:
Lewis: A Lapland Bunting was at the Butt this morning and 4 Sooty Shearwaters flew past this afternoon.
North Uist: The juvenile Western Sandpiper was showing well on the shore at Aird an Runair, Balranald this morning; and still preent this afternoon. The juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper was also on the machair at Balranald although mobile.
Barra: 12 Sooty Shearwaters, c1500 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Bonxies, 2 Knot and c20 Whimbrel south past Brevig this afternoon as well as 60 Brent Geese heading south-east.
Western Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)