Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2018
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31st August:
Lewis: An adult Franklin's Gull was seen at Loch Stiapabhat before it flew to a field on the north side.
Insects: 19 species of moth were trapped in Carinish last night including a Neglected Rustic, Heath Rustic and a Silver Y amongst others.
Neglected Rustic (Steve Duffield); Franklin's Gull (Tony Marr)
30th August:
North Uist: 20 Black-tailed Godwits flew east over Carinish this evening.
South Uist: 18 Black-tailed Godwits were at Balgarva this morning. 17 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ormiclate. 10 Common Scoters were off Stoneybridge. A Pied Flycatcher was seen at Stilligarry. 6 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Ardvule this morning.
29th August:
Lewis: An adult Rose-coloured Starling was seen on the landfill site in Stornoway this morning.
South Uist: Southerly movement at Ardvule this morning included 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 16 Fulmars, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 32 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Kittiwakes, 1 Black Guillemot and 9 Whimbrel; also a Ruff in the south bay.
Barra: The Mediterranean Gull was at Traigh Mor again today.
28th August:
Benbecula: 8 Black-tailed Godwits were at Nunton.
South Uist: 13 Whimbrel were at Aird-mhicheil.
Barra: 4 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit are at Bagh Beag.
27th August:
South Uist: A Whitethroat was in South Glendale. 2 Ruff, 30 Black-tailed Godwits and a Great Skua were at Boisdale.
Ruff with Ringed Plover and Whitethroat (John Kemp)
26th August:
Harris: The drake Surf Scoter was in the Sound of Taransay.
North Uist: Small numbers of Black-tailed Gowits are scattered around various sites on the island.
Benbecula: At least 30 Black-tailed Godwits were on the machair near Liniclate today.
Barra: A Sooty Shearwater flew south past Vatersay this afternoon.
Golden Eagle (Steve Duffield)
25th August:
Lewis: 16 Sooty Shearwaters and 301 Manx Shearwaters flew west past the Butt (08:00 - 10:00).
Barra: A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Eoligarry and then Traigh Mor this afternoon; also 7 Black-tailed Godwits were at Traigh Mor. 2 Blackcaps were at Glen.
Otter (Steve Duffield)
24th August:
Harris: The drake Surf Scoter was seen in the Sound of Taransay today.
South Uist: 7 Black-tailed Godwits were at Howmore. 55 Black-tailed Godwits were between Kilpheder and Orosay.
23rd August:
North Uist: A female Pintail and a Black-tailed Godwit were on Baleshare this evening. 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew south at Aird an Runair this morning; also 14 Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald.
South Uist: A Sooty Shearwaterand 4 Storm Petrels flew south at Ardvule this morning.
Barra: 3 Pomarine Skuas and 4 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Vatersay this morning.
Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl (Steve Duffield)
22nd August:
Lewis: A Tree Sparrow and female Blackcap were in Port of Ness today. 5 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff were at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: 18 Black-tailed Godwits were by Loch Sandary. A juvenile Ruff and 2nd yr Glaucous Gull were at Balranald; also 3 Sooty Shearwaters were seen off Aird an Runair.
South Uist: An immature Glaucous Gull was at Bornish. 2 Ruff were in the fields at Ormiclate.
Barra: A Pomarine Skua and 4 Sooty Shearwaters flew south off Vatersay; another Sooty Shearwater was seen off Brevig in the evening.
21st August:
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl is still on Hirta; also a Rose-coloured Starling in the village and a 1st summer Sabine's Gull on a pool above the cargo ramp.
Benbecula: 24 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Ruff were in the field opposite the Aird turning. 120 Black-tailed Godwits were just south of Nunton. A Barnacle Goose was with Greylags at Coot Loch.
South Uist: 64 Black-tailed Gowits were at Kilpheder and 27 were at Boisdale.
Barra: A Wood Warbler was seen by the football picth in Castlebay this morning.
Insects: 357 moths/28 species were trapped in South Glendale last night which included a Pine Carpet, Acleris effractana, Eudonia angustea and 3 Eudonia truncicolella. At North Loch Eynort 115 moths/26 species were caught including a Barred Red, 4 Heath Rustic, 5 Pink-barred Sallow, 4 Barred Chestnut, 1 Golden-rod Pug, 1 Gracillaria syringella and 3 Acleris rhombana.
Acleris rhombana, Barred Chestnut and Pine Carpet (John Kemp)
20th August:
North Uist: The juvenile Cuckoo was again in Carinish this morning. 2 female / immature Crossbill were seen at Scotvein, Grimsay this morning.
South Uist: A juvenile Cuckoo and Whitethroat were at North Loch Eynort. An immature Glaucous Gull was at Ardvule. 26 Black-tailed Godwits were at Frobost.
Marine Sightings: 2 Orca, 11 Common Dolphins, 3 Harbour Porpoise and a Basking Shark were seen off Leanish, Barra this morning. 30 Common Dolphins and 2 Basking Sharks were also seen off Bolnabodach, Barra too.
Insects: 34 species of moths were trapped in Carinish last night including 1,168 Ear moth sp. 2 Painted Lady butterflies, a Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell were seen at Carnan today. 9 Chevrons, 10 Flame Carpets, 18 Autumnal Rustic, 16 Rosy Rustic, 1 Crinan Ear, 1 Mouse Moth, 1 Neglected Rustic and micros Agriphila geniculea, 4 Agonopterix kaekeritziana, Epinotia caprana, 10 Cnephasia conspersana, 4 Eana penziana, 1 Acleris effractana, and 1 Acleris aspersana were caught on Eriskay last night.
Agonopertix nervosa (Steve Duffield); Crinan Ear (John Kemp)
19th August:
Lewis: The adult Rose-coloured Starling is still on Braighe Road, Stornoway and was seen on wires opposite the small car park this morning.
St. Kilda: A female Snowy Owl was on Hirta today.
North Uist: A juvenile Cuckoo was in Carinish this morning. 14 Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald. 120 Black-tailed Godwits were on Sollas machair. 31 Black-tailed Godwits were at Clachan Sands. A Pintail was on Loch Hougharry. 34 Black-tailed Godwits were on Baleshare.
Barra: The 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull was on the west beach of Vatersay. A Pintail flew north at Brevig; also a juvenile Cuckoo here and another at Northbay.
Insects: A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was seen at Sollas. 495 moths/17 species were caught on Daliburgh machair last night including 407 Flounced Rustic, 24 Ear Moth agg., 3 Northern Deep-brown Darts, 1 Dotted Rustic, 1 Archer's Dart, 2 Agonopterix kaekeritziana, 1 Depressaria radiella, and8 Cochylis atricapitana. At South Glendale 329 moths/35 species included 215 Ear Moths sp., 2 Dark Marbled Carpet, 4 Arran Carpet, 2 Heath Rustic, 4 Neglected Rustic, 1 Pink-barred Sallow, 1 Striped Twin-spot Carpet, Lobesia littoralis, 2 Eudonia truncicolella, 1 Eana penzianaand an Acleris aspersana.
Flounced Rustic, Pink-barred Sallow (John Kemp); Polecat-ferret (Bob McMillan)
18th August:
Lewis: 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past the Butt. 30 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Stiapabhat.
Ullapool - Stornoway: 11 Sooty Shearwaters and 20 Storm Petrels were seen from the ferry today.
North Uist: A Ruff was at Aird an Runair.
South Uist: 1 Red-throated Diver, 216 Gannets, 20 Fulmars, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 446 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Storm Petrels, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Artic Tern juv (plus an adult north), 2 Kittiwakes (plus one north), 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 1 Purple Sandpiper flew south at Ardvule this morning. 25 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore River. 2 Ruff were on the west side of Loch Bee.
Barra: 26 Sooty Shearwaters, c900 Manx Shearwaters, 2 adult Pomarine Skuas, 5 Great Skuas and a flock of c20 Black-tailed Godwits all going south off Vatersay today. 3 Common Sandpipers were also at Caolas, Vatersay today.
Merlin and Otter (Steve Duffield); Bar-tailed Godwits (John Kemp); By-the-Wind Sailor (Rachel Smith)
17th August:
North Uist: The 2nd winter Bonaparte's Gull is still at Aird an Runair, Balranald this morning.
South Uist: 26 Storm Petrels, 3 Sooty Shearwaters and 192 Manx Shearwaters flew south off Ardvule this morning. 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Storm Petrels, 2 Bonxies and 11 Common Scoters flew south at Ardvule in the evening. 97 Black-tailed Godwits were in the fields at Bornish.
Barra: Around 1200 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Sooty Shearwaters, 10 Common Scoters, 57 Whimbrel and c30 Black-tailed Godwits flew south off the west side of Vatersay.
16th August:
Lewis: 2 Swifts were at the Butt.
North Uist: The 2nd cal yr Bonaparte's Gull is still at Aird an Runair, Balranald this morning. 12 Black-tailed Godwits were seen at the south side of Loch Paible.
South Uist: A southerly movement at Ardvule this morning of 345 Gannets, 42 Fulmar, 472 Manx Shearwaters, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 26 Storm Petrels (22 spent some time at a floating whale carcase), 3 Black Guillemots, 7 Kittiwakes and an Arctic Tern. A Whimbrel and 2 Ruff also present. A Great Tit was reported from Howmore this morning.
Barra: 11 Sooty Shearwaters flew south off the west side of Vatersay in a 2 hour watch; also 7 Whimbrel south there too. 6 Sooty Shearwaters flew south off Tangasdale in the evening.
Bonaparte's Gull (Steve Duffield); petrels at whale carcass (John Kemp)
15th August:
North Uist: A 2nd cal yr Bonaparte's Gull was at Aird an Runair, Balranald this morning.
South Uist: Southerly passage at Ardvule today included 202 Gannets, 13 Fulmars, 437 Manx Shearwaters, 18 Storm Petrels, 3 Great Skuas and 3 Arctic Terns. Also present were 2 Ruff and a juv Mediterranean Gull.
Barra: 2 Sooty Shearwaters were seen heading south off the west of Vatersay this afternoon.
Bonaparte's Gull (Steve Duffield); Mediterranean Gull (John Kemp)
14th August:
South Uist: The Baird's Sandpiper was still at Ardivachar this evening. At least 50 Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end of Loch Bee. Birds south at Ardvule this morning were 1 Great Northern Diver, 241 Gannets, 26 Fulmars, 267 Manx Shearwaters, 82 Storm Petrels, 13 Arctic Terns, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua and 4 Black Guillemots; also 2 juvenile Ruff were on the north side of the headland. 19 Black-tailed Godwits were at Askernish. A Purple Sandpiper was on Orasay.
Insects: 329 moths/39 species were caught in South Glendale last night with most being Ear Moth agg. (212) also included a Dark Marbled Carpet, Minor Shoulder-knot, Dark Sword-grass, 4 Hedge Rustic and micros Pyrausta despicata, Agonopterix kaekeritziana, Eudonia angustea, Eudonia truncicolella and Aspilapteryx tringipennella.
Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Agonopterix kaekeritziana and Dark Sword-grass (John Kemp)
13th August:
Lewis: The Rose-coloured Starling was still on Braighe Road, Stornoway today.
North Uist: 2 Black-tailed Godwits were on Baleshare.
Benbecula: 2 juvenile Black-tailed Godwits were at Borve.
South Uist: 1 Great Skua, 4 Kittiwakes, 78 Gannets, 39 Manx Shearwaters, 18 Fulmars, 2 Storm Petrels, 1 Black Guillemot and a Whimbrel flew south at Ardvule this morning.
Marine Sightings: White-beaked Dolphins, Common Dolphins and Minke Whale were seen from the Oban - Barra crossing today.
Kittiwake (John Kemp); Corn Bunting (Steve Duffield)
12th August:
At sea: 2 Sooty Shearwaters were 40 nautical miles north-west of North Rona.
Harris: An Osprey was seen at Govig before it headed off towards Amhuinnsuidhe Castle.
North Uist: 10 Black-tailed Godwits were at Clachan Farm. A juvenile Cuckoo was seen near Loch Leodasay.
South Uist: The adult Baird's Sandpiper was still at Ardivachar this afternoon; also a juvenile Mediterranean Gull there.
Marine Sightings: 3 Risso's Dolphins were seen at the mouth of Lochmaddy bay this morning. 12 Pilot Whales were seen 40 nautical miles north-west of North Rona today.
Risso's Dolphin (Bob McMillan); Baird's Sandpiper and Mediterranean Gull (Steve Duffield)
Pilot Whales (Andy Williams)
11th August:
At sea: 6 Sooty Shearwaters and 22 Aythya ducks (possibly Scaup) were seen 45 nautical miles north-west of Mangersta today.
North Uist: The Snowy Owl was seen at Grenitote this evening.
South Uist: An adult Baird's Sandpiper was at Ardivachar today. 2 Pintail were on Loch Bee.
Barra: 2 juvenile Cuckoos were seen at Brevig.
Insects: 130 moths of 23 species were caught at Carnan last night: including 4 Antler Moths, an Autumnal Rustic, a Burnished Brass, 5 Common Rustic, 7 Dark Arches, 2 Dark-barred Twin spot Carpets, a Dotted Clay,4 Double Lobed, 23 Ear Moth sp, 8 Flame Carpet, 11 Garden Tigers, 9 Gold Spot, a Haworth's Minor, 2 July Highflyer, 9 Large Yellow Underwings, a Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing, 11 Rosy Rustics, a Silver Y, 17 Smoky Wainscot, 4 Straw Dot, 6 Chevron and 2 White Line Dart. Moths at Loch Druidibeg last night included 28 Hedge Rustic, 26 Chevron, 31 Chestnut-coloured Carpet, 122 Ear Moth agg., 2 Haworth's Minor, 2 Neglected Rustic, 1 Scotch Annulet as well as 3 Acleris aspersana and one Aphelia viburnana.
Marine Sightings: 2 Harbour Porpoise were off Balgarva. 7 Fin Whales, 2 Minnke Whales, 5 Pilot Whales, 8 White-beaked Dolphins and 2 Risso's Dolphins were seen 45 nautical miles north-west of Mangersta, Lewis today.
Baird's Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Sooty Shearwater (Andy Williams)
Fin Whales and Risso's Dolphin (Andy Williams)
10th August:
North Uist: The Snowy Owl was seen again at Grenitote (NF818764) late morning. 16 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary.
Insects: Total of 139 moths/22 species were trapped in South Glendale last which included 10 Chevron, 2 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpets, 8 Hedge Rustic, 18 Small Wainscot and micros Eudonia truncicolella, Acleris effractana and Udea lutealis.
Acleris effractana, Eudonia truncicolella and Square-spot Rustic (John Kemp); Corn Bunting and Short-eared Owl (Steve Duffield)
9th August:
Ullapool - Stornoway: 19 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the ferry to Stornoway today.
South Uist: Southerly movement at Ardvule this morning included 1 Great Northern Diver, 282 Gannets, 19 Fulmars, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 389 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Storm Petrels, 11 Black Guillemots, 5 Puffins, 1 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua and 6 Kittiwakes.
Barra: The 2nd year Ring-billed Gull is still on Vatersay. A juvenile Cuckoo was at Brevig.
Kestrel and Sooty Shearwater (John Kemp)
8th August:
At sea: 3 Sooty Shearwaters were seen 45 nautical miles north, north-west of the Butt of Lewis today.
Lewis: The adult Rose-coloured Starling is still at 9 Braighe Road, Stornoway. A Whitethroat was seen at 4 Leurbost.
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen on Hirta today.
Uig - Lochmaddy: An adult Long-tailed Skua and 16 Storm Petrels were seen from the ferry this morning.
North Uist: A juvenile Cuckoo was in Carinish this evening.
Benbecula: 80+ Black-tailed Godwits were on the machair at Borve.
Marine Sightings: An adult and a large calf Fin Whale were seen 45 nautical miles north, north-west of the Butt of Lewis today.
Irish Lady's Tresses, Puffins with a Guillemot and Storm Petrel (Steve Duffield); Sooty Shearwater (Andy Williams)
Fin Whale and calf (Andy Williams)
7th August:
Lewis: 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past the Butt at 08:50. The Rose-coloured Starling is still at 9 Braighe Road, Stornoway. An adult Little Stint, 5 Whimbrel and 100 Sanderlings (all adults) were at Loch Ordais.
North Uist: The Snowy Owl was seen on the machair north of Grenitote picnic site again today.
South Uist: 134 Gannets, 19 Fulmar, 396 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Storm Petrels, 7 Black Guillemots, 7 Kittiwakes, 3 Common Terns and a Whimbrel flew south at Ardvule this morning.
Barra: The 2nd yr Ring-billed Gull was on Vatersay again today. 5 Sooty Shearwaters were lingering off Brevig.
6th August:
At sea: An adult Sabine's Gull and 2 Sooty Shearwaters were seen 50 nautical miles north, north-west of the Butt.
Lewis: A Rose-coloured Starling was at 9 Braighe Road, Stornoway today.
Benbecula: 150+ Black-tailed Godwits were in newly cut fields at Borve today.
South Uist: A southerly movement at Ardvule this morning of 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 189 Gannets, 36 Fulmars, 10 Sooty Shearwaters, 808 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Storm Petrels, 4 Puffins, 7 Black Guillemots, 4 Common Scoter, 44 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and 3 Kittiwakes. 96 Black-tailed Godwits flew south at Frobost today,
Barra: The 2nd year Ring-billed Gull was on Vatersay again today.
Marine Sightings: A 5 beaked-whales; probably Sowerby's, a Fin Whale and 5 White-sided Dolphins were seen 50 nautical miles, north, north-west of the Butt today.
Sabine's Gull and beaked whales - probably Sowerby's (Andy Williams)
5th August:
At sea: 4 Sooty Shearwaters were seen around 30 nautical miles north-west of North Rona.
Lewis: A Sooty Shearwater, 69 Manx Shearwaters and a Pomarine Skua flew west past the Butt between 09:15 - 10:15 today. A Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Carishader.
South Uist: 97 Gannets, 8 Fulmars, 86 Manx Shearwaters, Sooty Shearwater, a Storm Petrel, 4 Great Skuas and 3 Kittiwakes flew south at Ardvule this morning.
Barra: A 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull was seen at Traigh Bhialais, Vatersay.
Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale and 8 White-beaked Dolphins were seen 30 nautical miles north-west of North Rona today.
4th August:
Lewis: A Sooty Shearwater was seen from the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry. The juvenile Spotted Redshank is still at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Loch Bhrusda, Berneray today. The Snowy Owl was seen on the machair north of Grenitote picnic site.
South Uist: A Glaucous Gull was seen at Kidonan.
Insects: Trapping at North Loch Eynort last night produced a Dun-bar, 5 Barred Red, 2 Dark Marbled Carpet, 4 Golden-rod Pugs - second generation, 2 Gracillaria syringella, 12 Blastobasis adustella, 8 Epinotia tenerana and a single Acleris aspersana. 24 Arran Carpet, 2 Chestnut-coloured Carpets, 3 Hedge Rustic, 5 Chevron and micros Eana penziana, 3 Eana osseana and 13 Eucosma cana were caught in South Glendale.
Darm Marbled Carpet and Hedge Rustic (John Kemp)
3rd August:
At sea: A Sooty Shearwater was seen 35 nm north-west of North Rona today.
Lewis: A Spotted Redshank was at Loch Stiapabhat this afternoon.
South Uist: 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew south at Orosay this morning. An immature Glaucous Gull was at Frobost.
Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale, 5 Pilot Whales and 20 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen 35 nm north-west of North Rona today.
Harbour Seals and Sanderling (John Kemp); Bottle-nosed Dolphins, Fin Whale blow and Pilot Whales (Andy Williams)
2nd August:
At sea: 3 Sooty Shearwaters were seen 30 nm north, north-east of North Rona today.
St. Kilda: 2 Rose-coloured Starlings were in Village Bay, Hirta.
North Uist: The Snowy Owl was seen on the machair north of Grenitote picnic site again today
South Uist: A southerly passage at Ardvule this morning of 1 Black-throated Diver, 164 Gannets, 41 Fulmars, 257 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Storm Petrels, 10 Kittiwakes, 1 Great Skua, 1 Black Guillemot and 1 Puffin (+ 2 north).
Barra: A Grasshopper Warbler was seen north of the airport.
Marine Sightings: 3 tuna feeding north, north-east of North Rona today.
Sooty Shearwater (Andy Williams)
1st August:
Lewis: 15 Black-tailed Godwits flew south past the Butt in the early afternoon; also 5 Swifts around the lighthouse area in the early afternoon. 4 Black-tailed Godwits were also at Loch Stiapabhat.
St. Kilda: A Rose-coloured Starling was on Hirta today.
North Uist: The Snowy Owl was seen on the machair north of Grenitote picnic site again today. 7 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Paible.
South Uist: Southerly movement at Ardvule this morning included 1 Red-throated Diver, 181 Gannets, 11 Fulmars, 252 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Storm Petrels, 15 Puffins, 6 Kittiwakes and a Golden Plover in off the sea.
Barra: A Swift was seen over Bolnabodach in the evening.