Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2018

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30th November:

Lewis: 50+ Bramblings were seen by the waterwheel in Willowglen, Stornoway today.

North Uist: An adult Little Gull was at Aird an Runair, Balranald today. A Little Egret was on Baleshare.

South Uist: Birds south at Ardvule included 22 Great Northern Divers, 16 Red-throated Divers, 36 Gannets, 20 Long-tailed Ducks, 8 Black Guillemots, 2 Razorbills, 1 Guillemot, 355 Kittiwakes and 1 Great Skua. 2 Blackcaps were in South Glendale.

Barra: The small Canada Goose was at Borve again today.

Great Northern Diver (John Kemp)

 

29th November:

South Uist: Birds south at Ardvule included 9 Great Northern Divers, 2 Black-throated Divers, 7 Red-throated Divers, 51 Gannets, 2 Pale-bellied Brent, 16 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Black Guillemots, 8 Guillemots and 246 Kittiwakes. 17 Snow Buntings were at Peninerine.

Barra: The small Canada Goose was at Borve again today. 25 Snow Buntings were on the shore at Eoligarry. 53 Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor. 4 Common Redpolls were at Castlebay.

Marine Sightings: 7 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen off Ardvule this morning with 5 heading south and 2 north.

Otter and Pied Wagtail (John Kemp)

 

28th November:

Lewis: A drake Goosander was at the head of Loch Erisort. A Great White Egret was seen on the loch below Borghastan, Carloway today.

North Uist: A Hawfinch was seen at Paiblesgarry this morning.

 

27th November:

South Uist: A Little Auk flew south at Ardvule this morning; also 4 Snow Buntings on Bornish machair. 3 Blackcaps are in South Glendale.

Barra: The small Canada Goose was at Borve Point today. Also 2 Pink-footed Geese and 53 Brent Geese on the island.

leucistic Common Gull (John Kemp)

 

26th November:

St. Kilda: A Greenland White-fronted Goose was seen on Hirta.

North Uist: The drake Green-winged Teal was on Loch Sandary and a pale-bellied Brent Goose was with the Barnacle Geese in the area. A male Blackcap was seen in Sollas today. Jack Snipe were seen at Loch Sandary and Cnoc Cuidhein today.

South Uist: 3 Blackcaps are in South Glendale.

White-tailed Eagles (John Kemp)

 

25th November:

South Uist: A Black-tailed Godwit flew east at Ardvule this morning and 3 Black-tailed Godwits were on Loch Ardvule; also a Shoveler there. 3 Blackcaps were in South Glendale. A Little Egret was seen at Loch Hallan.

Great Northern Diver (John Kemp); White-tailed Eagle (Steve Duffield)

 

24th November:

Lewis: A Pink-footed Goose was at Sand Street, Stornoway.

Harris: 3 drake Surf Scoters, 320+ Common Scoters and at least 36 Slavonian Grebes were in the Sound of Taransay.

Sound of Harris: A 1st yr male Surf Scoter (a couple of minutes before arriving at Berneray), 45 Great Northern Divers and 19 Red-throated Divers were seen from the ferry this afternoon.

North Uist: A Rough-legged Buzzard was reported from Langass Wood. The Cackling Goose and Canada Goose were seen by Loch Sandary; also the drake Green-winged Teal. An American Wigeon was seen at Oban Trumisgarry. On Berneray 85 Snow Buntings were on Borve machair with another 22 by Loch Bhrusda. A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags at Loch Bhrusda. 2 Snow Buntings were at Aird an Runair, Balranald.

South Uist: 2 Little Egrets were at Howmore. 6 Bramblings were at North Loch Eynort.

Barra: A White-billed Diver was off Ardmhor ferry terminal. A Little Auk was seen at Scurrival along with 5 Snow Buntings.

 

23rd November:

Lewis: 45 Greenland White-fronted Geese (8 juveniles) were by Loch Barvas; also a few Snow Buntings on the machair nearby. A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags at Barvas. A Coot was on Loch Ordais; also 2 Barnacle Geese here.

South Uist: 5 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Bornish. 3 Blackcaps were in South Glendale.

 

22nd November:

Lewis: A drake Goosander was at the head of Loch Eireasort today.

Harris: 2 drake Surf Scoters, 300+ Common Scoters and 80+ Long-tailed Ducks were in the Sound of Taransay.

South Uist: 6 Red-throated Divers, 8 Gannets, 1 Little Auk and 1 female Common Scoter flew south at Ardvule this morning; also a Woodcock flying east inland along the headland and a Song Thrush out there. 5 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair. 2 Blackcaps were in South Glendale. A Chiffchaff and 2 redpolls were in Askernish.

Barra: 100 Long-tailed Ducks and a Woodcock! (the latter before flying to land) were off Craigston today.

Twite (John Kemp)

 

21st November:

South Uist: 2 Blackcaps were in South Glendale today. A Little Egret was seen at Smerclate this morning.

 

20th November

North Uist: Around 20 Snow Buntings and 3 Pink-footed Geese were on Borve machair, Berneray. A drake American Wigeon was on Loch Aileodair. A Waxwing was seen at Langass today.

South Uist: 4 Blackcaps and a Goldcrest were in South Glendale.

Barra: 8 Snow Buntings, 3 Common Scoters and a Jackdaw were at Eoligarry. 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor. A Chiffchaff, 2 Common Redpolls and a Brambling were in Castlebay. A Brambling was on Vatersay and a Common Scoter off the east beach.

Insects: A Brindled Ochre was caught in South Glendale last night.

Brindled Ochre and Blackcap (John Kemp)

 

19th November:

North Uist: 9 Crossbills were in Langass Wood. The drake Green-winged Teal was on Loch Sandary; also a Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Pink-footed Geese there.

South Uist: 5 Blackcaps, 2 Bramblings and a Fieldfare were in South Glendale. A 1st winter Rook was at Kilpheder Point.

Barra: A Little Egret was seen at Traigh Mor this morning.

Crossbill (Steve Duffield); Rook (John Kemp)

 

18th November:

North Uist: A Common Redpoll was in Carinish this morning. The Cackling Goose and Canada Goose were at Paiblesgarry this morning whilst the pale-bellied Brent Goose and 13 Pink-footed Geese were by Loch Sandary. The drake Green-winged Teal and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary.

Benbecula: A drake Ring-necked Duck was on Coot Loch; also a pair of Pintail, 14 Gadwall and a Black-tailed Godwit there. A drake Green-winged Teal was on Loch Mor.

South Uist: 3 Bramblings and 2 Blackcaps were in Bornish. 5 Blackcaps were in South Glendale. A Chiffchaff and Brambling were in Askernish.

Barra: The small Canada Goose was still at Borve today. 2 Blackcaps were in Northbay.

Cackling Goose and Canada Goose (John Kemp)

 

17th November:

North Uist: A Snow Bunting flew south over Carinish this morning; also 2 Fieldfare and a Woodcock present. A Mistle Thrush was at Scotvein, Grimsay today. A Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, pale-bellied Brent Goose and 13 Pink-footed Geese were with Barnacles at Knockintorran / Balemore today; also a female Blackcap there. The drake Green-winged Teal and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary. A Coot was on Loch na Reivil, Hougharry.

South Uist: 5 Blackcaps and a Brambling were in South Glendale. A Chiffchaff and male Blackcap were at North Loch Eynort this morning.

Canada and Cackling Geese with Barnacles (Steve Duffield)

 

16th November:

North Uist: 11 Pink-footed Geese and a pale-bellied Brent Goose were in fields at Knockintorran; also a Black-tailed Godwit nearby at Loch Sandary.

Barra: 3 Todd's Canada Geese were at Borve; also the small Canada Goose was still present. A Little Egret flew south at Northbay this morning. A Jackdaw flew south at Eoligarry. 40 Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor.

 

14th November:

South Uist: Birds south at Ardvule included 22 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Northern Divers, 10 Gannets, 12 Long-tailed Ducks, 19 Eider, 2 Kittiwakes and a Black Guillemot. 4 Blackcaps are in South Glendale. 2 Blackcaps and 3 Bramblings are in Bornish.

Barra: 3 Todd's Canada Geese were at Borve; also the small Canada Goose was still present. A Jackdaw was at Tangasdale. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Traigh Mhor.

 

13th November:

North Uist: A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags at Balranald; another 2 and a Brent Goose were with Greylags at Malaclate and another single Pink-foot was with Greylags on Berneray. A Jack Snipe was in Carinish.

South Uist: At Ardvule this morning were 24 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Northern Divers, 24 Gannets, 249 Kittiwakes and 1 Black Guillemot heading south. 3 Blackcaps, a Brambling and a Woodcock were in South Glendale.

Barra: 3 Todd's Canada Geese were on Borve; also the small Canada Goose was still present with the Barnacle Geese. 2 Pink-footed Geese were also at Borve and 38 Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor. 12 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mor. A Blackcap was at Creachan. A Chiffchaff and 2 Bramblings were in Castlebay.

Insects: An Angle Shades was seen in South Glendale last night.

Greenshank (Steve Duffield); Blackcaps (John Kemp)

12th November:

North Uist: 12 Pintail were on Loch nam Feithean.

 

11th November:

South Uist: Southerly passage at Ardvule included 74 Gannets, 27 Red-throated Divers, 13 Great Northern Divers, 7 Guillemots, 1 Razorbill, 16 Auks sp., and 2 Kittiwakes. 21 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair. 4 Blackcaps were in South Glendale. An immature Rook was at Stoneybridge. 36 Whooper Swans were on West Loch Ollay. 172 Whooper Swans, 2 Pintail and 2 immature Scaup were on Loch Stilligarry. A Brambling was in Bornish.

Great Northern Diver and Goldeneye (John Kemp)

 

10th November:

South Uist: Southerly passage at Ardvule this morning included 236 Gannets, 10 Great Northern Divers, 18 Red-throated Divers, 6 Eider, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 57 Kittiwakes, 12 Guillemots and 23 Auk sp. 21 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Pink-footed Geese were on Bornish machair. 4 Blackcaps were in South Glendale.

 

9th November:

South Uist: 4 Blackcaps are still in South Glendale. A Pink-footed Goose and Fieldfare were in Askernish.

 

8th November:

Lewis: A Waxwing was seen in Barvas this morning. A near adult and juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Loch Stiapabhat this morning; also a Ruff nearby.

South Uist: 22 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair; also a a Pink-footed Goose and 4 Greenland White-fronted Geese. A Little Egret was by the church at Bornish. 4 Blackcaps (1 male) were in South Glendale.

Barra: The small canada goose sp. is still at Borve.

Glaucous Gull (Tony Marr)

 

7th November:

North Uist: The drake Green-winged Teal was seen on Loch Sandary this morning.

South Uist: A Little Egret was on Loch Bornish. 3 Blackcaps were in South Glendale. A Chiffchaff was in Askernish and a Little Egret flew north there in the afternoon. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at West Gerinish.

Little Egret (John Kemp)

 

6th November:

St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen on Hirta today.

North Uist: 2 Canada / Cackling Geese were reported from Knockintorran with 1,300 Barnacle Geese. A Black-tailed Godwit was at Loch Sandary.

South Uist: 2 Blackcaps and a Brambling were in South Glendale. A Little Egret was seen at Frobost.

 

5th November:

Lewis: A Common Rosefinch was with House Sparrows in Port of Ness this morning.

North Uist: A Common Rosefinch was trapped on Grimsay today. 2 Chiffchaffs and 11 Common Redpolls were at Callernish House.

Benbecula: A juvenile American Golden Plover at Liniclate was reported to have flown off south this morning. A Pink-footed Goose was on Borve machair and 2 were at Loch Mor.

South Uist: 2 Blackcaps and a Brambling were in South Glendale. 13 redpolls, a Fieldfare and Blackcap were at North Loch Eynort.

Common Rosefinch (Tony Marr); Fieldfare (John Kemp)

 

4th November:

Lewis: An adult (pale) Pomarine Skua flew south-west past the Butt today at 12:32; also a juvenile Glaucous Gull early morning and a Snow Bunting.

South Uist: Birds south at Ardvule this morning included 26 Great Northern Divers, 8 Red-throated Divers, 52 Gannets, 8 Long-tailed Ducks, 16 Kittiwakes, 6 Black Guillemots, 4 Guillemots and 2 Razorbills. A female Blackcap and Woodcock were in South Glendale.

Long-tailed Duck (John Kemp)

 

3rd November:

Lewis: A Great Tit was seen at Ardabroc, near Lionel, Ness. 8 Waxwings and 5 Bramblings in Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway at the bottom of the castle lawn.

North Uist: The drake Green-winged Teal is still on Loch Sandary/

South Uist: 54 Great Northern Divers flew south off Ardvule this morning. A male Blackcap was in South Glendale.

Barra: The small Canada Goose was still at Borve Point.

 

2nd November:

Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Loch Stiapabhat; also a Fieldfare nearby. A Ruff was at Eoropie.

North Uist: A female Blackcap was in Lochmaddy. A Pomarine Skua was seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry off Waternish Point, Skye. A Coot is on Loch na Reivil. 2 female Pintail are on Loch nam Feithean. 4 Common Scoters flew north off Aird an Runair.

South Uist: 2 Blackcaps were in South Glendale.

Blackcap and White-tailed Eagles (John Kemp)

 

1st November:

Lewis: 6 Waxwings were in the Castle Grounds between Cuddy Point and the Woodland Centre (20 here yesterday). A Little Egret was at the bottom of Sand Street, Stornoway. 2 Jackdaws were seen between Cross and Skigersta. 2 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff, 30 Bramblings and a male Hen Harrier were seen in Port of Ness.

North Uist: A Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest are in Carinish. A Fieldfare was on Baleshare.