Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2018
January February March April May Archive
30th June:
North Uist: 2 Sandwich Terns and the 2nd summer Glaucous Gull were at Aird an Runair this morning. A Black-tailed Godwit was on Loch na Reivil.
29th June:
Lewis: A Turtle Dove was seen at Tolsta Chaolais today.
Marsh Fragrant Orchid and Six-spot Burnet (Steve Duffield)
28th June:
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen on Hirta today.
Barra: The Rose-coloured Starling is still at Borve today. 2 Sandwich Terns were at Eoligarry.
Mingulay: A House Martin was seen on the island this afternoon.
Marine Sightings: At least 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen just east of Sandary. A Humpback Whale was seen 35 nautical miles north-west of Sula Sgeir.
Insects: Good numbers of Painted Lady butterflies and Red Admirals are arriving in the islands.
Humpback Whale (Andy Williams); Arran Carpet, Straw Dot and Delplanqueia dilutella (John Kemp); Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Rose-coloured Starling (Steve Duffield)
27th June:
Harris: A Quail was heard on the Shiant Islands today.
North Uist: The Rose-coloured Starling was at Callernish again this morning. The 2nd summer Glaucous Gull was on the shore at Aird an Runair, Balranald.
South Uist: 3 Swifts flew south at Ardivachar.
Arctic Tern chick and Rose-coloured Starling (Steve Duffield)
26th June:
North Uist: A Rose-coloured Starling was at Callernish this morning.
Benbecula: A Black-tailed Godwit was at Loch Mor.
South Uist: 32 Black-tailed Godwits were on the north-west corner of Loch Bee.
Barra: The Rose-coloured Starling is still at Borve machair.
Insects: Micro moths at Daliburgh machair last night included Anerastia lotella (new for Outer Hebrides), 2 Celypha striana, 4 Bactra furfurana, 6 Gynnidomorpha permixtana, 2 Epiblema costipunctana, 1 Agapeta hamana, 1 Caryocolum marmorea, 138 Bryotropha terrella and 7 Phycitodes saxicola. Macro moths included 29 Pretty Pinion, 21 Lime-speck Pugs, 4 Grass Rivulets, 13 Drinkers and 12 Middle-barred Minors. There was a Cinnabar at South Glendale.
Anerastia lotella, Celypha striana and Phycitodes saxicola (John Kemp)
25th June:
North Uist: The 2nd summer Glaucous Gull was still at Balranald.
Barra: The Rose-coloured Starling was on Borve machair again.
Arctic Skua (Andy Williams)
24th June:
North Uist: A Whitethroat was singing at Kallin this afternoon.
23rd June:
Lewis: A male Hen Harrier was seen on Barvas moor this morning.
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was still on Hirta yesterday.
North Uist: The 2nd summer Glaucous Gull was still at Aird an Runair today.
Barra: The adult Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Borve in the afternoon.
Insects: 47 moths / 22 species were in South Glendale last night including an early Dotted Rustic along with a Dark Brocade, Purple Clay, Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Straw Dot, 2 Spectacle and micro moths – 1 Diamond-back Moth, Eucosma campoliliana, Pseudotelphusa paripunctella and 4 Notocelia uddmanniana.
Fin Whale (Andy Williams); Dotted Rustic and Notocelia uddmanniana (John Kemp)
22nd June:
Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale was seen 60 nautical miles north-west of the Butt of Lewis today.
Black-throated Divers, Red-throated Diver and Short-eared Owl (Steve Duffield)
21st June:
Harris: The Rose-coloured Starling was in garden close to the pier in Tarbet again today.
North Uist: A 2nd summer Glaucous Gull was at Aird an Runair this morning. 25 Black-tailed Godwits were seen on Baleshare.
Barra: The adult Rose-coloured Starling was on Borve machair again today; also 2 Whimbrel were at Cleat.
20th June:
Harris: A Rose-coloured Starling was in a garden in Tarbet (present since 18th June).
St. Kilda: A Lapland Bunting was seen on Hirta.
South Uist: Whitethroats were singing at North Loch Eynort and Druidibeg.
Barra: A Crossbill was seen in North Bay.
19th June:
North Uist: A Rose-coloured Starling was on Malaclate machair this afternoon.
Barra: The Rose-coloured Starling was seen on the machair at Borve again today.
18th June:
Lewis: A Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Cliff Beach, Uig this afternoon.
North Uist: 3 Ruff and 2 Black-tailed Gowits were seen at Aird an Runair.
South Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Stoneybridge and an immature Glaucous Gull south of Ardivachar today.
Barra: The Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Borve this morning.
17th June:
Lewis: An Osprey was seen at Garrynahine.
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen on Hirta again today.
Harris: A Rose-coloured Starling was seen in Tarbet.
North Uist: A female Red-necked Phalarope flew south at Aird an Runair this afternoon.
Benbecula: A 2nd cy Iceland Gull was in Stinky Bay this morning.
South Uist: 231 Gannets, 7 Fulmars, 149 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Storm Petrels, 4 Great Northern Divers (7 N), 2 Red-throated Divers (2 N), 147 Razorbills, 123 Guillemots, 251 Auks sp. and 23 Kittiwakes flew south at Ardvule this morning; also 2 Whimbrel were present.
Barra: A Rose-coloured Starling was at Borve and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Creachan.
Marine Sightings: 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ardvule this morning.
Dusky Brocade (John Kemp); Cuckoo with Stonechat, Short-eared Owl and Pugsley's Marsh Orchid (Steve Duffield); juvenile Short-eared Owl (Andrew Wiltshire)
16th June:
North Uist: A Quail was calling near Loch Sandary yesterday evening.
South Uist: 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls and a juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Ardvule; also 2 Whimbrel there.
15th June:
North Uist: A 2cy Glaucous Gull and male Ruff were at Aird an Runair.
South Uist: 4 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 18 Guillemots, 9 Razorbills, 47 Auk sp., 39 Kittiwakes, 9 Fulmar and a Storm Petrel flew south at Ardvule this morning while birds heading north included 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua and 62 Manx Shearwaters; a 2cy Glaucous Gull and 7 Whimbrel were also present. A male Marsh Harrier was seen north of Loch Hallan this afternoon; also a 2cy Iceland Gull on the shore there.
Barra: The Rose-coloured Starling was seen to the south of the community hall on Vatersay today.
Glaucous Gull and Guillemots (John Kemp); Moonwort (Steve Duffield)
14th June:
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper, a 2nd summer Glaucous Gull and an Iceland Gull were at Aird an Runair; also a female Red-necked Phalarope was seen along the shore.
South Uist: A southerly passage at Ardvule this morning included 8 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver, 403 Gannets, 124 Fulmars, 366 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Storm Petrels, 61 Kittiwakes, 1 Great Skua, 57 Auk sp., 32 Guillemots and 25 Razorbills. Also present were 3 Whimbrel, 1 juv Iceland Gull and 36 Arctic Terns which included 16 2nd cy birds. A juvenile Iceland Gull was on the shore at Frobost. A Grasshopper Warbler was at West Kilbride
Barra: A Rose-coloured Starling was seen amongst the rocks at Caolas, Vatersay this evening.
Great Northern Diver, Iceland Gull and Manx Shearwater (John Kemp)
13th June:
South Uist: 4 Whimbrel were off Balgarva and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore Fiver.
12th June:
North Uist: The juvenile Iceland Gull and 2nd summer Glaucous Gull are still on the shore at Aird an Runair. A Glaucous Gull was reported from Kallin Harbour, Grimsay.
South Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher is in Askernish.
Corncrake and Golden Plover (Steve Duffield)
11th June:
North Uist: A 2nd summer Glaucous Gull and juvenile Iceland Gull were seen at Aird an Runair this afternoon.
South Uist: 5 Great Northern Divers (2 S), 112 Gannets, 68 Auks sp, 44 Guillemots, 42 Razorbills, 16 Puffins, 22 Manx Shearwaters, 16 Fulmars, and a Great Skua flew south at Ardvule this morning. Also present a 2cy Iceland Gull, 2 Whimbrel. 2 Long-tailed Ducks were off Ardivachar.
Barra: 3 Crossbills were seen on the island today.
Teal (Graham Forsyth); Snipe (John Kemp)
10th June:
North Uist: A Chiffchaff and around 4 Siskins were at Claddach Vallay. A Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Aird an Runair and 2 adult Iceland Gulls were reported from there; a 2nd summer Glaucous Gull was here later in the afternoon.
Insects: At North Loch Eynort last night 138 moths / 38 species of moth were caught which included a Saxon (first for Outer Hebrides), 1 Peacock Moth, 2 Clouded Border, 1 Pale-shouldered Brocade, 24 Poplar Hawk-moths, 2 Poplar Lute-string, 12 May Highflyers, 2 Ruddy Highflyers and 11 Buff-tip. Micro moths included an Epinotia tedella (2nd for Outer Hebrides), Lathronympha strigana, 5 Pandemis cerasana, 2 Notocelia uddmanniana and 2 Phiaris schulziana.
Saxon, Peacock Moth, Clouded Border and Epinotia tedella (John Kemp); Curlew Sandpiper (Bob McMillan)
9th June:
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen on Hirta.
North Uist: A 2nd summer Glaucous Gull, juvenile Iceland Gull and Little Stint were still on the shore at Aird an Runair today.
South Uist: At Ardvule this morning a southerly passage of 84 Gannets (62 N), 37 Kittiwakes, 2 Great Northern Divers (2 N), 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Storm Petrels (1 N), 104 Auks sp. (35 N), aswell as a flock of 26 Common Scoter. Species north included 43 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Fulmars, 3 Arctic Skuas and a Black Guillemot. A Siskin was in South Glendale. A Sandwich Tern was off Ardivachar and a pair of Long-tailed Ducks were in North Bay.
Barra: A Common Rosefinch was seen on Vatersay.
Insects: 135 moths / 30 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 20 Narrow-winged Pugs, 2 Foxglove Pugs, 1 Grey Pug, 2 Common Pugs, 1 Dusky Brocade, 1 Small Angle Shades, 1 Poplar Hawk-moth, 1 Drinker and 1 Spectacle plus 4 Diamond-back Moths, 2 Elachista subalbidella, 3 Pleurota bicostella and 1 Aethes cnicana. In Carinish 35 species of moths were trapped including a Setaceous Hebrew Character, Dark Brocade and Ruby Tiger amongst others.
Lesser Redpoll (Graham Forsyth); Aethes cnicana and Small Angle Shades (John Kemp); Setaceous Hebrew Character (Steve Duffield)
8th June:
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, juvenile Iceland Gull and 2nd summer Glaucous Gull were on the shore at Aird an Runair this afternoon. 4 Crossbills and a Siskin were in Langass Wood. A Barn Owl was reported at Claddach Baleshare a couple of nights ago.
Benbecula: 2 male Ruff were seen at Loch Mor this evening.
South Uist: 2 Long-tailed Ducks were on North Bay. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Kilpheder.
Curlew Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Goldfinch and Bactra furfurana (John Kemp)
7th June:
Lewis: A 2nd summer Iceland Gull flew past the Butt. A Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Loch Ordais, Bragar.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Aird an Runair this morning. A Wood Sandpiper was reported from Loch na Paisg, Baleshare. A Grasshopper Warbler was seen at Balemore. A Pink-footed Goose was seen on Berneray today.
South Uist: 67 Auks flew north at Ardvule this morning along with 17 Puffins (4S), 85 Gannets (56S), 1 Manx Shearwater, 5 Fulmars and a Great Skua and 2 Red-throated Divers flew south. At least 11 Great Northern Divers on the sea. A Whimbrel was also present. A female flava Wagtail was seen at Ardivachar. A juvenile Iceland Gull was seen at Orasay.
Insects: 162 moths / 36 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 1 May Highflyer, 1 Brimstone Moth, 1 Grey Pine Carpet, 1 Heart & Dart, 1 Spectacle and a Cinnabar. Micro moths included 14 Anania fuscalis, Elachista subalbidella, Aethes cnicana and Pleurota bicostella. 3 Argent & Sable moths were seen along the start of the Ruabhal track, Benbecula this morning.
Cinnibar, Heart & Dart and Pleurota bicostella (John Kemp)
6th June:
North Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull, 2nd summer Glaucous Gull, 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little Stints were seen at Aird an Runair. A Ruff was at Loch na Reivil, Hougarry. A Redwing was at Callernish.
Benbecula: A drake Garganey was on Coot Loch this evening.
South Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull and 4 Whimbrel were at Ardvule.
5th June:
Lewis: A Whinchat is still near Leurbost.
Harris: An Osprey was seen in Glen Meavaig, early afternoon. A Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Borsham, Bays of Harris today.
North Uist: A 2nd summer Glaucous Gull and juvenile Iceland Gull were at Aird an Runair today. A Rose-coloured Starling was reported from Balranald this morning.
South Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Ardvule and 6 Great Norther Divers flew north; also 3 Whimbrel were present.
Barra: 3 Crossbills flew north over Brevig and 3 Spotted Flycatchers were on the island.
Insects: 2 May Highflyers, 2 Fox Moths, 1 Grey Scalloped Bar, 7 Diamond-back Moths and single Rhopobota stagnana, Ancylis unguicella, Caloptilia stigmatella and 7 Anania fuscalis were caught in South Glendale last night.
Iceland Gull and Ancylis unguicella (John Kemp)
4th June:
Lewis: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Ordais and a White-billed Diver was offshore before flying west.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper, 2nd summer Glaucous Gull and juvenile Iceland Gull were at Aird an Runair.
Benbecula: A drake Garganey, 2 Ruff and a Black-tailed Godwit were at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher and Common Redpoll were in Askernish.
Barra: A singing male Reed Warbler was at Creachan; also a Siskin.
3rd June:
North Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull and juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Aird an Runair around midday.
Benbecula: 2 male Ruff were at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull was at Stoneybridge. A Curlew Sandpiper and 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull were at Ardvule.
Insects: A Buff-tip and Ancylis geminana were caught in South Glendale last night. Good numbers of the migrant Silver Y and Diamond-back Moths are throughout the islands.
Curlew Sandpiper, Ancylis geminana and Buff-tip (John Kemp)
2nd June:
North Uist: A drake Garganey was seen on Loch na Paisg, Baleshare today.
Benbecula: 2 male Ruff were at Stinky Bay / Loch Mor and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were in the same area.
South Uist: A Little Stint was at Smerclate this morning.
Barra: A Common Rosefinch was seen at Brevig.
Insects: 4 Argent & Sable, 2 Beautiful Yellow Underwing, Broom Moth, 2 Silver Y and a Glaucous Shears were in South Glendale today.
Little Stint (John Kemp)
1st June:
St. Kilda: A Black-headed Wagtail was on Hirta.
Benbecula: 2 male Ruff and 10 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Mor.
Barra: An Icterine Warbler was at Creachan.
Insects: 583 moths / 48 species of moth were caught in South Glendale last night which included 132 Brown Silver-line, 1 Water Carpet, 3 Scalloped Hazel, 3 Brimstone Moths, 91 Narrow-winged Pugs, 15 Satyr Pugs, 8 Common Pugs, 13 Grey Pugs, 4 Foxglove Pugs, 1 Grey Scalloped Bar, 6 Fox Moths, 26 Knot Grass, 29 Broom Moths, 1 Spectacle, 2 Puss Moths, 1 Silver Y, 21 Diamond-back Moths, 3 Pseudotelphusa paripunctella, 1 Aspilapteryx tringipennella, 1 Agonopterix subpropinquella, 7 Crambus lathoniellus, 14 Anania fuscalis, 2 Syndemis musculana and 21 Neofaculta ericetella. On Eriskay 136 moths / 30 species were recorded which included a Small Chocolate-tip, 1 Dark Brocade, 1 Campion, 1 Thyme Pug, 17 Diamond-back Moths, 1 Carpatolechia notatella, 17 Ancylis subarcuana, 3 Ancylis geminana and a Falseuncaria ruficiliana.
Silver-Y (Graham Forsyth); Small Chocolate-tip, Thyme Pug and Water Carpet (John Kemp)