Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2020
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30th June:
Lewis: The Rose-coloured Starling is at Skigersta.
North Uist: The Rose-coloured Starling is still in Carinish.
South Uist: A Bonxie was seen off Ardvule this morning although little else was on the move.
Little Tern (John Kemp); Moonwort (Steve Duffield)
29th June:
Lewis: A Rose-coloured Starling is in Cross. A Rose-coloured Starling is also at Skigersta. At least 10 Crossbills were on the edge of the Castle Grounds, Stornoway this morning.
North Uist: 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Mor, Baleshare. The Rose-coloured Starling is still in Carinish.
South Uist: The Great White Egret was seen at Ardnamonie again mid-morning.
28th June:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull is at Port Stoth, near the Butt. A Rose-coloured Starling is visiting a garden in Port of Ness. 3 Swifts were at Steinish.
North Uist: A Rose-coloured Starling was in Carinish this afternoon.
South Uist: The Great White Egret was in Ardnamonie again this afternoon.
Rose-coloured Starling (Steve Duffield); Great White Egret (Joe Newman)
27th June:
North Uist: A Rose-coloured Starling was seen at 13:30 on the fence at Ardnastruban Guest House, Grimsay.
Benbecula: The 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull was in Stinky Bay again this afternoon along with an immature Glaucous Gull.
South Uist: The Great White Egret was seen high over Ardnamonie before dropping down at the north end of Loch Bee this afternoon.
Barra: A Crossbill was in Northbay briefly.
Insects: 82 moths and 55 species were caught in South Glendale which included 3 Heart & Dart, 3 Small Rivulet, 1 Silver y, 1 Grey Pug, 3 Foxglove Pug, 2 Wormwood Pugs, 79 True Lover’s Knot, 2 Mottled Beauty, I Middle-barred Minor, 1 Elephant Hawk-moth, 4 Bactra lacteana, 2 Bactra furfurana, 6 Bactra lancealana, 2 Pleurota bicostella, 1 Hedya atropunctana, 1 Argyresthia conjugella, 1 Notocelia cynosbatella, 2 Notocelia uddmanniana.
Glaucous Gull and Sericomyia lappona (Steve Duffield); Wormwood Pug (John Kemp)
26th June:
North Uist: A Rose-coloured Starling was at Baymore, Grimsay today.
Benbecula: A 1st yr Bonaparte's Gull was in Stinky Bay this morning.
South Uist: A Rose-coloured Starling was at Ardivachar. The Great White Egret was seen on Loch Bee at Ardnamonie this morning. The Spoonbill was on islands near the west side of Loch Bee and 41 Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end.
Insects: 226 moths / 40 species were caught in Carinish last night including a Ghost Moth, Pinion-streaked Snout, a Straw Dot and a couple of Silver Y's amongst many others.
Bonaparte's Gull and Rose-coloured Starling (Steve Duffield)
Whitethroat, Eudonia Mercurella, Satyr Pug (John Kemp)
25th June:
North Uist: A male Ruff was at Loch Sandary.
South Uist: The Great White Egret was at the north end of Loch Bee, Ardnamonie this afternoon.
Insects: 77 moths and 22 species were trapped at Carnan last night including 7 Buff-tip, 3 Common White Wave, 2 Light Emerald, a Pebble Prominent , a Straw Dot and a Diamondback Moth amongst others.
56 moths/ 25 species were caught on Eriskay including aPurple Clay, 3 Straw Dot, 3 Drinker, 1 Pretty Pinion, 1 Thyme Pug, Gillmeria pallidactyla, Coleophora taeniipennella, Notocelia uddmanniana, 2 Elachista argentella and Eana penziana.
In South Glendale 57 moths / 27 species were trapped which included Snout, Treble-bar, Foxglove Pug, Purple Clay, 2 Heart & Dart, Elachista argentella, Elachista albifrontella, 2 Aethes cnicana and Pleurota bicostella.
Straw Dot, Purple Clay, Gillmeria pallidactyla, Thyme Pug and Treble-bar (John Kemp)
24th June:
Lewis: A Swift was seen over Stornoway airport.
South Uist: A Great White Egret was at Ardnamonie this morning.
Great White Egret (Joe Newman)
23rd June:
Lewis: 7 Swifts were over Loch Tiumpan this morning.
Harris: A Rose-coloured Starling was in East Tarbet today.
South Uist: A Swift flew over Snishival this morning. The Osprey was seen at Loch Druidibeg today. The Spoonbill was again at the south end of Loch Bee this evening; also 5 Black-tailed Godwits there.
Barra: A Swift flew south over Brevig this evening.
Rose-coloured Starling (Donald Hodgson)
22nd June:
Lewis: 6 Swifts and a House Martin were feeding over Loch Tiumpan this evening.
Benbecula: An adult Little Gull was on Coot Loch. A House Martin was in Balivanich.
South Uist: 2 Whinchats were at Carnan this evening.
21st June:
Lewis: Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Eorpie.
South Uist: Seawatching at Ardvule this morning saw a mainly southerly movement of 116 Manx Shearwaters, 6 Fulmars, 291 Gannets, 24 Razorbills, 20 Guillemots, 74 Auk sp., 6 Kittiwakes, 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Great Skua, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers and 3 Common Scoter. Another three high Whimbrel also came in off sea from the north.
Fulmar and Bonxie (John Kemp); Peacock Butterfly caterpillas (Steve Duffield)
20th June:
Benbecula: The 2 cal yr Glaucous Gull was at Stinky Bay.
South Uist: A 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull was in the south bay at Arvdule this morning; also there 3 Whimbrel in off sea and heading south. Seawatching from the point produced the following heading south: 43 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Storm Petrels, 10 Gannets (+6 N), 23 auk sp., 2 Red-throated Divers and a Great Northern Diver. The Spoonbill was seen on Loch Bee.
Bonaparte's Gull and Whimbrel (John Kemp)
19th June:
Benbecula: A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull is in Stinky Bay.
18th June:
Harris: The Rose-coloured Starling is still at Huisinish. More on this and photos here.
North Uist: A Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen in Paiblesgarry this morning.
Insects: 128 moths and 38 species were trapped at Claddach Baleshare last night including a Saxon, a Buff-tip, 2 Small Angle Shades, a Scalloped Hazel, Grey Scalloped Bar, a Brown Rustic and Matilella fusca amonst many others.
93 moths and 22 species were caught at Carnan including a Buff-tip, 13 Poplar Hawkmoths, 6 Elephant Hawkmoths and a Magpie.
At Druidibeg moths trapped included 2 Diamond-back Moths, 1 Pleurota bicostella, 1 Coleophora albicosta, 46 Buff-tip, 19 Poplar Hawk-moths, 2 Drinker, 6 Fox Moths and 2 Grey Daggers.
Grey Dagger and Coleophora_albicosta (John Kemp); Saxon, Scalloped Hazel, Buff-tip and Matilella fusca (Steve Duffield)
17th June:
Harris: A Rose-coloured Starling was in Huisinish in the evening. More on this and photos here.
North Uist: The drake Lesser Scaup is still on Loch Sandary. A Rose-coloured Starling was seen on Baleshare today. A House Martin was at Loch nam Feithean.
South Uist: An Osprey was seen at Druidibeg late evening.
Rose-coloured Starling (Jamie Boyle)
16th June:
South Uist: The Spoonbill was still at Loch Bee this afternoon. An adult Glaucous Gull was on the beach at Kildonan. A Crossbill was at Askernish.
Barra: A Crossbill was at Creachan and a Garden Warbler was singing in Castlebay.
Insects: 405 moths and 46 species were trapped in Carinish last night including a Sallow Kitten, 2 Ruby Tigers, a Small Rivulet and a Pinion-streaked Snout amongst many others.
Sallow Kitten, Ruby Tiger, Poplar Hawkmoths, Lime-speck Pug and Small Rivulet (Steve Duffield)
15th June:
North Uist: The drake Lesser Scaup is still on Loch Sandary; also a male Ruff there.
Barra: An Iceland Gull flew over Bolnabodach this morning. 4 Crossbills flew south over North Bay.
Corncrake (Steve Duffield)
14th June:
Benbecula: An immature Glaucous Gull was at Loch Mor. A male Whinchat was singing at Market Stance.
South Uist: A Siskin and Spotted Flycatcher were in South Glendale. The Spoonbill is still on Loch Bee.
Marine Sightings: 9 Pilot Whales are still in Lochboisdale.
Insects: 131 moths and 21 species were trapped at Carnan last night and included Bright-line Brown Eye 12, Broom Moth 2, Buff Ermine 19, Clouded-bordered Brindle 2, Common White Wave 4, Elephant Hawkmoth 10. Flame Carpet 2, Flame Shoulder 9, Fox Moth 16, Knot Grass 3, Map-winged Swift 1, Poplar Hawkmoth 14, Purple Bar 1, Silver-ground Carpet 12, Small Square spot 2, Campion 5, Shark 1, Shears 3, Spectacle 5, White ermine 5, Diamond -back moth 3.
In Carinish 247 moths and 46 species were trapped inlcuding 13 Elephant Hawkmoths, 4 Poplar Hawkmoths, a Ruby Tiger and a Coxcomb Prominent amongst many others.
In South Glendale 315 moths / 51 species were caught which included a Double-striped Pug, 6 Spectacle, 1 Poplar Lutestring, 1 Pale-shouldered Brocade, 1 Shark, 3 Hedya atropunctana, 4 Pleurota bicostella. At Daliburgh machair 86 moths /16 species were trapped including 14 Lime-speck Pugs, 7 Heart & Dart, 2 Middle-barred Minors, 1 Phycitodes saxicola and 3 Scoparia pyralella.
Notocelia cynosbatella (Steve Duffield) Hedya atropunctana, Phycitodes saxicola, Scoparia pyralella, Spotted Flycatcher and Siskin (John Kemp)
Spoonbill (Andrew Stevenson)
13th June:
North Uist: The drake Lesser Scaup is still on Loch Sandary.
South Uist: A Marsh Warbler is in South Glendale. A Common Redpoll is at Carnan. The Spoonbill was seen at the southern end of Loch Bee this evening.
Marsh Warbler (John Kemp); Whooper Swan (John Love)
12th June:
Benbecula: A Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Aird this morning.
South Uist: The Spoonbill was showing well at the south-west end of Loch Bee this afternoon (youtube video of the bird here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_COdV0L_XEo). This is just the 8th record for the Outer Hebrides and the first since 1986: Outer Hebrides birds checklist.
Marine Sightings: 16 Pilot Whales are in Lochboisdale. Unfortunately 2 have apparently died and 2 more have beached.
Spoonbill (Steve Duffield)
11th June:
North Uist: The drake Lesser Scaup is still on Loch Sandary.
South Uist: The Spoonbill was seen in the channel t0 the north of West Gerinish, Loch Bee again this evening.
Barra: A Blyth's Reed Warbler is singing on in Castlebay today. A Hobby was seen heading north and later between Tangasdale and Castlebay. Also 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Siskin on the island.
Insects: 189 moths/36 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 57 Buff Ermine, 2 Elephant Hawk-moths, 4 Spectacle, 1 Campion, 3 Dusky Brocade, 5 Clouded-bordered Brindle, 1 Green Carpet, 1 Heart & Dart, 3 Brimstone Moths, Eucosma campoliliana, Caloptilia stigmatella, Matilella fusca, Crambus pascuella, 4 Pleurota bicostella, 3 Notocelia cynosbatella and 8 Neofaculta ericetella.
Brimstone and Spectacle moths (John Kemp)
10th June:
Lewis: 2 Barnacle Geese were by Loch Tiumpan. A Rose-coloured Starling was at Gallan Head.
South Uist: An Avocet was seen briefly at the north end of Loch Bee early afternoon. A Pied Flycatcher was reported from Eochar. A Spoonbill was seen at the south end of Loch Bee this evening.
9th June:
Insects: An Epiblema scutalana was trapped in South Glendale last night.
Epiblema scutalana (John Kemp)
8th June:
North Uist: The drake Lesser Scaup is still on Loch Sandary. 2 Barnacle Geese were at the west end of Vallay.
South Uist: The Osprey is still at Druidibeg; also a Chiffchaff and Whitethroat singing there. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Ardnamonie.
Barra: A Blyth's Reed Warbler was singing at the roadsids this morning.
Insects: An Argent & Sable, 4 Small Purple-barred, 8 Glyphipterix schoenicolella and 2 Silver Y were seen to the east of South Glendale.
Iceland Gull (Joe Newman)
7th June:
Lewis: A Rose-coloured Starling was seen on the machair at Lionel this morning.
North Uist: A Whitethroat was at Claddach Baleshare.
Benbecula: The Glaucous Gull is still at Stinky Bay and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end of Loch Mor.
South Uist: A Long-tailed Skua flew north at Ardivachar at 11:52 today. A Common Redpoll was at Carnan.
6th June:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull is at Port Stoth, Butt of Lewis again today. 2 Rose-coloured Starlings were at Knockaird and another was at Ballantrushal.
South Uist: An Osprey was at Druidibeg today.
Arctic Skua (John Kemp); Osprey and Short-eared Owl (Joe Newman)
5th June:
Lewis: 2 Rose-coloured Starlings were at Fivepenny and a Glaucous Gull was at Port Stoth.
South Uist: A Blyth's Reed Warbler is in Bornish (for it's 6th day).
4th June:
Lewis: There are now 3 Rose-coloured Starlings in Fivepenny. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at the Butt.
North Uist: The drake Lesser Scaup is still on Loch Sandary.
Benbecula: The juvenile Glaucous Gull is still in Stinky Bay.
South Uist: A Common Redpoll and a Siskin were in Carnan.
Barra: A male Red-backed Shrike was at Bolnabodach this afternoon.
3rd June:
North Uist: The drake Lesser Scaup is still on Loch Sandary. A 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull was at Rubh' Arnal. A Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Siskin were at Langass Lodge.
Benbecula: A 3rd cal yr Glaucous Gull was in Stinky Bay today.
South Uist: A Common Redpoll was in Carnan.
Lesser Scaup and Redshanks (Steve Duffield)
2nd June:
Lewis: A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was at the Butt this afternoon. A Rose-coloured Starling was seen at Fivepenny, Ness this afternoon.
North Uist: A Blyth's Reed Warbler was reported from Callernish House.
Barra: A 1st summer male Red-breasted Flycatcher was at Creachan this morning; also at least 6 Spotted Flycatchers were seen around the island.
South Uist: A Hawfinch was seen in Askernish.
Insects: 91 moths / 29 species of moths were caught on Eriskay last night including a Buff-tip, Poplar Lutestring, Bee Moth, Burnished Brass, Silver Y, Cinnabar, Carpatolechia notatella, Ancylis subarcuana and Ancylis geminana. In South Glendale moths trapped included 38 Buff Ermine, 1 Silver Hook, 1 Sweet Gale Moth, 2 Elephant Hawk-moths, 1 Buff-tip, 93 Brown Silver-line, 2 Cinnabars, 1 Glaucous Shears, Syndemis musculana, 15 Anania fuscalis, 1 Carpatolechia notatella, 13 Neofaculta ericetella and Caloptilia stigmatella.
Buff-tip, Delplanqueia dilutella, Poplar Lutestring, Silver Hook and Sweet Gale (John Kemp)
1st June:
North Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher was at Callernish House; also 3 Barnacle Geese nearby. A Turtle Dove was at Clachan this evening.
South Uist: A Water Rail was calling at Ardkenneth, by St. Michael's chuch this evening.
Insects: Good numbers of Red Admirals and Painted Ladys are around the islands at the moment with 5 Red Admirals, 2 Painted Ladys in a single garden in Carnan as well as several Common Blues and a Small Heath. 58 moths of 15 species were trapped in Carnan last night including 23 Fox Moths, 3 Elephant Hawkmoths, a Poplar Hawkmoth, a Silver Y and 2 Angle Shades amongst others. In Carinish 106 moths of 29 species were caught. This included 7 Silver Y's, 2 Cinnabar, 10 Fox Moths and the migrant Diamond-back moth amongst others. A Dark Sword-grass was caught at Claddach Baleshare.
Cinnabar moth, Greenfinch and Turtle Dove (Steve Duffield)