Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2026
Archive January February March April
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9th May:
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was feeding in fields with large flock of Dunlin on Baleshare; opposite Loch na Paisg.
South Uist: A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was on the Range at LA2. A Glaucous Gull was later seen at Ardivachar. 3 Avocets and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Marine Sightings: A Humpback Whale and 40 Risso's Dolphins were seen off the Butt.
8th May:
Lewis: The American Wigeon was at Loch Stiapabhat. 3 White-billed Divers (2 adult and 2nd cal yr) were off Skigersta this afternoon. A Green-winged Teal was seen at Valasay, Great Bernera.
North Uist: 4 Long-tailed Skuas and 24 Puffins flew north past Aird an Runair (06:30 - 07:30) today. 17 Barnacle Geese and 5 Pink-footed Geese are still at Balranald. A 3rd cal yr Iceland Gull was at Loch Sandary.
Benbecula: 2 Dotterel and 50 Whimbrel were in a field west of the road at Aird.
South Uist: 2 Avocets were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Barra: The Hawfinch was still in Castlebay this morning.
7th May:
North Uist: A House Martin was at Loch Grogarry this evening. 2 Pomarine Skuas and 35 Long-tailed Skuas flew north past Aird an Runair late evening.
South Uist: An Iceland Gull was at Loch Drimore. 3 Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Bee. 3 Avocets were on The Range today.
Barra: The Hawfinch was in Castlebay again this morning.
Purple Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Arctic Skuas and Hen Harrier (Alan Kennedy)
6th May:
Lewis: The American Wigeon was at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: A Glaucous Gull was at Kyles Paible.
South Uist: A Glaucous Gull was at Aird Mhicheil.
Barra: A Hawfinch was in Castlebay.
5th May:
Lewis: A Pomainre Skua flew north-west past Skigersta this evening.
North Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were seen on the beach at Balranald. A Ruddy Shelduck was reported from Loch Bhrusda, Berneray. 2 Dotterel were seen by the track to Aird an Runair this evening. 2 Long-tailed Skuas flew past Balranald early morning.
Benbecula: 92 Whimbrel were on the island today. 5 BLack-tailed Godwits and a Little Egret were at Coot Loch.
South Uist: An adult Curlew Sandpiper was at Ardivachar and an Iceland Gull was also seen there. A 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull was in a field behind Kildonan beach.
Barra: A Hawfinch flew over Castlebay this afternoon.
4th May:
Lewis: The drake American Wigeon was still at Loch Stiapabhat. An adult White-billed Diver was seen 800m north of the Butt this evening.
North Uist: 7 Pomarine Skuas flew past Balranald this morning. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Aird an Runair.
South Uist: An Iceland Gull was seen at Ardivachar and it or another was on the pools on The Range.
Iceland Gull (Alan Kennedy)
3rd May:
Lewis: The drake American Wigeon was still at Loch Stiapabhat; where there was also a pale-bellied Brent Goose amongst 22 Pink-footed Geese.
North Rona: A Great Shearwater was seen at sea near the island from a boat today.
Benbecula: A 2nd summer Little Gull was at Coot Loch.
South Uist: 2 Avocets were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee and a Ruddy Shelduck was also reported from there today.
Little Gull (Neil Bennett)
2nd May:
Lewis: A drake American Wigeon was on Loch Stiapabhat.
St. Kilda: A drake American Wigeon was with 10 Wigeon in Village Bay this morning before flying off east.
1st May:
Lewis: An Osprey was seen over Port of Ness. A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Sgailleir, just above Meavaig.
North Uist: 78 Whimbrel were at Balemore. 49 Whimbrel were on Baleshare and another 28 were seen at Lochmaddy.
Benbecula: A drake Garganey was on Loch Fada.
South Uist: 2 Avocets were at the south-west end of Loch Bee.
Insects: North Loch Eynort last night had 53 moths / 13 species which included 11 Ruddy Highflyers, 2 Golden-rod Pugs and a Brindled Pug. South Glendale produced 87 moths / 13 species which included a Powdered Quaker, Autumn Green Carpet, 2 Striped Twin-spot Carpets and a Sweet Gale Moth.
In Lewis a Small Mottled Willow was trapped in Point.
Brindled Pug and Sweet Gale (John Kemp)