Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2021
January February March Archive
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20th April:
Lewis: 70+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Melbost.
North Uist: 180 Brent Geese were on the North Ford off Carinish this morning; also 12 Common Terns and an Arctic Tern. 2 Whimbrel flew north over Carinish in the evening. A Cackling Goose and the Todd's Canada Goose were at Balranald this morning. Also 900 - 1,000 Barnacle Geese still there, 4 Lapland Buntings, 14 Whimbrel and 170+ Black-tailed Godwits (mostly by Loch nam Feithean). 3 Scaup (a male and 2 females) and 21 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary. 38 Black-tailed Godwits were on Baleshare.
South Uist: 100 Brent Geese were at Balgarva this morning. 180 Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end of Loch Bee. An immature Glaucous Gull, 5 Whimbrel and 7 Black-tailed Godwits were at Garrynamonie. An immature Glaucous Gull and 78 Black-tailed Godwits were at Smerclate this evening. 6 Pink-footed Geese, 145 Brent Geese and a Great Skua flew north at Ardvule this morning. A Whimbrel was also present and 269 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Ardvule.
Insects: A male Emperor Moth was seen in Carinish.
Cackling Goose and Todd's Canada Goose (Steve Duffield); Black-tailed Godwits (John Kemp)
19th April:
Lewis: An Iceland Gull was seen at the Butt.
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull and 18 Brent Geese were on the shore on Baleshare. An immature Glaucous Gull was at Orosay.
South Uist: An immature Glaucous Gull and 9 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Smerclate. A Whimbrel was at Orosay.
Barra: The Blue Tit is still at the Manse.
Glaucous Gull (Steve Duffield)
18th April:
Lewis: 7 Lapland Buntings and a juvenile Iceland Gull were at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: 12 Black-tailed Godwits were by Loch na Paisg, Baleshare and a single Sand Martin was over Loch Mor. A Willow Warbler was singing in Carinish today.
Barra: A Jack Snipe was seen at Bolnabodach today.
17th April:
Lewis: A Spoonbill was first seen on the rocks at the Butt this morning before moving to Loch Stiapabhat; also 11 Lapland Buntings were around the sheep pens nearby. A pair of Pintail, a Scaup, a Goosander and a 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull were also on Loch Stiapabhat whilst a single Sand Martin was also seen over. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at the Butt. The Snow Goose was at Loch Tiumpan.
Harris: A Common Sandpiper was at Meavaig today.
North Uist: An Iceland Gull, 3 Swallows and 35 Sand Martins were at Aird an Runair, Balranald.
Benbecula: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Stinky Bay and a Common Tern was on Loch Mor before flying toward the coast this afternoon. 5 Sand Martins were at Loch na Meallaird.
South Uist: 10 Whimbrel were on the Range on Eochar machair and 140+ Black-tailed Godwits were at LA2 along with 3 Sand Martins. The Little Egret was at Clachan, at the north end of Loch Bee again this morning.
Barra: A Blue Tit was at Cuithir.
Redshank (Steve Duffield); Spoonbill and Lapland Bunting (Andy Williams)
16th April:
Lewis: A 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull was at North Dell. A Common Sandpiper was at Laxay. 8 Lapland Buntings, 28 Black-tailed Godwits, a male Goosander, female Scaup and female Gadwall were at Loch Stiapabhat.
Harris: 5 Velvet Scoters were in the Sound of Taransay.
South Uist: The Little Egret was at Clachan, at the north end of Loch Bee again this morning. 2 Glaucous Gulls were at Orosay. A 3rd cal yr Ring-billed Gull was seen in North Bay (Mol Mor). 2 Lapland Buntings and 2 Common Scoters were at Ardivachar. 142 Black-tailed Godwits were at LA2.
Barra: A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Cleat.
Insects: An Early Grey, 3 Clouded Drab, 21 Hebrew Character, 1 Red Chestnut and an Early Tooth-striped were trapped at North Loch Eynort last night.
Clouded Drab, Early Tooth-striped and Early Grey (John Kemp)
15th April:
North Uist: 2 Little Terns were on the North Ford off Carinish this morning.
South Uist: A Little Egret and 42 Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end of Loch Bee this morning. 7 Whimbrel were on the Range at Eochar machair. 29 Black-tailed Godwits were on the flood pool at LA2. A Chiffchaff was at Druidibeg plantation. A Swallow was at West Kilbride this morning and 4 White-fronted Geese flew north there. 11 Manx Shearwaters flew south off Askernish this evening.
Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale was seen heading south off Tiumpan Head late morning.
Black-tailed Godwits and Buzzard with Raven (Steve Duffield)
14th April:
Lewis: A Willow Warbler and 100's of Redwings are in Lews Castle Grounds. Stornoway. 12 Velvet Scoters on the north side of the Braigh, near Stornoway and a minimum of 300 Great Northern Divers. 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Steinish this evening. A Swallow was at Loch Tiumpan.
Harris: A pair of Surf Scoters, 150+ Common Scoter, 350+ Eider, 20 Long-tailed Ducks and 10 Great Northern Divers were in the Sound of Taransay.
North Uist: The Todd's Canada Goose was by Loch Gorgarry, Balranald whilst a juvenile Iceland Gull was on the coast. 3 Sand Martins, a Swallow and a Black-tailed Godwit were also present. 14 White-fronted Geese were at Loch nam Feithean. A Lapland Bunting was on Gearraidh Gall, near Tigharry. A female Blackcap was in Carinish and 120 Pink-footed Geese flew north there around 15:20. 5 Pink-footed Geese were with 350 Barnacle Geese at Scolpaig this morning. 4 Black-tailed Godwits were on Baleshare.
South Uist: Around 450 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Eriskay this afternoon and 67 Great Northern Divers were in the Sound of Barra. An immature Glaucous Gull was at Smerclate; also a Swallow there this evening and 60 Pink-footed Geese heading north.
Barra: A Sandwich Tern and a Swallow were at Eoligarry. 250 Barnacle Geese were still present. A Blackcap was at Castlebay and a Willow Warbler was at Northbay.
Marine Sightings: 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphins are still in the South Ford this morning. 7 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Smerclate this afternoon.
Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Swallow and Todd's Canada Goose (Steve Duffield)
13th April:
Lewis: 6 or 7 Lapland Buntings and a Black-tailed Godwit were by Loch Stiapabhat; also 41 Barnacle Geese and 65 Pink-footed Geese there. A few more Pink-footed Geese were on the machair and a couple of skiens went over totalling around 150. A 3rd cal yr Iceland Gull was at the Butt. The Snow Goose was with 4 Pink-footed Geese by Loch Tiumpan for much of the day.
North Uist: The Todd's Canada Goose is still at Balranald on the headland this morning and late morning by Loch Grogarry. 11 Lapland Buntings and a juvenile Iceland Gull were also present. 160+ pale-bellied Brent Geese were feeding on the headland at Balranald this morning befoe flying off north; another 40 Brent Geese flew north just after 9 am, 13 Whooper Swans flew north just after 10 am and a drake Common Scoter was with Eider off-shore. 3 Pink-footed Geese and a Sand Martin were also in the area.
Benbecula: A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was in Stinky Bay this afternoon. A Chiffchaff was singing at Uachdar.
South Uist: 44 Whooper Swans flew north at Askernish late evening.
Barra: A Willow Warbler was at Bruernish.
Marine Sightings: 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were in the South Ford off Carnan this evening.
Insects: An Emperor Moth was seen in Carinish today.
Brent Geese, Todd's Canada Goose with Barnacle Goose and Lapland Bunting (Steve Duffield)
12th April:
Lewis: The Snow Goose was at Loch an Duin, Aird, Point.
North Uist: A Todd's Canada Goose was with Barnacle Geese at Balranald this morning; also 27 Lapland Buntings were on the headland.
South Uist: 299 Barnacle Geese and 6 Long-tailed Ducks flew north at Ardvule this morning whilst 14 Puffins flew south. 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Sand Martins were also at Ardvule. 48 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair. A Siskin was in South Glendale and 54 White-fronted Geese flew north there at 11:40. An Iceland Gull was in Lochboisdale in the afternoon. 2 Siskins and a Chiffchaff were in Askernish. 327 Barnacle Geese flew north over West Kilbride in the morning.
Marine Sightings: 4 or 5 White-beaked Dolphins and a couple of Harbour Porpoise were seen off Tiumpan Head today.
Lapland Bunting and Todd's Canada Goose (Steve Duffield); Snow Goose (Steve Dodd); Lapland Bunting - 2 photos (Roger Auger)
11th April:
Lewis: 1,500 Pink-footed Geese were in Ness today. A Snow Goose was seen in Point.
Harris: 50 Pink-footed Geese flew west over Meavaig this morning.
North Uist: At least 300 Barnacle Geese flew north over Carinish between 09:30 - 10:00 today. The drake Scaup is still on Loch Mor, Baleshare and 7 Black-tailed Godwits dropped in there this morning. At Balranald the pair of Cackling Geese were still present whilst 5,500 - 6,000 Barnacle Geese were in the area. 250 Pink-footed Geese flew north at Balranald late this afternoon whilst at least 5 Lapland Buntings, a juvenile Glaucous Gull and 12 Sand Martins were also present. 2 Pink-footed Geese are still in Carinish.
Benbecula: The Little Egret was on Loch Mor. 5 Pintails were on Loch Fada. A Pink-footed Goose was by Coot Loch. A Wood Pigeon was in Nunton.
South Uist: Birds flying north at Ardvule this morning included 1 Great Northern Diver, 52 Gannets, 627 Barnacle Geese and 30 Greenland White-fronted Geese; also 2 Black-tailed Godwits were present.
Marine Sightings: 4 Orcas were seen off Tiumpan Head late this afternoon and were seen heading south off Aird, close inshore at 18:35. A Minke Whale was seen off Brevig.
Lapland Buntings (Steve Duffield); Orcas (Andy Williams)
10th April:
Lewis: Large numbers of Redwings are still passing through with 75+ in a garden in Ranish this morning. 1,300 Pink-footed Geese (in 11 flocks) flew north-west over Luirbost during the day today; also 350 Redwings in a plantation nearby. 9 Lapland Buntings were by Loch Stiapabhat.
North UIst: 2 Pink-footed Geese are still in Carinish.
Benbecula: 220 Pink-footed Geese flew north - north-west over Benbecula late afternoon and another 140 dropped in at Loch na Meallaird. A small mixed flock of 11 Greylags and 3 Pink-footed Geese also flew north.
South Uist: A Chiffchaff was in Druidibeg plantation. 17 Whooper Swans flew north off-shore from Howmore this morning. A few wildfowl north at Ardvule this morning included 27 Whooper Swans, 223 Barnacle Geese and 162 Greenland White-fronted Geese; also 23 Black-tailed Godwits present. 25 Black-tailed Godwits were at the north end of Loch Bee.
Barra: A drake Green-winged Teal was still at Ardmhor. Also a few new Chiffchaffs on the island today as well as hundreds of Barnacle Geese, White-fronted Geese and Pink-footed Geese heading north.
Pink-footed Geese (Steve Duffield)
9th April:
Lewis: 200 Whooper Swans and 180 Pink-footed Geese were at Loch Stiapabhat. A Jack Snipe was seen at Laxay.
North Uist: The drake Scaup is still at Loch Mor, Baleshare.
South UIst: 40 White-fronted Geese were at Snishival. 36 White-fronted Geese were in Askernish.
Meadow Pipit and Redwing (Steve Duffield); White-fronted Geese (John Love)
8th April:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on Coll beach.
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on Baleshare this afternoon whilst 2 Bonxies flew north-west along the shore there and the drake Scaup was on Loch Mor. 3 Pink-footed Geese were in Carinish.
South Uist: Birds  flying south at Ardvule today included a Great Skua (+ one N), 9 Kittiwakes, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Guillemot, 15 Razorbills, 2 Black Guillemots, 62 Manx Shearwaters and 5 Fulmars (+2N). Also present were 2 Gadwall and 22 Black-tailed Godwits. The Siskin and a Wood Pigeon were in South Glendale.
Black-tailed Godwit and Bonxie (John Kemp)
7th April:
Lewis: 60 Whooper Swans were at Loch Barvas and a Wheatear was seen close by.
North Uist: The pair of Cackling Geese were by Loch nam Feithean and later by Loch Grogarry, Balranald today. 90 White-fronted Geese feeding by Loch nam Feithean although they flew north early afternoon. 13 Whooper Swans were on Loch nam Feithean whlst 24 were on Loch Grogarry. A juvenile Iceland Gull was on the shore at Balranald.
Benbecula: 54 White-fronted Geese were by Coot Loch this afternoon and 43 Whooper Swans were on Loch na Liana Moire, Nunton.
South Uist: 47 Whooper Swans flew north at Askernish this morning. A Corncrake was flushed at Frobost today! The Siskin was still in South Glendale today. 4 Wheatears and 37 Whooper Swans were at Ardvule. 300 Redwings were at West Kilbride. 27 White-fronted Geese and 74 Whooper Swans were at Frobost.
Short-eared Owl (Steve Duffield); Siskin (John Kemp)
6th April:
North Uist: A Bonxie was in the North Ford off Carinish early afternoon. Around 400 Redwings were in Carinish this morning and 3 Pink-footed Geese were there this afternoon. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on Baleshare and the drake Scaup was still on Loch Mor too.
Benbecula: 74 White-fronted Geese and 6 Pink-footed Geese were at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A male Siskin was in South Glendale this morning. 43 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch ant-Saile. 180 White-fronted Geese were by Loch Bee. 7 Sand Martins were seen on Bornish machair. A Scaup was on Loch Bee. A Cuckoo was heard in Howmore.
Barra: 3 Chiffchaffs were on the island.
5th April:
North Uist: The drake Scaup is still on Loch Mor, Baleshare.
Barra: A drake Green-winged Teal was still at Ardmhor in the afternoon.
Bar-tailed Godwits (Steve Duffield)
4th April:
Lewis: An Iceland Gull was seen at Port Stoth, near the Butt and another was at Lionel. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Loch Stiapabhat. A Carrion Crow was seen at Eoropie on the 2nd.
North Uist: A dozen Sand Martins were feeding in the dunes at Balranald.
Benbecula: 25 Black-tailed Godwits were at Coot Loch.
South Uist: 3 Sand Martins were hawking over Eochar machair. 200 Gannets flew north past Ardivachar in 25 minutes, late morning. A White Wagtail was at West Kilbride.
Barra: A Whimbrel was seen flying north. 1,500 Redwings were on the island.
Meadow Pipit (Steve Duffield); Carrion Crow (Hector Neally)
3rd April:
Lewis: A Glaucous Gull was at Tong.
Harris: 2 Wheatears and 20 Redwings were at Meavaig this morning with 12 Whooper Swans flying north in the evening.
North Uist: 2 Cackling Geese were at Balranald; also 2 Iceland Gulls, 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls (one flying north); a Lapland Bunting and 7 Snow Buntings. 5 Pintail and 12 Sand Martins were at Loch nam Feithean, Balranald this evening and another Sand Martin flew north there this morning. 35 - 40 Pink-footed Geese were at Balranald early morning and another 18 flew north in the afternoon. 4 Lapland Buntings were at Knockintorran and 9 Pink-footed Geese were present.
South Uist: 200 Whooper Swans were at the south-west end of Loch Bee. 28 Black-tailed Godwits were at LA2.
Insects: Moths trapped in Carinish last night included 63 Hebrew Characters, 2 Red Chestnut, a Brindled Ochre and a Red Sword-grass.
Snow Bunting (Steve Duffield)
2nd April:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull flew past Tiumpan Head. A Wheatear was seen at the Butt. 175 Pink-footed Geese were by Loch Tiumpan.
Harris: A Wheatear was at Sron Scourst.
North Uist: A Crossbill was in Langass Wood around mid day. A Wheatear was at Claddach Baleshare. 50 Barnacle Geese flew north over Carinish this morning. 3 Snow Buntings were on Berneray and 2 Pintail were on Loch Bhrusda. An Iceland Gull, 12 White-fronted Geese and 2 Wheatears were seen at Balranald. 4 Wheatears were at Scotvein, Grimsay this evening.
South Uist: A Chiffchaff was in Loch Eynort. 13 Common Scoter were off Aird Mhichael and a Wheatear was on the headland; also 28 Barnacle Geese and 36 White-fronted Geese flew north. 24 Black-tailed Godwits and 8 Whooper Swans were on Bornish machair. 8 Barnacle Geese were at Ormiclate. 100's of Redwings around the island too.
Barra: 100's of Redwings were on the island today. A Chiffchaff was at Brevig and 48 Pink-footed Geese passed through.
1st April:
Lewis: 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull flew north past Tiumpan Head.
St. Kilda: A Little Auk and Leach's Petrel were seen from the RV Celtic Explorer to the north-west of the islands today.
North Uist: 30 White-fronted Geese flew north-west off the west side of Berneray this morning; also a Pink-footed Goose there. A Pink-footed Goose was at Grenitote. A Wheatear was see at Scotvein, Grimsay today.
Benbecula: 2 Wheatears were seen at Carnan and Wiay today. 6 White-fronted Geese were with Greylags by Coot Loch and 9 Black-tailed Godwits were also there this afternoon. 23 Whooper Swans came in from the west and dropped onto Loch Mor. 18 Whooper Swans flew north over Benbecula this afternoon.
South Uist: The Water Rail is still visiting a garden in Carnan. A Glaucous Gull is at Garrynamonie. A Seawatch at Ardvule this morning produced a northerly movement of 28 Whooper Swans and 508 Barnacle Geese; 2 Pink-footed Geese were also present. Also at Ardvule a Sand Martin flew north, a Wheatear, 14 Black-tailed Godwits and a Grey Plover were on the headland. 4 Sand Martins flew north over Askernish golf course this evening. 90 Redwings were in Askernish and 40 White-fronted Geese flew north. 85 Barnacle Geese and 110 White-fronted Geese flew north at Ardivachar this morning.
Barra: Several Wheatears were seen on Vatersay. 20 White-fronted Geese and 30 Whooper Swans flew north over Eoligarry.
Insects: 27 Belted Beauties were seen between Smerclate and Garrynamonie this afternoon.
Marine Sightings: A Sperm Whale and a Long-finned Pilot Whale were seen from the Celtic Explorer to the north-west of St. Kilda. 4 - 6 Risso's Dolphins headed south to the east of Tiumpan Head this afternoon.
Red-breasted Mergansers (Steve Duffield); White-tailed Eagle and Wheatear (John Kemp)