Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2023
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31st May:
Lewis: The American Wigeon was at Loch Tiumpan.
North Uist: At least 1 Bee-eater was seen at Langass Lodge at 09:45 where it was feeding on insects before flying east.
South Uist: The drake Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Hamascleit.
Barra: The Blyth's Reed Warbler was heard at Nask this morning; also a Nightingale heard briefly.
Marine Sightings: At leats 7 Minke Whales were off Tiumpan Head this morning as well as 8 White-beaked Dolphins.
30th May:
Lewis: The Taiga Bean Goose is still at Loch Stiapabhat.
Barra: A male Red-backed Shrike was seen at Eoligarry this morning and a Blyth's Reed Warbler was at Nask.
Marine Sightings: 6 Orcas were seen heading south off Chicken Head, Point.
29th May:
Lewis: The Taiga Bean Goose is still at Loch Stiapabhat.
St. Kilda: A Little Egret was on Hirta today. A Bluethroat was seen on Hirta in the evening.
North Uist: The Grey-headed Lapwing was at Balemore again this morning but disappeared in the afternoon. A Glaucous Gull was at Berneray pier.
South Uist: A Hawfinch flew east over Loch Eynort. 2 Common Scoters flew north off Ardvule.
Barra: A Lesser Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher were at Glen. Another Spotted Flycatcher was at Cuithir.
Marine Sightings: 8 White-beaked Dolphins and 2 Minke Whales were off Tiumpan Head.
28th May:
Lewis: The Taiga Bean Goose is still at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: The drake Garganey is at Loch nam Feithean. 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Paible. The Grey-headed Lapwing was at Balemore again this afternoon. A Glaucous Gull was off Hosta.
South Uist: The Woodchat Shrike is still at Stilligarry although very mobile. The drake Ring-necked Duck is still at the west end of Loch Hamascleit.
Woodchat Shrike (Steve Duffield)
27th May:
Lewis: A Taiga Bean Goose, 4 Curlew Sandpipiers and 2 Little Stints were at Loch Stiapabhat. The drake American Wigeon was at Loch Tiumpan.
North Uist: The Grey-headed Lapwing was at Balemore again today. 2 Glaucous Gulls were at Loch Sandary. A 1st summer Iceland Gull flew north at Aird an Runair this morning. The drake Garganey was on Loch nam Feithean. 3 Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Paible.
South Uist: A Woodchat Shrike was at Stilligarry today. The drake Ring-necked Duck is still at the west end of Loch Hamascleit.
Curlew Sandpiper and Grey-headed Lapwing (Steve Duffield)
26th May:
Lewis: A Dotterel was on the machair near Loch Stiapabhat and a Taiga Bean Goose was on the loch. A drake American Wigeon was on Loch Tiumpan.
North Uist: A Grey-headed Lapwing was at Balemore this afternoon. 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Paible along with 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese. 2 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west off Baleshare around midday. 2 Long-tailed Ducks were on the western side of the Udal today.
South Uist: A drake Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Hamascleit, east of Loch Druidibeg.
Grey-headed Lapwing (Steve Duffield)
25th May:
Lewis: A Turtle Dove was at Port of Ness this morning before flying south-east. 2 Scaup were on Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: The drake Garganey was still on Loch nam Feithean.
Insects: 123 moths / 27 species were trapped in South Glendale last night including 66 Brown Silver-line, 11 Narrow-winged Pugs, 2 Satyr Pugs, 3 Grey Scalloped Bar, 3 Silver-ground Carpets, 1 Buff-tip, 1 Spectacle, 2 White Ermine, 2 Shears, 2 Glaucous Shears, 1 Pale-shouldered Brocade and 2 Clouded-bordered Brindle. A small number of micros included Epiblema scutalana, Anania fuscalis, Neofaculta ericetella and Epinotia immundana.
Black-throated Divers (Alan Kennedy); Grey Scalloped Bar and Pale-shouldered Brocade (John Kemp)
24th May:
Lewis: 2 Pomarine Skuas flew north past Mangersta this morning.
23rd May:
Lewis: A Great Shearwater flew south past Magersta this evening; also 2 Long-tailed Skuas and a Pomarine Skua heading north. A Garden Warbler was recorded from Back.
South Uist: A Goosander was at the head of Loch Eynort. A Common Scoter was off Howmore.
22nd May:
Lewis: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Barvas. A White-billed Diver was seen off Aird, just south of Tiumpan Head this evening.
North Uist: A drake Garganey was on Loch nam Feithean.
South Uist: The female Scaup was on Loch Bee and the Common Scoter was o ff Howmore.
21st May:
Lewis: A White-billed Diver was off Tiumpan Head this afternoon. A 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull was at Loch Stiapabhat. A Whinchat was at Grimshader.
North Uist: The drake Garganey was on Loch nam Feithean. A Turtle Dove was seen by the old manse in Carinish this morning. An Osprey was seen off Hougharry. A Pomarine Skua flew north off Aird an Runair this afternoon. A female Scaup was on Loch Bhrusda, Berneray.
Marine Sightings: 30 Common Dolphins were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry this morning. 2 Minke Whales and 5 Risso's Dolphins were off Tiumpan Head. 10 White-beaked Dolphins were off Port of Ness. 20 Risso's Dolphins were seen off Skigersta harbour.
20th May:
Lewis: A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was on pools near the Butt of Lewis this morning and 4th cal yr later in the day.
North Uist: A Pomarine Skua was seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry this morning.
Benbecula: 2 Garganey were seen on roadside pool at Griminish.
Marine Sightings: 20 Risso's Dolphins were off the Butt.
19th May:
North Uist: A Glaucous Gull flew past Aird an Runair this morning. A Dotterel is still at Balranald. A drake Garganey was at Loch nam Feithean. A Ruff was at Loch Sandary.
South Uist: A Common Scoter was off Howmore this morning.
Common Terns (Andy Williams)
18th May:
Lewis: 2 Pomarine Skuas flew past the Butt of Lewis.
St. Kilda: A Wood Warbler was on Hirta today.
North Uist: 4 Long-tailed Skuas, a Pomarine Skua and a Glaucous Gull were seen from Aird an Runair between 13:00 - 17:30. A Dotterel was also seen at Balranald. A Curlew Sandpiper was at the south end of Loch Paible. 4 Pink-footed Geese were at Borve, Berneray.
South Uist: The female Scaup was on Loch Bee.
17th May:
North Uist: A Dotterel was still at Balranald. 2 Long-tailed Skua flew north at Aird an Runair this morning. A Glaucous Gull flew south at Aird an Runair in the afternoon. A Curlew Sandpiper was at the south end of Loch Paible. The drake Garganey was on Loch nam Feithean.
Benbecula: A Night Heron was on East Loch Olobhat.
South Uist: The female Scaup was on Loch Bee.
16th May:
North Uist: 31 Long-tailed Skuas and 5 Pomarine Skuas flew north at Aird an Runair this morning. A male Yellow Wagtail was also seen at Aird an Runair early morning. 2 Dotterel were at Balranald. A pair of Garganey were on Loch nam Feithean. A female Scaup was on Loch Bhrusda, Berneray.
Benbecula: The Little Egret and a Ruff were at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A female Scaup was on Loch Bee.
Barra: A Glaucous Gull, 8 Whimbrel and 5 Black-tailed Godwits were on Vatersay.
Marine Sightings: 8 Killer Whales were seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry this evening.
Yellow Wagtail, Long-tailed Skuas and Pomarine Skuas (Jack Bucknall)
15th May:
Lewis: A Hoopoe was seen at Cross. A 3 rd cal yr Iceland Gull was at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: 3 Long-tailed Skuas and 5 Pomarine Skuas north past Aird an Runair this morning. 2 Dotterel were in the fields just west of the campsite at Balranald. A drake Garganey and female Pintail were on Loch nam Feithean. 29 Whimbrel and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at the south end of Loch Sandary.
Benbecula: A Ruff and a Little Egret were at Loch Mor.
Marine Sightings: 3 Minke Whales, 2 White-beaked Dolphins and 6 - 8 Risso's Dolphins were seen off Tiumpan Head.
14th May:
Lewis: A White-billed Diver flew north-west past the Butt of Lewis late morning.
North Uist: 13 Long-tailed Skuas and 10 Pomarine Skuas flew north past Aird an Runair today. 2 Dotterel were seen at Balranald near the coastal parking area. A Glaucous Gull was at Loch Paible before flying towards Loch Sandary. A pair of Garganey were on Loch nam Feithean.
South Uist: A Little Gull was on Loch Mor.
Pomarine Skua and Purple Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)
13th May:
North Uist: A drake Garganey was on Loch nam Feithean. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Loch Sandary. 58 Pink-footed Geese flew north over Balemore.
Benbecula: A female Ruff was at Loch Mor; also a single Black-tailed Godwit.
South Uist: A Jackdaw was at Ardivachar this morning. A male Whinchat was on Eriskay and another was at Loch Druidibeg.
Barra: A Hawfinch was at Brevig.
Marine Sightings: A couple of Minke Whales and 20 Common Dolphins were seen off Tiumpan Head today. 2 Killer Whales moved north-east past Tiumpan Head.
Redshank and Cuckoo (Alan Kennedy); Corncrake (Steve Duffield)
12th May:
Lewis: A Long-eared Owl was in Port of Ness An Osprey flew south at the Butt of Lewis this evening.
North Uist: The pair of Garganey are still on Loch nam Feithean. A 2nd cal yr. Glaucous Gull flew north past Aird an Runair this evening.
Benbecula: A female Ruff was at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A Whitethroat was at Howmore. An Osprey flew over Loch Fada this morning.
Marine Sightings: 2 Killer Whales were seen passing Port of Ness late morning.
11th May:
St. Kilda: A Dipper was on Hirta.
North Uist: A drake Garganey was seen on Loch nam Feithean (close to the road) with a pair there later in the day. A Curlew Sandpiper was at the south end of Loch Paible. 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 30 Whimbrel were at Loch Sandary this evening.
South Uist: A drake Goosander was at the head of Loch Eynort. A House Martin was at North Loch Eynort.
Barra: An Osprey flew north over Eoligarry this evening. The Whinchat was still at Cuithir.
10th May:
Lewis: 2 Pomarine Skuas were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry mid-Minch this evening. An Iceland Gull was at Port Stoth, Butt of Lewis.
North Uist: A pair of Garganey were on Loch nam Feithean.
Barra: A Whinchat was at Cuithir and a Tree Sparrow was at Brevig.
9th May:
Lewis: 2 Black Terns were seen at Port of Ness this evening. A Hawfinch was in a garden in Stornoway.
North Uist: 2 Long-tailed Skuas flew north past Aird an Runair this morning whilst 2 Pomarine Skuas and a "Blue" Fulmar flew past there this afternoon.
Benbecula: 2 (pair) Garganey were on Coot Loch. A female Ruff was on Loch Mor.
South Uist: The Russian White-fronted Goose was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. A drake Garganey was on Bornish machair.
8th May:
Lewis: A drake Garganey, 4 Pintail and a Ruff were at Loch Stiapabhat this morning. A White-billed Diver was off Port of Ness this evening.
North Uist: 83 Whimbrel were at Loch Sandary.
South Uist: A Rook was at Balgarva this morning. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen along the track to Ardvule on Bornish machair this afternoon.
Marine Sightings: 9 Risso's Dolphins were off Aird an Runair, Balranald today.
7th May:
Lewis: An adult summer White-billed Diver was off Port of Ness this evening.
North Uist: A Long-tailed Skua was reported flying inland at Aird an Runair, Balranald this morning. A pair of Pintail were on Loch nam Feithean.
South Uist: The Russian White-fronted Goose was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Marine Sightings: Around 20 White-beaked Dolphins were off Tiumpan Head this morning.
6th May:
North Uist: A Marsh Harrier was hunting south of Balranald this afternoon.
Benbecula: A 2nd winter Iceland Gull flew north at Stinky Bay this morning.
South Uist: An immature Russian White-fronted Goose was at the south-west end of Loch Bee today.
Great Northern Diver and Little Tern (Alan Kennedy); Common Terns (Steve Duffield)
5th May:
Lewis: A Hobby was seen heading north, low over the sea at the Butt of Lewis.
North Uist: A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at the fish dump at Rubh' Arnal.
Benbecula: A pair of Garganey were seen at Coot Loch.
South Uist: A drake Goosander was on Loch Rog, Howmore today.
Barra: The 1st summer Little Gull was seen at Eoligarry.
Insects: 3 Early Tooth-striped, 8 Grey Pine Carpet, 1 Water Carpet, 1 Common Carpet, 1 Ruddy Highflyer, 5 Golden-rod Pug, 2 Clouded Drab and 2 Early Grey were caught at Loch Eynort last night. In South Glendale 3 Striped Twin-spot Carpet, 3 Flame Carpet, 1 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, 2 Early Grey and a Powdered Quaker were caught.
Flame Carpet and Powdered Qualer (John Kemp)
4th May:
Lewis: An Osprey flew north over Aline Community Woodland. An Osprey was seen at Dun Beag.
Harris: A Pomarine Skua flew north past Eilean Glas Lighthouse, Scalpay this morning.
North Uist: A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was by Loch Hosta. Large numbers of Whimbrel were in the west of the island with at least 200 around Paible alone.
South Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher was at North Loch Eynort. A Goosander was also at Loch Eynort.
Barra: An Osprey flew north over Fiaraigh. A Spotted Flycatcher was at Cuithir.
Marine Sightings: At least 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Baleshare late afternoon.
Sanderling (Alan Kennedy)
3rd May:
Lewis: A Velvet Scoter was seen off the Braighe. 4 Barnacle Geese were at Barvas.
St. Kilda: The 1st summer Night Heron is still on Hirta.
North Uist: 150 Whimbrel were at the north end of Loch Paible. 73 Whimbrel were around Hosta and a male Ruff was at Loch Hosta.
Benbecula: A female Ruff was at Coot Loch.
Insects: A Striped Twin-spot Carpet, 2 Flame Carpet, 2 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet, 3 Clouded Drab, 2 Early Grey, 1 Dark Sword-grass and 15 Brown Silver-line were trapped in South Glendale last night. 2 Golden-rod Pugs, 2 Clouded Drab and 3 Red Chestnut were caught in Carinish. A Short-necked Oil Beetle was found at Balranald.
Clouded Drab and Striped Twin-spot Carpet (John Kemp); Short-necked Oil Beetle (Martin Gillingham); Little Tern and Whimbrel (Alan Kennedy)
2nd May:
South Uist: An adult Glaucous Gull flew north over the Howmore River today; also 59 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit were in the area.
Marine Sightings: 2 Minke Whales, 10 Risso's Dolphins and 15 Common Dolphins were seen off Eilean Glas, Scalpay today.
1st May:
Lewis: 63 Whimbrel were at North Galson today.
North Uist: 14 Black-tailed Godwits and 7 Whimbrel were at Griminish Point.