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Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2024

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31st October:

South Uist: 1,000 Great Shearwaters and 200 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry this morning (07:15 - 07:50)

 

30th October:

Lewis: A Little Stint and Scaup were at Loch Ordais. A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Tiumpan.

North Uist: A juvenile American Golden Plover was seen on Berneray.

South Uist: 4 Scaup were at the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 2 Fieldfare were at North Loch Eynort. A Curlew Sandpiper and 15 Snow Buntings were at Peninerine.

Barra: The Common Rosefinch was at Nask. The juvenile Turtle Dove was still at Gleann; also a Lesser Whitethroat there. The juvenile American Golden Plover was at Eoligarry. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Cuithir. The Ring-necked Duck and 2 Scaup were on Lch Tangasdale.

Curlew Sandpiper, South Uist Merlin, Ardvule Golden Eagle and Ravens Sparrowhawk, South Uist Snow Bunting
Curlew Sandpiper, Merlin, Golden Eagle, Sparrowhawk and Snow Bunting (Steve Duffield)

 

29th October:

Barra: A Turtle Dove was at Gleann. The Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Tangasdale. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Cuithir. 2 Little Gulls were at Traigh Mhor.

 

28th October:

Lewis: The Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler were at South Galson.

Harris: 15 Whooper Swans were at Northton.

North Uist: A minimum of 5 juvenile White-rumped Sandpipers were at Loch Paible. An adult Turtle Dove was at Paiblesgarrry. 4 Lapland Buntings were reported from Baleshare. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Chiffchaff were in Carinish.

South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Water Rail were in South Glendale.

Barra: A Common Rosefinch was at Nask. Yellow-browed Warblers were seen in Castlebay and at Cuithir. The Ring-necked Duck and Scaup were on Loch Tangasdale.

White-rumped Sandpiper, October Loch Paible White-rumped Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)

 

27th October:

Lewis: A Swallow, a Spotted Flycatcher and Tree Sparrow were in South Galson. A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Tiumpan. A Scaup and Little Stint were at Loch Ordais.

North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler and Chiffchaff are in Carinish.

Benbecula: A White-rumped Sandpiper was at Borve.

South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Chiffchaff were in South Glendale.

Barra: A Yellow-browed Warblee was at Cuithir. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were in Castlebay. A Ring-necked Duck and Scaup are at Loch Tangasdale. The juvenile American Golden Plover was at Eoligarry and a Little Gull was off-shore there.

Chiffchaff, Carinish, October Tree Sparrow, South Galson Yellow-browed Warbler, Uist
Chiffchaff (Steve Duffield); Tree Sparrow (Andrew Gouldstone); Yellow-browed Warbler (John Kemp)

 

26th October:

Lewis: The Spotted Flycatcher is still in South Galson.

North Uist: 2 (possibly more) juvenile White-rumped Sandpipers were on Loch Paible today. 19 Whooper Swans flew south over Loch Sandary. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in Carinish.

Benbecula: A juvenile American Golden Plover was just south of Balivanich this morning.

South Uist: A Snow Bunting was at Ardvule. 20 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at West Loch Ollay.

Barra: The American Golden Plover was at Eoilgarry and a Yellow-browed Warbler was in Castlebay.

Insects: The micro Palpita vitrealis was trapped at Eochar last night - the first for the Outer Hebrides.

Palpita vitrealis White-rumped Sandpiper, Loch Paible White-rumped Sandpiper, Turnstones
Palpita vitrealis (Robin Sutton); White-rumped Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)

 

25th October:

Lewis: A Canada Goose was with Barnacles at Loch Stiapabhat today; also a Brent Goose, 6 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Scaup and a female Pintail. The Spotted Flycatcher was still in South Galson. A Carrion Crow was at Steinish. A Wheatear was on Coll beach.

Benbecula: 4 Snow Buntings were on airport beach, Balivanich today. A Snow Bunting was also on the shore at Borve. A juvenile Amercian Golden Plover was at Liniclate. A Barn Owl was seen just north of Stinky Bay.

South Uist: A Snow Bunting was along the shore 1 miles south of Ardivachar.

Barra: 2 White-rumped Sandpipers were at Traigh Mhor and the juvenile American Golden Plover was at Eoligarry.

 

 

24th October:

South Uist: A female Hawfinch was in Bornish.

Barra: A juvenile American Golden Plover was at Eoligarry, north of the airport today.

 

23rd October:

Lewis: The Spotted Flyctacher is still in South Galson.

North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Claddach Kirkibost. A juvenile American Golden Plover was at Loch Paible. 17 Whooper Swans flew south-east over Carinish this afternoon.

Spotted Flycatcher, South Galson Spotted Flycatcher (Andrew Gouldstone)

 

22nd October:

Lewis: The Spotted Flyctacher is still in South Galson.

North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Claddach Kirkibost.

South Uist: The adult White-rumped Sandpiper was in North Bay / Mol Mor again with a Little Stint.

Marine Sightings: A Northern Bottle-nosed Whale was off Tiumpan Head.

Spotted Flycatcher, South Galson Spotted Flycatcher (Andrew Gouldstone)

 

21st October:

Lewis: The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat. A Spotted Flycatcher was in South Galson.

Benbecula: A juvenile American Golden Plover was seen at Borve. A Swallow was at Borve late afternoon.

South Uist: An adult White-rumped Sandpiper was in North Bay / Mol Mor along with a Little Stint. A juvenile American Godlen Plover was on The Range at LA2. The Cattle Egret was at Ormiclate still today. A Green-winged Teal was on the Howmore River. A Swallow was seen at Ormiclate this afternoon. A Snow Bunting was at Bornish. 246 Gannets, 53 Great Northern Divers, 3 Red-throated Diverts, 55 Kittiwakes, 2 Arctic Terns, 4 Pale-bellied Brent and 2 Black-tailed Godwits flew south at Smerclate this morning.

adult White-rumped Sandpiper, South Uist Green-winged Teal, Outer Hebrides White-rumped Sandpiper with Sanderling (Steve Duffield); Green-winged Teal (Alan Kennedy)

 

20th October:

Lewis: A Scaup was off Bragar.

North Uist: 2 Blackcaps were at Claddach Kirkibost.

 

19th October:

South Uist: The Cattle Egret was in the field opposite Ormiclate Castle. A Sow Bunting was at Advule. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Druidibeg.

Cattle Egret, South Uist Cattle Egret, Uist Cattle Egret (Alan Kenedy)

 

18th October:

South Uist: The Cattle Egret was in the field opposite Ormiclate Castle again this morning.

 

17th October:

Lewis: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in Port of Ness. A drake Ring-necked Duck was at at Loch na Muilne, Arnol.

Benbecula: 8 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 2 Pink-footed Geese were by Coot Loch whilst a Redstart was also seen there. A Red Kite was reported flying south at Nunton.

South Uist: The Cattle Egret was in the field opposite Ormiclate Castle again this morning. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Druidibeg. 4 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at the south end of Loch Bornish and 6 Black-tailed Godwits were on the west side. A Garden Warbler was at Howmore.

Barra: A Barred Warbler and 5 Yellow-browed Warblers were reported from the island today.

Insects: A Silver Y, 4 Angle Shades, a Red Sword-grass and a Rusty Dot Pearl were found nectaring on Buddleia in South Glendale this evening.

Cattle Egret, Uist juvenile Peregrine, Outer Hebrides Cattle Egret (John Kemp); Peregrine (Alan Kennedy)

 

16th October:

Lewis: The Cattle Egret was at Sandwick in the field across from North Street.

South Uist: The Cattle Egret was in the field opposite Ormiclate Castle again this morning. A Yellow-browed Warbler and Water Rail were at North Loch Eynort. The female Scaup was on Castle Loch and 2 Coots were on Loch Stilligarry.

Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Ardmhor plantation.

 

15th October:

Lewis: A Pomarine Skua and 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt whilst a Lapland Bunting came in off the sea at 10 am. A Snow Bunting was at Swainbost.

St. Kilda: A Corncrake was seen today.

South Uist: 17 Greenland White-fronted Geese flew south at Smerclate and 2 Pink-footed Geese were present.

Barra: 19 Great Shearwaters and 250 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig. At least 1 Yellow-browed Warbler is still on the island.

Marine Sightings: 10 White-beaked Dolphins were off Port of Ness this afternoon.

White-fronted Geese White-fronted Geese (John Kemp)

 

14th October:

Lewis: 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew south-east past the Butt.

South Uist: A pair of Scaup were on Castle Loch, Drimsdale. 2 Pink-footed Geese were at Stilligarry and 77 Whooper Swans were on Loch Stilligarry.

Barra: 600+ Great Shearwaters and 300 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the ferry between Oban and Barra; also a Leach's Petrel. A juvenile Ring-necked Duck was seen off the north of Vatersay before settling on to Loch Scotageary near Bolnabodach.

 

13th October:

Lewis: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler and a Siberian Chiffchaff were in Port of Ness; also 2 Lapland Buntings flew south-east over there this morning.

St. Kilda: The Dotterel was still on Hirta and 11 Snow Buntings were present.

North Uist: A Wheatear was at Claddach Kirkibost. A Blackcap was at Langass Lodge.

South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard calling at Loch Eynort. 4 Lapland Buntings and a Snow Bunting were on Ardivachar machair. 3 Scaup were on east Loch Bee.

Barra: 3 Barred Warblers were at Nask.

Golden Eagle, Outer Hebrides Golden Eagle (Steve Duffield)

 

12th October:

Lewis: The Cattle Egret was between Sandwick and Plasterfield; east of Stornoway again this morning. The Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Stiapabhat. 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Siberian Chiffchaff were at South Dell. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at South Galson.

St. Kilda: A Ring Ouzel was on Hirta.

Benbecula: 9 Scaup were on Loch Dun Mhurchaird, Dunganachy.

South Uist: The Cattle Egret was in the field opposite Ormiclate Castle this morning. 2 Lapland Buntngs were on Ormiclate machair and a single Lapland Bunting was on Bornish machair. A female Pintail was at Kilaulay.

Barra: 1,000 Great Shearwaters, 3 Cory's Shearwaters and 200 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the ferry between Barra and Oban.

Marine Sightings: 2 probable Bottle-nosed Whales were seen off Tiumpan Head.

Cattle Egret, South Uist Cattle Egret, Outer Hebrides Cattle Egret (Steve Duffield)

 

11th October:

Lewis: A Cattle Egret was between Sandwick and Plasterfield; east of Stornoway this afternoon. A Red-breasted Flycatcher was in Port of Ness. A Siberian Chiffchaff was in Brue. 2 Snow Buntings were at the Butt.

St. Kilda: A Dotterel was on Hirta.

North Uist: 100+ Barnacle Geese and 13 Whooper Swans flew south-east over Grimsay this morning.

Benbecula: 3 Swallows were at Torlum.

South Uist: A Cattle Egret was in the field opposite Ormiclate Castle this afternoon. A female Scaup was on Loch Bee. The Spotted Flycatcher and Water Rail are still in South Glendale. 13 Barnacle Geese and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule.

Barra: 33 Great Shearwaters and a Sooty Shearwater were seen from the Oban - Barra ferry this morning. A Barred Warbler was in Castlebay this afternoon. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Gleann.

Cattle Egret, Outer Hebrides birds Cattle Egret, South Uist Otters, Outer Hebrides Cattle Egret and Otters (Alan Kennedy)

 

10th October:

Harris: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Northton.

North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Paible. 2 Bramblings were at Claddach Kirkibost. 2 Coots were on Loch Sandary. Around 800 Barnacle Geese were around the west side of North Uist along with 3 Pink-footed Geese.

South Uist: A Brambling was at North Loch Eynort. A Jack Snipe was at Bornish. A Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat and Water Rail were in South Glendale.

Barra: The juvenile American Golden Plover was at Borve. A Ring Ouzel and a Yellow-browed Warbler were in Castlebay.

Spotted Flycatcher, October, Outer Hebrides Water Rail, Outer Hebrides BIrds Spotted Flycatcher and Water Rail (John Kemp)

 

9th October:

Lewis: A Brambling was in South Galson.

North Uist: 674 Barnacle Geese, 2 Pink-footed Geese and 21 Whooper Swans were on Berneray.

South Uist: A Little Egret flew south over the Howmore this afternoon.

 

8th October:

North Uist: 150 Redwings and a Brambling were in Carinish.

Benbecula: 100 Barnacle Geese flew north past Stinky Bay late afternoon. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Torlum

South Uist: 70 Redwings were in South Glendale this morning; also 36 Whooper Swans (in 3 flocks), 59 Barnacle Geese and 57 Pink-footed Geese south over there. 350 Barnacle Geese flew north past Ardivachar this afternoon; also a Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit present. A Pied Flycatcher was at Howbeg. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were at North Loch Eynort. A Blackcap and 10 Common Redpolls were at Druidibeg. 2 Snow Buntings were at Ardvule. A Wood Warbler was seen on Eriskay this afternoon. A Wheatear was at Balgarva.

Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Bruernish and 3 were at Ardhmor plantation.

Insects: 223 moths / 11 species were caught in South Glendale including 213 Small Wainscot, a Silver Y, Pinion streaked Snout, Spruce Carpet, Angle Shades, Brindled Ochre and a Rush Veneer. A Red Admiral was also present. 2 Angle Shades, a Dark Sword-grass, Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Rusty-dot Pearl were trapped in Carinish.

Pied Flycatcher, South Uist Pied Flycatcher, Howbeg Song Thrush Rusty-dot Pearl Rush Veneer, Outer Hebrides moths Spruce Carpet Pied Flycatcher, Song Thrush and Rusty-dot Pearl (Steve Duffield); Rush Veneer and Spruce Carpet (John Kemp)

 

7th October:

Lewis: 5 Redwings were in South Galson.

St. Kilda: A Yellow-browed Warbler was on Hirta.

North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler and Ring Ouzel were in Carinish; also 20 Redwings and 50 heading south there this evening. 150 - 200 Barnacle Geese were on Baleshare whilst 8 Pink-footed Geese flew north there this afternoon and the Coot is on Loch Mor. 2 Blackcaps were at Claddach Kirkibost and 2 more were at Langass. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were at Callernish House. 100 Barnacle Geese were on Vallay.

South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler and Cihffchaff were at Loch Druidibeg. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Snishival. A Yellow-browed Warbler was also in Bornish; 2 Jackdaws flew south there this morning. 19 Whooper Swans flew south at Ardvule this morning; also 96 Black-tailed Godwits were there. A Redwing and 3 Common Redpolls were in South Glendale. 50 Whooper Swans were at Loch Hallan.

Barra: A Barred Warbler was at Nask. 14 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Pied Flycatcher were also on the island.

Buzzard Buzzard and 2 Hooded Crows (John Kemp)

 

6th October:

Lewis: A Lapland Bunting and 9 Snow Buntings were at the Butt this morning; also 7 Sooty Shearwaters passed. A Little Bunting was seen at Port of Ness.

North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in Carinish.

Benbecula: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Torlum.

South Uist: 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were at North Loch Eynort.

Barra: A Cattle Egret was in Castlebay on the football pitch this morning before flying towards Nask. Later relocated at Horve, Castlebay.

 

5th October:

Lewis: The drake Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Stiapabhat. 6 Snow Buntings flew in off the sea at the Butt; plus a Sooty Shearwater flew south-east. A juvenile Sabine's Gull flew north-east off Labost this afternoon. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in South Dell.

North Uist: 20 Sooty Shearwaters and 12 Storm Petrels from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry.

 

4th October:

Lewis: The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat. A Snow Buting was at the Butt. A Great Shearwater flew north-west past the Butt at 17:30; also 4 Sooty Shearwaters past this evening.

North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Langass Lodge.

Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Garrygal.

 

3rd October:

Lewis: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in Lionel whilst 2 Lapland Buntings flew over. The drake Ring-necked Duck is on Loch Stiapabhat. A Garden Warbler and Tree Sparrow were in South Dell.

North Uist: Around 200 Barnacle Geese were on Baleshare today; also a Coot on Loch Mor.

South Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Peninerine this afternoon.

Barra: A Little Bunting was in the churchyard at Eoligarry early morning before flying off to the east; also 4 Yellow-browed Warblers were on the island and 508 Sooty Shearwaters were logged off Brevig.

Barnacle Geese, Outer Hebrides Curlew Sandpiper, South Uist Barnacle Geese (Steve Duffield); Curlew Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)

 

2nd October:

Lewis: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at 1 Adabrock briefly before flying towards Skigersta. 13 Barnacle Geese flew south-east over Ness in the evening.

North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a Carrion Crow and a dark-belled Brent Goose were all reported from Berneray today.

South Uist: 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were at North Loch Eynort. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in South Glendale.

Barra: The American Golden Plover was at South Allasdale.

Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale was seen off Port of Ness.

 

1st October:

Lewis: The drake Ring-necked Duck is still at Loch Stiapabhat. A Brambling and Chiffchaff were in Lionel. At least 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were in South Dell today.

North Uist: A Barred Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler were in Carinish this morning.

Benbecula: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Gramsdale this morning.

Barra: 3 Yellow-browed Warblers were on the island today and the American Golden Plover was at Allasdale.

Barred Warbler, North Uist Yellow-browed Warbler, Carinish Barred Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler (Steve Duffield)