Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2021
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31st October:
South Uist: A male Blackcap was in South Glendale today.
Barra: The Surf Scoter is still off Allasdale and the Green-winged Teal at Ardmhor.
30th October:
Harris: A Hoopoe was reported from Diracleit; also a female Blackcap there.
North Uist: A Wheatear was seen on Berneray. A Little Egret was seen in flight, heading south on the east side of Baleshare this afternoon.
South Uist: A Little Egret was seen at Carnan this afternoon.
Barra: The Surf Scoter was still off Craigston and the Yellow-browed Warbler was at Cuithir.
Wheatear (Martin Benson)
29th October:
Lewis: A Long-tailed Skua was seen at Port Stoth near the Butt.
Harris: 2 drake Surf Scoters were in the Sound of Taransay. 12 Black-tailed Godwits were at Luskentyre estuary.
North Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff, 20+ Lesser Redpolls, 10 Siskins and a Woodcock were in Lochmaddy; also a Snow Bunting flew west there this afternoon. A male Blackcap was at Langass Lodge.
South Uist: 2 Little Egrets were at Loch Bornish this morning.
Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Cuithir today.
Insects: 2 Red Admirals wre in South Glendale today. A Rusty-dot Pearl and an Emmelina monodactyla were seen in South Glendale last night.
Red Admiral (John Kemp)
28th October:
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Rubh' Arnal. A Swallow was at Craig Hastain and a Brambling at Knockintorran.
South Uist: A Surf Scoter was on Loch Olaidh an Iar (West Loch Ollay). A Little Egret was at Clachan, north Loch Bee at 12:30.
Barra: The juvenile Surf Scoter was off Craigston and the Green-winged Teal was at Ardmhor.
Brambling (Steve Duffield)
27th October:
Lewis: 35 Snow Buntings and a Fieldfare were at the Butt early afternoon whilst a Puffin was off-shore.
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl is still on Hirta.
North Uist: A Chiffchaff was in Carinish.
South Uist: A Little Auk and 53 Great Northern Divers flew south at Ardvule this morning. 2 Green-winged Teals were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee this evening.
Barra: A Surf Scoter was off Craigston today. A Little Egret was in Northbay. The drake Green-winged Teal was at Ardmhor this evening.
Marine Sightings: 2 Minke Whales were off Tiumpan Head.
26th October:
Lewis: 45 Bramblings were seen from the Stornoway War Memorial and a Blackcap was in Willowglen.
South Uist: A Leach's Petrel flew south at Ardvule this morning. A 1st winter Little Gull at Ardivachar flew onto the Range; later returning to the shore.
Barra: A drake Green-winged Teal was at Ardmhor.
25th October:
Lewis: A male Blackcap was seen along the Cross - Skigertsa road.
North Uist: A Common Rosefinch was at Callernish House; also 2 Bramblings, 3 Siskins, 3 Blackcap and a Willow Warbler there. A Ring Ouzel was at Balemore. A Swallow was seen in Paible. A Blackap was at Langass Lodge.
South Uist: The Little Egret was at the north end of Loch Bee again this morning, at Clachan. Birds heading south at Ardvule today included 379 Gannets, 9 Red-throated Divers, 91 Great Northern Divers, 5 Long-tailed Duck, 32 Kittiwakes and a juv Glaucous Gull.
Barra: A Little Egret was seen on the island today.
Blackcap (Steve Duffield); Glaucous Gull (John Kemp)
24th October:
Harris: A female Ring Ouzel was at Ammuinsuide this morning.
South Uist: A Marsh Harrier was seen at Loch Altabrug, Stoneybridge. A Yellow Wagtail and Whitethroat were feeding on the shore of the north bay at Ardvule. A Little Egret was at the north end of Loch Bee.
Barra: 4 Sooty Shearwaters flew south at Brevig this afternoon. Also a Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Woodcock and 10 Pink-footed Geese were seen today.
Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail (John Kemp)
23rd October:
South Uist: A Ring Ouzel was seen at Carnan today.
22nd October:
St. Kilda: 6 Ring Ouzels, 4 Fieldfare, 1,500 Redwings, a Water Rail, Jack Snipe, 6 Snow Buntings and a Chiffchaff were seen today.
Harris: The drake Surf Scoter was seen in the Sound of Taransay again today.
North Uist: A Chiffchaff, Brambling and Siskin were in Carinish. A Chiffchaff was at Langass Lodge.
Benbecula: The Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch. A Ring Ouzel was in Stinky Bay.
South Uist: The Snow Goose was on the Range on Eochar machair. A Spotted Redshank was on the north shore of Loch Bee. A Ring Ouzel and 2 Bramblings were in South Glendale today. A Garden Warbler was at Ludag and a Ring Ouzel was on Eriskay.
Marine Sightings: 2 Minke Whales were off Tiumpan Head.
Short-eared Owl (Steve Duffield)
21st October:
Lewis: The Little Egret was at Loch Stiapabhat.
St. Kilda: A Ring Ouzel and a Fieldfare were seen amongst 1,000 Redwings on the island today. 10 Snow Buntings and a juvenile Iceland Gull were also seen.
Harris: The drake Surf Scoter was in the Sound of Taransay; also a female Scaup there. A Grey Wagtail was at Luskentyre. A Greenland Redpoll was at Northton.
South Uist: A Ring Ouzel was at North Loch Eynort. 2 Little Egret were at Loch Bornish along with 243 Black-tailed Godwits.
Barra: 9+ Ring Ouzels were on the island today.
Greenland Redpoll and Great Northern Diver (Steve Duffield)
20th October:
Lewis: 3 Snow Buntings were seen on Tong beach. The Little Egret was at Loch Stiapabhat. A small flock of Bramblings were in Ranish.
Benbecula: The Buff-bellied Pipit was seen in Stinky Bay again today.
South Uist: A Grey Phalarope was seen heading south at Ardvule at 08:45. A Sooty Shearwater, 813 Gannets, 11 Great Northern Divers, 7 Red-throated Divers, 8 Razorbills, 2 Guillemots, 64 Auk sp., 2 Black Guillemots, 1 Great Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 605 Kittiwakes and 1 Manx Shearwater flew south at Ardvule this morning; also a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was in the south bay there. 150+ Black-tailed Godwits were between Ardvule and Loch Bornish. A Snow Goose was at the Range on Eochar machair; also 3 Lapland Buntings there. A male Blackcap was at Ardkenneth.
Barra: The Red-breasted Flycatcher was at Morghan. Also a Ring Ouzel on the island. 56 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig.
Mediterranean Gull and Snow Goose (Steve Duffield); Brambling (Karen Macary)
19th October:
North Uist: The regular returning pair of Cackling Geese were at Balranald this afternoon.
Benbecula: The Buff-bellied Pipit was seen in Stinky Bay again this morning; also a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull there. The Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch. 50 Long-tailed Ducks were seen in Culla Bay.
South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen at Carnan at 17:30.
Barra: The Red-breasted Flycatcher was at Morghan.
Buff-bellied Pipit (John Kemp); Mediterranean Gull (Bob McMillan)
Black-throated Divers, Eider and Slavonian Grebe (Steve Duffield)
18th October:
Lewis: The Little Egret was at Loch Stiapabhat.
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl is on HIrta.
Benbecula: A Buff-bellied Pipit was in Stinky Bay this morning; also a Pectoral Sandpiper there. The Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch.
Barra: The Red-breasted Flycatcher is at Morghan, at Northbay House. The American Golden Plover was heard calling at Traigh Mhor.
Buff-bellied Pipit and Pectoral Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)
17th October:
Lewis: The Little Egret is still at Loch Stiapabhat.
Harris: A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen at Teilishnish. A Wheatear and 20 Redwings were at Bunavonaeder.
Benbecula: The Black-necked Grebe was still on Coot Loch this morning.
South Uist: A Ruff was at West Gerinish and 15 Black-tailed Godwits were at Stoneybridge. A possible Todd's Canada Goose was by Loch Bornish; also a female Pintail and 120 Black-tailed Godwits along the shore at Ardvule.
Barra: The Red-breasted Flycatcher is at Morghan, at Northbay House. A Red-backed Shrike was at Cuithir and the American Golden Plover was at Traigh Mhor.
Insects: A Rusty Dot Pearl was found inside the house at 7 Carinish last night. Large numbers of Red Admirals and Silver Y moths were around today with an interesting record from Neist Point on Skye where they were seen flying in from the sea from North Uist direction.
Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale was seen off Eoropie today.
Rusty Dot Pearl (Steve Duffield)
16th October:
Lewis: The Little Egret is still at Loch Stiapabhat.
Harris: 13 Whooper Swans flew south at Miavaig this morning.
North Uist: A Siberian Chiffchaff was in Carinish this morning. The regular returning pair of Cackling Geese were amongst a large flock of Barnacle Geese in Loch Paible today.
South Uist: A Little Egret was at West Loch Ollay.
Barra: The Red-breasted Flycatcher is at Morghan, at Northbay House. A Red-backed Shrike was at Cuithir.
Insects: A Silver Y and a Brindle Ochre were trapped in South Glendale last night whilst an Emmelina monodactyla was netted off Buddleia. Silver Y moths were also seen in Carinish and 2 at Callernish House today.
Emmelina monodactyla (John Kemp)
15th October:
Lewis: A Little Egret is at Loch Stiapabhat.
St. Kilda: Around 1,500 Redwings were on Hirta today; also a Water Rail, 3 Snow Buntings, a Lapland Bunting and a Common Sandpiper.
North Uist: The Pied Flycatcher was at Cheese Bay this morning. A Willow Warbler was at Claddach Baleshare.
Benbecula: The Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch. A Swallow was in Balivanich. Good passage of Whooper Swans today and lots of Redwings around with 100+ in Torlum along.
South Uist: A Pied Flycatcher is in North Loch Eynort; also a Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff there.
Barra: The Red-breasted Flycatcher is at Morghan, at Northbay House. A Red-backed Shrike was at Cuithir. The American Golden Plover was on Traigh Mor this afternoon briefly before flying towards the machair; also a Pied Flycatcher on the island.
Willow Warbler (Steve Duffield); Pied Flycatcher (Alan Kennedy)
14th October:
Lewis: A Little Egret is at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: A Pied Flycatcher was at Cheese Bay.
Benbecula: The Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch.
Barra: A Barred Warbler and a Red-breasted Flycatcher were seen today.
13th October:
St. Kilda: The Short-toed Lark was seen again today; also 2 Common Sandpipers were present.
Benbecula: The Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch and around 60 Barnacle Geese flew south over there this morning.
Barra: An American Golden Plover was seen in flight at Eoligarry and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Cuithir.
Black-necked Grebe (Steve Duffield)
12th October:
St. Kilda: A Buff-bellied Pipit and the Short-toed Lark are still present; also around 50 Redwings today.
Harris: 4 Pink-footed Geese and 9 Whooper Swans were at Seilebost. 15 Barnacle Geese flew south-west over Northton.
North Uist: Large numbers of Barnacle Geese were scattered around the island today with many moving south in the dreich conditions. 50 Pink-footed Geese flew south over the Committee Road around midday.
South Uist: 750 Barnacle Geese flew south, Orosay - Kilpheder (10:28 - 12:02); also 16 Black-tailed Godwits were present. A Blackcap and 3 Redwings were at Howmore.
Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and the Kingfisher are still on the island.
Grey Seals (John Kemp); Blackcap (Alan Kennedy)
11th October:
Harris: 400 Barnacle Geese and 100 Pink-footed Geese were seen heading south over Huisinish in half an hour this morning. 380 Barancle Geese flew south over Northton (10:30 - 11:00); also a Redwing and a Chiffchaff there.
North Uist: 2,000 Barnacle Geese and 32 pale-bellied Brent Geese were off Grenitote picnic area this afternoon.
Benbecula: A Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch.
Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen today.
10th October:
Lewis: A Sooty Shearwater and a Manx Shearwater flew west past the Butt this morning. 4 Manx Shearwater flew west past the Butt this afternoon and 40 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east.
Benbecula: A Black-necked Grebe is still on Coot Loch.
South Uist: A Snow Bunting was on Ormiclate machair. 172 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Bornish. A Pomarine Skua flew south past Ardvule; also 384 Gannets, 11 Great Northern Divers, 61 Kittiwakes and a Storm Petrel. A Whimbrel was also present at Ardvule.
Pomarine Skua and Whimbrel (John Kemp)
9th October:
St. Kilda: A Buff-bellied Pipit is still on Hirta; also the female Snowy Owl, Short-toed Lark and 55 Snow Buntings.
Benbecula: A Black-necked Grebe was reported from Coot Loch.
South Uist: 3 Sandwich Terns were seen heading inland towards Loch Bee from Ardivachar at 14:30.
8th October:
Lewis: A Pectoral Sandpiper was on the machair by Loch Stiapabhat. 2 Bramblings were in Port of Ness. A Little Egret was at Loch Branahuie.
St. Kilda: A Buff-bellied Pipit is still on Hirta; also the female Snowy Owl, Short-toed Lark and 25 Snow Buntings.
Harris: A drake Surf Scoter was in the Sound of Taransay. 13 Whooper Swans and 20+ Pink-footed Geese were in Seilebost
North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Langass Lodge. 30 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 150 Barnacle Geese were at Grenitote.
Barra: 3 Yellow-browed Warblers and the Kingfisher were seen today.
7th October:
North Uist: The American Golden Plover was seen on Baleshare again today. 3 Bramblings were at Langass Lodge.
Barra: 4 Yellow-browed Warblers were on the island today and the Kingfisher was seen this evening.
6th October:
Lewis: 11 Snow Buntings were at the Butt.
St. Kilda: A Buff-bellied Pipit is still on Hirta.
North Uist: 15 Brent Geese are at Grenitote.
South Uist: A Snow Bunting is at Balgarva. 116 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardivachar. A Brambling was at North Loch Eynort.
Barra: A Barred Warbler was at Brevig.
Merlin, Snow Bunting and Wheatear (Steve Duffield)
5th October:
Lewis: The Lesser Yellowlegs was in the flooded field to the north-west of Loch Stiapabhat along with 3 Pectoral Sandpipers. 3 Snow Buntings were at the Butt. 6 Bramblings were in Port of Ness.
St. Kilda: A Buff-bellied Pipit and the Short-toed Lark are still present today along with 2 Lapland Buntings and 25 Snow Buntings.
Harris: A Surf Scoter was in the Sound of Taransay.
North Uist: The juvenile American Golden Plover is still on Baleshare.
South Uist: The juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was on the west side of Loch Bee by the outflow near the aerial target compound. Small flocks of both Pink-footed Geese and Barnacle Geese heading either east or south over UIst were a regular sight throughout today. 11 Brent Geese were on Eriskay, on the beach near the Politician. A Snow Bunting was on the north side of the Eriskay causeway.
Barra: 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were seen today.
Kestrel (Steve Duffield); Semipalmated Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy); Brent Goose (Vanessa Wright)
4th October:
Lewis: The Lesser Yellowlegs was seen at Loch Stiapabhat again this morning; also 4 Ring-necked Ducks and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers.
St. Kilda: A Buff-bellied Pipit and the Short-toed Lark are still present today.
North Uist: The juvenile American Golden Plover is still on Baleshare. A Lapland Bunting was at Balranald.
South Uist: A Common Rosefinch was in Bornish today. 36 Pink-footed Geese and 47 Black-tailed Godwits were at Bornish.
Barra: A Pied Flyctacher was at Nask. 2 Barred Warblers, a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Common Rosefinch were also on the island.
3rd October:
Lewis: The Lesser Yellowlegs was seen at Loch Stiapabhat again this morning and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was present in the afternoon. The 4 Ring-necked Ducks are also still presnet.
St. Kilda: 2 Buff-bellied Pipits, a Short-toed Lark are still present today.
North Uist: A juvenile American Golden Plover was on Baleshare today; also 7 Barnacle Geese.
South Uist: 2 Little Stints were at the southern end of Loch Bee.
Barra: 2 Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Lapland Buntings were seen on the island today.
Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale was seen off Tiumpan Head this morning.
American Golden Plover (Steve Duffield); Hen Harrier (Alan Kennedy); Mediterranean Gull (Simon Niederberger)
2nd October:
St. Kilda: 2 Buff-bellied Pipits, a Short-toed Lark, 2 Lapland Buntings, 7 Snow Buntings and a White-fronted Goose are on Hirta.
North Uist: A Pomarine Skua and 13 Storm Petrels were seen from the ferry between Uig and Lochmaddy today. 26 Brent Geese and 11 Barnacle Geese were at Sollas.
South Uist: A Snow Bunting was on the shore at Stoneybridge. A Ruff was on Bornish machair. A Semipalmated Sandpiper, a Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, a Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint were reported in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was also reported from the Range.
Curlew Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Snow Bunting (Alan Kennedy)
1st October:
Lewis: 3 Pectoral Sandpipers and 4 Ring-necked Ducks are at Loch Stiapabhat this morning; the juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs was also seen there today. 18 Snow Buntngs were at the Butt this morning.
Barra: The Common Rosefinch is still at Ardmhor; also Redwing, Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans new in. The Kingfisher was seen along the coast below Nask today.