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Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2024

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30th September:

Lewis: A Tree Sparrow was in South Galson.

South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in South Glendale; also Chiffchaff and Blackcap present in the same garden.

Barra: 14 Yellow-browed Warblers reported from Barra today. The American Golden Plover was at Allasdale again today.

Marine Sightings: Around 50 Common Dolphins were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry this morning. 6 Orca's were reported heading north-west past Port of Ness at 13:40.

Yellow-browed Warbler, Outer Hebrides Yellow-browed Warbler (John Kemp)

 

29th September:

Lewis: The Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat.

South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in South Glendale.

Barra: The juvenile American Golden Plover was on the machair at Allasdale.

 

28th September:

Lewis: A Sooty Shearwater flew past Port of Ness. The Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat. A Turtle Dove was at Lionel.

Barra: 4 Yellow-browed Warblers were seen around the island today. The juvenile American Golden Plover was on the machair at Allasdale.

Marine Sightings: 2 Fin Whales were seen distantly east of Tiumpan Head.

 

27th September:

Lewis: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Lionel, close to the junction with Skigersta. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at South Galson. A Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat.

North Uist: A Lapland Bunting was at Teanamachair, Baleshare.

South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was between West Loch Ollay and Airdmicheal. A Little Stint was at Ardmicheal.

Barra: The American Golden Plover was at Allasdale. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Nask.

 

26th September:

Lewis: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in South Galson today.

South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on the machair near Aird Mhicheil again this morning; also 150 Pink-footed Geese (in 3 flocks) heading south-east over there this morning. Another Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Ormiclate machair; also 67 Black-tailed Godwits there. The American Golden Plover was at LA2 this morning. 4 Brent Geese and 9 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardivachar. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Carnan in the afternoon.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Outer Hebrides Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Outer Hebrides birds Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Outer Hebrides
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)

 

25th September:

Lewis: The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat and the American Golden Plover was on the machair opposite the Decca.

North Uist: The Barred Warbler was still in Carinish. A Ruff and 10 Black-tailed Godwits were on the shore at Aird an Runair.

South Uist: The Barred Warbler and Blyth's Reed Warbler were still in Bornish today whilst a Yellow-browed Warbler was also heard calling there. 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on the machair south-east of Aird Mhicheal this afternoon. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at North Loch Eynort.

Barra: A Wood Warbler was east of Castlebay. An American Golden Plover was at Allasdale this afternoon.

Golden Eagle, Outer Hebrides birds Otter, Outer Hebrides Golden Eagle and Otter (Steve Duffield)

 

24th September:

Lewis: A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat.

North Uist: 120 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Carinish this morning.

South Uist: The American Golden Plover was at LA2. A Blyth's Reed Warbler and a Barred Warbler are in Bornish. 3 Brent Geese and 3 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule whilst 250 Pink-footed Geese came in off the sea and headed east.

Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Ardmhor and a Pomarine Skua was seen off Brevig.

 

23rd September:

Lewis: A Turtle Dove was by the footbridge on the beach at Loch Ordais this afternoon. 100+ Pink-footed Geese flew south-eastwards over Port of Ness; also 2 Garden Warblers and 2 Chiffchaff in the gardens there.

St. Kilda: A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen today.

North Uist: The Barred Warbler is still in Carinish. 210+ Pink-footed Geese flew south-eastwards over Baleshare this morning and a further 180 flew south-east over Lochmaddy early afternoon.

South Uist: A Barred Warbler was in Bornish; also a reed warbler sp. was present.

Insects: 466 moths / 26 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 2 Large Wainscot, 151 Small Wainscot, 1 Black Rustic, 1 Brindled Ochre, 6 Angle Shades, 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character,  3 Silver Y and 238 Ear moth agg. At North Loch Eynort 32 moths /13 species which included 14 Grey Pine Carpet, 1 Brimstone Moth, 1 Sallow, 1 Eudonia angustea and 1 Epinotia ramella.

Black Rustic, Outer Hebrides moths Large Wainscot, Outer Hebrides moths Epinotia ramella Black Rustic, Large Wainscots and Epinotia ramella (John Kemp)

 

22nd September:

Lewis: The juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was still at Loch Ordais, Bragar.

St. Kilda: The Siberian Stonechat was on Hirta today along with 2 Buff-bellied Pipits; an Arctic Warbler and a Marsh Warbler.

North Uist: A Barred Warbler was in Carinish. A Lapland Bunting was at Claddach Baleshare. A Grey Wagtail flew over the Lochmaddy Road, to the south of Langass this morning.

South Uist: A Whinchat was at Grogarry Lodge.

Barra: A Barred Warbler was at Garrygall whilst the Wood Warbler was still at Gleann. 3 Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler were also on the island.

Insects: A Setaceous Hebrew Charater and 8 Red-line Quakers were trapped in Carinish last night.

Barred Warbler, Carinish, North Uist Lapland Bunting, North Uist Barred Warbler and Lapland Bunting (Steve Duffield)

 

21st September:

Lewis: A Turtle Dove was seen in Lower Barvas this morning. A Turtle Dove was at Port of Ness this evening.

St. Kilda: An Eastern Stonechat (probably Siberian) was on Hirta today for its second day; also Marsh Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher and Lapland Bunting present.

Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler and a Wood Warbler were at Gleann.

Marine Sightings: 2 Minke Whales, 20 Harbour Porpoise and a handful of Common Dolphins were off Tiumpan Head. Also 2 Orcas were reported from Point this evening.

 

20th September:

Lewis: A Turtle Dove was in Lionel and later seen at Adabrock. A Lapland Bunting was seen along the coastal path south-east of the Butt. A Lesser Whitethroat was in Port of Ness. An adult Glaucous Gull flew north-east along the beach at Eoropie. The juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was still at Loch Ordais, Bragar.

St. Kilda: An American Buff-bellied Pipit was on Hirta today.

North Uist: 4 Greenland-type Redpolls were at Balranald.

South Uist: The American Golden Plover was at LA2. A Whinchat was by Bornish Church and a Grey Wagtail was at Howmore.

Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was at Nask and another was at Gleann.

Insects: 161 moths of 19 species were in South Glendale including another Convolvulus Hawk-moth, 2 Lunar Underwing, 1 Red-line Quaker,1 Spruce Carpet, 1 Angle Shades and 35 Small Wainscot.

Spruce Carpet Whinchat, Outer Hebrides Spruce Carpet (John Kemp); Whinchat (Alan Kennedy)

 

19th September:

Lewis: A Turtle Dove was seen at Lional, just north of the Decca this morning. A Hoopoe was in Ranish. A Balearic Shearwater, a Great Shearwater, 20 Sooty Shearwaters and a Leach's Petrel were seen off the Butt this morning; whilst 8 Great Shearwaters and 18 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from there this evening (17:00 - 18:40).

South Uist: The American Golden Plover was on The Range near LA2 this morning. A Barred Warbler and Blackcap were at Druidibeg plantation.

Barra: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still at Eoligarry, just north of the airport. A Barred Warbler was in Castlebay.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Outer Hebrides Turtle Dove, Lional Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Bob McMillan); Turtle Dove (Andy Williams)

 

18th September:

Lewis: A Balearic Shearwater and 28 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt this morning (07:30 - 08:30). The juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was still at Loch Ordais, Bragar. 2 Ruff were at Loch Stiapabhat. A Turtle Dove was in North Dell this morning.

North Uist: 85 Common Scoters were off the west side of Berneray.

South Uist: A Great White Egret flew south along the beach at Ardivachar this morning. Grey Wagtails were at Howmore and Drimsdale.

Barra: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Eoligarry, just north of the airport.

Insects: 170 moths of 28 species were trapped in South Glendale last night including; a Convolvulus Hawk-moth,  1 Setaceous Hebrew Character, 2 Frosted Orange, 4 Lunar Underwing, 2 Red-line Quaker and one Platyptilia gonodactyla. A Speckled Wood butterfly was seen near the Butt of Lewis.

Grey Wagtail, Outer Hebrides birds Frosted Orange, Outer Hebrides moths Platyptilia gonodactyla
Grey Wagtail (Alan Kennedy); Frosted Orange and Platyptilia gonodactyla (John Kemp)

 

17th September:

Lewis: The juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was still at Loch Ordais, Bragar. The adult American Golden Plover was by Loch Stiapabhat.

South Uist: 30 Black-tailed Godwits dropped in by Loch Grogarry in the afternoon; also 60+ flew south at Orosay this morning and others were scattered along the west coast. 2 Ruff were at West Gerinish. 4 Brent Geese were at Ardvule. A Little Egret was seen in flight to the west of the South Ford causeway.

 

16th September:

Lewis: 49 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Storm Petrels and 3 Snow Buntings were seen from the Butt this morning. A further 470 Sooty Shearwaters passed the Butt (17:30 - 19:00). The juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was still at Loch Ordais, Bragar.

North Uist: A Little Stint was at Loch Paible.

South Uist: A Lapland Bunting was at Ardvule this afternoon; also 7 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 16 Black-tailed Godwits. The American Golden Plover was on The Range at LA3. A juvenile Little Stint was at Ardivachar this evening.

Barra: The juvenile Iceland Gull was reported from Cuithir again today. A Garden Warbler was in Castlebay.

Insects: 150 moths of 18 species were caught in South Glendale last night ncluding 1 Oblique Carpet, 2 Angle Shades, 5 Lunar Underwing, 1 Epinotia immundanaDepressaria radiella, 3 Eudonia angustea and a Twenty-plume Moth.

Twenty-plume Moth, Outer Hebrides Lapland Bunting, Outer Hebrides American Golden Plover, Outer Hebrides birds White-tailed Eagles, Outer Hebrides Birds
Twenty-plume Moth (John Kemp), Lapland Bunting (Alan Kennedy), American Golden Plover and White-tailed Eagles (Bob McMillan)

 

15th September:

Lewis: A juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Loch Ordais, Bragar. An adult American Golden Plover was on the machair by Loch Stiapabhat; also 2 Green Sandpipers in the area. A Leach's Petrel and 17 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt (16:30 - 18:00). 6 Leach's Petrels and 50 Sooty Shearwaters flew past Gallan Head (17:30 - 19:30).

St. Kilda: A Corncrake was on Hirta.

North Uist: 25+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Aird an Runair. 3 Redwings were at Claddach Kirkibost.

South Uist: 18 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Ardivachar. 88 Black-tailed Godwits and 6 Brent Geese were at Ardvule; also a Common Scoter heading south there. The Little Egret was on the Howmore River.

Barra: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Cuithir this morning. A Pied Flycatcher was at Northbay.

Marine Sightings: 3 Fin Whales and 3 Humpback Whales were seen off Tiumpan Head this morning.

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Lewis Semipalmated Sandpiper with Dunlin (Andy Williams)

 

14th September:

Barra: 20 Sooty Shearwaters flew south off Brevig during an hour watch early afternoon.

 

13th September:

Lewis: The Barred Warbler was seen again this morning at South Galson.

St. Kilda: A Common Rosefinch was seen today.

South Uist: A Jack Snipe was at Howmore.

Barra: The Barred Warbler was at Nask and a Grey Phalarope flew south past Brevig.

Marine Sightings: 5 Humpback Whales and a Fin Whale were seen off Tiumpan Head this morning.

Otter, Outer Hebrides Otter, male Outer Hebrides Otters (Alan Kennedy)

 

12th September:

Lewis: A Barred Warbler is in South Galson.

North Uist: 300+ Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Carinish at 16:15. 70 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Baleshare at 16:25.

Benbecula: A drake Scaup was on Coot Loch.

 

11th September:

North Uist: A seawatch from Griminish Point this morning (07:40 - 10:40) produced a Leach's Petrel, Storm Petrel, 12 Sooty Shearwaters, 300+ Fulmars, a Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 5 Arctic Terns and 3 Common Scoters flying west. 30 Black-tailed Godwits were on the shore at Aird an Runair. 180 Pink-footed Geese landed on the sands off Claddach Kirkibost this afternoon.

Barra: The Barred Warbler was at Nask again today.

Sooty Shearwater, Outer Hebrides birds Sooty Shearwater (Steve Duffield)

 

10th September:

Lewis: 78 Sooty Shearwater passed Port of Ness in half an hour this morning. 100 Pink-footed Geese passed over Lionel at 11:30.

St. Kilda: A Swainson's Thrush was found on Hirta today.

North Uist: A juvenile Sabine's Gull, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 220 Pink-footed Geese and 6 Brent Geese flew past Griminish Point this afternoon. 2 Ring-necked Parakeets were reported flying north over Baleshare this afternoon!

South Uist: The American Golden Plover was on The Range at LA2. A Grey Phalarope was on the south side of Ardvle this afternoon; also 14 Black-tailed Godwits there.

Barra: The Barred Warbler was at Nask again today. A Pomarine Skua and 2 Sooty Shearwater flew past Borve.

 

9th September:

Harris: 30 Black-tailed Godwits were at Seilebost.

South Uist: The American Golden Plover was still on the Range at LA2. 20 Black-tailed Godwits flew south over Loch Bee. The Little Egret was on the Howmore River.

Barra: A Barred Warbler was at Nask this morning.

Marine Sightings: 3 Fin Whales, 2 Humpback Whales and a Minke Whale were off Tiumpan Head this morning.

 

8th September:

Lewis: 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 7 Common Scoter flew past Port of Ness.

North Uist: 45+ Black-tailed Godwits were on the shore at Aird an Runair.

South Uist: The American Golden Plover was at LA2. A Curlew Sandpiper was around 500m south of Ardivachar. A Little Egret was on the Howmore River. 107 Black-tailed Godwits were on the beach at Stoneybridge this afternoon.

Marine Sightings: 50 Common Dolphins were off Port of Ness.

Short-eared Owl American Golden Plover, Outer Hebrides birds Short-eared Owl (Glyn Evans); American Golden Plover (Alan Kennedy)

 

7th September:

North Uist: 40 Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald.

South Uist: A Little Stint was on the beach at Orosay.

Little Stint, Orosay Little Stint (Alan Kennedy)

 

6th September:

South Uist: A Little Egret was on the Howmore River today. The American Golden Plover was seen on The Range at LA2.

Insects: 409 moths of 34 species were trapped in South Glendale last night including 32 Chevron, 3 Small Autumnal Moths, 23 Heath Rustic, 3 Lunar Underwings, 1 Chestnut-coloured Carpet, 1 Anomalous, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart and a Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Little Egret Lunar Underwing Setaceous Hebrew Character
Little Egret (Alan Kennedy); Lunar Underwing and Setaceous Hebrew Character (John Kemp)

 

5th September:

North Uist: A juvenile Sabine's Gull was feeding along the shore to the south of the mouth of Loch Paible this afternoon.

South Uist: The adult American Golden Plover was on The Range, just south of LA2.

Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was at Gleann.

American Golden Plover, Outer Hebrides adult American Golden Plover, South Uist American Golden Plover (Alan Kennedy)

 

4th September:

Lewis: 7 Sooty Shearwaters flew north past Port of Ness this morning. A Great Shearwater was seen from the ferry between Ullapool and Stornoway this evening.

South Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Aird Mhicheil; also a Carrion Crown flew south there today. A female Marsh Harrier flew south over Kilpheder machair today.

Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was at Creachan today.

Curlew Sandpiper, Aird Mhicheil Wheatear Curlew Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy); Wheatear (Glyn Evans)

 

3rd September:

St. Kilda: A Lapland Bunting was on Hirta today.

North Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Paible.

Benbecula: A Curlew Sandpiper was in Stinky Bay.

South Uist: The Semipalmated Sandpiper was around a km north of Orosay today. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Stoneybridge. Another Curlew Sandpiper was at Aird Mhicheil. The Little Egret was at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was by the Howmore River. A Garden Warbler was in Bornish and a Tree Pipit was at Snishival.

Curlew Sandpiper, South Uist Curlew Sandpiper, Uist Curlew Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)

 

2nd September:

North Uist: 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Paible today.

Benbecula: A juvenile Little Gull was reported from Stinky Bay.

South Uist: A Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Orosay.

Insects: 537 moths of 36 species were trapped in South Glendale last night including  390 Ear moth agg, Black Rustic, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, Narrow-winged Pug, Lobesia littoralis and Epinotia immundana. A Sallow and Hedge Rustic were caught in Carininsh.

juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Loch Paible Black Rustic Lobesia littoralis Semipalmated Sandpiper, Outer Hebrides birds
Curlew Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Black Rustic and Lobesia littoralis (John Kemp); Semipalmated Sandpiper (Roger Safford)

 

1st September:

Lewis: A Balearic Shearwater, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, a Leach's Petrel and 50 Storm Petrels past the Butt (14:00 - 19:30)

North Uist: A Wood Sandpiper were as the southern end of Loch Sandary this morning. A juvenile Sabine's Gull was on the beach at Aird an Runair. A Sooty Shearwater and 8 Storm Petrels were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry.

Benbecula: 14 Black-taled Godwits were at Loch Fada.

South Uist: The American Golden Plover was on The Range at LA2 again today. 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Lochboisdale. A Little Egret was seen in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 16 Black-tailed Godwits were at Orasay.

Insects: 473 moths / 32 species were caught in Carinish last night including a Dark Sword-grass and 82 Pink-barred Sallow.

A Minke Whale, 8 Risso's Dolphins and 50 Common Dolphins were seen off the Butt.

Lesser Yellow Underwings, Outer Hebrides moths Short-eared Owl, Outer Hebrides birds Lesser Yellow Undwerings (Steve Duffield); Short-eared Owl (Alan Kennedy)