Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2026
Archive January February March April May June July August
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30th September:
South Uist: A juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher, juvenile American Golden Plover, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper were on teh flood between LA2 and LA3 at West Gerinish. 2 drake American Wigeon were on Loch Bee. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Balgarva.
Barra: The juvenile American Golden Plover is still on Vatersay.
Pectoral Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper with Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)
29th September:
Benbecula: A Grey Phalarope was in Stinky Bay.
South Uist: 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and a juvenile American Golden Plover were at LA2. 2 Pectoral Sandpipers were at LA3. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Balgarva. A Lesser Yellowlegs was at Stoneybridge this morning. The Ring-necked Duck was in South Boisdale / North Glendale.
Barra: A Quail and the American Golden Plover were seen on Vatersay. A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Cuithir. 5 Sooty Shearwaters and a Pomarine Skua flew south off Brevig.
28th September:
Lewis: A Grey Phalarope was seen at the Butt before flying to the south-east.
South Uist: A 1st winter drake Ring-necked Duck was at Eavat Lochs, North Glendale. A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper were at Balgarva. 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on the Range. At least 1 drake American Wigeon was at the south-west corner of Loch Bee. An adult Little Gull was seen off Balgarva.
Barra: The juvenile American Golden Plover is still on Vatersay. A Barred Warbler was at Creachan.
27th September:
Lewis: The Great White Egret is still at Loch Barvas. A probable Gyr Falcon was reported from Coll where it flew inland.
South Uist: 2 American Buff-bellied Pipits were at Drimsdale. A Long-billed Dowicther, Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on the Range at LA2 / LA3. A Baird's Sandpipers were in North Bay / Mol Mor. 60 Brent Geese flew south-west over LOch Bee this afternoon.
Barra: An American Golden Plover was on Vatersay. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Eoligarry.
American Buff-bellied Pipit and Short-eared Owl (Steve Duffield); Baird's Sandpiper (Ron MacDonald)
26th September:
Lewis: A Lapland Bunting flew over Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: A Barn Owl was seen at the entrance to Moorcroft campsite, Carinish this morning.
South Uist: An American Buff-bellied Pipit was seen along the shore in Drimsdale. 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at LA2. The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Balgarva.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ron MacDonald); American Buff-bellied Pipit (Alan Kennedy)
25th September:
St. Kilda: An American Golden Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and a Turtle Dove were on Hirta today.
Lewis: A juvenile Little Gull was off South Galson this morning. An adult White-billed Diver flew south-east off the Butt; also 3 Sooty Shearwaters early afternoon. 2 Glossy Ibis and an immature Marsh Harrier were seen at Port of Ness.
South Uist: 4 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on The Range (LA2 / LA3). 2 drake American Wigeon were at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A juvenile Baird's Sandpiper was in North Bay / Mol Mor. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Balgarva.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy); Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ron MacDonald); Baird's Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); American Wigeon and Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Jack Bucknall)
24th September:
South Uist: 2 drake American Wigeons were at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A Lesser Yellowlegs was at LA2 this evening.
Barra: A juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 4 Pomarine Skuas and 17 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig in the morning. A juvenile Sabine's Gull and 101 Sooty Shearwaters flew south passed Brevig in the afternoon.
23rd September:
St. Kilda: 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and the American Golden Plover were on Hirta.
North Uist: A Lapland Bunting was seen at Rushgarry, Berneray. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Sollas machair. 30 Common Scoters were off west beach, Berneray.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at LA2 / 3. A juvenile Turtle Dove and 280 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair. A Pectoral Sandpiper was reported from Loch Bee. A Barn Owl was seen at Orasay.
Barra: The Glossy Ibis was seen in Castlebay again this afternoon.
Insects: A Frosted Orange moth was trapped in Carinish last night.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ron MacDonald); Frosted Orange moth (Steve Duffield)
22nd September:
St. Kilda: A Pectoral Sandpiper and American Golden Plover were on Hirta today.
Lewis: 50 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt in an hour this morning. A 1st winter Citrine Wagtail was on the beach at North Shawbost. The Great White Egret and a juvenile Little Gull were at Loch Barvas whilst a juvenile Sabine's Gull flew south off there this afternoon.
Harris: 3 Goosanders were at Luskentyre.
South Uist: 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at LA3. 60 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew south over Loch Bee this morning and 7 were at North Bay.
Barra: A Glossy Ibis was in Castlebay.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ron MacDonald)
21st September:
Lewis: An adult American Golden Plover was on the machair by Loch Stiapabhat. A juvenile Turtle Dove was at Cross. 2 Glossy Ibis were at Port of Ness. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at South Galson and 30 Sooty Shearwaters flew north there.
North Uist: A juvenile Turtle Dove is at Paiblesgarry. A Lapland Bunting flew over Clachan Sands. A juvenile Turtle Dove and 2 Ruff were at Teanna machair, Baleshare. A Leach's Petrel and 4 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Tarbet - Lochmaddy ferry.
South Uist: 385 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.
Black-tailed Godwits (Ron MacDonald); Glossy Ibis (Jack Bucknall)
20th September:
St. Kilda: A Buff-bellied Pipit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, American Golden Plover, a Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting were on Hirta today.
Lewis: 1,800 Sooty Shearwaters and 3 Leach's Petrels passed Gallan Head (09:40 - 11:30). 1,250 Sooty Shearwaters, a Leach's Petrel, a Sabine's Gull and a Pomarine Skua passed the Butt (07:50 - 11:30). 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Steinish. An adult Sabine's Gull was seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry this afternoon. 2,507 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 43 Great Skuas and 11 Arctic Skuas passed the Butt (18:00 - 19:00).
North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Sollas machair. The juvenile Turtle Dove was at Paiblesgarry. 19 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Leach's Petrels and a Pomarine Skua flew south passed Aird an Runair (10:30 - 11:00). A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Grenitote. A Glossy Ibis was seen over Traigh Hornais, Clachan Sands this afternoon.
South Uist: A Lesser Yellowlegs and 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on the Range at LA2. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Balgarva.
Barra: The Lesser Yellowlegs was at South Allasdale.
Lesser Yellowlegs (Ron MacDonald); Hen Harrier (Steve Duffield)
19th September:
St. Kilda: 2 Buff-bellied Pipits were on Hirta.
Lewis: The Great White Egret was at Loch Barvas and a possible Long-billed Dowitcher was on the machair to the north of the loch. 3 Sabine's Gulls and 80 Sooty Shearwater passed Swainbost (08:10 - 12:20). 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Stenish.
South Uist: At least 4 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on the Range at LA2 / LA3. 425 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.The drake American Wigeon was on Loch Bee.
Barra: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper and a Lesser Yellowlegs were at South Allasdale today.
Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Ron MacDonald)
18th September:
Lewis: A Lapland Bunting was at Valtos.
North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Clachan Farm. A juvenile Turtle Dove was at Paiblesgarry. 3 Pintail were at Loch Paible. 250 Brent Geese were at Grenitote before flying west this evening.
South Uist: The drake American Wigeon was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at LA2.
Barra: A Barred Warbler was at Eoligarry. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at South Allasdale.
Turtle Dove (Steve Duffield); American Wigeon (Ron MacDonald); Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Bob McMillan)
17th September:
Lewis: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at the Butt. 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Steinish. A Lesser Yellowlegs was at the end of Sands Street, Stornoway.
North Uist: 8 Leach's Petrels, a Storm Petrel, 8 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Bonxies flew west past Griminish Point (13:30 -15:30).
South Uist: 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on The Range. A sea watch at Ardvule this morning produced a southerly passage of 1119 Gannets, 25 Kittiwakes, 139 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 139 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Fulmars, 1 Leach's Petrel, 2 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Divers and 2 Great Northern Dicers.
Barra: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still at South Allasdale.
Marine Sightings: An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Griminish Point this afternoon.
Ocean Sunfish (Steve Duffield); Leach's Petrel (John Kemp); Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ron MacDonald)
16th September:
Lewis: 150 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Pomarine Skuas and 6 Bonxie flew past the Butt (07:15 - 12:00); also 200 Pink-footed Geese heading south. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was also seen near the Butt.
North Uist: A House Martin was in Carinish this morning. 10 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Sollas this morning.
South Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at LA2 and the drake American Wigeon was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Balgarva.
Barra: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Allasdale again today.
Marine Sightings: 2 bull Orcas(John Coe and Aquarius) were seen from the Butt this afternoon.
15th September:
St. Kilda: The Baird's Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 4 Lapland Buntings were still on Hirta today. The Glossy Ibis was also still present first thing this morning.
Lewis: 3 Glossy Ibis are still at Loch Stiapabhat. The Baird's Sandpiper was at Valtos. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was by the coastal car park at Loch Barvas this afternoon.
North Uist: A Glossy Ibis flew from Loch na Reivil, Hougharry towards Balranald. A Lapland Bunting was at Rushgarry, Berneray. A Quail was seen on Sollas machair. 74 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Grenitote (18:30).
South Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at LA2. 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Ardivachar this morning.
Barra: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Vatersay and it or another was seen at Allasdale this afternoon.
Glossy Ibis (Steve Duffield)
14th September:
St. Kilda: The Baird's Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper are still in Hirta and a Glossy Ibis was seen over Village Bay this evening.
Lewis: A Glossy Ibis was in Port of Ness. The Baird's Sandpiper was still at Reef Beach, Valtos today. A drake Surf Scoter was off Shawbost. 3 Glossy Ibis were at Loch Stiapabhat this evening. 4 Lapland Buntings were at Swainbost. 50 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Garrabost today.
South Uist: The drake American Wigeon was at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A Turtle Dove was seen in Lochboisdale today.
13th September:
St. Kilda: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 2 Lapland Buntings were on Hirta.
Lewis: The Glossy Ibis was at Loch Stiapabhat this morning. 6 Lapland Buntings were at the Butt and 74 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from there (07:30- 09:00). 300+ Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Stornoway - Ullapool ferry this morning. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Steinis again today. 40 Sooty Shearwaters, a Leach's Petrel and 8 Arctic Skuas were seen from the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry.
South Uist: The Baird's Sandpiper was seen at Balgarva again today. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen on the Range at LA2. A Pomarine Skua flew south past Ardivachar this afternoon. A juvenile American Golden Plover was on the Range at LA3.
Barra: A Lapland Bunting was at Eoligarry.
Insects: 155 moth / 23 species were caught in South Glendale last night including a Small Autumnal Moth, 1 Large Wainscot, 1 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 11 Lunar Underwing and 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character.
Arctic Skua, Common Dolphin and Lion's Mane Jellyfish (Andy Williams)
12th September:
St. Kilda: The Baird's Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 2 Lapland Buntings were on Hirta today.
Lewis: The Great White Egret was at Loch Barvas. 4 Lapland Buntings were on the cliffs west of Port of Ness. 6 Lapland Buntings were near Loch na Muilne. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Steinis. The Glossy Ibis was at Loch Stiapabhat this evening.
North Uist: 10 Brent Geese flew west over Sollas.
South Uist: The Baird's Sandpiper was seen off Balgarva this morning.
11th September:
St.Kilda: A Baird's Sandpiper was on Hirta today.
Lewis: 2 Lapland Buntings were at the Butt and 14 Sooty Shearwaters flew past (07:30 - 09:00). The Glossy Ibis was seen in flight at Habost before settling in Port of Ness. The Great White Egret was at Loch Barvas. The Baird's Sandpiper was still at Reef Beach, Valtos today.
North Uist: The Glossy Ibis was still at Clachan Farm this morning. 10 Black-tailed Godwits were at Sollas.
South Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Howmore. A Baird's Sandpiper was along the Gualan, Balgarva this evening at the high tide roost. Also 2 Curlew Sandpipers were opposite Hebridean Jewellery.
Barra: A Lapland Bunting flew west over Eoligarry this morning.
10th September:
Lewis: The Glossy Ibis and a Marsh Harrier were at Loch Stiapabhat. 30 Sooty Shearwaters past Mangersta. The Baird's Sandpiper was at Reef Beach, Valtos still today. A Great White Egret was at the east end of Loch Barvas. 7 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Leach's Petrels, a Bonxie and 3 Great Northern Diver passed Gallan Head (17:30 - 20:00).
North Uist: A Glossy Ibis was at Clachan Farm today (NF879763)
South Uist: A Spotted Redshank and the American Wigeon were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 2 Glossy Ibis were opposite Hebridean Jewellery.
9th September:
St. Kilda: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 14 Lapland Buntings were on Hirta.
Lewis: A Lapland Buting was at the Butt. A Cory's Shearwater, 45 Sooty Shearwaters and 3 Leach's Petrels past the Butt (07:00 - 09:30). A Glossy Ibis is at Loch Stiapabhat. A Baird's Sandpiper was at Reef Beach, Valtos today. A Marsh Harrier flew south at Port of Ness this evening.
South Uist: 350 Black-tailed Godwits were on the machair between Drimsdale and Howmore. The drake American Wigeon is in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Barra: A juvenile Long-tailed Skua was seen off Brevig.
8th September:
Lewis: 4 Leach's Petrels and 43 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Butt (07:00 - 08:30). 10 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Pomarine Skuas flew past Mangurstadh (08:30 - 11:00). 3 Lapland Buntings were seen at Crowlista.
Harris: A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was seen from the ferry justb outside Tarbet.
North Uist: An adult Sabine's Gull, 10 Leach's Petrels and 2 Grey Phalaropes flew past Aird an Runair (07:05 - 09:05). 3 Sabine's Gulls (2 adult and a juvenile), 64 Sooty Shearwaters and 54 Leach's Petrels flew west past Griminish Point; also 6 Arctic Skuas, 15 Bonxies, 75 Arctic Terns, a Storm Petrel, 16 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Northern Divers, 82 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 10 Common Scoter also west past there (08:00 - 11:20). A Pink-footed Goose also flew in at Scolpaig.
South Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at LA2. 3 Leach's Petrels, a Sooty Shearwater and 2 Arctic Skuas were seen from Ardvule (07:45 - 10:30). The drake American Wigeon is still in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Leach's Petrel, Sabine's Gull and Brent Geese (Steve Duffield); American Wigeon (Alan Kennedy)
7th September:
Lewis: 2 Lapland Buntings were at the Butt. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Ardroil. 3 Leach's Petrels and 9 Sooty Shearwaters passed Gallan Head (09:00 - 11:00). Another 2 Leach's Petrels and 47 Sooty Shearwaters were seen off Gallan Head (17:15 - 19:15)
Harris: A Velvet Scoter was in the Sound of Taransay.
North Uist: A Lapland Bunting was at Hougharry.
South Uist: 3 juvenile Sabine's Gulls and 25 Sooty Shearwaters and a Leach's Petrel past Ardvule (07:20 - 13:15). A Leach's Petrel was off Balgarva early afternoon. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on the Range at LA2. A drake American Wigeon was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
American Wigeon and Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Sooty Shearwater (Alan Kennedy)
6th September:
Lewis: 10 Leach's Petrels and 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew past Mangurstadh this morning (10:00 - 12:00). A Pomarine Skua was seen from the Butt. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Ardroil.
South Uist: An adult Little Gull flew south past Ardivachar. A 2nd yr Ring-billed Gull was seen at Kilaulay this afteroon. 2 Curlew Sandpipers were off Hebridean Jewellery.
Barra: A Cory's Shearwater, 20 Sooty Shearwaters and a White-billed Diver flew south past Brevig this afternoon.
Ring-billed Gull (Mark Winkworth)
5th September:
Lewis: A Lapland Bunting was on the west side of the Butt. A Cory's Shearwater, 31 Sooty Shearwaters 2 Sabine's Gulls and a female Pintail flew west past the Butt (11:30 - 13:30). A Great Shearwater and 33 Sooty Shearwaters were also seen from the Butt (14:30 - 17:00)
North Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Balranald and a juvenile Sabine's Gull flew south off Aird an Runair this afternoon. 50 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary and 11 Ruff were on Baleshare. A Great Shearwater was seen from the Uig-Lochmaddy ferry this afternoon.
Great Shearwater (Bob MacMillan)
4th September:
Lewis: A 3 hour seawatch from Mangurstadh today produced a Cory's Shearwater, a Balearic Shearwater, 15 Sooty Shearwaters and a Leach's Petrel.
North Uist: A seawatch from Girminish Point (10:30 - 14:45) produced 3 Cory's Shearwaters, a Great Shearwater, 101 Sooty Shearwaters (930 Manx Shearwters); 17 Leach's Petrels, 2 Storm Petrels and 2 juvenile Sabine's Gulls heading west. 2 immature Glaucous Gulls were at Loch Sandary this morning. A Little Stint was seen at Loch Paible. 2 Ruff were at Balemore.
South Uist: 2 adult Sabine's Gulls, 9 Sooty Shearwaters, a Leach's Petrel, Storm Petrel, 2 Common Scoters and 192 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew south at Ardvule this morning; also 2 Little Stints were in the south bay there.
Barra: 19 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Vatersay in an hour this morning.
Cory's Shearwater, Leach's Petrel and Sooty Shearwater (Steve Duffield); Sabine's Gull (John Kemp); Leach's Petrel and Sparroawhawk (Alan Kennedy)
3rd September:
North Uist: An immature Glaucous Gull was at Loch Sandary.
South Uist: A juvenile Little Stint was at Ardvule.
2nd September:
Lewis: A Wood Warbler was at South Dell.
Benbecula: 2 juvenile Little Stints and a Curlew Sandpiper were seen in Stinky Bay today.
South Uist: A juvenile Little Stint was at Peninerine.
Little Stint (Alan Kennedy)
1st September:
Lewis: 24 Sooty Shearwaters passed Gallan Head (10:30 - 13:00).
North Uist: A Little Stint was seen at Newtonferry. 2 Sooty Shearwater flew past Aird an Runair (10:30 - 11:30).
South Uist: A Leach's Petrel flew south past Ardvule this morning. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint were in the south bay at Ardvule. 100+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Bee.
Barra: 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Cleat this morning. A Wood Warbler was seen at Creachan in the morning.
Leach's Petrel, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)