Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2018

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30th September:

Lewis: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Bragar. A juvenile Pomarine Skua and 5 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Bragar in the morning. 18 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Labost this morning during a 3 hour watch; also 4 Manx Shearwaters and 8 Pintail amongst others. 22 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past the Butt this evening.

St. Kilda: A 1st winter Citrine Wagtail was seen on Hirta today.

North Uist: A female Blackcap was by the visitor centre at Balranald. A female Pintail was on Baleshare. A male Blackcap was at Langass Lodge. 210+ Pink-footed Geese flew south over Carinish this evening; also a Swallow lingering here.

South Uist: Birds moving south off Ardvule this morning included 8 Great Northern Divers, 3 Red-throated Divers, 67 Gannets, 7 Whooper Swans, 4 Barnacle Geese, 14 Pale-bellied Brents, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Grey Phalarope, 1 Arctic Tern juv and 1 Kittiwake.

Great Northern Diver and Brent Geese (John Kemp); Golden Eagle and Greenshank (Steve Duffield)

 

29th September:

Harris: The Little Egret was seen at Northton again today.

South Uist: 4 pale-bellied Brent Geese were off Hebridean Jewellery; also 176 Grey Plover. A female Goosander was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. A Turtle Dove was on Bornish machair; also 2 Little Egrets on Loch Bornish. 60 Black-tailed Godwits were at Howmore. A juvenile Gannet was on Loch Bee.

Brent Geese (Steve Duffield); Little Egret (Stephen Olley); Turtle Dove (Alan Kennedy)

 

28th September:

Lewis: A juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Loch Ordais, Bragar this evening before flying west. 5 Snow Buntings were at the Butt.

St. Kilda: A Redwing and Grey Wagtail were on Hirta.

North Uist: 4 Whooper Swans flew over at Sollas and were perhaps the same as the 4 east of Grenitote.

South Uist: 3 Pectoral Sandpipers were seen on the Range at West Gerinish this morning. A Little Egret was seen at Loch Bornish and 2 were seen in flight from Aird-mhicheil. A Curlew Sandpiper was seen near Hebridean Jewellery. 106 Black-tailed Godwits were on the west side of Loch Bee. A Barred Warbler was trapped in Askernish.

Barra: Up to 4 Lesser Whitethroats have been seen on the island during the last few days.

Pectoral Sandpipers and Merlin (Bob McMillan)

 

27th September:

Harris: 4 Whooper Swans were seen at Northton.

St. Kilda: 11 Whooper Swans flew south over Hirta this evening.

North Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was on Baleshare. The Yellow-browed Warbler was seen at Langass Lodge. A Brambling and 2 Siskins were seen in Lochmaddy.

South Uist: 10 Brent Geese were seen over the causeway from Benbecula. A Lesser Yellowlegs was seen at Askernish.

 

26th September:

Lewis: A Lapland Bunting was seen at Labost.

St. Kilda: A Common Rosefinch is on Hirta and the Snowy Owl appeared again in the evening.

North Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Langass Lodge today and a Tree Pipit at Langass Wood. A Willow Warbler was in Carinish this evening.

South Uist: A Jack Snipe was seen on the road to Ardivachar this morning. 2 Little Egrets were on Loch Bornish today.

Barra: 2 Lesser Whitethroats were seen on the island.

White-tailed Eagle (Bob McMillan)

 

25th September:

Harris: A Little Egret has been at Northton for at least the last couple of days (although not seen today yet).

South Uist: Birds heading south at Ardvule this morning included 327 Gannets, 4 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Great Skua, 1 Grey Phalarope, 9 Razorbills, 1 Guillemot and 1 Black Guillemot.

Barra: 5 Sooty Shearwaters flew south at Brevig in the morning.

Little Egret (Gerard Carlin); Great Skua (John Kemp)

24th September:

St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen again today; also a brief Common Rosefinch and a Jack Snipe.

South Uist: 116 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore River. A Ruff and a single Pink-footed Goose were on Bornish machair.

 

23rd September:

S. Kilda: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still on Hirta.

North Uist: 2 Pectoral Sandpipers were seen in flight on Baleshare this morning. 75 Black-tailed Godwits were at Aird an Runair. A Little Stint was seen off the Grenitote picnic site this morning.

South Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at West Gerinish.

White-tailed Eagle (Steve Duffield); Black-tailed Godwits (Bob McMillan)

 

22nd September:

Lewis: 7 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past the Butt this morning along with a Manx Shearwaters and 3 Red-throated Divers. 1,652 grey geese, probably Pink-footed Geese were seen heading south-eastwards down the Minch in the afternoon.

Ullapool - Stornoway: 2 Leach's Petrels, 14 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Arctic Terns were seen from the ferry this morning.

St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen this morning and the Buff-breasted Sandpiper is still present.

North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was showing well on Baleshare this morning; also a Sand Martin over Loch Mor. 30+ Greylag Geese flew high south over Carinish late evening.

Barra: An Osprey flew south at Brevig late evening.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Short-eared Owl (Bob McMillan)

 

21st September:

Lewis: Around 2,200 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Stornoway between 08:15 - 09:15 am. A Mediterranean Gull was seen in Skigersta Harbour. 60+ Sooty Shearwaters, 32 Manx Shearwaters and 18 Bonxies flew west at the Butt in 40 minutes during the morning; also 418 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east. A Sand Martin, Whinchat, 2 Tree Sparrows and a Willow Warbler were in Port of Ness. A Snow Bunting was seen at Habost, South Lochs.

Harris: 2 Surf Scoters (drake and 1st yr male) and 160 Common Scoters were in the Sound of Taransay.

St. Kilda: A juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 2 Lapland Buntings were on Hirta.

North Uist: 25+ Pink-footed Geese flew south over Carinish this morning. A further 130 Pink-footed Geese flew east over Langass in the morning and around 100 flew south over Baleshare.

South Uist: 44 Pink-footed Geese flew south at South Glendale at 08:30 am.

Barra: A Common Rosefinch was seen at Glen this afternoon. 91 Brent Geese were at Eoligarry and 35 Pink-footed Geese flew over the island.

juvenile Golden Eagle (Steve Duffield)

 

20th September:

Lewis: 1,230 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Ness this afternoon and another 250 over Stornoway. 3 Sooty Shearwaters flew west off the Butt; also a Whimbrel there. A Pomarine Skua was seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway crossing this afternoon. 100 Pink-footed Geese were seen over Miavaig.

North Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper and around 70 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary this morning. 72 Black-tailed Godwits were at Aird an Runair and 11 Pintail flew past.

South Uist: 503 Gannets, 4 Great Northern Divers, 8 Red-throated Divers, 4 Fulmars, 23 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Leach's Petrel, 26 Tufted Ducks, 2 Scaup, 10 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Great Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills and 2 Black Guillemots flew south off Ardvule this morning.

Leach's Petrel (John Kemp); Golden Eagles (Steve Duffield)

 

19th September:

Stornoway - Ullapool: 4 Leach's Petrels, juvenile Pomarine Skua, 8 Arctic Skuas, 40+ Bonxies, a Sooty Shearwater and 3 Manx Shearwaters were seen from the ferry this afternoon.

Lewis: 4 Lapland Buntings were seen at the Butt; also 19 Pink-footed Geese were in the area. The 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was seen at Loch Stiapabhat with 3 Ruff also there. A Whinchat and Sand Martin were seen in Port of Ness. The Carrion Crow was at Shawbost. A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Gary Beach (Triagh Ghearadha), North Tolsta.

Benbecula: A Grey Phalarope was in Stinky Bay late this afternoon.

South Uist: 159 Gannets, 7 Great Northern Divers, 1 Great Skua and a Black Guillemot flew south at Ardvule this morning.

Grey Phalarope (Steve Duffield); Sparrowhawk (John Kemp)

 

18th September:

Lewis: A flock of 45 Lapland Buntings flew south-east over the Butt at 08:45 followed by another 10 at 09:30. A Common Rosefinch was seen at Ardroil. A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper and 1st winter Mediterranean Gull were at Loch Stiapabhat this evening. 3 Tree sparrows and a Whinchat were in Port of Ness. a Carrion Crow was on Swainbost beach.

Harris: A Little Egret was at Scarista.

North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 2 Ruff and a Black-tailed Godwit were at Loch Sandary. A Pectoral Sandpiper and 164 Black-tailed Godwits were at Aird an Runair.

South Uist: A White-rumped Sandpiper was seen on the pools at Balgarva briefly this morning. A Lapland Bunting was at Stoneybridge.

Mediterranean Gull and Pectoral Sandpiper (Tony Marr)

 

17th September:

Lewis: 4 Lapland Buntings were west of the Butt lighthouse this morning. 3 Tree Sparrows were in Ness today.

Uig - Tarbet: 4 Leach's Petrels were seen off the ferry today which was diverted to Stornoway rather than Harris.

North Uist: 4 Storm Petrels and a Bonxie were seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry this morning.

South Uist: An adult Pomarine Skua flew south at Ardvule this morning.

 

16th September:

Harris: A Barred Warbler was seen at Tarbet, north of Bunavoneader.

North Uist: A Leach's Petrel flew south at Aird an Runair in the morning.

South Uist: A Barolo's Shearwater was seen heading south off Ardvule this morning; also 13 Leach's Petrels and 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 57 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Common Scoters, 2 Great Skuas, an Arctic Skua and 2 Arctic Terns flew south there. 32 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.

Barra: The Mediterranean Gull is still at Eoligarry. 9 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Vatersay.

Leach's Petrel (Steve Duffield); Barolo's Shearwater (John Kemp)

 

15th September:

Ullapool - Stornoway: 19 Leach's Petrels and 3 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the ferry this morning.

Lewis: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still at Steinish. A Garden Warbler, Whinchat and 2 juvenile Tree Sparrows were seen in Port of Ness.

St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl and Rose-coloured Starling were in Hirta again today.

Benbecula: A Ruff was in fields between Balivanich and Nunton.

South Uist: A Ruff and a Pink-footed Goose were on the Range along with a single Whimbrel. Other Whimbrel were seen at Stoneybridge and Aird-mhicheil. 31 Gannets, 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Black-throated Diver, 8 Red-throated Divers, 1 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua and 23 Snipe in off the sea. A Whimbrel flew south at Orosay and a Sand Martin was present.

Black-throated Diver and Grey Plover (John Kemp)

 

14th September:

Lewis: 54 Sooty Shearwater past the Butt this morning and a Pink-footed Goose was at Loch Stiapabhat. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Steinish.

North Uist: On Baleshare a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was in the fields opposite (south of) Loch na Paisg and a Pectoral Sandpiper was on the saltmarsh at Traigh Eachcamais.

South Uist: 2 Common Scoter, 5 Great Northern Divers, 5 Red-throated Divers and 6 Leach's Petrels flew south at Ardvule this morning. At least 97 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.

Leach's Petrel and Red-throated Diver (John Kemp)

 

13th September:

Lewis: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at Gallan Head and a Sooty Shearwater flew past. 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Mangersta this morning.

St. Kilda: The Rose-coloured Starling was still in Hirta; also a Lapland Bunting on the island.

North Uist: 12 Sooty Shearwaters, 34 Manx Shearwaters, a Leach's Petrel, 60 Gannets, 24 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, single Arctic Skua, a Great Skuas, two Kittiwakes and two Arctic Terns flew past Griminish Point in a 3 hour watch this morning.

South Uist: The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was still at Ardivachar and 3 Pintail were on Loch Bee. 6 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 116 Gannets, 4 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Leaches Petrels, 1 Arctic Tern and 1 Black Guillemot flew south at Ardvule this morning. Another watch from Ardvule between 10:30-12 this morning produced 4 Leach's Petrels, 6 Manx Shearwaters, 13 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 21 Redshank (in from along way out), 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Great Northern Diver. 102 Black-tailed Gowits were on Bornish machair.

Barra: The Lapland Bunting was still at Eoligarry today whilst 6 were also seen on Vatersay where 7 Leach's Petrels and 9 Sooty Shearwaters flew past in a 2 hour watch.

Leach's Petrel (John Kemp)

 

12th September:

Lewis: 11 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt during an hour watch this morning. 32 Sooty Shearwaters, 18 Manx Shearwaters, 19 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 4 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Skuas, 40 Brent Geese, 15 Pintail and 2 Wigeon flew south-west past Labost in a 3 hour watch this morning. 24 Long-tailed Tits were seen in Stornoway.

North Uist: A Leach's Petrel, 160 Brent Geese, 17 Red-throated Divers and an Arctic Tern flew south at Aird an Runair this morning.

South Uist: Ardvule produced 126 Pale-bellied Brent, 19 Red-throated Divers, 8 Great Northern Divers, 1 Storm Petrel, 11 Leach's Petrels, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 adult Pomarine Skua and 11 Razorbills south today. A Lapland Bunting and 90 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair. The juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was still at Ardivachar.

Barra: A Lapland Bunting was at Eoligarry and a Cuckoo was at Northbay. 14 Leach's Petrels, 8 Storm Petrels and 4 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Oban - Barra ferry today.

Brent Geese (John Kemp)

 

11th September:

Lewis: 4 Sooty Shearwaters flew west at the Butt this morning between 08:30 and 09:30. 2 Ruff and 5 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Stiapabhat.

St. Kilda: The Rose-coloured Starling was in the village on Hirta again today and a brief Lapland Bunting was seen.

South Uist: Birds flying south at Ardvule this morning included 462 Gannets, 13 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Northern Diver, 21 Fulmars, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 88 Manx Shearwaters, 12 Leach's Petrels, 21 Razorbills, 2 Great Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Purple Sandpiper. Another 2 Leach's Petrels, a Sooty Shearwater and 36 Manx Shearwaters past Ardvule between 11 am and 12 pm. 106 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair and 20 were at Boisdale. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Ardivachar.

Barra: 33 Leach's Petrels and 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew past during a 3 hour watch this afternoon.

Leach's Petrel and Sooty Shearwater (John Kemp)

 

10th September:

Lewis: A Glaucous Gull was seen at Loch Barvas.

North Uist: A Barn Owl was seen at Claddach Kirkibost.

South Uist: Southerly passage at Ardvule today included 14 Great Northern Divers, 5 Red-throated Divers, 374 Gannets, , 21 Fulmars, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 152 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Leach's Petrels, 3 Great Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Kittiwakes, 14 Razorbills and 2 Black Guillemots. A watch from the Pollocahar between 6 and 7 pm today produced 2 flocks of Brent Geese (65 and 24), 8 Wigeon and a Bonxie.

Barra: The Mediterranean Gull is still at Eoligarry.

Sooty Shearwater (John Kemp)

 

9th September:

Lewis: A Spotted Flycatcher was seen at the Butt of Lewis lighthous this morning.

South Uist: Southerly movement off Ardvule this morning included 542 Gannets, 16 Red-throated Divers, 6 Great Northern Divers, 46 Manx Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 23 Fulmars, 2 Arctic Skuas and 14 Kittiwakes.

Barra: 9 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Vatersay this afternoon.

Insects: 576 moths/ 24 species were trapped in South Glendale last night which included 428 Ear moths sp., 1 Pink-barred Sallow, Large Wainscot, 3 Lunar Underwing, Common Wave, 4 Small Autumnal Moths and 5 Heath Rustic.

Great Northern Diver, Sooty Shearwater, Common Wave and Large Wainscot (John Kemp); Spotted Flycatcher (Tony Marr)

 

8th September:

St. Kilda: The Rose-coloured Starling was seen in the village on Hirta again today.

South Uist: 2 Ruff and around 140 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair at midday.

Insects: 75 moths / 16 species were trapped at North Loch Eynort last night including 1 Grey Pine Carpet, 3 Dark Marbled Carpets, 20 Pink-barred Sallow, 2 Angle Shades, 2 Red-line Quakers, 11 Heath Rustic and 9 Barred Chestnuts.

 

7th September:

Lewis: 5 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past the Butt.

St. Kilda: A Lesser Whitethroat was in the village on Hirta this morning and the Snowy Owl was seen on teh Cambir before flying over.

South Uist: A Sooty Shearwater flew south at Ardvule this morning. 84 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.

Marine Sightings: 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen off Ardvule this morning.

Insects: A Red-line Quaker and 2 Pink-barred Sallows were trapped in South Glendale last night. A Peacock butterfly was also seen in South Glendale today. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen at Brevig, Barra this afternoon.

Knot Grass caterpillar, Peacock, Red-line Quaker and Otter (John Kemp)

 

6th September:

South Uist: A juvenile Ruff and 97 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.

 

5th September:

Lewis: 18 Black-tailed Godwits were seen at Steinish; also 60 Goldfinch there.

North Uist: 4 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Traigh Leathann, Baleshare this afternoon.

South Uist: A Glaucous Gull is just north of the Howmore River feeding on a whale carcass. Birds flying south at Ardvule this morning included 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Divers, 312 Gannets, 30 Manx Shearwaters, 9 Fulmars, 3 Black Guillemots, 4 Razorbills, 2 Guillemots, 1 Great Skua (and one north) and 1 Purple Sandpiper.

Barra: A Yellow Wagtail flew south over Brevig this afternoon.

Insects: 224 moths / 26 species were trapped in South Glendale last night which included 116 Ear moths sp., 1 Frosted Orange, 4 heath Rustic, 23 Rosy Rustic, 1 Mouse Moth, 1 Pinion-streaked Snout, 6 Eudonia truncicolella, 3 Eudonia angustea and 1 Aspilapteryx tringipennella.

Glaucous Gull (Martin Gillingham); Black-tailed Godwits (Tristan ap Rheinallt)

 

4th September:

South Uist: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Balgarva today. 117 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair.

Insects: A Canary-shouldered Thorn (2nd for Outer Hebrides) and a Setaceous Hebriew Charater were trapped in Eochar last night.

Canary-shouldered Thorn and Setaceous Hebrew Character (Robin Sutton); Curlew Sandpiper (Andrew Stevenson)

3rd September:

Lewis: The Rose-coloured Starling is still at the landfill site in Stornoway today.

St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl and a Rose-coloured Starling were seen in the village on Hirta this morning.

North Uist: There are now 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers now at Traigh Leathann, Baleshare with a second bird flying in to join the first around midday.

Barra: The Mediterranean Gull was at Traigh Mhor.

Insects: 119 moths/ 16 species were caught in South Glendale last night which included 2 Frosted Orange (first for Outer Hebrides), 1 Lunar Underwing, 10 Rosy Rustic, 6 Heath Rustic, 1 Small Autumnal Moth and 2 Acleris effractana.

Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Steve Duffield)

Frosted Orange moths and Lunar Underwing (John Kemp)

 

2nd September:

St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was seen in the village on Hirta today.

North Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen again at Traigh Leathann, Baleshare. 20+ Black-tailed Godwits were seen near Hosta.

Whooper Swan family (Steve Duffield)

 

1st September:

Lewis: The adult Rose-coloured Starling was seen along the road to the landfill site in Stornoway again today.

North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen at Traigh Leathann, Baleshare around midday.

South Uist: A Common Sandpiper was at the north end of Loch Bee. 105 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore River.

Barra: The Mediterranean Gull was seen at Eoligarry again today.

Otter video from today on Benbecula here.

Insects: A Painted Lady butterfly was seen at Howmore today.

Marine Sightings: 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were in the Sound of Barra off Kilbride this evening.

Golden Eagle and Otters (Steve Duffield); Mediterranean Gull (Dave Slater); Rose-coloured Starling (Tristan ap Rheinhallt)