Recent Sightings

Bird and other Natural History Sightings in the Outer Hebrides.

Please note that the sightings below do not reflect the variety of species you can see in a normal day out birding or wildlife watching. These reports concentrate on more unusual species or significant counts or movements.

More detailed sightings and off-island wildlife can be found on this blog site: Birds, Bees and Outer Hebrides

To report sightings please contact Steve at: steveduffield70@gmail.com

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25th May:

North Uist: The drake Harlequin Duck was seen again at Traigh Iar this evening. A Glaucous Gull was reported from Grenitote.

South Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Common Redpolls are in South Glendale today. A Chiffchaff is at North Loch Eynort.

Insects: Foxglove Pug, Satyr Pug, 3 Golden-rod Pugs, 3 Scalloped Hazels, 3 Ruddy Highflyers and a Poplar Hawkmoth were trapped at North Loch Eynort last night. .

                                                                                                                      Spotted Flycatcher and Scalloped Hazel (John Kemp); Common Gull (Steve Duffield)

24th May:

Lewis: 2 Wood Sandpipers were at Fivepenny.

Harris: 44 Long-tailed Skuas and 3 Pomarine Skuas were seen from the ferry between Tarbet - Uig sailing early this morning (seen close to the Harris coast).

North Uist: The drake Harlequin Duck is back at Traigh Iar, Balranald. 2 immature Little Gulls and an Iceland Gull were also on the area. 44 Long-tailed Skuas were seen from the ferry between Lochmaddy and Uig, Skye today.

South Uist: A Marsh Warbler was singing at North Loch Eynort today. A Snow Bunting was at Ardivachar briefly. A pair of Common Scoter were off Ardvule.

Insects: 10 Belted Beauties (9 males and a female) were seen at Stoneybridge opposite Verran Island.

White-tailed Eagle and Belted Beauties (Steve Duffield)

23rd May:

Lewis: Sea-watching from Mangersta today (most birds in were seen in the afternoon) produced 242 Long-tailed Skuas, 50 Pomarine Skuas, 3 Artic Skuas and 8 Bonxies.

North Uist: The male Snowy Owl was at Sollas today. 2 Long-tailed Skuas and 6 Pomarine Skuas were seen passing Aird an Runair in a brief visit this morning; the small Canada Goose and immature Little Gull are also still present on Loch a' Roe. A flava wagtail is at Loch Sandary.

South Uist: 4 Pomarine Skuas and 6 Long-tailed Skuas passed Ardvule this morning. 2 Common Redpolls are in South Glendale. a 2nd year Little Gull was seen along the shore at Askernish.

Common Redpoll (John Kemp); Whimbrel (Steve Duffield)

22nd May:

Lewis: Sea-watching from Mangersta (16:00 - 19:00) produced 350 Long-tailed Skuas, 29 Pomarine Skuas, 3 Artic Skuas and 6 Bonxies. .

North Uist: The Snowy Owl is still at Grenitote. A female Citrine Wagtail was seen briefly at Loch a' Roe, Aird an Runair this afternoon. Over a 1,365 Long-tailed Skuas and around 77 Pomarine Skuas passed Aird an Runair this afternoon; also 45 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Puffin and 3 Long-tailed Ducks. A Little Gull was at Loch a' Roe and the small Canada Goose is still present.

South Uist: A sea-watch from Ardvule (07:15 - 11:45) produced 4 Arctic Skuas, 11 Pomarine Skuas, 42 Long-tailed Skuas, 4 Great Skuas, 22 Puffins and 2 Long-tailed Duck. A further 14 Pomarine Skuas and 63 Long-tailed Skuas passed the headland between 16:50 - 19:25. An Iceland Gull is at Ardivachar. 2 Common Redpolls were in South Glendale.

Marine Sightings: A Basking Shark was off Mangersta today.

Long-tailed Skuas (Steve Duffield)

21st May:

Lewis: 102 Long-tailed Skuas and 6 Pomarine Skuas were seen passing Breanish, near Uig in a 2 hours sea-watch today.

North Uist: The Snowy Owl was on the machair at Grenitote again today. 40 Long-tailed Skuas, 25 Pomarine Skuas and 13 Whimbrel flew north at Aird an Runair in a 3 hour watch today. A pale-bellied Brent Goose, immature Little Gull and small Canada Goose were also in the area.

South UIst: An Iceland Gull is at Ardivachar. 87 Whimbrel were at Askernish. 4 Brent Geese are at Bornish. The drake Pochard is still on Loch Hallan. The drake Green-winged Teal was at Smerclate. A Pomarine Skua past Ardvule this morning. A Long-tailed Skua was off Smerclate in the evening.

Marine Sightings: 7 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ludag this afternon.

20th May:

Lewis: A Wood Sandpiper and drake Garganey are at Loch Stiapabhat. An immature Glaucous Gull is near the Butt whilst 2 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Black-tailed Godwits are at Fivepenny.

North Uist: 110 Pomarine Skuas, 205 Long-tailed Skuas and a summer plumage White-billed Diver flew north past Aird an Runair today. The Short-toed Lark was reported from fields nearby whilst a female Lapland Bunting was present. A 1st yr Little Gull flew over and the small Canada Goose is still on Loch a' Roe.

South Uist: 51 Long-tailed Skuas, a Pomarine Skua flew north at Ardvule 08:35 - 10:50 as well as 64 Puffins, 7 Whimbrel and a pale-bellied Brent Goose. The Bean Goose was at Balgarva again this evening. An Iceland Gull is at Ardivachar.

Insects: A male Orange Tip butterfly was seen in Lemreway, Lewis this evening. This is the first modern day record and possibly the first confirmed record in the Outer Hebrides.

Moths trapped last night include: 29 Brown Silver-line, 17 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpets, 2 Garden Carpets, 11 Flame Carpets, 4 Striped Twin-spot Carpets, 2 Narrow-winged Pugs, 17 Red Chestnut, 2 Hebrew Character, 2 Sweet Gale, 2 Shears, 1 Knot Grass and 1 Brindled Ochre in South Glendale. Emperor Moth, Puss Moth, 3 Knot Grass, 13 Red Chestnut, 2 Glaucous Shears, a Shears, 2 Clouded Drab and 2 Flame Carpets were trapped in Carinish. The migrant micro moth - Diamond-back was also recorded from both the above sites.

   Glaucous Gull (Tony Marr); Canada Goose (John Kemp); Canada Goose, Long-tailed Skuas and Pomarine Skuas (Steve Duffield); Shears and Diamond-back Moth (John Kemp)

19th May:

Lewis: A Glaucous Gull was seen at the Butt today.

Harris: 3 Long-tailed Ducks were in the Sound of Taransay off Seilebost and small flocks of Golden Plover were at Seielbost and Horgabost.

North Uist: A Short-toed Lark was reported from the last ploughed field by the track to Aird an Runair this evening before it flew off over the ridge to the north. A small race of Canada Goose (present since at least 16th May) and an immature Little Gull are at Loch a' Roe, Aird an Runair today. A male Garganey was at Loch Sandary. 9 pale-bellied Brent Geese are on the shore at Cnoc a Lin machair near Rubha Arnal.

South Uist: There is a juvenile Bean Goose at Balgarva today associating with Greylags. The Green-winged Teal is still at Smerclate. A male Ruff and 2 Redwing were in Askernish today. A drake Pochard and Brent Goose are on Loch Hallan  An Iceland Gull was reported from Ardivachar.

Barra: A Pied Flycatcher and Waxwing were reported from Castle Bay today.

Bean Goose and Ringed Plover (John Kemp)

18th May:

Harris: 93 Golden Plover were at Scarista today. The Little Egret is still on a small lochan just north of Geocrab, Bays of Harris.

Benbecula: A 1st summer Little Gull was feeding in fields at Torlum today.

South Uist: A winter plumage Long-tailed Duck is off Stoneybridge. A female Goosander is at Loch Rog, Snishival. Around 40 Sand Martins were feeding on the loch behind the co-op in Daliburgh. A Brambling and Common Redpoll were in South Glendale today.

Common Redpoll (John Kemp)

17th May:

Benbecula: A 1st summer Little Gull was at Loch Mor in the morning and a drake Garganey is on Loch Fada / Loch Mor.

South Uist: A drake Green-winged Teal was at Smerclate again this morning. A Brambling, Siskin, 2 Common Redpolls and a Whitethroat were in South Glendale. A Siskin was at North Loch Eynort.

Insects: A Glaucous Shears, Knot Grass, Hebrew Character, 12 Red Chestnuts and a Puss Moth were caught in South Glendale last night.

                                                                  Green-winged Teal, Glaucous Shears and Puss Moth (John Kemp); Common Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)

16th May:

North Uist: An immature Little Gull and Canada Goose are at Aird an Runair. 11 Black-tailed Godwits are at Loch na Reivil, Hougharry. 2 Barnacle Geese are on Vallay.

Benbecula: 4 Black-tailed Godwits were at Nunton. The drake Garganey is around Loch Mor / Loch Fada.

South Uist: A drake Green-winged Teal is at Smerclate. 4 pale-bellied Brent Geese are at Ardvule. 2 Bramblings, a Siskin, 2 Common Redpolls and what appears to be a Greenland Redpoll were in South Glendale today.

Marine Sightings: 7 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen off Stinky Bay this afternoon.

rostrata redpoll and Brambling (John Kemp)

15th May:

Lewis: A drake Garganey plus 2 male and a female Scaup were on Loch Stiapabhat. 8 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Fivepennt. 20 Whimbrel were at the Butt. 2 Great Tits are still at Marybank, Stornoway and 62 Lesser Redpolls were in the Castle Grounds by the sawmill.

Harris: 80 Golden Plover were at Luskentyre. A Pomarine Skua flew over Northton this evening.

North Uist: The male Snowy Owl was on the machair at Sollas. An immature Iceland Gull was feeding in ploughed field at Balelone. An immature Iceland Gull flew over Balranald visitor centre heading east. 6 Pomarine Skuas headed north off Aird an Runair late the afternoon with another 2 seen earlier in the day. An immature Little Gull was in a Black-headed Gull colony at Aird an Runair. 13 Black-tailed Godwits were also seen in flight at Balranald.

Benbecula: A drake Garganey is on Loch Mor. An immature Iceland Gull was at Aird. 2 Common Redpolls were at Muir of Aird.

South Uist: 2 Little Gulls were feeding in the south bay at Ardvule. A Siskin was in South Glendale. A male Snow Bunting was near the Pollochar. The 2 Dotterel were still on the Range today. A drake Green-winged Teal was seen near Daliburgh.

Marine Sightings: A Bottle-nosed Dolphin was off Ardvule today.

                                                                                           Little Gulls and Sanderling (John Kemp); Garganey (Steve Duffield)

14th May:

North Uist: The Snowy Owl is still around Sollas / Grenitote. A 1st yr Little Gull was feeding over an area of machair being ploughed at Balranald. 3 Barnacle Geese are on Vallay and a Chiffchaff was at Callernish. 

South Uist: A Waxwing was seen by the car park at North Loch Eynort today. 2 Dotterel are still on the Range in the same place as yesterday. An Osprey flew north over Garryhellie early this morning. A 1st summer Little Gull passed Ardvule this morning; also 35 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 51 Whimbrel out at sea heading north.

                                                               Great Northern Divers, Eiders and Whimbrel (John Kemp); Waxwing (Emma Lay); Short-eared Owl (Steve Duffield)

13th May:

Lewis: A single Pomarine Skua was seen off the Butt today. 4 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Fivepenny.

Harris: A Whinchat was in Northton this morning. A Sandwich Tern was on the beach at Seilebost in the afternoon.

North Uist: The Snowy Owl is at Sollas this afternoon / evening. 21 Pomarine Skuas were on the shore at Bayhead this evening. 415 Long-tailed Skuas, 455 Pomarine Skuas and 9 Leach's Petrels were seen off Aird an Runair today.

Benbecula: A 1st yr Little Gull was on Loch Mor this afternoon. 5 Long-tailed Ducks were in Stinky Bay this morning.

South Uist: A Leach's Petrel, a Pomarine Skua, 21 Arctic Skuas, 6 Bonxies, 9 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 40 Whimbrel were off  Ardvule this morning. 30 Whimbrel were on the machair at Bornish. 2 Dotterel are on the Range at same location as yesterday (look for small cultivated patch at sharp bend).

Leach's Petrel and Turnstone (John Kemp)

12th May:

Harris: 4 Long-tailed Ducks are lingering in the Sound of Taransay off Horghabost. 23 Golden Plover were at Luskentyre, 25 were at Northton and 40 were by Seilebost school.

North Uist: A Black Redstart was singing in Grenitote this morning. Sea-watching from Aird an Runair (14:00 - 19:45) produced: 2 Leach's Petrels, 265 Long-tailed Skuas, 356 Pomarine Skuas, 15 pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Long-tailed Ducks.

Benbecula: Drake Garganey at Loch Mor today.

South Uist: 12 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Kildonan and later at Ardvule. 38 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Ardivachar and a Pomarine Skua flew past late this afternoon. A Long-tailed Skua flew over Aird Kenneth this afternoon. A Chiffchaff is in South Loch Eynort. A Black-tailed Godwit was at the roadside in Eochar. 2 Dotterel were on the Range around NF755443 today. A Leach's Petrel was off Ardivachar in the evening.

11th May:

Lewis: 30 Arctic Skuas and 4 Pomarine Skuas passed the Butt today plus a Long-tailed Skua on the grass by the lighthouse for 15 minutes in the afternoon. An immature Glaucous Gull was at Habost. 4 Scaup (2 pairs) and a pair of Garganey were at the southern end of Loch Stiapabhat.

North Uist: 614 Pomarine Skuas, 57 Long-tailed Skuas, 40 Arctic Skuas and 24 Bonxies were seen heading north off Aird an Runair today (06:30 - 14:00) as well as at least 140 Whimbrel and a drake Common Scoter with a drake Tufted Duck. A Black-tailed Godwit is at Balelone.

South Uist: 342 Pomarine Skuas, 91 Long-tailed Skuas, 26 Arctic Skuas and 13 Great Skuas were seen passing Ardvule (07:00 - 14:00) as well as 96 Whimbrel and 2 Long-tailed Duck. A 1st yr Little Gull was also seen there. A Whinchat and 2 Siskin were in South Glendale. A male Blackcap is in North Boisdale. A drake Pochard is on Loch Hallan.

Insects: A male Belted Beauty was seen at Hosta today.

                Long-tailed Skuas and Pomarine Skuas (John Kemp); Arctic Skua, Pomarine Skuas and Whimbrel (Steve Duffield); Emperor Moth (Danny Raffety)

10th May:

Lewis: Cuckoo calling at Uig Sands today - now widespread in the islands. 9 Collared Doves at Port of Ness and 7 in Skigersta. The pair of Garganey are now at the southern end of Loch Stiapabhat. 7 Pink-footed Geese and a Black-tailed Godwit are at Fivpenny. Two Lapland Buntings were at the Butt and 2 Redwings were in Port of Ness. 

North Uist: A Great Tit was in Carinish this morning. A pair of Blackcaps, 6 Siskins and a Chiffchaff were at Claddach Vallay. 20 Long-tailed Skuas and 220 Pomarine Skuas were seen heading north off Aird an Runair in the late afternoon / evening.

Benbecula: A Curlew Sandpiper is in Stinky Bay.

South Uist: An immature Iceland Gull was at Ardivachar today.

Corncrake and Golden Eagle (Dave Perrett)

9th May:

Lewis: A Hoopoe was reported from Carloway today. 10 Wood Pigeons flew over Eoropie today and 30 were over Fivepenny. The pair of Garganey are still at Fivepenny

South Uist: An Osprey was seen flying south over Loch Carnan first thing this morning and relocated to Loch Druidibeg where it spent the rest of the day. 2 Siskin and 2 Goldfinch were at Carnan. 6 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin and 3 Common Redpoll are in South Glendale. 3 Siskin, a Common Redpoll, A singing Wood Warbler and Blackcap are at North Loch Eynort. 8 pale-bellied Brent Geese were on Bornish machair.

Insects: Lots of Emperor Moths were on the wing in Uist this afternoon in the calm, sunny conditions. Male Belted Beauties included one at Ardvule and 3 at Stoneybridge.

Goldfinch and Siskins (John Kemp); Arctic Tern, Golden Eagle, Wood Warbler and Corncrake (Steve Duffield)

8th May:

Lewis: A pair of  Garganey were at Fivepenny. A Blackcap was at Eoropie. 2 x 1st yr Glaucous Gulls were at the Butt along with 2 Redwings and a House Martin. Another immature Glaucous Gull was at Bru. A Turtle Dove was in Bragar. 2 Goldfinch and a redpoll were in Barvas today.

North Uist: A Hoopoe was in a field just south of the Balranald turning (to the reserve) this morning before flying up to the lawn of a nearby house. 2 House Martins were over Loch na Reivil along with around 5 Sand Martins; 14 Barnacle Geese were also present. A sub-adult Iceland Gull flew east at Griminish Pier. An Osprey was seen at Loch Euphort. A Chiffchaff was singing at Langass. A Lapland Bunting was at Aird an Runair today.

South Uist: An immature Kumlien's Gull flew north at Gerinish and a House Martin was hawking there. 6 Siskins, 4 Common Redpoll, 3 Goldfinch, a male Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and 4 Goldcrests were in South Glendale.

                                                                                      Blackcap, Common Redpoll, Goldcrest and Kumlien's Gull (John Kemp)

7th May:

Lewis: A Corncrake and 120+ Arctic Terns at Steinish this evening.

Harris: A Little Egret was seen in Geocrab today.

South Uist: A Blackcap was singing at North Loch Eynort today. 32 Brent Geese and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule as well as masses of Wheatears, White Wagtails, 2 Redwing and a Willow Warbler. A Waxwing was seen in Askernish this evening.

Insects: Green-veined Whites were at North Loch Eynort and South Glendale with a Small Tortoiseshell also at the latter site. Puss Moths were caught in South Glendale and Carinish last; also in South Glendale were a Striped Twin-spot Carpet and a Red Sword-grass. A female Emperor Moth was seen in South Lochboisdale.

Emperor Moth (Danny Rafferty); Puss Moth and Goldfinch (John Kemp)

 

6th May:

Lewis: At least 4 Siskins were singing in the Castle Grounds and a House Martin was along Willowglen burn, Stornoway. A pair of Great Tits are at Marybank. A 2nd cal yr Iceland Gull and 16 Pink-footed Geese were at Steinish.

North Uist: A 1st yr Little Gull was at Loch na Reivil again today. A 1st yr Iceland Gull was at Balranald and 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew west there. A 1st yr Iceland Gull was in fields at Tigharry. Sedge Warbler was singing in Balranald township this morning. A Chiffchaff (un-ringed) was in Carinish today. 220 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew north at Aird an Runair this morning.

South Uist: 2 Cuckoos and 5 Goldfinch were in South Glendale today.

Other: A Pipistrelle Bat was seen flying around the golf course in the Castle Grounds today in broad daylight.

Shoveler (Steve Duffield)

5th May:

Lewis: A male Lapland Bunting and 2 1st yr Glaucous Gulls were at the Butt; a Blue Fulmar also flew south. 400 Golden Plover were on the machair at Eoropie. 3 x 1st yr Iceland Gulls and a 1st yr Glaucous Gull were at Barvas. A pair of Pintail are on Loch Ordais. 28 pale-bellied Brent Geese are at Bragar and 10 are at Arnol. 8 Pomarine Skuas were seen off Mangersta this afternoon. A Great Tit is at Marybank Lodge, Lews Castle Grounds.

South Uist: A 1st yr Kumlien's Gull was at Ardivachar and an immature Iceland Gull flew east over the main road at Ormiclate this morning. 18 Black-tailed Godwits are by Loch an t-Saile. A Little Egret is in the marsh just north of the church at Howmore and around 50 Whimbrel are on the machair there. 27 Brent Geese (including a dark-bellied Brent) are at Stoneybridge, opposite Verran Island. 103 Brent Geese are at Ardvule. A Pink-footed Goose, 3 Barnacle Geese and 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese are on the machair at Ardivachar whilst15 Whimbrel and 2 Arctic Skuas were there this evening. A Cuckoo is in South Glendale.

Insects: A Green-veined White and an male Emperor Moth were at North Loch Eynort this afternoon.

pale-bellied Brent Geese (Steve Duffield)

4th May:

Lewis: 2 male Lapland Buntings and a Wood Pigeon were at the Butt today.

North Uist: 11 Pomarine Skuas flew north off Aird an Runair between 13:00 - 14:00. A further 66 Pomarine Skuas and 7 Long-tailed Skuas were seen in a 3 hour watch later in the afternoon. An Iceland Gull was at Traigh Iar and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were near the visitor centre. A Chiffchaff (ringed) is in Carinish.

Goldfinch, redpolls and Siskins (Andy Leslie)

3rd May:

Lewis: 36 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese, 26 Black-tailed Godwits and 7 Whimbrel were on the machair at Ness. A male Lapland Bunting was at the Butt and a Chiffchaff was at Eoropie. A Cuckoo was in Leurbost. 2 Great Tits are at Marybank. Castle Grounds.

Harris: 5 Common Scoters were in the Sound of Taransay and 14 Black-tailed Godwits were at Northton.

North Uist: A Corncrake was calling by the Bayhead shop early this morning.

South Uist: A pair of Goldfinch and a pair of Siskin were at Carnan today. 27 Whimbrel dropped in at Ardivachar briefly before continuing north.

2nd May:

Lewis: 3,430 geese flew passed the Butt between 06:15 - 08:15 with most well out over the Minch. Those close enough to identify were Pink-footed Geese as likely were the rest. 600 Golden Plover, 60 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Barnacle Geese and 20 Pink-footed Geese were in the Fivepenny / Eoropie area. A Cuckoo was in Carloway.

North Uist: A 1st yr Little Gull was in Hougharry.

South Uist: 2 Cuckoos were in South Lochboisdale today.

Marine sightings: A Harbour Porpoise was off Skigersta this morning.

1st May:

Lewis: 196 Black-tailed Godwits and 1,050 Golden Plover were at Loch Stiapabhat / Fivepenny this morning . 28 Whimbrel and a female Lapland Bunting were at the Butt whilst 8 Barnacle Geese flew north there. 6 Brent Geese hung around all day on pools at the Butt. 20 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Barnacle Geese and an Iceland Gull were on the machair at Fivepenny. 32 Pink-footed Geese flew in over Loch Stiapabhat this evening. 9 Black-tailed Godwits were off Callanish this morning. A 1st yr Glaucous Gull was at Mealasta today. 12 Black-tailed Godwits flew over Willowglen, Stornoway this morning. 11 Common Redpoll, a pair of Siskins and a pair of Long-tailed Tits are in the Castle Grounds.

Harris: 5 Black-tailed Godwits were in Leverburgh this morning and 8 were at Northton.

North Uist: 135 Brent Geese were at Aird an Runair and a 1st winter Little Gull was at Hougharry.

Benbecula: 200 Brent Geese were on the sea / beach at Balivanich.

South Uist: A Little Egret was in marshes just north of the church at Howmore. 75 Brent Geese, 28 Black-tailed Godwits and a Snow Bunting are at Ardvule. 500 Golden Plover and 105 Black-tailed Godwits were on the machair at Askernish today.

Glaucous Gull and Oystercatchers (Frank Stark)