Recent Sightings

To report sightings please contact Steve at: stephend@fast4.net

County bird recorder: Brian Rabbitts [rabbitts@hebrides.net]

31st July:

South Uist: 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull at Ardvule this evening.

2 Killer Whales and a Basking Shark off Ardvule, South Uist this morning for over 20 minutes (J.K.)

Moths: Chestnut-coloured Carpet (4), and Scotch Annulet trapped at Druidibeg Plantation, South Uist over night. These two species are classed at Nationally Scarce B. Also caught were Scarce Silver Y and Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing amongst other more widespread species.

From left to right: Chestnut-coloured Carpet, Scotch Annulet, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Lesser Yellow Underwing and Scarce Silver Y.

29th July:

Basking Shark in Scolpaig Bay, North Uist this evening.

Moths and butterflies: Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet trapped last night at Drimsdale. Dark Green Fritillaries seen around South Glendale and at least 6 Grayling nearby.

From left to right: Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Steve Duffield); Dark Green Fritillary and Common Hawker eating a darter (John Kemp).

27th July:

South Uist: Bonaparte's Gull and Sooty Shearwater Ardvule (Bird Guides).

Butterflies: Grayling and Dark Green Fritillary in vicinity of South Glendale.

26th July:

2 or 3 Basking Sharks east of Eriskay.

Moths and butterflies: Lots of butterflies about today including Dark Green Fritillaries at North Loch Eynort, South Uist and on Eriskay. Graylings also on Eriskay at the east side of Acairseid.

25th July:

Lewis: Iceland Gull on Loch Barvas. Snowy Owl at Magurstadh.

Benbecula: summer plumage Slavonian Grebe on Coot Loch. 3 adult Black-tailed Godwits in recently silaged field at Torlum.

South Uist: Pectoral Sandpiper still at Balgarva.

Pectoral Sandpiper (John Kemp)

24th July:

South Uist: Pectoral Sandpiper at Balgarva this afternoon. Whitethroat at South Glendale.

Other: 3 Basking Sharks and a Minke Whale off the east side of Eriskay

Moths and butterflies: 120 Grayling on south side of Ben Sciathan, Eriskay plus Dark Green Fritillary on Eriskay too. 36 species of macro moth trapped between 2 traps; Drimsdale and Carnan, South Uist last night.

                                                                                                  From left to right: Grayling (John Kemp); Northern Eggar, male; Pectoral Sandpiper (Steve Duffield).

23rd July:

Moths: 30 species of macro moths trapped at Drimsdale, South Uist last night, with an additional 4 species at Druidibeg Plantation including 2 Small Fan-footed Wave (a new species for the islands last year, from the same location).

Oblique Carpet (left) and Small Fan-footed Wave.

22nd July:

Moths: A Pinion-streaked Snout was trapped at Druidibeg Plantation last night. This is the first record for the Uists although it was trapped in Lewis last year. 27 species of macro moth were caught at Drimsdale, South Uist last night and a few pyralids, including a Mother-of-Pearl.

Pinion-streaked Snout and Mother-of-Pearl.

21st July:

South Uist: Pectoral Sandpiper at Balgarva this morning. 1st summer Glaucous Gull at North Bay.

20th July:

South Uist: 1st yr Bonaparte's Gull Ardvule.

Fuday: hundreds of Dark Green Fritillaries, Common Blues and Meadow Browns. Also at least 60 Grayling. Plant wise around 30 Fragrant Orchids seen and lots of Thyme Broomrape. Pyramidal Orchid very common.

From left to right: first two shots Bonaparte's Gull ( John Kemp); Dark Green Fritillary, Grayling (2 shots); Fragrant Orchid; Thyme Broomrape (Steve Duffield).

19th July:

the hoverfly, Scaeva pyrastri (left) and a female Common Blue (right) at Torlum Machair, Benbecula.

17th July:

Lewis: Sooty Shearwater past the Butt of Lewis. 1st summer Iceland Gull at Port of Ness.

Monachs: The troubling Ceann Ear plover is still present. Originally thought to be Pacific, could well prove to be an immature American.

South Uist: male Whitethroat singing on an island in Loch Druidibeg.

Ceann Ear plover; 1st photo John Kemp, the rest Steve Duffield.

Adder's tongue Fern, Clachan Sands (Jamie Boyle).

16th July:

South Uist: 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull off Ardvule this morning although flew off to the north.

Bonaparte's Gull (John Kemp).