Recent Sightings

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

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

15th July:

Lewis: Spotted Crake calling at Loch Stiapabhat.

Minke Whale and Basking Shark off Griminish Point, Scolpaig, North Uist.

Great Yellow Bumblebee Aird an Runair.

14th July:

Monach Isles: American Golden Plover on Ceann Ear this morning. Flew off with Golden Plover towards North Uist and hadn't returned to Ceann Ear by 5 pm today.

South Uist: 1st summer Glaucous Gull Ardvule.

Other: 3 Basking Sharks seen off the Monachs again today. 6 Common Dolphins off Labost, Lewis.

Pacific Golden Plover

13th July:

Lewis: Iceland Gull Eorpie, Ness.

South Uist: Bonaparte's Gull on the Howmore River again today.

Other: 3 Basking Sharks off the Monachs again today.

12th July:

Lewis: Siskin and Goldfinch have bred successfully in the Stornoway area.

Monachs: 3 Basking Sharks were seen off the Monachs this evening.

From left to right: Basking Shark and Moonwort.

11th July:

South Uist: 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull and a single Black-tailed Godwit Howmore River. Rosy Starling Drimsdale.

Benbecula: Sandwich Tern south past Stinky Bay.

                                                                                                                           From left to right: Female Gadwall with 4 ducklings (2 shown here) on the Monachs; adult Rosy Starling at Drimsdale.

10th July:

South Uist: 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull still on Howmore River.

Moths and butterflies: 32 species of macro moth were trapped at Carnan and 31 at Drimsdale, South Uist last night. In total there were 44 different species of macro moth caught between the two traps. At least 10 Large Heath butterflies east of South Glendale.

9th July:

South Uist: 1st yr Bonaparte's Gull and 83 Black-tailed Godwits Howmore River. 10 Black-tailed Godwits Loch Ardvule.

Other: 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins off Ardvule, South Uist this morning.

Black-tailed Godwits and Bonaparte's Gull Howmore River.

8th July:

South Uist: 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull Howmore River.

Insects: hoverflies noted today between Drimsdale and Howmore include: Episyrphus balteatus, Rhingia campestris and Eristalis tenax (amongst others).

From left to right: Episyrphus balteatus, Rhingia campestris and Eristalis tenax

7th July:

South Uist: Glaucous Gull at Ardivachar and Bonaparte's Gull at Howmore (Birdguides).

Large Heath  - at least 16 seen in around an hour, east Benbecula.

From left to right: Large Heath butterfly; Rest Harrow - a rare plant in the Outer Hebrides. This specimen is growing along the machair track between Drimsdale and Howmore (one of only four sites in the islands).

6th July:

South Uist: immature Glaucous Gull at Ardivachar. Chiffchaff again at Drimsdale.

A Large Emerald moth was found by Frank Stark in Loch Airigh na Airde, Grimesta estate, Lewis on 3rd July. This is the first record of this moth for the Outer Hebrides.

Large Emerald (Frank Stark)

5th July:

North Uist: Quail calling at Balranald

South Uist: Chiffchaff at Drimsdale.

4th July:

South Uist: Rosy Starling feeding in Starling flock between Drimsdale and Howmore. Garden Warbler singing North Loch Eynort.

Moths and butterflies: A good moth night (3rd / 4th) with 27 species of macro moth trapped at both Drimsdale and Carnan, South Uist.

From left to right: Grass Rivulet (commonly disturbed by day); Snout and an easily recognisable micro moth, the Diamondback (immigrant).

3rd July:

Lewis: Spotted Crake calling Loch Stiapabhat during the night.

South Uist: imm. Iceland Gull at Ardivachar plus 11 Common Scoter south off there (later off Ardvule). Imm. Glaucous Gull at Ruhba Thornais. 19 Storm Petrels feeding off Ardvule.

Six-spot Burnets at Stinky Bay, Benbecula and Iochar, South Uist.

Six-spot Burnet and Iceland Gull

2nd July:

South Uist: 15 Black-tailed Godwits Peninerine.

Red Admiral Stilligarry.

1st July:

South Uist: Whitethroat singing from an island in Loch Druidibeg.

Insects: Large Heaths at Loch Druidibeg (at least 4 just before car park and display board). Common Hawker quite widespread now. Red Admiral and 2 Large Whites South Glendale.

Other: Basking Shark well up in Loch Skipport, South Uist this evening.

Basking Shark in Loch Skipport.