Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2018
28th February:
Lewis: A single Snow Bunting was at Cross / Skigersta this morning. A single Brambling was in Uig.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck, Scaup and a Pochard were on Coot Loch along with a pair of Pintail and a Greenland White-fronted Goose.
South Uist: The Brambling was in South Glendale.
Barra: 70 Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor. 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Ardveenish and an adult was by the Vatersay causeway.
Golden Plover and Lapwing (Steve Duffield)
27th February:
Lewis: 2 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta.
North Uist: Around 20 Snow Buntings flew north over Orasaigh this morning. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Hougharry and at least 4 Pintail were on Loch nam Feithean. A Jack Snipe was in Carinish. 2 Kumlien's Gulls, 28 Iceland Gulls, 19 Glaucous Gulls and 26 Brent Geese were at Rubh' Arnal.
South Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Ardvule this morning. The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
26th February:
Lewis: A single Snow Bunting was at Cross / Skigersta today. 2 Iceland Gulls (an adult and an immature) were at Tiumpan Head this morning whilst 6 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on Loch Tiumpan this afternoon.
North Uist: A hybrid canada (type) x Barnacle Goose was with Barnacle Geese at Sgiobanais, Grenitote this morning. The small canada goose was at Balranald again today. The Crane and Snow Goose were on Berneray.
South Uist: A Glaucous Gull flew past Ardivachar this morning.
Merlin and Woodcock (Terry Lynch)
25th February:
North Uist: 10 Whooper Swans came in high from the south over Carinish this morning. 3 Glaucous Gulls and an Iceland Gull were on Baleshare today.
Benbecula: An immature Glaucous Gull was off Balivanich.
South Uist: Species flying south at Ardvule this morning included 14 Gannets (also 12 north), 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Divers, 64 Razorbills, 4 Kittiwakes, 25 Eiders while a flock of 24 Whooper Swans flew north over the sea. Also present were a juvenile Glaucous Gull and 300 Twite.
Marine Sightings: 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins moved south off Ardvule this morning.
Great Northern Diver and Bottle-nosed Dolphin (John Kemp)
24th February:
North Uist: Around 2,000 Barnacle Geese were seen at Port na Long this afternoon. 62 Whooper Swans were on Loch Bhrusda, Berneray and 46 were on Loch a Bhruida along the Lochmaddy road. 5 Glaucous Gulls and an Iceland Gull were on Baleshare.
Benbecula: A Greenland White-fronted Goose was with Greylags on Liniclate machair. The drake Scaup and a pair of Pintail were on Coot Loch.
South Uist: A southerly movement at Ardvule this morning included 16 Gannets (also 14 flew N), 16 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 6 Long-tailed Ducks, 9 Eiders, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and 4 Razorbills while a Kittiwake flew north. A juvenile Glaucous Gull and juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull were on Daliburgh machair. 8 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Kilpheder.
Barra: A 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull and an adult Iceland Gull were on Vatersay whilst 5+ Iceland Gulls were at Ardveenish.
Coal Tit (Graham Forsyth); Reed Bunting (John Kemp), Greenland White-fronted Goose (Steve Duffield)
23rd February:
Lewis: 13 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today.
North Uist: The Snow Goose and Crane were seen on Berneray today.
South Uist: A Puffin flew south off Ardvule this morning. 25 Snow Buntings were on the machair at Bornish. The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: 5 Iceland Gulls (4 juveniles and an adult) were at Ardveenish. The 2nd wniter Kumlien's Gull was in Brevig.
22nd February:
Lewis: 11 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today.
Benbecula: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the beach in Balivanich.
North Uist: 4 Glaucous Gulls and an adult Iceland Gull were on Baleshare.
South Uist: A juvenile Kumlien's Gull and 2 Glaucous Gulls (juvenile and 2nd winter) were at Smerclate this morning. The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: The 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull was in Brevig again today. At least 5 Iceland Gulls and 2 Glaucous Gulls were at Ardveenish. 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Cleat. A juvenile Kumlien's Gull and 2 adult Iceland Gulls were on Vatersay.
Glaucous Gulls (John Kemp)
21st February:
Lewis: 42 Snow Buntings were in Cross / Skigersta this morning. 2 immature Glaucous Gulls were on the shore at Barvas today. 2 adult Iceland Gulls were at Tiumpan Head and a Mute Swan was on the loch nearby.
North Uist: The Crane and 350+ Snow Buntings were on Borve machair, Berneray this morning. A Kumlien's Gull was feeding off Rushgarry. A juvenile Glaucous Gull flew south-east at Carinish this afternoon. An immature Glaucous Gull was on the shore at Hougharry today. At least 15 Iceland Gulls and 4 Glaucous Gulls were at Rubh' Arnal.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck and Scaup are still on Coot Loch.
Barra: 2 Kumlien's Gulls (an adult and a juvenile) and 8 Iceland Gulls (5 adults, a 3rd winter and 2 juveniles) were on Vatersay whilst 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Ardveenish and another at Brevig.
Crane, Snow Buntings, Twite and Kumlien's Gull (Steve Duffield)
20th February:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull and 2nd winter Iceland Gull were at Tiumpan Head this morning with masses of Guillemots also reported off-shore. 37 Snow Buntings were at Cross / Skigersta today.
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on Boreray today along with 422 Teal on Loch Mor. A Great Skua flew south-west at Aird an Runair this morning; also a Glaucous Gull off-shore and Iceland Gull flew south and 45 Snow Buntings were present.
Barra: The Red-necked Grebe was off Ardmhor again this morning. The 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull and 2 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 2nd winter) were off Brevig. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Tangasdale. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull and 4 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 3 juveniles) were at Ardveenish. 8 Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor.
Lapwing (Bob McMillan)
19th February:
North Uist: 300+ Snow Buntings were on the machair at Malaclate this morning. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the machair at Sollas. The Crane is still on Berneray whilst a mixed flock of around 500 Snow Buntings / Twite were on the machair there. At least 21 Iceland Gulls and 4 Glaucous Gulls were near Rubh' Arnal today.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck and Scaup were on Coot Loch.
South Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the beach at Daliburgh. 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a juvenile Iceland Gull and 2 Kumlien's Gulls (a juvenile and 2nd winter) were at Smerclate. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the Range this afternoon.
Barra: A 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull and 3rd winter Glaucous Gull were at Brevig.
Kumlien's Gull (John Kemp); Crane (Bob McMillan)
18th February:
Lewis: 22 Snow Buntings were in Cross / Skigersta, Ness today. A juvenile Kumlien's Gull, 25 Iceland Gulls and 4 Glaucous Gulls were at Goat Island, Stornoway today.
North Uist: An Iceland Gull and 6 Glaucous Gulls were on Baleshare this morning. A Lapland Bunting and around 50 Snow Buntings were on the machair at Grenitote.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck - (a short video of it displaying here), a drake Scaup and a pair of Pintail were on Coot Loch. An adult Iceland Gull was in Stinky Bay. 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese were by Loch Balfindlay (Loch Bail'-fhionnlaidh)
South Uist: A Lapland Bunting was on the Range at Ardivachar. 100+ Greenland White-fronted Geese and 40 Barnacle Geese were on the west side of Loch Bee. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at West Gerinish. A juvenile Iceland Gull and juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Peninerine.
Barra: A Little Auk was on the sea off Craigston this morning and an adult Iceland Gull flew past. An adult Iceland Gull was off Brevig. 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish. A Pink-footed Goose and 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Cleat. 15 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor.
Ring-necked Duck (Steve Duffield); Tufted Duck (Graham Forsyth)
17th February:
Lewis: 2 Iceland Gulls (a juvenile and 2nd winter) were at Tiumpan Head mid-afternoon. 21 Snow Buntings were in Ness today. 31 Iceland Gulls (1 adult) and 3 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were in Stornoway Harbour.
North Uist: The small Canada / Cackling Goose was at Balranald again today. 2 Little Auks flew north off Aird an Runair and 2 Iceland Gulls (juvenile and 2nd winter) were in the area. Also lots of Kittiwakes, Gannets and Razorbills feeding off-shore. 2 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 3rd winter), a juvenile Glaucous Gull and 7 Pintail (3 drakes) were at Loch Paible early this morning. A minimum of 35 Iceland Gulls (at least 10 adults), a juvenile Kumlien's Gull and 7 Glaucous Gulls (single adult) were at Rubh' Arnal; also around 28 Brent Geese there. An immature Iceland Gull was also at Balemore.
South Uist: 4 Iceland Gulls (2 adults, a juvenile and 2nd winter) and 3 Glaucous Gulls (2 juveniles and a 2nd winter) were at Smerclate.
Barra: A juvenile Iceland Gull and 2nd winter Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish. 2 Iceland Gulls (an adult and 2nd winter) were at Allasdale. The Red-necked Grebe was off Ardmhor ferry terminal along with a juvenile Iceland Gull and immature Glaucous Gull. 15 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor.
Iceland Gull (John Kemp); Canada / Cackling Goose, Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gulls (Steve Duffield)
16th February:
Lewis: 19 Snow Buntings are still in Ness.
North Uist: A Glaucous Gull was on Baleshare this morning.
Benbecula: The drake Ring-necked Duck is still on Coot Loch; also a pair of Pintail there. Nearby an adult Iceland Gull was on the machair at Liniclate and presumably the same bird was in Stinky Bay a little later.
South Uist: 2 Kumlien's Gulls (juvenile and 2nd winter), 3 Iceland Gulls (2 adults and a juvenile) and a juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Smerclate. 26 Fieldfare were near the Pollochar.
Barra: A juvenile Glaucuos Gull was off Ardmhor ferry terminal and an adult Iceland Gull flew past Cleat.
Goldfinch (Graham Forsyth); Iceland Gull (Steve Duffield); Kumlien's Gulls and Iceland Gull (John Kemp)
15th February:
Lewis: 19 Snow Buntings were in Ness.
North Uist: The Tree Sparrow is still at Paiblesgarry.
South Uist: 9 Gannets, 5 Great Northern Divers, 5 Red-throated Divers, 4 Razorbills, 1 Guillemot, 4 Black Guillemots, 8 Long-tailed Ducks, 16 Eiders and 2 Kittiwakes flew south at Ardvule this morning. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull and 2 Iceland Gulls (adult and 1st winter) were also present.
Black Guillemot and Iceland Gulls (John Kemp)
14th February:
Lewis: A couple of Fieldfare were in Ness today. 20 Iceland Gulls and 2 Glaucous Gulls were in Stornoway Habrour.
South Uist: A Brambling and Woodcock were in South Glendale today.
13th February:
Lewis: A 3rd winter Iceland Gull was at Tiumpan Head in the afternoon.
North Uist: At least 3 Glaucous Gulls are still on Baleshare this morning.
South Uist: The juvenile Glaucous Gull is still at Ardvule; also a southerly movement off the point of 49 Gannets, 7 Kittiwakes, 12 Razorbills and 21 Auks sp. this morning. The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
12th February:
Lewis: 20 Iceland Gulls and 5 Glaucous Gulls were in Stornoway Harbour / Goat Island today.
North Uist: 5 Glaucous Gulls (3 juveniles and 2 x 2nd winter) and an adult Iceland Gull were on Baleshare. The Tree Sparrow as at Paiblesgarry again today.
South Uist: The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: 3 Iceland Gulls and 3 Glaucous Gulls were at Ardveenish. 12 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor.
Red Deer (Graham Forsyth); Glaucous Gull (Steve Duffield)
11th February:
Lewis: 19 Snow Buntings are in Ness. At least 30 Iceland Gulls (mostly juveniles although a few 2nd winter and 2 adults) and 5 Glaucous Gulls were around Stornoway Harbour / Goat Island this morning.
North Uist: A Tree Sparrow was in Paiblesgarry today.
South Uist: The juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Ardvule.
Barra: 2 juvenile and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gulls were on the island today.
10th February:
Lewis: The juvenile Glaucous Gull was again on the flooded machair at Lionel. 19 Snow Buntings are in Ness.
North Uist: 2 Glaucous Gulls and a Snow Bunting were on Baleshare.
South Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Ardvule and the Brambling is in South Glendale.
Barra: The Red-necked Grebe was off Ardmhor along with an Iceland Gull. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Craigston. 2 Glaucous Gulls (a juvenile and 3rd winter) and 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Cleat. 2 Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish. The Coal Tit was in Castlebay.
Wigeon (John Kemp)
9th February:
Lewis: 19 Snow Buntings were in Ness today.
North Uist: 3 Glaucous Gulls, an Iceland Gull, 26 pale-bellied Brent Geese and a single Lapland Bunting were at Rubh' Arnal. A single Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull were at Balemore.
South Uist: 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were at Ardvule and a Pink-footed Goose was at Loch Ardvule.
Barra: The Red-necked Grebe (possibly of the North American race holboelli) was off Ardmhor again today.
8th February:
Lewis: The immature Glaucous Gull was at Lionel again today and 19 Snow Buntings were in Ness. 2 adult Glaucous Gulls and an adult Kumlien's Gull were reported from Tiumpan Head today.
South Uist: A Pink-footed Goose was at Loch Ardvule. A Brambling was in South Glendale.
Barra: The Red-necked Grebe (possibly of North American race holboelli) was seen off Armhor again today. 4 Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull were ay Ardveenish and another Iceland Gull was at Traigh Mhor. 2 Common Redpolls were also on the island.
7th February:
Lewis: 28 Iceland Gulls (24 juvenile, 2 x 2nd winter, a 3rd winter and an adult) and a juvenile Glaucous Gull were in Stornoway Harbour / Goat Island.
South Uist: The juvenile Glaucous Gull is still at Ardvule and 30 Snow Buntings were on Bornish machair. The Brambling is in South Glendale. A Glaucous Gull was at Ardivachar.
Barra: A Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull were at Ardveenish.
6th February:
Lewis: At least 3 Snow Buntings are still in Ness.
South Uist: 3 Glaucous Gulls (an adult and 2 juveniles) and a Pintail were at Ardvule. The Brambling was in South Gendale. A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was on the Range and another Glaucous Gull flew north past Ardivachar.
Barra from Ardvule (John Kemp)
5th February:
Lewis: 8 Iceland Gulls (2 adults, 2 x 2nd winter and 4 juveniles) and 6 Glaucous Gulls (3 juveniles and 3 x 2nd winters) were seen around Stornoway Harbour today. 19 Snow Buntings were in Ness again today.
North Uist: 6 Iceland Gulls, 3 Glaucous Gulls, 9 Snow Buntings and 62 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Rubh' Arnal.
South Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Ardvule and 3rd winter Glaucous Gull was at Smerclate. The Brambling is still in South Glendale. 12 Fieldfares were in Askernish.
Glaucous Gull (John Kemp)
4th February:
Lewis: 19 Snow Buntings were in Ness.
Harris: The drake Surf Scoter is still in the Sound of Taransay.
North Uist: A Glaucous Gull and 55 Snow Buntings were at Aird an Runair. 2 Glaucous Gulls were at Hougharry.
South Uist: 2 Glaucous Gulls (a juvenile and 2nd winter) were at Ardvule today; also 11 pale-bellied Brent Geese flew north there.
Barra: 14 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor. 3 Iceland Gulls and a Glaucous Gull were at Ardveenish. 47 Black-throated Divers were off Vatersay.
Red-breasted Merganser (John Kemp)
3rd February:
Lewis: 19 Snow Buntings were in Ness. A 3rd winter Iceland Gull and adult Glaucous Gull were at Tiumpan Head this morning.
South Uist: A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was at Kilpheder. 3 Glaucous Gulls were on the shore at Askernish.
Benbecula: A drake Ring-necked Duck was on Coot Loch this afternoon.
Bar-tailed Godwits and Glaucous Gull (John Kemp)
2nd February:
Lewis: The juvenile Glaucous Gull was on the flooded machair at Lionel today.
North Uist: The small Canada Goose was at Kyles Paible today (video here). A juvenile and adult Glaucous Gull were at Hougharry which were presumably part of the 4 recorded at Balranald later. 4 pale-bellied Brent Geese were off Kirkibost Island. A juvenile Glaucous Gull and adult Iceland Gull were at Rubh' Arnal. The Crane was at Borve, Berneray.
South Uist: The juvenile Glaucous Gull and a female Pintail were at Ardvule. The Brambling is in South Glendale.
Canada Goose and Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield); Pintail (John Kemp)
1st February:
Lewis: 2 Glaucous Gulls (a juvenile and 2nd winter) and an Iceland Gull were seen in Stornoway Harbour this afternoon.
North Uist: An adult Iceland Gull was in Carinish this morning. 2 Glaucous Gulls (2nd winter and juvenile) were on Baleshare.
South Uist: The Brambling is still in South Glendale.
Barra: An adult Glaucous Gull was on Vatersay. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Traigh Mhor and another flew south past Brevig.
Iceland Gull and Lapwing(Steve Duffield); Brambling (John Kemp)