Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2024
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31st May:
Lewis: A Sandwich Tern flew past Tiumpan Head.
North Uist: A Little Stint was at Loch Paible. A 1st summer Iceland Gull was seen to the south of Aird an Runair; 2 Sandwich Terns were also seen there.
Barra: A Hobby was seen at Creachan. The Turtle Dove was at Cuithir.
30th May:
North Uist: 6 Long-tailed Skuas and a Pomarine Skua flew north off Aird an Runair between
Barra: The Turtle Dove was still at Cuithir.
29th May:
St. Kilda: A Marsh Warbler was on Hirta today.
North Uist: A Long-tailed Skua flew north off Aird an Runair at 10:10 this morning. A Turtle Dove was seen near Balranald visitor centre. A male Golden Oriole was in the plantation above the parking area on the Committee Road late afternoon. A male Ruff was at Loch Sandary.
Benbecula: A House Martin was over Coot Loch.
South Uist: A probable Marsh Warbler was singing from a garden in Bornish and a Wood Sandpiper was seen at a nearby loch this evening. A Green Sandpiper was seen at Kilbride Cafe this evening. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Garrynamonie.
Barra: A 1st summer Common Rosefinch was at Creachan.
28th May:
Lewis: A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Geal, Great Bernera.
North Uist: A 2nd yr Iceland Gull flew inland over Middlequarter this morning. A Swift was seen at Balranald, near the visitor centre this morning. A Little Stint was at the south end of Loch Paible. A Swift was at Rushgarry, Bernery this afternoon. 3 Crossbills were at Langass Lodge. An immature Iceland Gull was at Loch Dusary this morning.
27th May:
St. Kilda: A female / 1st summer Golden Oriole was on Hirta.
North Uist: 17 Long-tailed Skuas and 9 Pomarine Skuas flew north past Aird an Runair between 07:30 - 12:30 today. A Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were also present. A Turtle Dove was seen by the road down to Balranald RSPB in the evening.
Benbecula: A Curlew Sandpiper was seen in Stinky Bay; a House Martin was also there this morning.
South Uist: A Sandwich Tern flew south
26th May:
Lewis: The drake Ring-necked Duck is still at Loch Geal, Great Bernera.
Harris: A Common Rosefinch was at Govig, near Huisinish.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Aird an Runair.
Benbecula: The drake Garganey was seen on Coot Loch. A male and female Ruff were at Loch Mor; also a Pink-footed Goose here this morning.
Barra: A Dipper was near Brevig.
25th May:
Lewis: The Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Coll beach this evening. The drake Ring-necked Duck was on Great Bernera at Loch Geal. A Pied Flycatcher was in Port of Ness. A Taiga Bean Goose was at Loch Stiapabhat early morning. A drake Surf Scoter was off Kneep.
North Uist: The Little Stint was at Aird an Runair.
Benbecula: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were seen in Stinky Bay in the afternoon and 2 Sandwich Terns were aslo off there.
South Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were in North Bay / Mol Mor this morning.
Barra: The Black Kite was seen again today near the airport before it flew north towards Eoligarry and Ben Scurrival. The Turtle Dove was at Cuithir.
24th May:
Lewis: A Semipalmated Sandpiper was at Steinish this morning; off Sand Street when last seen. Later in the evening the same bird was at Coll Beach. 2 Hawfinch flew north-west over Port of Ness.
North Uist: A Little Stint was at Aird an Runair.
Benbecula: The drake Garganey was on Coot Loch.
South Uist: A Wood Sandpiper was at Smerclate this morning.
Barra: The Black Kite was seen again this morning close to the airport and was seen over there late morning.
Semipalmated Sandpiper (Jack Morris); Wood Sandpiper (John Kemp)
23rd May:
Lewis: 2 Crossbills were in Lews Castle Grounds.
North Uist: A Little Stint was at Aird an Runair. 3 Pomarine Skuas flew north at Aird an Runair.
Barra: The Black Kite was seen over the hills to the south of the airport this afternoon and at 7 pm at Ardveenish before flying towards Tragh Eais.
22nd May:
North Uist: 6 Pomarine Skuas flew north past Aird an Runair between 15:00 - 16:00; also a Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper there.
Barra: A Black Kite was just west of the airport before flying off over Ardmhor late morning.
Insects: 81 moths of 26 species were trapped at Loch Eynort last night including a Common Lutestring, Poplar Lutestring, 3 Buff-tip, a Tawny-barred Angle, 4 Peacock Moths, 5 Clouded Border, 3 Poplar Hawk-moths, 6 May Highflyers and 4 Ruddy Highflyers. 75 moths and 22 species were trapped in Carinish including 3 Pale-shouldered Brocades, 5 Scalloped Hazel and a Buff-tip amongst others.
Common Lutestring, Peacock Moth and Tawny-barred Angle (John Kemp)
21st May:
St. Kilda: A Woodlark was on Hirta today.
North Uist: A 1st summer Little Gull and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Loch Paible this evening. The Little Stint was still at Aird an Runair. An Osprey flew south, just east of Lochmaddy this afternoon.
South Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Mol Mor / North Bay. An immature Glaucous Gull was at Boisdale.
Barra: The Turtle Dove was at Cuithir.
Marine Sightings: Around 6 Orcas (from the 27's pod) were off Tiumpan Head today.
Little Gull and Little Stint (Jack Bucknall)
20th May:
Lewis: The Common Crane was on Melbost Farm in fields adjacent to the airport in Stornoway. A Waxwing was in Stornoway outside Charles MacLeod butchers this morning.
Harris: A Mistle Thrush was on Scalpay.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and 2 Ruff were on the beach at Aird an Runair today.
South Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers and a Swift were seen at Ardivachar this morning; also 6 Common Scoters flew north.
Barra: The Turtle Dove was at Cuithir this morning. A Hawfinch was at Brevig.
19th May:
Benbecula: A male Golden Oriole was at Griminish (just west of the surgery) this morning before flying to the south-south-east.
South Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Ardivachar. The American Golden Plover was still on the Range at West Gerinish today. 2 Avocets were seen at the south-west end of Loch Bee. The Pectoral Sandpiper was still on the beach at Smerclate.
Insects: 10 Nut-tree Tussock, 2 Ruddy Highflier and 2 Scalloped Hazel were trapped at Druidibeg last night.
American Golden Plover (Alan Kennedy); Nut-tree Tussock (John Kemp); Golden Oriole (Steve Duffield)
18th May:
North Uist: A female Black Redstart was at the visitor centre at Balranald this evening. A Red-necked Phalarope was on the shoreline at Aird an Runair today.
South Uist: The female Hawfinch was still in Bornish. The Pectoral Sandpiper was at Smerclate. An adult American Golden Plover was on the Range at West Gerinish. 15 - 20 Crossbills were at North Loch Eynort.
Insects: An Ochreous Pug was trapped in South Glendale last night (1st for the Outer Hebrides). A Clouded Border was seen at North Loch Eynort during the day today.
American Golden Plover and Clouded Border (Steve Duffield)
17th May:
Lewis: A Little Stint and Turtle Dove were at Loch Ordais.
St. Kilda: A Common Rosefinch and a Nightjar was in the village, HIrta.
North Uist: A Pomarine Skua flew north past Aird an Runair at 07:30 and another at 17:10. A male Ruff was also on the shore at Aird an Runair.
South Uist: The Pectoral Sandpiper was still on the shore at Smerclate. A Hawfinch was in Bornish.
Barra: The Turtle Dove was at Cuithir again today.
Insects: A Marsh Pug was recently photographed in Lewis (First for the Outer Hebrides)
Pectoral Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy); Marsh Pug (Debbie Storrow)
16th May:
Lewis: A Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Geal, Great Bernera today.
North Uist: 3 Pomarine Skuas flew north past Aird an Runair at 08:30. 4 Ruff and 2 Barnacle Geese were at Aird an Runair this evening.
South Uist: A Spotted Flycatcher and a Redwing were at Acairseid, Eriskay today. A Spotted Flycatcher was in South Glendale. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Smerclate. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Orosay and another was at Stoneybridge. 2 Barnacle Geese were at West Loch Ollay.
Barra: A Wood Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were singing in Castlebay this morning. Another Lesser Whitethroat was at Nask and 6 Spotetd Flycatchers were around the island.
Insects: 2 Beautiful Yellow Underwing, a Satyr Pug, Silver Y and a Brimstone Moth were seen in South Glendale today.
Pectoral Sandpiper and Spotted Flycatcher (Steve Duffield)
15th May:
Lewis: A Crane was at Melbost Farm, east of Stornoway.
South Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Orosay this morning. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Ardivachar.
Barra: A Turtle Dove was at Cuithir early morning.
Insects: A Beautiful Yellow Underwing was in South Glendale, Good numbers of Red Admirals are around at the moment.
Beautiful Yellow Underwing and Pectoral Sandpiper (John Kemp)
14th May:
North Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 3 Ruff were on the shore at Aird an Runair, Balranald. A 2nd summer Glaucous Gul was at Cheese Bay, feeding around the fish farm.
Benbecula: An Osprey was opposite the Isle of Benbecula Hotel this evening. A female Ruff was at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were at Ardivachar. A Spotted Flycatcher was at North Loch Eynort. 3 Avocets were at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A drake Scaup was on east Loch Bee.
Avocet (Alan Kennedy)
13th May:
North Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Aird an Runair, Balranald.
Benbecula: A drake Garganey was on Coot Loch this morning.
South Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was off Hebridean Jewellery.
Corncrake (Alan Kennedy); Curlew Sandpiper and Purple Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)
12th May:
Lewis: A Wood Sandpiper was at Loch Stiapabhat this morning. An Osprey was at Loch Stiapabhat before heading off east this afternoon. A Great White Egret was at Kirkibost, Great Bernera.
St. Kilda: A Hawfinch was on Hirta.
North Uist: A House Martin was in Carinish this morning. 3 Curlew Sandpipera were at Balranald this afternoon.
Benbecula: A Swift was at Borve this morning.
South Uist: An Avocet was at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A Little Stint was at Ardivachar. A Curlew Sandpiper was briefly off Hebridean Jewellery.
Barra: A Wood Warbler was at Creachan.
Marine Sightings: At least 2 Minke Whales and 5 Risso's Dolphins were off Tiumpan Head this morning.
Sanderling (Alan Kennedy)
11th May:
Lewis: A Bee-eater was seen between Port of Ness ad Skigersta this morning. An Osprey was at Loch Barvas in the evening.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Balranald today.
Benbecula: A Ruff was at Loch Mor.
South Uist: 3 Avocets were seen in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. A Ruff was on the beach at Ardivachar. 3 Brent Geese were at Smerclate.
Insects: 119 moths / 12 species were trapped in South Glendale last night and included 2 Emperor Moths, 3 Knot Grass, 1 Broom Moth, 1 Grey Scalloped Bar, 1 Shears, 1 Small Square-spot, 7 Striped Twin-spot Carpets. At Eriskay 44 moths / 12 species included 2 Fox Moth, 1 Pebble Prominent, 1 Puss Moth, 1 Buff Ermine, 1 Glaucous Shears, 3 Grey Scalloped Bar, 1 Poplar Lutestring, 1 Garden Carpet.
Fox Moth, Poplar Lutestring and Shears (John Kemp)
10th May:
Benbecula: Around 20 Black-tailed Godwits and a female Ruff were at Loch Mor.
South Uist: A Wood Sandpiper was at Loch Smerclate this morning. 2 Avocets, 42 Black-tailed Godwits and a Barnacle Goose were at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A House Martin was at Ardivachar. A male Ruff was at West Loch Ollay.
Wood Sandpiper (John Kemp); Ruff (Steve Duffield); Short-eared Owl (Alan Kennedy)
9th May:
North Uist: A Long-tailed Skua flew north off Balranald late morning.
Benbecula: A 2nd yr Iceland Gull was in Stinky Bay this morning.
8th May:
Benbecula: A Ruff was on Loch Mor.
South Uist: 2 Wood Sandpipers were at Loch Smerclate this morning. A drake Scaup was on Loch Bee.
Wood Sandpiper (John Kemp)
7th May:
Lewis: 2 Pomarine Skuas flew past the Butt.
Harris: A Common Crane was seen circling over the A859 this morning; heading for Scaladale.
North Uist: A drake Garganey was on Loch nam Feithean. 2 Pintail were on Loch na Paisg, Baleshare. 450 Pink-footed Geese were seen heading north-west over Paible this afternoon (in several flocks).
South Uist: A female Lapland Bunting was seen on the machair track at Boisdale today. A Wood Sandpiper was at Loch Smerclate.
Marine Sightings: At least 7 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ardivachar this morning.
Corncrake (Steve Duffield); Common Sandpiper and Short-eared Owl (Alan Kennedy)
6th May:
Lewis: A 3rd cal yr Glaucous Gull past the Butt this evening.
North Uist: The Great White Egret was at Griminish Pier this morning before relocating to Loch Fada Gearrachun. A Treecreeper was at Langass today.
South Uist: 2 Gull-billed Terns were hawking over tha machair at Orosay this morning. 4 Arctic Skuas, 1 Great Skua and 9 Pale-bellied Brents flew north at Ardvule this morning.
Cormcrake and Whimbrel (Steve Duffield); Shelduck (John Kemp); Gull-billed Tern and Wheatear (Alan Kennedy)
5th May:
North Uist: A Great White Egret was at Griminish Pier today (and nearby at Loch Olobhat).
Benbecula: A 2nd yr Iceland Gull was at Stinky Bay this morning.
South Uist: The 2 Gull-billed Terns were again in the Orosay area this morning. 2 (pair) Garganey were at Smerclate this morning. A Pomarine Skua flew north passed Smerclate this afternoon and an adult was seen off Ardvule.
Barra: A Hawfinch was at Ardmhor and a Wood Warbler was at Creachan. 5 Grasshopper Warblers were also on the island.
Great White Egret (Steve Duffield); Gull-billed Tern (John Kemp)
4th May:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gul was in Port of Ness. A White-billed Diver flew south-east past Port of Ness late morning.
North Uist: 120 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west over Carinish mid morning. 3 Ruff were at Loch na Paisg, Baleshare. 45 Whimbrel were by Loch Sandary this evening; also 10 flew north-west over Carinish this evening.
South Uist: An Osprey flew north over Loch Grogarry this afternoon. A Lesser Whitethroat was in Howmore today.
Insects: A Netted Pug was trapped on St. Kilda last night.
Lesser Whitethroat, Purple Sandpiper and Sand Martin (Alan Kennedy)
3rd May:
North Uist: 60 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west over Claddach Kirkibost this morning.
Benbecula: A Ruff was at Coot Loch in the morning.
South Uist: A Crane flew south over Howmore this morning. 80 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west over Ardvule this afternoon. 2 Velvet Scoters were on Loch Bornish. A Grasshopper Warbler was singing at Smerclate this evening.
Barra: A Bee-eater was in Castlebay around midday and it or another was reported over Mingulay later in the day.
Common Crane (Alan Kennedy)
2nd May:
St. Kilda: An adult Bonaparte's Gull was in Village Bay, Hirta.
South Uist: A Waxwing was in Bornish this morning. 2 Velvet Scoters were off Stoneybridge this afternoon.
Insects: 167 moths of 22 species were trapped at Loch Eynort last night including a Herald, 3 Grey Birch, 8 Ruddy Highflyers, 3 May Highflyers, 7 Early Tooth-striped, 33 Grey Pine Carpet, 11 Golden-rod Pugs, 2 Foxglove Pugs, 40 Clouded Drab, 11 Early Grey, 1 Iron Prominent, 2 Powdered Quaker and 1 Autumn Green Carpet. In South Glendale 116 moths of 18 species were caught including a Puss Moth, 2 Powdered Quaker, 2 Satyr Pugs, 1 Double-striped Pug, 1 Narrow-winged Pug and 68 Brown Silver-lines.
Herald (John Kemp)
1st May:
St. Kilda: A Waxwing was on Hirta today.
North Uist: A Gull-billed Tern was at the mouth of Loch Paible late morning before heading north towards Balranald.
South Uist: A drake Garganey was on Loch an't-saile. 2 Avocets were at the south-west end of Loch Bee.
Gull-billed Tern (Steve Duffield)