Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2021
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30th September:
North Uist: The Pectoral Sandpiper is still at Loch Sandary. A Snow Bunting was on the shore at Balranald.
South Uist: 600+ Black-tailed Godwits are on Drimsdale machair. 11 Whooper Swans flew south over Howmore in the morning. A Little Stint was in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 1408 Gannets and 2 male Common Scoters flew south at Ardvule this morning.
Barra: The Kingfisher was seen twice today. A Common Rosefinch was at Ardmhor and a Pied Flycatcher was at Nask.
Pectoral Sandpiper and Snow Bunting (Steve Duffield); Grey Plover and White-tailed Eagle (Alan Kennedy)
29th September:
Lewis: A Lesser Yellowlegs was at Loch Stiapabhat today; also 4 Ring-necked Ducks were present (an adult male and 3 juveniles). 9 Snow Buntings were seen at the Butt. A juvenile Sabine's Gull, 3 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Storm Petrels were seen between Ullapool and Stornoway this morning from the ferry.
St. Kilda: The American Buff-bellied Pipit is still on Hirta along with the female Snowy Owl and a Short-toed Lark today.
North Uist: The Pectoral Sandpiper is still at Loch Sandary.
South Uist: 50 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Loch Eynort this afternoon; a Chiffchaff was also there. 20 Brent Geese flew south at Ardivachar this morning and 5 flew south at Stoneybridge.
Barra: A Kingfisher was seen in Castlebay this morning and a Common Rosefinch was at Nask.
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tony Marr); Short-eared Owl and Otter (Alan Kennedy)
28th September:
Lewis: A Glossy Ibis was seen briefly at Loch Stiapabhat this morning before flying off to the north; also 5 Ring-necked Ducks were reported from there. A Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Branahuie this afternoon.
Uig - Tarbet: A juvenile Long-tailed Skua and 5 Storm Petrels were seen from the ferry this morning.
North Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper, 2nd winter Glaucous Gull, a Snow Bunting and 50 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Balranald this morning.
South Uist: A Willow Warbler is in Druidibeg plantation. 2 Little Stints were reported from the south-west end of Loch Bee. 2 Ruff and 5 Pink-footed Geese were on Bornish machair. A Red-breasted Flycatcher and a Chiffchaff are at Snishival. 261 Brent Geese flew south at Ardvule this morning; and the Whimbrel is still present.
27th September:
Lewis: 5 Ring-necked Ducks were on Loch Stiapabhat this evening.
North Uist: A Ruff was at Balranald. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Loch Sandary. A Pectoral Sandpiper was on Baleshare. A Lesser Grey Shrike (from a Spanish reintroduction project) was at Grenitote on the machair by the township shed. 8 Brent Geese were at Grenitote.
Benbecula: 2 Chiffchaffs were in Torlum.
South Uist: The Todd's Canada Goose was at Milton by Loch Aird an Sgairbh. 86 Gannets, 10 Great Northern Divers, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 10 Razorbills and 104 Pale-bellied Brents flew south past Ardvule this morning; also a Whimbrel present. A Pink-footed Goose on Bornish machair.
Barra: A Red-eyed Vireo is in Glean by the dump.
Insects: Moth trapping in Carinish last night produced 69 Small Wainscots, A Red Sword-grass, a Red-line Quaker, a Brindled Ochre and a Mouse Moth amongst others.
Marine Sightings: 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ardvule this morning. An adult and a calf Risso's Dolphin were seen off Tiumpan Head.
Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Great Northern Diver (John Kemp); Lesser Grey Shrike (Steve Duffield)
26th September:
Lewis: The immature male Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Stiapabhat this evening and a Snow Bunting was at the Butt.
St. Kilda: The American Buff-bellied Pipit is still on Hirta along with the female Snowy Owl and a Spotted Flycatcher.
North Uist: A Glaucous Gull was seen at Balranald.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Ormiclate machair this morning. 3 Little Stints were off Hebridean Jewellery and another was at the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 300 Black-tailed Godwits are on Drimsdale machair. The Todd's Canada Goose was at Milton. A Pectoral Sandpiper was by the road near Aird Michael.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ron Macdonald)
25th September:
St. Kilda: The American Buff-bellied Pipit is still on Hirta.
North Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was at the southern end of Loch Sandary; the Coot was also present. A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on Baleshare.
South Uist: 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on Bornish machair this morning and 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on Ormiclate machair (presumably the same birds from Bornish). 2 Whimbrel were at Ardvule. 5 Storm Petrels and a Leach's Petrel were seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry this afternoon. A Todd's Canada Goose was seen at Kildonan.
Todd's Canada Goose (Alan Kennedy)
24th September:
Lewis: A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat. A Pied Flycatcher was in Port of Ness.
St. Kilda: The American Buff-bellied Pipit, female Snowy Owl and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers are in Hirta.
North Uist: 2 Leach's Petrels, 4 Sooty Shearwaters and 9 Puffins flew west past Griminish Point (08:10 - 09:40); also 13 Pink-footed Geese came in off the sea and flew south over the headland. 2 juvenile Little Stints, 5 Brent Geese and 10 Barnacle Geese were at Loch Paible. A juvenile Sabine's Gull, a Leach's Petrel, 50 Storm Petrels and a Pomarine Skua were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry this morning.
Benbecula: The Ring-necked Duck is still on Loch Bhursta; near Market Stance.
South Uist: 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were on Ormiclate machair opposite Loch Toronais.
23rd September:
Lewis: 159 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Storm Petrels passed Butt of Lewis in 1.5 hours this morning. 20 Brent Geese were in Loch Roag.
S. Kilda: The American Buff-bellied Pipit and the Pectoral Sandpiper are still on Hirta.
Benbeculla: A female / juvenile Ring-necked Duck was seen on a loch 1 mile north of the War Memorial.
South Uist: 3 Little Stints were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. A Pectoral Sandpiper was on Bornish machair; also 144 Black-tailed Godwits were there. 50 - 60 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Howmore this morning.
Barra: The Barred Warbler is still at Nask; also a Spotted Flycatcher and Lesser Whitethroat were on the island.
Peregrine, Short-eared Owl and White-tailed Eagles (Steve Duffield)
Black-tailed Godwit, Peregrine with Buzzard (Ron Macdonald)
22nd September:
Lewis: A Little Stint is at Loch Ordais along with several Brent Geese and Pink-footed Geese. A Snow Bunting was seen at the Butt. 6 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Stornoway - Ullapool ferry this morning. A Long-tailed Duck was on Loch Branahuie. 13 Sooty Shearwatera, an adult Pomrine Skua, 8 Storm Petrels and 30 Brent Geese were seen from the Strornoway Ullapool ferry in the afternoon.
St. Kilda: An American Buff-bellied Pipit, Pectoral Sandpiper and a Snow Bunting are on Hirta.
North Uist: A juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 2 Leach's Petrels and 42 Sooty Shearwaters flew south-west past Griminish Point this morning (08:40 - 11:00). Other birds passing included: 37 Manx Shearwaters, a Bonxie, 87 Razorbills, 8 Puffins, 3 Guillemot, a Black Guillemot, a Kittiwake, Fulmar, 8 Arctic Terns, 26 Red-throated Divers, 8 Great Northern Divers. a Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Eiders, 61 Gannets, 13 Golden Plover and a Turnstone. 11 Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald. A Black-tailed Godwit and a Coot were at Loch Sandary. 14 Brent Geese flew over Grenitote.
South Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper and Little Stint were on the west side of Loch Bee. 127 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore river and 250+ were on Drimsdale machair. 30 Brent Geese flew south at Ardivachar.
Barra: 2 Pied Flycatchers were seen today.
21st September:
Lewis: 25 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Traigh Mhor, North Tolsta before heading south.
St. Kilda: A Pectoral Sandpiper and Snow Bunting were on Hirta today
Harris: 45 Common Scoters were in the Sound of Taransay.
South Uist: 3 Little Stints were at the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 100+ Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore rver. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a Pectoral Sandpiper and a Ruff were seen on Bornish machair this afternoon. 13 Brent Geese were in North Bay / Mol Mor. 15 Brent Geese were on the shore at Howmore this evening.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Ron Macdonald)
20th September:
Lewis: A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Loch Stiapabhat.
South Uist: A Great Shearwater was seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry this morning. 2 Great Shearwaters and a Sooty Shearwater were seen from the same ferry route today. 3 Little Stints were at the south-west end of Loch Bee. A Ruff was on Bornish machair. 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Ormiclate. A sea-watch at Ardvule this morning produced a Sooty Shearwater, a Manx Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrels, 758 Gannets, 27 Red-throated Divers and 5 Great Northern Divers; a Whimbrel also flew north. A Pied Flycatcher was seen at Carnan.
Marine Sightings: Around 20 Common Dolphins and 2 Sperm Whales were seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry today.
Black-tailed Godwit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Merlin (Alan Kennedy)
19th September:
North Uist: The Baird's Sandpiper is still at Loch Paible. A Long-billed Dowitcher was reported as heard in flight heading east over Grenitote and a Turtle Dove was on the machair there.
South Uist: A juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher and 9 Little Stints were at the south-west end of Loch Bee. 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and a Pectoral Sandpiper were on Bornish machair. 32 Brent Geese were at Stoneybridge. 18 Brent Geese were at Hebridean Jewellery. A Baird's Sandpiper was reported by the Howmore bridge before flying towards the beach this afternoon.
Barra: A Common Rosefinch and Pied Flycatcher were at Ardmhor this morning.
Baird's Sandpiper, Little Stints and Long-billed Dowitcher (Steve Duffield)
18th September:
Lewis: A Lapland Bunting was seen at Bosta, Great Bernera.
North Uist: The Baird's Sandpiper and 2 Little Stints were at Loch Paible.
South Uist: A Baird's Sandpiper was seen at Stoneybridge by the sea wall. 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 3 Ruff and 4 Barnacle Geese were on Bornish machair. 2 Ruff were at Howmore and 129 Black-tailed Godwits were on the river there. A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Kilpheder on the machair. A Little Stint was at Balgarva. A Little Stint was seen at Ardvule. A Common Rosefinch was at Askernish briefly.
Barra: A Barred Warbler was seen at Nask and Pied Flycatchers were at Morghan and Ardmhor.
Lapland Bunting (Emma Stobart); Baird's Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)
17th September:
Lewis: 4 Black-tailed Godwits were at Steinish and 12 at Loch Braigh na h-Aodhe.
St. Kilda: A Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and 4 Lapland Buntings were on Hirta.
North Uist: The Baird's Sandpiper and 2 Little Stints were at Loch Paible. A Lesser Yellowlegs was reported from Blathaisbhal, 1.5 miles north-west of Lochmaddy. 5 Storm Petrels, 3 Manx Shearwaters and 2 Bonxies were seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Ruff were on Bornish machair this evening. 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew south off Ardvule 11:30 - 12:00 and a Little Stint was in the south bay there. A Pectoral Sandpiper and 300+ Black-tailed Godwits were on Eochar machair. A brief Little Gull was at Hebridean Jewellery before flying north. 102 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore river. A Lesser Whitethroat was at North Loch Eynort.
Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was at Morghan.
16th September:
Lewis: 25 Black-tailed Godwits and 18 Knot were at Steinish. 6 Sooty Shearwaters, a Manx Shearwater and 2 Great Northern Divers flew east past the Butt this morning during a brief seawatch. A juvenile Sabine's Gull and 9 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today.
North Uist: A Baird's Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Little Stints were at Loch Paible today.
South Uist: 4 Little Stints were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee this morning.
Barra: A Long-tailed Skua and 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig.
Marine Sightings: 10 Risso's Dolphins were off Tiumpan Head today.
Baird's Sandpiper and Little Stint (Ron Macdonald)
15th September:
Lewis: 28 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past the Butt during an hour watch late this afternoon.
North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 29 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff were at Balranald. 2 Little Stints are still at Loch Paible.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, a Ruff and 40 Black-tailed Godwits were on Bornish machair. 2 Little Stints were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Stoneybridge and 6 pale-bellied Brents were at Kildonan. 5 Brent Geese were at Ardvule. 150 Black-tailed Godwits were at Howmore. A Ruff and 200 Black-tailed Godwits were on Eochar machair.
Barra: 2 Barred Warblers were seen (1 at Glen and the other at Creachan) as well as 2 Pied Flycatchers. A Hobby was seen in Northbay.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Little Stints (Alan Kennedy)
14th September:
Lewis: 4 Goosanders were at Timsgarry. 10 Black-tailed Godwits were at Steinish.
St. Kilda: The Snowy Owl and a Pectoral Sandpiper were on Hirta today. A juvenile Spotted Redshank was also on the island.
North Uist: A Firecrest was at Langass Lodge this afternoon. 2 Ruff were on Baleshare, 2 Ruff and 70+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald; also a Lapland Bunting there. 2 Ruff were by Loch Sandary. 2 juvenile Little Stints were on Loch Paible.
South Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper was on Eochar machair. 5 Brent Geese were at Hornish Point. 3 Pectoral Sandpipers and 2 Ruff were on Bornish machair. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Ormiclate. The Whinchat was still by the track to Grogarry Lodge. A female Goldeneye was on Loch Roag.
Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was at Ardmhor.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Richard Somers Cocks); Merlin, Short-eared Owl and Pectoral Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)
13th September:
Lewis: A Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Warbler were at Aird Uig.
Benbecula: A Little Stint was in Stinky Bay.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers, 2 Ruff and a handful of Black-tailed Godwits were amongst the Golden Plover on Bornish machair this afternoon. A Little Stint, 4 Pintail and 2 Scaup were seen on Loch Bee. 200+ Black-tailed Godwits and at least 5 Ruff were on Eochar machair. A Whinchat was along the track to Grogarry Lodge. 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 11 Storm Petrels and 27 Bonxies were seen on the crossing between Mallaig and Lochboisdale today.
Barra: A Pied Flycatcher was in Ardmhor plantation.
Insects: A Canary-shouldered Thorn was seen at Carnan.
Marine Sightings: 14 Common Dolphins and 2 Harbour Porpoise were seen from the ferry between Mallaig and Lochboisdale. At least 2 Minke Whales were off Tiumpan Head this afternoon.
Pectoral Sandpipers (Steve Duffield); Whinchat (Alan Kennedy)
12th September:
Lewis: A Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler were at Aird Uig.
North Uist: A Lesser Whitethroat was in Carinish this morning; also a Sedge Warbler in the same garden. 3 Whimbrel were at Aird an Runair and 70 Brent Geese flew south at 14:30.
South Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was on Bornish machair this morning; also a Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Ruff there. 155 Black-tailed Godwits were on Drimsdale machair.
Barra: The male Red-backed Shrike was still along the road to the golf course, near Cleat today and a Pied Flycatcher was at Cuithir. A Booted Warbler was at Earsary this evening.
Red Admiral and Poplar Hawkmoth caterpillar (Steve Duffield); Buf-breasted Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)
11th September:
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint are still on Loch Paible.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 3 Pectoral Sandpipers and a Ruff were on Bornish machair. A Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Little Stints were at Ardvule. 5 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry this morning.
Barra: A Red-backed Shrike was seen at Cleat.
Marine Sightings: A Sunfish was seen just off Tiumpan Head late this afternoon and a breaching Minke Whale was off there this morning.
Little Stint (Alan Kennedy); Wheatear (Bob McMillan)
10th September:
Lewis: The Pectoral Sandpiper was still at Loch Barvas.
St. Kilda: The Snowy Owl was seen on Hirta and a Long-eared Owl was also in Village Bay.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, a Pintail, Whimbel and 117 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Paible.
South Uist: The Pectoral Sandpiper was still at Ardvule.
Barra: A Common Rosefinch was seen at Garrygall.
Pectoral Sandpiper (John Kemp); Pectoral Sandpiper (Andrew Gouldstone)
9th September:
Lewis: A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen along the north ahore of Loch Barvas.
St. Kilda: A 1st winter Citrine Wagtail was on Hirta this morning.
North Uist: A Swift was at Balranald this morning; also 3 Brent Geese were there.
South Uist: A Pectoral Sandpiper a Little Stint and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were in the south bay at Ardvule. 2 Pectoral Sandpipers were on Bornish machair. 19 Brent Geees were at Howmore and 79 Black-tailed Godwits were on the river there.
Little Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)
8th September:
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was on Baleshare beach near the carpark.
South Uist: 103 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Range. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Ardvule.
Insects: 272 moths and 28 species were trapped in Carinish last night including Small Autumnal Moth, Scotch Annulet, Hedge Rustic, a Garden Carpet, Purple Clay and Epinotia trigonella. A Canary-shouldered Thorn was seen at Carnan last night.
Small Autumnal Moth and Epinotia trigonella (Steve Duffield); Curlew Sandpiper (Alan Kennedy)
7th September:
North Uist: 10 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff were on Baleshare this afternoon.
South Uist: 57 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore River. 14 Black-tailed Godwits are in the south-west corner of Loch Bee and 50 are on the Range. A Great Shearwater, 11 Sooty Shearwaters, 11 Storm Petrels, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie, 298 Gannets, 126 Manx Shearwaters, 17 Fulmars, 14 Red-throated Divers and a Great Northern Diver flew south off Ardvule this morning. A Ruff was at Ardvule - in the north bay.
Great Shearwater and Sooty Shearwater (John Kemp)
6th September:
Lewis: A Fea's / Desertas Petrel flew past Gallan Head this morning; also 9 Sooty Shearwaters and 8 Storm Petrels past there.
South Uist: 22 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Range at Eochar and 54 were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 60+ Black-tailed Godwits dropped in on the Howmore River this evening.
Marine Sightings: 5 Risso's Dolphins were seen off Tiumpan Head this morning.
5th September:
S. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl was around the village on Hirta.
North Uist: A pale-bellied Brent Goose was on Loch Paible this morning.
South Uist: 54 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore River this morning.
4th September:
Lochmaddy - Uig: A Long-tailed Skua was seen from the ferry today.
South Uist: 4 Great Northern Divers, 8 Red-throated Divers and 1 Great Skua flew south at Ardvule this morning; also a Whimbrel and single Black-tailed Godwit were present.
Barra: 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig this afternoon.
Insects: 714 moths / 30 species were trapped in Carinish last night including 287 Rosy Rustics, a Chestnut-coloured Carpet, A Red-line Quaker and a Silver Y amongst others.
Marine Sightings: 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ardvule this morning. An Ocean Sunfish, Minke Whale and 5 Risso's Dolphins were seen off Tiumpan Head today.
Rock Pipit and Bottle-nosed Dolphin (John Kemp); Chestnut-coloured Carpet and Red-line Quaker (Steve Duffield)
3rd September:
Lewis: 5 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Gallan Head between 11:00 - 14:00.
St. Kilda: A Redstart was seen on Hirta.
North Uist: A Leach's Petrel and 10 Storm Petrels were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry this morning. 4 Common Scoter flew north at Balranald; also 70 Black-tailed Godwits there. 50 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch na Reivil, Hougharry. A Pink-footed Goose was on Loch Mor, Baleshare.
Corn Bunting, Short-eared Owl and Golden Eagle with Raven (Steve Duffield)
2nd September:
Lewis: A Common Rosefinch was at Bragar at 17:30 by the picnic tables at Loch Ordais.
North Uist: 90+ Black-tailed Godwits were at Balranald. 5 Pintail flew south at Kyles Paible this afternoon.
Barra: The Barred Warbler was at Nask again today and a Reed Warbler was at Glen.
Insects: 510 moths of 31 species were trapped in South Glendale last night and included 1 Sallow, 1 Angle Shades, 61 Chevron, 1 Treble-bar, 1 Small Autumnal Moth, 1 Lunar Underwing, 4 Anomalous, 1 Red-green Carpet and a few micros 1 Epinotia immundana, 1 Epinotia caprana, 5 Acleris effractana and a Eudonia angustea.
Marine Sightings: A pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Borve, Benbecula this evening.
Lunar Underwing, Sallow and Small Autumnal Moth (John Kemp); Common Rosefinch (Mark Warren)
1st September:
St. Kilda: The female Snowy Owl is still on Hirta.
Marine Sightings: 7 Risso's Dolphins were off Tiumpan Head this morning.
Corn Bunting and Otter (Steve Duffield)