Latest Outer Hebrides Bird and Wildlife Sightings 2022
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30th September:
North Uist: The Pied Flycatcher is still at Carinish.
South Uist: A juvenile Little Stint was at Balgarva. 5 Sooty Shearwaters flew north off Ardivachar around midday. A sea-watch from Ardvule between 10:35 – 13:00 produced a southerly movement of 1120 Gannets, 11 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Sooty Shearwaters, 24 Kittiwakes, 6 Great Northern Divers and 3 Red-throated Divers.
29th September:
Lewis: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was off South Galson today.
St. Kilda: A Blyth's Reed Warbler and the juvenile American Golden Plover were on Hirta.
North Uist: A Pied Flycatcher was in Carinish. A Great White Egret flew north-north-east over Claddach Baleshare late morning. A Garden Warbler was at Callanish House. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Paible.
Barra: A Barred Warbler was at Nask whilst a Wood Warbler and Common Rosefinch were at Creachan.
Insects: 16 Grey Pine Carpet, 1 Red-green Carpet, 1 Brimstone Moth and 2 Red-line Quaker were caught at Loch Eynort last nitgh. In South Glendale 4 Brindled Ochre, 3 Angle Shades, 27 Small Wainscot and a Red-line Quaker were trapped. A Large Wainscot, an Angle Shades and 2 Red-line Quakers were caught in Carinish.
Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale and a Humpback Whale were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry; to the south of Tiumpa Head.
Great White Egret (Steve Duffield); Red-greeen Carpet (John Kemp)
28th September:
Lewis: 128 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt in 2 hours this morning. A Leach's Petrel and 621 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the ferry between Ullapool and Stornoway.
St. Kilda: The Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and juvenile American Golden Plover are still on Hirta.
North Uist: A Lapland Bunting was at Aird an Runair, Balranald today.
Barra: A Common Rosefinch was at Creachan this afternoon. A Swainson's Thrush was trapped and ringed at Creachan this evening. A Lesser Whitethroat was also in Northbay.
27th September:
Lewis: 2 Great Shearwaters and 3,311 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt this morning. A white-phase Gyr Falcon is at Loch Ordais; no the headland to the west of the cemetery. A Lapland Bunting was at the Butt.
St. Kilda: A Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll was on Hirta.
North Uist: 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew south-west past Griminish Point in an hour this morning.
Barra: The Wood Warbler is still at Creachan.
26th September:
Lewis: 3 Great Shearwaters and 1611 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt between 07:30 - 11:30 today. A Little Stint was at Crowlista. The drake Ring-necked Duck was on Loch Stiapabhat.
St. Kilda: A juvenile American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, 3 Lapland Buntings and 3 Snow Buntings were in Hirta.
North Uist: A Barnacle Goose flew south over Baleshare.
South Uist: A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull flew over the South Ford from Hebridean Jewellery.
Barra: The 1st winter Red-backed Shrike is still at Cleat.
25th September:
Lewis: A Great Shearwater, a Sabine's Gull, a Pomarine Skua and 500 Sooty Shearwaters were reported from the Stornoway - Ullapool ferry this morning.
South Uist: A Semiplamated Sandpiper was off Hebridean Jewellery this morning; a Curlew Sandpiper was also present. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Peninerine. A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull at Loch Bornish. A Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Ardvule. A Cory's Shearwater and a single Sooty Shearwater flew south past Ardvule this evening.
24th September:
Lewis: 150 Sooty Shearwaters flew north-west past the Butt in 90 minutes this morning. A Little Stint was on the beach at Shawbost and a female Scaup was on Loch Shawbost. A drake Ring-necked Duck is at Loch Stiapabhat. A Long-tailed Skua, a Pomarine Skua and 70 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the ferry Ullapool - Stornoway.
St. Kilda: A Melodious Warbler and Pectoral Sandpiper are still on Hirta.
North Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper flew north over Loch Paible; a Curlew Sandpiper was also there.
South Uist: The Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper are still on the shore at Peninerine.
Barra: The Red-backed Shrike is still at Cleat and the Wood Warbler is still at Creachan.
23rd September:
Lewis: A Balearic Shearwater, 507 Sooty Shearwaters and a Grey Phalarope flew past Labost in a 4 hour watch this morning.
St. Kilda: A Melodious Warbler, Pectoral Sandpiper, 6 Lapland Buntings. a Snow Bunting, a Whinchat and a Blackap were on Hirta today.
North Uist: 2 Ruff were on Berneray. A Leach's Petrel was seen from the Lochmaddy - Uig ferry.
South Uist: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were on the beach at Peninerine; also a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull this evening. 139 Pale-bellied Brent, 94 Gannets and 6 Great Northern Divers flew south at Ardvule this morning. 268 Black-tailed Godwits were at Bornish / Ardvule. The Turtle Dove is still at Ardivachar. A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was in the north bay at Ardvule this evening.
Barra: The Red-backed Shrike is still at Cleat.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)
22nd September:
North Uist: A Lesser Whitethroat was at Langass Lodge. 5 Curlew Sandpipers were at Ahmore this morning. A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Hougharry beach; 40 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch na Reivil. A juvenile / 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was in fields at Balranald. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Paible. 3 Ruff were on Baleshare.
South Uist: A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Eochar this morning before flying east. The Turtle Dove was still at Ardivachar. Around 40 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardkenneth this morning. 3 Curlew Sandpipers were at Hebridean Jewellery this evening. 2 Little Stints were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 282 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule / Bornish.
Barra: A 1st winter Red-backed Shrike was at Cleat (for its third day). A Wood Warbler was at Creachan.
Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale was seen to the south of Tiumpan Head this morning and a pod of Risso's Dolphins were off there this evening.
Mediterranean Gulls (Steve Duffield)
21st September:
North Uist: A Spotted Redshank and 5 Curlew Sandpipers were at Ahmore. A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was on the shore at Hougharry.
South Uist: 2 juvenile Little Stints and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee. 232 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule / Bornish.
Barra: The Redstart was at Brevig and a Long-tailed Skua flew south off-shore there.
Mediterranean Gull (Paul Baxter)
20th September:
Lewis: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Loch Ordais. A Sooty Shearwater was seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Paible.
South Uist: 3 Curlew Sandpipers were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee along with a Ruff. A Turtle Dove was seen on the track out to Ardvule.
Marine Sightings: A Risso's Dolphin was seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry.
19th September:
Lewis: 210 Sooty Shearwaters flew north-east past Labost during the first hour of light this morning.
North Uist: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Grenitote.
South Uist: The Turtle Dove was still at Ardivachar.
Insects: 278 moths / 26 species were caught in South Glendale last night including 6 Angle Shades, 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character, 5 Red-line Quaker, 52 Small Wainscot, 1 Large Wainscot, 5 Lunar Underwing, 1 Dark Sword-grass, 1 Oblique Carpet, 2 Epinotia caprana and 4 Eudonia angustea.
Large Wainscot and Lunar Underwing (John Kemp)
18th September:
Lewis: A Snow Bunting was seen at Tong. A juvenile Pomarine Skua, 55 Sooty Shearwaters and 17 Storm Petrels were seen from the Stonorway - Ullapool ferry this evening.
St. Kilda: A Spotted Sandpiper was seen on Hirta; also 3 Lapland Buntings there.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Grenitote.
South Uist: A Turtle Dove was seen at Aridvachar, 2 Curlew Sandpipers were in the north-west corner of Loch Bee (from Ardkenneth). A Great Crested Grebe was off Balgarva.
Barra: A Barred Warbler was seen briefly at Cuithir and a male Redstart at Brevig.
Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale 5 Risso's Dolphins and 60 Common Dolphins were seen from the ferry between Stornoway and Ullapool this evening.
17th September:
Lewis: 8 Sooty Shearwaters were seen off the Butt in a 2 hour watch this morning. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Ordais. A Snow Bunting was seen at Port of Ness. 2 Great Shearwaters and 3 - 400 Sooty Shearwaters were seen feeding off Bragar; also 300 Pink-footed Geese flew over in 4 skiens. A Pomarine Skua and 1,000 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Stonorway - Ullapool ferry in the evening.
North Uist: A juvenile American Golden Plover was at Loch Paible this morning before relocating to Aird an Runair, Balranald. A juveile Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Paible and 2 were at Balranald. 2 female / immature Pintail were at Loch a' Roe, Balranald and 250 Pink-footed Geese flew south off-shore there. A Pintail and 50 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch na Reivil, Hougharry. An immature Glaucous Gull was on Baleshare.
South Uist: A Lapland Bunting and a Ruff were on Bornish machair. A Spotted Redshank was seen in the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
American Golden Plover (Bob McMillan); American Golden Plover (Steve Duffield)
16th September:
Lewis: 2 Leach's Petrels and 8 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Ordais. 230 Pink-footed Geese were seen heading south-east over Eisken Lodge this morning. The drake Ring-necked Duck is still at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Aird an Runair, Balranald. A Curlew Sandpiper was also at Traigh Udal. Lots of Pink-footed Geese were passing over today including 500+ in several flocks over Berneray (heading south-eastwards) and several flocks were heard over Sollas. 36 Sooty Shearwaters, 6 Storm Petrels and a Long-tailed Skua were seen from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry today. 4 Pintail were at Balranald and 30 Black-tailed Godwits were nearby.
Benbecula: 60 Pink-footed Geese were resting off Creagorry.
South Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at the north-west corner of Loch Bee from Ard Kenneth. A Little Stint was at Ardvule.15 Black-tailed Godwits were at Drimsdale. A female / immature Pintail was at Ardivachar.
Barra: The Arctic Warbler was still at Eoligarry by the church although elusive.
Curlew Sandpiper (Bob McMillan)
15th September:
Lewis: 110 Pink-footed Geese flew in off the sea and headed south-east over South Galson. 100 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Point this afternoon.
North Uist: 120 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Carinish this evening.
South Uist: Ca. 200 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Ruff were on Bornish machair. 150 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Loch Eynort early afternoon.
Barra: The Yellow-browed Warbler at Eoligarry yesterday has been re-identified as an Arctic Warbler which was heard calling and singing today.
Black-tailed Godwits (Steve Duffield)
14th September:
Lewis: The Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat still this morning. A Pomarine Skua and 9 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry this morning. 25 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past the Butt in an hour watch this afternoon. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Loch Ordais. 100 Sooty Shearwaters flew past Skigersta in a 3 hour watch.
Harris: 160 Common Scoters were in the Sound of Taransay.
North Uist: The Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on the pool at the southern end of Loch Paible today; 376 Pink-footed Geese flew south over there this evening. 4 Curlew Sandpipers were at Aird an Runair. A Pied Flycatcher was in Lochmaddy.
Barra: A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen by the church at Eoligarry.
Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale and several Common Dolphins were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry this morning.
Insects: A Convolvulus Hawk-moth and an Acleris laterana were trapped in South Glendale last night.
13th September:
Lewis: A Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint were at Loch Ordais. A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Loch Stiapabhat.
North Uist: 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers and a juvenile Little Stint were at Aird an Runair this morning. A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Loch Paible. A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on Baleshare this morning. 78 Pink-footed Geese flew south over Kirkibost this evening.
South Uist: 100+ Black-tailed Godwits were on Drimsdale machair; also 90 Pink-footed Geese heading south off-shore there this afternoon. 8 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Ruff were at Ardivachar.
Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper (Steve Duffield); Pectoral Sandpiper (Martin Benson)
12th September:
Lewis: A Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were at Loch Ordais.
North Uist: 86 Sooty Shearwaters flew past Griminish Point in a 3 hour watch this morning; also 2 Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie, 2 Arctic Terns, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 29 Wigeon and 22 Pintail between 09:45 - 12:45. A Pied Flycatcher is in Carinish. 2 Ruff were by Loch Sandary.
Benbecula: A Curlew Sandpiper was in Stinky Bay.
South Uist: 11 Curlew Sandpipers and 4 Little Stints were at Ardivachar this evening; as well as 2 Ruff. 60 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Ruff were at Stilligarry. 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 6 Ruff and 80 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule. A Turtle Dove was at Askenrish late in the evening.
11th September:
Lewis: 118 Sooty Shearwaters heading north past South Galson in an hour this morning. 4 Curlew Sandpipers were on the beach at Barvas. 2 - 300 Sooty Shearwaters were off the Butt and 4 Swifts were around the lighthouse.
St. Kilda: A Yellow Wagtail was new in on Hirta today.
North Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint were seen at Loch Paible today. 3 Ruff were by Loch Sandary. A Curlew Sandpiper was seen at Loch Borve, Berneray. A Pied Flycatcher was seen in Carinish.
Benbecula: 8 Curlew Sandpipers and a Brent Goose were in Stinky Bay.
South Uist: 9 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints and 2 juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers were at Ardivachar. 3 Curlew Sandpipers and a little Stint were at Ardvule this evening whilst 150 Black-tailed Godwits were also in the area.
Barra: A Turtle Dove was at Glenn this evening.
Marine Sightings: 3 Humpback Whales and a Fin Whale were off Tiumpan Head this morning.
Pectoral Sandpipers (Steve Duffield); Curlew Sandpiper and Wheatear (Martin Benson)
10th September:
Lewis: The Little Stint is still at Loch Ordais. 100+ Sooty Shearwaters, 20 Storm Petrels and a Pomarine Skua were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today. A Long-tailed Skua was seen on the return leg.
North Uist: 2 Little Stints and a Curlew Sandpiper were seen at Aird an Runair. A juvenile Osprey was at Loch Hosta this morning; having arrived there last night.
South Uist: A Little Stint and 4 Curlew Sandpipers were at Ardvule. 12 Curlew Sandpipers were at Ardivachar.
Marine Sightings: 8 Risso's Dolphins were seen from the ferry bewteen Uig and Tarbet (closer to Tarbet). Numerous Common Dolphins and a few Minke Whales were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry as well as a probable Humpback Whale. 4 Humpback Whales, a Fin Whale and numerous Minke Whales were seen from Tiumpan Head this morning.
Osprey (Neil George); Little Stint and Risso's Dolphins (Bob McMilan); Common Dolphins (Steve Duffield)
9th September:
St. Kilda: The Spotted Redshank is still on Hirta; also 2 Pied Flycatchers also there.
Benbecula: 6 Curlew Sandpipers in Stinky Bay (including the colour-ringed individual).
South Uist: 6 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint were at Ardvule again today. A Spotted Redshank was with 140 Black-tailed Godwits on the west side of Loch Bee this evening. 16 Curlew Sandpipers and 3 Little Stints were at Ardivachar.
Barra: An Arctic Warbler was seen at Creachan this afternoon.
Marine Sightings: 7 Risso's Dolphins amd 2 Fin Whales were seen off Tiumpan Head today.
8th September:
Lewis: A Little Stint was at Loch Ordais. 8 Sooty Shearwaters were feeding off Tiumpan Head this afternoon. Ca. 40 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Branahuie. A Pink-footed Goose was at Sandwick. 2 Great Shearwaters, 200 Sooty Shearwaters, a Long-tailed Skua, Pomarine Skua, 2 Storm Petrels and a Grey Phalarope were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry.
St. Kilda: A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen on Hirta along with a Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler and juvenile Spotted Redshank.
North Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Loch Paible. 4 Ruff were by Loch Sandary.
South Uist: A Turtle Dove was in Askernish this morning. 7 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint were at Ardvule.
Marine Sightings: 3 Fin Whales, a Minke Whale and 50+ Common Dolphins were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry today. A Humpback Whale was seen from the ferry from Ullapool in the evening.
Insects: 278 moths were trapped in South Glendale last night which included 5 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 5 Northern Deep-brown Darts, 1 Lunar Underwing and 27 Gold Spots. On Eriskay a plume moth Gillmeria pallidactyla was netted in early evening.
Humpback Whale and Sooty Shearwaters (Andy Williams); Lunar Underwing and Setaceous Hebrew Character (John Kemp)
7th September:
Lewis: 6 Great Shearwaters and 100 Sooty Shearwaters were seen on the crossing between Stornoway and Ullapool this afternoon; also a Leach's Petrel and a Pomarine Skua. 25 Black-tailed Godwits were by Loch Branahuie.
St. Kilda: A Spotted Redshank and Pied Flycather were on Hirta.
Benbecula: 7 Curlew Sandpipers (including a colour-ringed bird) were in Stinky Bay this morning.
South Uist: 12 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little Stints were at Ardvule. Over 100 Black-tailed Godwits were on the machair at Drimsdale.
Marine Sightings: A Fin Whale and 5 Minke Whales were seen from the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry.
Curlew Sandpiper (Steve Duffield)
6th September:
Lewis: A Swift was at South Galson this morning. 10 Great Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater and 49 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool to Stornoway ferry this afternoon. 5 Great Shearwaters and 80 Sooty Shearwaters were seen on the same route in the morning.
North Uist: An Osprey was seen heading south-west of Loch Sandary.
Benbecula: 3 Curlew Sandpipers were in Stinky Bay today. 3 Ruff were at Torlum.
South Uist: 5 Curlew Sandpipers were at Ardvule this morning rising to 10 this evening. A Swift was just south of Ardivachar this morning. A Pink-footed Goose was at Boisdale. Around 100 Black-tailed Godwits were on Drimsdale machair.
Barra: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Traigh Mhor. 2 Swifts were seen at Brevig.
Balearic Shearwater with Sooty Shearwater; Great Shearwaters (Andy Williams)
5th September:
Lewis: 7 Great Shearwaters were seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry this morning along with 2 Sooty Shearwaters. 2 Great Shearwaters were seen from the same ferry in the afternoon.
North Uist: A female / immature Pintail was at Loch Scolpaig.
South Uist: 2 Curlew Sandpipers and a Ruff were at Ardvule. 3 Curlew Sandpipers were in the north channel of Loch Bee. 2 Ruff were at the south-west corner of Loch Bee.
Barra: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Traigh Mhor today.
Marine Sightings: 3 Humpbck Whales were seen off Tiumpan Head this morning.
4th September:
St. Kilda: A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was seen on Hirta today.
North Uist: 2 Ruff and 23 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Sandary. 18 Black-tailed Godwits were at Loch Paible.
South Uist: A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruff and 80 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule. 22 Sooty Shearwaters and 23 Storm Petrels were seen from the Lochboisdale - Mallaig ferry this morning.
Barra: 3 Great Shearwaters, a Long-tailed Skua and 3 Pomarine Skuas flew south past Brevig this evening.
Marine Sightings: 2 Minke Whales and a few pods of Common Dolphins were seen from the ferry to Mallaig. White-beaked and Common Dolphins were seen off Tiumpan Head as well as 5 or 6 large whales with most thought to be Humpback although Fin Whale was also present.
3rd September:
Lewis: 10 Sooty Shearwaters flew past the Butt.
North Uist: A Great Shearwater was seen from the ferry between Uig and Lochmaddy.
Benbecula: A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Borve machair.
South Uist: A Curlew Sandpiper was at Stoneybridge. 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Ruff and 120 Black-tailed Godwits were at Ardvule. 90 Sooty Shearwaters were seen from the ferry between Mallaig and Lochboisdale whilst 2 Great Shearwaters and 10 Sooty Shearwaters were seen on the return leg.
Marine Sightings: 3 probable Humpback Whales were seen from Tiumpan Head this morning.
Great Skua and Mediterranean Gull (Steve Duffield); Curlew Sandpiper and Great Shearwater (Alan Kennedy)
2nd September:
Lewis: A Curlew Sandpiper was on the shore at Barvas.
St. Kilda: A Reed Warbler was on Hirta.
North Uist: The 1st winter Wilson's Phalarope was seen at Loch Paible again this morning. 2 Ruff were at Knockintorran this evnening.
South Uist: 3 Whimbrel were at Sroneybridge. 78 Black-tailed Godwits were on Kildonan machair this afternoon.6 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Ruff were at Ormiclate.
Barra: 6 Sooty Shearwaters flew south past Brevig late afternoon.
1st September:
North Uist: A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, 40 Black-tailed Godwits and a Pink-footed Goose were at Loch Paible this morning. A 2nd cal yr Glaucous Gull was on Loch Sandary early afternoon.
South Uist: 14 Black-tailed Godwits were on the Howmore River this morning. 36 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Ruff were on Ormiclate machair.
Barra: A Golden Oriole was seen at Glenn this morning although elusive.
Marine Sightings: At least 28 Risso's Dolphins, in two pods were seen off Tiumpan Head as well as 2 very distant large whales.
Ruff and White-tailed Eagle (Alan Kennedy)