2017
Please note that the sightings below do not reflect the variety of species you can see in a normal day out birding or wildlife watching. These reports concentrate on more unusual species or significant counts or movements.
31st January:
Lewis: 6 Iceland Gulls (4 juveniles and 2, 2nd winters) plus 4 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were at Tiumpan Head this afternoon.
North Uist: The American Coot is still on Loch nam Feithean. 2 hybrid Cackling x Barnacle Geese were on the machair at Malaclate and a Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags at Grenitote. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in Carinish.
Benbecula: 3 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were on the beach in Balivanich this evening.
Marine Sightings: A Harbour Porpoise was off Traigh Iar, Grenitote.
hybrid Cackling x Barnacle Goose (Steve Duffield)
30th January:
Lewis: An adult and 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls were in Stornoway Harbour today. A Brambling and a Great Tit were in Willowglen, Stornoway.
North Uist: 6 Glaucous Gulls (5 juveniles and a 2nd winter) and 7 Pintail (5 males) were on Baleshare this morning.
South Uist: 2 juvenile / 1st winter Glaucous Gulls and an Iceland Gull were at Orosay today.
Barra: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Tangasdale and another was at Ardveenish.
29th January:
Lewis: A Waxwing was briefly in Urquhart Gardens, Stornoway today.
North Uist: A 2nd winter Iceland Gull and 57 pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Rubh' Arnal whilst another pale-belled Brent was with Barnacle Geese at Cnoc a Lin. The American Coot was on Loch nam Feithean along with 5 Coots and 4 Pintail (2 pairs). A Gyr Falcon was on the dune edge at Balranald this afternoon before heading south towards Paible. A Fieldfare were also along the main road at Balranald.
South Uist: A Jack Snipe was at Mingarry. 4 Snow Buntings flew over Arnaval.
Barra: The drake American Wigeon was on the sea at Eoligarry. Juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Traigh Mhor and off Vatersay. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Ardveenish. A Chiffchaff is at Brevig.
Marine Sightings: 5 Orcas, 3 Humpback Whales and 2 Minke Whales were seen off Tiumpan Head this morning. Also around 10 White-sided Dolphins past by close in yesterday.
Gyr Falcon and Brent Goose (Steve Duffield); Golden Plover (John Kemp)
28th January:
North Uist: A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was in Carinish today. 3 Fieldfares were at Clachan.
Benbecula: A Little Egret was on Loch Uskevagh
South Uist: 2 juvenile / 1st winter Iceland Gulls were in the south bay at Ardvule today. 5 Scaup and a Pink-footed Goose were on Loch Bee. The Blue Tit was again in Bornish. 46 Black-throated Divers were in the Sound of Barra off Eriskay. A juvenile Kumlien's Gull and juvenile Iceland Gull were at Orosay. A juvenile Iceland Gull and 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were at Howmore / Peninerine.
Barra: 29 Snow Buntings were at Eoligarry. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Garrygall.
Iceland Gull (John Kemp); Rock Pipit (Mary Lewis)
27th January:
South Uist: An adult Iceland Gull and juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Balgarva. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Ardivachar. 3 Common Scoters flew south at Ardvule. The Blue Tit from last autumn was in Bornish again today.
Barra: The adult Ring-billed Gull was still on Vatersay today along with a juvenile Iceland Gull.
Marine Sightings: 200+ Common Dolphins were seen from Tiumpan Head this morning.
Iceland Gull (Steve Duffield)
26th January:
Lewis: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Sand Street, Stornoway.
North Uist: A drake Green-winged Teal was on Loch Sandary this morning. At least 5 juvenile Glaucous Gulls, a hybrid Glauc x Herring Gull, juvenile Iceland Gull and a 2nd winter Kumlien's Gull were at Rubh' Arnal; also at least 34 Brent Geese were in the area.
Barra: An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Caolis, Vatersay today.
Greenshank, leucistic Common Gull, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Kumlien's Gull and hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull (Steve Duffield)
25th January:
Lewis: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Bayhead, Stornoway.
North Uist: The Little Egret was again feeding in pools just west of the North Ford Causeway, just south of Grimsay this morning.
South Uist: The drake Green-winged Teal was sheltering in the creek at the northern end of Loch Bee this morning.
24th January:
Lewis: A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull was seen at Tiumpan Head and a Storm Petrel was reported off-shore. 250+ Gannets and a similar number of auks were also seen just east of the lighthouse.
North Uist: 2 Iceland Gulls (and adult and a juvenile); 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls and 8 Brent Geese were at Rubh' Arnal.
Marine Sightings: A Minke Whale was seen off Tiumpan Head this morning.
23rd January:
Lewis: 2 adult Iceland Gulls were at Tiumpan Head this morning.
North Uist: 10 immature Glaucous Gulls and 9 Pintail were on Baleshare today. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in Carinish. The Little Egret was seen again this afternoon on pools west of the causeway just south of Grimsay.
Benbecula: 9 Greenland White-fronted Geese were on Loch Fada today.
South Uist: 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were between Boisdale and Kilpheder this morning and a juvenile Iceland Gull flew south.
Marine Sightings: A mixed group of Risso's Dolphins and Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Tiumpan Head this morning.
Iceland Gull and Sanderling (John Kemp); Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield)
22nd January:
North Uist: The American Coot was at the south side of Loch nam Feithean with 5 Coots this morning. 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were on Loch Paible, 4 immatures flew north along the coast there and 2 juveniles were on the machair at Balemore along with an Iceland Gull. At least 7 immature Glaucous Gulls and 4 Pintail were on Baleshare.
Barra: The drake American Wigeon was on the sea off Eoligarry. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Ardveenish.
Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield)
21st January:
North Uist: A Gyr Falcon was seen heading towards Kyles Paible today. 16 Glaucous Gulls (all juveniles or 2nd winters) were on Baleshare this afternoon. 2 American Wigeon were on Loch Aileodair. 140 Snow Buntings, 2,450 Barnacle Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were on Berneray. A Water Rail and female Blackcap were at Carnan.
Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield)
20th January:
Lewis: A juvenile Kumlien's Gull, 5 Iceland Gulls and 2 Glaucous Gulls (adult and juvenile) were in Stornoway Harbour early afternoon.
North Uist: 2 drake American Wigeon were on Loch Aileodair, just south of Loch Portain turning today. A Pink-footed Goose was in Carinish. 13 Glaucous Gulls were still on Baleshare today. 30+ Brent Geese were seen from the North Ford causeway between Benbecula and Grimsay this afternoon.
South Uist: 3 Glaucous Gulls (an adult and 2 juveniles) were on the south bay at Ardvule this morning.
Marine Sightings: A Humpback Whale was seen from the Stornoway - Ullapool ferry today.
Rock Pipit (Steve Duffield)
19th January:
North Uist: The Little Egret was on the North Ford just south of Grimsay again this morning.
Little Egret (Steve Duffield)
18th January:
Lewis: 2 Iceland Gulls (1st winter and 3rd winter) and a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull were in Stornoway.
North Uist: 13 Glaucous Gulls (an adult, 10 juveniles and 2 x 2nd winters) were on Baleshare this morning; also 4 Pintail and 16 Brent Geese. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in Carinish this morning.
South Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in the south bay at Ardvule. The drake Green-winged Teal was at the north end of Loch Bee.
Glaucous Gull (Steve Duffield)
17th January:
Lewis: An adult Iceland Gull was at Tiumpan Head. A Mute Swan was at Loch Cromor (scrace in Lewis).
North Uist: 12 Glaucous Gulls (at least 10 juveniles and 1 probably 2, 2nd winters) were on Baleshare this morning; also 5 Snow Buntings there. The American Coot was seen at Loch nam Feithean today.
Marine Sightings: 2 Orcas and a pod of Risso's Dolphins were seen off Tiumpan Head this afternoon.
16th January:
North Uist: A dead Little Auk was found at Claddach Baleshare.
South Uist: An adult Glaucous Gull was in the south bay at Ardvule.
15th January:
North Uist: An adult Glaucous Gull was at the southern end of Berneray today.
South Uist: A dead Little Auk was picked up along the Gualan today. 2 Glaucous Gulls (an adult and juvenile) were at Ardvule and 2 female Pintail were on Loch Ardvule.
Glaucous Gull (Steve Duffield); Little Auk (Martyn Jamieson)
14th January:
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in Carinish today. A Snow Bunting was on the road at the north end of Grimsay.
Barra: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Ardveenish this morning. The drake American Wigeon was at Eoligarry again today.
13th January:
Lewis: An adult and a juvenile Glaucous Gull were in Stornoway harbour today. 2 Fieldfare were seen in Crossbost today.
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Carinish. A juvenile Glaucous Gull, 9 Brent Geese and a Pied Wagtail were at Rubh' Arnal.
South Uist: 13 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Kilpheder.
Barra: An adult Glaucous Gull was at Borve. A juvenile Glaucous Gull flew north past Traigh Eas and another was off Ardmhor ferry terminal. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Brevig. 11 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor. 3 Whooper Swans flew south from Eriskay and past Ardmhor in the late afternoon.
12th January:
North Uist: At Balranald the American Coot is still on Loch nam Feithean, 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were at Aird an Runair and 13 Snow Buntings were present. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Carinish today. 7 Glaucous Gulls ( 2x 2nd winters and 5 juveniles) were on Baleshare; also 2 drake Pintail here.
South Uist: A juvenile Iceland Gull flew south at Ardvule this morning; also 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls in south bay before flying south.
Barra: A Chiffchaff was at Skallary. 2 Fieldfare were at Brevig.
11th January:
North Uist: At least 2 Glaucous Gulls were still on Baleshare (a juvenile and 2nd winter).
Benbecula: Around 70 Kittiwakes flew north-west off Stinky Bay in 10 minutes late morning.
South Uist: A 1st winter Iceland Gull flew north at Ardvule this morning.
Lapwing and Glaucous Gull (Steve Duffield)
10th January:
North Uist: 5 Glaucous Gulls (a 2nd winter and 4 juveniles) are still on Baleshare today.
Barra: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Craigston and another was on Vatersay.
9th January:
North Uist: 6 immature (5 juveniles and a 2nd or 3rd winter) Glaucous Gulls were on Baleshare; also 3 Pintails were on the island.
Glaucous Gulls (Steve Duffield)
8th January:
North Uist: The American Coot was on the south side of Loch nam Feithean with 5 Coots this afternoon. The Little Egret was seen just south of Grimsay, off the North Ford causeway again today.
South Uist: An adult Iceland Gull and 13 Snow Buntings were seen on the Range.
Barra: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Ardveenish today. 11 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor.
7th January:
Lewis: An adult Glaucous Gull was off Tiumpan Head this morning.
North Uist: 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls were at Carinish this morning. A Little Egret was on the North Ford today just south of Grimsay.
Barra: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Ardveenish.
6th January:
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Carinish.
South Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull flew north at Ardvule and a female Pintail was on Loch Ardvule.
Marine Sightings: 2 Humpback Whales were seen off Tiumpan Head around lunchtime today.
5th January:
North Uist: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in Carinish.
Benbecula: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was on airport beach in Balivanich; also a Pied Wagtail there.
Barra: A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Ardveenish today and an adult Glaucous Gull flew north past Allasdale.
Pied Wagtail (Steve Duffield)
4th January:
North Uist: 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls and a couple of Fieldfare were in Carinish today. Around 40 Brent Geese were seen on the North Ford around lunchtime today.
Barra: The drake American Wigeon was back at Eoligarry this morning and a Siberian Chiffchaff was at Northbay.
3rd January:
North Uist: 44 Brent Geese were on the North Ford between Benbecula and Grimsay this afternoon. 2 juvenile Glaucous Gull were at Carinish.
2nd January:
North Uist: 3 Glaucous Gulls (3rd winter and 2 juveniles) were at Carinish. The American Coot was still on Loch nam Feithean. A juvenile Glaucous Gull and female Pintail were on Loch Dusary. At least 4 Pintail are on Baleshare.
Benbecula: A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in Balivanich. An adult Iceland Gull was at Stinky Bay. 6 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Loch Mor.
South Uist: The drake Green-winged Teal was at the north end of Loch Bee; also 9 Scaup were at the south end. 5 Lapland Buntings were on Eochar machair.
Barra: The juvenile Kumlien's Gull was off Ardmhor ferry terminal today. A juvenile Iceland Gull was off Cleat whilst 2 Little Auks flew west there. Juvenile Glaucous Gulls were at Eoligarry and Allasdale. 8 Pink-footed Geese were at Eoligarry. A Brambling was still in Brevig.
Green-winged Teal (Steve Duffield)
1st January:
Lewis: A juvenile Iceland Gull was in Bayhead, Stornoway this morning and it or another around Urquhart Gardens, Stornoway in the afternoon. A couple of Pink-footed Geese were with Greylags in the Stornoway area too.
North Uist: The American Coot was showing close to the road at Loch nam Feithean today along with 5 Coots; also 2 female Pintails were present. 5 Pintail (3 males - 1 immature and 2 female) were on Baleshare. 3 Glaucous Gulls (an adult and 2 juveniles) were on the North Ford at Carinish this morning. 2 juvenile Glaucous Gulls and 3 Snow Buntings were at Rubh' Arnal.
South Uist: 3 Barnacle Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were on Bornish machair. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was in the bay at South Glendale.
Barra: A juvenile Kumlien's Gull was off Scurrival this morning whilst an adult Glaucous Gull was also nearby. 11 Snow Buntings were at Traigh Mhor.
Marine Sightings: Masses of By-the-wind Sailors were seen on Baleshare today along with a dead Common Dolphin. Masses of By-the-wind Sailors are also still washing ashore in Barra.
American Coot and Glaucous Gull (Steve Duffield); Pink-footed Goose (John Kemp)