• When here in the Outer Hebrides and looking at a bird, have you ever wondered how rare it is? The status of all species can vary enormously from island to island. How rare is Shoveler on Barra, has Stock Dove been seen on Harris, does Dotterel occur on Benbecula in the autumn, and how common is Blue Tit on North Uist? Well, fret no longer! The Status and Distribution of birds here on the Outer Hebrides has been completely updated and summarised for every species and each of the main islands and outliers. Available as an online resource at https://status.outerhebrides-birdreports.org/ or via our shop

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Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Western Isles / Outer Hebrides bird sightings for today 21st May 2019. Updated throughout the day

Brevig, Barra
A female/2CY male *Golden Oriole* was there this morning

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
A Wood Warbler was in the Castle Grounds in trees beside Willowglen Burn. At least 10 singing Blackcaps and 5 Chiffchaffs were in the southern part of the Castle Grounds.

Leurbost, Isle of Lewis
An Osprey flew south this morning

West Gerinish, South Uist
The drake Garganey was still in the south west corner of Loch Bee

Lochmaddy, North Uist
Stewart from Naturetrek found a female Hawfinch behind Hamersay House this morning

Clachan, South Uist
The Little Egret was still present this morning

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
Counting period: 06:00 - 08:45
Weather: Wind NW F2, initially cloudy, becoming bright and sunny.Temp 10 - 11C.

A near 3 hour seawatch this morning produced 2 Great Northern Divers (N), 13 Fulmars (N), 24 Manx Shearwaters (N), 159 Gannets (7S 152N), 1 Shag (N), 1 Cormorant (N), 23 Kittwakes (5S 18N), 5 Guillemots (N), 38 Razorbills (N) and 115 auk sp (6S 109N).
Also present in the area were Greylag Goose 2, Wigeon 2, Tufted Duck 10, Red-breasted Merganser 2, Great Northern Diver 2, Cormorant 15, Whimbrel 1, Turnstone 35, Sanderling 45, Dunlin 48, Arctic Tern 15, Rock Dove 32, Sand Martin 4, Wheatear 2, White Wagtail 1, Pied Wagtail 1 and Linnet 3
 
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BrianR

Senior Member
A Ruff was still present at Loch Sandary, North Uist today while at Scolpaig two Red-necked Phalaropes flew S calling quite high up and a Whitethroat was present briefly in the gorse bushes.
 

Bruce

Senior Member
After doing our usual early morning circuit around Brevig and Creachan, Kathy and I were heading off in the car to check Glen and Castlebay. About 200 m from our house, I noticed something bright perched on the side of a willow in the 'Hermit Clump'. Reversing back, we realised it was a Golden Oriole, less than 10m from the car. I couldn't get my camera out quickly enough as it flew up the hillside and out of view. We spent the next 40 minutes trying to relocate it and were on the verge of giving up when it reappeared back in its original spot. I managed to get a very distant record shot from my back garden. After a further 10 minutes it flew to the a garden at the end of Brevig, but despite a thorough search wasn't seen again.
There was another female Hawfinch at Ardmhor later in the morning; my 3rd on Barra so far this spring and my 16th over the past 3 years. Also today at least 3 Spotted Flycatchers around the island, the Purple Heron was still at Loch an Ali and the Great Tit was back at Creachan.

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