• 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

    New - now available as an ebook

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Western Isles / Outer Hebrides bird sightings for today, 16th October 2020. Updated throughout the day

Claddach Vallay, North Uist
A Mistle Thrush and a Blackcap were seen there today.

Rubh' Arnal, North Uist
Six Pale-bellied Brent Geese were there and circa 14 Lapland Buntings were between the point and Balemore. 34 Fieldfare were also at Balemore.

Carinish, North Uist
A Blackcap was there today. A Whimbrel was also in the area

Langass Lodge, North Uist
A Crossbill, Chiffchaff and a Fieldfare were there today. Another three Crossbills were seen in Langass Community Woods.

The Range, South Uist
The Pectoral Sandpiper and Ruff were there this morning on the pools near LA2 [see post below]

Grogarry, South Uist
The Iceland Gull was seen briefly this morning opposite Kinloch B&B

Druidibeg Plantation, South Uist
4 Crossbills, 1 Willow Warbler and a flock of mixed thrushes, around 60 birds, mostly Redwings were there today

Rubha Ardvule, South Uist
A Lapland Bunting was seen there this afternoon

Ekd2WmYWMAIyN0e.jpg
Crossbill, Langass, North Uist
 

MisterT

Always Birding
Loch Bee was quiet during an early WeBS count today but 64 Whooper Swans was the highest count for several years and it was good to find 66 Greenland White-front Geese on their favoured fields. A lone Fieldfare was on the machair at Gerinish. South Ford was also quiet with a count of 88 Grey Plover but it was brightened by a single Snow Bunting near Hebridean Jewellery. The Pectoral Sandpiper and Ruff were still on the pools by Launch Area 2 but unfortunately they are not within the count area.

Pec Sand IN8A3761.jpg Ruff IN8A3751.jpg Pec and Ruff IN8A3744.jpg Snow Bunting IN8A3795.jpg
 

Bruce

Senior Member
Barra.
Another Hawfinch at Creachan today, most probably the 4th on Barra in the past fortnight. Also 3+ Yellow-browed Warblers, 1 Pied Flycatcher, a Siberian Chiffchaff, c10 Blackcaps, several Woodcock, c40 Brambling and a minimum of 150 Fieldfares around the island today.
 

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
News from Ness:-

Nothing special to report for Wednesday and Thursday, but more exciting today.

Butt of Lewis (am)
Jack Snipe – 3
Common Snipe – a flock of 14 in off the sea by the lighthouse and flew on S (am)
Golden Plover – 12 on the short grass area by the lighthouse (am)
Redwing – one in the lighthouse compound (am)

Eoropie Cemetery (am)
Golden Plover – 270 (one with white primaries)

Port of Ness (pm)
Barred Warbler one in sycamores by 9 Port of Ness (presumed not to be the bird seen in South Dell on 5 October)
Hawfinchone in garden opposite the cafe in late afternoon
Goldcrest – 1
Blackcap – 1
Redwing – 25+ birds arriving at dusk

Eoropie
Hawfinch – one in a garden near the Children’s Play Park (Jean & Tony Hawkett)

South Dell
Long-tailed Tit3 in gardens on east side of the main road – not seen here before

Tiumpan Head
2 Sooty Shearwater feeding close inshore.
2 bull Orca north through Minch seen at distance.
3 pods of Risso’s Dolphin. 1 group of 6 some 50yds off shore.
Many Common Dolphin
Also Blue-fin Tuna
 
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