• 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
Outer Hebrides / Western Isles bird sightings for today, 26th March 2018. Updated throughout the day

Balranald, North Uist
A female Wheatear was seen early this morning and a male Wheatear was seen early afternoon on Balranald reserve. A single Snow Bunting was on the beach at Aird an Runair.

Loch Paible, North Uist
18 Whooper Swans were seen late afternoon plus a further 26 stopped off at Loch Sandary.

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
Weather: Wind S F2, mostly bright and sunny. Temp 1.6 - 7C.
A three hour seawatch this morning produced 12 Barnacle Geese (N), 11 Eider (6S 5N), 2 Red-throated Divers (1S 1N), 1 Manx Shearwater (N), 72 Gannets (7S 65N), 62 Shag (13S 49N), 3 Cormorants (2S 1N), 14 Oystercatchers (N), 8 Kittiwakes (2s 6N), 1 Great Skua (S), 1 Guillemot (N), 1 Razorbill (N), 9 auk sp (2S 7N) and 2 Skylarks (S)
Also present in the area were Greylag Goose 6, Shelduck 12, Wigeon 42, Teal 1, Tufted Duck 2, Red-breasted Merganser 7, Red-throated Diver 3, Great Northern Diver 19, Shag 18, Cormorant 9, Golden Plover 1, Snipe 1, Sanderling 130, Pied Wagtail 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Rock Pipit 2 and Otter 1
 

Chris Johnson

Senior Member
Ardivachar.

Two small skeins of Barnacle Geese this morning (22 and 20) heading north. A small indication of some migration.
 

BrianR

Senior Member
A skein of geese (ca.30) also headed N off Aird an Runair, North Uist in the late morning (too far out for specific identification). The ♂ Green-winged Teal was present again on Loch a' Roe and there were three Snow Buntings with a Twite flock between the headland and RSPB visitor centre.
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Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Ness news from Tony Marr:-

After five weeks of very little bird activity, today saw the first significant arrivals and departures of the spring on a lovely calm sunny day.

Port of Ness
Whooper Swan – two flew in off the sea SE-NW early in the morning and flew towards Loch Stiapavat.

Loch Stiapavat
Barnacle Goose – 92 today was the largest number so far this year (usually 70-80).
Whooper Swan – two have been present for several weeks: in late afternoon they took off and went off out to sea to NW over the Butt.
Moorhen – one present now since 20th.

The Butt
Whooper Swan – 9 came up the Minch from SE (0845) and headed on past the lighthouse and off out to sea to the NW out of sight.
Hen Harrier – one ringtail.
Iceland Gull - 2nd–W on the pool near the lighthouse.
Bonxie – one W-E past the lighthouse was the first of the year.
Snow Bunting – 3 (one male) on clifftop SW of the lighthouse.

Skigersta
*WHITE-BILLED DIVER* - In late afternoon two about 500 yards off the pier, their yellowish bills shining in the sunlight.
 
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