• 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, 28th October 2019. Updated throughout the day

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
11+ Waxwings were again by the entrance to the hospital today

Langass Woods, North Uist
A male ***Two-barred Crossbill*** was seen there late morning while others were heard in the vacinity. 5 birds were seen later in the day plus 200+ Siskins were also present [see post below]

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
Counting period: 07:35 - 10:50
Weather: Wind N veering NE f3, mix of Sunny periods and slow moving showers. Temp 6-8C

A 3+ hour seawatch this mornng produced 21 Eider (15S 6N), 1 Common Scoter [female] (S), 18 Long-tailed Duck (7S 11N), 4 Red-throated Divers (3S 1N), 2 Great Northern Divers (N), 4 Gannets (N), 49 Shag (5S 44N), 3 Cormorants (S), 2 Kittiwakes (S) and 4 auk sp (N).
Also present in the area were Greylag Goose 4, Wigeon 1, Tufted Duck 60, Scaup 1, Red-throated Diver 4, Great Northern Diver 1, Grey Heron 1, White-tailed Eagle 3, Common Buzzard 1, Golden Plover 45, Black-tailed Godwit 3, **White-rumped Sandpiper** 1 [juvenile], Snipe 8, Redshank 18, Merlin 1, Hooded Crow 4, Raven 2, Skylark 34, Meadow Pipit 4, Rock Pipit 2 and Twite 37
 
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BrianR

Senior Member
Shortly after entering Langass Woods this morning I heard the diagnostic 'toy-trumpet' calls of Two-barred Crossbill. A short while later I had very good views of a male and much later still flight views of five. It proved difficult to tie them down but eventually managed some distant photos of at least two in a sitka spruce. Still present in the afternoon but I only managed further flight views. Good numbers of Siskins were also present, possibly our largest number since an exceptional passage in 2007.
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Bruce

Senior Member
On Barra the Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at Castlebay. A Waxwing was at Nasg. The Siberian Chiffchaff was still at Creachan along with 2 Common Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 12 Common Redpolls and 2 Siskins. A further 15 Common Redpolls were at Northbay.
 
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