31st August 2017

[MisterT]

A bit surprising to see family group of 5 Whooper Swans (1 adult, 4 juveniles) on Loch Ceann a' Bhaigh, South Uist, and interesting to speculate if they are just very early arrivals or local breeders. They are not our “local pair” as they only have 3 cygnets and were seen today nearby. They too are now fully fledged and still together as a family group.

 

[BrianR]

North Uist: three Ruff were near Aird an Runair in the late morning while a little movement past the end (in one hour) included a Great Northern Diver and 22 Shags S and 67 Manx Shearwaters N. Over 80 Shags have been seen moving S in any one seawatch recently (according to The Birds of Scotland post-breeding dispersal over short distances and mainly involving young birds). Also perhaps of interest were a couple of Ravens on Causamul that later departed there and were lost to sight apparently heading to St Kilda that was clearly visible.

At Loch Sandary there were 12 Black-tailed Godwits. Later during an evening walk with the dogs at Eachkamish (Baleshare) what was almost certainly a Pectoral Sandpiper came over calling continuously. Unfortunately it was not that close and a search at Traigh Eachkamish where it appeared to have come down was unsuccessful. Call not unlike Curlew Sandpiper but shorter and harder.

 

[Hawkeye]

9 Sooty Shearwaters seen from the Ullapool - Stornoway ferry around midday

News from Tony Marr in Ness, Lewis
Butt of Lewis, Ness today
Sea-watch (0900-1245, N3, sunny with excellent vis.) produced:-
350 Manx Shearwater – E->W,
2 Great Skua
1 Arctic Skua – E->W
10 Wigeon – NW->SE into the Minch (1115)
103 Sooty Shearwater – E->W
Lapland Bunting – one flushed from long grass near the pool 500 yds W of the lighthouse (0820): chased by a Merlin which it eventually shook off, and the bunting flew on S.
(Tony also notes: Risso’s Dolphin – 6 passed E->W in front of the lighthouse @ 10:05am)

Some sightings from previous days are:-
Wed. 30th – 1 Sooty Shearwater W (30 min sea-watch only)
Sun 27th – Common Swift by Loch Stiapabhat (11:50)
Thurs 24th - 60 Barn Swallows & a Sand Martin over Port of Ness