Chris Johnson
Senior Member
Ardivachar
250 (190 + 60) Barnacle Geese flying north, quite high.
250 (190 + 60) Barnacle Geese flying north, quite high.
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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
8th April 2017
- Thread starter Chris Johnson
- Start date
Hawkeye
Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Elsewhere around the islands...
Rubha Ardvule, South Uist
Of interest during a 3 hour seawatch this morning 96 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 24 Barnacle Geese and a Great Skua all flying north. Recorded flying south were 92 Razorbills, 41 Gannets, 14 Fulmars, and 13 Kittiwakes.
2 Black-tailed Godwits were present at the nearby Loch Ardvule.
Butt of Lewis
This morning, a flock of 6 Lapland Buntings (5 males) around the pool c500 yards west of the lighthouse, in with Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 2 Iceland Gulls
400+ Golden Plover on Eoropie Machair
90 Pink-footed Geese by the nearby Ness Social Club at (0725) had gone (or moved) by late morning
Loch Stiapavat, Lewis
This afternoon:-
Port of Ness
5 Iceland Gulls at the roost this evening
plus
***Gyr Falcon*** (white morph) - Tony says "I decided to end the day in my neighbours’ garden behind my house in Port of Ness. As I was scanning across to Loch Stiapavat at about 18.25, I found myself looking at a large white falcon crossing the southern end of the loch, mobbed by a Herring Gull. It carried on southwards over Habost and down the coast towards North Dell. I managed to obtain two photos before it went over a hill out of sight; but they are grainy and dull, as I was looking into the low evening sun. It was similar to the bird I saw over the Butt on 18 March. There have been several recent claims and reports, and no doubt the same bird is involved. RBA’s phrase ‘mobile and elusive’ could not be bettered for this charismatic and fast-moving raptor. I was within a few yards of adding it to my house and garden list. Next time…"
Photo courtesy of Tony Marr
Photo courtesy of Tony Marr
Rubha Ardvule, South Uist
Of interest during a 3 hour seawatch this morning 96 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 24 Barnacle Geese and a Great Skua all flying north. Recorded flying south were 92 Razorbills, 41 Gannets, 14 Fulmars, and 13 Kittiwakes.
2 Black-tailed Godwits were present at the nearby Loch Ardvule.
Butt of Lewis
This morning, a flock of 6 Lapland Buntings (5 males) around the pool c500 yards west of the lighthouse, in with Skylarks and Meadow Pipits. 1 juv Glaucous Gull, 2 Iceland Gulls
400+ Golden Plover on Eoropie Machair
90 Pink-footed Geese by the nearby Ness Social Club at (0725) had gone (or moved) by late morning
Loch Stiapavat, Lewis
This afternoon:-
- a single Swallow and Sand Martin
- Whooper Swans – 8 on the loch at (0725) had gone by late morning (first seen yesterday afternoon)
- Barnacle Geese – the usual 100 or so
- Pinkfooted Geese – 120
- Greenland Whitefronted Geese - two
- Lapland Buntings – four males around the sheep troughs in the field down to the hide flew off when disturbed by a tractor (see photo)
- White-tailed Eagle – four immatures came in from the direction of The Minch over Knockaird, watched from the reserve hide, and headed south down the island. In the near-gale force wind, it took ten minutes for them all to pass (13.18 – 13.28)
Port of Ness
5 Iceland Gulls at the roost this evening
plus
***Gyr Falcon*** (white morph) - Tony says "I decided to end the day in my neighbours’ garden behind my house in Port of Ness. As I was scanning across to Loch Stiapavat at about 18.25, I found myself looking at a large white falcon crossing the southern end of the loch, mobbed by a Herring Gull. It carried on southwards over Habost and down the coast towards North Dell. I managed to obtain two photos before it went over a hill out of sight; but they are grainy and dull, as I was looking into the low evening sun. It was similar to the bird I saw over the Butt on 18 March. There have been several recent claims and reports, and no doubt the same bird is involved. RBA’s phrase ‘mobile and elusive’ could not be bettered for this charismatic and fast-moving raptor. I was within a few yards of adding it to my house and garden list. Next time…"
Photo courtesy of Tony Marr
Photo courtesy of Tony Marr