• 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, 22nd October 2020. Updated throughout the day

Hirta St Kilda
A *Bluethroat* was seen in village bay opposite the Manse

Carinish, North Uist
At least 16 Fieldfare were there this morning

Balgarva, South Uist
At least four Slavonian Grebes were offshore this morning

West Gerinish, South Uist
A female Scaup, four Pink-footed Geese and 33 Whooper Swans were in the south-west corner of Loch Bee this morning. The juvenile *American Golden Plover* was still near LA2 in the morning.

Druidibeg Plantation, South Uist
A Yellow-browed Warbler, Willow Warbler, 12+ Fieldfare and a male Crossbill were seen there this morning. A Pied Flycatcher was nearby at Kinloch B&B

Gleann, Barra
A Hawfinch was there this morning and a Siberian Chiffchaff was nearby at Sgallairidh


22nd October 2020 039.JPG
Bluethroat (C) and courtesy of Soay Sheep Project
 
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Andrew

Senior Member
Took advantage of the superb weather today following the recent rains and gales to head over to Barra to see if the bluetail had survived the deluge and yes it had showing very well at times.

Also at Creachan several brambling and blackcaps and 1 siskin.

At Castlebay a non-calling Siberian type chiffchaff, and 6 fieldfare amongst redwings.

In my garden today were 3 brambling, 4 fieldfare, 2 blackcaps and a chiffchaff.

cheers, Andrew.

bluetail 1_1.jpg bluetail 2_1.jpg bluetail 3_1.jpg bluetail 4_1.jpg Sibe type chiffchaff_1.jpg
 

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
News from Ness

A glorious day after two dreadful ones.

Port of Ness
Sea Eagle – one flew N up the west coast towards the Butt (am)
Goldeneye – 2 flew over (am)
Water Rail – one saved by neighbours from being killed by cats: released unharmed in Fivepenny marsh
Chiffchaff – 1
Twite – 2 by the harbour

Skigersta
Lesser Redpoll – one
Whooper Swan – 2 family groups in off the sea

The Butt
Pink-footed Geese – 4 over
Golden Plover – 3 near lighthouse
Twite – 1
Whooper Swan – 4 flew N over the lighthouse!

South Dell
(Wood Warbler – no sign today)
Yellow-browed Warbler – one – first seen for several days
Chiffchaff – 1
Long-tailed Tit – 6
Blackcap – 1
Lesser Redpoll – 1

Cetaceans (Natalie & Ian)
Common Dolphin – 30 close in to Port of Ness breakwater
Bottlenose Dolphin - 1
White-beaked Dolphin – 10+, one km out
 
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