• 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, 28th March 2018. Updated throughout the day

Gallan Head, Isle of Lewis
Late news of an Osprey seen there yesterday

Loch na Tiumpan, Isle of Lewis
30 Whooper Swans were on the loch today and another seven were nearby on Loch an Duin at Point

Loch Brusda, Berneray
17 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at the north end of the loch plus a flock of 105 flew WSW at 10.15. Another two flocks numbering 54 and 34 arrivied at East Beach low from the NE at 11.25 hr and 11.55. A Great Skua was seen offshore in the Sound of Harris

Newton, North Uist
a drake *American Wigeon* was on Loch an Sticir

Scotvein, Grimsay
19 Greenland White-fronted Geese flew south around midday.

Kilpheder, South Uist
2 adult Greenland White-fronted Geese were on the machair there this morning whilst 243 Whooper Swans flew north early morning

South Glendale, South Uist
The Great Tit is still in a garden there
 

BrianR

Senior Member
Some observations from North Uist today: 59 pale-bellied Brent Geese and an adult Iceland Gull were at Rubh' Arnal; a 2CY Glaucous Gull was near Balemore; at Aird an Runair a flock of at least 40 migrant Oystercatchers flew N and ten Snipe on beach/seaweed were new (have been quite scarce this winter); a skein of possible Greenland White-fronts that flew N near Loch Sandary were perhaps the same as the 16 at Loch na Reivil later; and 46 Whooper Swans were at Loch nam Feithean. Also here was a Lapwing with large areas of white in primaries.
 

Bruce

Senior Member
Whooper Swans were on the move over Barra today. A flock of 50 flew north over Bruernish this morning and a further 40 flew north over Borve this afternoon. The parvipes type Canada Goose was still on Borve Point and a juvenile Iceland Gull was feeding on whale remains near the cemetery. There was also a very dark 1w Herring Gull hanging around. On first impressions it was very reminiscent of American Herring Gull, with smooth looking dark cinnamon tinged under parts and contrastingly pale head. Unfortunately the tail pattern let it down. Although the black tail band was broader than most 1w Herrings and the rump was heavily marked, it fell short of broad black horseshoe pattern of American Herring. Next time maybe!
 
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