• 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, 29th December 2020. Updated throughout the day

The Butt of Lewis
A general westward movement of gulls included 4+ Iceland Gulls and 5 Glaucous Gulls (see post below)

Balranald, North Uist
Circa 50 Snow Buntings were still on the reserve today

Balgarva, South Uist
An *American Golden Plover* was seen there early afternoon

Kilpheder, South Uist
An immature Glaucous Gull was seen there today

Rubha Ardvule, South Uist
Counting period: 09:05-11:15
Weather: Wind N f5 easing to f4. 8/8 cloud with showers at first, brighter later. Temp 5C.

A 2 hour seawatch this morning produced 6 Red-throated Divers (1S 5N), 3 Gannets (N), 23 Shag (1S 22N), 9 Great Black-backed Gulls (1S 8N) and 4 Razorbills (N).
Also present in the area were Greylag Goose 27, Gadwall 2, Wigeon 26, Teal 2, Tufted Duck 7, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Red-throated Diver 1, Cormorant 7, White-tailed Eagle 1, Hooded Crow 11, Raven 1, Pied Wagtail 2 and Twite 1
 

Bruce

Senior Member
Barra.
The Velvet Scoter was still off the jetty at Eoligarry and further up the beach there was a mixed flock of 25 Snow Buntings and 12 Greenfinches. A juv Glaucous Gull was on Vatersay.

DSCN1456.JPG
 

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
News from Tristan:-

There was a westerly movement of gulls, mainly Great Black-backs, past the Butt of Lewis this morning in N5-6 wind with showers. Along with them were 5 Glaucous and at least 4 Iceland Gulls. Most were juvs, and another juv Iceland was on the machair near Loch Stiapabhat.

One female Hawfinch is still appearing regularly in my garden. Yesterday (28th), it was eating crab apples rather than the usual seeds fallen from the feeders.
 
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