• 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
Outer Hebrides / Western Isles bird sightings for today, 31st August 2018

Loch Stiapavat, Isle of Lewis
An adult ***Franklin's Gull*** was seen in the early evening before flying to the fileds on the north side and later reported in fields to the east of the loch, circa 100 yards NW of the water tower (See Tony Marr's report below)

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
Counting period: 07:30 - 09:25
Weather: Wind SSE F3 increasing F5. 0/8 cloud, bright and sunny.

A near 2 hour seawatch this morning produced 2 Red-throated Divers (S), 11 Fulmars (3S 8N), 2 Manx Shearwaters (S), 1 Grey Heron (S - in off the sea), 78 Gannets (74S 4N), 12 Shag (3S 9N), 4 Cormorants (S), 5 Kittiwakes (4S 1N) and 3 auk sp (2S 1N).
Also present in the area were Greylag Goose 57, Mute Swan 1, Shoveler 1, Mallard 70, Teal 2, Red-breasted Merganser 4, Cormorant 12, Hen Harrier 1, Knot 4, Black-headed Gull 1, Great Black-backed Gull 31, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Razorbill 4, Peregrine 1, Pied Wagtail 2, Meadow Pipit 57 and Twite 7
 

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
News from Tony Marr at Ness

A moulting adult Franklin’s Gull was present around Loch Stiapabhat this afternoon and evening. It first appeared flying in from the west to settle in front of the hide at (16.23), and stopped to bathe for just four minutes before it flew off again. It appeared to drop down to join the regular flock of gulls which gather on the machair on the east side of The Decca B&B, where sure enough it was refound a little later when Tristan ap Rheinallt joined me in the search. While we were watching it during a near-gale which had developed, it flew again and finally dropped into the fields high on the east side of the loch, only 100 or so yards NW of the Water Tower. It was still there, hunkered down in the grass with half a dozen other gulls, when we left at (1850).

Also present there this afternoon were a Canada Goose, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Red Knot flying S and two ringtail Hen Harriers flying together.

The Franklin’s appears to be only the second record for the Western Isles, the first being one on South Uist for more than a week in August 1985.

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