Isle of Skye birding guide

WELCOME

The island of Skye is unique though the systematic recording of its wildlife is a recent development. By highlighting the wide variety of birds which can be seen, we hope to encourage locals and visitors to record their bird observations, stimulate involvement in fieldwork, and contribute to the conservation and protection of a number of rare and spectacular birds so that future generations can enjoy birding, against the most dramatic backdrop in Britain.

....and not just Skye

reports and images are regularly received from Lochalsh, from neighbouring west Lochaber, and parts of south-west Ross-shire which are included in the site. We are delighted that the website has become a popular resource for the wider area.

From the gallery

The Gallery features birds photographed on Skye or the neighbouring area by local photographers or visitors to the area. There are also images captured on other birding trips within Scotland and overseas.

View gallery

Recent reports

Keep up to date with recent bird sightings not just from Skye, but also Lochalsh and neighbouring areas. These are updated on a daily basis and the archive contains records for the last eighteen years.

04th July 2025

Short-eared Owl

a pair are thought to have fledged two young near Dunvegan; another pair attempted to breed Broadford but probably failed (RMcM); another territory occupied in Strathaird (IR)

04th July 2025

Kittiwake

75+ in Broadford Bay (MB)

03rd July 2025

Black-tailed Godwit

more passage through Broadford Bay with 26 early afternoon building up to 64 later (NB,RMcM)

01st July 2025

House Sparrow

leucistic juvenile at Uig (SM - see Gallery)

30th June 2025

Jay

two in forestry at Balmacara (DM)

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Where to go

With a landmass covering 535 square miles, at no point more than 5 miles from the sea and lochs penetrating deep inland towards a huge and spectacular mountain mass, Skye allows you to experience a whole range of species in an unsurpassed setting.

Bird watching is likely to be rewarding throughout the district. The 'Where to Go' map allows you to look at sites which are reasonably accessible and which have been visited regularly during the last few years.

Where to go

THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean