Skye Birds - A Birding Guide to the Isle of Skye

Corncrakes on Skye

27th April 2012
Corncrake season is here! As with previous years, all reports from Skye Birds visitors will be really helpful for me with the RSPB corncrake survey. The first 2012 arrivals were on Islay a couple of weeks ago - those on Colonsay were a couple of days earlier than usual. On Skye last year the first regularly calling male began on 25th April on Trotternish so they should be appearing here any day now. Best time to hear them is at night but they often call through the day too. Croft land is their preferred habitat and it's recommeded to listen from roadsides and not to enter the meadows.
 
All reports are greatly appreciated either through this website or directly to Shelagh Parlane on 01470 582498 or 07771545409.

Andrew Currie

6th April 2012

Andrew Currie died peacefully in Broadford Hospital on 27th March, 2012, and family and friends celebrated his life at a service in the Church of Scotland, Broadford, on Monday past.  Born in Edinburgh in 1930, Andrew moved to Skye with his family in 1976 whilst he was working with the Nature Conservancy Council and quickly established a reputation as an individual who cared as much about people as natural history, and saw the two as inextricably mixed.  Always quiet and unassuming, Andrew was an accomplished naturalist but in typical style, admitted to a little knowledge about botany and not too much about birds, which was far from the truth.  He was a founding member of the Skye Branch of the Scottish Wildife Trust and for many years its Chairman.  He was also a lifelong member of the South-West Ross Field Club.  Andrew's regular Nature Diary in the West Highland Free Press became something of a local institution.  He gave freely of his information and knowledge and much of his ornithological data was incorporated in Skye Birds when it was first published in 2005.  A full obituary by Jim Crumley appeared in the WHFP on this date.  Our sincere condolences go to Hazel, Duncan and Malcolm.

Highland Bird Report 2009

The Highland Bird Report for 2009 has just been published.  Produced by the Highland Branch of the SOC the reports contains records of the 225 species recorded in the region in 2009.  Three species were recorded for the first time - Red-rumped Swallow, River Warbler, and Sandhill Crane.  There are 150 pages, with regional summaries (including Skye and Lochalsh), and a number of colour photographs.  The website holds a small number of copies which are available at a cost of £8 ....or £10 including postage.

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