Skye Birds - A Birding Guide to the Isle of Skye
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Bird sightings on the Island of Skye and the neighbouring area

The objective of this page is to keep everyone, locals and visitors, up to date with what birds are about. It is therefore dependent on everyone contacting me as quickly as possible to ensure I can update the site so that others might benefit from the observations. In the case of rarer species details would also be passed on the Highland Recorder Peter Stronach (  who may require a full description before the record was accepted. This website will very much be locally focused but some records will be included in the SOC Highland website www.highlandbirds.scot. and may also reach national sites.  We have complete discretion as to what information is added to these pages and will try to avoid any details which might reveal breeding sites of vulnerable species.  It is impossible to record everything reported and for the more regularly observed species, we would encourage the use of 'Birdtrack' - http://blx1.bto.org/birdtrack.  Records sent to us are also submitted to Birdtrack.

Date Species Image Details
20th Oct 2019 Redwing/Fieldfare big fall over Kinloch, Rum, with several hundred of each species (SM); mixed flock of 1200 at Attadale, Strathcarron (DM);
20th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 11 in the Kylerhea Narrows (PS)
19th Oct 2019 Magpie presumably the long staying bird - at Totescore ( L.Brooke)
19th Oct 2019 Barnacle Goose View Image two west over Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC)
19th Oct 2019 Greenshank 7 in Breakish Obbe (NH)
19th Oct 2019 Kittiwake 500+ in Broadford Bay + single Great Skua & Arctic Skua (NB)
19th Oct 2019 Little Gull View Image juvenile with Kittiwakes in Broadford Bay (NB)
19th Oct 2019 Common Scoter two in Broadford Bay (NB)
19th Oct 2019 Wigeon flock of 50 at Ardintoul, Lochalsh (RF)
18th Oct 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler single with a mixed tit flock at Miller’s Cottage, Eigg (JC)
16th Oct 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler single in Kilmory Glen, Rum, and three Chiffchaff (SM)
16th Oct 2019 Redwing View Image 300+ at Heaste & 30 Fieldfare (NB); also 400 in the s/east of Eigg (JC)
15th Oct 2019 Red Kite View Image single over the crofts at Loch Bay, Waternish, today (SP)
14th Oct 2019 Redwing View Image huge arrival from n/west this morning with estimated 3000 through Broadford (NH)
14th Oct 2019 Jack Snipe View Image single flushed again in Church Park, Eigg (JC)
14th Oct 2019 Fieldfare View Image 40 over Kildonan, Eigg + 10 Mistletoe Thrush & a Chiffchaff in Kildonan Glen (JC)
14th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 8 & a single Barnacle Goose over Kilmory, Rum (SM)
14th Oct 2019 Blackcap View Image female in Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
14th Oct 2019 Skylark View Image very few winter on Skye - single seen flying from Meanish towards western isles (AS)
14th Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 35 over Fernaig, Lochalsh (DM)
13th Oct 2019 Glaucous Gull View Image report from Aird Bernisdale this morning
13th Oct 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image feeding flock of 25 in Kilmarie Bay, Loch Slapin, this morning - + 3 Great Northerns (RMcM)
13th Oct 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler single still in sycamores behind Skye Candles, Broadford + a Chiffchaff (MB)
13th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image drake still in Broadford Bay (MB)
13th Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image skein of 113 s/east over Portree (NB)
13th Oct 2019 Slavonian Grebe excellent count of 9 at Port an Eorna, Duirinish (RF)
12th Oct 2019 Arctic Tern View Image still three in Broadford Bay (MB) + drake Long-tailed Duck still (NB)
12th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image five in Loch Poolteil in morning then 29 over Lephin, Glendale, later (AS); 13 at Loch Suardal (ST); 5 at Ardnish (NB) were possibly the same birds flying south over Kinloch, Sleat later (RMcM); two at Waterloo, Broadford (NB)
12th Oct 2019 Water Rail calling bird at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (ST)
12th Oct 2019 Blackcap View Image male in Kilmory Glen (SM)
12th Oct 2019 Slavonian Grebe 6 in outer Loch Ainort & two in Broadford Bay (NB)
11th Oct 2019 Barnacle Goose View Image 14 south over Kilmory, Rum (SM)
11th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image birds migrating late last night over Lower Milovaig (AS); 9 east over Kildonan, Eigg (JC); 10 resting Duisdale Bay, Sleat (NH) & 10 on Loch Harport (RMcM, JB)
11th Oct 2019 Swallow still some stragglers with singles at Broadford (RMcM) and Portree (TH)
11th Oct 2019 Wheatear View Image straggler in Kinloch Glen, Rum (SM)
11th Oct 2019 Arctic Tern View Image still two in Broadford Bay (MB)
11th Oct 2019 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 20 in Broadford Bay + two Knot and three Golden Plover (RMcM)
11th Oct 2019 Shag colour ringed bird at Meanish Pier has probably been ringed on the Shiants (GMcC) (see Gallery) - also another colour ringed bird at Luib (BB) but still trying to get details
10th Oct 2019 Tufted Duck View Image 16 flew through Broadford Bay (RMcM)
10th Oct 2019 Little Tern View Image two again in Broadford Bay late afternoon & three Arctic Terns (NB
10th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image drake still Broadford Bay (NB)
10th Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image there was an ill straggler at Shamhnan Insir, Rum, which looks as if it has been predated by an Eagle (SM) (see Gallery)
10th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image four at Lochlonghead (PS) & still 8 at Loch Suardal (GMcC)
10th Oct 2019 Goldeneye drake in Loch Carron is 1st of autumn (RMcM)
10th Oct 2019 Merlin View Image male in garden at Kilbride, Torrin (JJ)
9th Oct 2019 Little Tern View Image two small terns noted last night in Broadford Bay were still present this morning with one close inshore (NB,MB,RMcM) - this is an exceptionally late record. Also three Arctic Tern
9th Oct 2019 Little Gull View Image adult in Broadford Bay with Kittiwake (MB)
9th Oct 2019 Velvet Scoter two in Broadford Bay + two Common Scoter (RMcM)
9th Oct 2019 Brent Goose View Image flock of 10 on Glas Eilean, Broadford, late afternoon included a dark bellied bird, extremely rare in the west (NB) (see Gallery)
9th Oct 2019 Arctic Skua View Image four south in the lower Sound of Raasay (RMcM) and a single at the Perches, Eigg (JC)
9th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image drake in a Broadford Bay still + Great Northern Diver & Slavonian Grebe (NB, GA)
8th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image drake still in Broadford Bay (G.Allen)
7th Oct 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler still behind Skye Candles, Broadford (NB)
7th Oct 2019 Chiffchaff singing bird at Lower Milovaig (AS) & singles still behind Skye Candles, Broadford (NB) & Portree (LB)
7th Oct 2019 Jack Snipe View Image first of the autumn at Church Park, Eigg (JC)
7th Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image two lingering at Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
7th Oct 2019 Redwing View Image small numbers at Kinloch Glen, Rum (SM) and at Kildonan Glen, Eigg, where there were also 7 Mistle Thrushes (JC)
7th Oct 2019 Grey Plover View Image two in Broadford Bay (per PK)
6th Oct 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler single again behind Skye Candles, Broadford (MB)
6th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image drake still in Broadford Bay (RMcM)
6th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 7 in Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC) & 5 over Kilmory, Rum (SM); 8 on Loch Suardal (GMcC)
6th Oct 2019 Common Gull 800+ Loch Portree (NB)
6th Oct 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Pooltiel (AS)
6th Oct 2019 Chiffchaff single in Broadford (MB) & two in Portree (NB)
5th Oct 2019 Redwing View Image some passage noted last night and small groups recorded today at Glen Varragill and Broadford with 50 in largest flock (NB,JDJ)
5th Oct 2019 Chiffchaff single in Broadford (NB)
5th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image drake still in Broadford Bay...4 other LTDuck flew east through the area (NB)
5th Oct 2019 Slavonian Grebe two in Broadford Bay (NB) & three reported Loch na Cairidh
4th Oct 2019 Great Northern Diver View Image single in Broadford Bay + drake Common Scoter still (NB)
4th Oct 2019 Chiffchaff single Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
4th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image drake in Broadford Bay (NB)
3rd Oct 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler single at Heaste (NB)
3rd Oct 2019 Twite View Image 120+ at Heaste (NB)
3rd Oct 2019 Lapwing 37 at Drynoch & 40 at Feorlig (RMcM)
3rd Oct 2019 Common Scoter drake in Broadford Bay (NB)
3rd Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 10 on the estuary at Morvich, Kintail (DM)
2nd Oct 2019 Cackling Goose Branta hutchinsi a small Canada Goose of the above form recorded with Barnacles at Duntulm on 7.4.2009 by P.Dolton & M.J. Learoyd (which has been pending) has now been accepted by BBRC. It is a 1st record for Highland.
2nd Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 12 south over Isleornsay (RC)
2nd Oct 2019 Blackcap View Image two at the surgery, Eigg (JC)
2nd Oct 2019 Purple Sandpiper View Image three at Neist Point + a Minke Whale (AS) (see Galleries)
2nd Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image three grounded at Traigh, Morar - left behind from the recent passage! (SMacD)
1st Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image single with Greylags Kildonan, Eigg (JC): passage still today with reports from Loch Morar, Lochailort, Portree, Kyleakin, Flodigarry and Gedintailor - over 500 in several skeins over Kilmory, Rum (SM) with a similar count over Portree (NB)
1st Oct 2019 Chiffchaff two at Portree (NB)
1st Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 11 south at Portree (NB) & 19 over Kyleakin early evening (A&EH)
1st Oct 2019 Common Scoter two drakes in Broadford Bay + three Slavonian Grebes (NB)
1st Oct 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler still behind Skye Candles in Broadford (MB)
30th Sep 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image passage continued through night & 600 through Portree 0700-0730 (NB); skeins also through Earlish (NH),Kyleakin (A&EH), Lower Milovaig (AS), Broadford (NB) & Caroy (MS) + Gedintailor (CA) - more than 1000 over Kilmory, Rum (SM) & skeins also over Lochailort (SMacD) - passage continuing well into evening so 48 hours now
30th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler singles in Broadford (NB) and Harrapool (MB)
30th Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 25 heading east at Kilmory, Rum, landed on sea (SM); also 5 south of Arisaig (RD) & 13 over Kyleakin early evening (A&EH)
30th Sep 2019 Orca two reported north past Neist Point early evening (per PK)
30th Sep 2019 Merlin View Image female at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (AH)
29th Sep 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image skeins on the move south from just before midnight last night with widespread reports from Morar, Rum, Portnalong, Gedintailor, Portree, Ardnish, Kyleakin, Ardnish, Drumfearn, Uig ........probably some count duplication but involving thousands of birds continuing well into this evening eg 28 skeins through Portree late evening (NB) - thanks to multiple observers
29th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler two at Drumfearn, Sleat (PK)
29th Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 24 s/east over Portree early evening (NB)
29th Sep 2019 Lesser Redpoll View Image big flocks in Portree forestry with combined totals c180; also c80 Siskin (NB)
28th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler still at Drumfearn + a Chiffchaff (PK)
28th Sep 2019 Willow Warbler View Image late single Kilmory Glen, Rum + Chiffchaff & Blackcap (SM)
28th Sep 2019 Slavonian Grebe single at Camas an Sgianadin, Broadford (NB)
27th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler single at Tigh na Drochaid, Portree (NB) (see Gallery); single still at Drumfearn (PK)
27th Sep 2019 Water Rail more images of the Elgol juvenile in the Gallery - this bird was first photographed on August 11 so may well have fledged locally (D.Wright)
27th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image single in Broadford Bay (NB)
27th Sep 2019 Chiffchaff single at Corry, Broadford (NB)
26th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler calling bird at Drumfearn, Sleat (PK)
26th Sep 2019 Water Rail juvenile recorded and photographed at garden pond at Elgol (DW) - see Gallery
25th Sep 2019 Corncrake View Image The 2019 survey results for corncrakes, one of Scotland’s rarest breeding birds, reinforce the vulnerability of the species RSPB Scotland has warned. Only 870 calling male corncrakes were recorded in the core areas that are annually surveyed this summer, down from 897 in 2018. There were only 13 calling males recorded on Skye.
25th Sep 2019 Chiffchaff singles in Portree forestry (NB) and Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
25th Sep 2019 Ring Ouzel View Image single in Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
25th Sep 2019 Blackcap View Image single in Portree forestry (NB)
24th Sep 2019 Short-eared Owl View Image remains of a bird found at Kilmory, Rum, - probably predated by an Eagle (SM) (see Gallery)
24th Sep 2019 Western Isles see the Blog for details of a recent visit to the western isles
24th Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Poolteil coming to fish guttings (AS) (see Gallery)
23rd Sep 2019 Sandwich Tern View Image two at Kilmory, Rum (SM) and two at Broadford Bay (MB)
23rd Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single in Breakish Obbe, Broadford (NH)
22nd Sep 2019 Greenshank 6 in Breakish Obbe (NH)
22nd Sep 2019 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image three in Staffin Bay with Curlews (MP)
22nd Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image two at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (WH)
22nd Sep 2019 Common Redstart single at Lower Milovaig + a Treecreeper - a few migrants on the move (AS) (see Gallery)
22nd Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull present again at Loch Poolteil (AS) (see Gallery)

© 2019 Skye Birds