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 John Poyner (  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
2nd Apr 2020 Chiffchaff single at Budmhor, Portree (NH)
2nd Apr 2020 Meadow Pipit View Image 120 at Uig (SG)
2nd Apr 2020 Iceland Gull View Image 2nd winter bird at Uig Bay (SG)
2nd Apr 2020 Common Crossbill View Image pair in forestry at Camas na Sgianadin, Broadford during daily walk (RMcM)
2nd Apr 2020 Canada Goose View Image two at Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC)
1st Apr 2020 Iceland Gull View Image 2cy bird at Portree - seen from kitchen window (NB); two juveniles at Uig Bay late afternoon (ML)
1st Apr 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 9 at Black Lochs, Broadford (A&EH) & four at Loch nan Dubrachan, Sleat (RMcM)
1st Apr 2020 Song Thrush View Image early incubation noted at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
1st Apr 2020 Garden Birds reports today included Red-throated Diver at Kilbride, Bullfinch at Fernlea, Reed Bunting and male Hen Harrier at Scullamus
1st Apr 2020 Jack Snipe View Image single on Glas Eilean, Broadford (MB)
1st Apr 2020 Barn Owl View Image one calling Portree (when putting the bin out) (MH)
31st Mar 2020 Sand Martin View Image first of the year, single on Broadford River (NB) & three at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (RD)
31st Mar 2020 Common Crossbill View Image territorial pair in Kinloch plantation, Sleat, on my daily walk (RMcM)
31st Mar 2020 Bar-tailed Gowit 16 at Waterloo, Broadford (JB)
31st Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image five on the Black Lochs, Broadford (S.Parry)
31st Mar 2020 Redwing View Image 140 in Harrapool (MB)
30th Mar 2020 Coronavirus Update just a reminder that the sightings posted here are from folks gardens or daily local walks, essential work etc in line with govt guidelines.
30th Mar 2020 Lapland Bunting female on croft in Harrapool (NB - seen on mail delivery!)
30th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 29 at the head of Loch Portree (NB)
30th Mar 2020 Silver Pheasant female now happily with hens at Skeabost (named Gretel 🤔) (Elaine Ferguson) (see Gallery)
29th Mar 2020 Magpie single at Treaslane Woods (DFMacd) - maybe the same bird recently at Isleornsay
29th Mar 2020 Golden Plover 9 on Ardnish, Broadford (NH) & 8 at the Aird, Gedintailor (WM)
29th Mar 2020 Slavonian Grebe five off Ardnish (NH) and a Great Skua (MB)
29th Mar 2020 White-tailed Eagle View Image up to 8 sub-adults seen from Milovaig (AS)
29th Mar 2020 Blackcap View Image still two males at Isleornsay (RC)
29th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image still two juveniles at Bayfield, Portree (NB)
28th Mar 2020 Pink-footed Goose View Image skeins totalling 62 north from Milovaig (AS); 50 grey geese north at Isleornsay were possibly Pink-feet (RC); 81 over Broadford included Greylags & Pinkfeet (NB)
28th Mar 2020 Tree Sparrow wintering bird still present Lower Milovaig(AS)
28th Mar 2020 White-tailed Eagle View Image four sub-adult birds seen from the garden at Lower Milovaig (AS)
28th Mar 2020 Linnet a new arrival in the garden at Lower Milovaig (AS)
28th Mar 2020 Jack Snipe View Image single crossed road in broad daylight at Swordale, Strath (RMcM); another single at the roadside in Glen Varrigall (NB)
28th Mar 2020 Wheatear View Image widespread arrivals now with four at Lower Milovaig (AS);four between Swordale & Torrin (RMcM) and three on the Old Corry loop, Broadford (MB)
28th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 25 on the Black Lochs, Broadford (A&EH)
28th Mar 2020 Slavonian Grebe three off Ardnish, Broadford (NH)
27th Mar 2020 Crossbill sp single, probably a Common, at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
27th Mar 2020 Magpie single at Isleornsay - another good garden bird (RC) (see Gallery)
27th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image adult in Uig Bay (SG)
27th Mar 2020 Slavonian Grebe two off Ardnish, Broadford (NH)
27th Mar 2020 Wheatear View Image two in the Scullamus/Heaste Road today (MB) (see Gallery)
27th Mar 2020 Silver Pheasant our mystery bird has appeared again - this time amongst the hens at Skeabost (GF)
27th Mar 2020 Redwing View Image still a steady stream passing through Dunvegan (CA)
26th Mar 2020 Chiffchaff singing birds Harrapool & Waterloo, Broadford (MB); single at West Suisnish,Raasay (SB)
26th Mar 2020 Wheatear View Image on Milovaig loop walk - 7 males & 2 females (AlisonS); two males Ardnish, Broadford (NH) & a pair at Camas Malag (RMcM)
26th Mar 2020 Black-throated Diver View Image single at the Fishfarm Inverailort + two Red-throated Divers (SC); also a single Ardnish & three Red-throated Divers (NH)
26th Mar 2020 Redwing View Image still big numbers Kinloch, Rum, at least 100+ (SM) & steady movement through Breakish (HS); 80+ Plockton Shinty Pitch (MB)
26th Mar 2020 Slavonian Grebe four off Ardnish, Broadford (NH)
26th Mar 2020 Canada Goose View Image resident pair at Isleornsay joined by four others (RC)
25th Mar 2020 Stock Dove single still on Rum this morning - also singing Chiffchaff (SM)
25th Mar 2020 Wheatear View Image garden birds reported today from Portree (JDJ) and Kildonan (SC) & three at Lower Milovaig (AS); also single at Lub Score (NR) - all males
25th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 4 in Broadford Bay off Waterloo, 5 Shelduck & a Canada Goose (JB)
25th Mar 2020 Lesser Black-backed Gull View Image two at Balmeanach, Braes (WM)
25th Mar 2020 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 17 in Broadford Bay (MB)
25th Mar 2020 Redwing View Image big fall on Rum this morning - 200+ (SM); 35 at Plockton Airstrip & small flock at Harrapool (TR); 150 at Scullamus, Broadford (NB)
24th Mar 2020 Coronavirus the situation has changed rapidly since yesterday’s post and blog. We will continue to report sightings from gardens, walks and from individuals out and about working
24th Mar 2020 Blackcap View Image three visiting feeders at Isleornsay, two males & a female (RC)
24th Mar 2020 Starling two in garden at Kinloch, Rum - these will be migrants as there are no resident breeders on Rum (SM)
24th Mar 2020 Stock Dove single from kitchen window at Kinloch, Rum (SM) - this is probably the 1st record for Rum - we are running a competition for the duration of the lockdown on best birds seen in gardens and that is a great start! (See Gallery)
23rd Mar 2020 Coronavirus please see my Blog for information on recording and this website
23rd Mar 2020 Wheatear View Image two males on Heaste Road (NB) & another at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
23rd Mar 2020 Merlin View Image female in Glen Brittle (PS) and a male on the Heaste Road hunting pipits (NB)
23rd Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 7 heading south at Ose (LM)
23rd Mar 2020 Redwing View Image c40 at Kilbride, Strath (RMcM)
22nd Mar 2020 Black-throated Diver View Image single in Staffin Bay with Great Northern Divers (AP)
22nd Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 20 north at Lower Milovaig (AS); 70+ on Loch Suardal, Dunvegan, must be a great sight (DFMacd); also 38 at Loch Dunvegan (SC) & 30 flying north at Treaslane Woods ((DFMacd)
22nd Mar 2020 Common Crossbill View Image 6 in Portree forestry (NB)
22nd Mar 2020 Canada Goose View Image single with Greylags at Harrapool (FO-W)
22nd Mar 2020 Lesser Black-backed Gull View Image two at Kilmory, Rum (SM) & two at Broadford Bay (MB)
22nd Mar 2020 Jack Snipe View Image single at Glas Eilean, Broadford (MB)
22nd Mar 2020 Wheatear View Image two on Eigg - singles at Cleadale (B.Cormack) and at Kildonan (JC)
22nd Mar 2020 White-tailed Eagle View Image see the map in the gallery on the recent movements of a satellite tagged bird - or my retweet on Twitter
21st Mar 2020 Slavonian Grebe three in Pabay Sound, singles at Waterloo, Camas na Skianadin and Strollamus (NB,RMcM) ; two between Drumbuie - Portneora, Lochalsh (DM)
21st Mar 2020 Golden Pheasant apparently two males and four females in the grounds of Greshornish Hotel (NF)
21st Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image single 1st winter at Bayfield, Portree (JDJ); adult Iceland + and two 1st winter Glaucous at Chracaig River, Portree later (NB)
21st Mar 2020 Great Northern Diver View Image 10 in Broadford Bay & 5 between Drumbuie - Portneora; three Red-throated Diver and a single Black-throated Diver (NB,DM,RMcM)
21st Mar 2020 Chiffchaff singles at Lower Milovaig (AS) and at Holmisdale (GC)
21st Mar 2020 Rook View Image single at Kildonan, Eigg, is the 1st since 2014 which coincidentally also turned up on March 21! (JC)
21st Mar 2020 Wheatear View Image male seen and photographed near Staffin Slip (Kate Halliday)
20th Mar 2020 Greenshank single back into breeding territory at Lochlonghead (PS)
20th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image five on small lochan at Duntulm, single on Loch Mealt and five on Storr Lochs (RMcM); five at Loch Suardal (ST)
20th Mar 2020 Blackcap View Image now male & female on feeders at Isleornsay (RC)
20th Mar 2020 Canada Goose View Image two on saltings at Isleornsay (RC) + three on Eigg which flew in from south (JC)
20th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image two 1st winter still at Bayfield, Portree + a 1st winter Glaucous Gull (NB)
20th Mar 2020 American Herring Gull (Poss) 3cy bird showing AHG features still present (NB)
20th Mar 2020 Yellowhammer male on feeders at Miller’s Cottage, Eigg (JC)
20th Mar 2020 Great Skua View Image single in outer Loch Carron (MB) & two in Broadford Bay (SF) are the 1st reports of the year
20th Mar 2020 Lapwing 8 near Raasay New Pier (JB)
19th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image (4) - three 1st winter & a 2nd winter at Bayfield, Portree (NB)
19th Mar 2020 Glaucous Gull View Image two 1st winter birds at Bayfield, Portree (see Gallery) - also poss 3cy American Herring Gull present again (NB)
19th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 9 north past Neist Point (AS) (see Gallery)
19th Mar 2020 Lesser-black Backed Gull View Image single near Kilbride, Strath (RMcM) (see Gallery)
19th Mar 2020 Snow Bunting View Image male on the pebble beach on route to Rubha nam Brathairean, Culnacnoc (R.Flavelle)
18th Mar 2020 Coronavirus having cut short a visit to family in Barcelona we are now self isolating for a period though we are not exhibiting any symptoms. We will continue to update the site and for most, birding is a solitary activity with limited contact with others so we welcome any reports. In that regard we would encourage birders to respect sensible social distancing. We would anticipate that wildlife watching locally by groups, or visitors, will be cancelled to reduce risks.
18th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image three again at Bayfield, Portree - two 2cy and a 1cy (NB)
18th Mar 2020 Silver Pheasant a female strutting her stuff on the shore at Bayfield, Portree - any suggestions as to the origins of this bird welcome (NB); also seen in their garden near the shore (John & Mary Matheson) (see Gallery)
18th Mar 2020 Lesser Black-backed Gull View Image single again at Loch Poolteil in morning then four at Hamara Parks nearby in afternoon (AS)
18th Mar 2020 Skylark View Image flock of 50 at Teangue (RMcM)
18th Mar 2020 Black-throated Diver View Image single near Armadale (RMcM)
18th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 11 at Loch Achaid na h-Inich, Lochalsh + 8 Goldeneye (DM)
18th Mar 2020 Glaucous Gull View Image 1st winter bird at Chracaig River, Portree, late afternoon (MB,NB)
17th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 5 at the head of Loch Slapin (RMcM) & c10 at Strollamus (NB)
17th Mar 2020 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 18 in Broadford Bay (RMcM)
17th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile bird again at mouth of Chracaig River, Portree (AP)
16th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image three sheltering on the wee loch at the Aird, Gedintailor (PD)
15th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 14 Loch nan Eala, Kinloch Glen, Rum (SM) & 6 at Loch na Corr, Inverinate (NB, DM)
15th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image 1st winter still at Chracaig River, Portree (NB)
15th Mar 2020 Barnacle Goose View Image in a recent aerial survey of the island (13th) 273 were counted on Isay and 75 on the Ascribs (CM) - any counts from Trotternish or elsewhere welcome for the next few days please!
14th Mar 2020 American Herring Gull (Poss) 3cy bird at Bayfield, Portree, again with a 2cy Iceland Gull (NB)
14th Mar 2020 Fieldfare View Image 45 at Duirinish, Lochalsh (DM)
13th Mar 2020 Canada Goose View Image two north over Rum in morning were in field at Kinloch later (SM) - rare in small isles still; and two at Loch Snizort-beag (GF) & four at Isleornsay (RC)
13th Mar 2020 Skylark View Image 20 at Point of Sleat (SC) & 20 at Scullamus, Broadford (NB)
12th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 15 at Loch Harport (JB) & 12 at the Black Lochs, Broadford
11th Mar 2020 Kittiwake 110 in Loch Eishort at Heaste (NB)
11th Mar 2020 Skylark View Image 24 at Scullamus,Broadford (NB)
11th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image 1st & 2nd winter still at Portree (BG)
10th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image 1st & 2nd winter birds again at Portree (JDJ)
10th Mar 2020 Lesser Redpoll View Image 140 near Loch Achaid na h-Inich, Lochalsh (DM)
9th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image three juveniles again at Bayfield, Portree, this morning (NB,RMcM)
9th Mar 2020 Pied Wagtail View Image spring arrivals coming through with two at Meanish Pier, Lower Milovaig (AS); two at Kinloch, Rum (SM) & a single in Portree (JDJ)
9th Mar 2020 Greenland White-fronted Goose still four at Kilmuir (CH)
9th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image still 6 at Storr Lochs (CH)
8th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image (3) 1st winter bird again at Bayfield, Portree (NB,RMcM) with different 1st winter & 2nd winter in afternoon (NB)
8th Mar 2020 American Herring Gull (poss) the 3cy bird is still showing occasionally, in moult with more grey in the mantle and white in the rump, it still shows strong AHG characteristics (NB,RMcM)
8th Mar 2020 Lesser Black-backed Gull View Image 1st of year at Hamara Parks, Glendale (AS)
8th Mar 2020 Hen Harrier View Image ringtail at Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
8th Mar 2020 Wigeon 72 at Loch Portree and a single Knot again (NB)
8th Mar 2020 Barnacle Goose View Image 55 on Staffin Island (CH)
6th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image two birds, 1st & 2nd winters still at Portree (NB)
6th Mar 2020 Lapwing 12 at Elgol (MK) & a single at Tarscavaig (AM)
6th Mar 2020 American Herring Gull (poss) 2nd winter bird seen again at Chracaig River mouth, Portree, early afternoon (MB)
5th Mar 2020 Iceland Gull View Image two juveniles at Portree (NH)
5th Mar 2020 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile at Arisaig again (RD)
5th Mar 2020 Whooper Swan View Image 6 at Storr Lochs (JJ)
5th Mar 2020 Common Crossbill View Image single flew over Broadford (NB)
5th Mar 2020 Mandarin drake still at Morar River (RMcM)
5th Mar 2020 Nuthatch pair back in vicinity of breeding territory near Arisaig (RMcM)
5th Mar 2020 Purple Sandpiper View Image 10 off west car park at Mallaig (RMcM)
4th Mar 2020 Lapwing two pairs displaying at Feorlig (DC); 10 at Loch Cillchroisd (RMcM)
4th Mar 2020 Slavonian Grebe five in Broadford Bay (NB)
4th Mar 2020 Skylark View Image 8 in Heaste & singles over Broadford (NB)
4th Mar 2020 Snipe more signs of spring with a drumming bird at Elgol (IR) & another at Dunhallin, Waternish (RA)

© 2020 Skye Birds