Skye Birds - A Birding Guide to the Isle of Skye

Bird sightings on the Island of Skye and the neighbouring area

The objective of these pages is to keep everyone, locals and visitors alike, 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 event of rarities being found, details might be passed on to other website networks. Details would also be passed on the Highland Recorder Hugh Insley (  who may require a full description before the record was accepted. This website will very much be locally focused but has become part of the SOC local recorder system and other networks such as Birdline Scotland . The intention is that Skye-Birds.com will enhance these systems. Skye-Birds.com will also have complete discretion as to what information is added to these pages. In particular, any details which might reveal breeding sites of vulnerable species will be excluded. No information will be published which may in any way put birds at risk.

Date Species Image Details
15th May 2012 Magpie still on the move and now reported from Gedintailor (C.Atkins)
15th May 2012 Brent Goose View Image two at Harrapool (MB)
15th May 2012 Stonechat View Image three broods on the Greshornish peninsula is encouraging (RMcM)
15th May 2012 Twite View Image birds still flocking with c30 at Greshornish (see Gallery) (RMcM)
15th May 2012 Short-eared Owl View Image single near Sconser Golf Course (L.Millington) & pair mobbing a juvenile Sea Eagle at Choisleadar Forest (RMcM)
15th May 2012 Common Scoter pair in Broadford Bay (MB)
15th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image 8 in fields at Claigan, Dunvegan (M.McInnes)
14th May 2012 Magpie single on house roof at Heaste (J.Ward) (possibly the same bird seen recently in Mallaig)
14th May 2012 Pomarine Skua View Image 4 off Strathaird Point heading north (RMcM)
14th May 2012 Common Scoter two males in Kilmarie Bay (RMcM)
14th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image 14+ at Traigh and 6 Turnstone & 20 Dunlin (SMacD)
12th May 2012 Blackcap View Image male in grounds of Cuillin Hills Hotel, Portree (K.Wickman)
11th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image single on Loch Portree and three on crofts at Elgol(RMcM)
11th May 2012 Collared Dove very interesting 'pale' bird visiting feeders in Harrapool - probably a leucistic bird rather than an albino (R.Thornton)
11th May 2012 Marsh Harrier probable female at Loch na Dal, Sleat (H.Birch)
11th May 2012 Snow Bunting View Image pair on Sgurr Dearg, Cuillin (M.Lates)
11th May 2012 Whinchat View Image still seemingly scarce with single at Hallin, Waternish (S.Parlane)
11th May 2012 Barn Owl View Image single at Portnalong (JT)
10th May 2012 'Comic' Tern 6 back on Loch Treaslane (DF MacDonald)
10th May 2012 Lesser Redpoll View Image widespread reports of Redpolls at feeders at the moment which may reflect changeable weather and lack of natural food.
10th May 2012 Great Skua View Image 3 off Bracadale Point (PE)
10th May 2012 Magpie report of a single at Mallaig (per SMacD)
10th May 2012 Wood Warbler slow to arrive but now two singing at Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN)
10th May 2012 Garden Warbler single singing at Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN)
9th May 2012 Wood Sandpiper a scarce vagrant, single at Back of Keppoch, Arisaig (S.MacD) (see Gallery)
9th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image terrific count of 27 at Traigh Golf Course, Morar (S.MacD)
9th May 2012 Whinchat View Image possibly three singing birds at Carr Brae, Lochalsh - later than normal (BN) - seem to be scarce elsewhere.
9th May 2012 Wheatear View Image influx at Carr Brae, Lochalsh with 8 (BN)
9th May 2012 Ring Ouzel View Image singing male in the Bhasteir Gorge, Cuillin, (M.Lates)
8th May 2012 Red Kite View Image another report from the Borve area (T.Hodgetts)
8th May 2012 Blackcap View Image singing birds at Portnalong (S.Tate)and Skye Shrubs, Portree (T.Bowditch)
8th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image 8-10 in fields at Uiginish, Dunvegan for several days (HMacDonald)
8th May 2012 Chiffchaff singing bird at Skye Shrubs, Portree (T.Bowditch)
8th May 2012 Cetacean News an excellent day for cetaceans off Elgol with c100 Common Dolphins in Loch Scavaig and a large Basking Shark - the first locally of the 2012 season (see the facebook page on http://www.mistyisleboattrips.co.uk/)
7th May 2012 Iceland Gull View Image still a sub-adult in Portree Harbour (PE)
7th May 2012 Grey Plover View Image single at Harrapool + 62 Dunlin & 72 Ringed Plover (MB)
7th May 2012 Shoveler pair still on Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (SMacD)
7th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image numbers building up at Traigh, Morar, with 18 and 20 Dunlin (SMacD)
7th May 2012 Sedge Warbler View Image singing bird at Lephin, Glendale (AS)
7th May 2012 Common Whitethroat View Image singing bird at Carr Brae (BN)
7th May 2012 House Martin View Image single at Isleornsay (RC)
6th May 2012 Corncrake View Image another calling bird this time in Waternish (R.Arnold)
6th May 2012 Northern Wheatear View Image continuing pattern with 20 in random count between Elgol and Broadford (RMcM)- new birds also noted at Lower Milovaig (AS)
6th May 2012 White Wagtail View Image single at Lower Milovaig (AS)and two at Peinachorran, Braes (WM)
6th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image 6 in Broadford Bay (MB) & 10 over Upper Breakish in the evening (R.Davison)
6th May 2012 Sand Martin View Image still scarce with a single well away from water at Borrodale, Glendale (AS)
6th May 2012 Short-eared Owl View Image single in the Fairy Bridge area, near Dunvegan (C.Matheson)
6th May 2012 Ring Ouzel View Image singing male on Sgurr a Ghreadaidh, Cuillin, (M.Lates)
6th May 2012 Ptarmigan View Image pair on Ben Aslak (H.Birch)
6th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image 24 in fields at Claigan, Dunvegan (M.McInnes)
5th May 2012 Northern Wheatear View Image more birds coming through with at least 3 at Elgol showing characteristics of leucorhoa (RMcM)
5th May 2012 Whimbrel View Image 10 at Ashaig (A&EH)and 15 at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
5th May 2012 Shoveler a pair on Loch nan Eala, Arisaig is a scarce record (SMacD)
3rd May 2012 Brambling View Image late straggler with a male on feeders at Morar (SMacD)
3rd May 2012 Iceland Gull View Image still a single immature at Mallaig (SMacD)
3rd May 2012 Whimbrel View Image 9 at Ashaig (A&EH), a single at Loch Slapin, then 3 at Elgol over my head when I was cutting the grass!(RMcM)
3rd May 2012 Wheatear View Image fresh flush of arrivals with 4 at Ashaig and 5 at the head of Loch Slapin (A&EH., RMcM)
3rd May 2012 Golden Plover 11 on Ardnish (A&EH)
2nd May 2012 Corncrake View Image first reports of the year with calling birds at Uig (M.Lumb)and another site on Trotternish (SP)(see latest blog)
2nd May 2012 Grasshopper Warbler reeling bird on the old Sleat road near Kinloch (J.Grant)
1st May 2012 Swallow numbers slow to arrive with first report from Treaslane, 3 weeks later than last year (D.F.Macdonald)- also at Uigshader (JK)- and other widespread reports.
1st May 2012 Sedge Warbler View Image single at Broadford Industrial Estate(MB)
1st May 2012 Grasshopper Warbler reeling birds at Broadford Industrial Estate (MB) & at Harrapool (R.Thornton)
1st May 2012 Hen Harrier View Image report of a ringtail in Lower Breakish late evening (A&EH)
1st May 2012 Ring Ouzel View Image pair on Sron na Ciche, Coire Lagan. (M.Lates)
30th Apr 2012 Glaucous Gull View Image immature in Loch Portree (PE)
30th Apr 2012 Redwing View Image a straggler at Balmeanach, Braes (WM)
30th Apr 2012 Snow Bunting View Image small flock on Sgurr Dearg, Cuillin (M.Lates)
29th Apr 2012 Red Kite View Image single bird seen at Borve (T.Hodgetts)
29th Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler reeling birds at Kyleakin (A.Hickey)and Gleann Meadhonach, Sleat (K.Lindsley)
29th Apr 2012 Woodcock single bird flushed from near the path at Coille Dalavil (K.Lindsley)
28th Apr 2012 Lapland Bunting another report, a single female at Back of Keppoch, Arisaig (SMacD)
28th Apr 2012 Twite View Image a lot of birds now visiting gardens for spilled seed with 18 at Acharchork, Portree (C.Lomas) - check carefully for colour ringed birds!
28th Apr 2012 Brambling View Image a female at feeders at Achachork, Portree (C.Lomas)
28th Apr 2012 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image recent reports of drumming birds well outside normal range - from Portree (T.Moore) and Eynort (D.Peppe)
28th Apr 2012 Cuckoo have been a bit thin on the ground but one heard by 'Dodger the Dog' Moore at Portree early morning, then Elgol (RMcM),Waterloo (JP),Black Lochs (ST),Ose (LM), Kensaleyre (MH), Lochlonghead (PS), Stromeferry (C.McA) - they are now everywhere!!
28th Apr 2012 Merlin View Image probable female near Rigg (G.Jones)
28th Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler another reeling bird near Kinloch (S.Terry)
28th Apr 2012 Ptarmigan View Image pair on Ben Aslak (R.Davison)
28th Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image single at Lower Milovaig (AS)and also at Balmeanach Bay (WM)
28th Apr 2012 Redwing View Image straggler at Ose (L.Millington)
28th Apr 2012 Tree Pipit View Image report from Achnacloich (K.MacAskill)
27th Apr 2012 Sand Martin View Image two at the river at the head of Loch Ainort (S.Terry)
27th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image still four at the head of Loch Caroy (MS,RMcM)
27th Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image single at Loch na Dal, Kinloch (J.Grant)
26th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image four resting on Glas Eilean, Broadford (RMcM)
26th Apr 2012 Manx Shearwater View Image good numbers reported in and around Muck recently (DH) and two seen from the Armadale-Mallaig ferry (MB)
26th Apr 2012 Lapland Bunting single at Kildonan Point on Eigg (J.Chester)
26th Apr 2012 Chiffchaff single calling Glasnakille (RMcM)
26th Apr 2012 Redstart single at Inversheil at the head of Loch Duich (M.Perry)
25th Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler reeling bird at Harrapool (S.Terry)
25th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image single straggler at Loch Suardal (PE)
25th Apr 2012 Nuthatch belated report of a bird on feeders at Bracora, Morar on the 17th (per SMacD)
24th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image 4 with Greylags at the head of Loch Caroy (M.Sellors)
24th Apr 2012 Twite View Image groups of birds visiting garden at Ose including two with colour rings (which we are trying to find the origins of) (C.Millington)
24th Apr 2012 Tree Pipit View Image singing bird at Kinloch + a Blackcap (MB)
24th Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image 5 in Broadford Bay (MB)
24th Apr 2012 Dipper breeding records are scarce so two recently fledged young on the upper part of the River Snizort is encouraging (PE)(see Gallery)
24th Apr 2012 Common Whitethroat View Image one singing at Morar Church (SMacD)
24th Apr 2012 Blackcap View Image two singing at Morar Lodge (SMacD)
23rd Apr 2012 Shelduck 12 on Ardnish (A&EH) and a pair at Camas Malag, Torrin (ST)
23rd Apr 2012 Chiffchaff a singing bird at Peiness (JK)
23rd Apr 2012 Blackcap View Image a pair in the Treaslane Woods (DFMacdonald)
23rd Apr 2012 Swallow a pair at Ellishadder (JMcL) and reports from Elgol (MK)
23rd Apr 2012 White-tailed Eagle View Image four to-gether at The Aird, Braes, to-day - an adult and 3 juvs. The youngsters treated (WM) to a spectacle of talon grappling and 'beating up' the Shag colony.
23rd Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image two on the rocks in West Bay, Mallaig (SMacD)
23rd Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image single on the shore at Traigh (SMacD)
22nd Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image 8 in Broadford Bay (MB)(see Gallery)
22nd Apr 2012 Swallow now reached Glendale (AS) and several noted Broadford (MB) and Upper Breakish (RD)
22nd Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image straggler at Uigshader (JK)
22nd Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler one singing at Fasach, Glendale (MH)
22nd Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image c100 moving north over The Aird, Braes (WM)
22nd Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image a single at Kilmarie, Loch Slapin (MK)
21st Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler 1st reeling birds at Lephin, Glendale (AS), and the old road north of Broadford (S.Terry)
21st Apr 2012 Linnet with reports from Kyleakin and Broadford (Sue Wells, MB) there seems to be more birds about than in previous years
21st Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image single in Broadford Bay (MB)
21st Apr 2012 Swallow another single in Harrapool (MB)
21st Apr 2012 Great Skua View Image two territorial birds back at Neist Point (D.Hammond)(see Gallery)- and also a bird at Rubha Hunish (J.Grant)
21st Apr 2012 Tree Pipit View Image two singing at Carr Brae, Dornie - 1st heard on the 19th (BN)
20th Apr 2012 Stonechat View Image male & two females beside Black Lochs after absence of two summers (F.Simpson)
20th Apr 2012 Barnacle Goose View Image 6 flying down Breakish Obbe (A&EH)
19th Apr 2012 Cuckoo more to-day with at least two calling at Edinbane (RMcM)
19th Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image two arrived back at Lochlonghead (PS)
19th Apr 2012 Brambling View Image late female on feeders at Lochlonghead (PS)
19th Apr 2012 Sand Martin View Image three on the burn at the Torvaig road-end, Portree (C.Lomas)
19th Apr 2012 Swallow still few reports but single in Kyle (A&EH)
19th Apr 2012 Red Grouse pair beside the path to Rubh na Dunain, Loch Brittle (P.Semler)
18th Apr 2012 Cuckoo Three reports this morning from Achachork, Portree (C.Lomas, from Rhenetra (H.West) and Scullamus (CB)
18th Apr 2012 Blackcap View Image singing male at Glasnakille (RMcM)
18th Apr 2012 Iceland Gull View Image 3 in Broadford Bay (MB)
18th Apr 2012 Common Crossbill View Image 9 in an extended family group at Choisleadar Forest (RMcM)
18th Apr 2012 Linnet three coming to feeders at Ullinish (P.Semler)
18th Apr 2012 Willow Warbler View Image widespread arrivals with reports from Kinloch & Ard Dorch (S.Terry), Loch Slapin (T.Hodgetts) & Edinbane area (RMcM)

© 2012 Skye Birds