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
18th Nov 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image 14 on Loch Slapin, Kilmarie Bay & four off Lusa (RMcM)
18th Nov 2019 Slavonian Grebe three in outer Loch Ainort & three in Broadford Bay (RD,NB) with two off Lusa (RMcM)
18th Nov 2019 Great Northern Diver View Image 7 in Kilmarie Bay (RMcM) four in Loch Ainort & 10 in Broadford Bay (NB); 12 off Lusa (RMcM)
18th Nov 2019 Common Scoter 7 in outer Loch Ainort (NB) and two in Uig Bay (SG)
18th Nov 2019 Blackcap View Image female at feeders at Lower Milovaig (see Gallery) + Tree Sparrow still (AS)
18th Nov 2019 Cetaceans late Minke Whale off Neist Point (AS); 25 Common Dolphin in Inner Sound 2 miles n/east of Lusa (RMcM)
18th Nov 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image 1st winter still at Arisaig on Loch nan Ceall (RD) (see Gallery)
17th Nov 2019 Greenland White-fronted Goose 6 adults grazing an island off Ashaig, Broadford (NH) - this may be part of a small flock which formerly wintered in the area but the remnant group has not been seen for several years
17th Nov 2019 Snow Bunting View Image two over Barkeval, Rum (SM)
17th Nov 2019 Mediterranean Gull 1st winter bird still at Loch Portree + 800 Common Gull & 280 Black-headed Gulls (NB)
17th Nov 2019 Common Redpoll single caught & ringed Glen Varragill, Portree (JJ)
17th Nov 2019 Common Scoter female type in Loch Portree (NB)
17th Nov 2019 Whooper Swan View Image four at Loch Dhughaill, Sleat (R.Doughty); a single on Loch Mealt (JJ) & three at Loch Suardal (AS) (see Gallery)
16th Nov 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Poolteil (AS)
16th Nov 2019 Tree Sparrow still visiting garden feeders at Lower Milovaig (AS)
16th Nov 2019 Fieldfare View Image still 200 at Kyleakin (A&EH)
15th Nov 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image single with Greylags Breakish Obbe (NH)
15th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image unfortunately two were found dead by the roadside at Ferindonald, Sleat, yesterday (DR)
15th Nov 2019 Snow Bunting View Image three at Shamhnan Isir, Rum (SM)
14th Nov 2019 Water Rail bird still visiting garden pond at Elgol (DW) (see Gallery) - this bird looks like an adult so maybe a different bird from earlier
14th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image singles at Armadale Castle (SG) and Camascross (R.Campbell)
13th Nov 2019 Mediterranean Gull 1st winter at Loch Portree (NB) (see Gallery)
13th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image two at Braebost, Edinbane (NB, RMcM) and a single with Redwing above Idrigill, Uig (S.Kirkup)
13th Nov 2019 Chiffchaff single in Uig Woods (SG)
13th Nov 2019 Carrion Crow View Image still in Uig but in the woods (ML)
13th Nov 2019 Tree Sparrow single still visiting garden at Lower Milovaig (Alison Stables)
12th Nov 2019 Carrion Crow View Image single at Uig Pier (SD)
12th Nov 2019 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile in outer Uig Bay from the ferry (SD)
12th Nov 2019 Fieldfare/Redwing still about 150 in Kyleakin area (A&EH) & 100+ between Kilmore/Teague on Sleat (RMcM)
11th Nov 2019 Brent Goose View Image straggler at Stein, Waternish (CM)
11th Nov 2019 Blackcap View Image female at feeders Lower Milovaig + Tree Sparrow still (AS) (see Gallery)
11th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image single in Portree garden feeding on apples (WH)
10th Nov 2019 Tree Sparrow back on feeders at Lower Milovaig today (AS)
10th Nov 2019 Skylark View Image single at Lower Milovaig today (AS) (see Gallery) - this species is mainly absent from Skye in winter
10th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image 8 in Breakish feeding on apples (N.Ferguson)
9th Nov 2019 Tree Sparrow single at feeders Lower Milovaig this morning (AS) (see Gallery) - although recorded annually in the area most records are in spring: also a possible in Portree yesterday - one on Barra today as well!!
9th Nov 2019 Slavonian Grebe three in Broadford Bay & three Red-throated Divers (NB)
9th Nov 2019 Long-tailed Tit View Image lots of recent reports (see Gallery) but 20 at Upper Tote (CH) one of best counts
8th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image two at Drynoch at the main road junction (RMcM)
8th Nov 2019 Golden Plover 40 at Feorlig (RMcM)
8th Nov 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 8 on Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (RMcM)
8th Nov 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image female/juvenile type off pontoons at Arisaig (RD)
8th Nov 2019 Slavonian Grebe five in Loch Ainort + five Great Northern Divers (NB)
6th Nov 2019 Brambling View Image single in Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
6th Nov 2019 Woodcock 21 on the Kylerhea road at dusk + 3 Red Grouse (DDL)
6th Nov 2019 Common Redpoll probable candidate ringed with Lessers in Glen Varrigall, Portree, today (JDJ) (see Gallery)
5th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image two in Tianavaig Place, Portree (NB) (see Gallery for some lovely images from Neil)
5th Nov 2019 Snow Bunting View Image male still at Salisbury’s Dam, Rum (SM)
5th Nov 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult back at Loch Pooltiel (AS)
5th Nov 2019 Fieldfare View Image 100 at Lephin, Glendale (AS)
5th Nov 2019 Red-throated Diver View Image four in Broadford Bay & four Great Northern Diver off Lusa (RMcM)
5th Nov 2019 Water Rail recorded on nocturnal migration at Strollamus last night - also Redwing & a Fieldfare (DDL)
4th Nov 2019 Waxwing View Image 6 reported at Ardvasar this morning (RBA) & two at Orbost (LS)
4th Nov 2019 Fieldfare View Image 150 at Dunan (DDL) & c800 at Ardvasar (RMcM)
4th Nov 2019 Snow Bunting View Image male at Salisbury’s Dam, Rum (SM)
4th Nov 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image two in Broadford Bay (NB)
4th Nov 2019 Oystercatcher a colour ringed bird currently wintering in Broadford Bay was ringed as a breeding adult at south Iceland on 14.5.2019 - see https://wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/06/12/mission-impossible-counting-icelands-wintering-oystercatchers/
3rd Nov 2019 Common Crossbill View Image 8 in Portree forestry (NB)
3rd Nov 2019 Brent Goose View Image juvenile straggler still in Broadford Bay (RMcM)
3rd Nov 2019 Storm Petrel a bird caught at Duntulm in a ringing session on August 4 this year had been caught and ringed at Fair Isle on July 16th so had travelled 340kms - it was probably a non breeding bird (JDJ)
3rd Nov 2019 Whooper Swan View Image three on Loch Fada (EC) & a single at Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM)
2nd Nov 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image juvenile still at Lochailort (SMacD)
2nd Nov 2019 Water Rail bird tapping on the window of Miller’s Cottage, Eigg, last night (JC)
2nd Nov 2019 Common Gull 1100 at the head of Loch Sligachan (NB)
2nd Nov 2019 Slavonian Grebe four at Loch Ainort + five Great Northern Divers (NB)
2nd Nov 2019 Chiffchaff single in Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
2nd Nov 2019 Goldfinch charm of 60+ birds at Kyleakin (A&EH)
2nd Nov 2019 Blackcap View Image single on feeders at Treaslane (Michael Brown) (see Gallery)
1st Nov 2019 Iceland Gull View Image 1st winter bird at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
1st Nov 2019 Swallow two late birds at Arisaig (RD)
1st Nov 2019 Brent Goose View Image lingering juvenile still at Broadford Bay (NB)
1st Nov 2019 Slavonian Grebe four in Loch Ainort (NB)
1st Nov 2019 Harbour Porpoise 4 separate pods totalling 25 animals off Invertote (CH)
31st Oct 2019 Leach’s Storm Petrel single between Arisaig and Eigg (RD)
31st Oct 2019 Common Dolphin c35 in Outer Loch Snizort from the ferry (RMcM)
31st Oct 2019 Magpie north end bird seen at Kilvaxter (RMcM)
31st Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image single with Greylags at Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
31st Oct 2019 Redwing/Fieldfare when we get mixed flocks of thrushes such as now it’s reasonable to assume they are Scandinavian in origin and Redwing are of the race iliacus - confirmed by JDJ today who caught & ringed birds in Glen Varrigall today (see Gallery)
31st Oct 2019 Long-tailed Tit View Image lots of reports over the last two days with the best count 15 at Dunvegan Castle (CA)
30th Oct 2019 White-tailed Eagle View Image three juveniles on the Ascribs seen from the Lochmaddy ferry (RMcM)
30th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image juvenile still at Lochailort (SC)
30th Oct 2019 Chiffchaff single in Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
30th Oct 2019 Common Gull 1200 in Loch Portree + 130 Black-headed Gulls (NB)
30th Oct 2019 Fieldfare View Image c500 at Camastianavaig (CH)
30th Oct 2019 Slavonian Grebe two off Ardnish (NH) & a ringtail Harrier at nearby Ashaig (RW)
29th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Tit View Image unusual in Lower Milovaig there were 6 this morning, the 1st since 2008 (AS); birds were moving through Kilmory, Rum, yesterday (SM) - birds also on Tiree today suggesting westerly movement
29th Oct 2019 Great Northern Diver View Image 4 from the Aird, Gedintailor + singleBlack-throated & two Red-throated Divers (NB)
29th Oct 2019 Snow Bunting View Image single at The Aird, Gedintailor (NB) - male still at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
29th Oct 2019 Whinchat View Image very late juvenile at Gedintailor, Braes (NB) (see Gallery)
29th Oct 2019 Fieldfare View Image 400 at Lephin, Glendale (AS)
29th Oct 2019 Little Egret View Image single on the pool at Ardelve, Lochalsh, flew up Loch Long (BN)
29th Oct 2019 Brent Goose View Image juvenile straggler still in Broadford Bay (NB)
29th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Duck View Image single off Duntuilm (WW) & juvenile at fish farm Lochailort (SC)
29th Oct 2019 Swallow late bird at Arisaig (RD)
28th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 12 at Lochlonghead first thing this morning (PS)
28th Oct 2019 Snow Bunting View Image male still at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
28th Oct 2019 Lapland Bunting at least a single, possibly two on Oronsay, Ullinish (WW)
28th Oct 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image single off Neist Point (WW)
27th Oct 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image late single in Staffin Bay (MP)
27th Oct 2019 Snow Bunting View Image single still at Kilmory, Rum, (SM)
27th Oct 2019 Swallow two late birds in Harrapool (MB)
27th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 11 on Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (W.Wagstaff)
27th Oct 2019 Long-tailed Tit View Image 11 at Trumpan, Waternish (WW)
26th Oct 2019 Brent Goose View Image single juvenile still Broadford Bay (NB)
26th Oct 2019 Snow Bunting View Image single at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
26th Oct 2019 Redwing/Fieldfare steady movement involving thousands of birds through Kyleakin this morning (A&EH)
25th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image still birds pushing south with two over Breakish Obbe (NH); herds of 21 & 20 over Lochailort (SC) & 10 over Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC)
25th Oct 2019 Brent Goose View Image a single with Whoopers over Lochailort (SC) & a single juvenile at Glas Eilean, Broadford (NB)
25th Oct 2019 Redwing/Fieldfare Lots of small groups with 150 at Kyleakin (A&EH) & massive 3500 Port Eorna - Drumbuie (predominantly Fieldfare) (DM)
24th Oct 2019 Woodcock singles last night at Lephin & at Borrodale, Glendale this morning (AS)
24th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 12 at Staffin Bay (MP) & 4 at Loch Ainort this morning; 17 at Broadford Bay this afternoon (PO-W)
24th Oct 2019 Brent Goose View Image family group of 5 at Kilmory, Rum (SM); 33 in Broadford Bay early evening with over 50% juveniles (NB)
24th Oct 2019 Fieldfare/Redwing 300+ at Ardnish, Inverailort (SC) & 200+ over Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH)
24th Oct 2019 Gadwall View Image group of 7 circled Broadford Bay several times & headed north (RMcM)
24th Oct 2019 Iceland Gull View Image 1st cy bird Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
24th Oct 2019 Jack Snipe View Image single again Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
24th Oct 2019 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile at Portree flew to Black Rocks (W.Wagstaff)
23rd Oct 2019 Brambling View Image female on the Heaste road (NB)
22nd Oct 2019 Redshank 35 in Broadford Bay is an unusually high count for this time of year (NB,RMcM) (see Gallery)
21st Oct 2019 Redwing/Fieldfare 500+ Fieldfare & some Redwing at Morvich, Lochalsh (MG); mixed flocks in good numbers at Ardvarsar (NH)
21st Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image four in Uig Bay (SG) & 5 on Loch Poolteil (AS)
21st Oct 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Poolteil (AS)
21st Oct 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 7 east at Kilmory, Rum, this morning (SM)
21st Oct 2019 Brambling View Image arrival on Rum with small numbers at Kinloch & Kilmory (SM)
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); flock of 500 Redwing at Inverinate (MG); movements through Portnalong all morning (ST)
20th Oct 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 11 in the Kylerhea Narrows (PS)

© 2019 Skye Birds