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
23rd Apr 2018 Whinchat View Image 1st reports of the year, both males, from Borneskitaig (J.Maughan) and Breakish (RMcM)
23rd Apr 2018 Cuckoo more reports of calling birds from Waternish (RA) and Gedintailor (CA)
23rd Apr 2018 Twite View Image reflecting the cold weather, flock of 80+ on Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH)
22nd Apr 2018 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single at Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC)
22nd Apr 2018 Whimbrel View Image single near Uigshader, Portree (J.McKay)
22nd Apr 2018 Common Sandpiper View Image single at The Aird, Gedintailor, and a calling Cuckoo nearby (WM)
22nd Apr 2018 Sedge Warbler View Image singing bird Broadford (MB)
21st Apr 2018 Common Sandpiper View Image two at Lower Milovaig (AS)
21st Apr 2018 Grasshopper Warbler reeling birds at Tarskavaig (MB) and Riverbank, Broadford (NB), as well as Edinbane (CR) & Ullinish (PS)
21st Apr 2018 Sand Martin View Image four back in Quarry at Armadale (MB)
21st Apr 2018 Cuckoo calling bird at Ellishadder (SP)
20th Apr 2018 Magpie single at Sconser (NH) & probably the same bird seen at The Aird, Gedintailor (WM) - not sure whether our north end bird is wandering? Bird still in the Mallaig area (SMacD)
20th Apr 2018 Cuckoo reports from Duisdalemor (CW) and Portnalong (ST); also Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN)
20th Apr 2018 House Martin View Image several back at Quiraing House, Staffin (SP)
19th Apr 2018 Cuckoo calling bird at Drumfearn (PK) & Kinloch (per CW)
19th Apr 2018 Whimbrel View Image 5 at Ardnish, Broadford (NH) & single at Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC)
19th Apr 2018 Common Sandpiper View Image two at Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC) and a single at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
19th Apr 2018 Canada Goose View Image still a single at Bayfield, Portree (JL) and three at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
19th Apr 2018 Gadwall View Image pair on the saltings Loch Portree, and 65 Redshank (JL)
19th Apr 2018 Brambling View Image single visiting feeders at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
19th Apr 2018 Snipe 16 at dusk Lower Breakish (NH)
19th Apr 2018 Common Scoter 7 in Broadford Bay (NB)
19th Apr 2018 Blackcap View Image singing bird Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN)
18th Apr 2018 Common Sandpiper View Image singles at Ardnish, Broadford (NH) and Uig Bay (SG)
18th Apr 2018 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile again at Uig Bay (SG
18th Apr 2018 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 9 at Breakish Obbe (NH)
18th Apr 2018 Yellowhammer male at Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
18th Apr 2018 White Wagtail View Image single at Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC)
18th Apr 2018 Canada Goose View Image two still Kyleakin Obbe & 7 Goosander (A&EH); single Canada Broadford Bay (NB)
18th Apr 2018 Common Scoter still three Broadford Bay (NB)
18th Apr 2018 Magpie Bird reported at Edinbane (per JDJ)
18th Apr 2018 Cuckoo calling bird reported at Edinbane (per JDJ)
18th Apr 2018 Willow Warbler View Image singing bird Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN)
17th Apr 2018 Hawfinch a male visiting feeders at Kilbride, Torrin, this morning (Anita Jones); yesterday’s bird at Portree seen briefly late afternoon (NB) - this is an extremely rare bird on Skye so two different birds is very unusual
17th Apr 2018 Brambling View Image visiting feeders at Kinloch,Rum (SM)
17th Apr 2018 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile again at Uig Bay & also an Iceland Gull (SG)
16th Apr 2018 Hawfinch visiting garden feeders in Woodpark, Portree (Donald MacSween)
16th Apr 2018 White Wagtail View Image two on Ardnish, Broadford (NB)
15th Apr 2018 Blackcap View Image three at Lower Milovaig, two males & a female (AS)
15th Apr 2018 Swallow single at Ashaig, Broadford (M.Bliss)
15th Apr 2018 Magpie late report of a bird at Lyndale, Edinbane, on 9th - not sure whether this is a new bird or our resident bird wandering (C.Stephenson); bird also reported Upper Milovaig on 12/13 April (per AS)
15th Apr 2018 Pink-footed Goose View Image another good movement north which included 115 at Drumfearn (PK); 100 over Portree (JJ); 150 at Lower Milovaig (AS)
14th Apr 2018 Water Rail probable territorial bird caught on camera trap at Ullinish (PS)
14th Apr 2018 Common Scoter three still Broadford Bay (NB)
14th Apr 2018 Willow Warbler View Image singing bird Duisdale, Sleat (CW)
13th Apr 2018 Swallow a single at Lower Milovaig (AS)
13th Apr 2018 Chiffchaff several reports with calling birds at Portnalong (ST), Viewfield, Portree (NB), Kirkton, Lochalsh (CW), Morar (JC) and Kinloch, Rum (SM)
12th Apr 2018 Long-eared Owl View Image territorial calling bird near Elgol (IR)
12th Apr 2018 Canada Goose View Image 5 at the head of Loch Long (PS) and two at Kyleakin Obbe yesterday (A&EH)
12th Apr 2018 Sand Martin View Image three at Broadford River (NB)
12th Apr 2018 Swallow single at Torrin (RMcM)
12th Apr 2018 Pink-footed Goose View Image two skeins of 100 heading north at Gedintailor (CA); skeins of 80 & 120 north at Neist Point (AS) & 200 north over Elgol (MK)
12th Apr 2018 Willow Warbler View Image singing bird Portnalong (ST)
12th Apr 2018 Pomarine Skua View Image an early single north at Neist Point (AS) (see Gallery)
12th Apr 2018 Manx Shearwater View Image 60 at Neist Point & 4 Puffin north (AS)
12th Apr 2018 Iceland Gull View Image single juvenile at Neist Point (AS)
12th Apr 2018 Whimbrel View Image single off Ardnish, Broadford (NH)
11th Apr 2018 Glaucous Gull View Image very pale juvenile again in Uig Bay (SG)
11th Apr 2018 Arctic Tern View Image first of the year at Kilmaluag Bay (MP)
11th Apr 2018 Blackcap View Image female at Aird Volovaig, Kilmaluag, was probably a migrant (MP)
11th Apr 2018 Sooty Shearwater View Image an all dark Shearwater sp at Aird Volovaig, Kilmaluag, was probably a Sooty (MP)
11th Apr 2018 Great Skua View Image four territorial birds above Wiay (MK, RMcM)
11th Apr 2018 Iceland Gull View Image two sub-adults at Greshornish fish farm (MK, RMcM)
11th Apr 2018 Crossbill five at Choisleadar Forest, Edinbane, was a probable family group (MK, RMcM); small group also Uig Woods (SG)
11th Apr 2018 Water Rail calling birds at two sites including a new site at Harlosh (MK, RMcM)
11th Apr 2018 Chiffchaff two singing birds in Uig woods and a Willow Warbler (SG)
10th Apr 2018 Pink-footed Goose View Image 100+ north through Broadford Bay (RMcM)
10th Apr 2018 Willow Warbler View Image singing birds at Broadford (NB), Kildonan, Eigg (JC) and two at Milovaig (AS)
10th Apr 2018 Chiffchaff singing bird in Broadford Industrial Estate (MB)
10th Apr 2018 Yellowhammer male at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
10th Apr 2018 White Wagtail View Image another single at Milovaig (AS) (see Gallery)
9th Apr 2018 Wheatear View Image 26 now in the Milovaig area but many are possibly local birds (AS) - other migrants have moved through
9th Apr 2018 Black Redstart View Image 1st summer male at Howlin Fank, Eigg, today (Donald MacLean) (see Gallery) - this is only the 3rd record for the island.
9th Apr 2018 Swallow our first of the year at Breakish Obbe (NH)
9th Apr 2018 Willow Warbler View Image our first of the year at Islornsay (RC)
9th Apr 2018 Slavonian Grebe four in Loch Ainort + 70 Eiders all drakes (RMcM)
9th Apr 2018 Redwing View Image still good numbers passing through with 100 at Kyleakin (A&EH) and 200 at Snizort, one of which was taken by a Merlin (M.Simpson) - also several reports elsewhere including 90 Harrapool & 70 Heaste (NB) & 160+ at Geary (G.McCracken)
9th Apr 2018 Great Skua View Image two following fishing boat off Plockton Lighthouse (M.Bliss)
9th Apr 2018 Chiffchaff single singing in The Glebe, Eigg (JC)
9th Apr 2018 Whooper Swan View Image 11 flying n/west across Broadford Bay (NB) - possibly the same birds came off the sea at Loch Mealt to join the 13 birds already there (MP)
8th Apr 2018 Chiffchaff single Lower Milovaig (AS) and on Rum (SM)
8th Apr 2018 Sand Martin View Image single at Morar (SMacD)
8th Apr 2018 Blackcap View Image female at Kinloch, Rum (SM) and a Brambling at the feeders
8th Apr 2018 White Wagtail View Image single at Lower Milovaig (AS)
8th Apr 2018 Redwing View Image 200 at Cleadale, Eigg, (JC); with hundreds on Rum (SM) and several reports elsewhere on Skye with 400 roosting in the evening at Drumfearn (PK)
8th Apr 2018 Yellowhammer female at feeders Miller’s Cottage, Eigg (JC)
8th Apr 2018 Whooper Swan View Image two at Loch Suardal (G.McCracken)
7th Apr 2018 Hawfinch male at Rock Cottage, Rum (SM)
7th Apr 2018 Sandwich Tern View Image single in Broadford Bay (MB)
7th Apr 2018 Wheatear View Image major influx with 18 at Milovaig (AS)
7th Apr 2018 Great Skua View Image single in Broadford Bay with 10 Great Northern Divers (NB)
7th Apr 2018 Common Scoter three in Broadford Bay and a single still Loch Portree (NB)
7th Apr 2018 House Martin View Image first of the year in Broadford (NH)
6th Apr 2018 Iceland Gull View Image 1st winter bird at Bayfield, Portree (SJ)
6th Apr 2018 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single in Breakish Obbe (NH)
6th Apr 2018 Peregrine View Image probable male at Balmacquien (AC)
5th Apr 2018 Iceland Gull View Image two juveniles at The Aird, Gedintailor (NB) and a single at Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC)
5th Apr 2018 Slavonian Grebe two in summer plumage off Ardnish, Broadford (NH)
5th Apr 2018 Wheatear View Image three at The Aird, Gedintailor (NB)
5th Apr 2018 Common Scoter single in Loch Harport at Carbost (SJ)
4th Apr 2018 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile at Loch Kishorn (RMcM) (see Gallery)
4th Apr 2018 Redwing View Image c30 at Isleornsay (RC) (see Gallery) & 20+ at Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH) - lots of Icelandic birds passing north through the island at the moment - info on Twitter that birds are already arriving back Iceland
4th Apr 2018 Greylag Goose View Image leucistic bird at Strathcarron (seeGallery) (RMcM)
4th Apr 2018 Glaucous Gull View Image very pale 2nd CY Glaucous Gull at Uig (SJ) & a juvenile at Kilmarie Bay, Loch Slapin (RMcM)
3rd Apr 2018 Magpie single now at Back of Keppoch, Arisaig for over a week (per SMacD) - a potential mate for our north end bird which was originally seen at Mallaig!!
2nd Apr 2018 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile at Bayfield, Portree (NB) & remains of a dead bird found on Rum (SM)
2nd Apr 2018 Pink-footed Goose View Image 15 with Greylags at Claigan, Dunvegan (SJ)
1st Apr 2018 Iceland Gull View Image two juveniles at Greshornish fish farm (RMcM); a single at Bayfield, Portree late afternoon (NB) & two Broadford Bay early evening (RMcM)
1st Apr 2018 Barnacle Goose View Image c30 on Eilean Beag off Lyndale (RMcM)
1st Apr 2018 Wheatear View Image three males and a female at Milovaig (AS)
31st Mar 2018 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile at Broadford River this morning - very pale bird as before - in gallery (NB); then three late afternoon including the bird above (NB, RMcM)
31st Mar 2018 Slavonian Grebe six in Broadford Bay (MB)
31st Mar 2018 Barnacle Goose View Image c50 on Isay (RA)
30th Mar 2018 Nuthatch at least one,possibly two birds near Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (RMcM) (see Gallery)
30th Mar 2018 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile following fishing boat in Sound of Sleat (RMcM)
30th Mar 2018 Wheatear View Image arriving in numbers now with four at Ardmore, Waternish (JB) & a single at Rubh an Dunain (NH)
29th Mar 2018 Merlin View Image nice male in garden at Harrapool this morning (LJones)
29th Mar 2018 Wheatear View Image still trickling through with female at Earlish (NH)
29th Mar 2018 Ptarmigan View Image pair on Beinn Bhreac, Inverinate (DM)
28th Mar 2018 Whooper Swan View Image 22 over Drumfearn heading north/west (PK) and 28 north over Dunvegan (RW)
28th Mar 2018 Crossbill pair in Armadale Gardens (RMcM)
28th Mar 2018 Iceland Gull View Image two juveniles at mouth of Broadford River (NB) and another at Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC)
28th Mar 2018 Wheatear View Image still very thin on the ground with single at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
27th Mar 2018 Tawny Owl found injured on outskirts of Broadford and now recuperating (see Gallery)
26th Mar 2018 Whooper Swan View Image 54 heading north at Neist Point (AS)
26th Mar 2018 Iceland Gull View Image pale 1st winter bird at Broadford River (NB)
25th Mar 2018 Nuthatch bird seen near Loch Nan Eala, Arsaig (R.Dyer)
25th Mar 2018 Gadwall View Image single with Wigeon onLoch Nan Eala, Arsaig (R.Dyer)
25th Mar 2018 White-tailed Eagle View Image three in the narrows at Kylerhea (PJ)
25th Mar 2018 Great Northern Diver View Image 44 between Ardnish and Skye Bridge + 18 Black-throated Diver (RMcM)
25th Mar 2018 Wheatear View Image single seen at Ose (P.Meany)
24th Mar 2018 Wheatear View Image three males found in the Milovaig area (AS)
24th Mar 2018 Kingfisher wintering bird still at Morar (SMacD)
24th Mar 2018 Blackcap View Image still visiting feeders at Bracara, Morar (SMacD)

© 2018 Skye Birds