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
17th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image singing in Uig Wood + Chiffchaff (SG)
17th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image still four in Portree garden (NB)
17th Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image single with Greylags on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
17th Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image single on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
16th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort + 14 Common Scoter (NB)
16th Apr 2019 Fieldfare View Image single straggler at Greshornish (RMcM)
16th Apr 2019 Razorbill View Image 130 feeding near the head of Loch Caroy (RMcM) & 62 in Uig Bay (SG) - unusual to get these numbers close inshore so perhaps due to feeding?
16th Apr 2019 Jay single at Avernish, Lochalsh (DM)
16th Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image single at Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
15th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort (NB)
15th Apr 2019 Common Scoter still 11 at Loch Ainort, all of which look 2ndcy (NB); adult male in Loch Bracadale off Ullinish (RMcM)
15th Apr 2019 Chiffchaff singing bird at Old Corry, Broadford (NB)
15th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image singing male at Portnalong (ST)
15th Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image two at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
15th Apr 2019 Crossbill three at Kinloch, Rum (SM) - probably Common
15th Apr 2019 Cuckoo first report from near the schoolhouse on Eigg (Ben Cormack)
15th Apr 2019 Common Sandpiper View Image another early bird at Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC)
15th Apr 2019 Ringed Plover View Image numbers building up with 100+ at Broadford Bay (NB)
15th Apr 2019 Red-legged Partridge View Image our wandering bird has now arrived at Aird on Sleat (P.Mather) (see Gallery)
14th Apr 2019 Nuthatch single beside the school house Rum (SM) - this will be the 1st record for the Small Isles (see Gallery)
14th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort (RMcM)
14th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image still three at Portree (NB)
14th Apr 2019 Iceland Gull View Image 2nd cy bird still at Lochailort fishfarm (SMacD)
14th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image first bird back on Rum + Linnets notes (SM)
14th Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image single at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
13th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort with 11 Common Scoter (NB) - most records of Velvet Scoter in the area are of singles so three is unusual
13th Apr 2019 Linnet two back at Lephin, Glendale (AS) & two at Lower Breakish (NH) - Linnet is mainly a summer visitor on Skye
12th Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image three at Ashaig, Broadford (P&RD)
12th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image Male in Uig Woods + four singing Willow Warblers in Uig area (SG)
12th Apr 2019 Twite View Image four at Heaste (NB) & returning birds at Scullamus (RMcM)
12th Apr 2019 Common Sandpiper View Image another early arrival at Ferinquarrie, Glendale (AliS)
12th Apr 2019 Whooper Swan View Image five at Pool Roag & three at Loch Suardal (ST)
12th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter two males & a female at Loch Ainort + 11 Common Scoter (NB)
12th Apr 2019 Red-legged Partridge View Image our wandering bird has now turned up in Achnacloich, Sleat (N.MacPherson)
11th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image three following creel boat in Loch Kishorn, including a ringed bird in its 5th year (M.Bliss)
11th Apr 2019 Mandarin drake still at Morar and trying it’s hand with a female Mallard!! (SMacD)
11th Apr 2019 Common Sandpiper View Image first of the spring at Lochlonghead (PS)
11th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 125 north at Drumfearn (PK); 165 in three skeins over Ardnish (PO-W)
11th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image singing birds at Drumfearn, Ard Dorch and Broadford (NB,PK); also Portnalong (ST) & Lower Milovaig (AS)
11th Apr 2019 Chiffchaff calling bird at Drumfearn (PK)
11th Apr 2019 Slavonian Grebe four at Loch an Cairidth (NB)
11th Apr 2019 Common Scoter 9 in outer Loch Ainort & 40 Eider (NB)
11th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image still 5 males in Portree garden (LB)
10th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image several hundred over Isleornsay in 2/3 skeins (RC); also 90 over Drumfearn (PK); 70 north over Rum (SM) & 100 west at Balmaqueen (AC)
10th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image singing birds Broadford (NB) & at the Surgery, Eigg (JC)
10th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image two harassing Gulls in Broadford Bay (NB)
10th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image male at feeders at Skeabost (GF)
10th Apr 2019 Common Scoter only 9 at outer Loch Ainort (NB)
10th Apr 2019 Magpie bird now seen at Heaste (DR)
9th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 320 in three skeins over Drumfearn early morning (PK) which had merged by the time they were over Portree only 13 minutes later(NB); 230 in 4 skeins over Ardnish (PO-W); also120 over Balmacara (DM) & several hundred nw over Soay (RC); an estimated 1000 north over Uig this morning ( per SG) - might be duplication of some counts
9th Apr 2019 Slavonian Grebe 6 off Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
8th Apr 2019 Redwing View Image 100+ at Ashaig flushed by a ringtail Hen Harrier (RMcM)
8th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image c50 north over Drumfearn & Broadford (PK,RMcM) & similar sized flock north over Balmacara (DM)
8th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image two off Welshman’s Rocks, Rum (SM)
8th Apr 2019 White-tailed Eagle View Image EIGHT at Neist Point only one of which was an adult (AS) (see Gallery)
7th Apr 2019 Swallow 1st reports in a week with a single at Scullamus Moss, Breakish (NH) and two at Waterloo (MB)
7th Apr 2019 Chiffchaff singing bird at Portnalong (ST)
7th Apr 2019 Common Scoter 20 in outer Loch Ainort (RMcM)
7th Apr 2019 Golden Plover 24 at Ashaig, Broadford (A&EH)
7th Apr 2019 Common Crossbill View Image three at Glen Ling, Killilan, Lochalsh (DM)
7th Apr 2019 Magpie another report from Hallin. Waternish (per SP)
6th Apr 2019 Magpie two reports from Kildonan, Edinbane, (CT) (JMcK) - probably the bird from Waterstein yesterday
6th Apr 2019 Common Scoter flock of 19 still at the head of Loch Ainort (NB)
6th Apr 2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image drumming bird at Old Corry, Broadford (MB)
6th Apr 2019 Jack Snipe View Image single on Ardnish, Broadford + also 4 Whoopers north (PO-W)
6th Apr 2019 Goosander View Image 7 on Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH)
6th Apr 2019 Golden Plover 30 on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W) & 5 at Drumbuie, Lochalsh (DM)
6th Apr 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image two at Drumbuie, Lochalsh (DM) & single in Broadford Bay (RMcM)
6th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image single singing at Drumbuie, Lochalsh today (DM)
5th Apr 2019 Red-legged Partridge View Image bird sitting on a windowsill at Kilbride, Torrin this morning (JJ) - has the Kyleakin bird gone on a holiday?
5th Apr 2019 Magpie single at Waterstein, Glendale early afternoon (WM) - has the Ellishadder bird, reported recently, gone walkabout....or is this a prospective mate?💕
5th Apr 2019 Whooper Swan View Image five over Kildonan, Eigg - also a Great Skua near Eigg Pier (JC)
4th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image 8 in Portree garden included 5 males (LB)
4th Apr 2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image visiting feeders at Stonefield, Sleat (JMacD)
4th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 80 north over Kildonan, Eigg, this morning (JC)
4th Apr 2019 Common Scoter 19 at the head of Loch Ainort + 40 Eider (NB)
3rd Apr 2019 Iceland Gull View Image 2cy bird at Fishfarm Inverailort (SC)
3rd Apr 2019 Skye Birds 3rd edition The 3rd edition of Skye Birds is now available. It can be purchased direct from this website via PayPal and is also available at Aros & Fraser Macintyre, Stationer, Portree & at An Crubh in Sleat. The cost is £15.00
2nd Apr 2019 Blog have just updated the blog on the recent find of a Blue-winged Teal in Wester Ross and a birding trip to Cyprus
2nd Apr 2019 Sand Martin View Image three on Broadford River (NB) & 6/7 at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (per SMacD)
2nd Apr 2019 Common Scoter still 18 on Loch Ainort + 5 Red-throated Divers & 3 Slavonian Grebes (NB)
2nd Apr 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image 6 in Loch Slapin off Kilmarie Bay (RMcM)
2nd Apr 2019 Redwing View Image 200+ at Heaste (NB) & 60 at Kilmarie with at least one Fieldfare (some of these birds looked like Coburni) so not Icelandic (RMcM)
2nd Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image five at Isleornsay today though up to 9 recently (RC)
2nd Apr 2019 Little Egret View Image still at Invercaimbe, Back of Keppoch (SMacD)
2nd Apr 2019 Magpie long staying bird still at Ellishadder (LMacD)
1st Apr 2019 Wheatear View Image only two birds today on the Milovaig loop walk which had 37 birds yesterday (AS) - clearly most departed before today’s weather system came in
1st Apr 2019 Brambling View Image 6 still at Portree feeders including five males (NB)
1st Apr 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 37 sheltering in Loch Pooltiel (AS)(see Gallery); 130 nw over Kilmory, Rum, in two groups (SM)
1st Apr 2019 Greenland White-fronted Goose 8 nw over Kilmory, Rum, flying with Whoopers (SM)
31st Mar 2019 Yellowhammer pair at feeders at Plockton (JS)
31st Mar 2019 Chiffchaff singles at Drumfearn (PK) and Waterloo (PO-W)
31st Mar 2019 Swallow single at Drumfearn - first of the year (PK); followed is close 2nd by another in Treaslane Woods in the evening (DFMacd) and another at Kendram Cliffs, Staffin (SP)
31st Mar 2019 Long-eared Owl View Image single at Drumfearn (per PK)
31st Mar 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 120 over Drumfearn early morning (PK) & 93 over Portree (NB) & 106 over Uig (SG); 40 over Broadford (PO-W)
31st Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 40 over Drumfearn early morning (PK) & 40 over Flodigarry (A.Ross) in afternoon ; 180 in four skeins through Broadford in morning (PO-W)
31st Mar 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again present briefly at Loch Pooltiel (AS)
31st Mar 2019 Wheatear View Image big numbers on Milovaig loop walk - 37 counted (AS); 3 on the Quiraing (AR)
31st Mar 2019 Slavonian Grebe three at Loch an Cairidth (ST)
31st Mar 2019 Redwing View Image lots of Redwing passing through reported widely - hundreds roosting Drumfearn in evening (PK)
31st Mar 2019 Sand Martin View Image three at Arisaig (RD)
30th Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 50+ flew west over Kilbride, Torrin (JJ); 28 north over Broadford; 40 in two groups north over Drumfearn (PK); 45 over Broadford early & 25 later (PO-W) P&RD); 50 north at Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (RD); 35 over Soay (RC)
30th Mar 2019 Great Skua View Image single in Broadford Bay (NB)
30th Mar 2019 Brambling View Image five still in garden at Portree (NB)
30th Mar 2019 Yellowhammer single on feeders Miller’s Cottage, Eigg (JC)
30th Mar 2019 Redwing View Image still 300+ on Eigg in morning (JC)
30th Mar 2019 Wheatear View Image report of Male Lochlonghead (PS) ..birds always slower to arrive In Lochalsh
30th Mar 2019 Little Egret View Image bird still at Arisaig showing little sign of recent injury (RD)
30th Mar 2019 Purple Sandpiper View Image single at Boreraig, Strath (DM)
29th Mar 2019 Redwing View Image big movements today with groups of 40 today at Portree, Lyndale & Drumfearn - 100 in Heaste & 130 Broadford area (NB, PK, AS); 30 at Roag (MF); but massive 350 on Eigg (JC)
29th Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 49 at Loch Cillchroisd, 50 at the Black Lochs & still 52 Loch Suardal early morning reduced to 22 in afternoon (NB, RC, GMcC); 21 at the head of Pool Roag (MF); 5 at Kilmory, Rum (SM) & 5 over Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
29th Mar 2019 Lesser Black-backed Gull View Image still moving through in small numbers - three at Broadford River (NB)
29th Mar 2019 Brambling View Image male at Sandavore, Eigg (per JC)
28th Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image birds held up by wind with 52 on Loch Suardal (J.Maughan) & 22 at Loch Cillchroisd (JJ)
28th Mar 2019 Manx Shearwater View Image two at Kildonan Point, Eigg, today but birds apparently held calling at Cleadale on the 25th (per JC)
27th Mar 2019 Chiffchaff on Rum singing birds at Kinloch & two at Kilmory (SM)
27th Mar 2019 Wheatear View Image single at the Aird, Gedintailor (PD) & two at Coral Beach, Claigan (GMcC)
27th Mar 2019 Barn Owl View Image another report from the Torrin Road, Broadford (NB)
27th Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 8 today at Loch Suardal, though 10 yesterday (GMcC)
27th Mar 2019 Great Skua View Image single back at Staffin Island (K&SW)
27th Mar 2019 Jack Snipe View Image single flushed near museum at Hungladder (SH)
27th Mar 2019 Barnacle Goose View Image 40 at Stenscholl, Staffin (MP)
26th Mar 2019 Greenshank birds returning to breeding territories with 6 at Loch Sligachan (JDJ) & a single at Heaste (NB)
26th Mar 2019 Slavonian Grebe five in Broadford Bay (NB)
26th Mar 2019 Common Scoter still 19 at Loch Ainort (NB)
25th Mar 2019 Wheatear View Image males at Upper Milovaig & Neist Point (AS); male at Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W) (see Gallery)
25th Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 90 on sea north of Kilmory, Rum (SM); 28 north at Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W); 73 in two groups north at Neist Point (AS)
25th Mar 2019 Greenland White-fronted Goose skein of 29 north over Neist Point (AS)
25th Mar 2019 Purple Sandpiper View Image 8 at Neist Point (AS) (see Gallery)
25th Mar 2019 Ring Ouzel View Image singing on a shed roof at Sartle, Staffin (MP)
25th Mar 2019 Common Scoter now 19 at Loch Ainort (NB)
25th Mar 2019 Great Skua View Image single of Brothers Point (K&SW)
25th Mar 2019 Ptarmigan View Image two on Beinn an Caillich, Broadford (LMacD)
24th Mar 2019 Brambling View Image 7 in garden at Portree (NB) & single at Miller’s Cottage, Eigg (JC)
24th Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 26 in Breakish Obbe left early evening (MB,JP)
24th Mar 2019 Common Scoter female Loch Portree (NB)
24th Mar 2019 Meadow Pipit View Image notable arrivals on Rum (SM) & in Broadford area (MB)
23rd Mar 2019 Wheatear View Image 1st report on Skye, single on the hill Kilbride, Torrin (JJ)
23rd Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 17 over Drumfearn (PK); 11 north at Kilmory, Rum & 3 later at Kinloch (SM); 18 north at Loch Mealt (JDJ)
23rd Mar 2019 Canada Goose View Image 7 at Loch na Dal, Kinloch (NB)
22nd Mar 2019 Wheatear View Image first report of the spring st Kilmory, Rum (SM)
21st Mar 2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image a bird has been present around Kinloch, Rum, for a few days (per SM)
21st Mar 2019 Magpie 1st report of the ‘north end’ bird for some time but in its old haunts near the Museum at Ellishadder (JPW)
21st Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 12 north through the narrows of Rassay (PD)
20th Mar 2019 Brambling View Image still six visiting feeders at Portree garden with 5 males at one point (LB)
20th Mar 2019 Yellowhammer female still visiting feeders at Plockton (JS)
20th Mar 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 8 on the sea at Kilmory, Rum (per SM)
19th Mar 2019 Brambling View Image now six at feeders in Portree, 4 males & 2 females (NB)
19th Mar 2019 Blue-winged Teal a Drake was found by Bob at Mellon Charles, Aultbea, Wester Ross yesterday - there are images in the Gallery & also check the twitter feed
19th Mar 2019 Shelduck now 6 at Harrapool (NB)

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