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, 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 Gordon (  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 and we hope we can enhance these systems. We will also 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.

Date Species Image Details
25th May 2013 Knot 4 on Ardnish (A&EH)
24th May 2013 Black-throated Diver View Image a single in Loch Brittle + 4 Red-throated Diver (M.Hunter)
23rd May 2013 Wheatear View Image two distinct leucorhoa at Duirinish, Lochalsh (RMcM et al)
23rd May 2013 Long-tailed Skua at 0900 23 off Mallaig in two groups of 9 & 14 and a single Pom.(SMacD); report on Birdguides of 67 north between Eigg and Rum + 25 Pomarine Skua; c20 Long-tails off Mallaig going north in the evening (SMacD)
23rd May 2013 Red-necked Phalarope View Image report of two in Broadford Bay during strong northerlies (I.Roden)
23rd May 2013 Whimbrel View Image 18 feeding in a field at Feorlig (A.McLean)
22nd May 2013 Long-tailed Skua 35 in late afternoon, flocks of 16 and 19 off Mallaig heading up the Sound of Sleat (SMacD)
22nd May 2013 Gadwall View Image male at Skeabost Bridge (G.Ferguson)
21st May 2013 Long-tailed Skua 6 heading north between Eigg and Rum (R.Dyer,MV Sheerwater)
21st May 2013 Spotted Flycatcher View Image two separate calling birds at Morvich, Lochalsh (RA)
21st May 2013 Short-eared Owl View Image single late evening at Duntuilm (J.Grant)
19th May 2013 Dunlin View Image excellent count of 250 at Pool Roag + 50 Ringed Plover and 10 Turnstone (SH)
19th May 2013 Whimbrel View Image 11 at Gillen + a single Turnstone (SH)
19th May 2013 Spotted Flycatcher View Image bird nest building near Duncraig, Plockton (RC)
18th May 2013 Not Quite a Dawn Chorus SLEF are running an early walk (0730) over the Drumuie - Erbusaig croftland to help hone your birdcall skills - see News column for this and other events.
18th May 2013 Arctic Tern View Image two at Ullinish (A.McLean) and a Common Tern at Raasay Sound (WM)
17th May 2013 Ring Ouzel View Image two different birds in Loch Sneosdal area, Kilvaxter (GJ)
17th May 2013 Tufted Duck View Image 3 - two males and a female on the Black Lochs (LShove)
17th May 2013 Black-tailed Godwit View Image a single with two Whimbrel at Duart, Plockton (IT)
17th May 2013 Common Rosefinch View Image female reported from a garden at Kinloch on Rum
17th May 2013 Long-tailed Skua two heading inland at at Ullinish (A.McLean)
16th May 2013 Blackcap View Image still using feeders with three males to-gether at Kyleakin (A.Hickey)
16th May 2013 Arctic Skua View Image single in Loch Slapin opposite Drinan (RMcM)
15th May 2013 Great Northern Diver View Image still good numbers in stunning summer plumage - 4 at Rubh an Uillt Dharaich (Moll Road) and singles at Loch Ainort and Caolas, Scalpay (Matt Hunter)
15th May 2013 Black-throated Diver View Image single at Rubh an Uillt Dharaich (Moll Road)(Matt Hunter)
15th May 2013 Ring Ouzel View Image two singing males and possibly a third bird on Ben Tianavaig (P.Knott)
15th May 2013 Shag at least 13 incubating birds on The Aird, Gedintailor + 40 birds nearby (P.Knott)
14th May 2013 Pomarine Skua View Image seawatch between 0800-1200 at Neist Point produced 28 in first three hours + 2 Arctic Skuas (RMcM)
14th May 2013 Long-tailed Skua seawatch between 0800-1200 at Neist Point produced a single flock of 4(RMcM)
14th May 2013 Whimbrel View Image 15 heading north at Neist Point(RMcM); c40 at Feorlig, Caroy (A.McLean) and 3 at Ardelve, Lochalsh (BN)
14th May 2013 Brambling View Image male still visiting feeders at Fasach, Glendale (MFawkes)
14th May 2013 Dunlin View Image 118 in roost at the head of Pool Roag at Heribost is exceptional for this location (C.Chapman)
14th May 2013 Lapland Bunting adult female near beach at Glen Brittle (C.Chapman)
13th May 2013 Long-tailed Skua flock of 30+ from Strathaird Point heading north between Skye and Rum (RMcM)
13th May 2013 Pomarine Skua View Image 6 during 3 hour seawatch from Strathaird Point + an Arctic Skua, 4 Red-throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Diver (RMcM)
13th May 2013 Pomarine Skua View Image further report from Matt Hunter of 13 at Neist Point + 2 Arctic Skua and 4 Great Skua in 1.5 hours
13th May 2013 Leach's Petrel report of a single at Neist Point (Matt Hunter)
13th May 2013 Puffin two off The Aird, Gedintailor (WM) and several also reported in Broadford Bay yesterday (MB)
12th May 2013 Pomarine Skua View Image three heading west out of Loch Slapin at Kilmarie Bay (RMcM)
11th May 2013 Pomarine Skua View Image two heading west at Rhue Point, Arisaig - also an Arctic Skua near Eigg (R.Dyer)
11th May 2013 Long-tailed Skua three heading up the Minch seen from the Lochmaddy/Uig ferry in Skye waters (HI et al)
11th May 2013 Brambling View Image a male at feeders at Fasach, Glendale, is very late (M.Fawkes)
10th May 2013 Common Whitethroat View Image singing bird in Broadford Industrial Estate (MB)
10th May 2013 Carrion Crow View Image single at Elgol (RMcM)
10th May 2013 Little Egret View Image no sign of the bird found yesterday evening at Loch Caroy but every chance it is lurking round the coast somewhere.
10th May 2013 Whimbrel View Image singles at Lower Milovaig (AS) and Pool Roag(RMcM)
10th May 2013 Common Scoter 3 in Broadford Bay (MB)
10th May 2013 Redwing View Image another late bird at Calgary, Sleat (S.Wells)
9th May 2013 Blackcap View Image a female on feeders at Ullinish (PE) continues an unprecedented run of reports of this species.
9th May 2013 Canada Goose View Image now a single with Greylags at Glas Eilean - also Barnacle Goose (RMcM)
9th May 2013 Redwing View Image single straggler still at Duirinish Station (IT)
9th May 2013 Common Tern View Image pair in Broadford Bay (MB)
9th May 2013 Common Sandpiper View Image flush of birds with 8 round the top of Loch Slapin (am) and 5 at Lusa (pm)(A&EH, RMcM)
9th May 2013 Little Egret View Image found by Marie Sellors this evening at the head of Loch Caroy
9th May 2013 Garden Warbler singing bird Carr Brae, Lochalsh - also Common Whitethroat (BN)
9th May 2013 Whimbrel View Image three at Duart Bay, Plockton (IT)
8th May 2013 Blackcap View Image now a pair on feeders at Kyleakin (A.Hickey)
8th May 2013 Barnacle Goose View Image still a single at Glas Eilean, Broadford with Greylags(RMcM)
8th May 2013 Ring Ouzel View Image pair on the Quirang (D.Nicholls)
8th May 2013 Dunlin View Image 100+ at Harrapool + 25 Ringed Plover (A&EH)
8th May 2013 Lesser Redpoll View Image many reports recently of Redpolls using feeders - these are Lessers which breed in the UK as distinct from Common Redpolls which breed in Iceland and Scandinavia. Lessers tend to be lighter in colour but it is a species which can be challenging to sort out - and - we also occasionally get Common! (see Gallery for image of a Lesser)
8th May 2013 Wood Warbler first reports with 4 singing on Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN) with 6 by the 9th
8th May 2013 Swift always scarce, there was a single at Tote (GJ)
7th May 2013 Brent Goose View Image 3 pale bellied on the shore at Loch Pooltiel (AS)
7th May 2013 Blackcap View Image 2 females and a male visiting fatballs at Portnalong (S.Tate)
7th May 2013 Sedge Warbler View Image two at Harrapool (R.Charlesworth)
7th May 2013 Dipper pair with two fledged young on the Upper Snizort + a pair of Grey Wagtail (PE)
7th May 2013 Whimbrel View Image excellent count of 26 at Traigh Golf Course (SMacD) - also singles elsewhere at Waterloo, Neist Point and Dunvegan.
7th May 2013 Whooper Swan View Image singles still at Loch Suardal (DH) and Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (SMacD)
7th May 2013 Barnacle Goose View Image two on the fields at Waterstein (A.McLean)
7th May 2013 Tufted Duck View Image three at Loch CillChroisd, two drakes and a duck (RMcM)
7th May 2013 Turnstone 40+ at Kilmarie Bay (RMcM)(see Gallery)
7th May 2013 Osprey View Image report of a bird seen in the Glenelg area (JG&PK)
7th May 2013 Tree Pipit View Image calling birds at Sandaig, Glenelg (JG&PK)
7th May 2013 Snow Bunting View Image a nice male in layby near Sligachan (M.Lates)(C.Young)
7th May 2013 Jack Snipe View Image late single at Borneskitaig (K.Tomison & R.Hainsworth)
6th May 2013 Brent Goose View Image single pale-bellied on Glen Brittle beach (SH,MY)
6th May 2013 Whimbrel View Image terrific count of 29 Glen Brittle beach (SH,MY) and 15 at The Aird, Gedintailor (WM)
6th May 2013 Sanderling View Image singles at the bay in Glen Brittle (SH,MY) and at Camus a Mhor, Gedintailor (WM)
6th May 2013 Gannet 40+ in the Sound of Raasay (PE)
5th May 2013 Grasshopper Warbler reeling bird in Old Corry Industrial Estate, Broadford (JG)
5th May 2013 Whinchat View Image another male at Balmeanach, Struan (MB,SH), and at Old Corry (M.York)
5th May 2013 Whimbrel View Image 5 at Neist Point and a single at Pool Roag (MB,SH,RMcM)
5th May 2013 Barnacle Goose View Image 46 pushing north at Neist Point (MB,SH,RMcM)
5th May 2013 Great Skua View Image 7 at Neist Point + 4 Purple Sandpiper, & 1000+ Kittiwakes with good numbers Manx Shearwater, Common Guillemot, Razorbills & Puffins (MB,SH,RMcM)
5th May 2013 Minke Whale at least two at Neist Point (MB,SH,RMcM)- apparently have been reported for several days
5th May 2013 Blackcap View Image another report of a male on feeders at Dunvegan Hotel (A.Wall)
5th May 2013 Red-throated Diver View Image pair on Loch Coralach, Claigan (D.Hammond) and single north at Neist Point
5th May 2013 Wheatear View Image 9 on the beach at Staffin Bay + 5 White Wagtails (MP)
5th May 2013 Corncrake View Image 1st report of a calling bird in the Uig area(see Blog)
5th May 2013 Golden Plover 30 at Bornesktaig (K.Tomison & R.Hainsworth)
4th May 2013 Arctic Skua View Image 7 in Loch Slapin - 4 light & 3 dark morph birds (RMcM)
4th May 2013 Whinchat View Image male in Skylark Crescent, Broadford (SH)
4th May 2013 Knot 3 in Broadford Bay with 127 Dunlin (MB)
3rd May 2013 Blackcap View Image probably linked to the cold weather, further reports of a male on feeders at Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN)and another at Uigshader (JK)
3rd May 2013 Corncrake View Image no reports on Skye yet - but please see the blog for a request for help with reports from RSPB Corncrake Officer Shelagh Parlane.
3rd May 2013 Whimbrel View Image 3 at Ashaig and a single at Harrapool(RMcM)
3rd May 2013 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 8 at Ardmore, Waternish (SP)
3rd May 2013 Barnacle Goose View Image single at Glas Eilean, Broadford with Greylags (MB,RMcM)
3rd May 2013 Sanderling View Image single at Harrapool with c100 Dunlin (RMcM)
3rd May 2013 Grasshopper Warbler reeling bird on the Heaste Road, Broadford (MB)
3rd May 2013 Chiffchaff singing at Armadale (RA)
3rd May 2013 House Martin View Image visiting artificial nest boxes at Kintail (RA)
3rd May 2013 Brent Goose View Image 100+ in Kilmarie Bay, Loch Slapin (perK.MacKenzie)
2nd May 2013 Redwing View Image still two stragglers at Lephin, Glendale (AS) and a single at Ullinish (J.Grant)
2nd May 2013 Pink-footed Goose View Image skein of 65+ north over Broadford (MB)
2nd May 2013 Brambling View Image two still on feeders at Dunvegan (R.Wright)
1st May 2013 Oystercatcher 40-50 circling the head of Loch Slapin (THall) - clearly migrants
1st May 2013 Brambling View Image a late female at feeders at Kilbride, Torrin (P.Johnson)
1st May 2013 Redwing View Image another late report from Sartle, Staffin (MP)
1st May 2013 Golden Plover small flocks of 12 & 20 over Elgol (RMcM); 70 at Back of Keppoch (SMacD) and an excellent count of 150 at Ardmore (SP)
1st May 2013 Whimbrel View Image 7 at Traigh (SMacD) and two at Ardelve + 5 Common Sandpipers (BN)
1st May 2013 White Wagtail View Image excellent count of 13 at Ardelve(BN)
1st May 2013 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 4 at Harrapool + 38 Redshank (MB)
1st May 2013 Snow Bunting View Image female reported from Earlish (L.Murdoch)
1st May 2013 Grasshopper Warbler reeling birds at Breabost (SP) and Morar (SMacD)
30th Apr 2013 Grasshopper Warbler report from Lephin, Glendale (AS)
30th Apr 2013 Lesser Redpoll View Image pair reported back at Lephin, Glendale (AS); also reports at feeders in Broadford and other areas; flock 25 on Edinbane windfarm road (RMcM)
30th Apr 2013 Barn Owl View Image single in broad daylight at Earlish (L.Pearce)
30th Apr 2013 Blackcap View Image male on feeders at Calgary, Sleat (K.MacAskill)
30th Apr 2013 Red Grouse widely distributed on Skye though in small numbers, recent reports from near Struan (T.Hall) and a pair near Edinbane today (see Gallery)(RMcM)
30th Apr 2013 Whimbrel View Image two on Oronsay (SH) and two at Kirkton Bay (BN)
30th Apr 2013 Ring Ouzel View Image calling bird at Coire Aigeann from Sgurr nan Each (M.Lates)
29th Apr 2013 Grasshopper Warbler reeling for the 2nd night at Broadford (SH)
28th Apr 2013 Redwing View Image still stragglers with a single at Staffin (SPorter)
28th Apr 2013 White Wagtail View Image two at Meanish Pier (AS)
28th Apr 2013 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 16 at Breakish Obbe (L&JP)
28th Apr 2013 Whimbrel View Image 3 on the west side of Broadford Bay (SH)
27th Apr 2013 Whimbrel View Image 2 at the head of Loch Slapin & 10 Redshank (RMcM)
27th Apr 2013 Tree Pipit View Image one singing in Broadford Industrial Estate (MB)
27th Apr 2013 Swallow birds still trickling in with reports from Ellishadder yesterday (GJ)and Ullinish today (P.Semler)
27th Apr 2013 Canada Goose View Image 3 at the head of Loch Slapin - probably the same birds which were at Broadford yesterday (RMcM)
27th Apr 2013 House Martin View Image several birds at Quirang Lodge, Staffin + a few Swallows (SPorter)

© 2013 Skye Birds