Skye Birds - A birding Guide to the Isle of Skye
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Bird sightings on the Island of Skye

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 could be passed on to other website networks. Details would also be passed on the Highland Recorder Al McNee who might require a full description before the record was accepted. This website will very much be locally focussed but recognises the existing requirements 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
28th February 2009 Glaucous Gull click for image still in the Ardelve area of Lochalsh with Herring Gulls, coming to bread in a local garden (BN)
28th February 2009 Barn Owl click for image single bird seen between Sligachan and Portree (BN)
26th February 2009 Sponsored Bird Race a Skye team previously participated in the Highland and Moray Bird Race but this no longer takes place. We are having our own bird race on Sunday 8th March when Roger Cottis, John Phillips, Martin Benson and myself will try and see as many different species as possible on the day - hopefully around 70. My son Neil is presently working with Global Vision International on an educational project in Antigua, Guatemala, and we are trying to raise some funds to help purchase school equipment. Sponsorship and any donations are of course extremely welcome. Any other teams would of course be welcome. Further details about the GVI project or about getting involved please contact Bob through the site.
26th February 2009 Woodcock during an hour's walk through recent clearfell at Keppoch, Strathaird, a total of 7 were flushed suggesting there is a major spring passage north (RMcM)
25th February 2009 Barn Owl click for image continuing reports from Portnalong area where one is roosting on Jean Thomas's croft.
25th February 2009 Barnacle Goose click for image excellent count of 150 at Kilmaluag and 50 at Staffin (Colin Alston)
22nd February 2009 Skylark click for image a group of 15 this time but coming in from the sea at Neist Point, presumably from the Uists (A&AS)- other migrants in the area included a Lapwing at Lower Milovaig and a Pied Wagtail at Meanish Pier.
22nd February 2009 Tufted Duck 2 at Loch Mor with 4 Goosander and 7 Goldeneye (A&AS)
22nd February 2009 Jack Snipe single near Boreraig, Strath (MB)
21st February 2009 Skylark click for image 3 at Lower Milovaig (AS) and also a single at Elgol - numbers still generally low.
21st February 2009 Black-headed Gull generally a scarce bird in the north-west of the island so a single at Lower Milovaig was unusual (AS)
21st February 2009 Iceland Gull click for image single on the coast of Loch Portree at Penifler (RCottis)
20th February 2009 Hen Harrier click for image report of a female at Lower Breakish (P&RDavison) - there have also been recent reports of males at Ullinish, Kildonan and Greshornish. As the weather improves, birds are now moving back into territories both on Skye and probably further north so all sightings are welcome. Last year was a poor breeding season largely because of nest predation and also because of the deliberate trampling of a brood of 5 young. It is hoped that the coming year's breeding season will have better outcomes. (Bob)
19th February 2009 Glaucous Gull click for image a 2nd or 3rd winter bird at Ardelve, Lochalsh (BN)
19th February 2009 Water Rail remains received via Deirdre Peppe of a dead bird found at Glen Eynort about 10 days ago - this would be at the time of the cold weather when this rare winter visitor would struggle for food.
19th February 2009 Golden Eagle click for image Rob Wright is a regular para-glider who often flies from MacLeod's Table North - Rob was flying at 1750' when he spotted a Golden Eagle below him. The bird climbed 1000' to give him the once over before heading off towards Glendale providing Rob with a memorable encounter.
17th February 2009 Shelduck click for image good count of 18 at Ardnish + 10 Lapwing & a Grey Plover (A&EH)
17th February 2009 Barn Owl click for image although a single has been seen regularly at Upper Breakish two different birds were seen to-night (SBirch)
11th February 2009 Glaucous Gull click for image 2nd winter at Faoilean Fish Farm, Strathaird (RMcM)
11th February 2009 Snow Bunting click for image report of 9 on the shore at Eilean nan Gall at the head of Loch Duich - also 4 Stonechat & 3 Meadow Pipit (Rule Anderson)
10th February 2009 Barn Owl click for image single at Harrapool (MB)
10th February 2009 Goldeneye click for image good count of 12 on the Storr Lochs with 5 males - concentrated in the unfrozen areas (MPerry)
9th February 2009 Golden Plover click for image count of 35 at Trumpan, Waternish during tetrad visit when a total of 30 species were recorded including Skylark, Reed Bunting, Peregrine and Jack Snipe. Try and get these 2nd winter tetrad visits in before the end of the month!! (Bob)
9th February 2009 Song Thrush click for image count of 13 at Dubh Aird, Plockton, along with 5 Fieldfare & 4 Mistle Thrush (BN) - also 11 at Trumpan, Waternish (RMcM)
8th February 2009 Jack Snipe 2 at Glas Eilean, Harrapool (MB) with a single at Trumpan, Waternish on the 9th (RMcM)
8th February 2009 Skylark click for image moving back despite the weather - 3 at Glas Eilean, Harrapool (MB) with 6 at Trumpan, Waternish on the 9th (RMcM)
8th February 2009 Barn Owl click for image another report from Sleat, this time from Tarskavaig (Val Piddock)
7th February 2009 Red-throated Diver click for image 3 in Raasay Narrows + a Black-throated Diver (WM)
6th February 2009 Grey Wagtail click for image invariably a comment is made about the scarcity of a species then it turns up - there were 3 at Kilmarie, Strathaird this morning (see Gallery) (RMcM)
5th February 2009 Stonechat click for image report of 2 on the shore at Ullinish along with a Grey Wagtail (PE) prompt the comment that both species appear to be much scarcer than last winter - probably a result of the harder winter.
5th February 2009 Golden Plover click for image flock of 38 at Balmeanach Bay, Braes (WM)
5th February 2009 Black-throated Diver click for image singles off the Aird, Gedintailor, Braes (WM) and in the Sound of Sleat off Ardvarsar (RMcM)
4th February 2009 Barn Owl click for image single observed in early evening at Ferindonald (ADrever)
3rd February 2009 Greenland White-fronted Goose 20 at Ardnish + 9 Shelduck, 9 Lapwing & 60 + Ronged Plover (A&EH)
2nd February 2009 Lapwing click for image despite the cold weather 4 back in a breeding area at Ullinish (PElford)
1st February 2009 Gadwall click for image 4 at the head of Loch Sligachan including 3 males (RMcM)
1st February 2009 Great Spotted Woodpecker click for image one on garden feeders at Kyleakin (A&EH)
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