|
|
 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29th June 2006
|
Razorbill
|
|
following the recent general reports Hugh Scott reports a raft of 700 Razorbills at Kyleakin many of which moved eastwards into Loch Alsh and were later seen returning in smaller groups. By any standards this is a huge count and must represent birds which otherwise should be at breeding colonies. |
|
|
|
|
29th June 2006
|
Black-tailed Godwit
|
|
Alan & Elaine Horner report flock of 19 at Ardnish, Broadford - this is earlier return passage than expected, perhaps reflecting failed breeders. |
|
|
|
|
27th June 2006
|
Auks
|
|
Still reports coming in of large numbers of Auks - Guillemots/Razorbills/Puffins - on our east coast sea lochs from Loch Carron through Broadford Bay to Lochs Ainort and Sligachan. Though they appear to be finding plenty food it is unusual to see such numbers at a time when they should still be at breeding sites - falling last years poor breeding season it all looks rather ominous. |
|
|
|
|
27th June 2006
|
Great Skua
|
|
pair in residence at Waternish point but do not appear to be breeding (John Phillips) |
|
|
|
|
27th June 2006
|
Arctic Skua
|
|
following the recent report from Alan Sillence there were 3 Arctics at the head of Loch Bay - a dark phase and 2 light phase - harrying Terns. Confirming earlier reports that the birds are obviously summering. |
|
|
|
|
26th June 2006
|
Ring Ouzel
|
|
Report of female carrying food on Bla Bheinn, near the normal ascent route - there was a confirmed breeding in the same area last year - records of this species are scarce.(Brice Ebert & Emma Williams) |
|
|
|
|
25th June 2006
|
Whooper Swan
|
|
report from Simon Dix of a pair on Loch Beag(tidal) near Struan. This is an extremely interesting summer record causing some speculation that the pair may have attempted to breed on one of our hill lochs. Whilst a few pair of Whoopers breed in Scotland there is no breeding record for Skye. |
|
|
|
|
23rd June 2006
|
Linnet
|
|
Report from Valerie Hunkin of a pair feeding 2 young at Skinidin - always good to get reports about what can be a scarce species on Skye. |
|
|
|
|
23rd June 2006
|
Greenshank
|
|
report from Brian Neath of 7 at Shiel Saltings, a much larger count than normal. |
|
|
|
|
23rd June 2006
|
Reed Bunting
|
|
two singing males at Lundie Bay, Loch Cluanie (BN) |
|
|
|
|
23rd June 2006
|
Storm Petrel
|
|
report from a local fisherman of 4 birds off Soay |
|
|
|
|
22nd June 2006
|
Hen Harrier
|
|
We have had some terrible weather on Skye over the last week with rain and gales. At the start of this period there were 5 Hen Harrier nests containing a minimum of 22 young. All the sites were checked to-day - two had failed completely - and all the others had lost young chicks - in all there were only 7 young left. Even by our normal wet conditions this level of mortality is exceptional. All the larger chicks managed to survive. Young birds probably died as a result of chilling and food shortages. It is difficult for the male bird, which provides all the food at this stage, to hunt and find food in bad conditions. It is not just Harriers which would suffer in such conditions but obviously other ground nesting birds. (Bob) |
|
|
|
|
22nd June 2006
|
Arctic Skua
|
|
report from Alan Sillence of 2/3 harrying Terns in outer Loch Bay area - continuing a run of interesting summer reports of this species. |
|
|
|
|
21st June 2006
|
Gannet
|
|
Following unseasonal westerly gales there were about 50 Gannets feeding in Loch Slapin - unusually most were 1-3 year old birds. |
|
|
|
|
20th June 2006
|
Sandwich Tern
|
|
group of 4 in Broadford Bay (MB) |
|
|
|
|
19th June 2006
|
Dunlin
|
|
small group of c8 in summer plumage at Harrapool (Loraine Card) - difficult to know whether they are late migrants north, early migrants south or local failed breeders? |
|
|
|
|
19th June 2006
|
Short-eared Owl
|
|
report from Graham Leatherbarrow of a single at Ullinish. |
|
|
|
|
17th June 2006
|
Great Skua
|
|
Alan and Elaine Horner report a single near the Skye Bridge. |
|
|
|
|
17th June 2006
|
Arctic Skua
|
|
Peter Elford reports a single bird still in Loch Dunvegan which was seen off Uignish Lighthouse - now that Great Skua are beginning to colonise, could Arctic be following the same course? |
|
|
|
|
16th June 2006
|
Dotterel
|
|
report via Jean Thomas of birds seen on Sgurr Dearg in the Cuillin - trying to establish more detail. As yet there is no breeding record for Skye although birds are reported annually. |
|
|
|
|
11th June 2006
|
Great Skua
|
|
report from Hugh and Margaret Scott of a pair at Rubha Hunish - not apparently breeding. |
|
|
|
|
11th June 2006
|
Swift
|
|
single bird on the moor to the west of Bernisdale - only report of the year. |
|
|
|
|
9th June 2006
|
Red Kite
|
|
report from John Jones of a Red Kite near Torrin - this is the third such report in the last few weeks suggesting that a bird is summering in the area. |
|
|
|
|
8th June 2006
|
Sandwich Tern
|
|
report from Dave Rogers of 2 in Broadford Bay |
|
|
|
|
8th June 2006
|
Arctic Skua
|
|
single bird harrying terns in Loch Dunvegan at the Coral Beaches |
|
|
|
|
7th June 2006
|
Kittiwake
|
|
very interesting record from Dave Rogers of 250+ Kittiwake and 200+ Razorbill in Broadford Bay. At this time it would be reasonable to expect these birds to be in breeding territories - is this an indication of birds which have either nested and failed to breed - or have not even attempted to breed - is shortage of food a problem again this year? |
|
|
|
|
6th June 2006
|
Corncrake
|
|
Alan Sillence is the summer warden for RSPB monitoring Corncrake numbers. Alan reports that surveys started on 20th May and so far birds have been calling at 11 sites, mainly in the north of the island. Though early days numbers in Trotternish seem to be down. If you have heard birds that Alan may not be aware of please let Alan know direct or pass the details through the site and I will let him know. |
|
|
|
|
6th June 2006
|
Grasshopper Warbler
|
|
Alan Sillence has also commented on the shortage of Grasshopper Warblers - most of my Bob's time is currently spent in forestry plantations where I have had good numbers of these warblers in the past few years - I certainly agree with Alan that numbers seem to be down. |
|
|
|
|
4th June 2006
|
Great Spotted Woodpecker
|
|
this species is largely confined to Sleat - report from Carl Farmer from Coille Dalavil. |
|
|
|
|
1st June 2006
|
Great Northern Diver
|
|
still a single in Talisker Bay (R.&P. Canning) |
|
|
|
(View last 30 days)
2010: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September
2009: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2008: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2007: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2006: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2005: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2004: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2003: December |
|
