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
30th Sep 2011 Brown Rook two brown rooks reported from George McLean's garden in Portree - this strain seems to have been around for c25 years.
30th Sep 2011 Northern Wheatear View Image straggler still of the leucorhoa race at Meanish Pier (AS)
29th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image c20 head of Loch Ainort (CForshaw)
28th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 9 at Harrapool (RMcM)
28th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image c40 at the head of loch Ainort (PE), 6 at Lusa (PDavison) and 12 at Luib (G.Jones)
28th Sep 2011 Golden Plover 14 at Ashaig + 18 Bar-tailed Godwit and c36 'Comic' Terns (A&EH)
28th Sep 2011 Northern Wheatear View Image stragglers still going through with singles at Neist Point (IHastie),Upper Breakish (RMcM) and Clachan Duich causeway (BN)
27th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image 65 first thing in the morning (SB) then 29 (pm)at Harrapool (A&EH) and 23 at the head of Loch Ainort (IHastie)
27th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still a single at Harrapool (RMcM)
27th Sep 2011 Slavonian Grebe 2 in Broadford Bay (SB)
26th Sep 2011 Wheatear View Image stragglers still going through with late female at Kinloch/Dunvegan road (AS)
26th Sep 2011 Lapwing small flock of 8-10 at head of Loch caroy (MSellors)
26th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 12 at Waterloo/Harrapool + 9 Bar-tailed Godwit and c100 Dunlin (A&EH)
26th Sep 2011 Gannet still 29 in Broadford Bay, mainly juveniles and up to 75 Terns (probably Arctic) - lots of sprats about (A&EH)
25th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image single still at Harrapool (MB) + 6 Black-tailed Godwit
25th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image flock of 28 into Broadford Bay in morning (MB). Also 8 at the head of Loch Caroy (MSellors) 28 also seen in Staffin Bay (MP)
25th Sep 2011 Gannet still 50+ juvenile Gannets in Broadford Bay and Pabay Sound (A&EH)
25th Sep 2011 Goldfinch 60+ at Altvaid, Dunvegan + 30-40 Twite (T.Bird)
25th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image 26 at Camas Ban, Harlosh (I Hastie)
24th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image single still at Harrapool (am) + 30 Red-breasted Merganser and 15+ Red-throated Diver in Broadford Bay (MB)
24th Sep 2011 Sandwich Tern View Image 3 in Broadford Bay + 16 Arctic Tern (SB)- and up to 31 'comics' later (MB)
24th Sep 2011 Kittiwake lot of feeding activity in Broadford Bay with c400, 100+ Gannets including 60 juveniles, 1 Great Skua and 2 Arctic Skua (MB, SB)
24th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single adult Broadford Bay (MB)
24th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image 26 new birds arrived Broadford Bay early afternoon (MB)
24th Sep 2011 Arctic Tern View Image single at Loch Longhead, Lochalsh (PSpeak)and still a few going south past Mallaig and Traigh (SMacD)
23rd Sep 2011 Arctic Tern View Image group of 12 roosting at Waterloo (RMcM)
23rd Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image most have passed through but still 13 at Harrapool early afternoon (RMcM)
23rd Sep 2011 Sanderling View Image 7 at Harrapool + 3 Knot and a Grey Plover (MB)
23rd Sep 2011 Ruff single reported in Broadford Bay (SB)
23rd Sep 2011 Red-breasted Merganser View Image up to 38 in Broadford Bay, most in eclipse (SB)
22nd Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image heavy passage through Broadford Bay with 100 at Waterloo in the morning (AMcH), then counts of 64, c150, then 50 later from Scalpay direction, some of which landed (SB) - also 15 at Ashaig (A&EH). Count of 104 at Glas Eilean early evening (MB) Elsewhere 44 at Loch Ainort (RMcM)
22nd Sep 2011 Pomarine Skua View Image single in seawatch at Ru Bornesketaig + Arctic Tern & 6 Red-throated Divers going south (RMcM)
22nd Sep 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 22 at Loch Portree is a high count for this site (RMcM)
22nd Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image single still at Waterloo early afternoon (MB)
22nd Sep 2011 Arctic Tern View Image still reports of birds at Mallaig and Traigh (SMacD)
22nd Sep 2011 Sanderling View Image 8 and a Whimbrel in Broadford Bay (SB)
21st Sep 2011 Arctic Tern View Image two at Broadford near the new pier (RMcM)
21st Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still a single at Harrapool + 10 Knot and a Sanderling (RMcM)
21st Sep 2011 Arctic Skua View Image two harassing Kittiwakes at Mallaig(SMacD)
20th Sep 2011 Great Skua View Image at least 4 in Loch Slapin off Strathaird Point (RMcM)
20th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image a single at Harrapool - probably another new bird (PE) (see Gallery)
19th Sep 2011 Buff-breasted Sandpiper still showing well on the shore at Traigh early morning (SMacD)
19th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image 12 pale bellied in Broadford Bay (MB)
18th Sep 2011 Pomarine Skua View Image with the northerly winds, two in Broadford Bay (MB)
18th Sep 2011 Buff-breasted Sandpiper still on the shore at Traigh this afternoon - see Gallery for new images (SMacD)
18th Sep 2011 Great Northern Diver View Image single at Claigan, Dunvegan (HScott)
17th Sep 2011 Ruff still at Suardal but in silage field with lapwing (DCJ)
17th Sep 2011 Buff-breasted Sandpiper though not seen since last Sunday bird has again turned up at 1600 on the shore at Traigh, in front of Golf Clubhouse (SMacD)
17th Sep 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image exceptional counts this autumn with 48 at Lower Breakish (A&EH) and 18 at Loch Portree (RMcM)
17th Sep 2011 Whooper Swan View Image single flying over Kyleakin (A&EH)
17th Sep 2011 Shelduck unseasonal report of two at Ardnish (A&EH)
17th Sep 2011 Gadwall View Image single drake at the head of Loch Sligachan (RMcM)
17th Sep 2011 Red Kite View Image two separate reports of a bird near the Staffin road north of the Storr (per Sylvia Porter)
17th Sep 2011 Reed Bunting View Image excellent count of 22 on Glas Eilean, Broadford (MB) (see Gallery)
17th Sep 2011 Swallow still pair feeding 4 young on wires at Ardelve, Lochalsh (BN)
16th Sep 2011 Ruff still on the flooded field at Suardal, Broadford this morning (MB,RMcM)(see Gallery)
16th Sep 2011 Sabine's Gull juvenile from the Small Isles ferry + a Pomarine Skua (per birdguides)
15th Sep 2011 Ruff juvenile on flooded field at Suardal near Broadford (RMcM)
15th Sep 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image single at Camus Ban, Loch Portree, seen from Brigadoon (PE) - also recent reports from Pool Roag (3) and singles at Loch Beag, Oronsay Causeway, Loch Dunvegan, Struan and Loch Sligachan.
15th Sep 2011 Twite View Image 40+ near Coral Beaches, Dunvegan (JK)
15th Sep 2011 Great Skua View Image 6 off the north-east corner of Eigg from the small isles ferry (JStorie)
15th Sep 2011 Whooper Swan View Image 8 off the Point of Sleat from the small isles ferry (JStorie)
14th Sep 2011 Blackcap View Image a male at North Scorrybreac (CHawley)
14th Sep 2011 Pink-footed Goose View Image c500 in 3 skeins heading east over the head of Loch Long, Lochalsh at 0130 (PSpeak)
14th Sep 2011 Pomarine Skua View Image single heading north at Neist Point (RMcM)
14th Sep 2011 Whooper Swan View Image 8 heading south at Neist Point (RMcM)
13th Sep 2011 Little Stint View Image single at Harrapool, + a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Sanderling (MB)
13th Sep 2011 Pink-footed Goose View Image single at the pool on the Aird, Gedintailor - left behind! (WM)
13th Sep 2011 White Wagtail View Image 10 on flooded fields at Suardal, Broadford (RMcM)
12th Sep 2011 Pink-footed Goose View Image despite wind and rain, skein of 120 heading south-east at Carr Brae, Dornie (BN)- and probably also a skein of 50 heading east at Kyleakin at midday (HS)
12th Sep 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 3 on flooded fields at Suardal near Broadford + 6 White Wagtail and 5 Northern Wheatear (Leucorhoa)
12th Sep 2011 Common Scoter two in Broadford Bay (MB)
12th Sep 2011 Slavonian Grebe first arrival - a single in Broadford Bay (MB)
12th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image 4 at Ashaig (A&EH)
11th Sep 2011 Buff-breasted Sandpiper still at Traigh, Morar, late morning (see Gallery) (SMacD, MB, RMcM)
11th Sep 2011 Sandwich Tern View Image two at Ashaig + 3 Common Tern (A&EH)
11th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single at Traigh + 4 Bar-tails, 7 Sanderling & 5 Knot (SMacD)
10th Sep 2011 Pintail two at Harrapool, a female and a leucistic bird (DCJ)- and seen later at Ashaig (A&EH)
10th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still a single at Harrapool + two Black-tailed Godwit (DCJ)
10th Sep 2011 Sandwich Tern View Image single off Ardnish (DCJ)
10th Sep 2011 Buff-breasted Sandpiper clearly being elusive but again at Traigh, Morar, this afternoon (SMacD)
10th Sep 2011 Gadwall View Image 7 in Broadford Bay (MB, RMcM)
10th Sep 2011 Sabine's Gull juvenile seen from Hebridean Whale Cruises in north Minch off Gairloch (Nick Davies)
9th Sep 2011 Barn Owl View Image single at Suardal near Broadford (RMcM)
8th Sep 2011 Buff-breasted Sandpiper report from Stephen MacDonald of a single bird near Traigh Golf Course, Morar - this is the 2nd report of this rare vagrant from this area - superb image in Gallery.
8th Sep 2011 Brent Goose View Image first of the autumn - 6 pale bellied in Broadford Bay (MB)
8th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still a single at Harrapool(MB)
8th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image count of 13 at Harrapool + 11 Knot(SB)
8th Sep 2011 Sanderling View Image 6 at Harrapool (MB) and 14 at Ashaig (A&EH)
8th Sep 2011 Sanderling View Image 4 Ardmore Bay, Waternish (AJ)
7th Sep 2011 Sooty Shearwater View Image single north at Neist Point + 10 Great Skua and 13 Arctic Tern (RMcM)
7th Sep 2011 Red-throated Diver View Image four south at Neist Point (RMcM)
7th Sep 2011 Northern Wheatear View Image single leucorhoa at Neist Point (RMcM)
7th Sep 2011 Goldfinch 60+ in shore field at Kyleakin (A&EH)
7th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image single at Harrapool + 27 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Knot & 6 Sanderling (MB, DW)
7th Sep 2011 Arctic Skua View Image two south at The Aird, Braes + a Great Skua (WM)
7th Sep 2011 Twite View Image c70 at Waterstein (AJoss)
7th Sep 2011 Knot c30 approaching high tide at Harrapool (DW)
7th Sep 2011 Ruff single bird in field at Kinloid, Arisaig (SMacD)
7th Sep 2011 Sanderling View Image 16 at Traigh, Morar + 5 Turnstone (see Gallery)(SMacD)
7th Sep 2011 Whimbrel View Image up to 3 Loch Dunvegan over last few days (AJ)
6th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still two at Harrapool (MB)
6th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single at Traigh, Morar + 12 Sanderling (SMacD)
6th Sep 2011 Sooty Shearwater View Image 10 in outer Loch Snizort from the Lochmaddy-Uig ferry with one excaping two Bonxies trying to drown it (AS)
6th Sep 2011 Sabine's Gull juvenile with Kittiwakes in outer Loch Snizort from the Lochmaddy-Uig ferry (AS)
6th Sep 2011 Storm Petrel c20 in outer Loch Snizort from the Lochmaddy-Uig ferry +10 Bonxies and 40 Arctic Terns (AS)
6th Sep 2011 Ruff another single briefly at Harrapool + 4 Black-tailed Godwit (DW)
5th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image a single near the head of the loch at Dunvegan (AJoss)
4th Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still 3 at Harrapool in morning (MB,RMcM)
4th Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image still 3 juveniles at Harrapool/Waterloo (see Gallery) (MB)
4th Sep 2011 Red Knot View Image c30 at Ardnish, Broadford (C&MB)
4th Sep 2011 Whooper Swan View Image last date of summering bird in Uig Bay (MLumb)
3rd Sep 2011 Ruff single at Harrapool + 2 Whimbrel (SB)
3rd Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still a single at Harrapool (MB) and also a single briefly at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) - by evening there were three at Harrapool (MB)
3rd Sep 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image excellent count of c45 at Harrapool (MB)
3rd Sep 2011 Knot c50 flew in to Harrapool mid-afternoon (MB)
2nd Sep 2011 Long-tailed Skua juvenile south at Neist Point (RMcM)
2nd Sep 2011 Kittiwake c1000 south in 2 hours at Neist Point (RMcM)
2nd Sep 2011 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still a single at Harrapool (RMcM)
2nd Sep 2011 Stonechat View Image adults with recently fledged brood at Pool Roag (RMcM)
2nd Sep 2011 Goldeneye early female at Loch Mor, Waterstein (RMcM)
1st Sep 2011 Black-tailed Godwit View Image still 3 at Harrapool (MB)

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