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
29th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image another herd of 13 birds flying south at Uigshader (JK)
29th Nov 2011 Barn Owl View Image one hunting near Conchra, Lochalsh (P.Speak)
29th Nov 2011 Chiffchaff report of a bird in a Milovaig garden for several days (perAS)
29th Nov 2011 Short-eared Owl View Image single at Struan Causeway at dusk (MHerbert)
29th Nov 2011 Greenshank two wintering birds at Loch Mor, Struan (MHerbert)and a single at Loch Portree (TBowditch)
28th Nov 2011 Kestrel many reports recently would confirm that there has been a good breeding year and still available food for foraging birds.
28th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image more late birds moving through with 10 in Loch Greshornish, Edinbane (AS). Also 6 on Loch Meodal including 3 cygnets (ALyle)and two adults and a juvenile at Loch Portree (TBowditch)
28th Nov 2011 Purple Sandpiper View Image two at Harrapool (A&EH)
27th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image 8 over Broadford Bay(SB), 3 at Gedintailor, Braes (PDark) and 4 south over Lusa in the afternoon (A&EH) all suggest that birds are still moving south.
27th Nov 2011 Greenland White-fronted Goose single only flew from Ashaig towards Ardnish (A&EH)
27th Nov 2011 Barn Owl View Image 3 separate reports between Sabhal Mor Ostaig and Broadford would suggest there may have been an influx (L.Phillips)
27th Nov 2011 Brambling View Image male in a garden in Plockton (M.Rogers)
27th Nov 2011 Treecreeper a bird at Plockton showed characteristics of the 'northern' race from Scandinavia which is migratory.(M.Rogers)
25th Nov 2011 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image pair coming to feeders at Kyleakin (A&EH) and a single at feeders Kilbryde (JJ)
25th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image 5 over Waterloo, Broadford (SB)
24th Nov 2011 Greenland White-fronted Goose c60 arrived in Broadford Bay and currently resting at Glas Eilean (SB). Not clear yet whether these include the local flock or whether they are passing through and held up by the gales.
22nd Nov 2011 Veery still at Gallanach Farm, Muck and performing extremely well for the visiting birders (RMcM)(See Gallery)
22nd Nov 2011 Little Gull View Image two from MV Orion between Eigg and Mallaig (G.Pullan, S.Pinder)
21st Nov 2011 Chiffchaff very late bird at Uig (T.Hodgetts)
21st Nov 2011 Purple Sandpiper View Image 7 on the rocks at Mallaig Harbour (SMacD)
21st Nov 2011 Blackcap View Image male in garden at Fank Brae, Mallaig (SMacD)
20th Nov 2011 Snow Bunting View Image three, two males and a female on the forest track near Kyleakin (A&EH)
20th Nov 2011 Waxwing View Image report of a single at Idrigill (Gwyn Jones) is the first report for Skye and Lochalsh this autumn.
20th Nov 2011 Greenland White-fronted Goose single at Traigh along with Greylags (SMacD)
18th Nov 2011 Veery still showing well on Muck - a number of chartered boats have taken in visiting birders.(see Gallery)
18th Nov 2011 Short-eared owl View Image reports from Upper Totarder, Struan (M.Herbert) and Ullinish (PE)
17th Nov 2011 Veery still showing at Gallanach Farm on Muck this morning (David Barnden) - this is only the third record for this North American thrush in Scotland.(see Gallery)
16th Nov 2011 Slavonian Grebe count of 9 in Broadford Bay (SB, RMcM)
16th Nov 2011 Veery this exceptional american vagrant was reported at Gallanach Farm, Muck this afternoon (per Birdguides). Such a rarity would normally spark a biggish twitch but the vagaries of the weather and Calmac winter service may conspire to leave the bird in peace.
16th Nov 2011 Common Scoter continuing the run of reports - 4 off Sula Skerry, Loch Bracadale (PE)
15th Nov 2011 Black-throated Diver View Image two separate groups totalling 18 - 11 in Loch Scavaig near Elgol, and 7 in Loch Slapin at Glasnakille (RMcM)
15th Nov 2011 Slavonian Grebe 4 off Ashaig (A&EH)
15th Nov 2011 Merlin View Image single near Edinbane camp site + two Kestrels (AS)- Kestrel numbers still good after a better breeding season
15th Nov 2011 Common Scoter 8 in Broadford Bay (MB)
14th Nov 2011 Moorhen three in the pool at Ardmore, Waternish (RMcM)
14th Nov 2011 Goldfinch 70+ near Hallin, Waternish (RMcM)
14th Nov 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 34 at Harrapool (SB) and 4 at the head of Loch Dunvegan (RMcM)
14th Nov 2011 Golden Plover 21 at the head of Loch Dunvegan (RMcM)
14th Nov 2011 Barnacle Goose View Image still a single at Broadford Bay + a single Pink-footed Goose (SB)
14th Nov 2011 Barn Owl View Image single at Portree (T.Bowdich)
14th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image two at Loch Suardal and two at Loch Druargrich (M.Herbert)
14th Nov 2011 Greenshank single at Struan Causeway (M.Herbert)
14th Nov 2011 Bullfinch flock of 20 at Cuidrach (T.Hodgetts)
13th Nov 2011 Barnacle Goose View Image a single with Greylags in Broadford Bay (SB)
13th Nov 2011 Common Scoter 23 in Loch Ainort + 10 Red-throated Diver and 2 Slavonian Grebe (RMcM)
13th Nov 2011 Brent Goose View Image still 4 at Harrapool (RMcM)
13th Nov 2011 Goldeneye good numbers have arrived with 10 at Loch Achaidh na h-Inich in Lochalsh the best count (BN)
13th Nov 2011 Blackcap View Image male at feeders Glasphein, Staffin (MP)
12th Nov 2011 Common Scoter 12 at Camus a Mhor, Braes (WM & PD)
12th Nov 2011 Brambling View Image pair at feeders at Carr Brae (BN)
12th Nov 2011 Lapwing single at Upper Milovaig is very unusual at this time (AS)- as was a single at Staffin on the 13th (MP)
12th Nov 2011 Brent Goose View Image a single pale-bellied with Greylags at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
12th Nov 2011 Moorhen a single neat Back of Keppoch, Arisaig (SMacD)
12th Nov 2011 Long-eared Owl View Image a single hunting near Traigh late evening (SMacD)
11th Nov 2011 Waxwing View Image single over Rum to-day (per Birdguides) - also a few in Inverness so keep an eye open!
11th Nov 2011 White-fronted Goose single with two Greylags at Ashaig (A&EH) - still no sign of the wintering Broadford White-front flock.
11th Nov 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 24 in Breakish Obbe area (A&EH)
8th Nov 2011 Mute Swan View Image single resident bird in Lochalsh has moved from head of Loch Duich to Loch Long (BN)
8th Nov 2011 Black-throated Diver View Image 8 in Loch Slapin + 12 Great Northern Diver (RMcM)
8th Nov 2011 Woodcock more reports with birds at Lealt and Rigg (M.Perry)and three flushed by the roadside at Elgol (M.Kirk)
7th Nov 2011 Sanderling View Image single in Staffin Bay with Ringed Plover (M.Perry)
7th Nov 2011 Gadwall View Image drake still with Wigeon at the head of Loch Sligachan (MK,RMcM)
7th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image 4 at Loch Mealt (MK,RMcM), and 4 south over The Aird, Balmeanach (WM)
7th Nov 2011 Red-throated Diver View Image 3 in Loch Sligachan and 8+ in Staffin Bay (MK,RMcM)
7th Nov 2011 Barnacle Goose View Image 100+ on Staffin Island (MK,RMcM)
7th Nov 2011 Brent Goose View Image 4 at the head of Loch Ainort (MK,RMcM)
7th Nov 2011 Grenland White-fronted Goose 30 in the wintering flock at Kilmuir (MK,RMcM) - also some late migrating birds with 15+ south-west over Skye Bridge, 26 south at Staffin and 4 south at Kilmuir.
7th Nov 2011 Common Scoter 3 in Broadford Bay + a Slavonian Grebe (SB)
6th Nov 2011 Woodcock another report from Lower Milovaig though seemingly scarce elsewhere. (AS)
6th Nov 2011 Fieldfare View Image flocks moving through (also Redwings)with 100+ on Ardnish (RMcM) and 100 at Kyleakin (A&EH)
6th Nov 2011 Grey Plover View Image 4 on Ardnish and 3 Greenshank (JP,RMcM)
6th Nov 2011 Little Egret View Image still at Harrapool (MB)- this is the last report we have of this long-staying bird.
6th Nov 2011 Turnstone 30 at Peinachorrain at the head of Loch Sligachan (WM)
5th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image 50 heading west at Kyleakin (H&MS) and 15 heading south at Morar (SMacD) - these late migrants have probably been held up by the strong southerlies.
5th Nov 2011 Common Sandpiper View Image still a single at Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH)
5th Nov 2011 Brent Goose View Image 11 at Harrapool during day then 24 climbing and heading south/west at dusk (MB, RMcM)
5th Nov 2011 Common Scoter 9 in Broadford Bay, all females/imms. (MB)
5th Nov 2011 Woodcock single near the mast at Glasnakille (MKirk)
5th Nov 2011 Little Grebe View Image 6 at Croe Saltings - also 6 at Loch Long on the 3rd (BN)
5th Nov 2011 Blackbird 14 on freshly turned garden ground at Tote (CHawley)
4th Nov 2011 Swallow two very late stragglers at Broadford, both juveniles (MB)
4th Nov 2011 Fieldfare View Image 100+ at Amer, Struan and c20 Redwing (M.Herbert)
4th Nov 2011 Arctic Tern View Image very late bird off Soay (SMacDonald)
4th Nov 2011 Skua species dark morph bird seen off Point of Sleat (SMacDonald)
4th Nov 2011 Whooper Swan View Image 5 heading towards Skye from Inner Sound (Jan Storie)
4th Nov 2011 Turnstone 10 at Harlosh Point (S.Howard)
4th Nov 2011 Blackcap View Image two males at Tote (CHawley)
3rd Nov 2011 Redwing View Image 24 at Achacork (CL)+ 30 with Fieldfares, Kyleakin (A&EH)- steady movement without huge flocks.
3rd Nov 2011 Goldfinch 40 at Kyleakin (A&EH)
3rd Nov 2011 Jay possibly two birds calling near Morar Lodge (SMacDonald)
2nd Nov 2011 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 28 between Harrapool/Waterloo (RMcM)
2nd Nov 2011 Brent Goose View Image still 9 long stayers on Glas Eilean and 32 new birds in (RMcM)
2nd Nov 2011 Purple Sandpiper View Image 4 at The Aird, Gedintailor on
1st Nov 2011 Common Sandpiper View Image still at Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH)
1st Nov 2011 Little Egret View Image still at Harrapool (RMcM)

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