Skye Birds - A Birding Guide to the Isle of Skye
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Bird sightings on the Island of Skye and the neighbouring area

The objective of this page 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 Stronach (  who may require a full description before the record was accepted. This website will very much be locally focused but some records will be included in the SOC Highland website www.highlandbirds.scot. and may also reach national sites.  We 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.  Records sent to us are also submitted to Birdtrack.

Date Species Image Details
30th Apr 2012 Glaucous Gull View Image immature in Loch Portree (PE)
30th Apr 2012 Redwing View Image a straggler at Balmeanach, Braes (WM)
30th Apr 2012 Snow Bunting View Image small flock on Sgurr Dearg, Cuillin (M.Lates)
29th Apr 2012 Red Kite View Image single bird seen at Borve (T.Hodgetts)
29th Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler reeling birds at Kyleakin (A.Hickey)and Gleann Meadhonach, Sleat (K.Lindsley)
29th Apr 2012 Woodcock single bird flushed from near the path at Coille Dalavil (K.Lindsley)
28th Apr 2012 Lapland Bunting another report, a single female at Back of Keppoch, Arisaig (SMacD)
28th Apr 2012 Twite View Image a lot of birds now visiting gardens for spilled seed with 18 at Acharchork, Portree (C.Lomas) - check carefully for colour ringed birds!
28th Apr 2012 Brambling View Image a female at feeders at Achachork, Portree (C.Lomas)
28th Apr 2012 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image recent reports of drumming birds well outside normal range - from Portree (T.Moore) and Eynort (D.Peppe)
28th Apr 2012 Cuckoo have been a bit thin on the ground but one heard by 'Dodger the Dog' Moore at Portree early morning, then Elgol (RMcM),Waterloo (JP),Black Lochs (ST),Ose (LM), Kensaleyre (MH), Lochlonghead (PS), Stromeferry (C.McA) - they are now everywhere!!
28th Apr 2012 Merlin View Image probable female near Rigg (G.Jones)
28th Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler another reeling bird near Kinloch (S.Terry)
28th Apr 2012 Ptarmigan View Image pair on Ben Aslak (R.Davison)
28th Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image single at Lower Milovaig (AS)and also at Balmeanach Bay (WM)
28th Apr 2012 Redwing View Image straggler at Ose (L.Millington)
28th Apr 2012 Tree Pipit View Image report from Achnacloich (K.MacAskill)
27th Apr 2012 Sand Martin View Image two at the river at the head of Loch Ainort (S.Terry)
27th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image still four at the head of Loch Caroy (MS,RMcM)
27th Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image single at Loch na Dal, Kinloch (J.Grant)
26th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image four resting on Glas Eilean, Broadford (RMcM)
26th Apr 2012 Manx Shearwater View Image good numbers reported in and around Muck recently (DH) and two seen from the Armadale-Mallaig ferry (MB)
26th Apr 2012 Lapland Bunting single at Kildonan Point on Eigg (J.Chester)
26th Apr 2012 Chiffchaff single calling Glasnakille (RMcM)
26th Apr 2012 Redstart single at Inversheil at the head of Loch Duich (M.Perry)
25th Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler reeling bird at Harrapool (S.Terry)
25th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image single straggler at Loch Suardal (PE)
25th Apr 2012 Nuthatch belated report of a bird on feeders at Bracora, Morar on the 17th (per SMacD)
24th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image 4 with Greylags at the head of Loch Caroy (M.Sellors)
24th Apr 2012 Twite View Image groups of birds visiting garden at Ose including two with colour rings (which we are trying to find the origins of) (C.Millington)
24th Apr 2012 Tree Pipit View Image singing bird at Kinloch + a Blackcap (MB)
24th Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image 5 in Broadford Bay (MB)
24th Apr 2012 Dipper breeding records are scarce so two recently fledged young on the upper part of the River Snizort is encouraging (PE)(see Gallery)
24th Apr 2012 Common Whitethroat View Image one singing at Morar Church (SMacD)
24th Apr 2012 Blackcap View Image two singing at Morar Lodge (SMacD)
23rd Apr 2012 Shelduck 12 on Ardnish (A&EH) and a pair at Camas Malag, Torrin (ST)
23rd Apr 2012 Chiffchaff a singing bird at Peiness (JK)
23rd Apr 2012 Blackcap View Image a pair in the Treaslane Woods (DFMacdonald)
23rd Apr 2012 Swallow a pair at Ellishadder (JMcL) and reports from Elgol (MK)
23rd Apr 2012 White-tailed Eagle View Image four to-gether at The Aird, Braes, to-day - an adult and 3 juvs. The youngsters treated (WM) to a spectacle of talon grappling and 'beating up' the Shag colony.
23rd Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image two on the rocks in West Bay, Mallaig (SMacD)
23rd Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image single on the shore at Traigh (SMacD)
22nd Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image 8 in Broadford Bay (MB)(see Gallery)
22nd Apr 2012 Swallow now reached Glendale (AS) and several noted Broadford (MB) and Upper Breakish (RD)
22nd Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image straggler at Uigshader (JK)
22nd Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler one singing at Fasach, Glendale (MH)
22nd Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image c100 moving north over The Aird, Braes (WM)
22nd Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image a single at Kilmarie, Loch Slapin (MK)
21st Apr 2012 Grasshopper Warbler 1st reeling birds at Lephin, Glendale (AS), and the old road north of Broadford (S.Terry)
21st Apr 2012 Linnet with reports from Kyleakin and Broadford (Sue Wells, MB) there seems to be more birds about than in previous years
21st Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image single in Broadford Bay (MB)
21st Apr 2012 Swallow another single in Harrapool (MB)
21st Apr 2012 Great Skua View Image two territorial birds back at Neist Point (D.Hammond)(see Gallery)- and also a bird at Rubha Hunish (J.Grant)
21st Apr 2012 Tree Pipit View Image two singing at Carr Brae, Dornie - 1st heard on the 19th (BN)
20th Apr 2012 Stonechat View Image male & two females beside Black Lochs after absence of two summers (F.Simpson)
20th Apr 2012 Barnacle Goose View Image 6 flying down Breakish Obbe (A&EH)
19th Apr 2012 Cuckoo more to-day with at least two calling at Edinbane (RMcM)
19th Apr 2012 Common Sandpiper View Image two arrived back at Lochlonghead (PS)
19th Apr 2012 Brambling View Image late female on feeders at Lochlonghead (PS)
19th Apr 2012 Sand Martin View Image three on the burn at the Torvaig road-end, Portree (C.Lomas)
19th Apr 2012 Swallow still few reports but single in Kyle (A&EH)
19th Apr 2012 Red Grouse pair beside the path to Rubh na Dunain, Loch Brittle (P.Semler)
18th Apr 2012 Cuckoo Three reports this morning from Achachork, Portree (C.Lomas, from Rhenetra (H.West) and Scullamus (CB)
18th Apr 2012 Blackcap View Image singing male at Glasnakille (RMcM)
18th Apr 2012 Iceland Gull View Image 3 in Broadford Bay (MB)
18th Apr 2012 Common Crossbill View Image 9 in an extended family group at Choisleadar Forest (RMcM)
18th Apr 2012 Linnet three coming to feeders at Ullinish (P.Semler)
18th Apr 2012 Willow Warbler View Image widespread arrivals with reports from Kinloch & Ard Dorch (S.Terry), Loch Slapin (T.Hodgetts) & Edinbane area (RMcM)
17th Apr 2012 Golden Plover c18 at Ashaig (A&EH)
17th Apr 2012 Redwing View Image 4 stragglers at Ellishadder (JMcL)
17th Apr 2012 Northern Wheatear View Image a bird on the shore at Broadford showed obvious signs of leucorhoa from Iceland/Greenland (RMcM)
17th Apr 2012 Twite View Image interesting report of c12 Twite in gardens at Mallaig feeding below feeders (SMacD)
17th Apr 2012 Swallow single at Waterloo, Broadford (M.Bentall)
17th Apr 2012 Short-eared Owl View Image single on Glas Eilean, Broadford at dusk (M.Bentall)
16th Apr 2012 Swallow still scarce but another single at Roag (T.Hodgetts)
16th Apr 2012 Greenshank recent reports include pairs at Kyleakin Obbe and Kilmarie, Loch Slapin (see Gallery)
16th Apr 2012 Whimbrel View Image first spring reports with 8 on the skerries at Mallaig (SMacD)
15th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image 6 heading north at Loch na Dal, Sleat (RC) 3 at Loch a'Bealaich, Kintail (JG) + single in Glen Shiel yesterday (PS)
15th Apr 2012 Shelduck count of 8 at the head of Loch Caroy (M.Sellors)
15th Apr 2012 Whitethroat View Image another early report of a bird singing at Meanish Pier (AS)
15th Apr 2012 Linnet up to 6 birds coming to feeders at Lower Milovaig (AS)
15th Apr 2012 European White-fronted Goose still a single and a single Pink-foot with Greylags at Broadford (MB)
15th Apr 2012 Cuckoo female calling near Sandaig, Lochalsh (RC)
14th Apr 2012 Redwing View Image small flocks of stragglers at Ose (L.Millington) and at nearby Loch Caroy (M.Sellors), with 30 at Lephin, Glendale (AS)
14th Apr 2012 Iceland Gull View Image c2000 mixed Gulls feeding in Broadford Bay included 6 Icelands and 2 Glaucous (MB)
14th Apr 2012 Golden Plover 14 in summer plumage at The Aird, Braes (WM)
14th Apr 2012 Willow Warbler View Image two singing at Isleornsay (RC) and one at Arnish, Raasay (JG)
13th Apr 2012 Willow Warbler View Image though birds arrived in the Glendale area some time ago none have been found elsewhwere until at least 12 were calling in the Broadford area this morning, all in conifer plantations (MB)and 3 at Kilmarie, Strathaird in the evening (RMcM)
13th Apr 2012 Black-throated Diver View Image possibly two in Loch Bracadale at Ullinish (P.Semler)
13th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image skein at Balmeanach, Braes in the morning (WM) and 80 heading north over Elgol in the early afternoon(RMcM). Several unidentified skeins heading north over the Quirang during the day (C.Hawley)
13th Apr 2012 Black-headed Gull good numbers at the moment with 20 in the Narrows of Raasay (WM)and 22 in Broadford Bay (MB)
13th Apr 2012 Iceland Gull View Image single in the Narrows of Raasay (WM)and two in Broadford Bay (MB)
13th Apr 2012 Glaucous Gull View Image single in Broadford Bay (MB)- lots of gull activity at the moment with good feeding clearly available with the northerlies
13th Apr 2012 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image three different birds noted in Kinloch woodland (SB)
12th Apr 2012 Swallow single at Strollamus (RMcM)
12th Apr 2012 Merlin View Image male at Lephin, Glendale, chasing Goldfinches (AS)
12th Apr 2012 ChiffChaff single singing at Plock of Kyle (RC)
12th Apr 2012 Grey Geese both pink-footed and Greylags are on the move north - several unidentified skeins noted heading NW over Braes. (WM)- Greylags over Staffin in several skeins (MP) and small skein over Orbost (RMcM)
12th Apr 2012 Great Skua View Image single in the Narrows of Raasay (WM)
12th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image 22 north over Toravaig, Sleat (J.Grant), 10 on Loch Leathan and then later 6 on nearby Loch Fada (J.Burchardt)
12th Apr 2012 Peregrine Falcon single on a fence post at Ardmore, Harlosh (D.Hammond)
11th Apr 2012 Greenshank single in Uig Bay (M.Lumb)
11th Apr 2012 Grey Wagtail View Image pair at Camustianavaig (J.Grant)
10th Apr 2012 Crested Tit View Image very interesting report of a probable Crested Tit on fat balls at Heaste about a week ago (Janet Ward) - the 2010/11 'Glendale' bird was thought to have left the island via Broadford and Ord and was last seen on 16.4.11
9th Apr 2012 Barnacle Goose View Image two on Ardnish, Broadford (A&EH) & 60+ on Isay viewed from Claigan (G.McCracken)
9th Apr 2012 Common Scoter 1st summer male at Camas nan Mult, Duisdalemore (RC)
8th Apr 2012 Great Skua View Image single in Broadford Bay (RMcM)
8th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image now 55 on Loch Suardal (G.McCracken)
7th Apr 2012 Slavonian Grebe single at Uig Bay (MLumb)
7th Apr 2012 Pink-footed Goose View Image single at Broadford Bay along with Greylags & still a single European White-front (MB)
7th Apr 2012 Greenshank two at Loch Snizort are probably local breeding birds (GFerguson)
7th Apr 2012 Twite View Image singing bird back in territory at Kinloch (STerry) - also several birds at Harrapool including birds with colour rings (MB) - please check and report any colour rings.
7th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image still 24 at Loch Suardal (PSempler)
6th Apr 2012 European White-fronted Goose single at Broadford Bay is of the rarer european race which has only been recorded on a few occasions in Skye(MB)(see Gallery)
6th Apr 2012 Great Northern Diver View Image 8 in Loch Eishort and 4 in Loch Slapin (JGrant)
6th Apr 2012 Merlin View Image several sightings of a male (possibly two birds) on the Suisnish - Boreraig walk (J.Grant)
6th Apr 2012 Stonechat View Image 3 territorial males in Boreraig plantation, Strathaird (JGrant)
5th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image still heading north with 20 at Struan Causeway (MH)and 24 at Loch Suardal (R.Wright). Also a single at Loch a' Ghlinne, Sleat (JG)
5th Apr 2012 Greenshank more probable local birds back with singles at Struan (MH) and Coille Dalavil (JG)
4th Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image 5 at Loch Corlarach & 2 at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (BK)
4th Apr 2012 ChiffChaff two singing at Glaic na Craobh Mor, Plockton (J.Grant)
4th Apr 2012 Wigeon still 50 in Balmacara Bay (BN)
3rd Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image 9 resting at the head of Loch Caroy (RMcM)
3rd Apr 2012 Greenshank returning breeding birds with 8 at Loch Sligachan, 2 at the head of Loch Ainort, and a single at Kilmarie, Loch Slapin (RMcM) - in Lochalsh, 5 at Lochlonghead (PS)
3rd Apr 2012 Stonechat View Image male in territory in Carr Brae, Lochalsh (BN)
2nd Apr 2012 Whooper Swan View Image 30 flying north through the Sound of Raasay (WM)and 53 in 3 groups moving north up Loch Dunvegan (KL)
2nd Apr 2012 Redwing View Image more stragglers with 3 at Ellishadder (JMcL)
2nd Apr 2012 Slavonian Grebe 4 in summer plumage in Broadford Bay (MB)
1st Apr 2012 Glaucous Gull View Image two 2nd year birds following a fishing boat in Loch Pooltiel (AS)
1st Apr 2012 Willow Warbler View Image now three singing birds at Lephin, Glendale (AS)
1st Apr 2012 Redwing View Image singles at Lower Milovaig (AS)and at Elgol (RMcM)

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