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
31st Jan 2016 Common Scoter female at Loch Portree (NB)
31st Jan 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image only a single at Loch Portree (NB) - have the storms moved them?
31st Jan 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image three at Loch Portree (NB) & seven in Uig Bay (ML)
31st Jan 2016 Fieldfare View Image 8 at Dunhallin, Waternish & a Mistle Thrush (RA)
31st Jan 2016 Little Auk remains of a predated bird found at Uig Pier (ML)
31st Jan 2016 Guillemot single at Lochlonghead probably blown in by the storms (PS) & several Razorbills in sheltered Loch Portree (NB)
30th Jan 2016 Glaucous Gull View Image probable 3rd winter bird in the sheep parks at Elgol (MK)
30th Jan 2016 Barn Owl View Image single in Glen Varrigall (SB)
29th Jan 2016 White-tailed Eagle View Image two storm bound juveniles on the Nonach Marshes at Lochlonghead, one enjoying a bath (PS); also a single sheltering on Ardnish (DM)
28th Jan 2016 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile still at Mallaig Pier (SM)
28th Jan 2016 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile at Loch Scresort, Rum (SM)
28th Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image 18 at Claigan, Dunvegan (RD)
28th Jan 2016 White-tailed Eagle View Image 4 at Claigan, Dunvegan, which included three adults and a juvenile (RD)
28th Jan 2016 Little Auk single near Dunvegan Castle (RD)
27th Jan 2016 Barn Owl View Image single in Glen Brittle (RD)
27th Jan 2016 Peregrine Falcon female in Glen Brittle (RD)
27th Jan 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image 8 on Loch Brittle + 9 Red-throated Divers & 3 Black-throated Divers (RD)
27th Jan 2016 Fieldfare View Image 15 in Glen Brittle (RD)
26th Jan 2016 Reed Bunting View Image several reports of birds at feeders including up to 12 at Harrapool (MB) & 7 at Portree (TB)
26th Jan 2016 Gannet singles at Balmacqueen and Broadford Bay (R.Doan)
26th Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image 24. at Balmacqueen (R.Doan)
26th Jan 2016 Slavonian Grebe eight at Broadford Bay & two Black-throated Divers (R.Doan)
25th Jan 2016 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile at Coral Beaches, Dunvegan (A.Harris)
25th Jan 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image 15 in Armadale Bay (R.Doan)
25th Jan 2016 Mediterranean Gull 2nd winter bird reported at Kylerhea - seen from the Otter hide (R.Doan)
25th Jan 2016 Hen Harrier View Image male late afternoon at Ord (R.Doan)
24th Jan 2016 Brambling View Image single on feeders at Galmisdale, Eigg since the beginning of the year (JC)
24th Jan 2016 Knot 6 at Ashaig, Broadford (A&EH)
24th Jan 2016 Slavonian Grebe 5 in Broadford Bay + a single Black-throated Diver (R.Doan)
24th Jan 2016 Red-throated Diver View Image three in Broadford Bay (R.Doan) & four in Staffin Bay (NB)
24th Jan 2016 Gannet still three in Staffin Bay (NB)
24th Jan 2016 Purple Sandpiper View Image three on Oronsay, Ullinish (A.Harris)
23rd Jan 2016 Blackcap View Image male at Duirinish, Lochalsh (R.Charlesworth)
23rd Jan 2016 Hen Harrier View Image male at Struan (A.Stoddart)
22nd Jan 2016 Goldfinch c30 at Uig (NB) &. similar sized flocks reported recently at Kyleakin and Upper Halistra (A&EH & CM)
22nd Jan 2016 Great Black-backed Gull View Image c70 at Uig (NB)
21st Jan 2016 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image on feeders at Kyleakin (A&EH)
21st Jan 2016 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile at the mouth of the Broadford River (RMcM)(see Gallery)
21st Jan 2016 Whooper Swan View Image still 10 on Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (R.Wright)
21st Jan 2016 Little Auk three in the Sound of Rassay from the ferry (S.Harris et al)
20th Jan 2016 Mediterranean Gull 2nd winter bird at Achintraid, Kishorn (MB,RMcM)(see Gallery)
20th Jan 2016 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile at Kishorn (see Gallery) and juvenile Iceland Gull(MB,RMcM)
20th Jan 2016 Little Grebe View Image 9 at Loch Kishorn(MB,RMcM)
20th Jan 2016 Goldeneye 45 at Loch Kishorn(MB,RMcM)
20th Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image 43 at Staffin Bay (S.Harris)
20th Jan 2016 Teal View Image 17 at Ardmore, Waternish (RA)
20th Jan 2016 Dipper three on the shore at Staffin and a single at Flodigarry (S.Harris et al)
20th Jan 2016 Hen Harrier View Image male at Staffin (A.Harris)
19th Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image 42 at Staffin + 9 Lapwing (TB)
19th Jan 2016 Black-throated Diver View Image three Black-throated, two Red-throated and a single Great Northern in Staffin Bay(TB)
18th Jan 2016 Red-breasted Merganser View Image 25 between Camas na Sgianadin and the head of Loch Ainort (RMcM)
18th Jan 2016 Slavonian Grebe 5 between Camas na Sgianadin and the head of Loch Ainort (RMcM)
18th Jan 2016 Black Guillemot View Image 13 between Stein & Carnach, Waternish (RA)
18th Jan 2016 Water Rail one seen crossing road in Broadford (NB)
17th Jan 2016 Blackcap View Image male at feeders in Portree (W.Houlsby)
17th Jan 2016 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile in Broadford Bay (MB, RMcM)
17th Jan 2016 Little Auk at least one in Broadford Bay (MB) and a single in the Sound of Raasay (J.D.Jones)
17th Jan 2016 Jack Snipe View Image three flushed at Ashaig, Broadford (MB)
17th Jan 2016 Golden Plover 40 at South Cuidrach + 23 Ringed Plover (RMcM)
16th Jan 2016 Ringed Plover View Image a colour ringed bird from the small over-wintering flock at Gedintailor, seen on 13.1.2016 was ringed as a breeding male at Achiltibuie on 14.5.15 - part of an ongoing study (RMcM)
16th Jan 2016 Jack Snipe View Image single on Glas Eilean, Broadford (MB)
16th Jan 2016 Slavonian Grebe 8 in Broadford Bay (NB)
16th Jan 2016 Golden Plover 14 at Ardmore, Waternish (RA)
14th Jan 2016 Peregrine View Image single at Loch Portree which made several unsuccessful stoops on gulls (NB)
14th Jan 2016 Wigeon 49 at Loch Portree + 15 Teal(NB)
14th Jan 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 20 at Loch Portree(NB)and 9 on Ardnish (DM)
14th Jan 2016 Little Auk unfortunately three dead birds found above the tideline at Staffin Bay (MP)
14th Jan 2016 Costa Rica Talk Julie & Brian Neath are giving a talk on the wildlife of Costa Rica to SW Ross Field Club at 7.30pm on Friday 15th in Kirkton Hall - all welcome.
14th Jan 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image a leucistic bird has been present in Loch nan Ceal, Arisaig since November (R.Dyer) (see Gallery)
14th Jan 2016 Iceland Gull View Image juvenile still in Mallaig harbour (SMacD)
13th Jan 2016 Red-throated Diver View Image 7 in the Sound of Raasay (RMcM) & 4 at Oronsay, Loch Bracadale (PS)
13th Jan 2016 Little Auk 5 in the Narrows of Raasay and 3 in Loch na Cairidh (RMcM)(see Gallery)
13th Jan 2016 Great Skua View Image single in the Sound of Raasay & two juvenile Gannets(RMcM)
13th Jan 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image 6 in the Sound of Raasay + 3 Black-throated Divers(RMcM)
13th Jan 2016 Slavonian Grebe two in Loch na Cairidh(RMcM)& up to 9 recently in Loch nan Ceal, Arisaig (RD)
12th Jan 2016 Little Auk single at Camas an Sgianadin, Broadford + a Black-throated Diver (NB)
12th Jan 2016 Slavonian Grebe singles at Camas na Sgianadin & in Broadford Bay (NB)
11th Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image 37 at Cuidrach, Trotternish (TB)
11th Jan 2016 Lapwing c30 at Feorlig, Dunvegan (RMcM)
11th Jan 2016 Glaucous Gull View Image juvenile in Uig Bay (TB)
11th Jan 2016 Twite View Image 5 at Kyleakin Obbe (NB)
11th Jan 2016 Chiffchaff scarce in winter, there was a single at Ferindonald, Sleat (PK)
11th Jan 2016 Grey Wagtail View Image two at Teangue, Sleat (PK)
11th Jan 2016 Hen Harrier View Image ringtail at Ullinish (PS)
10th Jan 2016 Glossy Ibis View Image bird seen at 1030 in Kyleakin Obbe and flew towards Kyle (A&EH) (see Gallery - this is only the 2nd record for the area and the first was recorded in 1911.
10th Jan 2016 Little Auk three at the mouth of Loch Ainort on the Moll side (RMcM) then five in the area later & two off Sconser Quarry (PK); also two in Broadford Bay (MB) & remains of dead bird found at Kyle Pier.
10th Jan 2016 Great Skua View Image scarce winter record with a single off Sconser Quarry (PK)
10th Jan 2016 Gannet 12 between Sconser Quarry & Sound of Rassay + 20 Black Guillemot & 50 Kittiwake (PK)
9th Jan 2016 Hen Harrier View Image males at Braes (G.Ross) and near Elgol (D.Mason)
9th Jan 2016 Golden Plover 32 at Ashaig & a Grey Plover (A&EH)
9th Jan 2016 Shelduck 4 at Ullinish (ST)
9th Jan 2016 Whooper Swan View Image 10 at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (ST)
9th Jan 2016 Greenshank single at Loch Portree (J.D.Jones)
9th Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image 125 at Balmacqeen (C.Hawley)
8th Jan 2016 Greenland White-fronted Goose flock of 7 at Kilmuir, Trotternish (I.Tallach)
8th Jan 2016 Short-eared Owl View Image single recently at Tote (C.Hawley)
8th Jan 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 15 at Waterloo (NB)
7th Jan 2016 Grey Plover View Image single at Breakish Obbe (PP)
7th Jan 2016 Goosander View Image 12 at Loch Eishort, Heaste (NB)
7th Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image 100 at Kilmaluag & 20 at Staffin (TB)
6th Jan 2016 Little Auk single flew east out of Loch Ainort (RMcM)
6th Jan 2016 Turnstone 40 at the head of Loch Ainort during NEWS survey(RMcM)
6th Jan 2016 Blackcap View Image single + a Brambling visiting feeders in Broadford (J.Donaldson)
5th Jan 2016 Turnstone c40 at the head of Loch Sligachan during NEWS survey (RMcM)
5th Jan 2016 Ptarmigan View Image four on Ben Aslak, Kylerhea(DM)(see Gallery)
4th Jan 2016 Iceland Gull View Image two juveniles at Loch Kishorn (RMcM) (see Gallery)
4th Jan 2016 Goldeneye 42 at Loch Kishorn (RMcM)
4th Jan 2016 Knot four at Applecross Bay (RMcM) - could be the same birds which were at Broadford Bay on the 1st?
4th Jan 2016 Hen Harrier View Image males reported between Drynoch-Carbost (S.Hopper), and from Braes (per G.Ross)
4th Jan 2016 Greenshank single at Avernish, Lochalsh (DM)
3rd Jan 2016 White-tailed Eagle View Image adult on shore at Ardnish, Broadford trying to steal breakfast from bitch Otter & two cubs (RMcM)
3rd Jan 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 24 at Loch Portree (NB) & 12 at Waterloo (RMcM)
3rd Jan 2016 Wigeon 56 at Loch Portree (NB)
3rd Jan 2016 Short-eared owl View Image single at Ashaig, Broadford (S.Borthwick)
2nd Jan 2016 Pied Wagtail View Image still some early returning birds with two at Harrapool (MB)
2nd Jan 2016 Barnacle Goose View Image solitary bird at Teangue, Sleat (RMcM)
2nd Jan 2016 Merlin View Image female at Waterloo (NB)
2nd Jan 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image 18 between Broadford Bay & Scalpay Narrows (NB); 12 between Ord & Achnacloich (RMcM)
2nd Jan 2016 Slavonian Grebe four in Broadford Bay & two in Camas nan Sgianadin (NB)
2nd Jan 2016 Mediterranean Gull adult at Scorrybreac, Portree (TB)
1st Jan 2016 Happy New Year wishing everyone great birding in 2016 - for a summary of the 2015 highlights see the Blog.
1st Jan 2016 Knot unusual in winter, there were two in Broadford Bay am with four later (MB)
1st Jan 2016 Whooper Swan View Image still 10 at Loch Suardal (CR) (RW) & 6 at Loch Meudal, Sleat (SA)
1st Jan 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 22 at Loch Portree, 50 Redshank & a single Dunlin (NB)
1st Jan 2016 Common Gull good count of 360 at Loch Portree(NB)
1st Jan 2016 Goosander View Image three on the Brogaig River, Staffin, (MP) & two at Loch Portree (NB)
1st Jan 2016 Goosander View Image three on the Brogaig River, Staffin, (MP) & two at Loch Portree (NB)

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