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 John Poyner (  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 Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image two at Claigan, Dunvegan (D.Bickerton) and two at Broadford Bay (RMcM); still three at Loch Harport (AA) and four at Traigh (SMacD)
31st Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image two at Claigan, Dunvegan (D.Bickerton) and seven at Broadford Bay (RMcM); 6 at Traigh (SMacD)
31st Aug 2016 Knot 15 at Broadford Bay and 200+ Dunlin (RMcM); also a single Knot at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
31st Aug 2016 White Wagtail View Image single at Broadford Bay (RMcM)
31st Aug 2016 Whimbrel View Image singles at Claigan, Dunvegan (DB) and at Traigh (SMacD); three in Broadford Bay (MB)
31st Aug 2016 Goosander View Image 22 at Loch Portree spooked by a White-tailed Eagle (A.Appleton)
31st Aug 2016 Storm Petrel single grounded at Mallaig will be returned to the sea tomorrow (SMacD)
31st Aug 2016 Ruff juvenile still at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
30th Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image c25 flew south from Broadford Bay (am)( RMcM); 23 in Breakish Obbe mid afternoon then moved to Broadford Bay - thought to be new birds (PP RMcM) (see Gallery)
30th Aug 2016 Red-breasted Merganser View Image c50 in moulting flock at Loch Ainort ( RMcM)
30th Aug 2016 Knot c20 flew south from Broadford Bay early morning (RMcM) then 6 in late afternoon
30th Aug 2016 Sandwich Tern View Image two off Erbusaig (M.Bliss)
30th Aug 2016 Whooper Swan View Image 4 still at Loch Mealt (A.Appleton)
30th Aug 2016 Sabine's Gull probable adult north at Neist Point this afternoon (D.Bickerton)
30th Aug 2016 Whimbrel View Image single reported from Loch Snizort Beag (D.Bickerton)
29th Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image two in Breakish Obbe (PP) and still three at Traigh, Morar (SMacD); nine at high tide roost Broadford Bay (RMcM, MB)
29th Aug 2016 Ruff juvenile still at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
29th Aug 2016 White Wagtail View Image single at Staffin Bay (JDJ) & 4 at The Aird, Gedintailor (NB)
29th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image still 3 at Staffin Bay (JDJ) & 2 at Broadford Bay (RMcM); also 3 at The Aird, Gedintailor (NB)
29th Aug 2016 Goosander View Image 10 at the head of Loch Harport (A.Appleton)
29th Aug 2016 Shag 200+ in the Narrows of Raasay + a pod of 15-20 Common Dolphin (NB)
29th Aug 2016 Knot flock of 32 adults & juveniles arrived Broadford Bay in evening (MB)
28th Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single at Lower Breakish (PP) and three at the head of Loch Harport in the evening (A.Appleton); still three at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
28th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image 4 in Broadford Bay (MB) and 3 in Staffin Bay (ML)
28th Aug 2016 Ruff juvenile still at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) (see Gallery)
28th Aug 2016 White-tailed Eagle View Image four over Drynoch, two adults and two juveniles (A.Appleton)
28th Aug 2016 Jay three recorded near Loch nan Eala, Arisaig - still expanding their range (RD)
28th Aug 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 17 in Loch Portree (JDJ)
27th Aug 2016 Knot single in Broadford Bay (MB)
27th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image just a single in Broadford Bay (MB) with two at Traigh (SMacD)
27th Aug 2016 Curlew Sandpiper View Image still at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
27th Aug 2016 Ruff single at Traigh, Morar and 3 Black-tailed Godwit (SMacD)
27th Aug 2016 Sabine's Gull juvenile 7 miles ne of Staffin Island & an adult further north on the Burma Bank (N.Davies)
26th Aug 2016 Ringed Plover View Image 170 in Broadford Bay & 100 Dunlin (RMcM)
26th Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 2 in Broadford Bay + 3 Bar-tailed Godwit (RMcM)
26th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image 4 in Broadford Bay (RMcM) and 5 at Traigh (SMacD)
26th Aug 2016 Curlew Sandpiper View Image single at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) - see Gallery for outstanding image.
25th Aug 2016 Sabine's Gull 1st summer 6 miles east of Staffin Island (N.Davies)
24th Aug 2016 Whinchat View Image another fledged brood of three at Scullamus and a Stonechat brood (RMcM)
24th Aug 2016 Cuckoo late bird at Breakish (C.Tallach)
23rd Aug 2016 Black-headed Gull 125 at Loch Kishorn with many juveniles (RMcM)
23rd Aug 2016 Goosander View Image 16 at Loch Kishorn & 14 Red-breasted Merganser (RMcM)
22nd Aug 2016 Osprey View Image one attempting to fish in Breakish Obbe at high tide (PP)
22nd Aug 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 7 at Loch Portree & a Common Sandpiper (NB)
22nd Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single feeding in a field at Feorlig with Curlew (RMcM)
22nd Aug 2016 Meadow Pipit View Image c200 in the Feorlig area (RMcM)
22nd Aug 2016 Goosander View Image 20 near the head of Loch Snizort Beag(RMcM)
21st Aug 2016 Mistle Thrush View Image flock of c25 at Ose (L.Millington)
21st Aug 2016 Twite View Image c50 at Rhu Bornesketaig (ML)
21st Aug 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image two at Rhu Bornesketaig (ML)
21st Aug 2016 Grey Plover View Image single at Balmeanach Bay (WM)
20th Aug 2016 Knot summer plumage adult at Kilmory, Rum (SM) (see Gallery)
20th Aug 2016 Arctic Skua View Image 2 birds off Kilmory, Rum (SM)
19th Aug 2016 Red-breasted Merganser View Image moulting flock now 55 at Loch Ainort (RMcM)
19th Aug 2016 Eider moulting flock now 150 at Loch Ainort (RMcM)
19th Aug 2016 Heron 25 spooked from roost by White-tailed Eagle at Scalpay Narrows (RMcM)
19th Aug 2016 Gyr Falcon re the recent report from Talisker Bay, a white morph bird was rescued from a hen coop at Kildonan by Graham Ross who suspects its an escaped falconer's bird
19th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image three at Staffin Bay (MP)
19th Aug 2016 Redshank fresh influx with 20 at the head of Loch Ainort (RMcM) & 57 in Broadford Bay (MB)
19th Aug 2016 Pintail two females in Broadford Bay (MB)
18th Aug 2016 Greenshank 6 on Ardnish, Broadford (RMcM) (see Gallery)
18th Aug 2016 Pink-footed Goose View Image solitary bird on Ardnish, Broadford (RMcM) (see Gallery)
18th Aug 2016 Redshank flock of 100-150 came in off the sea going south over Loch Pooltiel (AS)
18th Aug 2016 Sooty Shearwater View Image single between Rum and Soay from MV Sheerwater (R.Dyer)
18th Aug 2016 Arctic Skua View Image dark morph bird near Loch Scresort, Rum from MV Sheerwater (R.Dyer)
18th Aug 2016 Mandarin drake still in Arisaig area at seaward end of canal (R.Dyer)
18th Aug 2016 Storm Petrel single between Rum and Soay (SM)
17th Aug 2016 Peregrine View Image two over Ardnish, Broadford (PP)
17th Aug 2016 Gyr Falcon white morph bird reported from Talisker Bay where it was seen being mobbed by two Golden Eagles (A.McLean)
17th Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image two in Broadford Bay and two Knot (MB)
17th Aug 2016 Greenshank still 6 at Loch Portree (NB) and a single at Duntuilm (MP)
17th Aug 2016 Whimbrel View Image 6 at Rubha Hunish (MP)
16th Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 8 at Ashaig, Broadford (A&EH)
16th Aug 2016 Greenshank 6 at Loch Portree (NB)
16th Aug 2016 Sabine's Gull adult at sea 5 miles east of Staffin Island (ND)
15th Aug 2016 Great Northern Diver View Image single in the Sound of Sleat from the ferry (RMcM)
15th Aug 2016 Storm Petrel single on Oberon Bank between Mallaig and Eigg (RMcM)
15th Aug 2016 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single in Broadford Bay with 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, (MB)
15th Aug 2016 Knot single in Broadford Bay with 50 Redshank (MB)
15th Aug 2016 Merlin View Image single in Breakish (N.Hinchliff)
15th Aug 2016 Twite View Image numbers building with 120 at Glas Eilean/Wateroo (NB)
15th Aug 2016 Arctic Skua View Image dark morph birds on Oberon Bank between Mallaig & Eigg (RMcM) and in Broadford Bay (NB)
14th Aug 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image two juveniles at Loch Portree (NB)
14th Aug 2016 Black Guillemot View Image 6 near Skye Bridge (A&EH)
14th Aug 2016 Redshank 60 at Harrapool & 70 Curlew (A&EH)
14th Aug 2016 Spotted Flycatcher View Image pair with single youngster at Leiter Fura, Kinloch (NB)
14th Aug 2016 Lapwing 24 at Strath Suardal (D.Rose)
14th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image 4 in Staffin Bay (MP)
14th Aug 2016 Canada Goose View Image now 44 at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
13th Aug 2016 Whimbrel View Image 6 on Ardnish, Broadford (A&EH)
13th Aug 2016 Twite View Image 30 on Ardnish, Broadford (A&EH) & 96 at Waterloo (MB)
13th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image 5 still at Broadford Bay + 88 Ringed Plover and 56 Dunlin (MB)
13th Aug 2016 Hen Harrier View Image ringtail, possibly a juvenile bird at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
13th Aug 2016 Canada Goose View Image 22 at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
12th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image fresh influx of birds with 14 in Broadford Bay (RMcM) and 3 at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
12th Aug 2016 Knot two at Traigh, Morar, and 24 Golden Plover (SMacD)
12th Aug 2016 Mandarin drake still present at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (RD)
12th Aug 2016 Storm Petrel single on Oberon Bank between Mallaig and Eigg (RMcM)
12th Aug 2016 Sooty Shearwater View Image single on the Oberon Bank between Mallaig and Eigg (RD)
11th Aug 2016 Knot three in Broadford Bay & three Sanderling (MB)
11th Aug 2016 Ringed Plover View Image 75 in Broadford Bay and 70 Dunlin (MB)
11th Aug 2016 Goosander View Image 26 in Loch Portree (NB)
11th Aug 2016 White-tailed Eagle View Image great news from Canna where the pair of White-tails have successfully fledged 4 young
10th Aug 2016 Red-breasted Merganser View Image 36 in moulting flock at the head of a Loch Ainort (RMcM)
10th Aug 2016 Merlin View Image female at Lower Breakish (PP) and a ringtail Hen Harrier over Ardnish (P. Olde-Wolbers)
10th Aug 2016 Twite View Image 120+ at Glas Eilean, Broadford (NB)
10th Aug 2016 House Martin View Image two young fledged at Harrapool (NB)
9th Aug 2016 Sooty Shearwater View Image four in The Minch near Burma Bank north of Skye (C.Round)
9th Aug 2016 Pied Wagtail View Image count of 42 Ferinquarie, Glendale, at dusk (AS)
8th Aug 2016 Whimbrel View Image 15 in Broadford Bay (am) and a single Knot (RMcM)
8th Aug 2016 Great Skua View Image seven following creel boat in outer Loch Carron (M.Bliss)
8th Aug 2016 Goosander View Image 15 at the head of Loch Sligachan & 4 Greenshank (RMcM)
8th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image three in Staffin Bay (RMcM) (see Gallery)
8th Aug 2016 Lesser Whitethroat View Image report of a single at Dornie (N.Hinchliff) - this is an extremely rare record for us.
7th Aug 2016 Sanderling View Image 10 in Broadford Bay (MB) & a single at Staffin (MP)
7th Aug 2016 Whimbrel View Image flock of 8 at Ashaig (RMcM)(see Gallery) & 21 at Broadford Bay later (MB)
7th Aug 2016 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 11 at Loch Portree + 7 Greenshank (NB)
7th Aug 2016 White-tailed Eagle View Image one attempted to take a Merganser chick at Lochlonghead (PS)
7th Aug 2016 Manx Shearwater View Image 3 hour watch at Neist Point produced 1216 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Storm Petrel, 2 Arctic Skua, 3 Bonxie, 180 Kittiwakes, 60 Fulmar, Red-throated Diver, 6 Puffin and 8 Guillemots (P.Stronach)
7th Aug 2016 Turnstone single at Staffin Bay + a Greenshank and 3 Dunlin (MP)
6th Aug 2016 Great Skua View Image three in the Sound of Raasay (PE)
5th Aug 2016 Redshank high tide count of 64 at Breakish Obbe (PP)
5th Aug 2016 Whooper Swan View Image still 4 summering birds at Loch Mealt (DB)
4th Aug 2016 Blackcap View Image male at Scorrybreac, Portree (NB)
4th Aug 2016 Cuckoo juvenile still around Ullinish - nice image in the Gallery from David McGough
4th Aug 2016 Greenshank 6 on Ardnish, Broadford (DB)
4th Aug 2016 Whimbrel View Image 4 on Ardnish, Broadford + single Knot and Sanderling(DB)
3rd Aug 2016 Hen Harrier View Image ringtail over Ardnish early morning (PP)
3rd Aug 2016 Goosander View Image 22 in Loch Portree (NB)
2nd Aug 2016 Common Scoter 6 flew south off Berreraig Bay in Sound of Raasay (DB)
2nd Aug 2016 Common Guillemot View Image on a recent ferry trip in the Sound of Sleat noticed lot of adults with young...the oldest Guillemot has just been found on Cannna at 38 years - seabird studies have now continued on the island for 48 years.

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