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
30th Apr 2019 Whitethroat View Image another report from Drumfearn+ drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker (PK)
30th Apr 2019 Puffin c300 in outer Loch Snizort, mainly in pairs (RMcM)
30th Apr 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image summer plumage bird at the Ardmore pool, Waternish (RMcM)
30th Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image three at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
30th Apr 2019 Little Egret View Image wintering bird still at Invercaimbe, Back of a Keppoch (SMacD)
29th Apr 2019 Whitethroat View Image two singing birds in Broadford ( NB)
29th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 100+ north over Skye Bridge (FO-W)
29th Apr 2019 Sedge Warbler View Image singing birds Broadford (NB) and Idrigill (RMcM)
29th Apr 2019 Whinchat View Image male back in territory Harrapool (MB)
29th Apr 2019 Common Sandpiper View Image 7 at Heaste (NB)
29th Apr 2019 Black-headed (Yellow) Wagtail single reported at Truman Waternish on 26th (Chris Dobbs) (see Gallery)
28th Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image three pale bellied still at Broadford Bay (RMcM)
28th Apr 2019 Grasshopper Warbler three reeling birds Portree + a Sedge Warbler & Whinchat (JDJ)
28th Apr 2019 Arctic Skua View Image single at Neist Point (AS) (see Gallery)
28th Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image three on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
28th Apr 2019 Iceland Gull View Image adults on the rocks of Mallaig (SMacD)
28th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 18 remaining at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
27th Apr 2019 Garganey View Image drake found at the mouth of the Broadford River (JSP) (see Gallery) - this is only the 2nd record for Skye, with the 1st in 1943
27th Apr 2019 Yellowhammer report of a male in garden at Treaslane yesterday afternoon (E.Ross)
27th Apr 2019 Jack Snipe View Image single flushed near Broadford waterworks (MB)
27th Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image six over Scullamus Moss, Breakish (RMcM)
27th Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image still three in Broadford Bay (NB) & a single Pink-foot on nearby Ardnish (NH)
27th Apr 2019 Corncrakes two calling birds in the usual areas in north Skye are the 1st of the year (SP) (see Blog)
27th Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image two at Meanish Pier (AS)
26th Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image 9 in Staffin Bay & a single at Broadford Bay (RD,NB)
26th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 8 on Staffin Island (RD)
26th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image 10 on Staffin Island (RD)
26th Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image still three in Broadford Bay (NB)
26th Apr 2019 Ringed Plover View Image 120 in Broadford Bay & 100 Dunlin (RMcM)
25th Apr 2019 Magpie single at Scullamus, Breakish, early afternoon (D.Evans)
25th Apr 2019 Sandwich Tern View Image single in Uig Bay (RD)
25th Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image three pale-bellied still Broadford Bay (NB)
25th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter juvenile male still Loch Ainort (RD)
25th Apr 2019 Lesser Yellowlegs for information the juvenile bird found in Broadford Bay by David Darrell-Lambert on 24.10.2018, has now been accepted by the BBRC. This brings the Skye list to 263.
24th Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image three pale bellied still at Broadford Bay (RMcM)
24th Apr 2019 Red-legged Partridge View Image wandering bird back in Achnacloich area at Stonefield (JMacD)
24th Apr 2019 Sedge Warbler View Image single singing Broadford (per PK) and at Lephin, Glendale (AH)
24th Apr 2019 Grasshopper Warbler reeling bird at Tote in morning (CH) & at An Crubh, Duisdale Mor in evening (RC)
24th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image on Broadford-Elgol road, an estimated 160 singing birds + 6 Blackcap (RD)
23rd Apr 2019 Sedge Warbler View Image singing bird at Camas na Sgianadin, Broadford (RD)
23rd Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter immature male at Loch Ainort (RD)
23rd Apr 2019 Arctic Tern View Image 6 in Loch Bracadale + 20 Great Northern Divers & large numbers of auks, particularly Razorbill (RMcM)
23rd Apr 2019 Whinchat View Image singing males at Harlosh and Roag (RMcM) (see Gallery)
23rd Apr 2019 Golden Plover c200 at Feorlig (RMcM) & 9 at Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
23rd Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image four on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W) with singles at Loch Caroy and Pool Roag (RMcM)
23rd Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image more territorial birds with 6 on Staffin Island (CH) & 4 on Wiay (RMcM)
23rd Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image an exceptional count of 15 singing birds Dunvegan (RD)
22nd Apr 2019 Highland Bird Report 2017 see the Blog & News for details of this recent publication - I have a few copies available at £9 each.
22nd Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image three pale bellied still at Broadford Bay (RMcM)
22nd Apr 2019 Grasshopper Warbler single at Drumfearn yesterday (PK), and today reeling birds at Ullinish (PS), Kylerhea road (NH) & Lower Breakish (RD)
22nd Apr 2019 Tree Pipit View Image two singing birds at Duisdale, Sleat (RMcM)
22nd Apr 2019 Gadwall View Image two in the narrows of Raasay at the Aird (NB)
22nd Apr 2019 Mediterranean Gull 2cy bird in the Narrows of Raasay with 30 Kittiwake (NB)
22nd Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 140 north-west at Kildonan, Eigg (JC) are probably the same skein seen later at Neist Point (RD)
22nd Apr 2019 Golden Plover in 4 hour seawatch at Neist Point, 98 birds SOUTH in several groups (RD)
22nd Apr 2019 Puffin in 4 hour seawatch at Neist Point count of 683 + 125 Manx Shearwater (RD)
22nd Apr 2019 Sandwich Tern View Image three in Broadford Bay & a single Knot + 100 Dunlin & 80 Ringed Plover (MB)
22nd Apr 2019 Ring Ouzel View Image two on Blabheinn (GH)
21st Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image three pale bellied still Broadford Bay (RMcM)
21st Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image territorial bird Broadford Hospital (RMcM); two singing on the Kylerhea road (RD); male at feeders Portree (JDJ)
21st Apr 2019 House Martin View Image three at Kinloch Rum (SM)
21st Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image 12 at Broadford Bay (MB) & 6 at Lower Breakish (RD)
21st Apr 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 100 at the head of Loch Caroy (P.Broadbent) - spring reports on this scale are unusual
21st Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image single in Broadford Bay (PK) & three in Camas Malag (JJ)
21st Apr 2019 Puffin 120 at Kylerhea (RD)
21st Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image single on the sea at Milovaig Pier (AH)
20th Apr 2019 Summer Migrants migration is now in full swing & just to clarify that the site will normally carry the first arrival dates for species but such is the volume of records that we might only show significant records thereafter.
20th Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image three pale bellied still in Broadford Bay (MB,RMcM)
20th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter single in Loch Ainort + 13 Common Scoter (NB)
20th Apr 2019 Sedge Warbler View Image singing bird Kinloch, Rum (SM)
20th Apr 2019 Grasshopper Warbler reeling birds at Leitir Fura, Sleat (LC) and at Mallaig (NR)
20th Apr 2019 House Martin View Image first report at Drumfearn (PK)
20th Apr 2019 Cuckoo more reports from Skye, Gedintailor (CA) & Glen Varigall (JDJ)
20th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 120 north over Tarskavaig (RD) & 48 north through Broadford Bay & landed on Pabay (NB)
20th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image estimated 150+ singing birds on Sleat peninsula (RD) - we have to remind ourselves that this species has declined substantially elsewhere in the UK
20th Apr 2019 Great Northern Diver View Image 43 between Achnacloich and Ord in Sleat (RD)
20th Apr 2019 Tree Pipit View Image 1st report of year with singing bird at Loch Dhughail, Sleat (RD)
20th Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image two at Meanish, Glendale (AS) (see Gallery)
19th Apr 2019 Hawfinch single in garden at Woodside, Morar, this morning (N&H Parish) (see Gallery)
19th Apr 2019 Brent Goose View Image three pale bellied at Ashaig (A&EH) & later seen at Broadford (NB)
19th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image flock of 13 still at Traigh which is unusual - skein of 120 north over Morar (SMacD)
19th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image our breeding birds from Pabay & the Crowlin are now back in the area - a drake Eider was killed by a skua in Broadford Bay today (MB) and a Heron suffered a similar fate to two Bonxies at Loch an Dal (RC)
19th Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image seven at Laig Bay, Eigg (JC)
19th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort (NB)
19th Apr 2019 Magpie another report from Waterstein, in a different garden today (AS)
19th Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image probably 6 in Broadford Bay at high tide (MB,NB)
19th Apr 2019 Wood Warbler two singing Wood Warbler at Druimindarroch, Arisaig (RDoan)
19th Apr 2019 Cuckoo calling birds on Rum (SM) and Roag, Skye (MF)
18th Apr 2019 Cuckoo calling birds at Auchtertyre (RMcM) & Lochlonghead (PS); also Attadale Glen (DM)
18th Apr 2019 Fieldfare View Image two stragglers in Attadale Glen (DM)
18th Apr 2019 Manx Shearwarer c12 birds today off Rubh an Dunain, Loch Brittle (JP)
18th Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image two Kilmory, Rum, in morning and two Kildonan Bay, Eigg, in evening (JC)
18th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image singing bird at Auchtertyre WH College + Chiffchaff (PK); likewise singing Blackcap & Chiffchaff at the Lodge, Eigg (JC)
18th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image significant influx of birds today throughout Skye, Lochalsh & the Small Isles + increased numbers of Swallows
18th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image two skeins totalling 180 birds north over Isleornsay (RC); small flock of 13 landed at Traigh & remained for the day (SMacD)
17th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image singing in Uig Wood + Chiffchaff (SG)
17th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image still four in Portree garden (NB)
17th Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image single with Greylags on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
17th Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image single on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
16th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort + 14 Common Scoter (NB)
16th Apr 2019 Fieldfare View Image single straggler at Greshornish (RMcM)
16th Apr 2019 Razorbill View Image 130 feeding near the head of Loch Caroy (RMcM) & 62 in Uig Bay (SG) - unusual to get these numbers close inshore so perhaps due to feeding?
16th Apr 2019 Jay single at Avernish, Lochalsh (DM)
16th Apr 2019 Whimbrel View Image single at Kildonan, Eigg (JC)
15th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort (NB)
15th Apr 2019 Common Scoter still 11 at Loch Ainort, all of which look 2ndcy (NB); adult male in Loch Bracadale off Ullinish (RMcM)
15th Apr 2019 Chiffchaff singing bird at Old Corry, Broadford (NB)
15th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image singing male at Portnalong (ST)
15th Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image two at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
15th Apr 2019 Crossbill three at Kinloch, Rum (SM) - probably Common
15th Apr 2019 Cuckoo first report from near the schoolhouse on Eigg (Ben Cormack)
15th Apr 2019 Common Sandpiper View Image another early bird at Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC)
15th Apr 2019 Ringed Plover View Image numbers building up with 100+ at Broadford Bay (NB)
15th Apr 2019 Red-legged Partridge View Image our wandering bird has now arrived at Aird on Sleat (P.Mather) (see Gallery)
14th Apr 2019 Nuthatch single beside the school house Rum (SM) - this will be the 1st record for the Small Isles (see Gallery)
14th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort (RMcM)
14th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image still three at Portree (NB)
14th Apr 2019 Iceland Gull View Image 2nd cy bird still at Lochailort fishfarm (SMacD)
14th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image first bird back on Rum + Linnets notes (SM)
14th Apr 2019 White Wagtail View Image single at Kinloch, Rum (SM)
13th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter still three at Loch Ainort with 11 Common Scoter (NB) - most records of Velvet Scoter in the area are of singles so three is unusual
13th Apr 2019 Linnet two back at Lephin, Glendale (AS) & two at Lower Breakish (NH) - Linnet is mainly a summer visitor on Skye
12th Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image three at Ashaig, Broadford (P&RD)
12th Apr 2019 Blackcap View Image Male in Uig Woods + four singing Willow Warblers in Uig area (SG)
12th Apr 2019 Twite View Image four at Heaste (NB) & returning birds at Scullamus (RMcM)
12th Apr 2019 Common Sandpiper View Image another early arrival at Ferinquarrie, Glendale (AliS)
12th Apr 2019 Whooper Swan View Image five at Pool Roag & three at Loch Suardal (ST)
12th Apr 2019 Velvet Scoter two males & a female at Loch Ainort + 11 Common Scoter (NB)
12th Apr 2019 Red-legged Partridge View Image our wandering bird has now turned up in Achnacloich, Sleat (N.MacPherson)
11th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image three following creel boat in Loch Kishorn, including a ringed bird in its 5th year (M.Bliss)
11th Apr 2019 Mandarin drake still at Morar and trying it’s hand with a female Mallard!! (SMacD)
11th Apr 2019 Common Sandpiper View Image first of the spring at Lochlonghead (PS)
11th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 125 north at Drumfearn (PK); 165 in three skeins over Ardnish (PO-W)
11th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image singing birds at Drumfearn, Ard Dorch and Broadford (NB,PK); also Portnalong (ST) & Lower Milovaig (AS)
11th Apr 2019 Chiffchaff calling bird at Drumfearn (PK)
11th Apr 2019 Slavonian Grebe four at Loch an Cairidth (NB)
11th Apr 2019 Common Scoter 9 in outer Loch Ainort & 40 Eider (NB)
11th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image still 5 males in Portree garden (LB)
10th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image several hundred over Isleornsay in 2/3 skeins (RC); also 90 over Drumfearn (PK); 70 north over Rum (SM) & 100 west at Balmaqueen (AC)
10th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image singing birds Broadford (NB) & at the Surgery, Eigg (JC)
10th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image two harassing Gulls in Broadford Bay (NB)
10th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image male at feeders at Skeabost (GF)
10th Apr 2019 Common Scoter only 9 at outer Loch Ainort (NB)
10th Apr 2019 Magpie bird now seen at Heaste (DR)
9th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 320 in three skeins over Drumfearn early morning (PK) which had merged by the time they were over Portree only 13 minutes later(NB); 230 in 4 skeins over Ardnish (PO-W); also120 over Balmacara (DM) & several hundred nw over Soay (RC); an estimated 1000 north over Uig this morning ( per SG) - might be duplication of some counts
9th Apr 2019 Slavonian Grebe 6 off Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
8th Apr 2019 Redwing View Image 100+ at Ashaig flushed by a ringtail Hen Harrier (RMcM)
8th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image c50 north over Drumfearn & Broadford (PK,RMcM) & similar sized flock north over Balmacara (DM)
8th Apr 2019 Great Skua View Image two off Welshman’s Rocks, Rum (SM)
8th Apr 2019 White-tailed Eagle View Image EIGHT at Neist Point only one of which was an adult (AS) (see Gallery)
7th Apr 2019 Swallow 1st reports in a week with a single at Scullamus Moss, Breakish (NH) and two at Waterloo (MB)
7th Apr 2019 Chiffchaff singing bird at Portnalong (ST)
7th Apr 2019 Common Scoter 20 in outer Loch Ainort (RMcM)
7th Apr 2019 Golden Plover 24 at Ashaig, Broadford (A&EH)
7th Apr 2019 Common Crossbill View Image three at Glen Ling, Killilan, Lochalsh (DM)
7th Apr 2019 Magpie another report from Hallin. Waternish (per SP)
6th Apr 2019 Magpie two reports from Kildonan, Edinbane, (CT) (JMcK) - probably the bird from Waterstein yesterday
6th Apr 2019 Common Scoter flock of 19 still at the head of Loch Ainort (NB)
6th Apr 2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image drumming bird at Old Corry, Broadford (MB)
6th Apr 2019 Jack Snipe View Image single on Ardnish, Broadford + also 4 Whoopers north (PO-W)
6th Apr 2019 Goosander View Image 7 on Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH)
6th Apr 2019 Golden Plover 30 on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W) & 5 at Drumbuie, Lochalsh (DM)
6th Apr 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image two at Drumbuie, Lochalsh (DM) & single in Broadford Bay (RMcM)
6th Apr 2019 Willow Warbler View Image single singing at Drumbuie, Lochalsh today (DM)
5th Apr 2019 Red-legged Partridge View Image bird sitting on a windowsill at Kilbride, Torrin this morning (JJ) - has the Kyleakin bird gone on a holiday?
5th Apr 2019 Magpie single at Waterstein, Glendale early afternoon (WM) - has the Ellishadder bird, reported recently, gone walkabout....or is this a prospective mate?💕
5th Apr 2019 Whooper Swan View Image five over Kildonan, Eigg - also a Great Skua near Eigg Pier (JC)
4th Apr 2019 Brambling View Image 8 in Portree garden included 5 males (LB)
4th Apr 2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image visiting feeders at Stonefield, Sleat (JMacD)
4th Apr 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image 80 north over Kildonan, Eigg, this morning (JC)
4th Apr 2019 Common Scoter 19 at the head of Loch Ainort + 40 Eider (NB)
3rd Apr 2019 Iceland Gull View Image 2cy bird at Fishfarm Inverailort (SC)
2nd Apr 2019 Blog have just updated the blog on the recent find of a Blue-winged Teal in Wester Ross and a birding trip to Cyprus
2nd Apr 2019 Sand Martin View Image three on Broadford River (NB) & 6/7 at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (per SMacD)
2nd Apr 2019 Common Scoter still 18 on Loch Ainort + 5 Red-throated Divers & 3 Slavonian Grebes (NB)
2nd Apr 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image 6 in Loch Slapin off Kilmarie Bay (RMcM)
2nd Apr 2019 Redwing View Image 200+ at Heaste (NB) & 60 at Kilmarie with at least one Fieldfare (some of these birds looked like Coburni) so not Icelandic (RMcM)
2nd Apr 2019 Canada Goose View Image five at Isleornsay today though up to 9 recently (RC)
2nd Apr 2019 Little Egret View Image still at Invercaimbe, Back of Keppoch (SMacD)
2nd Apr 2019 Magpie long staying bird still at Ellishadder (LMacD)
1st Apr 2019 Wheatear View Image only two birds today on the Milovaig loop walk which had 37 birds yesterday (AS) - clearly most departed before today’s weather system came in
1st Apr 2019 Brambling View Image 6 still at Portree feeders including five males (NB)
1st Apr 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 37 sheltering in Loch Pooltiel (AS)(see Gallery); 130 nw over Kilmory, Rum, in two groups (SM)
1st Apr 2019 Greenland White-fronted Goose 8 nw over Kilmory, Rum, flying with Whoopers (SM)

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