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 Sep 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image passage continued through night & 600 through Portree 0700-0730 (NB); skeins also through Earlish (NH),Kyleakin (A&EH), Lower Milovaig (AS), Broadford (NB) & Caroy (MS) + Gedintailor (CA) - more than 1000 over Kilmory, Rum (SM) & skeins also over Lochailort (SMacD) - passage continuing well into evening so 48 hours now
30th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler singles in Broadford (NB) and Harrapool (MB)
30th Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 25 heading east at Kilmory, Rum, landed on sea (SM); also 5 south of Arisaig (RD) & 13 over Kyleakin early evening (A&EH)
30th Sep 2019 Orca two reported north past Neist Point early evening (per PK)
30th Sep 2019 Merlin View Image female at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (AH)
29th Sep 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image skeins on the move south from just before midnight last night with widespread reports from Morar, Rum, Portnalong, Gedintailor, Portree, Ardnish, Kyleakin, Ardnish, Drumfearn, Uig ........probably some count duplication but involving thousands of birds continuing well into this evening eg 28 skeins through Portree late evening (NB) - thanks to multiple observers
29th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler two at Drumfearn, Sleat (PK)
29th Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 24 s/east over Portree early evening (NB)
29th Sep 2019 Lesser Redpoll View Image big flocks in Portree forestry with combined totals c180; also c80 Siskin (NB)
28th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler still at Drumfearn + a Chiffchaff (PK)
28th Sep 2019 Willow Warbler View Image late single Kilmory Glen, Rum + Chiffchaff & Blackcap (SM)
28th Sep 2019 Slavonian Grebe single at Camas an Sgianadin, Broadford (NB)
27th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler single at Tigh na Drochaid, Portree (NB) (see Gallery); single still at Drumfearn (PK)
27th Sep 2019 Water Rail more images of the Elgol juvenile in the Gallery - this bird was first photographed on August 11 so may well have fledged locally (D.Wright)
27th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image single in Broadford Bay (NB)
27th Sep 2019 Chiffchaff single at Corry, Broadford (NB)
26th Sep 2019 Yellow-browed Warbler calling bird at Drumfearn, Sleat (PK)
26th Sep 2019 Water Rail juvenile recorded and photographed at garden pond at Elgol (DW) - see Gallery
25th Sep 2019 Corncrake View Image The 2019 survey results for corncrakes, one of Scotland’s rarest breeding birds, reinforce the vulnerability of the species RSPB Scotland has warned. Only 870 calling male corncrakes were recorded in the core areas that are annually surveyed this summer, down from 897 in 2018. There were only 13 calling males recorded on Skye.
25th Sep 2019 Chiffchaff singles in Portree forestry (NB) and Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
25th Sep 2019 Ring Ouzel View Image single in Kilmory Glen, Rum (SM)
25th Sep 2019 Blackcap View Image single in Portree forestry (NB)
24th Sep 2019 Short-eared Owl View Image remains of a bird found at Kilmory, Rum, - probably predated by an Eagle (SM) (see Gallery)
24th Sep 2019 Western Isles see the Blog for details of a recent visit to the western isles
24th Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Poolteil coming to fish guttings (AS) (see Gallery)
23rd Sep 2019 Sandwich Tern View Image two at Kilmory, Rum (SM) and two at Broadford Bay (MB)
23rd Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image single in Breakish Obbe, Broadford (NH)
22nd Sep 2019 Greenshank 6 in Breakish Obbe (NH)
22nd Sep 2019 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image three in Staffin Bay with Curlews (MP)
22nd Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image two at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (WH)
22nd Sep 2019 Common Redstart single at Lower Milovaig + a Treecreeper - a few migrants on the move (AS) (see Gallery)
22nd Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull present again at Loch Poolteil (AS) (see Gallery)
21st Sep 2019 Teal View Image 20 on Kyleakin Obbe (A&EH)
21st Sep 2019 Great Skua View Image 5 in the Minch (Skye side) from the ferry + an Arctic Skua (RMcM)
21st Sep 2019 Hen Harrier View Image juvenile seen 5 miles out of Lochmaddy from the ferry flying east towards Skye (RMcM)
21st Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again on the beach at Loch Poolteil (AS)
20th Sep 2019 Lapland Bunting single at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
20th Sep 2019 Black-throated Diver View Image four in Broadford Bay & a Slavonian Grebe (NB)
20th Sep 2019 Orca two from the Uig - Lochmaddy ferry tonight on Skye side + a Minke Whale
19th Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 6 south over the Pier on Eigg (JC) & 6 south over Isleornsay (SP); two on Loch Fada (MP)
19th Sep 2019 Woodcock 1st report of autumn with a single near the Stein junction at Waternish last night (CM)
19th Sep 2019 Redwing View Image 12 possible early arrivals at Borve (AS)
18th Sep 2019 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 19 at Breakish Obbe & 7 Greenshank (NH)
17th Sep 2019 Whooper Swan View Image 18 south through Kilmory, Rum (SM)
17th Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Poolteil (AS)
17th Sep 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image some passage again with 60 over Portree (NB); skeins of 40 & 50 over Gedintailor early afternoon (CA) and two small skeins of 18 and 30 over Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W)
17th Sep 2019 Great Skua View Image two west over Portree towards Glen More we’re going from east to west coast (NB)
17th Sep 2019 White-tailed Eagle View Image two juveniles seen leaving Lower Milovaig heading across the Minch towards Harris (AS)
17th Sep 2019 Wigeon 50 in off the sea at Ashaig, Broadford (NB)
17th Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image three in Breakish Obbe + 20 Bar-tails (NH)
16th Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Poolteil (AS)
16th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image still 14 at Loch Portree (NB) (see Gallery)
16th Sep 2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker View Image still coming to feeders at Lyndale (CStevenson)
16th Sep 2019 Greenshank five at Breakish Obbe (NH) and three at Loch Portree (JDJ)
15th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image 11 at Ashaig, Broadford (NH) in morning & still 14 at Loch Portree (JDJ)
15th Sep 2019 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image single at Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC)
15th Sep 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image good movement south today with 47 over Upper Milovaig (AS); small skein over Rum (SM); two skeins of 110 over Portree (NB); two small skeins over Drumfearn (PK); and skeins of 110 & 75 over Morar in evening (SMacD)
14th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image still some passage with 13 at the head of Loch Ainort & 14 at the head of Loch Portree (NB)
14th Sep 2019 Leach’s Storm Petrel single reported from outer Loch Ainort (NB) & another from the Uig-Lochmaddy ferry in the afternoon
14th Sep 2019 Knot single at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
14th Sep 2019 Arctic Tern View Image 8 in outer Loch Ainort (NB)
14th Sep 2019 Sabine’s Gull juvenile reported from the Uig-Lochmaddy ferry within Skye waters
13th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image 20 at Loch Portree (NB)
13th Sep 2019 Common Scoter single male in Broadford Bay (NB)
13th Sep 2019 Whimbrel View Image single in Broadford Bay + 12 Bar-tailed Godwits (NB)
13th Sep 2019 Great Skua View Image a darvic ringed Great Skua photographed on fly past at Neist Point on 5.8.2019 had been ringed as a nestling on the Shiants on 15.7.2008 so was 11 years old (AS)
12th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image 62 south-west from Broadford Bay this morning & 110 early evening (MB)
12th Sep 2019 Sanderling View Image 13 at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) & two at Kilmory, Rum (SM)
11th Sep 2019 Brent Goose View Image passage through Broadford Bay with groups of 3 & 12 midday then 48 in afternoon (MB, PO-W); 130 on the shore near Sconser Quarry (L.Hamilton)
10th Sep 2019 Manx Shearwater View Image young birds are fledging at the moment and with inclement weather are often disorientated by ambient light and land in towns and villages. As they cannot take off please try and rescue them, keep overnight in a box, and release over the sea.
10th Sep 2019 Great Skua View Image reports from Kimory, Rum (SM) and the ferry terminal at Raasay where there was also an Arctic Skua (G.Rees)
10th Sep 2019 Turnstone numbers building up with 26 in Broadford Bay (NB)
9th Sep 2019 Great Northern Diver View Image two off Drumbuie, Lochalsh (HS)
9th Sep 2019 White-tailed Eagle View Image two juveniles frequenting the Raasay Ferry terminal (RC)
9th Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image two roosting on offshore rocks at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
8th Sep 2019 Chiffchaff single in garden Lower Milovaig (AS)
8th Sep 2019 Long-tailed Tit View Image 17 at Woodend, Portree (PS)
7th Sep 2019 Great Skua View Image 4+ off Loch Scresort, Rum (SM)
7th Sep 2019 Sanderling View Image four juveniles in Broadford Bay (NB)
7th Sep 2019 Cetaceans perfect calm day for cetaceans with 50+ Common Dolphins seen travelling west off Loch Scresort, Rum (SM) and probably the same group off Neist Point (AS) (see cetacean Gallery) - also 2/3 Minke Whale at Neist
7th Sep 2019 Orca pod of 7/8 from the Uig - Tarbert ferry unfortunately just a few miles from Tarbert though heading east into Skye waters (RMcM) (see Cetaceans gallery)
7th Sep 2019 Willow Warbler View Image straggler at Armadale Castle Gardens + Spotted Flycatcher (JC,NR)
7th Sep 2019 Whitethroat View Image late single at Mallaig (JC,NR)
6th Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image still two at Traigh with 18 Sanderling on shore (SMacD)
5th Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image two at Traigh, Morar (SC)
5th Sep 2019 Twite View Image c100 at Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM)
4th Sep 2019 Arctic Skua View Image between 12-4 in strong northerlies on Moll Road, at Sconser 105 moving west & south (NB) - this is a record count for Skye!; minimum of 13 in Broadford Bay in similar timescale (RMcM, SA)
4th Sep 2019 Great Skua View Image between 12-4 in strong northerlies on Moll Road, at Sconser 18 moving west & south (NB); minimum of 9 in Broadford Bay in similar timescale (RMcM, SA); also 5+ off Kilmory, Rum (SM)
4th Sep 2019 Great Northern Diver View Image singles in Broadford Bay (SA) and off Moll Road, Sconser + 8 Red-throated Diver (NB)
4th Sep 2019 Pomarine Skua View Image single in Broadford Bay late evening (SA, RMcM) and possible juvenile from Mallaig-Rum ferry this morning (SM)
4th Sep 2019 Pink-footed Goose View Image skein of 50 over Rum (SM)
4th Sep 2019 Manx Shearwater View Image singles off Moll road, Sconser (NB) & in Broadford Bay (SA, RMcM)
3rd Sep 2019 Common Scoter 12 flew west over Broadford Bay (RMcM)
3rd Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image 16 in Broadford Bay, probably moved to Ashaig & then moved south (RMcM)
3rd Sep 2019 Sanderling View Image 20 in Laig Bay, Eigg (JC)
3rd Sep 2019 Slavonian Grebe 1st report of the autumn with two off Sconser Quarry (NB)
3rd Sep 2019 Knot 12 flew west into Broadford Bay (NB,RMcM)
2nd Sep 2019 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 12 at Waterloo (SA) and 11 in Breakish Obbe (NH)
2nd Sep 2019 Knot 35 in Loch Portree (NB) - this is by far the largest count of this species at this site
2nd Sep 2019 Storm Petrel 11 between Eigg & Muck from MVSheerwater (RD)
2nd Sep 2019 Black-tailed Godwit View Image two in Broadford Bay (R.Disanto)
1st Sep 2019 Yellow-legged Gull adult again at Loch Poolteil (AS)
1st Sep 2019 Sanderling View Image 19 on shoreline at Traigh, Morar (SMacD)
1st Sep 2019 Willow Warbler View Image unusually a singing bird in Lower Breakish (NH)
1st Sep 2019 Bar-tailed Godwit View Image 14 in Broadford Bay & 4 in Loch Portree (RMcM, NB)
1st Sep 2019 Goosander View Image max count 16 at Loch Portree (JJ)

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