Date |
Species |
Image |
Details |
31st May 2020 |
Goosander |
|
13 at the head of Loch Portree (NB) |
31st May 2020 |
Turnstone |
|
four on Staffin Island (N.Jones) |
30th May 2020 |
Shoveler |
|
pair at Lochailort (SC) + 6 pairs of Canada Goose, some with goslings (SMacD) |
30th May 2020 |
Orca |
|
three off Neist Point heading south/west including large bull (AS) |
30th May 2020 |
Great Skua |
|
four following creel boat in Broadford Bay (NB) |
30th May 2020 |
Glaucous Gull |
|
sub-adult following creel boat in Broadford Bay - also drake Gadwall in the Bay (NB) |
30th May 2020 |
Yellowhammer |
|
male in territory at Drumbuie, Lochalsh |
30th May 2020 |
Common Tern |
|
25 on Loch Dunvegan |
30th May 2020 |
Snow Bunting |
|
summer plumage bird near summit of Ben Nevis (SC on daily exercise!) |
30th May 2020 |
Goosander |
|
6 drakes on Loch Portree (ML) |
29th May 2020 |
Sandwich Tern |
|
three off Lusa, Broadford (RMcM) |
29th May 2020 |
Swift |
|
15 over Achintore, Fort William (SC) - this is one of the nearest breeding sites to us but bird wander extensively during fine weather like this |
29th May 2020 |
Magpie |
|
report at Halistra, Waternish (J.Hewes) - probably the bird at Geary recently |
29th May 2020 |
Common Redpoll |
|
single visiting feeders at Uig (ML) - separate from small flock of Lesser Redpolls |
29th May 2020 |
Great Skua |
|
pair at Suidhe Biorach, Elgol (GH) |
28th May 2020 |
Corncrake |
|
an unusual call recorded by Nick Hodgetts in Trotternish has been identified as a female Corncrake - the female call has a similar rhythm to the male but lacks the rasping - it is extremely unusual and has rarely been recorded but may occur when a female arrives in a territory with no male. |
28th May 2020 |
Magpie |
|
report of a bird at Geary, Waternish, two days ago (per SP) |
28th May 2020 |
Redwing |
|
information that a pair has successfully fledged young at a site in Lochalsh - though birds have bred in Highland previously this may be the first breeding record we are aware of in Skye and Lochalsh |
28th May 2020 |
Lockdown Birding |
|
please see the blog for some details of recording complete lists on Birdtrack during local walks |
27th May 2020 |
Canada Goose |
|
single in Breakish Obbe (FM) |
27th May 2020 |
Knot |
|
single at Lusa mouth, Broadford with 30 Dunlin & 25 Ringed Plover (RMcM) |
27th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
single at Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM) |
27th May 2020 |
Eider |
|
broods of 6 & 5 at Lochailort, near the fishfarm (SMacD) |
27th May 2020 |
Goosander |
|
6 males at the head of Loch Duich, Lochalsh (RC) |
27th May 2020 |
Tree Sparrow |
|
last date at Lower Milovaig (AS) |
26th May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
two at Lusa Mouth, Broadford, at high tide with 40 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover & a Turnstone (RMcM) (see Gallery) |
26th May 2020 |
Lesser Redpoll |
|
a female found dead at Breakish yesterday was found to have been ringed at Inverness on 10.3.19 & had travelled 102 kms from the ringing site - found by Seonachan MacLeod |
26th May 2020 |
Whooper Swan |
|
single at Ardmore, Waternish (SP) - perhaps the bird at Skeabost recently |
26th May 2020 |
Greylag Goose |
|
pair with five goslings at Loch Dunvegan (SW) |
26th May 2020 |
Hawfinch |
|
female on feeders in Portree garden last night (W.Houlsby) - probably a Scandinavian bird heading home - a great lockdown bird |
26th May 2020 |
Wood Warbler |
|
pair at Kinloch Sleat & good numbers of territorial Whitethroat near Leiter Fura path (MB) |
25th May 2020 |
Canada Goose |
|
single with Greylags at Feorlig, Dunvegan (CA) |
25th May 2020 |
Corncrake |
|
numbers in the north of the island are still relatively low but as birds are still arriving, sightings (or soundings!) are welcome |
25th May 2020 |
Bar-tailed Godwit |
|
four in Broadford Bay & two Turnstone (RMcM) |
25th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
two at Traigh, Morar, (SMacD) & single at Broadford Bay (RMcM) |
25th May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
six at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) |
24th May 2020 |
Lapwing |
|
three pairs breeding at Suisnish, Raasay (SB) |
24th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
two at Loch Portree + 9 Goosander & 83 Great Black-backed Gull (NB) |
23rd May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
12 in field at Lower Breakish, Broadford (NF) |
23rd May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
7 at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) |
23rd May 2020 |
Arctic Tern |
|
80+ in Broadford Bay & 30 Common Tern (NB) |
22nd May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
three at Traigh, Morar (SC) |
22nd May 2020 |
Sandwich Tern |
|
single north passed Mallaig (SC) |
22nd May 2020 |
Bar-tailed Godwit |
|
three at Broadford Bay + a Knot (RMcM) |
21st May 2020 |
Canada Goose |
|
two at Plockton airstrip around for several days (JS) |
21st May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
five at Lusa mouth, Broadford (RMcM) |
20th May 2020 |
Great Northern Diver |
|
four in the Sound of Raasay (RC) |
20th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
7 on Sconser Golf Course & 9 in fields at Breakish (NF) |
20th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
150+ 50 Ringed Plover & two Turnstone in Broadford Bay (A&EH) |
20th May 2020 |
Grasshopper Warbler |
|
reeling bird at Roskill, Dunvegan (S.Wood) |
19th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
three at Traigh (SC) two at Loch Portree (NB) and 7 at Broadford Bay (MB, RMcM) & a single at Ashaig |
19th May 2020 |
Iceland Gull |
|
2cy bird still at Bayfield Portree (NB) |
19th May 2020 |
Canada Goose |
|
still three at Loch Portree (NB) |
19th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
50 at Traigh, Morar (SC) & 100 at Broadford Bay (RMcM) |
18th May 2020 |
Iceland Gull |
|
2cy still at Bayfield Portree in morning & a 3cy in afternoon (NB) (see Gallery) |
18th May 2020 |
Arctic Skua |
|
three overland Rum (SM) |
18th May 2020 |
Common Tern |
|
about 10 starting to nest on the small island Loch Treaslane (AG) |
18th May 2020 |
Sandwich Tern |
|
single in Knock Bay, Sleat |
18th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
6 north from Broadford Bay at high tide (RMcM) |
18th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
c200 & 80+ Ringed Plover at Broadford Bay (RMcM) |
18th May 2020 |
Common Crossbill |
|
a male was caught in a fruit cage at Crossal, Sligachan - successfully released (T.Ashton-Beaton) (see Gallery) |
17th May 2020 |
Iceland Gull |
|
2cy bird at Loch Portree (NB) |
17th May 2020 |
Pink-footed Goose |
|
single with a small group of Greylags at Loch Meodal, Sleat |
17th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
five at Loch Portree (NB) & 7 in Broadford Bay (RMcM) & possibly up to 15 on Sconser Golf Course (BB) |
16th May 2020 |
Iceland Gull |
|
2cy bird at Loch Poolteil (AS) |
16th May 2020 |
Whooper Swan |
|
single on the river bends at Skeabost (GF) |
16th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
another flush of birds in with 225 in Broadford Bay and 150 at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) (see Gallery) |
16th May 2020 |
Ringed Plover |
|
75 at Broadford Bay (RMcM) and 30 at Traigh, Morar + 3 Sanderling (SMacD) (see Gallery) |
16th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
8 north from Broadford Bay (MB) |
15th May 2020 |
Greylag Goose |
|
another early brood of goslings noted at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (RD, MW) |
15th May 2020 |
Iceland Gull |
|
2cy bird at Scorrybreck, Portree (NB) |
14th May 2020 |
House Sparrow |
|
fledged brood at Achnahanaid, Braes, contained a leucistic white bird as has been the case in previous years (GR) |
14th May 2020 |
Long-eared Owl |
|
pair have bred on Canna with at least a single young (GG) |
14th May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
two in Breakish Obbe & two Bar-tailed Godwit (NH) |
14th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
150+ Dunlin & Ringed Plover at Traigh, Morar + two Sanderling (SMacD) |
14th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
overall numbers appear to be declining so perhaps peak passage past - 4 in Broadford Bay (NB) |
14th May 2020 |
Teal |
|
female with brood of four noted at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (RD,MW) |
13th May 2020 |
Whooper Swan |
|
two still on the Black Lochs, Broadford, & noted that one may have an injured foot (RC) |
13th May 2020 |
Jack Snipe |
|
another late bird flushed on the Heaste Road, Broadford (MB): |
13th May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
now 6 birds in Broadford Bay at high tide (MB) & three on Rum (SM); single at The Aird, Gedintailor (WM) |
13th May 2020 |
Pink-footed Goose |
|
single with Greylags on Ardnish, Broadford (NH) |
13th May 2020 |
Sandwich Tern |
|
single in Pabay Sound & single Black-throated Diver (NH) |
13th May 2020 |
Great Northern Diver |
|
15 in the Sound of Sleat off Aird (KMacA) |
13th May 2020 |
Spotted Flycatcher |
|
still a single at Torrin & three different birds around Kilmarie, Strathaird |
13th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
7 north from Broadford Bay late afternoon (NB) |
13th May 2020 |
Short-eared Owl |
|
single seen near Struan early evening (DMcG) - this has become a scarce bird in the area |
13th May 2020 |
Tufted Duck |
|
six in Broadford Bay at Harrapool (MB) - probably northward bound migrants |
12th May 2020 |
Osprey |
|
the bird seen at Loch Slapin on the 9th was ringed as a youngster on 8 July 2018 at a nest in the Dornoch Firth - it has probably spent the last two years in the wintering grounds in Africa |
12th May 2020 |
Iceland Gull |
|
2cy bird at Bayfield, Portree (NB) |
12th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
7 at Broadford Bay at high tide in morning (RMcM) & two at Bayfield, Portree (NB) |
12th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
numbers down in Broadford Bay at morning high tide with 160 + 100 Ringed Plover & three Bar-tailed Godwit (RMcM) single Sanderling later (NB) |
11th May 2020 |
Guillemot |
|
following the recent report about mortality, four dead birds reported at Gedintailor (PD); also another at Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM) |
11th May 2020 |
Magpie |
|
long staying bird back at Ellishadder after an absence (per SG) |
11th May 2020 |
Common Crossbill |
|
adult male feeding a youngster near Broadford Post Office (NB) |
11th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
high tide counts of 11 at Broadford Bay & four at Ashaig (RMcM) |
11th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
count of 260 Dunlin in Broadford Bay this morning + two Sanderling (MB,NB) |
11th May 2020 |
Jack Snipe |
|
single crossed the road near the head of Loch Slapin (RW) - this is a late date but within the known range |
11th May 2020 |
Wood Warbler |
|
another report at Skye Shrubs, Portree (TH) |
11th May 2020 |
Great Northern Diver |
|
6 in Loch na Dal, Sleat (RC) |
10th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
still 300 in Broadford Bay + 100 Ringed Plover, four Bar-tailed Godwit & a single Sanderling; 150+ Dunlin at Traigh (SMacD) |
10th May 2020 |
Canada Goose |
|
still three in Loch Portree (NB) |
10th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
only three in Broadford Bay & two at Loch Portree; three at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) |
10th May 2020 |
Spotted Flycatcher |
|
a single on Rum (SM) & another at Torrin, Skye (NH) |
9th May 2020 |
Waders |
|
with the wet & overcast weather lots of waders held up particularly Ringed Plover & Dunlin, at Traigh, on Rum and at Broadford Bay, Skye - specifics below |
9th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
6 on Rum (SM) and 10 in Broadford Bay (RMcM); 9 north over Earlish (NH) |
9th May 2020 |
Black-tailed Godwit |
|
five in Broadford Bay + five Knot + five Bar-tailed Godwit (MB) |
9th May 2020 |
Curlew Sandpiper |
|
summer plumage bird at Traigh, Morar, on way home from work! (SMacD) (see Gallery) |
9th May 2020 |
Osprey |
|
bird at Loch Slapin photographed and darvic ringed so trying to trace it (RW) (see Gallery) |
9th May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
three on Rum (SM) and two in Broadford Bay (RMcM) |
9th May 2020 |
Dunlin |
|
at least 300 in Broadford Bay (RMcM) with a similar number at Traigh, Morar (SMacD) |
9th May 2020 |
Brent Goose |
|
7 birds at Meanish, Glendale (A.Atherton) - spring records are rare and this is late - probably weather related |
8th May 2020 |
Tree Sparrow |
|
A&AS have decided that the Tree Sparrow that arrived at Lower Milovaig on 05/05 is not the same as the one that left a fortnight before. TS 2 has different behaviour patterns to TS 1, who always used the same perch, same feeder and sat in the same spot in the hedge. |
8th May 2020 |
Greylag Goose |
|
two pairs with 11 goslings at Ashaig, Broadford (A&EH) - seems early? |
8th May 2020 |
Spotted Flycatcher |
|
single at Portree garden centre (NB) (see Gallery) |
8th May 2020 |
Wood Warbler |
|
single at Duisdale, Sleat (RMcM) - this is the 5th record for Skye this year which is unusual |
8th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
northwards passage continues with 12 in Broadford Bay this morning & 9 at Loch Portree early evening (NB,RMcM) |
7th May 2020 |
Bar-tailed Godwit |
|
7 at high tide Broadford Bay in morning & three at Ashaig in evening |
7th May 2020 |
Great Northern Diver |
|
9 in Broadford Bay & 14 off Ashaig, Broadford, later - possibly some duplication |
7th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
at high tide in early evening, 13 in Broadford Bay and 16 at Ashaig some of which headed north; 11 at Loch Portree in evening (NB) |
7th May 2020 |
Wood Warbler |
|
singing bird at Kilmarie, Strathaird (IR) - proving to be a good year for this species |
7th May 2020 |
Canada Goose |
|
three lingering at Loch Portree (NB) |
6th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
13 in Broadford Bay at early morning high tide (RMcM); single at Earlish (NH) |
6th May 2020 |
Guillemot |
|
a number of dead and poor condition birds noted on the east coast of Skye at the moment - as the weather has been fine, maybe food shortages (see Gallery) |
6th May 2020 |
Summer migrants |
|
with the protracted spell of good weather there seem to be good numbers of summer visitors including Cuckoo, Whitethroat, Whinchat, Blackcap and Grasshopper Warbler - does seem to be a shortage of Swallows! |
6th May 2020 |
Common Tern |
|
two at the Fishfarm Lochailort (SC) & two Arctic Tern in Broadford Bay (RC) |
6th May 2020 |
Pink-footed Goose |
|
latish skein of 75 north over Broadford Bay (RMcM) |
6th May 2020 |
Whooper Swan |
|
still two on the Black Lochs, Broadford (RC) |
6th May 2020 |
Great Northern Diver |
|
five in Broadford Bay (RC) & two in Scalpay Narrows (RMcM) |
6th May 2020 |
Common Redpoll |
|
bird showing characteristics at feeders at Uig (ML) |
6th May 2020 |
Swift |
|
always scarce in the west there were 8 at Fort William this evening (SC) - eyes to the skies |
6th May 2020 |
Twite |
|
8 over Uig Bay (SG) |
6th May 2020 |
Bar-tailed Godwit |
|
11 at Ashaig, Broadford, all look sub-adults & fresh in (A&EH) (see Gallery) |
5th May 2020 |
Tree Sparrow |
|
last seen on 20/4 returned to feeders at Lower Milovaig today (AS) (see Gallery) |
5th May 2020 |
Wood Warbler |
|
singing bird at Lochailort (SC) and a single at Uig Wood (ML) |
5th May 2020 |
Arctic Tern |
|
7 in Staffin Bay & two Great Skua (ML); three Arctic Terns & a Common Tern in Broadford Bay (NB) |
5th May 2020 |
Spotted Flycatcher |
|
1st of the year at Blar Dubh, Eigg (JC) |
5th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
14 in Broadford Bay + 140 Dublin & 110 Ringed Plover (NB) |
4th May 2020 |
Garden Warbler |
|
single still singing at Portree (NB), another in Armadale woods (RMcM) & a report from Torrin (JB) |
4th May 2020 |
Wood Warbler |
|
singing bird at Armadale woods (RMcM) (see Gallery) |
4th May 2020 |
Black-tailed Godwit |
|
single at Balmeanach Bay, Braes (WM) |
4th May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
bird at Meanish Pier flew off over the Minch towards Harris (AS); 14 in Broadford Bay (NB) |
4th May 2020 |
Arctic Tern |
|
four in Broadford Bay & 6 Common Sandpipers - clearly still arriving (NB) |
3rd May 2020 |
Sanderling |
|
three on Rum (SM) |
3rd May 2020 |
Iceland Gull |
|
2cy bird at Bayfield, Portree (NB) |
3rd May 2020 |
Twite |
|
34 at Ashaig airstrip, Broadford (RMcM) |
3rd May 2020 |
Great Northern Diver |
|
five off Ullinish Point (PS) and four off Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM) |
3rd May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
6 at Loch Portree (NB), 6 at Ashaig, Broadford & 17 early evening Broadford Bay (RMcM) |
3rd May 2020 |
Garden Warbler |
|
singing bird at Portree (NB) - whilst Blackcap is now common in the area, this species remains scarce |
2nd May 2020 |
Magpie |
|
bird now reported on Eigg near the pier (JC) - a 1st for Eigg and clearly defying lockdown rules! (See Gallery) |
2nd May 2020 |
Wood Warbler |
|
one on the Lisergary river walk, Portree (TH) |
2nd May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
over Rum this morning (SM); four at Scullamus, Broadford (RMcM); now 21 at Portnadoran, Back of Keppoch (SMacD) (see Gallery); 14 at Waterloo (NB); 7 at Ardnish (PO-W); 8 at Teangue, Sleat (RMcM), 6 at Loch na Dal, Sleat (RC) & 12 at Loch Portree (NB) |
2nd May 2020 |
Golden Plover |
|
18 on Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W) |
2nd May 2020 |
Great Skua |
|
single killed a Guilemot in Broadford Bay (MB); single at Balmeanach Bay (WM) |
2nd May 2020 |
Sandwich Tern |
|
four in Broadford Bay (NB) |
1st May 2020 |
Magpie |
|
bird seen on Rum today is possibly the bird reported on Canna yesterday (perSM) - this is a 1st for Rum |
1st May 2020 |
Yellowhammer |
|
male singing on Rum - also a Sedge Warbler & three Common Terns (SM |
1st May 2020 |
Whimbrel |
|
14 at Back of Keppoch, Arisaig (SMacD); 5 at Meanish Pier, Milovaig (AS) (see Gallery); 8 at Waterloo, Broadford (NB) & a single at Armadale (RMcM) |
1st May 2020 |
Woodcock |
|
at least two Roding birds at Kilmarie, Elgol (IR) |