Isle of Skye

The year 2011 is winding to a close and it is an opportunity to wish everyone the compliments of the season and to thank them for their ongoing interest and support. The site was re-designed in 2011 and now seems to have bedded down though we still have a few areas to work on - included the search facility. The Gallery has also expanded and many of the images are drawing very favourable comments. Traffic to the site remains fairly constant and has peaked at around 2000 unique visitors a month, with 95% of visitors from the UK. All records received are fed into the Highland Recorder, and on into Highland and National databases. 2011 was the final year of the 4 year BTOAtlas project, and as Skye co-ordinator, the final loose ends are now being tied up. The year will be remembered for some outstanding records. The Glendale Crested Tit remained to the spring and seemed to leave us via Broadford and Ord. The Carr Brae Nuthatch put in a couple of appearances in spring before disappearing. Other highlights were Bee Eater at Ord, Black Redstart at Ellishadder, Little Egret and Grey Phalarope at Broadford Bay,and another Little Egret at Luib. There were a couple of red-necked with a Grebe in Broadford Bay and a pair of Phalaropes of Rubha Hunish. At nearby Morar and Mallaig there was a Black-headed Bunting and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Bird of the year....and missed by most of us....was a Red-rumped Swallow at Talisker, possibly from a rare sub-species which would be a first for Britain. However, its not all about rarities so keep these records and photographs coming in. Lets hope 2012 will be another bumper year.

Bob