Twite at feeders

02nd May 2015

Twite are a common breeding species in Skye and Lochalsh and the majority of birds migrate in winter. Recent ringing studies have shown that our birds move east to Angus and north-east Scotland, with the occasional bird in Orkney. When birds return in the spring there is a shortage of natural seed and many will forage in gardens. It is not unusual to see them below garden feeders or even on seed trays. However, it does seem unusual to see them actually using nyger feeders as shown in Stephen MacDonald's photograph at Morar. Similar behaviour has also been recorded at Mallaig this year. Is this the start of something new or has anyone else recorded it?

Bob

THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean