Coronavirus

23rd March 2020

This website was first established in December 2003, developed by my youngest son who is in IT. It is a totally non-commercial site sustained by myself, to provide information primarily to the local community. Originally for Skye and Lochalsh, it is now supported by sightings from the Small Isles, parts of Lochaber and Wester Ross. It is also regularly used and supported by visitors. Information from the site is shared with the SOC Highland site - www.highlandbirds.scot. Unfortunately and without any permissions, information is scraped from the site by national subscription paying websites such as Birdguides and Rare Bird Alert. They are only interested in sightings of rarities but with that is the risk that birders might be tempted to visit the area. At a time when travel and visitors are being discouraged it has been decided that we will suppress information on any rarities. We will continue to report routine sightings and show images which will be of interest to local people, many of whom may have confined themselves to their houses and gardens. We anticipate that any visiting birders in the area will quickly leave and they will of course be welcome back when this crisis is over. Please be safe and sensible and follow govt advice - there will be plenty other time for birding.

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