Scottish Rarity 13th May 2017

[BrianR]

North Uist:

From Peter Murray at Paiblesgarry: 'saw a new bird for me this morning perched atop a sycamore in our garden - spot on for a second-summer Red-breasted Flycatcher as per Collins Bird Guide. Obliged by sitting long enough for me to get its key particulars of reddish bib extending round neck and white around tail but not on rump when it took off.'

There are not many spring records for this species here- up to 2013 one in late April and seven from late May to early June.

From Mike Bell there are now four Dotterel in the seaweed covered field between Balemore and Rubh' Arnal while at Balemore there was a Whinchat and at Loch Sandary a late Greenland White-fronted Goose.

Benbecula:

From Kathy and Barry: the Iceland Gull is still present at Stinky Bay while at Loch Mòr there is a pair of Pintail and a Ruff.

 

[MisterT]

2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Balgarva today and another (possibly injured) was at Stinky Bay at high tide. There were 17 Bar-tailed Godwits at the north end of Loch Bee while 3 Whooper Swans and 19 Whimbrel at Loch Kildonan. An immature White-tailed Eagle kept customers entertained at Creagorry Co-op as it chased Greylag Geese around the islands behind the shop. Here at Askernish, a Whitethroat singing in the garden this morning was a rare treat


Song Thrush - hebridensis

 

[Hawkeye]

Castlebay, Barra
The *Black-crowned Night Heron* still present at Gleann. See Bruce's post below

Balranald, North Uist
An adult Glaucous Gull reported this evening

Tiumpan Head, Isle of Lewis
5 House Martins and an Immature Iceland Gull still present

Loch Hosta, North Uist
Juvenile Iceland Gull seen today

Borve, Isle of Lewis
An immature Iceland Gull seen

South Glendale, South Uist
A House Martin and 2 Siskins present this morning and a Whitethroat this evening.

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
A 2.5 hour sea watch this morning produced 286 Gannet (91S 195N), 57 Manx Shearwater (4S 53N), 9 Kittiwake (S), 5 Fulmar (N) and 2 Great Skua (1S 1N). Also seen in the area were an Iceland Gull, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Great Northern Diver, 4 Whimbrel, and 2 Arctic Skua

Ness area, Isle of Lewis
News from Tony Marr
A short report this evening!
Glaucous Gull - a/the juvenile flew S over Port of Ness this afternoon
Curlew Sandpiper - one found and photographed by Samantha Hawkins on a
pool out on the peat bogs south of Ness (attached)

 

[Bruce]

As well as the night heron, my first spotted flycatcher of the year was at Glen today. Elsewhere on Barra the Iceland gull was again at Allasdale, a house martin at Northbay and 3 grasshopper warblers around Brevig. It seems to be a very good year for common whitethroats; over the past couple of days there have been at least a dozen singing males around the island.

 

[Ardmaraig]

As well as the night heron, my first spotted flycatcher of the year was at Glen today. Elsewhere on Barra the Iceland gull was again at Allasdale, a house martin at Northbay and 3 grasshopper warblers around Brevig. It seems to be a very good year for common whitethroats; over the past couple of days there have been at least a dozen singing males around the island.

More easterlies perhaps?