15th April 2017

[Chris Johnson]

Ardivacher - A Great Skua passed swiftly north this morning; a Glaucous Gull on the beach in the afternoon.

On the range - 50 Golden Plovers.

Loch Bee - 87 Whooper Swans. Almost certainly more but many were sleeping and mixed in with the Mute Swans.

 

[Paul Boyer]

When I was on the range this afternoon there was just less than 1000 Golden Plover!
Also about 600 on Torlum machair and 800 at Balelone on North Uist where there was also 2200 Barnacle Geese. I guess they're waiting for the wind to change.

 

[Chris Johnson]

When I was on the range this afternoon there was just less than 1000 Golden Plover!
Also about 600 on Torlum machair and 800 at Balelone on North Uist where there was also 2200 Barnacle Geese. I guess they're waiting for the wind to change.

Amazing. I was there about 13.30hrs, presumably they came in later.

 

[YvonneB]

When I was on the range this afternoon there was just less than 1000 Golden Plover!
Also about 600 on Torlum machair and 800 at Balelone on North Uist where there was also 2200 Barnacle Geese. I guess they're waiting for the wind to change.

Yes, good numbers @Paul Boyer - Apparently there were 8000 Golden Plover on Tiree two days ago which must have been a pretty amazing sight - I guess we also have good numbers at the moment but with our islands being much bigger they're more spread out!

 

[BrianR]

A bit late starting a seawatch at Aird an Rùnair this morning which was a mistake as a bit of movement N. Mainly from 10.40-12.40 hours and dry although showers around and WNW wind F3-5. Species seen flying N included: 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 5 Red-throated Divers, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 15 Great Skuas, 128 Razorbills (also 67 auks not specifically identified but probably Razorbills), a single Puffin and a few waders. A Glaucous Gull was still around - loafing with other gulls by the side of Loch a' Roe.

 

[Hawkeye]

Rubha Ardvule, South Uist
A juvenile Iceland Gull flew south this morning. 118 Gannets, 19 Great skuas and 4 Arctic Skuas all flying north.

Peninerine, South Uist
1 Glaucous Gull seen.

Pollachar, South Uist
27 whooper Swans nearby.

Ness area, Isle of Lewis
News from Tony Marr:-

"Wildfowl numbers dropped even more overnight; a few additions."

Whooper Swan – just the one remains
Pink-footed Geese – 100+ at south end of Loch Stiapavat
Barnacle Geese – 100+ by Loch Stiapavat
Greenland White-fronted Geese – 4 at south end of Loch Stiapavat keeping separate from Pinks
Grey Lag Geese – 30+
Pintail – pair at `Fivepenny flood
Shoveler – pair on Fivepenny flood
Gadwall – pair on Loch Stiapavat
*Green-winged Teal* – a drake accompanied by a duck teal sp. on the Fivepenny flood, found this afternoon by Vicky Anderson (see record shots below).
Golden Plover – 800 on machair by Lionel School
Barn Swallow – one at Lionel (VA)


Courtesy of Vicky Anderson


Courtesy of Vicky Anderson