National Rarity 18th January 2023

[Hawkeye]

Western Isles / Outer Hebrides bird sightings for today, 18th January 2023. Updated throughout the day

Loch an Tiumpan Isle of Lewis
The drake *Ring-necked Duck* was seen there again today at dusk

Carnan, South Uist
A Woodcock was seen in a garden there

West Loch Ollay, South Uist
The female ***Lesser Scaup*** was seen there again early afternoon

Rubha Ardvule, South Uist
Counting period: 10:55-12:30
Count type: incomplete species list, not all species submitted
Weather: Wind N f4, 8/8 cloud at first, sunny spells and occasional shower later. Temp 3-4c.
During a 1+ hour seawatch this morning 2 Shag flew north
Also present in the area were Shoveler 4, Wigeon 286, Mallard 99, Pintail 1 [female], Teal 57, Tufted Duck 23, Golden Plover 16, Bar-tailed Godwit 25, Purple Sandpiper 14, Snipe 1, Redshank 6, Great Black-backed Gull 8, Great Northern Diver 1, Cormorant 19, White-tailed Eagle 3, Common Buzzard 1, Merlin 1, Hooded Crow 9, Raven 2, Skylark 39, Rock Pipit 1

 

[MisterT]

7 Greenland White-fronts were on their favoured fields here at Askernish late morning with another 8 flying north. A single Fieldfare was at Hallan Cemetery, circa 120 Golden Plover have returned to the macahir as the snow retreats, and circa 40 Snipe were on a small stretch of beach amongst the seaweed.

As noted by @Andrew yesterday, Goldfinch numbers have increased here too with some 50 birds visiting the feeders as well as 30 Greenfinch and 7 female Chaffinch, a high count here. The Water Rail is also visiting daily, probably just more noticable against the snow.

This Song Thrush with its white secondaries and partial white rump raised the heart rate when initially seen in flight