• When here in the Outer Hebrides and looking at a bird, have you ever wondered how rare it is? The status of all species can vary enormously from island to island. How rare is Shoveler on Barra, has Stock Dove been seen on Harris, does Dotterel occur on Benbecula in the autumn, and how common is Blue Tit on North Uist? Well, fret no longer! The Status and Distribution of birds here on the Outer Hebrides has been completely updated and summarised for every species and each of the main islands and outliers. Available as an online resource at https://status.outerhebrides-birdreports.org/ or via our shop

    New - now available as an ebook

Mega!!! 23rd October 2017

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Lochmaddy, North Uist
A ****Blackpoll Warbler**** seen at Lochmaddy around midday

Langass Woods, North Uist
A female **Parrot Crossbill** seen there this morning

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
A 2.5 hour seawatch this morning produced 11 Eider (2S 9N), 6 Long-tailed Duck (S), 3 Red-breasted Merganser (S), 6 Red-throated Diver (S), 28 Great Northern Diver (S), 112 Gannet (98S 4N), 34 Shag (2S 32N), 1 Purple Sandpiper (S), 305 Kittiwake (S), 9 Guillemot (S), 8 Razorbill (S), and 8 auk sp (S). Also present in the area were a Golden Eagle, a Peregrine and 27 Skylark

Stockinish, Isle of Harris
An unusual sight of a female Hen Harrier seen there today

Tiumpan Head Isle of Lewis
An adult Glaucous Gull was seen there today

Ardmhor, Barra
The Yellow-browed Warbler is still present plus circa 20 Bramblings were in North Bay and an additional 13 were on Vatersay. The Coal Tit is still to be found in Castlebay by the football pitch
 

BrianR

Senior Member
After dropping Anne off at the Lochmaddy ferry terminal I decided to have a quick look round Lorna Macleod's garden. There didn't appear to be much activity but a few birds started calling when a Sparrowhawk flew through. Other than attracting Robins and Goldcrests I've never had much success with my Audubon Bird Call but on this occasion almost immediately I started using it came distinctive chip calls and a Blackpoll Warbler materialised in a nearby tree. Of course I hadn't got my camera ready so I struggled getting it out (not wanting a repeat of the sorry tale of the White-throated Sparrow in the same garden last year) and managed some pretty poor record shots. As it looked like rain and I had come out without a waterproof I headed home to collect one and put the news out. Returning in the afternoon, along with four others, the bird performed well at times and I was able to get some slightly better shots. This is our 4th record following birds on Lewis in 1996 and South Uist in 2003 and 2005.
_DSC0728.JPG _DSC0731.JPG
 
Last edited:

Bruce

Senior Member
2 yellow-browed warblers at Ardmhor plantation this afternoon and a single still by the football pitch at Castlebay.
 
Top