Scottish Rarity 28th April 2017

[Hawkeye]

Castlebay, Barra
A single **Black-crowned Night Heron** still present in Castlebay this morning at the football pitch

Baleshare, North Uist
10 Black-tailed Godwits and 14 Pale-bellied Brent Geese present

Ness area, Isle of Lewis
News from Tony Marr:-
Despite a calm night and clear still early morning, most birds seemed still to be where they were last evening. Numbers of some dropped during today, but even with a southerly wind, no new migrants arrived.
The Butt
Iceland Gull – the 2nd-year bird on the rock stacks at the lighthouse (early am); 6 Whimbrel near the lighthouse
Loch Stiapavat
Barnacle Geese – 15 (am only)
Whooper Swan – 4
Green-winged Teal – drake and partner still present
Pintail – pair still present
Lapland Bunting – male and female still by the sheep troughs [I note that in reports from Tiree and the Uists, this species frequents sheep troughs and cattle feeders; these two at Loch Stiapavat are becoming very tame]
Machair Lionel-Eoropie
Golden Plover – only 150 could be found this evening
Fivepenny
Black-tailed Godwit – 63 early this morning had dropped to 22 by this evening, after a flock of 5 flew off at (1825) and headed north towards the Butt
Pink-footed Geese – 7 (am) were not seen later

 

[Ardmaraig]

A Blue Tit was a surprise, but brief, visitor to our garden this morning!

 

[Hawkeye]

Hi @Ardmaraig, Blue Tit - great bird here but where exactly is your garden?

 

[MisterT]

A visit to Barra today with my neighbour Bill gave us the opportunity to see the Black-crowned Night Heron at Castlebay, although (albeit with the help of Bruce) we only managed to locate a single bird. Elsewhere there were 3 Whooper Swans on Loch Tangasdail, a Common Sandpiper at Loch an Duin, North Bay and then my first Lapwing chick of the year seen near Eoligarry. There were also 56 Great Northern Diver in the Sound of Barra in the morning at high tide

 

[BrianR]

Some North Uist sightings today. At Rubh' Arnal there were six Iceland Gulls and three Glaucous Gulls while four Sand Martins had returned to their breeding site. A brief midday visit was made to Aird an Rùnair where there was a rather flighty Little Egret - possibly a new arrival and different from the Grimsay/North Ford wintering bird. Graham Robertson noted at least 50 Whimbrel at Loch Sandary while on Wednesday there were some 80 near the S side of Loch Paible.

The earliest North Uist Cuckoo that I've heard about was calling at Locheport from the 23rd (Margaret Fenton).

 

[Ardmaraig]

Hi @Ardmaraig, Blue Tit - great bird here but where exactly is your garden?

Ardmaraig, Scotvein, Grimsay. It was only the third I've seen here in 32 years!

 

[Hawkeye]

Many thanks @Ardmaraig. Most people are still waiting to see one away from Stornoway woods.
Great record!

 

[Ardmaraig]

I wasn't counting Stornoway Woods!