• 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

Help for Visitors.

Fred

Member
I am not clear if this is an appropriate subject for either the forum or the thread so forgive me if I transgress some rule or other.
Basically I have visited the Outer Islands for the past few years and think I know my way around the southern ones.
However apart from a fleeting, 3 day visit to Harris I have never made it north of Tarbert.
I am putting that right this year with a week near Carloway and coming armed with O/S Maps, Bins and Camera. (And resilient weather proof clothing that I hope I will not need.)
This Forum has always been a helpful tool over the years to help me find my way around and I have already commented on the 'highlighted' place names on the sightings thread.
The next step, if I may, is to ask if there is a "Birding Pal" out there or indeed anyone that would be willing to give up some time to show me the avian and mammal splendours of Lewis? I think my meagre budget could run to providing lunch should some brave soul care to volunteer.
My dates are Week commencing 27th May on Lewis following which I just move over the sound to North Uist for the w/c 3rd June for a second week near Hosta where, again, I would not be averse to company.
Don't all rush at once but I hope to meet somebody.
Thanks in advance.
 

YvonneB

OH Bird Recorder
Hi @Fred no problem at all to post in here! Glad that you've been finding the website helpful :)

I'm currently working up on Lewis and staying in Carloway until the end of May - i'd be happy to meet up with you here to give you some information on good birding sites to visit here. I'll PM you my contact details. Yes - best to prepare for all weather here though at the moment the weather is glorious.
 

Fred

Member
Many thanks for the kind offer @YvonneB. Looks like we may even be near neighbours for a few days if you are literal on "end of May" so I shall certainly take you up on the offer of a meeting and information. Expect a call.
 
Hi @Fred no problem at all to post in here! Glad that you've been finding the website helpful :)

I'm currently working up on Lewis and staying in Carloway until the end of May - i'd be happy to meet up with you here to give you some information on good birding sites to visit here. I'll PM you my contact details. Yes - best to prepare for all weather here though at the moment the weather is glorious.
Hello Yvonne my wife and I are on Lewis near calla isn for two days 9th and 10th of any tips on good birding areas.bob Stevens .
 

YvonneB

OH Bird Recorder
Hello Yvonne my wife and I are on Lewis near calla isn for two days 9th and 10th of any tips on good birding areas.bob Stevens .
Hi @Bob stevens I'll be at The Steading, Callanish Visitor Centre from 10am to 5pm on both the 9th and 10th May feel free to drop by for a chat - follow the signs to the art & photography exhibition. Look forward to chatting!
 

Fred

Member
Hello Yvonne,
I have just this minute arrived back home from my trip and having been out of Wiffy contact since 23rd May I feel I must rush to log on and express my sincere thanks to you and Brian and all the others whose efforts made our Hebridean visit so memorable and successful. I have no doubt that when my final sift of the many photos I took is complete I will have some epic memories to share from both on and off the islands some of which could only have been obtained with your kind help. I will post a few as promised later but just wanted to post up my belated thanks on getting home.
Fred
 

YvonneB

OH Bird Recorder
Hi @Fred I'm really glad to hear that your trip to the Hebrides was successful! I look forward very much to seeing some of your photos that you took while you were visiting. With regards to the help - you are more than welcome, I love to be able to share my enthusiasm for the birds and birding here in the Outer Hebrides and i'm sure that @BrianR feels the same.
 

Fred

Member
Thanks Yvonne.
Pictures posted.
I have some Slovenian friends visiting Lewis/Uist in August. I have told them birds will not be so good but is it OK if i get them to contact you?
Around the same time another friend and young family (from Leicester) are in the area too. Avid photographers. Lovely people. Is it Ok to use you again?

I am just finishing my 'selected' photos and am having an awful job filtering out which Otter pictures to use. She was such a poser and we had her all to ourselves!! Same with the Phalaropes. In company we watched them at a distance. Others got bored and left. We nipped down to the Coop for supplies and when we came back had the place to ourselves. And they came out to play. Mated on camera. Wonderful and the sun was shining too. I switched to video and have around 7 minutes of activity.
Thanks again to all.
 

YvonneB

OH Bird Recorder
Hi @Fred yes no problem at all, you have my contact details, feel free to pass on - I will be around in Uist in August. It is often quiet during July and August but there is always the chance of something interesting turning up.
 
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