• 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

Local Rarity 13th December 2017

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Linshader, Isle of Lewis
the *Firecrest* first seen on 26th November is still finding Linshader to its liking

Brevig, Barra
A Hawfinch seen there this morning - See Bruce's post below

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
A two hour seawatch this morning produced 4 Eider (S), 2 Long-tailed Duck (S), 8 Red-throated Divers (6S 2N), 1 Great Northern diver (S), 8 Gannets (7S 1N), 20 Shag (1S 19N), 1 Cormorant (S) and 8 Kittiwake (S). Also present in the area were Greylag Goose 7, Wigeon 15, Tufted Duck 29, Long-tailed Duck 2, Goldeneye 2, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Great Northern Diver 4, Cormorant 13, Snipe 1, Meadow Pipit 4, Rock Pipit 1.

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Firecrest courtesy of Andy Laffan
 

Bruce

Senior Member
I nearly choked on my breakfast this morning when I glanced out of the window and noticed a hawfinch on my garden fence! It flew off after a few moments but I heard it call nearby about half an hour later. My garden feeders are well stocked so hopefully it'll put in another appearance. Otherwise it was business as usual on Barra; the juv Iceland gull and second winter glaucous gull were both at Ardveenish, 93 brent geese were on Traigh Mhor and c40 redwings were scattered around the island.

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MisterT

Always Birding
Today was the first time this winter that I have seen the Greenland White-fronted Geese here at Askernish. Seven years ago they numbered 70+, today there were sadly only 8!

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Greenland White-fronts at Askernish
 

BrianR

Senior Member
During a late afternoon visit to the Rubh' Arnal area, North Uist there was an Iceland Gull and a Glaucous Gull and at least one Lapland Bunting with Skylarks near the fish dump.
_DSC1407.JPG Iceland Gull
 
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