Local Rarity 1st January 2023

[Hawkeye]

Western Isles / Outer Hebrides bird sightings for today, 1st January 2023. Updated throughout the day

Ardivachar, South Uist
A juvenile Glauacous Gull, 3 Black-tailed Godwits and a male Pintail were seen there late afternoon. 2 Common Scoters were nearby off Balgarva

Loch Bee, South Uist
140+ Greenland White-fronted Geese and a Little Egret were on the west side of the Loch Bee

 

[Bruce]

Barra
Green-winged Teal still at Ardmhor, 2 Little Gulls (both 1st winter) at Traigh Mhor briefly, juvenile Iceland Gull at Brevig and 9 Long-tailed Tits still at Northbay.

 

[YvonneB]

New Years Day birding and weather the total opposite of this day last year when my notebook read "weather rubbish, lashing rain and winds gusting to 70mph" Managed 43 species on the patch here at Askernish and 57 species overall for the day, not unhappy with that!

Highlights were:
Raptors out were Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and Buzzard, surprised not to see any eagles today. Both Great Northern and Red-throated Diver. 5 Greenland White-fronted Geese were with Greylags near Smerclate. Five Snow Buntings were with Skylarks at Kilpheder and a wee bit further along the beach there was a flock of c20 Snow Buntings, a single Grey Plover was also at Kilpheder. Rock Pipits at Orasay and Smerclate and a Meadow Pipit at Kildonan. Near Hallan Cemetary 8 Fieldfare were with Redwings. c52 Long-tailed Duck between Askernish and Frobost and a flock of c80 Golden Plover plus a single Pied Wagtail were at Kildonan.

Happy New Year all and wishing you good birding in 2023!