• 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

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Chaffinches

BrianR

Senior Member
A dramatic change in the weather this morning being sunny with no wind and an unusual number of Chaffinches were about the Carinish township. My highest count was 16 but the total number was probably well in excess of this. Also of note this winter Tim has recorded up to nine in his Grimsay garden and he told me this was quite exceptional.

It is said the Chaffinch population in Britain is roughly doubled by influx of mostly Scandinavian birds in winter, although few, if any, continental birds are believed to remain in northern Scotland. Sometimes good numbers of migrants pass through the Outer Hebrides in the autumn but very few on return passage in spring. Look out for any in less usual haunts from next month.
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