28th February
Easter Ross: 2CY Glaucous Gull Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese Gordon's Mill Field, Balblair (Mark Finn).
Lochaber: 71 Greenland White-fronted Geese Kentra Moss (JA Dacre)
Easter Ross: 2CY Glaucous Gull Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese Gordon's Mill Field, Balblair (Mark Finn).
Lochaber: 71 Greenland White-fronted Geese Kentra Moss (JA Dacre)
27th February
Easter Ross: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Newton Farm, Cromarty (Kevin Davis)
Badenoch and Strathspey: 7 Waxwings at Old Station, Nethybridge (Steve Broyd), later 11 there and by nearby river ("Old Caley"). Lesser Black-backed Gull Loch Insh (Dave Pierce)
Easter Ross: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Newton Farm, Cromarty (Kevin Davis)
Badenoch and Strathspey: 7 Waxwings at Old Station, Nethybridge (Steve Broyd), later 11 there and by nearby river ("Old Caley"). Lesser Black-backed Gull Loch Insh (Dave Pierce)
26th February
Easter Ross: male American Wigeon Tain (Bob Swann). 27 Pale-bellied Brent Geese Rosemarkie (Bob Wilson).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 17 Waxwings feeding on Juniper at Mondhuie, Nethybridge (NH981194) (Peter Stronach). Singing Firecrest by Red Burn, Glen Feshie (NH859011) (John Garton Pope).
Skye and Lochalsh: still 2 Ptarmigan Ben Aslak, near Kylerhea, Skye (HSP)
Easter Ross: male American Wigeon Tain (Bob Swann). 27 Pale-bellied Brent Geese Rosemarkie (Bob Wilson).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 17 Waxwings feeding on Juniper at Mondhuie, Nethybridge (NH981194) (Peter Stronach). Singing Firecrest by Red Burn, Glen Feshie (NH859011) (John Garton Pope).
Skye and Lochalsh: still 2 Ptarmigan Ben Aslak, near Kylerhea, Skye (HSP)
25th February
Sutherland: 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese Embo (Nick Truby), 30 Twite Coul Farm (Nock Truby).
Easter Ross: male American Wigeon Tain (Nick Truby)
Inverness: male Gadwall Loch Flemington (Bob Wilson)
Badenoch and Strathspey: 11 Waxwings behind Hotel garden, Nethybridge (Sue Sykes). 100 Brambling Sliemore Steading, Nethybridge (Nick Truby).
Sutherland: 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese Embo (Nick Truby), 30 Twite Coul Farm (Nock Truby).
Easter Ross: male American Wigeon Tain (Nick Truby)
Inverness: male Gadwall Loch Flemington (Bob Wilson)
Badenoch and Strathspey: 11 Waxwings behind Hotel garden, Nethybridge (Sue Sykes). 100 Brambling Sliemore Steading, Nethybridge (Nick Truby).
24th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: an exceptionally early Osprey Boat of Garten (Jack Ward). 9 Waxwings by Bunkhouse, Nethybridge (Carol Miller), later 11 nearby by Old Railway Station, flew towards Golf Course (Steve Broyd).
Skye and Lochalsh: no sign of probable Yellow-legged Gull. 5 Ptarmigan Ben Aslak, near Kylerhea - scarce on Skye (PK).
Badenoch and Strathspey: an exceptionally early Osprey Boat of Garten (Jack Ward). 9 Waxwings by Bunkhouse, Nethybridge (Carol Miller), later 11 nearby by Old Railway Station, flew towards Golf Course (Steve Broyd).
Skye and Lochalsh: no sign of probable Yellow-legged Gull. 5 Ptarmigan Ben Aslak, near Kylerhea - scarce on Skye (PK).
23rd February
Sutherland: single Greenland White-fronted Goose at entrance to Coul Farm, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill). 20+ Twite also there.
Skye and Lochalsh: probable Yellow-legged Gull adult Glendale (wing pattern not photographed so hybrid possibility not eliminated (AS). Long-eared Owl in garden, Peinachorran, Braes (IG). 2CY Hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull ("Viking Gull"), Portree (Neil Bennett)
Sutherland: single Greenland White-fronted Goose at entrance to Coul Farm, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill). 20+ Twite also there.
Skye and Lochalsh: probable Yellow-legged Gull adult Glendale (wing pattern not photographed so hybrid possibility not eliminated (AS). Long-eared Owl in garden, Peinachorran, Braes (IG). 2CY Hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull ("Viking Gull"), Portree (Neil Bennett)
A neck-collared Greylag Goose seen at Ruthven, Badenoch and Strathspey, on 15/2/19 had been ringed as a gosling in North Iceland in 2017. It was then seen in Donegal in November 2017, back in Iceland in May 2018 and then Duthil on 18 November 2018.
22nd February
Inverness: 20 Waxwings Milton of Leys school, Inverness (David Loates).
Easter Ross: Taiga Bean Goose Killen and intermediate morph Lesser Snow Goose Killen (George Dunbar). Velvet Scoter 1 SW Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).
21st February
Inverness: Magpie Ness Islands, Inverness (Dave Tanner). Green-winged Teal male again at Loch Flemington (Ian Ford).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Waxwings Sliemore Steading, Nethybridge (Thelma Blewitt)
20th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: 11 Waxwings Carr-bridge, by Old Bridge (per BirdGuides). 2 Waxwings still at Sliemore Steading, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd)
19th February
Lochaber: Little Egret still at Arisaig this morning (Stephen MacDonald).
Easter Ross: Shoveler male Udale Bay, where rare (Kevin Davis)
Badenoch and Strathspey: 2 Waxwings still at Sliemore Steading, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd). 12 Waxwings Carrbridge flew from Golf Course entrance towards village centre (per Birdguides).
Inverness: 20 Waxwings Milton of Leys school, Inverness (David Loates).
Easter Ross: Taiga Bean Goose Killen and intermediate morph Lesser Snow Goose Killen (George Dunbar). Velvet Scoter 1 SW Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).
21st February
Inverness: Magpie Ness Islands, Inverness (Dave Tanner). Green-winged Teal male again at Loch Flemington (Ian Ford).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Waxwings Sliemore Steading, Nethybridge (Thelma Blewitt)
20th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: 11 Waxwings Carr-bridge, by Old Bridge (per BirdGuides). 2 Waxwings still at Sliemore Steading, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd)
19th February
Lochaber: Little Egret still at Arisaig this morning (Stephen MacDonald).
Easter Ross: Shoveler male Udale Bay, where rare (Kevin Davis)
Badenoch and Strathspey: 2 Waxwings still at Sliemore Steading, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd). 12 Waxwings Carrbridge flew from Golf Course entrance towards village centre (per Birdguides).
18th February
Easter Ross: Single House Martin reported on the west side of Tarbat Ness Lighthouse (David McAllister).
Lochaber: Black Duck (male) still at Strontian from Strontian Hotel and flew upriver at 14.00 (per RBA)
Sutherland: single Greenland White-fronted Goose at Skelbo, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
Easter Ross: Single House Martin reported on the west side of Tarbat Ness Lighthouse (David McAllister).
Lochaber: Black Duck (male) still at Strontian from Strontian Hotel and flew upriver at 14.00 (per RBA)
Sutherland: single Greenland White-fronted Goose at Skelbo, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
17th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: 8 Waxwings near Mountview Hotel, Nethy Bridge (Ian Ford). Waxwings in Nethy Bridge Hotel gardens (John Poyner). 12 Waxwings in trees by River Spey from B970 just ouside of Kincardine towards Boat of Garten junction (Audrey Turner). 3 Waxwings still at Sliemore Steading, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd).
Sutherland: 2 Gadwall, 2 Jack Snipe, 31 Snipe, circa 380 Barnacle Geese and 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Balnakeil Marsh. 21 Great-northern Divers in Balnakeil Bay and 1 White-tailed Eagle over Balnakeil Gold Course (Dean MacAskill).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 8 Waxwings near Mountview Hotel, Nethy Bridge (Ian Ford). Waxwings in Nethy Bridge Hotel gardens (John Poyner). 12 Waxwings in trees by River Spey from B970 just ouside of Kincardine towards Boat of Garten junction (Audrey Turner). 3 Waxwings still at Sliemore Steading, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd).
Sutherland: 2 Gadwall, 2 Jack Snipe, 31 Snipe, circa 380 Barnacle Geese and 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Balnakeil Marsh. 21 Great-northern Divers in Balnakeil Bay and 1 White-tailed Eagle over Balnakeil Gold Course (Dean MacAskill).
16th February
Skye and Lochalsh: 2CY Glaucous Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).
Skye and Lochalsh: 2CY Glaucous Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).
15th February
Inverness-shire: 15 Waxwings, Tower Road, Smithton by Forestry Commission building (Colin Leslie).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike on wires in valley looking towards Badenedin / Mossbank. Circa 2 miles outside of Nethy Bridge on the Tomintoul Road between Dorback turn and A939 (Steve Broyd).
Inverness-shire: 15 Waxwings, Tower Road, Smithton by Forestry Commission building (Colin Leslie).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike on wires in valley looking towards Badenedin / Mossbank. Circa 2 miles outside of Nethy Bridge on the Tomintoul Road between Dorback turn and A939 (Steve Broyd).
14th February
Inverness-shire: 20+ Waxwings, Burn Brae, Inverness, IV2 5RH (Dave Line). Hawfinch reported at Aigas Field centre (Via John Poyner).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 7 Whooper Swans, 12 Greylag Geese and 3 calling Golden Plover at Lochindorb (Mike Crutch). 7 Waxwings still between Lynstock Park & Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge. 3 Waxwing by the bridge into Boat of Garten (Scott O'Hara). 7 waxing in tall trees in front of the old station Nethy Bridge then moving along the Spey Side Way (Katem).
Sutherland: 2 Waxwing still on cotoneaster at lay-by on A9 by the crossroads to Skelbo woods (Dean MacAskill).
Inverness-shire: 20+ Waxwings, Burn Brae, Inverness, IV2 5RH (Dave Line). Hawfinch reported at Aigas Field centre (Via John Poyner).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 7 Whooper Swans, 12 Greylag Geese and 3 calling Golden Plover at Lochindorb (Mike Crutch). 7 Waxwings still between Lynstock Park & Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge. 3 Waxwing by the bridge into Boat of Garten (Scott O'Hara). 7 waxing in tall trees in front of the old station Nethy Bridge then moving along the Spey Side Way (Katem).
Sutherland: 2 Waxwing still on cotoneaster at lay-by on A9 by the crossroads to Skelbo woods (Dean MacAskill).
13th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: 18 Waxwings at Park Guesthouse, Aviemore (Robert Turner). Kingfisher at Carrbridge (James Shooter). 7 Waxwings at the Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge (Toby Green).
Sutherland: 2 Waxwing on cotoneaster at the crossroads to Skelbo woods (Dean MacAskill).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 18 Waxwings at Park Guesthouse, Aviemore (Robert Turner). Kingfisher at Carrbridge (James Shooter). 7 Waxwings at the Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge (Toby Green).
Sutherland: 2 Waxwing on cotoneaster at the crossroads to Skelbo woods (Dean MacAskill).
12th February
Sutherland: Ring-necked Duck still on Little Loch Shin from Spar Car Park, Lairg (Simon). Female Goshawk at Achavandra Muir then flew over A9 towards Skelbo Muir (Dean MacAskill).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Waxwings still at Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd). 7 Waxwings above Nethy Bridge station platform (Birdguides).
Sutherland: Ring-necked Duck still on Little Loch Shin from Spar Car Park, Lairg (Simon). Female Goshawk at Achavandra Muir then flew over A9 towards Skelbo Muir (Dean MacAskill).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Waxwings still at Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd). 7 Waxwings above Nethy Bridge station platform (Birdguides).
11th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: 22+ Waxwings at the side of the Speyside Way at the north end of Aviemore, roughly half way between Achantoul on the main road and the mainline railway bridge (Rodger Tozer).
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal still on Loch Flemington, 16 Barnacle Geese and a Pale-bellied Brent goose, Wester Dalziel (Peter Gordon). 12 Waxwing view-able from substation lay-by by River Findhorn in spruce trees (George Gay).
Sutherland: Adult Little Gull off Brora river mouth, Ring-necked Duck still at Little Loch Shin, Lairg (Peter Gordon).
Easter Ross: 4 Barnacle Geese with Pink-footed Geese just west of Tore roundabout by side of A832 (Peter Gordon). 2 Ruddy Shelduck flying over Jemimaville car park (Ivy Cottage) heading towards Udale Bay (Kevin Davis).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 22+ Waxwings at the side of the Speyside Way at the north end of Aviemore, roughly half way between Achantoul on the main road and the mainline railway bridge (Rodger Tozer).
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal still on Loch Flemington, 16 Barnacle Geese and a Pale-bellied Brent goose, Wester Dalziel (Peter Gordon). 12 Waxwing view-able from substation lay-by by River Findhorn in spruce trees (George Gay).
Sutherland: Adult Little Gull off Brora river mouth, Ring-necked Duck still at Little Loch Shin, Lairg (Peter Gordon).
Easter Ross: 4 Barnacle Geese with Pink-footed Geese just west of Tore roundabout by side of A832 (Peter Gordon). 2 Ruddy Shelduck flying over Jemimaville car park (Ivy Cottage) heading towards Udale Bay (Kevin Davis).
10th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: Waxwings moving between Mackenzie Crescent and Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge (Various sightings).
Inverness-shire: Drake Green-winged Teal again on Loch Flemington along with drake Gadwall (Jon Clarke). 5 Barnacle Geese with 1,300 Pink-footed Geese, Wester Dalziel (Al McNee).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Waxwings moving between Mackenzie Crescent and Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge (Various sightings).
Inverness-shire: Drake Green-winged Teal again on Loch Flemington along with drake Gadwall (Jon Clarke). 5 Barnacle Geese with 1,300 Pink-footed Geese, Wester Dalziel (Al McNee).
9th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: 8+ Waxwing along Spey Way, moved to Mackenzie Crescent, Nethy Bridge (George Gay).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain by the footbridge (Gary Aitken).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 8+ Waxwing along Spey Way, moved to Mackenzie Crescent, Nethy Bridge (George Gay).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain by the footbridge (Gary Aitken).
8th February
Sutherland: Ring-necked Duck still at Little Loch Shin, Lairg (Michael Hoit).
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal still Loch Flemington (Michael Hoit). White-tailed Eagle flying north Craig Dunain panicking geese, last seen heading towards Beauly Firth (Debbie Borthwick).
Easter Ross: Immature White-tailed Eagle (possibly the same as above) flying north across the Black Isle above Muir of Ord (Judith and David Edge).
Sutherland: Ring-necked Duck still at Little Loch Shin, Lairg (Michael Hoit).
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal still Loch Flemington (Michael Hoit). White-tailed Eagle flying north Craig Dunain panicking geese, last seen heading towards Beauly Firth (Debbie Borthwick).
Easter Ross: Immature White-tailed Eagle (possibly the same as above) flying north across the Black Isle above Muir of Ord (Judith and David Edge).
7th February
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain by the footbridge (Michael Hoit). Mixed flock of buntings/finches (including Brambling and Twite) feeding in kale stubble field along the Moss Road Circular walk, Tain (Gary and Rosemary Aitken).
Skye and Lochalsh: Two Waxwings in Harrapool, Broadford (Bob McMillan).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Waxwing on top of tree north of Winking Owl restaurant , Aviemore right by main road (Jonny Pott).
Sutherland: Water Pipit Dornoch Point still with 8 Rock Pipits. 1st-winter Little Gull flew North past Brora river mouth (Michael Hoit).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain by the footbridge (Michael Hoit). Mixed flock of buntings/finches (including Brambling and Twite) feeding in kale stubble field along the Moss Road Circular walk, Tain (Gary and Rosemary Aitken).
Skye and Lochalsh: Two Waxwings in Harrapool, Broadford (Bob McMillan).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Waxwing on top of tree north of Winking Owl restaurant , Aviemore right by main road (Jonny Pott).
Sutherland: Water Pipit Dornoch Point still with 8 Rock Pipits. 1st-winter Little Gull flew North past Brora river mouth (Michael Hoit).
6th February
Sutherland: Ring-necked Duck on Little Loch Shin in Lairg (P Miller).
Inverness-shire: Circa 40 Waxwings still by old A9 at green corrugated metal building (tin church) and Tomatinard House, Tomatin (Rare Bird Alert). Great-crested Grebe off Milton of Culloden, Green-winged Teal on Loch Flemington (George Gay).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Snow Bunting at Cairngorm Base Station carpark near picnic tables (Dave Tanner). 8 Waxwing near old station, Nethybridge (John Poyner).
Sutherland: Ring-necked Duck on Little Loch Shin in Lairg (P Miller).
Inverness-shire: Circa 40 Waxwings still by old A9 at green corrugated metal building (tin church) and Tomatinard House, Tomatin (Rare Bird Alert). Great-crested Grebe off Milton of Culloden, Green-winged Teal on Loch Flemington (George Gay).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Snow Bunting at Cairngorm Base Station carpark near picnic tables (Dave Tanner). 8 Waxwing near old station, Nethybridge (John Poyner).
5th February
Badenoch and Strathspey: 7 Waxwing at the North end of Aviemore perched in the trees on the far side of the railway line on Barclay Road (Rodger Tozer). 3 Waxwing outside Glenmore Forest Park visitor centre, Aviemore (Michael Hoit).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still showing very well by the footbridge at Tain Links, Green-winged Teal out on the mudflats (Michael Hoit). White-fronted goose and Barnacle Goose with flock of Pink-footed geese near Tore roundabout. From roundabout take road to Muir of ord/Beauly and park at Bogroy bungaliws. Geese in field on opposite side of main road (Mary Galloway).
Inverness-shire: Circa 40 Waxwings between the tin church and Tomatinard House, Tomatin (Kathy Bonniface).
Badenoch and Strathspey: 7 Waxwing at the North end of Aviemore perched in the trees on the far side of the railway line on Barclay Road (Rodger Tozer). 3 Waxwing outside Glenmore Forest Park visitor centre, Aviemore (Michael Hoit).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still showing very well by the footbridge at Tain Links, Green-winged Teal out on the mudflats (Michael Hoit). White-fronted goose and Barnacle Goose with flock of Pink-footed geese near Tore roundabout. From roundabout take road to Muir of ord/Beauly and park at Bogroy bungaliws. Geese in field on opposite side of main road (Mary Galloway).
Inverness-shire: Circa 40 Waxwings between the tin church and Tomatinard House, Tomatin (Kathy Bonniface).
4th February
Inverness-shire: 2 Magpies on overhead power lines at Alturlie (Phil Clark).
Inverness-shire: 2 Magpies on overhead power lines at Alturlie (Phil Clark).
3rd February
Easter Ross: Barn Owl just north of Brucefield Farm entrance, Tarbet Ness (Dave Tanner).
Inverness-shire: 67 Brent Geese in the Firth at Nairn (Carol Shaw). 6 Barnacle Geese and 1 female Shoveler at Castle Stuart (Colin Leslie).
Easter Ross: Barn Owl just north of Brucefield Farm entrance, Tarbet Ness (Dave Tanner).
Inverness-shire: 67 Brent Geese in the Firth at Nairn (Carol Shaw). 6 Barnacle Geese and 1 female Shoveler at Castle Stuart (Colin Leslie).
2nd February
Easter Ross: American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal still at Tain Links, also a peregrine over the water (Rosemary Aitken).
Inverness-shire: Kingfisher and 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Muirtown Pools, Merkinch (Al McNee). Barn Owl hunting in daylight, crossed the A831 at Shenval (Bea Ayling).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal still at Tain Links, also a peregrine over the water (Rosemary Aitken).
Inverness-shire: Kingfisher and 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Muirtown Pools, Merkinch (Al McNee). Barn Owl hunting in daylight, crossed the A831 at Shenval (Bea Ayling).
1st February
Easter Ross: Woodcock in wood alongside the Munlochy to Knockbain Road (Bob Wilson). Woodcock flushed near bridge by High Mills, near Tain (Gary Aitken).
Inverness-shire: Kingfisher on the Caledonian canal by the cattery between Dochgarroch and Inverness (Kevin Cuthbert).
Skye and Lochalsh: Chiffchaff feeding near Lephin village centre, Glendale (Lynden).
Easter Ross: Woodcock in wood alongside the Munlochy to Knockbain Road (Bob Wilson). Woodcock flushed near bridge by High Mills, near Tain (Gary Aitken).
Inverness-shire: Kingfisher on the Caledonian canal by the cattery between Dochgarroch and Inverness (Kevin Cuthbert).
Skye and Lochalsh: Chiffchaff feeding near Lephin village centre, Glendale (Lynden).
