Sightings
This page acts as a news site of more notable reports and may contain errors and omissions. The official record is published as the annual Highland Bird Report (HBR) which details records which have been formally submitted and accepted. All records submitted via Birdtrack or directly to the Local Recorder, do go into compilation of the HBR. Photographs are copyright of the named photographer and may not be used without explicit permission of the named photographer. Photographs of schedule 1 species will not be displayed on this page during the breeding season, unless accompanied by a valid SNH licence. Similarly any photographs showing obviously tape-lured or distressed birds will not be displayed, please refer to the Bird photography - a new code of practice article from Scottish Birds. To send in your photos for the website please email highlandsocwebmaster@gmail.com.
Highland Records Committee (HRC) species are in green, Scottish Birds Rarities Committee (SBRC) species are in blue and British Bird Rarities Committee (BBRC) species are in red.
This page acts as a news site of more notable reports and may contain errors and omissions. The official record is published as the annual Highland Bird Report (HBR) which details records which have been formally submitted and accepted. All records submitted via Birdtrack or directly to the Local Recorder, do go into compilation of the HBR. Photographs are copyright of the named photographer and may not be used without explicit permission of the named photographer. Photographs of schedule 1 species will not be displayed on this page during the breeding season, unless accompanied by a valid SNH licence. Similarly any photographs showing obviously tape-lured or distressed birds will not be displayed, please refer to the Bird photography - a new code of practice article from Scottish Birds. To send in your photos for the website please email highlandsocwebmaster@gmail.com.
Highland Records Committee (HRC) species are in green, Scottish Birds Rarities Committee (SBRC) species are in blue and British Bird Rarities Committee (BBRC) species are in red.
31st January
Badenoch and Strathspey: Waxwings at Nethybridge, near Loch Garten Junction (John Poyner).
Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain Links (Bob Swann). 13 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Waxwings at Nethybridge, near Loch Garten Junction (John Poyner).
Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain Links (Bob Swann). 13 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas).
30th January
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain Links (Bob Swann). Male Hen Harrier quartering the fields immediately to the south of Tarbat Ness Plantation (Dave Tanner). Pair of Ruddy Shelduck from Ivy Cottage lay-by, Jemimaville (George Gay).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain Links (Bob Swann). Male Hen Harrier quartering the fields immediately to the south of Tarbat Ness Plantation (Dave Tanner). Pair of Ruddy Shelduck from Ivy Cottage lay-by, Jemimaville (George Gay).
29th January
Sutherland: c100 Brambling. 25 - Reed Bunting and c50 Chaffinch in stubble field just SE of Loch Fleet (Dave Tanner).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Barn owl hunting in the daylight at Insh Marshes beside the railway line (Kevin Cuthbert). A flock of ten waxwings on Meall a’Bhuachaille by Glenmore at 550m (Pete Gordon).
Wester Ross: 2nd calendar year Iceland Gull at Loch Kishorn (Bob McMillan).
Sutherland: c100 Brambling. 25 - Reed Bunting and c50 Chaffinch in stubble field just SE of Loch Fleet (Dave Tanner).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Barn owl hunting in the daylight at Insh Marshes beside the railway line (Kevin Cuthbert). A flock of ten waxwings on Meall a’Bhuachaille by Glenmore at 550m (Pete Gordon).
Wester Ross: 2nd calendar year Iceland Gull at Loch Kishorn (Bob McMillan).
28th January
Skye and Lochalsh: 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull at Portree (Bob McMillan).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain Links (S Levene).
Sutherland: Water Pipit still at Dornoch Point (Via Rare Bird Alert). Immature White-tailed Sea Eagle over Loch Fleet (Ann Sime).
Skye and Lochalsh: 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull at Portree (Bob McMillan).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain Links (S Levene).
Sutherland: Water Pipit still at Dornoch Point (Via Rare Bird Alert). Immature White-tailed Sea Eagle over Loch Fleet (Ann Sime).
27th January
Sutherland: Reported "White-billed diver" atLoch Clash (M Sheddan).
Easter Ross: Intermediate morph Snow Goose with Pink-footed Geese in field along unclassified road starting opposite Munlochy Church at NH640522 (Bob Wilson).
Skye and Lochalsh: Adult Mediterranean Gull in Broadford Bay (M Benson).
Lochaber: Mandarin drake with Mallard at Camusdarach, Little Egret at Arisaig / back of Keppoch, Juvenile Iceland Gull at Inverailort (Via Bob McMillan).
Sutherland: Reported "White-billed diver" at
Easter Ross: Intermediate morph Snow Goose with Pink-footed Geese in field along unclassified road starting opposite Munlochy Church at NH640522 (Bob Wilson).
Skye and Lochalsh: Adult Mediterranean Gull in Broadford Bay (M Benson).
Lochaber: Mandarin drake with Mallard at Camusdarach, Little Egret at Arisaig / back of Keppoch, Juvenile Iceland Gull at Inverailort (Via Bob McMillan).
26th January
No reports...
No reports...
25th January
Sutherland: 7 adult and 2 1st winter Little Gulls feeding at Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill).
Inverness-shire: Hybrid Ross's x Snow Goose at Strathdearn, just upstream of where the Glen Mazeran burn meets Strathdearn (Mark Keighley)
Sutherland: 7 adult and 2 1st winter Little Gulls feeding at Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill).
Inverness-shire: Hybrid Ross's x Snow Goose at Strathdearn, just upstream of where the Glen Mazeran burn meets Strathdearn (Mark Keighley)
24th January
Sutherland: Juvenile Little Gull off Brora Beach car-park though distant. Also circa 35 Purple Sandpiper on rocks on the rising tide (Dave Tanner).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal still at Tain (Dave Tanner).
Sutherland: Juvenile Little Gull off Brora Beach car-park though distant. Also circa 35 Purple Sandpiper on rocks on the rising tide (Dave Tanner).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal still at Tain (Dave Tanner).
23rd January
Inverness: 4 Barnacle Geese and a Pale-bellied Brent goose with Pink-footed geese flock along the B9039 just before Castle Stuart (Steve Broyd).
Skye and Lochalsh: Still 7 Greenland White-fronted geese in the wintering group at Kilmuir (Bob McMillan).
Easter Ross: Water Pipit still at Dornoch Point today (Dean MacAskill).
Inverness: 4 Barnacle Geese and a Pale-bellied Brent goose with Pink-footed geese flock along the B9039 just before Castle Stuart (Steve Broyd).
Skye and Lochalsh: Still 7 Greenland White-fronted geese in the wintering group at Kilmuir (Bob McMillan).
Easter Ross: Water Pipit still at Dornoch Point today (Dean MacAskill).
22nd January
Sutherland: Water Pipit with 6 Rock Pipits on the Saltmarsh by the last Creek at Dornoch point (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal at Tain Links (Bob Swann). Drake American Wigeon still at Tain links (Mark Dawson).
Sutherland: Water Pipit with 6 Rock Pipits on the Saltmarsh by the last Creek at Dornoch point (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal at Tain Links (Bob Swann). Drake American Wigeon still at Tain links (Mark Dawson).
21st January
Inverness-shire: Great crested grebe at Milton of Culloden, looking towards North end of Kessock Bridge. Kingfisher Merkinch LNR on first pool on the right as you walk along Canal Basin (Peter Gordon).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon at Tain Links (Bob Swann). Chiffchaff in gardens on Forsyth Place / Rose Lane / Shore Street, Cromarty (Kevin Davies).
Inverness-shire: Great crested grebe at Milton of Culloden, looking towards North end of Kessock Bridge. Kingfisher Merkinch LNR on first pool on the right as you walk along Canal Basin (Peter Gordon).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon at Tain Links (Bob Swann). Chiffchaff in gardens on Forsyth Place / Rose Lane / Shore Street, Cromarty (Kevin Davies).
20th January
Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal at Tain Links under the footbridge at 10am (Kevin Cuthbert). 16 Pale-bellied brent geese at Rosemarkie burn (Kevin Davies).
Sutherland: Today at Brora river mouth 5 Little Gulls (2 adults and 3 1st winter) also a 1st winter Iceland Gull. At Golspie 5 Barnacle Geese, 1 European White-front with Pink-footed geese flock and at Embo 45 Purple Sandpipers (Dean MacAskill).
Skye and Lochalsh: Glaucous Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).
Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal at Tain Links under the footbridge at 10am (Kevin Cuthbert). 16 Pale-bellied brent geese at Rosemarkie burn (Kevin Davies).
Sutherland: Today at Brora river mouth 5 Little Gulls (2 adults and 3 1st winter) also a 1st winter Iceland Gull. At Golspie 5 Barnacle Geese, 1 European White-front with Pink-footed geese flock and at Embo 45 Purple Sandpipers (Dean MacAskill).
Skye and Lochalsh: Glaucous Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).
19th January
Sutherland: Male Hen Harrier, 6 Pale-bellied Brents and 7 Grey Plover at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).
Inverness-shire: Magpie at Alturlie Point (Phil Dowling).
Lochaber: Little Egret at Back of Keppoch (Stuart Crutchfield).
Skye and Lochalsh: Glaucous Gull and Viking Gull on the Black Rock, Portree, this afternoon (Neil Bennett).
Sutherland: Male Hen Harrier, 6 Pale-bellied Brents and 7 Grey Plover at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).
Inverness-shire: Magpie at Alturlie Point (Phil Dowling).
Lochaber: Little Egret at Back of Keppoch (Stuart Crutchfield).
Skye and Lochalsh: Glaucous Gull and Viking Gull on the Black Rock, Portree, this afternoon (Neil Bennett).
18th January
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal at Alturlie Bay (Alison Fraser).
Sutherland: 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese just south of Embo pier on beach this morning (Di Alexander) and later this afternoon (Dave Tanner).
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal at Alturlie Bay (Alison Fraser).
Sutherland: 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese just south of Embo pier on beach this morning (Di Alexander) and later this afternoon (Dave Tanner).
17th January
Lochalsh: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Loch Kishorn (Bob McMillan).
Easter Ross: 9 Pale-bellied Brents at Rosemarie Burn this morning (Mary Galloway).
Lochalsh: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Loch Kishorn (Bob McMillan).
Easter Ross: 9 Pale-bellied Brents at Rosemarie Burn this morning (Mary Galloway).
16th January
Sutherland: Adult and first-winter Little Gull at Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: Drake American Wigeon still at Tain links (RBA).
Sutherland: Adult and first-winter Little Gull at Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: Drake American Wigeon still at Tain links (RBA).
15th January
Sutherland: Two Barnacle Geese with pink-feet in fields by A9 near Loch Evelix here at Cuthill (Dean MacAskill). Two Barnacle Geese and a European White-fronted Goose at Golspie viewed from Kirkton Farm track (Dean MacAskill).
Sutherland: Two Barnacle Geese with pink-feet in fields by A9 near Loch Evelix here at Cuthill (Dean MacAskill). Two Barnacle Geese and a European White-fronted Goose at Golspie viewed from Kirkton Farm track (Dean MacAskill).
14th January
Wester Ross: White-billed Diver on Little Loch Broom viewed from the lay-by here (Scott O'Hara, George Gay).
Inverness-shire: Greenland White-fronted Goose with Pink-feet just northeast of Loch Flemington this afternoon at NH815530 (Al McNee).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Hybrid Canada x Greylag goose and a Barnacle Goose at Cromdale Kirk today (Thomas Plant, Kevin Cuthbert).
Wester Ross: White-billed Diver on Little Loch Broom viewed from the lay-by here (Scott O'Hara, George Gay).
Inverness-shire: Greenland White-fronted Goose with Pink-feet just northeast of Loch Flemington this afternoon at NH815530 (Al McNee).
Badenoch and Strathspey: Hybrid Canada x Greylag goose and a Barnacle Goose at Cromdale Kirk today (Thomas Plant, Kevin Cuthbert).
13th January
Inverness-shire: 10 Barnacle Geese with large Pink-feet flock at Gollanfield (Colin Leslie).
Easter Ross: Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle at Killen with pink-feet flock at 1211pm (George Gay). Two Barnacle Geese northeast of Munlochy here (Phil Dowling).
Inverness-shire: 10 Barnacle Geese with large Pink-feet flock at Gollanfield (Colin Leslie).
Easter Ross: Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle at Killen with pink-feet flock at 1211pm (George Gay). Two Barnacle Geese northeast of Munlochy here (Phil Dowling).
12th January
Easter Ross: Single Waxwing on the Black Isle in berry bushes on minor road here near Knockbain (Kate Clarke, Mary Galloway). American Wigeon still at Tain near footbridge at 1220pm (Peter Stronach, Jon and Kate Clarke). Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle at Killen with pink-feet flock at midday (RBA).
Inverness-shire: Two Barnacle Geese with 500 Pink-feet viewable from Loch flemington to the north (Pete Gordon). Two Black-tailed Godwit at Merkinch (Pete Gordon).
Easter Ross: Single Waxwing on the Black Isle in berry bushes on minor road here near Knockbain (Kate Clarke, Mary Galloway). American Wigeon still at Tain near footbridge at 1220pm (Peter Stronach, Jon and Kate Clarke). Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle at Killen with pink-feet flock at midday (RBA).
Inverness-shire: Two Barnacle Geese with 500 Pink-feet viewable from Loch flemington to the north (Pete Gordon). Two Black-tailed Godwit at Merkinch (Pete Gordon).
11th January
Easter Ross: Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle at Killen with pink-feet flock at midday (Dave Tanner).
Easter Ross: Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle at Killen with pink-feet flock at midday (Dave Tanner).
10th January
Sutherland: Spotted Redshank again at the head of the Dornoch Firth between Bonar Bridge and Ardgay (Mike Hoit). Nordic Jackdaw at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain near footbridge at 1220pm (Mike Hoit), also 3 Shoveler there (Dean MacAskill). American Wigeon still at Loch Eye and Two Black-tailed Godwits at Inver (Dean MacAskill). Snow Goose still in field at Killen with pink-feet (Bob Wilson).
Lochaber: Drake Ring-necked Duck still at Acharacle with Tufted Ducks viewed from Acharacle Pier (Bob McMillan). Juvenile Iceland Gull at Lochailort still (RBA).
Sutherland: Spotted Redshank again at the head of the Dornoch Firth between Bonar Bridge and Ardgay (Mike Hoit). Nordic Jackdaw at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still at Tain near footbridge at 1220pm (Mike Hoit), also 3 Shoveler there (Dean MacAskill). American Wigeon still at Loch Eye and Two Black-tailed Godwits at Inver (Dean MacAskill). Snow Goose still in field at Killen with pink-feet (Bob Wilson).
Lochaber: Drake Ring-necked Duck still at Acharacle with Tufted Ducks viewed from Acharacle Pier (Bob McMillan). Juvenile Iceland Gull at Lochailort still (RBA).
9th January
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still present just upstream of the footbridge at Tain links this afternoon (Toby Green).
Sutherland: European White-fronted Goose with pink-feet flock adjacent to Balblair Wood near Golspie here (Toby Green). Greenland White-fronted Goose with pink-feet flock by Golspie Golf Course here. Intermediate morph Snow Goose still at Killen in field opposite the village itself.
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still present just upstream of the footbridge at Tain links this afternoon (Toby Green).
Sutherland: European White-fronted Goose with pink-feet flock adjacent to Balblair Wood near Golspie here (Toby Green). Greenland White-fronted Goose with pink-feet flock by Golspie Golf Course here. Intermediate morph Snow Goose still at Killen in field opposite the village itself.
8th January
Lochaber: First-winter Iceland Gull at Ardnish Fish Farm (Stuart Crutchfield).
Lochaber: First-winter Iceland Gull at Ardnish Fish Farm (Stuart Crutchfield).
7th January
Sutherland: Three adult Little Gulls and a first-winter north past Brora river mouth at midday (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still off Tain links today (George Gay)
Two Orcas from the West Coast Community, John Coe and Aquarius were seen in the Inner Moray Firth today between Chanonry Point and Fort George.
Sutherland: Three adult Little Gulls and a first-winter north past Brora river mouth at midday (Dean MacAskill).
Easter Ross: American Wigeon still off Tain links today (George Gay)
Two Orcas from the West Coast Community, John Coe and Aquarius were seen in the Inner Moray Firth today between Chanonry Point and Fort George.
6th January
Sutherland: 2 adult Little Gulls at Brora off the river mouth (R Hughes, N O'Hanlon).
Easter Ross: 23 Slavonian Grebes off Embo and 5000 Common Scoter, 300 Eider, 300 Long-tailed Duck, 26 Slavonian Grebes off Dornoch (Dean MacAskill). Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle and 2 Barnacle Geese, in the field on the right as you come into Killen from the Munlochy side (Blair Whyte, Mary Galloway, Pete Gordon). American Wigeon still at Tain links. Green-winged Teal reported at Munlochy Bay today (WeBs).
Sutherland: 2 adult Little Gulls at Brora off the river mouth (R Hughes, N O'Hanlon).
Easter Ross: 23 Slavonian Grebes off Embo and 5000 Common Scoter, 300 Eider, 300 Long-tailed Duck, 26 Slavonian Grebes off Dornoch (Dean MacAskill). Intermediate morph Snow Goose still on the Black Isle and 2 Barnacle Geese, in the field on the right as you come into Killen from the Munlochy side (Blair Whyte, Mary Galloway, Pete Gordon). American Wigeon still at Tain links. Green-winged Teal reported at Munlochy Bay today (WeBs).
5th January
Easter Ross: Kingfisher off Dalmore at high tide (Bob Swann). 2 Waxwings at Garve at 0947am (Andy Williams).
Easter Ross: Kingfisher off Dalmore at high tide (Bob Swann). 2 Waxwings at Garve at 0947am (Andy Williams).
4th January
No reports...
No reports...
3rd January
Easter Ross: 4,200 Common Scoters, several Velvet Scoter, 300 Eider, 150 Long-tailed Duck from the bench above Dornoch beach carpark (Dean MacAskill).
Skye and Lochalsh: Juvenile Glaucous Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Bob McMillan). Little Egret at Arisag front, also possible second bird at Back of Keppoch. Kingfisher at Morar river, Mandarin on Morar pool (John Chester and Niki Robertson).
Wester Ross: Adult Viking Gull still at Ullapool (Andy Williams).
Easter Ross: 4,200 Common Scoters, several Velvet Scoter, 300 Eider, 150 Long-tailed Duck from the bench above Dornoch beach carpark (Dean MacAskill).
Skye and Lochalsh: Juvenile Glaucous Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Bob McMillan). Little Egret at Arisag front, also possible second bird at Back of Keppoch. Kingfisher at Morar river, Mandarin on Morar pool (John Chester and Niki Robertson).
Wester Ross: Adult Viking Gull still at Ullapool (Andy Williams).
2nd January
Easter Ross: Drake American Wigeon again at Tain Links and 22 Shoveler, no sign of the Green-winged Teal (Bob Swann).
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal still at Loch Flemington (Bob Wilson).
Easter Ross: Drake American Wigeon again at Tain Links and 22 Shoveler, no sign of the Green-winged Teal (Bob Swann).
Inverness-shire: Green-winged Teal still at Loch Flemington (Bob Wilson).
1st January
Easter Ross: Drake American Wigeon still at Loch Eye today (Bob Swann).
Inverness-shire: Drake Green-winged Teal back on Loch Flemington again this afternoon with only 6 Teal (Jon Clarke). Kingfisher and four Black-tailed Godwit still at Muirtown Pools late afternoon (Al McNee).
Easter Ross: Drake American Wigeon still at Loch Eye today (Bob Swann).
Inverness-shire: Drake Green-winged Teal back on Loch Flemington again this afternoon with only 6 Teal (Jon Clarke). Kingfisher and four Black-tailed Godwit still at Muirtown Pools late afternoon (Al McNee).
