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, even if not mentioned on this page, 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, even if not mentioned on this page, 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.
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30th September
Lochaber: Drake Black Duck still present at Strontian, with Mallard flock at high tide. Inverness-shire: Common Sandpiper at Seafield, Inverness. Badenoch and Strathspey: 7 Whooper Swan at Insh Marshes and 12 at Loch Alvie. Skye and Lochalsh: Grey Phalarope (Birdguides) reported from Uig-Lochmaddy sailing this morning. Adult Long-tailed Skua on the sea at Broadford Bay, also 5 Pale-bellied Brent. 8 Whooper Swan on Loch Fada. 29th September
First arrivals of Whooper Swans being reported, and continued arrival of Pink-Footed Geese. Lochaber: A seawatch from Ardnamurchan Lighthouse from 0700-1500hrs in gale force south-west wind produced a juvenile Sabine's Gull (Richard Doan) at 1000hrs, 3 Leach's Petrel, Pomarine Skua 2 ads (pale phase and a dark phase - both with full spoons), 24 Great Skua, 26 Arctic Skua, 305 Manx Shearwater, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 1416 Gannet, 1818 Kittiwake, 5 Arctic Tern (4 ads and 1 jus), 4000+ auk Sp, 3 Golden Plover 24 Pale-bellied Brent, 5 Great Northern Diver, 16 Red-throated Diver and 461 Pink-footed Goose in from the north. Skye and Lochalsh: 27 Whooper Swans at the head of Loch Snizort-Beag at Skeabost and 6 at Broadford Bay. Still 70 Pale-bellied Brent in Broadford Bay sheltering from the gales which left when the weather settled around midday; in late afternoon there were two groups of fresh arrivals totalling 59 birds. Easter Ross: Off the car park at Jemimaville a single Manx Shearwater!, also 237 Scaup, 750+ Wigeon, 6 Canada Geese, 121 Golden Plover, 7 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 54 Knot, 35 Bar-tailed Godwit and 152 Redshank. Wester Ross: Presumed Viking Gull still at Ullapool harbour, coming to chips on the pier!. 28th September
Large and widespread arrival of Pink-footed Geese across Highland, Caithness and Orkney, in strong southwesterly winds. Skye and Lochalsh: No sign of either the Red-backed Shrike or the Great White Egret today, despite searching. 75 Pale-bellied Brent in Broadford bay. Inverness-shire: 11 Coot on Loch Flemington. 27th September
Easter Ross: Juvenile Long-tailed Skua (Kevin Davis) past Chanonry Point at 1305pm, also single Puffin, 43 Gannet, 5 Kittiwake and 120+ auks in an hour. Skye and Lochalsh: Female or juvenile Red-backed Shrike (Birdtrack) reported in a private garden at Loch Mor, Waterstein, Neist Point (NG1448) this evening between 1630-1730pm. Great White Egret (Andrew Gouldstone) at Glendale, on Hamara river, just south of road bridge at grid ref NG180495 at 0610pm. It was seen to fly south by about 0.5km and land again. Lochaber: Black Duck (Birdguides), drake still present at Strontian. Sutherland: 3 Little Gull at Brora river mouth and Arctic Skua and 2 Bonxies past. Wester Ross: Leach's Petrel, Pomarine Skua, 2 Manx Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrel, 17 Golden Plover and 3 Meadow Pipits on the Ullapool-Stornoway sailing. Inverness-shire: 5 Grey Plover at Whiteness Bay. 26th September
Sutherland: Black-tailed Godwit at Balnakeil and a Chiffchaff at the craft village. Easter Ross: Two Little Gulls at Brora. 25th September
Lochaber: 5 Brent Geese at Arisaig for their second day. Easter Ross: Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlin flock at Inver. Whimbrel at Tarbat Ness. 24th September
Skye and Lochalsh: Sand Martins still active in colonies in Dunvegan. Single Pale-bellied Brent at Broadford, also three Black-tailed Godwit and 15 Bar-tailed Godwit. Easter Ross: 4 Goldeneye on Loch Eye. 23rd September
Easter Ross: 8 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Nigg Bay RSPB and a Whimbrel. White Wagtail at Tarbat Ness. Inverness-shire: 86 Gannets (one 6 of which adult) off the Kessock Bridge this morning. At Whiteness this afternoon 3 juvenile Grey Plover, 200+ juvenile Gannets, 60 Curlew, 500 Oystercatcher, 20 Sandwich Tern, 30 Dunlin, 18 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Wheatear. Lochaber: Late Swift at Kimory, Rum. Kingfisher at Inchlaggan, Glen Garry. 22nd September Sutherland: Yellow-browed Warbler (Peter Stronach/Mark Warren) this afternoon at Bettyhill at Achneiskich, on road down to pier at NC703622, also Willow Warbler. 2 Treecreepers, Blackcap and Chiffchaff at Durness and 15 Pink-footed geese flew south. White Wagtail at Balnakeil. Blackcap and Chiffchaff at Melvich. Wester Ross: 20+ Dotterel on Am Faochagach, north of Loch Glascarnoch. Four Leach's Petrel, Pomarine Skua and Sooty Shearwater reported from the Ullapool-Stornoway ferry. Lochaber: Black Duck (James Gordon) still at Strontian at 1010am, upstream of bridge over River Strontian. Easter Ross: 7 Velvet Scoter at Tarbat Ness. Skye and Lochalsh: 65 Ringed Plover (high count) in Staffin Bay and 6 Bar-tailed Godwit. Badenoch and Strathspey: Parrot Crossbills (Dave Pullan) in Abernethy Forest. Other wildlife: Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland. 21st September
Easter Ross: 3000 Wigeon at Tain. Osprey at Udale Bay RSPB. Skye and Lochalsh: Single Leach's Petrel reported from Uig-Lochmaddy ferry. 20th September
Sutherland: Redwing near Bonar Bridge. 12 Black-tailed Godwit and 40 Knot at Inver. Inverness-shire: 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 100 Common Scoter, 150 Curlew, 50 Common Tern and a Coot at Whiteness. Wester Ross: Viking Gull still at Ullapool and 2 White Wagtail. 19th September
Wester Ross: Leach's Petrel over the Burma bank, also juvenile Sabine's Gull (Nick Davies), 6 Long-tailed Skuas, Pomarine Skua and Sooty Shearwaters from Hebridean Whale Cruises. Sutherland: Juvenile Little Gull on the beach at Dornoch this evening. Easter Ross: 6 Pink-footed Goose in off and south over Tarbat Ness. Also of note - 1000+ Gannet, more than half juveniles, into the Dornoch Firth. Skye and Lochalsh: Herd off 17 Whooper Swans south over Ardnish, Broadford. Badenoch and Strathspey: 3 Ring Ouzels in Gaick. 18th September
Easter Ross: 27 Whooper Swans off the sea at Rosemarkie 18.30pm heading west. 9 Pink-footed Geese at Udale Bay. Inverness-shire: At Whiteness today - 2 juvenile Ruff, 300 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 50 Knot, 60 Sandwich Terns, 20 Common Terns and 200+ Gannets (only a handful of adults). Wester Ross: Today at Achnahaird dunes - 50 Ringed Plovers , 40 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 30 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 10 Pied Wagtails, 8 Skylarks, 6 Shags and a pair of Ravens. 17th September
Lochaber: Black Duck (Birdguides) still present at the mouth of the burn at Strontian from the bridge at 1630pm. Sutherland: Pale-bellied Brent at Dornoch. Wester Ross: Grey Plover at Badentarbet beach, Achiltibuie, also a Red Kite at Achnahaird. 16th September
Lochaber: Lapland Bunting on top of Mullach Mor, Rum and 500 Kittiwake in Kilmory. Skye and Lochalsh: 2 juvenile Sabine's Gulls (Nick Davies) on the Staffin bank in the Minch. Also in the Minch from Hebridean Whale Cruises approx 45 Sooty Shearwaters, 175 Manx Shearwater, 3 Arctic Skua, 10 Bonxies and 3 Storm Petrel. Three Manx Shearwaters were released again this morning in Broadford. Easter Ross: 500 Kittwakes past Tarbat Ness. Inverness-shire: 50 Pinkfeet east over The Longman, Inverness at 8 am. Chiffchaff singing from mature woodland behind Cradlehall Shopping Centre, Inverness at 9:30am. Sutherland: 3 Lapland Buntings with Meadow Pipits along track from lighthouse to radio mast at Stoer at 3pm, photo here. 15th September
Wester Ross: 2 Chiffchaffs in Ullapool, one in full song!. Sutherland: 50+ Pink-footed Geese flying south over Balnakeil Craft Village at 1530pm. Inverness-shire: At Whiteness Bay 5 Greenshank, 200 Ringed Plover, 16 Pink-footed Geese (flying over), 60 Dunlin and 16 Sanderling. Pinkfeet heading south this morning over Inverness at 11am, heard clearly but not seen due to the mist. Skye and Lochalsh: Juvenile Sabine's Gull (Mark Warren/Peter Stronach) from the Lochmaddy-Uig ferry, and a second summer Arctic Skua and 2 Manx Shearwater. Mealy Redpoll visiting feeders at Uig. Easter Ross: Three juvenile Long-tailed Skua (Birdguides) off Coul Links. Bar-tailed Godwit at Tarbat Ness. 14th September
Wester Ross: 340 Sooty Shearwaters (Scott O'Hara) from the Ullapool Stornaway ferry today and 7 Manx Shearwater. Sutherland: Skeins of Pink-footed Geese, first of the autumn, over Raffin and Inchnadamph. Marsh Harrier still at Balnakeil and 3 Grey Wagtails at Durness. Easter Ross: Whitethroat at Tarbat Ness. 13th September
Wester Ross: 73 Ringed Plover, 67 Dunlin, 8 Sanderling and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits at Achnahaird. Skye and Lochalsh: 7 (Seven) Sabine's Gull (Nick Davies) in the Minch on the Burma Bank from Hebridean Whale Cruises, three adults and four juveniles. 15 Whimbrel flew south at high tide from Broadford bay. Another four Manx Shearwaters grounded last night and released this morning. Lochaber: Lapland Bunting at Kilmory, Rum. Late news: A wholly unconfirmed report of a Snowy Owl (recorder email) on 11th September on the road (A838) 12 miles west of Tongue. It was picked up and released so sounds as though it may have been hit by a vehicle. 12th September
Skye and Lochalsh: Three Curlew Sandpipers at Broad Bay this morning and still two tonight. Also at Broadford Bay; 18 Whimbrel, 28 Redshank, 23 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Knot, 9 Sanderling, 200+ Dunlin, 230+ Ringed Plover, 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 5 Wigeon .Also 3 Black-tailed Godwits at Loch Portree. Easter Ross: 2 Pomarine Skua past Tarbat Ness this morning. 11th September
Wester Ross: 3 Pale-bellied Brent at Reiff. Easter Ross: 11 Purple Sandpiper at Tarbat Ness. Inverness-shire: Juvenile Little Gull at Whiteness bay. 10th September
Wester Ross: 45 Sooty Shearwater, 100 Manx Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua, 10 Storm Petrel on the Ullapool-Stornaway ferry, and 6 Common Dolphin. Lochaber: Black Duck still at the burn mouth at 12.30pm at Strontian Skye and Lochalsh: .13 Brent Geese at Loch Ainort. 12 Bar-tailed Godwit at Broadford Bay, and 300 Ringed Plover and 200 Dunlin. Sutherland: Curlew Sandpiper at Balnakeil Craft Village. 5 juvenile Little Gull at Dornoch beach today. Badenoch and Strathspey: 2 Ring Ouzels at Gaick. Inverness-shire: Little Stint at Castle Stuart at Lonnie. Today at Chanonry Point in three hours (06.30-0930), Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Puffin, 325 Kittiwake, 51 Common Tern, 36 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannet, Razorbill, 10 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Red-throated Diver. 9th September
Skye and Lochalsh: A grounded Manx Shearwater at Plockton last night was safely returned to sea at Skye Bridge - in current weather conditions young birds are often disorientated and become grounded - any such birds keep them in a box overnight and release in the sea in daylight. Sutherland: Wholly unconfirmed report of an adult male Pallid Harrier (Birdguides) quartering hillside northwest of A836 south of Loch Loyal on Friday, at Inchkinloch. Juvenile Little Gull at Brora and one viewed from the pier at Embo. Juvenile Ruff at Stoer Head light. 8th September
Badenoch and Strathspey: Great-crested Grebe at Lochindorb in the morning. Sutherland: 2 Juvenile Black Tern still at Dornoch Point in high tide roost this evening. Lapland Bunting at Balnakeil in flat area north of marsh then flew to fields east of marsh. Skye and Lochalsh: 25 Brent Geese moving west and a single Pomarine Skua off Kilmaluag Bay. Single Black-tailed Godwit in Broadford Bay. 7th September
Skye and Lochalsh: Juvenile and Adult Sabine's Gull (Nick Davies/Hebridean Whale Cruises), 6 juvenile Long-tailed Skuas, Leach's Storm Petrel, 40 Sooty Shearwater, 100's Manx Shearwater and 2 Little Gulls all in the Minch from Hebridean Whale Cruises. Another adult Sabine's Gull (Martin Bliss) to the south of the Crowlin Islands. Juvenile Ruff in Broadford Bay and 19 Black-tailed Godwit. 6 Brent Geese at Loch Sligachan. Lochaber: Single Whimbrel at Loch Scresort, Rum. Easter Ross: 400 Canada Geese at Udale Bay and 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Sanderling, 1 Ringed Plover, 45 Bar-tailed Godwits, 135 Knot, 70 Lapwing, 350+ Redshank, 135 Curlew, 408 Wigeon, 15 Sandwich Tern. Nearby at Jemimaville 28 Slavonian Grebe, 27 Scaup, 46 Eider, 5 Turnstone, 6 Wheatear. 37 Black-tailed Godwit at Munlochy Bay. 6th September
Badenoch and Strathspey: Swift feeding young at a nest in Nethybridge, remarkable record given that in the 2014 Highland Bird Report the last Swift sighting of the year was on the 6th September 2014. If you still have Swifts nesting please enter your records onto Birdtrack so they are included on the official record. 5th September
Sutherland: Curlew Sandpiper on Dornoch beach with Sanderling. Badenoch and Strathspey: Hobby (Dave Pierce) over RSPB Loch Insh and a Kingfisher on the River Spey at Kingussie. 4th September
Wester Ross: Juvenile Sabine's Gull (Birdguides) flew south past Reiff at 0955am. Easter Ross: Seawatch at Chanonry Point 0620-0800 today, produced 40 Sandwich Terns, 140 Kittiwake mostly juveniles, 1 juvenile Little Gull, 1 dark Arctic Skua, 1 Osprey, 9 Turnstone and 23 Knot. Also present 250+ Swallows, 45 Pied Wagtail and 35 Meadow Pipit. Skye and Lochalsh: Adult Sabine's Gull (Nick Davies/Hebridean Whale Cruises) 5 miles east of Staffin Island. 150 Kittiwakes, 6 Bonxie, immature Arctic Skua, 4 Storm Petrel on the Highland side of the Uig-Lochmaddy sailing, and 3 Minke Whales and 4 Risso's Dolphin. Sutherland: 4 juvenile Little Gull off Coul Links at the mouth of the loch. 3rd September
Sutherland: Juvenile Black Tern again at 1145am this morning at Dornoch point with tern roost. Later a second juvenile Black Tern (Dean MacAskill) joined the other and both were seen feeding at high tide around 2pm off the point. Also 3 Little Gulls at Brora from the beach car park. Inverness-shire: Green Woodpecker yaffling in wooded area close to Floral Hall/Rugby Park in Inverness at 3pm. Curlew Sandpiper at Whiteness Bay. Easter Ross: Adult Hobby (Peter Stronach) flew past Chanonry Point at 0755am this morning, flying towards Kessock Bridge. Also Osprey and Arctic Skua past. 2nd September
Sutherland: Juvenile Black Tern (Dean MacAskill) with Sandwich and Common Terns at high tide at Dornoch Point, then flew to Dornoch Firth. Also 120 Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers and White Wagtails. Easter Ross: 325 Canada Geese at Udale Bay. Wester Ross: Previously reported resident Glaucous Gull in Ullapool appears to be a Viking Gull (Herring x Glaucous), see photos below showing atypical primaries and tertials. Also see this tweet from April 2016 showing new Herring type scapulars and atypical charcoal grey body feathering. This follows another different Viking Gull that was present on June 7th, see tweet here. Skye and Lochalsh: Single White Wagtail at Kilt Rock. Single dark morph Pomarine Skua off Rhu Bornesketaig. 5 Whimbrel on Ardnish, Broadford early morning then 18 at Harrapool later. Late news: Late news of a Black Redstart on Skye at the wee tea room at Eynort on the 12th May 2016. 1st September
Easter Ross: At Udale Bay 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 43 Knot, 1 Osprey, also duck numbers starting to rise with 72 Wigeon and 35 Teal. Skye and Lochalsh: 25 Whimbrel at Broadford Bay, 27 Black-tailed Godwits at Breakish Obbe and another 80 at Loch Portree which flew off at high tide. Knot numbers built up throughout the day to peak at 123 - possibly a local record!. |
