Sightings

This page features the 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  may not be used without explicit permission of the named photographers who retain copyright. Photographs of schedule 1 species will not be displayed here during the breeding season, unless accompanied by a valid SNH licence and 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.

​This page is currently updated for the SOC Highland branch by Debbie and Sam Borthwick, Mike Crutch and Colin Leslie.

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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Birders should adhere to any travel and social distancing advice during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Rarities and Schedule 1 species Information should be passed via BirdTrack and/or emailed to the Highland Recorder at highlandrecorder@yahoo.com

Various online resources, in addition to Highland Rare Bird News, skye-birds.com and Highland Scarce Bird News, are trawled for records reported here. You can also report newsworthy records (and photographs) to  highlandsocwebmaster@gmail.com  - thank you to everyone that contributes records to this page

**NEWS**

2022 Branch AGM - draft minutes can be viewed online - click "Events" at the top of this page/
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Highland Bird Report 2020 is now available to view online/download - click "Publications" at the top of this page and follow the link

Work is continuing on the 2021 Highland Bird Report. If you have any bird photographs that you wish to be considered for inclusion, please email them to the Editor, Alex Joss, at ejoss99@btinternet.com. Quality is a prime criterion but less-good photographs of rarities, less-photographed species or showing unusual aspects of bird behaviour are also welcome. Photos must have been taken in the HBR recording area in 2021! If the original files are very large, consider sending them initially in a reduced format. Thank you.
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2022
Friday 1st July
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Glaucous Gull - Immature at Brora
Thursday 30th June

Great White Egret - flying South down Loch Linnhe this morning
Wednesday 29th June

Black-Tailed Godwit - at Merkinch LNR also 24 Redshank
Tuesday 28th June

​Rosy Starling - Altgrishnan, Gairloch, also bird reported in Kyle of Lochalsh between 18 and 20 June.
Sanderling - 10 birds reported, along with 65 Curlew, 2 Bar-Tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 8 Ringed Plover, 23 Dunlin at Dornoch Saltings
Monday 27th June
​No significant sightings reported yet today

Sunday 26th June

Black-Tailed Godwit - at the head of Loch Portree also 20 Greenshank
Manx Shearwater - 23 birds heading south into Dornoch Firth, Embo, also 1 Little Tern and 3 Swift

Saturday 25th June

Rosy Starling - single birds at Lang Bay, Eigg and Balmaquien, Kilmuir on Skye
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Friday 24th June

Arctic Skua - 11 past Neist Point, Skye during a 5-hour seawatch; remarkably, just a single Bonxie was observed in this period
Manx Shearwater - c200 in Moonen Bay, Skye
Dunlin - 8 at Laide, Wester Ross
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Thursday 23rd June

Arctic Skua - 3 past Neist Point, Skye 
Black-tailed Godwit - one at Merkinch LNR, Inverness

Wednesday 22nd June

Green-winged Teal - drake in front of birdhide at Dalchork, by Lairg
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Tuesday 21st June

Canada Goose - singleton at Loch Pityoulish, near Coylumbridge
Common Scoter - c1,000 in the Dornoch Firth off Portmahomack
Grasshopper Warbler - reeling male along the Cove road, Loch Ewe
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Monday 20th June

Arctic Skua - single (dark morph) at Tarbat Ness, plus singles of Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver plus 14 Manx Shearwater 
Greylage Goose - c1,000 post breeding/moulting flock at Glas Eilean, Loch Alsh
Grasshopper Warbler - reeling birds at Upper Tote and Budmhor, Portree on Skye

Sunday 19th June

White-billed Diver - 1st summer bird off ​Embo; in one hour other 'highlight' species noted were single Great Northern Diver (sumplum), 67 Manx Shearwater, 5 Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua
Manx Shearwater - 7 at Tarbat Ness, other species noted included 2 Red-throated Diver, 6 Puffin, 500+ Kittiwake, 6 Arctic Tern
Greenshank - 17 at the head of Loch Portree, Skye plus single Whimbrel
Spotted Flycatcher - at least 2 pairs in Inverewe Gardens, Poolewe

Saturday 18th June

Common Scoter - 60 flew east in outer Broadford Bay 
Cory's Shearwater - 1 (probable) past Tarbat Ness
Wood Warbler - singing male at Dornie, Kintail
Garden Warbler - one at Loch Pityoulish, near Coylumbridge

Friday 17th June

Red-breasted Merganser - 87 at Udale​
Rosy Starling - 1 still in Scourie
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Thursday 16th June
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Glaucous Gull - Immature at Brora river mouth still
​Greenshank - 4 at Udale Bay
Whimbrel - 1 at Feddon Hill, Fortrose
​
 Wednesday 15th June

Canada Goose - 70 adults and 20 juveniles at head of Loch Ailort 
Great Northern Diver - single in winter plumage off Ord, Sleat
Manx Shearwaters - 5 off Tarbat Ness
Glaucous Gull - Immature at Brora river mouth along with immature Iceland Gull and intermedius type Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Tuesday 14th June

Rosy Starling - 1 at Scourie, east of Greenhill Bed & Breakfast.
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Monday 13th June

No significant sightings reported yet today
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Sunday 12th June

Greenshank - 10 at the head of Loch Portree
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Saturday 11th June

Long-tailed Skua - 1 near Newtonmore
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Friday 10th June

Hobby- single bird flying south over Broadford, Isle of Skye
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Thursday 9th June

No significant sightings reported yet today
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Wednesday 8th June

Long-Tailed Skua - also 18 Manx Shearwater flew North at Brora
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Tuesday 7th June

Black Redstart - male, first summer bird near Ptarmigan Restaurant on Cairngorm
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Monday 6th June
No significant sightings reported yet today

Sunday 5th June

Redstart - Migdale, Sutherland

Saturday 4th June

Short-toed Eagle - still in the area of Loch Grudaidh and Cnoc Leamhnachd, Sutherland​
Ruff - reported at Loch Insh
White Crowned Sparrow - near Mellon Udrigle
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Friday 3rd June

Short-toed Eagle - still in the area of Loch Grudaidh and Cnoc Leamhnachd, Sutherland​
Knot - 3 at Tarbat Ness; offshore was a single Manx Shearwater amongst continued large numbers of feeding seabirds, with some 1,000+ Kittiwake, 2,000+ Guillemot, 500+ Razorbill included in the counts
Barnacle Goose - single bird seen off Cromarty
Common Scoter - 7 at Chanonry Point
Garden Warbler - roadside at Loch Pityoulish, near Coylumbridge

Thursday 2nd June

Short-toed Eagle - still in the area of Loch Grudaidh and Cnoc Leamhnachd, Sutherland
Common Crane - c10 birds near Clunes, Lochaber
Red-necked Phalarope - one briefly on Insh marshes
Ring Ouzel - single bird at The Storr, Skye

Wednesday 1st June

White-billed Diver - off Lothbeg Point, Sutherland
Puffin - 2 under the Skye Bridge (an unusual location for them)
Short-toed Eagle - again seen in the area of Loch Grudaidh and Cnoc Leamhnachd, Sutherland
Quail - 2 still calling on the southwestern edge of Beauly, with one other north of Nethy Bridge

Tuesday 31st May

White-billed Diver - sumplum bird north past Tarbat Ness, plus single Long-tailed Duck (almost in sumplum)
Iceland Gull - 2CY bird in Helmsdale harbour
Short-toed Eagle - seen flying north of Loch Grudaidh, Sutherland, itself north of Dalreavoch Lodge - please park sensibly and do enter lodge grounds
Common Crane - 2 over Hilton of Cadboll​
Quail - single bird calling near the old Nethy Bridge railway station​
Spotted Flycatcher - 2 in Broadford, Skye
Monday 30th May

Red-throated Diver - 25+ off Embo as part of ongoing seabird major feeding activity, also seen were Arctic Skua (2), plus singles of Great Skua and Glaucous Gull (immature)
Quail - at least 2 calling on the southwestern edge of Beauly
​Garden Warbler - possibly two territories near Kinloch, Sleat on Skye

Sunday 29th May

Barnacle Goose - one in the Waterloo area of Broadford, Skye
Black Tern - 3 past Fort George
Storm Petrel - 5 off Waternish, Skye seen from Uig-Lochmaddy ferry
Quail - single bird calling near the old Nethy Bridge railway station
Rosy Starling - unconfirmed report of a single bird in Kinlochbervie
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Saturday 28th May

Short-toed Eagle - seen again, flying near Loch Grudaidh, Sutherland north of Dalreavoch Lodge - please park sensibly and do enter lodge grounds
Quail - two birds still calling near the old Nethy Bridge railway station
Garden Warbler - single bird at Ardgeal, Kincraig
Friday 27th May

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 4 at Tain links
Little Gull - one past Chanonry Point, with 11 Sanderling (all in sumplum) recorded also
Quail - two birds calling near the old Nethy Bridge railway station with another at Delliefure Farm, Cromdale

Thursday 26th May

Arctic Skua - 3 off Camas Ban, Bornesketaig plus 8 Great Skua
Whimbrel - singleton at Tarbat Ness, along with a Knot also; amongst the birds off the point were 18 Black Guillemot

Wednesday 25th May

King Eider - drake off Skelbo
Black-tailed Godwit - single bird at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Knot - 11 at Tarbat Ness plus 5 Great Northern Diver, 25 Black Guillemot and single Puffin

Tuesday 24th May

Brent Goose - 4 still at Tain links along with 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Great Skua - 5 off Plockton​
Short-toed Eagle - Flying west over Meall Dola towards Lairg

Monday 23rd May
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Velvet Scoter - 1 past Tarbat Ness
Glaucous Gull - Still at Portmahomack
Long-tailed Skua - 4 from Uig to Lochmaddy Ferry
Arctic Skua - 9 north during 4 hour seawatch at Neist Point also 1 Great Skua
Sunday 22nd May
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Iceland Gull - Immature Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness, also immature Glaucous Gull there
Nuthatch - still present Arisaig, also Spotted Flycatcher there.
Pied Flycatcher - 3 singing at Craigellachie NNR

Saturday 21st May
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Whooper Swan - 1 still at Loch Dunvegan
Green-winged Teal - 1 still present Alturlie Pools
Iceland Gull - 1st summer at golf course, Portmahomack
Glaucous Gull - 1 Ullapool harbour.
Wood Warbler - singing bird at Viewfield House wood, Portree
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Friday 20th May
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Brent Goose - 4 at Tain Links 
Yellow Wagtail - 2 "grey-headed" thunbergi ssp at Balnakeil
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Kinlochewe
Garden Warbler - singing bird at Avernish, Lochalsh

Thursday 19th May

Ruddy Shelduck - 1 again on mudflats, Mountgerald, Cromarty Firth
Great Skua - 3 at Glen Brittle
Whimbrel - 2 at Brora
Spotted Flycatcher - 1 at Fortrose

Wednesday 18th May

Sanderling - 3 at Kilmory Rum (also 14 Dunlin)
Greenland Wheatear -1 at Bindal Farm, Portmahomack

Tuesday 17th May

Green-winged Teal - 1 still present Alturlie Pools
Glaucous Gull - 1 immature at Embo (also Whinchat there)
Pallid Harrier - 1 ringtail, Balnakeil​

Monday 16th May 

Green-winged Teal - 1 still present Alturlie Pools
Manx Shearwater - c80 past Brora (also Lesser Black-backed Gull)
Iceland Gull - 1 immature, Tarbat Ness
Little Egret - 1 Kentra Bay, Ardnamurchan
Common (Meally) Redpoll - 1 with Lesser Redpoll flock, Culloden Battlefield

Sunday 15th May 

Manx Shearwater - 190 in 1hr from Embo (also 1 Little Tern, 1 Arctic Skua)
Long-tailed Skua - 1 at Horse Island, Muck (also 1 Muck fish farm yesterday)
Arctic Skua - 4 at Neist Point
Baird's Sandpiper - Balnakeil beach
Lady Amherst's Pheasant - 1 Strathdearn near Dalmigavie Lodge on 14th
Swift - Reports of widespread arrival of birds throughout the area over the last two days.
Redstart - 1 singing between Rosemarkie and Cromarty
Corn Bunting - Still present Embo
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Saturday 14th May 

Manx Shearwater - 2 past Chanonry Point, plus 2 Whimbrel also
Little Tern - 4 at Embo, plus 3 Great Northern Diver and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius ssp.
Purple Sandpiper - 26 at Tarbat Ness, with ring-tail Hen Harrier, 9 Turnstone, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Dunlin and 2 White Wagtail recorded also.  Probable Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius ssp. amongst the gulls present, with continued large amount of seabird activity off the point
Ringed Plover - 50 on Staffin beach, Skye
Green-winged Teal - seen briefly at Alturlie
Grey Partridge - 2 at Corntown, Conon Bridge
Common Redpoll - a good candidate for this species was seen in the Ashaig area of Broadford, Skye
Friday 13th May 

Black-throated Diver - 2 past Chanonry Point plus 2 Red-throated Diver, single Lesser Black-backed Gull and single Sanderling in sumplum
Arctic Skua - 1 (pale morph) off Tarbat Ness plus 4 Bonxie, 5 Great Northern Diver, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull and continued seabird feeding frenzy, plus around the locale were 6 Tree Sparrow, 2 Wheatear (one leucorhoa ssp.) and single White Wagtail
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 4 at ​Tain Links
Mediterranean Gull - 1 at Alturlie
Shelduck - 3 over Heights of Dochcarty, Dingwall with 6 Swifts over also
Black-tailed Godwit - 1 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Greenshank - 12 at Kentra Bay, Ardnamurchan plus single Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Common Sandpiper  and c40 Dunlin
Ringed Plover - 120 in Broadford Bay, Skye plus 60 Dunlin also
Corn Bunting - singing male at Embo; found by Peter Stronach, it appears to be first record of the species here since 1972
Thursday 12th May 

Canada Goose - pair with young at Loch Insh, with some 500 Sand Martin feeding also 
Whooper Swan - single bird with Mute Swan flock at Avoch
Arctic Skua - 1 off Tarbat Ness plus 6 Bonxie, 5 Great Northern Diver, single Sanderling (uncommon for here) plus 3 Wheatear and single White Wagtail
Glaucous Gull - immature bird at Embo
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 6 at Tain Links
Mandarin Duck - 2 drake/1 female on a burn west of Glen Ord distillery, Muir of Ord 
Ringed Plover - 110 'tundra' ssp. birds at Dornoch, plus 6 Whimbrel and 5 White Wagtail
Pied Flycatcher - 1 at Glen Banchor, Newtonmore
Grasshopper Warbler - reeling bird at Heights of Dochcarty, Dingwall with Whinchat present also
Wednesday 11th May 

White-billed Diver - at Brora river mouth (sumplum)
Gadwall - drake at Loch Kinellan
Garganey - drake at Alturlie
Arctic Skua - 3 off Tarbat Ness plus 7 Great Skua amidst a seabird feeding frenzy which included c2,000 Kittiwake
Bar-tailed Godwit - 6 in Broadford Bay, Skye plus 3 Knot also
Purple Sandpiper - 12 at Tarbat Ness plus singles of Whimbrel and Knot, with 4 Great Northern Diver, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 11 Black Guillemot in the vicinity also
Hawfinch - in a private garden, Gartymore
Wood Warbler - birds on territory at Achilty oakwood, Contin
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Tuesday 10th May 

Great Northern Diver - still in good numbers off Inverasdale, Loch Ewe, plus 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Skua and 3 Arctic Skua 
White-billed Diver - at Brora river mouth
Arctic Skua - singles of pale and dark morph birds off Chanonry Point, plus a Lesser Black-backed Gull
Whimbrel - 9 at Firemore, Loch Ewe
Golden Plover - 24 in Strathdearn
Wood Warbler - 1 on territory in Armadale, Skye with Garden Warbler noted also
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Monday 9th May 

Arctic Skua - 1 (pale morph) off Tarbat Ness, with singles of Great Skua and Manx Shearwater also, plus 4 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 18 Turnstone and single Dunlin
Pomarine Skua - 3 off Embo, plus 2 Arctic Skua and single Bonxie, with 2 Great Northern Diver, 5 Purple Sandpiper and 4 Whimbrel also present
Bar-tailed Godwit - 5 in Broadford Bay, Skye with 5 Whimbrel, single Knot and 2 Sanderling
Whimbrel - 4 at Alturlie, Inverness plus single Arctic Tern
Swift - first birds of the season over Inverness/Beauly areas

Sunday 8th May 

Ruddy Shelduck - still west of the A9 bridge over the Cromarty Firth​
Purple Sandpiper - 3 at Tarbat Ness, plus 3 Manx Shearwater, 3 Great Northern Diver, single Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Bar-tailed Godwit - 1 at Breakish Obbe, Skye
Black-tailed Godwit - 1 at Merkinch LNR, with 2 singing Sedge Warbler also
Whinchat - 1 at Ardnamurchan lighthouse
Garden Warbler - 1 at Balvonie of Leys, Inverness
Grasshopper Warbler - near Cove Arch, Loch Ewe
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Saturday 7th May 

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 4 at Neist Point, Skye
Canada Goose - 2 at Conchra, Localsh
Green Woodpecker - Migdale Woods, Spinningdale (believed present since early April)
Whimbrel - 9 at Firemore, Loch Ewe plus a singleton at Tarbat Ness, plus singles of Great Skua and Black-headed Gull (locally uncommon)
Snow Bunting - 1 plus single Ring Ouzel on Suilven, Sutherland
Friday 6th May 

Ruddy Shelduck - west of the A9 bridge over the Cromarty Firth 
Sanderling - 4 at Kilmory, Rum
Whimbrel - 5 at Upper Breakish, Skye and 7 at Ardnish, Broadford, Skye and 22 at Traigh, Morar
Wheatear - 2 leucorhoa ssp. at Newton of Leys, Inverness
Whitethroat - birds back on territory in Broadford, Skye 
Wood Warbler - 5 singing males in Strathconon 

General return of Tree Pipits throughout the region

Thursday 5th May 

Great Northern Diver - c30 off Inverasdale, Loch Ewe along with 4 Black-throated Diver, 3 Red-throated Diver and 3 Common Sandpiper
Canada Goose - 8 at Ardelve, Localsh
Ruddy Shelduck - reported yesterday, North Shore Cromarty
Purple Sandpiper - 5 at Tarbat Ness, plus 3 Whimbrel, 5 Great Northern Diver, 4 Arctic Tern and single Great Skua
Whimbrel - 3 birds Bayfield, Portree plus 4 at Alturlie with Bar-tailed Godwit also
Turtle Dove - private garden, Grantown on Spey
Whinchat - 1 back on territory in Badenoch
Nightingale - unconfirmed report of a bird both yesterday and today in Lochcarron (nothing found on 7th May search)
Serin - female reported yesterday in a private garden in Melness, Sutherland
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Wednesday 4th May 

Whitethroat - Singing in trees at Train Station area, Inverness
Redstart - 2/3 birds singing at Blackfold, also Cuckoo and Tree Pipits present
Pied Flycatcher - Craigellachie NNR and Rothiemurchus estate
Garden Warbler - Torrin Road, Broadford, Isle of Skye
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Tuesday 3rd May 

Hoopoe- 1 reported yesterday and Sunday at Sanna Bay
Snow Bunting - South End of Lochindorb
Sedge Warbler - 3 at Alturlie shore, also 3 Whimbrel and 2 Wheatear
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Monday 2nd May 

Whooper Swan - 1 juvenile near Kilbraur, Backies, Golspie also several Cuckoo in the area
Wood Warbler  - singing at Craigellachie, also 2 Tree Pipit present

Sunday 1st May 

Shoveler - 2 drake  at Alturlie also 2 Wheatear along the shoreline
Black-tailed Godwit - 1 at Merkinch LNR
Whimbrel - 5 at Coulmore, 4 at Alturlie, 9 at Shamhnan Insir, Rum and 5 Neist Point Isle of Skye
Arctic Skua - 2 single birds and North and South Neist Point, Isle of SKye
Arctic Tern -  3 at the Perches, Eigg
Cuckoo - 1 at Strathrory and Am Socach, Mullardoch also heard faintly calling in Boath/Ardross near Alness
Whitethroat - Portree Forestry and Cromarty
House Martin - at Cromarty also Whimbrel
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Saturday 30th April

Common Scoter - 1500+ off Portmahomack, also 14 Long-tailed Duck.
Great Northern Diver - 1 at Chanonry Point along with 3 red throated divers, 35 Long-tailed Duck, 55+ Common Tern, 2 Whimbrel and 1 House Martin
Black-tailed Godwit - 1 at Merkinch LNR
Swift - 2 Dornoch
Meadow Pipit - c100 Kinloch, Rum
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Friday 29th April

Lesser Black-backed Gull - possible graesllii ssp. at Tain Links
Black Guillemot - 26 at Tarbat Ness, plus 5 Great Northern Diver, single immature Iceland Gull 
Garganey - 3 at Loch an Aigeil, Assynt
Shoveler - 2 drakes at Muirtown Pools, Inverness with same at Alturlie
​Whimbrel - 1 at Alturlie, 3 at Bayfield, Portree and 2 over Kilmory, Rum
Cuckoo - 4 at Loch na Dal, Sleat, Isle of Skye plus a singleton at Loch Pityoulish, Boat of Garten
Whinchat - 1 at Kilmory Glen, Rum

Thursday 28th April

​Whimbrel - 12 near Arisaig, 4 by Castle Island, Eigg, 6 in Broadford Bay and 12 at Waternish Point  
Common Tern - 75+ Chanonry Point (also 1 Whimbrel)
Grasshopper Warbler - Loch nan Eala, Arisaig and 1 at Inverness retail park
Sedge Warbler - 1 at Tarbat Ness (also 1 Whimbrel), singles at Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig, Glen Nevis and Broadford
​​
Wednesday 27th April

Black-tailed Godwit - 3 at Merkinch LNR
Cuckoo - Rearquhar, Dornoch
Grasshopper Warbler - Kinloch, Rum
Whitethroat - 2 on the road to Newhall Point
​
Tuesday 26th April

Common Scoter - c500 off Portmahomack and 6 Long-tailed Ducks.
Grasshopper Warbler - 1 reeling, Croy
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Monday 25th April

Glaucous Gull - 1 over A95, Granish Junction, Aviemore
Whimbrel - 2 at Tarbat Ness (also 1 Black-throated Diver) 3 at Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig and 7 north at Neist Point.
Brambling - 1 at Drumguish 

Sunday 24th April

Tundra Bean Goose - One at Cuthill, Dornoch
Lesser White-fronted Goose - Adult again in Udale bay area.
Great Northern Diver - 9 on sea off Tarbat Ness also 1 Velvet Scoter, I great Skua and 3 House Martins. Also 8 Great Northern Divers in Ramasaig Bay.
Whimbrel - 5 on Ardnish, Broadford and 19 Golden Plover
House Martin - 1 at Merkinch LNR
​Black Redstart - Still present Insh Village - do not park in the pull off opposite the village notice board
Grasshopper Warbler - One reeling at Ben Bhraggie, Golspie
​
Saturday 23rd April

Lesser White-fronted Goose - Adult at Udale bay found 22nd but present today. Appears to be the returning escape present with Pink-footed Geese at Staveley YWT, North Yorkshire on 26-28 September 2020, Ribble Marshes, Lancashire, from 31 January-26 April 2021, and Ribble Marshes, Lancashire, from 21 September 2021-4 February 2022 (accepted onto Category E by BBRC)
Greenland White-fronted Goose - One at Udale bay in same flock as above bird.
King Eider - again at Little Ferry
Red-throated Diver - 114 at Embo also 10 Great Northern Divers and a Little Tern.
Iceland Gull - One Elgol
Jack Snipe - One at Dalnahaitnach
​Black Redstart - Still present Insh Village - do not park in the pull off opposite the village notice board

Friday 22nd April

Iceland Gull - 2CY bird at Ullapool river mouth
King Eider - again at Littleferry, with three borealis ssp. Northern Eider also
Mandarin Duck - 1 at Loch Flemington
Waxwing - 1 at Tulloch Ghru, Rothiemurchus estate
Black Redstart - male still present at Insh village, feeding along the stone wall opposite RSPB office - do not park in the pull off opposite the village notice board
White Wagtail - 15 at Dornoch beach, plus 7 Whimbrel and a 1st-2ndCY Iceland Gull

Late report of Subalpine Warbler on Raasay on 20/4 - see below
Thursday 21st April

Mandarin Duck - 1 at Kilmarie, Strathaird, Isle of Skye
Common Tern - 22 at Chanonry Point plus 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Pintail, 1 Fulmar and two White Wagtail on the nearby golf course
Purple Sandpiper - 5 at Tarbat Ness, with 22 Long-tailed Duck present also
Golden Plover - c60 at Red Point Farm, Wester Ross
Cuckoo - 1 at Heights of Dochcarty, Dingwall
Sand Martin - c100 birds plus 2 Swallow and single House Martin at Kiltearn, Evanton
Sedge Warbler - 1 at ​Kilmuir, Isle of Skye
Wood Warbler - 1 at Eagle Brae holiday village, Strathglass
Black Redstart - 1 at Insh village in private garden, reported yesterday also
Wednesday 20th April

Slavonian Grebe - 3 off Poolewe
King Eider - again at Littleferry
Knot - 20 at Brora
Purple Sandpiper - 25 at Embo, plus 12 Knot and 1 Sanderling
Hoopoe - 1 at Cleadale, Eigg
Swallow - 1 at Tain air weapons range
Grasshopper Warbler - 2 reeling birds at Quarryfield, Black Isle with others at Broadford and Sleat, Isle of Skye
Whinchat - 1 back on territory at Harrapool, Isle of Skye
Whitethroat - 1 at Balintore
Subalpine Warbler - reported north of Raasay House, Isle of Raasay
​
Tuesday 19th April

Great Northern Diver - 1 at Chanonry Point, plus 8 Red-throated Diver, 1 Greenshank, 6 Common Tern, 4 Sandwich Tern and 1 Common Scoter
Red-necked Grebe - 1 o​ff Inverasdale, Wester Ross with 10 Great Northern Diver; 2 Red-throated Diver; 5 Slavonian Grebe, and two Greenshank also present
Black-tailed Godwit - c50 over Loch Flemington
Grasshopper Warbler - reeling birds at Glenborrodale, Ardnamurchan and Upper Tote, Isle of Skye
Ring Ouzel - 1 at The Storr, Isle of Skye
Redstart - 1 at Loch Vaa
Hawfinch - 1 at Upper Achintore, Fort William

Common Sandpipers, Blackcaps and Tree Pipits now returning throughout the region, with Pink-footed Geese continuing their northerly passage also
​
Monday 18th April

Barnacle Goose - 1 amongst c6,000 Pink-footed Goose at Nigg Bay
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 11 at Rosemarkie burn mouth
King Eider -  off Coul Links
Scaup - c50 off Invergordon
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 2 near Cromarty brewery, with another present at Nigg along with three Wheatear plus 14 Pintail
Sandwich Tern - 94 off Skelbo
Purple Sandpiper - 32 at Embo (along with 35 Turnstone,  26 Redshank, single Whimbrel plus small numbers of Knot, Dunlin, Sanderling and Ringed Plover), while 15 'PurpSands' were seen at Tarbat Ness, plus 5 Sandwich Tern and 2 Great Northern Diver (both sumplum)
Greenshank - 9 at Kentra Bay, Ardnamurchan along with 26 Redshank, 1 Whimbrel, 16 Curlew, 16 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Knot, 3 Common Sandpiper, 28 Ringed Plover, 14 Dunlin and single Turnstone
Black-tailed Godwit - 4 at Ardnish, Broadford while in Broadford Bay were 110 Ringed Plover and 20 Dunlin
Cuckoo - 2 at South Erradale, Wester Ross
Hawfinch - 2 at Brahan
Sunday 17th April

Great Northern Diver - 6 at Tarbat Ness (including 1 in full sumplum), with 19 Black Guillemot and a single Wheatear
Red-necked Grebe - 1 o​ff Naast, Wester Ross
Bewick's Swan - 1 amongst Whooper Swan flock at Loch na Claise, Stoer
Barnacle Goose - 1 amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Udale, with a single Wheatear nearby at Kirkmichael church
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 10 at Rosemarkie burn mouth
King Eider - still at Littleferry
Common Tern - 2 at Chanonry Point
Bar-tailed Godwit - 2 at Loch Portree, 4 Greenshank and single Common Sandpiper also
Common Sandpiper - 1 at Loch Moy with a single Tree Pipit also present
Cuckoo - 1 at Glen Calvie, Ardgay
Hawfinch - 1 at Kinloch, Rum
Wood Warbler - early report of one singing at Raasay Ash Wood, Kishorn
Swallow - 1 at Portmahomack

Report on social media of a Hoopoe on the Ardverikie Estate has been confirmed as the 2021 sighting
​
Saturday 16th April

Long Tailed Duck - c400 off Golspie Golf Course yesterday
​Whooper Swan - 9 at Insh Marshes
Great Skua - 3 birds at Staffin Island and birds at Neist Point, Isle of Skye
Common Sandpiper - singles at the Mound near Dornoch and Tarskavaig, Sleat, Isle of Skye, plus 2 at Loch Sunart
​Woodcock - roding bird over Hill of Fortrose
Sand Martin - a bird at Glenelg, Isle of Skye yesterday evening
Swallow - singles at Caledonian Stadium, Carrbridge, Cromarty and Ardnamurchan lighthouse
House Martin - 2 at Balnabruach, South end of Portmahomack, and 1 at Drumguish
Blackcap - singing at Craig Phadraig
Willow Warbler - Widespread reports throughout the area
White Wagtail - 10 at Dornoch Beach yesterday

Friday 15th April

King Eider - at Littleferry
Scaup - c200 Milton of Culloden
Common Sandpiper - present at Loch Fleet
Green Woodpecker - calling near the cemetery by the River Spey, Grantown on Spey
House Martin - a couple of birds near Nethybridge, also Nether Kinellan, Strathpeffer and 2 seen at Conon Bridge
Swallow - Golspie, 2 at Conon Bridge also single bird noted at Morar Arisaig also Loch Nan Eala, Kilmuir and Upper Tote, Isle of Skye
Brambling - 3 by entrance to Dell Woods NNR Abernethy
Blackcap - Craig Dunain, Inverness
Tree Pipit - singing between Dell Wood and RSPB sign on track to Abernethy, plus 1 at Ariundle forestry, Strontian
Willow Warbler - Milton Loch Boat of Garten, also at Alturlie and massive influx at Portree Forestry, Isle of Skye
Cuckoo - Portree Forestry also Achnachirk Portree and Kilbeag Sleat, Isle of Skye
Osprey - Ledmore Junction, Elphin
​
Thursday 14th April

White-billed Diver - between Polbain and Tanera Mor
Mandarin Duck - Culrossie near Tain
Iceland Gull - at Badentarbat Bay
Great Skua - near Plockton, Lochalsh
Black-tailed Godwit - 19 at Redcastle with 4 Pintail
Common Sandpiper - at Gruinards, Strathcarron (West of Ardgay)
Cuckoo - one reported yesterday at Ben Cleat, Elgol and one between Invershin and Lairg. One reported today at Plockton airstrip, Lochalsh
Brambling - 6 feeding on the Old A9 south of Slochd Beag
Blackcap - Armadale Castle Gardens, Isle of Skye
Osprey -  1 at Loch Midgale also 1 male Tufted Duck and 3 Sand Martin

 Wednesday 13th April

King Eider - Drake at Littleferry
Whimbrel - Single Bird at Ardnish, Broadford, Isle of Skye
Swallow - single bird at Drumguish nearr Insh Marsh and 2 at Carrbridge
​
 Tuesday 12th April

White-billed Diver - Single bird at Embo
Glaucous Gull - juvenille Ardmore, Waternish, Isle of Skye
Little Gull - Adult, at Kilmoray Rum, also Iceland Gull and Willow Warbler
Green Shank - Loch Insh
Whimbrel - seen at Embo and also s at Udale Bay
​Swallow - at Loch Eye and still Seven Shoveler present.
Blackcap - Singing at Glen Nevis also singing Willow Warbler
​
Monday 11th April

Whooper Swan - Single bird at Lochindorb and c50 Pink-footed goose overhead
Glaucous Gull - single bird at Loch Ewe towards Rhuba Reidh
Greenshank - 2 at Achnahaird Bay and 3 Lesser Black-backed gulls
Great Skua - single bird at Badentarbet
Willow Warbler - at Insh Marshes
​Blackcap - singing near Rosemarkie
​
Sunday 10th April

White-billed Diver - Off North end of Grannies Heilan Hame - Embo
Whooper Swan - 5 Edderton, Tain
Barnacle Goose - 55 Achiltibuie and single Magpie
Iceland Gull - single bird Bayfield Portree and single bird Helmsdale
King Eider - Drake, still at Loch Fleet
Little Gull - 5 at Brora
Greenshank - Single bird at Badentarbet and 2 Wheatear
Whimbrel - 20 heading west, south of Brora and 3 Red-throated Diver close to shore
Bar-tailed Godwit - 55 at Loch Fleet and a Single Knot
Great Skua - over Longa Island, Gairloch, 12 Razorbills, single Great Northern Diver and single Red-throated Diver
Osprey - The Mound, Dornoch and 12 Whooper Swans
​
Saturday 9th April

Ruddy Shelduck - 2 in field by Evanton to Dingwall road
King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet
Velvet Scoter - 2 Tarbat Ness also 1 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Great Skua
Greenshank - 15 at Lochlonghead
Iceland Gull - 1 at Fort William. 1 still at Loch Fleet
Swallow - 1 at Dochgarroch, Inverness
​
Friday 8th April

Brent Geese - 48 at Rosemarkie, also 4 Sandwich Terns
Lady Amherst's Pheasant - 1 Strathdearn
Ring Ouzel - 4 at Gaick, Badenoch
Willow Warbler - 1 at Avernish, Lochalsh
​
Thursday 7th April

King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet
Osprey - 1 at Dornoch
Hen Harrier - 1 near Cromarty
Greenshank - 5 at Avernish, Lochalsh 
Little Gull - 6 adults and 2 1st winters, Brora
Stock Dove - 1 at Tore, Black Isle
Sand Martin - 11 Loch Migdale
​
Wednesday 6th April

Barnacle Goose - 79 at Gruinard Bay also 4 Great Northern Divers​. Also 2 at Alcaig, Black Isle.
King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet
Osprey - One at Conon Estuary, Dingwall
Great Skua - 2 at Ashaig and 1 off Kilmory, Rum.
Mediterranean Gull - One at Bayfield, Portree
​
Tuesday 5th April

​King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet
Iceland Gull - adult at Tarbat Ness between Wilkhaven and Brucefield Farms. Juvenile also still present at Loch Fleet.
Brambling - 12 Grantown-on-Spey, 13 Dulnain Bridge, 11 Nethybridge (with 60 Siskin), 3 Tain and 4 Strathpeffer.
​
Monday 4th April

Pintail - One at Redcastle also large flock of Redwing and Fieldfare
Velvet Scoter - Two at Tarbat Ness
Iceland Gull - Loch Fleet, 1st year bird still present, also 26 Sandwich Terns and 3 Greenshank​
Sunday 3rd April

White-billed Diver - Embo also 3 Great Northern Divers, 20+ Red-throated Divers and 10 Slavonian Grebes
King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet
Velvet Scoter - One at Tarbat Ness, also two Sandwich Terns there
Great Skua - 2 at Neist Point
Lesser Black-backed Gull - One Ashie moor, also 2 River Spey, Inverallen.
Hoopoe - One reported Tongue Woods from yesterday near Tongue House
Sand Martin - 13 Loch Ashie
Siberian Chiffchaff - By hide at Loch Fleet
Saturday 2nd April

Slavonian Grebe - 14 in Ardersier Bay with 17 Long-tailed Duck also
Shoveler - 2 birds on the River Spey at Kingussie
Whooper Swan - 22 at the northern end of Loch Shin
Pink-footed Goose - 750 at Insh marshes, with 85 at Tarbat Ness, plus 11 Red-throated Diver, 19 Common Scoter, 21 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Sandwich Tern also
Glaucous Gull - 1 still present at Deshar flood, Boat of Garten
'Nordic' Jackdaw - 1 at Insh Marshes
Lapland Bunting - 1 at Brucefield Farm, Tarbat Ness
Scandinavian Rock Pipit - littoralis ssp. at Portmahomack
Snow Bunting - 15 at Cairn Gorm ski centre

Friday 1st April

Greenland White-fronted Goose - 1 along with 2 Barnacle Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Udale Bay, Black Isle
Glaucous Gull - 1 at Ullapool, with Iceland and 'Viking' Gull still present also (see photo below)
Iceland Gull - 1 at Loch Scresort, Rum
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Firebeag, Loch Ewe
Golden Plover - c50 at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness while offshore highlights were 2 Puffin, 29 Common Scoter, 28 Long-tailed Duck, c2,000 Kittiwake, 3,000+ Razorbill, 11 Red-throated Diver
Nuthatch - 1 at Aird of Sleat, Skye

See 16th March re late report of a King Eider in Lochaber
Thursday 31st March

Sandwich Tern - 48 at Skelbo and 9 at Embo
Glaucous Gull - 1 at Ullapool
King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet with 6 Sandwich Tern seen also
Golden Plover - 6 at Drynie Park, Muir of Ord with 68 at Loch Fleet
​Osprey - 1 fishing at The Mound, 2 fishing in Aviemore
Parrot Crossbill - 2 birds reported adjacent to Loch Fleet bird hide
Brambling - 50+ in Anagach woods, Grantown-on-Spey
Wheatear - 1 at Embo
Wednesday 30th March

Pink-footed Goose - c150 over Heights of Docharty, Dingwall
Sandwich Tern - 4 at Chanonry Point, plus 10 Red-throated Diver, 134 Razorbill and 7 Kittiwake
Kittiwake - c3,000 off Tarbat Ness, other species included c500 Common Gull, 1,000+ Herring Gull, c1,500 Razorbill, 2 Great Northern Diver, 8 Red-throated Diver, 28 Common Scoter, 29 Long-tailed Duck, 13 Pink-footed Goose
Pintail - 8 at Redcastle, Black Isle
​
Tuesday 29th March

Sandwich Tern - 1 at Tarbat Ness, with 4 Red-throated Diver, c250 Kittiwake, c100 Gannet, 6 Common Scoter, 6 Long-tailed Duck, c1,000 Razorbill, c75 Guillemot and 2 Black Guillemot also
King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet with 1 Osprey, 11 Sandwich Tern and 6 Greenshank at Skelbo
Golden Plover - 25 at Balmore of Leys, Inverness
Wheatear - singles at Torridon and Golspie

Monday 28th March

Great Northern Diver - 28 at Traigh, Morar with 8 off Portneora, Localsh with 24 Redwing present also
Red-throated Diver - 5 off Tarbat Ness, with 18 Common Scoter, 25 Long-tailed Duck, c1,000 Razorbill, c250 Guillemot and 8 Black Guillemot also
Whooper Swan - 21 over Heights of Docharty, Dingwall
Pink-footed Goose - c3,000 in fields near Carrbridge
King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet with 2 'Northern' Eider and 6 Black-throated Diver also
Green-winged Teal - re-appeared at Tain Links
Ruddy Shelduck - just west of Cromarty Bridge
Willow Warbler - 1 at Ashaig, Broadford, Skye - an exceptionally early record
Tree Sparrow - at least one bird in a Golspie garden
Sunday 27th March

Great Northern Diver - 18 in the Sound of Sleat, Skye
Slavonian Grebe - 21 on upper Loch Torridon, plus 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver and 2 Greenshank
King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet
Iceland Gull - two at Ullapool river mouth
Water Rail - 1 recorded nocturnally migrating over Kinloch, Rum
Ring Ouzel - male plus single Wheatear near Cairn Gorm ski centre
​
Saturday 26th March

King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet
Tundra Bean Goose - opposite Golspie Golf Club
Greenland White Fronted Goose - 1 bird south of Golspie with c 1000 Pink Footed Geese and 49 Golden Plover​
Whooper Swan - 9 on the sea off Golspie with another 18 flying north
Slavonian Grebe - 2 birds in summer plumage reported back at Loch Ruthven
Great Skua - single bird back at Pabay, Inner Sound of Skye
Osprey - 1 Dornoch Firth
Black Throated Diver - 2 birds in summer plumage off-shore south of Golspie
Sand Martin - 2 birds back at the colony at Rhubana, Loch Morar
Nuthatch - 1 near Arisaig, with another near Glenmore visitor centre, Strathspey
Friday 25th March

King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet also 2 Sandwich Tern
Tundra Bean Goose - opposite Golspie Golf Club with Pink Footed Geese
Long Tailed Duck - Alturlie Point also 2 Slavonian Grebes and 100+ Dunlin
Brent Goose - Single Bird at Dalziel by Inverness with c800 Pink-footed Geese
Osprey - Near Rothiemurchus
Brambling  - 12 at Boat of Garten with singing Redwing
Sand Martin - handful at Broomhill nr Nethybridge
Wheatear - Single male at Newton nr Cromarty
Chiffchaff - 2 at Cromarty, 1 at Fortrose also heard singing at Inverpolly and Golspie
Willow Warbler - single bird at Plantation Estate, Fort William
Green Woodpecker - Strathspey as well as lots of singing Chiffchaff

Thursday 24th March

King Eider - drake, still at Loch Fleet (Little Ferry)
Whooper Swans - 5 on a hill loch, Wester Ross
Green-Winged Teal  - on River Kishorn, Applecross Pass
Sandwich Tern  - at Dornoch Point
Wheatear - 2 at Skelbo Castle
Chiffchaff - at Knockfarrel

Wednesday 23rd March

King Eider - drake, the mouth of Loch Fleet, also 2 Snow Bunting
Ring Ouzel - 1 Cairngorm Ski area
Chiffchaff - 1 singing near Dingwall Academy
​
Tuesday 22nd March

Greenland White Fronted Goose - 1 at The Mound
Great Crested Grebe - 1 near the water works, Alturlie, also 73 Scaup, 2 Chiffchaff and calling Water Rail
King Eider - drake, the mouth of Loch Fleet
Waxwings - 3 still at Nethybridge
​
 Monday 21st March

Bufflehead - Drake at UHI Inverness Campus (now believed to be an escapee)
Wheatear - Two male, one female Stoerhead Lighthouse, Assynt
Stock Dove -  by Deshar pool, Boat of Garten​

Sunday 20th March

Sand Martin- 2 this morning, Loch Insh
Iceland Gull - single first winter at Skelbo/Loch Fleet
Red-necked Grebe - 1 out of the Dornoch Firth SE past Tarbat Ness

Saturday 19th March

Whooper Swan - 23 at Loch Fleet, also 11 Twite there. 36 Whooper Swans also at Chanonry.
Barnacle Goose - 14 at Beauly
Osprey - 1 at The Mound
Grey Plover - 1 at Whiteness also 200+ Gannets, 250 + Guillemots and one Pale-bellied Brent Goose. 9 Grey Plover at Dornoch.
Greenshank - 1 at Loch Kirkaig, Assynt
Arctic Skua - 3 at Chanonry Point 
Iceland Gull - 1 at Loch Fleet
​Little Gull - 9 at Brora River mouth
Waxwing - 3 still at Nethybridge

Friday 18th March

Ruddy Shelduck - 1 in field near Cromarty Bridge
Northern Eider - 1 at Loch Fleet
Common Scoter - c100 at Embo also c300 Dunlin
Iceland Gull - 1 still at Loch Fleet
​Little Gull - 3 at Brora River mouth
Little Auk - 1 past Chanonry Point also 108 Razorbill, 9 Guillemot, one Great Northern Diver and 14 Red-throated Divers
Stock Dove - 3 at Strathdearn
Wheatear - reports from Skye, Rum and Morar
Waxwing - 4 still at Nethybridge
Nuthatch - 1 at Arisaig

Thursday 17th March

Greenshank - Loch Scresort, Rum
Little Gull - 7 adults and a 2nd winter at Brora
Scandinavian Rock Pipit - "littoralis" race bird at Loch Fleet
Wheatear - Meanish Pier, Skye
​
Wednesday 16th March

Whooper Swan - 54 at The Mound
Long-tailed Duck - 142 off Golspie Caravan park
King Eider - 1 at Inverie, Knoydart (late submission on 1/4/2022)
Red-throated Diver - 112 between Coul links and Dornoch Beach, also 104 Slavonian Grebes
Glaucous Gull - Juv briefly at Alturlie
Lesser Black-backed Gull - one at Kilmory, Rum
Manx Shearwater - one at Tarbat Ness
Waxwing - four still at Nethy Bridge
​
Tuesday 15th March

Green-winged Teal - still at Tain
Lesser Black-backed Gull - three at The mouth of the river Conon, also 25 Whooper Swans there.
Iceland Gull - One still at Loch Fleet
Twite - 30 at Dornoch Point also 17 Whooper Swans there
Chiffchaff - Reports of arrivals from Inverness and Rum.
​
Monday 14th March

Greenland White-fronted Goose - One in field south of Golspie.
Velvet Scoter - Two past Tabat Ness, also one Black-throated and one Great Northern Diver past.
Great Skua - One at Tarbat Ness
Waxwing - at least one still at Nethy Bridge
Wheatear - Upper Milovaig, Skye
Chiffchaff - One singing Tain Links
​
Sunday 13th March

Greater Scaup -  100+ at Milton of Culloden.
Greenland White-fronted Goose - One at Udale Bay,  one with ten Barnacle Geese, Beauly and one with a Barnacle Goose at Clashmore.
Manx Shearwater - 5 past Tarbat Ness.
Glaucous Gull - One at Deshar Pool then later moved to Glebe Farm, Boat of Garten.
Iceland Gull - Juvenile still at Bayfield.
Waxwing - 4 in Nethy Bridge still.
Wheatear - Lower Milovaig, Skye.
Chiffchaff - 1 singing Munlochy Bay also Hen Harrier here. Another singing at Brackley, Gollanfield.
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 in Portree.
​
Saturday 12th March

Greenland White-fronted Goose - 2 plus 8 Barnacle Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock near Beauly; Stock Dove seen also
Velvet Scoter - 4 at Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Woodcock, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Red-throated Diver, c1,000 Razorbill and 750+ Guillemot also
Hen Harrier - male at Inver, with female Merlin, 155 Shelduck, 225 Ringed Plover, 550 Bar-tailed Godwit, 110 Knot and 270 Dunlin also present
Blackcap - 1 male in Redcastle, Black Isle garden

Friday 11th March

Red-throated Diver - 1 still on Loch Insh, Redshank back on breeding territory locally also
Slavonian Grebe - 5 at Camas nan Sgianadin plus 2 others just to the east in Broadford Bay
​Ring-necked Duck still present at Nether Kinellan near Strathpeffer (park at Loch Kinellan)
Manx Shearwater - 1 at Brora, with singles of Little Gull and Great Northern Diver also
Iceland Gull - 2 at Loch Fleet (both 2nd winter birds)
Kittiwake - 2 birds (first of the year) past Chanonry Point, plus 2nd-ever site record of Great Spotted Woodpecker
Waxwing - 4 in Nethy Bridge
Chiffchaff -  1 in Nethy Bridge
​
Thursday 10th March

Scaup - c250 off Invergordon
Velvet Scoter - 2 at Tarbat Ness, plus single Red-throated Diver (sumplum) and 6 Black Guillemot
Little Gull - 4 at Brora, with 'Scandi' littoralis ssp. Rock Pipit also present
Wednesday 9th March

Black-throated Diver - 3 at Chanonry Point (single Red-throated Diver also)
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 1 in fields south of Golspie, amongst Pink-footed Goose flock with a single Barnacle Goose also present, plus 8 Golden Plover
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 35 at Rosemarkie
Common Scoter - 4 in Broadford Bay with 4 Slavonian Grebe also
​
Tuesday 8th March

Manx Shearwater - 2 past Brora
Whooper Swan - 5 still present between Gollanfield and Ardersier
Little Gull - 2 at the Brora river mouth

Monday 7th March

Red-throated Diver - 1 on Loch Insh
Whooper Swan - 5 between Gollanfield and Ardersier, plus 35 near Tarradale, Black Isle
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 1 with Pink-footed Goose flock near Tarradale, Black Isle
'Viking' Gull - 1 still present in Ullapool.  Andy Williams offers the following - as well as the four images below - to all those attempting to record it as a Glaucous Gull:  I have tracked its plumage development  over the past 6-7 years. Admittedly it is a tricky bird to ID when seen distantly with no prior knowledge of its history. Although the bird may appear structurally similar to a Glaucous gull, the bird shows residual 'tea stains' on some of the upper wing primary coverts. Although structurally similar to a true Glaucous gull the bird is also on the small side and only circa 10% bulkier than a Herring Gull. The head shape and short primary projection should rule out confusion with an Iceland Gull. It is necessary to study the fine detail of the upper wing primary coverts when the bird is in flight to obtain an accurate identification. 
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 in Applecross bay
Sunday 6th March
​
Whooper Swan - 11 at Applecross
Iceland Gull - 2nd winter bird at Bayfield, Portree
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 amongst other gulls alongside A95, Boat of Garten
Green Woodpecker - 1 in Beachen Woods, Grantown-on-Spey
Stock Dove - 1 at Kildonan. Eigg (first record since 2012)


Saturday 5th March

Great Northern Diver - 25 Camusdarroch, Morar
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 1 south of Golspie, 1 Udale Bay
Barnacle Goose - 2 south of Golspie, 1 Traigh, Morar
Slavonian Grebe - 11 on Upper Loch Torridon 
Waxwing  - 5+ Nethy Bridge, seen courtship feeding. Please respect residents' privacy.
Hawfinch - 1 Nethy Bridge
Mealy (Common) Redpoll - 1 with Lessers in Grantown-on-Spey garden

Friday 4th March

Green-winged Teal - still at Tain
Ringed Plover - 4 Cluny Meadows
Iceland Gull - juvenile Ullapool Harbour
Waxwing - 3 or 4 Nethy Bridge in Causer area
Hawfinch - 1 Nethy Bridge Causer area
3/3/2022 Purple Sandpipers, Sutherland (Dean MacAskill)
Thursday 3rd March

Barnacle Goose - with Pink-footed Geese Barbaraville, also with Pink-footed Geese at Embo.
Greenland White-fronted Goose - by Kirkmichael Church, Udale
Kumlien's Gull - adult at head of Loch Portree
Iceland Gull - adult W Chanonry Point, 2 first-winters head of Loch Portree, one first-winter at Bayfield, Portree,3rd winter Loch Scresort, Rum 
Snow Bunting - one at Dornoch Beach, also 30 Twites and Great Northern Diver there.
​
Wednesday 2nd March

White-fronted Goose - behind Graveyard at Udale bay
Black-tailed Godwit - 6 Loch Fleet
Iceland Gull - adult Ullapool Harbour, juvenile Bayfield, Portree
Scandinavian Rock Pipit- Dornoch Beach
​
Tuesday 1st March

Tundra Bean Goose - Culmally
Iceland Gull - juv Bayfield, Portree; 2 second winter Lochy Estuary.
Short-eared Owl - Ardnish, Broadford
Hawfinch - 1 Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge
​
Monday 28th February

Barnacle Goose - 1 with 1000 Pink-footed Geese Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge
Lapwing - 515 Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd winter Bayfield, then Chracaig rivermouth, Portree
Glaucous Gull  - juvenile Deishar, Boat of Garten, juv Loch Pooltiel, Skye
Puffin - 2 Tarbat Ness

Sunday 27th February

Greenland White-fronted Goose - with Pink-footed Geese and a Barnacle Goose, opposite Primary School, Dornoch
Oystercatcher - 200 Nethy Bridge
Lapwing - 275 Laggan
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd Winter Bayfield, Portree
Iceland Gull - 1st winter at Bayfield, Portree and 2nd winter R Chracaig, Portree, 2 at Ullapool Harbour
Glaucous Gull - Deshar, Boat of Garten
Kingfisher - Whin Park, Inverness
Nordic Jackdaw - Bayfield, Portree
Hawfinch - Nethy Bridge

Saturday 26th February

Whooper Swan - 2 Hamara River, Glendale, Skye
Greenland-white Fronted Goose - 1 near Kirkmichael Church, Udale Bay. Also 1 near Golspie.
Velvet Scoter - 1 past Tarbat Ness.
Iceland Gull - 2nd winter, Skelbo, Dornoch and an immature at Loch Fleet. 3 at Ullapool harbour.
Kingfisher - 1 on River Morar. 1 Merkinch NNR
​
Friday 25th February

Greenland-white Fronted Goose - 1 in fields south of Golspie
​Tundra Bean Goose - 1 in fields south of Golspie
Slavonian Grebe - 4 at Ardnish, Broadford
Glaucous Gull -1 Elgol, Skye. 1 Granish tip, Aviemore
Little Auk - 1 Broadford Bay, Skye
Grey Plover - 15 Dornoch Beach
Waxwing - 4 Nethy Bridge
Hawfinch - 1 Nethy Bridge
​
Thursday 24th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: Four Waxwings still, Nethy Bridge (Pete Gordon)

Skye & Lochalsh: One 1st winter Glaucous Gull, two 1st winter Iceland Gulls at Bayfield and  two 2nd winter Iceland Gulls, Chracaig River mouth, Portree (Neil Bennett). Single Little Auk on forest track at Greshornish (per HMacD) per skye-birds.com.

Sutherland: Tundra Bean Goose, in fields south of Golspie (Dean MacAskill)

Wednesday 23rd February

Easter Ross:  Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (per BirdGuides)

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant, Wester Dalziel (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: Two 1st winter Iceland Gulls and one 1st winter Glaucous Gull, Bayfield, Portree (RMcM) per Skye-birds.com

​Sutherland: Greenland White-fronted Goose, Dornoch. 41 Purple Sandpipers, six Black-throated Divers, Embo. Four Little Gulls, Brora (all Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: One Iceland Gull, Ardmair Fish Farm and two Iceland Gulls at Ullapool Harbour (Andy Williams)
Tuesday 22nd February

Badenoch & Strathspey: One Hawfinch with 200 Bramblings still near Lynstock Cresent, Nethy Bridge also four Waxwings there(Pete Gordon).  Glaucous Gull, Granish tip, Aviemore (per BirdGuides). Lesser Black-backed Gull, Loch Pityoulish, (Alan MacAskill)

Easter Ross:  Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (per BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: 2nd Winter Mediterranean Gull and adult Kumlien's Gull, Bayfield Portree (Bob McMillan) also there, two 1st winter and two 2nd winter Iceland Gull (Neil Bennett) 12 Purple Sandpipers flew from Lusa towards Pabay (RMcM) per Skye-birds.com

​Sutherland: Tundra Bean Goose, Greenland White-fronted Goose and two Barnacle Geese in fields south of Golspie (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: One Iceland Gull, Ullapool Harbour (per BirdGuides)
​
Monday 21st February

Badenoch & Strathspey: One Hawfinch still Lynstock Cresent, Nethy Bridge (Steve Broyd) also four Waxwings there (per BirdGuides). Glaucous Gull, Granish tip, Aviemore (per BirdGuides)

​Easter Ross:  One Velvet Scoter and three Red-throated Divers, Chanonry (Kevin Davis)

Skye & Lochalsh: One 1st winter Iceland Gull, 13 Bar-tailed Godwits and three Greenshank, Bayfield (Neil Bennett) single immature Velvet Scoter, Balmeanach Bay, Gedintailor (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: One Iceland Gull, Ullapool Harbour (Craig Johnstone)
​
Sunday 20th February

Badenoch and Strathspey: Four Waxwings (Simon Eaves) and one Hawfinch (Steve Broyd), Nethy Bridge

Easter Ross: Possible Todd's Canada Goose flew past with Pinkfeet, Tarbat Ness (Per BirdGuides)

Inverness: One Greenland White-fronted Goose, Lentran (Thomas Plant). Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Strathdearn (Blair Whyte). 142 Scaup between Longman and Alturlie (Graeme Prest)

Skye and Lochalsh: Two 1st winter Iceland Gulls, one 1st winter Glaucous Gull and one 3rd winter Viking Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett), 10 Canada Geese, Kirkton, Lochalsh (RMcM) per Skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: Two Iceland Gulls, Ullapool Harbour (John Manson) also Viking Gull still there (per Bob McMIllan) 
​
Saturday 19th February

Badenoch & Strathspey:1st winter Glaucous Gull at Granish pit, Aviemore ('Emily').  Jack Snipe at Ruthven (Dave Pierce).  Four Waxwing still in Nethy Bridge (Matthew Broadbent).  Two Hawfinch in Nethy Bridge, in trees (with other finches) on far side of the river from Lynstock Park, while seven Waxwing were at Lochan Mhor, Aviemore and c30 Snow Bunting in the Cairn Gorm carpark  (Ian Harkiss)

Inverness:  128 Scaup off Milton of Culloden (Dave Pierce)

Skye & Lochalsh: 80 Snow Bunting at Sguman Coinntich, Killilan (Joe Newman).  Nine Great Northern Diver in Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett), with a further six in Kilmarie Bay on Loch Slapin (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Friday 18th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Waxwing still in Nethy Bridge (Pete Gordon)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Elgol (Ernie Thornley) - per skye-birds.com
​
Sutherland: adult Little Gull and two Great Northern Diver at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
​
Thursday 17th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Waxwing in Nethy Bridge (Pete Gordon).  Waders returning to breeding areas included two Curlew at Invertromie, and 16 Golden Plover at Insh marshes (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross:  Green-winged Teal still at Tain Links (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: three 1st winter Iceland Gull at Lower Milovaig (Andy Stables) - per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: two Iceland Gull (one adult/one 1st winter) still in Ullapool harbour (Stuart Edwards)
​
Wednesday 16th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: Hawfinch amongst finch flock at the Causer crossroads, Nethy Bridge (Mike Coleman), with four Waxwing also present (Pete Gordon)

Inverness:  Peregrine at Gollanfield (Paul Sharman)
​
Tuesday 15th February

Easter Ross:  seven Whooper Swan and 18 Lapwing at Tain range (Andy Walker).  Drake Green-winged Teal still at Tain Links, with two Black-tailed Godwit at Udale Bay (Dean MacAskill).  Two Velvet Scoter and two Slavonian Grebe at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Lochaber: adult Iceland Gull at the Fiunary fish farm, Morvern (Alan Kennedy via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: four Iceland Gull (adult, 1st winter and two 2nd winter) at Bayfield, Portree (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: two Iceland Gull still in Ullapool harbour, while at Ledmore junction a Little Egret is in the area but very mobile (Andy Williams)
​
Monday 14th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Hawfinch near The Old Smithy, Nethy Bridge (Alan MacAskill/Dave Barnett).  Four Waxwing in Nethy Bridge (Pete Gordon) 

Easter Ross:  two Whooper Swan at Tain range (Andy Walker).  Four Velvet Scoter, and singles of Great Northern Diver (in sumplum), Black-throated Diver and Fulmar at Tarbat Ness, with c200 Common Gull nearby at Wilkhaven Farm (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: immature Velvet Scoter, c60 Kittiwake, four Black-throated Diver, five Great Northern Diver and eight Red-throated Diver at Gedintailor, while at Bayfield, Portree were two different adult (am/pm) and 2nd winter Iceland Gull (Neil Bennett).  1st winter Iceland Gull at Lower Milovaig (Andy Stables) - per skye-birds.com
Sunday 13th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 1st winter Glaucous Gull on pool next to A95 near Deshar primary school, Boat of Garten (Simon Eaves)

Easter Ross:  single Velvet Scoter at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness:  two Black-throated Diver by Clachnaharry sea lock (Julie Vivers)

Lochaber: Little Auk at Achabeag, Morvern (Alan Kennedy) - per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Iceland Gull as Lower Milovaig (Andy Stables).  c100 Lesser Redpoll at Erbusaig (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Red-throated Diver at Helmsdale river mouth ('Shaz')

Wester Ross: two Iceland Gull in Ullapool harbour.  Twelve Great Northern Diver, single Slavonian Grebe, eight Red-throated Diver and single Common Scoter at Little Gruinard, while at Mungasdale were 31 Black-throated Diver, single Slavonian Grebe and 17 Barnacle Goose (Andy Williams)

Saturday 12th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 4 Waxwings briefly am Lynstock Crescent, Nethy Bridge (Holly).

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal Tain Pond (Stuart Edwards), Nuthatch at feeder Craigdarroch, Contin (Keith & Rosie Barnes).

Skye & Lochalsh : 4 Iceland Gulls (ad, 3CY, 2 x 2CY) Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).

Wester Ross: 2CY Iceland Gull pier, Ullapool (per  BirdGuides).


Friday 11th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 4 Waxwings Causer, Nethy Bridge (per BirdGuides), 2CY Glaucous Gull Aviemore Tip and ad LBB Gull Aldi roof, Aviemore (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: Stock Dove & Black-throated Diver Cromarty (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Kingfisher Merkinch LNR (Fiona Harvey).

Sutherland: 12 Grey Plovers Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).
​
Thursday 10th February

Badenoch & Strathspey:  2CY Glaucous Gull, LBB Gull, argentatus Herring Gull, hybrid Herring x LBB Gull all at Granish Tip, Aviemore (Peter Stronach), 200 Bramblings Balliemore, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Inverness: Greenshank Merkinch LNR (John Poyner).

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st-winter and 2nd-winter Iceland Gulls Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett), 3rd winter Glaucous Gull Chracaig River mouth (per BirdGuides)


Wednesday 9th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 4 Waxwings Causer, Nethy Bridge - present for a week - (Mike Coleman),  Song Thrush Ruthven (Dave Pierce) - deserts the area in winter.

Easter Ross: male Green-winged Teal Tain (Peter Norgate).

Inverness: Greenshank Merkinch LNR ("Fiona").

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls Loch Portree (Nein Bennett, Bob McMillan).

Wester Ross: juvenile Iceland Gull Ullapool Harbour

Tuesday 8th February

Inverness: 3 Whooper Swans Loch Flemington and 16 pale-bellied Brent Geese east past Fort George (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: adult Kumlien's Gull Loch Portree, 2 1st winter Iceland Gulls Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: 4 Little Gulls and 3 Great Northern Divers south Brora (Dean MacAskill).

Wester Ross: juv Iceland Gull Ullapool Harbour (per BirdGuides).

Monday 7th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 3 Waxwings Grantown-on-Spey (Kate M), estimated 300 Bramblings in mixed flock with 400 Linnets Balliemore, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: male Hen Harrier Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Water Rail Merkinch LNR (Al McNee), also Kingfisher (Alan MacAskill).

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st-winter Iceland Gulls at Bayfield and Chracaig River, Portree (Neil Bennett).

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull Ullapool (Andy Williams).

Sunday 6th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 3 Waxwings Grantown-on-Spey at Dunstaffnage Brae, later at Woodside Avenue (Holly).

Skye & Lochalsh: three Iceland Gulls (1st W, 2nd W and adult) Bayfield Portree, also 40 Kittiwakes Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: 2 Snow Buntings Dornoch Point, 5 Snow Buntings Coul Links, 257 Skylarks Dornoch Links, 49 Purple Sandpipers Embo (all Dean MacAskill).
​
Saturday 5th February

Badenoch and Strathspey: Three Waxwings, Woodside Avenue, Grantown-on-Spey (Sue Sykes)

Skye and Lochalsh:  Three Iceland Gulls (one adult, one 1st Winter and one 2nd Winter) also "nordic" Jackdaw, Bayfield (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland:  Two Little Gulls, three Great Northern Divers and a "nordic" Jackdaw, Brora, 132 Golden Plover and eight Ringed Plover, Golspie, three Greenshank and two Brambling, Loch Fleet, one Black-throated Diver and 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Embo (all Dean MacAskill).
​
Friday 4th February

Badenoch and Strathspey: Two Pintail, Loch Insh (Holly). 

Easter Ross: 11 Purple Sandpipers, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye and Lochalsh:  Two Iceland Gulls, Bayfield (Neil Bennett). c100 Golden Plover, Loch Dunvegan (JB) per skye-birds.com​
Thursday 3rd February

Badenoch and Strathspey: One Waxwing by Kirkton near the A95 on the Glenbeg road (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: c150 Fieldfares, Bindal Farm, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: 16 Barnacle Geese and one Black-tailed Godwit, Beauly (Matthew Broadbent)
Wednesday 2nd February

Badenoch and Strathspey: Two Waxwings by Kirkton near the A95 on the Glenbeg road (Steve Broyd) also one at Woodside Avenue, Grantown on Spey (Ian Ford). Great Grey Shrike, Balieguish, Glen Feshie (Pete Gordon). Red Kite, Cromdale (Bob Proctor).

Easter Ross: Female Gadwall, Alness (Bob Swann)

Inverness: Eight Barnacle Geese, Alturlie (Ann Sime)

Skye and Lochalsh: Two Iceland Gulls, Bayfield (NH,RMcM) per Skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull, Durness (per BirdGuides)

Wester Ross: Six Great Northern Divers and 73 Barnacle Geese, Gruinard Bay (Alan MacAskill)
​
Tuesday 1st February

Badenoch and Strathspey: Three Waxwings near Kirkton by A95 before northbound turn-off to Grantown on Spey (Ed Hunter)
​
Easter Ross:  Black Guillemot, Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway)

Skye and Lochalsh: Little Egret, Glendale (Lynden Schofield) also another reported from Canna (per Bob Swann)
​
Monday 31st January

Easter Ross:  1 Black-throated Diver, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Green-winged Teal still present at Tain (Gavin Woodbridge)

Inverness: 100+ Scaup, 100+ Shelduck and five Slavonian Grebes, Castle Stuart Bay (Alan MacAskill)

Skye and Lochalsh: Single Brambling, Lower Breakish (LP) per skye-birds.com
​
Sunday 30th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: single Waxwing in Aviemore (Audrey Turner)

Easter Ross: Ring-necked Duck still present at Nether Kinellan, access from Loch Kinellan car park (Graham Neville).  Ten Black-tailed Godwit near Avoch water treatment plant (Bob WIlson).  40 Common Scoter, 18 Red-throated Diver, single Black Guillemot and three adult Gannet at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: single male and two female Blackcap in the Cradlehall area (Blair Whyte).  Single Slavonian Grebe and Black-tailed Godwit at Alturlie (Fiona Harvey)

Skye and Lochalsh: three 1st winter Iceland Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett)

Sutherland: great count of 46 Raven feeding upon a roadkill hind, by Loch Shin (Dean MacAskill)
​
Saturday 29th January

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still present at Tain links (Al McNee)

Inverness: immature White-tailed Eagle at Fort George (Colin Leslie)

Sutherland: Grey Phalarope past Embo (Al McNee/Dean MacAskill)

Friday 28th January

Easter Ross: Ring-necked Duck and Scaup still at Nether Kinellan - please park at Loch Kinellan - two Brambling at Heights of Docharty (Simon Cohen)

Inverness: Greenland White-fronted Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock near Beauly (Matthew Broadbent).  Three Whooper Swan at Loch Flemington, single Barnacle Goose over Milton of Gollanfield (Blair Whyte)

Skye and Lochalsh: ten Whooper Swan near Shiel Bridge, Localsh (Bob McMillan) with another five noted on Loch Meodal, Sleat ('DR') - per skye-birds.com

Thursday 27th January

Easter Ross: White-tailed Eagle over Udale Bay (Alister Clunas) 39 Pale Bellied Brent Geese, Rosemarkie (Susan Seright)

Inverness: male Hen Harrier in the Dalcross/Easter Dalziel area (Phil Clark). Seven Barnacle Geese and one Pintail near Beauly (Matthew Broadbent). Greenshank, Merkinch LNR (Caroline Snow). 30+ Brambling, Loch Ashie (Blair Whyte)

Skye and Lochalsh: Six Black-throated Divers, Loch Slapin with three in Kilmarie Bay (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Little Egret at The Mound by Loch Fleet (Dave Tanner), Greenshank on Loch Fleet at Skelbo (Jort Brough).  Seven Little Gulls, Brora (Dave Tanner)

Wednesday 26th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: single Barnacle Goose still present amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: Greenland White-fronted Goose near Kirkmichael church by Udale Bay, with 24 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas).  Green-winged Teal still present at Tain links, single Greenshank also (Caroline Pearson).  Seven Grey Partridge at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Merlin near Upper Raddery Farm (Bob Wilson).  Ring-necked Duck still at Nether Kinellan - please park at Loch Kinellan (via eBird)

Lochaber: Little Auk seen from MV Sheerwater off Arisaig (Ronnie Dyer) - per skye-birds.com
​
Tuesday 25th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: single Barnacle Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge, while at least one Lesser Black-backed Gull on the roof of the ALDI store, Aviemore (Pete Gordon)
​
Easter Ross: Ring-necked Duck and Scaup at Nether Kinellan - please park at Loch Kinellan - and seven Mandarin Duck at Contin (Bob McMillan).  17 Barnacle Goose on Rosemarkie beach (Bob Wilson).  Green-winged Teal still present at Tain links, single Twite seen also (Steve Broyd)

Inverness: two Barnacle Goose amongst Pink-footed and Greylag flock at Easter Dalziel (Alan MacAskill)  15 Barnacle Goose and single Greenland White-Fronted Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Beauly, opposite the farm shop (Steve Broyd)​

Skye & Lochalsh: 2nd winter Iceland Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett)

Sutherland: Little Egret at The Mound by Loch Fleet (Bob McMillan/Steve Broyd)

Monday 24th January

Easter Ross:  14 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and single Grey Wagtail at Rosemarkie burn mouth (Susan Seright).  Two Green-winged Teal still present at Tain links, with single Water Rail and 41 Black-tailed Godwit also (Bob Swann).  Ring-necked Duck and Scaup at Nether Kinellan - please park at Loch Kinellan (Calum Urquhart)

Inverness: 98 Scaup, seven Bar-tailed Godwit, four Pintail, two Slavonian Grebe plus single Barnacle Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Alturlie (Blair Whyte).  26 Barnacle Goose and single Greenland White-fronted Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Beauly (Matthew Broadbent)​

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Iceland Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: male Hen Harrier and 30 Twite at Dornoch saltings, while at Embo were 600 Dunlin, 41 Purple Sandpiper and 51 Ringed Plover (Dean MacAskill)
Sunday 23rd January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike still at Corarnstilbeg, Glen Feshie (Milo Mole)

Easter Ross:  Greenland White-fronted Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Udale Bay (Keith & Rosie Barnes).  Local WeBS counts today included 24 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, single Shoveler and 254 Pintail at Nigg Bay (Bob Swann), while Portmahomack to Drumancroy saw c500 Bar-tailed Godwit, c300 Knot, c150 Dunlin and just a single Ringed Plover (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: 13 Barnacle Goose and two Greenland White-fronted Goose near Beauly (Milo Mole)​

Skye & Lochalsh: Kumlien's Gull at the head of Loch Portree, plus two 1st winter Iceland Gull plus a Jackdaw with 'Nordic' ssp. characteristics at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: five Barnacle Goose and single Greenland White-fronted Goose in fields alongside the A9 at Evelix.  Two Stock Dove at Skibo, amongst a Greylag flock.  At Embo were 500 Dunlin, single 1st winter Little Gull plus a female Hen Harrier (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 22nd January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike Corarnstilbeg, Glen Feshie (Matthew Broadbent et al).

Easter Ross: Ruddy Shelduck Udale Bay (Milo Mole, Dave Pierce)

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant, 8 Barnacle Geese, 5 Black-tailed Godwits Easter Dalziel (Oscar Puls, Graeme Prest), 20 Crossbills, 14 Snow Buntings over Kyllachy (Alan MacAskill et al).


Friday 21st January

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal and 32 Black-tailed Godwits Tain (Pete Gordon), juvenile Iceland Gull Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Black-throated Diver Tarbat Ness (Pete Gordon), Little Egret Loch Eye (Bob Swann), Ring-necked Duck & Scaup Nether Kinellan (please park at Loch Kinellan) (Andy Williams, Pete Gordon), 8 Mandarin Ducks Garve (Andy Williams).

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant with 2000 Pink-footed and 11 Barnacle Geese Easter Dalziel (Blair Whyte), 5 Barnacle Geese with Pinkfooted Geese near Beauly (Matthew Broadbent), White-fronted Goose and 3 Barnacle Geese N of Newton of Petty, A96 (Holly), Kingfisher Merkinch LNR (Fiona Harvey).

Lochaber: juvenile Iceland Gull Mallaig Harbour (Bob McMillan), Hybrid Black Duck x Mallard, paired to Mallard Strontian (Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 Jays Reraig (DM) - probably record count for Skye & Lochalsh.
​
Thursday 20th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Nuthatch in woods surrounding Loch an Eilein (James Shooter), Great Grey Shrike by bothy, Corarnstilbeg, Glen Feshie (Graeme Prest).

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal Tain (Holly), Ring-necked Duck and Scaup Nether Kinellan, Strathpeffer, park at Loch Kinellan, please (per BirdGuides), Black-throated, 11 Red-throated and 5 Great Northern Divers Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Great Northern Diver east side of Fortrose Golf Course (Mary Galloway), 7 Barnacle and 1 Greenland White-fronted Geese Beauly (Matthew Broadbent), 90 Twites Bindal Croft, Tarbat Ness (Holly).

Lochaber: American Black Duck Strontian (Stu Crutchfield).

Wednesday 19th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: 50 Bramblings with 200 Chaffinches Garlyne, Nethy Bridge (Craig Johnstone).

Easter Ross: imm male Ring-necked Duck Nether Kinellan, Strathpeffer (per Birdguides), 125 Scaups, 1 Slavonian Grebe Cromarty Firth, S of Saltburn Pier plus possible Greater Scaup X Tufted Duck hybrid - maybe the same bird seen at Alturlie in February 2021 (Dave Tanner), Blackcap female Strathpeffer (Fiona), 

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Iceland Gull Bayfield, Portree (per Birdguides).

Sutherland: 9 Little Gulls Brora (Dean MacAskill).

Tuesday 18th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike still at Corarnstilbeg, Glen Feshie, slightly south of sheepfold (Holly), Kingfisher R Spey 1/2 mile upstream of Inverallan Churchyard, Grantown (Pete Gordon), still 300+ Bramblings Balliemore and 100 near Nethybridge Hotel (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: 5 male Velvet Scoters, single Black-throated and Great Northern Divers Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Kingfisher and pair of Pintails, hunting female Hen Harrier Udale Bay (Bob Wilson), 4 Mandarin Ducks Garve, (Dave Tanner), 40 Bramblings Corrimony (Carol Miller), 1st year female Ring-necked Duck & Scaup Nether Kinellan, park at main Loch Kinellan CP and walk back (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: 150 Waxwings between Culloden and Croy, flew NE (Andy Howard), Kingfisher Merkinch LNR (Caroline Snow).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2nd winter Iceland Gull head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).
​
Picture17/01/2021 Nordic Jackdaw, Portree (Neil Bennett).
Monday 17th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Waxwing Aviemore, between Grampian View ad Strathspey Avenue (Audrey Turner, Simon Eaves).

Easter Ross: 35 Twites opposite Bindal Croft, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), calling Siberian Chiffchaff Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: 59 Scaups Alturlie (Fiona Harvey).

Skye & Lochalsh: Nordic Jackdaw Bayfield, Portree, also 2nd winter Iceland Gull there (Neil Bennett).
​
Sunday 16th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike Corarnstilmore, Glen Feshie (Thomas Plant), dead Little Auk found at Loch Pityoulish (Rory Whytock).

Easter Ross: 4 Magpies Chapelhill, near Nigg Bay (Emz Adam), Greenshank Tain (Pete Gordon).

Inverness: 109 Scaups (44, 50 and 15) Milton of Culloden-Alturlie (Graeme Prest, Fiona Harvey).

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st-winter Little Gulls at Bayfield and Chracaig River, female-type Common Scoter Camus Mor, Borneskitaig, 8 Greenland White-fronted Geese Kilmuir, 58 Barnacle Geese Balmacquien, Trotternish (all Bob McMillan). juvenile Iceland Gull Bayfield, Portree (per Birdguides). 

Sutherland: 4 Little Gulls, 2 Great Northern Divers Brora (Dean MacAskill).
​
Saturday 15th January

Badenoch and Strathspey:  Great Grey Shrike still present, Coranstilbeg (Peter Stronach) Barnacle Goose, Balliefurth Farm, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon) also four Whooper Swan there (Sue Sykes)

Easter Ross: Ring-necked Duck and Scaup, Nether Kinellan, Strathpeffer, eight Mandarin Ducks on river at Garve also one Green-winged Teal, 19 Black-tailed Godwit and 12 Shoveler, Tain also six Little Auk, Purple Sandpiper and Snow Bunting, Tarbat Ness (Matthew Broadbent). Black-throated Diver, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Probable Siberian Chiffchaff, still at Nigg oil terminal (Bob Swann) 12 Twite  and Short-eared Owl near Tarbat Ness (Oscar Puls)

Lochaber: 2nd winter Iceland Gull, Lochy Estuary, Fort William (Tony Laidler) Juvenile Iceland Gull, Mallaig (JC) 12 Purple Sandpipers, West car park, Mallaig (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Skye and Lochalsh: Single Puffins off Rum (RD) and from the Armadale-Mallaig ferry (RMcM) two Jack Snipe and eight Woodcock (SM) Kinloch, Rum  all per skye-birds.com
​
Friday 14th January

Badenoch and Strathspey:  Great Grey Shrike still present, Coranstilbeg (Craig Johnstone)

Easter Ross: Ring-necked Duck, Nether Kinellan, Strathpeffer, five Mandarin Ducks on river at Garve (Bob Wilson). Greenshank on Tain River (Gary Aitken)

Skye and Lochalsh: Chiffchaff in garden at Harrapool (MB) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: c600 Siskin in the alderwoods, The Mound (Dean MacAskill) Little Egret and five Common Crossbill, Loch Borralan (Andy Williams)

Thursday 13th January

Badenoch and Strathspey:  Great Grey Shrike still present, Coranstilbeg (Bob Wilson)

Easter Ross: Two Green-winged Teal, Tain Links and Water Rail, links pool (Bob Swann)

​Inverness: Kingfisher, Water Rail and Greenshank, Merkinch LNR (Alan MacAskill)

Skye and Lochalsh: Little Auk dead on the shoreline at Loch Brittle (BB) per skye-birds.com, 2nd winter Iceland Gull at sea between Rùm and Soay (Peter Stronach)
​
Wednesday 12th January

Badenoch and Strathspey:  Two "nordic" Jackdaws on the roof of Aldi, Aviemore (Pete Gordon). Great Grey Shrike still present, Coranstilbeg (Holly)

Easter Ross: 18 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Rosemarkie (Bob Wilson) Two Green-winged Teal, Tain Links (Dean MacAskill) 

Inverness: Kingfisher and Greenshank, Merkinch LNR (Caroline Snow)

Tuesday 11th January

Badenoch and Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike, SW of Balieguish then flew back to Coranstilbeg (Steve Broyd)

Easter Ross: 41 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Rosemarkie (John Carruthers) 125 Shelduck, 130 Pintail and 12 Shoveler, Tain Links also six Greenshank and single Brambling, Loch Fleet (Blair Whyte and Alan MacAskill) 

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe, Milton of Culloden, Kingfisher, Greenshank and three Redwings, Merkinch LNR(Pete Gordon)

Skye and Lochalsh: 2nd winter Iceland Gull, Bayfield, Portree (AS), 45 Lesser Redpoll, Scorrybreac, Portree (AS), 70 Fieldfare at Killilan, Lochalsh (JN) per skye-birds.com

Monday 10th January

Easter Ross: 35 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas)

Inverness: Kingfisher, Ness Islands (Alan MacAskill)

Skye and Lochalsh: 2nd-winter and juvenile Iceland Gulls still at Loch Portree (Neil Nennett) two Jack Snipe, Kinloch, Rum and nine Woodcock (SM) per skye-birds.com

​Sunday 9th January

Easter Ross: Probable Siberian Chiffchaff by Nigg Oil Terminal (Bob Swann). Great Northern Diver past Chanonry (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Pintail, Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte) Slavonian Grebe, Alturlie (Fiona Harvey)

Skye and Lochalsh: Adult Kumlien's Gull (bird has been present since 28th November 2021 )and three Iceland Gulls, Loch Portree (NB, RMcM) with two different birds at Chracaig River, Portree, an adult & 2nd winter (NB), Blackcap on feeders, Kensaleyre (K.Gifford) all  per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Great Northern Diver, Dornoch Firth (Jort Brough). 32 Purple Sandpipers, Embo (Dave Pierce)

Saturday 8th January

Easter Ross: c35 Twite near to Bindal Croft by Tarbat Ness, with 31 Golden Plover near Wilkhaven farmhouse and c1,000 Pink-footed Goose near Brucefield Farm (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Great Northern Diver off Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: two 1st winter and two 2nd winter Iceland Gull at the head of Loch Portree, with an additional 2nd winter bird at the Chracaig River mouth (Neil Bennett).  Five Whooper Swan at Loch Meodal, Sleat (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Friday 7th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike at Coranstilbeg, Glen Feshie (Pete Gordon).  Singles of Jack Snipe and Snipe near Kingussie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: c75 Twite near to Bindal Croft by Tarbat Ness, with c50 Golden Plover near Wilkhaven farmhouse (Dave Tanner).  Ten Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Rosemarkie (Mary Galloway).  Two Green-winged Teal at Tain Links (Bob Swann)

Inverness: Great Northern Diver at Alturlie (Carol Miller).  Three Pintail, ten Scaup and five Slavonian Grebe at Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte), with 63 Curlew also present (Fiona Harvey)

Skye & Lochalsh: three Jack Snipe and eleven Woodcock at Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris) - per skye-birds.com
​
Thursday 6th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Hen Harrier and 2CY female Goshawk at Insh Marshes (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull at Tarbat Ness, c35 Twite nearby at Bindal Croft, c75 Golden Plover near Wilkhaven farmhouse, and c1,000 Pink-footed Goose between there and Wilkhaven Farm (Dave Tanner).  Green-winged Teal and 21 Shoveler at Tain Links (Bob Swann)

Inverness: Kingfisher at Merkinch LNR (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Kildonan Bay, Eigg (John Chester) - per skye-birds.com
Wednesday 5th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: c400 Brambling in field north of the Nethybridge Hotel, while along the Spey near Boat of Garten were two flocks of Siskin, one of c300 and the other c250 (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: four Goldeneye on Loch Meig (Jonathan Willet)
​
Inverness: Great Northern Diver at Clachnaharry sea lock, while noted at Merkinch LNR were singles of Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Kingfisher (Al McNee).  Five Barnacle Geese in the Wester Dalziel area, while at Alturlie were seven Whooper Swan, two Red-throated Diver, single Great Northern Diver, 77 Scaup, four Slavonian Grebe, eleven Bar-tailed Godwit and flock of 18 Brambling (Blair Whyte) while four Red Kite were also seen (Simeon Ewing).  Single drake Pintail at Loch Flemington  (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: 2nd winter Iceland Gull at Lower Milovaig (Andy Stables).  Four Slavonian Grebe at the head of Loch Ainort (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Tuesday 4th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: c250 Brambling, c300 Siskin and c300 Linnet at Balliemore, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: single Black-throated Diver, twelve Red-throated Diver, four Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness, while nearby were c50 Golden Plover near Wilkhaven Farm, c75 Twite in field opposite Bindal Croft, and c100 Yellowhammer at Brucefield Farm (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Kingfisher at Clachnaharry sea lock (Steve Wheatley)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Jack Snipe at Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris) - per skye-birds.com

Monday 3rd January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Grey Wagtail and two Golden Plover at Insh marshes (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: single Black-throated Diver, three Red-throated Diver, two Common Scoter (unusual for the location in wintertime), single Black Guillemot, two Sanderling and 23 Ringed Plover at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).  Ring-necked Duck at Nether Kinellan (via BirdTrack)

Inverness: Greenshank at Merkinch LNR (Bob Wilson) with sub-adult White-tailed Eagle over also ('Chloe').  Kingfisher at Whin Park in the city (Bob Wilson)

Skye & Lochalsh: Iceland Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

​Sutherland:  immature Glaucous Gull at Clashnessie Bay (David Haines).  Four Little Gull, 18 Purple Sandpiper and c20 Sanderling at Brora ('Jort')

Sunday 2nd January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike at Coranstilbeg, Glen Feshie (Dave Pierce)
​
Easter Ross: nine Sanderling and single Dunlin at Chanonry Point, plus female Pintail in Udale Bay (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: 45 Scaup, three Slavonian Grebe and single Pintail at Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: eight Bar-tailed Godwit at Broadford Bay, with another 14 present at Bayfield, Portree while the 2nd winter Iceland Gull was nearby on the Chracaig River (Neil Bennett) via skye-birds.com

Wester Ross:  single Great Northern Diver at Loch an Èisg Brachaidh (Stuart Edwards)

Saturday 1st January

Colin, Mike and Pete wish all their readers a Happy, Prosperous and bird-filled New Year.

Badenoch & Strathspey: Merlin, Peregrine, 2 Hen Harriers, imm Golden Eagle, adult White-tailed Eagle Insh Marshes (Dave Pierce), 200 Bramblings Station Road, Nethybridge (per Birdtrack).

Easter Ross: male Green-winged Teal, 200 Pintails Tain Links (Dave Tanner),  75 Twites in rape stubble opposite Bindal Croft, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 1st-winter Iceland Gull Balintore (Simon Levene).

Lochaber: 1st-winter Iceland Gull west end car park Fort William (Stu Crutchfield).

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Iceland Gull Chracaig mouth, Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: 15 Little Gulls S Brora in 1 hour, also Nordic Jackdaw there (Dean MacAskill).




​2021

Friday 31st December

Easter Ross: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull SW Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: 13 Pintails, 24 Black-tailed Godwits Milton of Culloden (Fiona Harvey), 2 Kingfishers Merkinch LNR (Blair Whyte, Alan MacAskill), 22 Black-tailed Godwits Bunchrew (Blair Whyte, Alan MacAskill).

Skye & Lochalsh: adult & 2 2nd-winter Iceland Gulls, Viking Gull (Glaucous x Herring) Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett, Bob McMillan).

Wester Ross: Greenshank, 3 Slavonian Grebes, 6 Great Northern Divers Little Loch Broom, 40 Black-throated Divers S part of Gruinard Bay (all Ian Ford).
​
Thursday 30th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: 200 Bramblings Balliemore, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: 7 Black-tailed Godwits Avoch (Mary Galloway), 7 pale-bellied Brent Geese Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas).

Lochaber: 2nd winter Iceland Gull opposite Police Station Lochyside, Fort William (per BirdGuides), juvenile Iceland Gull Mallaig Harbour (Steven MacDonald), 13 Slavonian Grebes Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (Steven MacDonald).
​
Wednesday 29th December

Easter Ross: 22 Grey Partridges & 25 Woodcocks Newfield, near Tain (Bob Swann).

Lochaber: Jack Snipe Kinloch crofts, Rum (Sean Morris).
Tuesday 28th December

​Badenoch & Strathspey: several flocks of Crossbills, some singing Glenmore Forest (Steve Reddick).

Easter Ross: 8 pale-bellied Brent Geese at burn mouth, Rosemarkie (John Carruthers).
Monday 27th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Nuthatch Kinlochlaggan (Bill Glancy per eBird).

Easter Ross: 8 Mandarin Ducks Blackwater, Garve (Oscar Puls).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2nd winter & 1st winter Iceland Gulls at Bayfield, Loch Portree and another 2nd winter at Chracaig River, Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sunday 26th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Jack Snipe Drumguish (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: 2 male Green-winged Teals & Lesser BB Gull Tain Links (Bob Swann). 8 Mandarin Ducks at Blackwater at Garve, upstream of bridge (Oscar Puls). 

Inverness: 16 Black Guillemots off Fort George (Colin Leslie). Kingfisher, Whin Park (Tim Stowe), 30 Black-tailed Godwits Milton of Culloden (Anne Sime).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2nd winter & adult Iceland Gulls, Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennet), Little Auk Bradford Bay (NH per skye-birds.org), Jack Snipe Ardnish. Broadford (NH per skye-birds.org).
​
Saturday 25th December

Happy Christmas/Nollaig Chridheil to all our sightings reporters and readers - Colin, Mike & Pete

Easter Ross: Two Blackcaps, Cromarty (Kevin Davis). Three Kittiwake and two Red-throated Diver, Tarbat Ness. 25 Fieldfare and c150 Linnet and 15 Twite between Portmahomack and Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Green-winged Teal, 26 Shoveler and five Black-tailed Godwit, Tain (Bob Swann) Eight Mandarin ducks, Blackwater at Garve and three Bramblings, Garve (Keith Barnes)

Friday 24th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: 40+ Crossbills, Ardgeal (Duncan Macdonald)

Easter Ross: 1st winter female Ring-necked Duck and immature Scaup, Nether Kinellan, Strathpeffer (Keith Barnes)

Inverness: Greenshank and Kingfisher, Merkinch LNR (Al McNee), female Scaup, Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte)

Sutherland: Six Little Gulls, four Great Northern Divers, Brora and three Greenshank, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
​
Thursday 23rd December

Badenoch & Strathspey: 20+ Bramblings Nethybridge (Steve Reddick)

Skye & Lochalsh: Two adult and two 2nd winter Iceland Gulls, Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) also 2nd winter at Lower Milovaig (Andy Stables via Bob McMillan)

Sutherland: Little Egret, Ledmore Junction (per BirdTrack)

Wester Ross: Adult Glaucous Gull, Ullapool Harbour (Stuart Edwards)
Wednesday 22nd December

Easter Ross: Waxwing, Tain (Gary Aitken)

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe and eight Slavonian Grebe, 17 Pintail, 45 Scaup, plus single Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte). Kingfisher, Ness Islands (Alan MacAskill)
Tuesday 21st December

Easter Ross: Two Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Dean MacAskill) Ring-necked Duck and Scaup, Nether Kinellan Lochan (Keith Barnes)

Sutherland: Little Egret still at the Mound, 12 Brambling, 42 Purple Sandpipers and 350 Dunlin, Embo (all Dean MacAskill) 

Monday 20th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Snowy Owl, Cairngorms (Gary Hodgson)

Inverness: Two Kingfishers and Water Rail, Merkinch LNR, (Bob Wilson)

Skye & Lochalsh: Slavonian Grebe, Broadford Bay (ET) and 10 Black-throated Divers, Kilmarie Bay, Loch Slapin (RMcM) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Little Egret, The Mound (Dean MacAskill) also 29 Purple Sandpipers, Embo and Two Slavonian Grebes, Dornoch Point (Ann Sime)

Sunday 19th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: 400 Bramblings and 100 Linnets, Balliemore, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: Slavonian Grebe, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner). 34 Brent Geese, 246 Pintail and one Shoveler, Nigg Bay (Bob Swann)

Inverness: 24 Scaup, one Red-throated Diver, 50 Shelduck and five Slavonian Grebes, Alturlie (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: Three Iceland Gulls, Bayfield, Portree (Bob McMillan) 237 Siskin, Killilan, Lochalsh (JN) per skye-birds.com
​
Saturday 18th December
​
​Lochaber: ten Slavonian Grebe on Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (Steven Macdonald) - per skye-birds.com

Skye & Localsh: 2nd winter Iceland Gull on Loch Scresort, Rum (Sean Morris).  Two Common Scoter in Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: two Grey Wagtail and six Little Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
​
Friday 17th December
​
Easter Ross:  five Black Guillemot, five Red-throated Diver, single Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness, with ten Meadow Pipit also present (unusual at this time of year).  Nearby were c1,000 Pink-footed Goose, with c30 Whooper Swan at Petley pig farm (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Localsh: two Slavonian Grebe and single Common Scoter in Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com
Thursday 16th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: c140 Brambling at Balliemore, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon)
​
Inverness: Kingfisher at Merkinch NR (Alan MacAskill)

Easter Ross: two Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Dean MacAskill).  Single Black-throated Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Kingfisher on the River Peffery, DIngwall by the footbridge (Taylor Hunter)
​
Wednesday 15th December
​
Inverness: single Brambling on the Leys estate (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Localsh: 60 Redwing at Heaste (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 20 Brambling at Embo, while offshore were 14 Red-throated Diver, single Black-throated Diver and nine Slavonian Grebe.  At Dornoch were six Grey Plover, 24 Twite and single Jack Snipe (Dean MacAskill)
Tuesday 14th December
​
Badenoch & Strathspey: Grey Wagtail at Strone, Newtonmore (Dave Pierce)

Skye & Lochalsh: Lesser Black-backed Gull intermedius ssp. on the Chrachaig River, Portree (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Easter Ross:  c1,000 Pink-footed Goose at Wilkhaven farm, Tarbat Ness with c50 Whooper Swan at the Petley pig farm by Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Monday 13th December
​
Easter Ross:  Single Knot at Tarbat Ness, Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Dave Tanner, his image also below)

Skye & Lochalsh: Little Auk grounded in Lower Milovaig, returned to sea in good health (Andy Stables) - via skye-birds.com
Sunday 12th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: 200 plus Brambling near the Old Kirk, Nethybridge (Sue Sykes)
​
Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Dean MacAskill), with a second bird confirmed later in the day (Bob Swann)

Skye & Lochalsh: 80 Teal on Loch Kishorn (Bob McMillan).  Two Purple Sandpiper at Ardnish, Broadford (Neil Hinchcliffe) - per skye-birds.com
​
Saturday 11th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike Corarnstilbeg, Glen Feshie (Pete Gordon), Jack Snipe Drumguish (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: 200+ Yellowhammers banks of Peffery below  railway bridge, Dingwall (Simeon Ewing).

Inverness: 2 Snow Buntings on roof, Brookfield, Culloden (Robin Paton), 166 Golden Plovers & 900 Knots Whiteness Sands (Roy Dennis), 70 Twites Whiteness Head Roy Dennis).
10/12/2021 Great Grey Shrike, Glen Feshie (Dave Pierce)
Friday 10th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Great Grey Shrike Corarnstilbeg, Glen Feshie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal, 8 Slavonian Grebes Tain (Bob Swann).

Inverness: Greenshank Merkinch (Penny Insole).

​Lochaber: juv Iceland Gull Mallaig Harbour (Steven MacDonald).
​
Thursday 9th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Green Woodpecker Loch an Eilein Beag (per Birdtrack).

​Easter Ross: drake Green-winged Teal Tain Links (Dean MacAskill) - returning bird? Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 200 Fieldfares Udale Bay to Balblair (Caroline Pearson),  30 Bramblings Corrimony (Carol Miller).

Inverness: 60 Scaups, 3 Slavonian Grebes, 5 Barnacle Geese, Black-tailed Godwit Alturlie (Blair Whyte), female Merlin Easter Dalziel (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver Loch Ainort (Neil Bennett per skye-birds.org), Carrion Crow Ardelve, Lochalsh (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: 42 Purple Sandpipers Embo (Dean MacAskill).
Wednesday 8th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: ad male Hen Harrier Loch Insh (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: Red-necked Grebe S Tarbat Ness (Peter Stronach)

Skye & Lochalsh: Siberian Chiffchaff at industrial estate Broadford (per BirdGuides), 2nd winter Iceland Gull Bayfield, Portree (per BirdGuides), Bonxie Ardnish Max (Neil Hinchliff).

Sutherland: adult Iceland Gull, 14 Little Gulls, 2 Puffins, 7 Little Auks Lothbeg Point (Dean MacAskill, Dave Barnett).
​
Tuesday 7th December

Easter Ross: One Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Great Northern Diver between Fort George and Arderseir (Colin Leslie) another Great Northern Diver, Beauly Firth between Redcastle and Kessock (John Poyner)

Sutherland: Nine Little gulls, four Little Auks, one Great Skua and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull, Brora (Dean MacAskill) 

An adult White-tailed Eagle from a traditional site  found dead at Trotternish on 14 November was found to have avian flu - probably caught from Greylag Geese.
Monday 6th December

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), male Blackcap Strathpeffer ("Fiona"), 3 Scaups Loch Kinellan (Blair Whyte).

​Inverness: 2 Green Woodpeckers reported Drakies (per Birdtrack).

Skye & Lochalsh: second-winter and juvenile Iceland Gulls R Chracaig, Portree (Neil Bennett), 

Sutherland: 42 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Great Northern Divers Embo (Dean McAskill).
Sunday 5th December

Easter Ross: Little Auk, Black-throated Diver Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Skye & Lochalsh: Bonxie, Puffin Neist Point (Andy Stables per skye-birds.com), Barnacle Goose with Greylags Feorlig, Dunvegan (Bob McMillan - per skye-birds.com), Nordic Jackdaw Portree (Neil Bennett)

Wester Ross: 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs Ardmair, Campsite (Andy Williams).

​
Saturday 4th December

Easter Ross: 12 Slavonian Grebes Avoch ("Matthew").

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe past Alturlie (Blair Whyte).

Sutherland: 10 Grey Plovers Dornoch (Dean McAskill).

Wester Ross: 5 Bramblings Ullapool (Andy Williams) - scarce there.

Friday 3rd December

Badenoch & Strathspey: 31 Snow Buntings, Cairngorm Base Station (per BirdGuides)

Inverness: Six Pintail, one Great Crested Grebe and 58 Curlew, Milton of Culloden (Fiona Harvey)

Skye & Lochalsh: 240 Fieldfare at Port an Eorna, Duirinish with some Redwing (DM) also 40 at Tokavaig (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: Nuthatch Attadale, Strathcarron (per Bob McMillan) - possibly first record for Wester Ross, now predated by a record of one at Laide on 18/04/2019 (Kevin Hartwell). Two Siberian Chiffchaffs, Ardmair (per BirdGuides)
Thursday 2nd December

Easter Ross: Juvenile Glaucous Gull, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) Magpie, Creag Darroch, Contin (Stuart Edwards)

Inverness: One Whooper Swan, nine Pintail, two Scaup, 225 Golden Plover, one Great crested Grebe and nine Slavonian Grebes, Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh:  Six Goldeneye, Loch Achaid na h’Inich, Plockton (JS), 45 Wigeon, Balmacara Bay at Reraig (DM) per skye-birds.com
​
Wednesday 1st December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Grey Wagtail,  Ballachroan, Kingussie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross:  Eight Red-throated Diver, five Black Guillemot, 48 Long-tailed Duck and 262 Shag, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)
​
Sutherland: Six Little Gulls also Glaucous Gull, Brora (per BirdGuides)

Wester Ross: Siberian Chiffchaff, Ardmair (Andy Williams)

Tuesday 30th November

Easter Ross: One Black Guillemot, Chanonry (Alister Clunas), Little Auk, Rosemarkie and 15 Twite still Bindal Farm (per BirdGuides) also five Grey Partridges there (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe and two Black-throated Divers, Alturlie (Robert Wilson) Little Auk still at Fort George (per BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: Single Brambling, Dunvegan (JB) per skye-birds.com

Monday 29th November

Easter Ross: 15 Twite, Bindal Croft, Tarbat Ness (John Manson)

Inverness: Single Little Auk and 15 Black-tailed Godwits, Ardersier Bay (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: 40 Fieldfares in Broadford today (NB)
​
Sunday 28th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Two Jack Snipe and one Kingfisher, near Kingussie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Little Auk, Tarbat Ness and Snow Bunting, Wilkhaven Farm (Dave Tanner). Eight Kittiwake, two Gannets, one Little Auk and one Black Guillemot, Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Single Little Auk, east past Fort George and one Black Guillemot (Colin Leslie) Greenland White-fronted Goose with Pinkfeet, Beauly (per BirdGuides)

​Lochaber: Nine Slavonian Grebes, Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (SMacD) per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: adult Iceland Gull, Bayfield and 1st Winter Black Rocks, Portree (NB), Long-tailed Duck, Uig Bay and four Great Northern Diver (SG) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Eight Little Auks, Embo, Iceland Gull, Bonar Bridge (all Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: Viking Gull (Glaucous x Herring) Ullapool Harbour (per BirdGuides).​
​
Saturday 27th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: male Hen Harrier at Broomhill, Nethy Bridge with Twite present in the area also (Ian Harkiss)
​
Easter Ross: c150 Red-throated Diver, 18 Great Northern Diver and single 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Tarbat Ness, with post-storm seabird tallies including 1,000+ of both Kittiwake and Common Gull, and an exceptional 750+ Great Black-backed Gull.  Nearby by Wilkhaven Farm were c200 Golden Plover (Dave Tanner).  Woodcock at Quarryfield, Munlochy (Bob Wilson)

Skye & Lochalsh: Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Iceland Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Jonathan Jones).  Two Common Scoter in Broadford Bay (Martin Benson) per skye-birds.com​

Sutherland: three Little Auk, eight Little Gull, 1st winter Glaucous Gull, five Great Northern Diver and juvenile White-tailed Eagle at Brora river mouth, while at Embo were singles of Little Auk and Great Skua (Dean MacAskill).  Another, later report from Embo gave eleven Little Auk, single Slavonian Grebe, 14 Little Gull, 22 Red-throated Diver, seven Great Northern Diver ('Matthew').  Lesser Black-backed Gull of the intermedius ssp. at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
​
Friday 26th November

Easter Ross: six Red-throated Diver and 500 plus Common Gull at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Single Brambling visiting a garden in Kildary (Lynda Simpson)

Sutherland: two Little Auk, 123 Kittiwake, 34 Gannet plus singles of Little Gull and Velvet Scoter at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
​
Thursday 25th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Nuthatch visiting feeders by Forest Cottage, Loch an Eilein (Pete Cosgrove)
​
Easter Ross: 15 Purple Sandpiper, single Puffin, 19 Red-throated Diver, five Great Northern Diver, single 1st winter Glaucous Gull and 15 Twite at Tarbat Ness, with c75 Whooper Swan at Petley pig farm near Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Iceland Gull at Loch Scresort, Rum (Sean Morris) - per skye-birds.com
​
Wednesday 24th November

Easter Ross: two Purple Sandpiper, 15 Red-throated Diver, single Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness, plus 15 Whooper Swan at Petley pig farm near Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).  Brambling visiting a Strathpeffer garden ('Fiona').  Drake Pintail on the lochans within the Tain air weapons range (Andy Walker)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Jay in Coille Mhor, Balmacara (David Mason) via skye-birds.com
​
Sutherland: three Whooper Swan near the Meikle ferry ('Jort')
Tuesday 23rd November

Easter Ross: Little Egret at Udale Bay (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: Snow Bunting along the Heaste road, Broadford (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 24 Little Gull, 215 Ringed Plover, 57 Purple Sandpiper at Brora (Dean MacAskill).  Black-necked Grebe off Embo, with two Slavonian Grebe (Dave Slater)

Monday 22nd November

Badenoch & Strathspey: ring-tail Hen Harrier at Insh marshes (Blair Whyte)
​
Easter Ross: two Slavonian Grebe and single Black-throated Diver, single Puffin, two Great Northern Diver, twelve Red-throated Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Four Greenland White-fronted Goose near Kirkmichael church, Udale (Bob Wilson)

Inverness: probable Rough-legged Buzzard in Glen Kyllachy (Mike Dilger)
​
Lochaber: seven Purple Sandpiper at Mallaig harbour (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: single Slavonian Grebe and two Common Scoter in Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett).  Twenty Barncle Goose on Staffin Island plus c70 on the Ascrib islands (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: Swallow at Port Henderson (via John Poyner)

Sunday 21st November

Easter Ross: Woodcock at Tarbat Ness, plus single Velvet Scoter offshore (Dave Tanner).  Drake American Wigeon at Udale Bay (Mike Dilger)

Inverness: single female Scaup and single drake Pintail at Milton of Culloden (Fiona Harvey)

Lochaber: female Common Scoter on Loch Shiel at Acharacle (Sandy McNeil)

Skye and Lochalsh: White-billed Diver near Camas Ban out of Loch Portree, while at Bayfield was a single 1st winter Iceland Gull (Neil Bennett).  Single Little Auk, 150 Kittiwake, 50+ Gannet and six Great Northern Diver in the Narrows of Raasay (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com
​
Saturday 20th November

Inverness: 3 female Scaups, eclipse male Shoveler, 200 Wigeons Loch Flemington (Graeme Prest).

Skye & Lochalsh: 7 Whooper Swans Loch Suardal (Matthew per skye-birds.org).

Friday 19th November

Easter Ross: Little Auk, 2 Black-throated Divers, 21 Red-throated Divers, 26 Long-tailed Ducks, 35 Ringed Plovers Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe Alturlie (Bob Wilson).

Sutherland: 7 Little Gulls River Brora mouth (Dave Tanner), 12 Slavonian Grebes, 32 Red-throated Divers Embo (Deam MacAskill), 8 Grey Plovers, 2 Snow Buntings, 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese, Greenland White-fronted Goose, 120 Sanderlings  Embo (Dean MacAskill).

Wester Ross: probable Brunnich's Guillemot, 13 Little Auks, 2 "Blue" Fulmars Stornoway-Ullapool crossing, unclear whether in Highland recording area (Dan Brown), Red-necked Grebe Naast, Loch Ewe (per BirdGuides).

Thursday 18th November

Easter Ross: hybrid American x Eurasian Wigeon, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit Udale Bay (Kevin Davis), Great Northern Diver, 9 Red-throated Divers Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).
​
Wednesday 17th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: 9 White-fronted Geese Insh Marshes (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: Kingfisher River Peffery Dave Barnett, Alan MacAskill), 13 Red-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe, 45 Long-tailed Ducks, Purple Sandpiper Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Skye & Lochalsh: 9 Whooper Swans chased by a White-tailed Eagle at Loch Ailort! (SMacD per skye-birds.org, 10 Common Scoters, 7 Great Northern Divers Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett per skye-birds.org).

Tuesday 16th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still between Kingussie and Newtonmore (Simon Eaves).

Inverness: Nuthatch Inches Crescent, Drakies, Inverness (per BirdTrack)

Lochaber: Iceland Gull Loch Scresort, Rum (Sean Morris).

Skye & Lochalsh: 5 Common Scoters, 3 Slavonian Grebes, Whooper Swan Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett).
​
​
Picture
15/11/2021 Snow Bunting, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
, 
​Monday 15th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still near Kingussie (Alison), Yellow-browed Warbler River Dulnain near Dulnain Bridge (Duncan MacDonald)

Inverness: 2 female Scaups Loch Flemington (Alan MacAskill), Great Grey Shrike Drakies (Millburn), Inverness (per BirdTrack).

Lochaber: 40 Snow Buntings Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin (Steve Duffield).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2 Little Auks from Uig-Stornoway ferry at Skye end (Dan Brown), Siberian Chiffchaff Drumfearn (Phil Knott), Swallow Lower Milovaig (AS per skye-birds.org), Puffin Neist Point (AS per skye-birds.org).

Sutherland: ringed Yellow-browed Warbler Melvich (per BirdGuides), 2 Snow Buntings, 2 Grey Plovers, 40 Twites, Blackcap Dornoch (Dean MacAskill).

Wester Ross: Viking Gull (Glaucous x Herring) Ullapool (per BirdGuides).

Sunday 14th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still near Kingussie (per BirdTrack).

Easter Ross: American Wigeon Udale Bay (per Birdguides), 7 Red-throated and 4 Great Northern Divers, Peregrine Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Lochaber: Chiffchaff Kinloch Glen, Rum (Sean Morris). 

Skye & Lochalsh: a good count of 37 Collared Doves Lower Breakish (NH).
​
Saturday 13th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore (Blair Whyte). Three Swallows and Brambling, Sherramore, Spey Dam (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Glaucous Gull, six Black Guillemot, 16 Red-throated and three Great Northern Divers Tarbat Ness also 150 Whooper Swans, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner). Two Black-throated Diver, 39 Red-throated Diver, two Scaup, 38 Long-tailed Duck, 70+ Dunlin, 28 Ringed Plover and 145 Shag, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Skye and Lochalsh: Adult White-billed Diver past Staffin Island (Dan Brown) Swallow at Harrapool plus Purple Sandpiper and Whooper Swan in Broadford Bay (MB) per skye-birds.com


Sutherland: !2 Little Gulls and Puffin, Brora plus Pomarine Skua, two Slavonian Grebes, one Great Northern Diver, c20 Red-throated Divers, Puffins and three Purple Sandpipers, Embo (all Al McNee) Rosy Starling, Balnakiel craft Village and Siberian Chiffchaff, Borralie plantation also 670 Barnacle Geese, five Gadwall, one Shoveler, 11 Whooper Swans , one Water Rail, one Jack Snipe, two Woodcock and five Great Northern Divers, Durness (all Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: Eight Ptarmigan, Sgurr a'Chaorrachain, Applecross (Pete Gordon)
​
Friday 12th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore (per BirdGuides). C200 birds in mixed finch flock at Nethy Bridge includes "significant" number of Brambling (Sue Sykes). 100+ Fieldfares, Glen Feshie (Thomas Plant). Hawfinch, Grantown on Spey (David Miller)

Easter Ross: Two Swallows, Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Brambling, Gollanfield (Paul Sharman). Five Pintail and two Slavonian Grebes, Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte). 20-30 Twite, Strathdearn (John Poyner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Four Bramblings, Kinloch, Rum (SM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 13 Little Gulls, Brora (Dean MacAskill). Little Auk, Scullomie, found in the garden of a croft, flew off after resting (Richard Rowe)

Wester Ross: Snow Bunting, Rubha Reidh (per BirdGuides)

Thursday 11th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore (per BirdGuides). 10 Bramblings in Linnet flock, Nethy Bridge (Mike Dilger). 500 Siskins, Aviemore (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: Kingfisher, River Peffery (Bob Wilson). American Wigeon just east of Jemimaville with 454 Scaup and two Slavonian Grebes (Kevin Davis). Five Purple Sandpipers and 14 Red-throated Divers, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Skye & Lochalsh: Seven Common Crossbill at Achmore (DM). Five Whooper Swans, River Shield pools (RMCM). Per skye-birds.com.

Sutherland: Yellow-browed Warbler, Melvich (per BirdGuides)
​
Wednesday 10th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore (per BirdGuides).  

Easter Ross: Still one Snow Bunting, 28 Purple Sandpipers, nine Red-throated Divers and 1 Great Northern Diver, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Jack Snipe, Eigg (JC per skye-birds.com)
Tuesday 9th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore (John Poyner).  

Easter Ross: One Black-throated Diver, 31 Red-throated Divers, one Black Guillemot and 39 Long-tailed Duck, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). Four Great Northern Divers, 19 Red-throated Divers, two Snow Buntings and three Bramblings, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) American Wigeon still present at Udale Bay (per BirdGuides)

Inverness: 46 Whooper Swans, including c10 juveniles to east of Inverness airport from Gollanfield to Ardersier road (Graeme Prest). Single Pintail, Milton of Culloden and two Barnacle Geese, Dalcross (Alan MacAskill)

Lochaber: Little Auk, Oberan Bank, Arisaig (R Dyer per Bob McMillan). Six Whooper Swans, south at Arisaig early morning (RD) per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: Brambling at Kinloch, Rum (SM) and another at Upper Tote, Trotternish (CH), six Greenland White-fronted Geese at Kilmuir (RMcM) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Swallow, Dalchalm, Brora (Sandy Sutherland)
Monday 8th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore (Pete Cosgrove et al).  Three Hen Harriers from Insh Marshes lookout (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: One Black-throated Diver, 16 Red-throated Divers, three Slavonian Grebes, two Goldeneye and 19 Long-tailed Duck, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). Snow Bunting still, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Swallow still at River Peffrey Mouth, Dingwall along with two Goldeneye and one Great Skua (Fiona)
   
Lochaber: Sooty Shearwater, Oberan Bank, Arisaig (R Dyer per Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: Little Egret, Glenelg (Stu Crutchfield)

Sunday 7th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore off the A86 (Bob McMillan et al).  

Easter Ross: One Snow Bunting at Tarbat Ness, 200 Golden Plover, Wilkhaven Farm (Dave Tanner).  American Wigeon still present at Udale Bay (Bob Wilson). Swallow, River Peffery (Fiona)

Lochaber: Four Glaucous Gulls and three Little Auks, Point of Arnamurchan (per BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: Siberian Chiffchaff, Uig (Seth Gibson), 30 Barnacle Geese, Staffin Island (CH) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 14 Sooty Shearwaters, 14 Great Northern Divers, one Storm Petrel and two Purple Sandpipers, Strathy Point (Dean MacAskill) also one Sabine's Gull (Matthew) 25 Purple Sandpipers and seven Little Gulls, Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 6th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret still present between Kingussie and Newtonmore off the A86 (Blair Whyte et al).  Ring-tail Hen Harrier and Merlin at Insh Marshes (Blair Whyte)

Easter Ross: three Turnstone, c75 Common Scoter, seven Purple Sandpiper, eight Red-throated Diver and single Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Greenland White-fronted Goose and three Barnacle Goose at Resolis, plus American Wigeon still present at Udale Bay ('Matthew'); Oscar Puls reported same plus a possible Eurasian x American Wigeon hybrid there also.

Lochaber: juvenile Iceland Gull in the marina at Mallaig (Stephen Macdonald) - via skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Glaucous Gull at Kilmory and two Snow Bunting at Kinloch Glen, Rum (Sean Morris) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Eleven Grey Plover, two Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Hen Harrier at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 5th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cattle Egret between Kingussie and Newtonmore off the A86 (Mike Coleman).  Two Hawfinch at Uath lochans (Kristofer Wilson via E-bird).

Easter Ross: Snow Bunting and twelve Black Guillemot at Tarbat Ness, with 14 Great Northern Diver into the Dornoch Firth (Dave Tanner).  At Chanonry Point were: single Black-throated Diver, twelve Red-throated Diver, 42 Long-tailed Duck, single Goldeneye (reporter comments that it's been one of the poorest autumns for the species, this being just the third sighting of the season so far), 128 Shag, single Black-tailed Godwit (unusual for this time of year) and single Purple Sandpiper (Kevin Davis).  Single Swallow at Tain (Dean MacAskill).  Two Slavonian Grebe and nine Black-tailed Godwit at Udale Bay (Pete Gordon), with a male Hen Harrier also seen ('Chloe').  Juvenile Common Tern and 18 Purple Sandpiper at Balintore (Simon Levene)

Inverness: five Slavonian Grebe on Loch Ashie (Blair Whyte)
​
Sutherland: Siberian Chiffchaff at Rhigolter (Hugh Insley).   Strath Brora saw an influx of Redwing (c600), Fieldfare, 'Scandi' Blackbird-types (young males with black beaks), Mistle Thrush and Brambling, along with c350 Lesser Redpoll (Dean MacAskill)
Thursday 4th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Ring Ouzel amongst thrushes in the Cairn Gorm ski area (Kristofer Wilson via E-bird).  Little Egret at Insh Marshes (Luke Pearce)

Easter Ross: juvenile Little Gull, three Black-throated Diver and singles of Purple Sandpiper and Slavonian Grebe at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Eight Barnacle Goose, single Greenland White-fronted Goose and Black-tailed Godwit at Udale Bay (Alister Clunas), plus American Wigeon still present (Craig Johnstone).  Single Swallow and Greenshank at DIngwall ferry point (Robert Wilson)

Sutherland: 27 Little Gull at Brora - an exceptional count (Dean MacAskill)

Wednesday 3rd November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Goshawk at Lochindorb (Graeme Wright et al)

Easter Ross: single Slavonian Grebe, juvenile Peregrine, 22 Red-throated Diver, single Black-throated Diver and five Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness, plus c100 Whooper Swan at a pig farm by Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).  Drake American Wigeon at Udale Bay (Kevin Davis).  45 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Nigg Bay (Gordon Hamlett)

Inverness: Grey-Bellied Brant at Wester Dalziel (Rob Hughes)

Sutherland: possible sighting of very late Osprey over A9 at Dornoch (Gordon Hamlett)
​
Tuesday 2nd November

Badenoch & Strathspey: c30 Brambling at Lagganlia (Jack Ward).  Four Snow Bunting in the Cairn Gorm car park (Gordon Hamlett).  c1,000 Redwing at Insh Marshes (Blair Whyte) with four Shelduck also present (Dave Pierce).
​  ***PLEASE NOTE*** any birders searching for the Eyebrowed Thrush are no longer permitted to use the Kincraig Community Hall car park, and should also be mindful of local residents and their privacy

Easter Ross: 29 Red-throated DIver, two Black-throated Diver and 14 Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Two Little Egret at Loch Eye (Bob Swann)

Lochaber: Siberian Chiffchaff at Fort William (Stu Crutchfield via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: Swallow at Kildonan, Eigg (John Chester).  Brambling at Drumfearn Sleat (Phil Knott) - via skye-birds.com

Monday 1st November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Eyebrowed Thrush near the community hall in Kincraig (Peter Stronach), sizeable flock of Redwings remain in the area and included at least two Fieldfare, plus two Brambling nearby (Mike Crutch) and single Swallow seen also ('Matthew').  Two Swallow on A95 near Boat of Garten (Mike Crutch).  c2,000 Redwing at Insh Marshes (Alan MacAskill), while also recorded there was a single Greenland White-fronted Goose amongst 20 Canada Goose and c310 Greylag Goose (Dave Pierce) plus a Little Egret below Insh village (Pete Moore)

Easter Ross: Little Egret at Udale Bay (Gordon Hamlett), with a Green-winged Teal also reported (Carl Mitchell).  At Chanonry Point were singles of Great Skua and juvenile Arctic Tern, two Black-throated Diver, 19 Red-throated Diver, 95 Long-tailed Duck, 48 Gannet, three Kittiwake, three Purple Sandpiper, 22 Ringed Plover and 127 Shag (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: conservative count of 800 Fieldfare through Strathdearn in a 90 minute period (Gordon Hamlett)
​
Sutherland: Snow Bunting at Faraid Head (Jane Fawcett)
Sunday 31st October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Hawfinch near Ross's Garage, Kincraig (Simon Eaves)

Easter Ross: seven Red-throated Diver, two Black-throated Diver, single Great Northern Diver and two drake Velvet Scoter off Tarbat Ness, with juvenile Peregrine plus two Purple Sandpiper and single Turnstone present also (Dave Tanner).  Single Black-throated Diver, 24 Red-throated Diver, 117 Long-tailed Duck, 62 Kittiwake, 42 Ringed Plover and two Black Guillemot at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Sutherland: three Great Skua, two Velvet Scoter and single Little Gull at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
​
Saturday 30th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Merlin at Insh marshes (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Ruddy Shelduck at Dingwall ferry point ('Fiona').  Twelve Red-throated Diver, single Black Guillemot, 39 Long-tailed Duck and 196 Kittiwake at Chanonry Point, while a ring-tail Hen Harrier was seen in farmland east of Rosemarkie (Kevin Davis)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Slavonian Grebe and four Great Northern Diver on Loch Ainort, while Broadford Bay contained one and four of each respectively (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com
​
Sutherland: a seawatch at Brora yielded five Great Skua, three Arctic Skua, two Pomarine Skua and 17 Little Gull, while 20 Brambling were amongst a Linnet flock by the Clynelish distillery (Dean MacAskill)

Friday 29th October

Easter Ross: two Velvet Scoter off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  At Chanonry Point were singles of Black-throated Diver and Common Scoter, 13 Red-throated Diver and 26 Long-tailed Ducks (Kevin Davis).  Brambling in Hilton of Cadboll (Simon Levene)

Skye & Lochalsh: four Slavonian Grebe on Loch Ainort (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com
​
Thursday 28th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Eyebrowed Thrush in private garden in Kincraig - not seen since (Keith Ringland)
​
Easter Ross: 30 Whooper Swans, Goshawk Marybank (Alan MacAskill), 4 Black-throated Divers, 47 Red-throated Divers, 60 Long-tailed Ducks, 4 Tree Sparrows Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Gadwall Ardersier rivermouth (Bob Wilson), 19 Whooper Swans, pale bellied Brent Goose, female Merlin, 6 Slavonian Grebes Alturlie (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: 17 Brent Geese Breakish Obe (JN per skye-birds.org), Slavonian Grebe Broadford Bay (P O-W per skye-birds.org)

Sutherland: 35 Bramblings, Blackcap Embo and 40 Twites, 24 Grey Plovers Dornoch (all Dean MacAskill).
​
Picture
28/10/2021 - Eyebrowed Thrush in Kincraig (Keith Ringland)
Wednesday 27th October

Easter Ross: 2 Little Egrets, 47 Shovelers, 460 Whooper Swans, 5 Barnacle Geese, Greenland White-fronted Goose Loch Eye (Bob Swann), 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, Kingfisher Udale Bay (Kevin Davis), 438 Scaups, Tufted Duck, Black-throated Diver Jemimaville (Kevin Davis), Great Northern Diver, 17 Red-throated Divers, 66 Long-tailed Ducks, 80 Kittiwakes Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Skye & Lochalsh: Pochard with Tufted Ducks Loch Mealt (Bob McMillan).

Picture
26/10/2021 Whooper Swans, Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Tuesday 26th October

Easter Ross: 117 Coots Loch Eye (Bob Swann), 8 Barnacle Geese Beauly (David Smith).

Sutherland: 8 Grey Plovers, 1 Black-tailed Godwit Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)

​
Monday 25th October

Easter Ross: 1 Black-throated and 3 Great Northern Divers Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: 2 Corn Buntings Milton of Gollanfield (Dave Burnett),  4 Barnacle Geese Wester Dalziel, male Pochard & female Shoveler Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: 300 Redwings Sconser Golf Course, 7 Black-throated Divers, 4 Great Northern Divers (all Bob McMillan per skye-birds.org)

Sutherland: 9 Little Gulls, 1 Little Auk Brora rivermouth (Dean MacAskill)
Picture
24/10/2021 Mediterranean Gull, Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)
Sunday 24th October

Easter Ross: 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Barnacle Geese, 5 Common Crossbills (Bob Wilson, John Poyner).

Inverness: Pochard Loch Flemington (Graham Neville, Graeme Prest), 4 Barnacle Geese Easter Dalziel-                                              - Castle Stuart (Graeme Prest).

Lochaber: 55 Greenland White-fronted Geese Kentra Moss (Andrew Dacre)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1CY  Mediterranean Gull, 7 Whooper Swans, 6 Greenshanks Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).

Saturday 23rd October

Easter Ross: 2 Little Egrets at Rhynie end of Loch Eye (Bob Swann), 5 Barnacle and 1 White-fronted Geese Udale Bay (Sue Sykes).

Inverness: Merlin Castle Stuart (Thomas Plant), White-tailed Eagle over North Kessock towards Merkinch (Bob Wilson).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2 Grey Phalaropes Irishman's Point, Broadford (Davy Ogilvie per skye-birds.org)

Sutherland: 6 Little Gulls, pale-bellied Brent Goose, 211 Ringed Plovers Brora (Dean MacAskill), Arctic Tern Embo (Dean MacAskill).

Friday 22nd October

Easter Ross: Greenland White-fronted Goose and Slavonian Grebe Udale Bay ("Tay"), 7 Black-tailed Godwits Udale Bay (Lynda Graham).

Inverness: male Pochard and Scaup Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Pochard Loch Meallt, Magpie Ellishadder and 26 Barnacle Geese Staffin Island (all Neil Bennett per skye-birds.org)

Sutherland: 10 Black-tailed Godwits Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Thursday 21st October

Easter Ross: Todd's Canada Goose in  fields between Fearn Station and Culrossie (Bob Swann, "Oscar"), 2 Black-throated Divers Tarbat Ness flew SW into Dornoch Firth (Dave Tanner), juv long-tailed Skua lingering then headed S at Tarbat Ness, also 2 Bonxies, Manx Shearwater there ("Matthew"), 2 Barnacle Geese Brucefield Farm, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) 2 Little Egrets, Jack Snipe, Goshawk, 32 Shovelers, 109 Coots Loch Eye (Bob Swann).

Inverness: juv Little Gull Fort George (Colin Leslie), Kingfisher Merkinch LNR (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: Pochard Loch Mealt (JDS per skye-birds)

Sutherland: Swallow Embo Pier (Dean MacAskill), Magpie Strathy Point (per BirdGuides), White-tailed Eagle attacking Greylag Geese then a seal at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill).
Wednesday 20th October

Easter Ross: Todd's Canada Goose Nigg Bay (Peter Stronach), later at Loch Eye when flushed by a dog (per BirdGuides), Yellow-browed Warbler and Chiffchaff Tarbat Ness (Dave Barnett, Alan MacAskill), Jack Snipe near Tarbat Ness (Simon Levene), Yellow-browed Warbler with Long-tailed Tits Corrimony ("Matthew"), 26 Whooper Swans, 94 Coots Loch Eye (Alan MacAskill, Dave Barnett), Tundra Bean Goose with Pinkfooted Geese Nigg Bay (per BirdGuides).

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant Goose Allanfearn (Peter Stronach), 2 Kingfishers Merkinch LNR (Caroline Snow).

Lochaber: a late Manx Shearwater 2 miles east of Muck (Ronnie Dyer).

Sutherland: 10 Grey Plovers, 12 Twites Dornoch (Dean MacAskill), 14 Little Gulls and a late Arctic Tern Brora (Dean MacAskill).

Tuesday 19th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Large number of Redwings with some Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush, Spey Dam (Sue Sykes)

Easter Ross: Little Egret Loch Eye (per BirdTrack), Yellow-browed Warbler, Tarbat Ness (Bob Swann). Six Slavonian Grebes, Three Greenshank and four Black-tailed Godwits, Udale Bay (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: Two Barnacle Geese, three Shoveler and a Long-tailed Duck, Alturlie (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: Pochard still on Loch Mealt, Staffin (SG,JDJ) four Whooper Swans on Loch Suardal (PJ) and three on Storr Loch (JDJ) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Seven Brambling, Achavandra, Dornoch also large flock of Redwings (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 18th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: One Fieldfare and 140+ Redwings, Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross:  20 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler, 1000 +  Wigeon, 230 Pintail and 500 Teal, Tain Links (Dave Tanner), Single Pied Flycatcher, Ring Ouzel, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Short-eared Owl, Tarbat Ness (Bob Swann). Five Barnacle Geese, Udale Bay (Mary Galloway). Little Auk, Portmahomack (Matthew)

Lochaber: Yellow-browed Warbler, Cow Hill Path, Fort William (Stu Crutchfield via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: Pochard still on Loch Mealt with 21 Tufted Duck (RMcM) per Skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Large arrival of Redwings in SE Sutherland (Dean MacAskill) Single Brent Goose, Dornoch Point (Alison Graham)
​
Sunday 17th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Two Bramblings, Drumguish (Dave Pierce) one Swallow, Grantown (Sue Sykes).

Easter Ross: Single Velvet Scoter, six Great Northern Diver, one Great skua, one Arctic Skua and 20 Long-tailed Ducks, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Little Egret, Udale Bay (John Picton)

Inverness: c90 Redwings Leys Estate (Alan MacAskill). Greenland white-fronted Goose, Loch Flemington (Sandy Morrison)  Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Garbole, Strathdearn (Rachel Rendell)

Skye & Lochalsh: Drake Pochard, Loch Mealt near Staffin (ML), Little Egret,  Loch Long at Killilan (per MB), Arctic Skua at  Lub Scor, Duntuilm (RMcM), three Slavonian Grebes, Loch Ainort (RMcM) Little Egret on Staffin Island (per JDJ) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Balearic Shearwater, five Great Skua, one Arctic Tern, eight Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Northern Divers, two Pomarine Skuas, one Arctic Skua, four Little Gulls, 16 Long-tailed Ducks and one Goldeneye past Brora (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 16th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Fifty Redwings and two Ring Ouzels, Pitmain Lodge, Kingussie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: One Snow Bunting, Balintore (Simon Levene). Single Black-throated Diver, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) 200+ Whooper Swans, Fearn Station (Mark Smiles)

Inverness: Single Brent Goose and one White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese, Easter Dalziel (Alan MacAskill and Simeon Ewing) Two Swallows and 24 Whooper Swans, Loch Meiklie (Carol Miller) Eight Whooper Swans, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Mandarin Duck and Pintail, Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte). Two House Martins, Drumnadrochit (per John Ross)

Skye & Lochalsh: Eight Whooper Swans  south over Drumfearn, Sleat (PK), single Brambling calling over Kyleakin (PK), good arrival of Redwings at Kilmuir and 10 trapped, these birds were of the nominate iliacus race (JDJ), two Chiffchaffs, Kilmory, Rum (SM) all per skye-birds.com. Two Pomarine Skuas, Uig to Lochmaddy Ferry (per BirdGuides)

Sutherland: Six Whooper Swans, Loch Evelix (Jort). Nine Grey Plovers, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 15th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Two Redwings, Grantown (Blair Johnston), c40 Redwings and 4 Ring Ouzels, Gaick (Dave Pierce). 17 Whooper Swans near Carrbridge (Angus MIller)

Easter Ross: 48 Whooper Swans, Strathpeffer (Fiona) Four Great Northern Diver, three Red-throated Diver, two Purple Sandpiper and 16 Whooper Swan at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Two Whooper Swans, 11 Scaup, 174 Golden Plover, 250 Knot, two Long-tailed Ducks and three Goldeneye, Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber: Four Hawfinch over Fort William this morning (Stu Crutchfield)

Skye & Lochalsh: Little Egret, Uig Bay (Seth Gibson) another at the head of Loch Long, Lochalsh (per JN)  seven Whooper Swans, Loch Snizort (JS), two over Kinloch Glen, Rum with 41 then 10 over Kilmory later (SM), 14 at Loch Greshornish  and 34 over south (SC); 16 in separate groups over Ashaig (NH, RMcM); 12 over Drumfearn (PK); five over Elgol (GP); 13 over Broadford (NB); single at Loch Long (JN). Five Brent Geese, Broadford, three Great Northern Divers in Broadford Bay (DS) and four at Achnacloich, Sleat (RMcM) all per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: c80 Barnacle Geese, Loch Ewe (Morag McCullagh)
​
Thursday 14th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Yellow-browed Warbler calling Station Road, Carrbridge (Duncan Macdonald)

Easter Ross:  Immature Sabines Gull (West at 0856), one adult Little Gull (initially West at 0848 then East towards Rosemarkie Bay before returning West past point at 0918), 26 Red-throated Divers, 11 Whooper Swan, 10 Common Scoter, 84 Long-tailed Duck, one Black Guillemot at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). c200 Whooper Swans between Portmahomack and Inver (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: 20 Brent Geese, Broadford Bay (R McM) 150+ Redwings, Drumfearn, Sleat (PK) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Two Grey Plovers, single Great Northern Diver and a Snow Bunting, Dornoch also one Tundra Bean Goose, two Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylags and Pinkfeet, Wester Lonvine (Matthew). 12 Whooper Swans, Embo (Alister Clunas)
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Wednesday 13th October

Easter Ross: 18 Red-throated Divers, two Scaup, four Common Scoter, 107 Long-tailed Ducks, one Greenshank and 25 Dunlin, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). Ringtail Hen Harrier, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Grey-Bellied Brant with Pink-footed Goose flock, Easter Dalziel also one Greenland White-fronted Goose and one Barnacle Goose (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove still visiting feeders in Uig garden (WH), single Yellow-browed Warbler, Tokavaig also Slavonian Grebe there (PK). Nine Greenshank at Loch Portree (GP).  14 House Sparrows at Kilmory, Rum today (SM) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Six Little Gulls, two Wheatears, four Long-tailed Ducks and a Merlin, Brora (Dean MacAskill)
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Tuesday 12th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Swifts, Aviemore (Craig Johnstone). 30 Redwings, Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross : Six Red-throated Divers, four Pale-bellied Brent Geese, three Common Scoter and 65 Long-tailed Duck, Chanonry (Kevin Davis). 16 Black-tailed Godwits and female Shoveler, Redcastle (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove still in private garden, Uig. Nine Barnacle Geese, Portree (JDJ), eight at Broadford (PO-W) and 106 south over Kilmory, Rum (SM). Six Brent Geese, Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W). 17 Whooper Swans on Loch Long, Lochalsh (LT) and six, Broadford Bay (PO-W). Five House Sparrows at Kilmuir, Rum are a local rarity (SM) all per skye-birds.com.

Sutherland: Rosy Starling still at Balnakiel also 22 Redwing, 33 Golden Plover, single "Greenland" Wheatear and 6 Gadwall (Dean MacAskill)
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Monday 11th October

Easter Ross : One Great Northern Diver, two Black-throated and 22 Red-throated Divers along with seven Common Scoter, One Black Guillemot and 10 Long-tailed Duck, Chanonry (Kevin Davis) also one Arctic Skua there (Jonathan Willet)

Inverness: c130 Scaup, four Long-tailed Duck and one Slavonian Grebe, Milton of Culloden also two Shoveler, Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove still in private garden, Uig (Bob McMillan) Eight Whooper Swans south over Lochailort (SMacD) and six at the head of Loch Long (JN). 1st reports of Barnacle Geese from Rum with eight then seven west at Kilmory (SM), 36 over Kilt Rock (MC) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: c300 Siskins and Lesser Redpoll along with several Redwing and three Jays, Strath Brora also 21 Barnacle Geese and a single Black-tailed Godwit at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill) Puffin, Strathy Beach (Sylvia Price)
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Sunday 10th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Redwing and three Swallows at Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: 5 Pintail, Udale Bay (Alister Clunas)

Skye & Lochalsh: 21 Whooper Swans south over Kilmory, Rum (SM) and a single on Ardnish, Broadford, also a Wheatear here (PO-W). 10 Greenshank, Loch Portree and eight Bar-tailed Godwit (NB). Four Brent Geese, Loch Ainort (RMcM) all per skye-birds.com.

Sutherland: SOC outing to Sutherland had the following highlights - Dornoch beach - Pomarine Skua, Common Tern and  c400 Common Scoter, Embo- Sanderlings, Turnstones, Ringed Plovers and Red-throated Divers, Loch Fleet- two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 
Brora - eight Little Gulls and a colour ringed Shag (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: Sabine's Gull, Ullapool river mouth (per BirdGuides)
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Saturday 9th October
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Badenoch & Strathspey: c 1,500 Greylag Goose near Carrbridge, some Pink-footed Goose amongst the flock also (Sue Sykes).  Eleven Swallow at Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Wheatear on Fortose golf course (Mary Galloway)

Sutherland: three Black-throated Diver and 30 Golden Plover at Coul links, while at Embo were singles of Pomarine Skua and an immature Common Tern (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: Seven Whooper Swans and one Great Northern Diver, Achnahaird (Stuart Edwards)
Friday 8th October
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Badenoch & Strathspey: two Chiffchaff at Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: two Brent Goose at Hilton of Cadboll ('Ems').  Two Redwing and single Chiffchaff at Heights of Docharty (Simon Cohen)

Inverness: Blackcap and three Chiffchaff at Merkinch LNR (Alan MacAskill).  Red-throated Diver at South Kessock (Jane Shadforth)

Lochaber: juvenile Scaup on Loch Shiel near Acharacle (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove still in Uig ('WH').  13 Whooper Swan at Broadford Bay (Martin Benson) plus six Brent Goose (Neil Bennett).  Yellow-browed Warbler at Trumpan (BirdGuides) - per skye-birds.com
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Thursday 7th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: ten Swallow at Drumguish (Dave Pierce)
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Easter Ross: leucistic Golden Plover amongst flock at Nigg (Blair Johnston).  Two Barnacle Goose, single Greenland White-fronted Goose​ amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Udale, plus 25 Golden Plover (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove in Uig (Seth Gibson via Bob McMillan).  Wheatear leucorhoa ssp. at Skeabost (J D Jones) - per skye-birds.com
Wednesday 6th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: 13 Swallow at Laggan Bridge (Dave Pierce).  Chiffchaff and Blackcap visiting garden in Ardgeal (Duncan Macdonald)
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Inverness: Redwing and two Whooper Swan at Loch Duntelchaig, while Loch Ashie held two Slavonian Grebe (Blair Whyte)

Easter Ross: two Brambling in a private garden in Newton Kinkell (Robert Greenwood).  Single Barnacle Goose and Greenland White-fronted Goose​ amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Udale, plus c230 Scaup at Jemimaville (Ian Ford)

Sutherland: 19 Grey Plover and four Black-tailed Godwit at Dornoch point - leucistic Linnet also seen.  At Embo were five Brambling and three Jay (Dean MacAskill).  Turtle Dove at Scourie (Dave Shackleton)

Wester Ross: movements of Redwing and Whooper Swan in the Coigach area (Stuart Edwards)
Tuesday 5th October

Easter Ross: three Swallow at Chanonry Point (John Poyner)
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Inverness: 90 Redshank and three Dunlin at Merkinch LNR (Caroline Snow)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Meditteranean Gull at Bayfield, Portree ('SG').  Large movement of Pink-footed Geese through the area - per per skye-birds.com.  Four Redwing at Heasta (Ian Ford)

Sutherland: 15 Grey Plover at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)

Monday 4th October

Inverness: 30 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, three Scaup, two Slavonian Grebe and single Chiffchaff at Milton of Culloden, while at Loch Flemington was a female Pochard and a single Chiffchaff (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: single Storm Petrel seen from the MV Sheerwater off Eigg (Ronnie Dyer).  Six Whooper Swan on Loch Harport (G Lake).  33 Brent Geese at Broadford Bay ('ML') plus eight Red-throated Diver and single Great Northern Diver (Neil Bennett); Neil also recorded 27 Brents at the head of Loch Ainort - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: eleven Swallow and single Chiffchaff at Dornoch lochans ('Jort')

Sunday 3rd October

Skye & Lochalsh: 46 Brent Geese at Broadford Bay ('P-OW'), with twelve Whooper Swan flying in later (Martin Benson).  At Bayfield, Portree was a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, plus eight Greenshank at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) - per per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: five Little Gull at Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 2nd October

Badenoch & Strathspey: 2 Whooper Swans Insh Marshes (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: Peregrine Udale Bay (Robert Greenwood). 41 Black-tailed Godwits Tain (Bob Swann), 12 Brent Geese, 30 Golden Plovers, 1 Grey Plover, 60 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Dunlins, 250 Ringed Plovers Inver (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber: female-type Blue-winged Teal flushed and flew south Fort William (Stu Crutchfield).

Skye & Lochalsh: 45 Brent Geese around Glas Eilean, Broadford, 32 Brent Geese head of Loch Ainort and 6 head of Loch Portree, 4 Slavonian Grebes Loch Ainort (all Neil Bennett).
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Friday 1st October.

Easter Ross: 14 Brent Geese, 13 Long-tailed Ducks, Merlin Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). 

Inverness: 35 Brent Geese Culloden/Milton of Culloden (James Gordon), 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Slavonian Grebes Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: 54 Brent Geese Kilmuir (MMcA per skye-birds.org)

Sutherland: Rosy Starling S of Balnakeil Marsh (per Birdguides), 9 Greenshanks Skelbo (Dean McAskill), 20 Twites, 1 Brent Goose Skelbo ("Jort-Dornoch")
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Thursday 30th September

Inverness: 15 Brent Geese, 5 Scaups, 16 Black-tailed Godwits Alturlie (Blair Whyte), Kingfisher Merkinch LNR (Blair Whyte).


Lochaber: 6 Brent Geese past Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris per skye-birds.org).

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove still at Kilmuir (MMcA per skye-birds.org), 42 Brent Geese Broadford Bay and 29 head of Loch Ainort (Bob McMillan per skye-birds.org), 12 Brent Geese Loch Portree (Neil Bennett per skye-birds.org).
Wednesday 29th September

Skye & Lochalsh: juv Sabine's Gull Duntulm (Bob McMillan), Turtle Dove Kilmuir (Bob McMillan), 60 Brent Geese Broadford Bay, 16 flew W later (NB, P O-W per skye-birds.org), 10 Brent Geese Loch Portree, 38 at head of Loch Ainort (Bob McMillan per skye-birds.org), 4 Brent Geese Sconser ( SA )

Wester Ross: Juv Sabines Gull, 2 Storm Petrels, 2 Arctic Skuas, 3 Sooty Shearwaters Ullapool-Stornoway, 4 Arctic Skuas on return (Alan MacAskill et al), 2 Magpies Bealach na Ba (Blair Whyte).
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Tuesday 28th September

Easter Ross: 45 Brent Geese & 25 Black-tailed Godwits Tain (Bob Swan), 11 Black-tailed Godwits and an Osprey Udale Bay (Pete Gordon).

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove still in private garden, Kilmuir (MMcA per skye-birds.org), 20 Brent Geese Portree, 14 Loch Ainort, 24 Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett per skye-birds.org), Grey Plover Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett per skye-birds.org),  juv Long-tailed Skua & 5 Storm Petrels Uig-Tarbert ferry (per BirdGuides). 
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Monday 27th September

Easter Ross: adult Grey-bellied Brant flew SE in morning  with Pink-footed Geese from Udale Bay (per BirdGuides), later 11 Black-tailed Godwits, Kingfisher, Whooper Swan, pale bellied Brent Goose (Tim Stowe),  Taiga Been Goose there (Kevin Davis), 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper Tain Links (Bob Swann).

Inverness: 6 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Wheatears Alturlie Bay (Dave Pierce)

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove Kilmuir (Marcus Mc Adam), Brent Geese at Broadford Bay (22) possibly same birds at Breakish Obbe (Bob McMillan, Neil Bennett), also 20 at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) and group at Loch Ainort (LD).

Sutherland: Great Northern Diver Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill). 

Sunday 26th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: Kingfisher flew downstream at Broomhill Bridge (Simon Eaves).

Easter Ross: Grey-bellied Brant and adult Greenland White-fronted Goose Munlochy Bay (per BirdGuides), adult Greenland White-fronted Goose Nigg Bay (per Birdguides),  2 Yellow-browed Warblers calling behind St Regulus Church, Cromarty (Martin Benson), Velvet Scoter Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Pectoral Sandpiper, Osprey, 2 Greenshanks, Barnacle Goose, 4 Black-tailed Godwits  Udale Bay (Blair Whyte), Ruddy Shelduck Udale Bay (per BirdGuides), 100 Scaups. 3 Slavonian Grebes Jemimaville (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: 20 Brent Geese Loch Portree, 18 Brent Geese Broadford Bay, 37 Brent Geese head of Loch Ainort (Bob McMillan), juv Mediterranean Gull head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), Black-tailed Godwit Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: 5 Little Gulls, 2 Bonxies Brora River mouth (Dean MacAskill). 

Saturday 25th September

Easter Ross: Osprey still at Udale Bay (Ro Scott)

Sutherland: Six Bramblings, Achavandra Muir also 118 Ringed Plover, 36 Dunlin, three Knot and nine Turnstone, Embo Pier (all Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: 46 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Achiltibuie (Stuart Edwards)
Friday 24th September

Badenoch & Strathspey:  Chiffchaff and five Blackcaps in garden, Ardgeal (Duncan Macdonald). Mandarin, Loch Garten (Simon Eaves) Three Scaup, Lochindorb (per BirdGuides)

Easter Ross: Female Shoveler, Tain Wildlife Pond (Graham Neville) Nine Whooper Swans, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) 10 Slavonian Grebes, Jemimaville (per BirdGuides)

Inverness: Four Pintail and six Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Alturlie (Blair Whyte) Later at Alturlie 22 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, one Red-throated Diver, two Black-throated Divers, Merlin, two Wheatear and a Chiffchaff (Lynda Graham). Eight Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Merkinch (Chloe)

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Sabine's Gull, Leach's Storm Petrel, Pomarine Skua and 50 Storm Petrels Uig-Lochmaddy Ferry (per BirdGuides) Five Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Glas Eilean, Broadford and 26 at the head of Loch Ainort (NB), late brood of House Martins still in nest at Harrapool, Broadford (NB) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Six Whooper Swans, The Mound (Tay) 16 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 34 Sandwich Terns, Dornoch Point, 11 Pale-bellied Brents at Skelbo (Dean MacAskill) Single Curlew Sandpiper, Embo Pier (Jort)

Wester Ross: 15 Whooper Swans, Gruinard Bay and 1st Winter Mediterranean Gull, Ullapool River mouth (Nick Truby)
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Thursday 23rd September

Large numbers of Pink-footed Geese reported throughout the area today.

Badenoch & Strathspey: Chiffchaff and Blackcap in garden and 24 Canada Geese overhead, Ardgeal (Duncan Macdonald)

Easter Ross: White-tailed Eagle, one Arctic Skua (dark), four Scaup, one Common Scoter, 16 Red-Throated Diver and 59 Sandwich Terns at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). c60 Scaup, two Slavonian Grebes and one Osprey, Udale bay and Jemimaville (Jort). Possible Lesser (parvipes) Canada Goose, Udale Bay

Inverness: 34 Whooper Swans, Alturlie (Tim Stowe) 

Skye & Lochalsh: single Black-tailed Godwit west over Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC) single Great Northern Diver at Sconser Bay (AMcL) three Whimbrel, Broadford Bay (NB) four Pale-bellied Brent Geese in Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC), 10 at Kilmory, Rum (SM), 85 Loch Ainort and 70 at Glas Eilean, Broadford (NB) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Nine! Sabines Gulls (6adults, 3juvs), 96 Great Skuas, 14 Arctic Skuas, 12 Pomarine Skuas, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 45 Sooty Shearwaters, 29 Manx Shearwaters, five Great Northern Divers, 10 Red-throated Divers and 84 Comic Terns (mainly Common) from Strathy Point (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull, Ullapool (no sign of Sabines Gull) (per BirdGuides)

Wednesday 22nd September

Easter Ross: One Arctic Skua, 21 Red-throated Divers, one Goldeneye, Chanonry Point at Udale Bay seven Black-tailed Godwits, one Greenshank, one Kingfisher and an Osprey (Kevin Davis) later two Little Stints (initially at Udale Bay) with six Knot, two Black-tailed Godwits, One Golden Plover and 256 Scaup at Jemimaville (Blair Whyte). Ringtail Hen Harrier, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Two Grey Plovers, Breakish Obbe (NH) three Whimbrel in Broadford Bay (NB), 20 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Loch Ainort  and 45 in Broadford Bay (NB) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Juvenile Sabines Gull, 11 Sooty Shearwaters, 120 Pale-bellied Brent geese, two Great Northern Divers, Arctic Skua, Great Skua, Manx Shearwaters and 17 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Strathy Point also seven Greenshank and a Common Eider (with sails) at Skelbo (all Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: Adult winter Sabines Gull, Ullapool River mouth also six Sooty Shearwaters, Ullapool-Stornoway Ferry (per BirdGuides) also from the ferry eight Storm Petrels, one adult Pomarine Skua, 11 Sooty Shearwaters and two Manx Shearwaters (Ian Ford)
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Tuesday 21st September

Easter Ross: One Black-throated Diver, 20 Red-throated Divers, one Pintail, five Long-tailed Duck and one Merlin, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: Two Shoveler and a Pintail, Alturlie (Dave Pierce)

Skye & Lochalsh: Still four Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Kildonan, Eigg (JC)  and a single at the head of Loch Ainort (NB). Six Pintail at the head of Loch Ainort (NB) Whimbrel flying west through Broadford Bay and another at the head of Loch Portree (NB) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Three Little Gulls and three Great Northern Divers, Brora (Dean MacAskill). Hen Harrier, Dornoch beach (Blair Whyte)

Monday 20th September

Easter Ross: Two Arctic skua (both dark), one Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 14 Red-throated Diver, one Common Scoter, four Long-Tailed Duck and 34 Canada Geese, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis) also two Whooper Swans there (John Carruthers).

Inverness: Two Grey Plovers, Fort George (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: Three Arctic Skuas (2 dark + a pale morph) Eight Great Skuas, 300+ Kittiwakes, 200+ Gannet and three Red-throated Divers, Luib Score, Duntulm also eight Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Bayfield, Portree (all Neil Bennett)

Sunday 19th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: Kingfisher, River Spey at Cromdale (Kev Cuthbert)

​Easter Ross: 165 Pink-footed Geese, 56 Scaup and 29 Slavonian Grebes, Jemimaville and single Black-tailed Godwit, Udale Bay (Kevin Davis) also at Udale, single Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 21 Dunlin and an Osprey (Bob Wilson). c1000 Linnets, Brucefield Farm, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: c350 Pink-footed Geese over (along with large numbers of Skylarks) and one Black-tailed Godwit, Whiteness (Colin Leslie). 42 Pink-footed Geese and 45 Black-tailed Godwits, Beauly Firth (Sue Pettitt)

Sutherland: Rosy Starling, four Ruff and three Gadwall, Balnakeil Marsh, (Alan MacAskill)

Saturday 18th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: Marsh Harrier, Insh Marshes (Tom). Probable Pectoral Sandpiper, Spey Dam (Fraser Todd)

Easter Ross: Three Arctic Skua,  one Great Skua, one Purple Sandpiper, 122 Sandwich Terns and 210 Gannets Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: Ruff, two Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver, one Slavonian Grebe and three Black-tailed Godwits, Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Sutherland: C350 Pink-footed Geese past Brora (also sighting of a Swordfish!!) (Dean MacAskill)
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Friday 17th September

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver SW, male Velvet Scoter SW, 5 Goosanders SE, 150 Knots Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). One Long-tailed Skua, three Arctic Skua (2 dark, 1 pale), one Common Scoter, 55 Wigeon, 14 Red-throated Divers, 55 Sandwich Tern, 60+ Knot and 10 dunlin, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: 28 pale bellied Brent Geese Castle Stuart and 3 Wheatears Alturlie (Bob Wilson) also there later, single Pintail, two Red-throated Divers, Golden Plover, 11 Black-tailed Godwits and two Great Skuas (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Traigh, Morar (SC via skye-birds.com)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, Loch Portree (Neil Bennett). Two Slavonian Grebes, Loch Ainort (per BirdGuides)

Sutherland: juv Buff-breasted Sandpiper Balnakeil (per BirdGuides).
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Thursday 16th September

Easter Ross: 12 pale-bellied Brent Geese Tarbat Ness flying towards Lossiemouth Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Peregrine & 15 Black-tailed Godwits Redcastle (Bob Wilson), 3 Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, 4 Wheatears Inver Bay (Bob Wilson), Arctic Skua, Bonxie, 11 Brent Geese, Black-throated Diver, 11 Red-throated Divers, 8 Common Scoters, 220 Sandwich Terns, Long-tailed Duck Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis), Black-throated Diver Chanonry Point (Bob Wilson)

Inverness: Arctic Skua Alturlie (Carol Miller), 6 Black-tailed Godwits, Common Scoter, 100 Red-breasted Mergansers Alturlie ("Tay")

Lochaber: juv Curlew Sandpiper Traigh, Portnaluchaig (per BirdGuides).

Skye & Lochalsh: juv Mediterranean Gull, 10 Greenshanks, 8 Wigeons Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: Buff-breasted Sandpiper with 100 Golden Plovers Balnakeil (per BirdGuides), adult winter Little Gull & 100 Sanderlings Brora rivermouth (Dave Tanner), Arctic Skua, 2 Wheatears, 12 Sanderlings Dornoch ("Matthew"), 7 Black-throated Divers Golspie ("Matthew")

Wester Ross: 5 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Storm Petrels Ullapool - Stornoway (Dave Barnett et al), 10 Storm Petrels, 60 Manx Shearwaters, 12 Bonxies, 9 Sooty Shearwaters Stornoway - Ullapool (Alan MacAskill et al), juv Sabine's Gull Stornoway-Ullapool (Dean MacAskill) - not all birds seen from ferry were in Highland

Wednesday 15th September

Inverness: 5 pale bellied Brent Geese and a Wheatear Fort George (Blair Whyte), 70 Dunlins, 30 Ringed Plovers, 5 Sanderlings Fort George (Graeme Prest), 2 Greenshanks Connage, Ardersier (Blair Whyte), Long-tailed Duck, 104 Red-breasted Mergansers Ardersier Bay (Graeme Prest), 12 Brent Geese flew into Ardersier Bay (Graeme Prest).

Wester Ross: 45 Black-throated Divers, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Tysties Gruinard Bay (Matthew).

Tuesday 14th September 

Badenoch & Strathspey: 3 Shovelers Loch Insh (Dave Pierce),

Easter Ross: probable Northern (borealis) Common Eider Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: Peregrine, Bonxie, Black-tailed Godwit Alturlie (Bob Wilson), 20 pale bellied Brent Geese, Slavonian Grebe, 3 Shovelers, 15 Black-tailed Godwits Alturlie (Blair Whyte), 3 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Scaups, 2 Goldeneyes, 2 Bonxies Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: 22 Black-tailed Godwits Broadford Bay (Martin Benson).

Sutherland: Little Gull Brora (Dean MacAskill).

Monday 13th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: eclipse male Mandarin Loch Garten (Steve Broyd).

Easter Ross: 2 Black-tailed Godwits Beauly (Bob Wilson), Black-throated Diver SE Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), female Hen Harrier, 2 Ospreys Gordon's Mill (Mark Finn), 5 Pink-footed Geese Udale Bay (John Poyner).

Inverness: 2 Black-tailed Godwits Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte), 2 Arctic Skuas, Bonxie Kessock Bridge (John Poyner), 19 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Black-tailed Godwits (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: Lesser Whitethroat Glen Nevis, 7 Bramblings Upper Achintore, Fort William (Stu Crutchfield).


Sunday 12th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: 14 Ring Ousels Gaick (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: 2 Sooty Shearwaters N and Great Northern Diver SE Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 2 Slavonian Grebes, 11 Shovelers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits Loch Eye (Bob Swann), 2 Arctic Skuas, Bonxie, 2 Velvet Scoters, 3 Common Scoters, 110 Golden Plovers, 18 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Red-throated Divers Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis),

Inverness: pair of Ruffs, 3 Black-tailed Godwits Alturlie (Blair Whyte), 2 Slavonian Grebes, 39 pale-bellied Brent Geese, drake Scaup, 4  Pintails Alturlie (Matthew), 8 Pintails Fort George (Colin Leslie).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls head of Loch Portree (ML), 2 Arctic Skuas, Great Northern Diver The Aird, Gedintailor (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: Pied Flycatcher Oldshoremore and Lesser Whitethroat Balnakeil (Rob Hughes), 9 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Wheatears, 2 Arctic Skua, 29 Shelducks Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).

Saturday 11th September

Badenoch & Strathspey:  two Whinchat at Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: at Chanonry Point were two Pomarine Skua (one a juvenile), singles of Arctic (dark phase) and Great Skua, seven Sanderling, 14 Dunlin, plus - unusual for the location - a single Little Grebe (Kevin Davis)

​Inverness: 34 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 42 Bar-tailed Godwit, ten Black-tailed Godwit, c60 Knot, four Sandwich Tern and two Red-throated Diver in Castle Stuart bay (Alan MacAskill).  A juvenile Great Skua was seen off Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: four Pale-bellied Brent Goose in Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett), with another 35 at the head of Loch Portree (J D Jones).  Amongst the waders at the latter were 90 Curlew, nine Greenshank, two Knot and seven Bar-tailed Godwit (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com 

Friday 10th September
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Badenoch & Strathspey:  single male and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier at Insh reserve (Dave Pierce)
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​Inverness: Pectoral Sandpiper,  15 Black-tailed Godwit, four Pintail and 15 Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Alturlie (Blair Whyte)  NB birders are reminded that access to the pools is on foot ONLY

Skye & Lochalsh: eight Sanderling at Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 19 Pink-footed Goose, three Pale-bellied Brent Goose and single Black-tailed Godwit at Dornoch point (Dean MacAskill)

Thursday 9th September

Badenoch & Strathspey:  female Mandarin duck at Loch Garten (Scott Armstrong via eBird)

Easter Ross: single Ruff at Balintore harbour, also seen were singles of Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater and Manx Shearwater plus four Arctic Skua, three Great Skua and three Pale-bellied Brent Goose  (Simon Levene).  Four Sooty Shearwater at Tarbat Ness (Bob Swann)
​
​Inverness: two Ruff at Alturlie water works (Blair Whyte)

​Lochaber: Curlew Sandpiper at Traigh, Morar (Steven MacDonald via Bob McMillan)
​
Skye & Lochalsh: two juvenile Mediterranean Gull, six Greenshank plus singles of Black-tailed Godwit, Knot and Pale-bellied Brent Goose, at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett/Bob McMillan).  30 Pale-bellied Brent Goose through Broadford Bay (J. Babb) and 12 Knot (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 17 Pale-bellied Brent Goose past Dornoch, while at Brora a juvenile Black Tern was recorded amongst six Little Gulls, plus 38 Sooty Shearwater, 14 Manx Shearwater, six Arctic Skua plus singles of Pomarine and Great Skua (Dean MacAskill)
​
Wednesday 8th September

Easter Ross:  intermedius ssp Lesser Black-backed Gull  between Brucehaven and Wilkhaven farms at Tarbat Ness  (Dave Tanner).

​Lochaber: Curlew Sandpiper at Traigh, Morar (via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: now two juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), while 60 Pale-bellied Brent Geese have arrived in Broadford Bay (Bob McMillan)

Sutherland: Rosy Starling in Skelbo (Dean MacAskill).  At Embo were 21 Ringed Plover, 34 Dunlin, 28 Sanderling, 20 Turnstone and four Red-throated Diver (Alan MacAskill)
Tuesday 7th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Whooper Swan at Spey Dam (Kate Mennie).  Spotted Flycatcher in the Lynachlaggan area of Insh Marshes reserve (Dave Killick)

Easter Ross: three Knot and single Wheatear at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Near Redcastle were five Black-tailed Godwit, three Greenshank and nine Dunlin (Bob Wilson).  15 Bar-tailed Godwit, three Pintail, single Shoveler plus leucistic Canada Goose and Canada x Greylag Goose hybrid at Udale (Tay Davies).  Single Pomarine Skua, two Arctic Skua, two Puffin, ten Red-throated Diver, 65 Sandwich Tern, six Common Scoter off Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

​Inverness: eclipse Gadwall at Connage (Craig Johnstone)

​Lochaber: Curlew Sandpiper at Traigh, Morar (Steven MacDonald) - per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: c30 Whimbrel overflew Broadford Bay (Martin Benson), while also at the location were two Knot (Bob McMillan).  At Loch Portree alongside the lingering juvenile Mediterranean Gull were two Willow Warbler, single Knot, six Bar-tailed Godwit, single Black-tailed Godwit and seven Greenshank (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Sabine's Gull (still in sumplum) seen from The Mound by Loch Fleet, amongst Black-headed/Common Gulls (Calum Urquhart/Bob Swann/Simon Levene/Dave Tanner) - map link courtesy of DT tinyurl.com/6xh6scfs
Monday 6th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: Nuthatch visiting private garden in Nethybridge (via John Poyner).  Single Knot plus juvenile Cuckoo at the Spey Dam (Fraser Todd)

Easter Ross: Chiffchaff singing at Tain Links, 61 Knot at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Five Arctic Skua (all dark phase), 25 Wigeon, 127 Sandwich Tern, ten Red-throated Diver, 26 Golden Plover and a single Wheatear all at Chanonry Point, while at Udale were eight Pink-footed Goose, 210 Wigeon plus singles of Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and Shoveler (Kevin Davis)

​Inverness: juvenile Great Skua, Wheatear and two White Wagtails at Alturlie (Alan MacAskill).  Single Ruff in Ardersier Bay (Blair Whyte).  c40 Pink-footed Goose at Ardersier (Eva Webster)

​Lochaber: Lesser Whitethroat in Shielfoot (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Loch Portree, while at Viewfield House, Portree was a family of Spotted Flycatchers (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: two Curlew Sandpiper at Dornoch point (Dean MacAskill)
Sunday 5th September

Easter Ross: c60 Tree Sparrow at Tarbat Ness, plus single Greenshank, four Purple Sandpiper, 101 Sandwich Tern and a single Puffin (Dave Tanner)

​Inverness: juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper still present at Alturlie (Fiona Harvey)

Lochaber: seen during the SOC pelagic trip aboard MV Sheerwater from Arisaig were c5 Storm Petrel, two dark phase Arctic Skua (Bob McMillan)

Sutherland: two Whimbrel and 170 Sanderling (mostly juveniles) at Dornoch, while at Brora were six Little Gulls and 163 Sanderling, including 39 juveniles (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 4th September

Badenoch & Strathspey: Four juvenile Whinchats Drumguish and 267 Barnacle Geese, Insh (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Single Ruff, Balintore beach (Simon Levene). Eight Black-tailed Godwits, three Greenshank and one Whimbrel, Udale Bay (Bob Wilson)

Lochaber: Green Sandpiper, Strontian (Jill White per eBird)

Skye & Lochalsh: Two Black-tailed Godwits in Breakish Obbe (NH) and juvenile Whinchat, Harrapool (NB) Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Loch Portree (NB) per skye-birds.com. Nine Storm Petrels, one Great Skua and one Manx Shearwater, Uig to Lochmaddy Ferry (Alan MacAskill). 
​
Friday 3rd September

Badenoch & Strathspey: Late Cuckoo, Ruthven (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Five Black-tailed Godwits, Redcastle (Bob Wilson). 14 Common Scoter, 11 Sooty Shearwaters, 9 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Arctic Skuas and one Pomarine Skua in two hour seawatch at Tarbat Ness also 13 Black-tailed Godwits and one Grey Plover, Inver (all Dean MacAskill). 

Inverness: Two Scaup, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and one Greenshank offshore at Alturlie (Blair Whyte). Juvenile Ruff and two Black-tailed Godwits, Ardersier Bay (Milo Mole)

Skye & Lochalsh: 10 Storm Petrel, two Great Skuas and one Leach's Petrel, Uig to Lochmaddy Ferry (Alan MacAskill). Nuthatch on feeders, Dornie (Julie & Brian Neath) per skye-birds.com
Thursday 2nd September

Easter Ross: One Slavonian Grebe off Drumancroy, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Two Whimbrel and one juvenile Great Skua, Fort George (Colin Leslie) 

​Skye & Lochalsh: Single Whimbrel off Sconser Quarry flying east (RMcM) per Skye-birds.com.
​
Wednesday 1st September

Easter Ross: 10 Sooty Shearwaters past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Five Arctic Skua, four Puffins, 14 Common Scoter, two Black-throated Divers and 155 Sandwich Terns, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: Juvenile Pomarine Skua, Fort George (Alan MacAskill) also a Long-tailed Duck there (Kate M)

Skye & Lochalsh: Osprey, Kinloch, Rum (SM) per Skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Hobby, Achavandra, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill) 
​
Tuesday 31st August

Easter Ross: Seven Arctic Skua, Chanonry Point (Bob Wilson) 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Pintail, Tain Links (Bob Swann). Possible Little Stint, two Knot and five Black-tailed Godwits, Inver also one Sooty Shearwater, eight Arctic Skua and 11 Manx Shearwaters, Tarbat Ness (Alan MacAskill)

​Inverness: Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Alturlie shoreline (Simeon Ewing)

Sutherland: 17 Little Gulls. Two Sooty Shearwater, Two Arctic Skua and One Great Skua, Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 30th August

Easter Ross: Single Ruff, Tain Links (Dave Tanner). Single Black-tailed Godwit, Three Ospreys and 80 Goldeneye between Coulmore and Redcastle (Bob Wilson). One Pomarine Skua, seven Great Skua, eight Arctic Skua and a Merlin, Chanonry Point, (Kevin Davis) later three Pomarine Skuas (John Carruthers).

Inverness: Two Ruff, three Goldeneye, Ardersier (Blair Whyte) also Lesser Black-backed Gull and single Scaup (Colin Leslie). Two Long-tailed Ducks, Fort George (Blair Whyte)
​
Sunday 29th August

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver SW past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Four Arctic Skua, two Great Skua and Puffin, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness:  2 Ruffs, Shoveler, 2 Black-throated Divers Ardersier (Bob Wilson, Chloe),

Skye & Lochalsh: juv Mediterranean Gull, 9 Greenshanks Head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), 7 Bonxies, 6 Red-throated Divers, Black-throated Diver Camas Mor, Borresketaig (Bob McMillan).
​
Saturday 28th August

​Badenoch & Strathspey: Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier Spey Dam (Fraser Todd).

 Easter Ross: 4 Manx Shearwaters and a Pomarine Skua Chanonry Point (John Carruthers), Whimbrel, Greenshank, Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Wigeons Udale Bay (Dean MacAskill).

Sutherland: 2 Magpies Strathy Point (Blair Whyte).

Wester Ross: Greenish Warbler briefly in willows by campsite Ardmair (Max Webber), Leach's Petrel Oberan Bank, Arisaig (per Birdguides), juv Pomarine Skua, 8 Storm Petrels from Ullapool-Stornoway ferry (per Birdguides).

Friday 27th August

Badenoch & Strathspey: eclipse male Mandarin, Water Rail Loch Garten (Simon Eaves).

Inverness: female Shoveler Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte). 

Easter Ross: Ruff, 200 Wigeons, 3 Pintails Tail Links (Bob Swann).

Skye & Lochalsh: probable Barred Warbler Drumfearn (Phil Knott. Bob McMillan).

Wester Ross: Sooty Shearwater from Ullapool-Stornoway ferry (per BirdGuides). 

Thursday 26th August

Badenoch & Strathspey: Marsh Harrier Insh Marshes, 3 Shovelers and an Osprey Loch Insh (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: 6 Arctic Skuas, Black-tailed Godwit Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). 6 Pink-footed Geese, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshanks Udale Bay (Bob Wilson).

Inverness: Shoveler, Pintail Alturlie Pools (Pete Gordon).

Skye & Lochalsh: juv Mediterranean Gull head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), Sooty Shearwater W of Muck (Stu Crutchfield), Arctic Skua E of Eigg (Stu Crutchfield). 

Wednesday 25th August

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling near Waternish (per Bob McMillan)​, 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: 2 juvenile Little Gulls Dornoch beach (Dean MacAskill).
​
Tuesday 24th August

Easter Ross: 3 Arctic Skuas Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis), 3 Ruffs, 3 Greenshanks, 34 Dunlins Redcastle (Bob Wilson), Black-tailed Godwit Tain Links (Dave Tanner), 58 Little Grebes Loch Eye (Bob Swann).  

Inverness: 3 male Scaups Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: , 9 Sanderlings Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris per skye-birds.com).

Wester Ross: Pomarine Skua fr​om Uig-Tarbert ferry (per BirdGuides).

​
Monday 23rd August

Easter Ross: Ruff, 75 Wigeons, 2 Pintails Tain Links (Bob Swann), Arctic Skua Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Peregrine & 2 drake Scaups Alturlie Pools (Alan MacAskill).

Sutherland: Unconfirmed report of Eleonora's Falcon Glen Roth (per BirdTrack) - there were a couple of reports from down south today,  2 Ruffs, Grey Plover, 2 Arctic Skuas Dornoch Point & Whimbrel Embo (Dean MacAskill).

Sunday 22nd August

Easter Ross: 2 Whimbrels Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), juv Ruff, Merlin, Peregrine, Osprey, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, Wheatear, 230 Ringed Plovers, 150 Dunlins Inver Bay (Craig Whyte).

Inverness: 2 dark Arctic Skuas, 7 Whimbrels, 8 Golden Plovers, 9 Swifts, Osprey Whiteness (Bob Wilson).

Skye & Lochalsh: juv Mediterranean Gull Loch Portree (JJ per skye-birds.com), 12 Knots Ardnish, Broadford (NH per skye-birds.com) Whimbrel Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris per skye-birds.com). 


Saturday 21st August

Easter Ross:  single Arctic Skua and c130 Sandwich Tern off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh:  juvenile Mediterranean Gull at the head of Loch Portree, with nine Greenshank and five Bar-tailed Godwit present also (Neil Bennett).  At Ashaig, Broadford were 18 Sanderling while ten Bar-tailed Godwit were in Broadford Bay (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland:  five Whimbrel, 165 Bar-tailed Godwit and 186 Sandwich Tern at Dornoch point, while at Embo were two Whimbrel and a single Arctic Skua.  Seven Greenshank still present at Loch Fleet (all Dean MacAskill)

Friday 20th August

Inverness: three Arctic Skua, single Long-tailed Duck off Fort George, while a Stock Dove was at Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh:  c1,000 Manx Shearwater in rafts on Loch Slapin (Neil Hinchcliffe) - per skye-birds.com
​
Sutherland:  Rosy Starling still present at Culkein with c30 Common Starlings (David Haines)
​
Thursday 19th August

Easter Ross:  two Quail in uncut barley at Easter Arbroll farm near Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: two juvenile Ruff at Connage (Dave Barnett)

Lochaber: juvenile Little Gull on Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (Jonathan Dean via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Whinchat at Harrapool, Broadford while a single Whimbrel was at Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: seen on the eastern side of The Minch from the Ullapool-Stornoway ferry were singles of Long-tailed Skua and Sooty Shearwater, plus four Storm Petrel (Colin Davies)

Wednesday 18th August

Easter Ross:  drake Velvet Scoter and two Manx Shearwater off Tarbat Ness, plus Short-eared Owl seen nearby between Brucefield and Wilkhaven farms (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: three Pomarine Skua off Fort George, plus single Bar-tailed Godwit amongst Curlew flock at Connage (Craig Johnstone/Mike Crutch)

Skye & Lochalsh: Hobby over Portree, while a drake Common Scoter was in Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

​Sutherland: single Great Shearwater off Strathy Point (Peter Stronach).  Rosy Starling still present on Stoer peninsula (via Twitter)

Tuesday 17th August

Easter Ross:  single Manx Shearwater off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  53 Little Grebe on Loch Eye, with three Whooper Swan and single Scaup present also (Bob Swann)

Inverness: single Whimbrel at Alturlie (Al McNee)

Skye & Lochalsh: leucorhoa ssp. Wheatears passing through Skye at both Neist Point (Andy Stables) and Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com 

​Sutherland: four Pomarine Skua off Embo (Dean MacAskill)

Monday 16th August

Easter Ross:  three dark phase Arctic Skua off Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).  Two Sooty Shearwater at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), while a juvenile Arctic Skua was noted later in the day (Alan MacAskill).  Three Whooper Swans were present amongst 280-plus Mute Swans on Loch Eye (Alan MacAskill)  

Inverness: two Black-tailed Godwit and two Whimbrel at Fort George (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett)

​Sutherland: single Whimbrel, 47 Sanderling, 264 Sandwich Tern at Dornoch point, while at the Skelbo portion of Loch Fleet were seven Greenshank (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: 22 Ringed Plover, ten Sanderling, two Great Northern Diver off Firemore beach, Loch Ewe with some 24 post-breeding/failed breeding Black-throated Divers nearby (Morag McCullagh via Facebook)

Sunday 15th August

Easter Ross: 14 Arctic Skua (nine dark phase, four pale phase, one intermediate), single Puffin, four Sanderling, 44 Sandwich Tern, ten Golden Plover at Chanonry Point early morning (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: seen from Fort George in the afternoon were 47 Sandwich Tern, three Common Tern, six Turnstone, single Arctic Skua, c30 Bar-tailed Godwit flying east, and a single Red-throated Diver (Graeme Prest).  Drake Scaup on Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte)

​Sutherland: single Grey Plover, 20 Sanderling, 148 Sandwich Terns at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 14th August

Easter Ross: One Pomarine Skua, two Arctic Skua, one Manx Shearwater, four Red-throated Divers and 104 Gannets, Chanonry (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: Two Scaup, Loch Flemington also juvenile Ruff, Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte), two Arctic Skua, Fort George also hundreds of Auks between Fort George and Chanonry (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: Four Black-tailed Godwits in Broadford Bay also 200 Ringed Plover & 100 Dunlin (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Rosy Starling, Stoer, Assynt (Per Assynt Activity Facebook Group)

Friday 13th August

Easter Ross: 60+ Swifts, Invergordon (Dean MacAskill), 138 Red-breasted Mergansers and six Scaup, Jemimaville also four Greenshank and three Black-tailed Godwits, Udale Bay (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: Single Scaup and Stock Dove, Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte) 50 Swifts Kinmylies, Inverness (Phil Clark)

Skye & Lochalsh: Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Achnacloich, Sleat, Skye (Bob McMillan)

Wester Ross: Green Sandpiper, Knockan (Per eBird)
​
Thursday 12th August

Easter Ross: Whimbrel, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Three Whooper Swans, Single Scaup and two Goldeneye, Loch Eye (Bob Swann)

Inverness: Eclipse drake Gadwall, Whiteness (Bob Wilson). Spotted Redshank and Scaup, Alturlie Pools (Alan MacAskill)
​
Wednesday 11th August

Inverness: One Scaup, single Black-tailed Godwit and seven Wigeon, Alturlie Pools (Pete Gordon)
 
Skye & Lochalsh: Five Storm Petrels from the Mallaig-Rum ferry (SM) and 18 caught in ringing session at Duntulm (JJ) per skye-birds.com
​
Tuesday 10th August

Easter Ross: Escaped Black Swan still at Udale Bay (Susan Seright).  Seven Greenshank, Redcastle (Bob Wilson)

Inverness: Two Scaup and single Black-tailed Godwit, Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte)

Wester Ross: Three Leach's Petrel, five Storm Petrels, three Sooty Shearwaters and Juvenile Pomarine Skua from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry (Alan MacAskill)
​
Monday 9th August

Easter Ross: Two Puffins, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Two Long-tailed Duck still at Fort George (Colin Leslie). Two male Scaup, Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Three Storm Petrels, Sound of Raasay (A&EH) per skye-birds.com
​
Sunday 8th August

Easter Ross: Three Arctic Skua, single Whimbrel and Black Guillemot at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: Arctic Skua, Whiteness also two Scaup, two Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel, Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Six Arctic Skuas, two Great Skuas and 12 Twite, Neist (AS per skye-birds.com)

​Sutherland: Two Grey Plover, three Golden Plover and two Greenshank, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
​
Saturday 7th August

Easter Ross: Little Stint Udale Bay (Bob Wilson), 3 Pink-footed Geese, Canada x Greylag Goose, Osprey, Greenshank Udale Bay (Pete Gordon). The escaped Black Swan came from Pitcalnie Farm and an attempt was made to recapture it, using its mate as a lure.

Inverness: eclipse male Long-tailed Duck Ardersier Bay (David Shaw).

Lochaber: 150 Swifts Upper Achintore, Fort William (Stu Crutchfield). 

Sutherland: Adult Long-tailed Skua landed on sea then flew W Dornoch Point, also 75 Knots, 24 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Ringed Plovers, 18 Dunlins, 20 Sanderlings, Arctic Skua (Dean MacAskill).

​
Friday 6th August

Easter Ross: juv Med Gull Chanonry Point (per BirdGuides), Bonxie 3, Arctic Skua N in 2 hours Chanonry Point (Dave Grant), Black Swan & Whimbrel Udale Bay (Blair Whyte), thousands of Kittiwakes flying SE into Moray Firth Tarbat Ness, also 1 Bonxie (Dave Tanner). 

Inverness: 5 Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank, 4 Scaups Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling Culduie, Applecross (John Poyner), 3 juv Cuckoos Heaste Road (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: 148 Manx Shearwater, 5 Sooty Shearwater, 16 Bonxies, 43 Puffins, 1 Scaup  2CY Little Gull, 4 Red-throated Divers all N plus 4 Arctic Skuas south, 2 Whimbrels, 110 Sanderlings, Peregrine Brora (Dean MacAskill et al).

Thursday 5th August

Badenoch & Strathspey: 90 Barnacle Geese Dell of Killiehuntly - from Highland Wildlife Park breeding colony (Dave Pierce).

Inverness: 8 Black-tailed Godwits, male Scaup, Water Rail Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: adult Mediterranean Gull flew over Corran Ferry terminal (per BirdGuides).

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling on feeders Culduie, Applecross ( Annie MacDonald), juv Marsh Harrier Flodigarry Island (Bob McMillan).

Wednesday 4th August

Badenoch & Strathspey: male Hen Harrier Insh Marshes, 2 Scaups Loch Insh (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: Black Swan Udale Bay (John Carruthers, Al McNee), 5 Greenshanks, 310 Redshanks,  340 Oystercatchers, 50 Knots, 115 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Dunlins, 6 Ringed Plovers, 12 Sanderlings, 5 Common Sandpipers, 225 Curlews, 40 Lapwings, Sparrowhawk Udale Bay (Dave Grant), 200 Swifts Allangrange (Bob Wilson), Pink-footed Goose Alness Point & R Averon (Blair Whyte)., 

Inverness: Water Rail 4 Scaups Alturlie Pools (Alan MacAskill), 112 Goosanders Milton of Culloden (Alan MacAskill).

Skye & Lochalsh: juv Marsh Harrier Flodigarry Island (D Blakely), 2 Sooty Shearwaters from Uig-Lochmaddy Ferry (per BirdGuides). 


Tuesday 3rd August

Easter Ross: 2 Ospreys, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Knots, 1000 Oystercatchers Lentran Point, Beauly (Alan MacAskill).
Monday 2nd August

Easter Ross: Little Stint and 4 Greenshanks Udale Bay (Blair Whyte), Green Sandpiper Udale Bay (Bob Wilson), Peregrine and 3 Greenshanks Munlochy (Alan MacAskill & Dave), Grasshopper Warbler Rosemarkie (John Carruthers), 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Red-breasted Mergansers, 30 Scaups Newhall, Cromarty Bay (Alan MacAskill).

Inverness: juvenile Redwing (locally bred?) Croy (Colin Leslie), Water Rail and 4 Scaups Alturlie (Bob Wilson)

Skye & Lochalsh: 40 Storm Petrels caught overnight at Duntulm (JJ per skye-birds.com), 20 Twites Neist (AS per skye-birds.com) and 50 Twites Glas Eilean, Broadford (NB per skye-birds.com).

Sutherland: 3 Black-throated Divers, 2 Arctic Skuas Embo (Dean MacAskill). 

Wester Ross: (a Long-tailed Skua seen from the Uig-Lochmaddy ferry was nearer the Lochmaddy side (per BirdGuides)).

Sunday 1st August

Easter Ross: first juv Kittiwake of the year flew SW at Tarbat Ness, also adult Little Gull flew NW and Purple Sandpiper there (Dave Tanner), Little Stint, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 40 Knots, 30 Bar-tailed Godwits Udale Bay (Al & Jenny McNee), Greenshank, Pink-footed Goose Munlochy Bay (Al & Jenny McNee).

Inverness: Ring-necked Parakeet again in Crown area of Inverness (per Dave Barnett). Greenshank Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte).
Saturday 31st July

Easter Ross: three Turnstones, 17 Sandwich Terns, single Arctic Tern, five Puffins and two Great Skuas at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  At Chanonry Point were two Purple Sandpipers, ten Turnstones and a single Black Guillemot (Kevin Davis), 2 Sanderlings, a Common Sandpiper and 2 juv Little Stints Udale Bay (John Carruthers).

Inverness: Ring-necked Parakeet in garden in Crown area of Inverness (per Angela Jack), off Fort George were two Long-tailed Ducks, singles of Storm Petrel and Arctic Skua, plus a Merlin (David Bedford)

Skye & Lochalsh:  Hobby (possible juvenile) seen over Loch Alsh between Kyleakin and Kyle (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: three Little Gulls (two adult, one 2CY), plus a Great Skua that killed and began eating a juvenile Herring Gull (see photos) all at Brora.  At Coul Links  were 154 Sandwich Terns and two Whimbrels, while Loch Fleet held three newly-arrived Wigeon (Dean MacAskill)


​Friday 30th July

Easter Ross: single Whimbrel and Manx Shearwater at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).  Four Greenshank, 50 Bar-tailed Godwit. 40 Knot plus - amongst the c300 Canada Geese - a Greylag x Barnacle Goose hybrid (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: off Fort George were two Long-tailed Ducks, three Scaup and a single Manx Shearwater (David Bedford)

Skye & Lochalsh:  reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Harrapool (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Thursday 29th July

Easter Ross: singles of Storm Petrel and Little Tern off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh:  two Grasshopper Warblers (both 'reeling' - possible post-breeding territorial activity) at Loch Long, Localsh (Joe Newman) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Rosy Starling in Dornoch (via Pete Stronach/Twitter)

Wester Ross: eight Twite, three Common Scoters, six Black-throated Divers and two Arctic Terns at Achiltibuie (Alan MacAskill)

Wednesday 28th July

Easter Ross: Sooty Shearwater off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), a Wood Sandpiper flew past Udale Bay (John Carruthers).

Skye & Lochalsh:  eight Greenshank and five Common Sandpipers at Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan).  Single Knot in Broadford Bay, while the growing Eider raft on Loch Ainort numbers some 420 (Neil Bennett) -  per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: two Arctic and six Great Skuas, two Sooty Shearwaters and a single Manx Shearwater off Embo, while at Brora were twelve Great Skuas, six Arctic Skuas, 24 Manx Shearwaters, single Sooty Shearwater, single 2CY Little Gull and 16 Turnstones (Dean MacAskill)

Tuesday 27th July

Easter Ross: juvenile Wheatear and Razorbill at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: six Dunlin at Alturlie pools (Alan MacAskill)
​
Skye & Lochalsh: 160 Storm Petrels caught for ringing in the early hours at Duntulm, Trotternish by J Owen/J Jones.  Reports of "tens of thousands" of Manx Shearwaters feeding off both Soay and Rum amongst other seabirds and cetaceans, seen from the MV Sheerwater (Ronnie Dyer)  - per skye-birds.com
​
Monday 26th July
​
Inverness: Lesser Black-backed Gull at Milton of Gollanfield (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: single Osprey near Loch Duich, Kintail ('LS').  Chough reported by Jane Young on the Trotternish ridge south of the Old Man of Storr (per skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: late report of a Short-toed Eagle in Sutherland on 20 June, believed to be in the southeast of the county area and observed by environmental surveyors for a wind farm project.  Any further details should be sent - in confidence - to the Highland recorder, e-mail above.  YouTube video link by Adam Hutt here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-flA8Jclc4&t=117s
​
Sunday 25th July

Inverness: Scaup pair, two Whimbrel, two Dunlin and Common Sandpiper at Alturlie (Bob Wilson).  Single Greenshank and two Common Sandpipers at Merkinch LNR, while at Whiteness were six Whimbrel, 200+ Knot, 120 Bar-tailed Godwits, 40+ Sanderling, 30 Dunlin (Al McNee)
​
Skye & Lochalsh: four Sanderlings, five Greenshank and 55 Ringed Plover at Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: singles of Arctic and Great Skua, single Greenshank, six Knot (all in sumplum), two Sanderling and single Turnstone at Dornoch point (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 24th July

Easter Ross: Adult White Wagtail (and possible juvenile), Tarbat Ness, (Dave Tanner). 55 Bar-tailed Godwit, five Knot, two Greenshank, two Dunlin and five Common Sandpipers at Udale Bay (Bob Wilson)

Sutherland: Two Whimbrel, single Greenshank and Little Tern at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)

Friday 23rd July

Easter Ross: Greenshank, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: five Sandwich Terns and six Greenshank off Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM) per skye-birds.com
​
Thursday 22nd July

Inverness: Probable Mediterranean Gull on River Beauly (Alan MacAskill)

Sutherland: Hawfinch today 4 miles south of Durness coming to garden feeder (Per North Sutherland Wildlife Facebook Group)

Wednesday 21st July

Inverness: Eclipse plumage drake Mandarin, Loch Flemington (Colin Leslie)
​
Tuesday 20th July

Easter Ross: Three Greenshank, Munlochy Bay with another two at Udale Bay along with five Knot, three Bar-tailed Godwits and one Dunlin (all Bob Wilson)

Lochaber: 100 Swifts , Upper Achintore, Fort William (Stu Crutchfield)

Skye & Lochalsh: 43 Storm Petrels, ringed North Skye (JJ) also single adult Sanderling with 30 Ringed Plover & several Dunlin at Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM), three Great Northern Divers off Achnacloich, Sleat (RS) (all per skye-birds.com)
​
Monday 19th July

Skye & Lochalsh: Osprey, Glenelg (Alan MacAskill)
​
Sunday 18th July

Inverness: 22 Sanderling and 12 Dunlin, Fort George (Colin Leslie)

Sutherland: 120 Manx Shearwaters off Embo plus single Great Skua and two Arctic Skuas (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 17th July

Skye & Lochalsh: 12 Greenshanks Breakish Obbe, Broadford (NH per skye-birds.org), 100 Dunlins, 2 Sanderlings Broadford Bay NB per skye-birds.org).

Friday 16th July

Monday 19th July7 Purple Sandpipers and a Redshank Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 

Skye & Lochalsh: Osprey fishing Glenelg Bay (PJ per skye-birds.org), Bar-tailed Godwit & 16 Redshanks Broadford Bay (MB per skye-birds.org).

Sutherland: 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull and intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull Brora, 21 Common Sandpipers The Mound, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill).
​
Thursday 15th July

Easter Ross: Pectoral Sandpiper Udale Bay ("Holly"), 3 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and an Osprey there (Al McNee), Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit Munlochy Bay (Al McNee), Bonxie, 4 Turnstones Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Skye & Lochalsh: 7 Greenshanks Breakish Obbe, Broadford (NH), Whimbrel south Scullamus Moss (Bob McMillan).
​
Wednesday 14th July

Badenoch & Strathspey: Mediterranean Gull Loch Morlich (Matt Doyle). 

Tuesday 13th July

Inverness: 2 Arctic Skuas Fort George (Bob Wilson), 15 Whimbrels Fort George (Graeme Prest).

Skye & Lochalsh: juv Cuckoo Point of Sleat (RS per skye-birds.org), Rosy Starling Aird (As per skye-birds.org)

​
Monday 12th July

Easter Ross: 2 Purple Sandpipers, juv Dunlin & a Golden Plover at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling Aird Kennels, Sleat (Karen MacAskill), Leach's Petrel off shore Crowlin Islands (SMacL per skye-birds.org)


Sunday 11th July

Badenoch & Strathspey: 150 Oystercatchers Cromdale (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: 200 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Wigeons, 193 Curlews, 19 Redshanks, 22 Lapwings Udale Bay (Mary Galloway).

Skye & Lochalsh: Whimbrel N Neist Point (AC per skye-birds.com), 4 Arctic Skuas from Uig-Lochmaddy Ferry (NB per skye-birds.com). 

Saturday 10th July

Easter Ross: Whimbrel at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: three Whimbrels in Whiteness Bay (Colin Leslie).  Six Greenshanks, c120 Curlew, c60 Redshank and single Common Sandpiper at Alturlie, while in Ardersier Bay were a total of 95 Red-breasted Mergansers (Ian Smith)

Sutherland: 17 Manx Shearwater, two Whimbrel and an Arctic Skua off Embo (Dean MacAskill).  Four Manx Shearwater off Brora (Dudley Cox)
​
Friday 9th July

Easter Ross: Purple Sandpiper at Tarbat Ness - an early "autumn" record - with a Lesser Rorqual whale seen also.  Three Black-tailed Godwit at Tain links (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Arctic Skua off Alturlie (Blair Whyte).  100+ Redshank and two Common Sandpipers at Merkinch LNR (Al & Jenny McNee)

Skye & Lochalsh: ​Long-tailed Skua, three Storm Petrels, 40 Puffins and 120 Manx Shearwaters seen from the Uig-Lochmaddy ferry (Neil Bennett).  Two dark morph Arctic Skua seen near Trotternish (Bob McMillan) - via skye-birds.com

Thursday 8th July

Inverness: juvenile Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, 17 Eiders and 49+ Red-breasted Mergansers off Ardersier (Ian Smith)

Lochaber: an estimated 6,000 Manx Shearwaters off Ardnamurchan Point (Sandy McNeil)

Sutherland: 20 Manx Shearwater, three Little Terns off Brora amongst continued large seabird and cetacean feeding event, while 17 Common Sandpipers were at The Mound, Canmore (Dean MacAskill)
​
Wednesday 7th July

Sutherland: 14 Manx Shearwater off Brora amongst a large seabird feeding event, with two Lesser Rorqual whales seen breaching also (Dean MacAskill).  Four Arctic Skuas, c40 Manx Shearwaters and over 300 Puffins off Strathy point (Alan and Dean MacAskill, Dave Barnett).  Single Arctic Skua over the A9 at Navidale (Kevin McCormick)

Tuesday 6th July

Easter Ross: single Knot plus two juvenile Sandwich Terns with four adults off Tarbat Ness, with large numbers of seabirds noted. (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: 44 Red-breasted Mergansers off Ardersier (Ian Smith)

Monday 5th July

Easter Ross: single Whimbrel at Tarbat Ness, offshore were seven Puffins, two Sandwich Terns and two Red-throated Divers (Dave Tanner)
​
Sutherland: two Puffins, two Black Guillemot at Helmsdale (Kevin McCormick)
​
Sunday 4th July

Easter Ross: c500 Canada Geese at the north end of Alness Bay (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: ​Rosy Starling still at Garafad, Staffin (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 51 Dunlin, 30 Twite and single Whimbrel at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).  Off Helmsdale were four Arctic Skua, six Great Skua and a single Manx Shearwater (Kevin McCormick)
​
Saturday 3rd July

Easter Ross: Two Great Skua and 14 Puffins, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Dave also sent a late report for a Rosy Starling in a Portmahomack garden on this day

Skye & Lochalsh: ​Rosy Starling still at Staffin Bay (per BirdGuides)

Sutherland: Thirteen Common Sandpipers, The Mound, five Great Skua and 37 Manx Shearwaters, Embo (all Dean MacAskill)
​
Friday 2nd July

Easter Ross: 29 Manx Shearwaters and single Arctic Skua, Tarbat Ness (Dean MacAskill)

Inverness: Juvenile Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Strathdearn (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: ​280 Eider in moulting flock at Loch Ainort (NB) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Two Arctic Skua, single Whimbrel, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)​
Thursday 1st July

Skye & Lochalsh: single Black-tailed Godwit over Ardnish, Lochailort (SC) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 200 Curlews at The Mound, 170 Red-breasted Merganser, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
​
Wednesday 30th June

Easter Ross: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling, Garafad, Staffin, this morning (Kate Farn) per skye-birds.com
​​
Tuesday 29th June

Sutherland: Two Little Terns, two Arctic Skua, four Great Northern Divers and single Whimbrel, Brora River mouth (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 28th June

Easter Ross: One Great Skua and single Manx Shearwater, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Sunday 27th June

Inverness: Six Bar-tailed Godwit, Fort George (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: Three Tufted Ducks (probable early migrants) in Breakish Obbe (NH). Arctic Skua, Neist Point (AS) per skye-birds.com

Saturday 26th June

Easter Ross: 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Bonxies (1 injured) Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Skye & Lochalsh: 4 Common Scoters Broadford Bay (Martin Benson per skye-birds.com.

Sutherland: 800 Common Scoters Embo (Jont per Highland and Moray Bird News).
​
Friday 25th June

Easter Ross: 2 Bonxies (1 injured) Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 3 Pink-footed Geese Udale Bay (Pete Gordon).

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 Common Scoters Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett per skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: immature White-billed Diver, 350 Common Scoters, 120 Manx Shearwaters Embo (Dean McAskill), Storm Petrel feeding off Brora rivermouth (Dean MacAskill). 

Thursday 24th June

Easter Ross: 3 Black-throated Divers and an injured Bonxie at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 3 Pink-footed Geese Udale Bay (Rory Stewart).
​

Wednesday 23rd June

Easter Ross: 1500 Common Scoters distantly at Portmahomack (Dave Tanner). pair of Whooper Swans Nigg Bay (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: singing, brown Common Rosefinch Kilmarie, Strathaird (NH per skye-birds.com).

​Sutherland: Great Northern Diver Dornoch (Hugh Addlesee).
​
Tuesday 22nd June

Easter Ross: Magpie at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Common Rosefinch heard at Kilmarie, Strathaird, Skye (Seth Gibson) per skye-birds.com, Glaucous Gull Glenelg (per BirdGuides).
​
Monday 21st June

Badenoch & Strathspey: singing Lesser Whitethroat Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, uphill of Snow Leopards (Duncan Macdonald), singing Lesser Whitethroat Dalnahaitnach (Mike Crutch, Craig Johnstone), White Wagtail Cairngorm Ski Centre (John Poyner).

Inverness: 2 Corn Buntings Milton of Gollanfield (Simeon Ewing).

Skye & Lochalsh: singing Quail Kilmuir, Trotternish (SP).

Sutherland: the Rosy Starling taken into care from Ardgay on 12 June was released after recuperation at Brora (per Peter Stronach), first-summer Glaucous Gull Sangobeg (per BirdGuides).

​Of Interest: recent confirmed breeding of Whooper Swan in NW of region. Please report all summering birds.


Sunday 20th June

Badenoch & Strathspey: 76 Curlews Dorback (Pete Gordon) - such a large inland flock probably contains first-summer (non-breeding)  birds as well as failed breeders.

Inverness: Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Sanderlings & 3 Knots Whiteness (Colin Leslie) - the Godwit and one of the Knots had leg injuries but mid-summering Arctic waders are usually non-breeding first-summer birds.

Lochaber: Rosy Starling in private garden Fort William (per BirdGuides).

Skye & Lochalsh: singing Wood Warbler Ord, Sleat (EP per skye-birds.com)
​
Saturday 19th June

​Badenoch & Strathspey: Lesser Whitethroat near Dalnahaitnach (Colin Leslie)
​
Easter Ross: seven Puffin and 485 Common Scoter off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)
​
Friday 18th June

Easter Ross: 57 Common Scoter off Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Ring-necked Parakeet still present in the Crown area of the city (via John Poyner)

Skye & Lochalsh:   Greenshank in Kildonan Bay, Eigg (John Chester) - per skye-birds.com
Thursday 17th June

Easter Ross: c1,000 Common Scoter off Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: single Corn Bunting at Milton of Gollanfield (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh:   Whimbrel in Broadford Bay (Martin Benson) - per skye-birds.com

Wednesday 16th June

Easter Ross: 36 Manx Shearwater, six Puffin off Tarbat Ness, with two Turnstones in sumplum also present (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh:   Rosy Starling still in Plockton, near the railway station (Ewan Pritchard via Bob McMillan).  Seven Storm Petrels off Arisaig, seen from the MV Sheerwater (Ronnie Dyer) - per skye-birds.com
​
Tuesday 15th June

​Badenoch & Strathspey: Lesser Whitethroat near Dalnahaitnach (Pete Moore)

Easter Ross: two dark morph Arctic Skuas at Fortrose (Mary Galloway)

Skye & Lochalsh: Common Rosefinch singing in Drumfearn (Phil Knott via Bob McMillan).  Quail calling near the glass recycling point in Ose (per BirdGuides).  Rosy Starling visiting a garden in Plockton (M Bliss) - per skye-birds.com

Monday 14th June

Inverness: report of a Ring-necked Parakeet visiting a garden in city since 3rd June (via John Poyner)

Skye & Lochalsh: eleven Canada Geese on Loch Long ('JN') - per skye-birds.com
Sunday 13th June

Easter Ross: two Manx Shearwaters, singles of Puffin and Turnstone, twelve Common Scoters from Chanonry Point, while near the brewery/motorcycle building at Davidson by Cromarty were two Grey Partridge and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler (Kevin Davis)

Saturday 12th June

Badenoch & Strathspey: Lesser Whitethroat near Dalnahaitnach (Ian Smith)

Easter Ross: Six Manx Shearwaters from Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis) also six Manx Shearwaters and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)
​
Skye & Lochalsh: two Rosy Starlings on Canna (Bob Swann)

Sutherland: Hobby, near Melvich (Dean MacAskill) Rosy Starling, Ardgay (per BirdGuides), note - this bird has been taken into care.

Wester Ross: Long-tailed Skua, flew north off Melvaig (Iain Robson via eBird)
​
Friday 11th June

Easter Ross: 20-30 Manx Shearwater from Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Woodchat Shrike, still at RSPB Corrimony, approx NH 360 272 (Carol Miller) 

​Lochaber: Rosy Starling, Eigg (JC) per skye-birds.com 

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling, Roag, Dunvegan (AK) per skye-birds.com 
​
Thursday 10th June

Easter Ross: Two Manx Shearwaters, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Lochaber: Rosy Starling, Eigg (Ben Cormack per Bob McMillan). Eight Storm Petrels behind trawlers on the Oberon Bank off Arisaig (RD) per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling, still in Elgol (E. Mackay per Bob McMillan) 


Wednesday 9th June

Inverness: Woodchat Shrike, Corrimony (per BirdGuides)

Sutherland: Five Grey Plover, 56 Sanderling, 34 ringed plover and 12 Dunlin at Dornoch Point also leucistic Herring Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill). Hobby, Kirkton, Loch Fleet (Peter Stronach)

Wester Ross: European Bee-eater, Big Sand, Gairloch (per BirdGuides)

Tuesday 8th June

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling, Elgol (Emma MacKay per Bob McMillan)

Sutherland: Rosy Starling "present all weekend" Rheanbreck, Lairg (per John Poyner)

Wester Ross: Rosy Starling, Achiltibuie (Stuart Edwards)

Monday 7th June

​Easter Ross: Iceland Gull, Bindal Farm, Portmahomack also Great Skua, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Lochaber: Black-headed Bunting, undisclosed location on the peninsula, Ardnamurchan (Per BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: Rosy Starling, Canna (Bob Swann)

Wester Ross: Pink-footed Goose with 33 Greylags, Opinan area (Mike Crutch)
​
Sunday 6th June

Badenoch & Strathspey: Marsh Harrier, Invertromie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Three Velvet Scoter and 35 Sanderling, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Sutherland: Grey Plover (summer plumaged) and 75 Sanderling, Dornoch Point also Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Brora (Dean MacAskill). Two Iceland Gulls, Durness (per BirdGuides)
​
aturday 5th June

Badenoch & Strathspey: Red-backed Shrike, Craigellachie NNR (per BirdGuides) also possibly same bird at Drumguish (Ron Cooke per Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: female Red-backed Shrike Portmahomack Community Woodland (Dave Tanner), 29 Pink-footed Geese SW Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 

Sutherland: Five Whimbrel , two Whooper Swans, 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, two Iceland Gulls and a Great Northern Diver, Durness (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: Hobby, Laide (per BirdGuides)

Friday 4th June

Easter Ross: drake Garganey Nigg Bay (per BirdTrack)

Wester Ross: Crane over south end of Loch Broom (per BirdTrack).
​
Thursday 3rd June

Easter Ross: 118 Canada Geese Alness Point Lagoon (Dave Tanner) and 58 at Udale Bay (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Little Egret between Bunchrew and Clachnaharry (Phil Clark).

Lochaber: Pied Flycatcher Arienas SWT Reserve, Morvern (per Bob McMillan)
​
Wednesday 2nd June

Badenoch & Strathspey: Canada Goose 13N Gaick (Dave Pierce) - start of moult migration?

Sutherland: Turtle Dove in private garden Guinard Bay for second day (per Recorder)
​
Tuesday 1st June

Easter Ross: adult Long-tailed Skua SE past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Little Egret Beauly Firth (per BirdTrack).

Monday 31st May


Lochaber: Pied Flycatcher in Arienas Wood was first there in ten years (Steve Hardy).

Skye & Lochalsh: Turtle Dove Galtrigill (Susanna Robson).


Sunday 30th May

Easter Ross: Quail calling Cartomie near Edderton (per BirdTrack). 

Skye & Lochash: Great White Egret on shore S of Duntuilm Castle (Ann Crowther), pair of Water Rails Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (Bob McMillan), male Yellowhammer Ashaig, Broadford (NH).

Sutherland: Bee-eater heard in dunes Faraid Head (Peter Stronach), later feeding over Smoo Cave (Jacob Davies), Waxwing Durness (per North Sutherland Facebook Group), juvenile Glaucous Gull  and 2+ Minke Whales Strathy Point (per BirdGuides), Reed Warbler Strathy Village (Ian Robson, Janet Fairclough).
​
Saturday 29th May

​Easter Ross: Three Gadwall, six Puffin and one Great Skua, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Hobby, Leys Estate (Alan MacAskill)

Sutherland: Reed Warbler, Balnakeil Craft Village (in garden of 17A) also "islandica" type Redpoll at Smoo Cave (Peter Stronach)
​
Friday 28th May

​Easter Ross: Five Great Skua, two Puffin, singles of Manx Shearwater and Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: Black Kite, Clachnaharry (per BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, Breakish Obbe, Broadford (NH). Single Whooper Swan, Eigg (JC) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: No sign of Turtle Dove at Culkein today.

Thursday 27th May

Easter Ross: Great Egret, still at Munlochy Bay (Bob Wilson). Storm Petrel, Hilton of Cadboll (Simon Levene) 142 Goosander off Jemimaville (Kevin Davis)

Sutherland: Turtle Dove, Culkein (NN033332 do not enter house garden) 
Wednesday 26th May

Easter Ross: Great Egret, still at Munlochy Bay (Mary Galloway). Single Whimbrel, four Sanderling, Great and Arctic Skua  and four Great Northern Divers Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Unconfirmed report of a Black Kite at Torness

Skye & Lochalsh: Garden Warbler at Armadale, Sleat (per skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: Single Little Stint, Grey Plover, Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)

Note: Further widespread reports of Swifts throughout the Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey and Sutherland areas.

Tuesday 25th May

Easter Ross: Great Egret, Munlochy Bay (Holly). Single Pale-bellied Brent Goose and 10 Common Scoter, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Skye & Lochalsh: 20 Common Scoter, Sound of Raasay (NB) - per skye-birds.com

Monday 24th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Female Hawfinch in a private garden, Aviemore (PN)

Easter Ross: single Great Skua, nine Common Scoter and 15 Red-throated Divers, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)
​
Inverness: Wood Sandpiper in flooded field, Easter Dalziel (Jon Clarke)

Lochaber: Juvenile Iceland Gull, Kilmory, Rum (SM) - per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: two Pintail and Whimbrel in Broadford Bay  (NB,RMcM) - per skye-birds.com
​
Sunday 23rd May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Lesser Whitethroat, Lynachlaggan Trail, Insh Marshes (Simon Eaves)

Easter Ross: One Velvet Scoter and single Great and Arctic Skuas, Tarbat Ness (Al McNee)

Lochaber: Garden Warbler, Strontian (Jack Bucknall)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Pintail in Broadford Bay ('A&EH') - per skye-birds.com

Note- A few reports of Swifts from throughout the area today.

Saturday 22nd May

Easter Ross: single Dunlin at Tarbat Ness, Lesser Redpoll also present - uncommon for the location (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Garden Warbler at Whiteness (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Pintail in Broadford Bay ('A&EH') - per skye-birds.com
​
Friday 21st May

Easter Ross: seven Manx Shearwaters off Tarbat Ness, with large numbers of other seabirds species including over 225 Fulmars (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: calling Long-eared Owls in the Easter Dalziel area (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Pintail in Broadford Bay ('A&EH').  Single Whimbrel at Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett) plus six others at Uiginish, Dunvegan ('DM') - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland:  three Great Skua, single Arctic Skua, three Manx Shearwaters off Embo, two Twite present also (Dean MacAskill)

Thursday 20th May

Easter Ross: drake King Eider past Chanonry Point (second-ever site record) with five Common Eider, eastbound at 0530hrs (Kevin Davis).  c50 Knot and four Sanderling at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Six Swifts over Loch Meig, Strathconon (Jack Harrison)

Inverness: Long-eared Owl and Water Rail at Moy (Blair Whyte)
Wednesday 19th May

Easter Ross: c500 Kittiwakes, 1,000-plus Guillemots, c150 Razorbills, 55 Gannets, four Great Northern Divers (all sumplum), single Puffin and three Great Skuas off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  20 Pink-footed Geese at Munlochy, seen at Tain links were two Swifts and four Lesser Black-backed Gulls, while at Dingwall's ferry point were five Tree Sparrows, three Stock Doves, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gull and two Swifts  (Dean MacAskill).  Two Swifts and a Short-eared Owl (at height, being mobbed by Jackdaws) over Heights of Docharty (Simon Cohen)

Inverness: two Grasshopper Warblers at Alturlie (Alan MacAskill)

Sutherland:  Turtle Dove still at Scourie (via John Poyner)

Tuesday 18th May

Easter Ross: 35 Knot in full breeding plumage at Tarbat Ness, with eleven Black Guillemot, single Puffin and two Great Northern Divers also of note (Dave Tanner).  Spotted Flycatcher and three Swifts at Munlochy (Bob Wilson).  Single Sanderling plus Arctic Skua (dark phase) past Chanonry Point, while two Spotted Flycatchers were present in Cromarty (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: two Water Rails and single Whitethroat at Merkinch, with six Swifts in the city centre (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Canada Geese at Knock Bay, Sleat (Neil Bennett) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland:  female King Eider at Ferry Links, Loch Fleet (David Tattersley)
Monday 17th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: two Scaup at Lochindorb (Chris Rose)
​
Easter Ross: three Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness - one intermedius ssp. (Dave Tanner).  Tree Pipit near Tollie Red Kite centre (Chris Godley).  Six Blackcap at Redcastle (Alan MacAskill/Dave Barnett).  68 Pink-footed Geese and three Sedge Warblers at Nigg, while  at Arabella two Grey Partridge were noted (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: two Spotted Flycatchers in Glen Strathfarrar (Alan MacAskill/Dave Barnett)

Skye & Lochalsh: seven Great Northern Divers off Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan) - via skye-birds.com
Bob also has passed on an unconfirmed report of a Black Kite from the Glenelg-Kylerhea ferry operators

Sutherland: Serin at Talmine (Tim Drew via RBA -  a first for Highland when confirmed, with photo submitted).  At Brora river mouth were two 2CY Little Gulls and eight Little Terns, at Ferry Links, Loch Fleet were two Black-throated Divers, ssp. borealis Eider and female King Eider, while Embo had a single Great Northern Diver and 23 Little Terns (Dean MacAskill)

Sunday 16th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: two Common Tern and two Spotted Flycatchers near the old Spey bridge, Grantown-on-Spey (Sue Sykes).  Little Ringed Plover at Loch Insh (John Lyall via Dave Pierce)
​
Easter Ross: eleven Great Northern Divers, ten Pink-footed Geese, single Puffin and two Black Guillemot past/over/off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Iceland Gull at Udale Bay (Alister Clunas).  Sedge Warbler at Nigg Bay (David Tattersley)

Sutherland: unconfirmed 'Blue-headed' Yellow Wagtail (m.f. flava ssp.) reported in the Durness area (via RBA).  Turtle Dove at Scourie (via John Poyner)
Saturday 15th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: pair of Shovelers Deshar Pool, Boat of Garten (Dave Pullan).  Water Rail at Insh Marshes (Blair Whyte)

Easter Ross: Manx Shearwater & 2 Bonxies Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), drake Mandarin Duck on Blackwater, Contin flew downstream (Keith Barnes), Bonxie Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis), Grasshopper Warbler Nigg Bay RSPB Car Park (Dave Barnett).

Skye & Lochalsh: Wood Sandpiper Skye (no location given) (BirdGuides)

Sutherland: Turtle Dove in private garden Scourie (Kirsten Ogden), 10 Whimbrels Ferry Links, Loch Fleet (David Tattersley), 2 Water Rails, 23 Whimbrels, 3 Shovelers, 10 Gadwalls Balnakeil (Bob Wilson)


Friday 14th May 

Sutherland: female King Eider Ferry Links on N side of Loch Fleet entrance (Dean MacAskill), 650 Ringed Plovers, 350 Dunlins, 120 Sanderlings Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill), male Garganey, 3 male Shovelers, 9 male Gadwalls, 4 Whooper Swans, 21 Whimbrels Balnakeil (Bob Wilson).

Thursday 13th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Green Woodpecker Kincardine Cottage (per BirdTrack).

Easter Ross: Spoonbill east over Tarbat Ness (Tay), 3 Bonxies Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Spotted Flycatcher and Tree Pipit Cononbridge/Maryburgh (Bob Wilson),  Bonxie & 17 Red-throated Divers Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis), pale-bellied Brent Goose with 310 Pink-footed Geese Nigg Bay (Blair Whyte), Whooper Swan Munlochy (David Tattersley).

Lochaber: Brambling Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris), Garden Warbler Achabeag, Morvern (Alan Kennedy).

Sutherland: pale-bellied Brent Goose & 350 Ringed Plovers Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).


Wednesday 12th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Garden Warbler Auchendean, Skye of Curr (Steve Broyd).

Easter Ross: 6 Barnacle Geese with 150 Pink-footed Geese, Grey Plover with 250 Ringed Plovers and a few Dunlins, Grasshopper and Sedge Warbler (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: late female Brambling Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris), 2 Spotted Flycatchers Glen Shian road, Lochailort (per BirdGuides), Arctic Skua Arisaig (Ronnie Dyer), 17 Great Northern Divers mouth of Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (Ronnie Dyer).

Skye & Lochalsh: male Hawfinch Ord, Sleat (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: 2CY Little Gull, 2 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Skuas Brora (Dean MacAskill).


Tuesday 11th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Garden Warbler Auchendean, near Skye of Curr (Pete Gordon), Spotted Flycatcher N end of Aviemore (Kate Mennie), 2 Pied Flycatchers and up to 4 singing Wood Warblers Craigellachie NNR, Aviemore (Alan MacAskill, Sue Sykes, Angus Miller).

Easter Ross: Garden Warbler Moy Island, Maryburgh (Keith Barnes), 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 5 Whitethroats Munlochy-Quarryford (Bob Wilson), 3 Bonxies Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: Swift Leys Estate (Alan MacAskill).

Lochaber: 32 Whimbrels Achabeag, Morvern (Alan Kennedy), Spotted Flycatcher Achnaha Community Woodland, Morvern (Alan Kennedy).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2 Whitethroats Duirinish Church, Dunvegan (SG).

Sutherland: 1200 Dunlins Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).

Monday 10th May

Badenoch and Strathspey: Hoopoe Nethybridge, videod but not seen after initial sighting (per BirdGuides), 2 Wood Warblers and Pied Flycatcher Craigellachie NNR (Pete Gordon, Kate Mennie), several House Martins Nethybridge (Blair Johnstone), 3 Whinchats Tulloch Moor (Simon Eaves), Green Woodpecker Boat of Garten (per BirdTrack).

Easter Ross: 2 Swifts Fortrose (Alister Clunas), Swifts Cannich (Fiona Driver), Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Redstarts Learnie Red Rocks Car Park (Kevin Davis) 2nd CY Iceland Gull Glenurquhart Farm (Kevin Davis), 3 Whitethroats, 3 Grasshopper Warblers Rosemarkie Beach walk to cave (John Carruthers).

Inverness: Cuckoo Craig Dunain (Sam Borthwick).

​Lochaber: 6 Swifts Upper Achintore, Fort William (Stu Crutchfield).

Skye & Lochalsh: Spotted Flycatcher Avernish (D Mason), Canada Goose Loch Portree (NB) and 2 Canada Geese Invershiel (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: 250 Ringed Plovers, 120 Dunlins, 2 Whimbrels, 3 White Wagtails, pale-bellied Brent Goose Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).
​


Sunday 9th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: 2 Swifts Newtonmore (LizMcGill), Cuckoo Achnahannet (Angus Miller).

Easter Ross: Wood Warbler Achilty Oakwood (Al McNee), 2000 Common Scoters, 1000 Long-tailed Ducks Portmahomack (Dave Tanner), Bonxie Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 5100 Kittiwakes Tarbat Ness (per BirdTrack), 13 Velvet Scoters Balintore Harbour/Shandwick Bay (per BirdTrack), 3 Wood Warblers Loch Achonachie, Contin (Blair Whyte).

Inverness: Water Rail, 4 Sedge Warblers Alturlie Pools (Bob Wilson).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2 Canada Geese across Minch Lower Milovaig (AS), Canada Goose Loch Portree (NB).
​
Saturday 8th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Nuthatch, Inshriach (John Picton). Whinchats at Ruthven Barracks and Drumguish also Swift, Insh Marshes (Dave Pierce)

​Easter Ross: Three Whimbrel, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: c100 Arctic Terns on the breakwater on Muck (RD) single Common Scoter in Broadford Bay (NB) two Whimbrel, Broadford Bay (NB) & a single at Neist Point (AS) all per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull, Ullapool harbour (per BirdGuides)​
Friday 7th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Whinchat, River Spey near Laggan (Jon Clarke). Drake Scaup, Loch Insh (Dave Pierce)

​Easter Ross: 2nd year Iceland Gull in recently sown field at Glenurquhart farm between Cromarty & Rosemarkie (Kevin Davis)

Lochaber: Two Arctic Terns, Lochailort, Morar (SC) per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull, Ullapool harbour (per BirdGuides). Five Whimbrel, Cove (Morag McCullagh)
​
Thursday 6th May

Easter Ross: 2nd cy Iceland Gull, Udale Bay (Kevin Davis). One Arctic Skua, one Great Skua, two Whimbrel and four Great Northern Divers Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Water Rail, Elgol (DW) per skye-birds.com
​
Wester Ross: Iceland Gull, Ullapool harbour (per BirdGuides)​
Wednesday 5th May

Badenoch & Strathspey: 13 Fieldfares and a Redwing, Lettoch (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: Two Great Skua singles of Black and Red-throated Divers, three Great Northern Divers and a single Arctic Tern, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)
​
Tuesday 4th May

Easter Ross:  10 Purple Sandpiper, two Velvet Scoter, one Great Skua, three Arctic Skua and five Great Northern Divers, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 

Skye & Lochalsh: Hawfinch, Kyleakin (A&EH) per Skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Wood sandpiper at Coul links also two Great Northern Divers and six Black-throated Divers. Four Little Tern, eight Arctic Tern, 14 Purple Sandpiper and five Great Skua, Brora (all Dean MacAskill)
​
Wester Ross: Iceland Gull, Ullapool harbour (per BirdGuides)
Monday 3rd May

Badenoch & Strathspey: Seven Common Sandpipers, Lochindorb (Mike Crutch)

Easter Ross: Golden Plover, three Whimbrel, Purple Sandpiper, one Iceland Gull, four Great Skua and six Great Northern Divers, Tarbat Ness area also c1500 Long-tailed Duck, two Greater Scaup and c2000 Common Scoter at Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).  Two Stock Doves Kirkmichael Kirk, Wood Warblers singing Strathconon and one Greenland White-front and one Barnacle Goose, Udale Bay (all Mark Finn). Stock Dove, Arabella (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: Black-tailed Godwit, Alturlie Pools (Bob Wilson)

Skye & Lochalsh: female Black Redstart seen briefly in garden near dental surgery in Portree (J Jones). Hawfinch and Nuthatch, Kyleakin (Bob McMillan)

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull, Ullapool harbour (per BirdGuides)
​
Sunday 2nd May

Easter Ross: two Whimbrel, one Purple Sandpiper and six White Wagtails, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).  Eight Great Northern Divers in summer plumage, 23 Black Guillemot, 107 Long-tailed Duck, 56 Common Scoter and one Great Skua, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Iceland Gull and c100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Loch Kinellan (Keith Barnes). Iceland Gull, Udale Bay (Alister Clunas). 2nd Winter Glaucous Gull, Beauly (Doug Mainland)

Inverness: Singing Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap, Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: ​two Whimbrel at Loch Portree (NB), five at Ardnish, Broadford (PO-W) at Neist Point (AS) five Arctic Skuas north at Neist Point and four Arctic Terns (AS) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Three Whooper Swans, two Water Rails, 184 Pinkfooted Geese, 28 Wheatear, one Sedge Warbler, five Redwing and nine Whimbrel, Durness (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 1st May

Easter Ross: 2CY Iceland Gull again at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness while off the point were two Arctic Skuas (one intemediate/one dark morph) plus two Great Skuas (Dave Tanner).  Four Common Scoter, three Long-tailed Duck, eight Scaup at Chanonry Point (Tim Stowe).  Whitethroat, two Wheatears and at least six Blackcaps around Balloan farm, Avoch (Mary Galloway).  C100 Fieldfare at Geanies by Portmahomack (Bob Swann).  Sedge Warbler and 34 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Loch Kinellan (Susan and Hugh Seright)

Skye & Lochalsh: c180 Pink-footed Geese over Drumfearn (Phil Knott) with 100 over Scullamus, Broadford (Bob McMillan).  Purple Sandpiper at Loch Dunvegan (J D Jones). Common Crane at Loch Suardal, Dunvegan - per skye-birds.com 

Sutherland: eight Black-throated Divers, ssp. borealis Eider, immature Little Gull and three Little Terns (amongst other tern species) off Coul Links with Whimbrels in evidence also.  Over The Mound were c450 Pink-footed Geese and c150 Golden Plover (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 30th April

Easter Ross: 2CY Iceland Gull again at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness while off the point were three Great Skuas and a single Puffin (Dave Tanner).   Three Arctic Terns, three Whimbrels, single Common Sandpiper and four Common Scoter at Chanonry Point (0540-0740hrs), while nearby along Rosemarkie beach were two Grasshopper Warblers (Kevin Davis).  Five singing Blackcaps and two Jays at Stoneyfield lochs, with similar species in evidence at Kildary lochs plus a singing Redstart and 40 House Martins, 20 Whooper Swans at Arabella, two Grey Patridges and two Stock Doves at Talich wood, and Great Skua plus three White Wagtails (Dean MacAskill).  Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Udale Bay (Tim Meredith).  Off/around Portmahomack this afternoon were c1,500 Long-tailed Duck, c2,000 Common Scoter, two drake Scaup, six Whimbrels, 25 Sand Martins, ten Swallows, eight House Martins, two White Wagtails and four Wheatears (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Grasshopper Warbler, 2m/1f Blackcap and four Wheatears at Easter Dalziel (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Hoopoe still at Fiscavaig - birders are advised to park responsibly on the public road and avoid entering lambing areas (Freya King).  Four Arctic Skua (and similar number of Bonxies) off Neist Point (Andy Stables).  Single Whooper Swans at Loch Mor, Waterstein (Andy Stables) and Loch Sgamhain, Achnashelloch (Bob McMillan).  Five Little Gulls on Glas Eilean by Broadford (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 16 Whimbrel , three Wheatear ssp. leuchorhoa, eight White Wagtail and 140 'tundra' Ringed Plover at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).  Cuckoo at Helmsdale ('Jock').  Ring Ouzels back on territory in Glen Mor, Alladale to Glen Glass areas (Jonathan Willet)
Thursday 29th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Swift over Grantown-on-Spey (Andrea Goddard)

Easter Ross: 2CY Iceland Gull at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness while off the point were 89 Common Scoter, 32 Long-tailed Duck, singles of Whimbrel and Great Northern Diver plus seven Black Guillemot (Dave Tanner).  Single drake Pintail past Chanonry Point (Alister Clunas).  Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Tain river mouth, one ssp. intermedius (Dave Tanner).  Richardson's Cackling Goose amongst Pink-footed Geese at Nigg hide, with Grasshopper Warbler in car park also (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: Sedge Warbler and three Wheatears (two of which were ssp. leuchorhoa) at Merkinch (Al McNee)
​
Skye & Lochalsh: Hoopoe still at Fiscavaig - birders are advised to park responsibly on the public road and avoid entering lambing areas (Freya King).  Single Pale-bellied Brent Goose and c10 Whimbrel in Broadford Bay (Bob McMillan) - via skye-birds.com
Wednesday 28th April

Easter Ross: 2CY Glaucous Gull past Tarbat Ness, with 2CY Iceland Gull at the nearby Wilkaven farm (Dave Tanner) while later in the day saw Sedge Warbler and two Grey Partridge (Dean MacAskill).  Grasshopper Warbler at Rosemarkie beach (Mary Galloway).  Grasshopper Warbler and Whitethroat at Quarryfield (Bob Wilson), with similar at Cadboll Point along with Sedge Warbler, plus eight Whimbrel at Hilton of Cadboll (Simon Levene).  Three Barnacle Geese at Udale Bay (Bob Wilson).  Three Whimbrel, five Lesser Black-backed Gulls (including one ssp. intermedius)  and single Great Skua at Tain Links (Dean MacAskill).  Whooper Swan at Loch Eye (Dean MacAskill).  Seven White Wagtails and five Wheatears at Nigg (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Hoopoe at Fiscavaig - birders are advised to park responsibly on the public road and avoid entering lambing areas (Freya King).  Putative  Kumlien's Gull on Eigg at Laing Bay (John Chester).  Following yesterday's sighting at Broadford river mouth by Neil Bennett, one of the geese is confirmed as a Black Brant, now on Glas Eilean in the bay (Bob McMillan).  17 Golden Plover at Ardnish, Broadford ('A&EH') - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 19 Little Gulls (twelve in sumplum, the rest 2CY birds) off Brora beach, with three Pintail pairs of Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
Tuesday 27th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Woodcock at Tulloch, Abernethy (Neil Stonehouse)

Easter Ross: Great Skua and three Arctic Terns past Tarbat Ness, along with c100 Long-tailed Duck, 22 Fulmar, c150 Gannet and c1,000 Kittiwakes plus 15 Fieldfare in the nearby plantation (Dave Tanner).  At Chanonry Point were six Pintail, twelve Fulmar, 31 Long-tailed Duck, 144 Kittiwake, 44 Gannet, single Red-throated Diver and three White Wagtails...while at Udale Bay were nine Black-tailed Godwit, two Pintail and a Greenland White-fronted Goose (Kevin Davis).  Black-throated Diver off Rosemarkie (Tim Meredith)

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe, five Whimbrels and two Wheatears at Alturlie (Steve Broyd)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Pale-bellied Brent Geese at the Broadford river mouth (Neil Bennett) - on inspection of photographs one is showing good indications of being a Black Brant.  Whinchat at Borve, Portree ('SG').  Four White Wagtails on the pier on Eigg (John Chester) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: seen during a three-hour morning seawatch at Brora were seven Great Skua, 270 Lomg-tailed Duck, three Little Gulls (two in sumplum), 52 Scaup, plus a steady movement of other seabirds including Kittiwakes estimated at a rate of 1,200/hour; a female Garganey was also noted, along with 60 Sand Martins and three Whimbrel (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 26th April

Easter Ross: Whimbrel still present at Tarbat Ness, plus 27 Long-tailed Duck in summer plumage, c500 Common Scoter, 14 Black Guillemot and - unusually - a single 1st winter Gannet (Dave Tanner).  Ring Ouzel in old pines north of the river at Heights of Docharty, plus single Swallow and four Wheatear including one female showing signs of ssp. leuchorhoa (Simon Cohen)

Inverness: Grasshopper Warbler, Common Sandpiper and Cuckoo near the power station area at Loch Ashie (Simeon Ewing).  Great Crested Grebe and six Whimbrel at Alturlie, with nine Wheatears at Quarryfield (Bob Wilson)

Skye & Lochalsh: 37 Black-tailed Godwits at Kildonan Bay on Eigg, with single Swift and House Martin seen also (John Chester).  Brambling visiting feeders in Camastianavaig (J Hey).  Seven Sandwich Terns at Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: c20 Tree Sparrows visiting a bird-table in Durness (Donald Mitchell).  Two Lapland Buntings at Achnacarnin on the Stoer peninsula (David Haines via John Poyner).  Eight Black-throated Divers, plus single Great Northern Diver and ssp. borealis Eider off Coul Links, while at Brora were 29 Purple Sandpipers, two Arctic Terns, plus one adult and two juvenile Little Gulls (Dean MacAskill)
Sunday 25th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: 57 Pink-footed Geese over Lochindorb, two Tree Pipits at Cottartown, Grantown-on-Spey (Mike Crutch).  Two male/one female Ring Ouzels around Cairn Gorm funicular middle station (Graham Neville)

Easter Ross: Whimbrel at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Drake Garganey still at Tain (Sue Sykes/Bob Wilson), was seen flying northeast late morning (Al McNee).  Between Portmahomack and Inver were c300 Long-tailed Ducks, up to eight Whimbrel, eight Sandwich Terns and a single Greenshank (Sue Sykes).  Six Willow Warblers and two Red-throated Divers at Chanonry Point (Tim Meredith).  Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Cromarty (Kevin Davis).  Two Whimbrel between Redcastle and North Kessock (Graeme Prest)

Inverness: six Whimbrel, three White Wagtails, two Pink-footed Geese and a single Wheatear at Alturlie (Simeon Ewing).  Two Shelduck were in a sown field between Nairn and Clephanton (Robin Paton).  Male Redstart in the Strathglass area (Calum Urquhart).  Four Cuckoos and at least five male Redstarts at Blackfold (Al McNee).  

Lochaber: Grasshopper Warbler and Common Whitethroat at Salachan, Morvern (Alan Kennedy via skye-birds.com)

Skye & Lochalsh: first reports of the year of Arctic Skuas (dark morphs) off Neist Point (Andy Stables).  Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Portree (J D Jones).  Whinchat at Kyleakin forestry (Neil Hinchcliffe) - via skye-birds.com
​
Sutherland: White-billed Diver at Balnakeil Bay, also nine pairs of Gadwall, three pairs and four drake Shovelers, five 'Greenland' Wheatears, seven White Wagtails, 13 Whimbrel, three Whooper Swans, three Great Skua, five Great Northern Divers and a single Cuckoo (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: two male Ring Ouzels on the Bealach na Ba on the Kishorn side (Bob McMillan)

Saturday 24th April

Easter Ross: male Garganey and Whimbrel Tain (Bob Swann), 3 Whimbrels Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 1000 Long-tailed Ducks Drumancroy, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: Hoopoe east and female Marsh Harrier Whiteness (Stuart Webster), Whimbrel, Grey Plover & Blackcap Whiteness (Colin Leslie), 2 male Gadwalls Clachnaharry (Al McNee).

Lochaber: 4 Whimbrels Achabeag, Morvern (Alan Kennedy).

Skye & Lochalsh: Iceland Gull & 9 Whimbrels Neist Point (AS), 5 Whimbrels Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: 17 Tree Sparrows at bird-table Durness (Donald Mitchell).
​
Friday 23rd April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cuckoo near Spey Dam (Tom Cole).

Easter Ross: male Garganey Tain Links (Steve Broyd), Grasshopper Warbler Rosemarkie (Lynda Graham), 2 Pintails, 45 Common Terns  Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Lochaber: 2 Iceland Gulls Linnhe & Lochy mouths (Tony Laidler). 

Skye & Lochalsh: Female Marsh Harrier Strathcarron (Joe Newman), 4  Whimbrels Ullinish (DMcG).

Sutherland: Jack Snipe, Tree Pipit, Cuckoo Lairg (Dean MacAskill)


Thursday 22nd April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Rough-legged Buzzard Dava (per BirdGuides).

Inverness: Grey Plover 1, Sandwich Tern 215 Whiteness Bay (per BirdTrack).

Easter Ross: Richardson's Cackling Goose Udale Bay (Bob Wilson), Whimbrel Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Grasshopper Warbler Heights of Dochcarty (Simon Cohen), 5 Whimbrels Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Lochaber: Grasshopper Warbler Lochaline, Morvern (AK), Cuckoo Strathcarron (JN).

Skye & Lochalsh: 17 Whimbrels Breakish Obbe (NH), 7N 2S Whimbrels Neist Point (AS), House Martin Elgol (GH), Grasshopper Warbler Duisdale, Sleat (NH), Grasshopper Warbler Leitir Fura, Kinloch (ST), widespread Cuckoos.

Sutherland: 10 Grey Plovers, 8 White Wagtails Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill), adult Little Gull Brora (Alan MacAskill).

Wester Ross Cuckoo Laide Woods (Morag McCulloch).​
Wednesday 21st April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Common Redstarts at Carrbridge (Duncan MacDonald) and near Nethybridge (John Poyner).

Easter Ross: Richardson's Cackling Goose with Barnacle Goose & Greenland White-fronted Goose Balblair (Blair Whyte), 8 Black-tailed Godwits Alness Point Business Park Lagoon (Dave Tanner).

Lochaber: pair of Nuthatches Arisaig (Blair Whyte).

Skye & Lochalsh: Magpie Sassaig, Sleat (per U MacL).

Sutherland: Bonxie flew inland Eldrable Hill, Helmsdale and immature Iceland Gull Helmsdale Harbour (Dean MacAskill).
​
Tuesday 20th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Short-eared Owl Ballieward, Grantown-on-Spey (Chris Rose).

Easter Ross: Richardson's Cackling Goose Udale Bay (Mary Galloway), 3 Stock Doves Lower Pitcalzean, Nigg (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: drake Mandarin Loch Flemington (Colin Leslie), 100 Scaups Milton of Culloden (Alan MacAskill).

Lochaber: calling Nuthatch Ariundle, Sunart (Stuart Crutchfield).

Skye & Lochalsh: Scandinavian Rock Pipit Ullinish and 11 Black-tailed Godwits Dunvegan (Bob McMillan), female Black Redstart Tarscavaig (Kirsty Miller)

Sutherland: first-summer male Black Redstart Rogart (David Patterson), Russian White-fronted Goose Dornoch (per BirdGuides).

Monday 19th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Cuckoo Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig (Krystyna Keir)

Easter Ross: Richardson's Cackling Goose  and Iceland Gull Udale Bay (Lynda Graham), Common Tern Chanonry Point (Tay), Whimbrel Chanonry Point (John Carruthers), Magpie Chanonry Point (per Kevin Davis), Tree Pipit Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis),Black-throated Diver SE  Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), 30 Bramblings Rosemount, by Tain (Bob Swann), Green-winged Teal & 6 Black-tailed Godwits Tain Links (Bob Swann), pale-bellied Brent Goose Rosemarkie (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Mandarin and Blackcap Castle Heather Pond, Inverness (Simeon Ewing, Blair Johnston), Common Sandpiper Uig Bay (SG),

Lochaber: 2 Common Sandpipers Achabeag, Morvern (Alan Kennedy), Yellowhammer Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris).

Skye & Lochalsh: pair Magpies at bird table Upper Carbost (A Henning).

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull Ullapool Harbour (Blair Whyte).

Sunday 18th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: 3 Common Cranes flew N over Highland Wildlife Park - possibly heard over Nethybridge on 17th (Andy Tonge), 1200 Sand Martins Loch Insh (Pete Gordon), later 1250 there (Fraser Todd), pair Mandarins Grantown Woods (Sue Sykes).

Easter Ross: House Martin Tarbat Ness Lighthouse + 3 Magpies (Dave Tanner), Great Crested Grebe Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis), 3 Stock Doves Brahan (per BirdTrack). 

Inverness: male Gadwall Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte), male Mandarin Castle Heather Pond (Nev Wright), Cuckoo West Balbeg (Carol Miller)

Skye & Lochalsh: pale-bellied Brent Goose Broadford Bay and 2 Whimbrels Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan), Cuckoo Harrapool (A McL).

Sutherland: N race Eider (borealis) Coul Links and 5 Little Gulls Brora River mouth (Dean Macaskill)

Wester Ross: 2CY Iceland Gull  Ullapool (Milo Mole).
​
Saturday 17th April

Easter Ross: Gadwall and two Whimbrel, Tarbat Ness also Iceland Gull, Wilkhaven Farm (Dave Tanner). One Whimbrel and two White Wagtails, Chanonry Point (Alister Clunas)

Inverness: Blackcap, Craig Dunain (Sam Borthwick)

Lochaber: Wood Warbler, Arienas Wood (Steve Hardy via Bob McMillan). Glaucous Gull at the mouth of the Lochy (Alan Kennedy)

Skye & Lochalsh: Cuckoo, Harrapool (FO-W) per Skye-birds.com

Sutherland: One Lapland Bunting, Sheigra (per BirdGuides)

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull, Ullapool Harbour (Calum Urquhart)
​
Friday 16th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Ring Ouzel, Highland Wildlife Park (Andy Tonge), large group of House Martins, Craggan, Grantown on Spey (Sue Sykes), Common Sandpiper, Loch Vaa (Audrey Turner), several Willow Warblers, Milton Loch (Blair Johnston)

Easter Ross: Whimbrel, Chanonry Point and another at Newton Farm, Cromarty (Kevin Davis). Three Willow Warblers and three Blackcaps, Contin Island (Keith Barnes). Probable Richardson's Cackling Goose, Udale Bay (Kevin Davis) Common Sandpiper and Ring Ouzel, Strathconon (Clair Bale)

Inverness: Drake Mandarin, Castle Heather Park pond (Simeon Ewing)

Skye & Lochalsh: House Martin, Uig (ML), two Common Sandpipers, Kildonan Bay, Eigg (JC), Grasshopper Warbler, Ord (HM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Influx of Willow Warblers in Dornoch area also 32 White Wagtails at the Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill). 

Wester Ross: Nuthatch, Cove (Morag McCullagh)​
Thursday 15th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Hoopoe, Ardverikie Estate (approx NN 522 867). Park in lay-by on A86 near the Gate Lodge and walk/cycle in. Ring Ouzel, Cairngorm mountain car park (Alan MacAskill)

Easter Ross: Single Whimbrel, Chanonry (Kevin Davis) Lesser Black-backed Gull, Tain Links (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Two Swifts (screaming) over Inverness (Phil Clark). Cuckoo, Glen Urquhart (Carol Miller). Willow Warblers reported from Glen Cannich (Colin Leslie), Merkinch (Caroline Snow), Inverness (Sam Borthwick) and Coignafearn also a Ring Ouzel there (Al McNee)

Skye & Lochalsh: Widespread arrival of Willow Warblers with reports from Uig (SG), Kilmuir (JJ), Braebost (SP), Camas na Sgianadin (ST), Portree (TH), Lochailort (SC), Harrapool (MB), several at Drumfearn (PK)  and at Kinloch, Rum (SM)  per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Glaucous Gull, Oldshore Beg (Rob Hughes) Probable Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at house named "Cullaird" north of Lochinver on B869 (NC0835 2510), Please respect privacy and social distancing (no sign of the bird today). Great White Egret, Oldany Farm, Lochinver (David Haines) Single Lapland Bunting, Sheigra (Rob Hughes)

Wester Ross: Willow Warblers around Kinlochewe and Beinn Eighe NNR (Jonathan Willet). 2nd Winter Iceland Gull, Loch Kishorn (Bob McMillan)​
Wednesday 14th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Two Common Sandpipers, River Spey at Kinrara (Craig Johnstone)

Easter Ross: Still at least one Lapland Bunting and five Snow Buntings, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) later eight Lapland Buntings reported on BirdGuides NB - Do not enter fields and only park in main Tarbat Ness car park

Inverness: Single House Martin, Gollanfield (Jon Clarke) Common Sandpiper and Swallow, River Beauly (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: Wryneck, Isle of Eigg (Pascal Carr via JC), Iceland Gull and several Willow Warblers, Eigg (JC) also Willow Warbler, Uig (ML), Swallows at Harrapool (NB) and Plockton Airstrip (JS) possibler "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit, Ullinish (David McGough) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Three Little Gulls, 14 Sand Martins Brora (Dave Tanner). Lapland Bunting, Sandwood Bay (Rob Hughes)
​
Tuesday 13th April

​Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Tree Pipits, Inshriach (Colin Leslie)​. c470 Pink-footed Geese over Dava Moor (Mike Crutch)

Easter Ross: 4 Velvet Scoters past Tarbat Ness, also Wheatear there (Dave Tanner). Blackcap singing, Rosemarkie beach (John Carruthers). Still at least five Lapland Buntings, Tarbat Ness (Keith Barnes)  NB - Do not enter fields and only park in main Tarbat Ness car park

Inverness: Mandarin duck on Caledonian Canal, Clachnaharry (Thomas Plant)

Skye & Lochalsh: Blackcap at Edinbane (JJ), Willow Warbler, Lower Milovaig (AS), Swallow, Laig, Isle of Eigg (JC) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Ring Ouzel, Sheigra Beach also Lapland Bunting (Rob Hughes). 28 Greenshank, The Mound (Dean MacAskill). Nine Little Gulls and four Snow Buntings, Brora (Simon Levene)​
Monday 12th April

​Badenoch & Strathspey: ​Kingfisher​ and Common Sandpiper, River Spey at Grantown (Blair Johnston)

Easter Ross: 10 Snow Buntings and 14 Lapland Buntings between Wilkhaven Farm and Brucefield Farm, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) also Iceland Gull at Wilkhaven (Dean MacAskill) NB - Do not enter fields and only park in main Tarbat Ness car park Two Blackcaps, Rosehaugh Estate (Bob Wilson). c300 Long-tailed Ducks, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner). 12 Swallows over River Conon (David Bain)

Lochaber: Singing Willow Warbler,  Inverailort, Morar (SC) per skye-birds.com
​
Skye & Lochalsh: Singing Willow Warbler,  Drumfearn, Sleat (PK), Blackcap, Glasnakille (MH), Ring Ouzel, Boreraig (DR) per skye-birds.com
​
Sunday 11th April

​Badenoch & Strathspey: Kingfisher, Confluence of River Dulnain and River Spey (Pete Moore)

Easter Ross: Eight Lapland Buntings and around 20 Snow Buntings still at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) also 20+ Purple Sandpipers there and 70+ Sand Martins, Loch Eye (Alan MacAskill). Swallow at Loch Eye (Bob Swan). Two Stock Doves and "good numbers" of Bramblings, Kirkmichael, Gordons Mill (Mark Finn). Single Whimbrel on the beach (in the snow!), Cromarty (Kevin Davis)

Lochaber: Singing Willow Warbler, Achabeag (Alan Kennedy via Bob McMillan). Two Swallows Arisaig (RD) and a single Magpie, Mallaig (S, MacD) per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: 15 Slavonian Grebes and 31 Great Northern Divers off Ardnish, Broadford (NH) and six Black-throated Divers in Bracadale Bay off Ullinish (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland:  Durness, 730 Barnacle Geese, 63 Whooper swan, 110 Golden plover, two pairs of Gadwall, one Pintail, 14 Sandwich Terns, two Wheatear, 300 Icelandic Redwings and an adult Little Gull, by the cemetery, also an Osprey at Loch Merkland (Dean MacAskill). Lapland Bunting, Balchladich, Assynt (Shannon Clifford)

​Wester Ross: 26 Greenshank, Loch Carron (Joe Newman via Bob McMillan). Swallow at Clachan, Lochbroom (Tessa Rhodes)
Saturday 10th April

Easter Ross: three (2m/1f) Lapland Buntings at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), two males still present into the afternoon (Steve Broyd), rising to fourby 1530hrs and eight  by 1700hrs (Bob Swann), with 21 Snow Buntings also present (Tay Davies) - final count across the day was 7m/2f.  Seven Greenshank at Munlochy Bay (Bob Wilson)

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Glaucous Gull at the Isle of Muck fish farm (Ronnie Dyer).  Swallow at Roag, Dunvegan ('PK'), plus small numbers of Whooper Swan across region as well as skeins of Pink-footed Geese numbering between 80 and 300 - via skye-birds,com
Friday 9th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: Rough-legged Buzzard seen over the Highland Wildlife Park (Andy Tonge via Facebook)

Easter Ross: immature Iceland Gull still present at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness along with c500 Pink-footed Geese, plus male Merlin nearby (Dave Tanner).  Eleven Greenshank at Redcastle (Bob Wilson).  155 Whooper Swans at Rhynie, near Loch Eye (Bob Swann)

Sutherland: Black Redstart amongst the caravans by the pier at Embo, with two Greenland White-fronted Geese amongst Pink-feet at Skelbo, and 24 Snow Bunting at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).  Off Embo in the afternoon was a single sumplum Slavonian Grebe, plus 22 Common Scoter and 17 Long-tailed Duck, plus nine Sandwich Terns (Blair Whyte).  Five Little Gulls on the Dalchalm Burn mouth at North Brora (Sandy Sutherland)

Wester Ross: 18 Greenshank at the head of Loch Carron ('JN' via skye-birds.com)
Thursday 8th April

Easter Ross: immature Iceland Gull still at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) with eight Snow Bunting present later in the day (Blair Whyte).  135 Whooper Swans at Loch Eye (Bob Swann) with three White-fronted Geese (adult Greenland and 2CY Russian plus one other) to the southwest of the loch, the Pink-footed Geese also present containing a single leucistic example (Pete Gordon)

Sutherland: four 1st winter and seven adult Little Gulls at Brora, while at Golspie was a single Greenland White-fronted Goose (amongst Pink-feet), and 36 Sandwich Tern off Skelbo (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 7th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: 14 Shoveler (7m/7f) at Insh (Dave Pierce). 

Easter Ross: immature Iceland Gull at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Drake Pochard and 19 Sand Martins at Loch Lundie (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: a first for Skye - single Stock Dove at Kilmaluag (Bob McMillan)

Sutherland: twelve Grey Plovers, 15 Snow Buntings, eleven Sandwich Terns, two Wheatears and three White Wagtails at Dornoch Point, while at Loch Migdale were some c460 Sand Martins (Dean MacAskill)
Tuesday 6th April

Easter Ross: c2,500 Kittiwakes and over 750 Gannets amongst the large seabird movement off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Wheatear at Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway).  Three Ring Ouzels visiting a garden in the Upper Knockbain Road area of Dingwall (Roger Fothergill).  Stock Dove at Kirkmichael (Kevin Davis) - a pair have been seen in recent days also in the area (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Wheatear at Merkinch LNR (Thomas Plant)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Canada Geese at Ashaig, with a White-tailed Eagle showing a keen interest (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: two Snow Buntings at the Ullapool campsite (Andy Williams)
Monday 5th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: c1,100 Sand Martins at Loch Insh in heavy snowfall (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: Greenshank at Kirkmichael, plus four Wheatears (3m/1f) at Udale (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Wheatear on the Leys estate (Alan MacAskill).  Ten Sand Martins at Loch Flemington (Calum Urquhart).  14 Meadow Pipits and four Sand Martin along the River Ness in the city centre (Thomas Plant)

Skye & Lochalsh: two Canada Geese at Plockton ('JS') - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Pair of Surf Scoters at Embo, while 14 Little Gulls are now at the Brora river mouth, plus eight Sandwich Terns and four Black-throated Divers (Dean MacAskill)

Sunday 4th April

Badenoch & Strathspey: drake Mandarin and c310 Sand Martins at Loch Insh (Dave Pierce). 

Easter Ross: 2nd year Iceland Gull in newly-sown field at Newton farm near Cromarty (Kevin Davis).  Osprey at Udale Bay, and two Swallows at Kirkmichael (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant still amongst the geese at Wester Dalziel (Pete Gordon)

Lochaber: c15 House Martins at Kilchoan (Liz Hallam)

Skye & Lochalsh: c100 Redwings at Kensaleyre (Mark Simpson).  Iceland Gull still on Loch Scresort, Rum while nocmig recording revealed overnight passage of Moorhen - a first for the island (Sean Morris) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: eight Snow Bunting, two Wheatear and two White Wagtails at Dornoch Point, while at Brora's river mouth ten Little Gulls plus six Sandwich Terns were present (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 3rd April

Easter Ross: Greenshank Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant with 3000 Pinkfeet S of Wester Dalziel (Al and Jenny McNee), White-fronted Goose with 2000 Pinkfeet Milton of Gollanfield (Al and Jenny McNee). 

Lochaber: Common Sandpiper Miodar Bay, Loch Aline, Moidart (AK), White Wagtails at Rhu, Arisaig (SC) and Traigh, Morar (Steven MacDonald).  Cuckoo in Morar (Niki Robertson via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: arrival of Wheatears, early Greenland Wheatears 12 at Glendale (12) and Ardnish, Broadford (2) (A & AS, NH), female Velvet Scoter apparently paired to male Red-breasted Merganser Loch Portee (Neil Bennett).  1stCY Iceland Gull on Loch Scresort, Rum (Sean Morris) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 2nd winter Iceland Gull Helmsdale Harbour (Colin Leslie).

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull Ullapool Harbour (per BirdGuides).
​
Friday 2nd April

Widespread scatter of Wheatears, Chiffchaffs, Sand Martins and a few Swallows.

Badenoch & Strathspey: Ring Ousel Coire Cas, Cairn Gorm (Holly).

Easter Ross: Male Green-winged Teal Tain (Pete Gordon).

Lochaber: pair Nuthatches Arisaig (Bob McMillan)

Sutherland: Pair Surf Scoters with 3500 Common and 10 Velvet Scoters, also Great Northern Diver, Embo (Pete Gordon, Bob Wilson), White Wagtail Embo (Dean MacAskill), 9 Snow Buntings Dornoch Point (Bob Wilson).

Thursday 1st April

Badenoch & Strathspey: pair Gadwalls below Clunie Castle (Pete Gordon), pair Shovelers Insh Marshes (Steve Reddick), Ring Ousel Gaick (Dave Pierce).

Inverness: Wheatear Fort George (Jonathan Clarke) - slow arrival in east.

Skye & Lochalsh: marked arrival of Wheatears with 10+ reported on Skye, a few on Eigg and 10 at Kilmory, Rum (Bob McMillan), reeling Grasshopper Warbler Sligachan (Lis & Robbie Phillips). juv Glaucous Gull at fish farm on Rum (Sean Morris).
​
Wednesday 31st March

Badenoch & Strathspey: 13 Barnacle Geese & 21 Greenland White-fronted Geese Insh Marshes (Dave Pierce), 8 Greenland White-fronted Geese Blargie, W of Laggan (Fraser Todd), 53 Sand Martins & 2 Swallows Spey Dam (Fraser Todd), pair of Gadwalls below Clunie Castle, near Newtonmore (Fraser Todd)..

Inverness: 7 Swallows River Ness at Harbour (Phil).

Ross-shire: Common Sandpiper hills above Dundreggan (Gus Routledge).

Skye & Lochalsh: Wheatear Loch Slapin near Torrin (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: 200 Bramblings entrance to Coul Farm (Dean MacAskill), 30 Sandwich Terns Skelbo (Dean MacAskill).

Tuesday 30th March

Easter Ross: drake Green-winged Teal Tain Links Pond (Dave Tanner), Merlin Munlochy (Bob Wilson).

Inverness: 14 Red-throated Diver Fort George (Alan MacAskill).

Lochaber: 11 Manx Shearwaters from ferry Mallaig - Rum, 1st winter Iceland Gull & 3 LBB Gulls Loch Scresort, Rum (all Sean Morris).

Sutherland: 2CY Iceland Gull Navidale (Lorna Jappy).

Monday 29th March

Badenoch and Strathspey: 2 Magpies Garvamore and 61 Whooper Swans Sherramore (Fraser Todd).

Easter Ross: 10 Shovelers and singing Chiffchaff Bogbain (Bob Swann).

​Skye & Lochalsh: 2 Magpies Loch Bay, Waternish (Blair Whyte).

Sutherland: 3 Sandwich Terns Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)

Sunday 28th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Magpie Aviemore (Audrey Turner), 3 Sand Martins Loch Insh (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: Hawfinch Kildary (Lynda Simpson), Sand Martin Loch Eye (Bob Swann).

Skye & Lochalsh: female Velvet Scoter Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: male Surf Scoter Embo, 3 (ad, 2 imms) Little Gulls Brora, Scandinavian Rock Pipit and 15 Snow Buntings Dornoch, 3 Sandwich Terns Loch Fleet (all Dean MacAskill).


Saturday 27th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: 40 Whooper Swans over Aviemore (Robert Turner), Ring Ouzel, Cromdale Hills (Dave Pullan), Magpie Nethybridge (Julia Douglas).

​​Easter Ross: Single Sandwich Tern, two Pintail (one male), 38 Red-throated Divers, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis), Chiffchaff, Avoch (Tim Meredith)

Inverness: Chiffchaff Merkinch LNR (Caroline Snow), four Chiffchaffs, Whiteness (Colin Leslie), Osprey, Moy (Craig Johnstone)

Lochaber: 22 Whooper Swans on shore at Achabeag, Morvern (AK) per skye-birds.com

​Skye & Lochalsh: 16 Manx Shearwater from the ferry between Rum & Point of Sleat (SM), single Great Skua Pabay, Skye (RMcM) and single from ferry between Rum and Point of Sleat (SM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland:  ​​Black Scoter and four Surf Scoters, Embo Pier, six Little Gulls and "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit, Brora (all Dean MacAskill). 
​
​Friday 26th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Two Sand Martins, Loch Insh (Dave Pierce)

Skye & Lochalsh: ​Iceland Gull, Bayfield, Portree also female Velvet Scoter, Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), juvenile Iceland Gull, Eigg (JC) 200+ Redwings at Loch nan Eala, Arisaig (RD), 42 on Lochcarron Golf Course and 27+22 Fieldfare at Strathcarron (JN) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland:  ​​14 Snow Buntings, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill). Unconfirmed report of Cuckoo calling at Rogart (Per Facebook)
​
Thursday 25th March
​Easter Ross: c360 Common Scoter, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 23 Whooper Swans and 20 Fieldfares, Heights of Docharty, Dingwall (Simon Cohen)

Inverness: Two Sandwich Terns, Whiteness (Al McNee). 70+ Scaup, Alturlie (Thomas Plant)

Skye & Lochalsh: ​Sand Martin, Harrapool, Skye (Martin Benson) 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Loch Caroy (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: ​​13 Little Gulls at Brora (Dean MacAskill). 24 Whooper Swans, Melvich and "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit, Brora per BirdGuides
​
Wednesday 24th March

Easter Ross: Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cotterton (Bob Wilson). Six Common Scoter, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).

Skye & Lochalsh: ​41 Whooper Swans over Dunvegan this morning (G.Dunbar), 12 over Loch Poolteil (AlS) and 25 at Ashaig, Broadford late afternoon (RMcM) per skye-birds.com. Two Slavonian Grebes, Harrapool, Skye per BirdGuides
​
Tuesday 23rd March

Easter Ross: Male Shoveler and six Common Scoter, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). c100 Whooper Swans, Balmuchy and 1200 Common Scoter at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Adult Mediterranean Gull still off Lady Street car park, Hilton of Cadboll (Simon Levene). 20 Common Scoter, Rosemarkie Bay (Mary Galloway). Green-winged Teal, Tain Links (per G Aitkin/Birdtrack)
​
Skye & Lochalsh: Eight Greenland White-fronted Geese at Kilmuir (JJ) per skye-birds.com
​
Monday 22nd March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Four Waxwings, Cairn Rynetin, Abernethy Forest (Desmond Dugan)

Easter Ross: Single Black-throated Diver, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). 51 Whooper Swans and 151 Knot, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner) Adult Mediterranean Gull, Hilton of Cadboll (Simon Levene)

Inverness: Three Water Rails, Merkinch LNR (Colin Leslie)

Skye & Lochalsh: Wheatear, Torrin, Skye (Bob McMillan)
​
Sutherland: ​​10 Snow Buntings at Dornoch Point today and four Little Gulls at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Sunday 21st March

Easter Ross: Single Black-throated Diver, Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: ​50+ Whooper Swans flying north over Inverness (Thomas Plant). Single Shoveler and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Alturlie Pools (Blair Whyte). Two Water Rails, Mekinch LNR (Alan MacAskill)

Lochaber: 10 Slavonian Grebes, Inversanda Bay (per BirdGuides) 23 Whooper Swans nw over Ardtornish (SC) per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: Single Great Skua, Pabay, Broadford Bay, 13 Whooper Swans north over Waterloo (NH) and  17 north at Neist Point (AS) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: drake Black Scoter ​still off Embo (per BirdGuides)

Wester Ross: Adult Mediterranean Gull, Firemore Beach, Loch Ewe (Morag McCulloch)

Saturday 20th March

Easter Ross: Chiffchaff at Mount Eagle (Bob Wilson)

Inverness: singles of European White-fronted and Greenland White-fronted Goose amongst Pink-footed Geese between Ardersier and Gollandfield, plus two Stock Dove at Milton of Gollandfield (Dean MacAskill).  Whooper Swan on Loch Laide (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber: Magpie in Inverlochy (Alister Anderson via Roy Dennis)

Skye & Lochalsh: 2nd winter Iceland Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).  Eleven Slavonian Grebes at Ashaig, Broadford plus four Red-throated and two Black-throated Divers (Neil Hinchcliffe/Bob McMillan).  Three Canada Geese at Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris) - per skye-birds.com
Friday 19th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: two Pintail on the Balliefurth flood by Broomhill (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: three drake Velvet Scoter past Tarbat Ness, while nearby at Brucefield Farm a 1st winter Iceland Gull was present with c500 Pink-footed Geese (Dave Tanner).  At Cromarty, 13 Pale-bellied Brent Geese (Kevin Davis)

Skye & Lochalsh: 24 Whooper Swan at Camascroise, Sleat ('RC') - per skye-birds.com
​
Sutherland: drake Black Scoter and four Surf Scoters off Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Thursday 18th March

Easter Ross: Velvet Scoter past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Lesser Black-backed Gull past Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis).  133 Pintail and five Whooper Swans at Nigg (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: 17 Slavonian Grebes at Ashaig, Broadford (Neil Hinchcliffe) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: two Sandwich Terns off Embo (Dean MacAskill)

Wednesday 17th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: contact-calling Chiffchaff at Dava (Mike Crutch/Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: 20 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Nigg (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: c100 Scaup off Alturlie with usual small numbers of Slavonian Grebe and Goldeneye, while at Easter Dalziel 87 Golden Plovers were present (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: first of the year Great Skua off Plockton (Martin Bliss via Bob McMillan) plus a further two off Broadford with an exceptional 19 Slavonian Grebes nearby off Ashaig along with 21 Great Northern Divers and 18 Black-throated Divers (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Tuesday 16th March

Easter Ross: at least two Hawfinch still present at Allangrange (Bob Wilson)

Inverness: seven Corn Bunting at Milton of Gollanfield (Blair Johnston)

Sutherland: 11 Little Gulls at the Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: 120 Barnacle Geese, three Great Northern Divers plus single Black-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe in Gruinard Bay (Alan MacAskill).  Three juvenile Iceland Gulls following a creel boat in Loch Kishorn, plus pair of sumplum Black-throated Divers present also (Martin Bliss via Bob McMillan).  Leucistic Redshank at Lochcarron (Joe Newman via skye-birds.com - see that website for a photo)
Monday 15th March

Easter Ross: Greenland White-fronted Goose by St Michael's Church, Udale (Calum Urquhart).  Greenshank at Munlochy Bay (Bob Wilson).  Twelve Pale-bellied Brent Geese at the mouth of Rosemarkie burn (John Carruthers)

Inverness: Water Rail at Merkinch reserve (Caroline Snow).  Three Grey Plovers at Whiteness, with c300 Gannets and c50 Kittiwakes offshore (Al & Jenny McNee)

Skye & Lochalsh: two flocks of 20 Twite in the Broadford area (Neil Bennett), and four Slavonian Grebes off Lusa Mouth in the village also (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com
​
Sunday 14th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: c80 Kittiwakes on Loch Insh (Pete Gordon), with c35 moving to Loch Alvie in the afternoon (Steve Broyd)

Easter Ross: past Chanonry Point between 0620-0800hrs was a single Little Auk, four Black-throated Diver, 38 Red-throated Diver and five Slavonian Grebe (Kevin Davis).  Five Hawfinches at Allangrange, plus Greenshank at Munlochy Bay (Graeme Prest)

Inverness: three Corn Bunting at Milton of Gollanfield (Blair Whyte), joined by twelve more when Colin Leslie was there.  Grey-bellied Brant amongst geese near Ardersier (Colin Leslie).    Two singing Chiffchaffs at Merkinch reserve (Al McNee)

Skye & Lochalsh: c80 Barnacle Geese on Staffin Island (Bob McMillan), female Velvet Scoter still on Loch Portree plus two Lapland Buntings seen over nearby forestry (Neil Bennett), singing Chiffchaff at the Uig hotel (Seth Gibson) - via skye-birds.com
Saturday 13th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: 4 Waxwings Nethybridge (Pete Gordon), pair of Pintails Loch Garten (Simon Eaves). .

Easter Ross: juvenile Iceland Gull Brindal Farm, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner), Hawfinch Allangrange (per BirdTrack), Greenland White-fronted Goose Udale Bay (per BirdTrack). 

Inverness: 10 pale-bellied Brent Geese Whiteness (Blair Whyte).

Wester Ross; 2 Iceland Gulls between river and harbour Ullapool (BirdGuides).
​
Friday 12th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Jack Snipe Ruthven (Dave Pierce), 4 Waxwings Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: 4 (2 pairs) Pintails Udale Bay (Mary Galloway), Waxwing Craighill (Gary Aitken).

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe Alturlie (Colin Leslie).

Skye & Lochalsh: male Long-tailed Duck  Lusa River, Broadford (Bob McMillan)

Sutherland: 13 Little Gulls Brora and 27 Grey Plovers Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill). 

Wester Ross: 2 Iceland Gulls Ullapool Harbour (per BirdGuides).

Thursday 11th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Tundra Bean Goose Carr Road, near Dulnain Bridge (Simon Pawsey), Green Woodpecker Loch Alvie (Dave Pierce), 4 Waxwings Nethy Bridge and  pair Pintails Balliefurth, near Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

​Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Iceland Gull Pooltiel (Andy Stables).

Sutherland: 3 Little Gulls Brora River mouth (Dean MacAskill).

 Wednesday 10th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Chiffchaff Anagach, Grantown-on-Spey (George Dunbar), pair of Pintails on flood near Broomhill Bridge, Nethybridge (Caroline Pearson).

Easter Ross: 14 Shovelers Loch Eye (Dave Tanner).

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 Canada Geese Loch Portree (NB).

Tuesday 9th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Green Woodpecker Kinrara (per BirdTrack), 4 Waxwings Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: 4 Hawfinches and a Stock Dove Allangrange (Alan MacAskill).

Skye & Lochalsh: female Velvet Scoter Loch Portree (NB), Moorhen Loch Cillchroisd (D Inglis), 2 Canada Geese Raasay (SB), male Blackcap at feeders Edinbane (CR) - all per skye-birds.com.

Monday 8th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Green Woodpecker Auchgourish, near Boat of Garten (per BirdTrack).

Easter Ross: White-fronted Goose Glenurquhart Farm, between Cromarty and Rosemarkie (Kevin Davis), Greenland White-fronted Goose near Tain (Hugh Addlesee),  Blackcap in Dingwall garden (Judi MacDonald)

Inverness: male Shoveler Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte).

Sutherland: male Black Scoter with 4 Surf Scoters Embo (per BirdGuides), Iceland Gull Helmsdale Harbour (Shaz), Scandinavian Rock Pipit Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).

Sunday 7th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Barnacle Goose with Pinkfeet Carr Road, halfway to Carrbridge (Sue Sykes).

Easter Ross: 24 pale-bellied Brent Geese Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas).

Inverness: male Shoveler Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: 3 Common Scoters Loch nan Ceal, Arisaig (SC per skye-birds.com)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st-winter Velvet Scoter Loch Portree (per BirdGuides), female Blackcap at feeders Uig (ML per Skye-birds.com), 6/7 Greenland White-fronted Geese Trotternish (JDJ per skye-birds.com).

Wester Ross: leucistic Barnacle Goose below Post Office, Achiltibuie (Stuart Edwards), juv Iceland gull Ullapool Harbour (per BirdGuides). 

 Saturday 6th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: 181 Curlews flying upstream along the Spey this afternoon (Peter Cosgrove)

Easter Ross: One Velvet Scoter, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 18 Hawfinch still in trees at pond opposite Black Isle Brewery, Allangrange (Bob Wilson)

Inverness: one in Inverness garden (Penny Insole). 
​
Skye & Lochalsh: Seven Greenland White-fronted Geese at Kilmuir, Trotternish (JDJ) per skye-birds.com
​
Sutherland: Juvenile Iceland Gull still at Helmsdale Harbour (per BirdGuides), 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese Dornoch Beach north (R Wood)
​
Friday 5th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Magpie at Laggan (Fraser Todd)

Easter Ross: Five Velvet Scoter, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Single Hawfinch at pond opposite Black Isle Brewery, Allangrange (Blair Whyte)

Sutherland: Adult drake Black Scoter and four Surf Scoters, Embo (Alastair McNee).
​​
Thursday 4th March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Four Waxwings, Lynstock Crescent, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon)​

Easter Ross: Several reports of a large flock of Hawfinches at Allangrange today with a maximum count of 24 (Alastair McNee)

Skye & Lochalsh: Nuthatch at The Lodge, Eigg (John Chester). Three Canada Geese, Isleornsay (RC) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Adult drake Black Scoter and four Surf Scoters, Embo, 2nd Winter Iceland Gull, Helmsdale harbour (per BirdGuides).
​​
Wednesday 3rd March

Badenoch & Strathspey: Four Waxwings, Nethybridge (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: Six Velvet Scoter and 36 Red-throated Divers, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Single Greenshank and 27 Whooper Swans, Munlochy Bay, single Hawfinch in trees beside the pond opposite the Black Isle Brewery (Bob Wilson). 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Cromarty (Kevin Davis)

Lochaber: Two female type Common Scoter on Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (RD) per skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: 15 Whooper Swans on Black Lochs, Broadford (RMcM) and two at Ardmore, Waternish (SP) per skye-birds.com. Two juvenile Iceland Gulls, Loch Kishorn (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: Three Surf Scoters, Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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Tuesday 2nd March

Badenoch & Strathspey: single Brambling, Nethybridge (Steve Reddick) also four Waxwings still there​, Rough Legged Buzzard, north of Grantown on Spey  (per BirdGuides)

Easter Ross: 2 Velvet Scoter, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Single Greenshank and 19 Whooper Swans, Munlochy Bay (Kevin Davis)

Skye & Lochalsh: six Slavonian Grebes, Loch Ainort (RMcM) per skye-birds.com. Female Velvet Scoter in Glenelg Bay (per BirdGuides)

Sutherland: one Greenland White-fronted Goose in fields below Dornoch School, 2 male and 2 female Surf Scoters, 2 Brent Geese and 34 Purple Sandpipers, Embo (Dean MacAskill)​

Monday 1st March

Easter Ross: 11 Velvet Scoter, 32 Red-throated Divers, 10 Black Guillemot and single Barnacle Goose, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Five Black-throated Divers, 15 Great Northern Divers, five Slavonian Grebes and 45 Red-breasted Mergansers, Ashaig, Broadford (NB, RMcM) per skye-birds.com
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Sunday 28th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Waxwings still present in Nethybridge (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: Single male Shoveler,  82 Scaup, 52 Long-tailed Duck and 7 Red-throated Divers, off Jemimaville (Kevin Davis). Later the male Shoveler was reported from Udale (Mary Galloway). Two Grey Partridges and 44 Red-throated Divers, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: female Velvet Scoter still in Glenelg bay, ​68 Wigeon in Balmacara Bay and 81 at Ardelve, Lochalsh (RMcM) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter, 34 Velvet Scoters and 600 Common Scoters off Embo, while 20 Grey Plover, single Snow Bunting and a Scandinavian Rock Pipit at Dornoch Point (all Dean MacAskill). Single Greenland White-fronted Goose by A9 between The Mound and Golspie (per BirdGuides)

Wester Ross: two Slavonian Grebes, ten Great Northern Divers, Laide, two Slavonian Gebes, three Common Scoter and seven Great Northern Divers, Little Gruinard, 80 Barnacle Geese, Mungasdale, 15 Curlew, eight Redshank and one Greenshank, Dundonnel (all Andy Williams) 
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Saturday 27th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Waxwings still present in Nethybridge (Blair Johnston). Calling Long-eared Owl, Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: c2,000 Common Scoter past Tarbat Ness, heading southeast (Dave Tanner).  15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas)

Inverness: White-tailed Eagle over the Milton of Leys area of the city (David Bain)

Skye & Lochalsh: Iceland Gull at Neist Point, with first Fulmars back on breeding ledges (Andy Stables).  Two Canada Geese in Broadford Bay ('PO-W') - per skye-birds.com
Friday 26th February

Easter Ross: three drake Velvet Scoter off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Hawfinch still visiting a garden in Kildary (Lynda Simpson).  Five Pintail off Redcastle (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: nine Red-throated Divers off Scalpay (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: male Hen Harrier at Cove (Morag McCullagh)

Thursday 25th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Waxwings still present in Nethybridge (Pete Gordon/Steve Broyd)

Easter Ross:  immature White-tailed Eagle seen between Jemimaville and Nigg (John Carruthers)

Skye & Lochalsh: drake Long-tailed Duck plus three Slavonian Grebes, single Black-throated Diver, eight Great Northern Divers and 46 Skylarks at Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Wednesday 24th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Waxwings still present in Nethybridge, while on the Bailliefurth flood north of the village was a superb count of 980 Lapwings - believed to be a record number for the area (Pete Gordon)

Skye & Lochalsh: eight Purple Sandpipers at Kildonan, Eigg (John Chester) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter with c1,200 Common Scoters off Embo, while 37 Grey Plover were at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
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Tuesday 23rd February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Waxwings still present in Nethybridge (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross:  single Black-throated Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: 170+ Scaup at Alturlie, Kingfisher along River Ness at Whin Park in the city (Alan MacAskill).  Possible Greater Scaup X Tufted Duck hybrid at Alturlie (Morag McCullagh)
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Monday 22nd February

Easter Ross: four Velvet Scoter and single Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver, plus seven Red-throated Divers at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: 104 Lapwing in Strathdearn (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: flock of 60 returning Skylarks at Kildonan, Eigg (John Chester).  13 Whooper Swans on Loch na Corr, Inverinate (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Sunday 21st February

Badenoch & Strathspey: female Hen Harrier at Auchmore, Newtonmore (Tony Hadley via Facebook).  Two Ringed Plover back on breeding territory near Dalwhinnie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: drake and female Velvet Scoter off Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: four Grey Plover at Whiteness (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: drake Long-tailed Duck at Ashaig, Broadford (Martin Benson).  Eight Whooper Swans on Loch na Corr, Inverinate ('DM')  - per skye-birds.com

Saturday 20th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 4 Pintails, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 182 Lapwings Insh (Dave Pierce), 4 Waxwings Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Inverness: female Blackcap visiting a garden in the Crown area of the city (Alan Jones)

Sutherland: 5 Little Gulls Brora (Dean MacAskill).

Wester Ross: juvenile Iceland Gull and Bar-tailed Godwit (scarce there) Ullapool (Andy Williams).

Friday 19th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 4 Waxwings Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: 6 Grey Plovers, c250 Twite and Goldfinch Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).

Skye & Lochalsh: adult Iceland Gull Lower Milovaig (AS), adult Iceland Gull and female Velvet Scoter Loch Portree (NB), female Blackcap at feeders Uig (MC) - all per skye-birds.com

Thursday 18th February

Easter Ross: juvenile Iceland Gull Ullapool (Stuart Edwards).

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 juvenile Iceland Gulls Duisdale Burn, Sleat (RC per skye-birds.com).
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Wednesday 17th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 3 Waxwings Nethybridge (John Clube)

Easter Ross: juvenile Iceland Gull Bindal Farm, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: Jack Snipe Easter Dalziel (Alan MacAskill), Black-throated Diver Alturlie (Alan MacAskill).

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 Snow Buntings Dunvegan (Andy Stables), Lesser Black-backed Gull Broadford (Neil Bennett), Long-tailed Duck Ashaig (Neil Bennett).
 
Tuesday 16th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 2 Common Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull Loch Insh and a Black-headed Gull at Newtonmore (Fraser Todd) - these three species desert Badenoch & Strathspey almost completely in winter.

Skye & Lochalsh: male Long-tailed Duck Ashaig (Bob McMillan), 3 Snow Buntings near Dunvegan (AS), Brent Goose Sleat (Bob McMillan) - all per skye-birds.com

Monday 15th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: 5 Twites and 3 Skylarks Laggan (Fraser Todd), 4 Oystercatchers R Spey near Aviemore (Pete Gordon) - signs of spring.

​Easter Ross: Hawfinch Kildary (Lynda Simpson).
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Inverness: 2 Jack Snipes Easter Dalziel (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: Snow Bunting Rum (Sean Morris).

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 Snow Buntings Heaste Road, Broadford (Neil Bennett). 

Sutherland: male Surf Scoter with 1200 Common Scoters Embo and 120 Bramblings Skelbo (Dean MacAskill).
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This Little Bunting was near Boat of Garten 31 January - 1 February. News of its presence was not broadcast as the site is vey public and locals would have been concerned about crowds gathering. There must be more out there!
Sunday 14th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: Kingfisher Kingussie (Pete Moore).

Easter Ross: Kingfisher Lentran (Thomas Plant), Kingfisher Cononbridge (Edwin Hafiz), juvenile Iceland Gull Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).

Lochaber: 3 Stock Doves near Fort William (Stu Crutchfield).

Skye & Lochalsh: female Blackcap at feeders Uig (ML), Snow Bunting Kylerhea Road (NK), 3 Snow Buntings Upper Milovaig (AS), Long-tailed Duck Ashaig, Broadford (Bob McMillan), Velvet Scoter Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) - all per skye-birds.com. 

Saturday 13th February
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Easter Ross:  Two Jack Snipe, east of Shoremill between Cromarty and Jemimaville (Kevin Davis). Three Jack Snipe, 45 Brambling and 50+ Tree Sparrows, Gordon's Mill, Balblair (Mark Finn).

Skye & Lochalsh: Three Snow Buntings at Upper Milovaig (AS) with also separate groups of three and 10 on the Heaste Road (NB), Jack Snipe with a Common Snipe at Harrapool, Broadford (NB) per skye-birds.com.

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull at river mouth, Ullapool (Andy Williams)
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Friday 12th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: Water Rail, Mains of Garten (Dave Pullan)

Easter Ross:  Male Hen Harrier and also 30 Snow Buntings, one Brambling with mixed flock, Eathie Mains . 10 Snow Buntings, one Brambling and 130 Skylarks, Navity (all Kevin Davis)

Skye & Lochalsh: Five Slavonian Grebes off Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Hen Harrier, Assynt (Andy Summers via David Haines)

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull at harbour, Ullapool (per BirdGuides)
Thursday 11th February

Easter Ross: Jack Snipe at South Sutor (Kevin Davis). 100+ Snow Buntings in mixed flock with Yellowhammer, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Brambling, Chaffinch and Skylark, Eathie Mains, Black Isle (Tim Stenton)

Inverness: Three Barnacle Geese with Pink-footed Goose flock, Alturlie (Blair Johnston). Great Crested Grebe, Milton of Culloden (Al McNee)

Skye & Lochalsh: ​Single Snow Bunting on Kylerhea road in Glen Arroch (RMcM) per skye-birds.com. Iceland Gull, Loch Kishorn (Joe Newman via Bob McMillan). Possible Firecrest, Lochcarron (Euan McMillan via Bob McMillan)
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Wednesday 10th February

Easter Ross: Water Rail, Shore Street, Cromarty (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: 110 Scaup and 10 Slavonian Grebes, Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: Two Snow Buntings, Kilmory Glen Rum (SM), Jack Snipe and five Woodcock on shore at Duisdale, Sleat (RC) per skye-birds.com
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Tuesday 9th February

Easter Ross: Hawfinch, Kildary (Lynda Simpson). 14 Grey Partridges, Wilkhaven Farm (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Two Greenland White-fronted Geese, Ardersier (Paul Sharman)

Lochaber: 16 Snow Buntings, Glen Shian, Lochailort (SC) per skye-birds.com
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Skye & Lochalsh: 9 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Kilmuir (RMcM) Six Snow Buntings at Upper Milovaig, Glendale (AS), 16 Glen Shian, Lochailort (SC) and 15 still at Heaste Road, Broadford (NB) all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Adult Little Gull at the pier and Water Rail by the caravan park, Embo (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: Juvenile Iceland Gull, Ullapool (per BirdGuides)​
Monday 8th February

Easter Ross: Two 1st winter Iceland Gulls  and a Glaucous Gull past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Lochaber: One juv Iceland Gull, Lochy estuary, Fort William (Tony Laidler)

​Skye & Lochalsh: Single Snow Bunting in Kinloch Glen, Rum (SM) and two on the Kylerhea Road in Glen Arroch (RMcM) per skye-birds.com

Sunday 7th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: Possible Nordic Jackdaw, Aviemore (via Paul Phillips)

Easter Ross: Two 1st winter Iceland Gulls past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Hawfinch in private garden, Kildary (via John Poyner)

Inverness: 52 Twite and 9 Grey Plover, Whiteness Bay (Colin Leslie).

Lochaber: Kingfisher at the mouth of the River Morar ​(SMacD), four Snow Buntings at Uileann plantation, Morvern (AK)- all per skye-birds.com. Eight Snow Buntings, Glen Moidart (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: single Snow Bunting, Kylerhea road (RMcM) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: One drake Surf Scoter off Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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Saturday 6th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: four Jays at Farleitire, Insh (Duncan Macdonald)

Easter Ross: 21 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Rosemarkie, plus a Kingfisher on the Avoch burn (John Carruthers).  Reports of three Hawfinches feeding in Tore in recent days (via John Poyner)

Skye & Lochalsh: nine Golden Plover at Neist Point with a further two at Glendale (Andy Stables).  20 Snow Buntings on the Heaste road, Broadford and two at Ashaig airstrip (Martin Benson)  - per skye-birds,com

Sutherland: Great Skua off Embo (Dean MacAskill)

Friday 5th February

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Waxwings still around Boat of Garten (Steve Broyd)

Skye & Lochalsh: now 30 Snow Buntings on the Heaste road, Broadford (Neil Bennett) and three nearby at Ashaig along with 15 Golden Plover (Bob McMillan).  45 Golden Plover at Waternish ('SP') - per skye-birds,com

Sutherland: six (5 adult plus a 1st winter) Little Gulls and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill)

Thursday 4th February

Easter Ross: 16 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas)

Inverness:  ring-tail Hen Harrier on the Leys estate (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: c20 Snow Buntings along the Heaste road, Broadford (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter and 600 Common Scoters off Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Late report of a Wheatear sp. at Golspie beach on 29th January - possible 'only' a Northern ssp., but timing of the record is exceptional (Cathy Spearing via Dean MacAskill/John Poyner)

Wester Ross: Juvenile Iceland Gull, Ullapool (per BirdGuides)
Wednesday 3rd February

Easter Ross: 15 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas).  Kingfisher at Kiltearn, Evanton (Clair Bale).  Single Purple Sandpiper and Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness:  male Blackcap visiting garden the Crown area of the city (Alan Jones)

Skye & Lochalsh: Long-tailed Duck at Ashaig, Broadford with 18 Red-breasted Mergansers (Bob McMillan).  Juvenile Iceland Gull at Loch Kishorn (Neil Hinchcliffe).  Four Woodcock near the school hostel in Plockton ('MBI').  Snow Buntings reported as follows - single on the Kylerhea road (Bob McMillan), twelve at Kilmory on Rum (Sean Morris), two at Duirinish ('MBI'), and 20 on the Heaste road, Broadford (Neil Bennett)  - all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: five Little Gulls and 24 Golden Plover at Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill)

Tuesday 2nd February

Badenoch & Strathspey: Kingfisher and Red Kite in Kingussie (Dave Pierce)
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Skye & Lochalsh: two Snow Buntings along the Heaste road, Broadford (Andy Stables) plus five on the Kylerhea road (Neil Hinchcliffe).  Juvenile Iceland Gull at Kildonan Bay, Eigg (John Chester) with two others (1st and 2nd winter birds) seen by Bob McMillan on Loch Kishorn.  Velvet Scoter on Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Monday 1st February

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Waxwings still around Boat of Garten (Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull and single Black-throated Diver past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Green-winged Teal off Tain Links (Bob Swann)

Lochaber: drake Ring-necked Duck still on Loch Shiel, Acharacle (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: White-billed Diver well offshore at Lusa mouth, Broadford (Bob McMillan).  1st winter Glaucous Gull at Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter and seven Velvet Scoters off Embo (Dean MacAskill)

Sunday 31st January

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Waxwings around Boat of Garten (Simon Eaves/Pete Gordon)

Easter Ross: single Woodcock near Tarbat Ness lighthouse (Dave Tanner).  Water Rail along burn opposite the old brewery in Shore Street, Cromarty (Kevin Davis)

Inverness:  two Greenland White-fronted Geese plus possible Tundra Bean Goose amongst Pink-footed Geese flock north of Beauly (Calum Urquhart)

Lochaber:  four Snow Bunting at Uillean, Morvern (Alan Kennedy via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: White-billed Diver seen briefly in Pabay Sound (Martin Benson).  Juvenile Iceland Gull at Loch Poolteil (Andy Stables), Velvet Scoter on Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) - via Bob McMillan/skye-birds.com
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Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter amongst c4,500 Common Scoter off Coul Links, 17 Slavonian Grebes and single Puffin also.  Off Dornoch beach were 20 Slavonian Grebes, 91 Velvet Scoters and 45 Red-throated Divers (Dean MacAskill)
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Saturday 30th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Merlin and Hen Harrier seen from Ruthven Barracks (Simon Eaves).  Drake Scaup and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Loch Insh (Fraser Todd)

Easter Ross: male Hen Harrier Eathie Mains (Kevin Davis).

Lochaber: first-winter Glaucous Gull flew up Loch Linnhe to Lochy mouth (Stu Crutchfield).

Skye & Lochalsh: White-billed Diver seen distantly Pabay Sound (MB per skye-birds.com), 13 Snow Buntings Heaste Road, Broadford (ML per skye-birds.com).

Sutherland: 15 Golden Plover at Loch Fleet (Sheila McKenzie)

Wester Ross: Snow Bunting at far end of dam, Loch Glascarnoch (Simeon Ewing).
Friday 29th January

Easter Ross: juv Iceland Gull SE Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Ruddy Shelduck Udale Bay (Alister Clunas), Hawfinch in private garden KiIdary (Alan & Lynda Simpson).

Inverness: 141 Scaups, 2 Pintails Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte). 

Lochaber: Snow Bunting, Rum (Sean Morris).

Skye & Lochalsh: 7 Snow Buntings Heaste Road, Broadford (Neil Bennett).

Sutherland: 12 Snow Buntings, 2 pale-bellied Brent Goose Embo, male Hen Harrier Dornoch (Dean MacAskill).

Wester Ross: juv Iceland Gull Ullapool (Andy Williams).
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Thursday 28th January

Easter Ross: Hawfinch in private garden Kildary (Lynda Simpson), Hawfinch in private garden Avoch (per Facebook),  juv Iceland Gull SE Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: 8 Slavonian Grebes Alturlie (per BirdGuides).

Skye & Lochalsh: 5 Snow Buntings Heaste (Neil Bennett) and 7 near viewpoint on Heaste Road (Bob McMillan) - probably different

Wester Ross: juv Iceland Gull with 2 Goosanders Ullapool rivermouth (Stuart Edwards).

Wednesday 27th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: 2 Shelducks with Whooper Swans between Balavil and Insh (Dave Pierce). 

Easter Ross: Hawfinch in private garden between Tain and Invergordon (Per Highland and Moray Bird News).

Inverness: Water Rail Merkinch LNR (Alan MacAskill).

Lochaber: 10 Goosanders and male Hen Harrier Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (Ronnie Dyer).

Skye & Lochalsh: 16 Snow Buntings over Heiste Road, Broadford (Neil Bennett), 50 Barnacle Geese Eilean Mor, off Lyndale Point (per skye-birds.com).

Tuesday 26th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Short-eared Owl Auchmore (Fraser Todd).

Easter Ross: Short-eared Owl Heights of Dochcarty (Simon Cohen).

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe, 196 Scaup, 8 Slavonian Grebes Alturlie and pale-bellied Brent Goose and 2 Barnacle Geese with Pinkfeet Alturlie Pools, Peregrine & Red Kite over (all Blair Whyte). 

Skye & Lochalsh: White-billed Diver briefly in Pabay Sound, Broadford Bay. Glaucous Gull 1st winter following creel boat Broadford Bay, Water Rail Scullamus, Broadford (all Neil Bennett), Slavonian Grebe off Am Ploc, Kyle of Lochalsh (JN per skye-birds.com).

Monday 25th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: 3 Waxwings Boat of Garten Golf Course entrance, later by Holiday Park Reception (Peter Norgate).

Easter Ross: juv Iceland Gull SE Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Lochaber: Hen Harrier ringtail Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris).

Skye & Lochalsh: Velvet Scoter Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), 8 Great Northern and 1 Black-throated Divers off Lusa, Broadford but no sign of White-billed (Bob McMillan, NH).
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Sunday 24th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: 2 Waxwings at Sliemore Steading, near Nethybridge, then Balnagowan Braes and opposite Dirdhu Court entrance, both Nethybridge (all same birds?) (Steve Broyd & Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver flew SE Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Kingfisher Muirton Pool and Peregrine South Kessock ("Tommy")

​Skye & Lochalsh: White-billed Diver well off Lusa Mouth, Broadford, also 8 Purple Sandpipers (Bob McMillan), Velver Scoter off Portree (NB per Skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: male Surf Scoter, 12 Grey Plovers Dornoch and 14 Slavonian Grebes Embo (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross: adult Iceland Gull Ullapool (Andy Williams).


Saturday 23rd January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Waxwings still by Golf Club, Boat of Garten (Dave Pullan) also two Waxwings between Causer crossroads and Lynstock, Nethybridge (Mike Coleman).

Easter Ross: 14 Snow Buntings on pat to Cioch Mhor, Strath Sgitheach (Simon Cohen).

Lochaber: Four Common Scoter and four Slavonian Grebes, Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig  (RD)  - via skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: Eight Great Northern Divers and a single Black-throated Diver  in Loch Ainort (NB) - via skye-birds.com
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Friday 22nd January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Waxwings by Golf Club, Boat of Garten (Simon Eaves) also three Bramblings in the Golf Club car park (Pete Moore).

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull and 71 Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver, 25 Gannets and several hundred Guillemots and Razorbills passed Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: 181 Scaup and three Slavonian Gebes, Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

​Skye & Lochalsh: Single Slavonian Grebe​ at Ashaig, Broadford (RMcM) - via skye-birds.com

​Sutherland: Immature drake Surf Scoter and two Velvet Scoters, Embo (Dean MacAskill).

Thursday 21st January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Waxwings by golf club, Boat of Garten (Dave Pullan). Jack Snipe, Ruthven, Kingussie (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Sutherland: Six adult and one first winter Little Gulls, eight Fulmar, six Gannet, one Black Guillemot, one Puffin, 12 Red-throated Diver and two Great Northern Divers in a two hour seawatch from Brora (Dean MacAskill).
Wednesday 20th January

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull, Bindal Farm, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner). Green-winged Teal, Tain Links (Bob Swann)

Lochaber: Two 1st winter Iceland Gulls, one on An Caol island and the other on the W side of Caol Spit, Fort William (Tony Laidler). Eight Greenshank, Kentra Bay, Ardnamurchan (Sandy McNeil)

​Skye & Lochalsh: Single Common Scoter, Lusa Mouth, Broadford and three Slavonian Grebes (RMcM)​ - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Iceland Gull, Helmsdale Harbour (Sharon Fennell). Drake Surf Scoter still off Dornoch Beach (Dean MacAskill)
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Tuesday 19th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Waxwings behind tennis club, Boat of Garten (per BirdGuides)

Inverness: Kingfisher, Merkinch (Alan MacAskill)​

Lochaber: Juvenile Iceland Gull at mouth of River Lochy, Caol. Slavonian Grebe, Loch Linnhe  (all per BirdGuides)

​Skye & Lochalsh: Single Black-throated Diver in the Sound of Sleat off Armadale and four Great Northern Divers (RMcM) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Two Grey Plovers, one Black-tailed Godwit and 26 Snow Buntings, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
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Monday 18th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Barn Owl, Nethy Golf Course (Peter Norgate)
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Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull, 35 Fieldfare and 3 Redwing at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 31 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas)

Inverness: Barn Owl, Craig Dunain (Alan MacAskill)

Lochaber: Adult Little Gull, Loch Linnhe (Stu Crutchfield)

Sutherland: 41 Purple Sandpipers, 240 Common Scoter, a single Velvet Scoter and 4 Slavonian Grebes, Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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Sunday 17th January

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Kingfisher at Merkinch and Stonechat, Clachnaharry (Graeme Prest)​

Lochaber: Glaucous Gull, Sound of Mull, Achabeag (Alan Kennedy). Juvenile Iceland Gull, Mallaig (per BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st Winter Glaucous Gull, Bayfield, Portree and Velvet Scoter, Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)

Sutherland: Iceland Gull, Helmsdale Harbour (Sharon Fennell)

Saturday 16th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Waxwings near Boat of Garten golf clubhouse (Steve Broyd)

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull at Tarbat Ness, along with singles of Fulmar and Gannet (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Kingfisher at Merkinch (Al McNee)

Friday 15th January

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull, c200 Eider at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Tundra Bean Goose amongst goose flock north of A96 at Gollanfield (Al McNee).  Great Crested Grebe plus 78 Scaup, 13 Slavonian Grebe, three Pintail and 152 Golden Plover at Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh:  Velvet Scoter on Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).  Common Scoter (female or immature) still off Camas na Sgianadin, Broadford (Neil Hinchcliffe).  60 Barnacle Geese around Garafad, Staffin ('SP') - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: three Surf Scoter (adult drake, immature drake and female) off Dornoch, with 28 Snow Bunting and male Hen Harrier at the point (Dean MacAskill)

Thursday 14th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Kingfisher on the Spey near Boat of Bailliefurth (John Clube)

Inverness: Brambling visiting a Croy garden (Colin Leslie). 

Skye & Lochalsh: injured Long-eared Owl recovered at Ullinish ('PS'),  Velvet Scoter on Loch Portree (Neil Hinchcliffe) - via skye-birds.com
Wednesday 13th January

Easter Ross: single Great Northern Diver, 42 Red-throated Divers, 129 Eider, two Black Guillemot at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Black Guillemot at Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway)

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant at Castle Stuart amongst goose flock (per Birdguides)

Lochaber: drake Ring-necked Duck still on Loch Shiel, Acharacle (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: single Slavonian Grebe and Common Scoter (female or immature) off Camas na Sgianadin, Broadford (Bob McMillan).  1st winter Iceland Gull on Eigg (John Chester) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: c120 Brambling in mixed finch flock at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)

Tuesday 12th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: two drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Tulloch, Abernethy (Pete Gordon).  Merlin on the A938 near Dulnain Bridge (Sue Sykes)

Easter Ross: Woodcock flushed from the Tarbat Ness car park, seven Skylarks and c1,000 Pink-footed Geese in nearby fields, while off the point were 36 Red-throated Diver and a single Great Northern Diver (Dave Tanner).  Green-winged Teal by footbridge on the saltings, Tain (Bob Swann)

Inverness: Kingfisher on River Ness near Whin Park (Tim Stowe).  Two Long-tailed Duck off South Kessock, and c114 Scaup off Alturlie (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: 50 Barnacle Geese at Isay, Waternish ('RA').  Four Slavonian Grebes off Lusa, Broadford and similar number at Loch Ainort (Bob McMillan) - other sightings and more at skye-birds.com

Sutherland: two drake Surf Scoter and 20 plus Velvet Scoter off Dornoch Point, plus nearby three Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 13 Grey Plover, 27 Snow Bunting and c500 in the Twite/Goldfinch flock (Dean MacAskill)

Monday 11th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: three Waxwings in Boat of Garten, between Spey and railway bridges (Pete Gordon)

Skye & Lochalsh: Velvet Scoter on Loch Portree (Neil Hinchcliffe) - via skye-birds.com

Sunday 10th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: twelve Waxwings mobile around Boat of Garten (Dave Pullan, plus Simon Eaves/Sue Sykes),

Easter Ross: juv/1st winter Iceland Gull at Tarbat Ness, while off Saltburn Pier at Invergordon were c150 Scaup and eight Slavonian Grebe (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: nine Grey Plovers at Whiteness Head (Al & Jenny McNee).  Six Scaup, eleven Pintail, 98 Golden Plover and 46 Bar-tailed Godwit at Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte) Woodcock on the Leys estate (Alan MacAskill), plus another at Abban Water, Lochend (Blair Whyte).  Male Blackcap visting a Scorguie garden (William Ross)

Skye & Lochalsh: Velvet Scoter on Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Grey Phalarope distant off Dornoch beach, drake Surf Scoter and Hen Harrier also (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 9th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Jack Snipe Ruthven (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: juv Iceland Gull Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Merlin on the A835 near Moy Rock/Brahan estate entrance (Edwin Hafiz)

Lochaber: drake Ring-necked Duck Acharacle, at end of track down from Hotel (per BirdGuides).

Skye & Lochalsh: single Jack Snipes at Kyleakin (VB) and Glas Eilean, Broadford (MB) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 6 (5 ad, 1 1st W) Little Gulls Brora River mouth (Dean MacAskill).
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Friday 8th January

Easter Ross: juv Iceland Gull Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), male Hen Harrier Hilton of Cadboll (Simon Levene), 4+ Woodcocks Quarryford and single Barn Owl at Bogallan (Bob Wilson), ca 25 Brent Geese Rosemarkie (Martin Hind)

Inverness: Merlin Inverness Airport (Phil), 63 Black-tailed Godwits Bunchrew (Al & Jenny McNee), Kingfisher and Water Rail Merkinch LNR (Tim Stowe et al),  13 Pintails, 5 Scaups, Milton of Culloden (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: still 7 Slavonian Grebes on fresh water at SW corner of Loch Morar (Steven MacDonald per skye-birds.com)

Skye & Lochalsh: 3 Twites Isleornsay saltings (RC per skye-birds.com), Jay Strathcarron - unusual location (JN per skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: male Hen Harrier, 22 Snow Buntings, 6 Grey Plovers (Dean MacAskill)
Thursday 7th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: male Scaup with Tufted Ducks Loch Insh (Dave Pierce).

Easter Ross: Kingfisher by old bridge, Contin (Keith and Rosy Barnes), female-type Smew flew towards Rockfield (Dave Tanner), 3 Snow Buntings, 160+ Skylarks, Brambling Peddieston (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: 2 Kingfishers, Water Rail Merkinch LNR (Al and Jenny McNee, Alan MacAskill), 70 Scaups, Red-throated Diver, Peregrine (Blair Whyte),

Lochaber: drake Ring-necked Duck with Tufted Ducks Loch Shiel, Acharacle (Sandy McNeil), northern-type Chiffchaff Loch Lochy (David Whittaker).

Skye & Lochalsh: Velvet Scoter Loch Portree (NB per skye-birds.com), 2-3 Short-eared Owls at roost near Struan (PS per skye-birds.com).

Sutherland: adult Little Gull Loch Fleet, 40 Bramblings, 300 Twites, 100 Goldfinches, 22 Snow Buntings Dornoch (Dean MacAskill).

Wednesday 6th January

Badenoch & Strathspey: 2 Snow Buntings Dirdhu, near Nethybridge (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: 33 pale-bellied Brent Geese Rosemarkie (Alister Clunas).

Inverness: 3 Water Rails, Kingfisher and Little Auk Merkinch LNR (Alan MacAskill, Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: juv Glaucous Gull Mallaig Harbour (Steven MacDonald per skye-birds.com)

Skye & Lochalsh: single Velvet Scoters at Loch Portree (NH) and off Lusa, Broadford (Bob McMillan), 3 Jack Snipes Duisdalebeg, Sleat (RC) and one at Loch Cillchroisd (Bob McMillan) - all records per skye-birds.com.

Sutherland: male Hen Harrier, 15 Snow Buntings, 105 Golden Plovers Coul Links (Dean MacAskill), 16 Slavonian Grebes, 13 Red-throated Divers, single Black-throated and Great Northern Divers Embo (Dean MacAskill).

Tuesday 5th January

Easter Ross: second-winter Iceland Gull Shore St, Cromarty (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: 2 Kingfishers Braes area and 1 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness (Alan MacAskill), Grey-bellied Brant Goose, 4 Barnacle Geese and pale-bellied Brent Goose Wester Dalziel/Lonnie (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: 7 Slavonian Grebes in SW corner of Loch Morar - unusual on fresh water here in winter (Steven MacDonald per skye-birds), juv Glaucous Gull Mallaig (NR per skye-birds).

Skye & Lochalsh: Lapland Bunting Ardnish, Harrapool (per BirdGuides), 20 Snow Buntings Trotternish Ridge near The Stoer (TH per skye-birds)

Sutherland: Surf Scoter with 21 Velvet Scoters and 4500 Common Scoters Embo, also 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese,  37 Snow Buntings and 250 Twites there (all Dean MacAskill)
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Monday 4th January

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver 1E, 2SW and Great Northern Diver 1SW Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Kingfisher Avoch (Bob Wilson), Green-winged Teal by footbridge, Tain (Simon Levene).

Inverness: Grey-bellied Brant, 3 Barnacle Geese by Lonnie turning, Castle Stuart, Greenland White-fronted Goose and pale-bellied Brent Goose Balmachree, Newton of Petty (Peter Stronach), 52 pale-bellied Brent Geese Whiteness (Ann Sime).

Lochaber: juv Iceland Gull Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris), male Ring-necked Duck Acharacle, Loch Shiel (per BirdGuides).

Skye & Lochalsh: Jack Snipe and Lapland Bunting Ardnish, Broadford (Neil Hinchliffe), Velvet Scoter off Lusa, Broadford (Bob McMillan), female Blackcap at feeders Isleornsay (R Cottis), pair of Ptarmigan Beinn na Seamraig, Kinloch - scarce on Skye (MB). 
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Sunday 3rd January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Mealy Redpoll with Lessers Deshar School, Boat of Garten (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: male Green-winged Teal Tain (Al McNee), juv Iceland Gull Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Puffin Chanonry Point (Tim Meredith), Kingfisher Avoch Burn (Mary Galloway), 29 pale-bellied Brent Geese Rosemarkie and 6 Grey Partridges at nearby Navity (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: Kingfisher and Water Rail Merkinch LNR and Chiffchaff at nearby Carsegate Marina (Tim Stowe), White-fronted Goose with Pinkfeet just after railway bridge from A96 at Castle Stuart (Steve Broyd).

Skye & Lochalsh: 8 ad Greenland White-fronted Geese Kilmuir (Bob McMillan), Water Raill Breakish Obbe (NH per skye-birds.com)

Lochaber: juv Iceland Gull Ardgour Fish Farm (Alister Benn), Iceland Gull Fort William (Jim MackIntosh).



Saturday 2nd January

​Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Dean MacAskill) also Great Crested Grebe near Tain water treatment outfall (Dave Tanner)​. 37 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Rosemarkie beach (Bob Wilson). Single Black-tailed Godwit off Urquhart old cemetery between Cromatry bridge & Alcaig (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: Kingfisher, Merkinch LNR (Colin Leslie). Single Brambling, Errogie (Alex Keith)

Skye & Lochalsh: Eight Slavonian Grebe, Ardnish, Broadford (NH) and two Loch Carron, also single female/immature Common Scoter Loch Carron (R McM),  11 Great Northern Divers and five Red-throated Divers in Broadford Bay (NB) all via skye-birds.com

Friday 1st January

Badenoch & Strathspey: Ten+ Brambling near Speyside Way in Nethy Bridge (Peter Stronach) later 40 Brambling and four Crossbill near Nethy Kirk (Sue Sykes)

​Easter Ross: One Black-throated Diver and one Velvet Scoter past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Green-winged Teal still at Tain links  (Bob Swann)​. Single Brambling, Munlochy (Bob Wilson).  56 Purple Sandpipers and two Twite, Balintore Harbour (Simon Levene).

Inverness: Four Whooper Swans, 108 Scaup, 54 Shelduck, 183 Greylag Geese and four Magpies at Alturlie (Blair Whyte)
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Lochaber: First winter Iceland Gull, Morrisons car park, Fort William (Tony Laidler)

Skye & Lochalsh: Juvenile Velvet Scoter still at Loch Portree, Water Rail calling at Loch Suardal and four Whooper Swans (JDJ via skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: 21 Snow Buntings and six Grey Plover, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill). 

Wester Ross: Iceland Gull, Ullapool on Loch Broom at river mouth, also another reported from Ardmair fish farm (via BirdGuides)
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Happy New Year/Bliadhna Mhath Ùr - The Highland Bird News Team wish you a happy and bird filled 2021 - All the best from Pete, Mike and Colin
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2020
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Thursday 31st December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Grey Wagtail, Newtonmore (Dave Pierce).

​Easter Ross: One Black-throated Diver, 45 Red-throated Divers, two Great Northern Divers and five Gannets SW past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). Barn Owl, Heights of Dochcarty (Simon Cohen)

Inverness: Male and Female Gadwall and single Whooper Swan, Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber: Single Snow Bunting behind Ardnish Fishfarm, Lochailort (SC via skye-birds.com )

Skye & Lochalsh: 70 Fieldfares at Kilbride, Torrin (NH via skye-birds.com )

Sutherland: Seven adult Little Gulls and 23 adult Gannets, Brora (Dean MacAskill). Three Snow Buntings, Embo beach (Thomas Plant)

Wednesday 30th December

​Easter Ross: 12 fieldfares feeding on the holly berries in the garden at Drynie Park (Martin Hind)
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Inverness: Two Kingfishers and six Common Snipe, Mekinch LNR (Phil Clark)

​Skye & Lochalsh: Four Black-throated Divers in Loch Slapin off Kilmarie also two Red-throated Divers and eight Great Northern Divers (RMcM via skye-birds.com )
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Tuesday 29th December

Easter Ross: Three Velvet Scoters, two Black-throated Divers and three Great Northern Divers past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Single Brambling in Croy (Marcus Conway). 16 Scaup, Fort George (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber: ​Three Slavonian Grebes, Loch Morar, Arisaig (S MacD) via skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: Four Iceland Gulls, Uig Bay (Seth Gibson)
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Monday 28th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Waxwings flew over Boat of Garten (Simon Eaves).

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain links  (Dean MacAskill). Four Snow Buntings with 80+ Skylarks, Newton Farm, Cromarty (Kevin Davis). Ruddy Shelduck in bay north of Ferry Point, Dingwall also Kingfisher on the River Peffrey (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: 50+ Fieldfares, Bunchrew (Thomas Plant). One Chiffchaff at Caledonian Canal marina (Tim Stowe). Still one Greenland White-fronted Goose and six Barnacle Geese, Balloch, also one Great-crested Grebe, Alturlie (Pete Gordon)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Iceland Gull, Bayfield, Portree also female Velvet Scoter still present, Loch Portree (Neil Bennett). Ju​venile Glaucous Gull, Galmisdale Bay, Eigg (JC) - via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Tundra Bean Goose, Evelix, two drake Surf Scoters, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill). 18 Snow Buntings still at Dornoch Point (as per BirdGuides). Single Waxwing, Bonar Bridge (Gill Merriman)

Sunday 27th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Three Waxwings in Craigie Avenue/village hall area, Boat of Garten (Dave Pullan).

Inverness: One Greenland White-fronted Goose and three Barnacle Geese, Balloch (Colin Leslie) then later in the same flock two White-fronts, one Pale-bellied Brent Goose and five Barnacle Geese, also a neck collared Pink Footed Goose, "UBB" a  female ringed in Aberdeenshire in 2016. 95 Scaup Alturlie and 107 Goldeneye, Kessock Bridge (all Tim Stowe)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st and 2nd winter Iceland Gulls, Uig Bay (Seth Gibson). 1st winter Glaucous Gull, Knock Bay, Sleat (Steve Heap). Female Velvet Scoter, Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)

Sutherland: 16 Grey Plover and 13 Snow Buntings, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
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Saturday 26th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: two Waxwings still in Craigie Avenue, Boat of Garten (Colin Ormiston).  Two Hen Harriers at Insh marshes (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Bob Swann).  Two Red-throated Diver and single Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: female Velvet Scoter at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) - via skye-birds.com

Friday 25th December

Happy Christmas/Nollaig Chridheil to all our sightings reporters and readers - Colin, Mike & Pete

Badenoch & Strathspey: two Bramblings and two Waxwings in Boat of Garten (Colin Ormiston)

Easter Ross: two Black Gillemot, two Red-throated Diver and single Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Sutherland: six Pale-belled Brent Geese at Embo (Susan Seright)

Thursday 24th December

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Al McNee).  Juv/1st winter Glaucous Gull past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), while the afternoon period saw five (2m/3f) Velvet Scoter, three Gannets and four Kittiwakes with five Tree Sparrows near the car park (Tim Stowe).  Single Slavonian Grebe, two Golden Plover, two Red Kite, two Barn Owl and 19 Bar-tailed Godwit at Inver (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: c20 Tree Sparrows on the Leys estate (Alan MacAskill).  Kingfisher at Dochgarroch with another at Muirtown pools, with Water Rail present at the latter also (Tommy You'd)

Skye & Lochalsh: Snow Bunting at Harris, Rum (Sean Morris).  Iceland Gull in Uig bay ('ML') - via skye-birds.com

Wednesday 23rd December

Badenoch & Strathspey: c6 Snow Bunting around Cairngorm Mountain resort car park (Alan MacAskill/Dave Barnett)

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Tim Stowe).  149 Eider, 14 Red-throated Diver and single adult Gannet at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: adult Grey-bellied Brant plus three Barnacle Geese amongst the goose flock at Wester Dalziel (Peter Stronach)

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile drake Velvet Scoter at Glenelg Bay (Bob McMillan), two Snow Bunting at Kilmory Glen, Rum (Sean Morris) - via skye-birds.com

Tuesday 22nd December

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal still at Tain links (Sue Sykes)

Lochaber: juvenile Glaucous Gull at Mallaig harbour ('NR' via skye-birds.com)

Skye & Lochalsh: female Velvet Scoter still at Loch Portree (Andy Stables), 18 Great Northern Divers between Ardnish and Lusa (Bob McMillan) - per skye-birds.com

Monday 21st December

Easter Ross: two Slavonian Grebe, c100 Scaup and 44 Bar-tailed Godwit at Udale Bay (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: single Kingfisher, eight Little Grebe and a Red Kite at Merkinch (Blair Whyte)

Skye & Lochalsh: 1st winter Glaucous Gull plus female Velvet Scoter at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett) - per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: six adult and single 1st winter Little Gulls plus a 1st winter Iceland Gull at Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill)

Sunday 20th December

Inverness: Kingfisher at Muirtown locks (Alan Jones)

Skye & Lochalsh: 17 Bar-tailed Godwit and three Greenshank at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett).  Chiffchaff at Harrapool, Broadford (Martin Benson) - all via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: 23 Snow Bunting, 19 Grey Plover and single Black-tailed Godwit at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 19th December

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal on pond at Tain (per BirdGuides)

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe, 6 Slavonian Grebes Alturlie (Blair Whyte), 4 Barnacle Geese with 2000 Pink-footed Geese Wester Dalziel (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: juvenile Glaucous Gull Mallaig Harbour (Steven MacDonald), Long-eared Owl calling last night Lochlonghead (PS)

Skye & Lochalsh: Moorhen still at Loch Cillchroisd (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: 30 Golden Plover, several Ptarmigan and lone Red Kite near summit of Carn Chuinneag (Thomas Plant).  Eight Snow Bunting and 134 Sanderling at Dornoch Point, while at Loch Fleet were around 300 Linnet, 100 Brambling and five Greenshank (Dean MacAskill)

 Friday 18th December

Easter Ross: drake Green-winged Teal still at Tain Links, 150m east of footbridge, Greenshank Coulmore (Bob Wilson).

Inverness: Kingfisher Merkinch LNR (Bob Wilson, Ann Sime).

Lochaber: juvenile Iceland Gull south over Eigg Pier (John Chester per skye-birds).

Skye & Lochalsh: 10 Common Scoters, 3 Slavonian Grebes, 4 Great Northern Divers Loch Ainort (Neil Bennett per skye-birds), single Snow Buntings on either side of Bealach na Ba (Bob McMillan).
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Thursday 17th December

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal on pond at Tain Links (Keith Barnes)

Skye & Lochalsh: Greenshank Drynock (Bob McMillan per skye-birds). 

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Wednesday 16th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: ad or near-ad Lesser Black-backed Gull Aviemore, 10 Bramblings with 700 Chaffinches Boat of Garten (Pete Gordon).

Easter Ross: Green-winged Teal Tain Links (Simon Levene).


Tuesday 15th December

Easter Ross: drake Green-winged Teal offshore Tain Links (Kev Cuthbert).

Lochaber: juvenile Glaucous Gull Mallaig Harbour (NR per skye-birds)

Skye & Lochalsh: 8 Common Scoters Loch Ainort (NB per skye-birds).

Sutherland: 3 drake Surf Scoters, with 39+ Velvet Scoters, 2000 Common Scoters, 9 Snow Buntings  Dornoch Beach (Dean MacAskill)
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Monday 14th December

Easter Ross: drake Green-winged Teal wee pond at Tain Links (Dean MacAskill).

Skye & Lochalsh: 6 Common Scoters, 4 Great Northern Divers Loch Ainort (Neil Bennett per skye-birds).

Sutherland: 19 Grey Plovers, 8 Snow Buntings Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill).

Wester Ross:  juvenile Iceland Gull Ullapool Harbour (per BirdGuides).


Sunday 13th December

Easter Ross: drake American Wigeon Drumancroy, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner), 28 light-bellied Brent Geese Nigg Bay (Bob Swann).

Inverness: Kingfisher Moniack Burn, Lentran (Thomas Plant), 2 Magpies Westhill (Kathleen Line).

Skye & Lochalsh: Moorhen still at Loch Cillchrois, Strath (Bob McMillan) - first on Skye since 2016.

Sutherland: 11 Little Gulls (8 ads, 2 1st winter, 1 2nd winter), first winter Iceland Gull, adult Pomarine Skua Brora River Mouth, 5 Greenshanks Loch Fleet, 110+ Bramblings Skelbo (all Dean MacAskill). 7 Jays Rosehall area (Neil Wilson).

Wester Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull Ullapool (Andy Williams).


Saturday 12th December

Easter Ross: Single Fulmar and Great Northern Diver past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).

Inverness: Single Barnacle Goose and leucistic Greylag Goose, Ardersier (Colin Leslie). Immature Golden Eagle and three Black Grouse, Ashie Moor and two Slavonian Grebes Loch Ashie (Blair Whyte).

Lochaber: Juvenile Glaucous Gull still at Mallaig harbour (SM) via Skye-birds.com

Skye & Lochalsh: Two juvenile Iceland Gulls still in Uig Bay (SG),Iceland Gull Loch Pooltiel (Bob McMillan),  six Great Northern Divers and four Red-throated Divers in Loch Snizort (SC), Moorhen Loch Cillchriosd, Skye all via skye-birds.com​​.
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Friday 11th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: One Jack Snipe and 800 Linnets along the River Spey between Boat of Garten and Nethybridge (Peter Gordon)

Easter Ross: 11 Purple Sandpipers near Portmahomack harbour (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe, Milton of Culloden (Dean MacAskill) then later two Great Crested Grebes and five Slavonian Grebes off Alturlie (Alan MacAskill) increasing to eight Slavonian Gebes at Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber: Glaucous Gull at Mallaig harbour (NR) also 15 Great Northern Divers on Loch Ailort between Alisary and Roshven (SC) all via skye-birds.com​
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Skye & Lochalsh: 50 Turnstone at the head of Loch Slapin (Bob McMillan). Moorhen (rare on Skye) Loch Cillchroisd (C. Baillie) all via skye-birds.com​
Thursday 10th December

Easter Ross: Hen Harrier and eight Grey Partridges, Bindal Croft, Tarbat Ness (Mary Galloway). Black-throated Diver past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Lochaber:  Drake Ring-necked Duck at Loch Sheil, Acharacle (via BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: Six Whooper Swans, Loch Suardal, Dunvegan (MC) via Skye-birds.com ​

Wednesday 9th December

Lochaber:  Juvenile Glaucous Gull and 10 Purple Sandpipers,  Mallaig also drake Ring-necked Duck at Loch Sheil, Acharacle (Bob McMillan). Black Duck drake in Strontian Bay (per BirdGuides)

​Sutherland: Adult Little Gull, Brora (Alan MacAskill)​

Tuesday 8th December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Scaup, Loch Insh (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Female Blackcap in  a garden at Bellfield, Inverness (Ross Barnett)

Skye & Lochalsh: Nuthatch on Eigg appearing daily on the feeders at The Lodge (NB) via Skye-birds.com 
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Monday 7th December

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). One Barnacle Goose, 154 Scaup and six Slavonian Grebes, Udale Bay (Tim Stowe)

Skye & Lochalsh: Juvenile Velvet Scoter, Glenelg Bay (Bob McMillan), 15 Great Northern Divers, five Slavonian Grebes and six Purple Sandpipers, Ardnish, Broadford (NH) all via Skye-birds.com 
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Sutherland: 17 Slavonian Grebes off Coul Links​ and 18 Snow Buntings, Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
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Sunday 6th December
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Badenoch & Strathspey: Single Waxwing, Grantown on Spey (Peter Stronach)

Easter Ross: 1st winter Glaucous Gull past Tarbat Ness  (Dave Tanner). Juvenile Iceland Gull, Portmahomack Pier also intermediate morph Snow Goose, Nigg village (Bob McMillan)

Inverness: Great Crested Grebe, Milton of Culloden (Kate Mennie). Male and female Gadwall, Loch Flemington and Great Northern Diver east of Fort George (Colin Leslie). Six Black-tailed Godwits, Alturlie pools (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber:  Glaucous Gull at Mallaig pier (SM) via skye-birds.com​

Skye & Lochalsh: Two second-winter Iceland Gulls Uig Bay (SG), eleven Whooper Swan at Loch nan Corr, Inverinate (DM) all via skye-birds.com
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Sutherland: Kingfisher, Loch Evelix​ (Dean MacAskill)

Saturday 5th December

Easter Ross: Little Auk past Tarbat Ness, juvenile Red-necked Grebe off Portmahomack harbour (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: Nuthatch on Eigg - third sighting since April (Norah Barnes)

Sutherland: six Snow Bunting and Great Skua at Dornoch point (Dean MacAskill)

Friday 4th December

Easter Ross: three Woodcock plus a Barn Owl between Redcastle and Charlestown, while at Udale Bay were 86 Shelduck, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, single Goldeneye and Little Grebe (Blair Whyte)

Inverness: four Woodcock on the Leys estate (Alan MacAskill)

Sutherland: eleven Little Auk plus one predated by a Great Black-backed Gull past Brora river mouth, plus eight Little Gulls (five adult, one 2CY and two 1st winter), 16 Black Guillemot, three Fulmar and single Great Skua (Dean MacAskill)

Thursday 3rd December

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull  at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Intermediate morph Snow Goose with Pink-footed Geese flock near Nigg (Bob Swann)

Inverness: Slavonian Grebe at Clachnaharry's sea lock (Al McNee - bird was first seen there on 30/11 by Willy Ross)

Lochaber: drake Ring-necked Duck on Loch Shiel near Acharacle (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: four Slavonian Grebe, seven Red-throated DIvers and five Common Scoter at Loch Ainort, with another three of the latter at Sconser quarry (Neil Bennett), Chiffchaff at Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris) - all via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: four Grey Plover, ten Snow Bunting and 80 Twite on Dornoch beach (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 2nd December

Badenoch & Strathspey: Grey Wagtail at Dell of Killiehuntly farm, Insh (Dave Pierce).  C130 Snow Buntings in Coire Cas (Fraser Todd)

Easter Ross: 1st winter Iceland Gull and two Great Northern Divers at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: eleven Whooper Swan at Loch nan Corr, Inverinate ('DE' via skye-birds.com)

Tuesday 1st December

Easter Ross: juvenile Puffin, single Great Northern Diver and ten Red-throated Divers at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), while a single Barnacle Goose was seen amongst c50 Pink-footed Geese (David Tattersley).  Great Northern Diver off Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway).  Eight Whooper Swans at Udale Bay (Tim Stowe)

Inverness: Kingfisher in the Whin Park area of the city along the River Ness (Alan MacAskill).  Single Swallow and two Slavonian Grebes at Merkinch (Penny Insole). Ten Grey Plover at Whiteness (Craig Johnstone)

Lochaber:  Glaucous Gull at Mallaig harbour (John Chester)

Sutherland: 120 Fulmar on cliffs, 60 Ringed Plover on the beach, 550 Barnacle Geese and 10 Whooper Swans, Faraid Head and Balnakeil ( Gordon Birnie)
Monday 30th November

Inverness: drake Gadwall on Loch Flemington (Alan MacAskill/Dave Barnett)

Sutherland: seven Little Gulls (five adult, one 1st winter and one 2nd winter) at Brora (David Tattersley)
Sunday 29th November

Easter Ross: five drake Goldeneye in Strathconon (Alan MacAskill/Dave Barnett)

Lochaber:  14 Slavonian Grebes on Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (John Chester)

Skye & Lochalsh: 13 Great Northern Divers on Loch Scresort, Rum (Sean Morris), 16 Bar-tailed Godwit plus two Greenshank at Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), 18 Purple Sandpipers at Mallaig (Stephen Macdonald) - all via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: five Little Gulls at Brora river mouth (Bob McMillan)

Wester Ross: 18 Golden Plover on Carn Gorm (Clair Bale)

Saturday 28th November

Inverness: Swallow Merkinch LNR (Tony Cluxton). 

Skye & Lochalsh: juvenile Glaucous Gull and juvenile Iceland Gull Uig Bay (SG per skye-birds), juvenile Iceland Gull Loch Pooltiel (AS per skye-birds).

Sutherland: 12 Bramblings in large finch flock in weedy field by railway hut at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill).

​


Friday 27th November


Easter Ross: 150 Scaups Invergordon (Dave Tanner)
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Lochaber:  juvenile Glaucous Gull Kentra (per BirdGuides), juvenile Glaucous Gull Mallaig (Steven MacDonald). 

Sutherland: 6 adult & 4 immature Little Gulls, Little Auk & Great Northern Diver Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)

Thursday 26th November

Easter Ross: Great Crested Grebe Udale Bay and 5 Bramblings Cullicudden area (Alan MacAskill and Dave Barnett) - no large flocks of Bramblings reported yet but possibly a few more than last winter?

Inverness: Magpie in a garden for first time in 45 years, 2-3 reported Drumnadrochit (Josie Mackenzie)

Lochaber: Iceland Gull Blair Mhor, Fort William (Tony Laidler).

Skye & Lochalsh: second-winter Iceland Gull Uig Bay (SG per skye-birds), adult pale-bellied Brent Goose and Black-throated Diver Achnacloich, Sleat (Bob McMillan).


Wednesday 25th November

Easter Ross: 3 Black-throated Divers Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner), Swallow Balintore Harbour/Shandwick Bay (Simon Levene).

Lochaber: female Long-tailed Duck Lochy Estuary near Fort William (Tony Laidlaw).

Sutherland: 3 male Bramblings Loch Fleet (Ann Sime). 

Wester Ross: 2 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Great Northern Divers Little Loch Broom at Camusnagaul (Andy Williams), Black-throated Diver, 5 Great Northern Divers, 96 Barnacle Geese Gruinard Sound at Mungusdale (Andy Williams).
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Tuesday 24th November

Easter Ross: 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese (2 adults), 11 Barnacle Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 15 Greylags and 8000 Pink-footed Geese Udale Bay (Kevin Davis).

Inverness: 20+ Tree Sparrows and Woodcock Leys Estate (Alan MacAskill).

Lochaber: Iceland Gull Fort William on flood by A830 opposite Police Station (per BirdGuides).

Sutherland: Magpie between Dornoch Firth and Struie hill (David Tattersley) - this is at the edge of range.
​
Monday 23rd November

Easter Ross: Snow Goose left Udale Bay to NE at 09.20 (Tim Stowe), 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 6 Barnacle Geese Udale Bay/Poyntsfield and 7 Barnacle Geese Kinbeachie/Culbo (Kevin Davis).

Skye & Lochalsh: 2 (1st winter and 2nd winter) Iceland Gulls Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett).
​

​ 
Sunday 22nd November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Waxwing Laggan (per Fraser Todd), Iceland Gull Loch Insh (Craig Johnston). 

Easter Ross: Snow Goose south of Cullicudden (per Alex Penn), 1-2 Hawfinches, 11 Bramblings, 60 Twites, 200 Linnets at feeders Cygnus House, Gordon's Mill, Udale Bay 

Lochaber: Great Spotted Woodpecker Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris).

Skye & Lochalsh: adult Iceland Gull head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), 58 Barnacle Geese Balmaquien, Trotternish (Bob McMillan).

Sutherland: 6 adult, 1 1st winter Little Gulls Brora (Dean MacAskill).


Saturday 21st November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Single Greenland White-fronted Goose, Ruthven Barracks (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: Intermediate morph Snow Goose at Navity, NH787654 (David Tattersley)

Inverness: Two Blackcaps, Kirkhill (Sue Pettitt)

Lochaber: Black Duck drake in Strontian Bay (per BirdGuides)

Skye & Lochalsh: 15 Fieldfares, Broadford (Neil Bennett) per skye-birds.com​​

Friday 20th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Kingfisher, Loch Va (Toby Green). Iceland Gull, Loch Insh (Dave Pierce)

Skye & Lochalsh: Single Blackcap, Isleornsay, Skye (RC) per skye-birds.com​

Thursday 19th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Second Winter Iceland Gull, Loch Insh at roost this evening, also Slavonian Grebe (Fraser Todd)

Easter Ross: Two Swallows, Rosemarkie (Kevin Davis). Juvenile White-tailed Eagle past Chanonry Point (Mary Galloway). Intermediate morph Snow Goose​ in field at Peddieston near Jemimaville (Ro Scott)

Inverness: Single Brambling, Croy (Marcus Conway)

​Sutherland: Little Auk and Little Gull past Embo Pier (Dean MacAskill)
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Wednesday 18th November

Lochaber: Iceland Gull and Glaucous Gull, Mallaig Harbour (Peter Cosgrove)

​Skye & Lochalsh: Snow Bunting, Kinloch Glen, Rum (Sean Morris), Whimbrel and Jack Snipe, Isleornsay, Skye (RC), male Blackcap, Torrin, Skye (JB) all per skye-birds.com

Tuesday 17th November

Easter Ross: Eight Red-throated Divers and two Great Northern Divers, Tarbat Ness also c75 Whooper Swans were at Rockfield Farm, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: Two Kingfishers, Whin Park and Braes Area, Inverness (Alan MacAskill)

Lochaber: 1st winter Iceland Gull, Kilmallie shinty pitch, Fort William (Alastair Matthewson)
​
Monday 16th November

​Skye & Lochalsh: Single Jay (rare on Skye) over Drumfearn, flew towards Leitir Fura (PK), five Common Scoter off The Aird, Gedintailor and 15 Great Northern Divers (Neil Bennett) all per skye-birds.com 

Sutherland: Two adult and three first winter Little Gulls, Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill)

Wester Ross:  Single House Martin, Inverbroom Farm (Tessa Rhodes)
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Sunday 15th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Single Greenland White-fronted Goose, Insh (Dave Pierce). 

Easter Ross: Three Great Northern Divers and three Purple Sandpipers, Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 

Lochaber: 1st winter Iceland Gull, Mallaig harbour and 28 Great Northern Divers in Camusdarach Bay, Morar (Peter Cosgrove).

Skye & Lochalsh: 33 Whooper Swans, Lochailort (SC) and 18 Shelduck, Broadford Bay(MB) both per skye-birds.com 

Saturday 14th November

Skye & Lochalsh: two Common Scoter off Achnacloich, Sleat (Bob McMillan), Blackcap in Portree (Neil Bennett), Scaup on Loch Meallt, Staffin, four Whooper Swans on Storr Lochs (J D Jones) and Snow Bunting, Knockbreck, Waternish (A.Sillence) - all per skye-birds.com

Sutherland: two Surf Scoter and at least nine Velvet Scoter off Dornoch, while at the point were three Snow Bunting and 46 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.  Little Gull and single Sandwich Tern (latter now been present for a week) at the Brora river mouth (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 13th November

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Male Blackcap in Hilton of Cadboll (Simon Levene)

Inverness: single Swallow at Merkinch (Alex Penn via John Poyner).  Single Barnacle Goose amongst Pink-footed Geese at Easter Dalziel, while a single Great Crested Grebe was off Alturlie (Blair Whyte)

Lochaber: juvenile Glaucous and Iceland Gulls at Mallaig harbour (Stephen MacDonald via Bob McMillan)

Skye & Lochalsh: Snow Bunting and ring-tail Hen Harrier at Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris via skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: single Swallow at Brora (Penny Insole)

Thursday 12th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Grey Wagtail at Pitmain farm, Kingussie and Brambling in Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: three Barnacle Geese and single Greenland White-fronted Goose amongst Pink-footed Goose flock, 16 Whooper Swans and single Black-tailed Godwit at Udale Bay (Lynda Graham)

Wednesday 11th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Iceland Gull at Insh Marshes (Dave Pierce)

Tuesday 10th November

Easter Ross: two Red-throated Diver plus single Common Scoter and Long-tailed Duck off  Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Skye & Lochalsh: four Slavonian Grebes and eight Great Northern Divers off Pabay, while on Loch Ainort were 24 Common Scoter (Neil Bennett).  Single Brambling still visiting a Portree garden (J D Jones) - all via skye-birds.com

Sutherland: Kingfisher, River Brora (Carmel Smith)

Wester Ross: Dusky Warbler still showing occasionally at Redpoint during the morning only, Firecrest showing again in the same area during the afternoon (Bob McMillan)

Monday 9th November

Easter Ross: Black-throated Diver past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: single Swallow over the city centre (Penny Insole)

Lochaber: highlights at Kentra Bay today included ten Greenshank, 28 Bar-tailed Godwit, 38 Curlew, 29 Dunlin, two Goosander and four Knot (Sandy McNeil)

Skye & Lochalsh: Iceland Gull at the Broadford river mouth (Neil Bennett).  Snow Bunting at Salisbury's Dam, Ram (Sean Morris) - both from skye-birds.com

Wester Ross: Dusky Warbler at Redpoint in the vicinity of grid ref NG731684 (north/northwest of the farm buildings) - can be elusive and use of audio lure not recommended - plus Firecrest in the area also (Peter Stronach)

Sunday 8th November

Easter Ross: Snow Goose (intermediate phase) amongst Pink-footed/Greylag Geese southwest of Portmahomack (Oscar Puls via John Poyner)

Inverness: single Merlin, five Common Scoter, four Red-throated Diver, seven Slavonian Grebe, 116 Scaup, two Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Black-tailed Godwit at Alturlie (Blair Whyte).  Two Water Rail at Merkinch (Ann Sime)

Lochaber: Black Duck drake still at river mouth in Strontian (per BirdGuides)
Saturday 7th November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Red Kite over the Cairn Gorm plateau, between Moray and Highland airspace - an unusual record (Paul Phillips)

Easter Ross: 8 Barnacle Geese Udale Bay (Bob Wilson). 

Lochaber: 9 Slavonian Grebes Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig (S MacDonald per skye-birds.com).

Skye & Lochalsh: a late Arctic Skua Neist Point and first-winter Iceland Gull Loch Pooltiel (AS per skye-birds.com). Lapland Bunting Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris per skye-birds.com).

Sutherland: 2 male Surf Scoters Dornoch, first-winter Iceland Gull,  5 Little Gulls (2 adults, 3 first-winters),Sandwich Tern Brora rivermouth, 16 Grey Plovers Dornoch, 3 Great Northern Divers, 15 Slavonian Grebes, 12 Red-throated Divers and 70 Twites Coul Links, 7 Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver Embo (all  (Dean MacAskill).
​
Friday 6th November

Easter Ross: Tundra Bean Goose and 12 Barnacle Geese with 6000 Pink-footed Geese Udale Bay (Kevin Davis), Wheatear Hilton of Cadboll (Judith Levene).

Skye & Lochalsh: first-winter Iceland Gull head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett), 2 first-winter Iceland Gulls Loch Pooltiel (AS).

Sutherland: 2 male Surf Scoters and 7 Velvet Scoters with large flock of distant Common Scoters, Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks Dornoch Beach (Dean McAskill).
Thursday 5th November

Skye & Lochalsh: first-winter Iceland Gull Kilmory, Rum (Sean Morris).

Inverness: On a journey between Leys (Inverness) and Strathdearn, 11 Red Kites, 30 Ravens, 12 Common Buzzards, a female Merlin and 6 Kestrels were noted. (Alan MacAskill and David).
​
Wednesday 4th November

Skye & Lochalsh: 2 first-winter Glaucous and a first-winter Iceland Gulls at Loch Pooltiel (Bob McMillan), first-winter Glaucous Gull feeding on dead seal Kildonan Bay, Eigg (John Chester), Bonxie between Eigg and Muck (Ronnie Dyer), long-staying Magpie still at Ellishadder (SG per skye-birds.com), 44 Barnacle Geese Staffin Island (SG per skye-birds.com). 

Tuesday 3rd November

Easter Ross: 3 Black-tailed Godwits Udale Bay (Bob Wilson)

Inverness: 2 Kingfishers Merkinch LNR (Alan MacAskill).

Monday 2nd November

Badenoch & Strathspey: 18 Greenland White-fronted Geese Insh Marshes from viewpoint (Mike Dilger).

Easter Ross: 2 Little Auks Dornoch Firth, NW of Tarbat Ness lighthouse (per BirdGuides), 8 Gadwalls Chanonry Point 07.10-09.10 (Kevin Davis) and 7 Gadwalls Udale Bay (Susan Seright). 

Inverness: 5 Swallows Merkinch LNR (Penny Insole). 

Skye & Lochalsh: Cuckoo sp flew past Uig Hotel (Seth Gibson per Bob McMillan), 11 Shelducks entered Broadford Bay from north, later flew east (Bob McMillan, Neil Bennett), 18 Gadwalls Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett), Great Spotted Woodpecker Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris), Carrion Crow on shore Kyleakin (ST per skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: male Surf Scoter with 1000 Common Scoters Dornoch Beach, also 110 Sanderlings, 42 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 8 Grey Plovers and Northern Wheatear there (Dean MacAskill). 
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Sunday 1st November

Badenoch & Strathspey: Scaup with Tufted Ducks Lochindorb (Dave Pullan). 

Easter Ross: Little Auk, Black-throated Diver, 40 Red-throated Divers and Common/Arctic Tern between 07.10 and 09.10 Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Skye & Lochalsh: second-winter Iceland Gull at head of Loch Portree (Neil Bennett per skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: Wheatear sp Loch Fleet at Littleferry side (per John Poyner).


Saturday 31st October

Badenoch & Strathspey: single Brambling, Drumguish (Dave Pierce)

Easter Ross: 50 Pintail, 483 Golden Plover and c90 Fieldfare, Nigg Bay (Blair Whyte). 

​Skye & Lochalsh: male Brambling, Millers Cottage, Eigg  (John Chester via skye-birds.com).​

Friday 30th October

Easter Ross: one Black-throated Diver past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner). 17 Barnacle Geese at Udale Bay (Blair Whyte). Single Brambling in Tain (Gary and Rosemary Aitken).

Skye & Lochalsh: Eastern Yellow Wagtail on Eigg confirmed by sound recording as a first record for Highland! Note due to COVID restrictions there is no access to the island by visitors from outwith Scottish Tier 1 areas so exact location is not being shared (John Chester via Bob McMillan, Dave Pullan and Ronnie Dyer). 

Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter still off Dornoch beach with single Wheatear and 36 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Dornoch Point also two Little Gulls, Brora (Dean MacAskill).
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Thursday 29th October

Easter Ross: 2 Swallows at Petley Pig Farm and 300 Whooper Swans including 37 juveniles at Bindal Farm, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner).

Lochaber: single Storm Petrel between Arisaig and Muick (R Dyer via skye-birds.com). Black Duck drake still at river mouth opposite Strontian Hotel, Strontian (per BirdGuides).

Skye & Lochalsh: ​Brambling still at Kinloch, Rum (Sean Morris via skye-birds.com).
​
Wednesday 28th October

Easter Ross: Magpie and 20 Whooper Swans at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis). Two drake Velvet Scoter plus Great Northern Diver at Tarbat Ness, also 25 Whooper Swans at Petley Pig Farm, another 75 at Tarrel Farm, 35 at Wilkhaven Farm and 200+ at Bindal Farm, Portmahomack (Dave Tanner). Snow Goose intermediate phase still in stubble field by A9 near Kildary (per BirdGuides) 

Inverness: two Swallows over Longman dump (Thomas Plant). 38 Twite and a female Shoveler at Alturlie also 20+ Fieldfare at Leys estate (Alan MacAskill). Three Swallows and 11 Snipe at Merkinch LNR (Alastair McNee)

​Skye & Lochalsh: Yellow Wagtail sp. still on Eigg  (John Chester via Bob McMillan). Brambling pair in Kilmory Glen and two in garden at Kinloch, Rum also 1st winter Iceland Gull and two Barnacle Geese at Kilmory, Rum  (Sean Morris via skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter still off Dornoch, along with single Wheatear at Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill). 20 Sanderling at Loch Fleet (Jonathan Willet)​

Tuesday 27th October

Easter Ross: three drake Velvet Scoter plus Great Northern Diver past Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner).  Snow Goose intermediate phase amongst Pink-footed Goose flock near the A9/Nigg roundabout (Dean MacAskill). Purple Sandpiper and 20 Whooper Swans at Chanonry Point (Kevin Davis)

Inverness: two Northern ssp. Bullfinch at Merkinch reserve with a flock of Redwing (Alan MacAskill)

Skye & Lochalsh: Yellow Wagtail sp. flushed from stubble field on Eigg (John Chester via Bob McMillan)

Wester Ross: Swallow at Mellon Udrigle (C Rose)

Monday 26th October

Easter Ross: single Puffin, plus 14 Twite briefly at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)

Inverness: c60 Redwing on Muirtown Street in the city (Thomas Plant)

Skye & Lochalsh: singles of Snow Bunting, Merlin, Blackcap, Brambling and Jack Snipe in Kilmory Glen, Rum (Sean Morris via skye-birds.com)

Sutherland: drake Surf Scoter still off Dornoch, along with single Great Crested Grebe and a number of Slavonian Grebes plus a single Wheatear on the point and six Grey Plover.  A further ten Grey Plover were at Dornoch links, while at Coul Links seven Twite were seen.  A flock of c300 winter thrushes was at Strath Brora, while Brora itself yielded 83 Ringed Plover and c150 Sanderling (Dean MacAskill/Dave Barnett)