Highland Birds
  • Sightings
    • 2020 >
      • January 2020
      • February 2020
      • March 2020
      • April 2020
      • May 2020
      • June 2020
      • July 2020
      • August 2020
      • September 2020
      • October 2020
      • November 2020
      • December 2020
    • 2019 >
      • January 2019
      • February 2019
      • March 2019
      • April 2019
      • May 2019
      • June 2019
      • July 2019
      • August 2019
      • September 2019
      • October 2019
      • November 2019
      • December 2019
    • 2018 >
      • January 2018
      • February 2018
      • March 2018
      • April 2018
      • May 2018
      • June 2018
      • July 2018
      • August 2018
      • September 2018
      • October 2018
      • November 2018
      • December 2018
    • 2017 >
      • January 2017
      • February 2017
      • March 2017
      • April 2017
      • May 2017
      • June 2017
      • July 2017
      • August 2017
      • September 2017
      • October 2017
      • November 2017
      • December 2017
    • 2016 >
      • January 2016
      • February 2016
      • March 2016
      • April 2016
      • May 2016
      • June 2016
      • July 2016
      • August 2016
      • September 2016
      • October 2016
      • November 2016
      • December 2016
  • Recording
    • The Highland List
    • The Highland Recording Area
    • Submitting records >
      • Rarities
      • HRC description species
      • Highland SOC Species Focus 2021
      • Gazetteer
  • Blog
  • Events
    • Evening talks
    • Field trips
  • Where to go
    • Inverness-shire >
      • Fort George and Whiteness
      • In and around Inverness
    • Badenoch and Strathspey >
      • Speyside in general
      • Badenoch and Strathspey
      • Northern Cairngorms
    • Easter Ross >
      • Easter Ross in general
      • Chanonry Point
      • Tarbat Ness
    • Wester Ross >
      • Ullapool and Gruinard Bay
      • Gairloch, Loch Ewe and Loch Maree
      • Loch Kishorn
    • Lochaber >
      • Fort William
      • Canna
      • Eigg
      • Rum
    • Skye and Lochalsh >
      • Lochalsh
    • Sutherland >
      • Southeast Sutherland
      • Melvich
      • Kyle of Tongue
      • Assynt
      • Loch Eriboll
  • Gallery
    • 2010-present
    • 2000-2009
    • 1990-1999
    • 1980-1989
    • Dark ages - 1979
  • Publications
    • Highland Bird Report
    • Highland Bird News
    • Books
  • Contact
    • Join the SOC
  • Links
  • Website history
  • Blog
​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, Steve Broyd, Mike Crutch, plus occasional guest appearances by Pete Gordon.

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.
​
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

​Highland Bird Report 2021 is now available online - and free. Follow "Publications" and subsequent links to view. Details also on availability of hard copies. Congratulations once again to Alex Joss (Editor) and his team for publication within 12 months.​​
New Blog posted - on SOC Bird Race 15 January 2023
2023
Friday 27th January
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Alan, Dave Tanner

Iceland Gull - 1 at Tarbat Ness
Whooper Swan - 30+ in fields near Dalcross
Surf Scoter - 2 drake at Embo also 50 Red-Throated Diver, 14 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Velvet Scoter 
Thursday 26th January
Thanks to Fiona Harvey, Neil Bennett, Steven Boyd, Alexander Keith, Dean MacAskill

Great-crested Grebe - Aulturlie also 36 Scaup
Surf Scoter
 - drake of Embo also 11 Velvet Scoter, 6 Slavonian Grebe and 50 Purple Sandpiper

Jack Snipe - Harrapool, Isle of Skye
Goshawk - visible at Insh Marsh also views of Marsh Harrier, White Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle
Wednesday 25th January
Thanks to Dave Barnett, Alan MacAskill, Neil Bennett, Emma

Purple Sandpiper - Broadford bay, Isle of Skye
Chiffchaff - with Siberian characterisitics back in private garden at Hilton of Cadboll
Whooper Swan - small group at Insh Marsh/Ruthven Barracks, also views of Marsh Harrier, White Tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle
Tuesday 24th January
Thanks to Dave Pierce, Dave Tanner, Sam Borthwick

Iceland Gull - Breakachy Farm near Laggan Bridge
Ruddy Turnstone - at Tarbat Ness accompanied by 2 Purple Sandpiper and 3 Black Guillemot

White Tailed Eagle - near Craig Dunain, Inverness
Russian White-fronted goose - 3 with dozen Pink-footed goose at Insh Marsh also 2 White Tailed Eagle, 4 Golden Eagle and 1 Marsh Harrier
Monday 23rd January
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Neil Bennett, Stuart, Sam Borthwick

Velvet Scoter - 1 at Broadford Bay
American Wigeon - hybrid at Dornoch

Waxwing - 1 Lochalsh Road Inverness
Belated News
Ring-necked duck - 2 females present at Clunes Bay, Loch Lochy from Nov 2022 to 21 January 2023
Firecrest - in a private garden in Achiltibuie (Saturday 21 Jan 2023)
23/01/23 - Hybrid American Widgeon - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
23/01/23 - Red Kite - Achavandra nr Dornoch (D MacAskill)
Sunday 22nd January
Thanks to Kim Dawson, Neil Bennett, John Poyner, Steven Boyd, Thomas Plant

Whooper Swan - 163 Easter Lovat, Lentran
Iceland Gull - 1 at Boat of Garten and 1 at Bayfieild, Portree
Purple Sandpiper - 1 at Hilton of Cadbol beach and 39 Balintore Harbour
Bar-tailed godwit - 21 at the head of Loch Portree
Tree Sparrow - 2 Northfield Invergordon
Rough-legged buzzard - near Whitebridge
White Tailed Eagle - Adult at south end of Dornoch Bridge
22/01/23 - Iceland Gull, Bayfield Portree (Neil Bennett)
Saturday 21st January
Thanks to Fiona Driver, Pete Gordon, Tony Laidler, Dean MacAskill, Peter Mackay, Blair Whyte
​

Barnacle Goose - 65 at Mungasdale, Gruinard Bay
Little Gull - 3 at Brora
Green-winged Teal -  1 at Alturlie plus single Great Crested Grebe
Greenshank - 1 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Lapwing - c100 near Charleston towards Beauly
Kingfisher - 1 at Whin Park, Inverness
Blackcap - 1 (m) in a Fort William garden, single female in Cradlehall, Inverness
21/1/2023 - Little Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
21/1/2023 - Green-winged Teal (left) at Alturlie (Steve Reddick)
Friday 20th January
Thanks to Simon Eaves, Dean MacAskill, Carol Miller, David Miller, Dave Pierce, Dave Tanner, Blair Whyte, skye-birds.com

Black-throated Diver - 10 in Pabay Sound, Skye
Red-throated Diver - 33 at Tarbat Ness plus single Great Northern Diver
Great Crested Grebe - 1 at Alturlie/Milton of Culloden plus 19 Slavonian Grebe
Russian White-fronted Goose
 - 3 at Insh marshes with Greylags
Pink-footed Goose - c1,000 at Wilkhaven farm, Tarbat Ness
Surf Scoter -2 drakes off Embo
Velvet Scoter - 5 at Embo, with a female at Alturlie
Common Scoter - c200 off Portmahomack
Green-winged Teal -  1 off Alturlie water treatment plant
Golden Plover - c100 at Wilkhaven farm, Tarbat Ness plus c300 Skylark
Kingfisher - 1 at Whin Park, Inverness
Water Pipit - 2 at Dornoch beach
Stonechat - unusual (for the season) record of a bird at Drumochter​
Tree Sparrow - 1 (at least) at Nethy Bridge
20/1/2023 - Russian White-fronted Geese (rearmost three) at Insh marshes (David Miller)
Thursday 19th January
Thanks to Alister Clunas, Pete Gordon, Dave Pierce

Jack Snipe - 1 along the River Ness, Inverness (by the Ness Islands)
Blackcap - 1 (f) in a Fortrose garden
Tree Sparrow - 3 at Nethy Bridge
​
Wednesday 18th January
Thanks to Pete Gordon, Steve Reddick, Caroline Snow, Matt Sullivan

Marsh Harrier - 1 still at Insh marshes​
​Kingfisher - 1 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Nuthatch - 1 near the Invergarry hotel
Tree Sparrow - 1 reported at Causer, Nethy Bridge plus 2 Brambling 
18/1/2023 - White-tailed Eagle and Common Buzzard at Insh marshes (Steve Reddick)
Tuesday 17th January
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Kim Dawson, Dean MacAskill, Tim Meredith, Thomas Plant, 'Shaz'

Great Northern Diver - 1 at Chanonry Point, plus 20+ Long-tailed Duck, 40+ Eider, single Razorbill
Little Gull 
- 5 at Brora
Greenshank - 1 at Merkinch LNR, plus single Kingfisher
Jack Snipe - 1 at Harrapool, Broadford
Woodcock  - 1 in Northfield, Invergordon
Blackcap - m/f visiting Helmsdale garden
17/1/2023 - Common Snipe at Harrapool (Neil Bennett)
Monday 16th January
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Sam Borthwick, Morag McCullagh, Dean MacAskill, Malcolm O'Reilly, Andy Walker, skye-birds.com

Barnacle Goose - 50 at Balmaqueen, Skye
Grey Plover - 3 at Ashaig, Broadford
Jack Snipe - 1 at Harrapool, Broadford
Red Kite - 33 going to roost near at Achavandra, Dornoch
Waxwing - 20 at Craig Dunain, Inverness
Water Pipit - 2 at Dornoch beach
Twite - 60 visiting feeders a Cove, Loch Ewe
Reed Bunting - small flock on the Tain air weapons range
Snow Bunting - 20 at Cairn Gorm base station
16/1/2023 - Waxwings at Craig Dunain (Sam Borthwick)
16/1/2023 - Water Pipits at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
16/1/2023 - Jack Snipe at Harrapool (Neil Bennett)
Sunday 15th January
Thanks to Bea Ayling, Kim Dawson, Chris Donald, Alan MacAskill, David Patterson, Dave Pierce, Thomas Plant, 'Shaz', skye-birds.com

Slavonian Grebe - 1 at Loch Eye
Little Gull - 1 at Brora
Common Scoter - 260 at Embo, with 310 Eider and 120 Long-tailed Duck
Greenland White-fronted Goose 
- 4 at Kilmuir, with c40 Lapwing nearby
Barnacle Goose - 12 at Balmaqueen, Skye with 52 at Mungasdale, Gruinard Bay and 21 at Mellon Udrigle
Merlin - 1 at Newhall, Black Isle plus another near Dornoch
Peregrine - 1 at Hilton of Cadboll beach
Golden Plover - 4 at Insh marshes, plus ring-tailed Hen Harrier
Jack Snipe - 1 at Kinloch, Rum
Greenshank - 1 at Loch Fleet
Blackcap - 1 female in Muirtown Street, Inverness, with m/f birds in a Helmsdale garden
​
Saturday 14th January
Thanks to Peter Mackay, David Patterson, Dave Tanner

Red-throated Diver - 1 at Tarbat Ness, showing signs of moult to sumplum, with 5 in the Cromarty Firth
Slavonian Grebe - 22 in the Cromarty Firth, plus 840 Scaup (across four flocks) and 320 Eider
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 9 at Rosemarkie
14/1/2023 - Lapwings at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 13th January
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Simon Eaves, Simeon Ewing, Pete Gordon, Dave Pierce, Blair Whyte, skye-birds.com

Iceland Gull - adult at Loch Insh gull roost
Velvet Scoter - female in Broadford Bay, Skye with 5 at Embo
Common Scoter - 2 at Ashaig, Skye
Greenshank - 1 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Jack Snipe - 1 at Insh marshes, plus 2 Russian White-fronted Goose and single Marsh Harrier still present also
Red Kite - 5 at Alturlie
13/1/2023 - Dunlin and Ringed Plover at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Thursday 12th January
Thanks to Phil Clark, Chris Donald, Dean MacAskill, Al McNee, Peter Stronach, Dave Tanner

Great Northern Diver - 2 at Embo
Red-throated Diver - 9 at Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Black-throated Diver
Iceland Gull 
- 2 (2CY and 3CY) at Granish landfill, Aviemore
Greenshank - 1 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Golden Plover - c50 at Wilkhaven farm, Tarbat Ness
Purple Sandpiper - 93 at Embo
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Insh marshes
Waxwing - 18 still in Aviemore, near the NatureScot office
Brambling - 1 ringed in a Grantown-on-Spey garden

Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 at Hilton of Cadboll
12/1/2023 - Great Northern Divers at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 11th January
Thanks to Dave Tanner, Simon Pawsey, Dean MacAskill, Emma Adam, Alastair McNee, Alexander Keith, Phil Clark, Alister Clunas, Blair Whyte

White-fronted Goose - 1 Carr Road (Dulnain Bridge end), Strathspey
Green-winged Teal -  1 Drake at Tain Links 
Great Northern Diver - 1 off Fortrose Golf Club House + 130 Dunlin
Little Gull -9 Brora river mouth
Blackcap -  2  Inverness (male Balnafettack Place and a female at Cradlehall)
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 in Hilton of Cadboll
Lesser Redpoll - 30+ Great Glen House Car Park, Leachkin Road, Inverness
Snow Bunting - Cairngorm Mountain Car Park
11/1/2023 - Siberian Chiffchaff at Hilton of Cadboll (Emma Adam)
Tuesday 10th January
Thanks to Neil Bennet, Kim Dawson, Steve Broyd, Rare Bird Alert

​Ring-Necked Duck- 1 female at Loch Morlich south end
​
Velvet Scoter - female still Broadford Bay, Skye​
Marsh Harrier - Insh Marshes from Ruthven Barracks
Purple Sandpiper - 3 Hilton of Cadboll beach and 11 on Balintore Habour wall
​
Monday 9th January
Thanks to John Poyner, Bob Swann, Neil Bennet, Rare Bird Alert

Green-winged Teal - 2.  Drakes at Tain Links and Loch Eye.
Velvet Scoter - female still Broadford Bay, Skye
Waxwing - 15 still Dougall Drive, Aviemore
​
Sunday 8th January
Thanks to John Swinden, Pete Gordon, Neil Bennet, Alan Bowie, Sue Sykes, John Poyner, Blair Whyte, Dave Pierce, RMcM - Skye Birds

Whooper Swan - 7 Storr Lochs, Skye
Pink-footed Goose - 1 Kirkton, Lochalsh , Skye
Marsh Harrier - Insh Marshes
Waxwing - 17 Aviemore, Dougall Drive area
Snow Bunting​ - 20 Cairngorm Mountain Car Park

Waxwings-Aviemore-Blair Whyte
Saturday 7th January
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Dave Pullan, Blair Whyte, Simeon Ewing, Holly, Simon Eaves, David Patterson, Bob Swann, Dean MacAskill, Tony Cluxton, Emma, Alan Bowie, Tommy Youd, Julie Vivers

​Ring-Necked Duck- 1 at Loch Morlich
​
Green-Winged Teal - on Loch Eye
Red-Breasted Merganser - 75 on Dornoch Firth, also 605 Common Scoter, 255 Long-Tailed Duck, 31 Slavonian Grebe
Velvet Scoter - Female at Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye also 3 sighted on Dornoch Firth
Greenshank - Merkinch Nature Reserve
Chiffchaff - in a garden in Hilton Inverness (good candidate for Siberian Chiffchaff but unconfirmed)
Black Cap - Female in garden Helmsdale, also one in garden Highfield, Inverness.
Crested Tit - viewed on the feeders at Daviot Woods cafe
Twite - 85 at Dornoch, also 210 Greenfinch, 11 Reedbunting
Snowbunting - 16 at Dornoch Beach and 20 at Dornoch Point
Water Pipit - 2 at Dornoch Beach
Marsh Harrier - viewed at Inshes Marsh from Ruthven Barracks
Magpie - 2 Alturlie
Waxwing - 10 Dougall Drive, Aviemore and 'handful' at Brinkham Terrace, Inverness
07/01/2023 - Water Pipit, Dornoch Beach (Dean MacAskill)
07/01/2023 - Water Pipit, Dornoch Beach (D MacAskill)
07/01/2023 - Greenshank, Merkinch Nature Reserve (Blair Whyte)
Friday 6th January
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Dave Pullan

Velvet Scoter - Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye
Waxwing - 9 Aviemore near Dougall Drive
​
Thursday 5th January
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Dave Tanner, Simon Evans, Steve Boyd

Velvet Scoter - Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye also 4 Common Scoter of Lusa, Broadford 
Waxwing - 5 Aviemore near Dougall Drive
Greater Scaup - 48 Cromarty Firth near Saltburn Pier, Invergordon also Slavonian Grebe nearer the Pier
Wednesday 4th January
Thanks to John Poyner, Kathleen Line, Alan, Dean MacAskill, Emm  (Skye Birds - JN, RMcM, NB, KW)

Redwing - 64 at Kililan, Lochalsh and 16 Fieldfare
Lesser Redpol - at a garden feeder in Hilton Inverness
Waxwing - 5 at the New housing estate in Aviemore, also 1 in garden Westhill, Inverness
Kingfisher - Merkinch nature reserve
Common Scoter - 9 off Ashaig, also 3 Black-Throated Diver and 16 Great-Northern Diver
Velvet Scoter - Female/juv type in Broadford bay I sle of Skye
Black Guillemot - 22 of Ashaig and 2 Slavonian Grebe
Red-Throated Diver - 
162 of Embo, also 6 Black-Throated Diver, 2 Great-Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe and Common Scoter
​

Tuesday 3rd January
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Kim Dawson, Alistair Clunas, Holly, John Poyner, Blair Whyte, RMCM (Skye Birds)

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 9 at Rosemarkie
Puffin - single bird onshore at Rosemarkie
Little Gull - 16 at Brora
​Green Winged Teal - with Velvet Scoter at Alturlie Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Scalpay Narrows
Common Scoter - 3 at Broadford Bay, also 70 Dunlin (unusually high winter count)
Twite - still a small number amongst c150 Linnet Spey way, Nethybridge
Water Pipit - 2 at Dornoch also 6 Grey Plover, 7 Snow Bunting, c180 Twite
Kingfisher - Dalmore Distillery, Alness
Monday 2nd January
Thanks to Peter Mackay, David Miller, Murdo MacDonald, Dean MacAskill, NB,CH, RMCM (Skye Birds)

Whooper Swan - 2 at Loch Fada, Isle of Skye and 2 at Loch Dhughaill, Sleat
Barnacle Goose - 5 at Belmaduthy Farm, Munlochy
Pink Footed Goose - Luecistic bird feeding with c350 others at Belmaduthy Farm, also two birds at Bayfield, Portree
Purple Sandpiper - two at Achnacloich, Sleat
Green Winged Teal - drake with Common Teal at Alturlie Bay
Chiff Chaff - wintering bird at garden table in Avoch
​
Sunday 1st January
Thanks to Peter Davidson, Holly, Blair Whyte, Gary Aitken, Neil Bennett,  Rare Bird Alert, SM (Skye Birds)

Ring-necked Duck- 1 female still Loch Morlich
Twite - appox a dozen on Speyside Way with a flock of Linnet
Great Crested Grebe - between Aulturlie and Milton of Culloden
Waxwing - Scotsburn Road, Tain also female Blackcap
Iceland Gull - Adult at Loch Portree

Slavonian Grebe - Aultbea also Great Northern Divers calling, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Redwing, Curlew, Great Black Backed Gull and Red Breasted Merganser
​
Goosander - 3 Loch Scresort, Rum
Jack Snipe - 2 at Kinloch, Rum with two Common Snipe and 14 Woodcock
​

2022

Saturday 31st December

Thanks to Pete Gordon, John Poyner, Blair Whyte, RMcM, AS - Skye Birds, Shaz, Simeon Ewing, Rare Bird Alert

Ruddy Shelduck - 1 Udale Bay reported early am
Ring-necked Duck- 1 female still Loch Morlich
Great Northern Diver - 11 off Lusa, Broadford
Slavonian Grebe - 1 off Lusa, Broadford
Great Crested Grebe - 1 Milton of Culloden/Alturlie
Purple Sandpiper - 5 Neist Point
Blackcap - 1 (male) Helmsdale and 1 (female) Westhill,Inverness 

Brambling - 1 Nethy Bridge Pillar Box Lane
Whooper Swans - Loch Brora with a pair of ​Mute Swans


Belated news
Monday 12th December

Iceland Gull  - 5 Lochinver  (inc 2 Kumlien's)
                       - 3 Inverkirkaig (inc 1 Kumlien's)

Blackcap - Helmsdale -Shaz
​Friday 30th December
Thanks to John Poyner, Peter Stronach, Dave Pullan, Dave Pierce, Tony Laidler, Peter Mackay, Chloe, RBA

Barnacle Goose - 5 Belmaduthy Farm nr Munlochy
Ruddy Shelduck - 1 Udale Bay
Ring-necked Duck -1 female still Loch Morlich
Marsh Harrier - 1 Insh Marshes
Little Gull - 2 Brora (ad & 1w)
Blackcap - 2 (male & female) Fort William


Snowy Owl - The recent report of a bird at Kishorn Dry Dock is considered to be a hoax. The photo of the bird used was taken in Cincinnati.
​
Thursday 29th December
Thanks to Dave Tanner, Shaz, Pete Gordon, Paul Leafe, Rare Bird Alert

Ring-necked Duck -1 female type Loch Morlich
Water Rail - 1 Tain Links Pond
Purple Sandpiper - 64+ Brora
Little Gull - 1  Brora
Waxwing - 2 still Aviemore

Blackcap -  1 Helmsdale
​
Wednesday 28th December
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Dave Tanner, Alan MacAskill, Linda & Alan Simpson, Craig Forsyth, Rare Bird Alert

Black-throated Diver - 1 Tarbat Ness
Great Northern Diver - 3 at Chanory Point & 1 Tarbat Ness 
Greenshank - 1 Merkinch NR

Kingfisher - 1 Merkinch NR
Water Pipit - Dornoch Beach
Waxwing - 6 at Kildary & 2 Aviemore by the BP garage on Grampian Road

Water Pipit - Dornoch Beach - Dean MacAskill
Tuesday 27th December
Thanks to Dave Tanner, Shaz, Birdguides, Rare Bird Alert
​
Golden Plover - 20 Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness
Purple Sandpiper - 3 Tarbat Ness
Iceland Gull - 1 (imm) reported Ullapool river mouth
Waxwing - 1  reported just south of Old Spey Bridge, Grantown on Spey
Snow Bunting - 12 Dornoch Beach


Snow Buntings - Dornoch Beach - Shaz

​Monday 26th December
Thanks to Dave Tanner, Tim, (Siobhan - Skye Birds)

Great Northern Diver - 1  Chanonry.Point
​
Golden Plover - 158 Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness
Black Guillemot -  3 Chanonry Point
Blackcap - female at Kyle, Lochalsh

Sunday 25th December
Thanks to David Patterson, (TB, JS - Skye Birds), Rare Bird Alert

Slavonian Grebe - 3 Embo
Little Auk - 1 between Rosemarkie and Scart Craig
Blackcap  - 1  male Plockton 
Snow Bunting - 11 Embo + 1 at Coral Beach Dunvegan,Skye

​
Saturday 24th December
Thanks to Alister Clunas, Simon Levene, Dean MacAskill, Dave Pierce, John Swinden

Russian White-fronted Goose - 3 at Insh marshes plus single Marsh Harrier
Iceland Gull - 1st winter bird at Shandwick beach
Little Gull - 5 at Brora river mouth
Kingfisher - 1 at Nethy Bridge
Brambling - 1 in a Fortrose garden, with another at Ardgeal, Kincraig
24/12/2022 - Little Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
24/12/2022 - 1st winter Little Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 23rd December
Thanks to Dawn Balmer, Chris Donald, Craig Forsyth, Fiona Harvey, Peter Mackay, Lynda Simpson

Pintail - 5 at Milton of Culloden
Goldeneye - 45 at North Kessock
Greenshank - 1 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness plus single Kingfisher also
Rough-legged Buzzard - 1 reported by Birdguides along the B9007 north of Carrbridge
Marsh Harrier - 1 still at Insh marshes​, 8 Whooper Swan present also
Waxwing - 3 at Kildary

Thursday 22nd December
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Dave Pierce, 'Phil', 'Tim', skye-birds.com

Green-winged Teal - 1 drake still at Tain Links
Grey Plover - 5 at Dornoch
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Insh marshes​
Ptarmigan - 5 on the Bealch na Ba towards Applecross
Waxwing - 20 at Culduthel Road, Inverness, and 3 at Achavandra near Dornoch
Water Pipit - 1 still at Dornoch beach, plus 2 Snow Bunting
'Nordic' Jackdaw ​- 1 at Loch Fleet
​
22/12/2022 - Water Pipit (centre) at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
22/12/2022 - 'Nordic' Jackdaw (left) at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 21st December
Thanks to Steve Broyd, Craig Forsyth, Pete Gordon, Dean MacAskill, Peter Mackay, skye-birds.com

Little Gull - 9 at Brora river mouth
Whooper Swan - birds present on Skye include 11 at Storr lochs and 12 near Inverinate
Jack Snipe - 1 at Harrapool, Skye
Magpie - 1 at Docharty farm, Dingwall plus another at Inshes park, Inverness
Brambling - singletons at Inshes park, Inverness and a Nethy Bridge garden
Snow Bunting - 4 in Cairn Gorm car park

Tuesday 20th December
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Dave Pierce, skye-birds.com

Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Dornoch
Russian White-fronted Goose - 3 at Insh marshes
Barnacle Goose - 45 at Staffin
Whooper Swan - 15 at Loch Evelix, and 11 at Storr lochs, Skye
Scaup - 54 at Castle Stuart, Inverness, plus 90 Shelduck, c1,000 Wigeon and 5 Red Kite
Snow Bunting - 1 still at the Heaste road, Broadford
20/12/2022 - Slavonian Grebes at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
20/12/2022 - Whooper Swans at Loch Evelix (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 19th December
Thanks to Jort Brough, Alister Clunas, Kevin Davis, Lynda Simpson, Dave Tanner

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 10 at Rosemarkie burn
Velvet Scoter - 1 juvenile bird off Shore Street, Cromarty
Purple Sandpiper - 9 at Tarbat Ness, 5 Red-throated Diver plus single Fulmar
Little Egret 
- 1 at Resipole, Ardnamurchan reported via BirdTrack
Snow Bunting - 17 at Dornoch point
Waxwing - 1 at Kildary
White Wagtail - 1 late bird reported at Leys estate, Inverness
​ 
Sunday 18th December
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Simon Eaves, Pete Gordon, Dean MacAskill, Dave Tanner

Whooper Swan - 2 at Tarbat Ness, with 6 Grey Partridge nearby
​Gadwall - 1 drake at Inver
Iceland Gull - adult bird at Loch Portree, plus a 2nd winter example nearby at Bayfield
Golden Plover - 7 at Coul links, while offshore were 520 Eider with one borealis ssp. drake noted also
Merlin - 1 at Dornoch beach
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Insh marshes
Water Pipit - 1 still at Dornoch beach, with 130 Snow Bunting and 130 Greenfinch
Twite - c3 at Nethy Bridge in finch flock, which included c800 Linnet, c500 Chaffinch and c50 Goldfinch plus numbers of Lesser Redpoll

Bob Swann reports that a Tawny Owl was taped calling on Canna on 16th December, having possibly been present since late summer; if accepted, this will be the second-ever record for the island, the last being in 1937
18/12/2022 - Water Pipit at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 17th December
Thanks to Peter Mackay, John Poyner, Thomas Plant, Blair Whyte (JB,SP,SM - Skye Birds)

Waxwing - 50 - 60 at Nethybridge
Fieldfare - at Merkinch LNR also Snipe and Kingfisher
Hen Harrier - Male at Munlochy bay also 5 Greenshank, 35 Skylark and 2 Stonechat
Grey Plover
 - at Dornoch Beach also 21 Snow Bunting, c300 Linnet, c50 Greenfinch and 19 Sanderling
Golden Plover - 30+ at Head of Loch Dunvegan also 45 at Ardmore Waternish, Isle of Skye
Water Rail - single at Primrose Burn, Kinloch Glen, Rum
Pale-bellied Brent Goose​ - 13 at Rosemarkie


Friday 16th December
Thanks to Alister Clunas, Dean MacAskill, Tessa Rhodes, Blair Whyte, Tim Meredith, Mike Coleman, Thomas Plant

Great-Crested Grebe -  Aulturlie
Great Northern Diver - at Fortrose, also 2 on Fort George side of Chanonry.
Black Guillemot - Chanonry Point
Woodcock - over Avoch Village also viewed at Chapel Yard Cemetery Inverness
Waxwing - Causer Cross roads Nethybridge
Brambling - Inverbroom, Wester Ross
Twite - c200 at Dornoch Beach, also 27 Snow Bunting, c140 Greenfinch, 3 Grey Plover and 1 Water Pipit
​
Thursday 15th December
Thanks to Dave Tanner, (DW, NB, PO-W Skye Birds)
​

Water Rail - Elgol, Isle of Skye
Purple Sandpiper - 2 in Broadford, Isle of Skye, also single Black-Throated Diver and a ​Slavonian Grebe

Pink-Footed Goose - c750 at Tarbat Ness
​

Wednesday 14th December
Thanks to PeterLeigh, Peter Gordon, Dean MacAskill, John Poyner, Caroline Snow

Linnet - 500 at Spey way Nethybridge with 200 Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, 1 Lesser Redpoll and a small number of Twite
Snipe
 - pair at Merkinch Nature Reserve also 60 Teal and a Kingfisher
Greenfinch
- 140 at Marram Dornoch Beach also c 350 Linnet
Waxwing
- 1 with Redwing and Fieldfare at Back Road Golspie also 2 Woodcock
​

Tuesday 13th December
Thanks to Bob Swan, Kevin Davis, Jon Clarke, Tony Cluxton, Shaz

Black Redstart - Nigg
Jack Snipe - Cromarty 2 Common Snipe in the same area
Waxwing - 18 in Chapel Yard Cemetery, Inverness with a flock of Fieldfare
13/12/22 - Black Redstart, Nigg (Bob Swann)
13/12/22 - Black Redstart, Nigg (B Swann)
Monday 12th December
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Dave Tanner, Peter MacKay, Kevin Davis, Bob Swan, JMacD

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 8 Munlochy Bay also 4 Greenshank
Water Rail
 - 1 bird at Waterloo, Broadford Isle of Skye.  Another single bird viewed at Tain Links
Common Snipe - a pair viewed offshore at Tain, 2 birds also viewed near Alexandra Bridge, Tain
Jack Snipe - west of Cromarty
Water Pipit - single bird at Dornoch

Black Redstart - Nigg Ferry on the beach near the yard.
12/12/22 Water Pipit at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
12/12/22 Water Pipit at Dornoch (D MacAskill)
Sunday 11th December
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Steve Boyd, Dave Tanner, Adam Batty, Blair Whyte, Bob McMillan

Pink-Footed Goose - c1500 Tarbat Ness, also 150 Wigeon and c180 Teal
Common Scoter - Single bird at Ashaig, Broadford also Single Slavonian Grebe
Purple Sandpiper - single bird at Lusa Mouth, Broadford also 18 Turnstone
Little Auk
- off Cromarty Harbour also single Black Guillemot
Redpoll
 - c80 at Merkinch Nature Reserve also c40 Siskin and one Kingfisher
Stock Dove - 9 at Tornagrain
Twite - 10 at Nethy Bridge
Whooper Swan - Family group at Loch Evelix, Canmore
11/12/22 - Whooper Swan, Loch Evelix, Canmore (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 10th December
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Peter Leigh

Russian White-fronted Goose - 2 just south of Golspie
Great Northern Diver - 4 Brora 
Purple Sandpiper - 61 Brora
Little Gull - 6 Brora
Little Auk - 1 Brora
Waxwing - 1 Golspie, Station Road 
Russian White-fronted Geese - Golspie - Dean MacAskill
Friday 9th December
Thanks to Dave Tanner, Dean MacAskill, John Poyner, RBA

​Great Northern Diver - Tarbat Ness
Slavonian Grebe - 6 Embo
Gadwall - 2 Tain Links Pond ​
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake still Tain Links Pond
Common Scoter - 110 female/imm Embo
Purple Sandpiper - 42 Embo
Greenshank - 4 Loch Fleet
Waxwing - 35+ Chapel Yard Cemetery, Inverness
Twite - c20 Spey Way Nethy Bridge
Green-winged Teal - Tain Links - Dean MacAskill
Thursday 8th December
Thanks to Dave Tanner, Alister Clunas, Dean MacAskill, Dave Pierce, Bob McMillan, www.skye-birds.com, 

Black-throated Diver - 1 adult winter past Tarbat Ness
​Great Northern Diver - 1 off Fortrose Caravan Site & 3 at Brora
Hen Harrier -  1 ringtail - Insh Marshes
Grey Plover - 11 Dornoch 
Little Gull - 6 adults  Brora
Nordic Jackdaw - 1 Brora & 1 Golspie
Snow Bunting - 9 Dornoch & 3 on Elgol Road, Strathaird, Skye

Snow Bunting Dornoch Dean MacAskill
Wednesday 7th December
Thanks to Dave Tanner, Dave Pullan, John Swinden, David Paterson, Karen Reid, Dean MacAskill, www.skye-birds.com

Whooper Swan  - 11 still Storr Lochs, Skye
Ring-necked Duck (female type) - 1 Loch Morlich
Water Rail - 1 at Old Corry, Broadford, Skye
Purple Sandpiper - 50 Brora & 42 Embo
Waxwing -  26 Dingwall, Fodderty Way

Probable Continental Coal Tit  - 1 Tarbat Ness at the car park feeding station
Snow Bunting - 14 Cairngorm Mountain car park
Ring-necked Duck - Loch Morlich - Dave Pullan
Tuesday 6th December
Thanks to Simeon Ewing, Dave Tanner, Tim Meredith, Shaz, Bob McMillan, Neil Bennett,  www.skye-birds.com, RBA
 
Green-winged Teal - 1 Tain Links
Little Auk - 1 on sea Tarbat Ness
Black-throated Diver - Chanonry Point
Slavonian Grebe - Chanonry Point, 
Great Northern Diver - 2 Tarbat Ness
​Glaucous Gull - 1 (first winter ) - 1 still at Bayfield  Portree ​
Iceland Gull (second winter) - 1 still at Bayfield  Portree 
Lesser Redpoll - 50+ Westhill Inverness +  possibly the same but c70 Raigmore Hospital
Waxwing - 7 Helmsdale opposite Rapson's  Garage 
Snow Bunting - 3 Dornoch Point

Monday 5th December
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Andy Stables, Dean MacAskill, www.skye-birds.com

Grey Plover - 11 at Dornoch
Golden Plover - 59 at Loch Dunvegan
Snow Bunting - 1 on the Heaste road, Broadford
​
Sunday 4th December
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Alister Clunas, Mary Galloway, www.skye-birds.com

Great Northern Diver - 1 at Chanonry Point, with 11 Black-tailed Godwit feeding in fields nearby
Black-throated Diver - 6 at Kilmarie Bay, Loch Slapin
Iceland Gull - 2nd winter bird at Bayfield, Portree​
Whooper Swan - 11 at Storr lochs and 7 at Loch Suardal
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 7 at Rosemarkie
Golden Plover - 60 at Loch Dunvegan, 2 at Neist Point
'Nordic' Jackdaw - 2 at Broadford

Saturday 3rd December
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Alister Clunas, Alan MacAskill, David Patterson, Dave Tanner, www.skye-birds.com

Common Scoter - 1,520 off Dornoch, plus 340 Long-tailed Duck
Kittiwake - 8 at Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Red-throated Diver
Iceland Gull - 2nd winter bird at Bayfield, Portree​
Woodcock - 2 at Leys estate, Inverness
Waxwing - 9 at Helmsdale

Friday 2nd December
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Kevin Davis, Alan MacAskill, Blair Whyte, www.skye-birds.com

Slavonian Grebe - 2 on Loch Ruthven (unusual for this time of year) with 6 off Ardersier, plus c40 Goldeneye, c30 Long-tailed Duck and c200 Eider
Pale-bellied Brent Goose 
- 38 at Rosemarkie
Whooper Swan - 2 off Scalpay, Skye and 9 at Storr lochs
Common Scoter -14 at Broadford Bay
Iceland Gull - 2nd winter bird at Bayfield, Portree
Little Auk - 1 at Loch Kishorn
Knot - 'small group' reported at Connage Bay, Ardersier plus c50 Bar-tailed Godwit and c90 Dunlin
Lapland Bunting
- 1 at Harrapool
Snow Bunting - 1 at Kinloch Glen, Rum
Brambling -1 in Broadford
2/12/2022 - Red Kite and White-tailed Eagle at Loch Ruthven (Blair Whyte)
Thursday 1st December
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Ann Sime, Audrey Turner and skye-birds.com

Whooper Swan - 18 over Arisaig and 25 at Loch Ainort
Velvet Scoter - 1 off Scalpay jetty, Skye plus 25 Common Scoter nearby at Sconser with 2 Long-tailed Duck
Merlin - 1 at Drumguish
Waxwing - 12 at Brora
Blackcap - 2 males visiting private garden, Aviemore plus 1 at Feddon Hill, Fortrose

Wednesday 30th November
Thanks to Alan MacAskill, Dave Tanner and skye-birds.com

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 2 near Sleat
Sabine's Gull - report of 2 juveniles off Raasay
Purple Sandpiper - 2 at Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Black-throated Diver and c100 Golden Plover at the nearby Wilkhaven Farm
Kingfisher - 1 at Merkinch NR, Inverness
Snow Bunting - 1 at Kinloch Glen Rum

Tuesday 29th November
Thanks to Di Alexander, Jonathan Jones, and NR

Waxwing - 25 Muir of Ord, 10 Murray Terrace, Smithton
Common Rosefinch - juv trapped, ringed at Kilmuir, Skye (should be in India and rarely recorded in UK in winter).
Serin - still at Cleadale, Eigg
Snow Bunting - 32 Dornoch Point
​
Monday 28th November
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, NR, Shaz, Bob Swann, Dave Tanner

Pochard - 2 Loch Eye
Grey Plover - 1 Dornoch
Puffin - 1 Tarbat Ness (scarce in winter)
Blackcap - 3 males, 1 female Helmsdale
Serin - male still at Cleadale, Eigg
Twite - 130 Dornoch
​Snow Bunting - 36 Dornoch
​
Sunday 27th November
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Steve Broyd, Ronnie Dyer, Simeon Ewing, Bob McMillan, Graeme Prest, Oscar Puls, Shaz, Bob Swann, 

Gadwall - 2 males, 1 female Tain Links Pond
Grey Phalarope - 2 in Bay, Kilmarie, Skye, 1 Oberan Bank, near Arisaig
Knot - 700 Bunchrew (arrival seems to be late this autumn)
Arctic Skua - 1 head of Loch Portree (very late)
Waxwing -10 Westford, Alness, 8 Westhill, 30 Tain
Blackcap - male Causer, Nethybridge, male, female Helmsdale
Serin - still one at Cleadale, Eigg 

 
Saturday 26th November
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Bob Swann and BirdGuides, Craig Forsyth

Green-winged Teal - 1 at Tain Links pond, also Gadwall
Grey Phalarope - 1 at Brora River mouth 
Waxwing - 30 at Tain​
Slavonian Grebe - 2 off Tain Links, also c500 Shellduck, 2 Widgeon, 1 Red-throated diver, 10 Pintail
Velvet Scoter 
- 7 Dornoch also 120 Twite
Purple Sandpiper​ - 38 Embo

Friday 25th November
Thanks to: Bob McMillan, Alister Clunas, Brian Etheridge, Dean MacAskill, Dave Tanner

Little Auk - 1 at Alturlie,  1 at Chanonry point plus 3 Red-throated Divers.
Serin - Still at Cleadale, Eigg
Little gulls - 3 at Brora river mouth this morning also 45 Purple Sandpipers ,3 Great Northern Divers and 2 Little Auks
​Waxwing - 4 at Hill of Fearn
Firecrest - one trapped at Avoch
25/11/2022 - Little Gull - Brora (Dean MacAskill)
25/11/2022 - Little Gull - Brora (D MacAskill)
Thursday 24th November
thanks to: Mark Galloway, Alister Clunas, Donald MacLean, David Haines

Serin - Male feeding with other Finches Cleadale, Eigg
Greenshank - single bird at Udale
Brambling - Poyntzfield by Dingwall
Little Gull - Adult Loch Inver
Wednesday 23rd November
thanks to: Jon Clarke, Peter MacKay, Dean MacAskill

Little Auk - 3+ at Ardersier including 1 over Fort George car park
Great Skua - 1 at Embo also 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Little Gull and 4 Little Auk
Waxwing​ - 5 Conon Bridge
Tuesday 22nd November
thanks to: Jon Clarke, Sue Sykes, Alan MacAskill, Alistair Clunas, Bob McMillan, Tim Meredith, David Whittaker, Neil Bennett, Kevin Davis

Little Auk - at Ardersier, also 3 at Chanonry and 10 between Ardersier and Fort George
Waxwing - 4 south of Arabella T junction, Tain
Mediterranean Gull - Adult at Torridan
Common Scoter - 23 at Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye with 5 Great Northern Diver
Snow Bunting
- Single at Kildonan Farmyard, Eigg
Blackcap - single bird at Plockton shinty pitch
Ring-necked Duck - Bun Arkaig bay, Loch Lochy
Scaup - 176 at Jemimaville also one male Pintail Duck 5 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Red-throated diver and one Black-tailed godwit
22/11/22 - Ring-necked Duck, Bun Arkaig bay, Loch Lochy (David Whittaker)
Monday 21st November
thanks to: Neil Bennett, Alan MacAskill, David Paterson, Dean MacAskill, Peter Leigh

Waxwing - 38 Duthac Wynd, Tain also still single bird visiting garden Lochionhead, Lochalsh
Common Scoter - 610 Dornoch also 2 at The Aird, Gedintailor, Isle of Skye
Long-tailed duck - 230 at Dornoch
Shellduck - c500 at Tain links, also 250 Pintail duck, 3 Shoveler and c500 Dunlin
Purple Sandpiper - 34 at Embo also a single juv Arctic Tern
Red-necked grebe - North of Grannies Heilan Hame, Embo
Sunday 20th November
thanks to: Neil Bennett, Alan MacAskill, Dean MacAskill, Joe Newman, Steve Boyd, Alastair McNeil, Blair Whyte

Waxwing - single bird at Lochlonghead, Lochalsh
Brambling- two Viewfield, Portree
Common Scoter - 180 at Embo also 60 Long-Tailed duck, 670 Eider, 1 Arctic Skua
Little Gull - 8 Brora and 71 at Tarbat Ness  
Blackcap - Achavandra, Dornoch and Nethybridge
Great Egret - Strath of Kildonan
Little Auk - 3 Brora, 1 Embo and 16 at Tarbat Ness
Purple Sandpiper - Brora
Great Northern Diver - 16 at Tarbat Ness also 25 Red-throated Diver and 64 Long-tailed duck
White-billed diver - Tarbat Ness
Barn Swallow​ - Nairn Harbour
20/11/2022 - Great Egret - Kildonan (Dean MacAskill)
20/11/22 - Great Egret - Kildonan (Dean MacAskill.)
Saturday 19th November
thanks to: Neil Bennett, Alan MacAskill, Dean MacAskill, Joe Newman, Dave Tanner

Slavonian Grebe - 8 at Castle Stuart, Inverness plus c1,500 Wigeon, 38 Red-breasted Merganser, 50+ Shelduck, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 40 Goldeneye and  20 Scaup
Little Gull - adults seen were 1 at Tarbat Ness and 2 at Dornoch point
Little Auk - 8 at Tarbat Ness with 3 at Embo, plus 1 Arctic Skua, while amongst a gull flock were at least 5 'Scandinavian'/argentatus ssp. Herring Gull and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull
Grey Plover - 7 at Dornoch point
Purple Sandpiper - 10 at Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Velvet Scoter
Red Kite - 1 at Borve, Skye
Waxwing - 1 at Lochlonghead, Localsh​
Brambling - 1 (female) at Portree
19/11/2022 - Glaucous Gull (centre) at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 18th November
thanks to: Neil Bennett, Dean MacAskill, Joe Newman, Dave Pierce, 'Shaz', Andy Stables

Common Scoter - 4 at Loch Eishort, Skye
Pomarine Skua - 7 at Embo, plus 5 Puffin, 1 Little Gull (adult) 1 Velvet Scoter and 516 Kittiwake
Puffin
 - 2 at Neist Point
Great Egret - 1 at Duible, Strath of Kildonan
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Insh marshes
Waxwing - 1 at Lochlonghead, Localsh
Lapland Bunting - 1 reported at a croft at Harrapool, Skye plus 1 'Nordic' Jackdaw
​
Thursday 17th November
thanks to: Adam Betty, Neil Bennett, Simeon Ewing, Rob Hughes, Alan MacAskill, Dean MacAskill, Bob McMillan, Dave Tanner

Slavonian Grebe - 4 at Camas na Sgianadin, Skye plus singletons at Loch Ainort and Broadford Bay
Barnacle Goose - 4 amongst Pink-footed Goose flock at Newton of Leys, Inverness
Common Scoter - 32 in Broadford Bay, Skye
Goldeneye - 30+ at Alturlie with a similar-sized group off Merkinch around the same time
Herring Gull - 1 'Scandinavian'/argentatus ssp. bird at Loch Fleet
Great Skua - 3 at Embo, plus 1 Arctic Skua , 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Puffin and a 1st winter Little Gull
Purple Sandpiper - 2 at Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Red-throated Diver and 5 Long-tailed Duck
Swallow - 1 juvenile at Tongue
Waxwing​ - 10 at Cradlehall, Inverness and 14 a Forsinard
17/11/2022 - 'Scandi'/argentatus Herring Gull (right) at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 16th November

Whooper Swan - 1 on the river at Helmsdale
Pochard - 1 drake still at Loch Insh, plus 1 Common Scoter also
Red Kite - 1 at Loth
Water Rail - 1 in a private garden at Achavandra, Dornoch plus 1 Blackcap fem/imm

Tuesday 15th November

Little Auk - 2 at Embo, plus 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Little Gull (bth 1st winter), 1 Fulmar, 4 Arctic Skua, 4 Pomarine Skua and 1 Great Skua plus movement of  Kittiwakes and Gannets
Iceland Gull - 1st winter bird at Tarbat Ness, plus singles of Great Northern Diver and Red-throated Diver plus 6 Gannet
Whooper Swan - 5 at Glendale, Skye with c100 at Petley pig farm, Portmahomack with c100 Pink-footed Goose and c300 Greylag Goose
Common Scoter
 - 2 at Broadford Bay with 8 Great Northern Diver

Pochard - 1 drake at Loch Insh plus 2 Common Scoter and 1 Shelduck
​Red Kite - 5 at Duthil
​Waxwing - 5 in the centre of Tain
​
Monday 14th November
​
Great Northern Diver - 1 at Mellon Udrigle, 6 at Broadford Bay with 8 Red-throated Diver and 10 Common Scoter
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1 at Mellon Udrigle plus 1 Puffin
Whooper Swan - 1 on Loch Mealt, Skye with 60 at Petley pig farm, Portmahomack
Pochard - 1 drake at Bunchrew
​Swallow - 2 at Milton of Leys, Inverness


Sunday 13th November
​
Great Northern Diver - 1 at Tarbat Ness, with 25 at Lub Score Duntuilm, Skye

Kittiwake  - single 1st winter bird at Tarbat Ness
​
Marsh Harrier - 1 in the Laggan/Spey Dam area
Waxwing - 2 at Isleornsay, Sleat
Snow Bunting - 3 at Kilmuir, Skye


Saturday 12th November
​
Slavonian Grebe - 38 at Embo
Puffin - 1 from Mull to Rum Ferry
Glaucous Gull - Juvenile at Tarbat Ness
Marsh Harrier - 1 in the Laggan/Spey Dam area
Waxwing - 2 at Raigmore, Inverness
​
12/11/22 - Mistle Thrush - Inverness (Colin Leslie)
12/11/22 - Waxwing - Inverness (Colin Leslie)
12/11/22 - Redwing - Inverness (Colin Leslie)
Friday 11th November
​
Whimbrel - 
1 very late bird past Tarbat Ness
Grey Phalarope - 1 at Embo also 14 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Great Northern Divers, 14 Purple Sandpipers
Mediterranean Gull - 2nd winter at Bayfield, Portree
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Insh Marshes
Jay - 8 at Brahan estate today

Thursday 10th November
​
Green-winged Teal - Tain Links still.
White Billed Diver - adult past Brora also 5 Little Gulls
Pomarine Skua - Juvenile at Point of Stoer​
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Insh Marshes
Lapland Bunting - Single Heast road, Skye

Wednesday 9th November
​
Scaup - 435 off Jemimaville also 5 Slavonian Grebes and 13 Long-tailed Ducks
Curlew - A colour ringed Curlew seen at Alturlie yesterday was originally ringed at Screeton, Inverness in August 2013!
Iceland Gull - Juvenile at Ardmair Point
Red-rumped Swallow - Probable at Balintore this afternoon
Redwing - 40+ at Sallachy, Lochalsh

Tuesday 8th November
​
Velvet Scoter - 1 at Poolewe
Little Gull - 1 Applecross Bay
Pallid Swift - 1 at Carse of Ardersier late afternoon
Swallow - 1 at Sheildaig
Water Pipit - 1 on the saltmarsh at Dornoch
Snow Bunting - 25 Cromdale hills also 180 Fieldfare there

8/11/22 - Pallid Swift - Carse of Ardersier (Colin Leslie)
8/11/22 - Pallid Swift - Carse of Ardersier (Colin Leslie)
8/11/22 - Pallid Swift - Carse of Ardersier (Colin Leslie)
Monday 7th November
​
Great Crested Grebe - 1 at Alturlie
Velvet Scoter 
- Scalpay Narrows
Waxwing - One at Broadford also 13 still at Moss Road, Tain

Sunday 6th November
​
Green-winged Teal - Tain Links still.
Velvet Scoter - Scalpay Narrows
Black-throated Diver - 1 past Tarbat Ness, also 5 at between Irishman's Point and Scalpay
Great Skua - 1 east of Muck
Little Gull - 29 south past Brora and 10 at river mouth
Waxwing - 25 at Moss Road, Tain also 10 Davis Drive, Alness
Fieldfare - >1000 at Balnacoil, Strath Brora
Brambling - 1 Lower Milovaig

6/11/22 - Buzzard - Strath Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 5th November
​
Whooper Swan - 6 over Breakish, Isle of Skye
Water Rail - 1 by pond at UHI Campus, Inverness
Snow Bunting​ - at Dornoch
05/11/2022 - Snow Bunting at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
5/11/22 - Water Rail - Inverness (Colin Leslie)
Friday 4th November
​
Mediterranean Gull -​ 1st Winter at Broadford, Isle of Skye
Whooper Swan - 51 in a field and a further 14 over the sea at Portmahomack, 3 at Portree, 5 Loch Sligachan and 9 Arisaig
Waxwings - 25 - 30 still at Tain
Chiffchaff - single bird still at Lodge grounds Eigg
Magpie - single bird at Tarbat Ness
Thursday 3rd November
​
Grey Plover - 5 at Dornoch, also 1 Snow Bunting, 1 Pale Bellied Brent Goose and 1 Jack Snipe
Purple Sandpiper - Single bird at the pier Eigg
Mediterranean Gull -​ 1st Winter at Bayfield, Portree
Whooper Swan - 15 South Kilmoray, Rum, 4 Breakish Obbe and single birds at Ullinish and Kilmaluag
Waxwing - 21 Canmore Road/Moss Road, Tain
​Pallid Swift - Brora Beech car park​
Wednesday 2nd November
​
Waxwing - 37 Moss Road Tain
Chiffchaff - single bird with flock of Long Tailed tits Heights of Docherty
Whooper Swan - 3 Lower Milovaig, 2 Arisaig and 17 South of Loch Linnhe
Great Northern Diver - 12 in Broadford bay. Isle of Skye and a single Black throated diver
Slavonian Grebe - 4 at Camas na Sgianadin and a single bird at Broadford Bay
Tuesday 1st November
​
Waxwing - 10 Moss Road Tain
Purple Sandpiper - 14 at Embo
Green-winged Teal - in the river channel of Tain Links
Whooper Swan - 18 at Redcastle also  77 moving south from Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye, 85 resting on Breakish Obbe later flew south 18 Kilmory, Rum, 24 Lochlonghead and 5 at Loch Sligachan
01/11/2022 - Waxwing, Tain (B Swann)
01/11/2022 - Green Winged Teal, Tain (B Swann)
Monday 31st October
​
Waxwing​ - 4 at Tain Health Centre
Green Winged Teal - Tain links
Tundra Bean Goose - opposite Castle Stuart Golf course with 1 White Fronted Goose, a couple of thousand Pink Footed Goose
Grey Plover - 5 at Dornoch Beach
Mediterranean Gull -​ 1cy at the head of Loch Ainort
31/10/2022 - Grey Plover at Dornoch Beach (Dean MacAskill)
 Sunday 30th October
​
Mediterranean Gull - amongst Pink-footed goose near the head of Loch Portree, Isle of Skye
Whooper Swan​ - 14 at Loch Scresort, Rum 
Waxwing​ - 5 at Tain Health Centre
Marsh Harrier - (juv) at Insh Marsh
Saturday 29th October
​
Red-throated Diver - 23 at Embo, plus 1 Chiffchaff,  5 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Arctic Skua
Slavonian Grebe
 - 
2 at Loch Nan Ceall, Arisaig and 9 at Embo
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1 at Broadford Bay
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 1 amongst Pink-footed Geese at The Mound near Dornoch, 124 Curlew present also
Whooper Swan - 4 at Loch Leathan, Storr, 2 at Loch Carron and 4 at Mill Dam, Applecross
Mediterranean Gull - 2CY bird in Applecross Bay
Redwing - 200 + on Heaste road, Broadford (plus single Fieldfare and Snow Bunting), 50+ at Aird, Sleat and 20+ at Ullinish
Brambling - 1 at Portree
Blackcap - 2 at Achavandra, Dornoch plus 1 Chiffchaff and 24 Red Kite
29/10/2022 - Purple Sandpipers at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
29/10/2022 - Red Kites near Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 28th October
​
Barnacle Goose - 3 at Udale Bay amongst geese flock
​Sooty Shearwater - 8 seen south of Eigg from the MV Sheerwater
Little Gull - 5 at Brora
Bar-tailed Godwit - 39 at Udale bay plus 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Snipe, 1 Slavonian Grebe, c1,000 Wigeon, c300 Teal
Snow Bunting
 - 1 still along the Heaste road, Broadford
​
Thursday 27th October
​
​Ruff - 1 at Connage bay, Ardersier
Kingfisher - 1 at Udale Bay
Swift sp. - 1 over Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan
Waxwing - 10 at Hill of Fearn, Tain
Brambling - 12 in Glen Truim
​Snow Bunting - 1 on the Heaste road, Broadford, 2 at the Stoer lighthouse
Chiffchaff - single bird plus 2 Blackcap and single Stock Dove in Achavandra, Dornoch
27/10/22 - male Blackcap in Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 26th October

Barnacle Goose - 2 at Kilmory, Rum
Sooty Shearwater - 1 off Rum
Little Gull - 2 at Brora, plus singles of Great Skua and Swallow
Grey Plover
 - 4 at Dornoch, with c40 Greenfinch also
​Merlin - 1 at Tarbat Ness
Woodcock - 1 at Leys farm, Inverness
​Swift - 1 reported over Craig Dunain, Inverness
Snow Bunting - 1 on the Heaste road, Broadford

Tuesday 25th October

Black-throated Diver - 60+ at Gruinard Bay, with 30+ Great Northern Diver
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Loch Glendhu, 20 at Gruinard Bay
Whooper Swan - 13 at Breakish Obbe, 8 over Portree, 5 at Loch a'Chreagain Daraich, Kylesku
Barnacle Goose - 25 at Aultbea
Jack Snipe - 1 at Drumguish
Fieldfare - 250+ in Strathdearn
Wheatear - 1 on Fairburn Moor, Marybank
Chiffchaff - single bird plus 2 Blackcap in Achavandra, Dornoch

Monday 24th October

Whooper Swan - 48 at Orrin reservoir
Snow Goose - two blue morph over Tain
Sooty Shearwater - 1 near Eigg
Jack Snipe - Single at Ardnish, Broadford
Iceland Gull - 1 on beach, Gairloch
Nordic Jackdaw - Possible at Broadford Bay
​
Sunday 23rd October

Green-winged Teal - 1 at Tain Links
Velvet Scoter - 1 Balnakeil Bay
Sooty Shearwater - 2 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also Storm Petrel
Jack Snipe -
2 at Waternish Point
Mediterranean Gull - 1st winter at Loch Portree also 44 Wigeon, 11 Bar-tailed Godwits and 6 Greenshank
Waxwing - 1 at craft village, Durness
Blyth's Reed Warbler - 1 in Borralie Plantation Durness

23/10/22 - Blyth's Reed Warbler - Durness (Peter Stronach)
23/10/22 - Blyth's Reed Warbler - Durness (Peter Stronach)
23/10/22 - Waxwing - Durness (Peter Stronach)
Saturday 22nd October

Redwing - 20+ in Westhill, Inverness
​Kingfisher - 1 at Alness Point

Friday 21st October

Slavonian Grebe - 3 at Camas na Sgianadin, Broadford
Whooper Swan - 6 on Laig Bay, Eigg, 3 on Loch Suardal, Dunvegan with 5 on Loch Eye along with single drake Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck and 18 Scaup
Dunlin - 400+ at Inver, and 60+ Ringed Plover
Long-eared Owl - 1 in the plantation at Tarbat Ness along with 1 Woodcock, nearby was 1 Short-eared Owl, while at Wilkhaven Farm were 2 Brambling, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Fieldfare
Red Kite - 1 over Newtonmore
Wheatear - 1 at Dunvegan


Thursday 20th October

Pomarine Skua - 4 at Embo also 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 1 Little Gull, 11 Manx Shearwaters and 1 Velvet Scoter
Fieldfare -
50 at Isleoronsay
Snow Bunting - 2 at Kilmory, Rum
​
Wednesday 19th October

Slavonian Grebe - 2 Loch Ainort also 1 Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Divers
Lesser Black-backed Gull -
1 at Kilmory Rum also 50 Redwing
Snow Bunting - 
1 at Heast Road, Skye

Tuesday 18th October

Whooper Swan - 24 Ardnish, Broadford and 23 Laig Bay, Eigg 
Smew - 1 redhead at Bogach Loch
Wigeon - c2000 at Alturlie also 60 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Slavonian Grebes and Goldeneye
Sooty Shearwater -
95 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry
Storm Petrel - 1 at Waternish Point from ferry also single Common Scoter there
Grey Plover - 3 at Dornoch
Pomarine Skua - 2 from Uig to Lochmaddy Ferry

Blackcap - Two at Achavandra also Chiffchaff there.

18/10/22- Rock Pipit -Embo (Dean MacAskill)
18/10/22- Blackcap - Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
18/10/22 - Smew - Bogach Loch (Blair Whyte)
Monday 17th October

Ruddy Shelduck - 1 at Udale
Arctic Skua - 42 past Embo also 4 Pomarine Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 1 Great Skua and 35 Manx Shearwater
Mediterranean Gull - 4 1st Winter birds at Loch Portree also single Pintail still
​
17/10/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)
17/10/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)
17/10/22 - Merlin - Tarbat Ness (Carole Leigh)
Sunday 16th October

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 4 at Loch Fleet also 3 Greenshank
Scaup - 1 at Embo, also 600 Dunlin and 1 Purple Sandpiper
Long-tailed Duck - 32 past Fort George, 26 at Brora

Merlin - 2 at Tarbat Ness also 5 Whooper Swans
Redshank - 250 at roost at Merkinch LNR

Little Gull - 14 Brora
Swallow - 1 at Plockton
Redwing - 10 at Borrodale

Blackcap - Achavandra also Jay there.
Tree Sparrow - 35 at Tarbat Ness also Barn Owl nearby
​
16/10/22- Blackcap - Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
16/10/22 - Brent Geese - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 15th October

Whooper Swan - 106 at Loch Eye, also c20 Scaup, 3 Pochard, 15 Shoveler and a Jack Snipe
Ruff - 3 at Durness also 17 Snipe, 7 Whooper Swand and 5 Gadwall
Great Shearwater - 1 reported from the Minch with 900 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Long-tailed Skua and Pomarine Skua
Common Tern - 4 at Durness
Swallow - 4 over Newtonmore
Scandinavian Rock Pipit - the point Tarbat Ness
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 at Durness also 2 Brambling, 2 Blackcaps and 20 Redwing
15/10/22 - Lesser Whitethroat - Durness (Dave Barnett)
Friday 14th October

Arctic skua - 1 dark phase at Chanonry Point also , 6 Red Throated Diver, 67 Long Tailed Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 4 Whooper Swan, 23 Kittiwake, 28 Gannet, 8 Goldeneye
​Black Kite -  at Glen Nevis
Brent Goose - 
 8 on Ardnish, Broadford, Isle of Skye
Mediterranean Gull - 2 birds at Bayfield, Portree, Isle of Skye
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Loch Ewe and 1 at Little Loch Broom, Gruinard Bay side
Black Throated Diver - 40+ Gruinard Bay also 1 Red Throated Diver plus Razorbill, Gannet and Kittiwake

Thursday 13th October

Whooper Swan - 3 at Kilmoray, Rum and 10 at Loch Ashie
​Mediterranean Gull - 2 2nd winter birds Loch Sligachan, Isle of Skye and 4 1st winter at Loch Portree
Brent Goose - 2 at Fort George
Little Grebe - 7 at Muirton Basin also 7 Whooper Swan
 Black-throated Diver - 38 at Gruinard Bay also 12+ Kittiwake, 50+ Razorbill plus a few Guillemot.
Wednesday 12th October

Whooper Swan - 5 at Lochlonghead and 2 at Storr Lochs, Isle of Skye
Gadwall - drake at Ashaig Broadford, Isle of Skye also Wigeon
Little Gull - just of The Targets, Cromarty
Scaup - 450 at Jemimaville also 2 Slavonian Grebe
Black-Tailed Godwit​ - 30 at Udale
Yellow-brown Warbler - in a private garden, Strathglass
Tuesday 11th October

Greenland White-fronted goose - at Udale also Ruddy Shelduck
Whooper Swan - 24 by the bridge at Wester Moy, 2 at Gruinard, 44 flying south over Breakish Obbe, Isle of Skye and 20 at Balmacara
Little Tern​ 3 (juv) at Chanonry Ness also 1 Arctic Skua
Monday 10th October

Swallows - 2 Achantoul Aviemore and 6 on River Conon
Brent Goose - 45 west from Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye, 4 at Loch Portree and 4 at Loch Fleet
​​Mediterranean Gull - 1 Loch Sligachan, Isle of Skye, 1 Loch Ainort, Isle of Skye
Whooper Swan - passage south continues with the biggest concentration 75-80 on the sea at Skeabost, Isle of Skye  also 50 over Arisaig; 25 east through Breakish Obbe; 15 over Lochailort ; 12 at Loch Long ; groups of 5 & 7 at Loch Sligachan 
Sunday 9th October

Guillemot  - 1 at River Beauly with 50 Whooper Swans
White Fronted Goose - adult, amongst Pink Footed Geese at Udale
Greenshank - 13 at Redcastle Spit

Black tailed godwit - 2 at Munlochy Bay, also 3 Greenshank
Arctic Skua - at Chanonry with 1 Little Tern (juv), 1 Arctic Tern (juv) 2 Black Throated Diver, 14 Red Throated Diver, 41 Long Tailed Duck, 2 Golden Eye, 1 Guillemot and 200 Gannet
Whooper Swan - 24 at Caol Spit, Fort William
Shoveler - 8 at Loch Eye with 1 Pochard, 154 Whooper Swan and 26 Canada Goose
Little Gull - at Brora
​Mediterranean Gull - ​6 at Loch Portree, Isle of Skye also 3 Bent Goose
Chiffchaff​ - still singing at Craig Dunain, Inverness
Little Gull, Brora, 09/10/22 (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 8th October

Long-tailed Skua - 1 off the Summer Isles, while also viewed in the eastern Minch from the Stornoway-Ullapool ferry were 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Great Skua, 150+ Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater
Whooper Swan - general movement through Skye & Localsh/western Lochaber (up to 39 in one group), plus 5 at Udale Bay with 1 at Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Long-tailed Duck
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Udale Bay, 26 at Waterloo, Broadford

Greenland White-front Goose - 1 (juv) at Udale Bay​
Barnacle Goose - 2 at Redcastle amongst Pink-footed Goose flock, plus 1 at Udale Bay
Ruddy Shelduck - 1 at Udale Bay

Greenshank - 5 at Redcastle, along with c1,600 Dunlin, c800 Knot, 24 Black-tailed Godwit
Merlin - 1 at Tarbat Ness
Goshawk - 2 over Newtonmore
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 still at Broadford

Friday 7th October

Black-throated Diver - 1 at Chanonry Point, plus 24 Red-throated Diver, 1 Arctic Skua (dark phase), 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Kittiwake and 6 Gannet, with some 60 juveniles seen later in the day
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 10 at Dornoch point, 19 at Bayfield, Portree, 20 at Tain Links with 26 at Udale Bay,
Greenland White-front Goose - 1 (juv) at Udale Bay
Barnacle Goose - 4 at Udale Bay and 58 over Bayfield, Portree
Whooper Swan - 12 at Loch Sligachan, Skye, 2 at Udale Bay and 6 at Loch Flemington
Scaup - 1 at Loch Flemington
Mediterranean Gull - 3 1st winter and 1 2nd winter at Bayfield, Portree
Black-tailed Godwit - 20 at Tain Links, plus 20 Pale-bellied Brent Goose
Grey Plover - 2 at Udale Bay with 173 Lapwing
​Merlin - 1 juv/fem ta Balvonie of Leys, Inverness
'Nordic' Jackdaw - 1 still at Bayfield, Portree
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 still at Broadford
Chiffchaff - 1 at Loch Flemington plus another at Achavandra, Dornoch along with 1 Swallow and continued influx of Redwing
7/10/2022 - Swallow (and Starling) at Achavandra (Dean macAskill)
7/10/2022 - Redwing at Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
Thursday 6th October

Red-throated Diver - 8 at Chanonry Point, plus 36 Golden Plover and a single dark phase Arctic Skua
Whooper Swan - 22 in Broadford Bay plus other smaller movements of such in Skye & Localsh
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 2 at Udale Bay, 49 at Broadford Bay
Barnacle Goose - 6 at Embo
Golden Plover - 18 at Drumguish with 1 at Tarbat Ness along with 4 Red-breasted Merganser
Black-tailed Godwit - 3 at Broadford Bay
Osprey - 1 at Loch Shin
​Hobby - 1 at Craig Dunain, Inverness
Red Kite - 6 at a single site in Strathspey
Wheatear - 1 at Rosemarkie golf course
Blackcap - 2 plus Chiffchaff at Achavandra, Dornoch
6/10/2022 - Hobby at Craig Dunain (Sam Borthwick)
6/10/2022 - Pheasant at Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
6/10/2022 - Barnacle Geese off Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 5th October

Fieldfare - 7 at Leys Castle estate, Inverness plus c30 Redwing with small flock of such through Avielochanand c8 at Coulin estate, Torridon
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 still at Broadford
5/10/2022 - Yellow-browed Warbler in Broadford (Neil Bennett)
Tuesday 4th October

Barnacle Goose - 7 at Udale Bay
Long-tailed Duck - 3 at Tarbat Ness, plus 14 Common Scoter and 1 Woodcock
Mediterranean Gull - 3 (2 x 1st winter and single 2nd winter) at Bayfield, Portree
Marsh Harrier - juvenile at Insh Marshes
​Swallow - 70+ at Drumguish
​Chiffchaff - 1 singing at Tain Links
Willow Warbler - 2 at Gordons Mill, Black Isle plus 2 Jay
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 at Broadford
4/10/2022 - Jay at Craig Dunain, Inverness (Sam Borthwick)
Monday 3rd October

Red-throated Diver - 18 at Chanonry Point, plus 2 Arctic Skua (dark phase), 2 Common Tern, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Scaup, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 75 Kittiwake, 37 Long-tailed Duck, 450+ Razorbill, and 520+ Gannet 
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 20 at Broadford Bay
Redwing - 8 at Leys Castle estate, Inverness plus 12 Tree Sparrow
​
​
Sunday 2nd October

Great Northern Diver - 1 at Tarbat Ness, plus a female/juvenile Merlin
Taiga Bean Goose - 1 at Udale Bay, with 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose amongst c4,000 Pink-footed Goose.  Also seen were 300+ Scaup, 150 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Sandwich Tern
Barnacle Goose - 1 at Alturlie
Pintail - 1 drake (in eclipse) at Loch Portree, plus 7 Greenshank
​Shoveler - 1 drake at Insh Marshes
Storm Petrel - 1 at Chanonry Point, plus 3 Little Gull (all immatures), 3 Arctic Skua (all dark phase), 17 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 22 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Tufted Duck (scarce here), 160+ Gannet, 57 Kittiwake, 26 Bar-tailed Godwit, and 800+ Razorbill
Mediterranean Gull - pair of 1st winter and one 2nd winter at Bayfield, Portree plus 'Nordic Jackdaw' present also

​Hobby - 1 at Culloden
​Redwing - c60 at Drumguish, plus c40 Swallow
Ring Ouzel - 4 at Gaick, plus 30 Redwing and 1 Fieldfare
2/10/2022 - 'Nordic' Jackdaw (left) at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett)
2/10/2022 - Taiga Been Goose at Udale Bay (Blair Whyte)
 Saturday 1st October

​Gadwall - 1 at Ardersier
Grey Plover - 1 in Broadford Bay
Common Tern - 2 at Fort George
"Nordic" Jackdaw - 1 at Inverness Airport also 1 at Brora along with 2 Sandwich Terns and 1 Common Tern
Redwing - 100+ Strathglass also 8 Portree
Wheatear - 1 Portree
Blackcaps - 2 at Achavandra along with 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Swallows

1/10/2022 - Chiffchaff - Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
1/10/2022 - Nordic Jackdaw - Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 30th September

Pintail - Eclipse male still Loch Portree
Jack Snipe - single birds on Canna and Rum
Grey Plover - 2 at Harrapool
Mediterranean Gull - 1cy, 2cy and adult all at Loch Portree
Little Gull - 1 at Embo also 2 Velvet Scoter
Storm Petrel - 1 at Mellon Udrigle
Sooty Shearwater - 1 at Embo also 31 Manx Shearwaters
Pomarine Skua - 2 at Embo also 5 Great Skua and 4 Arctic Skua 
Redwing - 1 on Rum

Thursday 29th September

Whooper Swan - 13 at Loch Eye also 2000+ Pink-footed Geese
Great Northern Diver - 1 at Ord, Sleat
Slavonian Grebe - 18 in Ardersier Bay
Kingfisher - 1 at Newtonmore
Blackcap - 2 at Achavandra also 1 Chiffchaff and a Jay
Chiffchaff - 1 at Broadford
Yellow-browed Warbler - 3 at Tarbat Ness also 140 Golden Plover
​
29/9/22 - Yellow-browed Warbler - Tarbat Ness (Dave Barnett)
29/9/22 - Yellow-browed Warbler - Tarbat Ness (Dave Barnett)
Wednesday 28th September

Brent Goose - 1 at Udale Bay
Leach's Petrel - 1 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry, also 621 Sooty Shearwaters
Hobby - 1 at Dornoch Point
Spotted Redshank - 1 at Tain links also 1 Ruff, Black Tailed Godwit and 1000 Wigeon
Razorbill - Large passage past Tarbat Ness, 3500+ in 2 Hrs also 2 Merlin there
Kingfisher - 1 at Merkinch
Redwing - 1 at Muir of Ord
Nuthatch - Mamore Lodge, Kinlochleven
Yellow-browed Warbler - 2 at Durness

Tuesday 27th September

Whooper Swan - 
21 at Loch Garten, single at Lochlonghead and 1 at Loch Suardal
Long-tailed Duck - 2 at Embo
Sooty Shearwater - 2 at Mellon Udrigle
Pomarine Skua - 5 Chanonry, 2 in Broadford Bay also 3 Manx Shearwater
Mediterranean Gull - 1cy, 2cy and adult all at Loch Portree also Pintail there
​
Monday 26th September

Whooper Swan - 
​5 over Inverness​
Scaup - 4 at Invergordon 
Brent Goose - 4 in Broadford Bay also 1 Manx Shearwater
Greenshank - 4 at Loch Fleet
Glaucous Gull - 1 at Erbusaig
Leach's Storm Petrel - 1 on Loch Ewe at Cove
Sooty Shearwater - 7 from Duntuilm also 12 Common Scoter
Pomarine Skua - 2 at Duntuilm and 12 in Broadford Bay also at least 10 Arctic Skuas
Long-tailed Skua - 3 Flew past Greenstone Point, Mellon Udrigle also Leach's Storm Petrel, Pomarine Skua and 10 Black-throated Divers.
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 at Dornoch also 11 Common Tern and 1 Sandwich Tern there.

Sunday 25th September
​
Great Shearwater - 1 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 500+ Sooty Shearwaters
Black-tailed Godwit - 39 at Tain Links
Sabine's Gull - 1 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 1 Pomarine Skua
Mediterranean Gull - 1cy, 2cy and adult all at Loch Portree also Whooper Swan and "intermedius" Lesser Black-backed Gull
Sandwich Tern - 7 at Embo also 350 Dunlin
Kingfisher - Loch Torridon
Snow Bunting - 1 at Tain Links
​
25/9/22 - Canada Geese - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
25/9/22 - Blackcap - Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 24th September

Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Invergordon
Leach's Storm Petrel​ - Flying South past Chanonry Point
Sooty Shearwater - 70 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 6 Great Skua, 6 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua and 1 Pomarine Skua
Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Brora also 1 Great Northern Diver
Little Stint - 1 at Tain
Grey Plover - 2 still Broadford Bay
Glaucous Gull - 1 Loch Ainort, Skye
Little Gull - 7 at Brora including 1 adult

Friday 23rd September

Grey Plover - Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye also 46 Brent Goose
Sooty Shearwater - off Tarbat Ness
Guillemot - at Loch Garten
Whooper Swan - 3 over Achavandra Muir, Dornoch
Jack Snipe - Kilmoray, Rum
Chiffchaff​ - singing at Great Glen House, Inverness and at Dornoch Lochans
Thursday 22nd September

Grey Plover - Udale Bay also 2 at Dornoch
Osprey, 1 at Loch Fleet and Udale Bay also at Loch Fleet 4 Greenshank and 195 Red-breasted merganser.
Blackcap - 2 at Achavandra Muir Dornoch also 1 Chiffchaff and 1 singing at Aavielochan
Hobby - viewed briefly in flight at Strathdearn heading South over the hills
Wednesday 21st September

Osprey - 1 at Dornoch Point, also Hen Harrier - 1 juvenile, 6 Common Tern, 10 Sandwich Tern
Blackcap - 2 at Achavandra Muir, Dornoch also 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 11 Song Thrush
Jay - at Loch Achaaidh na h'inich Car Park Portree, Isle of Skye
Redshank - 500 Merkinch LNR
Turtle Dove - Big Sand, Gairloch
Hoopoe - Polbain/Achiltibuie
21/9/22 - Hoopoe - Polbain (Andy Williams)
21/9/22 - Hoopoe - Polbain (Andy Williams)
Tuesday 20th September

Mediterranean Gull - at Bayfield, Portree
Pomarine Skua -   observed during two hour sea watch at Tarbat Ness, also 2 Arctic Skua, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Manx Shearwater and 4 Sandwich Tern
Red necked Grebe
 - Chanonry Point
 Monday 19th September

Mediterranean Gull - two birds at Bayfield, Portree
Grey Plover - Breakish Obbe, Isle of Skye
Wheater - late bird, Kildonan Eigg
Pink Footed Goose - 1300 at Old Bar, Nairn also 35 Oystercatcher and 60 Curlew
Nuthatch
- at Loch an Eilean, Rothimurchus​
Sunday 18th September

Redshank - 422 at Muirtown Pools, also 7 Little Grebe, 81 Widgeon, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher
Ruddy Shellduck - Ardersier
Sabines Gull​ - Adult bird flying North at Balintore
Saturday 17th September

Arctic Skua - 5 at Dornoch, plus singles of Pomarine and Great Skua
Mediterranean Gull - juvenile and 2CY birds still at Bayfield, Portree
​
Friday 16th September

Curlew Sandpiper - juvenile still at EMbo, plus two Great Skua and singles of Long-tailed Skua and Arctic Skua
Lapwing 
- 207 at Alturlie

Dean MacAskill reports that a colour-ringed Sandwich Tern he sighted at Dornoch on 12/9 was ringed as a nestling by Grampian RG on the 13th June 2013, at the Sands of Forvie reserve, and this is the first sighting of it as an adult

Thursday 15th September

Long-tailed Skua - 3 juveniles past Chanonry Point, with a Black Tern also still present amongst gulls
Little Gull - juvenile at Chanonry Point, plus 5 Red-throated Diver, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua (dark morph) and 1 Arctic Tern
Curlew Sandpiper - juvenile bird at Embo, plus c500 Dunlin, 70 Sanderling, 90 Ringed Plover, 12 Turnstone plus 3 Juvenile Arctic Skua
Water Rail - one on Eigg
Osprey - 2 in Udale Bay
Honey Buzzard - over Fort William (assessed as an adult bird)
Marsh Harrier - juvenile near Laggan
Kingfisher - 1 at Back of Keppoch, Morar
Turtle Dove - 1 at Redpoint, south of Gairloch with a second bird present at Big Sand to the north of the village
Chiffchaff - one singing male in Broadford
15/9/2022 - Curlew Sandpiper amongst Sanderlings at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 14th September

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Tain Links, with another 29 over Broadford
Whimbrel - 2 over Broadford
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 at Broadford Bay, 2 at Embo (amongst Dunlin)
Black-tailed Godwit - 2 at Bunchrew, 45 at Tain Links and 1 at Broadford Bay
Ruff - 2 in field between Dulnain Bridge and Carrbridge
Kingfisher - 1 at Merkinch, Inverness plus 184 Redshank
Redwing
 - singleton amongst Mistle Thrush flock in Nethy Bridge, with 2 more in the Strathnairn area

​...plus continued passage of Pink-footed Geese through the region

Tuesday 13th September

Great Northern Diver - 4 at Chanonry Point
Black-throated Diver - 16 on Loch Slapin, Skye
Slavonian Grebe - 4 off Jemimaville, plus 30 Scaup
Pomarine Skua - 2 at Strathy Point, plus 2 Arctic Skua and 8 Great Skua
Balearic Shearwater - 1 at Strathy Point, with 60+ Sooty Shearwater, 55+ Manx Shearwater
Pink-footed Goose -
14 at Udale Bay, with general movement of skeins through the region
Little Gull - 1 at Chanonry Point
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 at Whiteness Bay
​Hoopoe - 1 remains at Polbain
Turtle Dove - 1 at Big Sand, Gairloch associating with Collared Doves

Monday 12th September

Pink-footed Goose - Skeins of 200+ heading north at Kincraig and 100 at Conon Bridge
Black-headed Gull - 41 at Kentra Bay (high count for this location)
Pintail - Eclipse drake still at Loch Portree
Curlew Sandpiper - 4 on Dornoch beach along with 2 Little Stint
Bar-tailed Godwit - 26 at Kentra Bay, plus 12 Greenshank and 41 Red-breasted Merganser
Mediterranean Gull - ​1st and 2nd year birds still at Bayfield, Portree​​
Black Tern - 1 juvenile at Chanonry this morning, also 1 Long-tailed Duck
Hoopoe -
1 still at Polbain
​
Sunday 11th September

Pintail - 1 at Loch Portree and 13 at Dornoch
Sooty Shearwater - 7 from the Uig to Lochmaddy Ferry
Arctic Skua - 1 at Dornoch, with 3 at Neist Point, Skye plus 2 Great Skua
Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Bayfield, Portree​​
Dunlin - 720 at Dornoch, plus 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, plus singles of Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Little Tern  and Peregrine 
​
Saturday 10th September

Black Tern - 2 at Embo
Glaucous Gull - 1 at Ullapool
Mediterranean Gull - ​juvenile and 2CY birds at Bayfield, Portree​​
Sooty Shearwater - c100 from Ullapool to Stornoway ferry, plus 22 Storm Petrel of note wirh c120 on the return journey plus singles of Manx Shearwater and Long-tailed Skua
Pintail
 - 1 female on Inverness UHI campus pond
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 at Broadford Bay plus 2 Little Stint and juvenile Knot
Goshawk - juvenile at Broadford Bay
Redstart​ - 1 at Tarbat Ness

Chiffchaff - 1 at Lochindorb, plus 7 Goldeneye
​
Friday 9th September

Curlew Sandpiper - 1 at Broadford Bay,1 at Brora with 450 Ringed Plover, 120 Sanderling and 1 Ruff
Little Stint - 6 at Broadford Bay and 2 Black-tailed Godwit
Little Gull - 4 at Embo also 2 Great Skua and 2 Arctic Skua

Red-backed Shrike - 1 still at Tarbat Ness
Lesser Whitethroat - 2 at Tarbat Ness also 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Redstart and 1 Whinchat
9/9/2022 - Red-backed Shrike at Tarbat Ness (Mitch Teasdale)
Thursday 8th September

Pintail - 12 at Dornoch also c300 Dunlin and Sanderling and 1 Grey Plover
Sooty Shearwater - 1 at Lothbeg

Great Shearwater - 2 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 1 Long-tailed Skua and 1 Grey Phalarope 
Ruff - 3 at Dornoch, 2 in Broadford Bay 
Little Stint - 1 on Dornoch beach 
Curlew Sandpiper - 3 on Dornoch beach, 2 at Alturlie, 2 at Harapool, 1 at Kilmory, 1 at Traigh
​Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Loch Portree​​
Little Gull - 2 at Embo also Long-eared Owl
Wheatear -
3 at Alturlie
Hoopoe - 1 still in Polbain area
Red-backed Shrike - 1 at Tarbat Ness also at least 2 Pied Flycatchers and 1 Redstart
​
8/9/22 - Little Stint - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
8/9/22 - Curlew Sandpiper - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
8/9/22 - Ruff - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Wednesday 7th September

Mandarin - 1 at Loch Garten
Great Shearwater - 6 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 100 Sooty Shearwaters (mainly in Western Isles Recording area)
Ruff - 5 at Dornoch
Little Stint - 1 on Dornoch beach
Curlew Sandpiper - 2 in Broadford Bay
​Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Loch Portree​
Little Gull - Juvenile at Embo
Redwing - 1 at Dornoch
Red-backed Shrike - 1 at Tarbat Ness also at least 5 Pied Flycatchers and 1 Lesser Whitethroat
Wood Warbler - 1 at Balnakiel Craft Village
Reed Warbler - 1 at Durness
Common Rosefinch - 1 at Tarbat Ness
Ring-necked Parakeet - 1 at Merkinch LNR

Tuesday 6th September

Great Shearwater - 10 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 80 Sooty Shearwaters and 60 Storm Petrels
Balearic Shearwater 
- 1 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry​
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 at Breakish Obbe
​Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Loch Portree
Black Tern - 1 at Chanonry
Kingfisher - 1 at Nostie, Lochalsh 
​
6/9/22 - Bar-tailed Godwit - Fort George (Mike Crutch)
6/9/22 - Sandwich Tern - Fort George (Mike Crutch)
6/9/22 - Turnstone - Fort George (Mike Crutch)
Monday 5th September

Brent Goose - 2 past Helmsdale
Cory's Shearwater - One off Fort George
Great Shearwater - 4 at Helmsdale, 7 from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 3 Storm Petrels
Balearic Shearwater
- 1 at Helmsdale
Curlew Sandpiper - 5 at North Kessock, 2 at Broadford Bay and 1 at Breakish Obbe
Little Stint - 1 still at Broadford Bay
Little Gull - 1 between Rum and Eigg
Long-tailed Skua - 1 at Helmsdale
Pomarine Skua - 3 at Chanonry along with 6 Arctic Skua, 11 Manx Shearwaters and 7 Red-throated Divers
Icterine Warbler -
1 at Tarbat Ness, also 2 Pied Flycatchers, 9 Sooty Shearwaters and 20 Manx Shearwaters
Hoopoe -
1 still at Polbain, Achiltibuie


​Sunday 4th September

Ruddy Shelduck - 1 still at Ardersier
Brent Goose - Single in Broadford Bay, also 2 Little Gulls
Cory's Shearwater - 2 at Embo, 1 at Lothbeg Point, 1 at Helmsdale, 1 at Chanonry
Great Shearwater - 2 at Embo, 4 at Lothbeg Point, 4 at Helmsdale, 1 at Brora
Balearic Shearwater - 1 at Helmsdale, 2 at Lothbeg Point
Sooty Shearwater - 43 at Embo, 70 at Lothbeg Point 23 form Mallaig to Lochboisdale Ferry, also 23 Storm Petrels
Fea's type Petrel - 1 at Lothbeg then shortly after at Helmsdale
Little Stint - 1 at Broadford Bay
Curlew Sandpiper - 2 at Breakish Obbe
Pomarine Skua - 3 at Helmsdale, 2 at Embo, 1 at Chanonry Point along with 256 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Arctic Skua
Long-tailed Skua -
2 at Embo also 1 LIttle Gull
​Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Bayfield, Portree, Isle of Skye
Swift - single at Breakish
Pied Flycatcher - 3 at Tarbat Ness
Hoopoe - 1 at Polbain
​
Saturday 3rd September

Pomarine Skua - 5 juveniles at Chanonry Point also 7 Arctic skua (all dark phase), three Manx shearwater, 1 Puffin, 112 Fulmar, 1 Great Norther Diver, 280 Gannet
Arctic Skua - 5 at Embo also 200+ Manx Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater.4 Pomarine Skua,
Ruddy Shelduck - at Ardersier bay/Connage
Great Shearwater - 8 at Tarbat Ness also, 3 Cory's Shearwater , 80 Sooty Shearwater and 113 Manx Shearwater
Sooty Shearwater
- c30 off Mallaig
Little Stint - spotted yesterday at Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye
Green Woodpecker - near Kinloch, Sleat, Isle of Skye
Icterine Warbler - 1 at Tarbat Ness also 6 Pied Flycatchers
03.09.22 - Ruddy Shelduck at Ardersier (Blair Whyte)
Friday 2nd September

Balearic Shearwater - heading North out of the Firth at Embo, Cory's Shearwater also heading North
​
Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Bayfield Portree, Isle of Skye
Marsh Harrier - (probable Juvenile) at Loch Insh with 3 female Hen Harrier and 1 Shoveler
​Sandwich Tern - 18 at Tarbat Ness also c350 Gannet, 35 Swallow, 75 Linnet
Thursday 1st September

Black-Tailed Godwit - 2 birds in the Brakish Channel at Tain Links
Sandwich Tern - 24 at Tarbat Ness also 350 Gannet, 100 House Martin, 150 Linnet and 35 ​Kittiwake
Wednesday 31st August

Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Loch Portree, Isle of Skye
Bar-tailed Godwit - 10 at Breakish Obbe, Isle of Skye
Corys Shearwater - Chanonry Point also 3 Arctic Skua​ (2 dark phase and 1 pale phase)
Rose Coloured Starling - Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan (observed 24th August 2022)
Tuesday 30th August

Mandarin Duck - Loch Garten NR
Water Rail - on Nocmig at Kinloch, Rum
Sandwich Tern - 4 at Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye
Bar-tailed Godwit - 9 at Breakish Obbe, Isle of Skye also single Black-tailed Godwit
Little Gull - 1 immature bird at Chanonry also 4 Manx Shearwater, 4 Arctic Skua (3 dark phase and 1 pale phase) 1 Puffin, 4 Fulmar, 65 Sandwich Tern and 5 Red-throated diver
Corys Shearwater - Chanonry Point
30/08/22 - Corys Shearwater - Chanonry Point (Steve Reddick)
30/08/22 - Corys Shearwater - Chanonry Point (Steve Reddick) 2
30/08/22 - Corys Shearwater - Chanonry Point (Steve Reddick) 3
Monday 29th August

Arctic Skua - 3 over Portree, Isle of Skye
Greater Scaup - 4 birds at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Sunday 28th August

Arctic Skua - 3 dark phase birds at Chanonry also 3 Turnstone, 9 Sanderling and 26 Dunlin 
Mediterranean Gull - ​2CY bird still at Loch Portree, Isle of Skye
28/08/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)
Saturday 27th August

White-tailed Eagle - adult bird over Drynie Park, Muir of Ord

Friday 26th August

Mediterranean Gull - 2CY bird at Loch Portree, Skye​
Black-tailed Godwit - 2 at Ferry Point, Dingwall plus 1 Greenshank, 1 Peregrine and 3 Osprey
Bar-tailed Godwit - 5 at Traigh, Morar
Hobby - south of Inverness
Kingfisher​ - 1 on Loch Migdale
Grasshopper Warbler - 1 at Kinloch, Rum

Thursday 25th August

Long-tailed Skua - 2CY bird at Chanonry Point, 2 juveniles in the Dornoch Firth plus 4 Arctic Skua
Iceland Gull - 2CY bird at Mellon Udrigle
Shoveler - female at Alturlie
Whimbrel - 24 in Broadford Bay, Skye plus 6 Bar-tailed Godwit
Marsh Harrier - juvenile at Redcastle, Black Isle​
Kingfisher - 1 at Muirtown Pool, Inverness plus 1 Whimbrel and 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull
25/8/2022 - Marsh Harrier at Redcastle (Sam Borthwick)
Wednesday 24th August

Mediterranean Gull - 2CY bird at Loch Portree, Skye plus 10 Greenshank
​Gadwall - 1 at Inverness UHI campus
Knot - 2 in Broadford Bay, Skye plus 6+ Sanderling
Kingfisher - 1 along the Dulnain in Carrbridge

Tuesday 23rd August

Black Tern - at least 2 juveniles off Dornoch, plus 1 Little Tern, 5 Little Gull (3 juvenile, 1 sub-adult, 1 adult), 4 Arctic Skua (2 pal/2 dark morph), 23 Red-throated Diver 
Storm Petrel - 15 from Ullapool-Stornoway ferry (20 on return journey), plus 3 Red-throated Diver, 11 Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, c110 Manx Shearwater (800 on return), 1 Sooty Shearwater​ (46 on return)
Cuckoo - 1  juvenile at Dava
23/8/2022 - Little Gulls at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
23/8/2022 - Little Gulls at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 22nd August

Arctic Skua - 1 dark morph at Chanonry Point
Sooty Shearwater - 3 off Tarbat Ness with 35 Manx Shearwater plus a distant large species of shearwater
Manx Shearwater - c1,000 of Embo, plus 
3 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Arctic Skua, and 1 adult and 1 juvenile Little Gull
Whimbrel
 - 1 at Udale Bay with another 3 at Rosemarkie

Bar-tailed Godwit - 15, plus single Black-tailed Godwit, at Broadford Bay, Skye
Greenshank - 1 at Udale Bay

Marsh Harrier​ - 1 at Loch Gartin, Mandarin Duck also
Swift - singles over Fortrose and Nigg


Sunday 21st August

Little Tern - 1 immature bird past Chanonry Point, plus 3 dark morph Arctic Skua
Manx Shearwater - 14 off Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Black-tailed Godwit (locally rare)
Storm Petrel - 40 seen from Ullapool-Stornoway ferry, along with 1 Pomarine Skua, 20 Sooty Shearwater, 10 Arctic Skua and 6 Great Skua, plus a number of Lesser Rorqual whales and single Fin Whale
Black-tailed Godwit - 4 in Dingwall Bay, plus 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 2 Dunlin, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Swift
Bar-tailed Godwit - 8, plus 3 Black-tailed Godwit, at Traigh, Morar
Marsh Harrier
​ - 1 at Insh marshes, 160 Barnacle Goose and 18 Canada Goose also


Saturday 20th August

Black-throated Diver - 8 off Firemore, Loch Ewe plus 30+ Ringed Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone and a flock of around 150 Twite
Arctic Skua
 - 2 (1 pale/1dark morph) at Chanonry Point, plus 3 Whimbrel

Black-tailed Godwit - 41 Broadford Day with 2 Knot and 160 Dunlin
Mediterranean Gull - 1st summer still at Bayfield, Portree
Little Tern - 1 at Tarbat Ness
​
Friday 19th August

Mandarin Duck - 1 at Loch Garten
Ringed Plover - 100 in Broadford Bay also 80 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and single Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper​
Mediterranean Gull -
1st summer still at Bayfield, Portree

Thursday 18th August

Black-tailed Godwit - 2 at Fort George also 1 at Broadford bay and 3 Greenshank there
Whimbrel - Loch Scresort, Rum
Sanderling - 5 at Broadford Bay
Swift - 24 over Embo
Cuckoo - Juv at Drumfearn
​
Wednesday 17th August

Sooty Shearwater - 46 seen from Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 14 Arctic Skua, 23 Manx Shearwaters and 4 Great Skua
Black-tailed Godwit - 3 on Eigg also 3 Ferry Point Dingwall
Arctic Skua - 1 at Brora along with large numbers of Fulmar and Manx Shearwaters
Little Gull -
1 Juvenile at Embo, also 1 adult there along with 150 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas, 1 Great Skua, 2 Puffins and 6 Red-throated Divers

Wheatear - 2 leucorhoa types at Neist Point also 3 Arctic Skuas there.

Tuesday 16th August

Great Shearwater - 1 seen on the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway also 700+ Sooty Shearwaters
Great Egret - 1 on marsh, Cromarty Bridge
Whimbrel - flock of 17 at The Aird, Gedintailor also 2 Arctic Skuas
Black-tailed Godwit
- 13 at Alturlie also 1 at Fort George and ​4 at Aird, Sleat
Sabines Gull - 1 From Ullapool to Stornoway Ferry also 5 Storm Petrel
Puffin -
Single between Fort George and Chanonry also 8 Whimbrel
Woodchat Shrike - 1 at Mellon Udrigle near campsite

Monday 15th August
​

Hobby - 1 near Tomatin
Little Stint - 1 at Staffin Bay, Skye

Pomarine Skua - 1 passed Tarbat Ness, also 1 Great Skua and 2 Arctic Skua 
Great Skua - 
1 at Chanonry
Arctic Skua - 
3 Broadford Bay
Little Gull - 1 Dornoch Beach
​
15/8/22 - Little Gull - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
15/8/22 - Little Gull - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Sunday 14th August
​

Mediterranean Gull - Juvenile still at Waterloo, Broadford
Whimbrel - 7 at Kilmaluag, also Arctic Skua there
Cuckoo - Juvenile at Kildonan, Eigg


Saturday 13th August
​

Storm Petrel - observed between Mallaig and Rum
Magpie - at Breakish, Isle of Skye
Black-tailed Godwit - 150 observed at Broadford bay, Isle of Skye
Friday 12th August
​

Whimbrel - 10 at broadford bay, also observed were Mediterranean Gull - 1 Juvenile, Black-tailed godwit - 37, Oystercatcher - 200 and Redshank - 80
Manx shearwater - c 500 at Brora during 2 hour seawatch also observed Arctic Skua - 6, Pomarine Skua - single bird, Bonxie - single bird, Little gull - 2, Little tern - single bird.
Arctic Skuas - 6 observed at Tarbat Ness also Manx shearwater - 251, Little Tern - single bird, and one Bonxie. Good numbers of juvenile Kittiwakes
Thursday 11th August
​

Canada Goose - c400 observed from the hide at Udale Bay
Arctic Skua - 2 at Gruinard Bay

Whimbrel - 150 at Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye also Black-tailed godwit, 30 and ​​Mediterranean Gull - 1 juvenile
11/08/22 - Canada Goose at Udale Bay (Jack Harrison)
Wednesday 10th August
​

Common Tern - c110 also Arctic Skua, 2  Whimbrel, 3  Dunlin, 90 and Ringed plover 68 at Dornoch
Long Eared Owl - Eigg
Tuesday 9th August
​

No significant sightings ​
Monday 8th August

Storm Petrel - 2 observed between Muck and Eigg
​
Mediterranean Gull - 1 juvenile at Waterloo area of Broadford Bay, Skye also 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel and 2 Sanderling
House Martin - c150 near Lighthouse Beacon at Tarbat Ness
Sunday 7th August

Northern Gannet - c100 individuals recorded.  Also 40 Sandwich Tern, 17 Black Guillemot 5 Manx Shearwater at Tarbat Ness
Saturday 6th August

Mediterranean Gull - 2 juveniles at Waterloo area of Broadford Bay, Skye plus 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 12 Whimbrel

Friday 5th August

Red-throated Diver - 1 off Whiteness, plus 2 Sanderling
Little Tern - 6 adults and 2 juveniles at Fort George, plus 2 Arctic Skua, 32 Sanderling, 12 Dunlin and 43 Ringed Plover
Black-tailed Godwit - 6 at Loch Flemington
Whimbrel - 2 in Broadford Bay, Skye plus 4 Sanderling, 120 Dunlin and 90 Ringed Plover
5/8/2022 - Arctic Skua at Fort George (Colin Leslie)
5/8/2022 - Little Terns at Fort George (Colin Leslie)
5/8/2022 - Sanderling at Fort George (Colin Leslie)
Thursday 4th August

Iceland Gull - adult at Tarbat Ness, 8 Manx Shearwater also
Whimbrel - 3 at Tarbat Ness, plus 6 Turnstone and single Sanderling

Wednesday 3rd August

Manx Shearwater - single off Tarbat Ness
Whimbrel - 7 at Broadford Bay, Skye 
Purple Sandpiper - 5 at Tarbat Ness, plus 9 Turnstone and 3 Sanderling

Swift - 32 feeding over Embo
3/8/2022 - Osprey at Aviemore (Mike Crutch)
Tuesday 2nd August

Arctic Skua - 4 in Broadford Bay, Skye
Whimbrel - 1 at Tarbat Ness, 4 (3 of which were juveniles) Grey Partridge nearby also
Black-tailed Godwit - 41 at Ardnish, Broadford on Skye, with 15 also noted in Broadford Bay plus 3 Knot


Monday 1st August

Mediterranean Gull - juvenile still at Broadford Bay, Skye
Whimbrel - 1 at Tarbat Ness, plus 12 Sanderling amongst various waders present.  C100 House Martin were also noted - a high number for this location
Black-tailed Godwit - 11 at Breakish Obbe, Skye
Redshank - 72 at the Ardnish areas of Broadford, Skye


Sunday 31st July

Great Northern Diver - 1 (in sumplum) at Broadford Bay, Skye plus 2 Whimbrel and 4 Black-tailed Godwit
Franklin's Gull - amongst gulls in Broadford Bay, Skye with juvenile Mediterranean Gull present also
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Wilkhaven Farm, Tarbat Ness with Merlin present also
31/7/2022 - Franklin's Gull (centre) at Broadford Bay (Martin Benson)
Saturday 30th July

Manx Shearwater - 1000+ from Armadale-Mallaig ferry
Storm Petrel - two off the Point of Sleat
Arctic Tern- 200+ at Tarbat Ness also imm/female Merlin
Common Tern - 50 adults + 17 juveniles in Broadford Bay

Mediterranean Gull - Juvenile still at Waterloo, Skye
​
Little Gull - 1st summer still at Skelbo
Nuthatch - Calling at Ferry Point, Dingwall, with one other reported at feeders in Invermoriston


Friday 29th July

Little Egret - 1 at Fort William
Whimbrel - 1 at Tarbat Ness
Ruff - Juvenile at Udale Bay
Mediterranean Gull - Juvenile still at Waterloo, Skye
Little Gull - 1st summer, Skelbo
Kingfisher - 1 at Kingussie


29/7/22 - Turnstone - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
Thursday 28th July

Whimbrel - 1 at Tarbat Ness
Mediterranean Gull - Juvenile at Waterloo, Skye
​
Wednesday 27th July
​

Greenshank - 11 at Loch Portree also 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 30 Goosander
Mediterranean Gull - Juvenile off West Terrace, Ullapool.
Iceland Gull - 1 Tarbat Ness also good numbers of Manx Shearwaters and 1 Arctic Skua
Storm Petrel - 1 Tarbat Ness. Also 
3 between Soay and Rum from MV Sheerwater 
Sandwich Tern - 178 at Dornoch also 17 Common Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 2 Little Tern and 30 Sanderling.

Tuesday 26th July
​

No significant sightings 

Monday 25th July
​

Quail - 1 calling near Beauly
Sooty Shearwater
 - 1 past Durness
Arctic Skua - 3at Camas na Sgianadin, Broadford

Sunday 24th July
​

Glaucous Gull - Juvenile past Tarbat Ness​
Mediterranean Gull - 1st Summer still at Bayfield, Portree
Knot - 5 Broadford Bay also 6 Greenshank, 50 Dunlin and 28 Sanderling
Sanderling - 36 at Traigh, Morar also 27 Dunlin. 7 at Staffin Bay
​
24/7/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Bayfield (Neil Bennett)

Saturday 23rd July
​

Black-throated Diver - 21 at Firemore Beach also 1 Red-throated Diver​
Storm Petrel - single from the Mallaig-Rum ferry + 140 Guillemots many with healthy chicks  
Manx Shearwater - 590 also good numbers of Puffin and Kittiwake, 2 Storm Petrel, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Pomarine Skua during 2 hour sea watch at Brora
Whimbrel - 1 over Clachnaharry, Inverness
Friday 22nd July
​
​Common Scoter- 10 off Rigg, Staffin Isle of Skye
Little Gull - 2nd year, Brora
Kittiwake - ​c500 Tarbat Ness
​
22/07/2022 - Little Gull (2nd year) Brora, Dean MacAskill
22/07/22 - Little Gull (2nd Year), Brora, Dean MacAskill
Thursday 21st July
​
Great Skua- 6 on Staffin Island, Skye also single bird reported between Chanory Point and Fortrose
Wednesday 20th July
​
Great Skua- small numbers being reported - single north at Valtos ; two between Arisaig and Muck;  a pair still present on Pabay, Skye
Tuesday 19th July
​
Sanderling - c142 on Dornoch Beach
Kittiwake - c300 also c 150 Gannets at Tarbert Ness
Monday 18th July
​
Glaucous Gull - 1 bird off the beach at The Glebe, Golspie
Common Tern - c180+ some feeding juveniles at Avoch, also 4 Turnstones
Purple Sandpiper - single bird at Neist Point, Isle of Skye also 2 Arctic Skua and 4 Great Skua
Sunday 17th July
​
Sandwich Tern - 118 birds also 3 Little Tern, 17 Manx Shearwater and 7 Black Throated Diver at Coul Links Dornoch,
Mediterranean Gull - 1st Summer bird at Loch Portree, Isle of Skye
Saturday 16th July
​
Black-tailed Godwit - single bird at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Ruff - one at Lower Breakish, Skye
Sandwich Tern - 19 (including at least 8 juveniles) at Tarbat Ness 
​Mediterranean Gull -  2CY bird at Loch Portree, Skye
Storm Petrel - single seen on Rum-Mallaig ferry crossing, plus three Bonxies
16/7/2022 - Black-tailed Godwit at Merkinch (Colin Leslie)
Friday 15th July
​
Red-throated Diver - 5 off Tarbat Ness
Sandwich Tern - 91 at Coul Links, plus 5 Little Tern and 6 Arctic Tern
Grasshopper Warbler - reeling male at Nonach Lodge, Lochalsh

Thursday 14th July
​
Manx Shearwater - single off Tarbat Ness, plus 1 Great Northern Diver and 3 Red-throated `diver
Black-tailed Godwit - singleton in Broadford Bay, Skye plus 29 Redshank and 27 Curlew

Wednesday 13th July
​
Greylag Goose - c600 around Glas Eilean, Lochalsh
​Mediterranean Gull -  2CY bird at Loch Portree, Skye
Corn Bunting - single calling male near Co-Op distribution centre, Dalcross Airport

Tuesday 12th July
​
Glaucous Gull - 2 immature birds remain at Brora
Bar-tailed Godwit - 2 in Broadford Bay, Skye
12/7/2022 - Glaucous Gull off Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 11th July

Glaucous Gull - 2 immature birds plus 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Brora river mouth
Mediterranean Gull -  2CY bird at Bayfield, Portree on Skye
Lesser Black-backed Gull - single bird showing intermedius ssp. features at Lower Milovaig, Skye
11/7/2022 - Mediterranean Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett)
Sunday 10th July

Manx Shearwater -  11 off Tarbat, plus single sumplum Great Northern Diver and 2 juvenile Sandwich Tern (with 2 adults) 
Arctic Skua - in a 4-hour seawatch at Neist Point, Skye just a single bird was seen, with no Bonxies observed.  73 Manx Shearwater and 23 Puffin were seen, plus a Lesser Rorqual whale.  Bob McMillan has written the following blog on the skua situation www.skye-birds.com/blogs/2021/bonxies-on-the-brink/

Saturday 9th July

Little Tern -  2 at Chanonry point.
White Wagtail - 1 at Tarbat Ness


Friday 8th July

Black-tailed Godwit -  3 at Ferry Point, Dingwall
​
Thursday 7th July

Kittiwake -  1500+ heading into Dornoch Firth past Tarbat Ness along with c150 Gannets
​
Wednesday 6th July

Storm Petrel -  2 from Rum-Mallaig ferry and 500 Manx Shearwater (but notably no Skuas)
Arctic Skua - 2 off Tarbat Ness, 1 at Brora
Little Egret -2 at Loch Ainort, Skye
Glaucous Gull - Immature still at Brora, also 12 Bar-tailed Godwit and 10 Sandwich Terns including 3 juveniles.
Rosy Starling - 1 at Balmaquien, Skye
​
Tuesday 5th July

Common Sandpiper - 14 Ashaig, Broadford
Bonapartes Gull - 1 on Firemore beach.
​
Monday 4th July

Common Scoter - 14 past Chanonry Point
Black-tailed Godwit - 1 Nigg Bay
Short-eared Owl - 1 between Rosemarkie and Cromarty
Rosy Starling - 1 yesterday, in private garden, Bettyhill


Sunday 3rd July

Common Scoter - 25+ in Broadford Bay
Guillemot - At least 343 dead Guillemot on Brora Beach. I
f you find three dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), a single dead bird of prey, or five or more dead wild birds of any other species (including gulls) at the same place at the same time, you should report them to Defra’s national GB telephone helpline: 03459 33 55 77 . It is advisable that you do not touch these birds.
Greenshank - 3 Udale Bay
Turtle Dove - 1 in private garden, Dalchalm, Brora
​
Saturday 2nd July

Ringed Plover - 12 at Dornoch along with 14 Dunlin, 55 Red breasted merganser, 2 Little Tern and 5 Sandwich Tern 
Long-tailed Skua 
- 1 observed from Gordonhall Hide, Insh Marshes near Kingussie
Short-eared Owl - Inverness Airport

Friday 1st July
​

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
28/06/2022 - Sanderling - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
28/06/2022 - Sanderlings - Dornoch Saltings (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
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
​
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
​
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
​
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
​
Thursday 16th June
​

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.

15/6/22 - Golden Plover - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
15/6/22 - Snipe - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
15/6/22 - Dunlin - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Tuesday 14th June

Rosy Starling - 1 at Scourie, east of Greenhill Bed & Breakfast.
​
14/6/22 - Common Sandpiper - Loch Garten (Pete Gordon)
Monday 13th June

No significant sightings reported yet today
​
Sunday 12th June

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

Long-tailed Skua - 1 near Newtonmore
​
11/6/22 - Long-tailed Skua - Newtonmore (David Ball)
Friday 10th June

Hobby- single bird flying south over Broadford, Isle of Skye
​

Thursday 9th June

No significant sightings reported yet today
​
Wednesday 8th June

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

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

Sunday 5th June

Redstart - Migdale, Sutherland
05/06/2022 Redstart at Migdale, Sutherland (D MacAskill)

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
​
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
31/5/2022 - Iceland Gull at Helmsdale (V Irving)
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
​
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
28/5/2022 - Short-toed Eagle in Sutherland (Peter Stronach)
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

24/5/22 - Short-toed Eagle - Lairg (Dean MacAskill)
24/5/22 - Short-toed Eagle - Lairg (Dean MacAskill)
Monday 23rd May
​
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
23/5/2022 - Arctic Skua on Handa (Mike Crutch)
23/5/2022 - female Wheatear on Handa (Mike Crutch)
23/5/2022 - Great Skua on Handa (Mike Crutch)
Sunday 22nd May
​
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


22/5/22 - Teal - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
22/5/22 - Cuckoo - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 21st May
​
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
​
Friday 20th May
​
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​

17/5/22 - Whinchat - Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
15/5/22 - Manx Shearwaters - Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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
14/5/2022 - Lesser Black-backed Gull (intermedius ssp.) at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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
13/5/2022 - Corn Bunting at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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
12/5/2022 - Glaucous Gull at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
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
​
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
​
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
7/5/2022 - Short-eared Owl in Strathspey (Colin Leslie)
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
​
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
​
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
​
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
​
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
​
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
​
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

22/4/22 - Black Redstart - Insh (Adrian Samuels)
23/4/22 - Osprey and Red Kite - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
23/4/22 - King Eider - Littleferry (Dean MacAskill)
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
22/4/2022 - Iceland Gull at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
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
21/4/2022 - Sand Martin at Kiltearn (Blair Whyte)
21/4/2022 - Black Grouse 'Greyhen", Badenoch (Dave Pierce)
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
18/4/2022 - Purple Sandpipers, Redshanks, Turnstones and Sanderlings at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
12/04/2022, Whimbrel, Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
10/04/2022, Little Gull, Brora (Dean MacAskill)
10/04/2022, Iceland Gull, Bayfield Portree (Neil Bennett)
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
​
8/4/22 - Ring Ouzel - Gaick (Dave Pierce)
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
​
7/4/22 - King Eider - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
7/4/22 - King Eider - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
6/4/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
6/4/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
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.
​
5/4/22 - Brambling - Tain (Gary Aitken)
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​
4/4/22 - Grey Wagtail - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
4/4/22 - Iceland Gull - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
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
1/4/2022 - 'white-winged' gull line-up in Ullapool - L to R Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull and Viking Gull (Andy Williams)
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
31/3/2022 - Glaucous Gull at Ullapool (Andy Williams)
31/3/2022 - male Wheatear at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
31/3/2022 - Golden Plover at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
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
28/3/2022 - King Eider at Ferry Links, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
28/3/2022 - Redshank at Lochindorb (Mike Crutch)
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
26/3/2022 - juvenile White-tailed Eagle at Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
26/3/2022 - Osprey, Dornoch Firth (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
King Eider at Loch Fleet, image by Dean MacAskill
King Eider at Loch Fleet, image by Dean MacAskill.
King Eider at Loch Fleet, image by Dean MacAskill..
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

19/3/22 - Little Gulls - Brora (Dean MacAskill)
19/3/22 - Chiffchaff - Achavandra (Dean MacAskill)
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

18/3/22 - Common Scoter - Embo (Andy Williams)
18/3/22 - Iceland Gull - Loch Fleet (Andy Williams)
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
​
17/3/22 - "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
17/3/22 - "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
17/3/22 - "Scandinavian" Rock Pipit - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
16/3/22 - Red Grouse - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
16/3/22 - Dunlin, Sanderling and Purple Sandpipers - Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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.
​
15/3/22 - Iceland Gull - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
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.
​
13/3/22 - Glaucous Gull - Deshar (Blair Whyte)
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
​
11/3/2022 - Iceland Gulls at Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
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
10/3/2022 - 'Scandinavian' Rock Pipit at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
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
7/3/2022 - Brambling in Nethy Bridge (Blair Whyte)
'Viking' Gull at Ullapool (Andy Williams)
'Viking' Gull at Ullapool (Andy Williams)
'Viking' Gull at Ullapool (Andy Williams)
'Viking' Gull at Ullapool (Andy Williams)
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)

5/3/2022 Mealy Redpoll, Grantown-on-Spey (Pete Cosgrove)
5/3/2022 Barnacle Geese, Golspie (Dean MacAskill)

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
Picture
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.
​
2/3/2022 Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
2/3/2022 Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
2/3/2022 Rock Pipit, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
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
​
28/2/2022 Glaucous Gull, Boat of Garten (Pete Gordon)
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

​
26/2/22 - Iceland Gull - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
26/2/22 - Iceland Gull - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
26/2/22 - Kingfisher - Merkinch NNR (Colin Leslie)
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
​
25/2/22 - Tundra Bean Goose - Golspie (Dave Barnett)
25/2/22 - Tundra Bean Goose - Golspie (Dave Barnett)
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)

24/2/22 - Tundra Bean Goose - 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)
23/2/22 - Grey-bellied Brant - Wester Dalziel (Colin Leslie)
23/2/22 - Iceland Gull - Ardmair (Andy Williams)
23/2/22 - Greenland White-fronted Goose, Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
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)
​
22/2/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
22/2/22 - Mediterranean Gull - Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
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
14/2/2022 - adult Iceland Gull at Bayfield, Portree (Neil Bennett)
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)

13/2/2022 - Black-throated Divers at Mungasdale (Andy WIlliams)
13/2/2022 - Iceland Gulls at Ullapool (Andy Williams)
12/02/2022 Buzzard, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
12/02/2022 Iceland Gull, Portree (Neil Bennett)
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).
​
10/02/2022 Iceland Gull, Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
10/02/2022 Iceland Gull, Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
10/02/2022 Iceland Gull, Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
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).
7/2/2022 Iceland Gull, Ullapool (Andy Williams)
7/2/2022 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​
4/2/2022 - Iceland Gull, Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
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)
3/2/2022 - Purple Sandpiper - Embo (Dean MacAskill)
3/2/2022 - Purple Sandpiper - Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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)
​
1/2/2022 - Waxwing - Grantown-on-Spey (Ed Hunter)
1/2/2022 - Waxwing - Grantown-on-Spey (Ed Hunter)
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)
24/1/2022 - Dunlin flock at Embo (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)
23/1/2022 - two 1st winter Iceland Gull at Portree (Neil Bennett)
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).


21/01/2022 male American Black Duck x Mallard hybrid, Strontian (Bob McMillan)
22/01/2022 Turnstones & Sanderlings, Rosemarkie (Blair Whyte)
22/1/2022 - Grey-bellied Brant at Easter Dalziel (Blair Whyte)
21/01/2022 Mandarin, Garve (Andy Williams)
21/1/2022 Mandarin, Garve (Andy Williams)
21/1/2022 Kingfisher, Merkinch LNR (Fiona Harvey)
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: S
ingle 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
​
15/1/22 - Iceland Gull - Fort William (Tony Laidler)
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)

14/1/22 - Little Egret - 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)
​
13/1/22 - Great Grey Shrike - Coranstilbeg (Colin Leslie)
13/1/22 - Great Grey Shrike - Coranstilbeg (Colin Leslie)
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)

12/1/22 - Green-winged Teal - Tain (Dean MacAskill)
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)

9/1/22 - Adult and 2nd winter Iceland Gulls - Chracaig River, Portree (Neil Bennett)
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
6/1/2022 - Red-breasted Merganser at Merkinch (Blair Whyte)
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).
01/01/2022 Nordic Jackdaw (Dean MacAskill)
01/01/2022 Ravens, Brora (Dean MacASkill)
1/1/2022 - Iceland Gull at Portree (Neil Bennett)




​2021
31/12/2021 Iceland Gull, Portree (Neil Bennett)
31/12/2021 Iceland Gull, Portree (Neil Bennett)

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).
28/12/2021 Crossbill, Glenmore Forest (Steve Reddick)
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).

26/12/2021 Iceland Gull, Portree (Neil Bennett)
26//12/2021 Iceland Gull, Portree (Neil Bennett)
26//12/2021 Iceland Gull, 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)

​
24/12/21 - Jay - Drumguish (Dave Pierce)
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)
23/12/21 - Bramblings - Nethybridge (Steve Reddick)
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)
21/12/21 - Ring-necked Duck - Kinellan (Keith Barnes)
21/12/21 - Ring-necked Duck - Kinellan (Keith Barnes)
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) 

21/12/21 - Green-winged Teal - Tain (Dean MacAskill)
21/12/21 - Green-winged Teal - Tain (Dean MacAskill)
21/12/21 - Green-winged Teal - Tain (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)

20/12/21 - "argentatus" Herring Gull - Embo (Dean MacAskill)
20/12/21 - Little Egret - The Mound (Dean MacAskill)
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
17/12/2021 - female Blackcap at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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)
​
16/12/2021 - Blackcap at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
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)
15/12/2021 - Brambling at Embo (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
Picture
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).
Picture
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).
​
09/12/2021 Purple Sandpipers, Embo (Dean MacAskill)
09/12/2021 Green-winged Teal, Tain Links (Dean MacAskill)
09/12/2021 Green-winged Teal, Tain Links (Dean MacAskill)
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).
08/12/2021 Little Grebe, Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
08/12/2021 Red-necked Grebe, Tarbat Ness (Peter Stronach)
08/12/2021 Red-necked Grebe, Tarbat Ness (Peter Stronach)
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) 

7/12/21 - Slavonian Grebes - Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
7/12/21 - Great Northern Diver - Fort George (Colin Leslie
7/12/21 - Long-tailed Duck - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
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.
05/12/2021 Nordic Jackdaw, Portree (Neil Bennett)
06/12/2021 Iceland Gull, Portree (Neil Bennett)
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).
4/12/2021 Brambling, Ullapool (Andy Williams)
3/12/2021 Siberian Chiffchaff, Ardmair (Andy Williams)
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)
3/12/21 - Pintail - Milton of Culloden (Fiona Harvey)
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).​
​
28/11/21 - White-tailed Eagle - Bonar Bridge (Dean MacAskill)
28/11/21 - Iceland Gull - Bonar Bridge (Dean MacAskill)
28/11/21 - Iceland Gull - Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
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)
​
27/11/2021 - Glaucous Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
27/11/2021 - Twite at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
27/11/2021 - 'Scandi'/argentatus Herring Gull (left) at Embo (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')
24/11/2021 - sub-adult White-tailed Eagle in the Strathdearn area (Dave Barnett)
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)
​
13/11/21 - Rosy Starling - Durness (Dean MacAskill)
13/11/21 - Rosy Starling - Durness (Dean MacAskill)
13/11/21 - Rosy Starling - Durness (Dean MacAskill)
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)


12/11/21 - Little Auk - Scullomie (Richard Rowe)
12/11/21 - Little Auk - Scullomie (Richard Rowe)
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)
​
11/11/21 - Cattle Egret - Newtonmore (Bob Proctor)
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)
9/11/21 - 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)

8/11/21 - American Wigeon - Udale Bay (Blair Whyte)
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)
7/11/21 - Cattle Egret - Near Newtonmore (Colin Leslie)
7/11/21 - Siberian Chiffchaff - Uig (Neil Bennett)
7/11/21 - Siberian Chiffchaff - Uig (Neil Bennett)
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)
6/11/2021 - Blackcap in 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)
5/11/2021 - Cattle Egret near Newtonmore (Peter Stronach)
5/11/2021 - Cattle Egret near Newtonmore (Peter Stronach)
5/11/2021 - Redwing and Brambling in Strath Brora (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)
1/11/2021 - Eyebrowed Thrush in Kincraig (Peter Stronach)
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)

​
25/10/2021 Little Gull, Brora (Dean MacAskill)
25/10/2021 Little Gull, Brora (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)
21/10/2021 White-tailed Eagle Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
21/10/2021 White-tailed Eagle Loch Fleet (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).
20/10/2021 Grey-bellied Brent Allanfearn (Peter Stronach)
20/10/2021 Todd's Canada Goose Nigg Bay (Peter Stronach)
20/10/2021 Todd's Canada Goose Nigg Bay (Peter Stronach)
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)
16/10/21 - Grey Plovers - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
16/10/21 - Whooper Swan and Greenland White-fronted Goose - Loch Flemington (Blair Whyte)
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)
​
15/10/21 - Ring Ouzel - Gaick (Dave Pierce)
15/10/21 - Redwing - Gaick (Dave Pierce)
15/10/21 - Ring Ouzel - Gaick (Dave Pierce)
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)
​
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)
​
13/10/21 - Little Gull - Brora (Dean MacAskill)
13/10/21 - Wheatear - Brora (Dean MacAskill)
13/10/21 - Grey-bellied Brant - Easter Dalziel (Blair Whyte)
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)
​
12/10/21 - Rosy Starling - Balnakiel (Dean MacAskill)
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)
​
11/10/21 - Puffin- Strathy Beach (Sylvia Price)
11/10/21 -Buzzard - Strath Brora (Dean MacAskill)
11/10/21 - Lesser Redpoll - Strath Brora (Dean MacAskill)
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)
​
10/10/21 - Shag (colour ringed) - Brora (Dean MacAskill)
Saturday 9th October
​

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)
9/10/2021 - Common Tern at Embo (Dean MacAskill)
Friday 8th October
​

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
​
Thursday 7th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: ten Swallow at Drumguish (Dave Pierce)
​
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
7/10/2021 - Greenland White-fronted Goose at Udale (Blair Whyte)
Wednesday 6th October

Badenoch & Strathspey: 13 Swallow at Laggan Bridge (Dave Pierce).  Chiffchaff and Blackcap visiting garden in Ardgeal (Duncan Macdonald)
​
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)
6/10/2021 - leucistic Linnet at Dornoch point (Dean MacAskill)
Tuesday 5th October

Easter Ross: three Swallow at Chanonry Point (John Poyner)
​
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).
​
01/10/2021 Guillemot Loch an Eilean, near Aviemore (taken into care) (Steve Nicklin)
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")
​
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).
29/09/2021 Brent Geese, Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett)
29/09/2021 Brent Geese, Broadford Bay (Neil Bennett)
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).
​
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). 
​
27/09/2021 Grey-bellied Brant Udale Bay (Peter Stronach)
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)

​
24/9/21 - Pale-bellied Brent Goose - Ullapool (Nick Truby)
24/9/21 - White-tailed Eagle - Gruinard Bay (Nick Truby)
24/9/21 - Whopper Swans - Gruinard Bay (Nick Truby)
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: W
hite-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)
​
22/9/21 - Wheatear (Leucorhoa type) - Embo (Dean MacAskill)
22/9/21 - Common Eider( with sails) - Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
22/9/21 - Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Strathy Point (Dean MacAskill)
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: S
till 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)

21/9/21 - Hen Harrier - Dornoch (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)

20/9/21 - Pale-Bellied Brent Geese - Bayfield (Neil Bennett)
20/9/21 - Hen Harrier - Insh Marshes (Nick Truby)
20/9/21 - Hen Harrier - Insh Marshes (Nick Truby)
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)

19/9/21 - Pink-footed Geese - Whiteness (Colin Leslie)
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)
​
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).
​
17/09/21 - Mediterranean Gull - Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)
17/09/21 - Mediterranean Gull - Loch Portree (Neil Bennett)
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).

15/09/2021 Fulmar (and Guilliemot) Fort George (Colin Leslie)
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).

14/09/2021 Little Gull Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
14/09/2021 Ringed Plovers Dornoch Point (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).

12/09/2021 Knots Fort George (Colin Leslie)
12/09/2021 Sanderling Fort George (Colin Leslie)
12/09/2021 Ruff Alturlie (Blair Whyte)
12/09/2021 Sanderling, Ringed Plover The Aird (Neil Bennett)
12/09/2021 Arctic Skuas The Aird (Neil Bennett)

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 

11/9/2021 - Brent Geese at Broadford river mouth (Neil Bennett)
Friday 10th September
​
Badenoch & Strathspey:  single male and a ring-tailed Hen Harrier at Insh reserve (Dave Pierce)
​

​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)
8/9/2021 - intermedius ssp Lesser Black-backed Gull at Tarbat Ness (Dave Tanner)
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
7/9/2021 - Gadwall at Connage (Craig Johnstone)
7/9/2021 - Sabine's Gull at The Mound (Dave Tanner)
7/9/2021 - Sabine's Gull at The Mound (Bob Swann)
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)
6/9/2021 - Curlew Sandpiper (amongst Dunlin) 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)
5/9/2021 - Pectoral Sandpiper at Alturlie (Fiona Harvey)
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
3/9/21 - Wheatear - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
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) 

​
1/9/21 - Red-breasted Mergansers - Lochindorb (Mike Crutch)
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)
31/8/21 - Kingfisher - Badenoch and Strathspey (Dave Pierce)
31/8/21 - Kingfisher - Badenoch and Strathspey (Dave Pierce)
31/8/21 - Pectoral Sandpiper- Alturlie Shoreline (Colin Leslie)
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).

​
23/08/2021 Whimbrel Embo (Dean MacAskill)
23/08/2021 Grey Plover Dornoch Point (Dean MacAskill)
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)

19/8/2021 - two Ruff at Connage (Dave Barnett)
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)

16/8/2021 - Kittiwake off Fort George (Colin Leslie)
16/8/2021 - Black-tailed Godwit at Fort George (Colin Leslie)
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)
15/8/2021 - Great Skua on Loch Bracadale (Mike Crutch)
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)

14/8/21 - Arctic Skua and Sandwich Tern - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
14/8/21 - Peregrine - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
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
​
9/8/21 - Long-tailed Duck - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
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).

​
07/08/2021 Sparrowhawk, Munlochy Bay (Bob Wilson)
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).
31/07/2021 Ring-necked Parakeet, Inverness (Iona MacInnes)
02/08/2021 Redwing, Croy (Colin Leslie)
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)

31/7/2021 - Bonxie predating juvenile Herring Gull at Brora (Dean MacAskill)
31/7/2021 - Bonxie predating juvenile Herring Gull at Brora (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)
​
21/7/21 - Mandarin Duck - 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)


18/7/21 - Sanderling and Dunlin - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
18/7/21 - Juvenile Wheatear - Fort George (Colin Leslie)
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).

16/07/2021 Lesser Black-backed Gull (intermedius) Brora (Dean MacAskill)
16/11/2021 Glaucous Gull, Brora (Dean MacAskill)
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)

​
-/07/2021 Spotted Flycatcher near Drumnadrochit (Mark Dawson)
-/07/2021 Spotted Flycatcher near Drumnadrochit (Mark Dawson)
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)​
2/7/21 - Lady Amherst's Pheasant - Strathdearn (Blair Whyte)
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)
29/6/21 - Dunlin (alpina race) - Dornoch Point (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.

21/06/2021 Lesser Whitethroat Dalnahaitnach (Mike Crutch)
19/06/2021 Common Whitethroat, Nairnside (Dave Barnett)

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
18/6/2021 - juvenile Redshank at Lochindorb (Mike Crutch)
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
14/6/2021 - female Pied Flycatcher Aviemore (Mike Crutch)
14/6/2021 male Pied Flycatcher Aviemore (Mike Crutch)
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 
​
11/6/21- Woodchat Shrike - Corrimony (Carol Miller)
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)
​
7/6/21 - Pink-footed Goose - Opinan (Mike Crutch)
7/6/21 - Great Skua - Longa (Mike Crutch)
7/6/21 - Sanderling- Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
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)
​
6/6/21 - Cuckoo - Gairloch (Mike Crutch)
6/6/21 - Juvenile Wheatear - Gairloch (Mike Crutch)
6/6/21 - Grey Plover - Dornoch (Dean MacAskill)
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)

5/6/21 - Red-backed Shrike - Drumguish (Dave Pierce)
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).

30/05/2021 Bee-eater, Smoo Cave (Jacob Davies)

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.


26/5/2021 - Great Egret - Munlochy Bay (Colin Leslie)
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

25/5/2021 - Sanderling - Alturlie (Colin Leslie)
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)
20/5/2021 - Wigeon at Craigellachie NNR (Alan Brown)
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)
18/5/2021 - female King Eider at 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)
16/5/2021 - male Pied Flycatcher at Craigellachie NNR (Colin Leslie)
16/5/2021 - Common Sandpiper at Lochindorb (Colin Leslie)
15/05/2021 Mandarin Duck, Contin (Keith Barnes)
15/05/2021 Grasshopper Warbler, RSPB Nigg (Dave Barnett)
15/05/2021 Whimbrels Loch Fleet (David Tattersley)
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)


14/05/2021 Great Northern Diver Aultbea (David Tattersley)
14/05/2021 King Eider Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
14/05/2021 King Eider Loch Fleet (Dean MacAskill)
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).
09/05/2021 Common Whitethroat Tarbat Ness (David Tattersley)
13/05/2021 Whooper Swan Munlochy (David Tattersley)

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).

23/04/2021 Dippers Blackwater near Rogie Falls (Keith Barnes)
11/05/2021 Dippers Blackwater near Rogie Falls (Keith Barnes)

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).


11/05/2021 Pied Flycatcher Craigellachie NNR (Dave Barnett)
11/05/2021 Redstart, Craigellachie NNR (Dave Barnett)
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 Tann