Sightings
This page acts as a news site of more notable reports and may contain errors and omissions. The official record is published as the annual Highland Bird Report (HBR) which details records which have been formally submitted and accepted. All records submitted via Birdtrack or directly to the Local Recorder, even if not mentioned on this page, do go into compilation of the HBR. Photographs are copyright of the named photographer and may not be used without explicit permission of the named photographer. Unless you indicate to the contrary we assume that senders of photographs consent to their publication on this website. To send in your photos for the website please email highlandsocwebmaster@gmail.com.
Highland Records Committee (HRC) species are in green, Scottish Birds Rarities Committee (SBRC) species are in blue and British Bird Rarities Committee (BBRC) species are in red.
This page acts as a news site of more notable reports and may contain errors and omissions. The official record is published as the annual Highland Bird Report (HBR) which details records which have been formally submitted and accepted. All records submitted via Birdtrack or directly to the Local Recorder, even if not mentioned on this page, do go into compilation of the HBR. Photographs are copyright of the named photographer and may not be used without explicit permission of the named photographer. Unless you indicate to the contrary we assume that senders of photographs consent to their publication on this website. To send in your photos for the website please email highlandsocwebmaster@gmail.com.
Highland Records Committee (HRC) species are in green, Scottish Birds Rarities Committee (SBRC) species are in blue and British Bird Rarities Committee (BBRC) species are in red.
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30th April
Skye and Lochalsh: White-billed Diver (Bob McMillan and Martin Lumb) at Camas Mor, Bornesketaig, this afternoon. This is just a few miles north of Uig so it may be previously reported Uig bird. Easter Ross: Stock Dove in Muir of Ord (NH5349) 29th April
Easter Ross: Water Pipit (Simon Cohen - SOC email) at the heights above Dingwall, briefly in a garden before being flushed by a female Hen Harrier. Dark morph Arctic Skua and 9 Bonxies all SW past Tarbat Ness into Dornoch Firth early morning. Wester Ross: First-winter Glaucous Gull still in Ullapool harbour. 28th April
Easter Ross: Whimbrel at Tarbat Ness. Sutherland: 6 Whimbrel at Clachtoll. 27th April
Lochaber: Drake Black Duck (Birdguides) reported in the morning, but no sign in the afternoon or evening, Whimbrel present. Badenoch and Strathspey: Hoopoe (Sandra Holmes - email) at Balgowan, east of Laggan. Inverness: At Alturlie, 19+ Scaup this afternoon, at least 8 White Wagtails, and 2 Red-throated Divers. Easter Ross: 8 Bonxies southwest into Dornoch firth past Tarbat Ness. Sutherland: 14+ Bonxies not past Stoer Lighthouse. 2 White Wagtails at Balchladich. 26th April
Lochaber: No sign of the Black Duck at Strontian this afternoon, despite an extensive search. 16 Whimbrel at Traigh today. Easter Ross: Arctic Skua and 3 Bonxies past Tarbat Ness this morning. Skye and Lochalsh: 4 Whimbrel at Waterloo. 3 White Wagtails at Camus Malag, Torrin. Lesser Redpoll feeding fledged young at Staffin today. 25th April
Wester Ross: No sign of King Eider late afternoon at Badentarbert bay despite through search of bay and two eider flocks. First-winter Glaucous gull still at Ullapool harbour and Iceland Gull at Ardmair fish farm. Skye and Lochalsh: 8 Whimbrel at Waterloo, Broadford. 2 White Wagtail at Feorlig, Dunvegan. 4 Canada Geese at Breakish Obbe. Juvenile Glaucous Gull on beach at Tarkasvaig with other gulls early evening yesterday NG584093. Badenoch and Strathspey: Kingfisher at Rothiemurchus fish farm and a pair of Grey Wagtails. 9 Canada Geese at Spey Dam including three pairs. 24th April
Wester Ross: King Eider again at Badentarbert bay viewed from Church at Achiltibuie at 1300pm. First-winter Iceland gull still at Ardmair and first-winter Glaucous Gull still in Ullapool. Skye and Lochalsh: Fresh influx of Wheatears with many leucorhoa types - 10males & 3 females round the Milovaig loop and 15 between Ord & Achnacloich. Two singing Tree Pipits at Ord and five at Leitir Fura. Three White Wagtails at Tokavaig and a single Whimbrel. Male Redstart on territory in Ord. Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Scottish Crossbills (Kenny Hall - Birdtrack) at Boat of Garten, in woods south of community hall. 23rd April
Wester Ross: King Eider again at Badentarbert bay but further south than previous reports, on the beach at Achvraie at c.NC0408105319. Redstart singing in Lochbroom. Skye and Lochalsh: 4 Whimbrel at Ashaig and 5 at Waterloo in the evening. Single White Wagtails at Upper Milovaig and Ashaig, Broadford. 22nd April
Wester Ross: Iceland Gull at Ardmair by the fish pens. Skye and Lochalsh: Still one male Hawfinch in Dunvegan. Calling Cuckoos at Flashader and Blackhill, Edinbane. Sutherland: Pair of Common Sandpipers at Lochan Sgeireach, Stoer and a single White Wagtail. 21st April
Wester Ross: King Eider again at Badentarbert, early evening. Glaucous Gull first winter still at the river mouth in Ullapool and then in the harbour. Skye and Lochalsh: Male Hawfinch still at the birdfeeder at Dunvegan. Reeling bird at Borve, our first report!. Sutherland: Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Durness on Balnakeil beach. Inverness: Rough-legged Buzzard (per Birdguides) at Findhorn bridge at Tomatin. One male Redstart in part song, one singing Tree Pipit and about 10 singing Willow Warblers along River Nairn this afternoon. 20th April
Skye and Lochalsh: Juvenile Iceland Gull outer Loch Carron. First Grasshopper Warbler at Drumfearn. 2 Hawfinch at bird feeder in Dunvegan. Wester Ross: King Eider again at Badentarbat beach, though very mobile. Inverness: Drake Green-winged Teal still present at Loch Flemington. 19th April
Wester Ross: King Eider again at Badentarbat beach at 1230pm. Iceland Gull juvenile still near Ullapool ferry terminal this evening.First Tree Pipits and Ring Ouzels back on territories in Loch Broom. Adult Little Gull at Little Gruinard on beach. Inverness: Juvenile Iceland Gull still present at Alturlie. Badenoch and Strathspey: A pair of Common Sandpipers back at Lochindorb. 18th April
Lochaber: Black Duck - no sign this morning [per Birdguides]. Skye & Lochalsh: No sign of Nuthatch reported at Achnacloich, Sleat two days ago but two juvenile Iceland Gulls on the shore - and another at Loch na Dal, Kinloch. Easter Ross: Little Gull adult at river mouth, Brora. Badenoch and Strathspey: Capercaillie at Loch Garten RSPB - male still displaying this morning. Organised viewing daily until 15 May; meet in RSPB Osprey Centre car park at 05:30 (NH978183). 17th April
Lochaber: Black Duck (Jake Gearty et al.) again at Strontian, seen in flight flying over river mouth at Strontian and then uphill at 1945pm. Wester Ross: No sign of King Eider today at Badentarbert bay or surrounding areas despite extensive search. Two first-winter Glaucous Gulls in the harbour at Ullapool. Inverness: Drake Green-winged Teal still at Loch Flemington. Breeding Long-eared Owls back on territory at Inverness airport. Badenoch and Strathspey: At least 12 Snow Buntings in Cairngorm carpark coming to seed. Pair of Shoveler on Deishar Road flood at Boat of Garten. 16th April
Wester Ross: King Eider still at Badentarbert bay at Achiltibuie this morning, present to at least 1230pm. Also present summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe and a Bonxie. First-winter Iceland Gull at Ullapool river mouth this evening and first-winter Glaucous Gull in the harbour. Easter Ross: Little Egret at Loch Fleet on south side, 800m from A9. Badenoch and Strathspey: 6 Scottish Crossbill and 2 Parrot Crossbill (Lee Evans - Birdtrack) in Curr Wood at Broomhill House. Iceland Gull at Aviemore tip this morning. Drake Shoveler confirmed and also a drake Gadwall at Deishar Road flood. 350+ Sand Martins on Loch Insh this morning. Skye and Lochalsh: Nuthatch on feeders at Achnacloich, Sleat. Inverness: White Wagtail at Alturlie pools. 15th April
Wester Ross: Drake King Eider still off Badentarbert bay at Achiltibuie, present this morning, this afternoon and evening before flying north at 1920pm. Ranging over large area from NC017090 in the south at Port Allt a' Ruisteal, to the beach in the north at NC011095, always staying with the Eider flock. Skye and Lochalsh: Two Swallows at Loch Achaidh na h-Inich, Plockton and several Willow Warblers. Single Swallow at Roag. Lochaber: Juvenile Iceland Gull still at Mallaig pier. Greenland White Fronted Goose single at Traigh Morar. Single Whimbrel over Kilmory on Rum. Inverness: Common Sandpiper on the River Nairn at Inverarnie. Willow Warbler at Milton of Leys. Male and female Wheatears at South Kessock, plus a fly-by Red-throated Diver, far fewer Guillemots than recently, but a build-up of Redshanks with some 450 present and 3 Dunlins. 91 Scaup off the Allanfearn Sewage Works at Alturlie, and a summer plumage Slavonian Grebe. 14th April
Inverness: Green-winged Teal still at Loch Flemington. No sign of Garganey at the pools at Alturlie. Skye and Lochalsh: Single Whimbrel in Broadford Bay this evening. Sutherland: First-winter Iceland Gull at Kylesku at Loch a Chairn Bhain viewed from the road at NC201330. White Wagtail at Balnakeil beach and 2 Sandwich Terns. White Wagtail at Bay of Culkein, no sign of the 2 Common Cranes at Loch na Claise at Stoer this morning, or this afternoon. Badenoch and Strathspey: Capercaillie at Loch Garten RSPB - male displaying this morning. Organised viewing daily until 15 May; meet in RSPB Osprey Centre car park at 05:30 (NH978183). Black-tailed Godwit on flood east of Broomhill Bridge on road to Nethybridge this evening. Female Black Redstart at the Coire na Ciste carpark on Cairngorm. Wester Ross: Drake King Eider (Birdguides) at Achiltibuie off beach at entrance. 13th April
Badenoch and Strathspey: Migrant Ring Ouzel near pony trekking centre in Carrbridge. Wester Ross: Another White-billed Diver (Birdguides) reported, this time offshore Poolewe at 1730pm. 2 Common Cranes (Gordon and Lesley Sleight) at Loch na Claise near Stoer, photo below. Inverness: Drake Garganey still at the pools at Alturlie. 12th April
Easter Ross: 1500 Pink-footed Geese north past Tarbat Ness by 0640am. Wester Ross: Again no sign of reported White-billed Diver in outer Loch Broom, near-shore Annat bay or Ardmair. 3 Great Northern Diver still from Rhue and a Bonxie. Juvenile Iceland Gull still at Ardmair fish farm. Inverness: Drake Garganey still at the pools at Alturlie this evening. 11th April
Inverness: Drake Garganey still at Alturlie pools, and a singing Willow Warbler. Wester Ross: White-billed Diver (Birdguides) reported from Ullapool on Loch Broom north of river mouth then flew out towards loch entrance. No sign when this area was checked this evening, only 3 Great Northern Divers present. First-winter Glaucous Gull still in the harbour this morning and then at the river mouth this evening. Chiffchaff singing at Garven next to the River Broom. Easter Ross: Adult Little Gull from the beach carpark at Brora. 5 White Wagtails on the beach at Dornoch. Lochaber: Single Willow Warbler at Laig Bay, Eigg. Skye and Lochalsh: Two Willow Warblers at Viewfield House, Portree, two at Tokavaig, singles at Treaslane and Broadford. First-winter Iceland Gull at the head of Loch Kishorn at NG832417, viewable from track c500 south of turn-off to Applecross. Sutherland: Cuckoo reported from Durness. 2 White Wagtail at bay of Culkein. 10th April
Inverness: Drake Garganey at Alturlie Point pools (NH717489), also drake Scaup, 2 Sand Martins and 2 singing Chiffchaffs. Badenoch and Strathspey: 2 Black-tailed Godwits at the Deishar Road flood in Boat of Garten. Easter Ross: 15 Coot, including two on nests, at Kinellan House loch, Strathpeffer, also single Swallow and 2 Sand Martins. Approximately 130 Sand Martin at Loch Ussie. Mealy Redpoll at Gordon's Mill, Udale bay. 2 Brambling in Portmahomack. Wester Ross: 120 Barnacle Geese at Achiltibuie with 65 Pink-feet. 100+ Redwings in Inverpolly as well as a singing Chiffchaff. Glaucous Gull still at the river mouth in Ullapool. 9th April
Inverness: Late news of a Nuthatch at the feeders at Aigas Field Centre on the 6th April. Easter Ross: Late afternoon in the Cromarty Firth from the Jemimaville lay-by - 53 Slavonian Grebe, 186 Greater Scaup, 45 Long-tailed Duck and 25 Red-throated Diver. Badenoch and Strathspey: 12 Scottish Crossbill reported from Uath lochan. Male Ring Ouzel singing in the garden at Cairngorm carpark. Skye: Single Swallow at Broadford. Mammal news: Otter predating a Razorbill in the Inner Moray Firth - see tweet here. 8th April
Badenoch and Strathspey: Rough-legged Buzzard one still at Lochindorb, north of the loch at 1215pm. Male Ring Ouzel on Cairngorm. Inverness: Drake Green-winged Teal still at Loch Flemington. 3 Golden Eagles in Strathdearn (2 first year, 1 second year). Best viewed from junction with Farr Road hunting Mountain Hares (still white) 2 Peregrine Falcon at the end of the strath. Easter Ross: Whimbrel reported from the estuary at Bonar Bridge at 1030am this morning. 3 Brambling at Gordons Mill on feeders. Wester Ross: Glaucous Gull, first-winter still at Ullapool river mouth late morning. 2 summer plumage Slavonian Grebes on the sea at Dundonnel, also 3 Great Northern Diver, 5 Red-throated Diver and 6 Greenshank. 2 summer plumage Slavonian Grebes on the sea, also 8 Great Northern Divers (1 almost in full summer plumage), 1 Black-throated Diver and 4 Rred-throated Diver at Gruinard bay. At Laide at least 11 Great Northern Divers. Skye and Lochalsh: 3 Swallows at Treaslane this morning. Sutherland: 1600 Pink-footed Geese flying north past Stoer lighthouse, in 11 skeins. 7th April
Wester Ross: Iceland Gull 2nd-winter just north of fish farm at NC207329, along with 2 immature Glaucous Gulls. 1st-winter Iceland Gull still at Ullapool. Iceland Gull Achiltibuie juvenile in field south of post office (NC023086). Easter Ross: Late news of a Cuckoo heard near Strathpeffer golf course on Sunday 3rd April. Today at 6pm one Little Gull very close in to Chanonry Point. Inverness: One Swallow at Muirtown Basin, Inverness this morning. 11 Whimbrel flying north over Inverness airport calling. Lochaber: Glaucous Gull 1st-winter again at Kilmory, Rum. 6th April
Badenoch and Strathspey: Rough-legged Buzzard again hunting over the hillside at the north end of Lochindorb. Easter Ross: 32 Purple Sandpipers on high tide at Brora and 1 Little Gull. Inverness: Nuthatch at feeders at Aigas Field Centre all day. 5th April
Easter Ross: Immature Iceland Gull flew north past Tarbat Ness this morning. Lochaber: On Rum, a first-winter Iceland Gull at Kilmory this morning and a singing Chiffchaff this afternoon. A Bonxie back on the breeding territory at Kilmory and 5 Lesser Black back gulls. Wester Ross: Juvenile Iceland Gull at the pens at Ardmair. First-winter Glaucous Gull at Ullapool at river mouth at 1645pm. 4th April
Wester Ross: First-winter Glaucous Gull still at Ullapool Harbour, also Sand Martin on the river. Easter Ross: 12 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 9 Slavonian Grebe at Strathpeffer. Also 1 Tree Pipit on territory in pines by loch (left hand side from Dingwall direction) also 2 Whooper Swans prospecting on this loch. 200 Scaup in Cromarty Firth along with 14 Long-tailed Ducks. Inverness: 6 Sand Martins over Loch Flemington and the drake Green-winged Teal still present. Skye and Lochalsh: Singing Ring Ouzel at Gleann Licht, Kintail. 3rd April
Inverness: Single drake Green-winged Teal at Loch Flemington this morning in South bay. Easter Ross: White Wagtail at Bindal Farm, Portmahomack. Smew still at Loch Eye. Wester Ross: Glaucous Gull still in harbour early afternoon. Badenoch and Strathspey: Chiffchaff singing at Avielochan. Skye and Lochalsh: 68 Great Northern Diver between Pabay & Skye Bridge tonight; also 8 Black-throated Diver off Lusa, Broadford. 2nd April
Wester Ross: Iceland and Glaucous Gull still in Ullapool by the river mouth. Easter Ross: 3 Sandwich Terns at Chanonry point. Scottish Crossbill (Richard Davis - Birdtrack) at Sutors of Cromarty. Inverness: Single drake Green-winged Teal still at Loch Flemington. Lochaber: Chiffchaff and 9 Wheatear on Eigg. Skye and Lochalsh: Chiffchaff at Cillchroisd. 1st April
Strathspey and Badenoch: 5 Swallows and 37 House Martins at Loch Insh this morning. Sutherland: Tree Sparrow at Balnakeil Craft Village. |
