Thursday 1st February
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Pete Gordon, Morag McCullagh, Carol Miller, Dave Tanner, 'Shaz', skye-birds.com
Black-throated Diver - 1 at Portmahomack, and 27+ Red-throated Diver
Barnacle Goose - 57 at Staffin and 28 at Kilmaluag
Mute Swan - 1 at Storr Lochs, Skye (first on the island since 2019) plus 2 Whooper Swan
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Pintail - 3 at Bailliefurth, Nethy Bridge
Nuthatch - 2 at Craigmony, Drumnadrochit and 1 at Shieldaig
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Pete Gordon, Morag McCullagh, Carol Miller, Dave Tanner, 'Shaz', skye-birds.com
Black-throated Diver - 1 at Portmahomack, and 27+ Red-throated Diver
Barnacle Goose - 57 at Staffin and 28 at Kilmaluag
Mute Swan - 1 at Storr Lochs, Skye (first on the island since 2019) plus 2 Whooper Swan
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Pintail - 3 at Bailliefurth, Nethy Bridge
Nuthatch - 2 at Craigmony, Drumnadrochit and 1 at Shieldaig
Friday 2nd February
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Barry Bramley, Simon Cohen, Mary Galloway, Alan MacAskill, Dean MacAskill, Peter McKay, Sue Sykes, Dave Tanner, skye-birds.com
Red-throated Diver - 25+ at Portmahomack
Snow Goose - 1 still at Fodderty; also amongst the Pink-feet (which contained a single leucistic bird) were 4 Barnacle Goose, 18 Whooper Swan and 1 Pintail
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Rosemarkie
Glaucous Gull - 1(1st winter) at Bayfield, Portree
Greenshank - 2 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Chiffchaff - 1 (male) at Loch Migdale - an exceptionally early 'singer'
Brambling - 1 still at Evanton
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Barry Bramley, Simon Cohen, Mary Galloway, Alan MacAskill, Dean MacAskill, Peter McKay, Sue Sykes, Dave Tanner, skye-birds.com
Red-throated Diver - 25+ at Portmahomack
Snow Goose - 1 still at Fodderty; also amongst the Pink-feet (which contained a single leucistic bird) were 4 Barnacle Goose, 18 Whooper Swan and 1 Pintail
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Rosemarkie
Glaucous Gull - 1(1st winter) at Bayfield, Portree
Greenshank - 2 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness
Chiffchaff - 1 (male) at Loch Migdale - an exceptionally early 'singer'
Brambling - 1 still at Evanton
Saturday 3rd February
Thanks to Steve Broyd, Kevin Davis, Kim Dawson, Dee Graham, Milo Mole, Dave Pullan, Carol Rhind, Andy Williams
Red-throated Diver - 45 at Chanonry Point, plus 186 Eider and 14 Long-tailed Duck
Barnacle Goose - 20+ at Whiteness head
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (ad) at Ullapool
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Pintail - 2 at Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge
Bar-tailed Godwit - 2 at Portmahomack, with c90 Fieldfare nearby also
Magpie - 1 at Achnasheen
Hawfinch - 1 still at Morefield, Ullapool
Thanks to Steve Broyd, Kevin Davis, Kim Dawson, Dee Graham, Milo Mole, Dave Pullan, Carol Rhind, Andy Williams
Red-throated Diver - 45 at Chanonry Point, plus 186 Eider and 14 Long-tailed Duck
Barnacle Goose - 20+ at Whiteness head
Mediterranean Gull - 1 (ad) at Ullapool
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Pintail - 2 at Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge
Bar-tailed Godwit - 2 at Portmahomack, with c90 Fieldfare nearby also
Magpie - 1 at Achnasheen
Hawfinch - 1 still at Morefield, Ullapool
Sunday 4th February
Thanks to Pete Moore, Pete Gordon, Neil Bennett, Caroline Pearson, Kim Dawson, Shaz, Skye Birds, Bird News Services
Shelduck - 97 Ness of Portnaculter, 1 Broadford Bay
Pintail - 3 Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge viewed fron the A95
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Loch an Treel, Camore
Common Scoter - 6 Broadford Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 2 Broadford Bay, 2 Camas na Sgianadin
Bar-tailed Godwit - 19 Ness of Portnaculter, 33 Broadford Bay
Glaucous Gull -1 winter at head of Loch Portree
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Waxwing- 41 Aviemore between Grampian Way and Strathspey Avenue
Redpoll - 45+ in a Nethy Bridge garden
Thanks to Pete Moore, Pete Gordon, Neil Bennett, Caroline Pearson, Kim Dawson, Shaz, Skye Birds, Bird News Services
Shelduck - 97 Ness of Portnaculter, 1 Broadford Bay
Pintail - 3 Balliefurth, Nethy Bridge viewed fron the A95
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Loch an Treel, Camore
Common Scoter - 6 Broadford Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 2 Broadford Bay, 2 Camas na Sgianadin
Bar-tailed Godwit - 19 Ness of Portnaculter, 33 Broadford Bay
Glaucous Gull -1 winter at head of Loch Portree
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Waxwing- 41 Aviemore between Grampian Way and Strathspey Avenue
Redpoll - 45+ in a Nethy Bridge garden
Monday 5th February
Thanks to. Peter Leigh, John Poyner, Bird news services
Snow Goose 1 white morph still Fooderty
Waxwing - 40 still Grampian Road Aviemore
Common Redpoll - 1 reported Nethy Bridge with Lesser Redpolls below Castle Roy (presumably from the Speyside Way)
Brambling - 1 in garden along Station Road Golspie
Thanks to. Peter Leigh, John Poyner, Bird news services
Snow Goose 1 white morph still Fooderty
Waxwing - 40 still Grampian Road Aviemore
Common Redpoll - 1 reported Nethy Bridge with Lesser Redpolls below Castle Roy (presumably from the Speyside Way)
Brambling - 1 in garden along Station Road Golspie
Tuesday 6th February
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Steve Broyd, Kim Dawson, Andy Williams, Skye Birds, Andy Walker, Bird news services
Whooper Swan - 2 Loch Dunvegan, 15 Tain Range
Shelduck - 9 at Pool Roag
Long-tailed Duck - 1 on flood at Dornoch Golf Course
Red-throated Diver - 2 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 3 Hilton of Cadboll
Hen Harrier - 1 male Achavandra
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Golden Plover - 60 head of Loch Dunvegan
Greenshank - 1 Merkinch LNR
Iceland Gull - 1 Adult Ardmair Point
Little gull - 24 at Brora
Kingfisher - 1 Whin Park, Inverness
Waxwing - 6+ Grampian Road, Aviemore
Thanks to Dean MacAskill, Steve Broyd, Kim Dawson, Andy Williams, Skye Birds, Andy Walker, Bird news services
Whooper Swan - 2 Loch Dunvegan, 15 Tain Range
Shelduck - 9 at Pool Roag
Long-tailed Duck - 1 on flood at Dornoch Golf Course
Red-throated Diver - 2 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 3 Hilton of Cadboll
Hen Harrier - 1 male Achavandra
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Golden Plover - 60 head of Loch Dunvegan
Greenshank - 1 Merkinch LNR
Iceland Gull - 1 Adult Ardmair Point
Little gull - 24 at Brora
Kingfisher - 1 Whin Park, Inverness
Waxwing - 6+ Grampian Road, Aviemore
Wednesday 7th February
Thanks to Alan MacAskill, Caroline Pearson,Kim Dawson, Bird news services, Simeon Ewing, Skye Birds
Snow Goose - 1 still Fodderty
Eurasian White-fronted Goose - 1 Fodderty
Pink-fotted Goose - 100+ Alturlie
Mute Swan - 1 Breakish Obbe
Scaup - 80 Alturlie
Long-tailed Duck - 4 Alturlie, 2 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 3 Hilton of Cadbolle
Velvet Scoter - 1 Camas na Sgianadin
Shoveler - 3 Alturlie
Green-winged Teal - 1 Alturlie, 1 Fodderty
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Alturlie
Red-throated Diver - 4 , Hilton of Cadboll
Jack Snipe - 1 Neist Point
Iceland gull - 1 adult Flunary Fish Farm, 1 adult Ardmair fish pens
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Kingfisher - 1 Whin Park, inverness
Waxwing - 5 over Westhill, birds also heard at Kinloch, Rum
Thanks to Alan MacAskill, Caroline Pearson,Kim Dawson, Bird news services, Simeon Ewing, Skye Birds
Snow Goose - 1 still Fodderty
Eurasian White-fronted Goose - 1 Fodderty
Pink-fotted Goose - 100+ Alturlie
Mute Swan - 1 Breakish Obbe
Scaup - 80 Alturlie
Long-tailed Duck - 4 Alturlie, 2 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 3 Hilton of Cadbolle
Velvet Scoter - 1 Camas na Sgianadin
Shoveler - 3 Alturlie
Green-winged Teal - 1 Alturlie, 1 Fodderty
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Alturlie
Red-throated Diver - 4 , Hilton of Cadboll
Jack Snipe - 1 Neist Point
Iceland gull - 1 adult Flunary Fish Farm, 1 adult Ardmair fish pens
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Kingfisher - 1 Whin Park, inverness
Waxwing - 5 over Westhill, birds also heard at Kinloch, Rum
Thursday 8th February
Thanks to Bird news services, Shaz, Robert Wilson, Dean MacAskill, Simon Eaves, Kin Dawson
Snow Goose - 1 still Fodderty
Green-winged Teal - 1 Alturlie, NW of sewage works
Long-tailed Duck - 5 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter- 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Red-throated Diver - 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Merlin - 1 Dornoch Point
Purple Sandpiper - 5 Hilton of Cadboll
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Iceland gull - 1 1st winter Ullapool at mouth of Ullapool river
Waxwing - 12 Boat of Garten near west end of village
Brambling - 150+ 3/4 mile past Coulmore, Beauly Firth
Snow Bunting - 5 Dornoch Point
Thanks to Bird news services, Shaz, Robert Wilson, Dean MacAskill, Simon Eaves, Kin Dawson
Snow Goose - 1 still Fodderty
Green-winged Teal - 1 Alturlie, NW of sewage works
Long-tailed Duck - 5 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter- 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Red-throated Diver - 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Merlin - 1 Dornoch Point
Purple Sandpiper - 5 Hilton of Cadboll
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Iceland gull - 1 1st winter Ullapool at mouth of Ullapool river
Waxwing - 12 Boat of Garten near west end of village
Brambling - 150+ 3/4 mile past Coulmore, Beauly Firth
Snow Bunting - 5 Dornoch Point
Friday 9th February
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Bob Swann, Skye Birds, Bird news services, Alan MacAskill, Neil Bennett, Joseph Puffin
Snow Goose - Dingwall east of Maryburgh roundabout late afternoon then flew off
Common Scoter - 1 Chanonry Point
Long-tailed Duck - 80 Chanonry Point, 1 Ashaig Broadford
Green-winged Teal - 1 Tain Links on pond
Red-throated Diver - 18 Chanonry Point
Black-throated Diver - 2 Chanonry Point, 1 Ashaig, Broadford
Redshank - 500+ Redcastle
Bar-tailed Godwit - 4 Redcastle
Iceland Gull - 1 adult at Bayfield, Portree
Kingfisher - Whin Park by the main car park.
Waxwing -40+ Grampian Road
Mealy Redpoll - 1 reported at Colylumbridge
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Bob Swann, Skye Birds, Bird news services, Alan MacAskill, Neil Bennett, Joseph Puffin
Snow Goose - Dingwall east of Maryburgh roundabout late afternoon then flew off
Common Scoter - 1 Chanonry Point
Long-tailed Duck - 80 Chanonry Point, 1 Ashaig Broadford
Green-winged Teal - 1 Tain Links on pond
Red-throated Diver - 18 Chanonry Point
Black-throated Diver - 2 Chanonry Point, 1 Ashaig, Broadford
Redshank - 500+ Redcastle
Bar-tailed Godwit - 4 Redcastle
Iceland Gull - 1 adult at Bayfield, Portree
Kingfisher - Whin Park by the main car park.
Waxwing -40+ Grampian Road
Mealy Redpoll - 1 reported at Colylumbridge
Saturday 10th February
Thanks to Andy Williams, Fin, Skye Birds, Bird news, Dean MacAskill
Snow Goose - 1 white morph still Dingwall east of Station Road
Long-tailed Duck - 6 Broadford Bay
Great Northern Diver - 5 Brora
Red-throated Diver - 11 Brora
Gannet - 21 Brora
Fulmar - 30 Brora
Little Gull - 9 Brora
Short-eared Owl - 2 Dornoch Caravan Park, 1 Skelbo
Magpie - 1 still in Elgol
Brambling - 1 Ullapool
Thanks to Andy Williams, Fin, Skye Birds, Bird news, Dean MacAskill
Snow Goose - 1 white morph still Dingwall east of Station Road
Long-tailed Duck - 6 Broadford Bay
Great Northern Diver - 5 Brora
Red-throated Diver - 11 Brora
Gannet - 21 Brora
Fulmar - 30 Brora
Little Gull - 9 Brora
Short-eared Owl - 2 Dornoch Caravan Park, 1 Skelbo
Magpie - 1 still in Elgol
Brambling - 1 Ullapool
Sunday 11th February
Thanks to Jon Clarke, Mary Galloway, Dee Graham, Tim Leer, Thomas Plant, Robert Wilson, skye-birds.com
Whooper Swan - 130 at Wester Lovat
Barnacle Goose - 82 at Balmaqueen, Skye
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 2, the remnants of the wintering flock at Kilmuir, Skye
Long-tailed Duck - 1 at Loch Flemington
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Grey Partridge - 8 near Navity, Black Isle
Great Crested Grebe - 1 at Fortrose
Long-eared Owl - 1, plus a Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl trapped & ringed in north Skye last night
Waxwing - 20+ in garden at Lockhart Place but then flew NW
Corn Bunting - 1 at East Dalziel Farm
Linnet - c2000 at Inchmore
Stonechat - 1 at Dornoch beach
Thanks to Jon Clarke, Mary Galloway, Dee Graham, Tim Leer, Thomas Plant, Robert Wilson, skye-birds.com
Whooper Swan - 130 at Wester Lovat
Barnacle Goose - 82 at Balmaqueen, Skye
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 2, the remnants of the wintering flock at Kilmuir, Skye
Long-tailed Duck - 1 at Loch Flemington
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Grey Partridge - 8 near Navity, Black Isle
Great Crested Grebe - 1 at Fortrose
Long-eared Owl - 1, plus a Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl trapped & ringed in north Skye last night
Waxwing - 20+ in garden at Lockhart Place but then flew NW
Corn Bunting - 1 at East Dalziel Farm
Linnet - c2000 at Inchmore
Stonechat - 1 at Dornoch beach
Monday 12th February
Thanks to Kim Dawson, skye-birds.com.
Moorhen - 1 back in territory at Loch Nan Eala, Arisaig
Late reports from yesterday:
Long-tailed Duck - 11 at Balintore, 1 at Dornoch and 2 at Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 29 at Dornoch , 16 at Coul Links and 8 at Hilton of Cadboll
Red-breasted Merganser - 18 at Coul Links
Slavonian Grebe - 1 at Coul Links
Turnstone - 25 at Hilton of Cadboll, with 2 Purple Sandpiper
Lapwing - c60 at Coul Links
Short-eared Owl - near Arabella
Thanks to Kim Dawson, skye-birds.com.
Moorhen - 1 back in territory at Loch Nan Eala, Arisaig
Late reports from yesterday:
Long-tailed Duck - 11 at Balintore, 1 at Dornoch and 2 at Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 29 at Dornoch , 16 at Coul Links and 8 at Hilton of Cadboll
Red-breasted Merganser - 18 at Coul Links
Slavonian Grebe - 1 at Coul Links
Turnstone - 25 at Hilton of Cadboll, with 2 Purple Sandpiper
Lapwing - c60 at Coul Links
Short-eared Owl - near Arabella
Tuesday 13th February
Thanks to Kim Dawson, Simeon Ewing.
Long-tailed Duck - 1 at Saltburn, Cromarty Firth
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Purple Sandpiper - c30 at Balintore
Golden Plover - 2 near Dores
Fieldfare - c250 at Easter Rarichie
Thanks to Kim Dawson, Simeon Ewing.
Long-tailed Duck - 1 at Saltburn, Cromarty Firth
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Purple Sandpiper - c30 at Balintore
Golden Plover - 2 near Dores
Fieldfare - c250 at Easter Rarichie
Wednesday 14th February
Thanks to Neil Bennet, Kevin Davis, Keith Duncan, Dean MacAskill, Morag McCullagh, Dave Pierce, Andy Williams, skye-birds.com.
Whooper Swan - 2 at Mill Dam, Applecross with 4 Goldeneye and a Pink-footed Goose
Long-tailed Duck - 7, with 10 Common Scoter and 2 Great Northern Diver in Broadford Bay
Common Scoters - 28 at Inverasdale
Golden Plover - at Nuide by Newtonmore amongst 283+ Lapwing
Black Guillemot - 2 in Cromarty Harbour and 1 Black-throated Diver
Red-throated Diver - 72 at Coul Links with 4 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver and 4 Slavonian Grebe
Black-throated Diver - 3 in Applecross bay with 3 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Common Scoter
Great Northern Diver - 8 at Boor, Loch Ewe with 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Velvet Scoters, 7 Common Scoters, 1 White-tailed Eagle, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Long-tailed Duck
Iceland Gull - 1 at Ullapool
Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cluny Meadows
Purple Sandpiper - 7 at Caol Spit, Fort William
Hawfinch - 3 at Merkinch near car park South Kessock
Skylark - several singing birds at Coul Links
Brambling - 1 at Ullapool
Thanks to Neil Bennet, Kevin Davis, Keith Duncan, Dean MacAskill, Morag McCullagh, Dave Pierce, Andy Williams, skye-birds.com.
Whooper Swan - 2 at Mill Dam, Applecross with 4 Goldeneye and a Pink-footed Goose
Long-tailed Duck - 7, with 10 Common Scoter and 2 Great Northern Diver in Broadford Bay
Common Scoters - 28 at Inverasdale
Golden Plover - at Nuide by Newtonmore amongst 283+ Lapwing
Black Guillemot - 2 in Cromarty Harbour and 1 Black-throated Diver
Red-throated Diver - 72 at Coul Links with 4 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver and 4 Slavonian Grebe
Black-throated Diver - 3 in Applecross bay with 3 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Common Scoter
Great Northern Diver - 8 at Boor, Loch Ewe with 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Velvet Scoters, 7 Common Scoters, 1 White-tailed Eagle, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Long-tailed Duck
Iceland Gull - 1 at Ullapool
Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cluny Meadows
Purple Sandpiper - 7 at Caol Spit, Fort William
Hawfinch - 3 at Merkinch near car park South Kessock
Skylark - several singing birds at Coul Links
Brambling - 1 at Ullapool
Thursday 15th February
Thanks to Simeon Ewing, John Poyner, Birdtrack, skye-birds.com.
Long-tailed Duck - 11 in Broadford Bay plus 1 at Merkinch with 3 Greenshank
Waxwing - 15 at junction of Cauldeen Road and Drynie Avenue, Inverness
Late report from 12/2/24:
Ring-necked Duck - 1 at Langal, Loch Shiel (presumably the same bird which appeared at this location on 12/2/23)
Late report from 13/2/24:
Little Egret - 1 just south of Fort William on Loch Linnhe shoreline
Thanks to Simeon Ewing, John Poyner, Birdtrack, skye-birds.com.
Long-tailed Duck - 11 in Broadford Bay plus 1 at Merkinch with 3 Greenshank
Waxwing - 15 at junction of Cauldeen Road and Drynie Avenue, Inverness
Late report from 12/2/24:
Ring-necked Duck - 1 at Langal, Loch Shiel (presumably the same bird which appeared at this location on 12/2/23)
Late report from 13/2/24:
Little Egret - 1 just south of Fort William on Loch Linnhe shoreline
Friday 16th February
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Kim Dawson, Dee Graham, Morag McCullagh, John Poyner, Joseph Puffin, Blair Whyte.
Snow Goose - 1 white morph at Culbokie with several Pink-footed Goose and Greylag Goose
Green-winged Teal - 1 and 2 drake Shoveler at Alturlie
Long-tailed Duck - 6 at Broadford Bay with 11 Common Scoter, 12 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe,
c20 Razorbill, 8 Black Guillemot and 11 Red-breasted Merganser
Long-tailed Duck - 7 at Golspie
Black-throated Diver - 1 off Connage, Ardersier with 9 Slavonian Grebe
Red-throated Diver, 4 at Hilton of Cadboll with 4 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill and 1 Guillemot
Great Northern Diver - 6 at Inverasdale with 22 Black-throated Diver, 25 Common Scoter, 6 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Red-breasted Merganser
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Loch Boor with 7 Great Northern Diver and 7 Long-tailed Duck
Greenshank - 3 at Merkinch with 1 Kingfisher and 1 Turnstone
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Kim Dawson, Dee Graham, Morag McCullagh, John Poyner, Joseph Puffin, Blair Whyte.
Snow Goose - 1 white morph at Culbokie with several Pink-footed Goose and Greylag Goose
Green-winged Teal - 1 and 2 drake Shoveler at Alturlie
Long-tailed Duck - 6 at Broadford Bay with 11 Common Scoter, 12 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe,
c20 Razorbill, 8 Black Guillemot and 11 Red-breasted Merganser
Long-tailed Duck - 7 at Golspie
Black-throated Diver - 1 off Connage, Ardersier with 9 Slavonian Grebe
Red-throated Diver, 4 at Hilton of Cadboll with 4 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Razorbill and 1 Guillemot
Great Northern Diver - 6 at Inverasdale with 22 Black-throated Diver, 25 Common Scoter, 6 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Red-breasted Merganser
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Loch Boor with 7 Great Northern Diver and 7 Long-tailed Duck
Greenshank - 3 at Merkinch with 1 Kingfisher and 1 Turnstone
Saturday 17th February
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Alister Clunas, Kim Dawson, Simeon Ewing, Tony Laidler, Shaz.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 45 at Rosemarkie
Shoveler - 2 drakes at Alturlie and 2 Barnacle Goose in with Pink-footed Goose in the fields behind
Bar-tailed Godwit - 2 at Inver, near Tain with 1 Hen Harrier (grey male), 4 Long-tailed Duck, 124 Shelduck, 550+ Wigeon and 1 Common Snipe; good numbers of Curlew and Redshank also
Iceland Gull - 1 adult in winter plumage on the Lochy estuary, Fort William
Glaucous Gull - 1 (1st winter) at the head of Loch Portree
Blackcap - 1 female in garden at Westhill, Inverness
Late report from 16/2/24:
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Alister Clunas, Kim Dawson, Simeon Ewing, Tony Laidler, Shaz.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 45 at Rosemarkie
Shoveler - 2 drakes at Alturlie and 2 Barnacle Goose in with Pink-footed Goose in the fields behind
Bar-tailed Godwit - 2 at Inver, near Tain with 1 Hen Harrier (grey male), 4 Long-tailed Duck, 124 Shelduck, 550+ Wigeon and 1 Common Snipe; good numbers of Curlew and Redshank also
Iceland Gull - 1 adult in winter plumage on the Lochy estuary, Fort William
Glaucous Gull - 1 (1st winter) at the head of Loch Portree
Blackcap - 1 female in garden at Westhill, Inverness
Late report from 16/2/24:
Kumlien's Gull - 1 still at Helmsdale harbour
Sunday 18th February
Thanks to Nick Baker, Alister Clunas, Kim Dawson, Pete Gordon, Dee Graham, Shona Padbury, Dave Pierce, skye-birds.com, BirdGuides
Great Northern Diver - 5 at Armadale, Skye
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Rosemarkie
Pink-footed Goose - 2 with Greylags at teangue, Skye
Eurasian White-fronted Goose - 1 at Insh marshes
White-fronted Goose ssp. - 3 amongst Pink-footed Geese at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge plus 5 Whooper Swan
Goldeneye - 20+ at Laggan locks
Long-tailed Duck - 1 on the flood at Struie golf course
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake at Alturlie
Dunlin - 124 at Coul links, offshore were 9 Common Scoter and 12 Red-breasted Merganser
Lapwing - 510 at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge as part of general movment of waders into breeding territories
Waxwing - 5 at Aviemore
Thanks to Nick Baker, Alister Clunas, Kim Dawson, Pete Gordon, Dee Graham, Shona Padbury, Dave Pierce, skye-birds.com, BirdGuides
Great Northern Diver - 5 at Armadale, Skye
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Rosemarkie
Pink-footed Goose - 2 with Greylags at teangue, Skye
Eurasian White-fronted Goose - 1 at Insh marshes
White-fronted Goose ssp. - 3 amongst Pink-footed Geese at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge plus 5 Whooper Swan
Goldeneye - 20+ at Laggan locks
Long-tailed Duck - 1 on the flood at Struie golf course
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake at Alturlie
Dunlin - 124 at Coul links, offshore were 9 Common Scoter and 12 Red-breasted Merganser
Lapwing - 510 at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge as part of general movment of waders into breeding territories
Waxwing - 5 at Aviemore
Monday 19th February
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Steve Broyd, Mary Galloway, Ross Macleod, Dave Pierce, Graeme Prest, skye-birds.com, BirdGuides
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Embo
Glaucous Gull - 1(1st winter) at Loch Portree
Barnacle Goose - 2 at Alturlie plus c75 Scaup
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 2 (adult plus 2CY) amongst Pink-footed Geese at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge
Whooper Swan - 10 at Loch nan Corr, Inverinate
Shoveler - 1 (drake) at Coumore
Bar-tailed Godwit - 34 at Broadford Bay
Greenshank - 3 at Muirtown pools, Invernesss plus 88 Redshank
Waxwing - 4 at Aviemore
Thanks to Neil Bennett, Steve Broyd, Mary Galloway, Ross Macleod, Dave Pierce, Graeme Prest, skye-birds.com, BirdGuides
Slavonian Grebe - 2 at Embo
Glaucous Gull - 1(1st winter) at Loch Portree
Barnacle Goose - 2 at Alturlie plus c75 Scaup
Greenland White-fronted Goose - 2 (adult plus 2CY) amongst Pink-footed Geese at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge
Whooper Swan - 10 at Loch nan Corr, Inverinate
Shoveler - 1 (drake) at Coumore
Bar-tailed Godwit - 34 at Broadford Bay
Greenshank - 3 at Muirtown pools, Invernesss plus 88 Redshank
Waxwing - 4 at Aviemore
Tuesday 20th February
Thanks to Alister Clunas, Kim Dawson, Pete Gordon, Ross Macleod, Steven Williams, skye-birds.com
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Rosemarkie
Scaup - c75 at Alturlie plus 1 Shoveler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit
Common Scoter - 6 at Broadford Bay plus 1 Shelduck
Grey Plover - 1 at Dornoch Point, plus 5 Long-tailed Duck, 8 Common Scoter, c60 Linnet, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Hen Harrier (adult male)
Lapwing - 770+ at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge plus 1 Golden Plover, 160+ Oystercatcher, 150+ Curlew
Thanks to Alister Clunas, Kim Dawson, Pete Gordon, Ross Macleod, Steven Williams, skye-birds.com
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 at Rosemarkie
Scaup - c75 at Alturlie plus 1 Shoveler, 1 Black-tailed Godwit
Common Scoter - 6 at Broadford Bay plus 1 Shelduck
Grey Plover - 1 at Dornoch Point, plus 5 Long-tailed Duck, 8 Common Scoter, c60 Linnet, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Hen Harrier (adult male)
Lapwing - 770+ at Balliefurth flood, Nethy Bridge plus 1 Golden Plover, 160+ Oystercatcher, 150+ Curlew
Wednesday 21st February
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Pete Gordon, Alan MacAskill, Duncan Macdonald, Morag McCullagh, Al McNee, Bob Wilson
Slavonian Grebe - 5 at Alturlie, plus c180 Scaup, 18 Long-tailed Duck, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Barnacle Goose
Great Crested Grebe - 2 off Connage
Kittiwake - 1 (1st of the year) at Chanonry Point, also noted 0740-0840hrs were 28 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Scoter, 15 Long-tailed Duck, 110 Eider, 1 Black Guillemot, 1 Sanderling
Green-winged Teal - 1 at Alturlie
Greenshank - 3 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness with 6 at Connage burn
Purple Sandpiper - 4+ at Loch Boor plus 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 5 Common Scoter and 4 Red-breasted Merganser
Bar-tailed Godwit - c60 at Connage burn plus c80 Knot, 16 Turnstone, 9 Dunlin
Mealy Redpoll - 1 amongst Lesser Redpolls and other finches by the pool at Boat at Garten, plus similar at Loch Alvie
Chiffchaff - singing male at Craig Phadrig, Inverness
Corn Bunting - 2 at Easter Dalziel farm, near Inverness
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Pete Gordon, Alan MacAskill, Duncan Macdonald, Morag McCullagh, Al McNee, Bob Wilson
Slavonian Grebe - 5 at Alturlie, plus c180 Scaup, 18 Long-tailed Duck, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Barnacle Goose
Great Crested Grebe - 2 off Connage
Kittiwake - 1 (1st of the year) at Chanonry Point, also noted 0740-0840hrs were 28 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Scoter, 15 Long-tailed Duck, 110 Eider, 1 Black Guillemot, 1 Sanderling
Green-winged Teal - 1 at Alturlie
Greenshank - 3 at Merkinch LNR, Inverness with 6 at Connage burn
Purple Sandpiper - 4+ at Loch Boor plus 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 5 Common Scoter and 4 Red-breasted Merganser
Bar-tailed Godwit - c60 at Connage burn plus c80 Knot, 16 Turnstone, 9 Dunlin
Mealy Redpoll - 1 amongst Lesser Redpolls and other finches by the pool at Boat at Garten, plus similar at Loch Alvie
Chiffchaff - singing male at Craig Phadrig, Inverness
Corn Bunting - 2 at Easter Dalziel farm, near Inverness
Thursday 22nd February
Thanks to Steve Broyd, Kevin Davis, Morag McCullagh, Tim Meredith, Andy Williams, skye-birds.com, BirdGuides
Great Northern Diver - 4 at Poolewe, 16 at Lusa, Skye with 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Long-tailed Duck
Black-throated Diver - 3 at Chanonry Point, also noted 0730-0830hrs were 27 Red-throated Diver, 17 Long-tailed Duck, 20 Ringed Plover and 6 Sanderling (10 seen later in the day along with 10 Rock Pipit)
Velvet Scoter - 2 at Poolewe
Bar-tailed Godwit - 21 at Broadford Bay, plus 9 Common Scoter
Hawfinch - 1 still at Morefield estate, Ullapool plus 1 Brambling
Mealy Redpoll - 1 amongst Lesser Redpolls in the Causer area of Nethy Bridge
Thanks to Steve Broyd, Kevin Davis, Morag McCullagh, Tim Meredith, Andy Williams, skye-birds.com, BirdGuides
Great Northern Diver - 4 at Poolewe, 16 at Lusa, Skye with 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Long-tailed Duck
Black-throated Diver - 3 at Chanonry Point, also noted 0730-0830hrs were 27 Red-throated Diver, 17 Long-tailed Duck, 20 Ringed Plover and 6 Sanderling (10 seen later in the day along with 10 Rock Pipit)
Velvet Scoter - 2 at Poolewe
Bar-tailed Godwit - 21 at Broadford Bay, plus 9 Common Scoter
Hawfinch - 1 still at Morefield estate, Ullapool plus 1 Brambling
Mealy Redpoll - 1 amongst Lesser Redpolls in the Causer area of Nethy Bridge
Friday 23rd February
Thanks to Simeon Ewing, Pete Gordon, Alan MacAskill, Dean MacAskill, Andy Tonge
Red-throated Diver - 124 at Embo, plus 1 Great Northern Diver,
Slavonian Grebe - 3 at Embo, 1 at Loch Ainort
Great Crested Grebe - 1 (sumplum - a third bird in the area as different from the Connage sightings this week), plus c80 Scaup
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake at Alturlie
Grey Plover - 6 at Dornoch point, plus 69 Pintail
Waxwing - 1 heard at RSPB Abernethy tree nursery, 30+ at Corbett Place, Aviemore
Twite - 10 at Dalziel, near Inverness
Thanks to Simeon Ewing, Pete Gordon, Alan MacAskill, Dean MacAskill, Andy Tonge
Red-throated Diver - 124 at Embo, plus 1 Great Northern Diver,
Slavonian Grebe - 3 at Embo, 1 at Loch Ainort
Great Crested Grebe - 1 (sumplum - a third bird in the area as different from the Connage sightings this week), plus c80 Scaup
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake at Alturlie
Grey Plover - 6 at Dornoch point, plus 69 Pintail
Waxwing - 1 heard at RSPB Abernethy tree nursery, 30+ at Corbett Place, Aviemore
Twite - 10 at Dalziel, near Inverness
Saturday 24th February
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Ross Macleod, Thomas Plant, Bob Wilson, 'Fiona', skye-birds.com
Red-throated Diver - 20 at Chanonry Point, plus (0730-0830hrs) 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Common Scoter, 17 Long-tailed Duck, 94 Eider
Slavonian Grebe - 11 at Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig plus 6 Common Scoter, 1 (drake) Shelduck
Canada Goose - 4 at Isleornsay
Scaup - c100 at Alturlie plus (1200hrs) 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shoveler, 2 Barnacle Goose
Waxwing - 35 at Corbett Place, Aviemore
Brambling - 1 at Strathpeffer, 5 between North Kessock and Redcastle
Thanks to Kevin Davis, Ross Macleod, Thomas Plant, Bob Wilson, 'Fiona', skye-birds.com
Red-throated Diver - 20 at Chanonry Point, plus (0730-0830hrs) 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Common Scoter, 17 Long-tailed Duck, 94 Eider
Slavonian Grebe - 11 at Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig plus 6 Common Scoter, 1 (drake) Shelduck
Canada Goose - 4 at Isleornsay
Scaup - c100 at Alturlie plus (1200hrs) 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shoveler, 2 Barnacle Goose
Waxwing - 35 at Corbett Place, Aviemore
Brambling - 1 at Strathpeffer, 5 between North Kessock and Redcastle
Sunday 25th February
Thanks to Ross Macleod, Fiona, Neil Bennett, Skye Birds, Steve Broyd, Dean MacAskill
Russian White-fronted Goose - 1 Alturlie
Barnacle Goose - 2 Alturlie
Ruddy Shelduck - 1 Dingwall
Shelduck - 35 Alturlie
Shoveler - 2 Alturlie
Pintail - 1 Dingwall
Green-winged Teal - Alturlie
Scaup - 100 Alturlie, 1 Dingwall
Common Scoter - 1 Alturlie
Red-throated Diver - 10 Alturlie
Black-throated Diver - 1 Alturlie
Great Crested Grebe - 1 Alturlie
Slavonian Grebe - 10 Alturlie
Black-tailed Godwit - 1 Alturlie
Greenshank - 3 Loch Kishorn
Snipe - 10 Alturlie
Glaucous Gull - 1 1st winter Loch Portree, 1 Castle Stuart
Little Gull - 5 Brora
Black Guillemot - 1 Alturlie
Short-eared Owl - 2 Kilmuir
Thanks to Ross Macleod, Fiona, Neil Bennett, Skye Birds, Steve Broyd, Dean MacAskill
Russian White-fronted Goose - 1 Alturlie
Barnacle Goose - 2 Alturlie
Ruddy Shelduck - 1 Dingwall
Shelduck - 35 Alturlie
Shoveler - 2 Alturlie
Pintail - 1 Dingwall
Green-winged Teal - Alturlie
Scaup - 100 Alturlie, 1 Dingwall
Common Scoter - 1 Alturlie
Red-throated Diver - 10 Alturlie
Black-throated Diver - 1 Alturlie
Great Crested Grebe - 1 Alturlie
Slavonian Grebe - 10 Alturlie
Black-tailed Godwit - 1 Alturlie
Greenshank - 3 Loch Kishorn
Snipe - 10 Alturlie
Glaucous Gull - 1 1st winter Loch Portree, 1 Castle Stuart
Little Gull - 5 Brora
Black Guillemot - 1 Alturlie
Short-eared Owl - 2 Kilmuir
Monday 26th February
Thanks to Pete Gordon, Andy Williams, Simeon Ewing, Rosemary Aitken, Peter Mackay, Skye Birds, Bird news services
Whooper Swan - 9 north through Broadford Bay
Russian White-fronted Goose - 1 Dulnain Bridge in fields by River Spey with Pinkfoots
Canada Goose - 12 Isleornsay
Pale bellied Brent Goose - 10 Rosemarkie
Gadwall - 1 drake Tain Links pond
Ptarmigan - 2 Meall Chuaich
Golden Plover - 112 over Alturlie
Snow Bunting - 70 Glen Loth, Crakaig
Thanks to Pete Gordon, Andy Williams, Simeon Ewing, Rosemary Aitken, Peter Mackay, Skye Birds, Bird news services
Whooper Swan - 9 north through Broadford Bay
Russian White-fronted Goose - 1 Dulnain Bridge in fields by River Spey with Pinkfoots
Canada Goose - 12 Isleornsay
Pale bellied Brent Goose - 10 Rosemarkie
Gadwall - 1 drake Tain Links pond
Ptarmigan - 2 Meall Chuaich
Golden Plover - 112 over Alturlie
Snow Bunting - 70 Glen Loth, Crakaig
Tuesday 27th February
Thanks to Fiona, Bob Swann, Dean MacAskill, Skye Birds, Andy Walker, Kim Dawson
Mute Swan - 12 Tain Ranges
Red-throated Diver - 2 Hilton of Cadboll
Whooper Swan - 2 Loch Cillchriosd
Barnacle Goose - 55 Eileam Mhor, Greshornish
Ruddy Shelduck - 1 still at Dingwall plus Pintails
Gadwall - 1 drake back on the pond at Tain Links at high tide
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Red-brested Merganser - 13 Coul Links
Dunlin - 6 Coul Links
Ringed Plover - 10 Coul Links
Snow Bunting - 5 Dornoch Beach
Thanks to Fiona, Bob Swann, Dean MacAskill, Skye Birds, Andy Walker, Kim Dawson
Mute Swan - 12 Tain Ranges
Red-throated Diver - 2 Hilton of Cadboll
Whooper Swan - 2 Loch Cillchriosd
Barnacle Goose - 55 Eileam Mhor, Greshornish
Ruddy Shelduck - 1 still at Dingwall plus Pintails
Gadwall - 1 drake back on the pond at Tain Links at high tide
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Common Scoter - 1 Hilton of Cadboll
Red-brested Merganser - 13 Coul Links
Dunlin - 6 Coul Links
Ringed Plover - 10 Coul Links
Snow Bunting - 5 Dornoch Beach
Wednesday 28th February
Thanks to Pete Gordon, Eric, Alan MacAskill, Robert Wilson, Bird news services, Skye Birds, Kim Dawson, Kevin Davis, Dave Tanner
Canada Goose - 150 Kinlochmoidart, 30 Back of Keppoch, 6 Traigh
Barnacle Goose - 1 Back of Keppoch
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake still Tain Links pool
Pintail - 60 near Redcastle, Beauly Firth
Common Scoter - 4 Chanonry Point, 15 Portmahomack
Long-tailed Duck - 18 Chanonry Point
Eider - 249 Chanonry Point
Grey Partridge - 1 Portmahomack
Black-throated Diver - 2 Chanonry Point
Red-throated Diver - 14 Chanonry Point
Gannet - 22 Portmahomack
Ringed Plover - 10 Chanonry Point
Sanderling - 12 Chanonry Point
Puffin - 1 flew north at Portmahomack Beach
Kingfisher - 1 Dalmore, Alness
Waxwing - 15 Inverness Culduthel Road feeding on rosehips but flushed by a Sparrowhawk
Mealy Redpoll - 1 Boat of Garten flood, 1 Newtonmore at feeders
Thanks to Pete Gordon, Eric, Alan MacAskill, Robert Wilson, Bird news services, Skye Birds, Kim Dawson, Kevin Davis, Dave Tanner
Canada Goose - 150 Kinlochmoidart, 30 Back of Keppoch, 6 Traigh
Barnacle Goose - 1 Back of Keppoch
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake still Tain Links pool
Pintail - 60 near Redcastle, Beauly Firth
Common Scoter - 4 Chanonry Point, 15 Portmahomack
Long-tailed Duck - 18 Chanonry Point
Eider - 249 Chanonry Point
Grey Partridge - 1 Portmahomack
Black-throated Diver - 2 Chanonry Point
Red-throated Diver - 14 Chanonry Point
Gannet - 22 Portmahomack
Ringed Plover - 10 Chanonry Point
Sanderling - 12 Chanonry Point
Puffin - 1 flew north at Portmahomack Beach
Kingfisher - 1 Dalmore, Alness
Waxwing - 15 Inverness Culduthel Road feeding on rosehips but flushed by a Sparrowhawk
Mealy Redpoll - 1 Boat of Garten flood, 1 Newtonmore at feeders
