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The objective of these pages is to keep everyone, locals and visitors alike, up to date with what birds are about. It is therefore dependent on everyone contacting me as quickly as possible to ensure I can update the site so that others might benefit from the observations. In the event of rarities being found, details could be passed on to other website networks. Details would also be passed on the Highland Recorder Al McNee who might require a full description before the record was accepted. This website will very much be locally focussed but recognises the existing requirements of the SOC local recorder system and other networks such as Birdline Scotland . The intention is that Skye-Birds.com will enhance these systems. Skye-Birds.com will also have complete discretion as to what information is added to these pages. In particular, any details which might reveal breeding sites of vulnerable species will be excluded. No information will be published which may in any way put birds at risk.
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18th November 2008
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Blackcap
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male in garden at kyleakin (H&MScott) |
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18th November 2008
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Eider
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after several years of absence Eider numbers building up with 90 in Kyle Akin (H&M Scott) |
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18th November 2008
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Grey Plover
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Single on Ardnish + 3 Lapwing (A&EH) |
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18th November 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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just when we thought they had gone away, Perry Dark found two at Gedintailor. |
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18th November 2008
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Waxwing
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10 at Dunvegan Castle gardens (BCookson) & 12 at Inverinate (BN) |
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18th November 2008
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Whooper Swan
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seemingly still passing through with 6 at Harrapool (DR) |
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16th November 2008
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Greenland Whitefronted Goose
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During WeBS count in Broadford Bay there were 19 on Ardnish - other birds of note was the first returning Shelduck, single Barnacle & pale-bellied Brent, 5 Greenshank & 10 Purple Sandpiper. (RMcM) |
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16th November 2008
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Lesser Whitethroat
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bird still at Halistra, Waternish (JHodgkin) |
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16th November 2008
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Chiffchaff
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very late bird at Killilan, Lochalsh (BN) |
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14th November 2008
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Lesser Whitethroat
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still happily feeding in the garden at Halistra, Waternish (JHodgkin) |
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14th November 2008
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Storm Petrel
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one literally crash-landed in the strong winds at Uig Pier - picked up and then took off again (Colin Alston) |
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13th November 2008
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Waxwing
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still birds about with 20 in the trees at the Portree Co-op car park (Steve Clarke) - and 30 at Glenelg (Pete Jones) |
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12th November 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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still a single straggler at the Aird, Gedintailor, Braes (PDark) |
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12th November 2008
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Lesser Whitethroat
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still visiting gardens at Halistra, Waternish (J.Hodgkin, AMearns) |
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12th November 2008
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Waxwing
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17 at Sallachy, Lochalsh (BN)and 15 at Glenelg (PJ) - most of the birds now seem to have left our area though there are reports of big numbers further east. |
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11th November 2008
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Lesser Whitethroat
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still in garden at Waternish (JHodgkin) |
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11th November 2008
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Waxwing
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still 15 at Bayfield, Portree (Alison Stables) |
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10th November 2008
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Lesser Whitethroat
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still in Judith Hodgkin's garden in Halistra, Waternish - feeding on nuts - see image in Gallery. |
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10th November 2008
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Brent Goose
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22 at Traigh, Morar for the last two days (S.MacDonald) |
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10th November 2008
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Whimbrel
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a late bird at Traigh, Morar (S.MacDonald) |
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10th November 2008
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Waxwing
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still 100 in the Arisaig area (S.MacDonald) |
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9th November 2008
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Eider
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there was formerly a large wintering flock at Kyle Akin which has disappeared over the last few years - numbers are now building up again with a count of 48 (Hugh Scott) |
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9th November 2008
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Blackcap
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female feeding on apples in Kyleakin garden (Hugh Scott) |
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9th November 2008
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Lesser Whitethroat
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one seen in garden at Halistra, Waternish (Judith Hodgkin)- this bird was photographed in poor light but was identified by Allan Mearns - again illustrating the benefits of even poor photographs - this is a rare vagrant on Skye. |
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8th November 2008
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Waxwing
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flock of 35 moving south in Glen Varrigal (RMcM) |
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8th November 2008
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Brent Goose
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group of 20 still at Loch Portree (RMcM) |
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8th November 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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numbers at An Aird, Gedintailor, Braes have slowly dwindled and although it was thought they had all gone, there were still two this afternoon (P.Dark) |
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8th November 2008
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Storm Petrel
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dead bird found at the Raasay jetty (per SBungard) |
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7th November 2008
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Waxwing
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still moving through with 20 at Ose (RMcM) and 40 at Ferindonald (Pat Newman) |
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7th November 2008
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Gadwall
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now 2 pairs at the head of Loch Sligachan which will hopefully again winter (RMcM) |
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6th November 2008
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Brent Goose
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still some stragglers with a single at Waterloo and 7 on Ardnish (A&EH) |
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6th November 2008
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Grey Plover
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2 on Ardnish + 7 Snipe & a single Lapwing (A&EH) |
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6th November 2008
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Long-tailed Tit
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excellent flock of 24 at Lower Breakish (A&EH) |
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6th November 2008
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Waxwing
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still birds about Portree but numbers much reduced, probably a sign that many birds have moved through (AS) - check the Gallery for several images taken in the last few days. |
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6th November 2008
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Fieldfare
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scarce in Lochalsh this autumn there were 100 at Morvich (Rule Anderson) |
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6th November 2008
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Black-throated Diver
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two in Loch Ainort (BHawker) |
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5th November 2008
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Waxwing
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large numbers still reported from Portree though no specific counts. Elsewhere c40 at Moorlands, Breakish (M.French), 40+ at Isleornsay (RC), 20 at Ferindonald (JMcDermott) and 8 at Attadale (RMcM) |
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5th November 2008
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Brent Goose
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still stragglers going through with c20 at Loch Portree (Brian Smith) |
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5th November 2008
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Barn Owl
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report of singles at Crossal (SBirch) & Fasach, Glendale (AS) |
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5th November 2008
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Woodcock
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beginning to arrive in numbers with 4 seen at locations between Portree & Glendale (AS) - also a single in Portree. |
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5th November 2008
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Peregrine Falcon
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report from Steven Birch of a pair of Peregrine Falcons hunting bats near a crag on Minginish. Though bats have been recorded as prey in USA there appears to be no record of such prey items in the UK. |
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5th November 2008
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Waxwing
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3 in Glen Brittle (BHawker) |
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4th November 2008
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Waxwing
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still c400 around Broom Place and other birds well dispersed throughout Portree (see Gallery)(AS) |
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4th November 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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birds still about but widely dispersed - 20 initially then 35 seen later off Camastianavaig (RMcM, A.Mearns)- then report of up to 80 later. |
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4th November 2008
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Slavonian Grebe
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3 in Loch Ainort at Luib (BHawker) |
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3rd November 2008
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Waxwing
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report of 120+ in Broom Place, Portree at 0830 then also mid-afternoon (AS) - also c50 in Budmhor, Portree yesterday & to-day - a single at Gedintailor then 12 later at Balmeanach & c20 in Glen Varrigal (RMcM, WM) Late afternoon - report from Neil Bennett of a flock of 4-500 feeding on yellow rowan berries at the Portree House Hotel - looks like we are going to have bumper numbers again!! |
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3rd November 2008
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Fieldfare/Redwing
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huge flocks with birds arriving all the time & foraging on Rowan berries at Camastianavaig - 2,500+ (RMcM) |
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3rd November 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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still birds off Gedintailor, Braes - though difficult to count there were c100 flying north and feeding around NG520380 - these birds are pretty mobile depending on wind & tide.(RMcM) |
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3rd November 2008
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Barnacle Goose
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flock of 19 came from the north and landed near Camus a Mhor, Braes, before continuing south (WMarshall) |
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3rd November 2008
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Water Rail
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single flushed at Ardelve, Lochalsh is the first report in the area for some time. (BN) |
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3rd November 2008
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Brent Goose
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flock of 21 at Camus a Mhor, Gedintailor (Tim Dix) |
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3rd November 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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3 at Tianavaig Bay + 19 Brent Goose at Gedintailor & 10 Waxwing (BHawker) |
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2nd November 2008
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Waxwing
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still 20 at Isleornsay mid morning (RCottis), 50 at Aird Old Church, Sleat (JMcDermott), 88+ though Broadford by lunchtime (MB) and 28 in Glen Varrigal early morning (Al McNee) |
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2nd November 2008
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Fieldfare/Redwing
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mixed flock of 4-500 over The Obbe, Kyleakin (A&EH)and 100 at Aird Old Church, Sleat (JMcDermott) |
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2nd November 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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birds still very much in evidence off the northern tip of An Carnan, Gedintailor with an amazing count of 197 in the afternoon (Al McNee) |
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2nd November 2008
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Gadwall
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2 males and a female with Wigeon on the freshwater pool at Camus a Mhor, Gedintailor (Al McNee) |
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2nd November 2008
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Iceland Gull
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report of a first winter bird at Gedintailor (Al McNee) |
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2nd November 2008
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Barn Owl
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recent reports from Fiscavaig, Portnalong & Crossal suggest there is more than one bird in the area (Sue Tate) |
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2nd November 2008
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Long-tailed Duck
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a female for the last two days at Camas a Mhor, Gedintailor, Braes (WMarshall) |
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2nd November 2008
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Waxwing
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flock of 30-40 at Gedintailor (T&ASmit,SPorter) |
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1st November 2008
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Brent Goose
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still 6 pale bellied on Ardnish (A&EH) - there were also 30 at Harrapool yesterday (CBenson) |
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1st November 2008
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Golden Plover
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excellent counts of 100+ at Ramasaig & 50 at Lorgill (A&AStables) |
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1st November 2008
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Woodcock
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1st report of the autumn with a single at Ramasaig (A&AStables) |
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1st November 2008
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Reed Bunting
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scarce in Duirinish there were 4 near Borrodale on the Ramasaig Road (A&AS) |
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1st November 2008
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Black-throated Diver
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2 in Loch Poolteil (A&AS) |
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31st October 2008
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Waxwing
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16 in garden at Isleornsay at 12.30pm which increased to 30-40 by early afternoon(RCottis) + report of 42 in garden at Storr Road, Portree in mid-afternoon(Neil Bennett) - keep a look out for others on the move!! |
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31st October 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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still big numbers off the northern tip of An Aird, Gedintailor, Braes - count of 108 and single feeding flock of 75 very prominent (RMcM, MB) |
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31st October 2008
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Fieldfare
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big movement in with 100 at Orbost, 200 at Skinidin and flock of 400 mixed Redwing/Fieldfare at Camustianavaig which were 70% Fielfare. (A.Sime,H.West et al) - also several hundred in the Portnalong/Fiscavaig area which were predominantly Fieldfare (Sue Tate) |
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31st October 2008
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Slavonian Grebe
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single off Gedintailor (DB) |
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31st October 2008
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Blackcap
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female beside Braes Village Hall - our first report of the autumn (DB) |
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31st October 2008
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Gadwall
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pair still at the head of Loch Sligachan (DB) |
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30th October 2008
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Waxwing
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single in Bob's garden in Elgol at 0800 - birds have been found further north and west so look out for them passing through. |
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30th October 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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still huge numbers around with a count of 90+ between An Aird, Gedintailor and Ardhuish on Raasay - also 60+ on the east side of An Corran at the entrance to Loch Sligachan (RMcM) |
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30th October 2008
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Fieldfare
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150+ with some Redwings at Camustianavaig, Braes, (see Gallery) with a couple of Sparrowhawk spicing things up (RMcM) |
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30th October 2008
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Brent Goose
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still some stragglers with 8 at Ardnish (MKirk) |
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29th October 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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still 36, very much behaving as a group now off the point of An Aird at NG533357, Braes. (WMarshall) |
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29th October 2008
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Redwing
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bigger numbers on the move in the last few days with 24 at Kyleakin, 35 at Balmeanach, Struan, and also c50 at Elgol. Also 20 Goldfinches at the Obbe, Kyleakin (A&EH)(FReynolds) |
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28th October 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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following on Bill Marshall & David Pratt's exciting find yesterday - there was a staggering count of 52 at Camas a Mhor-bhreoid, Braes - not only is this an outstanding record locally but one of the biggest counts ever of this species in Scotland. Martin Benson also found 8 in Broadford Bay - it is an excellent opportunity to see this rare species on Skye at the present time. (see Gallery) |
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28th October 2008
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Storm Petrel
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in the northerly winds there was a single in Broadford Bay (MB) |
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28th October 2008
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Greenland White-fronted Goose
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43 at Ardnish - probably the arrival of our wintering flock (A&EH) |
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28th October 2008
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Long-tailed Duck
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an immature on Loch Fada (M.Kirk, RMcM) |
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28th October 2008
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Barnacle Goose
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36 at Staffin (M.Kirk, RMcM) |
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27th October 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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reports of birds at Camas a Mhor-bhreoid, Gedintailor, Braes - possibly up to 30 (W.Marshall, D.Pratt) - this is a terrific find and there are currrently unprecedented numbers round the west and north of Scotland. |
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25th October 2008
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Barn Owl
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one at the roadside (am) just north of Broadford |
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25th October 2008
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Great Skua
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late straggler going south in 3+ hour seawatch at Neist Point - also heading south - 5 Great Northern Divers, 15 Brent Geese, c300 Kittiwake & c220 Gannet (RMcM) |
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24th October 2008
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Grey Phalarope
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a juvenile stormbound in the garden at Kilmarie House beside Loch Slapin unfortunately died. (per RMcM). This is just the 4th record for Skye. |
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24th October 2008
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Sabine's Gull
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another storm casualty, an adult Sabine's was found by John & Anita Jones at Camas Malag, Kilbryde, another extremely rare record for Skye and unfortunately dead for several days. |
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23rd October 2008
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Greenland White-fronted Goose
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13 at Ardnish + 52 Brent & 16 Whooper Swan (A&EH) |
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22nd October 2008
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Whooper Swan
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10 at Harrapool and a similar number at Loch nan Dubhrachan (RThornton) |
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22nd October 2008
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Brent Goose
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still 44 at Broadford Bay, 69 Black-headed Gulls and up to 20 Whooper Swan (MB) |
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22nd October 2008
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Heron
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excellent count of 50 in the Obbe, Kyleakin (A&EH) |
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22nd October 2008
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Knot
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6 at Harrapool (MB) |
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21st October 2008
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Yellowhammer
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sigle visited garden at Kyleakin - still scarce on Skye (HScott) |
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21st October 2008
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Brent Goose
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still 42 Ardnish & Ashaig (A&EH) |
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21st October 2008
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Whooper Swan
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12 at Drynoch (8 adults & 4 juvs) (JThomas) |
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20th October 2008
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Greenland Whitefronted Goose
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several skeins moving through Broadford Bay - total 123 (A&EH) |
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20th October 2008
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Fieldfare
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flock of 35 at Upper Breakish (S&H Birch) |
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20th October 2008
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Whooper Swan
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total 38 Broadford Bay off Pabay + 13 Brents at Ardnish (A&EH) |
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19th October 2008
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Goldfinch
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following the report of the big flock at Upper Breakish, there was an even bigger 'charm' at Ardroag, around 70. (RMcM) |
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19th October 2008
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Barnacle Goose
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small flock of 22 at the head of Loch Dunvegan (RMcM) |
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2008: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
2007: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2006: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2005: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2004: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2003: December |
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