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All reports from Tiree are kindly supplied by John Bowler (RSPB officer) Tiree Sightings: February 2010
Tiree Sightings: January 2010 The female Surf Scoter remained at Hough Bay until 11th with up to 19 Long-tailed Ducks and 3 Common Scoters. The two small-race Canada Geese remained with the Barnacle Geese in East Tiree, including the presumed “Richardson’s Goose” again at Cornaigmore (11th) and Balephetrish (18th-25th), whilst the long-staying European White-front was at Balephuil (8th). Other good birds included an immature Sea Eagle at Sorobaidh Bay (11th), a Jack Snipe at Milton (18th), a Dunnock at Hynish (24th), a Mistle Thrush at Balemartine (6th), a Jackdaw at Balephuil (16th), 2 Rooks at Loch an Eilein barn (21st), 3 wintering Pied Wagtails, 5 Black-headed Gulls and a influx of 5 scattered Fieldfares and 150 Redwing (from 18th). There was a marked influx of 15+ Woodcock during the freezing conditions whilst up to half a dozen Water Rails were noted. Wintering finches included a high count of 23 Goldfinches (18th), plus 2 Chaffinches, 4 Greenfinches and widespread flocks of up to 40 Twite. White-winged gulls were notable by their complete absence. An all-island count (18th-19th) found 3,532 Barnacle
Geese, 787 Greenland White-fronts and 3,126 Greylags plus 139 Whooper Swans,
4 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent and 5 hybrid Canada x Greylag
Geese, although numbers of Lapwing dropped to 1,160 and Golden Plover to
just 645, following the extended cold spell. Scarce waterbirds included
an influx of up to 5 Coot and 12 Pintail, plus high counts of 160 Tufted
Ducks and 49 Goldeneye at Loch a’ Phuill (31st), whilst a Red-throated
Diver at Loch an Eilein (18th) was a very rare inland record. Raptors included
up to 4 Hen Harriers, 6 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Peregrine
throughout. High wader counts included 120 Purple Sandpipers at Hough Bay
(30th), 130 Ringed Plovers at Balephetrish Bay (13th) with 165 Sanderling
there (5th) and 107 Dunlin at Sorobaidh Bay (22nd).
John Bowler
Tiree Sightings: December 2009 The best birds were the female Surf Scoter that remained all month with up to 6 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay, plus two small-race Canada Geese in with the Barnacle Geese around East Tiree including a good candidate Richardson’s Goose at Ruaig (14th) and Balephetrish (21st). Other winter scarcities included the long-staying European White-fronted Goose again at Balinoe (15th), a Jackdaw at Balephuil (1st), an immature Sea Eagle at Carnan Mor (30th), 3 Woodcock (3rd-22nd), 2 Coot at Loch Bhasapol throughout, at least 3 Water Rails at Balephuil with another at Mannal, a Dunnock at Crossapol (7th) and Pied Wagtails at Balemartine (12th) and Vaul (21st). Some 300 Redwings remained mid-month whilst 1 Fieldfare was at Balephuil (29th) and some 10 Goldfinches wintered. An all-island count (14th-15th) found 3,438 Barnacle Geese, 769 Greenland White-fronts, 3,460 Greylags plus 3 Pink-footed Geese and 5 Pale-bellied Brent, as well as 138 Whooper Swans, 3,805 Lapwing and 4,300 Golden Plover. Raptors included up to 4 Hen Harriers, 5 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and 4 Peregrine throughout. High wader counts included 193 Dunlin and 131 Ringed Plover at Sorobaidh Bay (9th), 216 Sanderling at Balephetrish Bay (7th) and 70 Turnstone at Gott Bay (14th). John Bowler Tiree Sightings: November 2009 Best bird was the female Surf Scoter, which returned to Hough Bay (22nd-30th) for its third consecutive winter. Other island rarities included two small-race Canada Geese in with the Barnacles at Ruaig and Balephetrish (both from 27th) and calling tristis Chiffchaffs at Traigh nan Gilean (8th) and Loch a’ Phuill (23rd). Island scarcities included a very late Grey Wagtail at Hynish (28th), a Mealy Redpoll at Balephuil (4th), 2 Bramblings (1st-2nd), at least 5 Blackcaps (1st-21st), and 3 abietinus-type Chiffchaffs (5th-8th). There were also 3 Snow Buntings at Kilkenneth (5th), up to 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Dunnocks, 6 Jackdaws, 6 Goldfinches and 5 late Linnets (to 27th), whilst Fieldfares included 40 at Balephuil (7th) and a late bird at West Hynish (29th). Winter seabirds included a 1st-winter Glaucous Gull off Coll (10th), Little Auks off Gunna Sound (10th) and off Coll (19th), 3 Puffins off Coll (19th) and a Grey Phalarope off Aird (2nd). An all-island count (27th-28th) found high totals of 2,646 Barnacle Geese, 3,555 Greylags and 775 Greenland White-fronts plus 2 Pinkfeet and a Light-bellied Brent, together with 136 Whooper Swans, 5,105 Golden Plovers and 4,190 Lapwings. Other waterfowl included a peak of 13 Great Northern Divers in Gott Bay (4th), a Little Grebe at Loch Bhasapol (20th) with 3 Coot there (from 23rd), 19 Shoveler at Loch Riaghain (27th), 9 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay (28th), a Common Scoter in Gunna Sound (27th), plus 2 Moorhens and 6 Water Rails. Waders included a Jack Snipe at The Reef (2nd), a late Black-tailed Godwit at Loch a’ Phuill (8th), 60 Purple Sandpipers at Rubha Chraiginis (30th), 372 Sanderling at Balephetrish Bay (5th), 183 Ringed Plovers at Balephetrish Bay (4th) and 5 Woodcock (8th-28th). Dr John Bowler Tiree Sightings: October 2009 Had it been relocated, the best bird would have been the Veery, which was apparently photographed flying around a survey vessel just off the SW tip of the island (15th) before making landfall near Hynish. There were up to three different adult American Golden Plovers in the Sandaig/Loch a’ Phuill area (1st-14th) including the long-staying bird from September and two new birds on 1st, plus up to 3 Pectoral Sandpipers. Notable passerines included Yellow-browed Warblers at Scarinish (10th) and Balephuil (18th-19th), plus two more at Carnan Mor (15th), two Scarlet Rosefinches at Hynish/Mannal (4th-6th), a juvenile Barred Warbler at Vaul (5th) and up to 6 different Lesser Whitethroats around West Tiree (1st-16th) including two together at Balephuil (2nd). A second-calendar year Golden Eagle at Milton (17th) and then at Vaul (18th) and Ben Hynish (26th) was the first confirmed Tiree sighting since 1993! Other good birds included a Redstart at Carnan Mor (5th), a Whinchat at Balephuil (12th), a Greenland Redpoll at Mannal (4th), a Common Redpoll at Balephuil (28th), 2 Siskins at Balephuil (1st), 2 Lapland Buntings (5th and 28th), 12 Snow Buntings, a Carrion Crow at The Reef (7th-8th) and a late Garden Warbler at Mannal/Hynish (4th-6th) in amongst a good showing of 30+ Chiffchaffs including two abietinus-type birds (25th and 28th), 30 Blackcaps, 6 Willow Warblers (to 6th) and 14 Dunnocks. Seabirds included an adult Long-tailed Skua off Hynish (9th) and a lingering Sandwich Tern at Gott Bay (5th-8th), whilst sea-watching off Aird in NW winds (3rd) produced 3 Grey Phalaropes, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Storm Petrels and 1 Leach’s Petrel. Scarce wildfowl included a mobile Slavonian Grebe (4th), up to 2 Little Grebes, a lone Coot, the long-staying European White-fronted Goose, 4 Common Scoters at Balevullin (16th), a female Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill (22nd-28th) and the first Goldeneyes there (from 7th). A large passage of Whooper Swans (15th) brought 252 birds to Loch a’ Phuill, whilst there was a steady trickle of Barnacle Geese through all-month although Greenland White-fronts (first on 7th) have so far failed to return in any number. A handful of Pale-bellied Brent hung on after the main passage in September and a late Black-tailed Godwit lingered at Loch a’ Phuill (31st). There was a very large influx of thrushes associated with SE winds on 23rd involving at least 1000 Fieldfares, 1500 Redwings, 300 Blackbirds and 150 Song Thrushes plus a lone Ring Ouzel at Milton. The same weather brought in at least 10 Bramblings (from 23rd) and 3 Woodcock to Carnan Mor (25th). Dr John Bowler Tiree Sightings: September 2009 Highlight of the month was the influx of American waders. These included a mobile juvenile Baird’s Sandpiper (19th-28th), an adult American Golden Plover at Barrapol/Sandaig (14th-30th), 2-4 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Loch a’ Phuill / Sandaig (9th-29th) and up to 6 Pectoral Sandpipers (2nd-29th) including a group of 3 at Loch a’ Phuill (26th). Other good birds included the Pacific Golden Plover again at Sandaig (1st), a juvenile male Ring-necked Duck at Loch a’ Phuill (22nd-30th), a juvenile Barred Warbler at Balephuil (16th), Pied Flycatchers at Vaul (25th-29th) and Kilmoluaig (30th), Lesser Whitethroats at Whitehouse (29th-30th) and Balephuil (29th-30th), a Crossbill at Balephuil (18th) and 3-4 Greenland Redpolls (14th-30th). Island scarcities included a Slavonian Grebe at Salum Bay (30th), a Little Grebe at Heylipol Church lochan (27th), a Short-eared Owl at The Reef (28th), a Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill (from 26th) and a European White-fronted Goose at Heylipol (14th) and Barrapol (27th). Wader passage included scattered groups of up to 26 Knot and 118 Black-tailed Godwits, as well as at least 7 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 13 Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper at Baugh (7th) and a Curlew Sandpiper at Vaul (14th). Sea-watching produced 3 Grey Phalaropes (3rd-29th), 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 6 Leach’s Petrels,4 Pomarine Skuas (29th), 6 Arctic Skuas, 30 Bonxies, 9 Storm Petrels and a Long-tailed Duck (29th). 11 Great Shearwaters were north of Tiree (1st), with three more between Tiree and Mull (1st). Migrant passerines included 1 Spotted Flycatcher (13th), 5 Dunnocks, 2 Garden Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 9 Chiffchaffs, 17 Willow Warblers, 9 Lapland Buntings (from 26th) and 3 Snow Buntings (from 29th), but only 1 Goldcrest. 50+ Greenland-type Wheatears and several White Wagtails were seen throughout the month, whilst late Sand Martins hung on to 30th and Sedge Warblers to 15th. Returning winter visitors included up to 3 Hen Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels and 5 Merlins as well as up to 16 Greenfinches (from 7th) and the first 2 Redwings at Balephuil (30th). Wildfowl passage included 168 Light-bellied Brent through (from 26th), 130 Whooper Swans, 300 Barnacle Geese and 120 Pinkfeet through (29th-30th) up to 8 Gadwall at Loch a’ Phuill (30th) and a Coot at Loch Bhasapol. Dr John Bowler Bird Sightings from the Isle of Tiree, Argyll: July 2009 Best bird by far was a Cory’s Shearwater off Scarinish (28th) – just the second for Tiree if confirmed, followed by a Spotted Redshank at Loch a’ Phuill (12th). Island scarcities included an early Sooty Shearwater off Hynish (31st), a Turtle Dove at Moss (to 2nd), a Woodpigeon at The Reef (10th), a Crossbill at Gott (9th) followed by 5 more at Carnan Mor (14th), 2 Lesser Redpolls (10th-12th), 4 Swifts (8th-29th), and 4 Sandwich Terns off Balemartine plus 1 at Loch a’ Phuill (25th). Return wader passage included 11 adult Knot (13th-21st), a Grey Plover at Mannal (26th), 14 Whimbrel (20th-23rd), 49 Black-tailed Godwits (from 12th) and up to 7 Greenshanks daily at Loch a’ Phuill (from 12th). Seawatching from Hynish in a strong SSE wind produced 19 Storm Petrels, whilst Manx Shearwaters peaked at 950 per hour off Aird (19th). Two Grasshopper Warblers reeled at one site all month, a fledged Water Rail was at Balephuil (16th) and both Puffins and House Martins bred for the first time. At least three Whooper Swans summered, whilst the first Kestrel (12th) and Hen Harrier (28th) returned. The final total of calling male Corncrakes was 392 – very similar to the 2008 figure. The Little Terns also did well again, producing some 40 fledglings from 2 sites, whilst fledged broods were noted of Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal. The seabirds appeared to be having a good breeding year for once, with dozens of Arctic Terns fledging at the month end, whilst the Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Shags and Kittiwakes also had good numbers of chicks. Dr John Bowler Bird Sightings from the Isle of Tiree, Argyll: June 2009 Best bird was the second-summer Laughing Gull at Loch a’ Phuill (13th), just the second record for Tiree and presumably the same bird that was seen on neighbouring Coll on 2nd. Other good birds included a male Bluethroat, the first for Tiree, at Kilkenneth (1st), a migrant female Red-necked Phalarope (13th), plus calling Quail (12th) and Spotted Crake (3rd-11th). Scarce island birds included a European White-fronted Goose paired to a Greylag Goose at Balinoe throughout, 2 drake Scaup at Loch Bhasapol (3rd), a Sandwich Tern off Caoles (14th), a rare June Kestrel at Ceann a’ Mhara (12th), Short-eared Owls at The Reef (10th) and Crossapol (27th), a Mealy Redpoll at Balephuil (2nd), up to 2 Turtle Doves at Moss (28th-30th) and a late 1st-summer Glaucous Gull at Ruaig (to 5th). Other late landbird migrants included 3 Swifts at Carnan Mor (1st), a Cuckoo (13th), 8 House Martins (to 30th), 2 Spotted Flycatchers (to 14th), a Blackcap at Balephuil (2nd), 7 Chiffchaffs (to 14th), and a very late (or early?) Robin at Balephuil (27th). Late passage waders included 3 Knot at Loch a’ Phuill
(13th), single Greenshank at Loch a’ Phuill (13th-15th) and Caoles (14th),
2 Black-tailed Godwits plus 3 Whimbrel at Loch Bhasapol (15th) and 2 Golden
Plover at The Reef (30th). The Corncrake census revealed some 386 calling
males, whilst other breeding records included the first apparent breeding
attempt on Tiree by Puffins at Ceann a’ Mhara, the first-ever breeding
attempt on Tiree by House Martins at Loch an Eilein, one pair of Common
Sandpipers, up to three pairs of Lesser Redpoll and several Pintail, Shoveler
and Gadwall broods.
Bird Sightings from the Isle of Tiree, Argyll: May 2009 Best bird was the female Red-necked Phalarope, which fed with Sanderling along the shore at Gott Bay (18th). Other good spring birds included Lesser Whitethroats at Carnan Mor (10th), Vaul (18th) and Balephetrish (18th), 4 Dotterel at the Green (6th-7th), up to 4 Mealy Redpolls at Balephuil (14th-31st), a Turtle Dove at Ruaig (25th), Siskins at Scarinish (10th) and Balephuil (30th), a Wood Sandpiper at Middleton (30th), a Short-eared Owl at Balevullin (31st) and a pair of wandering Marsh Harriers (17th-22nd). Rarer still however, was the leg-flagged Black-tailed Godwit at Heylipol (6th-7th), which having been ringed as a chick in Friesland, the Netherlands in May 2008, was the first confirmed record of a nominate-race bird from Scotland! Late gulls included a 1st-summer Iceland Gull at Clachan Mor (10th) and 1st-summer Glaucous Gulls at Hough Bay (7th) and Ruaig (8th-24th), whilst scarce terns included Sandwich Terns at Traigh Bhagh (13th-31st) and Gott Bay (17th-31st), up to 4 Common Terns (16th-21st) plus 3 adult Pomarine Skuas at Gott Bay (28th). Prolonged spells of SE winds brought good numbers of migrant passerines including some 40 House Martins with a record flock count of 9 at Balephuil (24th), 10 Spotted Flycatchers (from 18th), 9 Whitethroats (from 11th), 2 Garden Warblers (31st), 8 Blackcaps, 17 Chiffchaffs, 9 White Wagtails (to 11th), a Grey Wagtail (30th), a Whinchat (30th) and 2 late Robins (to 26th). Island scarcities included 6 Woodpigeons (14th-31st), an influx of some 25 Collared Doves, 3 Swifts (31st), up to 4 Lesser Redpolls at Balephuil (from 10th), a late male Snow Bunting at Balevullin Pools (24th-25th), late Chaffinches at Balephuil and Carnan Mor (11th-24th) and 7 Goldfinches (to 26th). There was strong wader passage with peaks at Gott Bay of 1,700 Sanderling (16th), 400 Ringed Plover (12th), 1,600 Dunlin (15th) and 64 Knot (16th), whilst there were 110 Whimbrel and 35 Black-tailed Godwits around the island (10th). Included in the wader passage were 2 fine red Curlew Sandpipers at Gott Bay (15th), 2 Ruff, a Grey Plover at Traigh Bhagh (15th), 55 Black-tailed Godwits and a high total of some 124 Knot. Late Great Northern Divers included a count of 31 (10th), whilst some 14 Whooper Swans lingered into the month. Other scarce waterfowl included a European White-front paired to a Greylag at Balinoe, a late Greenland White-front at Balephetrish (10th), a female Garganey at Balinoe (30th), at least 3 pairs of Gadwall, up to 2 Canada Geese and 25 Pale-bellied Brent (to 11th). Scarce breeders included 1 pair of Common Sandpipers and 4 reeling Grasshopper Warblers. Corncrakes returned in good numbers in the first two weeks of the month with several hundred calling males around the island. Dr John Bowler Tiree Sightings: April 2009 Best bird was the white-morph Gyrfalcon, which re-appeared at Balephetrish (6th) and then at Caoles (7th). The long-staying drake Ring-necked Duck remained at Loch an Eilein (to 10th) and was joined by a second drake Ring-necked Duck there (6th), which remained until 28th. Spring scarcities included a Jack Snipe at Balemartine (1st), a Pomarine Skua off Coll (1st), a Coal Tit at Mannal (11th-12th), a Brambling at Mannal (15th-16th), a drake Scaup at Loch Bhasapol (20th), a 1st-winter Iceland Gull at Loch Bhasapol (20th) and an early Woodpigeon at Balephuil (30th). Lingering Glaucous Gulls included 2nd-winter birds at Sorobaidh Bay (4th) and Baugh (15th), plus 1st-winter birds at Gott Bay (13th) and Sorobaidh Bay (20th). There were single Lesser Redpolls at Carnan Mor (17th) and Balephuil (29th-30th), whilst a strong passage of Greenland Wheatears and White Wagtails included day-totals of 60+ and 40+ respectively on 28th. Obvious passage included influxes of 440 Pale-bellied Brent (20th), 290 Black-tailed Godwits (21st) and up to 5,125 Golden Plover at The Reef (16th). Corncrakes returned from 9th with some 30 scattered males back by the month-end. The Greenland White-fronts mostly departed on 11th, whilst 1,400 Barnacle Geese departed at dusk from Ruaig (12th) but odd birds remained of both species at the month-end. Some 20 Goldfinches passed through, plus 8 Goldcrests (1st-11th), 9 Chaffinches, 5 Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs and 2 Dunnocks, whilst there were 49 Great Northern Divers in Hynish Bay (28th). Further returning migrants included House Martin (7th), Sandwich Tern (7th), Little Tern (14th), Willow Warbler (10th), Blackcap (11th), Cuckoo (17th), Arctic Tern (25th) Grasshopper Warbler (27th), Whimbrel (28th), Sedge Warbler (28th) and Common Sandpiper (29th), whilst up to 4 pairs of Gadwall was a good tally. Dr John Bowler Tiree Sightings: March 2009 Best bird was the white-morph Gyrfalcon at Kilmoluaig (24th-28th), the first confirmed record on Tiree since 1973. Other good birds included the long-staying drake Ring-necked Duck, which remained at Loch an Eilein all month with brief visits to Loch Bhasapol (17th and 28th), the female Surf Scoter, which re-appeared at Hough Bay (10th and 28th) and the small parvipes-type Canada Goose, which remained with Barnacle Geese in West Tiree (until at least 7th). Up to five Glaucous Gulls were seen at various sites all month, including an adult, a second-winter and three 1st-winter birds. A brief spell of warm settled weather brought some early spring migrants including 8 Goldcrests (from 15th), a singing Chiffchaff at Kilkenneth (17th) with another at Balephuil (21st), five male Wheatears at Beinn Hough (18th), a White Wagtail at Balephetrish Bay (23rd), a Sand Martin at Loch Bhasapol (26th), 2 Linnets at Cornaigbeg (30th) and a Swallow at Sorobaidh Bay (31st). There were further influxes of Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, plus some 250 Pied Wagtails by 18th, whilst Whooper Swan passage was noted (19th-30th). Up to 3,620 Golden Plovers gathered at The Reef (19th). Scarce wildfowl included one pair each of Gadwall and Pintail, plus up to 10 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay (15th) and two Moorhens at Balephuil all-month. An all-island count (17th-18th) found a total of 3,725 Barnacle Geese, as well as 979 Greenland White-fronts, 3,363 Greylags, 1-2 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Pale-bellied Brent. Dr John Bowler Tiree Sightings: February 2009 The adult drake Ring-necked Duck reappeared briefly at Loch an Eilein (16th-19th), whilst the female Surf Scoter remained at Hough Bay until 11th at least and the small parvipes-type Canada Goose remained with Barnacle Geese in West Tiree (until at least 18th). Bumper numbers of Glaucous Gulls remained from the January influx with birds seen all around the island all month and peak counts of 16 at Rubha Chraiginis (2nd) and 16 around the island (6th), plus two additional dead birds noted at Traigh Ghrianal (15th). Other winter scarcities included an unprecedented influx of 4 Mistle Thrushes to West Tiree (18th), a Woodcock at Carnan Mor (8th), 3 scattered Fieldfares and a wintering Dunnock at Kenovay. Some 150 Redwings remained with odd birds in sub-song on sunnier days, whilst wintering finches included at least 4 Greenfinches, 2 Chaffinches and 3 Goldfinches. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at Gott Bay (28th) and increasing numbers of Black-headed Gulls (from 12th) were the first real signs of spring. An all-island count (16th & 18th) found 3,362 Barnacle Geese, 691 Greenland White-fronts and 3,592 Greylags plus 6 Pink-footed Geese and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, as well as 137 Whooper Swans, 4,910 Lapwing and 2,960 Golden Plover. Scarce waterfowl included 2 Coot at Loch Bhasapol (26th), a drake Pochard at Loch Riaghain (16th), a Gadwall at Loch an Eilein (16th) and an immature Scaup at Loch a’ Phuill (6th-8th). Raptors included up to 3 Hen Harriers, the odd Merlin, 4 Kestrel, 4 Sparrowhawk and 3 Peregrine throughout. High wader counts included 53 Purple Sandpipers at Salum Bay (14th), 240 Turnstones at Loch a’ Phuill (16th), 145 Ringed Plovers at Balepherish Bay (10th) and 70 Sanderling at Ruaig (16th). Dr John Bowler Tiree Sightings: January 2009 A Kingfisher at Ard Ear (1st-3rd) was the first for the island and arrived during hard frosts on the mainland. Two new 1st-winter drake Ring-necked Ducks arrived at Loch Riaghain (12th-19th) after a westerly gale, whilst the adult drake Ring-necked Duck became more mobile around the western lochs and was last seen at Loch a’ Phuill (19th). The female Surf Scoter remained throughout with up to 15 Long-tailed Ducks at Hough Bay, whilst a small parvipes-type Canada Goose was with Barnacle Geese in West Tiree (from 8th). Record numbers of Glaucous Gulls arrived with a minimum of 15 birds (3 adults, 7x2nd-winters and 5x1st-winters) around west Tiree (31st) plus a further dead 1st-winter bird at Traigh Ghrianal. An immature Sea Eagle was at Caoles (1st), whilst Winter Atlas work picked up 2 Woodcocks at Ard Ear (3rd), 2 Jack Snipe at Port Ban (3rd), 3 Snow Buntings at Hough Bay (4th), 5 scattered Fieldfares, a wintering Dunnock at Kenovay (15th), up to 4 Pied Wagtails, a dead Carrion Crow at Traigh Ghrianal (23rd) and a hybrid CarrionxHooded Crow at Salum (26th). Some 120 Redwings remained with odd birds in sub-song on sunnier days, whilst wintering finches included at least 13 Greenfinches, 10 Chaffinches and 6 Goldfinches. An all-island count (12th-13th) found 3,118 Barnacle Geese, 690 Greenland White-fronts and 3,620 Greylags plus 5 Pink-footed Geese and a large race Canada Goose, as well as 2,980 Lapwing and 3,120 Golden Plover. Scarce waterbirds included 2 Coot and a Little Grebe at Loch Bhasapol, a Gadwall at Loch an Eilein (4th-19th), 28 Shoveler, 6 Pintail at Loch Riaghain and 3 Grey Plovers. Raptors included up to 3 Hen Harriers, 6 Merlin, 3 Kestrel, 4 Sparrowhawk and 2 Peregrine throughout. High wader counts included 60 Purple Sandpipers at Hough Bay (4th), 160 Turnstones at Balephetrish Bay (12th), 195 Ringed Plovers at Sorobaidh Bay (15th) and 190 Sanderling at Hough Bay (4th). Dr John Bowler
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