Western Isles Wildlife

07/04/2026

Just under a week back in Uist after another excellent trip to southern Cyprus. This year there were good numbers of warblers with masses of Eastern Bonelli's and plenty of the stunning Ruppell's Warbler to keep everyone happy. Both Semicollared and Collared Flycatchers were seen well as well as Baillon's, Little and Spotted Crake. Each year the last week of March / early April produces a nice array of birds and the odd local rarity. This year the rares came in the form of a Trumpeter Finch (which is now apparently annual) and a female / immature Desert Finch; that happened to be within walking distance of the hotel.

Next year we'll be making our way back from 24th - 31st March if you fancy a week looking at some great birds, stunning flowers and some welcome sunshine.

10/03/2026

Managed to get a couple of shots of the Taiga Bean Goose in Benbecula this morning. Nice comparison with the Greylags.

08/03/2026

08/03/2026

Weather's pretty atrocious in the Outer Hebs at the moment but the birding is decent at least. A fine adult Bonaparte's Gull brightened this morning at Ardivachar, S Uist whilst a quick trip around Benbecula yesterday produced a Taiga Bean Goose and no fewer than 6 Ring-necked Ducks!

28/12/2025

Taiga Bean Geese hanging out with the Greylags by Loch Sandary this afternoon.

07/10/2025

There have been lots of Baird's Sandpipers on this side of the Atlantic this autumn with this individual being the 2nd at Loch Paible, North Uist this year. Hundreds of Barnacle Geese are also back with a Cackling Goose amongst them also at Loch Paible today.

06/10/2025

There's a lot of good things about the Outer Hebrides but generally not the weather! It's been a challenging autumn with many windy and wet days and today was no different. Despite the dreich and later very wet conditions we managed 2 White-rumped Sandpipers at Ardivachar, South Uist; and a Grey Phalarope and Little Auk in Stinky Bay. Was very surprised to see the Little Auk fly into the bay but even more so when it flew inland 10 minutes later!

13/09/2025

A couple of Grey Phalaropes hanging around in Stinky Bay, Benbecula this afternoon. They're an absolute delight to be with.

12/09/2025

We've had gales for the last week but yesterday really went for it with 70 mph winds and torrential rain. Today was still breezy but at least the monsoon had relented. It was great for Sabine's Gulls with 7 juveniles seen off Ardvule alone, plus others including a confiding bird at Ardivachar. The latter site also holds masses of Curlew Sandpipers at the moment with over 100 in the area today plus many more scattered around Uist. An adult Mediterranean Gull at Ardivachar was the first I'd seen for some time out here whilst other goodies included a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Leach's Petrel and several Grey Phalaropes. A few passerines were also noted today which was a even more of a surprise. More here: https://www.western-isles-wildlife.co.uk/Templates/latest_sightings_outer_hebrides_birds.html

08/09/2025

Autumn is certainly well under way in the Outer Hebrides with 64 mph in South Uist yesterday and 40 odd mph today; as well as a searing 15 degrees! What was nice this morning was a gathering of 33 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint amongst the regular waders in North Bay, South Uist this morning.

Oh and by the way there are still a couple of spaces on our Cyprus tour in March 2026 available.

21/08/2025

After a few days leading day trips in Uist in beautiful (but somewhat unproductive) weather; today turned into one of the better ones. Loads of White-tailed Eagles including a family party with 2 juveniles showing very well on Benbecula. A brief Otter also in Benbecula as well as a juvenile Ruff and Hen Harrier before we moved on to South Uist. 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off Ardivachar, another WTEagle at Loch Bee and a Golden Eagle south of Kildonan; as well as another Hen Harrier. Final stop on the coast at Kildonan when a buzzing wagtail with 2 white wing bars flew off into a drain. Following it up, no sign but back on the beach - there it was a lovely young Citrine Wagtail, the piece de resistance; well at least it was for me!

05/08/2025

What better way to spend a windy day on North Uist than sat on an exposed headland staring out to sea? 4 hours at Griminish Point this morning produced 13 Sooty Shearwaters, a Pomarine Skua and a fine adult Sabine's Gull (OK the photo is sh*te!). Also several small mixed flocks of waders passing the headland including Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Golden Plover. None of the waders came towards the land and all headed west - south-west off-shore in the force 8 North Westerly. A Tufted Duck also flew past along with a summer plumage Great Northern Diver and 6 Common Scoters.