Birds of North Uist
Most of the birds were seen within a few miles of Struan Cottage. We
didn't bird watch very intensively and enjoyed what came our way. The whole
area of Vallay Strand was wonderful for birds and we also greatly enjoyed
2 visits to Balranald. We were just too late for Terns and for hearing
Corncrake and somehow we managed to miss out on a North Uist Golden Eagle,
as well as one or two commoner species. The highlight was the massed waders
just down from the Arctic, many still in
breeding plumage. For example a high tide gathering on a small section
of the strand at Malacleit held 70 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Knot, 60+ Ringed
plover, 21 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, 8 Redshank,
2 Greenshank. I've rarely seen anything as lovely as the 2 Greenshank all
flighty, nervous and highly-strung dashing amongst the plodding Godwits.
But throughout the holiday we had memorable views of many other species
showing wonderfully in the Hebridean light and landscape, (we were blessed
with superb weather).
Species List (64)
Red-throated Diver close views of a pair on roadside loch viewed from
passing place at 760748(OS)
Little Grebe
Fulmar
Manx Shearwater
many off Ard Runair (Balranald)
Gannet
so common, but we could watch them all day!
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Mallard
Tufted Duck
Eider
Red-breasted Merganser
Shelduck
on last night a flock of 24 made a sunset landing on the strand in front
of the cottage
Greylag goose
numbers increasing during the week
Mute Swan
200 + at Loch Portain were spectacular
Whooper Swan
just 1 at Griminis - had it summered here?
Buzzard
Hen Harrier
superb view of ringtail with prey on moor at 740748(OS)
Peregrine
one at Balranald
Merlin
several sightings... best a really close view hunting pipits on Solas golf
course
Kestrel
Quail
a surprise! calling in cornfield at Balranald
Coot
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Ringed Plover
Grey Plover
mostly adults in stunning breed plumage - a "passage" - 6,42,21,2 on successive
days
Golden Plover
up to 150 on Solas golf course
Snipe
Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
some in breeding plumage: numbers noticeably increasing during our week
Redshank
Greenshank
always 2-3 in front of the cottage, feeding in the channels
Knot
some in breeding plumage
Dunlin
amazingly tame! walked on the strand with them at my feet!
Sanderling
small numbers, just beginning to arrive
Great Skua
one flying across the strand near beginning of our week
Arctic Skua
once only (weather was too settled most of week for much skua passage)
Grt Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Common Gull
Black-headed Gull
Kittiwake
Guillemot
Rock Dove
lovely to see these really "pure" Rock Doves
Collared Dove
group near cottage
Short-eared Owl
several sightings near cottage
Skylark
Swallow
a group just once near Hosta (presumably passing through)
Raven
Hooded crow
not very common?? (though was so on Harris)
Wren
Blackbird
Wheatear
Stonechat
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Starling
Greenfinch
a surprise! Young being fed at Malacleit
Twite
lots of family parties
Corn Bunting
what a delight to hear and see them! No longer with us back home.
House Sparrow
2001 Malcolm and Lesley Lindsay - Galashiels