HEBRIDEAN BIRDS - WESTERN ISLES BIRD SIGHTINGS
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Email: chris@gcwweb.com
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Blackbirds |
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Blackbirds can be seen pretty much anywhere in the UK - still they are pretty - and they are often one of the first species to start singing in the morning and one of the last to stop singing in the evenings in The Western Isles..
Lovely black birds with yellow bills. is male reed bunting with its distinct black head and throat with white moustache is lovely. The blackbirds here love the Stornoway Castle grounds there is so much woodland etc
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Blackbird - Stornoway
Ref:Bla1000 |
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Blue Tit |
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The blue tit - a lovely bird - now starting to frequent the Stornoway Castle Grounds and indeed the surrounding areas near Stornoway - Western Isles. It has a small, rounded head without an obvious neck.
The crown is blue on a white head which also has a black stripe through the eye. Underparts are yellow with a narrow grey stripe in the centre of the belly. In winter they form flocks with other tit species |
Blue Tit - Stornoway
Ref:BLU1000 |
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Buntings - Reed Bunting |
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This male reed bunting with its distinct black head and throat with white moustache is lovely. Reed buntings are more solitary than most buntings and finches but in winter can join up with mixed flocks feeding on farmland.
They are similar in size to a house sparrow but the underparts are streaked and the outer tail feathers are white. The legs and bill are dark brown. This one we spotted at Dalbeg - Isle of Lewis - April 2009 |
Reed Bunting - Dalbeg
Ref:BUN1000 |
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Buntings - Snow Bunting |
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Snow buntings - Western Isles - These birds - so pretty - many spend the winter here - then go off to Scandinavia or Greenland - although there are a few that actually breed here.
Snow buntings are quite large for buntings with long wings. When the snow bunting flies you can see the large white wing patches. |
Snow Bunting - Huisinis
Ref:SNO1000 |
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Buzzards |
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You can often see a buzzard flying high in the Western Isles. These are birds of prey eat mice and other small rodents, rabbits, young birds and reptiles. & hunt by pouncing from a low hover or a perch and eat rabbits which are plentiful here. Buzzards are actually the commonest birds of prey in the UK.
Persecution of the Common Buzzard started a long time ago in the UK. Henry VIII made egg stealing illegal, but excluded buzzards. |
Buzzard - Western Isles
Ref: buz930 |
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Chaffinch |
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These beautiful birds the chaffinches are actually uncommon breeders in the western isles. The lovely Stornoway Castle grounds have facilitated this becoming more frequent in The Isle of Lewis.
It does not feed openly on bird feeders - it prefers to hop about under the bird table or under the hedge. We saw this one just outside our kitchen window.
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Chaffinch - Newmarket
Ref: cha3006 |
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Cormorants |
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We saw this cormorant whilst driving down the main road from Stornoway to Tarbert - the rain wasn't bothering the bird at all . With its long neck it almost looks reptilian - Apr 10 2009.
The cormorant stands at nearly one metre and has a reputation for being greedy fishers, stealing fish The cormorant nests in colonies on cliff tops and beside rivers and lakes, sometimes even in trees. |
Cormorant
Ref:c2000 |
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Crows - Hooded Crows |
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You will see these hooded crows all over England and Scotland including the Western Isles.
The hooded crows are related to the carrion crow - they feed on dead animals. Unlike crows they can be more sociable in the feeding habits and groups of them may be seen together in fields. |
Hooded Crow
Ref:HOO2002 |
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Curlew |
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We saw this curlew near Scarista on The Isle of Harris. These delicate looking birds can often be seen around The Western Isles. The Curlew is the largest European wader.
Curlews can be found in numerous places, coastal marshes, beaches and high moorland, the call of the curlew rather than its beak is the origin of the "species" name.
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Curlew - Scarista Apr 10 2009
Ref:CU:2000 |
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Divers - Great Northern Diver |
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The great northern diver, usually breeds in Iceland, however occasionally we are luck enough to see it breed in the Western Isles and Northern Scotland in April - June.
Its plumage during the breeding season is quite spectacular being a chequered pattern, during the winter months it is a little more dull. It can dive to a depth of 200ft (60m)
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Great Northern Diver
Ref:GRT1000 |
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Divers - Red Throated Diver |
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The red-throated diver has a grey-brown plumage and up-tilted bill - in the summer it has the distinguished red throat. its up-curved bill is usually held pointing upwards. These birds can be seen in the lochs in The Western Isles
Most of the year these birds are in their non breeding garb with a grey cap, mottled greyish back and clean white face,throat and neck. |
Red Throated Diver
Ref:REDTH1000 |
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Doves - Collared Dove |
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The Collared Dove is small, slim dove with quite a long tail. These birds have fared extraordinarily well since it first colonized Britain in the mid 1950s. The collared doves are white with pinkish-buff plumage and a distinctive black collar edged with white.
The wingtips are dark grey, the bill grey and the feet brown-red. In flight, the tail is black with a broad white band at the end
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Collared Dove
Ref:CD:2000 |
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Ducks - Eider Ducks |
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These birds the eiders are seen in several areas of the Western Isles, one particular area is at Col - The Isle of Lewis. They have large heads and massive bills.
The Common Eider is characterised by its bulky shape and large wedge-shaped bill. The male is unmistakable with its black and white plumage and green nape.(the reverse of the usual sea bird plumage The female is a mixture of rich browns.
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Eiders
Ref:EIR1002 |
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Ducks - Tufted Ducks |
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These diving ducks - the tufted ducks - medium sized birds - are the most widespread duck in Britain. The distinctive male bird - is jet black - flanks and belly white - the head with a purple gloss has yellow eyes and a long head tuft.
These birds breed in the UK and Scotland. Here in the Western Isles - there are more birds that breed on the Uists - but a few do so on The Isle of Harris and The Isle of Lewis.
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Tufted Ducks
Ref:TUF2002 |
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Dunlin |
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Dunlins - small wading birds which pass through the Western Isles on their way to the Arctic. Very adaptable birds seen in Scotland and The Western Isles - happy on the beaches - coastal or freshwater marshes and even riverbanks.
The dunlin has a slightly down curved bill and a black belly in the summer months. The dunlin has a distinctive call which sounds like a "pea whistle"
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Dunlin
Ref:DUN1000 |
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Eagles - Golden Eagle |
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Western Isles Birds -Bird Sightings - Golden Eagles - The golden eagle is a very large bird of prey with a wingspan of more than 2 metres.
Bird sightings in the Western Isles - Scotland. There have been quite a few sightings of golden eagles, throughout The Isle of Harris, The Isle of Lewis and the Uists. This one we saw at Luskentyre Jun 2009 - pity we couldn't be closer
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Golden Eagle
Ref:GOLD:1001 |
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Eagles - White Tailed Sea Eagles |
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Britains largest bird of prey - The magnificent white tailed sea eagles, extinct until recently, when birds have been introduced from Norway..
Bird sightings in the Western Isles - Scotland. These birds are even larger than the golden eagles, These large eagles have a wingspan of over two and a half metres (the golden eagle reaches at most 2 metres)
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White Tailed Eagle
Ref:WHI:1001 |
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Fieldfare - Thrushes |
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The Fieldfare is a member of the thrush family Turdidae. These lovely thrushes are much like the mistle thrushes. They stand very upright, they are social birds spending the winter in flocks.
These fieldfares nest in large groups, which helps then fight predators like large crows, they all together take to the air, bombarding the predator with excretia - and are very good with their aim
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Fieldfare
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Fulmar |
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This fulmar looked magnificent in flight just off the Butt of Lewis - Western Isles - April 2009. Fulmars look like gulls but their grey wings have pale patches in the primaries and are always held stiffly, either horizontally or slightly bowed.
The whiteness of their bodies and relative thickness of their head gives them the nickname of 'flying milk bottle'.
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Fulmar - Butt of Lewis
Ref:FU:2000 |
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Gannet |
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At sea the gannets flap and then glide low over the water, often travelling in small groups. The only thing that stops their slow glide and relaxed flying is when they spot some food.
When this happens the gannet then gains height to 30m (100 ft) or more above the surface of the sea and then after checking - the gannet tumbles into a spectacular nosedive, closing their wings at the last moment making a huge splash on impact.
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Gannet - Traigh Nhor
Ref: GA2000 |
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Geese - Canada Goose |
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This goose is a large goose, with a distinctive black head and neck and large white throat patch or "chin strap". The white chin strap stretches from cheek to cheek.
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They can be seen in England all year round but rarely in The Hebrides and The Western Isles. Occasional birds of small races are seen with other wild geese species in N Ireland and W Scotland from time to time
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Canada Goose
Ref:GR:3000 |
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Geese - Greylag Goose |
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This bird - the greylag goose was seen in a beautiful setting on The Isle of Lewis - Garry - May 27 2009 early evening.. These birds are ancestors or the domestic goose and can be seen just about anywhere in The Isle of Harris and Lewis
Greylags are sociable gregarious birds, breeding in groups and building their nests in a variety of places including hollows in the moorland and in floating vegetation in the water.
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Greylag Goose
Ref:GR:2000 |
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Goldeneye - Duck |
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This duck - a lovely bird seen across the Western Isles and Scotland is a slightly chunky duck. The goldeneye has a dome shaped head and is shot necked.
The male has a dark green - almost black head and the bright yellow eye.(hence the name). It has a distinctive white patch on its cheek at the base of the black bill. Its plumage is black and white
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Goldeneye
Ref:GOL:2000 |
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Greenfinches - Western Isles Birds Sightings |
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The greenfinch is a rather thickset finch - olive green with prominent yellow wing flashes. These pretty birds are regulars in the western isles. They love sunflower seeds.The birds song is a mix of twittering notes.
The greenfinches are generally quarrelsome and fiercely threaten other birds - their wings raised and slightly apart - their tail fanned and their bill wide open.
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Greenfinch
Ref:Gre:3001 |
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Greenshanks |
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The greenshank - a medium-sized slim grey wader with long legs , upturned bill, a a dark grey back and white under parts. Its long green legs and slightly up-turned bill help to distinguish it from other waders.
This elegant bird can be seen in the shallow waters feeding alongside the smaller redshanks in the Western isles.
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Greenshank
Ref:Gre:1000 |
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Grouse - Red Grouse - Western Isles Birds |
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The red grouse - seen in the Western Isles - a russet, hen-sized bird with a longish neck and short beak. Males in full breeding finery have hot-red wattles above each eye.
It is different from other members of the grouse family with its reddish brown plumage and lack of a white winter coat
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Red Grouse
Ref:GRO:3000 |
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Guillemot - Black Guillemot |
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These Striking black and white plumaged birds have red feet. You can see them all year round. They eat fish and crustaceans.
In the summer these birds are truly black except for bright red highlights on the legs, feet and inside the mouth. In winter their under parts become white and the upper parts mottled grey. This one was spotted on THe Butt of Lewis
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Black Guillemot
Ref:GUI:2000 |
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Guillemot |
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This bird has black and white plumage - with black legs. It has a long slender unmarked bill - when resting it stands upright and can look somewhat like a "penguin". Its head back and upper wings are black-brown - whilst its underparts are pure white. Some birds have a white ring around heir black eyes.
They are amazing in that they nest in colonies very high on very narrow cliff ledges and the young chicks - with wings only half formed jump to the sea
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Guillemot
Ref:GUI:8000 |
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Gulls |
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There are many different type of gulls that can be found on the islands. The Western Isles is a great place to study more closely the gulls.
From common gulls, herring gulls, black headed gulls, the great black backed gull, iceland gulls and many more. As I learn more and photograph the different types of gulls that we see on The Isle of Lewis and Harris I see that many of these birds are really very attractive. |
Herring Gull
Ref:g2003 |
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Kittiwake |
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The kittiwakes - lovely gentle birds - although on face value - these birds look like gulls, they are an altogether more gentle bird than the gulls.
Kittiwakes spend no time harassing other birds (as the gulls do) - these birds seen here in The Western Isles - really are sea birds - keeping a healthy lifestyle in the marine air.
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Kittiwake - Isle of Lewis Ref:KIT1000 |
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Herons |
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These large and striking birds the grey herons can be spotted standing motionless at the water's edge, waiting patiently for prey. You will see them almost anywhere on the Western Isles - from Harris, Lewis, Great Bernera and North Uist.
Grey herons are usually solitary although there may others nearby. It usually feeds close to the bank or shore, but may wade out into shallow water as can be seen on the detail page - where we caught shots of a gull fighting a heron for its fish.
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Grey Heron - Isle of Lewis - Apr 2009 Ref:2044 |
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Lapwings |
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The Lapwing breeds Mar - June - has up to 4 eggs, incubation period is 26 - 29 days and the young fledge at 35 - 40 days. The lapwing nests on the ground. re are many different type of gulls that can be found on the islands.
Lapwings can be seen all over the Western Isles. You can see these lovely birds both on The Isle of Lewis and The Isle of Harris - particularly near Scarista - where this one was seen. This one I was happy to find was the first sighting this year of a lapwing chick on the Islands.
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Lapwing and Chick - May 2009
Ref : L9001 |
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Mallards |
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Mallards - large heavy looking ducks.Seen throughout The Western isles as indeed they are in Scotland and the UK. Lovely looking birds.
The male is unmistakably with its bottle green head, yellow bill, white collar and magenta breast. The female is an inconspicuous brown - except for her yellowish bill and orange legs, she is almost all brown
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Mallards
Ref : MAL100 |
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Red Breasted Merganser |
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These lovely diving ducks - belong to the saw bill family with their long serrated bills which they use to catch fish.
They are quite widespread birds in the Western Isles and throughout Scotland - sightings of these birds are commonplace - with the males often displaying to the females in the spring
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Red Breasted Merganser
Ref:RED2055 |
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Oyster Catchers |
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The Hebrides has an extraordinary diversity of birds - including the enigmatic oyster catchers. The oyster catchers have black and white plumage and long orange-red bills.
In the summer here in The Western Isles these birds are one of the most widely distributed of the wading birds, breeding along the coast and also inland in the fields, near rivers and on loch shores.
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Oyster Catcher Scarista
Ref:2015 |
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Pheasant |
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The Pheasant - bird sightings Western Isles - Scotland . Although this bird is commonplace in other parts of the UK - here in The Isle of Harris and Lewis it is quite rare.
Really a beautiful game bird the Males have rich chestnut, golden-brown and black markings on body and tail, and an unmistakable iridescent dark green head and red face wattling.
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Pheasant - Harris
Ref:PHEA1000 |
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Pipits - Meadow Pipit |
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Western Isles Birds - Meadow Pipits - small birds that look a little like small song thrushes. You can see them all over the islands - a delightful bird for the Hebrides. Bird sightings in the Western Isles.
The meadow pipit has mainly brown above and buff below, with darker streaking on most of its plumage. It has pale pink legs and a thin bill
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Meadow Pipit
Ref:MEA1000 |
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Pipits - Rock Pipit |
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This little rock pipit is one of the most common birds to be found around the coast on Great Bernera in the Western Isles. Spotted it in April 2009. The rock pipit is a little larger than a meadow pipit - smaller than a starling.
The rock pipits are strikingly dark birds, so much so that the black streaks on their underparts become almost lost in a dark grey-brown wash.
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Rock Pipit
Ref:ROC1000 |
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Plovers - Golden Plovers |
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Although there are some resident birds in The Western isles - in winter these golden plovers are joined by immigrants from the North and East with flocks of several thousand not being uncommon.
Adults leave their breeding grounds between July-August, followed later by juveniles, and begin to arrive in their wintering areas - here in The Western Isles - mainly between October-November.
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Golden Plover - Ness
Ref: GOLD4000 |
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Plovers - Ringed Plovers - Golden Plovers |
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We saw this lovely ringed plover at Tolsta, The Isle of Lewis - on the Traigh Mhor beach May 5th 2009. The plovers are short dumpy wading birds that breed on the beaches and coast around The Western Isles sometimes also breeding inland.
The ringed plovers and the golden plovers can be seen on both The Isle of Harris and Lewis.. Many UK birds live here all year round, but birds from Europe winter in Britain and birds from Greenland and Canada pass through on migration
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Ringed Plover - Tolsta
Ref;PL2000 |
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Puffins |
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We saw this puffin whilst travelling out of Tarbert on May 12th. Puffins are in Britain from March to August. Its easy to identify a puffin with its stocky build and large head - red and yellow striped bill. The sides of the head are white - in winter these are grey. The young have grey cheeks and a small bill.
These birds breed April to July - laying just one egg - the puffins nest in burrows in dense colonies. Beautifully stunning birds seen in The Western Isles.
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Puffin
Re:PU2000 |
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Ravens |
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We saw this raven on The Isle of Scalpay - Harris - Western Isles June 2009. The ravens are large black birds - the similar size as buzzards - the really do look quite majestic.
These birds have and still are the subject of great folklore and legendry tales - they are still kept in The Tower of London. Also Edgar Allen Poe wrote a famous poem about a raven (see detail page).
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Raven
Re:RAV1000 |
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Redshanks |
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Redshanks - beautifully elegant western isles birds - these birds have long bright orange-red legs, bills with red base - a medium sized wader. It is grey-brown above and whitish below.
In flight, it shows very obvious white rear edges to the wings and a white 'V-shape' up its back.
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Redshank - Scarista
Ref;PL2000 |
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Redwings |
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These birds really are pretty thrush like birds - although there are a few that breed in Scotland - many of these birds arrive in the Western Isles in October to spend the winter here. THey have usually come from Iceland
Redwings also have red flanks and red underwing which give the species its name.
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Redwing - Isle of Lewis
Ref : RED3002 |
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Robins |
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The lovely bird, seen here in the Western Isles and indeed throughout Britain - , the robin is about the size of a sparrow. It has of course as everyone knows a magnificent red breast.
Both the males and females have the red breasts., bordered by pale blue-grey feathers. The upperparts are an olive brown. These birds are rotund with large dark eyes
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Robin - Isle of Lewis
Ref : ROB1000 |
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Rooks |
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In The Western Isles - rooks argent actually all that common - they are an uncommon resident breeder - only up to around 100 pairs in Stornoway Castle Grounds.
There are recorded low numbers of winter visitors each year - probably from Scandinavia.Roks have bare dirty white bills and steep foreheads and glossy black plumage
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Rook - Newmarket
Ref : ROO1000 |
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Sandpipers - Common Sandpiper |
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Western Isles Birds - Common Sandpipers - You can see them all over the islands - a delightful bird for the Hebrides. Bird sightings in the Western Isles. A small short legged and short billed wading bird - bill with a pale base and dark tip. We spotted this one near Uig - Western Isles Jun2009
This birds upper parts are olive brown, finely spotted - the neck and sides of breast are grey-brown - the underparts are white.
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Sandpiper - Isle of Lewis
Ref : SAN1000 |
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Sanderlings |
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These little wading birds have a characteristic habit of running along the tideline.They are only passing through the Western Isles on their way to The Arctic, where they breed. These were on Mangersta Beach - Isle of Lewis May 2009
A little larger than a Dunlin with a short straight bill. non breeding or summer plumage when here in the Western Isles - silver grey above - mainly white below - black legs and black bills
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Sanderlings - Mangersta
Ref : Sand2000 |
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Shags |
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Shags are quite prolific in THe Western Isles. These primeval looking birds are really quite splendid and their displays are interesting to watch. Shags at the nest often hiss with wide-open bills, exposing their bright yellow mouths.
Shags leap clear of the water when diving for fish.When swimming the shag holds its head horizontal.
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Shag - Butt of Lewis
Ref:SH2000 |
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Shelducks |
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The shelduck is a mainly white duck, larger than a mallard but smaller than geese such as the greylags.. It has a particularly large prominent red bill, an elongated head, black-green, and chestnut and white upperparts. In flight, shelducks look heavy and have slow-beating wings.
The plumage is boldly patterned, They have chestnut brown belt around the forepart of the body and a belly stripe. The shelduck has pink legs.
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Shelducks - Harris
Ref:SH2200 |
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Skuas - Arctic Skuas |
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Arctic Skuas - very powerful majestic seabirds - seen here in The Western Isles. There are two forms or "morphs" - one being almost totally a dark chocolate brown colour - except for the white on the wing tips and the other having a pale cream belly and yellow cheeks.
Very powerful birds - these seabirds actual harass other birds into dropping their prey.
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Arctic Skua - Garry
Ref:ARCS1001 |
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Siskins |
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These little birds are a delight to see - and perhaps they are becoming a little more regular here in The Western Isles - they may be nesting in the nearby Stornoway Castle Grounds
The siskin - a small lively bird, a finch largely green and yellow. Male has a black cap, chin and throat. This bird has yellow wing flashes and a yellow rump and a notched tail which can be seen in flight.
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Siskin - Newmarket
Ref:SIS2001 |
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Stonechats |
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This juvenile stonechat was standing perched on the top of a fencepost on the dune tops at Traigh Mhor - Tolsta. You can often see these delightful birds on The Western Isles. There was actually another youngster with it (see more info and pics). These small dumpy birds with a habit of standing upright and staying still on perches.
In all probability the male adult would have been somewhere close - whilst the adult female may have actually been nesting as stonechats have several broods.
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Stonechat - Northton
Ref:ST2007 |
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Snipes - Common Snipe |
(Click Image for More Details)
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The Snipes - which are frequently seen in The Western Isles - medium sized, wading birds with short legs and long straight bills. Both the males and the females are mottled brown above with black markings and whitish stripes. Common snipe have a fast - zig zag flight pattern such that they can outmaneuver any predators.
These birds were popular with the "shooting" fraternity - mainly because of their zig zag flight - they provided a challenge for the shooters..
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Common Snipe
Ref:SNI2000 |
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STARLING |
(Click Image for More Details)
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These birds the starlings are smaller than blackbirds - from a distance they too look black - but closer up you can clearly see that they are very shiny and have greens and purple and browns in their colourings.
The starlings have short tails - pointed heads. Starlings have strong feet, their flight is strong and direct, and they are gregarious These birds believe it or not - were a rarity in Scotland in the 80's and are only just now becoming common again.In winter they are joined by their European neighbours.
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Starling
Ref:STA1001 |
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Swans - Whooper Swans |
(Click Image for More Details))
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This whooper swan was seen at Dalbeg - Isle of Lewis Easter Sunday April 2009. Whooper swans breed May - July - has 3-6 eggs - the incubation period is 35 -42 days and the young fledge at 3 months.
The Whooper Swan is larger than a Bewick swan, has a, longer neck and larger amount of yellow on the bill. In silhouette, it has a straighter, less-bowed neck and holds its head more horizontally than the Mute Swan.
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Whopper Swan - dalbeg
Ref : SW2000 |
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Shelduck |
(Click Image for Larger Picture)
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The Shelduck, larger than a mallard, smaller than the greylag geese. Handsome birds with a red bill (and knob),with bright chestnut breast-band and undertail - they are actually seems to fit midway between a duck and a goose.
The most frequent nest site is an old rabbit hole although the shelducks will use other natural holes.
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Shelduck - Scarista
Ref:SHE2000 |
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Teal |
(Click Image for Larger Picture)
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These birds the teals are a Resident Breeder in the Western Isles - also Passage/Winter Visitors.
The teal is the smallest dabbling duck in Scotland and indeed Britain. Teals fly in dense flocks - flying quickly and low.
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Teal
Ref:TEA2000 |
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Terns - Arctic Terns |
(Click Image for More Details))
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Arctic Terns - medium sized tern - white with a black cap and red bill. These lovely terns can be seen all over the Western Isles - on both The Isle of Harris and The Isle of Lewis and have started a breeding colony at Gress near Tolsta.
The arctic terns look similar to common terns except that they have a totally red bill (no black tip as in the common terns) and the tail streamers in the Arctic terns are longer.
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Arctic Tern
Ref:ARC1000 |
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Terns - Common Terns |
(Click Image for More Details))
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Terns - Common Terns - Hebridean Birds - Western Isles Birds - Birdlife and Bird Sightings in the Hebrides - Common Terns - greyish plumage - smart black cap and long dagger shaped red bill. It has a long, strongly forked tail and supremely angular wings with the sharp tips that distinguish tem from other gulls.
These lovely terns can be seen all over the Western Isles - on both The Isle of Harris and The Isle of Lewis.
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Common Terns
Ref:TER20006 |
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Tits - Coal Tit |
(Click Image for More Details)
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Western Isles Birds - Coal Tits - are an uncommon resident breeder - mainly appear on The Isle of Lewis.
The coal tit has a distinctive grey back, black cap, and white patch at the back of its neck. Its smaller, more slender bill than blue or great tits means it can feed more successfully in conifers.
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Coal Tit - Newmarket
Ref:COA2000 |
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Thrush - Song Thrush |
(Click Image for More Details)
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Yes one of the commonest birds to be found in Scotland and The Uk. This little bird was actually flying around and landing on the rocks at Garry Beach - Tolsta - May 2009. In recent years however this species bird with the delightful song has shown declines.
Snails form a large part of its diet and it often uses a rock or stone to break open the shells.
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Song Thrush
Ref:ST2000 |
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Turnstone |
(Click Image for More Details)
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Turnstone - Hebridean Birds Sightings - Western Isles Birds - Birdlife and Birds in the Hebrides. Turnstones - A small colourful shore bird - smaller than a redshank, turnstones have a characteristic tortoiseshell mottled appearance with brown or chestnut and black upperparts.
These birds have a brown and white or black and white head pattern. These birds are dumpy - their underparts are white and the legs are orange yellow. They have a short pointed bill - sometimes slightly upturned.
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Turnstone
Ref:ST2000 |
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Twite |
(Click Image for More Details)
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Twite - lovely small finch like birds. These birds found all over The Western Isles elsewhere in Southern England and Ireland were in severe decline. They are unusual in that they feed their young on seeds
In some areas of Southern England, these birds are quite rare. Here in The Western Isles they are often seen..
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Twite
Ref:TW2000 |
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Wagtails - Pied Wagtail |
(Click Image for More Details)
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We spotted this at Shawbost beach. The pied wagtails nest in open holes. They run about picking up insects and making short fly-catching flights.The pied wagtail is a slender bird has mostly black, grey and white plumage with a white face,
black cap and black throat.
As the name 'wagtail' suggests the long tail is constantly wagging up and down, this is perhaps a signal to other wagtails or a warning to predators
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Pied Wagtail
Ref:WAG1000 |
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Waxwing |
(Click Image for More Details)
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These lovely cockatoo like birds are just winter Visitors to the Western Isles. Usually they are only seen in small numbers - however there are odd years when an "irruption" occurs as we are seeing in 2010..
They love to feed on berries and really only visit Britain when the food sources in their own countries in Northern Europe run low.
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Waxwing
Ref:WAX1000 |
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Wheatears |
(Click Image for More Details)
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Wheatears are a small mainly ground-dwelling bird. It hops or runs on the ground. It is blue-grey above with black wings and white below with an orange flush to the breast
These lovely birds are quite playful looking and can be seen all over the island particularly on The Isle of Lewis in The Western isles.
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Wheatear - Newmarket
Ref:w8000 |
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Whimbrels |
(Click Image for More Details)
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Western Isles Birds - Whimbrel - These birds seen in the Western Isles are usually passage birds - birds who breed in Greenland and Siberia. There are a few that do breed in the UK - but these are down south or in Shetland and Orkney.
These birds are a relative of the curlew - these neat attractive waders have a less de curved bill than the curlew - who are considerably larger than the whimbrels
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Whimbrel - Back Beach
Ref:WHIM1001 |
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The Islands are on a major bird flight path, Spring and Autumn, birds migrate to and fro from Iceland and Greenland, and birds are also windblown from Northern Europe and America. So unusual birds and the regulars appear at any time. The lovely charismatic oyster catchers - curlews - redshanks -cormorants - gulls - redwings and many more birds ....... Here are just a few photographs of the lovely Isle of Harris & Lewis birds. The birds of the Uk and Scotland are beautiful. We visited the Isles many times & found the islanders & the scenery to be so great that we decided to settle here. Should you have any queries or comments in connection with the information I have given in relation to the birds ( all comments or assistance welcome as I am only a novice bird spotter ) - please email chris@gcwweb.com |
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BIRDS OF SCOTLAND - Scottish Birds - BIRDS OF THE UK |
