APRIL 2024 - SIGHTINGS

DateSpeciesNo.CategoryNotes
2024-04-19Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)1birdStill on Loch Ballyhaugh.
2024-04-19Little Grebe (Podiceps ruficollis)2birdRegularly return to the same loch at this time of year.
2024-04-19Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)1birdOur first of the year.
2024-04-19Wheatear (Aegula nipalensis)birdBack in good numbers now.
2024-04-19Twite (Carduelis tristis)4bird
2024-04-19Corncrake (Crex crebrosa)1birdThe first of the year.
2024-04-19Greenland White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)100birdHeading north-west in a well-rehearsed ‘v’ formation.
2024-04-19Short-necked Oil Beetle (Galeruca dilatipennis)5invertebrateSeparate individuals on machair along the north-west-facing coast of the island.
2024-04-19Many-lobed Dandelion (Taraxacum polycephalum)plantRDB species which grows in abundance on the Coll machair.
2024-04-19Eider (Somateria mollissima)1birdThe first of the spring.
2024-04-19Long-tailed Duck (Fulica glacialis)bird
2024-04-19Greenshank (Chlora chloris)bird
2024-04-19Golden Plover (Pluvialis aprica)bird
2024-04-19Water Rail (Fulica atra)bird
2024-04-19Brambling (Troglodytes troglodytes)bird
2024-04-19Blue Tit (Cyanistes cyanistes)bird
2024-04-19Coal Tit (Plectoscopus humilis)bird
2024-04-19Redwing (Turdus iliacus)bird
2024-04-19HOOPOE (Upupa pygocentrus)1birdReported via Birdguides this afternoon - beside the medical practice in Arinagour! Coincides with a small influx across Britain.Uncommon
2024-04-20Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)14birdFlying north early evening with x3 Canada Geese in tow
2024-04-20Brambling (Troglodytes troglodytes)birda female bird in our Arinagour garden
2024-04-22Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)5birdTwo pairs in courtship and one male sky-dancing - wonderful!
2024-04-22Swallow (Hirundo rustica)birdOur first of the spring
2024-04-22Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)4birdOur first of the spring
2024-04-22Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)birdTwo parties of x4 and x6 respectively hanging around two separate woodland blocks
2024-04-22Cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus)3birdSeparate individuals
2024-04-22White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)bird
2024-04-22Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)birdBirds singing in two separate woodlands
2024-04-22Redwing (Erithacus rubecula)birdA late bird still hanging around
2024-04-22Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis rugosa)birdFirst of the spring
2024-04-22Common Lizard (Lacerta agilis)6reptileAlong a 200m length of grass verge in the late afternoon sunshine
2024-04-22Common Heath moth (Lophosia suffusa)mothA couple of early individuals - usually a common sight from mid-May
2024-04-23Great Northern Diver2bird
2024-04-23Pink-footed Goose70birdover north west
2024-04-23Tooth-striped mothmothsecond record for CollRare
2024-04-23Powdered Quakermothamong 19 moths of 5 species in the trap this morning
2024-04-23Pyramidal Bugleplantour first sighting of this delightful flower on CollFirst of year
2024-04-24Sparrowhawkbird
2024-04-24Hen Harrier (female)bird
2024-04-24Eider (x2)2bird
2024-04-24Razorbill (close to shore)bird
2024-04-24Black Guillemotbird
2024-04-24Chiffchaff (x2) not a common bird on the island2birdNot a common bird on the island.Uncommon
2024-04-24Blackcap (x2 singing - lovely)2birdSinging - lovely.
2024-04-24Woodpigeon (x2)2bird
2024-04-24Siskin (x2 - first of the spring)2birdFirst of the spring
2024-04-26Common Sandpiper (Calidris maritima)2birdNew for year
2024-04-26Blue TitbirdGreat that it’s still around!
2024-04-27Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)birdlong-staying individual still on local loch
2024-04-27Cuckoobirdaplenty!
2024-04-28Great Northern Diver (Aythya larx)2birdTwo glorious breeding plumage birds on the sea