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Forget about Sibes, Yank Thrushes & Warblers it’s Mega!!

Well done Ian, another cracking find!

Luck certainly smiled on me today. Whilst waiting for people to come off a bus at work a European Bee-eater flew just in front of me and calling. I managed to check the area around work every few minutes and was rewarded with far better but distant views. Phonescope pic in heat

Message from a neighbour this evening: could it be a Waxwing by their conservatory window? Cue competition-speed bike ride to the end of our road and jostling for window positions with their cats for point blank views of a chubby Waxwing feasting on Berberis.

Normally Greenshank take one look at me and fly to the most distant part of the shore. But this one this afternoon was the exception

The bird with the big bill almost paid the price today! We saw our 1st Hawfinch of '24 drop into Ardmhor. Unfortunately so did a Sparrowhawk that chased it down the valley to a chorus of alarm calls from the Hawfinch and us. It was a VERY close encounter but the finch got away.

Innocent till proven guilty although the case against them is strong. 7 Snow Geese dropped into Eoligarry this morning, rested, then once they reorientated, (well there was a geomagnetic storm last night 😂) flew off north. Good also to see Whitethroats and Spotted Flycatcher

Two new birds for the year on Barra today, an early morning Turtle Dove at Cuithir and an afternoon Tree Sparrow, one of my favourite species, at Bruernish.

Another nice arrival of migrants on Barra this morning. Our third Wood Warbler of the spring was belting out song beside the pitch at Castlebay, Lesser Whitethroats were singing here and at Nask and Spotted Flycatchers were scattered around the island.

I had to wait about half an hour but well worth it to see this wonderful Turtle Dove at The Manse this afternoon #barrabirders

For such a mainland Scotland rarity these days, Barra get’s them on a quite regular basis, no thanks to what’s called the island effect!

We were heading north past the airport when a raptor over Traigh Eais caught my eye. Brakes on, window down, bins up, camera out...Black Kite, the first for Barra and a find tick too!

The Black Kite is still on Barra today ranging around the airport and surrounding dunes, machair and hillsides. We had some pretty outrageous views of it this afternoon. It's clearly finding plenty to eat.

Our first Common Rosefinch of the year was knocking out some tunes at Creachan this afternoon. A typical time and location for this scarce migrant on Barra.

The long-staying Turtle Dove was again at the old manse this afternoon. Another House Martin at Creachan was perhaps keeping an eye on the Hobby over on the far hillside.

I wasn’t expecting to see a Bohemian Waxwing today but a message & detective work led me to just around the corner at Bolnabodach As I walked over it flew from a small clump of bushes. It was in there again later before flying to Loch an Ail. photo by the finder, Alex

Found this on my phone! Just some of ⁦Mark Newell’s superb Glossy Ibis flock from last autumn! #Barrabirders #Barraboys

Change of wind direction and a rather dapper Red-backed Shrike appeared in a Grìnn garden near the quarry. The second time I have seen this species in this garden in three years. At the other end of the birding spectrum the ‘Tango Twins’ are rapidly losing their sparkle

Whilst seawatching can be pretty cool at times on Barra, we have never recorded a Fea’s/Desertas Petrel, maybe one day, or even a Zino’s perhaps?

Cory’s Shearwater picked up dead on Vatersay this afternoon by Bruce. Sad end but fantastic to see one this close