#Barrabirders ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ (@barra_boys) 's Twitter Profile
#Barrabirders ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ

@barra_boys

In 2002 our small band of Scottish based birders decided to explore somewhere new and under watched. Thus putting Barra firmly on todayโ€™s birding map!

ID: 1330907452267704322

calendar_today23-11-2020 16:14:27

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Ian Ricketts ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ (@thebarradood) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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

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
Bruce Taylor (@barrabirder) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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.

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.
Bruce Taylor (@barrabirder) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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.

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.
Ian Ricketts ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ (@thebarradood) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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 ๐Ÿ˜‚) flew off north. Good also to see Whitethroats and Spotted Flycatcher

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 ๐Ÿ˜‚) flew off north. Good also to see Whitethroats and Spotted Flycatcher
Bruce Taylor (@barrabirder) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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.

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.
Bruce Taylor (@barrabirder) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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.

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.
Bruce Taylor (@barrabirder) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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!

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!
Bruce Taylor (@barrabirder) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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.

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.
Bruce Taylor (@barrabirder) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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.

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.
Ian Ricketts ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ (@thebarradood) 's Twitter Profile Photo

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.

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.
Ian Ricketts ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ (@thebarradood) 's Twitter Profile Photo

I wasnโ€™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

I wasnโ€™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
Ian Ricketts ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ (@thebarradood) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Change of wind direction and a rather dapper Red-backed Shrike appeared in a Grรฌnn 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 โ€˜Tango Twinsโ€™ are rapidly losing their sparkle

Change of wind direction and a rather dapper Red-backed Shrike appeared in a Grรฌnn 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 โ€˜Tango Twinsโ€™ are rapidly losing their sparkle