| RED-THROATED DIVER |
Resident and winter visitor. Eastern mouth of Strand regular feeding place. |
| BLACK-THROATED DIVER |
Occasional visitor offshore. Regular visitor off Oronsay, April/May 1-2 birds. |
| GREAT NORTHERN DIVER |
Common winter visitor around all shores. Gen. absent July, recorded all other months off Oronsay. Rarely summering (???). Recorded June off Oronsay. Maximum count 23, 14/4/00. |
| LITTLE GREBE |
A pair or two of resident breeders. Usually to be seen Loch Fada.One record Oronsay 20/3/00 |
| SLAVONIAN GREBE |
Very rare sightings usually offshore. Only four records. One record 17/10/98 RSPB |
| FULMAR |
Present all year round. Breeds in large numbers western cliffs. Blue morph Fulmar found dead Oronsay 7/02/02 |
| SOOTY SHEARWATER |
Seen rarely in autumn offshore. |
| MANX SHEARWATER |
Seen regularly, summer and early autumn offshore. 1000+ feeding off Oronsay. |
| STORM PETREL |
Rarely seen close inshore. 3 close inshore 23/6/99, 1 02/7/00 |
| GANNET |
Seen commonly offshore spring, summer and autumn. |
| CORMORANT |
A few resident but not breeding. |
| SHAG |
Common breeding resident. |
| GREY HERON |
Breeding resident. |
| WHOOPER SWAN |
Small numbers seen commonly and regularly at migration times. Often seen on lochs in winter. |
| PINK-FOOTED GOOSE |
Now rarely recorded at migration times. Rarely very small numbers can be seen with other wintering species. |
| GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE |
150-200 winter Kiloran and elsewhere. Large numbers pass by on migration. |
| GREYLAG GOOSE |
100+ winter Kiloran and elsewhere. Now breeding regularly and increasing. |
| CANADA GOOSE |
Resident feral breeding flock of 60+. |
| BARNACLE GOOSE |
Several hundred winter on Oransay and Colonsay. Large numbers passing on migration. |
BRENT GOOSE
(Pale-bellied) |
No longer winters here but a few birds occasionally seen at migration times. 59 on passage off Oronsay 16/04/98. Occasionally seen with Barnacle geese, 2 on 13/10/96 and 5 on 18/4/98 |
| SHELDUCK |
Only absent from end of summer to end of autumn during moult. Otherwise common breeding resident, around all shores. |
| WIGEON |
Small numbers winter around most shores. Possible breeding records 1984 and 1990 |
| AMERICAN WIGEON |
Seen Colonsay 2001 |
| GADWALL |
Formerly seen during winter, chiefly around Oransay but now very rare. |
| TEAL |
Small number of breeding residents. Up to 100 wintering. |
| MALLARD |
Common breeding resident and winter visitor. |
| PINTAIL |
A rare migrant. Bred 1987. 2 Oronsay 27/4/99 |
| SHOVELER |
Rare visitor but a pair stayed spring 1993. Recorded Oronsay, 2 in 05/97, 2 in 05/98 |
| POCHARD |
Small numbers winter Loch Fada. |
| TUFTED DUCK |
Resident. Up to 5 pairs breeding. |
| SCAUP |
Rare sightings at odd times but c.25 Kiloran Bay 28.11.85 Colonsay, 5 on 18/11/98 |
| EIDER DUCK |
Common breeding resident. Numbers were said to be declining in recent years, but there was a major recovery in 2002. |
| LONG-TAILED DUCK |
Rare visitor. |
| COMMON SCOTER |
Occasionally seen offshore. |
| GOLDENEYE |
A few birds winter here regularly. Loch Cholla, Loch Fada and Ardskenish west coast. |
| RED-BREASTED MERGANSER |
Breeding resident around all shores. Numbers declining in recent years. |
| HEN HARRIER |
Regular sightings in winter, rarely in summer. |
| MARSH HARRIER |
Seen hunting over reeds in Loch Fada by JH. |
| SPARROWHAWK |
Seen regularly all times of the year. Up to 2 pairs breeding. |
| BUZZARD |
Common breeding resident. |
| ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD |
Only three records. |
| GOLDEN EAGLE |
Pair usually resident. |
| WHITE-TAILED EAGLE |
Recorded Oronsay 10/03/99, flew to Colonsay. |
| OSPREY |
Four sightings since 1973. One seen coming off the sea at Balerominmore 12/05/99 |
| KESTREL |
Seen most years on Oronsay since 1996, pair bred Colonsay 13/7/98, 3 chicks reared. |
| MERLIN |
Seen regularly all times of year. Has bred in the past. |
| PEREGRINE |
One or two resident. |
| RED GROUSE |
Rarely seen in recent years. |
| RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE |
25 introduced 1987. Bred 1988, 1989. Not seen since 1990. |
| PHEASANT |
Small numbers of breeding residents. |
| WATER RAIL |
Small numbers winter and known to breed in several areas. |
| CORNCRAKE |
A breeding summer resident. Numbers of Males calling in Colonsay and Oronsay 1998 14, 1999 21, 2000 21, 2001 18 |
| MOORHEN |
A pair or two of breeding residents. |
| COOT |
None seen between 1982-88. Pair bred 1988, 1989. Two pairs 1990. Died out by May 1992 -then one seen 14.11.93 |
| OYSTERCATCHER |
Common breeding resident. |
| RINGED PLOVER |
Said (anecdotal) to be less commonly breeding due to disturbance. Large numbers winter. |
| GOLDEN PLOVER |
Small flocks to be seen on migration and around 100 winter. 100-130 spring Oronsay |
| GREY PLOVER |
Small numbers seen regularly mostly autumn and winter. |
| LAPWING |
Common breeding resident but declining in numbers in Colonsay. Numbers have increased in Oronsay, 51 pairs 2001 |
| KNOT |
A rare early autumn migrant. |
| SANDERLING |
An uncommon visitor on migration and occasionally in winter. |
| LITTLE STINT |
Rare sightings of singles or small groups. Recorded Oronsay strand, 1 on 15/10/96 and 2 on 27/09/00 |
| CURLEW SANDPIPER |
Rare sightings in autumn. Recorded Oronsay strand, 1 on 21/9/96 |
| PURPLE SANDPIPER |
Winters annually Oronsay and probably Colonsay; maximum number 14, 19/2/97 |
| DUNLIN |
Winters large numbers. Smaller numbers at other times. Has bred recently. |
| JACK SNIPE |
Rare visitor. Recorded Oronsay Dec 2001 |
| SNIPE |
Common breeding resident. |
| WOODCOCK |
Small numbers of breeding residents, larger numbers in winter. |
| BLACK-TAILED GODWIT |
Was said to be rare visitor, but recorded in Oronsay May, July and November. |
| BAR-TAILED GODWIT |
A few usually winter. |
| WHIMBREL |
Seen regularly in small numbers usually between April and September. Max count Oronsay 14 on 13/05/00 |
| CURLEW |
Common, seen all the year. Does not breed. |
| REDSHANK |
Less common breeding resident and still declining??? Increased on Oronsay to 11 pairs 2001. |
| GREENSHANK |
Small numbers present all year except summer. Winters on the Strand, max 9. |
| GREEN SANDPIPER |
Rare visitor. |
| COMMON-SANDPIPER |
Common breeding summer resident. Arrives late April, early May. |
| TURNSTONE |
Small parties to be seen around most shores but rarely in summer. |
| POMARINE SKUA |
Very rare sightings offshore. |
| ARCTIC SKUA |
Regular summer visitor. Bred Oransay years ago. |
| GREAT SKUA |
Seen rarely but regularly offshore. |
| LITTLE GULL |
Rare - only three sightings, last seen Oransay 1997 |
| BLACK-HEADED GULL |
Fairly common breeding - not resident in winter. |
| COMMON GULL |
Fairly common breeding resident. |
| LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL |
Common breeding summer visitor. |
| HERRING GULL |
Very common breeding resident. |
| ICELAND GULL |
Rare - only five records, but seen Oransay 1997. Recorded Oronsay 1 on 31/5/97, 1 on 9/3/00 and 1 on 8/3/01 |
| GLAUCOUS GULL |
Were only four records, all of dead birds. But one recorded Oronsay 24/4/01 following plough. |
| GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL |
Common breeding resident. |
| KITTIWAKE |
Breeds in very large numbers west coast. |
| SANDWICH TERN |
Occasional sightings - seven in last ten years; seen Oransay 1997. |
| ROSEATE TERN |
One on 17.6.75 and one on 22.7.84. |
| COMMON TERN |
Now a rare breeding summer resident. |
| ARCTIC TERN |
More common breeding summer resident. |
| LITTLE TERN |
Breeding Colonsay, Seabird 2000 Survey. Oronsay records 2 on 7/5/98, 3 on 13/7/98, 7 on 4/8/98, 3 on 15/6/00 |
| GUILLEMOT |
Common summer resident. Breeds vast numbers western cliffs. About 10% are bridled form. |
| RAZORBILL |
Common summer resident. Breeds large numbers western cliffs. |
| BLACK GUILLEMOT |
Breeding resident. |
| LITTLE AUK |
Dead or sick individuals found occasionally. |
| PUFFIN |
Rare summer visitor offshore. |
| ROCK DOVE |
Common breeding resident. |
| FERAL PIGEON |
A rare visitor. |
| WOODPIGEON |
Fairly rare. |
| COLLARED DOVE |
Rare breeding summer resident. A pair usually winter. |
| TURTLE DOVE |
Seen rarely in spring or summer. |
| CUCKOO |
Breeding summer resident, arrives latter half of April. |
| TAWNY OWL |
Records 1988-1991. Probably bred 1990. Not seen since 23.6.91. |
| LONG-EARED OWL |
Limited information on status. Has bred in recent years. One roosting in tree plantation Oronsay 14/3/00 JH et al. |
| SHORT-EARED OWL |
Recorded Oronsay 29/11/97, 18/10/01 and 28/12/01 |
| SWIFT |
Seen very rarely but regularly in summer. |
| SKYLARK |
Small groups in winter. Common breeding summer resident. |
| SAND MARTIN |
Seen very rarely - in spring. |
| SWALLOW |
Uncommon breeding summer resident. |
| HOUSE MARTIN |
A rare summer migrant. Recorded Oronsay, 1 on 17/6/98 and 1 on 3/6/99 |
| TREE PIPIT |
Very few records bred - 1984-87 - no records since 1990. |
| MEADOW PIPIT |
Common breeding resident and passage migrant. |
| ROCK PIPIT |
Common breeding resident. |
| GREY WAGTAIL |
Usually one resident breeding pair. |
| DIPPER |
Very rare - only four sightings in recent years. |
| PIED WAGTAIL |
Common breeding resident. Small numbers of white form occur at migration times. |
| WHITE WAGTAIL |
Spring migrant recorded Oronsay, 7 on 24/4/98 and 10 on 23/4/00 |
| WAXWING |
Occasional winter invasion. Last 1972 but moved up from Supplementary Roll, after sighting in 1995. |
| WREN |
Common breeding resident. |
| DUNNOCK |
Common breeding resident. |
| ROBIN |
Common breeding resident. |
| REDSTART |
Very rare early summer migrant. Only two confirmed records. |
| WHINCHAT |
Uncommon but regular breeding summer resident. |
| STONECHAT |
Fairly common breeding resident. |
| WHEATEAR |
Common breeding summer resident. Earliest of summer visitors to arrive, usually late March. |
| RING OUZEL |
Very rare - only 5 records. Recorded Oronsay - male, 24/4/99 |
| BLACKBIRD |
Common breeding resident, plus migrating flocks. |
| FIELDFARE |
Large flocks seen at autumn migration. Some resident all winter. |
| SONG THRUSH |
Common breeding resident plus migrating flocks. |
| REDWING |
Large flocks seen at autumn migration. Arrives first weeks October. Some stay for winter, a few seen in May. |
| MISTLE THRUSH |
Breeds in small numbers. Also seen on migration. |
| GRASSHOPPER WARBLER |
A rare summer visitor. Breeding Colonsay 2000, 2001 |
| SEDGE WARBLER |
Breeding summer resident |
| WHITETHROAT |
Breeding summer resident. |
| GARDEN WARBLER |
Rare summer visitor. Bred 1988. |
| BLACKCAP |
Rarely but regularly recorded |
| WOOD WARBLER |
A rare summer visitor. Has bred recent years - possibly 3 pairs 1993 |
| CHIFFCHAFF |
Very rare but regular summer visitor. Breeding not proved. |
| WILLOW WARBLER |
Common breeding summer resident. Arrives last week in April. |
| GOLDCREST |
Small resident breeding flocks. |
| SPOTTED FLYCATCHER |
Rare breeding visitor. Arrives mid-May. |
| LONG-TAILED TIT |
No records 1973-83. Few sightings since then - bred 1990; recorded 1997. Now resident Colonsay, flock of 7 birds Colonsay House 01/2002 |
| COAL TIT |
Good numbers of breeding residents. |
| BLUE TIT |
Small numbers of breeding residents. |
| GREAT TIT |
Very small numbers of breeding residents. |
| TREECREEPER |
Very small numbers of breeding residents. |
| CHOUGH |
Small numbers of breeding residents. Winter flocks of 40 recorded Colonsay & Oronsay. |
| JACKDAW |
Common breeding resident. |
| CARRION CROW |
A rare visitor but c.50 stayed winter 1991/2. |
| HOODED CROW |
Common breeding resident. |
| RAVEN |
A few resident breeding pairs. |
| STARLING |
Common breeding resident. |
| HOUSE SPARROW |
Breeding resident. |
| CHAFFINCH |
Common breeding resident. |
| BRAMBLING |
Rare sightings - mostly in autumn/winter. Recorded Oronsay 29/10/96 |
| GREENFINCH |
Common breeding resident. |
| GOLDFINCH |
Formerly a rare visitor, more sightings in recent years - probably bred 1992. Recorded Oronsay 1997, 1998 & 2000, 1 to 5 birds. |
| SISKIN |
Very rare until winter 1985/86 when min. 100 birds present. Seen regularly since and probably bred most years. |
| LINNET |
Common breeding summer resident. Rarely winters. |
| TWITE |
Common breeding resident. |
| REDPOLL |
Uncommon summer resident - has bred recent years. Recorded Oronsay. |
| CROSSBILL |
Very rare until 1985 then more regular sightings - possibly bred some years. Few records since 1991. |
| BULLFINCH |
Was a very rare breeding resident. No sightings since 6.91. |
| SNOW-BUNTING |
Regular but infrequent visits by small numbers of migrating birds. Recorded Oronsay most winters in recent years. |
| YELLOWHAMMER |
Very rare breeding.summer visitor. |
| REED BUNTING |
Uncommon breeding resident. |
| CORN BUNTING |
Rarely seen since 1974 when breeding was last proved. Last record 5.87. |
| LAPLAND BUNTING |
Male, Oronsay 1/01/01 to 14/01/01 |
|
|
The following birds have usually been sighted on only one occasion since 1970
|
|
|
| GREAT CRESTED GREBE |
Not since 1975 |
| GREAT SHEARWATER |
Oransay 31.7.76 |
| SPOONBILL |
Strand, September 1977 |
| BEWICK SWAN |
2 Loch Fada 3.5.91 |
| GARGANY |
Oransay 11/5/96, a pair. 16/6/96, 1 female; 2 on 27/8/00 |
| GOOSANDER |
8.9.77 |
| QUAIL |
Heard near Seaview 9.7.97 (first positive recording since before 1970) |
| SPOTTED CRAKE |
16.12.76 |
| KILLDEER |
7-8.10.84 |
| DOTTEREL |
1 Oransay 21.10.87; 2 on 27/4/01 |
| RUFF |
1 on 27/9/98 |
| AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER |
1 Traigh nam Barc 3-5.10.92 |
| WOOD SANDPIPER |
Oransay 12.6.97 (First recorded) |
| PHALAROPE SP. |
Sept 1977, Sept 1985 but not identified further |
| STOCK DOVE |
Kiloran dunes, 15-19.5.86 |
| BARN OWL |
1 dead 23.10.88 was Colonsay's first record |
| NIGHTJAR |
Was a rare breeding summer resident but no records since 1977 |
| GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER |
Jan-73 |
| YELLOW WAGTAIL (Blue-headed race) |
Kiloran dunes 19.5.86 |
| PIED FLYCATCHER |
Eilean Ghoaideamal 17.5.85 |
| MAGPIE |
11.8.72 |
| ROOK |
Very rare visitor; Oronsay 21/4/98, 1 on 6/5/00, 2 on 12/04/01 |
| COMMON ROSEFINCH |
Oransay 7.11.96 |
| RED-HEADED BUNTING |
Very rare summer migrant. |
| BLACK TERN |
2 seen by JH (date?); 1 on 13/5/00 |
|
|
The following birds have been recorded for the islands at some time over the last hundred years, usually on only one occasion and not positively since 1970
|
|
|
| RED-NECKED GREBE |
|
| FRIGATE PETREL |
|
| LEACH’S PETREL |
|
| MUTE SWAN |
Oronsay Strand, 1 on 6/02/01 |
| BEAN GOOSE |
|
| VELVET SCOTER |
|
| HONEY BUZZARD |
|
| GOSHAWK |
|
| BLACK GROUSE |
|
| GREY PARTRIDGE |
|
| PALLAS’ SANDGROUSE |
|
| YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO |
|
| SHORT-EARED OWL |
|
| KINGFISHER |
|
| SHORE LARK |
|
| ROSE-COLOURED STARLING |
|
| TREE SPARROW |
|
| MEALY REDPOLL |
