Isle of Lewis bird calendar
@lewisbirdcal.bsky.social
Reminders of bird migration events for the Isle of Lewis (UK)
Iceland Gull can possibly be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. A good place to see one is Stornoway harbour.
December 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Iceland Gull can possibly be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. A good place to see one is Stornoway harbour.
Most sightings of Bar-tailed Godwit are recorded this time of year. While some non-breeding juveniles can be seen throughout the year, the arctic breeders arrive in late summer and spend the winter on our coasts. Good places to see one are Loch Barvas or Loch Ordais / Bragar.
December 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Most sightings of Bar-tailed Godwit are recorded this time of year. While some non-breeding juveniles can be seen throughout the year, the arctic breeders arrive in late summer and spend the winter on our coasts. Good places to see one are Loch Barvas or Loch Ordais / Bragar.
Brambling are most commonly seen this time of year. Winter visitor
December 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Brambling are most commonly seen this time of year. Winter visitor
Glaucous Gull will be arriving soon. Juveniles can potentially be seen year-round (non-breeding), but typically a late-winter visitor. A good place to see one is Stornoway harbour.
December 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Glaucous Gull will be arriving soon. Juveniles can potentially be seen year-round (non-breeding), but typically a late-winter visitor. A good place to see one is Stornoway harbour.
Check out the latest BTO Migblog at https://www.bto.org/our-work/news/blog/migblog/05-dec-2025. While not specific to the Western Isles, it's always a good read for the bigger picture.
BTO Migblog – 05 Dec 2025 | BTO
October is seen as the most exciting month of the year by many birders, but as I mentioned in the last blog, there are some more unusual visitors to Britain and Ireland that can turn up just as often in November. Three that I mentioned were Pallid Swift, Desert Wheatear and Dusky Warbler and all three have made appearances since then.
www.bto.org
December 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Check out the latest BTO Migblog at https://www.bto.org/our-work/news/blog/migblog/05-dec-2025. While not specific to the Western Isles, it's always a good read for the bigger picture.
Most sightings of Long-tailed Duck are recorded this time of year. Common winter visitor. A good place to see one is Broad Bay.
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Most sightings of Long-tailed Duck are recorded this time of year. Common winter visitor. A good place to see one is Broad Bay.
Horned Grebe are most commonly seen this time of year. Winter visitor
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Horned Grebe are most commonly seen this time of year. Winter visitor
Snow Bunting are most commonly seen this time of year. A good place to see one is Butt of Lewis.
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Snow Bunting are most commonly seen this time of year. A good place to see one is Butt of Lewis.
Most sightings of Common Goldeneye are recorded this time of year. Winter visitor on Lewis, not all that common. A good place to see one is Loch Ordais / Bragar.
November 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Most sightings of Common Goldeneye are recorded this time of year. Winter visitor on Lewis, not all that common. A good place to see one is Loch Ordais / Bragar.
Check out the latest BTO Migblog at https://www.bto.org/our-work/news/blog/migblog/31-oct-2025. While not specific to the Western Isles, it's always a good read for the bigger picture.
BTO Migblog – 31 Oct 2025 | BTO
Since the last blog migration has stalled somewhat, with the return of westerly winds bringing wetter conditions to Britain and Ireland and limiting migration across the North Sea. However, a few days with more northerly winds have produced some interesting arrivals, while some birds will still battle on with their migration in suboptimal conditions.
www.bto.org
November 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Check out the latest BTO Migblog at https://www.bto.org/our-work/news/blog/migblog/31-oct-2025. While not specific to the Western Isles, it's always a good read for the bigger picture.
Bohemian Waxwing will be heading South soon. Scarce, but some years see irruptions with larger numbers A good place to see one is Lews Castle Grounds.
October 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Bohemian Waxwing will be heading South soon. Scarce, but some years see irruptions with larger numbers A good place to see one is Lews Castle Grounds.
Curlew Sandpiper will be leaving soon. Peak counts in spring are around 5, whereas in autumn they can reach more than 20. Good places to see one are Loch Ordais / Bragar or Sands of Tong.
October 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Curlew Sandpiper will be leaving soon. Peak counts in spring are around 5, whereas in autumn they can reach more than 20. Good places to see one are Loch Ordais / Bragar or Sands of Tong.
Yellow-billed Loon will be arriving soon. Also known as white-billed diver. Moults off the north-east coast of the island. Good places to see one are Butt of Lewis or Tiumpan Head.
October 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Yellow-billed Loon will be arriving soon. Also known as white-billed diver. Moults off the north-east coast of the island. Good places to see one are Butt of Lewis or Tiumpan Head.
Common Linnet will be arriving soon. Some linnets spend the winter on Lewis, but they are uncommon in the summer. Numbers seem to be increasing, though.
October 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Common Linnet will be arriving soon. Some linnets spend the winter on Lewis, but they are uncommon in the summer. Numbers seem to be increasing, though.
Common Goldeneye can be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. Winter visitor on Lewis, not all that common. A good place to see one is Loch Ordais / Bragar.
October 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Common Goldeneye can be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. Winter visitor on Lewis, not all that common. A good place to see one is Loch Ordais / Bragar.
Ring Ouzel will be heading South soon. Rare autumn visitor with only about a dozen records for Lewis.
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Ring Ouzel will be heading South soon. Rare autumn visitor with only about a dozen records for Lewis.
Last chance to see a Sooty Shearwater. They breed in the South Atlantic, then migrate clockwise up the western Atlantic in spring, spend the summer in the northern Atlantic and in autumn move past the UK back to the southern hemisphere. A good place to see one is Butt of Lewis.
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Last chance to see a Sooty Shearwater. They breed in the South Atlantic, then migrate clockwise up the western Atlantic in spring, spend the summer in the northern Atlantic and in autumn move past the UK back to the southern hemisphere. A good place to see one is Butt of Lewis.
White-rumped Sandpiper will be heading South soon. Very rare visitor to Lewis, mainly after westerlies disrupting the migration along the North-American east coast. Good places to see one are Butt of Lewis or Loch Ordais / Bragar.
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
White-rumped Sandpiper will be heading South soon. Very rare visitor to Lewis, mainly after westerlies disrupting the migration along the North-American east coast. Good places to see one are Butt of Lewis or Loch Ordais / Bragar.
Best chances to see Bohemian Waxwing is in the next few weeks. Scarce, but some years see irruptions with larger numbers A good place to see one is Lews Castle Grounds.
October 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Best chances to see Bohemian Waxwing is in the next few weeks. Scarce, but some years see irruptions with larger numbers A good place to see one is Lews Castle Grounds.
Whinchat will be heading South soon. Spring and autumn passage migrant.
October 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Whinchat will be heading South soon. Spring and autumn passage migrant.
Pectoral Sandpiper will be leaving soon. Small numbers in autumn, rarely seen in spring. A good place to see one is Loch Ordais / Bragar.
October 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Pectoral Sandpiper will be leaving soon. Small numbers in autumn, rarely seen in spring. A good place to see one is Loch Ordais / Bragar.
Ruff will be arriving soon. Often seen together with golden plover on the machair. A good place to see one is Loch Stiapabhat.
October 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Ruff will be arriving soon. Often seen together with golden plover on the machair. A good place to see one is Loch Stiapabhat.
Bohemian Waxwing can possibly be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. Scarce, but some years see irruptions with larger numbers A good place to see one is Lews Castle Grounds.
October 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Bohemian Waxwing can possibly be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. Scarce, but some years see irruptions with larger numbers A good place to see one is Lews Castle Grounds.
Purple Sandpiper can be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. A common winter visitor, rarely seen during the summer. Good places to see one are Loch Ordais / Bragar or Port of Ness.
October 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Purple Sandpiper can be seen on the Isle of Lewis soon. A common winter visitor, rarely seen during the summer. Good places to see one are Loch Ordais / Bragar or Port of Ness.
Great Northern Diver will be arriving soon. Mainly a winter visitor, with a few birds spending the summer. Good places to see one are Loch Ordais / Bragar, Port of Ness or Tiumpan Head.
October 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Great Northern Diver will be arriving soon. Mainly a winter visitor, with a few birds spending the summer. Good places to see one are Loch Ordais / Bragar, Port of Ness or Tiumpan Head.