Steve Duffield

Wildlife Tours throughout the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Islay. Occasional forays into Europe and further afield. Sometimes found wandering in the mountains.

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

Please be aware I don't look at this site anymore and have moved to BlueSky: https://t.co/sELFPxOJYo

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

@Robbo63 @RareBirdAlertUK No sign

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

Photographed this Swallow at Balranald, North Uist late this afternoon. I think due to the lack of a dark band across the lower throat that it's the American subspecies: erythrogaster?

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

@PAABaxter @RareBirdAlertUK I hope so Paul; cheers 👍

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

AZT and AXL colour-ringed Barnies (bottom left) at Knockintorran, N Uist this afternoon. 2 of 30 ringed birds read.

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

Late autumn wildfowl in North Uist include 2 female Ring-necked Ducks on Grimsay and a fine Taiga Bean Goose at Claddach Kikibost today.

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

A couple of Waxwings at Langass Lodge, North Uist this afternoon was a nice surprise. Any day with one of these beauties is a good one!

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

An excellent autumn for Baird's Sandpiper on this side of the Atlantic and they still keep coming. This is the 2nd one for Loch Paible, N Uist this autumn. Also a Cackling Goose amongst hundreds of Barnacle Geese there this morning.

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

Another day of rough weather in the Outer Hebrides but some good birds. 2 White-rumped Sandpipers at Ardivachar; a Grey Phalarope and a most unexpected Little Auk in Stinky Bay. Even more unexpected when it took off and flew inland!

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

@EdJBetteridge As others have said surely that’s an Aquatic Warbler with that yellowish colour, streaked rump and central crown stripe?

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

@TheJollyBirder @RareBirdAlertUK Thanks Neil

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

A couple of confiding Grey Phalaropes in Stinky Bay today.

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

Grey Phalaropes are just magic!

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

@AllanConlin @RareBirdAlertUK Thanks Allan

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

It was still pretty breezy but after yesterdays gale there was some great birding to be had in the Outer Hebs today. Numerous Sabine's Gulls, Grey Phalaropes, Black Terns, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and of course still masses of Curlew Sandpipers. Even a few passerines!

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

Black Tern at Coot Loch, Benbecula this afternoon - a pretty scarce bird in the Outer Hebs. Also more Curlew Sandpipers with a minimum of 81 in Uist and Benbecula today.

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

And they're still coming! 33 Curlew Sandpipers at North Bay / Mol Mor, South Uist this morning is a record count for me in the Outer Hebs. Also a Little Stint amongst the white rumped invasion.

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

@andysbutler Did you find it Andy?

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

@AllenStuartHol2 A wee belter!

[Steve Duffield @WiWildlife]

Was definitely worth going back for the Baird's Sandpiper at Loch Paible. Lovely wee bird.