EIGG BIRD REPORT 2005 - INTRODUCTION

A best ever total of 138 bird species were recorded on the island during 2005 beating the previous record, set in 2004, by two species. This total is made the more impressive by the fact that several regularly occurring species did not put in an appearance in 2005, most significantly Dipper 1-2 pairs of which have occurred annually since at least the mid 1980s.One new species, Marsh Warbler, was added to the islands list which now stands at 202 species

Given the large number of species recorded the number of species known to have made a breeding attempt, 70, is not particularly high. Neither could 2005 be considered a particularly outstanding breeding season with a combination of weather conditions &, in the case of Buzzards, Kestrels & owls, a probable lack of prey, having a considerable effect. Nonetheless many species did well with Red Throated Divers raising a chick, Golden Eagles fledging two young, Hen Harriers again rearing four chicks & some small birds such as Spotted Flycatchers having a very successful season.

Sadly the main story concerned the disastrous, worst ever, breeding season suffered by seabirds all down the west coast of Scotland. All down the coast the same story of starving chicks & failed nests was repeated with the almost literally birdless offshore waters of late summer, a time when the sea should be covered in seabirds & their young, ample evidence of the catastrophic season..

Migration was the usual mixed bag with spring producing a few notable species such as a long staying Corncrake, a Green Sandpiper, two Turtle Doves & a singing Marsh Warbler. Autumn was generally rather disappointing though there were a few decent records in the shape of passage Brent, Barnacle & White Fronted Geese, three Common Scoters, the odd Jack Snipe, four Black Tailed Godwits, two Grey Phalaropes & a few Bramblings

The summer months were typically quiet though they did produce an offshore Leachs Petrel, three Sandwich Terns & a Ring Ouzel. Winter brought sightings of both Glaucous & Iceland Gulls, a Little Auk, a Waxwing, a few Snow Buntings & intriguingly a small influx of long staying House Sparrows.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As usual I am indebted to everyone who took the time to pass on records of sightings to me. Without .these records & comments a great deal of information would have been lost.

John Chester, SWT Warden, Isle of Eigg

Abbreviations used : 1M = one male, 2F = two females, C/4 = clutch of four eggs
Species List