EIGG BIRD REPORT 2005 - SPECIES LIST - Page 3

Water Rail
A bird calling from a ditch at the north end of the plantation on Nov 28 th (JC, J Leck) was the years only record.

Red Grouse
Small numbers present in the moorland areas throughout & probably a reasonable breeding season with several broods of young seen. Groups of five seen near Ben Tighe on Apr 20 th (G Carr) & near the Sgurr on Dec 27 th (A Boden)

Pheasant
Fairly common resident though casual sightings suggest a decline in numbers in recent years. Probably a reasonable breeding season with several broods of young seen between late June & mid Aug.

Oystercatcher
111 prs located around the coastline, exactly the same as last year, but seemingly a dismally poor breeding season with very few young reared . Main arrival of breeding population during early March & first eggs found May 7 th. Much scarcer in the winter months when population of c50 birds. Piebald semi albino bird again present at Laig during the autumn months, the 3 rd year running that this individual has occurred.

Ringed Plover
11 pairs bred at the SE & NW bays, exactly as per last year. Present throughout with unusually high numbers, up to 45 birds, present in Jan – Feb. Usual build up of numbers in autumn with up to 52 present in Oct – Nov & c35 present throughout Dec.

Golden Plover
In spring small numbers present in the Kildonan – An Cruachan area between March 14 th & May 25 th, max of 30 on Apr 17 th, but no breeding. Autumn birds from Sept 5 th until Nov 30 th with good numbers at Kildonan in Oct – maxs of 120 on 11 th & 132 on 15 th. Flock of 60 near Loch nam Ban Mora on Oct 27 th.

Lapwing
9-10 prs territorial though only 4-5 prs actually bred & raised at least 3 young between them. Territorial pairs split between the croftland & Kildonan where first display was noted on March 21 st. Birds present regularly between late Feb. & late July with only odd records of very small numbers out with this period.

Turnstone
Regular in small numbers up until Apr 20 th & from Aug 24 th with one at Struidh on May 17 th the only record outwith this period. Max of only 18 at Galmisdale Bay in late Oct.

Dunlin
Spring passage between Apr 30 th & June 9 th with nine records of small numbers during this period. Autumn birds from July 12 th & smallish numbers regular during Aug & Sept .with last record on Sept 29 th. Maxs.of 42 at Galmisdale Bay on Aug 16 th (JC, J Leck) & 30 at Laig Bay on Aug 31 st (E Scott)

Purple Sandpiper
Small numbers, max of only 10, at Talm until March 30 th & from Nov 1 st. Occasional record from Kildonan Point & the Cleadale coastline.

Sanderling
Four autumn records, all from Laig Bay, between Aug16th & Sept 14 th. Two on Aug 16 th, seven on Aug. 30 th, six between Sept 2 nd & 5 th & seven on Sept 17 th (JC, J Leck. D&C Fearnley, D Richardson)

Jack Snipe
No early year records. In autumn present from Oct 26 th with odd birds flushed occasionally between then & Nov 18 th.

Snipe
A very common breeder with numbers seemingly very much as usual & probably a reasonably successful breeding season. First drumming heard on March 20 th & common & widespread throughout the summer months. Much less numerous during the mid winter periods when birds associated much more with the coastlines. Some passage in Oct-Nov, eight from Green Island on Nov 16 th.

Woodcock
In spring 14-15 roding birds recorded around the SE woods & plantation with first display seen on March 25 th. Winter population present up until late March & from mid Oct with large numbers around the woodlands during these periods, 10 over the Kildonan road on Jan 21 st. Birds not infrequently found lying up in bracken or heather far from tree cover during the winter.

Curlew
Present throughout though very small numbers only during the summer months. More numerous during the autumn-winter when up to 40 present, mostly at the SE bays & the croftland.

Whimbrel
Spring passage between Apr 22 nd & June 11 th with a total of 10 records of small numbers during this period. Maxs of seven on May 3 rd & six on May 5 th & 14 th. Autumn passage from Aug 17 th with four records of singles between then & Oct 12 th. Unusual bird showing a bright orange crown stripe seen at Laig Bay on May 5 th.

Bar Tailed Godwit
Two records, both of single birds. One at Laig Bay on Aug 4 th (B&S Gardner) & a long staying bird at the SE bays from Oct 13 th until Nov 3 rd (JC et al).

Black Tailed Godwit
A group of four present at Kildonan between Sept 9 th & 12 th (JC). The first Eigg record for this species since 1992.

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