Bird Species of Milovaig and Glendale
Waxwing photographed in Milovaig in 2004.
To give you an indication of the types of birds that you
will experience during your holiday in Milovaig or Glendale, we have produced
this chart which illustrates the bird species that a casual observer can expect
to see in each particular month.
More experienced bird-watchers will enjoy seeking out some
of Milovaig's, specialities, together with the many rare and interesting
birds that pass through Glendale on migration. You can view the full list
of bird species that we have seen in Milovaig below.
This includes notes and tips on the best times of year, and places, to look
for them.
Over the years, many very rare and unusual species have been
recorded in Milovaig including such exotics as hoopoe, golden oriole and
wryneck, although our list only includes those that we have had the pleasure
of seeing ourselves.
Great Northern Diver
Occasional winter/spring visitor to Loch Pooltiel, often staying for extended periods.
Red-Throated Diver
Regularly seen off Meanish Pier outside the breeding season.
Black-Throated Diver
Regularly seen off Meanish Pier outside the breeding season.
Slavonian Grebe
Occasionally turns up on Loch Pooltiel.
Fulmar
Very common. Best seen from the pier.
Manx Shearwater
Regularly seen from the pier in late Summer.
Gannet
Very common. Often seen diving for fish in the Loch.
Shag
Very common resident.
Grey Heron
One or two can often be found on the shore outside of the breeding season.
Whooper Swan
Small flocks regularly pass over the Loch on migration and occasionally alight.
Pink-Footed Goose
Vast skeins pass over the cottage at migration times.
Greylag Goose
Vast skeins pass over the cottage at migration times.
Mallard
There are usually up to 8 on the Milovaig shore of Loch Pooltiel.
Eider
Regularly turn up on the Loch throughout the year.
Red-Breasted Merganser
Occasionally turn up on the Loch, often remaining for many days.
Goosander
Occasionally turn up on the Loch in Winter.
Goldeneye
Scarce winter visitor to Loch Pooltiel. Small numbers occasionally found on Loch Mor in winter.
Long-Tailed Duck
Scarce winter visitor to Loch Pooltiel. A drake visited for 1 day in January 2008.
Sparrowhawk
Common resident that often takes birds from bird tables.
Buzzard
The commonest bird of prey in Milovaig.
White-Tailed Eagle
Occasionally visits the Loch and up to 3 have been seen together in Milovaig.
Golden Eagle
Occasionally passes through in Winter. Regularly seen over Dunvegan Head.
Kestrel
Passage visitor.
Peregrine
Regular passage visitor.
Merlin
Regular passage visitor, usually in early Spring.
Red Grouse
Occasional winter visitor.
Oystercatcher
Common, noisy resident.
Ringed Plover
Passes through in late Summer.
Golden Plover
Regular flocks of up to 30 birds pass through in winter.
Lapwing
Regularly passes through. Mainly in late summer.
Black-Tailed Godwit
A passage visitor to the Loch in mid/late summer.
Curlew
A flock of 6 to 10 birds usually over-winters in Milovaig. Good numbers build up on the Loch in late summer.
Whimbrel
Turns up with curlews on the Loch in late summer.
Dunlin
Passage migrant. Often found at Meanish Pier in Spring and late Summer.
Redshank
Common resident. Breeding on the loch in summer.
Greenshank
Regularly turns up on the Loch in spring and autumn.
Common Sandpiper
Breeds on the Loch in summer.
Snipe
Very common on the crofts around Milovaig.
Woodcock
Scarce visitor, occasionally seen on crofts in Milovaig.
Great Skua
Regularly seen from the pier in late summer.
Arctic Skua
Regularly seen from the pier in late summer.
Black-headed Gull
Occasionally passes through outside the breeding season.
Common Gull
Common resident.
Kittiwake
Common resident.
Herring Gull
Common resident. Often taking food from bird-tables.
Great Black-backed Gull
Resident.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Summer visitor that has been recorded on Loch Pooltiel in December.
Iceland Gull
Scarce visitor. A 2nd-winter bird visited Milovaig in March 2007.
Arctic Tern
Regularly seen from the pier in late summer.
Common Tern
Occasional visitors can be seen diving on Loch Pooltiel in late summer.
Puffin
Occurs occasionally off Meanish Pier in small numbers. Has become more regular in recent years.
Guillemot
Very common in summer but scarce in winter.
Razorbill
Very common summer visitor.
Black Guillemot
Common resident. Fishes on the Loch throughout the year.
Rock Dove
Common resident. Often visits bird tables.
Collared Dove
Occasionally stays for extend periods.
Cuckoo
Common summer visitor. 'Cuckoos' all through the night in June.
Barn Owl
A scarce Winter visitor.
Skylark
Common breeding species.
Swallow
Common breeding species.
House Martin
Breeds locally.
Rock Pipit
Very common on the rocky shores around Milovaig.
Meadow Pipit
Extremely common breeding species.
Pied Wagtail
Breeds locally and often attacks car wing mirrors.
White Wagtail
Passage visitor. Often found at Meanish Pier in Spring.
Grey Wagtail
Common on the burns around Milovaig but mostly in winter.
Waxwing
Andy photographed one in Milovaig in October 2004.
Dipper
Regularly found on the wide burn flowing into the Loch in deepest winter.
Wren
Common garden resident.
Dunnock
Common garden resident.
Robin
Common, and very tame, garden resident.
Stonechat
At least one pair breed in Milovaig and often seen around the cottages.
Wheatear
Very common and regularly visits gardens.
Blackbird
Common garden resident.
Fieldfare
Common in winter and regularly feeds in gardens.
Redwing
Common in winter and regularly feeds in gardens.
Song Thrush
Common garden resident.
Blackcap
Common summer visitor. Does over-winter occasionally.
Chiffchaff
Passage visitor and has over-wintered in Milovaig.
Willow Warbler
Common summer visitor. Nests in gardens.
Goldcrest
Regularly visits gardens all year round.
Blue Tit
Common resident. Visit bird tables constantly.
Great Tit
Common resident. Visit bird tables constantly.
Coal Tit
Regularly visit gardens and bird feeders.
Long-Tailed Tit
Occasional visitor to gardens.
Treecreeper
Often visits garden and very close views have been had from cottage windows.
Starling
Garden resident.
Jackdaw
Regular visitor.
Raven
Common. Nest on cliffs around Milovaig. Often visit gardens.
Hooded Crow
Very common. Common garden visitor.
Rook
Regular visitor.
House Sparrow
Resident in very small numbers. Occasionally visit the bird tables.
Chaffinch
Common resident with up to 30 on the bird tables at a time.
Siskin
Regular visitors that often use bird feeders.
Greenfinch
Common resident with up to 40 on the bird table at a time.
Goldfinch
Regular visitors that often use bird feeders.
Redpoll
Regular garden visitor. Mostly in summer.
Twite
Large numbers breed locally. Occasionally use bird feeders in late summer.
Linnet
Scarce passage migrant.
