Bruce Taylor
@barrabirder.bsky.social
Birder, beachcomber and all round naturalist living on the Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides.
Not sure what's going on with Common Dolphins, but in the past few days there have been far more than usual around Barra and Vatersay and some far much closer to shore than we normally see them, including a small pod in the harbour at Ardveenish today. #cetaceans
January 1, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Not sure what's going on with Common Dolphins, but in the past few days there have been far more than usual around Barra and Vatersay and some far much closer to shore than we normally see them, including a small pod in the harbour at Ardveenish today. #cetaceans
I recorded 180 species of birds on Barra/Vatersay in '25. Personal highlights: Eastern Bonelli's Wblr, Collared Fly, Blackpoll, Bufflehead, Franklin's Gull, 3 Surf Scoters, AGP, 2 RB Fly, 42 Cory's, 14 Great Shears all self found on patch. HNY and good birding to all in '26. #birdingscotland
December 31, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I recorded 180 species of birds on Barra/Vatersay in '25. Personal highlights: Eastern Bonelli's Wblr, Collared Fly, Blackpoll, Bufflehead, Franklin's Gull, 3 Surf Scoters, AGP, 2 RB Fly, 42 Cory's, 14 Great Shears all self found on patch. HNY and good birding to all in '26. #birdingscotland
Merlin soaking up the winter sun on Barra today. #birdingscotland #birds
December 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Merlin soaking up the winter sun on Barra today. #birdingscotland #birds
Some folk get squirrels at the end of their garden, some get foxes. Here on Barra this afternoon we had 4, possibly 5 Orcas from ours, heading slowly south in the winter haze a couple of miles offshore. An awesome sight despite the range.
December 28, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Some folk get squirrels at the end of their garden, some get foxes. Here on Barra this afternoon we had 4, possibly 5 Orcas from ours, heading slowly south in the winter haze a couple of miles offshore. An awesome sight despite the range.
A Boxing Day romp of Otters on Vatersay. After a couple of lean years, their numbers seem to have recovered in 2025.
December 26, 2025 at 4:16 PM
A Boxing Day romp of Otters on Vatersay. After a couple of lean years, their numbers seem to have recovered in 2025.
Woodcock pottering about in the road at Scurrival today: numbers on Barra have been lower than usual so far this season, but maybe they'll pick up if we get a cold spell. #birdingscotland #birds
December 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Woodcock pottering about in the road at Scurrival today: numbers on Barra have been lower than usual so far this season, but maybe they'll pick up if we get a cold spell. #birdingscotland #birds
A mega beachcombing find on Vatersay yesterday: a PRICKLY PALM seed from the West Indies, only the 13th record for NW Europe. Coincidentally, the 1st and 2nd records were both from Barra in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. #beachcombing
December 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A mega beachcombing find on Vatersay yesterday: a PRICKLY PALM seed from the West Indies, only the 13th record for NW Europe. Coincidentally, the 1st and 2nd records were both from Barra in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. #beachcombing
Pleased to get news that the colour-ringed Bar-tailed Godwit I saw on Barra last Friday was ringed on the Dutch island of Griend in Nov '24 and seen there again in August. This is the first Barwit from this scheme to be seen in the Outer Hebrides. #birdingscotland
December 17, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Pleased to get news that the colour-ringed Bar-tailed Godwit I saw on Barra last Friday was ringed on the Dutch island of Griend in Nov '24 and seen there again in August. This is the first Barwit from this scheme to be seen in the Outer Hebrides. #birdingscotland
More cool beachcombing finds on Vatersay today including several Phronima, famously said to be the inspiration for the creature in the Ridley Scott movie "Alien". #beachcombing
December 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
More cool beachcombing finds on Vatersay today including several Phronima, famously said to be the inspiration for the creature in the Ridley Scott movie "Alien". #beachcombing
Rare beachcombing find on Vatersay today, a Starnut Palm seed, a truly tropical long-distance drifter. Said to be rare this side of the Atlantic, this is rather jammily the 4th we've found here. #Beachcombing
December 15, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Rare beachcombing find on Vatersay today, a Starnut Palm seed, a truly tropical long-distance drifter. Said to be rare this side of the Atlantic, this is rather jammily the 4th we've found here. #Beachcombing
Snow Bunting at Eoligarry today, one of six inching their way along the strandline at their regular Barra wintering site. #birdingscotland
December 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Snow Bunting at Eoligarry today, one of six inching their way along the strandline at their regular Barra wintering site. #birdingscotland
Merlin sitting tight with prey at Borve today. These fabulous little falcons are a daily feature on Barra at this time of year. #birdingscotland #birds
December 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Merlin sitting tight with prey at Borve today. These fabulous little falcons are a daily feature on Barra at this time of year. #birdingscotland #birds
This Grey Wagtail has been loitering in front of our house lately, one of two birds that appear to be wintering on Barra this year. We've only had one previous wintering record on the island. #birdingscotland
December 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
This Grey Wagtail has been loitering in front of our house lately, one of two birds that appear to be wintering on Barra this year. We've only had one previous wintering record on the island. #birdingscotland
We found our first Grey Nickar Nut on Barra in Feb '22 and thought it was a mega rare beachcombing find, but now we've got our eye in it's become one of our most frequently found sea beans. Today is the first time we've found 3 though! #Beachcombing
November 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We found our first Grey Nickar Nut on Barra in Feb '22 and thought it was a mega rare beachcombing find, but now we've got our eye in it's become one of our most frequently found sea beans. Today is the first time we've found 3 though! #Beachcombing
The Surf Scoter was still in the Sound of Barra today, back at Eoligarry where we first found it on 10th November, after a week off Ardmhor. Hopefully it'll stick around over the winter. #birdingscotland
November 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The Surf Scoter was still in the Sound of Barra today, back at Eoligarry where we first found it on 10th November, after a week off Ardmhor. Hopefully it'll stick around over the winter. #birdingscotland
A rather wet and bedraggled Merlin on Vatersay today. Despite the dire weather, this bird was still up for the chase, as a Redwing found out a moment after I took this photo! #BirdingScotland #Birds
November 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A rather wet and bedraggled Merlin on Vatersay today. Despite the dire weather, this bird was still up for the chase, as a Redwing found out a moment after I took this photo! #BirdingScotland #Birds
Mediterranean Gull at Traigh Mhor today. Still a scarce visitor to the Outer Hebrides, this was the 5th to be seen on Barra this year: the most there has been in one year. #BirdingScotland
November 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Mediterranean Gull at Traigh Mhor today. Still a scarce visitor to the Outer Hebrides, this was the 5th to be seen on Barra this year: the most there has been in one year. #BirdingScotland
At least 6 Long-tailed Tits at Ardmhor today, already 5 weeks into their stay on Barra and looking likely to stick around over winter. These autumn influxes seem to be increasing and it's perhaps just a matter of time until they become resident here. #BirdingScotland
November 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
At least 6 Long-tailed Tits at Ardmhor today, already 5 weeks into their stay on Barra and looking likely to stick around over winter. These autumn influxes seem to be increasing and it's perhaps just a matter of time until they become resident here. #BirdingScotland
It's nearly 18 yrs since I found a Franklin's Gull at Torr Res, Somerset. Back then I spent 100s/hrs yearly scanning gulls at the res, landfill and fields. Today's Vatersay bird was easier, landing on the road in front of us as we headed for the beach...to go check the gulls. #BirdingScotland
November 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM
It's nearly 18 yrs since I found a Franklin's Gull at Torr Res, Somerset. Back then I spent 100s/hrs yearly scanning gulls at the res, landfill and fields. Today's Vatersay bird was easier, landing on the road in front of us as we headed for the beach...to go check the gulls. #BirdingScotland
Just when we thought autumn was done, birding would be quieter and that was that, this vision of larid loveliness landed in the road in front of us! A cracking adult Franklin's Gull, the first record for Vatersay. #BirdingScotland #RareBirdsUK
November 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Just when we thought autumn was done, birding would be quieter and that was that, this vision of larid loveliness landed in the road in front of us! A cracking adult Franklin's Gull, the first record for Vatersay. #BirdingScotland #RareBirdsUK
A handsome drake Goldeneye on Loch an Duin today; we only get 2-3 on Barra most years, November being the peak month. Also, after a few days' absence from Eoligarry, I relocated the Surf Scoter round the corner at Ardmhor today. Maybe it'll winter here! #BirdingScotland
November 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
A handsome drake Goldeneye on Loch an Duin today; we only get 2-3 on Barra most years, November being the peak month. Also, after a few days' absence from Eoligarry, I relocated the Surf Scoter round the corner at Ardmhor today. Maybe it'll winter here! #BirdingScotland
Wintering flocks of Long-tailed Ducks off Barra seem a little later in building up this year; there were c80 off Allasdale today. Our unexpected highlight of the day was 2 Grey Phalaropes struggling into a northerly gale past Brevig late afternoon. #BirdingScotland
November 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Wintering flocks of Long-tailed Ducks off Barra seem a little later in building up this year; there were c80 off Allasdale today. Our unexpected highlight of the day was 2 Grey Phalaropes struggling into a northerly gale past Brevig late afternoon. #BirdingScotland
Lovely view of this Hen Harrier perched beside the road this morning. Late autumn is a great time to see these fabulous birds on Barra: we've had 5-6 sightings most days lately. #BirdingScotland
November 16, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Lovely view of this Hen Harrier perched beside the road this morning. Late autumn is a great time to see these fabulous birds on Barra: we've had 5-6 sightings most days lately. #BirdingScotland
The Firecrest popped up at Nask again today, our first sighting for a few days. With plenty of cover, fair chance it may overwinter on Barra. Also today Surf Scoter still off Eoligarry, Siberian Chiffchaff at Castlebay and Scaup on L.Tangasdale. #BirdingScotland #Birds
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The Firecrest popped up at Nask again today, our first sighting for a few days. With plenty of cover, fair chance it may overwinter on Barra. Also today Surf Scoter still off Eoligarry, Siberian Chiffchaff at Castlebay and Scaup on L.Tangasdale. #BirdingScotland #Birds
More birds on the move over Barra today including these Greenland White-fronted Geese coming in off the sea and pressing on to the south at Cleat plus 15 Snow Buntings heading north past Brevig, my first house tick (153) in over a year. #BirdingScotland
November 13, 2025 at 4:55 PM
More birds on the move over Barra today including these Greenland White-fronted Geese coming in off the sea and pressing on to the south at Cleat plus 15 Snow Buntings heading north past Brevig, my first house tick (153) in over a year. #BirdingScotland