Black Stork in Kyle of Lochalsh

29th August 2011

On 9th September 2010 pupils from Elgol Primary were at the swimming baths in Kyle when they spotted a strange bird feeding on the nearby football field. On returning home George Love-Jones checked his bird book and was convinced he had seen a Black Stork. This is an extremely rare bird in this part of the world and had never previously been recorded in Skye and Lochalsh. I was contacted by George's father and managed to get in touch with the school and spoke with staff and pupils. A number of pupils drew sketches of the bird and we sent the record away to the British Birds Rarities Committee. I have just heard from the Secretary of the committee that the record has been accepted - well done to everyone at the school in achieving this 'first' for Skye and Lochalsh. George's sketch is shown.

Bob

THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean