iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Surprised to see 2 Sandwich Terns at Eoligarry today, the latest I've seen this species on Barra by some margin. #BirdingScotland

0421

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

On a windy Sunday last week Steve, Bruce and Kathy did an excellent job of cleaning Bagh nan Clach, Scurrival. 26kg was collected. Mostly plastic but also 20plus gun cartridges and a piece of carpet. Another great job done! THANK YOU. There will be no shoreline clean this weekend #isleofbarra

020

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Good to see the regular wintering Little Gull at Traigh Mhor for the past few days, back for its 4th successive winter around the Sound of Barra. #BirdingScotland

1561

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

When you see Seals or Seal pups on the beach then please follow the 5 S's. Keep dogs on leads and do not approach.

000

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

This Sunday, Scurrival at 2pm - remember the clocks go back!

020

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

A big shoreline clean this week. On Friday, Steve went out to Traigh Bharlais and collected 66kg of rubbish including this 22kg ball of rope. On Saturday, Steve & 4 volunteers collected an amazing 172kg including this 94kg plastic doughnut. Well done everyone - smashing job! #beachclean #vatersay

000

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

A thoroughly wet morning on Barra brightened considerably on seeing this Curlew Sandpiper at Cleat. Despite exceptionally good numbers of them on neighbouring islands this is only the second we've had this autumn on Barra, where it remains a very scarce visitor. #BirdingScotland

0643

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

A Portuguese Man O' War on the west side of Vatersay today, slightly deflated and weather-beaten. It's the first we've seen for 3 years. #Beachcombing

0231

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Coal Tit at Northbay today, our first on Barra for nearly 2 years and the rarest bird on the island so far this week! #BirdingScotland

2632

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Hot on the heals of last week's Coconut, another transatlantic vagrant drift seed on Barra today, a Grey Nickarnut, the seed of a Caribbean leguminous shrub. #Beachcombing

0281

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Many thanks to the 7 volunteers who came along to the shoreline clean on Saturday at #Vatersay South Beach. An amazing 38kg was collected. Well done and thank you to all who took part. #CommunitySpirit #CommunityAction

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Do come along and lend a hand tomorrow. Fresh air, friends and a nice walk.

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Ranger Service is doing a beach clean at Vatersay South Beach this Saturday. Do come along and help - many hands make light work! #communityaction #vatersay #beachclean

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Many thanks to Clare who helped Steve this Sunday with the beach clean at Vatersay West. Only 12kg of marine plastic collected which is good as it shows that regualr cleanups are making a big difference to our environment. #marineplastic #CommunityAction #beachclean #vatersay

141

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Pintail is a barely annual visitor on Barra. Pleased to see one flying over Garrygall this morning , but surprised when it came back and landed in the road just in front of us! We stared at each other for a moment before it flew again, settling in the bay. #BirdingScotland #Birds

0361

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Location update: Shoreline Cleanup this Sunday at 2pm. Meet at Vatersay Hall and cleaning the south end of Vatersay West Beach. Do come along and help - all welcome and a great way to meet people and enjoy the outdoors. #beachcleanup #marineplastic #marinepollution #vatersay #communityaction

011

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Another great walk at Eoligarry yesterday afternoon in perfect weather. The high point was being watched over by 2 white-tailed eagles throughout the 2 hour stroll. Moss carder bees, red admiral butterflies and migrant wading birds kept us entertained. #eoligarry #isleofbarra

010

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Highlights of a blustery day on Barra included a Turtle Dove at Eoligarry this evening, a Great Shearwater heading north past Brevig this afternoon and about 40 Sooty Shearwaters heading the other way! #BirdingScotland #Birds

1591

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

After 2 very wet and windy days, better weather revealed a few new migrants on Barra. Pick of the bunch was our 1st Barred Warbler of the autumn at Nask, absolutely not posing for photos, though this Spotted Flycatcher in the same spot clearly was! #BirdingScotland #Birds

0391

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

A great nature walk at Eoligarry this afternoon in bright sunshine, the perfect antidote to the rough weather of previous days! The group saw a wide range of resident and migrant birds, a Moss Carder Bee, learned about Barra's Corncrakes, rare solitary bees and oil beetles! #naturewalk #isleofbarra

130

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Lets hope the weather breaks and we are able to go a nice walk tomorrow. #isleofbarra #autumn

021

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

RESCHEDULED TO THURSDAY AS MORE CHANCE OF MISSING RAIN ☔️ SAME PLACE, SAME TIME.

000

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Join Bruce, aka @barrabirder.bsky.social, on a nature walk at Eoligarry this Wednesday. It is a great chance for some excellent wildlife spotting. Signup at @buthbharraigh.bsky.social #naturewalk #isleofbarra #eoligarry

031

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Total so far...... As we enter September we thought it would be a good time to update on the total of the shoreline cleans and community litter picks. Now over 2 tonne. Many thanks to all the people who have volunteered their time to help. #CommunityAction #isleofbarra #isleofvatersay

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Another enjoyable guided walk on Vatersay yesterday afternoon. Lovely views of a golden eagle overhead, eiders in the bay, waders on the beach, flocks of twite feeding on seedheads on the crofts and even a glimpse of the late afternoon sun! #naturewalks #isleofvatersay #goldeneagles #autumnvibes

041

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Our first migrant geese of the autumn on Barra today. 32 Pale-bellied Brents sheltered at Traigh Mhor and 49 settled on the stormy sea off Craigston, all adults. Must've had a hard journey flying into this gale. Also c35 Sooty Shears and a Pom Skua off Brevig. #BirdingScotland #Birds

0532

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Ruff is a regular visitor to Barra in small numbers at this time of year. This one was scampering about on the machair at Eoligarry this morning. Nearby a juvenile Little Gull was hanging out with the Common Terns on the airport beach. #BirdingScotland

0421

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Nice to look back at the nice weather we had - hopefully more nice days to come in September!

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Our first nature walk in September is Tuesday 2nd, meeting at Vatersay Hall, 4pm. It's a great opporunity to explore the machair and beaches with the local expert, Bruce Taylor. To book reach us through social media or call 01871 817948, or go into Buth Bharraigh #vatersay #naturewalks

032

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Another very enjoyable nature walk at Eoligarry on Wednesday afternoon in lovely sunny conditions. Highlights included a perched White-tailed Eagle, a smart male Hen Harrier hunting over the crofts (photo) and a beautiful Short-eared Owl perched on a fence-post (photo). #naturewalk #isleofbarra

010

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

4 more Cory's Shearwaters off the east side of Barra today bringing my total so far this week to 42. Numbers are clearly not in the same league as some Irish or Cornish headlands, but in a Scottish context it's pretty startling! #BirdingScotland

1441

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Many thanks to the 11 volunteers would came out for a big clean of the Bagh Beag on Saturday. A massive 245kg of waste and plastic plus at least 75kg of fishing net. This area has been in our sights for sometime and it is great to get it done. Well done everyone. 👏👏👏 #castlebay

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Tomorrow (Wednesday) - a great opportunity to get close to local wildlife with local expert. #isleofbarra

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Nature Walk planned for this week is on Wednesday, 4pm at Eoligarry. Spend a wonderful couple of hours seeing at first hand Barra's wildlife. #naturewalk #unwindwithnature #isleofbarra

000

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Brilliant nature walk at Eoligarry on Thursday afternoon. A distant perched white-tailed eagle, a close hunting hen harrier, several hundred foraging twites and linnets, a migrating flock of Icelandic black-tailed godwits, a roosting wader flock, great yellow and moss carder bumblebees and more!

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

This weeks walk will be on Thursday at 4pm in Eoligarry. Contact Buth Bharraigh on 01871 817948 to sign up. #naturewalk #isleofbarra

020

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

The young Mediterranean Gull was still on Vatersay this evening, hanging out with the locals on west beach, probably feeling right at home in such warm and sunny weather. #BirdingScotland #Birds

0361

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Another great walk. They saw many waders including bar-tailed godwits, dunlin, oystercatcher and ringed plover taking a break from their migration on the airport beach. They finished off with a little beachcombing on Traigh Eais. Watch this space for next weeks walk. #naturewalk #isleofbarra

020

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

It's an exceptionally good year for Short-eared Owls on Barra. Normally we're lucky to see 1 or 2 in late summer, but this bird near Rhulios yesterday evening was our 9th of the season. Hopefully more to come. #BirdingScotland #Birds

0692

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Due to popular demand we are doing an extra nature walk this week as the Thursday Walk is already full. So get your boots on and join us tomorrow night - phone Bùth Bharraigh to book your space. 01871 817948 #wildlife #isleofbarra #naturewalk

030

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Next Nature Walk will be this coming Thursday (14th). This time meeting at the airport and seeing if we can spot any migratory birds along with the local wildlife. Sign up in Bùth Bharraigh (01871 817948) or contact us via social media. #naturewalks #migratorybirds #isleofbarra

121

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Many thanks to the 18 volunteers who turned up to Uidh on Saturday to clean the shoreline. This is the third time this year this beach has been cleaned.A total of 106kg was collected - mainly rope and twine along with 14kg of plastics. #beachclean #vatersay #marineplastics #communityaction

130

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Another 10 happy customers. White-tailed Eagle, a flock of migrating Whimbrels (see picture), Sanderlings, Common and Arctic Terns, Twite feeding on seed heads, Bumblebees & Butterflies and Kathy called up a seal! Watch this space for the date of next weeks walk. #naturewalk #wildlife #isleofbarra

030

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Come along and lend a hand. Lots of debris after the storm so even if you just have 30mins to spare it is much appreciated. #beachclean #communityaction #marineplastic

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Next nature walk - please note it is at 4pm on Thursday in Eoligarry. Sign up at Bùth Bharraigh or message us on social media. #isleofbarra #eoligarry

010

Reposted by Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service

Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Irish Lady's Tresses are starting to flower on Barra. Over the past decade we've found them in 3 areas, but numbers vary year to year depending on grazing. Over-grazing is bad, under-grazing is worse, but when it's just right they flourish. @ukorchids.bsky.social

2303

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Great walk in Vatersay. Two white-tailed eagles, 2 golden eagles, frog orchids, corncrake calling, curlew and eider. Also a scroll of birch bark on the beach- probably Canadian. If you would like to come on future walks then let us know and we can email you the date and location nearer the time.

030

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

This weeks walk is on Thursday in Vatersay. Call Bùth Bharraigh on 01871 817948 or drop in to get your name on the list.

010

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Fantastic walk on Vatersay last night. A distant perched Golden Eagle, bottlenosed dolphins, 3 species of Jellyfish, a calling corncrake, frog orchids, and a host of machair plants. The pinnicle was 3 short-eared owls. To see 1 short-eared owl is rare enough! There will be a walk next week.

030

Barra & Vatersay Outdoor Ranger Service @barraranger.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Tomorrow- will be a great was to spend a couple of hours.

010