Cygnus columbianus

Red List

Local Rarity    Description Required

Prior to the 1920s Bewick’s Swan was considered to be a common winter visitor and passage migrant to the Uists and Benbecula. At this time the species wintered in Ireland in large numbers, and they passed through the islands in both spring and autumn heading to and from their Siberian breeding grounds.

Bewick’s Swan is now a very rare winter visitor between November and June to the Sound of Harris (1981), North Uist (1969, 1978, 1989, 1995, 1998), Benbecula (1974, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992), South Uist with four records (1979, 1980, 1991), and Taransay (1988).

The nine birds on North Uist in November 1989 were also seen on Benbecula and the single bird on North Uist in October 1978 was thought to be the same bird seen on South Uist in February and April 1979.

There have been no records since 1998.

More detailed information can be found here