Parus major

P. m. newtoni is a scarce and vulnerable resident in Stornoway Castle Grounds and surrounding woodland.

Great Tit first bred in Stornoway Castle Grounds in 1962 after which the population fluctuated over the years with “considerable numbers” being reported in 1970, but thereafter the population declined and had died out by the late 1990s. In 2013 it was found to have bred again in the castle grounds where a small population now maintains a precarious foothold. It was estimated that there were circa five pairs in 2020.

Outwith Stornoway Castle Grounds, it is a rare visitor to Lewis with sixteen records (1979, 1989, 1998, 2003, 2003/2004, 2005-08, 2016-20), North Uist with seven records (2006, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021), and South Uist with eight records (1989, 2008, 2013, 2017-19, 2021). It is very rare on Benbecula (2000), Barra (2019/20), St. Kilda (1981, 2015), and Mingulay (2008).

Most occurrences have been from March to May with just one in September and two in November. It is likely that the birds in spring may be the nominate P. m. major as small numbers of continental Great Tits are known to pass through the Northern Isles between March and early May.

One bird overwintered in Lower Bayble, Lewis, which was present from November 2003 to February 2004. The bird on Barra arrived on 31st March 2019 where it remained five days short of a year during which time it was seen throughout the island.

There are no records from Vatersay.

Great Tit, Stornoway Castle Grounds © Hebridean Imaging