Falco rusticolus

National Rarity    Description Required

Gyr Falcon is a rare winter visitor from late September to April to Lewis with nine records (1967, 2005-07, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2022), North Uist with eighteen records between 1980-2017, South Uist with seven records (1983, 1989, 1994, 2012, 2013), and St. Kilda with eight records (1964/65, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2007). It is very rare on Harris (2017), and Barra (2012).

The bird seen on Harris in 2017 was a wandering bird first seen on North Uist, and the bird on Barra in 2012 was found dead, presumed to be an injured bird first seen on South Uist.

All recent records are of white morphs except two: Lewis (2007), and North Uist (2013), which were grey.

In 1973, an immature landed on trawler about 65 km west of Outer Hebrides in February, was brought into Aberdeen and later released in Shetland.

More detailed information can be found here

Gyr Falcon (grey morph), Balelone, North Uist 2013 © Mary Lewis

Gyr Falcon (white morph), Rubha Ardvule, South Uist 2016 © John Kemp