It's been quite a week! C. honoratella new to Scotland 24th, S. ocellatella on 27th (new to VC85 and few Scottish records), and Ni Moth last night (NFM and VC85 and I think only 2nd/3rd Scottish record with this the most northerly). Y'day case of C. betulella new to VC85 and 3rd Scottish record.

Mompha idaei, a new British species. Last week photos of what appeared to be this species were posted to a regional moths facebook group from NE Scotland. I travelled up to the site today to meet Dr Mark Young and see if we could re-find and verify. In total 11 individuals were found #teammoth

A recent visit to Lochindorb found these two presumed male Oystercatcher locked in combat. At first they were motionless in the shallows each holding the others wing before it erupted in to full violence. Eventually a victor emerged and peace was restored.

A first visit to an Osprey hide in Aviemore recently, definitely helps if the sun comes out. Fairly easy to capture the birds once they've hit the water, but didn't come close to photographing the dive. Practice and a rethink of tactics is required before another visit.

I was missing decent Ring Ouzel photos so an early start up Cairngorm found a very confiding pair for some great opportunities. Hardy summer birds these

By far my best encounter with summer plumage Slavonian Grebe recently. Photos don't do these wonderful birds justice #birdsseenin2026 @scottishbirding.bsky.social @btoscotland.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

Kirkcaldy has seen a recent American Scoter-fest but there's also often plenty else to see, these were from a very pleasant hour and a half on Tuesday #birdsseenin2026 @fifebirdnews.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social g

Getting behind with photos as is the case at this time of year. Safe to say this White-winged Scoter showed well yesterday at Kirkcaldy. Still thinks its an Eider despite the grief it gets from them @rarebirder.bsky.social #birdsseenin2026 @fifebirdnews.bsky.social @scottishbirding.bsky.social

Archinemapogon yildizae emerged today from Birch Polypore collected near Aviemore last month. First time I've recorded this attractive scarce and localised Highland speciality #teammoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social #nature #cairngorm #scotland #wildlife #macro

Slow going on the moth front still but a few bits and pieces from the weekend. Weather for the week ahead does not look helpful. #teammoth #nature #fife #scotland @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #wildlife @britishnatureguide.bsky.social

Beautiful early Spring morning, these Whooper Swans flying over Aberdour thinking about journeying north soon #birds #birding #nature #birdingscotland @fifebirdnews.bsky.social #birdsseenin2026 #fife

Last shots from Saturday previous, first time to see the obliging Penicuik Water Rail plus the Barns Ness Firecrest #birds #birding #birdingscotland #birdinglothian #nature #birdguides #birdsseenin2026

Continuing a theme, also some superb Great Crested Grebe action from Broadwood Loch on Saturday, albeit a little distant for photos #birds #birding #BirdsSeenin2026 #ScottishBirding #birdguides #nature #Scotland

My best ever encounter with a Smew at Broadwood Loch on Saturday #birds #nature #birdguides #BirdsSeenin2026 #birding #birdingscotland

Quality Goldeneye action from Broadwood Loch on Saturday #birds #nature #BirdsSeenin2026 #birding #birdguides #BirdingScotland

The long-staying Slavonian Grebes on Linlithgow Loch provided extraordinary views on Saturday, doubt I'll ever get this close to this species again. One appears to be showing first signs of moult into summer plumage, hopefully they will stick around for a few more weeks @rarebirder.bsky.social

Stejneger's Scoter and partially leucistic Velvet Scoter showed well at East Wemyss, Fife yesterday, but distance still on the limits of a DSLR set up, plus being too lazy to carry the camera initially I missed the best light.

Phyllonorycter anderidae is a seldom recorded species, these were the first moths to emerge from various leaf mines collected last autumn. Mines were on seedling birch on lowland bog in Fife, it's a new species for the vice-county and also new for me.

Just in case there aren't enough photos of White-billed Diver doing the rounds, third time lucky this morning and one came in close at Inverkeithing.

The recent heatwave was somewhat briefly felt in Fife with just two good nights for trapping. 29th June was marginally the pick with exactly 600 moths recorded of 144 species in my Burntisland garden. Among these were two NFG, one anticipated, the other not so, and a further 16 NFY. 2/2 #teammoth

The recent heatwave was somewhat briefly felt in Fife with just two good nights for trapping. 29th June was marginally the pick with exactly 600 moths recorded of 144 species in my Burntisland garden. Among these were two NFG, one anticipated, the other not so, and a further 16 NFY. 1/2 #teammoth

27th June in my Burntisland garden was very warm overnight but quite windy consequently numbers and diversity were lower with 376 moths of 103 species recorded. A few highlights among the pics #teammoth

25/06 was another busy night in Burntisland with 492 of 117 species although sadly none of the more interesting migrants down south still not made there way to me yet. 16 NFY including a couple of garden scarcities. Garden year list now 317, one short of a record for the end of June #teammoth

21/06 Burntisland 676/144. Unfortunately no NFG's which I hope for on big nights but they are becoming increasingly difficult. Several scarce species arrived and there were 43 NFY's! Annual garden total is 301 species now, I've only previously passed 300 once before the end of June 2/2 #teammoth

21/06 Burntisland 676/144. Unfortunately no NFG's which I hope for on big nights but they are becoming increasingly difficult. Several scarce species arrived and there were 43 NFY's! Annual garden total is 301 species now, I've only previously passed 300 once before the end of June 1/2 #teammoth

30/05 Burntisland 306/94. 3 NFG in one night, two were expected but P schulziana was also new for VC85. 49th new for VC85 I've recorded from our garden in 7 years. Further 11 NFY and garden year list moved to 217, by far highest ever for the time of year. The total garden list moves to 653 #teammoth

28th May Burntisland 241 of 71. Rare mild and calm night but with rain second half. 25 NFY moves garden year list to 172. Quite a few interesting records, and some more very early dates. Confirms there are lots of moths about, but good trapping conditions are infrequent. 2/2 - macros #teammoth

28th May Burntisland 241 of 71. Rare mild and calm night but with rain second half. 25 NFY moves garden year list to 172. Quite a few interesting records, and some more very early dates. Confirms there are lots of moths about, but good trapping conditions are infrequent. 1/2 - micros #teammoth

153/59 10th May Burntisland. Rare calm night but temp dropped a couple of degrees lower than forecast. 15 NFY including a few record early dates for the garden. Garden year list is on 139 and above average for time of year. Hopefully these easterly winds will end before June and peak season arrives.

30th April Burntisland 301/74! 4 NFG Phyllonorycter lantanella, Puss Moth, Poplar Grey & Green Silver-lines, 24 further NFYs inc. some very early dates. Garden list moves to 650, year list to 124, previous best end April was just 64. April was ave 2 deg warmer than previous five years #teammoth