Recent additions to my Highland yearlist, currently standing at 203, have included Cory’s Shearwater, Pacific Diver and Great White Egret, the latter seen at mega distance this morning after another fruitless wander at Tarbat Ness. #highlandbirds
Matt Eade
@matt-eade24.bsky.social
Former Sussex birder, now near Inverness. Keen world, country and county lister. Also heavily into orchids, butterflies & dragonflies/damselflies. Keen runner too.
A pleasant hour or so at Tarbat Ness this morning. Migrants are always thin on the ground here, so it was nice to see this fresh-in Whinchat. #highlandbirds
One of those whacky Highland mornings! Started with a Pine Marten, ended with a Pacific Diver, with a Minke Whale, White-line Dart, stuck sheep, and other stuff thrown in for good measure. #highlandbirds
Delighted to have an article in the most recently published Birding Asia magazine (No. 45), featuring our few days at the birding hotspots on Bohol, #Philippines. @emilyrichens.bsky.social
As a testament to the double-figure count of Plain Clay in our trap last night, one has joined me for work today! Also four sp of Yellow Underwing (Large, LB-b, Lesser & B-b), Grey Chi etc #TeamMoth As a side note, can anyone guess the feather?
My Highland yearlist reached 200 this morning, with a Sooty Shearwater passing a very wet Tarbat Ness. Only five Frog Orchids present in a very brief search. Highland Yearlist: no heard only, and the boundary as per highland birds website. #highlandbirds
August has got off to an absolute flyer! Very rare that I get a cetacean ✅ in UK waters, but this pod of four Northern Bottlenose Whales were seen off Cromarty this pm, having been found a few hours earlier. Also ‘my’ female Honey-buzzard from earlier today!
A lunch walk down the R Beauly with @emilyrichens.bsky.social was surprisingly productive with two (presumed) Noctule Bats out hawking! Seven each of Goosander and Mandarin, each flotilla included six youngsters! #highlandbirds #highlandbats
It was worth the effort of driving up to Balnakeil y’day to walk around Faraid Head with @emilyrichens.bsky.social! The wildflower display was stunning with the highlight being a colony of Marsh Fragrant Orchids! A frantic family of six Stoats and some secretive birds seen too.
A day of 2nds! First up was the Isle of Skye Laughing Gull – only the 2nd Highland record #highlandbirds Then the Long-tailed Shrike – 2nd for Britain. #birdingscotland
A very early start on Skye this morning! I wouldn’t usually travel far for a Common Rosefinch, but being a Highland Year ✅ and a singing male (albeit a 1st summer), it was worth the 3am alarm! #highlandbirds
Finally a decent catch in last night’s moth trap here in Highland. In addition to the below were both Beautiful and Pale-shouldered Brocades. #teammoth
Azure Hawkers were hungry in Wester Ross today! In an effort to steer clear of the traditional Loch Maree sites, we checked a new area and were thrilled to get a double-figure count of this enigmatic Aeshna. A terrific supporting cast too! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
After many years, I think I’ve finally captured a near-perfect image (for my liking) of a Lesser Twayblade! #highland
Lucked into this Pine Marten along Glen Strathfarrar before ascending Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais (1084m), where only a Ptarmigan was noted in true dreich conditions!
The Highland Dragonfly season is finally in full swing! The 'Big 3' Dragonfly species of Wester Ross all seen today with relative ease, although the Azure Hawker never perched long enough for photos. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social
A superb week of Highland birding rounded off today with my best views yet of a UK Quail, which thankfully chose a stunted cropped field to sing from, easily viewable from a distance. Then, visited some gardens with the wife, many plants purchased and 10+ Hawfinches showing superbly! #highlandbirds
Something of a nothing day turned into a beauty! First an unexpected female Honey-buzzard showed well (only phone shots), and then, a singing male Red-breasted Flycatcher! #highlandbirds
Balnakeil: another lovely visit to this remote corner of Scotland. Nothing mega, but drk Garganey and flava-type Yellow Wagtail over both Highland scarcities. A few other decent bits, plus 3 Risso’s Dolphins! #highlandbirds
Something very atmospheric about watching a White-billed Diver on Loch Ness. @emilyrichens.bsky.social #highlandbirds
Delighted to see the male Eastern Subalpine Warbler yesterday at Beachy Head. A long overdue addition to the (now stagnant) county list, currently standing at 330. A Clouded Yellow butterfly also present on the headland.
Eventually a mega seawatch this pm at Rubha Reidh in squally conditions: Long-tailed Skua - 70 (biggest flock being 15) Pomarine Skua - 14 #highlandbirds
A Highland beauty at first light today, a Woodchat Shrike near Brora in a most random location. An excellent find by someone! Pure bliss to have it to myself for an hour this morning! #highlandbirds
Thankfully this Highland scarcity, a Little Ringed Plover, stayed in situ for another day yesterday after I was pre-occupied with marital duties over the weekend. #highlandbirds
In a day that has seen all four seasons, I was pleased to finally connect with a Corn Bunting in Highland. This individual remaining fairly loyal to a short hedgerow, where Tree Sparrows and a Bullfinch were also present. Highland Yearlist now on 142. #highlandbirds
Although we have rarely failed to come across Black Grouse at one of our favourite sites to the north of Lairg, rarely do they show this well. Taken yesterday afternoon in dull conditions, but bright enough to show the sheen. #birdingscotland #highlandbirds @emilyrichens.bsky.social
If one does enough eagle surveys, then eventually one will get some epic views of these magnificent birds. Today, this immature female Golden Eagle passed over me a little too close (for the camera, that is), while yesterday I was lucky enough to witness a mating pair! #highlandbirds
