Orca – Shetland Wildlife Part 3

Orcas in the Shetland Islands, part of Shetland Wildlife.

In this post I set out my top 8 steps to having an amazing encounter with Orca in Shetland. I have just come back from the most amazing wildlife encounter… ever. I was about 5m from the mouth of a bull Orca. Put another way I was closer to its mouth than it was toContinueContinue reading “Orca – Shetland Wildlife Part 3”

Foula – Shetland Wildlife Part 2

Foula island sea arch, Shetland. Rugged coastal landscape with green hills and dark cliffs.

So Shetland is remote, you know this because when you look at a map of the UK it is often shown as an insert box. In fact Shetland is closer to Norway than it is to Edinburgh. But if you look at a map of Shetland, you will see that two islands (Foula and FairContinueContinue reading “Foula – Shetland Wildlife Part 2”

North Isles – Shetland Wildlife Part 1

Dramatic cliffs of the North Isles, Shetland, teeming with seabirds. Lush green landscape meets the rugged coastline.

For our summer holiday this year we have taken a trip to Shetland for the first time and here is my first blog about what we have been seeing. First up the northern isles of Yell, Unst and Fetlar. Yell Now if there is ever an example of why you should always have your cameraContinueContinue reading “North Isles – Shetland Wildlife Part 1”

Isle of May (in May)

Atlantic puffins on the Isle of May, one taking flight.

It appears that a visit to the Isle of May is an annual pilgrimage for me one way or another. So it was good to connect with one old and three brand new birding friends to pay another visit this week. We saw the usual sea birds on the way out including a Sandwich Tern,ContinueContinue reading “Isle of May (in May)”

Christmas birding and the year of the Snow Goose

Flock of shorebirds wading in shallow water, some taking flight.

Nothing like a couple of weeks off to plan to get out and see some wildlife after a busy few months with work. And I thought I would just share what I have been seeing over the Christmas and New Year break. Taking a walk from my house in Menstrie and I see the KestrelContinueContinue reading “Christmas birding and the year of the Snow Goose”

Aberlady Bay & Esk Mouth

Wigeon ducks grazing in a field at Aberlady Bay.

It is often a rare Scoter (small black duck) that takes me east of Edinburgh. Previously I have been out this way looking for the over-wintering White-Winged Scoter. But this week it was its very close relative (until recently the same species in fact), the Stejneger’s Scoter that peeked my interest. I haven’t been outContinueContinue reading “Aberlady Bay & Esk Mouth”

Birding on North Ronaldsay, Orkney

Snow Bunting on North Ronaldsay, Orkney. Small bird with white, brown, and black plumage perched on lichen-covered rock.

Over the last few years we have used the October break to get away for a bit of birding and hopefully find some new rarer migrant birds. That has taken us south to Norfolk the last few years (and outside the scope of this blog) but this year we headed North, took the ferry acrossContinueContinue reading “Birding on North Ronaldsay, Orkney”

Isle of May

Last week I took my annual pilgrimage to the Isle of May. I go here once or twice most years and for sheer numbers of seabirds it never disappoints. I had planned the visit to coincide with some friends going but this was really just an excuse as we were mainly going to do ourContinueContinue reading “Isle of May”

The Wildlife of Harris and Lewis

Scenic view of Luskentyre beach on Harris and Lewis, showcasing the stunning landscape and wildlife of Harris and Lewis.

At the end of March into early April 2022, we had one week exploring the wildlife of Harris and Lewis. It was a great opportunity to catch up with the wildlife of the Outer Hebrides. The wildlife of Harris and Lewis I thought I would write a brief summary of our time on the island.ContinueContinue reading “The Wildlife of Harris and Lewis”

Esk Mouth, Musselburgh

Firstly, I should apologies for not posting for a while, work has been crazy busy. I have been out bird watching frequently enough and happily got my bird species list for the year up to 204 (a new record for me) but not really had the time to photograph or write. Looking ahead to JanuaryContinueContinue reading “Esk Mouth, Musselburgh”