Teaser for pics from our trip to Scottish Photography Hides.

This ruddy-breasted seedeater is a seed finch. As we've come to understand genetics, these have been grouped with the tanagers in Thraupidae, while many birds with the name tanager are no longer in the family. #panama #canopyfamily #seedeater #birdwatching

Tyrant flycatchers, resemble European flycatchers, but they are not related. These fork-tailed flycatchers are probably migrants that will head up as far as Canada. They're impressive acrobats in the air, and I was lucky to catch two sitting still. #panama #canopyfamily #flycatcher #birdwatching

There's only one corvid in Panama, the Black-Chested Jay. (fruitcrows are not corvids, but contingas). Its odd not to see crows, ravens or even magpies - but these jays popped up at feeders often. #panama #canopyfamily #jay #birdwatching

There are over 50 species of tanager in Panama. Canopy Lodge and Canopy Tower are both good spots to see tanagers, like this tawny-crested tanager. #panama #canopyfamily #tanager #birdwatching

Lesson's motmot is another of the motmot species we saw in Panama. When we heard it call, it sounded a bit like an owl. #panama #canopyfamily #motmot #birdwatching

There are five species of motmot in Panama, and we saw four of them - only heard the fifth. This was the most common for us, the rufous motmot. Motmots eat insects, small lizards and fruit - and wag their tails if a predator is near. #panama #canopyfamily #motmot #birdwatching

Chachalacas remind me of smaller turkeys. We didn't hear their 'cha-cha-lak-ah' call - one member of our group had promised to do a dance if we did - but one did seem to purr. #panama #canopyfamily #chachatlaca #birdwatching

This Lineated Woodpecker really reminded me of Woody Woodpecker cartoons when I was young: its much more similar to the cartoon than our European woodpeckers. #panama #canopyfamily #woodpecker #birdwatching

Every glimpse of Keel-Billed Toucans in Panama had me wondering if they were real. They look painted, and the bill doesn't seem quite real. They largely eat fruit, but our guide explained that while breeding they raid other birds nests for eggs and chicks. #panama #canopyfamily #toucan #birdwatching

We did a night tour from Canopy Tower and saw so much amazing wildlife. @puzzlewild.bsky.social has already posted a reel on Instagram (www.instagram.com/reel/DYAsAP6...), but this is one of my favourite shots. #panama #canopyfamily #sloth #wildlife

We saw a few species of woodcreeper in Panama. They seem to climb trees by hopping up, and this straight-billed woodcreeper was picking insects off the tree. #panama #canopyfamily #woodcreeper #birdwatching

Owls are some of the hardest birds to find, but in Panama we were lucky to see three different species. These spectacled owls are usually solitary, only roosting together in breeding season - we were lucky to see a pair with a juvenile on the next tree. #panama #canopyfamily #owl #birdwatching

When we saw hummingbirds away from the lodges, they were often small flitting splashes of colour, among the colours of trees. Like this Veraguan Mango, just hanging out on a branch. #panama #canopyfamily #hummingbird #birdwatching

It surprised me how aggressive hummingbirds were. In Panama, I loved seeing brown long-billed hermits, but they'd be driven off by larger hummingbirds. This photo captures the moment right before the blue-chested hummingbird attacks and drives it off. #panama #canopyfamily #hummingbird #birdwatching

I'm used to the male bird being more colourful, but the male barred antshrike is black and white, and the female golden brown. This pair were flitting around together, and you'll note in the second photo he was certainly checking out her tail feathers. #panama #canopyfamily #antbird #birdwatching

One of several woodpeckers we saw in Panama, the red-crowned was almost always eating fruit. One of the locals said they can be considered pests because they ruin papayas on the trees. #panama #canopyfamily #woodpecker #birdwatching

At Canopy Lodge, the Rufous-crested Coquette was my favourite hummingbird, passing over the verbena when the lodge was quiet. It wags its tail, looking like a moth from some angles. One morning I watched this male fly over about once an hour. #panama #canopyfamily #hummingbird #birdwatching

This sloth was regularly in the tree canopy, just near the top of Canopy Tower, but you had to be up early to see it active. One misty morning, and we did see it feeding. #panama #canopyfamily #sloth #wildlife

21/Apr - 3/May Birding in Panama with @canopyfamily 5 days Canopy Lodge in El Valle de Anton, West of Panama City 4 days Canopy Tower in Parque Nacional Soberania, near Pipeline Road and North of Panama City 224 species seen (219 lifers) Pics from this trip will be tagged #canopyfamily and #panama

(Trying Canon RF100-300 F2.8L from TryTheKit) At Argaty Red Kites - Woodland Hide. Great Spotted Woodpecker popped in to say hello. #birdwatching #ukbirding

(Trying Canon RF100-300 F2.8L from TryTheKit) At Argaty Red Kites - Woodland Hide. Nuthatch with a nut, seems appropriate! I love that you can see his tongue. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Trying Canon RF100-300 F2.8L from TryTheKit, with 2x converter here) Red Kite feeding at Argaty Red Kites, with the photography facing an extra challenge from falling snow: but the birds feed anyway. #birdwatching #scotland

I borrowed an RF100-300 f2.8L from TryTheKit for the Easter weekend, and took it to Argaty Red Kites on Easter Sunday - such a versatile lens!. We spent the morning in their woodland hide, photographing red squirrels and birds. This was one of the squirrels that posed so well for us. #ukwildlife

I’ve borrowed an RF100-300 f2.8L from TryTheKit for the Easter weekend, and took it out to try some moon photos last night (with and without the 2x converter). What an amazing lens. Trying it on wildlife tomorrow.

One more from our Shetland Wildlife trip with Dave Fairhurst. Some great views of seals, looking down on the beach from the road above. This grey seal caught my attention. #scotland #shetland #seal

Another photo from our trip to Shetland with Shetland Wildlife. Our guide was the excellent Dave Fairhurst. We had great views of mountain hares, white against the landscape. #scotland #shetland #hare

We went to Shetland the last few days with Shetland Wildlife - three days birdwatching then Up Helly Aa. Our guide was the excellent Dave Fairhurst. We managed to see a waxwing, feeding on apples as there are no berries, and fending off starlings. #scotland #shetland #birdwatching

We went to Shetland the last few days with Shetland Wildlife - three days birdwatching then Up Helly Aa. Next up are the Jarl Squads #scotland #shetland #uphellyaa

We went to Shetland the last few days with Shetland Wildlife - three days birdwatching then Up Helly Aa. Let’s start with the Fire! #scotland #shetland #uphellyaa

(A walk in Figgate Park) Blue Tit landing on the metal feeder. #birdwatching #birdingscotland #edinburgh

(A walk around Figgate Park) There’s food? I want all the food. A magpie in hungry raptor mode. #birdwatching #birdingscotland #edinburgh

(A walk in Figgate Park) This kingfisher was flitting up and down the burn. Captured a lovely moment in the sun. #birdwatching #birdingscotland #edinburgh

(A walk around Figgate Park) A grey wagtail was bouncing up Figgate Burn. #birdwatching #birdingscotland #edinburgh

(A walk around Figgate Park). Spotted a heist in progress. This squirrel scaled the wall, crossed over the the bird enclosure, and snuck through to steal food. #edinburgh #squirrel #ukwildlife

As I said earlier, yesterday we went to Penicuik to see if we could see a Water Rail. The light was very poor but it did come out for a swim around, then popped out of hiding a few times. Lovely to see. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

First birding outing after surgery, we went to Penicuik to see if we could see a water rail (more on that later). As we crossed the North Esk, a dipper was spotlighted by a beam of light passing through the trees. #birdwatching #scotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) I haven't seen (Red) Knot very often, or maybe I just haven't always noticed them. We got closer to shore birds than usual on Shetland, and Knot often hide among Dunlin - they're the bigger, greyer ones. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Always a cute bird to see, in flocks along a sea shore or lagoon, we managed to get closer to Dunlin on Shetland than we are used to. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) A pair of male Eiders in different plumage - eclipse adult and adult plumage, I believe. Its great to see the contrast, the development of the adult colours. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Watching shags fishing is always fun - the way they leap up to dive, but usually they swallow the fish too quickly to catch them with one. I was lucky enough to catch this one with a yellow fish, even if its a tight crop. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) This was one of the exciting rarities on Shetland when we were there. Believed to be an Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, but only one person had heard it, and they can't be told apart by field visuals only. Either way, a first for me! #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Juvenile Herring Gull - lovely view of the feathers. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Spending time watching sea birds, we get more chances to notice them fishing. This Eider grabbed a crab and kept throwing it into the water, grabbing it again. Our guide told me that they are tearing the legs off, then they eat the torso whole. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) We saw Hooded Crows all over Shetland, and such stunning views of them up close. Amazing feather patterns. #birdwatching #birdingscotland

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Sometimes when the birding is quieter, you pay more attention to the common birds. This sparrow was trying to swallow the seed, but couldn't with the stalk attached. It eventually managed to snap off the stalk. #birdwatching

(Shetland Autumn 2025) Always a beautiful bird to see, we saw quite a few on our Autumn Birding trip with Shetland Nature. One of our prettier UK birds, I think.. #birdwatching

On the approach to the Isle of May, a Peregrine Falcon stands guard, watching over the water and island. Did you know it’s the world’s most widespread raptor? And the world’s most widespread land-based bird if you don’t include pigeons which humans have spread.

I have a soft spot for herring gulls, having grown up around fishing boats and harbours. And young chicks are just so cute. This pair were on the Isle of May recently. #isleofmay #herringgull #birdwatching

Just back from Global Birdfair, and it was wonderful to meet people from our Extremadura trip again: Pablo, Maxine and Simon. Such an amazing place, and Pablo is an incredible guide! So one more bird from Extremadura - my first time seeing Little Owl! #spain #extremadura #littleowl #birdwatching