Woodchat Shrike at Langass Wood, N Uist today. Nice find by Andy Shand 👍

"There's not much chance of seeing Corncrake now the vegetation has grown." That is, unless it decides to call from the top of a wall! #ScottishBirds #BirdingOuterHebrides

Was taking a group on an Oriole Birding tour around N Uist this afternoon when we stopped to look at an Iceland Gull. A Hen Harrier flushed the flock and when they settled Ashley Saunders spotted this brute of a (2nd summer) Ring-billed Gull amongst them. #ScottishBirding #BirdingOuterHebrides

Well that was a decent day out in North Uist on our Corncrake and Phalarope tour! Great view of Pomarine Skua, Corncrake and Peregrine (amongst many others); as well as this extraordinary looking Common Gull. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebs #rarebirdalert

We were treated to a rather bizarre sighting whilst watching a superb, male Ruff on Berneray today. Another wader creeping around in the grass behind the Ruff turned out to be a Pectoral Sandpiper. The sandpiper was somewhat surprised to find it became the attention of the amorous Ruff!

The subtleties of a female American Wigeon fron Loch Paible, N Uist today. Those pits were very revealing!

Last full day in Lesvos before travelling back to the Outer Hebs. Hopefully back before too long to this cracking island. #LesvosBirding #BirdsSeenIn2026

A few from Lesvos today.

At Skala Kallonis this morning the critically endangered Monk Seal caused a major twitch! Then I headed to Makara where the birdlife performed mostly very well. Being a Lord of the Rings fan I couldn't resist visiting a site called Two Towers next, where this Cinereous Bunting upstaged Galadriel!

A 10 or 11 degree C drop in temperature today and a brisk north-easterly made me wish I had my gloves with me in Lesvos! Mind, wasnae all bad with cracking views of Collared Pratincole and some stunning views of Red-footed Falcon. A flock of 10 Golden Orioles was also quite nice.

You can see why Olive-tree Warblers hang about in those olive trees, as they blend in so well. Actually this is a poor photo as it's not as yellow as it looks. Also a 1st summer Collared Flycatcher in Lesvos today without a full collar. Oh yeh, and a couple of buntings.

When the day starts with a lifer (Levant Sparrowhawk) at the first stop; it's looking like another good day in Lesvos - and it was. Sombre Tit was also a new bird whilst my final stop produced the much hoped for Olive-tree Warbler. What a monster and amazing (if somewhat brief) views.

Think I'm falling in love with Lesvos. #BirdsSeenIn2026

First full day in Lesvos and it's been quite a day. It started with 8 Dalmation Pelicans followed by decent views of Kruper's Nuthatch. Next came a Greek mega in the form of a Lesser Flamingo. Masses of waders and a flurry of raptors finished it in fine style #BirdsSeen2026

Black-tailed Godwit numbers are building in the Outer Hebs now with at least 125 around Coot Loch, Benbecula alone. Amongst them was this colour-ringed bird. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

Anybody know why the wind gusts issued by the MET office vary after the first posting when looking back after an event? Also this doesn’t warrant a wind warning!

A Merlin, showing very well on Benbecula today. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

Our final full day in Cyprus and not particularly looking forward to heading back to the Outer Hebs' weather and Calmac chaos! Just a few from today including a Trumpeter Finch at Timi beach spotted by "sharp-eyed Sue". #BirdingCyprus #BirdsSeenIn2026

That was a pretty decent day in southern Cyprus on our current tour. Paphos headland produced a subtle beauty of a Desert Wheatear; as well as a stunning Ruppell's Warbler. Anarita Park held a European Roller whilst Aspro Dam at last gave us good views of the male Semi-collared Flycatcher.

Is this the most expensive diesel in the UK? Taken today in Benbecula. WTF!!

The seas around the Outer Hebrides are littered with moulting Great Northern Divers at the moment, as they replace their flight feathers. A ferry trip across the Sound of Harris often provides opportunities to get up close to these impressive birds. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

Nice views of a Taiga Bean Goose at Balemore this morning; that is until someone drove down the track. Mind, got some decent flight views too! #BirdingScotland #BirdsSeen2026 #BirdingOuterHebrides

A fine adult Bonaparte's Gull at Ardivachar, S Uist this morning certainly brightened up a wet, windy and dull day in the Outer Hebrides. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides #BirdsSeenToday

A bit breezy but managed to get some Barnie rings read today around Balranald, N Uist. D6 was ringed at Hofn, S. Iceland in 2023 whilst HN (white) was ringed as a juvenile at Breidamerkur, S. Iceland in 2019. He now has a yellow family with him. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebs

Red Sword-grass to sugar solution tonight in Carinish, N Uist. Will be trying that again; if we get another calm night!

3 Ring-necked Ducks (ad female and 2 x 1st winters) on Coot Loch, Benbecula today. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides #RareBirdAlert

42 ringed Barnacle Geese found between Sollas and Berneray, N Uist today. T9 and 6D were both ringed as adults at Hofn, S. Iceland in 2023. No idea where 0DV is from! Bonus female Ring-necked Duck showing well in Carinish on the way home. #BirdingScotland #OuterHebridesBirding

9 Russian White-fronted Geese at Borve, Benbecula this afternoon was a nice surprise. What a bonny goose! #BirdingScotland #OuterHebridesBirding #BirdsSeenToday

A couple of hours ring reading Barnacle Geese in North Uist today with 32 combinations successfully read; including the pair CVN and DCV (with 2 juveniles). #BirdingScotland #OuterHebridesBirding

The small loch opposite the old school in Carinish, N Uist yesterday held a female Ring-necked Duck. This morning it has been replaced by a hybrid, drake Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck. #BirdingScotland #UKbirding #OuterHebridesBirding

Nice day out in South Uist with @martgilli.bsky.social. American Wigeon, Russian White-fronted Goose and juvenile Iceland Gull; followed by a female Ring-necked Duck in Carinish, N Uist. #BirdingScotland #BirdsSeenToday

Some bobby dazzlers from our last couple of days in Costa Rica from El Copal. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #CostaRicaWildlife

A black or ruddy theme to the Costa Rican birds here today; with Black-faced Solitaire, Black-cheeked Warbler, Ruddy Treerunner and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #BirdsToday #CostaRicaBirds

Another day up high with a trip to the paramo this morning producing Volcano Junco, Timberline Wren, Wrenthrush and a showy Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush. Class acts! #BirdsSeenIn2026 #BirdsToday #CostaRicaBirds

Some classic Costa Rican birds in the San Gerardo de Dota valley today with prize place going to the Resplendent Quetzal (of course); although a very good supporting cast. Off to the paramo tomorrow for some high altitude birding. #BirdsSeenIn2026 #BirdsToday #CostaRicaBirds

We've now made it to the highlands in Costa Rica and were greeted by a small flock of Acorn Woodpeckers; although on route we had a duo of Cotingas. A Yellow-billed Cotinga performed a fly past at Carara whilst a Turquoise Cotinga showed up in San Isidro de General. #BirdsToday #BirdsSeenIn2026

Spent much of the day in Carara Nat. Park. It's pretty challenging photographing birds in the depths of the forest but what a place with new birds still mounting. Now on around 340 species after 13 days. #BirdsToday #BirdsSeenIn2026 #TropicalBirds

Another day and another great bunch of birds in Costa Rica. One more full day around Tarcoles and then we're heading for the Talamanca Mountains. #BirdsToday #BirdsSeenIn2026 #CostaRicaBirds

Every day brings new birds on our tour of Costa RIca with some easier to see than others. The Red-capped Manakin was very nice but 1st prize today goes to the Streak-chested Antpitta that performed a fine shuffle for us! #birdstoday #CostaRicaBirds #BirdsSeenIn2026

Someone's keeping an eye on you! #owls #CostaRicaBirds

Totally magic to catch up with Sunbittern along a rocky stream in Arenal Observatory Lodge grounds, Costa Rica today.

Settling in nicely now to our 3 week tour of Costa Rica.

A nice couple of introductory days in Costa Rica on the Caribbean slope are starting to ease the stress from the epic journey from the Outer Hebrides to San Jose (via Gatwick).

Nice to see this Taiga Bean Goose in amongst the Greylags by Loch Sandary, N Uist today. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

Nothing like a flock of Starlings to spoil a good hunting session!

Christmas Goose fest on Baleshare this afternoon. Hadn't taken the scope but a flock of Barnies were close to the road as we passed this afternoon on a way for a walk. Luckily I did have my camera and managed to capture 14 colour-ringed birds amongst the flock. Happy Christmas everyone.

Close views of an immature White-tailed Eagle over the garden this morning.

Aurora showing nicely in North Uist tonight

Beinn an Dothaidh, Bridge of Orchy today.

Back to candle power in Uist tonight.