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 This morning it has been replaced by a hybrid, drake Ring-necked Duck x Tufted Duck.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.

Stunning views of a Golden Eagle by Loch Leodasaigh, North Uist this afternoon.

Drake Lesser Scaup at Loch Dobhrain, South Uist

This Swallow at Balranald, N Uist this afternoon appears to be the American subspecies: erythrogaster due to the lack of a dark band across the lower throat.

2 colour ringed Barnies (AZT and AXL - bottom left) at Knockintorran, N Uist today. 2 of 30 read 😀

Ptarmigan on Meal na Teanga; Loch Lochy today.

Fisherfield 6 on 8th November. Started in some fine weather with our first river crossing around 7am. Fine views until around midday with the final 2 summits with rain and somewhat limited visibility! Finally arrived back at Shenaval bothy after a further 2 river crossings and 19+ miles - brilliant!

Berneray - mobbed again!

A fine Taiga Bean Goose at Claddach Kirkibost, N Uist this afternoon. Found by @martgilli.bsky.social #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

Always a delight - this couple of Waxwings were at Langass Lodge, N Uist this afternoon. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

A female Ring-necked Duck currently residing on Loch an Fhaing, Grimsay, North Uist. #BirdingScotland #BirdsOuterHebrides

After a seawatch at Griminish Point, N Uist @martgilli.bsky.social and I were wandering back along the track when a stunning Pallas's Warbler appeared along a fence; sadly it flew into a reedbed before I could get the camera out. This Brambling was along the same very open track on the way out.

It's been an excellent autumn for Baird's Sandpipers in the UK and especially the Outer Hebs. This bird is the 2nd one for Loch Paible, North Uist this year. Also lots of Barnacle Geese resting on the sands with a Cackling Goose amongst them. #BIrdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

It can be challenging birding in the Outer Hebs with the persistent wet and windy weather but 2 White-rumped Sandpipers at Ardivachar were nice. A Grey Phalarope and a most unexpected Little Auk in Stinky Bay this morning; the latter flew inland after a short break! #BirdingScotland

Some otter action on Benbecula today. #OttersOuterHebrides

The only problem with Grey Phalaropes is I find it difficult to stop taking photos of them! These two confiding beauties were in Stinky Bay, Benbecula today. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

It's been rough weather wise for the last week but today produced some great birding in the Outer Hebs. Numerous Sabine's Gulls, Grey Phals, Leach's Petrel, Black Terns, Buff-breasted Sandpiper and of course masses of Curlew Sandpipers still. #BirdingScotland #BirdingOuterHebrides

A minimum of 81 Curlew Sandpipers in Uist and Benbecula today. Also a fine juvenile Black Tern in Benbecula with another seen in Lewis. #birdingscotland #birdingouterhebrides

Most years we see a few Curlew Sandpipers in the Outer Hebs but 33 in North Bay / Mol Mor, South Uist this morning was a record count for me here. Also a Little Stint that got the heart pumping for a while! #birdingscotland #birdingouterhebrides

Nice to see rather than just hear (as it rocketed off on Wednesday) the Baird's Sandpiper at Loch Paible this morning. #birdingscotland #outerhebridesbirding

The Curlew Sandpiper influx continues with at least 20 at Loch Paible, N Uist today. Didn't catch up with @aberladybirder.bsky.social Baird's Sandpiper - just heard it flying off! Did get a fine American Golden Plover also at Loch Paible so was happy enough (for a miserable bastard) 🙂