Glimpses of what could have been at 1am this morning as the cloud briefly parted. Sadly the weather has scuppered any chance of us getting a decent #aurora display over the last couple of nights. #astroPhotography #photography #northernLights #auroraBorealis #stormHour

It’s been grim weather indeed since we got back home to Wales on Saturday. Still a few photos to share from Scotland though including this view over Loch Ryan on our final night. First time capturing moon rays! #landscape #photography #skyscape #landscapePhotography #moon #stormHour #photoHour

One of today’s target species was Twite, and we found three in a large mixed flock of Linnet and Goldfinch at The Wig. Lots more Scaup in Loch Ryan now too with at least 40 birds at its southern end. 93 Brent Geese and a Slav also notable. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Whilst on the subject, Stranraer station must be one of the grimmest on the network, and I love it! I think it’s the dirty fake flowers in a random window which really sets the place off nicely. Shoutout to the lovely staff there too. #UKRailways #photography #railwayPhotography

A brief diversion from the birds this morning as Network Rail’s unique class 950 track assessment unit rolled into Stranraer station. With withdrawal pending it was nice to catch this one of a kind DMU out doing what it does best. #UKRailways #photography #railwayPhotography #train

Today’s #birdOfTheDay theme is #fighting and I couldn’t not include this pair of battling Black Guillemot from our trip to Norway earlier in the year. #birds #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife #birdsOfTheWorld

Our last full day in Scotland and no fewer than 24 Red-breasted Mergansers on Loch Ryan outside our accommodation this morn. Couple more target species to try and track down so fingers crossed. #UKWildlife #birds #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

After four days of continuous low cloud, mist and rain, it was a welcome surprise to get some clear sky tonight. Not quite the full Beaver Moon but a lot more than I thought I’d get to see. #astrophotography #photography #nightsky #moon

Last, last light at West Freugh found c70 White-fronted Geese, 5 (3+2) flyover Whooper Swans and a Merlin devouring its evening meal on a roadside fence post. Finished with a couple of thousand Pink-footed Geese flying in above the distant hills. Magic. #birdingScotland @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Couple of hours @rspbscotland.bsky.social Crook of Baldoon where we were greeted by this stunner of a male Hen Harrier quartering the pools. Tree Sparrows present and correct for another year plus large numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Few other highlights from Wigtown Sands today included 80+ Barnacle Geese, Golden and Grey Plovers, Water Rail in flight (first for me), Snipe, Pintail, Wigeon, Shoveler, Skylark, Red Kite, Peregrine, Greenshank, Curlew, Dunlin and Chiffchaff. #birdingScotland @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Incredible scenes over Wigtown Sands this morning as the rising tide forced thousands upon thousands of birds to move. Starlings in particular were immense both in numbers and sound. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds #nature #wildlife @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Another from yesterdays incredible Red-throated Diver encounter at Corsewall Point. I was hunkered down waiting for a Guillemot to swim closer when this guy popped up next to me! #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Love being reminded that you’ve never seen it all. Driving down to Corsewall today had to stop for a RB Merganser in the road. Flew off strongly so no idea what it was up to. Then a Red Deer which thinks it’s a Cow! Been there every day this week and tame as. #wildlife #nature #mammals #UKWildlife

At West Freugh this evening the Greenland White-fronted Geese, or half of the flock at least, had moved a couple of fields closer allowing a slightly better record shot despite the mist and drizzle. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Day of dodging showers found us at Corsewall Point midday. Arrived to glimpse a female Hen Harrier disappearing behind the lighthouse. A juv/female Long-tailed Duck flew out of Loch Ryan before I had an extraordinary encounter with this Red-throated Diver! #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birdOfTheDay

Grim start to the day here in Stranraer, a far cry from this time last week when I was photographing this Starling. A perfect candidate for today’s #birdOfTheDay theme #closeups. #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Few highlights from a misty, drizzly Loch Ryan included 4 Knot and a skein of c30 Pink-footed Geese over at Bishop Burn. Eider numbers are up with at least 70 off Cairnryan along with a couple of Black Guillemot and Red-throated Diver. #birdingScotland #birds #UKWildlife @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Tracked down the flock of 94 Greenland White-fronted Geese to a field near West Freugh (Low Mye) this afternoon in frankly miserable conditions. Decent scope views with a bonus Marsh Harrier wafting through. #birdingScotland #UKBirding @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Couple more hours at Corsewall Point this afternoon. At least 5 Red-throated Diver close in plus a bonus Black-throated Diver too. Smattering of Guillemot and Razorbill but highlight was this brilliant Otter swimming along the coast. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #mammals @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Two PB Brent Geese at Bishop Burn, Stranraer yesterday. A small group of twelve birds were taking it in turns to feed on the outflow pipe, its seaweed covered surface providing a handy snack. #UKWildlife #birds #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Two PB Brent Geese at Bishop Burn, Stranraer yesterday. A small group of twelve birds were taking it in turns to feed on the outflow pipe, its seaweed covered surface providing a handy snack. #UKWildlife #birds #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Couple of hours at Corsewall Point yesterday eve inc both Merlin and a pair of Kestrels around the lighthouse. At sea a light passage of Kittiwakes heading south plus 2 Red-throated Diver, Razorbill, 5 Gannets and and three Curlew flocks also heading south. #birdingScotland @dgbirdnews.bsky.social

Some fairly spectacular lighting down at Corsewall Lighthouse this evening. Hopefully not the last we’ll see of the sun but the weather has taken a decidedly nasty turn tonight. #landscape #photography #nature #skyscape #landscapePhotography #sunset #stormHour #photoHour

Some fairly spectacular lighting down at Corsewall Lighthouse this evening. Hopefully not the last we’ll see of the sun but the weather has taken a decidedly nasty turn tonight. #landscape #photography #nature #skyscape #landscapePhotography #sunset #stormHour #photoHour

The sheltered woodland of Corsewall Estate was alive with birds including a sizeable mixed flock of Fieldfare (my first of the winter) and Redwing. Plenty of resident species too including Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Grey Wagtail. @dgbirdnews.bsky.social #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds

Best views of the Brent Geese around Loch Ryan today were from Bishop Burn, where this ringed individual caught my eye. @dgbirdnews.bsky.social #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

An excellent day around Loch Ryan where the highlight was a stonking pair of male Long-tailed Ducks. 8 Black Guillemot, 26 PB Brent Geese, Slav Grebe, Goldeneye, 2 Common Scoter, 14 Eider, 4 Whoopers, Shoveler, 500+ Golden Plover, 12 Scaup, 400+ Wigeon. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds

Good morning from Loch Ryan. Breakfast has already yielded Black Guillemot, Common Scoter, Eider, Red-throated Diver, GC Grebe, RB Merganser and a host of commoner species. #birdingScotland #birds

A switch to the west coast today with a couple of hours at Maidens. Ten species of wader seen but sadly none a Western Sandpiper. Plenty of Ringed Plover and Dunlin though along with a few Grey Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Sanderling, Snipe and Bar-tailed Godwit. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife #birds

Very pleased to spot a couple of Red Squirrels around Loch Leven yesterday, even if it was virtually dark at the time. Just about managed to get a useable photo. #mammals #photography #nature #wildlife #wildlifePhotography #UKWildlife

Started the day at Leven’s Larder where Pink-footed Geese filled the sky as they spread out over the surrounding fields. Several small flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare, singing Skylark, 4 Scaup, 40+ Whooper Swan, Pintail, Wigeon, Pochard, Marsh Harrier and a Little Egret. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife

Nice walk from @rspbscotland.bsky.social Loch Leven reserve this afternoon delivered 100+ Pinkies, 30+ Whooper Swans, 150+ Goosander in a giant roving flock, Goldeneye, Pochard, Tufted Duck, GC and Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Snipe and Curlew. #birdingScotland #birds #UKWildlife

A very dull and at times quite damp day today but this Yellowhammer, chirping from within a hedge near Loch Leven, brightened things up considerably. #birdingScotland #birdOfTheDay #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

A few more shots from my parents garden in Perthshire featuring more of those delightful Tree Sparrows, Goldfinch, a female Chaffinch and the beautifully intricate plumage of a Starling. #birdsOfTheWorld #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

A true fluff ball in every sense of the word. Tree Sparrow yesterday in Perthshire. #birdsOfTheWorld #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Jealous of my parents Perthshire garden for a whole host of reasons, not least of which is their resident Tree Sparrows. Spent a happy lunch break with them yesterday. #birdingScotland #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife #birdOfTheDay

Nice little display from the Northern Lights just now. Fingers crossed it builds and we get some beamage. #astrophotography #photography #nightsky #aurora #auroraBorealis

Feeling very wintry today with snow on the distant hills. Redwings calling overhead, Whooper Swans down the road and this Bullfinch feeding up in my parents Perthshire garden. #birdingScotland #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Only when you see their teeth do you remember that Pine Martens are superb hunters. An excellent species for helping to control Grey Squirrel numbers and giving our native Reds a chance. #mammals #photography #nature #wildlife #wildlifePhotography #UKWildlife

In total we were visited by three Pine Marten, a mother and two cubs. There were some brilliant interactions between the family including a couple of jumps. #mammals #photography #nature #wildlife #wildlifePhotography #UKWildlife

In total we were visited by three Pine Marten, a mother and two cubs. There were some brilliant interactions between the family including a couple of jumps. #mammals #photography #nature #wildlife #wildlifePhotography #UKWildlife

Last night was pretty special. I’d never seen a wild Pine Marten before so to get views like this was something I just couldn’t even have imagined. #mammals #photography #nature #wildlife #wildlifePhotography #UKWildlife

The main reason we were able to get such great views of the Bearded Tits is the grit placed out for them. They need to consume it to help digest their winter diet of seed. #TwosDay #birdOfTheDay #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Continuing my Bearded Tit appreciation posts with this portrait of a male from alongside the River Tay. Stunning birds whose plumage stands out amongst the UK’s native species. #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

Tonight’s entertainment involves sitting in a shed located in a Scottish Highland garden. Temperatures are hovering around zero but we have lots of cake. 3 Pine Marten and a Tawny Owl have already graced us with their presence. Absolutely brilliant. #UKWildlife #nature #wildlife #wildlifePhotography

A bit of rough and tumble between the Bearded Tits at the weekend. Not sure what his issue was but she looks distinctly unimpressed! #birdingScotland #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #birdsoftheworld #wildlifePhotography #nature #wildlife

At Musselburgh this Oystercatcher was striking. First it’s in winter plumage (white chin strap), secondly its bill shape. Latter varies depending on feeding behaviour with a point indicating mud probing. #birdingScotland #birds #UKWildlife #photography #birdPhotography #wildlifePhotography #nature

Dodged the rain at Musselburgh today and hit all our target species. 12 Long-tailed Duck, 6 Twite, 100+ Eider, Scaup, 22 Whooper Swan, Black and Red-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe, 3 Velvet Scoter, Ruff, 4 Grey Plover, 4 Goldeneye, RB Merganser, Pink-footed Goose etc. #birdingScotland #UKWildlife

It wasn’t just birds that grabbed our attention yesterday but also fish, with several Salmon trying to leap up the weir at Almondbank. #UKWildlife #wildlife #nature #wildlifePhotography #photography #fish