Today is World Swift Day. I haven’t heard or seen any yet in Edinburgh but when I was in Spean Bridge last weekend coming home from the Hebrides I heard one. Remember if you see or hear any Swifts post your records to SwiftMapper at www.swiftmapper.org.uk or download the app.

Just saw a flock of Greylag Geese flying low down near my garden.

I attended The launch of The Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme this evening at The Assembly Rooms and really enjoyed it. Had a couple of acts that are performing at this years festival and a speech from the Chief Executive Roll on August!!!.

Happy Edinburgh Festival Fringe @edfringe.bsky.social Programme Launch Day. The 2026 programmes are now out.

Currently been watching in the garden Woodpigeon Stock Dove Jackdaw House Sparrow Been all go.

House Sparrow at the feeder this morning.

With rain forecast next few weeks not sure when I will steer my June Birding but hopefully won’t be too long.

Renewed my membership for The Seabird Group @theseabirdgroup.bsky.social For info in joining visit www.seabirdgroup.org.uk

I can’t believe we are in June now these months of 2026 just fly by I’m looking forward what this month has to offer. I have written my June blog on my website I hope you like it. theedinburghbirdwatcher.com/2026/06/01/j...

Forgot to mention yesterday at Spean Bridge I heard my first screaming Swift of the Year.

On my way home from the Western Isles had a great time and look forward coming back here.

Ever since I identified the Song Thrush singing in the garden it’s continued to sing every day & night and it’s currently singing now brightening up a damp day in the Hebrides.

Earlier this evening I was hearing an unusual bird call in the garden so I decided to use the Merlin Bird app. According to the app it said the call I was hearing was a Linnet. However I heard it again only this time was identified as a Song Thrush and I have video evidence.

Saw a Sea Eagle today up in North Uist and been hearing an unusual call in the garden, I used my Merlin app and it identified it as a Linnet.

Friendly Chaffinch at the car park and two Herons on my walk at Loch Eynort, heard a Cuckoo in the distance.

Lord Of The Isles coming into Lochboisdale South Uist.

Springwatch 2026 is Back Tonight On BBC2 8pm. Springwatch returns for three weeks coming live from a brand new location of National Trust Crom in Northern Ireland and the Knepp Estate in Sussex. @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social

Earlier was watching a Song Thrush in the garden eating a snail.

Great day at RSPB’s Balranald Nature Reserve @rspbscotland.bsky.social Always my fav place to visit. Today I saw Oystercatcher Turnstone Eider Duck Cormorant Ringed Plover Sand Martin Skylark Lapwing

11 years ago today I met Bill Oddie at Scotland’s Big Nature Festival.

Had a good run down to South Uist I saw Short Eared Owl Blackbird Black Headed Gull Oystercatcher Lapwing Pied Wagtail Mute Swan

Fun activities at Marine Fest at @seabirdcentre.bsky.social this weekend. Find out more here. www.seabird.org/events/marin...

Can’t believe it is 10 years ago I was at the last Scotland’s Big Nature Festival. When it started it was known as The Scottish Birdfair. It started at Hopetoun House before moving to Levenhall Links at Musselburgh. It ran from 2012-2016 we didn’t know 2016 would be the last time.

It is 13 years ago today I saw a Snowy Owl on a walk on Solas Beach in North Uist a first tick for me saw it again on the way back to the car by then the car park was full of twitchers. #ThrowbackThursday

Collared Dove in the tree.

Rabbits everywhere

In North Uist today snd saw 2 Golden Eagles.

Book to read on holiday Birdgirl by Dr Mya Rose Craig

Watching a rabbit in the garden.

Arrived in Uig in Skye on my way to the Hebrides and just heard a Cuckoo.

Latest issue of Birdwatching Magazine arrived yesterday.

Nice to see birds back at my feeders after a long time not getting anything.

What a fantastic programme the BBC put on to celebrate Sir David’s 100th Birthday at The Royal Albert Hall this evening . He’s such s national treasure and deserved that standing applause. #DavidAttenborough100

Wishing the legend that needs no introduction Sir David Attenborough a Happy 100th Birthday. I wrote to him a few years ago and he sent me this signed picture which I treasure. #DavidAttenborough100

My garden this morning was funny watching the Jackdaws go to my Mum’s hanging basket taking some of the material then fly away I have seen them do that a few times. It’s the first time in a long time I’ve seen Jackdaws go to my feeders.

Had an enjoyable morning at my local patch. Not many people around so I was able to hear the birds and see them at close range. Today I saw Blackbird Crow Blue Tit Robin Great Tit Magpie Blackcap Buzzard

Just seen my first Blackcap of the year.

Amazing what happens if you stand still a Robin & Great Tit flew in at close range.

At my local patch this morning nice and peaceful today but can hear a lot of birds.

Collared Dove in the garden.

@rspb.bsky.social #DawnChorusClub

Hearing a Woodpigeon & Robin at 5.38am #DawnChorusClub @rspb.bsky.social

After I stopped filming around 5am I heard Robin, Herring Gulls & Crow. Every time I press record to film they would stop and cars would drive by on the road. #DawnChorusClub @rspb.bsky.social @rspbscotland.bsky.social

Happy International Dawn Chorus Day. This was filmed at 4.46am you can just hear a Blackbird singing in the distance it was raining so not many birds singing. #DawnChorusClub @rspb.bsky.social @rspbscotland.bsky.social

International Dawn Chorus Day is upon us. Set your alarms early tomorrow morning before Dawn and listen to the Birds sing away it’s always exciting to hear. Make sure you use the hashtag #DawnChorusClub

Here’s what I have lined up for May. May 2026 3rd International Dawn Chorus Day 8th Cammo Estate Nature Reserve 11th River Esk & Musselburgh Lagoon 16th-30th Benbecula The Outer Hebrides

Can’t believe we are in May already !!! I wrote my blog early this morning I hope you enjoy it. theedinburghbirdwatcher.com/2026/05/01/m...

Video of Buzzards at Bathgate.

Couple of Buzzards in Bathgate.

Just saw a Sparrowhawk flying through my garden causing the birds to fly away.