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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Large numbers of Pink-footed Geese were sortieing over Aberdeen yesterday morning in the bright clear autumn light. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

Three Pink-footed Geese are flying right to left against bright blue skies.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

A quiet place for Teal. They're starting to gather for the winter on the new pools at St Fittick's, which are quite open to give clear views. The males haven't moved to their bright plumage yet but the flash of emerald speculum still breaks the grey-brown. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

Three Teal are standing at the edge of a reed fringed pool, one stretching its wing out. They are reflected in the water.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A lone Golden Plover crouching furtively on the golf course at Girdle Ness today. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A Golden Plover is crouching down low on a short grassy golf course.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Part of a flock of 70 Barnacle Geese that flew south through Girdle Ness this afternoon, accompanied by a small group of Wigeon. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A large number of Barnacle Geese are flying left to right over a rough, grey sea. A smaller group of Wigeon are at the bottom of the photo.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Delighted to get good views of the Sykes's Warbler at Girdle Ness today. I saw it only briefly yesterday morning, realised it was something significant but was unable to pin it down. Later, I scoped the bushes from home and got it on the house list🙃 #Birds #BirdingScotland #RareBirdsUK #PatchBirding

A Sykes's Warbler is perched on a thin branch among gorse and whitebeam.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

My morning trudge round Girdle Ness wasn't a total waste of time, as I found this lovely Rustic Bunting near the Battery. My first record here. #Birds #BirdingScotland #RareBirdsUK #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A Rustic Bunting is standing on the short dewy grass of a golf course.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A classic view of Knot is of huge flocks swirling over mudflats but at Girdle Ness we enjoy them in smaller numbers, often perching on shoreline rock outcrops that set off the juveniles' scalloped, peach-tinted charm. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A juvenile Red Knot is standing on a dark rock outcrop, facing right.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It's the time of year when Yellow-browed Warblers find their way to lonely coastal sycamores. This was one of two along the north side of Girdle Ness today. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife #SixStripedSprite

A Yellow-browed Warbler is perched on a horizontal twig, with its back to us and looking upwards. Some browning sycamore leaves are in the background.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

All Godwits together, with a Bar-tailed Godwit joining a group of three Black-tailed Godwits as they flew south through Girdle Ness today. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A group of three Black-tailed Godwits are joined by a Bar-tailed Godwit (bottom left) as they fly past a tower at the end of a concrete breakwater.

A Bar-tailed Godwit (bottom right) is flying left to right with three Black-tailed Godwits against a grey sky.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Ducks are moving through Girdle Ness at the moment, with this small group of Teal dropping in for a short time before continuing south. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A group of four Teal are flying over a grey turbulent sea, next to a seaweed covered concrete pier.

A group of three Teal are coming in to land on a frothing, grey sea, among seaweed covered rocks.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The highlight of seawatching at Girdle Ness today was my first Black Tern of the year, but this 'close enough for record shots' Sooty Shearwater was just as enjoyable. Also, 2 Little Gulls, 4 Arctic Skuas, 2 Manx Shearwaters and a Great Skua. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A Sooty Shearwater is flying left to right against a grey, turbulent sea.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

A nice mix at Girdle Ness today: two Pale-bellied Brent Geese along the harbour shore, a juvenile Little Gull in the same area, a Lesser Whitethroat peering from the hawthorn, and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull in the south harbour. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese are swimming left to right in silvery waters.

A Pale-bellied Brent Goose is swimming amongst seaweed.

A Lesser Whitethroat is peering forwards through some leaves and twigs.

A juvenile Mediterranean Gull is standing on a pointed, seaweed covered rock with silver waters in the background.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The Gannets were really close in at Girdle Ness today. Always a pleasure. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife #Seabirds #SuperSeabirdSunday

A Gannet is flying against a dark blue sea. A flag on a buoy is visible.

A Gannet is flying against a dark blue sea.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I wasn't really trying for migrants today so was pleased to find this Spotted Flycatcher lurking in a sheltered spot at St Fittick's Park. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A Spotted Flycatcher is perched on a branch of a Whitebeam tree, facing forward.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The wind ran through Girdle Ness today and birds were seeking respite. A Whimbrel hunkered with Curlews on the rocks. A Ruff, my first of the year, and a Bar-tailed Godwit found the golf course meadow facsimile appealing. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A Whimbrel is standing on some seaweed covered rocks with three sleeping Curlew.

A Ruff is standing facing left, in the short grass of a golf course.

A Bar-tailed Godwit is walking over the short grass of a golf course.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit dropped into Greyhope Bay, Girdle Ness this evening. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A Bar-tailed Godwit is standing on a seaweed covered rocky shore by a grey sea. It has its back to us and is looking left.

A Bar-tailed Godwit is standing on a seaweed covered rocky shore, facing right.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I was pleased to see this male Stonechat on the wall of St Fittick's Church today, my first in the area for a while. Seasonal shifts were demonstrated by a few skeins of Pink-footed Geese overhead, while a late Swift flew south. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife #PatchBirding

A male Stonechat is perched on a grey stone wall with a pointed top. Some rosehips and leaves are in the foreground.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

It felt like the first day of autumn at Girdle Ness in a strong southerly wind. Two Great Shearwaters went through, the second lingering to feed for 20 minutes. Also, 15 Sooty Shearwaters, 42 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Arctic Skuas, 5 Great Skuas. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #Seabirds

A rocky, shingly shoreline alongside a grey sea. The sky is a mix of grey and white clouds. A grassy bank is in the foreground.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

There seemed to be a few Buzzards wandering about today, including this juvenile over St Fittick's Park. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A Buzzard is soaring with wings outstretched against a grey sky.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A Common Blue butterfly today at St Fittick's Park. This is one of the only butterflies that seems to have declined locally in recent years. Interestingly, this week I saw my first ever Holly Blue in the area, a species spreading north. #Butterflies #UKWildlife

A Common Blue butterfly is standing on a down covered flower head.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

My old friend Caspian Gull Y-OT was back on the breakwater at Girdle Ness this afternoon, having gone missing for a few weeks. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A juvenile Caspian Gull is standing on a concrete breakwater covered in copious bird droppings. It has a yellow leg ring with the letters 'OT' on it.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Kittiwakes are gathering in good numbers on the harbour breakwater at Girdle Ness. A Redstart in the allotments lingered from the weekend's migrant arrivals. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

Lots of Kittiwakes are standing on a concrete breakwater, with grey seas behind. Most are preening.

A female Redstart is perched in the midst of a bush with flowers in the foreground.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

There were a few migrants at Girdle Ness today, including a briefly seen Barred Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, and a Spotted Flycatcher. This Pied Flycatcher was the only one that I got half decent photos of though. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding

A Pied Flycatcher is perched on a barbed wire fence, with flowers and grass in the background.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A stripy juvenile Great Crested Grebe was a surprise on the sea off Girdle Ness this afternoon. A less than annual species here these days. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding

A stripy juvenile Great Crested Grebe is swimming on a grey sea.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Probably the best photos of Marsh Harrier ever taken at Girdle Ness, not because they're any good but because this seems to be the first record for the area. It flew south along the coast this morning. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A brown Marsh Harrier is flying left to right against a grey sky.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I was pleased to see Caspian Gull Y O-T again yesterday. After heading out to sea to feed, it returned to the breakwater at Girdle Ness where it was viewed by an appreciative audience.

A juvenile Caspian Gull is standing on the edge of a concrete breakwater. It's surrounded by Herring Gulls of various ages with some Cormorants in the background.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

What seems to be a hybrid Lesser Black-backed x Herring Gull this evening in Aberdeen Harbour. My second of the year after a subadult a few months ago. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

An apparent hybrid Lesser Black-backed x Herring Gull stands on a concrete harbour wall among large numbers of Herring Gulls. It's darker grey on the back than the Herring Gulls with yellowish legs and pinker feet.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

In Aberdeen, an overcast silvery luminescence at maximum and then two minutes later, a clouded crescent emerged through dark. #Eclipse

Aberdeen harbour with ships and industry, under silvery clouded sky.

Cloud and the moon covering the sun through dark clouds.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

This apparent juvenile Caspian Gull was on the south breakwater, Girdle Ness today. It was ringed as a chick in Lelystad, the Netherlands in May but we're still unclear if one of the parents was a hybrid. As such, it may only be 75% Caspian. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A juvenile Caspian Gull is flying over grey water, with its wings raised.

A juvenile Caspian Gull is flying over grey water, with its wings lowered.

A juvenile Caspian Gull is perched on a concrete harbour breakwater, showing a yellow leg ring. It is surrounded by other gulls and some Cormorants are in the background.

A juvenile Caspian Gull is perched on the edge of a concrete harbour breakwater, showing a yellow leg ring. There are two juvenile Herring Gulls on the left.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Another (or perhaps the same) juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Girdle Ness today, resting on the south harbour breakwater. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A juvenile Mediterranean Gull is perched on a concrete harbour breakwater.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A Curlew stretches its wings along the south shore of Aberdeen Harbour this evening. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A Curlew is stretching its wings upwards while standing on a rocky seaweed covered shore.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A calling Whimbrel alerted me to the dozen juvenile Bar-tailed Godwits it was travelling with. The group headed south but turned on their tails at the prospect of an evening supper in Greyhope Bay before continuing on their way through the assembling sunset. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife

A group of four Bar-tailed Godwits are flying left to right together with a Whimbrel on the left hand side.

Two Bar-tailed Godwits are flying against a pale sky.

Seven Bar-tailed Godwits are perched among grey rocks by the sea.

Eight Bar-tailed Godwits are silhouetted in flight against a colourful sky.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I was pleased to see this lovely juvenile Greenshank on the newly created pool at St Fittick's Park, Aberdeen today. Hopefully, it signals more passage waders to come this autumn. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A Greenshank is standing on one leg by a pool, facing to the left, with some grass and weeds on a muddy bank behind it.

A Greenshank is standing on one leg by a pool, facing to the right, with some grass and weeds on a muddy bank behind it.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

This juvenile Mediterranean Gull was a bit too quick for the camera to focus on as it flew through Greyhope Bay earlier today, but was my first of the year at Girdle Ness. #Birds #BirdingScotland #PatchBirding #UKWildlife

A juvenile Mediterranean Gull is flying left to right over a grey, rippled sea.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Odonata continue to reappear in the St Fittick's Park wetlands, with several Emerald Damselflies active this morning, as well as a few Common Darters. A Six-spot Burnet Moth was also on the wing. #Odonata @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #TeamMoth

An Emerald Damselfly rests on a stem, rubbing its eyes with its forelegs.

A Six-spot Burnet Moth is standing on a Creeping Thistle flower head.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Lots of seals at Girdle Ness these days, with a band of Grey Seals hauled out to call their siren song. My first Sooty Shearwater of the year flew north, hinting at the onset of autumn. Ringed Plovers are gathering on the pebbled beaches. #Birds #BirdingScotland #UKWildlife #PatchBirding

A group of several Grey Seals are hauled out on seaweed covered rocks. Herring Gulls are scattered among them.

A Ringed Plover is standing on a pebble beach, with many pebbles covered in green seaweed.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

There's probably not much phone video of Everett's Thrush out there, so here's one living its best life and tossing leaves around with abandon on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

On the cool slopes of Mount Kinabalu, I had a remarkable close encounter with one of the shyest endemic birds of the Borneo Highlands: Everett's Thrush. This one ran out in front of me and spent ten minutes rummaging through the leaf litter. #Birds #BirdsSeenIn2026

An Everett's Thrush is standing on a concrete road side among leaf litter and twigs. The mossy verge of the road is behind.

An Everett's Thrush is standing on a concrete road side among leaf litter and twigs. The mossy verge of the road is behind. The thrush has just tossed a leaf in the air.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Another strange and enigmatic Bornean endemic bird is Bornean Ground Cuckoo. It didn't take Ground Cuckoo master Romzie long to enable these wonderful views in the riverside forest at Kinabatangan. #Birds #BirdsSeenIn2026

A Bornean Ground Cuckoo is perched on a branch amongst dense foliage, facing forwards.

A Bornean Ground Cuckoo is perched on a branch amongst dense foliage, with its back to us.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Have been in Sabah, Borneo this month. Loads of great birds but this morning I finally saw 'the big one': Bornean Bristlehead. Prolonged views of a pair of these extraordinary creatures at Maliau Basin, although not the best light for photos. #Birds #BirdsSeenIn2026

A Bornean Bristlehead is perched in some leafless branches of a tree, showing its thick bill red and yellow head and black body.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Southern Alberta is a region where the eastern and western species of North America often live alongside one another. This was rather obviously the case along this fence line in the prairies, where Eastern and Western Kingbirds were in close association. #Birds #Alberta

A Western Kingbird is perched on a barbed wire fence against a green, grassy background. In the foreground, an Eastern Kingbird flies across.

A Western Kingbird is perched on a barbed wire fence against a green, grassy background.

An Eastern Kingbird is perched on a barbed wire fence against a green, grassy background.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Some engaging songbirds from around Calgary recently: Cedar Waxwing, Grey Catbird, Pacific Wren and Savannah Sparrow. #Birds #Alberta

A Cedar Waxwing is perched on a wooden surface.

A Grey Catbird is perched upright on a woody twig.

A Pacific Wren is singing with its mouth wide open from the top of a small conifer.

A Savannah Sparrow is perched on a knobbly branch against a a blue sky.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

The red eye of this Western Grebe really glows. Brooks, Alberta, 20th June. #Birds #Alberta

A Western Grebe is swimming right to left. It has a red eye and dull yellow bill.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I was charmed in the prairie lakes of Alberta by the kaleidoscope hues and delicate manners of Wilson's Phalaropes, their lobed feet tripping through the algae covered shallows. These females at Frank Lake are more brightly coloured than the males. #Birds #Alberta

A brightly coloured Wilson's Phalarope is standing in shallow, algae covered water.

A brightly coloured Wilson's Phalarope is walking through shallow, algae covered water.

A brightly coloured Wilson's Phalarope is standing in shallow, algae covered water, facing forward and creating a reflection.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

An American Avocet finding things in the brine and personifying elegance at Frank Lake, Alberta recently. #Birds #Alberta

An American Avocet picking something out of the water. In the top right is a Wilson's Phalarope.

An American Avocet standing elegantly in blue water, with its reflection at the bottom.

An American Avocet standing in blue water, preening with wings downstretched.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

A Coyote relaxing next to the Bow River in Calgary a couple of weeks ago. #Mammals #Alberta

A Coyote is sitting down by a thickly vegetated river bank.

A Coyote is sitting up by a thickly vegetated river bank.

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Andrew Whitehouse @anthrobirder.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

An Upland Sandpiper pivots on a fence post in the Alberta prairies last weekend. Such oddly proportioned birds but it seems to work for them. #Birds #Alberta

An Upland Sandpiper perches on an old wooden fence post against a light green background.

An Upland Sandpiper perches on an old wooden fence post against a light green background, pressing its long tail downwards.

An Upland Sandpiper perches on an old wooden fence post against a light green background, lifting its wings.

An Upland Sandpiper perches on an old wooden fence post against a light green background, lifting its wings slightly.

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