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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Yes, I'd agree with the app. I see a lot more of the 'pillars than I ever do of the moffs.

Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Surprise Kingfisher on quick whizz around Portsoy just before dusk, by rockpools near the fish shop. Patch ✔️ @patchbirding.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

Slightly distant photo of a Kingfisher, perched on dark-coloured rocks with some algae patches.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

I commented a couple days ago on our local moth WhatsApp group that I was still waiting for MDJ - so maybe your comment here will similarly invoke it. Do you have oaks close by? Closest I know of here are maybe a mile or so away.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Several folk in NE Scotland have added Merville du Jour to their garden lists this autumn and we now join the club. Also a Scarce Bordered Straw - our second, after one last year. Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Merville du Jour moth, settled on a branch.

Scarce Bordered Straw moth, settled on a dock leaf

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Surprisingly good garden moth night. Just 8/6 but these included Large Wainscot and Red-line Quaker, both new for garden (and hectad). Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) #teammoth

Large Wainscot moth, settled on a wooden branch

Red-line Quaker moth, settled on a dock leaf

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Veg quadratting for our year 2 students to work out the NVC community at @hutton.ac.uk's Glensaugh research farm. We timed arrival perfectly as a Sea Eagle drifted right over. Finished with the traditional measuring of the near 200-year-old Sitka Spruce in Drumtochty Glen. @srucnews.bsky.social

Two huddles of 4 to 5 people in a heather-grass mosaic upland landscape. People are wrapped up, suggesting chilly weather, but sun is shining and sky mostly blue.

A Sea Eagle, basically silhouetted, flying right to left against the sky.

A human chain of people joining hands around the base of an enormous spruce tree.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Concluding day of Study Weekend for @srucnews.bsky.social Wildlife Conservation Management MSc students. A damp day but high spirits, as we discussed visitor centre interpretation and walked a route through the marvellous Glen Finglas woodlands. Some #bioacoustics thrown in for good measure!

Six people stood around in a visitor centre looking towards a concept map of the site on the way. One person is pointing things out on the map.

Six people stood in a group among scattered trees. All have waterproofs on and it looks as though it is raining.

Small green plastic casing strapped to a thin Birch tree trunk.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Study Weekend day 1 for @srucnews.bsky.social MSc Wildlife Conservation students. Visits to Wester Moss NR, Beecraigs CP and Kinneil LNR. 👏 to David Hill of @savebutterflies.bsky.social for hosting at the moss. Students discussed visitor management, measured peat depth enjoyed plenty of birding 👍.

Five people on a bog with woodland edge behind. Two are lifting a peat pole from the ground, already 3 to 4 m long.

Five people scattered around a series of iron structures on grassy area.

Eight people, on explaining something in front of an info board, and the others paying close attention.

Eight people scattered along a grassy path, most looking out over mudflats in background.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The Girdle Ness Syke's Warbler. Gorgeous weather, showy bird and a world ✔️ in NE Scotland. What's not to like? #BirdingScotland

Syke's Warbler facing right, catching the sun, perched out in front of a shrub with green leaves and berries.

Syke's Warbler facing left, catching the sun, perched out in front of a shrub with green leaves and berries.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Green-brindled Crescent next to the trap last night - another new for garden (and hectad) moff. The green brindling showing especially well by torchlight. Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) #teammoth

A Green-brindled Crescent moth settled on grey plastic moth trap electrics box, by torchlight.

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Reposted by Nick Littlewood

Phil Martin @philmartin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I'm super excited & proud to share our latest paper with you all, published today in @jappliedecology.bsky.social! The team put together a systematic map on the factors impacting the use of scientific evidence in biodiversity conservation decision making. (1/12) tinyurl.com/3c6x6vca

tinyurl.com

Factors influencing the use of scientific evidence in conservation practice and policy: Insights from a systematic map

Researchers should move from characterising factors impacting scientific evidence use to identifying and testing interventions to facilitate its use by conservation decision makers. Since these facto....

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

This is Portsoy - North Aberdeenshire coast close to border with Moray.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

A second stunning Clifden Nonpareil by the trap this morning - wonder where they've come from (migrants or locally bred)... Also, garden landmark of macromoth species #200, Satellite, in the trap and Brindled Ochre was #201. Portsoy - VC94 (Banffshire) #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Clifden Nonpareil moth, with forewings spread to show blue line across dark hindwing.

Clifden Nonpareil moth, settled on green-stained wood panel.

Satellite moth by torchlight, on moulded black plastic rim of moth trap.

Brindled Ochre moth settled on green herbaceous vegetation.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

TBH botanical composition hasn't really changed at Netherley, but relative proportions of species has. Pignut is doing particularly well, which attracts rootling Badgers, creating more germination niches.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Yeah, I believe that's the pattern. Taken a while to get well established here, due (presumably) to sheer initial dominance of tussocky grasses, high soil enrichment and lack of consistent management before a seasonal ranger post commenced c5 yrs ago. Are you planting/sowing additional species?

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Rain stopped right on cue for the annual rake up of cut vegetation on the Red Moss of Netherley path. After 10+ years of management, the Yellow-rattle is becoming increasingly dominant and @scotwildlife.bsky.social ranger, Lewis, had made short work of it with the brushcutter. #habitatmanagement

Looking along a grassy path with vegetation just cut and raked. There's wire fencing with wooden fence posts along both sides.

A person walking away along a grassy path, heading towards woodland, carrying a forkfull of grass cuttings over their shoulder.

A person with wooden rake, raking up grass cuttings. Photo is positioned looking along grassy path with wire fence and wood posts on right a broken down drystone wall on left.

An outstretched hand holding some dried brown Yellow Rattle seed pods over a clear plastic bag.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The 5 Brents remained at Portsoy for today's @webs-gsmp.bsky.social count, whilst 17 Canada Geese were also notable (just two singles here before). A Knot was the highlight among the more usual waders. @patchbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland

Five Pale-bellied Brent Geese on the sea.

17 Canada Geese and a handful of Herring Gulls on the sea.

From left to right, a Turnstone, a Knot and two Redshank, on rocks with the sea out of focus at upper left.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Five Pale-bellied Brents spent the day on the shore in front of Portsoy campsite while two Swifts were still screaming over the town centre this evening. @patchbirding.bsky.social #BirdingScotland

Five Pale-bellied Brent Geese, facing in a range of directions, stood among a patchwork of green algae-covered rocks and small pools.

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Reposted by Nick Littlewood

Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

What a wonderful few days celebrating invertebrates and the people who love them at #Ento26 Special thanks to @royentsoc.bsky.social for awarding me their conference participation grant, without which I wouldn't have been able to come and present my research! #TeamMoth #Bugsky

A fantastical illustration of an entomologist

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

First troglodytian escapade this "winter". This Aberdeen culvert drew a blank last winter, but two #hibernatingheralds were in attendance today along with a Small Tortoiseshell.

A Herald moth adult, picked out by torchlight, resting upsidedown on a smooth concrete surface.

A Herald moth adult, picked out by torchlight, resting upsidedown on a smooth concrete surface. A black waxy looking item dangles behind the moth and light can be seen coming from the out-of-focus tunnel entrance in the background.

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, picked out by torchlight, resting on a smooth concrete surface, with wings closed over the body.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Frosted Orange becomes the 199th macro moth species in the garden. I'm dreaming of Oleander Hawkmoth for number 200. Start up the fanfare... Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) #teammoth

A Frosted Orange moth in torchlight on the clear plastic cone of the moth trap.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Fourth Nutmeg for the garden (a migrant here, all in last four weeks) and third Rusty Dot Pearl. But catch was dominated by 38 Setaceous Hebrew Characters - a big movement on. A late Common Wainscot may also have been a migrant. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

A Nutmeg moth, from above, settled on green-stained rough wood panel.

A Rusty Dot Pearl moth, from above, on a fibrous egg tray.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Not quite as spectacular as yesterday's Clifden NP or Convolvulus HM, but Turnip Moth was new-for-garden (and hectad) this morning and occurs in this area solely as an uncommon migrant. Also a Rusty Dot Pearl. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

A Turnip moth from above, settled on a fibrous egg tray.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

It all just got a whole lot more exciting! There's a Clifden Nonpareil on the shed next to the trap. What a beast! Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth @trailerbythesea.bsky.social

A Clifden Nonpareil moth settled on green-stained rough wood panel

Looking down on a Clifden Nonpareil moth on paving slabs with some grass at top of pic. The moth has forewings half spread, showing striking blue line through blackish hindwing.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A good migrant day at Portsoy (phenomenal by Portsoy standard!) with #patchtick Pied Fly and Redstart and also Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, Sedge W, 11 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 WW. Also still a dozen Swifts about. @patchbirding.bsky.social #birdingscotland

A Whinchat perched on top of a Gorse bush

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

The bottom layer of egg trays held the first Convolvulus Hawkmoth to actually enter the trap here. We settled it onto a Rowan near the Nicotiana - handy for a feed when it wakes up. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

A Convolvulus Hawkmoth, settled clinging upright on a Rowan stem, with some Rowan leaves in the scene and some out-of-focus berries behind.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Highlight in this morning's trap was VC94's first Light Brown Apple Moth. I'd found the firsts for VC45 (Pembrokeshire) and then VC69 (Westmorland) in the late 1990s. So I'm claiming a glorious/dubious [delete as applicable] 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 hat-trick. #teammoth

A female Light Brown Apple Moth on a fibrous egg tray.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

It might be a record year for Small Mottled Willows down south, but just the 2nd for the year (and ever) was in garden trap today. Then one flew up from grass this afternoon, mimicking a tristella. Maybe more to come in days ahead? Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

Looking down on a Small Mottled Willow moth among grass in sunny conditions.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

New-for-garden 𝘊𝘺𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘢. Potentially a migrant/wanderer here. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) #teammoth

𝘊𝘺𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘢 - a micro moth, on white plastic moth trap cone

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I used to see ferrugalis tolerably frequently by day on the east Aberdeenshire coast, but this is my first on the north coast. We grew Nicotiana two years ago also, and lots more cam trap records then of Convolvulus HM than at light (just one). Great to know they're around.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Rusty Dot Pearl was an overdue New-For-Garden moth among a small catch this morning, while Convolvulus Hawkmoth again visited the Nicotiana late in night, caught on camera trap. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Covolvulus Hawkmoth season commences - several garden visits between midnight at 4am last night. Time to step up the torchlight patrols. Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth @trailerbythesea.bsky.social

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I don't make much effort with identifying #hoverflies, but this stunning one caught my eye in the moth trap this morning: 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘦𝘷𝘢 𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪 - a migrant species. From search of other posts, seems to be quite a few around this summer. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire)

A distinctly marked hoverfly, 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘦𝘷𝘢 𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪, on an egg tray.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Quite a busy trap this morning (lots of wee beetles!) and one new-for-garden moth - 𝘌𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 - thankfully a fresh and clearly marked one. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) #teammoth

A micro moth - 𝘌𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 - resting on green-stained rough sawn wood panel.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Emerald Damselfly becomes the sixth Odonata species here since we dug the garden pond in 2024. #gardenwildlife

Side view of a female Emerald Damselfly, resting on a vertical bare brown plant stem. Out-of-focus water and green vegetation behind.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Dog's Tooth overnight in the garden trap. A proper migrant here, with a few reported in NE Scotland in last couple nights - the only previous record was in 1892! This one is new for VC. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

A brown and subtly patterned macro moth called Dog's Tooth, photographed from above, resting on a dock leaf.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Very similar rate of climb to our garden - 272 leps (260 moths - including 3 new last night) in third year of mothing here. Might reach 300 next year...

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Double Nutmeg in the trap this morning - a proper scarce migrant moth here and new-for-garden. Plus two new-for-garden micros: 𝘡𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘻𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 and 𝘌𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢. Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

Two Nutmeg moths, both facing left and with antennae outstretched, on a dock leaf

𝘡𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘻𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 - a micro moth, facing right, resting on an egg box carton.

𝘌𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 - a micro moth with raised scale tufts along the dorsum. It is resting on the edge of the white plastic moth trap cone.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Still a few Quail about Portsoy area - sound up for this one right by the path (though remaining unseen). #PWC2026 #birdingscotland

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

A more modest garden catch after a cooler night but included a new-for-garden (and hectad) Lempke's Gold Spot. This tends to be the more commonly encountered of the two similar species around here. Portsoy (VC94 - Banffshire) #teammoth

A Lempke's Gold Spot moth facing left on a bramble leaf.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

First time running the garden trap for a few days. Scalloped Oak was new-for-garden; long overdue and strange to be absent up to now. Double Lobed (scarce locally) was nice to see too among a few new-for-year moffs. Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) #teammoth

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

We struggle at Portsoy for small waders, so 12 Dunlin today was easily a record count. One Quail singing just east of town today, and 5 yesterday towards Whitehills, but barley harvesting has begun, so presumably that'll move some of them on. #birdingscotland #PWC2026

A green-algae-covered shore with some rocks and darker seaweed protruding through. 12 Dunlin are spread along the water's edge.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Fewer moths in the garden trap this morning but a highlight was a new-for-garden Dark Spinach - there's been very few NE Scotland records in recent years. Also NFG was 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢. Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) #teammoth

A Dark Spinach moth, photographed from above, on a spiky-edged green leaf.

A micro moth, 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘱𝘩𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢, on white plastic moth trap vanes.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Great Brocade - one of the few migrants where we don't look at southern hauls with envy. This one (New For Garden) is clearly paler than typical Scottish population, which gets to within a few tens of miles from us. Portsoy (VC94, Banffshire) #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

A Great Brocade moth, on a bramble leaf, photographed from above. It is of the greyer migrant form rather than the darker Scottish breeding form.

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Wonder how many there really are across the Barley Plains of North Aberdeenshire and Moray...?

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Quail is detected quite a bit on remote acoustic recorders but this week's birds are first I've heard in real life in quite some time. Birds singing in five (so far) different barley fields around Portsoy. #PWC2026 #birdingscotland

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Nick Littlewood @blackdogbirder.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Another long-overdue Portsoy ✔️. This was in a little-visited section of the patch, so could easily be a breeder here rather than early dispersal. #PWC2026 #birdingscotland

A backlit Spotted Flycatcher perched up among twigs.

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