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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#SHETLAND AUTUMN BIRDING ACCOMMODATION, UNST: in idyllically situated self-catering at Westing? Two individual houses; x2 bed + x3 bed. Overlooks bay/valley where Franklins, Ross’s, Stej Stonechat, Pallid, RF Bluetail, WR Sand- even a UK first, East Siberian White Wagtail found. Link in comments 👇🏼

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Not often you can blame heat haze, (in addition to freehand phone-scoping!) in Shetland for a poor image! This Queen Eider was a surprise today whilst surveying Hascosay Sound yesterday. Clearly must be the Lerwick bird from earlier in summer but always a treat. #shetlandbirding #rarebirds #birding

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Picked out this aythya hybrid on Peerie Sea, Kirkwall today, presumably Scaup x Tuftie. Luckily it was quite close, might have appeared a better Lesser Scaup contender if in a distant flock of Tufties! Unfortunately, a no cigar scenario. #orkneybirding #birdingscotland

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

A striking drake Teal while surveying on Hascosay yesterday. Never seen a partial leucistic Teal before.

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Pleasant day birding with Rob Fray on Thursday North Mainland, couple of decent discoveries. Picking up a Hornemann’s that we only found due to watching a Merlin chase starlings- flushing it from a field (!) was jammy plus drake Ring-necked Duck were both most splendid #RarebirdsUK #shetlandbirding

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Taken very little time for birding this autumn, just too much work on, so not surprising not to find much other than Blyth’s Reed and Citrine over past month. Been nice to put in some time this week though, with Great Egret (also a house ✔️) & Firecrest with Mr P. #birdingshetland #birdingscotland

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

My first warbler of the autumn, and it’s a Greenish Warbler! Better still, from kitchen window (!) after coming in from Halligarth. The SE winds of late for us have just not come far enough this week to produce much, so this wee wing-barred wonder was a real treat. #rarebirdsUK #birdingShetland

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Jared Wilson @wilsonjaredm.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

A bit stunned when this Bridled Tern appear in my ‘scope 150m infront of the hide at Fife Ness. It then hung around for 3 hours roosting on a buoy and feeding inshore (when pic taken) before heading off NE. A first for Fife. Glad we chose today for the all day seawatch! #birdingFife #rarebirdsUK

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EveryHeron 𓅣 @everyheron.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

The most adaptable of Heronkind, with a presence in nearly every continent around the world. The Black Crowned Night Heron at the very northern tip of the UK

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Not what I expected today when entering Halligarth! 🫨 Black-crowned Night Heron. And there was me hoping for my first warbler of the autumn…. Now on the garden list too, #227. Still a rare bird here in the isles, and probably the first August record. #RareBirdsUK #ShetlandBirding

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Hi folks! Just a reminder to tune in to BBC1 Ocean episode of the new Parenhood series, with David Attenborough. Massive honour to worked on the #otter shoot here on #shetland with my great mates Richard Shucksmith & Raymond Besant. 19:15 BBC1 tonight!

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Crabbing with the kids in Baltasound cut short when hearing unfamiliar call. Picked up high overhead, but bins in pickup! Glad I pursued it north as to my surprise, this flew off Haroldswick beach 30min later, then settling briefly in cut field. American Golden Plover!! #rarebirdsuk #shetlandbirding

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Shore birds, are the obvious focus for any hope of finding a good bird in the isles in July- that or Two-barred Crossbill! This adult summer plumage BAIRDS SANDPIPER on the Houb, Baltasound was a most welcome representative from across the Atlantic today! #RarebirdsUK #BirdingShetland

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Always very happy to receive a little bit of luck, if ever it flies across a field chasing Starlings while driving along on a tour… Downloaded the rather splendid 2nd calendar year male Pallid Harrier, from today at Westing, Unst. #rarebirdsUK #shetland #birding #pallidharrier

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Ooft. Ya beauty!! Out of context, particularly ‘guiding finds’ are always a bonus- and jammy as. This 2nd cal male Pallid fairly raised the pulse this morning on way home for breakfast with my photo-tour group, after a 4:30 start this morning 😳 #rarebirdsUK #shetlandbirding #shetland #birding

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Gary Woodburn @gary-woodburn.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

My mate Seán Ronayne has made a beautiful film called ‘Birdsong’. It's one of the best things I've seen in years & it's on the telly next week ! Well worth a look. See it on Weds 12th March, BBC4 at 9pm. It should be on iplayer too. Here’s a trailer. #UKBirding www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D3h...

youtube.com

CIFF2025 - BIRDSONG Trailer

YouTube video by Solas Nua

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Amazing discovery today out surveying #Merlin for #Shetland Raptor Study Group - this magnificent 2 day old Short-eared Owlets! Only 5th confirmed record. Bizarrely, with somewhat flukey owl finding fortune, these are the 4th I’ve found. #fieldwork @btoscotland.bsky.social @rspbscotland.bsky.social

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

The diminutive and delightful Lesser Twayblade. Usually little taller than an inch or two and with a flower that’s very well camouflaged amongst the heath, it’s little wonder it is one of Shetlands most under recorded Orchid. Recorded 5 new sites last week whilst out doing ecological surveys.

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Ben Porter @bardseyben.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Mountain Manxies! It was so exciting to finally get the opportunity to witness the amazing mountaintop Manx shearwater colony on Rùm last week (west Scotland). The night’s bivvy to experience their arrival on Hallival was pretty awesome. Here’s a short piece for #SeabirderSaturday

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Returned home this week after co-leading our photo-tour with Kev Morgan’s and Jari Peltomaki to Finnish Lapland & Arctic Norway, in partnership with Finnature. Next years dates are all set, with an even more exciting program, and amazingly is already oversubscribed before we’ve not even launched!

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Alexander Lees @alexanderlees.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Working on avian vagrancy? @pauldufour80.bsky.social and myself are organising a symposium at the EOU Conference 2025 at Bangor University, Wales (UK) from 18-22 August 2025 #Ornithology please submit abstracts to: auth.oxfordabstracts.com?redirect=/st... 🪶🌍

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

A humble request for your vote over the weekend for WILD SHETLAND, which was shortlisted in the ScottishNature Photography Awards favourite book of 2024, which closes on Monday. All support hugely appreciated 👇🙏❤️ scottishnaturephotographyawards.com/bookvote/

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Graham Appleton @wadertales.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

During April/May, over half a million Whimbrel will fly from Africa to Iceland, many stopping off in Ireland/UK. How do winter conditions affect breeding success? Blog based on paper by Camila Carneiro: wadertales.wordpress.com/2021/01/30/w... Published 30 Jan 2021 🎂4️⃣ #ConservationScience🌍

wadertales.wordpress.com

Winter conditions for Whimbrel

Up until relatively recently, it was hard to study the same population of migratory waders in both its breeding area and its wintering grounds. Ringed birds established links between different coun…

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BTO Scotland @btoscotland.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

We'll be hearing much more about this stunning area- and much more- at the Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference in Inverness in March! Book your place soon before they all go! www.the-soc.org.uk/pages/event/...

the-soc.org.uk

Scottish Birdwatchers' Conference 2025

The SOC

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Wild Justice @wildjustice.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

This morning our petition has passed 52,000 signatures. We're halfway to 100k, when we can secure a debate. We think driven grouse shooting should be banned. If you do too, please add your name and share: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

The King and Queen of the Arctic. In less than two months I’ll be returning to Finnish Lapland and Arctic Norway. The floating hides in Batsfjord really are next level, not just for photography, but the experience to be so close to such an iconic sea duck. #kingeider #birding #birdphotography

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James Spencer @ornid.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

The APEM Ornithology team is looking to recruit senior consultants - we are a team of 30 doing assessments for offshore, intertidal and terrestrial projects as well as undertaking research and surveys. Closing date Weds is you want to join us #ukbirds #ornithology jobs.apemltd.co.uk/vacancies/63...

jobs.apemltd.co.uk

Senior Ornithology Consultant - Hybrid Working | APEM

View details and apply for this Senior Ornithology Consultant vacancy in Hybrid Working. Are you an ambitious ornithologist with experience delivering ecological reports and technical assessments? D...

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Fair Isle Bird Observatory @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

We are hiring seasonal hospitality staff! These are exciting opportunities to relocate seasonally to Shetland, working with a close-knit hospitality team at our guesthouse on the UK’s most remote inhabited island. More details on our website fairislebirdobs.co.uk/index Please share! #shetland

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Birders lucky to visit #Fetlar btwn 1967- 1975 may remember this aged (rotting), flat-packed wooden structure? The remains of the @rspb.bsky.social observation hide, installed on Stackaberg, for the monumental British breeding record of Snowy Owl. 1/2 #shetlandbirding #ukbirding #scottishbirding

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

A couple of highlights we're looking forward to seeing again in Fuerteventura in a month's time - Black-bellied Sandgrouse & Plain Tiger. We've had two places open up on this popular tour at the last minute - a nice late winter break, perhaps? www.mariposanature.com/tours/wildli...

Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) © Chris Lodge

Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) © Chris Lodge

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Things move fast here on BlueSky! We confirmed 2026 dates for our popular Romania in Spring tour last week, and it's already half-full. We had a great time there in 2024, and can't wait for this year's tour. You could join us there in 2026 - if you're quick... www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi) © János Oláh

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Enjoyed a fantastic couple hours at one of my favourite #Otter coastlines earlier this week. This was a sibling squabble that erupted as they tried to claim a Rockling from their mother’s jaws, as she raced for the shore. #Shetland #UKmammals #nature #UKnature #wildlifephotography

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Alexander Lees @alexanderlees.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

A thread on quite how incredible the Texel Spectacled Eider record is, given that almost the entire world population (~250K) winters together around 62°00'N, 173°00'W in polynyas - gaps in the sea ice in the Bering Sea, like the ones below👇 🧵#Ornithology 1/

Spectacled Eider flocks in the Bering Sea: Source https://frontierscientists.com/2012/01/satellite-tracking-helps-russian-tanker-navigate-critical-sea-duck-habitat/

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Spurn Bird Observatory @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

FINAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - CLOSING DATE THIS SUNDAY Join Spurn Bird Observatory as a Seasonal Assistant Warden! 📍 Kilnsea, East Yorkshire 🗓 1st April - 15th Nov 2025 💷 £19,500–£23,809.50 (pro-rata) 📅 Apply by: 19th Jan 2025 Details: buff.ly/4gjCclB

buff.ly

WE'RE RECRUITING AN ASSISTANT WARDEN

Join Our Team as a Seasonal Assistant Warden!

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Shetland mega- Ross’s Goose, Scatsta Just been sent these very happy Rob Fray, having just found a county first! With such remarkable supporting cast of High Arctic vagrants, surely never been a better time for the gorgeous wee goose to be the real deal? #ShetlandBirding #BirdingShetland #UKbirding

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Mark Eaton @markaeaton.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Sat on the saltmarsh at Wide Open, Ross Back Sands until dusk, on my own, while this American Buff-bellied Pipit fed all around me. It was totally unconcerned by my presence. Brilliant find by Neil Osborne, the 2nd for Northumberland #NEbirding #rarebirdsUK

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Graham Appleton @wadertales.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Young birders in UK/Ireland? Under 25? There are seven species of wader/shorebird that have been shown to live longer than you have! WaderTales blog about longevity and survival: wadertales.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/w... Images show new BTO records set in 2023 (latest available) #ornithology

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

We see a wide range of Icelands that are convincingly pigeonholed as Kumlien’s but you rarely see one as good as this. Found by Dave Cooper (his pics) at Westing, Unst yesterday- the day after he found a well marked 2nd winter. Best one I’ve seen. Lovely #BirdingShetland #ShetlandBirding #UKBirding

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brydonthomason.bsky.social @brydonthomason.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Ok, 👋! New to this Bluesky malarkey- thought good way to kick off with a mighty splendid grey morph #GYRFALCON I found yesterday whilst doing a VP. Ever heard Gyr call? This did, harassed by Raven. Nae camera but with good views plus call be interesting how fares with @britishbirdsbbrc.bsky.social

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