Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 6hOriginally found on Tuesday (by Andy Cook) this Turtle Dove has been extremely elusive since. I’d seen it twice but only from distance and, more often than not, in flight, until today. I re-found it among a flock of c30 Rock Doves on Houbie beach. 060
Reposted by Paul MacklamPatrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I've written Joe Harkness's obituary for the Guardian. I hope it pays good tribute to a wonderful man who was brave, honest and made the world a better place. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comJoe Harkness obituaryWriter, teacher and naturalist who explored the effects of the natural world on neurodivergency 1421363
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Merlin and a couple of Ruff were the best I could find today 032
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Pied Flycatcher at Northdale and a distant Grey Plover at Funzie (quite possibly the regular returning bird) 151
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Barred Warbler at Funzie and a Spot Fly in my garden. 070
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 25/08/2026A young juvenile Stonechat at Northdale mires, this afternoon. 120
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 10/07/2026Great Northern Diver, off Brough jetty, today. 041
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/07/2026A more than decent day. Two Quails (the island is jumping with them) Water Rail, Redpoll, RTDivers, RNPhals, dozens of recently fledged Wheatears and the Ruddy Shelduck which was back after going AWOL for a couple of days. 081
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 03/07/2026Ruddy Shelduck this afternoon (found by Simon Roddis) It took a long time to relocate it. I’m told it’s the second record for Shetland. 1111
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Rosy Starling found yesterday (on Lambhoga) by Tom Rosas and (presumably the same bird) relocated today by Calum Scott @aberladybirder.bsky.social The light was poor at 8pm when I finally found it (and it was distant) but it’s a very smart bird. 1140
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Lovely to see this Short-eared Owl hunting today before perching up to dry out. 140
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 10/06/2026In the absence of any scarce birds a trio of Otters entertained me. Within a minute of entering the sea they were all out again with various prey items. 071
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 09/06/2026The Shrike remained in the same area today, somewhat less flighty than yesterday. 060
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 08/06/2026Female RBShrike today (found by Nat) near the Island Hall, it made its way to my garden before heading back to the original location. 0181
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026I don't encounter Otters every day so this one was a welcome sight at low tide 040
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 24/05/2026Walking back to my car I heard a familiar “pik-pik” call and these two dropped onto the loch, right in front of me. 0161
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 23/05/2026Red Necked Phalarope numbers are on the increase, including my first males of the year. 070
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026It’s taken me 10 years to see this behaviour! A pair of Red-throated Divers mating on the shore of a small lochan. 1101
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 16/05/2026My first Phal of the season, brightening up a rainy day. 1261
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/05/2026This belter is still in the Funzie area, hopefully it will be leaving soon for its breeding grounds. The American Wigeon continued its stay, on Papil Water today. 1171
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2026Whimbrel calling from almost every corner of the island now, these were just outside my garden 081
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2026A real treat today, seeing (and hearing) Dunlin displaying, on the mires 091
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2026The American Wigeon was mobile today, seen at Houbie Mires and occasionally on Papil Water. 050
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Nice American Wigeon on Houbie Mires this afternoon. 0131
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Great Northern Divers are starting to look very smart 040
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 26/04/2026Watched these Snipe for ages today, fabulous birds 040
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 25/04/2026The Grey Plover is looking stunning now, still in the Funzie area. 130
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 21/04/2026Always distant but the long staying (since Oct 19th) Grey Plover is on the cusp of breeding plumage. It’s going to be a stunner (heavily cropped pics from ~350m away) 0121
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 15/03/2026The Hen Harrier was at Dullens again today, unfortunately always fairly distant. 052
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 12/03/2026A distant Hen Harrier at Dullens today, in less than optimal conditions. Presumably the same bird I found there on 19 Feb. 1174
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 09/03/2026Always special to see an Otter. The Octopus put up a fight, but not for long! 0102
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/03/2026The Grey Plover is still hanging on at Funzie, been present since October. 160
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 11/02/2026Finally got in on the ‘White-front’ action at Aith today. The long staying Grey Plover continues to move around the Funzie area with the Goldie flock. 050
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 27/12/2025Not a lot to get excited about locally but this Grey Plover has been hanging around the Funzie area, since October. 040
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 22/11/2025It was barely light, hence the terrible pic, but a Water Rail in the garden was a nice start to the day. 050
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 21/11/2025This Long-eared Owl left the area some time ago. Here's a shot of it perched. 090
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 20/11/2025Two Tree Sparrows at Tresta were a surprise find today. Patch gold! 090
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 11/11/2025The Yellow-browed Warbler was looking somewhat better today and 'that' Redpoll appeared again. 060
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 10/11/2025A late (and very wet) Yellow-browed Warbler in challenging conditions this afternoon. 091
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/11/2025Ridiculous views of a Long-eared Owl, this afternoon, at an undisclosed location. 0180
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 01/11/2025No sign of it yesterday but the AGP was back at Aithbank again, this afternoon. 1110
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 30/10/2025Found an American Golden Plover at Aithbank this morning. 1160
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 27/10/2025The Northerlies aren't producing migrants here but there's always something to brighten up the day. Merlin at Dullens. 070
Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 23/10/2025Crazy how scarce these thing are on Fetlar. Part of a 'flock' of 15 130