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Paul Macklam

@colonelbirder.bsky.social
203 followers 114 following 169 posts

Birding my Fetlar patch since 2016 (formerly Durham and Cleveland) All bird pics are my own and self-found (unless stated otherwise) Stormy winters and endless summer days, just two sides of the same coin.

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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 6h
Originally 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.
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Reposted by Paul Macklam
Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I'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.com
Joe Harkness obituary
Writer, teacher and naturalist who explored the effects of the natural world on neurodivergency
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Merlin and a couple of Ruff were the best I could find today
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Pied Flycatcher at Northdale and a distant Grey Plover at Funzie (quite possibly the regular returning bird)
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Barred Warbler at Funzie and a Spot Fly in my garden.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A young juvenile Stonechat at Northdale mires, this afternoon.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Great Northern Diver, off Brough jetty, today.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Almost forgot, found a Snipe nest too
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
A 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.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Ruddy 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.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Rosy 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.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Lovely to see this Short-eared Owl hunting today before perching up to dry out.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
In 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.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The Shrike remained in the same area today, somewhat less flighty than yesterday.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Female RBShrike today (found by Nat) near the Island Hall, it made its way to my garden before heading back to the original location.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Found a Rosefinch this afternoon at Tresta
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I don't encounter Otters every day so this one was a welcome sight at low tide
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Walking back to my car I heard a familiar “pik-pik” call and these two dropped onto the loch, right in front of me.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Red Necked Phalarope numbers are on the increase, including my first males of the year.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
It’s taken me 10 years to see this behaviour! A pair of Red-throated Divers mating on the shore of a small lochan.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
My first Phal of the season, brightening up a rainy day.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
This 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.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Whimbrel calling from almost every corner of the island now, these were just outside my garden
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
A real treat today, seeing (and hearing) Dunlin displaying, on the mires
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
The American Wigeon was mobile today, seen at Houbie Mires and occasionally on Papil Water.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Nice American Wigeon on Houbie Mires this afternoon.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Great Northern Divers are starting to look very smart
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Watched these Snipe for ages today, fabulous birds
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
The Grey Plover is looking stunning now, still in the Funzie area.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Always 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)
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
The Hen Harrier was at Dullens again today, unfortunately always fairly distant.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Merlin at Aith, this afternoon.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
A distant Hen Harrier at Dullens today, in less than optimal conditions. Presumably the same bird I found there on 19 Feb.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
19 Barnacle Geese at Funzie this afternoon
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Always special to see an Otter. The Octopus put up a fight, but not for long!
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
The Grey Plover is still hanging on at Funzie, been present since October.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Finally 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.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Not a lot to get excited about locally but this Grey Plover has been hanging around the Funzie area, since October.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
It was barely light, hence the terrible pic, but a Water Rail in the garden was a nice start to the day.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
This Long-eared Owl left the area some time ago. Here's a shot of it perched.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Two Tree Sparrows at Tresta were a surprise find today. Patch gold!
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
The Yellow-browed Warbler was looking somewhat better today and 'that' Redpoll appeared again.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
A late (and very wet) Yellow-browed Warbler in challenging conditions this afternoon.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
An "interesting" Redpoll from yesterday
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Ridiculous views of a Long-eared Owl, this afternoon, at an undisclosed location.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
No sign of it yesterday but the AGP was back at Aithbank again, this afternoon.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Found an American Golden Plover at Aithbank this morning.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
The Northerlies aren't producing migrants here but there's always something to brighten up the day. Merlin at Dullens.
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Crazy how scarce these thing are on Fetlar. Part of a 'flock' of 15
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Paul Macklam @colonelbirder.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Sibe Chiffchaff at Tresta this afternoon.
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