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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Finally got a Sabs Gull year-tick today when a juv flew into the river mouth at Musselburgh at 4pm. Also my 1st Bonxie of the autumn today. Scary how their numbers have crashed. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Purple Hairstreaks performing well in Butterdean Wood this afternoon. At least 3 seen, probably 5+

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Finally got a 2026 year-tick White-letter Hairstreak today in Meadowfield Park, Edinburgh. Thanks to @gazingattrees.bsky.social for finding it for me. Now, fingers crossed, for Purple Hairstreak while the good weather holds.

White-letter Hairstreak in Meadowfield Park, Edinburgh

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Really chuffed to come across this smart Hummingbird Hawkmoth near Gullane today. My first for a few years.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Gullane, East Lothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

My first Small Skipper of the year today at Levenhall Links. Also good numbers of Ringlet and Common Blue as well as a few Painted Ladies. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Small Skipper at Levenhall Links, East Lothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

My first Large Skipper of the year today at Levenhall Links, E Lothian. Bang on schedule despite the cold snap mid May. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Male Large Skipper butterfly at Levenhall Links, E Lothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

My 1st Dragonfly of the year today. This fine Broad-bodied Chaser at Colstoun in E Lothian. About 2 weeks later than last year. Small numbers of all the common Damselflies on the wing now as well. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

After 90 mins with just brief flight views of the Woodlark at Gosford this lunchtime it finally landed out in the open right in front of myself and James Ellison. Great views. #birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

When the mist cleared at Musselburgh this afternoon up popped 5 Pom Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 25 Little Gull, 4 Scaup, 23 RT Divers, 3 Slavonian Grebes and 1 Red-necked Grebe #birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Plenty of disturbance at Gladhouse Reservoir today - boats on the water and people walking around the edge. But this GWE didn't seem to mind too much. #birdinglothian

Great White Egret at Gladhouse Reservoir Midlothian on 13 Oct 2025

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Nothing new in at Musselburgh today but some nice birds nevertheless #birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Adult Sabine's Gull off Musselburgh at 16:10 today for 15 minutes before it flew off East. Presumably the bird seen earlier off Fisherrow by Chris Rodger #birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Very windy at Levenhall Links today but a sheltered spot turned up 15 Ringlet, 15 Meadow Brown, 12 Speckled Wood, 9 Red Admiral, 6 Small Skipper, 4 Comma, 2 Large Skipper, 2 Painted Lady and 1 Common Blue. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Weather not great today for butterflies. Warm, but dull and breezy. Tried Levenhall Links anyway and managed 6 Large Skipper, 5 Ringlet, 5 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Meadow Brown ( my 1st of year).

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Had my earliest ever Ringlet at Levenhall Links, E Lothian today - along with 5 Large Skipper and a Common Blue. Earlier there were 2 Large Skippers at Luffness Quarry near Gullane. A new site for this species for me.

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

My first Large Skippers of the year today, 2 males at Levenhall Links, Musselburgh. Ten days earlier than previous years.

Male Large Skipper at Levenhall Links, East Lothian.

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

The Green- winged Teal at Musselburgh was very obliging today. Don't think I've ever seen one so close. #birdinglothian

Green-winged Teal on the wader scrapes at Musselburgh Lagoons.

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Caught up with the Kentish Plover at Tyninghame this afternoon. A very confiding bird which came really close after everyone else left. #birdinglothian

Kentish Plover, Tyninghame, East Lothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Took a walk upriver from Musselburgh this afternoon looking for butterflies. Had 5 Peacocks, 2 Commas, 2 Small Whites, 1 Orange Tip and 2 Dark-edged Beeflies.

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

A brief late afternoon visit to Musselburgh today gave me 2 year ticks - 4 Sandwich Terns fishing by the rivermouth and 2 White Wagtails on the new lagoon. ##birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

A jaunt into the Lammermuirs today was productive with a pair of Ring Ouzels back on territory near Faseny Cottage and an additional male moving through. Also 4+ Wheatears in the area. Both species year ticks for me. #birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Further buildup of Sand Martins at Musselburgh today with 50+ over the new lagoon and 10+ over the R Esk. Also 1 Swallow and a Little Egret on the new lagoon. #birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Jack Snipe still on wader scrapes at Musselburgh today. Also 2 drake Shoveler and 2 Sand Martins west. 1 Red-necked and 1 Slavonian Grebes offshore and Sparrowhawk hanging about. #birdinglothian

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Phil Bould @joppabirder.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

A Little Egret on the new lagoon at Musselburgh this afternoon. Otherwise very quiet.

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