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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Not the best of pics in the half-light early this morning but this Glossy Ibis at Aberlady is just my third in Lothian and is a first for the reserve. The way things are going I can’t imagine it will be long before both counts increase. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Glossy Ibis have been the main feature of the last few days on Tiree. Difficult to know how many individuals there's been, but probably at least 14. This bird at Cornaigbeg showed very well in the driving rain this pm. The Baird's Sandpiper still present today too. #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

A '4 species of American wader' morning on Tiree with the remaining Baird's & Buff-breasted Sandpipers, @tireebirder.bsky.social's American Golden Plover and a new Pectoral Sandpiper, followed by a 4 Glossy Ibis afternoon (and JBs 2 further Pecs). #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

And better still this evening with this smart juv Baird's Sandpiper in Gott Bay. #birdingscotland @birdguides.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It's an encouraging start when the first plover flock you check on leaving the ferry contains a Buff-breast. This (never close) juv at Ruaig, Tiree this morning #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Vast numbers of feeding seabirds in the outer Forth just now, mainly Kittiwakes & Common Terns. Variety this pm came in the form of a Balearic Shearwater & ad Sabine’s Gull off Eyebroughy & a juv Sabine’s Gull off Yellowcraig. Also 5+ Black Terns & 30+ Little Gulls @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

All three drake White-winged Scoter still present and correct off Musselburgh seawall early this morning (though I don’t see all three every visit) & showing reasonably well for a change. Shame about the light (and midges). Pic of one of the immatures. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

The Aberlady Red-footed Falcon continues to perform beautifully for all comers. It’s proving very popular and is giving the 2024 Steppe Grey Shrike a serious run for its money in the ‘most photographed Lothian bird of all time’ stakes. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Not what I was expecting to find when I set off on a post-work trip to check the waders and terns at Aberlady this evening! @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

It’s safe to say the White-winged Scoter off Musselburgh are unlikely to be going anywhere far any time soon given the state of their moult. At least three still present this am; ad (pictured), 2cy and 3cy as well as 3 Surf Scoter still. @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

A minimum of 3 drake W-w Scoter now off Musselburgh (& suspected y’day) with the now 260+ strong Velvet flock, but virtually impossible to keep tabs on when the flock is constantly drifting/diving/preening/sleeping. Pic of what may be a new bird. @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Record shot from this am of both imm White-winged Scoter off Musselburgh: presumed 2cy first from right (with virtually no eye tick) & presumed 3cy fourth from right (with a better, though far from adult, eye tick & prominent brown flanks). 3 Surfs still present too @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Two smart adult Roseate Terns with 100+ Sandwich Terns at Aberlady late morning. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

July is very much Scoter season at Musselburgh these days. This (presumed returning 3cy) White-winged Scoter was with the Velvets off the seawall early this morning as well as the 3 drake Surf Scoter still (pic from last week). @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

The two drake Surf Scoter continued to show very nicely on occasion this evening off the Musselburgh seawall @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

That moment a bull Orca’s dorsal fin suddenly appears in your field of view during an otherwise duff seawatch. I may have sworn. Mightily impressive even at 2+ miles range in shocking heat haze (one of 4+ past Scoughall this am). Heat hazy Spoonbill at Tyninghame this pm. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

A smart ad Curlew Sandpiper in the high tide roost at Tyninghame this afternoon. Singing Reed Warbler and Quail at Scoughall this morning. On Thursday, ad Little Stint and singing Reed Warbler at Aberlady. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

These Cranes North past Skateraw at 13:30 were the highlight of an otherwise quiet day - presumably the same three that have been at Howick, Northumberland in recent days. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #NEbirding.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

It's like meeting an old friend, relocating the Eider- wannabe White-winged Scoter. Now off Gullane Point and showing nicely...with Eider. @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

An unexpected Black-necked Grebe off Seafield this afternoon (also a Black Guillemot) @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

A break from checking the sea today produced this fine Shore Lark at Tyninghame, between the north end of the saltmarsh and the end of the sand spit. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

My pics may be getting progressively worse, but I can’t imagine I’ll ever find different White-billed Divers on three consecutive days in Lothian any time soon. Today’s bird/birds were distant, so huge crops, off Gullane Point this morning and Black Rocks this afternoon @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

A productive day birding with @colindavison.bsky.social, though no prizes for the pics. Nice to add another ad White-billed Diver to the influx, off Scoughall. Also, imm White-t Eagle & 4 Snow Bunts there. Later, 2 Tundra Beans & 4 ad Whitefronts at White Sands Quarry. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

A smart ad White-billed Diver off Yellowcraig this afternoon, west of Fidra. Nice to be able to contribute to the current influx in the Forth. @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

2cy Glaucous Gull at Yellowcraig at midday, found by @aberladybirder.bsky.social, looks to be the Gosford bird of last week. Earlier, now 12 Whitefronts (4 juvs) east of Prora with the Greylags. Yesterday, 13 Whitefronts (the same?) flew east out of Aberlady at 09:15. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Four ad White-fronted Geese with Whooper Swans and Greylags opposite West Fortune Farm entrance , east of Drem, this afternoon. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

This 2cy Caspian Gull at Musselburgh river mouth this morning, on a brief visit in the gloom. The fourth Casp in Lothian in as many days. It’s status as an official Scottish rarity must be on a very shoogly peg. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

The 3cy drake White-winged Scoter was off Aberlady beach again this morning while the drake Green-winged Teal was back on the river viewable from the car park. @birdinglothian.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Juv Glaucous Gull N past Torness at 10:30. Dreadful pic but it’s my first white-winger in Lothian for the best part of three years. It’s a sign of the times that it’s considerably easier to see Caspian Gulls these days. Merlin at Tyninghame this afternoon. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Today’s imm male White-winged Scoter off Aberlady was clearly different to the two ad drakes seen in the wider area y’day. It’s getting increasingly tricky to know just how many individuals there are in the Forth these days. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

A drake Green-winged Teal at Aberlady this morning, downstream of the wooden bridge. Two Red-necked Grebes, 12 Slavs and 2 Great Northern Divers offshore. @birdinglothian.bsky.social

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

A single Snow Bunting at Gullane Point was the highlight of this morning's wander round Aberlady. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Another winter of shocking scoter photography beckons. Both the drake White-winged off Ferny Ness this afternoon (middle bird in the pic) and the drake Surf off Gullane Point this morning were very distant. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

They may not create a ripple on even the Lothian rarity pond these days but todays Great White Egret at Aberlady was a (very) long overdue Lothian find tick for me and so was more satisfying than usual. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

This presumed drake Black Scoter with the scoter flock in Ravensheugh Bay this afternoon with @colindavison.bsky.social. Always distant and tricky in a bitingly cold wind and rough sea. Hopefully it’ll stick around until the weather improves. @birdinglothian.bsky.social #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Tough going again today in the continuing strong winds. This Grey Phalarope sought some relative shelter in the channel off Caoles, Vatersay this afternoon. #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

A brief Common Rosefinch at Bolnabodach, Barra in the gloom this morning was at least something to point the camera at. There’s been precious few migrants thus far otherwise. #birdingscotland

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

A couple of gulls from the last week or so in Lothian for those who like that sort of thing, both of which were brief. What looked to be a good fuscus candidate from Tyninghame on 14th (but unringed and so unprovable) and a 2cy Caspian from Musselburgh on 17th #birdinglothian.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Today's American Golden Plover at Balevullin, Tiree steadfastly refused to give anything other than record shots. Presumably fresh in as it hasn't found the Goldie flock yet, mind you neither have I in the last few days. 2 Glossy Ibis, Turtle Dove & Black Tern all still present. #birdingscotland.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Two Glossy Ibis still Loch a'Phuill, Turtle Dove at Clachan, Black Tern off Hynish, Wood Sand at Balevullin, Little Stint at Vaul, 1cy Med Gull at Scarinish & 42 Curlew Sands around the island on another day of challenging weather on Tiree. #birdingscotland.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

A juv Black Tern lingering off Hynish, Tiree this afternoon seems part of a mini-influx after 6 'fly-throughs' y'day. Other influx species today included a single Glossy Ibis at Loch a'Phuill and at least 40 Curlew Sands (min of 52 y'day) #birdingscotland.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

It was good of @tireebirder.bsky.social's Melodious Warbler to stick around so I could Tiree tick it this evening. Earlier a very flighty Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Clachan (& 5 juv Curlew Sands). #birdingscotland.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Chuffed to relocate y’days Fife Bridled Tern offshore from the Eskmouth at Musselburgh for 10 mins from 08:55 and glad that 3 others managed to connect before it became too distant and was lost to view. Drake White-winged & Surf Scoter both still present #birdinglothian.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

A cooperative Wheatear at Tyninghame this morning, where there continues to be relatively poor numbers of small waders for some reason. Had better luck at White Sands where an ad Little Stint was present at the north end of the beach #birdinglothian.

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

In more green colour ring news, yesterday’s Dutch ringed 1cy Caspian Gull at Gullane Point (green W|N ) - ringed as a pullus on 9 May at IJsselmmer from an apparently pure pair #birdinglothian

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

The American Black Tern, complete with its green ring, was back at Tyninghame today till 14:15 when it flew out to sea. I have to say though that identifying anything solely on the presence of a colour ring isn't especially rewarding. Also 4+ Roseate Terns still. #birdinglothian

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Nice to see the six regular tern species all together at Tyninghame this afternoon, inc ad Black, 12 Roseate (6 juvs), 5 Little (1 juv) and 60+ Arctic. A smart ad Long-tailed Skua north past White Sands at 17:20 #birdinglothian

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Ropey shot of an ad White-rumped Sandpiper new in on the Musselburgh scrapes on a quick pre-work visit this morning. By some margin the most frequent American wader in Lothian in recent years. #birdinglothian

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

My feed has been very scoter heavy this year so I might as well continue the trend! The White-winged showing very well again off Musselburgh at times this morning (would have been better still had the sun been out). Drake Surf also still present. #birdinglothian

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KGbirder @kgbirder.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

The new White-winged Scoter found y'day by @alpine-swift.bsky.social still present this am off Musselburgh (as well as the drake Surf Scoter). Surely this one will be around for the next couple of months while it moults. #birdinglothian

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