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Peter Stronach

@macstronach.bsky.social
2.4K followers 1.3K following 801 posts

ornithology, wildlife, photography and ecology! #highlandbirds #ornithology #teammoth #birdingScotland #seabirds Highlands of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🪶 🦅 🦆 🦋 ⛰️ 🌊 🐋 🦈 🐙 🏝️ 🌳 🌲

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Reposted by Peter Stronach
Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 27/09/2026
Google finally updated some of its satellite images of Gaza and my god, it's horrific. The entirety of Rafah has been demolished. The majority of Khan Younis is in ruins. Entire towns completely leveled and erased of the map.
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Neil Donaghy @neild1962.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This wholly unexpected Red-eyed Vireo was trapped and ringed at Kenfig Pool this morning and is the seocnd record for Glamorgan and the reserve recording area. I had the shock of my life when I saw it staring back at me from the net. Seen by 20+ observers upon release #birdingWales #UKbirding
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Aarne Granlund @aarnegranlund.eurosky.social · 17/09/2026
"More bikes than cars were recorded at all rush hour travel peaks on Victoria Road, a trend which has been established since the previous traffic survey in September 2025." A nice result from #Scotland cycling.scot/news/scotlan...
cycling.scot
Scotland’s bike lane networks break new records
More bikes than cars on Leith Walk, and record cycling on routes across Glasgow and Edinburgh. Explore the latest data from Cycling Scotland traffic surveys and cycle counter analysis.
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Nige Jarman @nigej.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Some footage of just a fraction of the 20000+ House Martins moving down channel #Bockhill this morning.
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Gary Allport @birdsandlife.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Steppe Whimbrel - remember this? The tracking data now part of an amazing collaborative study of all tracks of whimbrels globally, put together by Camilo Carniero just published in Ibis. Still a big data gap in Southern and Eastern Africa onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Migratory routes of tracked whimbrels with the breeding (triangles pointing downwards), wintering (triangles pointing upwards) and stopover sites (spring: circles; autumn: diamonds). Stopover symbol sizes represent duration in days. Each subspecies is represented by a distinct colour, with undetermined by grey symbols and dashed tracks. The coloured polygons at high northern latitudes illustrate the longitudinal ranges considered to assign subspecies with exception of N. p. alboaxillaris (see Table 2; note that presumed overlapping subspecies N. p. phaeopus– rogachevae and N. p. rogachevae– variegatus are not labelled). Repeated individual tracks are shown but not included in statistical analysis. The map is presented in an equal area projection, which retains the relative size of areas.
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
*cue Werner Herzog narration…
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I was amazed to see the Buff-breasted Sandpiper yesterday doing it's wing flashing display to some bemused Ringed Plovers! #highlandbirds 🪶
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liamfleming.bsky.social @liamfleming.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Delighted to see Ireland’s 2nd Blackburnian Warbler on Dursey Island, Cork today. Amazing find by Paul & Noel. #irishrarebirds
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Short video of the Morrich Mòr Buff-breasted Sandpiper from today in beautiful sunny, calm conditions. A world away from yesterdays perfect storm and monster tides! The tenth Highland record... #highlandbirds 🪶
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ourpower.bsky.social @ourpower.scot · 09/09/2026
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to establish a national fund for the future...and ensure that the financial benefits of big offshore wind stay within Scotland.” bit.ly/4yrSwta
thenational.scot
Campaigners call for Scandi-style wealth fund from ScotWind money
THE Scottish Government must move swiftly to set up a ScotWind wealth fund using the millions brought in from offshore wind farm leases, campaigners...
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Had a nice little influx of Sabine's Gull into Highland waters last couple of days, this juvenile was still hanging on this morning and gave a brief flyby through the largely unimpressed gull roost at Embo! #highlandbirds
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The @aba.org missed a real trick during the recent renaming of species not to change from Common Loon to Swivel-eyed Loon! #highlandbirds
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Stunned to come across this full summer plumage Great Northern Diver a couple of metres off Embo Pier this morning! #highlandbirds 🪶
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Reviewing Golden Eagle records in Highland and came across this stunning individual photographed by Wesley Rich, never seen the like of it!. Look at the white flecking through the underwing and upper breast! 🪶 #ornithology macaulaylibrary.org/asset/655166...
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Colin Davies @coldav1.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Pacific diver ad win still Caolas beag, Big Sand, Gairloch, loosely associating with 17 summer plumage black-throated. Note, there is also an ad win black-throated with them for added confusion but also good comparison. #BirdingScotland #UKrarebirds
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Peter Santema @petersantema.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
New #ornithology paper out in @royalsocietypublishing.org! We show that female dotterels can move across large distances within a single breeding season in search of mating opportunities, visiting up to five different sites (median: 3) and travelling up to 1000 km between sites (median: 71 km). 1/n
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
A Minke Whale in Gairloch bay, always amazes me how close they come into shore!, taken from Hebridean Whale Cruises boat
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Thought it might be a good day to upload a video of Band-rumped Storm Petrels from the Challenger 4 expedition to the Dangaard and Explorer Canyons last year. The flight style is just incredible, more shearwater than storm petrel #ornithology 🪶 macaulaylibrary.org/asset/664007...
macaulaylibrary.org
Making sure you're not a bot!
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Anybody able to ID this call made from Dornoch Point, two calls one at 2-3 seconds and another at 8 seconds. It was flying high and steady not seen as I was looking into sun, it was a series of calls all exactly the same as that maybe 10 in a row #birdingScotland
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Highlands & Islands Greens @hi-greens.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy · 26/08/2026
Not to be missed. Is there a screening near you? You can check on this website: www.nebriefing.org/screening-map
People’s Emergency Briefing

On the climate and nature crisis

‘The climate we live in today is the least extreme climate we will experience in our lifetimes!
What we need to know. What we need to do.

Film screening (50 mins) and discussion
Green Screen at Ullapool Ferry Terminal
Wednesday 26th August 2026
Doors open at 7, film at 7.30
FREE ENTRY | ALL WELCOME
www.nebriefing.org
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Also present at Big Sand this morning a small Canada Goose alongside a regular feral bird, small bird maybe an ‘Argyll weirdo’! 😂 #highlandbirds
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The first Pacific Diver for Highland still present in Caolas Beag off Big Sand this morning. Found by Zsombor Berényi two days ago but may be the same bird reported by Bastien Guibert on the 7th April 2026! #highlandbirds 🪶
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Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 19/08/2026
BLOG on the controversy over the dues demanded by the owner of the Kylerhea Ferry rights. andywightman.scot/2026/08/ferr...
andywightman.scot
Ferry Rights and the Skye Ferry - Land Matters
The image above appeared on the front cover of the Sunday National on 16 August 2026. The story highlighted the ongoing charges faced by the Isle of Skye Ferry CIC, the community company that operates...
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Chris Townsend @christownsend.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Save the Glenelg - Skye ferry!
This ten minute crossing is famous around the world - and is believed to be the last turntable style ferry anywhere. It's an iconic part of Skye's history, but it's under threat thanks to a wealthy la...
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Abilu Tangwa. @abilutangwa.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions. They told YOU to recycle better while they polluted more. Don't fall for it. Hold systems accountable. #ClimateCrisis
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
First for Scotland?, polish-ringed continental Black-tailed Godwit in the Borders #birdingScotland
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Aarne Granlund @aarnegranlund.eurosky.social · 19/08/2026
"Accounting for non-CO2 emissions (...) EU aviation’s climate impact increases to 262 Mt of CO2e - roughly a quarter of the EU’s transport emissions." Almost no one, even in the climate scene, mentions the growth of tourism aviation. Why? #Sufficiency www.transportenvironment.org/state-of-eur...
transportenvironment.org
State of Transport 2026: Aviation
Europe’s leading advocates for clean transport & energy
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Delighted to find a Northern Rose Chafer today whilst searching Devil’s Bit Scabious flowers, almost entirely restricted to Strathspey in Scotland!
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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Further good news after Dark Bordered Beauty was rediscovered in Northumberland. This morning I confirmed a new site for the species in Scotland. Last year I was surprised to find a single male in one of my traps, but we thought it could be a wanderer. Last night, I found 2 more males! #TeamMoth
A potted male Dark Bordered Beauty mothA male Dark Bordered Beauty moth sits amongst the heatherA moth trap surrounded by heather
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
A productive trapping session at Findhorn in Moray last night with Portland Moth, lots of Coast Darts and a Nutmeg!. Migrants included 8 Small Mottled Willow, 3 Rusty Dot Pearl and a Shuttle-shaped Dart (?!) #teammoth
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Ben Averis @averisben.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Red Underwing, found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 15th August 2026. A rare species in Scotland. #TeamMoth
A Red Underwing moth, found and photographed by Alison Averis in East Lothian, Scotland, on 15th August 2026. A rare species in Scotland.
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Is this Prays fraxinella?, or something else. From VC107 last night, apologies only had mobile phone for photos!! #teammoth
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
And the first of the years Anomalous records, looking box fresh! #teammoth
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Two Cousin German in the garden moth trap this morning, another of the special moths of Strathspey! #teammoth
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Simon Tucker @simonrtucker.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A massive plastic pellet spill is threatening North Sea wildlife 🌊 Coastal communities are stepping up, but we need action. Join us and ask @andyburnham.bsky.social to launch an emergency response & hold polluters accountable! #NurdleSpill #StopPollution action.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/tyn...
action.friendsoftheearth.uk
Tell Andy Burnham: Save the North Sea from plastic pellet disaster
One of the UK's biggest spills of plastic pellets (or “nurdles”) is flooding the North East’s coastline. It could harm wildlife in the North Sea for decades. Thousands of volunteers – including Friend...
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George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater becomes my 300th island bird after dropping back to 296 with the AviList update! What a bird to do it with! Was a nice surprise to see it hunting for bees as we drove past the fence at Burray! Not where Id of predicted it’d turn up! #OrkneyBirding
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Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
With almost all grey squirrels now removed from Aberdeen City, read our new blog to find out what day-to-day life looks like for our North East team, and how they stay motivated when there’s (hopefully!) nothing to find… scottishsquirrels.org.uk/2026/07/31/l... 📷 Raymond Leinster
A red squirrel on the side of a tree.
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The #Cairngorms wildfire looking a lot better this morning after another dose of heavy rain overnight and earlier!
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Never thought I’d see one of these moths in Highland, a Dark Spinach from Coul Links yesterday morning! #teammoth
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
After a slightly chaotic evening glad to wake up to see some rain falling. Tomorrow morning looking good currently for a decent amount, the only thing that’s going to put out the wildfire now given the size of it!
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The #Cairngorms wildfire has flared up again today, as big as it ever was and an incredible plume of smoke drifting west on the strong, gusty winds!, turning northwesterly overnight...
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
I’ve had some quality insects over the years in the polytunnel but decent birds have been thin on the ground until today, when a Snipe walked out of the polytunnel! 😂 #highlandbirds 🪶
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
NASA live fire map showing the #Cairngorms wildfire now close to Ptarmigan restaurant (red cross) at the top of Cairngorm
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
The #Cairngorm wildfire looking south with Bynack More on the left and Meall a' Bhuachaille 2/3 of the way to the right, wind picking up now and several days of northerlies forecast
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Surely only a matter of time before they figure out the Skye road bridge!
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
"City relieved" = Burnham's government won't challenge the power of the bankers, or tax their wealth. Who is choosing our politicians - the people or the banking sector?
Financial times - city relieved as Burnham poised to choose Mahmood as his Chancellor
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Gav Woodbridge @gavnorthron.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Amazing twitch across to Papay with the @northronbirdobs.bsky.social crew for an outrageous bird. The spectacle of it roosting at Hundland was a sacred experience for the birding disciples. #birdingorkney
BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATERBcBENorth Ron crew Twitchers 🤙
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Bruce Taylor @barrabirder.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Big thanks to Ulf Berthelsen for amazing news about the ringed Little Tern I saw on Barra last week. Turns out it was ringed on 30th March 2025 4635km south of the Isle of Barra at La Langue de Barbarie National Park, SENEGAL! #birdingscotland
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George Gay @georgenorthron.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
A nice little video of the bird just before it went into roost. #OrkneyBirding
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Peter Stronach @macstronach.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
and an image from Meall a' Bhuachaille looking southeast, the firefighters have done an amazing job keeping it out of the old Scot's Pine area around An Lochan Uaine at the bottom of the image! #Cairngorms
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