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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Shetland today: Siberian Blue Robin, Two-barred Warbler, Siberian Stonechat, Little Bunting, 4 Barred Warblers, Lapland Bunting and so on. After days of limited results working hard up north, today was a welcome relief! #Shetland

Hugh Harrop’s garden over the back that was graced by the Sibe Blue.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Always nice when an 80-minute march is rewarded with the target bird. This beauty of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (found last w’end by Pete Stronach) showed admirably in the sandy gales today. The march back was tough going! A Grey Plover an added bonus. Highland Yearlist now on 209. #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

About time I saw a Mediterranean Gull in Highland – this first-winter at Gairloch this morning. No sign of the Pacific Diver and no American waders on the various beaches checked today, but 82 Pale-bellied Brents on one was impressive. #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I’m glad you said “in equal measure” 😂! I’m mostly swinging towards the latter it feels sometimes.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Great Shearwaters are awesome birds, but what makes them even more epic is watching one from a far-flung cliff edge in NW Highland. I’d almost given up after 5 hours, but glad I stayed another hour! #highlandbirds

A poor still from my equally unimpressive video of the Great Shearwater.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Recent additions to my Highland yearlist, currently standing at 203, have included Cory’s Shearwater, Pacific Diver and Great White Egret, the latter seen at mega distance this morning after another fruitless wander at Tarbat Ness. #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

A pleasant hour or so at Tarbat Ness this morning. Migrants are always thin on the ground here, so it was nice to see this fresh-in Whinchat. #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Best of luck. It prefers a falling tide it seems! It was in with a large raft of Shags.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

One of those whacky Highland mornings! Started with a Pine Marten, ended with a Pacific Diver, with a Minke Whale, White-line Dart, stuck sheep, and other stuff thrown in for good measure. #highlandbirds

Pacific Diver off Gairloch! A Highland first! Spotted by a non-local on Friday, news released Sunday evening, confirmed yesterday, seen today… phew!

Stuck sheep. Had to walk up to a holiday let to ask for some scissors.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Delighted to have an article in the most recently published Birding Asia magazine (No. 45), featuring our few days at the birding hotspots on Bohol, #Philippines. @emilyrichens.bsky.social

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

As a testament to the double-figure count of Plain Clay in our trap last night, one has joined me for work today! Also four sp of Yellow Underwing (Large, LB-b, Lesser & B-b), Grey Chi etc #TeamMoth As a side note, can anyone guess the feather?

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Had this wee one peering out today ready for its maiden flight! Large numbers still congregating around Kiltarlity currently, but it’s imminent 😢

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

My Highland yearlist reached 200 this morning, with a Sooty Shearwater passing a very wet Tarbat Ness. Only five Frog Orchids present in a very brief search. Highland Yearlist: no heard only, and the boundary as per highland birds website. #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

August has got off to an absolute flyer! Very rare that I get a cetacean ✅ in UK waters, but this pod of four Northern Bottlenose Whales were seen off Cromarty this pm, having been found a few hours earlier. Also ‘my’ female Honey-buzzard from earlier today!

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Birds that have already left land heading south, notice dawn approaching, and therefore turn around back to land. They then head north to seek shelter further inland. I’ve no idea at what distance out to sea this happens though!

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A lunch walk down the R Beauly with @emilyrichens.bsky.social was surprisingly productive with two (presumed) Noctule Bats out hawking! Seven each of Goosander and Mandarin, each flotilla included six youngsters! #highlandbirds #highlandbats

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Superb, Mark. Pleased to say I have a pair regularly seen from my garden. Both are very active today!

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

All things ‘Golden’ in the trap this morning. Garden Tiger into double figures too! #TeamMoth #Highland

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

It was worth the effort of driving up to Balnakeil y’day to walk around Faraid Head with @emilyrichens.bsky.social! The wildflower display was stunning with the highlight being a colony of Marsh Fragrant Orchids! A frantic family of six Stoats and some secretive birds seen too.

Heath Spotted Orchid living on the edge of

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Good stuff! Any Rock Partridge?

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Thought you’d been quiet for a while! Good to have you back.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Totally gripped by the Cynthia’s! Tried twice and dipped twice in Bulgaria, so the Alps will be my go-to now. Lovely pics!

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

A day of 2nds! First up was the Isle of Skye Laughing Gull – only the 2nd Highland record #highlandbirds Then the Long-tailed Shrike – 2nd for Britain. #birdingscotland

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

A very early start on Skye this morning! I wouldn’t usually travel far for a Common Rosefinch, but being a Highland Year ✅ and a singing male (albeit a 1st summer), it was worth the 3am alarm! #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Went on all bloody night here 😴 😂

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Stacks of lighting where we are… progressing towards you 👍

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Finally a decent catch in last night’s moth trap here in Highland. In addition to the below were both Beautiful and Pale-shouldered Brocades. #teammoth

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Reposted by Matt Eade

Highland Dragonfly Tours @h-dragonflytours.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Azure Hawkers were hungry in Wester Ross today! In an effort to steer clear of the traditional Loch Maree sites, we checked a new area and were thrilled to get a double-figure count of this enigmatic Aeshna. A terrific supporting cast too! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

British Ardeidae sp no: 14 – Western Reef Heron.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

After many years, I think I’ve finally captured a near-perfect image (for my liking) of a Lesser Twayblade! #highland

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Lucked into this Pine Marten along Glen Strathfarrar before ascending Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais (1084m), where only a Ptarmigan was noted in true dreich conditions!

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Reposted by Matt Eade

Highland Dragonfly Tours @h-dragonflytours.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

The Highland Dragonfly season is finally in full swing! The 'Big 3' Dragonfly species of Wester Ross all seen today with relative ease, although the Azure Hawker never perched long enough for photos. @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @dragonflydamselfly.bsky.social

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

A superb week of Highland birding rounded off today with my best views yet of a UK Quail, which thankfully chose a stunted cropped field to sing from, easily viewable from a distance. Then, visited some gardens with the wife, many plants purchased and 10+ Hawfinches showing superbly! #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

We were keen for a 4 Flycatcher day… managed 3 but another would’ve been the jackpot. Gutting!

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Finally one of my finds makes it on! River Warbler… wahoo (found with Steve Dawson)

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Something of a nothing day turned into a beauty! First an unexpected female Honey-buzzard showed well (only phone shots), and then, a singing male Red-breasted Flycatcher! #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Balnakeil: another lovely visit to this remote corner of Scotland. Nothing mega, but drk Garganey and flava-type Yellow Wagtail over both Highland scarcities. A few other decent bits, plus 3 Risso’s Dolphins! #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Something very atmospheric about watching a White-billed Diver on Loch Ness. @emilyrichens.bsky.social #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Delighted to see the male Eastern Subalpine Warbler yesterday at Beachy Head. A long overdue addition to the (now stagnant) county list, currently standing at 330. A Clouded Yellow butterfly also present on the headland.

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Eventually a mega seawatch this pm at Rubha Reidh in squally conditions: Long-tailed Skua - 70 (biggest flock being 15) Pomarine Skua - 14 #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

A Highland beauty at first light today, a Woodchat Shrike near Brora in a most random location. An excellent find by someone! Pure bliss to have it to myself for an hour this morning! #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Thankfully this Highland scarcity, a Little Ringed Plover, stayed in situ for another day yesterday after I was pre-occupied with marital duties over the weekend. #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

In a day that has seen all four seasons, I was pleased to finally connect with a Corn Bunting in Highland. This individual remaining fairly loyal to a short hedgerow, where Tree Sparrows and a Bullfinch were also present. Highland Yearlist now on 142. #highlandbirds

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Our first moth trap last night and a great start with this Rannoch Sprawler to our MV. #teammoth

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Darn! Very keen for this in 2028 in that case, if it’s happening?

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Matt Eade @matt-eade24.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Still haven’t seen one in Highland this year yet!

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